"Well, it's not quite a mop and it's not quite a puppet… but man (laughs). So to answer your question, I don't know." – Homer Simpson, "A Fish Called Selma"
The hummable (if not singable) nature of the song and the amazing videos (as different as they are) got me thinking about another great tune with a stunning video: Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie. If you haven’t seen already (or it’s been a while and you want a refresher) here you go:
There’s even a traveling art exhibit of the stills that make up the stop motion video OR you could own a piece of creative and buy one of the photos yourself for $250.
Anyhow, the Cee-Lo stuff (despite the completely opposite sentiment and presentation) got me thinking of Oren Lavie.
My cousin Elyse is in Venice, Italy right now doing a semester of study abroad. This fact has nothing to do whatsoever with the rest of this post. She is in Venice, the city, and it is not sinking, to the best of my knowledge, but it is very wet due to all the canals and such.
No, this post is about the Athens, GA based band Venice Is Sinking. I’ll clarify below.
Yesterday morning a coworker was doing his normal morning rounds: going to get his tea, smiling and waving. All very neighborly, cheerful stuff for a coworker to do. I like the guy.
I could use adjectives like “orchestral” or “lush” or “pastoral” or “atmospheric” to describe the band and their music but what does that tell you, really?
I’m no music critic, but all the songs seem handcrafted.
Not overdone.
Not twee (in style or harmony).
Not stark either.
Simple, yes, but equally complex and satisfying.
I’d make some hipster band comparisons but that would be as thin a veil as the adjectives above. Suffice it to say that if you enjoy male-female duets/harmonies, a dash of strings, the jangle of acoustic guitars and an easy, plaintive sway you’ll be dancing in the right sweater, beard and glasses tonight.
Which reminds me, *this* is genius:
I think it's pretty clear from the chart that Venice Is Sinking should earn a few spots on your iPod.
Enough of the tomfoolery. Give Venice Is Sinking a listen.
They were nice enough to follow me on Twitter (and #FollowFriday me too).
They make some nice tunes.
They’ve got a new CD, AZAR, out now.
The quality of the embed video below sucks, but you’ll get the idea of the shoegaze-turned-indie-pop that jangled into my mind this morning that I had to tweet about:
Part of the nostalgia is fueled by the onset of Fall and football season and my (fading) memories of my freshman orientation – back in Summer, 1994 – and my own stint as an Orientation Leader two years later during the “Olympic Summer” of 1996.
The first concert I saw in Athens was actually on campus at UGA while I was there for my Freshman orientation. I saw Velocity Girl at Legion Field for $3.00, I think. I’m sure I have a ticket stub somewhere.
Doing a little sleuthing online, it looks to have been the end of July, since the band performed on 99x on the 29th.
I’m just swimming in nostalgia today but this band is tied to so many good memories for me: summer time, jangly (if slightly fuzzy) guitars and being on campus.
I was very much in to Matthew Sweet at the time (still am) so I’m glad I had a moment of remembrance today.
I’m only recently aware of Allison Weiss and her music, but I’m wowed by her sound, her aesthetic and her approach to making music and connecting with her fans.
Her main appeal at the moment is for folks – you or me – to donate to the creation of an EP. In exchange for our cash, she’ll give us (assuming we participate) access to cool exclusives and, for a price, inclusion in the liner notes and beyond (depending on the amount).
This is an ingenious way for an obviously talented, albeit cash-strapped college student to raise the funds necessary to pursue her dreams. I know I’ve got a few dollars burning a hole in my pocket to contribute to the cause. For another perspective on an artist doing her own thing and connecting with her fans, check out David Meerman Scott’s interview with Amanda Palmer of Dresden Dolls.
I won’t be able to catch her Quest For Glory tour in Atlanta or Athens due to a vacation, but I may try to make the “internet” date. 😉
All of this is made that much better for me because of the Athens, GA connections (see above: professor, semi-acquaintance & Allison herself) involved.
My Alma Mater.
My Other Mother.
My home away from home.
As an avowed fan of Matthew Sweet I may be in danger of breaking my musical/fan vows since I don’t own the album he made a few years back with Susanna Hoffs, Under The Covers, Vol. 1
Via Paste I learned that I’m so (fashionably?) late to the party that they’ve gone and released a follow-up disc, Under The Covers, Vol. 2.
Whereas the first CD focused on 60’s covers, the new CD is all 70’s covers highlighted by a personal favorite, Mott The Hoople’s “All The Young Dudes.” I also like The Raspberries’ “Go All The Way” but was initially repulsed by the inclusion of Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” until I gave it a listen on their MySpace.
As with all things musical, you’re mileage may vary, but I’ve got some iTunes gift cards burning a hole in my wallet that I now know how to spend.
