Music Blog

It's another batch of random audio, extended for the extended weekend ahead. Even if you're not heading for Sasquatch, by the way, there's still plenty of spill off headed Portland's way. This includes performances from LCD Soundsystem, Vetiver, Patrick Watson, The Mountain Goats, Nada Surf and (in Bend) Band of Horses with She & Him. Also this weekend: a few hours without rain. Take these with you while you soak the rays...

1- RATATAT's LP4 is coming June 8th and the good news is that it's a new batch of songs from RATATAT.....and it sounds like them, which is to say head bob-able, a little spastic, and a little mysterious. Oh it also uses the same exact same spoken word sample at the end of the song that Hurtbird employed on their Nature vs. City earlier this year. Throw down!
► RATATAT- "Party With Children"

2- Seattle's awesomely-named Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band follows up last year's debut with a new album called Where the Messengers Meet, once again on Dead Oceans. Look for it August 3rd and the band themselves next week, June 5th, at OSU in Corvallis.
► Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band- "Leaving Trails"

3- And now, music in praise of Katrina & the Waves. Yeah, not exactly something we'd thought we'd ever say, but you know, on second thought, why not? The band originally fronted by former Soft Boy Kimberly Rew celebrates 25 years since the release of their apex, 1985's still ubiquitous "Walking On Sunshine," this year, and while that song defines them, they boast a catalog of solid to good output worth revisiting. Just to prove it, the music's due for some reissues this year, and Brooklyn Vegan has put together a covers tribute to commemorate the anniversary, Sun Salute: A Tribute to Katrina & the Waves, recently unveiling the first three acts to be included and their corresponding performances.

And wow. We'll admit that Katrina & the Waves' "Walking On Sunshine" remains a pretty irresistable pop tune, despite the overplayed-ness of it over the years, but this version makes us believe it without a doubt; makes us fall in love with it all over again; makes us love it if we never did in the first place. As long as it doesn't end up on Grey's Anatomy or an insurance commercial. Let's keep it special, and frankly we could use some sun around here about now.
► Sam Amidon- "Walking On Sunshine"

4- Deer Tick releases their third album in The Black Dirt Sessions on June 8th, but not before they contribute to Sun Salute with a version of the almost title track.
► Deer Tick- "Sun Street"

5- Merrill Garbus is the mastermind behind tUnE-YaRdS, and she brings her act back to the northwest this weekend for Sasquatch and an appearance Saturday night at Mississippi Studios. She also makes the Katrina tune her own...
► tUnE-YaRdS- "I Really Taught Me to Watusi"

6 (BONUS!)- Chicago-based singer-songwriter Joe Pug released his full-length debut earlier this year in the form of Messenger-- this poignant number from it is one he's made free especially for Memorial Day this weekend. Pug plays the Oregon Zoo Summer Concert Series August 8th, opening for the Levon Helm Band.
► Joe Pug- "Bury Me Far (From My Uniform)"

 

To the weekend then!

Tagged: mp3