for September, 2006. Page 1.
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Ohbijou
Forgive them for being from Canada, forgive them for having six(ish) members, a violin, a banjo, a xylophone, and who knows what else. Despite all appearances to the contrary, this is not another cloying, forgettable act clamoring for breadcrumbs at Pitchfork’s table. In other words, you’ll enjoy these guys the second time you hear them, too.
Ohbijou’s twilight chamber pop is reminiscent of The Concretes’ softer work, but this probably owes a lot to their female vocals, light orchestral touches, and penchant for 3/4 time signatures. Their debut LP, Swift Feet For Troubling Times, was self-released this year and produced by Leon Taheny of Final Fantasy. It’s the kind of summer album meant not for sunny afternoons, but for nights alone in your bedroom with the window open and the curtains blowing; so hurry up and grab this before autumn hits us for good. My best guess at a way to obtain a copy would be to email them – there are no shopping carts on their site.
Ira Cohen’s Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda
Some would say that the spirit of the psychedelic 60’s is dead. Perhaps, but there will always be this vessel for it to live on. For those unaware, Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda has once again been re-released, this time by Arthur Magazine’s DVD imprint, Saturnalia. Invasion of Thunderbolt Pagoda is Ira Cohen’s 1968 Mylar Masterpiece, and is hailed as the only true psychedelic film. About a month back I was lucky enough to attend the DVD release party for this film, and see Mr. Cohen do a reading of some of his poetry, as well as the band Brain Damage play a live score to a piece one of the members had done using forgotten mylar film from Cohen’s archives. To top it off, Sunburned Hand of the Man played live over the film, doing their version of the soundtrack.
This film stands the test of the time like no other, simply because there will never be a single thing like it. Possibly the most interesting part is the soundtrack(s), as there is no actual dialogue and the way in which they compliment the film is stunning. This particular release of the film comes with 3 soundtracks. The original Angus MacLise score, joyous lake, one by Acid Mothers Temple and another by Sunburned Hand of the Man. It also includes the extras done by Brain Damage. Although at 30$ it is somewhat pricey, it’s an absolute necessity for all lovers of psychedelic art and expression. You can purchase it from the Arthur magazine website.
Dan Bejar Interview
Recently Dan Bejar was interviewed by CBC Radio 3 about (what feels like last year’s) Destroyer’s Rubies. These are really some of the most interesting insights into his relationship with his music that I’ve heard; plus, you get to hear the first 20 seconds of “3000 Flowers” like five times.
Thanks again to the Streethawk LiveJournal community for getting this to me. Click through to the full entry for a painstaking transcript.
Thursday, September 7th, 2006
Swan Lake Creeps Nearer
Despite my comforting reassurances to the contrary, Swan Lake’s MySpace page has not restored the two tracks from the upcoming Beast Moans that had temporarily been offered. Frankly I’m surprised the whole thing hasn’t leaked yet. In the meantime, Scratch Records, who I can only assume will be issuing Beast Moans on vinyl, as is kind of their thing that they do, is offering “Nubile Days” on their MySpace page. Good grief.
Click through to the full post for purported previews of some liner note art, c/o LiveJournal’s Streethawk Community.