Back to normal
I haven't thought about music much in the last few days.
It's been a busy week at The Cedar - Tuesday was GIVE TO THE MAX DAY and The Cedar came in at 4th place for nonprofits in the Twin Cities region! We qualified for an extra $2,500 grant thanks to the number of donors that pitched in. Thank you so so much to everyone who contributed. We couldn't have done this without you.
You can read about how GTMD worked here, or read about the results here and here.
Amidst the frantic data entry, it was about all I could do to press play on the Crystal Castles playlist again and again. And again and again.
But after the craziness subsided, I did get to enjoy Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and The Magnectic Fields last night. It was a lovely example of The Cedar stretching out into realms beyond simply the presentation of live music. You know, like films about people performing live music. But seriously, I did really like the film - real people, real complicated friendships, real humor, real tragedy (albeit mostly glazed over tragedy - a whole 30 seconds given to an incident of homophobic violence). But I hope there is a sequel. Cedar blogger bk wrote a lovely post about music and film. For those interested, you can find it here.
What I'm looking forward to now is the lineup at The Cedar on Saturday. A return performance by our friends Os Mutantes joined by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti (on tour since July with bands like The Flaming Lips, Puro Instinct, and Magic Kids) and the mysterious Diva (of Blackblack Pocahaunted). Note the 10 p.m. start time - this is going to be a special Cedar event and is not to be missed.
Hope to see all of you there.
(Yikes! My book is missing! "Defined" will hopefully return next week)
AoR
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti
Ariel Pink is a Los Angeles based experimental/pop musician. Pink boasts a cult following and endorsements from more widely known artists such as fellow founding Paw Tracks group Animal Collective.
After years of recording in relative seclusion in the hills of Los Angeles, Ariel Pink (the first non-Animal Collective member on the Paw Tracks roster) made his official Paw Tracks debut with The Doldrums. Recording at home with a guitar, bass, keyboard, and 8-track (the drum sounds were created with his mouth).
Ariel Pink blends Lite FM and warped lo-fi pop into something by turns beautiful and confusing. Some may find his personal yet detached approach highly addictive, while others may be instantly turned off by the obvious lo-fi production and the vocal drumtracks.
Os Mutantes
When the members of the legendary “Tropicália” band Os Mutantes took the stage before an audience of thousands at the Hollywood bowl a few years back, it seemed one of the greatest secrets in modern music was finally out. The seminal band whose ethereal absurdist pop music had inspired so many prominent musicians since their breakup decades before, were back. This time the world seemed ready. Now this influential band has reemerged, revitalized in the wake of the release of their album Haih or Amortecedor on Anti-records.
