Camera Obscura @ One Hanson Place

Camera Obscura
@ One Hanson Place
Brooklyn, NY - June 6, 2010

All gigs should almost be like this. In the hallway of Brooklyn's landmark old skyscraper - a flea market full of cabana wear, old western pulp novels, Archie comic bottletop earrings, and live Lou Reed and Miles Davis records. Downstairs in the old vault of the old Williamsburg Savings Bank, Camera Obscura played a short set in prep for tomorrow night's sold out show at the Grand Ballroom. Free, with ice cream. What we could have done without were the stuffy heat and the lack of sightlines and the odd crowd too busy talking to notice that the band had come out and started playing. Regardless, the band sounded fine if a bit muted in the confines. But that didn't stop the run from "Let's Get Out of This Country" to "Eighties Fan" (with "French Navy", "Hey Lloyd...", and a couple others thrown in) feeling perky. Little things like this make me wish that of all the bands who actually DON'T live in Brooklyn, this band really probably should. Sigh.

The Sonic Parthenon Playlist: May 2009

Oops we skipped over May! Meaning we missed:

Brakesbrakesbrakes - "Crush on You"
Maybe the 90's are coming back afterall - a grungey sound with those semi-sweet mid-90's pop lyrics. Figures they're English...they just must be now getting into it.

Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career
Right now, Metric's Fantasies is the best record of the year. This is number 2.

Elks - "Collide"
They just could be just another one of the many bands with an animal for their name, but instead Elks choose to copy the anthemic indie rock the likes of Longwave and Parts & Labor. Tis a fine choice. Besides, there has to be someone out there not listening to Grizzly Bear.

Great Northern - "Houses"
Excellent new track from the not-a-fluke dark rockers out of Southern California. Eat it Silversun Pickups!

Ben Harper & Relentless 7- "Shimmer and Shine"
Harper dropped the Innocent Criminals and the pot-head friendliness in exchange for Relentless 7 and just rocking the hell out. Good call. He's still a sap in the lyrics department though. Actually this isn't too different from "Crush on You".

The Hold Steady - A Positive Rage
Yeah I don't know who these guys are or why they have a live record or why I play it almost every day...

I Was A King - "Norman Bleik"
Picking up where "Saints" by Army Navy hasn't really left off yet, this is a strong power pop number from Scandinavia. How do they keep doing that over there?!

King Khan & The Shrines - "Land of the Freak"
All thanks to that gig in early May, I can't stop playing this James Brown meets Greg Cartwright escapade.

St. Vincent - tracks from Actor
I haven't heard much of the new record but "The Strangers" satiated me for a spell.

Honorable Mentions: Jarvis Cocker, Passion Pit

Camera Obscura @ Mercury Lounge

Camera Obscura; Anni Rossi; Shelley Green
@ Mercury Lounge
New York, NY - March 25, 2009

Though now armed with key lime pies from the Bell House and peacock feathers for "the laydehs" in the crowd ("where's another laydeh?" Traceyanne cooed when there appeared to be an excess of dudes up front), Camera Obscura's second NYC night of trying out the new material was pretty much the same as first: solid and swell. They have that rare touch of sounding both vintage and immediate, a quality seemingly possessed by many bands these days but rarely defined with such precision and depth. There is nothing gimmicky or schlocky going on here, a road that the band could so easily take. In fact, it takes a lot to NOT become a gimmick, and every day that Camera Obscura exists as an authentic, pure, artistic endeavor of substance and merit, is a little victory.

So last night, I lamented that Laura Cantrell was, though fine, a little out of her element. The same could and should have been said about Anni Rossi and Shelley Green. But either because I was in a darker mood, or because of the nature of their particular sounds, both openers were fine primers for the main event. Rossi is particularly compelling - she masterfully plays the viola while singing a range of slow to mid-tempo affairs, backed by percussion. Did she really cover Ace of Base? Shelley Green is a young acoustic country folkie, needing only a guitar and her exceptionally well-tuned voice to deliver some haunting little dirges before finishing off with a handy Daniel Johnston cover.

Camera Obscura; Laura Cantrell @ The Bell House

Camera Obscura; Laura Cantrell
@ The Bell House
Brooklyn, NY - March 24, 2009

Traceyanne and the fam finally returned to the Big Apple after 18 long months to show off the new tunes on their sparkling new record, My Maudlin Career (not out yet so stop singing along you thieves!). Retaining the symphonic scope of Let's Get Out of This Country but also returning to the simple, melancholic meditations of the band's earlier work, the new LP is instantly good but not as easily digestible. Live-wise, the new material is easily adaptable to the band's not-so-secret trick: that they are a compelling live, meat-and-potatoes (or is that haggis-and-potatoes har har har shut up) act. Whereas the records are chock full of lush, lavish escapades, the live Camera Obscura is about the instruments, the strumming, the ebb and flow, the inner workings, of what makes a strong pop song. And though the band and the music are by nature tame, gentle, wistful, they are in essence a rock n' roll band.

Camera Obscura live at the Bell House

Laura Cantrell is a lovely lady who plays lovely country music straight out of her Nashville roots. Unfortunately, despite Camera Obscura's own crooning, moseying vibe, Laura felt a little out of place as an opener. Too many songs, too many slow ones. At another time and place, maybe with a seat, this would have been just fine. That doesn't take anything away from her though - she is a talent and then some.

The Sonic Parthenon Playlist: Early March, 2009 Vol. I

Well this was the fear and it came true. Too many outside factors going on, affecting the productivity of the blog. It's a shame because I have been listening to more music now than in the past several months at least. So in order to fill the gaps between the gig reviews, here is this occasional series to keep this blog relevant and up to date:

Camera Obscura - "My Maudlin Career"
The kids are coming back with a new album and two sold out small shows in late March. The title track, made available via the band through their site, is a dashing bit of that classically sad-eyed whimsy that these Scots (+ darling Manchester girl/band news scribe) are known for. It is always so good to feel so cutely blue around Camera Obscura.

Heartless Bastards - "The Mountain"
Another title track, this from Erika Wennerstrom's project, represents a side of the band yours truly did not notice when they came through town a few years ago with the Soledad Brothers. With a startlingly complex voice to go along with her smokin' guitar chops, Wennerstrom may just steal the show from the Gaslight Anthem at Webster on the 27th of this month.

The Takeover UK - "Ah La La"
Watching Lost led to watching promos. The early promos for that bad-looking Castle featured a hard, happenin' rock n roll song. The power of the internet revealed it was this track from a band (not from the UK) that I think may be one of those old fashioned big record label start-up bands.

Bruce Springsteen - "My Lucky Day"
Working on a Dream doesn't sound too hot (Magic sure didn't) but like with the last one, there is one solid, killer cut the whole world should play over and over. Last time, with "Radio Nowhere", it was punchy, almost roadhouse-y Bruce. This time it's more of that sweeter, bar band of friendly pals atmosphere.

Sam Roberts Band - "Them Kids"
I caught this band once a couple years ago and thought nothing of it but this single is a happy kicker, one to smile and dance to in times like these.

Bon Iver - "Blood Bank"
He's back and in good form. Emphasizing more of that soul-vocal underpinnings to his darkly rich folk, Justin Vernon is already not destined to be a one-hit wonder in the Indie world. This chap has staying power.

Handsome Furs - "I'm Confused"
All I know is the promo photos for this act's new record are too hot for their own good but more important than that, I heard this song for the first time a couple days ago and I am already obsessed with it.

On This Day of Collapsing Economies and Civilization...

Random Zooey to improve your soul


and Camera Obscura pictures:


From their MySpace

Fair Game Canceled. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

In one of the biggest media crimes of the decade, Public Radio International has axed Fair Game (I figured something was up when the show was in repeats for way too long on either side of Memorial Day). Read here and here for the details - though interestingly, the cancellation is yet to be acknowledged on the show web site. The podcast is still being updated with old shows and segments.

As it is noted in places on the links, the comedy on the show was mixed at best. All of Faith's cohorts were pretty annoying (the program could feel like a bad imitation of The Daily Show for radio). But Faith herself is/was a fantastic host. Smart, well-informed, asking very pointed, and very substantive questions, especially by public radio standards, she tooks things to a new level. It also helped that she is absolutely cute as a button in every way possible.

As with most good public radio shows, Fair Game provided informative news segments on issues and trends, and it was also a great source for interviews on independent cinema. But most important of all, it was one of the best sources for new Indie music. The bookings were sensational. Even the artists that I personally did not care for, I respected their presence on the show. Except when they ignored my request for the Dirtbombs and kept the CD I sent. But that was under their old music coordinator so who knows.

The entire Fair Game music catalog

Highlights:
Camera Obscura
Heavy Trash
Holly Golightly
Via Audio and Orba Squara
Au Revoir Simone
The National
The Magnetic Fields
Mountain Goats
Norah Jones
Goldfrapp
Clare & The Reasons
Ira Glass (he's not music but he's Ira Glass so there)

:(

Updates From the Camera Obscura Recording Session

Kenny locked himself out of the temporary apartment and then suffered from a sore hand.

Gavin reports that the week's worth of recording is done and there's an ABBA-like picture to be released to the world soon. Oh and that the album will probably come out next year.

Traceyanne is feeling grand.

Camera Obscura Recording New LP!

They're in Stockholm! And they're using ABBA's studio! And maybe even their equipment! Bjorn from Peter, Bjorn, and John is arranging the strings! They make me use a lot of exclamation points!

They're blogging about it!

Day 1 from Carey
Day 2 from Gav
Day 3 from Gav
Day 4 from Carey

Camera Obscura covering ABBA's "Super Trouper":


ABBA is one of John McCain's favorite bands by the way - no foolin'.

Sonic Parthenon TV Insta-Clips

Ta Da!

Presenting a series of short clips, taken mostly from Mr. Pennypacker's mobile cellular device. These clips are, for the most part, utterly horrible - not because of the bands obviously, but because of the nature of the device used to take them. But nevertheless, they stand as a record of Sonic Parthenon giggage, and also they stand because Mr. Pennypacker does not know how to use Bluetooth.
As a sample, here is a little of Camera Obscura (yes, I know, I can't stop writing about them!) from their intimate performance at Sound Fix:

Also, the DirtBlanche clips have been moved to this playlist.

World's Cutest Band on World's Cutest Radio Show: Camera Obscura on Fair Game

Cute lil' Faith Sailie hosts cute lil' Camera Obscura on Fair Game tonight. Listen here.

Just a Teensy Bit More of Camera Obscura

To end the weekend, let's sit down at WNYC's Soundcheck who this past Thursday had the band come in for a small performance.

Sonic Parthenon Expanding

...but not without some hiccups.

The collection of videos on YouTube is now the Sonic Parthenon TV channel, located at
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=edk620

The Camera Obscura clip I put up yesterday is the first full song performance clip up but you can also check out terribly made clips of Blanche and the Dirtbombs from a couple years ago as well as something else that I myself did not make.

Blogger now has a video upload feature that also allows for podcasting (!) but either it's broken right now or it just won't accept my videos which means the Sonic Parthenon Video Podcast is on hold for now. But considering I didn't even know I could have one until this morning, that's alright.

Concert pictures now have a home on Flickr at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonicparthenon/

Currently up are photos of Camera Obscura, Last Town Chorus, the Dirtbombs, Be Your Own Pet, Les Sans Culottes, and Blanche.

C O 2

Camera Obscura; Tiny Vipers
@ Sound Fix Records
Brooklyn, NY - August 23, 2007

There isn't a band cuter, more adorable, than Camera Obscura. And for as cute and adorable as they are, they have equal measurements of talent. They are simply one of the best bands in the world, and the best pop band right now. Their inspirations have never sounded so smooth and flowing, especially on Let's Get Out Of This Country. But in addition to great renditions of the title track, "Tears for Affairs", and "The False Contender", earlier songs like "Suspended From Class" sounded utterly brilliant, as did their little lounge-type cover of Sonny and Cher. The band was a bit overwhelmed by the packed house at little ol' Sound Fix and the accompanying heat and so only played a short set but they made their mark perfectly. The only bad moment was when this writer put the kibosh on lead singer Tracyanne's idea to take the gig to the street, resulting in the label "Mr. Bringdown". I hope she writes a song with that title.
Tiny Vipers are a dark-folk two-piece that are very delicate and somber but you can see a warmth underneath itching to get out. And at the same time, the leader has a Patti Smith quality about her.

Camera Obscura; Last Town Chorus
@ South Street Seaport
New York, NY - August 24, 2007

Night 2 of the Glaswegian's two night stand of free shows was at a packed Pier 17. Again, the band sounded perfect. "Polished" is an almost sterile word but it is apt, apt! Much like Let's Get Out of This Country, there is no filler in the live show. Every song is an ideal gem of blue-eyed Spector-ish songcraft. This is a band ready for the big time. I need to stop this review now before I give myself a sugar overdose.
Last Town Chorus is essentially the work of lead singer and exceptional lap steel guitarist Megan Hickey. A fine voice and an amazing musician, Hickey plays some very provoking Indie pop/alt-country melodies, including a smart, ballad-ized cover of Bowie's "Modern Love".
Photos here

And...Camera Obscura is the first band to have a complete song recorded for Sonic Parthenon TV on YouTube! Presenting "Tears for Affairs":

Artist of the Week: Camera Obscura

The Scottish pop-rock band Camera Obscura are heavily inspired by lush 60's orchestral pop but are better described as the nexus of R.E.M. and bubble gum. While smiling probably wouldn't kill them, Tracyanne Campbell and co. seem rather comfy in their rainy, aw-shucks disposition and they promise to put on a puppy dog-eyed show at the South Street Seaport on Friday.

Counting Down to the Obscura; Hutz on Fresh Air

Has a Scottish girl ever been so cute? The L magazine catches up with Canera Obscura's Tracyanne Campbell before her band's free show at the South Street Seaport next week.

Who knew that Eugene Hutz is both the leader of Gogol Bordello and was the star of Everything Is Illuminated?

August 2007 Concert Calendar Highlights

-The very cute Postmarks play the Merc on Monday the 6th and Union Hall the next night.

-YYY show off their new EP at Webster on Tuesday the 7th.

-The Hold Steady - for FREE - in Prospect Park on Thurs the 9th. Not good enough for you? Daft Punk with the Rapture at Keyspan Park the same night.

-Everyone's favorite faux frenchies, Les Sans Culottes, will be at Magnetic Field on Fri the 10th. The Thermals play a sold out show at Maxwell's the same night.

-The one and only Scott Hiram Biram does his thang at Luna Lounge on Saturday the 11th. Chiiiiicken.

-The IT band of the moment (and rightly so), the National bring along Takka Takka to play the otherwise sucky South Street Seaport on the 17th.

-Exactly one week later in the same spot...Camera Obscura. Forgive me this net speak...omgomgomgmgmgmgmgmgmgmgmgmg.

-Plus requisite shows from, among others, the Giraffes, XYZ Affair, Palomar, NYC Smoke, and Langhorne Slim...yours to see if you'd just check the calendar.