Posts Tagged ‘devendra banhart’

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Read: The Indie Rock Coloring Book

August 14, 2009

indie coloring book

Okay, maybe that should be ‘Color,’ not ‘Read,’ as we take a break from our serious-verging-on-academic commentary. Just got my copy of The Indie Rock Coloring Book, from Montreal’s Yellow Bird Project, who work with artists raise money for charity. It has beautifully whimsical illustrations by Andy J. Miller to color, and is replete with activities to amuse small children, such as “Find all the birds in Devendra‘s beard and color them yellow.” and “See what’s written in the stars by connecting them to one another!” Of course, there are jokes that are pretty much for grown-ups, such as a maze with the instructions, “Help Kevin Drew avoid the ladies, Brendan Canning miss the wall, and Feist dodge the million-dollar solo contracts so they can reunite for a new Broken Social Scene record!”

Buy a copy for the indie rock-loving child (or parent) in your life here.

MP3: Devendra Banhart – I Feel Just Like A Child (extended mix) [buy]

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Michael Gira at Tractor Tavern, Seattle

March 4, 2009

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Michael Gira is playing at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard tonight. While Gira’s bands, Angels of Light and the Swans (who I usually describe as ‘the band that makes Sonic Youth look like commercial sellouts’), are pretty well-known in their own right, he may be best known for bringing Devendra Banhart and Akron/Family to the masses, via his label, Young God Records.

I saw Gira play a few years ago (with Banhart and the Dresden Dolls), and I asked him about the story behind my favourite Swans song, “God Damn the Sun.” It’s a narrative about being left by his lover and learning that his best friend was found “face down in the street, with a bottle in your hand, and a wide smile on your face, and a knife in your back.” It turns out that he did write it about a particular friend who, however, was still alive and well (and none too pleased about his fictional demise).

If you are at all prone to depression or self-pity, you may not want to listen to this song; I’d prefer not to be responsible for a rash of z=z-related suicides. Cheerfully optimistic people only, please.

MP3: Swans – God Damn the Sun [buy]

[photo credit: Anne Helmond]

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The top five beards in indie rock

May 3, 2008

A few weeks ago, WMBR had a column in The Tech that included a list of the ‘Top 5 Beards in Indie Rock.’ The top spot was held by perpetually clean-shaven Stephen Malkmus, in honour of the Jicks’ sold-out show at the Paradise on April 3rd. While I totally agree with their inclusion of Sam Beam (of Iron and Wine) and Devendra Banhart, and Doug Martsch of Built to Spill definitely deserves an honourable mention, I’m going to suggest a different top 3:

3. Dan Deacon

2. Dan Bejar

But the number one spot, unquestionably, goes collectively to Ladyhawk, pictured above. They are currently on tour, which means you’ll have a chance to check out the beardage in person.

MP3: Ladyhawk – S.T.H.D.

Got a favourite beard that I missed? Feel free to suggest it in the comments.