Having our own history working in big box record stores, we know that Tuesday’s tend to be big release days in the entertainment world. In light of it being a Tuesday,(and honestly, what else do Tuesday’s really offer?) we bring you this installment of our ‘List of 5′ series:
5 New Albums Out This Week
Click any of the album covers to check out more information, pre-order, or read a review
“Engaged, wearing pearls and khaki pants, living in the Wisconsin suburbs. Up late one night searching for life on craigslist and came across a want ad for an Indie band drummer. Clicked, thought one of the guys was cute so I impulsively responded to the ad saying, “I’m not a drummer but… do you want a keyboard player? I played piano in elementary school…” More as a joke, but they surprisingly invited me to their rehearsal to “see what I can do.” I hadn’t played piano in at least ten years, and even then it was from Classical sheet music!! After spending the entire practice sitting on my hands, blushing, and rocking back and forth, one of the guys said, “Well how about trying the accordion? I’ve got one and none of us knows how to play it.” The boy was cute, I hated my life, and was yearning to return to creative expression. Four months later, I called off the wedding, quit the band, and sent in the master for my first solo acoustic album. The accordion just opened the floodgate, and since then I feel more comfortable in my own skin.”
So goes the story behind Milwaukee accordion playing pianist Pezzettino. Playing under the guise of a moniker pulled from Leo Lionni’s children’s books, translating into English as ‘little piece’ or ‘little square’, the music project takes a page out of Lionni’s themes, and is one of self-discovery, independence and reinforcing the creative calling. “It was around the same time that I was finding my own voice as a person and musician. The songs and sound are just straight from the heart, so having a moniker is a way to create a veil of privacy.”
Though technically a solo musician, Pezzettino does include collaborations and contributions from additional musicians, particularly drummer Nez and bassist Justin Kral, who are part of Pezzettino album Lion, as well as their own projects like Kral’s new band The Spliffs.
With a sound that’s unique not only for it’s inclusion of the accordion, Pezzettino makes music that varies from the cute and poppy to floating folky-indie, all in the same vein as musicians like Kate Nash, Jaymay, and New York band, Elizabeth and the Catapult. With an element of the theatrical and a knack for composition, it’s no wonder that this melody maker was nominated for a number of awards at the 3rd Annual 88Nine Milwaukee Music Awards, including Most Memorable Performance and Best New Artist.
Already with a slew of successes, Pezzettino will be releasing two new albums this year to follow up 2009′s Lion- one with hip-hop producer LMNTlsyt in the Spring and Pedestrian Drama, a 20 minute Indie/Classical piano and video composition, due out in the fall. On working with LMNTlyst and the new music Pezzettino said, “It’s an ideal situation because we work quickly and are intuitively on the same page, yet our musical influences are very different. It’s challenging and exciting, I’m entering a fun stage.”
Pezzettino Online:
Myspace
Pezzettino.net
Currently touring the East Coast, Pezzettino took a little time to answer some of our questions about her music, past projects, and the first show she ever saw.
Telegram Sam: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing process?
Pezzettino: It feels like getting a phone call, and you can either click “accept” or “ignore.” Once you press “accept” and surrender, allow the song to present itself, it’s a matter of having the patience to let the song develop line by line. Usually the words and melody emerge together. Almost always while driving, walking, or showering, and while I’m particularly emotional about a situation (but am too controlled or closed to outwardly express it). If I’m feeling particularly “stuck” then I sit at the piano and try to just shut off my mind and let the fingers find the way. It’s a therapeutic process, and I only discover how I truly feel after the song is already written.
T.S: What are your top three favorite cities/venues to play?
Pezzettino: Oh, this could get me into trouble! I love everyone equally, right? Haha! Well, I must say that Legion Arts in Cedar Rapids has a fantastic grand piano in a gorgeous facility that is great for the solo acoustic sets. High Noon Saloon in Madison is also a favorite, that’s the first place that suggested miking the floor to capture the “stomp,” and the audience is always fantastic. And I love New York, it’s an incredibly inspiring city to be in…
T.S: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Pezzettino: Easy! Bjork, because she’s a genius and I love her. She just does what she wants, presents it as her own with confidence, I really look up to her. Feist, easy, because I love her material and have heard that both her and Bjork are extra attentive to the visual aspect to their performance, I would like to “study under” them. Third band? I feel like I should pick a male because otherwise it’s just an estrogen fest on this list… Andrew Bird? But that’s because I’m madly in love with him (genius factor again).
T.S: Give us some background on the current songs you include on your set lists
Pezzettino: Playing a large majority of unreleased material, which is more upbeat, I’m working with more audience participation. In my mind, there are about three upcoming albums, with styles that span from Indie Pop/ Hip Hop/ Electronic to Contemporary Classical to folky love songs… If there’s an old song that people particularly like, it stays in the set, but mostly I’m just working out new material, testing, and getting it ready for recording.
T.S: What are your top three musical influences?
Pezzettino: My top three musical influences are… I always find this question impossible to answer. The new material is more along the lines of Chopin, Santigold, and Feist. I feel like the Avett Brothers, Tori Amos, and Broadway influenced the first album… The second album, “Lion,” uses more of the vocabulary learned from bands like Elastica, The Cranberries, Juliana Hatfield, and Vivaldi.
T.S: Is there any instrument you don’t play, but wish you did?
Pezzettino: Of course! I wish I knew how to play the trombone, bass, all members of the drum family, violin, sitar, bassoon.
T.S: What other projects have you been a part of?
Pezzettino: I’ve contributed accordion and/or vocal tracks to The Championship, Chris DeMay, and DNA from Milwaukee. Have also started collaborating with theater groups, such as RadioWHT, an old time radio show program with sound effects, and “Peter and the Wolf and the One Woman Band.” That will be so exciting, I loved my Peter and the Wolf record, and to perform it for children using only the accordion, glockenspiel, toy piano, and any other found objects is pushing me creatively. Also starting to do some soundtrack work for an Indie film…
T.S: If you were to record a tribute album to one artist, who would it be and why?
Pezzettino: I could never do her justice, but I would tribute Ella Fitzgerald, because she is the queen.
T.S: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Pezzettino: Ever?!? Probably Tibetan monk throat singers… I have no idea, but almost definitely it was Classical of sorts.
Album release shows, big names, and old favorites fill the bill for this weeks round up of shows. Be sure to get out there and support local music at any of these great venues.
Monday February 15th
Johnny Bodacious and The Bad Attitudes
The Please & Thank Yous
Imadethismistake
Everything is Ruined
Ronny’s
Show at 8pm All Ages
Counting Cards
Lucrezio
Tim Be Told
Lupe Carroll
Elbo Room
Show at 8pm 21+ $7
The Ike Reilly Assassination
Jason Heath & The Greedy Souls
Schuba’s
Doors at 8pm 18+ $10
Tuesday February 16th
Living Sacrifice
War of Ages
Shai Hulud
Lionheart
The Great Commission
Reggie’s Rock Club
Show at 5pm All Ages $13 Advanced/$15 at the door
Absinthe & The Dirty Floors
Doug Lambert Band
Vince & Lori Cook
Subterranean
Doors at 8pm/Show at 8:30 21+ $8
Phil Forsyth of The Bomb Betties
Mad Bread
Joel Blumenfield
Kenn Smith and Valencia Bey
Elbo Room
Show at 8:30 21+ $7
Scott Miller
John Kalmus
Schuba’s
Show at 9pm 21+ $10 advanced/$12 at the door
She Likes Todd
No Consultation
Chappo
Ronny’s
Show at 8pm 21+
Wednesday February 17th
Threeville
Channel Four
Cicada Face
Lophohora
Berserker Theory
Bottom Lounge
Show at 8pm 17+ $5 advance/$8 at the door
Phantogram
Junk Culture
Schuba’s
Show at 9pm 21+ $8 advanced/$10 at the door
The Blue Ribbon Glee Club
Mount Righteous
Jewsus
Ronny’s
Show at 8pm 21+
Leaf Bird
Genital Hercules
The Wheels
Del Segno
Subterranean
Doors at 8pm/Show at 8:30 21+ $8
Hyno5e
Starring Janet Leigh
Fallen Martyr
Empyrean Sky
Plague
Reggie’s Rock Club
Show at 8pm 18+ $8
Neil Turk & The Intentions
The New Red Moons
Dave Cavalier
Elbo Room
Show at 8:30 21+ $8
Thursday February 18th
Daemon Familiar
Mean Ohio
Streeters
Ronny’s
Show at 8pm 21+
St. Vincent
Wildbirds & Peacedrums
Metro
Doors at 8pm/Show at 9pm 18+ $16 advanced/$18 at the door
Piercing Music
Shape Note
Mendelssohn
Milano
Bottom Lounge
Show at 8pm 17+ $5 advanced/$8 at the door
Wild Beasts
Still Life Still
Schuba’s
Show at 9pm 18+ $13 Advanced/$15 at the door
People Under the Stairs
Rapper Big Pooh (Little Brother)
Earatik Static
Subterranean
Doors at 9pm/Show at 10pm 17+ $13 Advanced/$15 at the door
The Moves
The Outbreaks
Beat Kitchen
Doorst at 8pm/ Show at 8:30 21+ $8
Glean Infusion
Nick Galik Band
Everett Thomas
Sonic Pistol
Elbo Room
Show at 8pm 21+ $8
Did we forget something? Bands and fans alike, leave us a comment about upcoming shows that missed our list. And as always, feel free to email us upcoming events at: [email protected]
Having already toured around the world with their two past releases “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (2006) and
“Who Killed Harry Houdini” (2008) the members of I’m from Barcelona recently took on the task of and completed their latest release,“27 Songs from Barcelona”. The album, which is inspired by Kiss’ simultaneous release of four solo albums back in 1978, features one solo song from every member of I’m From Barcelona, and will be released as a triple vinyl, as well as for free online.
Since January 27th, one song per day has been made available for download at imfrombarcelona.com. Missed a track? Fear not, all the songs released up to the current “artist of the day” are available too!
Today’s Song:
Troublemaking
Lyrics: Tobias Granstrand
Music: Tobias Granstrand
Performed by: Tobias Granstrand, Rikard Ljung
Hailing from the Rockwell-esque Greenville, IL, Missouri bordering Midwesterners Eagle Scout do nothing less than shake up their sleepy small town with their big sounds.Taking scraps from post-punk, indie and pop, the five-piece blankets its listener in a quilt of well-equipped craftsmanship and smart lyrics. High energy to say the least, Eagle Scout is a band that delivers youthfulness and musical know-how in one brilliantly packed punch.
The band will be debuting their sophomore release, New Hands this Tuesday, February 16th through Cavity Records, following up their 2008 EP Pandamonium!. Recorded at Glow in the Dark Studios with producer Matt Goldman (Underoath, The Chariot, Cartel) and available in a digi-pack format through their label, via Absolutepunk, and already offered as a live stream in its entirety via myspace or purevolume, there’s no reason to miss out on this album.
New Hands is a raucously good time, offering ten thoroughly thoracic attacking tracks that manage to nestle their percussion right into your chest. Listening to this album while walking down the street had the same effect on our stride that the second half of Beyonce’s I Am…Sasha Fierce did the first time we heard it. While that might seem like a pretty far-fetched comparison, we dare you to listen to this album without wanting to stomp and strut along.
Tracks like the opening ‘At Arms Length’, ‘Currents’ and Spies Like Us’ take a serious shine to Minus the Bear in it’s instrumentals, seasoned with subtly woven synth and vocals the likes of Piebald and The Promise Ring- two comparisons that we don’t think anyone can shake a stick at. There’s also a structural similarity to Mean Everything to Nothing era Manchester Orchestra in these first few tracks, though the two bands sounds are worlds apart.
Implementing fast paced, cymbal heavy drums, shimmery guitar, and yelps at all the appropriate times New Hands has a consistency we love, but that we
will be the first to admit borders on repetitive for the first half of the album. Luckily these songs are so damn catchy that we’ll allow it, no questions asked.
The band does shake it up a little midway, and we feel that the last half of this album is where the good stuff really is. It’s here that we find songs like ‘I Am Your Ghost’ and ‘Weaker Science’ where effects are tastefully added, choruses written just for singing along are belted, and honest lyrics like “We had faith but lacked commitment/ And carried with it our righteousness/though we had fire we lacked desire/ we forgot our names/we forgot our place” are put to good use.
‘No Devil Lived On’ offers the greatest deviation from Eagle Scout’s beaten path, with an organ-y background you might find behind a Mates of State song, pop-punk claps sure to be a crowd pleaser, and guitar that falls more in line with the pop-rock standard instead of the spacey Minus the Bear style the band tends to favor.
Wrapping up the album is ‘Our Body is Walls’ which is just as high energy and moveable as any other track, observing, “Well if quality means commitment then the quantities are low” before breaking down into a spacey effect, ambient guitars and slowed cymbals, giving the record it’s first chance for a deep breath since music started.
With an infectiousness that can’t be ignored, Eagle Scout has created an album just in time to save your spirit during this long stretch to spring. Look out for New Hands in stores and online February 16th, and look forward to upcoming 2010 tour dates to bring the magnetism of these musicians live to you.
Eagle Scout Online:
Cavity Records Digital Sampler
Myspace
Purevolume
Youtube
BigCartel
Facebook
Having already toured around the world with their two past releases “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (2006) and
“Who Killed Harry Houdini” (2008) the members of I’m from Barcelona recently took on the task of and completed their latest release,“27 Songs from Barcelona”. The album, which is inspired by Kiss’ simultaneous release of four solo albums back in 1978, features one solo song from every member of I’m From Barcelona, and will be released as a triple vinyl, as well as for free online.
Since January 27th, one song per day has been made available for download at imfrombarcelona.com.
Today’s Song:
UHOH
Lyrics: Kristoffer Ekstrand
Music: Kristoffer Ekstrand
Performed by: Kristoffer Ekstrand
Raucous, rowdy, and riot inducing, Chicago Punx The Please and Thank You’s deliver a perfect blend of 90’s emo, garage rock, and inevitably, punk. With a style that stems and flows from such cited influences as Braid and NOFX, The Please and Thank Yous make music meant to be moved around to, something TPATY fans have definitely taken note of over the years.
Formed in 2006, the band underwent a few line-up changes before finding solidity in their sound. Namely in the addition of guitarist Jeremy Upton, who’s presence has been a step forward for the quartet. “He is contributing songs to the band, which I’m really grateful for because they kick ass. Having another person contributing new material to the band immediately started changing our chemistry for the better.” (Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous)
More recently the band has been completing their sophomore album, Mind Yr P’s & Q’s, laying down it’s first batch of tracks in July of 08, tossing some, and coming back to finish during the Spring of 09. A massive roadblock was hit when the group’s equipment was stolen, which forced them to choose between mastering and continuing to play out. True punks that they are, they chose performing over recording. They got a little help from their friends in the form of a benefit show in November, but saw the face of bad luck once again when their van was totaled during the winter. None-the-less, the band prevailed, and in fact, just returned from a weekend tour along with Warren and the Infidel Castrones last week, which the band said was “easily the most fun we’ve ever had.”
Mostly inspired by the music they love, “sometimes intentionally ripping them off, and sometimes accidently ripping them off” The Please and Thank Yous are the first to point out their flaws along with their strengths. “I’ve consciously ripped off Wire and NOFX a lot, but I don’t think anybody would pick up on that unless I pointed it out. I think the most distinct quality of our sound though is Marcus’ drumming style. It’s totally unique and completely br00tal, yet punx as @#$%.” (Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous)
After their string of set backs, Mind Yr P’s & Q’s will finally be seeing it’s debut this Monday, February 15th making it the perfect gift for those of you who will inevitably forget about Valentine’s day. Well suited for a release during our most romantic time of the calendar year, front man Geoff is quoted as saying “The record was a labor of love, but I also resent it for personal reasons. This album is a pretty good snapshot of us from the beginning up to this point, because some of the songs on t here were written before this album was in the works, and even before the band existed in one case. But they ended up fitting the context and adding some twists and turns.”
As a whole we found Mind Yr P’s & Q’s to be a buoyant blend of the bands aforementioned punk and early emo influences, ranging from the Dookie days of Greenday, Piebald and the ‘Green album’ era Weezer we were all in love with once.
TPATY kicks the album off with ‘Be a Tree…Che?, a song that’s bubbly in the way only punk song structure can be, showing off that uniquely “br00tal” drumming talent praised of and possessed by Marcus Nuccio. Other tracks such as ‘Summer’s Over’, ‘Fucking Honestly” and ‘Bollywood Ending’ take on a hint surfy garage rock in the same vein as bands like Hockey Night and Polaris, but still holding onto that gruff, “Yes, I’m slightly off key and don’t give a fuck” vibe that makes The Please and Thank Yous so easy to get riled up by.
‘Dear Allie’ is as close to pop as we think these four get, implementing a background choir of “Whoah-Oh’s” and a serious River’s Cuomo vibe. ‘Speaking of the Devil’ and ‘Peas n’ Cheese’ step away from the tip toeing of such a line, diving back in to the cymbal heavy, fast paced, and slightly gritty punk sound we know and love. One of our favorite things about this band is that while they can deliver their punches fast and hard, they still have a delightful demeanor about that them we can only label as ‘sunny side up’- a solid base of good ol’ punk with something ooey-gooey in the center. The band also indulges in a few sound clips throughout the album and a track that’s entirely devoid of vocals save fore the mumbles of a voicemail under their instrumentals, rightly called ‘I’m Not Calling You’.
‘Holy Hell!’ was a favorite of ours, for it’s attention grabbing first line, “I hear that hell exists & if I were you I’d take my word for it” steady verse-by-verse build into a collaborative chorus and sing-speak ending. We foresee this track being a major crowd favorite, and bet you will find The Please and Thank Yous being swallowed on stage as fans swarm to shout along during the shows to follow this album’s release.
Mind Yr P’s & Q’s wraps up with it’s title track, one purely in the vein of 90’s emo ala Mineral, Weezer, and Cap’n Jazz. Though one of the longer songs on the album, lyrically it’s short and a little bittersweet, as our front man crows, “Coffee beans, ground up through & through/recycled & reused, a morning-after screw/but the headache I have now reminds that I was never really into you/And You are hiding from me a dirty little secret that not even your mother knows/ Cuz she can’t always keep you protected/ And this is what I get, you can call it payback/but let’s just say your secret ain’t so secret anymore.”
The Please and Thank Yous will be realizing the long awaited Mind Yr P’s & Q’s this Monday, February 15th at Ronny’s Center for the Performing Arts along side Johnny Bodacious & The Bad Attitudes, Imadethismistake, and Everything is Ruined.
The Please and Thank Yous Online:
tpaty.com
Myspace
Facebook
Last.fm
The Please and Thank Yous’ singer Geoff talked with us this week about the bands favorite places to play, upcoming plans, and who would play on their dream tour.
Telegram Sam: What are your top three musical influences?
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: Over the weekend we listened to a lot of good stuff. Maybe the stuff we all agreed on the most was the Descendents, the Replacements, and Piebald. We also listened to Joie every day of the tour.
T.S: If you could book a tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: We played a show with The Riot Before and The Sidekicks a few summers ago and both bands were chock-full of good, fun people that would probably be a blast to tour with. We’re looking forward to touring with our friends Bust! in March, and we still need to set something up with our buds Joie De Vivre.
T.S: Give us some background on the current songs you include on your set lists
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: Lately we’ve just been playing our fastest songs as fast as we can live. Lately, people have just started moving right at the drop of the first beat. On our record we have some slower songs (in relation to the other ones at least) that work better in a more intimate setting. Our main goal is to make everyone get rowdy-including ourselves.
T.S: What are your plans for your music in the next year? Beyond that?
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: We’re knee-deep in new material that we probably won’t be able to record until summer so we’re taking this time to just keep working on new stuff. We might be able to do a 7″ between now and then, depending on if we make enough money. Jeremy’s buying a van in June and we’re hoping to get four weeks of touring under our belts in the mid- to late-summer. Really though, our big picture goal is to just stick together as a band. We’ve been put through so much crap in the past six months, we agreed that all we had to do was make it past the lowest point of that period, and then everything could only get better. Now things are starting to go better than they ever have for us.
T.S: If you were to record an album of covers, what are 5 songs that’d you would just HAVE to put on it?
Goeff of The Please and Thank Yous: “I’m So Tired” - Ian MacKaye/Fugazi, “Bands With Managers” - Pedro The Lion, “Ignition (Remix)” - R. Kelly, “Political Science” - Randy Newman, “Terminal Annex” - Harvey Danger
T.S: Is there any instrument you don’t play already, but wish you did?
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: I play the piano, but not in this band, and I’m trying to figure out a way to incorporate it without having it sound corny or out of place. I really wish I could play jazz, even though that’s not an instrument.
T.S: Top three favorite cities/venues to play?
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: As far as cities go, our best experience has been in Minneapolis so far. We played a really fun show in the Quad Cities as well with our friends Pictures of a City, and we had a blast with all the kids there. The other night we played in our friend Joey’s bedroom while the Super Bowl was on. It was crammed. We also played in Speedos at a water park once.
T.S: If Hollywood were to make a movie of TPATY who would be cast as you, and what would the plot be?
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: Marcus would play me and I’d play Marcus. They’d probably get Michael Cera to play Jake, and Robert Downey, Jr. would play Jeremy.
T.S: Who was the first band/musician you saw live?
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: In sixth grade my friend’s brother’s band Rufus played at a tiny little bar in our hometown of Mundelein, IL. This pop punk band from Dekalb called Amazing Transparent Man played after them, and that’s when I became aware that I loved punk. I already liked Dookie, I just didn’t know it was a punk record until I saw ATM.
T.S: Can you tell us a little bit about your writing process?
Geoff of The Please and Thank Yous: The two main things are that I always try to break my own patterns, and that I always get wrapped up in some concept that works on a single-song scale as well as a big-picture scale, like an album or a group of songs. Like my goal with the lyrics in “Peas n’ Cheese” was just to write a song that didn’t have an “I” in it. It became really difficult to do that consistently, so I just let it be and searched out new ideas. I don’t think I ever premeditated an idea like that again, but it also elaborates on the concept of Mind Yr P’s & Q’s. The way that song fits on there-it sort of comes out of nowhere and is over before you know it-represents the way I approach songwriting in general.
I shouldn’t speak for Jeremy, but with his contributions so far, his explanations are usually along the lines of, “I was pissed off so I kind of just wrote this.” Which is great because he writes in a much more raw and unfiltered way. In contrast, I dwell on stupid stuff for a really long time, sometimes to the point where it loses its meaning or, if I’m lucky, takes on new ones. The contrast between us creates an interesting dynamic.
Having already toured around the world with their two past releases “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (2006) and
“Who Killed Harry Houdini” (2008) the members of I’m from Barcelona recently took on the task of and completed their latest release,“27 Songs from Barcelona”. The album, which is inspired by Kiss’ simultaneous release of four solo albums back in 1978, features one solo song from every member of I’m From Barcelona, and will be released as a triple vinyl, as well as for free online.
Since January 27th, one song per day has been made available for download at imfrombarcelona.com.
My BPM Might Be Off, But My Heart is Running Like Clock
Lyrics: Olof Gardestrand
Music: Olof Gardestrand
Performed by: Olof Gardestrand
