Last year I did a list of twenty five albums, and I began to think that the rank ordering no longer meant anything once I hit a certain number. This year I thought I was going to do a top ten with a not so short list of other albums, but then I decided that would be the same thing as a top twenty five.

I feel like I settled in the middle. I was able to narrow 2009 down to fifteen albums, and no short list. These are my favorites.  If you haven’t heard them check out the mp3, and if you like it buy the album…you won’t be disappointed. Cheers.

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The Great Pumpkin’s favorite albums of 2009.

15.) Screaming Females- Power Move

Hearing this record for the first time was like the first time I heard Dinosaur Jr.  Power Move was released by Don Geovanni Records.

[mp3] Screaming Females- “Bell”

• buy it here.
• more on Screaming Females can be found here.

14.) Desolation Wilderness- New Universe

When I saw the cover and title of this album I hoped it would sound like it looked.   And it did.  A shoegaze master piece released by K Records.

[mp3] Desolation Wilderness- “Boardwalk Theme”

• buy it here.
• more on Desolation Wilderness can be found here.

13.) Alex Bleeker and the Freaks- Alex Bleeker and the Freaks

Classic Rock for my generation. This record gets more powerful with each listen. Released via the wonderful Underwater Peoples Records. Their cover of “Animal Tracks” is just as good as the original.

[mp3] Alex Bleeker & The Freaks- “Animal Tracks (Mountain Man cover)”

• buy it here.
• more on Alex Bleeker can be found here.

12.) Sonny and The Sunsets- Tomorrow is Alright

Sonny and the Sunsets made the perfect warm weather pop album that it transcends seasons. I find that even on a morning as cold as today Tomorrow is Alright can make me feel warm inside. Sonny is part of the Endless Nest Collective, and if you know what is good for you should have your eye on the nest…so many great records came out of this group in 2009. Tomorrow is Alright was released by Soft Abuse Records.

[mp3] Sonny and the Sunsets- “Too Young To Burn”

• buy it here (the LP is sold out…maybe get it here?).
• Sonny’s website
• Endless Nest’s website.

11.) Nite Jewel- Good Evening

This is an album of psychedelic dance jams  and not necessarily the dance music you would hear in a club, but more what you want to chill out with at the end of the night.  This record was released by Human Ear Music / Gloriette Records. 

[mp3] Nite Jewel- “Weak for Me”

• buy it here.
• Nite Jewel’s website// myspace

10.) BOAT- Setting the Paces

If there has been one album this year that can bring me out of dark times it is Setting the Paces.   Released by Magic Marker Records.

[mp3] BOAT- “Prince Of Tacoma”

• buy it here.
• more on BOAT can be found here.

9.) Julie Doiron- I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day

While she is known for her sad songs this album shows her lighter side, and that is something that I really enjoy…and she can totally wail on that guitar too.  Released by  Jagjaguwar Records.

[mp3] Julie Doiron- “Spill Yer Lungs”

• buy it here.
• more on Julie Doiron can be found  here.

8.) Ducktails- Ducktails// Landscapes

As far as I’m concerned these two should have been a double album.  I have a hard time thinking about them separately. Ducktails in a sense gave birth to Real Estate, and possibly this whole thing chillwave thing.  Ducktails came out via Not Not Fun and Lanscapes via Olde English Spelling Bee.

[mp3] Ducktails- “Landrunners” (off of Landscapes)

• buy Ducktails here // buy Landscapes here.
• more on Ducktails can be found here.

7.) Karl Blau- Zebra

This man is a constant inspiration to me.  This record is just one of three albums that he made this year that I fell in love with. Released by K Records.

[mp3] Karl Blau- “Dark Sedan”

• buy it here.
• more on Karl Blau can be found here.

6.) Pains of Being Pure at Heart- Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Like a time machine to the late eighties //early nineties.  Another great album from Slumberland.

[mp3] Pains of Being Pure at Heart- “Come Saturday”

• buy it here.
• more on Pains Of Being Pure at Heart can be found here.

5.) Ganglians- Monster Head Room

The first full length form this Sacramento band, and it was pretty much perfect.  The LP was released by Weird Forest and CD by Woodsist (who will be repressing the LP).

[mp3] Ganglians- “Crying Smoke”

• buy it here.
• more on Ganglians can be found here.

4.) TOM: WFMU’s the Best Show’s Tribute to Paul McCartney’s RAM (various artists)

The Best Show put together the best tribute album ever.  If you are unfamiliar with RAM it is the only album I have ever heard of by Paul McCartney refered to as dirty (and that is a very good thing). Released as a DJ Premium for donating to WFMU… Sad that it was so exclusive.  The moral of this story is…DONATE TO WFMU!

I haven’t really listened to Danielson over the past couple albums, but this cover makes me want to rethink that…one of my favorite tracks from this album, and one of the best covers I have heard in a long time.

Danielson- “Monkberry Moon Delight”

• The Best Show// WFMU
• Oh and if you don’t already have it…buy Paul McCartney’s Ram here (or used on LP here).

3.) Mount Eerie- Wind’s Poem

I am a long time fan of Phil Elverum, and on this album he took me to a place I never imagined I’d go.  Dark and beautiful…seeing it performed live gave me the best halloween I’ve had in years.

[mp3] Mount Eerie- “Between Two Mysteries”

• buy it here from P.W. Elverum and Suns.
• more about Mount Eerie  can be found here.

2.) Julian Lynch- Orange You Glad

After this record I will be on the look out for anything Julian Lynch ever releases.  Orange You Glad has moved me. Released on Olde English Spelling Bee.

[mp3] Julian Lynch- “Rancher”

• buy it here.
• more on Julian Lynch (mp3s, video, pictures, reviews, more) can be found here.

1.) So Cow- So Cow

By far the record I listened to most this past year.  The pop catches you, but the guitar and lyrics keep you. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to Tic Tac Totally Records.  If you didn’t catch So Cow when they were in the states last year their 2010 American Tour starts in less than two week!  Tour dates can be found here.

[mp3] So Cow- “Casablanca”

• Buy it here.
• more on So Cow (reviews, posters, mp3s, pictures)can be found here.

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Thanks for reading my best of lists.  I’m pretty sure this is the end of it…my goal was to get it up by February 1st, but I ended up one day late…I’m ok with that.

You can find more of mine, and some of my special guests, best of lists here.

Last Thursday Karl Blau graced Ash’s Place in Williamsburg with his presence.  This was my first time at Ash’s, and I was a little bit surprised at the vibe the Karl and his K Records crew were greeted with.  Instead of the usual quite, smallish, attentive crowd Ash’s Place was packed…half with people who were there for the music, and the rest seemed to have mistaken the show for a drunken rowdy Thursday night party.

Karl was backed by LAKE (who also opened).  This was my first time seeing Karl perform an entire set with a backing band, and it was as wonderful as I expected (despite the loud talking of the crowd).  It made possible the recreation of many of the songs off of Zebra, and even some from last years phenomenal Nature’s Got Away.

While it wasn’t possible do to background noise to capture any of the quieter songs I was able to grab the two singles off of the new album…check out the new dance Karl invented for Brooklyn at the beginning of the extended live version of “Dark Sedan.”

Karl Blau- “Dark Sedan”

Karl Blau- “Apology to Pollinateurs”

It was a pleasure seeing Karl with a full band, and I hope I have this opportunity again, but I did miss the mesmerizing loop building of his solo sets.  Karl also mentioned that they were shooting the music video for “Dark Sedan” this weekend in New York…I can’t wait to see how that turns out.

If you haven’t grabbed a copy of it yet, Karl has a new volume of his Kelp Lunacy available for sale.  This time it is called 96 (pictured above) and is limited to 175 copies.  All copies have letter pressed covers, and are printed on the back of other album covers. K Records describes it:

Those who follow Karl Blau’s prolific trail may find 96 to be of the Double Duty Booty /Dance Positive dance vein of Blauisms. Extra-hott dog.

I picked mine up at the show (along with Blau’s reggae tribute to the Nutcracker!), but you can grab one from Karl off of his website…as always with Karl this album is totally worth it. I can’t get enough of his smooth dance jams.

Buy Karl Blau’s 96 here.

To give you a taste of 96 here is a song from the previously mentioned Double Duty Booty. It is an amazing, kind of creepy, dance jam titled “Ceremonial Apple Pie.”  The song starts off with almost a hip hop or dance hall style beat and vocals, and then turns into one of Karl’s wonderful reggae influenced dance jams…full of of his smooth voice, and other vocal experiments.

[mp3] Karl Blau- “Ceremonial Apple Pie”

off of Dubble Dooty Booty.  buy it here.

Links:

• More on Karl Blau (tour dates, mp3s, release info, videos, ect) click  here.
• Buy other Karl Blau releases directly from him here.
  • or if you have other shopping needs at insound.
• More on K Records here.
• More gprecs videos here.

New York City tomorrow is your only chance on this tour to catch the always wonderful, extremely talented Karl Blau.

This tour is coming just after the release of his new African influenced album titled Zebra (but you can actually say that all of his music is African influenced).

If you haven’t heard the second single (I’ve already posted it once) “Dark Sedan” listen to it now:

[mp3] Karl Blau- “Dark Sedan” (Buy Zebra here!)

This song is definitely in my list of best songs of 2009, and on top of that…  Karl Blau has released one (or more) of my favorite records in both 2007 (Dance Positive), 2008 (Nature’s Got Away and AM), and it looks like he has at least two (Zebra and Baby Nettles), if not three (I think there is one more that I need to get my hands on), that will be in my year end lists this year.

Karl Blau has been nice enough to post some tracks for free download on his wonderful Kelp Lunacy, and during my listening I came across some real gems.

First up is “Too Thirsty to Drink Water,” and it is what I what I consider a signature Blau solo live song…guitar, vocals, minimal drum beats, and of course loops….but ends with a worldly sounding drone.  I’ve been listening to this track all morning and it has been so sweet to my ears…gearing up for the awesomeness that will be tomorrow!

[mp3] Karl Blua- “Too Thirsty to Drink Water”

Off of Grease and Bread, buy it here.

This next track… as a pretty well listened fan of Blau’s I can honestly say that I would have a hard time confirming that this was Blau if he didn’t attach his name to the track.  This has happened before, but this one is by far the most unusual coming to date. This very well might be a traditional song, but I wasn’t able to find very much information on it…on that note it comes from  If I Knew Zen What I Know Now which Blau says ” is a collection of would-be pop songs: that is would-be if they were sung in English. There’s a song in Hebrew, and a few in made-up languages and even some deutsch gesprechen–also English and several instrumentals.”  Thanks Karl for giving me some back ground on it.  With that said:

[mp3] Karl Blau- “My Name, My Name”

as I said, this track appears on If I Knew Zen What I Know Now.  Buy it here!

I posted this next track a my previous post about Karl, but just discovered this amazing video!

Karl Blau- “Song For Kevin”

Karl Blau is on tour right now, with fellow K Records stars LAKE! If you didn’t know Karl Blau produced the most recent LAKE album too.  Karl mentioned during his shows in New York back in May that he was working on a full band format…I wonder if that is happening on this tour?  Maybe LAKE will help out…lots of possibilities!  Here are the dates:

• Tonight! Oct 28, 2009 – Bennington, Vermont @ Bennington Collegew/ LAKE
• Tomorrow! Oct 29, 2009 – Brooklyn, New York @ Ash’s Place – 234 Wythe St – w/ LAKE, White Diamonds, and Alex Bleeker and the Freaks!
  • I can’t say it enough…this is not to be missed.
    
• Oct 30, 2009 – Haverford, Pennsylvania @ Lunt Basement – w/ LAKE
• Oct 31, 2009 – Hellertown, Pennsylvania @ Shorb’s Costume Extravaganza – w/ LAKE
• Nov 1, 2009 – Baltimore, Maryland @ The Windup Space – w/ LAKE
• Nov 3, 2009 – Richmond, Virginia @ The Camel – w/ LAKE
• Nov 4, 2009 – Greensboro, North Carolina @ Artistika – w/ LAKE
• Nov 5, 2009 – Lexington, Kentucky @ Al’s Bar – w/ LAKE
• Nov 6, 2009 – Knoxville, Tennessee @ The Pilot Light – w/ LAKE
• Nov 7, 2009 – Athens, Georgia @ Secret Squirrel – w/ LAKE
• Nov 8, 2009 – Tallahassee, Florida @ Club Down Under – w/ LAKE
• Nov 10, 2009 – Dallas, Texas @ Ocher House – w/ LAKE
• Nov 11, 2009 – Austin, Texas @ Emo’s Jr. – w/ LAKE
• Nov 12, 2009 – Lubbock, Texas @ Bash Riprocks – w/ LAKE
• Nov 13, 2009 – Albuquerque, New Mexico @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge – w/ LAKE
• Nov 14, 2009 – Phoenix, Arizona @ Trunk Space – w/ LAKE
• Nov 15, 2009 – Tucson, Arizona @ The Hangar Art Space – w/ LAKE
• Nov 17, 2009 – Los Angeles, California @ The Smell – w/ LAKE
• Nov 18, 2009 – Santa Barbara, California @ Biko Garage – w/ LAKE
• Nov 20, 2009 – San Luis Obispo, California @ SLO Art Center – w/ LAKE
• Nov 21, 2009 – Santa Cruz, California @ Resource Center for Non Violence – w/ LAKE
• Nov 22, 2009 – San Francisco, California @ The Hemlock Tavern – w/ LAKE
• Nov 23, 2009 – Arcata, California @ The Green House – w/ LAKE
• Nov 24, 2009 – Salem, Oregon @ Ike Box – w/ LAKE

Links:

• More Great Pumpkin posts on Karl Blau (mp3s, release info, videos, ect) click  here.
• Buy other Karl Blau releases directly from him here.
  • or if you have other shopping needs at insound.
• More on K Records here.
• Photo by Arrington De Dionyso

With each passing day my excitement for Karl Blau’s new album Zebra grows more and more.  Earlier this week Pitchfork premiered “Dark Sedan” the second single from the album.  Pitchfork said it “is a cut from the new record that features a groovy rhythm section adorned by a wide variety of orchestration, from saxophones to strings to disco keyboards.” This statement is pretty accurate, and again I am impressed with Blau’s arrangement and growth as a musician.  If these first two tracks from Zebra are any indication of the entire album it won’t be leaving my turntable for a very long time.  I think I can honestly say that this is my most anticipated album of 2009.

[mp3] Karl Blau- “Dark Sedan”

Buy Zebra from K Records here on October 6th.

More info on Karl Blau can be found here (including tour dates, and more mp3s)

Karl Blau might have already released one of my favorite albums of this year with his most recent KELP Lunacy titled Baby Nettles.  The sad part about that is only a handful of people will ever hold a copy of it.  While this limited release won’t make it to many ears his next album, which I am very excited about, titled Zebra will be seeing the light of day via, one of my personal favorite labels, K Records.

I was able to catch Karl at two of his 5 or so New York City shows earlier this year where he performed solo doing his thing with a guitar and and his beat box style vocal loops where he mentioned his new album, and said it would be paying tribute in a way to the music of Africa.

K Records has released a press release about the album with more details:

Listening to Karl Blau’s albums and trying to describe what you hear is like walking through a local farmer’s market and describing all the vegetables grown in that area. The common thread running through Blau’s records is a love felt for homegrown music. Most anyone can sense the passion this cultivator has for his trade.

In a world of instant access to musical cultures near and far, Blau overtly mirrors African musical influences with hints of blues, soul and rock steeped in l’herbe de Northwest and he calls it Zebra [KLP205].

This striped burro was birthed in the trusty analog setting of Dub Narcotic Studios in Olympia, Washington. For Zebra Blau explored the frontiers of folklore, adding one instrument at a time (drum, guitar, bell, keys, saxophone, flute, piano) in an organic process of response to this confluence of sounds. A restless thinker, Blau is adept at imaginative and sweet songs about education, work, love and society. Blessed with an expressive and gentle baritone, Blau asks the eternal question: “what’s next?” Every generation has its own revolution and we need heartfelt music now as much as ever. Let’s practice how we dance. (read the whole thing here)

GvsB posted the first single of the new album a while back, and I have been sitting on it taking it in for sometime now.  The track features both Melanie Valera ( Tender Forever) and Arrington de Dionyso(Old Time Relijun).  I hope you enjoy this first track as much as I do:

[mp3] Karl Blau- “apology to pollinateurs”
(off Zebra. via GvsB)

Every time Blau releases an album it brings a freshness to my ears…whether it is creating something entirely new, or transforming something familiar Karl Blau really cannot do any wrong in my book.

Karl Blau’s Zebra will be out on October 6th, 2009 and you will be able to purchase it from K Records here.

Karl Blau has a whole slew of tour dates lined up too…last time I saw him he mentioned working on a full band format…I wonder if that is happening this time around?  Either way these shows are not to be missed ( will update the post once the venue for the NYC show is confirmed):

• Aug 21, 2009 – Seattle, Washington @ Q Cafe
• Aug 22, 2009 – Rochester, Washington @Helsing Junction Sleepover – w/ Desolation Wilderness, Joey Casio, Christmas, Tender Forever, Jeffrey Jerusalem
• Sep 18, 2009 – Portland, Oregon @ Backspace – w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids
• Sep 19, 2009 – Oakland, California @ 21 Grand – w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids
• Sep 20, 2009 – Los Angeles, California @ Eagle Rock Center for Arts – w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids
• Sep 22, 2009 – San Diego, California @ Che Cafe, San Diego State – w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids
• Sep 24, 2009 – Eugene, Oregon @ EMU Ampitheater, University of Oregon – w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids
• Sep 25, 2009 – Olympia, Washington @ Northern – w/ Mount Eerie, Tara Jane ONeil, No Kids
• Oct 11, 2009 – Olympia, Washington @ Northern – w/ LAKE
• Oct 12, 2009 – Tacoma, Washington @ The Den – w/ LAKE
• Oct 13, 2009 – Seattle, Washington @ The Josephine – w/ LAKE
• Oct 15, 2009 – Pullman, Washington @ Belltower – w/ LAKE
• Oct 17, 2009 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Kilby Court – w/ LAKE
• Oct 18, 2009 – Denver, Colorado @ Rhinoceropolis – w/ LAKE
• Oct 20, 2009 – Lawrence, Kansas @ The Jackpot Saloon – w/ LAKE
• Oct 22, 2009 – Chicago, Illinois @ Schubas Tavern – w/ LAKE
• Oct 23, 2009 – Grand Rapids, Michigan @ The DAAC – w/ LAKE
• Oct 24, 2009 – Bloomington, Indiana @ Russian Recording – w/ LAKE
• Oct 25, 2009 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania @ Garfield Artworks – w/ LAKE
• Oct 28, 2009 – Plattsburgh, New York @ North Country Food Co-Op – w/ LAKE
• Oct 29, 2009 – Brooklyn, New York @ TBA (Market Hotel? Todd P still has TBA) – w/ LAKE
• Oct 30, 2009 – Haverford, Pennsylvania @ Lunt Basement – w/ LAKE
• Nov 4, 2009 – Greensboro, North Carolina @ Square One – w/ LAKE
• Nov 5, 2009 – Lexington, Kentucky @ Al’s Bar – w/ LAKE
• Nov 7, 2009 – Athens, Georgia @ Secret Squirrel – w/ LAKE
• Nov 8, 2009 – Tallahassee, Florida @ Club Down Under – w/ LAKE
• Nov 10, 2009 – Dallas, Texas @ Swiss House – w/ LAKE
• Nov 11, 2009 – Austin, Texas @ Emo’s Jr. – w/ LAKE
• Nov 12, 2009 – Lubbock, Texas @ Bash Riprocks – w/ LAKE
• Nov 13, 2009 – Albuquerque, New Mexico @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge – w/ LAKE
• Nov 14, 2009 – Phoenix, Arizona @ Trunk Space – w/ LAKE
• Nov 17, 2009 – Los Angeles, California @ The Smell – w/ LAKE
• Nov 18, 2009 – Santa Barbara, California @ Biko Garage – w/ LAKE
• Nov 20, 2009 – San Luis Obispo, California @ SLO Art Center – w/ LAKE
• Nov 21, 2009 – Santa Cruz, California @ Resource Center for Non Violence – w/ LAKE

For much more info on Karl Blau (mp3s, ect) please click here.

Desolation Wilderness released a wonderful droney shoegaze pop album last year titled White Light Strobing, on K Records.  I picked this up after hearing their first single, and I have been following them since.   I’m extremely excited that they have not only released a new 7″ in 2009 (No Tomorrow on K), but they also have a new full length album coming out too: New Universe.

I’m am increasingly becoming interested in Daytrotter.  They continue to give great recordings from bands across the spectrum, and I noticed that Desolation Wilderness did a session with them back on March 6th.  In this session they played two tracks from their upcoming album (as well as several from White Light Strobing), at that time it was still untitled. I have heard the recorded version of “No Tomorrow”, and the live Daytrotter version is equally pleasing…they also provided a track that I had not heard, “Venice Beach”.  Both of these tracks are from their Daytrotter Session.

[mp3] Desolation Wilderness- “No Tomorrow”

[mp3] Desolation Wilderness- “Venice Beach”

Both off of New Universe.  “No Tomorrow” also on a 7″, buy it here.

While I enjoy these wonderful live recordings the vocals are highlighted, but they are not the main focus of the bands recorded material.  It is a different view of Desolation Wilderness, and if you enjoy it I highly recommend checking out one of their records where the doney pop bends together seamlessly.  You can kinda see what I mean here (off of White Light Strobing):

My research of their yet to be released new album was sparked by the commercial that their friend, Wes Currie, made.  The video is short, and a sampling of several songs on the album.  Almost as if a radio was set on scan, and every station was Desolation Wilderness with a little video to accompany it.

Buy other Desolation Wilderness releases from the K Records Mail Order Department.  New Universe will be available here on August 8th, 2009.

They also have a huge tour lined up, and three amazing looking NYC shows!

• Aug 15 2009 Olympia, Washington @ The Northern w/ Moon Runners, Lusty Leaf
• Aug 19 2009 Tacoma, Washington @ TBD
• Aug 20 2009 Anacortes, Washington @ Department of Safety w/ Karl Blau
• Aug 21 2009 Seattle, Washington @ TBD w/ Herr Jazz
• Aug 22 2009 Chehalis, Washington @ Helsing Junction Farm
• Aug 23 2009 Portland, Oregon  @ The Wail w/ Hornet Leg, Metal (7pm sharp!)
• Aug 24 2009 Boise, Idaho @ TBD
• Aug 25 Salt Lake City, Utah @  Kilby Court w/ Navigator, Stag Hare
• Aug 26 2009 Ft. Collins, Colorado @ TBD
• Aug 27 2009 Denver, Colorado @ Rhinoceropolis w/ Milton Melvin C. III, M. Pyre
• Aug 28 2009 Lawrence, Kansas @ Jackpot w/ Baby Birds Don’t Drink Milk
• Aug 29 2009 St. Louis, Missouri @ The Firebird
• Aug 30 2009 Iowa City, Iowa @ PS1
• Sep 2 2009 Chicago, Illinois @ The Mopery w/ Thin Hymns
• Sep 3 2009  Bloomington, Indiana @ TBD
• Sep 4 2009 Louisville, Kentucky @ Skull Alley
• Sep 5 2009 Lexington, Kentucky @ Al’s Bar
• Sep 6 2009 Oberlin, Ohio @ Oberlin College w/ Invisible River, Eleanor Murray
• Sep 7 2009 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania @ Modern Formations Gallery
• Sep 8 2009 Rochester, New York @ Bug Jar
• Sep 9 2009 Syracuse, New York @ Spark Arts Space
• Sep 10 2009  Ithaca, New York @ TBD
• Sep 11 2009 Bennington, Vermont @ Bennington College
• Sep 12 2009 Brooklyn, New York @ Silent Barn w/ Real Estate
• Sep 13 2009 New York, New York @ Cake Shop w/ Silk Flowers, The Intelligence, City Center, Gary War
• Sep 14 2009 New York, New York@ TBD w/ Calvin Johnson, Arrington de Dionyso
• Sep 15 2009 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania @ TBD w/ Catholic Block
• Sep 16 2009 Charlottesville, Virginia @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
• Sep 17 2009 Richmond, Virginia @ TBD
• Sep 18 2009 Charlotte, North Carolina @  Dugg Dugg Gallery
• Sep 19 2009 Atlanta, GA @ TBD
• Sep 20 2009 Athens, Georgia @ Flicker Theater w/ Madeline
• Sep 21 2009 Chattanooga, Tennessee @ JJ’s Bohemia w/ Forest Magic!
• Sep 23 2009 Fayetteville, NC @ w/ Real Live Tigers
• Sep 25 2009 Dallas, Texas @ TBD
• Sep 26 2009 Austin, Texas @ TBD
• Sep 28 2009 Tucson, Arizona @ Hangart w/ Stephen Steinbrink
• Sep 29 2009 Tempe, Arizona @ TBD (house show?) w/ Stephen Steinbrink
• Sep 30 2009 Irvine, California @ UC Irvine w/ Christmas
• Oct 1 2009 LA, California @ TBD w/ Christmas
• Oct 2 2009 Santa Barbara, California @ Biko Garage w/ Christmas
• Oct 3 2009SF, California @ TBD  w/ Christmas
• Oct 4 2009 Santa Cruz, California @ House Show w/ Christmas
• Oct 5 2009 Sacramento, California @ TBD w/ Christmas
• Oct 6 2009 Arcata, California @ The Green House w/ Christmas
• Oct 7 2009 Eugene, Oregon@ TBD w/ Christmas
• Oct 8 2009 Portland, Oregon @ TBD w/ Christmas
• Oct 9 2009 Olympia, Washington @ The Northern w/ Christmas, Lapuda

My past two evenings were spent with Karl Blau….and I really can think of a better way to start the week.  Monday night was a Zebulon, and last night at Bruar Falls (and might I say that Bruar Falls is a fine venue, and quickly becoming one of my favorites in the city.  It’s really nice to drink good beer at a show…I’m been digging the Sixpoint Mason Black Wheat).

Karl plays more or less by himself crafting songs using two microphones, a couple pedals, a guitar, and his vocal cords.  I have see artists use loop pedals before, but he is by far is the best…creating a entire song right in front of your eyes…it is just amazing to watch him add loop after loop.  The song starts out as one guitar riff, or one vocal beat box loop, and then in a matter of seconds turns into an amazing multi layered song.

I’m a pretty big fan of Karl Blau, and I have all of the LPs released in the past couple years…and if you have been following the GP I’m not the type of person that typically buys CDs.  Karl currently does a subscription service called Kelp Lunacy Advanced Plagiarism Society (KLAPS) and this is one of the occasions where I make an exception.  KLAPS:

follows the soundscape of audio artist Karl Blau– Kelps are sent out periodically in the format of CD: songs and sounds, orchestrations and field recordings.

Underscoring the committment to style exploration of the modern world as giant mixer of sonic cultures, Blau’s KLAPS–formed beneath the grey skies of the Skagit Valley– produce sonic landscapes of a new world. Karl Blau as crooner, as music producer, instrumentalist, as natural world observer, as collaborateur with artists from the NW and beyond. Kelp Lunacy Advanced Plagiarism Society above all shares Blau’s love of sound

It is important to note that part of the essence of KLAPS is the hand-packaging including screenprinting, letter-pressed, sewn paper, and often on recycled material. Sure, you can download Kelps here for cheap, but you won’t get the full flavor of Kelp Lunacy and the rush of treasure in the mail. (via kelplunacy.com)

Last July Blau announced that he would be putting a stop to KLAPS after issue #40, but you can still subscribe up to that point (currently on issue #29).  If you would like to I would email him first.  Info on this below.

I was able to pick up a copy of one of these issues when I saw him about a year and a half ago, and when I saw him at Zebulon I asked if he had any copies.  He didn’t have any at Zebulon, but brought a copy of the most recent issue for me to Bruar Falls.  KLAPS releases are extremely limited, and he mentioned that he only has enough for the subscribers…so I feel really lucky to have gotten a copy:

This particular copy is made of sewn paper, and is comprised of downbeat R&B songs (or the beginning of it is…that is what I heard on my commute this morning).  Karl mentioned that some of the tracks were off of various compilations.  It was a great soundtrack to my morning.

To inquire about KLAPS email: “kelpmonthly” at sign “fastmail” dot “fm”

You can buy some of the physical back issues of KLAPS and Karl Blau’s other albums on CD here.

If you don’t mind not having the awesome packaging, or would like to hear back issue of KLAPS you can download them!  They are available for the extremely reasonable price of $8.99 each.

You can buy KLAPS digitally here.

In the mean time check out this out:

[mp3] Karl Blau- “Kill the Messenger” (Bret Lunsford/ D+ cover) (off Dance Positive! Buy it!)

If you don’t live in the US there is a chance Karl might be playing near you.  He seems to be touring most of the world right now. Check out his tour dates here. Lets hope he stops back in NYC on his way back to the West Coast.

More on Karl Blau here.

Photo via K Records, taken by Calli Stark

It’s the first Monday in May, and do you know what that means?

If you guessed that Jason Anderson is starting another Monday residency, you are right.

This time it’s going to be a little different…instead of being at the Candy Store it’s at the Cake Shop, and Jason is bringing along his friends!  Not only will Jason Anderson be preforming with a full band, but  his friends will be opening the shows for him.  What better place to have positive vibes on a Monday night other than Cake Shop?

Here’s the information for the upcoming Mondays!  Keep in mind that Jason Anderson is scheduled to go on at 10:30 every Monday.

• 5/4/09 (tonight!)- w/ Alden Barton (8:30) and the Wailing Wall (9:30)
• 5/11/09- w/Alden Barton (8:30) and Yoni Gordon (9:30)
• 5/18/09-w/ Alden Barton (8:30) and the Wailing Wall (9:30)
• 5/25/09-w/ Alden Barton (8:30) and The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt! (9:30)

Again, all of these shows are at Cake Shop (located at 152 Ludlow St. between Rivington St & Stanton St), and are FREE!

[mp3] Jason Anderson- “This Will Never Be Our Town”

(off of the On The Streets EP.  Available here.   Alternate version on Jason’s wonderful album: The Hopeful and the Unafraid on K Records…buy it here.)

I have written about Jason Anderson quite a bit…for more info, links, and picture and what not click here.