Anybody experimented with electronically amplifying a violin? Tell me about that.
Fooling around at the studio last night, we attached a guitar string through two plastic cups using bottle caps as locks. Any noise made btwn the two cups, on the string and so forth was picked up quite nicely with a microphone.
The Chicago Scene
Chicago is so full of music in the Summer, it is impossible to go a few days without catching something cool. Saw the Dirty Projectors and the Sea And Cake in the park on Monday. I was busy with kids for most of the DP set but I could tell they really had their harmonies on. The crowd was way in to them which kind of surprised me since no one here on NAP seems to like them but me. I didn’t think they’d have such a strong fanbase. The Sea And Cake are local heroes. Their set soft and sleepy as usual. Very nice for a hot Monday evening in the park.
Road bikes on the South Lake Shore path the other day. Ran into a drum circle like no other. Not a hippy thing. More of an elderly African Sun Ra thing. We were only white folks. Along with the congos and things they had some trumpet, flute, piano and African dancers. Just an improtu jam in the park. Still Tricia said it was the best thing she’s seen in Chicago since we moved here eight years ago.
Got a free ticket to see X the other night. Sweltering show, dripping sweat. Saw photos on facebook later, John Doe looked like death while Billy Zoom looked as cool and dry as Bob Eubanks.. They were great though. Right on the money. Set list was built online by fan vote. Billy Zoom is completely ready for Branson, Missouri btw. Complete absence of youth at concert. It was, however, the last night of a three night gig at the Double Door.
I believe I’m on record here somewhere as liking the Dirty Projectors. I can’t seen to find where I actually wrote that, though.
I dig the D.P., as stated in my Pitchfork Festival write-up from last year. Man, I would love to see X. They’re one of the bands I really need to see before they join the wheelchair set. Unfortunately, they usually play here over Christmas, when I’m gone, and it’s usually pricey.
I stand naked embarrassed and corrected.
I dig their new record quite a bit. I have a few earlier DP releases, and I think they’re fairly uneven. The new record is great, though, hype be damned.
On sad related news, Exene has MS – http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/06/exene-cervenka-reveals-ms-diagnosis.html
as for the DPs, i have never expressed an opinion either way since as far as i know i’ve never heard a single song… so much music, so little time… the dps have not made far enough up the list to warant the effort and no one has been saying i should listen enphatically enough.
Yes and in other sad, related, but not tragic news: The Dirty Projectors’ van rolls over and they cancel their next to gigs and fly home.
Sucks about the DPs van. Personally, I reviewed one of their records for the Houston Press, and I detested it. It was one of the worst albums I’ve heard, ever. Still, the van flip is actually important and that’s scary stuff, so I’m sorry to read about that. I’m also sorry to read about Exene. My friend went to high school with her husband, and I hear she’s good people. The diagnosis might help explain some of her erratic physical tics. Horrible news.
If they want to be in a fucking rock band, then they should learn how to drive.