It’s beginning to look a lot like … Christmas? Yep, in November – pre-Thanksgiving even! Man oh man, what are we coming to that we have to start seeing Christmas commercials on the TV and hear holiday tunes in stores in the middle of November? I guess if it’s any sort of concession, at least a few places are playing good holiday tunes. WOXY has put together its Holiday Mixer running seasonal tunes 24/7. The list is composed mostly of indie artists – you can catch a glimpse of a few of the artists on the “last 15 songs spun” playlist. When I checked, Calexico, Weezer, Neko Case and the Old 97s were in rotation.
Stephen Colbert is in on the fun with a DVD of Christmas songs and performances by the likes of Feist, Willie Nelson, John Legend and Toby Keith. And did I forget to mention that Colbert himself sings on nearly all the tracks? Well he does.
Lots of Beatles-related items in the news the past few days. The White Album turned 40 and to celebrate, PopMatters will be posting articles on the band all of this week. Paul McCartney spoke with the UK's Guardian recently about releasing a rare, experimental Beatles’ track called “Carnival of Light.” Meanwhile, NPR is streaming the Fireman’s new album, Electric Arguments, featuring Paul McCartney.
Bon Iver follows up his successful debut For Emma, Forever Ago, with a new EP slated for release on January 20. The EP will contain four tracks and is titled Blood Bank.
A few Northwest interviews are up online … Pitchfork spoke with the Fleet Foxes recently and You Ain’t No Picasso sat down with Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper to discuss musical “firsts.”
Brian Wilson talked with the Washington Post’s Post Rock folks.
Smashing Magazine posted a great piece featuring “music videos to inspire you and get you excited about the medium again.”
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band plan a January release for their new LP.
Singer-Songwriter Kathleen Edwards, who plays tonight in Portland at the Aladdin Theatre with John Doe, spoke with the Seattlest publication earlier this week.
The Black Keys released a live DVD on Nonesuch yesterday. The songs were recorded here in good ole Oregon at the Crystal Ballroom. The guitar half of the duo, Dan Auerbach, meanwhile has prepared a solo album to be released on Feb. 10 titled Keep It Hid.
To top things off, if you haven't checked it out yet, take a peek at the Blitzen Trapper performance from Monday's Late Night with Conan Obrien.
As always, comments are open and welcome ...
November 19, 2008 at 10:29pm by gunky
please, oh please... no xmas tunes. Unless it's something like The Splits doing an impression of the Ramones doing Santa Baby. And even if you can find something like that, let discretion be the better part of valor.
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