Primary Colors

Retail giant, Gap Inc. will be known for more than cheap tees and basic neutrals. In something of a marketing ploy, Gap has partnered with indie musicians and film makers to give your favorite colors a voice. Colors were first assigned to musicians to do with what they will, and then the songs were given to filmmakers for interpretation in the music video. Art comes full circle.

Needless to say, my favorite is Black/White which was assigned to The Raveonettes. They swish up Black & White quite nicely. The director for the music video, Chris Do, did an amazing job capturing the essence of the song. How many times have you wondered what would happen if you got high on acid and wandered through the marshes at twilight? Black & White, my friends. This is what would happen:



Other musicians on this project include Dntel (Red), Swizz Beatz (Green), Marie Digby (Yellow) and The Blakes (Blue).

Head over to The Sound of Color to watch all the videos and download all songs for free until March 15!

“23” + 1: Blonde Redhead, Raveonettes at Terminal 5

Nothing like getting back into the game with a little Blonde Redhead at Terminal 5.

Best part of the night was when a plaid-clad fellow showed up to jam with Kazu Makino and the boys on “23”.

“I don’t know who this is,” said Kazu, feigning recognition of one of the most recognizable guys in the scene.

Even though I was pretty far away from the front of the stage, I knew exactly who that was. I pretty much jumped on my friend, shaking him silly, shouting. “Oh my god! That's Paul Banks!!!” I was surprised when not a few more people in the crowd went a little crazy. Yes, guilty as charged, I am the screaming Interpol fan. And how jealous am I? I wish I had this guy’s view.

Because in all honesty can you tell that this blur right here is Paul Banks?



Well this one is a little better...


Everyone was pretty into BR. Does anyone know the name of the last song they played? Ah, I wish there was a setlist floating around somewhere.

The Raveonettes had their share of fans too. Lust Lust Lust, which received mixed reviews still has a few gems like "Lust" and "Aly, Walk With Me." I’ve never heard “Here Comes Mary” live either, so that was a real treat. They'll be back in the city in March at Bowery Ballroom, which they've called their "favorite venue."




The Raveonettes- My Tornado (expired)
(Buy Whip It On)

Blonde Redhead- 23 (expired)
(Buy 23)

Rave On! Part Deux...

I had such a great time at The Raveonettes show last night at Bowery Ballroom. This is the second time I've seen them perform this week. After looking at the pictures I took at Southpaw, I realized that I always veer for the left of the stage (usually in front of a bassist). Perhaps it’s some subconscious attraction to the bass. But it was nice to see the view from the right.

Gliss, as usual, was amazing. Martin was a bit chattier with the crowd yesterday evening, but unlike Southpaw, there wasn’t a crop circle of empty space in front of the band. They played this one song that I really liked that isn’t on their album, so I asked Victoria about it after the set. It’s called “Kick In Your Heart” and I recommend it because David is a total badass on that guitar riff. You can download it from their website. Just sign up for their mailing list. One other interesting note- in addition to swapping gear with each other between songs, the band makes up the set list as they play. Three cheers for spontaneity.


(Martin and David, each taking their turn at the guitar)



So Nicole Atkins has my vote for coolest wardrobe. It would be fun to raid her closet. She was wearing this vest that her friend made for her out of old bicycle tires. I love recycling, don’t you? (Al Gore would be proud) She said she smelled like a giant condom. This girl can sing, and she's got a sense of humor to boot.



When the crowd was applauding, Nicole mentioned that it was funny “watching people clap for me when I sing about my pathetic life.” Aww… you’re not pathetic, Nicole! Would a pathetic person wear these darling gold cowboy boots? No way. I couldn't get a really good shot, but those boots were so cute.



Her band is great also! They have wonderful chemistry when they play together. Watch for them when they perform live on the Late Show with David Letterman on October 30th.



The Raveonettes played a razor sharp set of mostly new songs and appreciated the love coming from the crowd. It was a sold out show :)





I love this photo below of Sharin and their drummer. I really like the contrast. What an unexpected shot-- Sharin just popping up like that!



The Raveonettes Set List 10.12.07 @ Bowery Ballroom

Remember
Noisy Summer
That Great Love Sound
Let’s Rave On
Hallucinations
Blush
Attack of the Ghost Riders
My Tornado
Expelled from Love
Lust
Red Tan
Love In a Trash Can
Dead Sound
French Disko (*They love Stereolab!)
Aly, Walk With Me

The Raveonettes- Lust (demo)
(Listen to more demos at their myspace)

The Raveonettes + Nicole Atkins + Gliss @ Southpaw

Sab and I went to see The Ravonettes on Wednesday and caught two other great shows. We were early in a major way. I get overly excited so I am never fashionably late, but always ridiculously early. Anyway, we were there when Gliss did their sound check. They played what I think was, “Make Believe” or “Kissing The Blvd.” (It was probably the latter). From what we heard, we knew this band was going to be really good, and they did not disappoint.

Martin, Victoria and David, the three members of Gliss, play bass, guitar, and drums like a game of musical chairs, switching gear with each other after the completion of each song. When the instruments are passed around, each bandmate puts a different kind of energy and personality into the performance. There’s also something about this that makes the music exceptionally intimate, not just for the audience, but between the threesome as well. It’s something like a musical make out session and they’re swapping saliva. Or, some other less gross analogy. Straight out of L.A. these guys are rocking sexy bass lines and slick riffs that slink at the beck and call of Martin’s lush lyrics. The album, Love The Virgins, is good, but I feel like the record should support the live show and not the other way around. They really are a fantastic live band.

Gliss- Kissing The Blvd

(Buy Love The Virgins on iTunes)


(Nicole Atkins)

Next up was Nicole Atkins. I don’t know much about her, but she has a lovely voice, and her lyrics resonate well with the lovelorn. I really enjoyed “The Way It Is,” “Love’s Surreal,” and “War Torn.” Plus, she was kickin’ it in these red hot shoes. Hot shoes are cool.

Nicole Atkins- The Way It Is

(Buy Neptune City)

The Raveonettes played many new songs from their upcoming album, which hits Europe in November, but doesn’t swing state-side till January. Lust is my absolute favorite new song, and Sune says that they really enjoy playing it as well. It’s worth singling out—this track is downright hypnotic. Throughout the night, The Raveonettes just wanted everyone to have a good time. Rave On. They also played a cover of Stereolab’s French Disko. FD seems pretty popular (The Editors did a cover of this song as well).

The Raveonettes’ 10.9.07 Setlist @ Southpaw

Remember
Noisy Summer
Let’s Rave On
Hallucinations
Blush
With My Eyes Closed
Black Satin
Attack of the Ghost Riders
My Tornado
Expelled From Love
Lust
Red Tan
Love in a Trash Can
Dead Sound
French Disko (Stereolab cover)
Aly, Walk With Me

Encore

Twilight
That Great Love Sound

The Raveonettes- Love in A Trashcan

(Buy Pretty in Black)

Doing it all again on Friday at Bowery Ballroom!

Brooklyn is FAR.

I love Brooklyn and all the music venues, but the traveling between Bkyln and Qns is pretty exhausting, even though it seems like I spend a lot of time there, which I do. I just got back from The Raveonettes show at Southpaw and I'm pretty tired. Full update tomorrow, I promise.

However, I just have to say, the opener, Gliss, was mind-blowing. I bought their album and hopefully it lives up to the live show. If not, I'm going to see The Raveonettes again on Friday at Bowery Ballroom, and guess who is the opening band?

Gliss :)

The annual pep talk

A pep talk to the self:

"I found someone who makes me better. Yeah, I found someone who makes me go." -The Raveonettes

(Me)

Happy Birthday, self. I will try to be more optimistic, and work really hard to push myself to action. I will not let fear immobilize me. I will remember to exfoliate and use sunscreen. My friends and family will always know they are loved. Cake is not evil, it is delicious.

The Raveonettes- Uncertain Times (link expired)
(Buy Pretty In Black)

Raveonettes Demos

The Raveonettes have new songs up on their MySpace. On their last albums, the Danish duo melded retro fifties pop with punk friendly guitars. Although I wasn't a fan of their cover of The Angels' My Boyfriend's Back, the single "Love in a Trashcan" more than made up for it. It's has one of the slickest, coolest guitar riffs I've ever heard.

Of their new songs, “Lust” is my favorite. I’m a sucker for a brooding bass and dark beats. It seems like their new material peels off the heavy punk aspect that was more noticeable on the first couple of albums and is instead moving towards a sparser sound. They’ve also scaled back band-wise. Their current tour consists of Sharin and Sune, with the addition of one female drummer.

I’m really excited for their show at Bowery Ballroom on October 12. I’ve always wanted to see them live. They are also playing Southpaw in Brooklyn on October 10th.

The Raveonettes perform “Lust” at the Detroit Bar in California:
(It looks like it was filmed by a fan in the audience, so the video quality is not so great, but the sound is surprisingly good.)