June 4th, 2009 10:44am
LHB’s Shorties (Dirty Projectors, Bjork, and More)
The New York Times profiles David Longstreth of the Dirty Projectors.
Since he began releasing music under the name Dirty Projectors in 2003, Mr. Longstreth has gradually established himself as indie-rock’s workaholic mad genius, churning out album after high-concept album with an uncommon drive. Two years ago he won over critics and bloggers with “Rise Above,” a song-by-song reworking of Black Flag’s “Damaged,” the bilious punk classic, which broke down the emotional and musical rigidity of the original with razor-sharp harmonies and sinuous West African-influenced guitar lines.
Black Keys drummer Patrick Carney talks to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The Quietus profiles singer-songwriter Patrick Wolf.
If there's a hint of 80s revival with Wolf, it's one that goes way beyond the standard-issue headband and synth riff to pick up the immense creative challenges thrown down by the heavy-hitters: Kate Bush, Associates, Prince. So far, landfill indie-fan naysayers have, you sense, bristled with a casual homophobia that thankfully no longer dares speak its name; but, what with him being equally adept with the laptop and the viola, he's also been damned, at times, with misguided praise for his innovative tendencies. Truth is, Wolf has never been an avant gardist; Wolfmusic is more akin to Björkmusic – heartfelt, mythopeoic pop with a sonic richness more often associated with film soundtracks.
The National Post profiles Amadou & Mariam.
Amadou & Mariam call their music "Afro-Blues;" the term best describes the independent cassettes they recorded in the late '80s and early '90s as an unaccompanied duo, with Amadou's earthy electric guitar providing a lilting, skeletal background for their singing in French and Bambara. Since then, they've embraced an ever-increasing range of influences and instrumentation; the panoramic sound on Welcome to Mali takes in everything from all-out Afro-funk to Sabali's streamlined, Damon Albarn-produced electro-pop.
The Guardian's music blog eulogizes Plan B magazine.
RIP, Koko Taylor, queen of the blues.
Will Oldham discusses his film and music careers with the Dallas Observer.
Jonathan Demme's Robyn Hitchcock concert film, Storefront Hitchcock, is streaming at Hulu.
The New Yorker features new short fiction by Craig Raine.
On sale for $1.99 at Amazon MP3: James Morrison's 12-track album Songs for You, Truths for Me.
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