Enough interesting stuff came up this week on video that it merits a post.  Check it out (bandwidth warning!). Read the rest…

Locals Arbouretum release their first music video off the excellent Song of the Pearl. Too bad the release is on Pitchfork and they seem to enjoy passive-aggressive attempts at snarking and skewering our hometown heroes’ latest efforts.

Check out our takes on their past 2 efforts, Song of the Pearl and Kale, as well as our interview with Dave.

The Presets just dropped a bombshell of a music video, tracked to “If I Know You” from their 2008 album Apocalypso.

It’s single-handedly one of the most stunningly sublime and beautiful music videos I’ve seen in a long time, with some great (albeit creepily young) dancers. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised at this considering Julian Hamilton’s history with dance. Absolutely gorgeous and crushing synergy of sound, the visual of dance and some really tasteful video editing and interesting cuts.

In case it slipped under your radar, 9:30 Club just announced the Presets will be playing on 4/1 with the Golden Filter. Don’t miss it and check out our review of Apocalypso and interview with Julian Hamilton.

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MP3: The Presets – If I Know You

This was sort of a Make A Wish foundation type moment.  Multi-instrumentalist and musical Swiss Army Knife Andy Abelow has always implied interest in having a band.  And he assembled a doozy of one for his first time, opening our little fest.  I’d like to think we catalyzed a little bit of a dream to come true.

While you’re heading out to the Zodiac this Friday the 13th for Beach House, make sure to stop by the Windup Space and catch Andy’s set, where he will again be backed by a band.  You won’t regret it.

Andy Abelow
Aural States Fest
Talking Head Club
Baltimore, MD
January 30, 2009

Source: mg sms2000/200 > tascam hd-p2 (oade – acm) @ 44.1/16 bit
Compression: cdwav > flac
Taper: Steve Sanford

Stream and download individual MP3s after the jump.  Also catch some nifty video from Zach Kaufmann from SpliceToday.

Read the rest…

Here’s my shotgun approach to the holidaze, a hand-picked selection of tracks from albums that have been facilitating my aural merriment and mirth.  And as a special treat, The Chipmunks’ “Christmas Song” mix by Jason Willett is an Aural States exclusive.

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MP3: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones – Linus and Lucy from Jingle All the Way (2008)

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MP3: Caleb Stine – Peace on Earth from Peace on Earth: Christmas (2007)

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MP3: Reverend Horton Heat – Santa Bring My Baby Back from We Three Kings: Christmas Favorites (2005)

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MP3: My Morning Jacket – X-mas Curtain (Live) from Okonokos (2008)

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MP3: Au – I’ll Be Home For Christmas from I’ll Stay ‘Til After Christmas (2008)

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MP3: The Chipmunks – The Dark Truth Behind the Chipmunks (‘The Chipmunk Song,’ Jason Willett mix)

Check out the vanilla Chipmunks version with original video, after the jump! Read the rest…

So I’m heading up to NYC this weekend for a night at Blip Festival 2008. Anyone with free time and the traveler’s itch should get their asses up north for the mayhem.

Previously interviewed on Aural States, noteNdo (ex-Baltimorean Jeff Donaldson of now-defunct WZT Hearts) will be doing some of his music and video work along with an international pantheon of artists from Japan, Belgium, Spain, France. Probably one of the most interesting and unique music experiences you’ll have the opportunity to see.

This kicks off TONIGHT and goes til Sunday.

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MP3: noteNdo – INTERLOPER

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MP3: noteNdo – VIDEOLOOP

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MP3: noteNdo – Video Loop Live @ Metro Gallery, Oct 9 2007 (courtesy the Baltimore Taper)

Blip Festival 2008: The Promo from Richard Alexander Caraballo on Vimeo.

“It was all a dream. I used to read Word Up magazine.”

Well for the young Mudge it was actually URB, and XLR8R. So, I was pretty happy when XLR8R sat down with Kevin Martin, aka The Bug, and Annette Henry, aka Warrior Queen. This producer/MC dubstep duo were responsible for the hard-hitting single “Poison Dart” from The Bug’s London Zoo album. Read my review here.

This interview provides a valuable primer to an interesting scene emerging from that island across the Atlantic known for pushing electronic music forward , with a little help from another island nation in the Caribbean also know for musical innovation.  Cultural cross-pollination is cool!

Neutral Milk Hotel – Engine – 10/18/2008 Brillobox, Pittsburgh PA from Engine on Vimeo.

Yes, folks, that is indeed THE Jeff Magnum.  But fuck if everyone who is talking didn’t need an ass-kicking.

By popular demand, Jason and I filmed a little demonstration of the Radio Zither and the Sidrassi Organ mentioned in our last update.

Behold, and give major kudos to Peter Blasser for his genius work. More videos and pictures including of Karl’s work after the jump.

Radio Zither Demonstration by Jason Willett & Greg Szeto from Greg Szeto on Vimeo.

Read the rest…

So French pop-seamstress Yelle is coming to the area.  2 appearances next Monday, one at University of Maryland College Park’s radio station, WMUC at 5PM, then the late show at 9:30 Club.

I am unbelievably pumped for this.

Yelle “C’est l’Amerique” Tour 2008 – TEASER from Yelle on Vimeo.