For all my fellow Sleater-Kinney fans, still not completely over the now 1 year old break up of said band, I offer you this update....
Sadly no, my update does not involve news of a reunion. It does however involve the one and only Carrie Brownstein, beloved guitar goddess of punk rock. For most of this last year Carrie remained under the radar, not making much of any public appearences, only instead a handful of articles and interviews for various publications. But now shes starting to show her face more often. Most notably in the newly minted web-based sketch comedy show ThunderAnt. ThunderAnt consists of Ms. Brownstein and her good friend Fred Armisen. So far there are two official ThunderAnt episodes and an older collaboration originally titled Boink!
And for more random Carrie-ness heres a video that seems to be at a humane society volunteers meeting in portland where Carrie had to give some sort of introduction about herself and wound up singing the orowheat jingle. HILARIOUS!!!
So, with that, one of my favorite bands The Brunettes, a great and enthusiastic pop group from new zealand just released a new album called "Structure and Costmetics", and is the bands first release on american label Sub Pop. In my effort to wait to purchase the album on vinyl I hadnt gotten to hear it until yesterday but hot damn is it good! The first song is infectious as hell and brought back memories of when I saw them in Denver a few years ago with Feist and Rilo Kiley. Speaking of, in my efforts to find a post worthy video of the Brunettes, I stumbled upon a clip of said three bands covering "Let My Love Open The Door" which was also a good memory from that night. Enjoy:
So this is a pulled article from an old "Static" issue that appears to be from Nov/Dec 2003 (I say appears because apparently they weren't into dating things back then at the station). At any rate they somehow managed to get replies from both Kori and Jason of Mates of State. The questions are written exactly as they were in the old zine, and without my updates and modifications, which also explains errors in grammar like "fictitious character" but ahh well. With that, keep in mind that both Kori and Jasons answers are circa 3+ years ago and will likely have changed somewhat since then.
First up, Kori:
Band:
Hard as I tried I couldn't come up with a pic to illustrate exactly what I mean. But here's a shot of her last year wearing a Ramones shirt... just as good. Choice in clothing aside, Clarke's guitar prowess really surprised me. Mind you I knew the band was good but I wasn't expecting to leave the show with another guitar hero. Whether it be delivering a deliciously clever and complicated riff, banging the guitar into her amp to create feedback noise, or coaxing it into a madcap run of scratches and wails, she did not for a second crack that calm exterior you see above. Which of course made the bad-assery all the more awesome. And yes, I did just say bad-assery. Verity Susman also impressed me with her multi-instrumental talents. She seemed just as comfortable behind the guitar as she did the keyboard and approached them both with a sort of barely contained ferocity. She was especially impressive behind the keyboard durring the first few songs, and I couldnt tell whether to look at her or Clarke. 
Khaela Maricich of The Blow, was also a force to behold as she preformed without her recording partner Jona Bechtolt. It takes serious nerve to get up on stage by yourself without even an instrument to hide behind and entertain a group of people not necissarily there to see you. But of course, that is exactly what she did. She was funny, exuberantly quirky, and never stopped moving. She was so good in fact I almost really just dont know what to say. So instead here's a clip of the genius at work from a show in seattle earlier this year.
In my search for more info I came across this really good article about the blow from Fader magazine, that contains some really nice photos (like this one) of the band taken by Jason Nocito. Jason Nocito. So check that out.
Xzyqunity basically is Static only with a cooler, more original name that has nothing to do with WNYU and is, of course, on the web. At any rate Static, it was recently discovered, used to have a feature called "Favorite Things" which was basically a short list of questions, "the kind of list that would be fun to read but not take up too much of their busy rockin' lives or scare them off." We've decided this was a brilliant idea and have begun to send out bands a slightly updated version of the original questionnaire. I'll be posting the reply's as I get them and possibly adding a few of the old ones cuz they can be really interesting.
So I'm really excited, cuz the very first response is from Tender Forever! (whom I have previously ranted and raved about)
So, admitedly, I'm a little late to the party on this one. I mean sure I got this album early but it is, in truth, my first Electrelane album. That being said I cannot currently speak to this album's place in their discography and history or growth as a band. I will say that after hearing this album all I want is more more more. So naturally a rapid devouring of their previous releases is soon to come.
I could not possibly be more in love, and this video is just further proof of why. This track is off her last album "The Soft and The Hardcore" produced by Calvin Johnson and released on K Records, naturally. Shes been recording a new one which I believe is supposed to be released at some point this year. But to make a long music rant short all you really need to know is that shes quirky, cute, french and amazingly talented. What more could you possibly want? a lo-fi asthetic and sound you say? Check! She's got it in spades.
I'm still processing the amazingness that is Feists new album "The Reminder" (which comes out stateside on tuesday) once I've had a bit more time with it I'll post a proper review. I can however say that it just might be better than "Let It Die" a feat not to be taken lightly. And to satisfy any Feist cravings before the album is released there are two extreamly awesome music videos which i present for your viewing pleasure: one for My Moon My Man and another for 1234, both videos live up to the new Feist standard of dancing. Who doesnt love a good group dance number. I mean really.
Patti Smith's album of cover songs "Twelve" is pretty good and surprisingly roots-y for the pioneering pre-punk rocker. I am however, still currently undecided about this album as a whole. While there are a few good covers on the album, most of the tracks dont stray very far from their original versions other than the obvious instrument differences. Her version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a pretty good example in that it starts out as a REALLY amazing cover, but the second she hits the chorus it becomes patti smith singing nirvana. Maybe thats just a supremely hard song to cover because it is so recognizable, but while she plays with the original melody in the verses, there is no attempt made to do so durring the oh-so-familiar chorus, and is true of most songs on the album. A statement made worse by the fact that Patti Smith is known for amazing and revolutionary covers, one need not look any further than "Gloria" off her iconic "Horses" for proof of that. As such this album falls a little short and probably wont get a huge heaping amount of spins, at least from me. Then again I could completely change my mind like tomorrow, so who the hell knows. For a more in depth review head on over to Pop Matters.
