Band of the Week: Ben Kweller

[November 24-30]

Ben Kweller
Sounds Like: Alt-Country / Indie-Pop
Drinking Buddies: Ben Folds, Andrew Bird, Sondre Lerche

Synopsis: That good ol' Texas boy type of indie rock.

Makes You Want To...: Get lost in Hill Country; Two-step; Sing
[Myspace]

One week, one band. You know the drill.
This week, the featured artist is Ben Kweller.


Thanksgiving time. Autumns definitely here, and it's chilly wind is striking down upon the entire North American continent with a vengeance. All the coats in your wardrobe have no doubt been brought out of mothballs, or at least from the back of your closet, and if you haven't shoveled the white stuff in those places fortunate enough to see the freezing water, you won't have to wait much longer now. But let's think southern for a minute, more specifically, to the one and only Republic of Texas. Sure, in the big cities like Dallas, Houston, or Austin, you'll find modern metropolises filled with diversity and progressive living, with luxury downtown condos and sophisticated local news stations.

But if you look about ten miles out of any of such big city lives, you'll find a completely different world; a world that not only can be recognized by its sprawling ranches, cowboys, and big belt buckle with accentuating boots/hat/pick-up truck, but you'll find a world that prides and defines itself in such recognition. This is a world where the west never really changed, and a laid back country lifestyle that is perfectly content with that. A world of neighing horses, dirty country roads, barbed wire, and twangy guitars. This also happens to be the residence of the one and only Ben Kweller.

50 miles east of Dallas is Greenville, where Ben Kweller spent his formative years. From personally experience, I can happily say Mr. Kweller grew up in a world of musical contradiction (I say this in a very complimentary way). Surrounded by the latest and most modern alt-rock on FM 102.1, drifting into the realm of rap on FM 97.9, while still being able to catch a glimpse of some country on FM 93.3. North Texas offers an invigorating, eclectic mix of music. So why exactly am I talking about the local D-FW radio stations? Because it accurately pinpoints Ben Kweller's style.

Many have since hailed Kweller's musical stylings since his debut album, Sha Sha, and he only gained more acclaim after the release On My Way and his self-titled album in the following years. He was touted as an indie-pop superstar in the beginning across the blogosphere, and as he matured, so did his music. Drifting slowly from an indie-pop bearings that bring vivid memories of Ben Folds performances (hey, they were in The Bens together - it counts), Kweller has slowly been adopting an exemplary mix of good ol' Texas country. Kweller hasn't lost his unique appeal of homemade, homegrown singer-songwriter which fans have adored from the beginning of his career.

Beyond his insatiable mixing of modern genres, Ben Kweller has built of a collection of accomplishments. Whether you're applauding his performances at Austin City Limits, his tours with major international acts including Death Cab for Cutie, Gomez, not to mention the aforementioned tour with The Bens (AKA: Ben Kweller + Ben Folds + Ben Lee), or his excellent musicianship on every instrument of his self-titled album, you'll definitely find yourself applauding if Kweller is filling your speakers with perky poignant pop.

It seems that the Texas boy will be travelin' a'far and wide, as Ben Kweller is romping across the pond to Europe for December. He'll be back before Christmas, and just in time, because as slated by a few sources, word is that Kweller is going to be releasing his latest musical endeavour, Changing Horses, sometime in January 2009. The new album is said to be quite the departure from Ben's previous works, embracing the alt-country feel more fully.

For a taste of Ben Kweller's repertoire, you can always snag his wonderful collection of albums, Sha Sha, On My Way, and Ben Kweller, at any online or offline retailer in your local vicinity. May I sincerely suggest listening to the song "Commerce, TX"?; you won't be disappointed. If you're in the mood for something a bit more social though, feel certainly free to wander on down to Ben Kweller's Myspace, for some nifty country ditties and friendship!

And with a smile and a tapping foot, I wish you all a wonderful week, and of course, a happy Turkey Day later this week. Peace, folks.

Video: The Kids Don't Stand A Chance (Live) - Vampire Weekend

As Conan O'Brien said, it has been quite a year for the quaint quartet that hails from New York City. Vampire Weekend went from the depths of musical obscurity, with a minimal murmur from Northeastern loyalists of the bands, to an explosion of success, spanning beyond the silly music blogs onto television sets internationally. Rooms everywhere were filled with Vampire Weekend's unique blend of indie rock and Afro-pop, and faces everywhere lit up with smiles as the band began to be featured on not just Daytrotter, La Blogotheque, and Stereogum, but their success with their three music videos, an original song featured on Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, and of going gold with their self-titled LP.

And now, Vampire Weekend has traipsed into NBC studios to do a live rendition of one of my favourite songs, "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance," for Conan O'Brien. And it's always a fun performance with these guys are on stage! Drop by Vampire Weekend's Myspace to hear their latest song, "Ottoman," or, if you'd rather stick around with Voilà!, catch their live performance of "The Kids Don't Stand A Chance" right here.

What Year Will You Buy The New Peachcake?!

After month upon month of taunting with brand new material, a huge nationwide tour that invigorated the feet/hearts/ears/souls of loyal fans across the country, and plenty of pumping up to get ready for the moment of all moments, that moment has finally arrived! What Year Will You Have The World?
What Year Will You Have The World? is the question indeed, as Peachcake lays down the law of love with their latest musical release. After many months of waiting, Peachcake has officially dropped their latest album at the beginning of this week. Filled with tons of brand new, high energy, foot tapping songs, it has been touted and is promised to entertain.

Don't worry friends, I do still hear your curious cries. "But, dear sir, I have never heard Peachcake," you comment so warily, "I am not sure if - in this dangerous financial crisis - that investing my money in What Year Will You Have The World? will be a prudent decision." Fear not! With the wonders of this handy dandy tool called the internet, we have an easy and free way of streaming the entire album, a place humbly known as Purevolume, where the entire album is up in its entirety for your listening pleasure.

Once you've gotten your gander, wander over to Peachcake's lovely little blog. On said blog is a huge list of nationwide stores that are offering their brand new album, What Year Will You Have The World? Don't see any town near you on that list? Then instead of giving thanks for Peachcake's new album this month, you can snag their album along with your Christmas tree through digital outlets (iTunes, Zune, Amazon, etc.) internationally next month!

I no nobody likes to have homework over the weekend, but I promise these are chores you will not lament over. If you want a little lowdown on who exactly Peachcake is, your first assignment is to wander over here to see what Voilà! thinks of this musical miracle. If you'd rather jump straight in, go to Peachcake's Myspace blog to find the nearest retailer to you, and buy Peachcake's brand new album, What Year Will You Have The World? If you want to check your work to make sure you have the right answers, drop by Purevolume for a sneak preview of all the songs from the album. Your final assignment, my musical pedigrees, run over to Peachcake's Myspace for oodles of fun; make sure you say hi! Oh, and have a wonderful weekend.

"Our War" - Rachel Lee

There's something in subdued, quiet, subtle songs that I can't get enough of. They're lonely, they're haunting, and in a strange, desolate sort of way, they're beautiful. Old kings of slow and subdued were Some By Sea, who with their orchestral rock sound, so pristinely well rounded, could form an heartstring strumming song with the most natural of effort.

Some By Sea, and Ghosts & Liars may be gone these days, but there are a few former members of the Tacoma troupe who are still making some irresistible music. That happens to be Rachel Lee Bowman, who has been pursuing a solo career for quite some time now. After her debut album, Le Seaside, released several years ago, Rachel has slowly been crafting some new songs. Last weekend, she released her latest song, "Our War," a tune made for autumn or winter with it's strong piano and singing that echoes out of the speakers. Go check out Rachel Lee's latest song on her Myspace, along with other handy tunes, right now!

Found In The Margins

Reading. Yep, reading. You're doing it as we speak! Reading is an invariably integral part of human living. Think about the last time you went without reading anything. You'd probably find it hard pressed to make it out of your house before you saw some sort of combination of letters that undoubtedly equated to a word. From brand names and billboards, to music blogs and novels. We read everything. It's how we navigate from street to street. It's how we learn. There are millions of different languages over the entire planet, yet they're all written, because we've got to set it in stone (or in ink), and thus, we are reading what has been said year after year, age after age.

I certainly love reading, not to mention writing. I'm a novelist, myself, and of course I've got this handy dandy little blog of mine. Reading is fundamental to me, especially with the great books that surround us in our local bookstores or public libraries; a plethora of knowledge - an infinite collection of literary genius, fiction and non - just on the tips of our mental palette. "Ibi Dreams Of Pavement..." and writes wonderful novels; whether it's contemporary writers like Kaslik, Martel, Murakami, or past writers, like Fitzgerald, Orwell, Nabokov, Bronte, there is plenty of material to enhance to life with, ink laid firmly on their pages.

Found In The Margins is a website dedicated to sharing the wealth in reading by... well... sharing! The idea is, the folks from Found In The Margins interview musicians, writers, and activists, and allows these idols of our modern age speak their opinions on the books that make their worlds go 'round. We aren't talking just any old folks now: From Los Campesinos!, The Most Serene Republic, Brendan Canning, Peter Bjorn & John, Tegan & Sara; all such musical artists declare their love for literature.

So run on down to Found In The Margins and search up your favourite musical artist. Find out what they read, and get your knowledge on, as the hip kids say these days.

"I Wanna Be Like You" - The Morning Benders

Okay, curse me, berate me, taunt me. Do what you will, but I stand firm to my belief: I love Disney movies. You can't go wrong! Aladdin, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast... they made the world go 'round when I was a kid. I admittedly have several Disney which get more play than they probably should (following up Godspeed You! Black Emperor with "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" on my Last.FM is just a bit strange.). Disney's are classics, and their musical ditties have been sung by folks of all ages, immortalized as little stepping stones in life for millions of kids everywhere.

Changing pace, there's a new little band on the block from Oakland. They call themselves The Morning Benders, and are notorious for covering songs. As it turns out, The Morning Benders seem to be Disney fans as well. On Tuesday, iTunes released Live Sessions with The Morning Benders for digitial download, offering some nifty tunes by the quirky quartet. One of which happens to be "I Wanna Be Like You," sung by none other than King Louie the orangutan in The Jungle Book! Putting some rock in the jazzy Disney song, The Morning Benders add their own style, featuring funky guitaring, and some heavy drumming to an old classic.

Now, iTunes Live Sessions: The Morning Benders is obviously only available on the iTunes store... lovely, eh? You can wander to the iTunes Store for yourself to grab the entire album via digital download all for yourself. Or, if you're a thrifty penny pincher - such as myself - you can hear some of the live session - including "I Wanna Be Like You" - on The Monrning Bender's Myspace completely free of charge. Drop by while you're at it, wish them a great weekend.

I hope you have a good weekend too, reader. Remember, all we need is The Bare Necessities.

"This Modern Love (Acoustic)" - Bloc Party

"C’était un soir d’octobre. Nous avons été insistants, aidés par quelques fans et badauds... Il faut savoir être un peu lourd, un peu insistant, la récompense est quelquefois largement à la hauteur de l’embarras..."

Translation time: "It was an October evening. We were insistent, helped by some fans and people passing by. In the end it was worth the trouble... There are times when you know you should be a bit tiresome, insistent, because sometimes the reward is worth the trouble." That's what La Blogothque had to say about their latest feature film in their ongoing series of Take-Away Shows (Les Concerts À Emporter). The French folks of La Blogotheque definitely got lucky, given the opportunity to film Bloc Party in an exclusive acoustic performance of "This Modern Love" on a Parisian sidewalk.

And the following is the easy part. Watch the Take-Away Show performance of Bloc Party. You may even be tempted to wander to Bloc Party's Myspace to visit their British musical talents. Of course, if you're one of our lovely francophone readers, visite La Blogotheque pour un blog de musique avec un perspective français. Interested readers can also see the article about Bloc Party (Anglophones, you'll want this link). And if nothing else, go visit La Blogotheque's collection of Take-Away Shows!




Bloc Party, 'This Modern Love' - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.