Shawen Acres

Shawen Acres is the new project from former Guided by Voices member Nate Farley. Details of the project have not been made public so far, but information has slowly trickled out within the GbV community. A new website has been created and three new songs have been posted. Short, sweet and catchy. I'll keep you updated as more information becomes available. (photo courtesy of TerriNelles)

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Proton Proton

I found Proton Proton via Moroccan Role. "They are able to conjure up quite an enjoyable racket as a trio and the rhythm section is surprisingly tight given [Aron] Sanchez is essentially on double-duty. Sanchez designed his ax by using a bass guitar strung with 2 bass strings and 3 guitar strings, with individual pickups for both the bass and guitar strings and separate outputs going to corresponding bass and guitar amps. He then tunes this beast to EeAac."

I'm always intrigued with odd instrumentation and the minimalist, less is more approach. A lot of bands try it, but only a few pull it off (read: Morphine). Proton Proton nail it. Sanchez holds down the guitar and bass ends which allows singer Pau Fuster to sing and "bang on things", like a toy piano. They've got a 6 song EP and some tracks from it available on their website.

Check out the song Chinese Dancer.

Zykos

Here's one of the bands I've been digging lately. They are called Zykos, are out of Texas and have ties to Spoon. Visit their website and listen to the tracks they have up from their 2004 album. Epitonic also has a few others to check out.

*edited to add that I found this band by way of You Ain't No Picasso.

I'm still here

I wasn't digging any of the Blogger default templates and told myself I wouldn't post until I found one I liked. I've been searching for a couple of weeks and I finally found one, courtesy of Blogger Templates. Tell me what you think about it.

I've been doing a lot of searching blogs and websites for some good new music and to try to get caught up on a lot of things that I've missed out on by not having a high-speed connection. So far, I've come across several blogs, a couple I've added over there on the right, in the music section. If you have any that you visit regularly, tell me about it. Turn me on. I do have one question, though. I've heard most all of his stuff, but what is so amazing about Sufjan Stevens?

Numb

After several days, countless hours spent reading news and articles on-line, having on-line discussions, watching reports on T.V. ... I still can't wrap my head around the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I feel like I need to be there to help, but I know I can't. I wish I could fly a helicopter, but I can't. I wish I had more mony to donate, but I can't. I will donate what I can and I hope you will too. I have so many thoughts and emotions. Some are of complete disbelief at how people are behaving there, while I am angered that more substantial relief has not yet been organized by the Federal Government and reached those in need. I can only imagine that as the days go on, my thoughts and feelings of disbelief and anger won't change much. I hope I'm wrong.