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windigo steve |
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I don't know where the sunbeams end and the startlight begins, its all a mystery.
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wabout the author |
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Q: who is indigo steve?
A: music, music, life, music, dada, and more music
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wMonday, October 31, 2005 |
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here are a bunch of words written by
Indigo at 8:41 PM
Iron & Wine / Calexico at Ridglea Theatre (Ft. Worth, TX) on 10/29/2005
Everyone showed up wearing their best beards for this much anticipated show. Despite U2 being in town, the Ridglea was packed for these two amazing acts. Opening was Edith Frost, whose voice was really good, but lyrics lacked complexity. Following her was my first live exposure to Calexico. I found their high intensity mariachi type music to be very enjoyable. I think I really liked the trumpets the best as they added a lot of zest to their sound. Shortly after they finished, Sam Beam opened the Iron & Wine set playing the soft and sweet Sunset Soon Forgotten. He brought out a few others to accompany him as he played songs mostly from his 2004 album, Our Endless Numbered Days and from this years EP, Woman King. I thought the band did a great job of changing up songs like On Your Wings, Woman King, and Jezebel to sound different than the studio recordings. I, like Sam, was surprised at how quiet and well behaved the crowd was for Iron & Wine. When they finished, they invited the boys of Calexico back on stage to perform songs from this years collaborated release In The Reins. Each song from the album was better than I anticpated as the two bands seemed to be very comfortable with each other on stage. The encore included a wonderful cover of the Rolling Stones Wild Horses and closing with Dead Man's Will. I can only hope that these two get together for more material as everything thus far has proven to be no less than spectacular.
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wSaturday, October 29, 2005 |
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here are a bunch of words written by
Indigo at 6:24 PM
To Sip a Cup or Two
One thing I haven't adequately represented on this site is my interest in local music. I can't think of a better time to start than now. I had the pleasure of seeing a fantastic local singer/songwriter named Becky Middleton last night at Standard and Pour's Coffee House. I took a seat in the back after reintroducing myself to her while she prepared on stage. I was only familiar with a few of her songs that I have listened to over and over again via the miracle of online streaming. As she sat behind a keyboard that practically covered her, she played song after song, capturing me in each rich lyric and vibrant note. I was both surprised and impressed by a cover of The Band's Ophelia, a song I think of as rather rare. As she covers a song by Carole King that I am not familiar with, I can't help but be amazed at how awesome the range of her voice is. I found her song Austin to be most endearing with guitarist Philip Creamer on backing vocals. Before she plays, she explains the heartfelt meaning of the song, which is about the time when she lived in Austin, TX and how she found herself lonely. Perhaps it is this what brought her back to Dallas, and in a selfish way, I am glad she came back. She is a wonderful talent. I am anxious to see and hear more. On another note, I am continually impressed with Standard and Pour's Coffee House. The venue is quite intimate and provides for a wonderful environment to see any singer/songwriter or folk music band.
You can learn more about Becky Middleton here.
You can stream more of her music here.
You can learn more about Philip Creamer here.
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wWednesday, October 26, 2005 |
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here are a bunch of words written by
Indigo at 9:19 PM
Between the Trees and the Pond You Put Your Hand in Mine
The amazing Sam Beam teams up with Calexico on a seven song EP called In The Reins. It seems that the more I hear of Iron & Wine, the more I fall in love with the music. The album opens with a loud clasp on He Lays In Reins, where Sam's soft pitched voice sings just above the melodic tones of a steel guitar. Prison on Route 41 tells a haunting story of a man separated from his family because of his dependence on his partner, Virginia. On The History of Lovers, a jangly guitar rhythm and vivacious horns play as Beam profoundly sings about the poetry of love and obsession. The album slows down with more steel guitar on 16, Maybe Less, a song about first love. Throughout this album, the choice of instrumentation with the lyrics is nothing less than spectacular. At times it's folky, other times its bluesy. In my opinion, each track on this album is well done and quite memorable.
Rating: 8.9
Info: Iron & Wine / Calexico / Label
Audio: stream here
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wMonday, October 24, 2005 |
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here are a bunch of words written by
Indigo at 9:19 PM
Something About Airplanes
Hello sweet, clean readers. I mean it, music reviews soon. Iron & Wine and Calexico will be very soon. Here's what's kept me occupied.
- I am having a hard time sleeping on airplanes. Even The Album Leaf is not helping. Perhaps I should try The Sea and Cake.
- I am currently growning a beard. I've never grown a beard before, but I am on day nine and it's pretty damn scruffy already. I guess that's my reward for being of Mediterranean decent.
- I spend only two days a week in Dallas, and lately, I have made them count. Friday night was friends and bars. Saturday was friends, bars, and music. This guy and his band kicked ass. Hanging out with her and my favorite local band was as fun as ever. Sunday was sports and friends. Too bad none of my teams won. Cowboys gave up ten points in the last two minutes. The Astros lost twice. And Baylor...whatever. Hockey?
- New pillows + new sheets + old bed = great nights sleep.
- Psssst...Texans, get out and vote against this ridiculous, narrow-minded, oppressive Amendment #2 to amend the state constitution to prohibit same sex marriage. I am going to early vote on Saturday.
- I can't pick NFL games for shit now. I may have to stop since I have been so bad this season.
- I need a hard guitar case so that I can bring it out of town with me and practice during the week. I have played maybe once in the last month.
* Today's title by Death Cab for Cutie
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wWednesday, October 12, 2005 |
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here are a bunch of words written by
Indigo at 7:33 PM
You're So Cute When Your Slurring Your Speech
I was a bit uneasy when I heard that Death Cab for Cutie would be recording their next album on the Atlantic label. After all, I have a very high opinion of Barsuk records for so many reasons. I was prepared to bury them had it turned out to be the "cookie-cutter", Good Charlotte-type crap that the major labels push on the lemmings of America. Much to my happiness, I've found the latest album by the band, Plans, to be very good. How could I doubt the greatness of Ben Gibbard and Chris Walla? The first song, Marching Bands of Manhattan, gets the album started in a feel good way. The first single from the album, Soul Meets Body, is a little poppy, but it's growning on me. I Will Follow You Into The Dark is a wonderful acoustic song featuring Ben solo on guitar and singing. I think Crooked Teeth might be the real hidden gem on the album with its truism of, "No, you can't find nothing at all if there was nothing there all along." The piano and lyrics on What Sarah Said is soothing and adds a little more depth to the album. On a different note, I've had a hard time getting into the very slow Different Names for the Same Thing and Brothers on a Hotel Bed. All in all, I think the band should be commended for another very good album.
Rating: 8.2
Info: website / label
audio: stream from website
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wMonday, October 10, 2005 |
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here are a bunch of words written by
Indigo at 12:42 PM
Two Sips From The Cup Of Human Kindness And I'm Shit-faced
Organizing CD Reviews has proved to be quite failed lately, so I'll give them to you as I listen to them about the fifth or sixth time. This little friendly lady reminded me that I needed to listen to the latest New Pornographers album, Twin Cinema. The third album by this indie pop super group consisting of namely Carl Newman, Neko Case, and Dan Bejar (Destroyer) is one of the best produced albums I have heard this year. The album opens with the catchy title track, Twin Cinema, giving it an "easy to listen to", welcoming appeal. The third track, Use It, is perhaps the best track on the album with its powerful guitar licks and hard shouting vocals. Newman and Case combine to sing on the softer The Bleeding Heart Show and the jangly Streets of Fire. The band really displays its unique indie pop style on other tracks like The Jessica Numbers, Sing Me Spanish Techno, and Jackie, Dressed In Cobras. I only wish they were coming on tour in the south. I'd give plenty to see this amazing band.
Rating: 8.6
Info: website / label
Audio: stream from the website
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