[video] Two•Tonne Bowlers - "An Acquired Taste" (w/ Spencer Krug)

Spencer Krug at age 17

Certain things are just better left buried, but luckily for us, someone else has done all the digging. A while back, it came to the knowledge of we Spencer Krug fans that he was once in a ska band. I didn't believe it at first, but more substantial evidence surfaced, thus confirming the rumors.

You most probably associate Krug with bands like Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Moonface, Frog Eyes, Swan Lake, or even Fifths of Seven. One that I'm guessing isn't on that list is the Two•Tonne Bowlers. Well, he had to start somewhere, and if you'd like to see some extremely rare live footage of Krug's high school band for yourself, check out the video above. Thank you YouTube!

[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (5-9-2012)

Spirit Animal Mix

One of my favorite questions to ask random strangers is, "What's your spirit animal, and why?" I'm more interested in the "why", since it's always interesting to see how one personifies their chosen animal. In almost all cases, their animal is somehow wise (e.g., elephant, owl, lion, eagle). If one were to image search "spirit animal" in Google, you'd find awesome pictures like the one above. If one were to ask me, I'd probably tell you the wolf is my spirit animal. Why? Well according to this quiz, it's because I'm loyal, devoted, and passionate... At any rate, it turns out I also happen to like a lot of bands named after animals, so I figured putting my favorite of those bands into this week's Hump Day Power Play was only fitting.

Hear it by simply clicking here. Playlist is below.

:: Hump Day Power Play (5-9-2012) ::
01 :: "Sea Ghost" - The Unicorns
02 :: "Modern World" - Wolf Parade
03 :: "What The Stars Have Eaten" - Deadboy & The Elephantmen
04 :: "No One Does It Like You" - Department of Eagles
05 :: "Revival" - Deerhunter
06 :: "Melody Day" - Caribou
07 :: "Sing It Softly in a Sigh" - Halcyonaire
08 :: "Little Brother" - Grizzly Bear
09 :: "Mykonos" - Fleet Foxes
10 :: "All Fires" - Swan Lake
11 :: "You're a Wolf" - Sea Wolf
12 :: "Revolving Doors" - Gorillaz
13 :: "Qui Dorm, Només Somia" - Deerhoof
14 :: "505" - Arctic Monkeys

Get Spotify (if you don't already have it).

[playlist] Hump Day Power Play (1-11-2012)

Spencer Krug Edition

Spencer Krug is one of the hardest working and most prolific indie songwriters of this era, establishing musical acts that include Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, Frog Eyes, Fifths of Seven, and Moonface (not to mention the Two•Tonne Bowlers). Notably, his solo work from the Sunset Rubdown EP contains the song "Three Colours", the very song that lends its name to this blog. Today's Hump Day Power Play features songs from the tortured genius that is Mr. Krug.

What I've always found so interesting is the way that Krug seems to tinker and toy with new sounds, usually in some obscure side project before putting all the pieces together for his materspiece works. Currently, the newest moniker for Krug's creative outlet is Moonface. In his first release, he crafted a 20 minute track exploring the unique sounds of the marimba (and shit-drums). In his latest EP, he tried his skills with the vibraphone organ (though, he would have hoped it were vibraphone). In interviews, Krug has alluded to the development of a rotating lineup for Moonface, in which friends will eventually help support and shape the organic and ever-redefining sound of the band. I'm very excited to experience the evolution of this project. Anyway, in the spirit of Spencer Krug, I've put together a playlist that highlights some of my favorite Krug tracks. Enjoy!

Hear it by simply clicking here. Playlist is below.

:: Hump Day Power Play (1-11-2012) ::
01 :: "Disco Sheets" - Wolf Parade
02 :: "They Took A Vote And Said No" - Sunset Rubdown
03 :: "Apollo and the Buggalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!" - Sunset Rubdown
04 :: "Stadiums And Shrines II" - Sunset Rubdown
05 :: "California Dreamer" - Wolf Parade
06 :: "You Are A Runner And I Am My Father's Son" - Wolf Parade
07 :: "Idiot Heart" - Sunset Rubdown
08 :: "Snakes Got A Leg III" - Sunset Rubdown
09 :: "Bang Your Drum" - Wolf Parade
10 :: "Reture To The Violence Of The Ocean Floor" - Moonface
11 :: "Call It A Ritual" - Wolf Parade
12 :: "The Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life" - Sunset Rubdown
13 :: "I'll Believe In Anything" - Wolf Parade
14 :: "Nightingale / December Song" - Sunset Rubdown
15 :: "All Fires" - Swan Lake
16 :: "Shut Up I Am Dreaming Of Places Where Lovers Have Wings" - Sunset Rubdown

Get Spotify (if you don't already have it).

Sunset Rubdown - "Paper Lace" Preview

A strange, yet artfully funny teaser from Dragonslayer

Sunset Rubdown released this little snippet of "Paper Lace" (with the opening bit of Family Ties), a song from their upcoming album Dragonslayer. For those of you who've heard Swan Lake's version of this song from Enemy Mine, you'll probably notice how distinct the two renditions sound. I guess we'll have to wait until June 23 to hear "Paper Lace" in its entirety.

In other Sunset Rubdown news, for those of you who purchased the David Horvitz picture disc of Sunset Rubdown Introducing Moonface, these will apparently ship on this Friday (May 8). If you didn't purchase a copy of the limited release, the band announced that they'll be selling copies at shows while supplies last. For a listing of their upcoming shows, continue reading. Notably, Sunset Rubdown will be gracing Chop Suey on June 27, 2009.

Sunset Rubdown tour dates:

06/11/09
Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs *#

06/12/09
Brooklyn, NY - Studio B *#

06/13/09
Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's *

06/14/09
Washington, DC - Black Cat *#

06/15/09
Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 *#

06/16/09
Atlanta, GA - The Drunken Unicorn *#

06/20/09
Austin, TX - Mohawk *#

06/22/09
Tucson, AZ - Plush *#

06/23/09
Los Angeles, CA - Echoplex *#

06/24/09
San Francisco, CA - The Rickshaw Stop *#
06/26/09
Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge *#

06/27/09
Seattle, WA - Chop Suey *#

06/28/09
Victoria, BC - Sugar Nightclub *#

07/02/09
Calgary, AB - The Marquee Room *#

07/06/09
Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry *#

07/07/09
Chicago, IL - Epiphany *#

07/08/09
Bloomington, IN - Jake's Nightclub *#

07/10/09
Toronto, ONT - Lee's Palace *#

07/11/09
Montreal, QC - Il Motore *

With Special Guests
* = Elfin Saddle
# = Witchies

Swan Lake - Enemy Mine Pre-order and Download

Pre-order Enemy Mine now,
and download a copy immediately

Head over to Jagjaguwar and pre-order a copy (here) of Swan Lake's new album, Enemy Mine, and they'll send you a code to download a digital copy as fast as you can access your email. This means that you can obtain a legal copy of the album more than a month before its official release date. I just bought my copy and in seconds was able to obtain my copy. I haven't even listened to it, yet, but expect a follow-up post very soon.

Enemy Mine will drop March 24, 2009. Get it NOW!

Swan Lake - Enemy Mine Preview

First taste of Enemy Mine...

Announced at Jagjaguwar earlier today, you can now listen to three songs from Swan Lake's upcoming album Enemy Mine. Singers Carey Mercer, Dan Bejar, and Spencer Krug each sing on one of the three songs debuted.

• Hear Mercer sing "Spanish Gold, 2044" at Stereogum.
• Hear Bejar sing "Spider" at Spin.
• Hear Krug sing "A Hand At Dusk" at Pitchfork.

Enemy Mine will be released March 24, 2009 on Jagjaguwar Records.

Spencer Krug Plays the Marimba???

Yet another side project

for indie-rock god Spencer Krug

A great little interview with Spencer Krug was recently posted over at Stereogum. In the post, Krug talks about his upcoming Swan Lake record Enemy Mine and how much he enjoys song-writing with his "old friends". What caught my attention the most in this interview, however, was when Krug told of his future projects. Apparently, after the release of Sunset Rubdown's still-untitled fourth LP slated for late summer, Krug plans to finish an ongoing project (two years and counting) composed of marimba and drums. While no other details have been revealed, this EP may be the closest resemblance to a Fifths of Seven "sound." Krug described his fondness of the marimba, stating:

"[The marimba is] an instrument that I've always liked, but I've never had the patience to bring on the road or even try recording. I don't think it's the coolest move for my 'street cred,' but it's a beautiful sounding instrument, what can I say?"

I don't think he'll lose any "street cred" over it, but I'm sure it'll turn some heads. Last time I checked, Jack White is still respected in the rock community and we all remember when the White Stripes had their "marimba phase" (see Get Behind Me Satan). Nevertheless, it'll probably be a year before we get to hear anything from this project, and I've yet to be disappointed by any of Krug's brainchildren.

Happy 2009! First Order of Business, Swan Lake.

Finally, news about Swan Lake's second LP

Thanks to Wolf Parade's fansite for the heads up, it appears Swan Lake's sophomore effort will be entitled Enemy Mine. There's no official date on the release, but rumor has it the album will drop March 24, 2009 through Jagjaguwar Records. Interestingly, the courtroom cover art was purchased by Carey Mercer for a mere C$25 from an antique store in Penticton, B.C.

The unofficial track listing looks like this:

1. Spanish Gold, 2044
2. Paper Lace
3. Heartswarm
4. Settle on Your Skin
5. Ballad of a Swan Lake, Or, Daniel’s Song
6. Peace
7. Spider
8. A Hand at Dusk
9. Warlock Psychologist

New Sunset Rubdown and Swan Lake Songs!!!

New US tour kicks off with some new tunes!

Big thanks to Earl of Slander for posting a recording of Sunset Rubdown's latest show at the The Middle East Club (9-15-2008) in Cambridge, MA. Set list for the night looks like this new tour is a must-see show. Highlights of the night include 5 new Sunset Rubdown songs and 1 new Swan Lake song, as well as some anti-Palin political jabs. Check out the new ones below (with alternate song titles in parentheses):

Setlist
Black Swan [New]
Taming Of The Hands
Idiot Heart
Silver Moons [New]
Trumpet Trumpet, Toot Toot
You Go On Ahead [New]
(For God's Sake, Don't Let Sarah Palin Get Into Office)
Us Ones In Between
Buffalo [New]
(I Don't Even Necessarily Agree With Obama's Policies, I Just Don't Want Sarah Palin To Get Into Office)
Jackie [New Swan Lake song!]
Mending Of the Gown
Stadiums and Shrines II
Dragon [New]
(I Sincerely Believe That the World Will End Sooner Than Later If Sarah Palin Is Allowed Into the White House)
Encore
Winged / Wicked Things
Shut Up I Am Dreaming

For the whole show, head over to the Wolf Parade Forum.