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#ccnuggets: favorite tracks from 2011
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dmersonhess on 04/08/2012 at 07:00AM
Sneaky Flute Moods: 28 bands, two netlabels and one fanzine write a global #ccmusic love-letter to the Swirlies
Excellent news! Contrary to all previous indications, Sneaky Flute Moods: A Tribute to the Swirlies is NOT the "Last Dangerous Visions" of netaudio compilations. In fact, much like the hard-boiled eggs, delicious oblong chocolates and rapidly reproducing rabbits in your backyard...it's already here. So read the book (a PDF zine published by the astoundingly creative folks at Mi Abuela Es Jazzista), see the movie (lo-fi animation from Dax Norman and me) and dive into the most massive, potent expression of Swirlies love ever assembled.
Your ole friend,
Dave MH
Reverse Engine netlabel
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dmersonhess on 02/24/2012 at 11:15AM
Goodbye Kumiko's "My Wild Arms": An Overlooked Indie Pop Gem
Last year, Los Angeles quartet Goodbye Kumiko recorded and released their debut album, "My Wild Arms". The record -- a melange of indie rock, baroque pop and ragtime-influenced piano stylings -- was one of the most satisfying yet underheard indie records of 2011. I caught up with GK singer and keyboard player Michael Barron over email to talk about the album and working with producer Bill Moriarty, a leading light in the Northeast who has manned the controls for Dr. Dog, Man Man, and a host of other extremely creative indie bands.
Who would you say are your influences? Include one from outside the world of music.
MICHAEL BARRON of GOODBYE KUMIKO: My first musical heroes were Scott Joplin and Paul McCartney, in that order. Then later in my life, Frederic Chopin and Harry Nilsson. When I'm playing piano at home, I often play old rags and Chopin's nocturnes. It's fair to say that I'm aiming for the awkward intersection of those pianists even though I know I'm not even in the same universe as any of them.
I think I speak for everyone that we have a lot of 90/00's indie running through our veins. I could go on and on about Pavement, Elephant 6, Phil Elvrum/Microphones, et al. all night long. We love all that stuff and probably will forever.
I love David Lynch, as a filmmaker, as an Angeleno, as an artist and as a man. I'd also say the short stories of Raymond Carver constantly inspire me.
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