Band of the Week: Throw Me The Statue

[September 29 - October 5]

Throw Me The Statue
Sounds Like: Indie-Pop
Drinking Buddies: Oh No! Oh My!, Via Audio, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

Synopsis: Rewriting the definitions of pop on a daily basis.

Makes You Want To...: Rock out; Dance; Sing
[Myspace]

One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Throw Me The Statue.

Pop music. Such a quirky, tricky, fickle genre of our modern music. And it's everywhere - it wouldn't be "pop" music if it wasn't everywhere. Now, Wikipedia tells me that pop music is, "Pop songs are generally marked by a consistent and noticeable rhythmic element, a mainstream style, and traditional structure... and focuses on melodies, catchy hooks, and the appeal of the verse-chorus-verse arrangement..."

But we all know it's more than that. Admit it, we all have a favourite pop ditty. A friendly Canadian named Evan Cranley, of the Montréal indie-pop group Stars, says it best in an interview for Making Heart (the DVD that came with their last album, In Our Bedroom After The War). "I've always been addicted to the pop song, but never explored it... It's just such a direct route into someone's life. It act as a window into someone's life."

Whether we like it or not, pop music means more than just "popular music." It stands alone as a genre, on all fours, ready for the indulgence of millions. Sure, Brandi Carlile, Good Charlotte, Kate Nash, Avril Lavigne, and many others have traipsed through our radio waves. But the genre is larger and more all-encompassing; there is a wave of new pop music that is filtering in from all angles to liven up a tired genre. The Apples in Stereo, Stars, Los Campesinos!, Peachcake... they all contain pop formula, and all represent it so wholeheartedly, it's hard to doubt their inclusion in the genre.

Today, my reader, we travel back to the rainy streets of Seattle for a new band which hopped straight into the deep end of the swimming pool of pop, and is effortlessly swimming circles around their peers. Their name is Throw Me The Statue, and this band has been talked to high heaven. If you follow independent music at all, the likelihood is, you're nearly sick of Throw Me The Statue by now; since the release of their debut LP, Moonbeams (on Secretly Canadian), these guys have been tossed around every blog on the planet like they were pushed into a violent game of wall ball. Dallas Does Indie, You Ain't No Picasso, Daytrotter, Stereogum, La Blogotheque - dare I mention Pitchfork? - you may run, but there's no hiding from the latest news from the quirky quartet from Washington state.

Now, Voilà! isn't necessarily one to jump on bandwagons (we firmly believe in Omnibuses, apparently). There are tons of bands to cover for band of the week, and if any particular band is getting enough credit, I tend to shy away. But damn, I can hold out no longer! These boys are just too good. Their songs are more well rounded, inventive, experimental, and just so dang catchy, than hardly anything I've ever heard. How to pick a single from Moonbeams? Good questions, but it's definitely somewhere between "Your Girlfriend's Car," "Yucatan Gold," and "This Is How We Kiss." Yes, indeed, they were that band who had that one song ("Lolita") in the Rhapsody Commercial.

Why am I blabbering, you may ask? Essentially, I could offer all the comparisons in the world: They're something like Oh No! Oh My! meets Via Audio, with a dash of Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin; I could mention how they take the best of Math and Physics Club, toss it in a blender with Brown Recluse Sings, and are every bit as fun as Vampire Weekend. Yeah, I could do that. But the fact remains that no matter how many times these guys get dissected, no matter how many paragraphs I spill affection out for these folks, you've just got to hear Throw Me The Statue. Words can not explain the intrigue that they offer.

And hearing isn't so tough these days. Throw Me The Statue released their debut, Moonbeams, sometime around my birthday in February (don't let the panty-clad ladies on the cover scare you away). Throw Me The Statue's presently wandering the country on a national tour. Afterwards, please pack your baggage in the overhead compartments, because they're crossing the Atlantic for a Eurotour (maybe we'll soon see them soon on Black Cab Sessions). As mentioned, they've been on Daytrotter, and performed for La Blogotheque (pour tout le francophones dehors là.) on a ferry crossing the Puget Sound. As if that weren't enough, Throw Me The Statue also recently released their latest song, "Ship," on their Myspace, which is right over here.

You can watch my Last.FM's tally of Throw Me The Statue steadily rise as I listen to "My Valuable Hunting Knife" on repeat. In the mean time, my dear reader, keep your ears tuned to the speakers. And of course, have a nice week.

Throw Me the Statue - My valuable huntikng knife
by lablogotheque

Vomitorium

Music. Art. It goes hand in hand. When people get those creative juices flowing, and our imaginations spread out like the wings of an airplane, taking flight on the currents of air that sail the skies above our lovely heads, we're bound - neigh - destined, to create astounding things.

Down here, in the spread out Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and all the outlying areas, spawn their own unique type of creative motion, musically and otherwise. We're the folks who brought you pop filled bands like The Rocket Summer and PlayRadioPlay!; we're the second home for Seattle-based acoustic duo The Scene Aesthetic; we force dance-tastic bands like Ghostland Observatory to play twice before leaving town; and we've brought the world absolutely unique music that nobody else could have dreamed up: everything from J Versus K, to Eisley, to The Paper Chase, to our resident Voilà! writer-meets-singer-songwriter Cullen Rollins.

But we're not all about music, at least to say, we expand our realms of creativity to other genres of expression. We've got Seventh Son Cinema, headed up by resident filmmaker Wesley Kirk, fabulous photography by the likes of (again) Wesley Kirk, but also Rachel Lane, Jayne Hale, Kurstyn Park, and Jeremy Arnold; with any luck, photographer-meets-graphic designer Jean Nicole Villavert might even draw something up for Voilà!, while I'll be busy-busy working on some novels.

There's plenty of creativity if you look around for it. Now, if you're looking for art, sure, we have the Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth, and sure there's the Dallas Museum of Art. But if you're looking for some good North Texan art, where do you go? Why, no farther than your mailbox if you read Vomitorium. He may be on break from his school - Art Institute of Dallas - but Brice Baum certainly has earned himself a nice spot of relaxation. Not only has he busy with classes, but this nifty artist has formed a collective and independent art magazine, Vomitorium, which showcases some fabulous North Texan artists who have a shared love of poignant, powerful, progressive contemporary art. In example...:





Intrigued, are we? But you may be asking, how does this tie in with Voilà!, or with music? Well first off, Voilà! is a non-profit and totally voluntary effort, so we're all about DIY'ing it up, and are for independent productions, be it in the musical, artistic, or activism scenes; getting one's feet off, as it were, is the first step, and we applaud such efforts graciously. Secondly, Vomitorium supports fellow artists by collaborating together to make one nice, sexy magazine; Voilà! is collectively gathering tons of writers to present some excellent music discussion. It's like we're siblings! ...Er, well, maybe first or second cousins, but I'm sure you get the drift.

Thirdly, finally, did I mention Zicole Marxen was featured in the latest issue of Vomitorium? Where are my manners?! Zicole Marxen belongs to the eclectic company of musicians in Mount Righteous, from the DFW. Something like a Texan version of a high school marching band that collided with a parade held by I'm From Barcelona, these folks are making a lot of noise in a very big way, and you'll definitely hear more about Mount Righteous on Voilà! in the coming weeks.

But I digress. Vomitorium, Issue No. 4, is currently for sale on the Vomitorium Myspace for a measly $6.50. The latest issue features the talented works of Z. Marxen, Katie Kader, Sean Lester, and of course, entrepreneur Brice Baum. You can find yourself many a magazine, sticker, t-shirt, and other lovely knickknacks as well, all available at the Myspace! And just for your eager ears, catch Mount Righteous on their Myspace, right over here.

"Ottoman" - Vampire Weekend

First I'll speak frankly: as much as I love movies (and I do love them), I am no movie buff. I see tons of movies a lot of people don't end up seeing (i.e. The Boys and Girls Guide To Getting Down... seriously people), and I tend to have an eye for the best new movies to make it to theatres (i.e. Cloverfield). But I can't claim obsession; that special level of interest is solely reserved for music.

But if you know me in real life, you would find it hard pressed to shut me up about Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. I have a hunch it's the next "well, it's a kinda-independently-filmed-but-commercially-marketed movie" like Juno or - again - Cloverfield. As if the book wasn't neat on its own, the movie has evolved into an intriguing embracement of music culture, particularly drawing from the indie music subculture.

Sure, the trailer features "Sonido Total" by The Pinker Tones, and we all saw the Funeral album cover on Nick's wall. But whether this movie is a cheap ploy on music lovers everywhere, or an honest effort to capture modern independent music culture on film, one things for certain: these folks know their music. The album is filled with songs from excellent artists: We Are Scientists, Takka Takka, Army Navy, Shout Out Louds, and of course, Vampire Weekend.

On that note, Vampire Weekend's latest song has just been premiered. If you read You Ain't No Picasso, you'll definitely have caught their cover of Fleetwood Mack's "Everywhere," and of course the funky afro-pop song, brand new and hot off the presses song, "Little Giant." But now another fresh tune, "Ottoman," was just debuted on Stereogum! I could blabber on more, but don't let me keep you! Rush on over right now, and check out Vampire Weekend's latest song!

Band of the Week: The Muslims

[September 15 - 21]

The Muslims
Sounds Like: Indie-Pop / Garage Punk
Drinking Buddies: The Sess, Tapes n' Tapes, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys

Synopsis: Retro punk stylings for the modern age.

Makes You Want To...: Rock out; Dance; Sing
[Myspace]

One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is The Muslims.
[3/12/09: They're now called The Soft Pack]

New music is wonderous. You have to listen in awe of the amazing, unique, new sounds that musicians can still manage to pull out of their creativities and their musical instruments. The whole process - of making as well as discovering - new music is a real experience, and takes a lot of talent. For the individual bands, they have to create something that seperates them from the entire crowd, and attempt to prove why you, the music listener, should be listening to them instead of the endless stream of music flooding our fine world. As a listener, we must educate ourselves on music to fully appreciate everything we hear: not only must we know what contemporary artists are playing, following the latest trends or underground stylings of those in the music scene, but to know where they came from, and where these contemporary artists got their inspiration.

New music is great, but new music that emulates old styles is a real treat. There's as much of a draw to progression as there is to nostalgia, and that fact remains constant concerning the music we listen to. There's certainly a market for musical retrospection; from Arctic Monkeys, The Vines, The Mooney Suzuki, and Hellogoodbye, who truly draw from past musical styles, prove that we not only enjoy past styles, but we want to hear more of a modern version of them as well.

Which takes us to a little city in Southern California. This country town happens to be called San Diego, and here we find a quaint little quartet. The Muslims are from the heart of this west coast city, and are playing a retro-styled take on punk music.

Even if you're not trying to start a scandal or contrive a connection via the symbolic naming of a band, if you name yourselves after an entire culture of Islam, you're definitely going to have represent, and representing themselves is what The Muslims are all about. Low fidelity, crisp, and raw, The Muslims bring a dated style, with a modern perspective, to our fair music scene. They are about high energy, strumming some vibrant, catchy tunes with wild riffs and catchy beats. They blend the lines between new and old, not neglecting their predecessors, but rather, embracing them so effortlessly that the lines between old and new blend together as if they were never drawn in the beginning. The Muslims bring their style - unique to them - and represents it with eclectic enthusiasm; they cordially present to you are some catchy tunes, some sweet beats, and some fun, enthusiastic songs. Stereo Pills says it best: "What they do is rock music, catchy, immediate and without any additives, the kind of stuff that never goes out of fashion."

The Muslims are currently playing shows here and there in Southern California, rockin' their hearts out in San Diego and Los Angeles. This is after some excessive touring, which followed in the wake of SXSW. They released their self-titled EP on 12" vinyl recently - completely riddled with bullet holes (yes, I did say bullet holes... long story) - which is currently on sale from their website (if I'm not mistaken). The EP is also available on Insound, where it was named the Insound Staff Pick - 2008; not bad, eh?

Word has it that The Muslims intend to be fairly prolific with their material as well. I don't know the specifics, but word has it these boys are releasing two more albums, both on 7", on Sweet Tooth Records and Art Fag Recordings. They also recorded a session at Rainydawg Radio up in Seattle, where they lay down quite the nifty performance. And of course, The Muslims have a Myspace, where they offer tons of their nifty songs for free download as well.

Summer may be ending, but shall we end it with a bang? Or a party? Or tons of fun? Well, I'm sure you know what I'm trying to say. Happy Autumn Equinox, reader! Have a nice week.

Video: "That Lucky Old Sun/California Girls" - Brian Wilson

You may have caught wind of me giving a shout out to the amazing crew of The Black Cab Sessions a month or so ago. These folks have been pursuing some great live performances by some of the neatest, coolest cats in the music biz. They've got some pretty big names too, from The New Pornographers, to Spoon, to the Cold War Kids, to Death Cab for Cutie.

That's all fine and dandy, sure. But this time, the Black Cab Sessions filled a cab with the session of all sessions. Here's what the Black Cab Sessions team said in their latest post...

"Dear Black Cabs," the email began, "Would you please consider filming a session with Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys)?" They really didn't need to add that last bit about The Beach Boys."

If you did a double take (like I did (I'm sure they did a quadruple take)), I assure you, you read that right. Brian Wilson - the Brian Wilson - the Brian Wilson of one of the most talented, influential bands ever, The Beach Boys - asked if he could join the Black Cab team in their London cab. Unbelievable is the least of adjectives you could use.

Brian Wilson and his band get together with an electronic keyboard a break down a gospel blues in with their Black Cab Session. And when they realized they weren't back to their stop, they break into "California Girl," as if they hadn't treated us enough. I could blather on more, but their performance can confess more than I ever could.

Check out Brian Wilson (of The Beach Boys) performing "That Lucky Old Sun" and "California Girls" for The Black Cab Sessions now. And don't forget to run over to Black Cab Sessions for oodles of more fabulous live performances.

"Mellow Owl" - Peter and the Wolf

Those Austin folks, Peter and the Wolf are up and at 'em to give their dedicated listeners some new material. "Mellow Owl," the title track from what I believe shall be the title of their next album, indeed lives up to its name in true Peter and the Wolf style. With quiet guitar strumming, a deep bass in the background, and a duo harmony, you can't really go wrong if you're looking for some quiet and beautiful folk-styled music. You can check out "Mellow Owl," as well as several other recent demos, on Peter and the Wolf's Myspace!

Band of the Week: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band

[September 15 - 21]

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band
Sounds Like: Indie-pop
Drinking Buddies: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Throw Me The Statue, Oh No! Oh My!

Synopsis: Reminiscent novelty.
Makes You Want To...: Clap your hands; Dance; Sing.
[Myspace]

One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band.

Though you may not be at all interested in my personal predicament, I have been looking around at a possible university to transfer to. There are oodles of Texan universities that are very renowned and whatnot, but I’ve also been considering a change of scenery; maybe going somewhere out of state would be good for me.

One section of the country I have always found immensely interesting is the northwest, particularly the Seattle region of Washington. I promise that all this music from the same city is just a complete coincidence, but it reinforces the fact I want to make about the place: Seattle and the surrounding area is one of the most influential cities in modern American music. This city has brought us the next big thing more than once. Nirvana, Death Cab for Cutie, Throw Me The Statue, Some By Sea; so many bands have had the spotlight shown on them, and they’ve represented their side of these United States through their unique styles of music.

We have yet another band hailing from this rainy city known for new, inventive styles of music. They call themselves the Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band. Though they only add to the collection of bands with particularly unusual names (it's simply a coincidence I compare them to Someone Still Love You..., I promise), this charismatic quintet has another nifty, noteworthy notch on their belt: they were being hyped up by blogs all across the internet before anyone even heard their music.

homeostasis



This is Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band's public service announcement video about homeostasis and their band. They released it back in March, along with a couple more, when they had no actual musical material for anyone's eager ears. To add to the mystery, sources said that these folks were recording with Scott Colburn, responsible for such average additions to the music world, including Arcade Fire's Neon Bible, or Animal Collective's Strawberry Jam.

Since their video oddities, they played their very first live show in July, as well as released their very first album, Weepy EP. And thus, the critical acclaim pours in. Everywhere from Stereogum to Pitchfork began raving about Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band; even Dallas Does Indie featured them on episode 112! Another quick witted band who has garnered success on the blogosphere, but you may be wondering, are they up to snuff musically?

The answer is a fabulous yes. These folks deliver with an eclectic, eccentric, somewhat angular indie-pop that makes you tap your feet and simultaneously tilt your head to the side in intrigued indulgence. This may just be me, but I hear some Sunny Day Real Estate in the vocals (yet again, more with the Seattle bands. I'll stop eventually). Beyond comparisons, Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band stands as one of the most interesting new bands to crop up. With a unique, vibrant musical stylings, along with their obvious sense of humour, I'm sure only great things could be expected.

Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band remains unsigned! Now that's some true indie indulgence. They also have quite a few videos of that first show I mentioned, circulating all about the interblag. Furthermore, there are all of those PSA videos thrown about YouTube. But you can find everything you need, including a place to order the Weepy EP, all on Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band's Myspace.

Remember, we're all suffering from GDOT (that's Gradual Death Over Time, for those who haven't seen one of the videos yet). So live life to the fullest now! I hope you have a wonderful week, reader.

[Ex]Band of the Week: The Blood Brothers

[1997-2007]
The Blood Brothers
Sounds Like: Post-hardcore / Art Punk / Experimental
Drinking Buddies: The Plot To Blow Up The Eiffel Tower, The Fall Of Troy, Foxy Shazam
Synopsis: Making twisted, grotesque, vile noise audible and invigorating.
Makes You Want To...: Wild out; SCREAM!; Break it down!
Evolved Into:

• Jaguar Love
• Neon Blonde
• Champagne Champagne
• Head Wound City
• Past Lives
  

[Myspace]




This month is one of old and new.
Voilà! is featuring bands that have broken up.
This week, the featured artist is The Blood Brothers.



Oh yes, dear readers, as they say - and "they" say a lot of things - all good things must come to an end. And just as the bands we've looked at, our segment on [Ex]Bands of the Week must also end. But don't be sad, because these features were meant to be celebratory! Voilà! wasn't just documenting bands that have broken up; Voilà! raising a toast to these former masters of music for their contributions to our musical culture. We were thanking them for their tours and achievements.

So let's liven up, shall we? Let's go out with a bang. I know just the band to do it with. Seattle has always spawned interesting, experimental, unique sounds. Soundgarden, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Sunny Day Real Estate, Death Cab for Cutie, Minus the Bear; the list goes on. Even two of our previous [Ex]Bands - both Pretty Girls Make Graves and Some By Sea - have hailed from the the coast of the Puget Sound. Such an eclectic town which supports everyone from Daphne Loves Derby to Throw Me The Statue, always characterized for its influential, new styles of music.

But there is one band that we simply can't forget. One band that connects both Pretty Girls Make Graves and Jaguar Love. That band is none other than the notorious Blood Brothers. Oh yes, the post-hardcore quintet came from the rainy city of Seattle and made the term "experimental" obsolete.

The Blood Brothers turned words like "horrid," "foul," and "disgusting" into something you want to listen to. The Blood Brothers twisted your thinking with discordant riffs plastered amidst blood curdling screams and wails of political strife. The Blood Brothers thrashed through songs about mathematical division, peacocks, serial killers, scarecrows, blood thirsty zeppelins, and "Rats And Rats And Rats For Candy." But how does one explain this audible hell gift wrapped with a bow? That is a challenge, I admit. May I quote?

"These hot machine years burning time across your face/ See the smoke stacks rising up like fuck you towers?/ My girlfriend sang like a hummingbird today/ 'Til that cough stole her voice and fed it to the furnace."

The Blood Brothers are all about serving truth and raw fact, and by raw, I do mean a very raw, gritty, grungy slice of reality in the most surreal, vicious way possible. These boys set off on their mission of destruction with their low-budget debut, This Adultery Is Ripe, back in 2000, followed by March on Electric Children in two years. Their experimental style began to build notoriety for the collective, and in 2003 released their third album, ...Burn, Piano Island, Burn, drawing in many more fans and a fair load of media attention.

Prolific as always, The Blood Brothers followed their successes in 2003 with Crimes, which garnered more positive reviews, new fans, and success across the board. By the time Crimes was released, there was an audible switch in The Blood Brothers' style, from a more wicked, thrashing, violent, and heavy sound, to a more coordinated chaos that began to develop on ...Burn, Piano Island, Burn, and followed them through the rest of their career. In 2006, they released Young Machetes to critical acclaim once again.

But word hit the interblag, saying that the band was going on hiatus. In November of last year, the next of The Blood Brothers finally saw the light of day when they decided to go their separate ways, they left a twisted, torn apart genre of music, with many budding bands following in their tracks. Blood Brothers members are still very active these days. Of course, there's Jaguar Love, which you can read all about here. Then there's Neon Blonde, headed up by Johnny Whitney and Mark Gajadhar, while Head Wound City hosts the likes of Jordan Blilie and Cody Votolato.

Another Blood Brothers spin-off is Champagne Champagne, featuring the talents of Mark Gajadhar. Finally, Jordan Blilie, Mark Gajadhar and Morgan Henderson tend to have parties in Past Lives, which I've only heard good things about. Of course, The Blood Brothers still has their handy dandy Myspace up. If you need me, I'll be writing my short story relating to "Salesman, Denver Max." This year's [Ex]Band of the Week has concluded, but never fret, my friends! Just keep your ears to the music.

Band of the Week: Jaguar Love

[September 8 - 14]
Jaguar Love
Sounds Like: Art-Punk / Experimental
Drinking Buddies: Foxy Shazam, Bear vs. Shark, The Receiving End Of Sirens
Synopsis: Quirky, vivacious post-hardcore.
Makes You Want To...: Clap your hands; Dance; Sing.
[Myspace]




One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Jaguar Love.



Of course, if you've been keeping track of the fusillade of articles Voilà! has been spewing out, we've been looking at some wonderful bands that quit. Whilst thoroughly complimenting the folks of Pretty Girls Make Graves, I did mention one of the latest bands to form in the wake of this giant happened to have a two-word name. One of animals, and one of a noun. Granted, that could be said about Wolf Parade too, but I digress. As I said last Saturday, with the old comes the new, and we are looking toward the future!

And here the future lies, musically oriented into the disorienting, eclectic and intriguing sound of Jaguar Love. This delectable dish of musical mystery is easy to make, in fact: take one part musical entrepreneur (Johnny Whitney), one part Pretty Girls Make Graves (Jay Clark), and mix with one two parts Blood Brothers (including Cody Votolato), and you get the tasty, twisted sounds of Jaguar Love.

Now, if you were a fan of Blood Brothers, you probably know of all the bands that sprung up from the reputable band. But while there is plenty of new sounds springing up from the past musical giants, Jaguar Love seems to show the most promise. While Neon Blonde busies itself with deranged (I mean that in a good way) electronica, Head Wound City thrashes and blares about, and Soiled Doves... well, as Last.fm would have you believe, Spazzcores, Jaguar Love has set up a unique style of experimental art punk, which is like a blended concoction of tasty candy for the ears.

Despite all these food references, there is something to be said about Jaguar Love's style. Past influence is what they're all about, of course, with members all from previous icons of the music scene. The rhythms are steady, and the melody eclectic, drawing from PGMG, while the lyrics and singing style from Johnny Whitney remain unique and inventive. It's a strange, inventive injection that Jaguar Love has prescribed their patients, and they add a unique style, and a strange glamour to their performances.

Jaguar Love sprung up as Johnny Whitney's side project pre-break up for Blood Brothers, and ever since, have gotten their feet off the ground and are sailing sirenely toward success. They have been signed to Matador Records - somewhat picturesque - the old home of Pretty Girls Make Graves - and have released their first full length LP, Take Me To The Sea, three weeks ago in August! Fresh off the presses, this sexy album has already received some great reviews, and has some nice tunes to boot.

Now, Jaguar Love is touring with old Voilà! favourites, Polysics, and are making their rounds about the North American continent. They'll be on tour til November, where you'll no doubt be able to snag their old self-titled EP. They've also recently have been involved in certain SPIN magazine articles, amongst others, so be on the look out for these high rising stars. And of course, how can I forget their Myspace? If I could stop listening to "Bonetrees and a Broken Heart," I'd tell you more, faithful reader. But until then, have a wonderful week, and we'll see you this weekend for one last [Ex]Band of the Week.

[Ex]Band of the Week: Pretty Girls Make Graves

[2001-2007]
Pretty Girls Make Graves
Sounds Like: Art Punk
Drinking Buddies: The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Q and not U, Les Savy Fay
Synopsis: Graves, girls, and a gorgeous, unique style. How can you go wrong?
Makes You Want To...: Look at modern art; Learn guitar; Turn up the volume!
Evolved Into:

• Jaguar Love
• Hint Hint
• The Cave Singers
• Dutch Dub
• Moonrats
  

[Myspace]




This month is one of old and new.
Voilà! is featuring bands that have broken up.
This week, the featured artist is Pretty Girls Make Graves.


You know those cheesy, but always really awesome looking magic tricks with the table cloth? We've all seen it. They walk up to the table with all number of breakable things on it, and promise not to break a thing. Most of the time, they pull away the table cloth and - like magic - nothing is damaged. But sometimes, all those cups fall off the table and get broken. Imagine a band working the same way, when it's time for them to break up. It's one thing to separate as a recording artist, essentially setting your fanbase loose in all directions, and freeing up all band members for further opportunities. It's a little bit of strangeness - a little bit of confusion.

But if I may be a total dork, let me quote the Joker from The Dark Night. "Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order..." Sure, the Joker may be a sick and twisted villain from a recent Hollywood extravaganza, but maybe he has a point. Maybe upsetting the established order of a band can be beneficial. Positive, even? Imagine all the wonderful bands that have formed due to past break ups. Last week I mentioned Blink-182's break up. Yeah, it was the falling out of a wonderful thing, but out of the ashes, we have +44 and Angels & Airwaves.

But there are many more: Cap'n Jazz and The Geese came together and formed American Football, the fall of Nirvana brought about the rise of Foo Fighters, Islands would never have started without ex-The Unicorns members Nick Thorburn and J’Aime Tambeur, and Minus the Bear would have never started without the band members of Botch, Sharks Keep Moving, and Kill Sadie.

Now, if you wouldn't mind, please focus on another offshoot band from former members of Kill Sadie. Along with Minus the Bear, in that rainy Seattle city skyline, is the novel, thoroughly unique sound of a band named Pretty Girls Make Graves. Now, putting the argument of whether they got their name from The Smiths or Jack Kerouac aside, these five folks made a name for themselves in the music biz with their eclectic, powerful, artistic sound. Reminiscent of day begone Fugazi, Pretty Girls Make Graves stepped up to the speakers with full bursts of energy, released all at once in a deafening blast of vicious emotion and steady rhythms.

"Speakers Push the Air" indeed. Unlikes Some By Sea or Test Icicles, Pretty Girls Make Graves left a more defined, pronounced, visible groove in their wake. After the release of their debut, self-titled EP, they quickly followed up with their debut LP, Good Health, which received a steady stream of acclaim. One subsequent signing to Matador records later, and they released their sophomore album, The New Romance, unleashing the band alongside the likes of Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, as well as Death Cab for Cutie for major tours.

Pretty Girls Make Graves continued to enjoy success through 2006, when they released their third album, Élan Vital, to yet more critical acclaim. Unfortunately, the band unfurled when drummer Nick DeWitt called it quits after their set of 2007 spring tours came to a close. Unwilling to continue the band after the departure of DeWitt, Pretty Girls Make Graves gracefully dissolved off of centre stage.


These folks may have had one of the most unique sounds for over half a decade, but not all is lost! "Upset the established order..." Turns out, music is in the cards for these folks!, if not just in seperate outfits. Lead vocalist Andrea Zollo is currently playing drums for Triumph of Lethargy Skinned Alive to Death. Jay Clark has shifted over to the art-punk band Jaguar Love with Johnny Whitney of Blood Brothers; Leona Marrs joined Hint Hint; Derek Fudesco started up The Cave Singers along with members from Hint Hint; and of course, Nick DeWitt is presently working in Dutch Dub and Night Canopy.


Of course, Pretty Girls Make Graves still has a Myspace chock full of great music and fun stuff. I still need a hard copy of The New Romance, myself, but you can be the judge for yourself of which of PGMG's albums is best. Though I hope the point is clear: the end may sometimes merely be a new beginning! Enjoy your weekend, readers.

"We Believe In Barack Obama" - The Hush Sound

I've been trying to follow the presidential race as diligently as I possibly can. Between the two conventions back-to-back, plus the recent controversy over new Republican vice presidential candidate Palin's pregnant teen, there's plenty of news going back and forth. But if you weren't paying attention to The Hush Sound as diligently (like me), you may have missed their most recent song.

After their release of Goodbye Blues several months ago now, The Hush Sound decided to get a bit involved. Joining a ton of other famed Fueled By Ramen and pop-punk artists (Fall Out Boy, The Academy Is..., Gym Class Heroes, among others) The Hush Sound decided to contribute to Fall Out Boy's free digital album-meets-mixtape thing, Welcome To The New Administration.

Amongst a slew of demos, remixes, and whatnots, The Hush Sound provides us with their political perspective, with their new song, "We Believe In Barack Obama," which is incredibly fun if you ask me. They basically tell you... well, you can probably guess by the title, but do so in a fun, hip-hop-pop style that will stir those feet and antsy writing hands until election day in November. Of course, this news would have completely slipped past me, had they not recorded a live session with Paste Magazine of the same song, which is equally as enthusiastic!

So, one more time, let's run down the list of chores. Drop by The Hush Sound's Myspace, maybe even say hello, or listen to some tunes. Also, don't forget, sooner or later, these cats should be appearing on Daytrotter (Sorry, I'm really anxious for that!). Run over to Fall Out Boy's Friend or Enemies profile, and with a semi-complicated but thoroughly quick application, download yourself a nifty copy of Welcome To The New Administration, which features The Hush Sound's latest jingle. And finally, rush on over to Paste, and catch The Hush Sound's live in-studio performance of "We Believe In Barack Obama."

Band of the Week: Wolf Parade

[September 1 - 7]
Wolf Parade
Sounds Like: Experimental
Drinking Buddies: Modest Mouse, Islands, Franz Ferdinand
Synopsis: Torqued Canadian rock with a quirky sound.
Makes You Want To...: Clap your hands; Dance; Sing.
[Myspace]




One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Wolf Parade.



I love the beginning of the month. A fresh start - new things to look forward to - a change of pace, even if that means just changing the page of the calendar. It's refreshing to me, in an odd way. When I think about September, I think of Summer finally stepping off its pedestal of abusive UV rays, as Autumn quickly takes the lead... er... well, slowly down here in Texas. But I digress, with September comes many new prospects. School starts... not so good. But Halloween, followed by Thanksigiving, followed by Christmas! That's something to look forward to, right?

Yesterday may have been Labour Day, but Voilà! can take no breaks. Let's turn the focus to the opposite side of the North American continent, over toward the humble Canadian town in Québec. Between the St. Lawrence River and Rivière des Prairies lies the city of Montréal, already a notorious hang out for some of the greatest modern music, already home to Godspeed You! Black Emperor (not to mention the infamous Hotel 2 Tango), Stars, Islands, The Unicorns, Bell Orchestre, and The Arcade Fire.

There is one other band, originally from British Columbia, also haunts this fabled city remarked far and wide for is blend of French and Canadian culture. They are Wolf Parade, a quirky quartet have met huge acclaim across the blogosphere and major journalistic publications the world round. They are certainly not new to many these days. And it's not as if they didn't earn their cerdibility beforehand, coming from bands including Sunset Rubdown, Hot Hot Heat, Swan Lake, and Atlas Strategic.

The boys played their first performance opening for The Arcade Fire, and the rest was - as they say - history. On the tour that followed, they wrote their first EP, quickly followed by a second, which previewed the sound heard on their debut LP, Apologies to the Queen Mary, rumoured to be titled after some antics of trashing the Queen Mary Hotel in the name of rockers everywhere. Since then, Wolf Parade has garnered an intense amount of attention everywhere from Pitchfork to Nylon Magazine. They were lined up amongst the ranks of Sub Pop Records by Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse. Playing an odd, eclectic blend of electric and electro almost-but-still-not pop music, Wolf Parade have earned themselves a hefty following on an international scale.

Wolf Parade are giving themselves a break after a crazy tour of the North American continent through July and into the begininng of August. Now that their parade through the States and Canada is complete, they are setting their sights on a romp through Europe. All, of course, is following the release of their second LP, At Mount Zoomer, released in July, which has since received critical acclaim. Of course they have a Myspace. But they also have a cool fansite which can keep you well informed on their movements to and fro.


Welcome September! Have a nice first week of the month; come back Friday for this week's [Ex]Band of the Week.

Stars Realeases Sad Robots EP

So there I was, sitting around, minding my own business last Wednesday, when Stars gets the bright idea to post one of the most esoteric blogs ever. Humbly gracing their readers with a nifty website that - www.sadrobots.ca - which prominently features the date 01.09.2008, a mechanical heart, a little music, and the question "Are You A Sad Robot?" - I must admit I was left slightly confused. Of course, this is because I hadn't read a miscellaneous Billboard article released back in March.

"While Campbell says Stars will tour "In Our Bedroom After the War" throughout 2008, including a stateside jaunt that begins Wednesday (March 19) in Baltimore, the Canadian outfit plans to use the summer to write its next album due out in 2009, along with an EP that will hopefully be released later this year."


Of course, this intriguing revelation is following the gasp-worthy release of Stars' latest single, "Why I Want To Save You," back in July. What d'yah know, my predictions were correct, and Sad Robots remains permanent. Here's the latest from Stars via their Myspace yesterday:


" hello lovelies-

don't forget that our new e.p., entitled Sad Robots, is available digitally tomorrow September 1st exclusively through sadrobots. ca
ch-ch-ch-ch-check it....
xostars"



Well, they said it far better than I could ever hope to. Feel free to visit Stars on their Myspace, say hello, listen to "Why I Want To Save You," or, feel very free to drop by www.sadrobots.ca to garner yourself some the brand new Stars EP, Sad Robots. Go!