Solid State

Really bummed about Big Star/Box Tops front man Alex Chilton's passing yesterday. I discovered the songwriter through Elliot Smith's cover of "Thirteen," shortly after moving to Boston in 2000. The combination of Chilton's sweetly innocent lyrics and Smith's fractured voice resonated deeply with the homesick and perpetually lovelorn guy I was in my early twenties. Ten years later it still does. If there is such a thing as a perfect song, "Thirteen" might be it. Regardless of who is singing it — Jeff Tweedy has a nice version too — that tune will forever be on my "desert island" list.

In memory of Alex Chilton, here are two videos I hope you'll enjoy. The first is Big Star performing another personal favorite, "September Gurls." Local guitar god Bill Mullins does a great of version of that song, BTW. The second is is "Thirteen," sung by the man who lead me to Big Star, the late, great Elliot Smith.

Thanks, Alex.

This just in: Burlington/Texas-based psychedelic rock band The Cush are soon to be just "Texas-based" psychedelic rock band The Cush. The Texas natives typically spend the winter months in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Most years, their return to VT is a highly anticipated sign of spring. But according to a source close to the band, this time around they are planning to stay in the Lone Star State, permanently.

When reached for comment, the local music scene collectively had this to say: "Really?  … Fuck."

The Cush, currently at SXSW in Austin, will be back in VT later this month, albeit briefly, and have announced a pair of farewell shows at The Monkey House on April 9 and 10. We'll be sure to pass along more details as they become available.

For some reason, I've been on a big WRUV kick lately, which is unusual as I don't listen to a ton of radio. Maybe it's their nifty new website? Anyway, I just tuned in to the "dino rock" stylings of "Chocolate and Sweets" hosts Em and Emmy, who introduced me to my new favorite band and undoubtedly a summer 2010 staple, Oakland's Shannon and the Clams. Check it out.

It's Tuesday morning, it's bright and sunny outside and I'm stuck inside waiting for a repairman to show up. Sounds like a recipe for a link dump.

Today marks two months to the day since I quit smoking. Here's yet another reason why I'm glad I did.

I can't remember the last time I read the Sunday comics. I'm guessing it would be the last time I read a physical daily newspaper … on a Sunday … that had comics. Anyway, this past Sunday, local harmonica player Mark Lavoie snuck his way into this week's full color installment of Hi & Lois. I was always more of a Bloom County/Outland guy, myself. But this is pretty neat. In the strip, Ditto thinks he has the "Annoying Sister Blues" so he learns to play his brother Chip's harmonica by listening to old blues records - including one by Lavoie. By the way, you can catch Mark at 51 Main in Middlebury this Thursday.

Pitchfork Media is looking for interns in Brooklyn.

Came across this funny Wikipedia entry for "Music of Vermont" while reviewing the new Lady Lioness album last week. Gotta love Wikipedia.

This Boston Globe article makes the case for professional tribute bands. My one-word rebuttal: no.

Speaking of tributes, with Rough Francis set to release their debut EP of original songs this Friday, feels like a good time to revisit the story of Death. I think Jeff Howlett would agree.

Pure Pop was burglarized last week. According to police, the suspect is tall, male, white and still listens to CDs.

T-minus 19 days until Opening Day.

And last but not least, my current favorite band that I just discovered yesterday, Larry and His Flask, who will be at 242 Main this Thursday.

If you're like me, you pay attention to the calendars of larger venues around the Northeast. Personally, I just like to stay on top of who's gonna be at Paradise Rock Club in Allston next week (Beach House), who's coming to Metropolis in Montreal next month (The XX) and who's at Iron Horse in Northampton in May (Horse Feathers). And who is, um, not coming to Burlington. Ahem.

Come to think of it, I can't recommend this as a healthy pastime at all. It's really more a source of constant frustration. There is nothing so deflating as finding out an artist you've been hot to see is touring the Northeast and hitting every reasonably sizable city in the region except ours. Especially when, as is the case with Joanna Newsom, they have an off day between, say, Montreal and Boston.

Now, just so we're clear, I'm not ragging on our local booking folks and club owners. By and large, they do a terrific job, especially for a town/region our size. And frankly, they are usually as bummed as you and I when folks like Newsom do a flyover. Rather, this is just one of those little irritations of living in and around Burlington. You learn to live with having to go to Boston and beyond to see some of your favorites. Like, for example, Spoon at House of Blues on March 27 … WOOHOO!

Excuse me. Where was I? Ah, yes. Joanna Newsom. The hell with her.

Every now and then, when certain stars pass us by, others align just so and things unexpectedly work out in our favor. Tuesday night should prove to be just such an occasion.

The Monkey House has scored a serious coup with the last minute booking of, well, Joanna Newsom's band. Or at least some of them. Since they have an off day, Newsom's supporting act, Kevin Barker will play a set with Brooklyn's Robert A.A. Lowe (a.k.a. Lichens). Newsom band mates Ryan Francesconi and Neal Morgan will also plays sets, as will our own cosmo-rural crooner, Brett Hughes.

Barker actually made a stop at the Monkey last July with Happy Birthday and Paper Castles. In a quickie column bit I wrote about the show, I mentioned that our old pal Greg Davis had suggested I might really dig Barker. Not surprisingly, Davis was spot on. Sadly, I missed the show — something about the Quad, I imagine. But Barker's solo debut You & Me stands among my favorite albums of 2009.

Here's a clip of Barker performing with his band last year. And Ms. Newsom, maybe you wouldn't have such a tough time moving records if you played more places like Burlington …

Just in case you were wondering what $50K a year to go to Middlebury College gets you …

Christmas in March? For vinyl nuts it just might be.

According to a recent post on his blog, Queen City turntablist DJ A-Dog has sold his records. No, not just a crate or two. His entire collection. Burlington Records announced today via Facebook that they are in possession of A-Dog's stash, which totaled more than 25 crates. A-Dog even made a quick video to commemorate the occasion, which you can check out here.

Responding to an email inquiry, A-Dog suggests that the collection had become more cumbersome than it was worth, writing that he is, "just getting rid of a lot of weight that I don't use anymore." For the last few years, the veteran DJ has primarily been gigging with Serato, a digital program that connects turntables to computerized music libraries and essentially negates the need to haul record crates from club to club.

As for selling to Burlington Records, he notes, "I feel good about it because they are the kind of place that gets enjoyment out of recycling the music into the next generation's hands."

Let the digging begin. 

This just in: Philly's rowdy Amer-whatever outfit Hoots & Hellmouth will make a surprise appearance at Montpelier alt-venue The Lamb Abbey this Saturday. $10 gets you through the door. And as always, the show is BYOB.

I don't know if you knew this about me, but I have kind of a soft spot for indie-folk, particularly of the chamber orchestra variety. And especially if it's imported from the Pacific Northwest. (What's that? You did know that about me? I write about Pacific Northwest indie-folk so often that you're wondering why I haven't moved there already? Huh. No kidding.)

Anyhoo, tomorrow night (Wednesday) the Higher Ground Showcase Lounge will play host to Emerald City-based ensemble, Hey Marseilles. This might surprise you, but I really dig 'em. (What's that? It doesn't surprise you? It was actually pretty obvious, so I should just get to the point already? Gotcha.)

Sadly, I'm previously engaged on Wednesday evenings, so I won't be in attendance. But I strongly encourage you to check it out and report back. For one thing, there are two local opening acts, Paper Castles and Buzz Jar. And for another thing, there's this:

Happy Monday, Solid State. How was your weekend? Sun-soaked, I trust.

Me? Why, it was swell, thanks! In addition to two straight days of pretending it was spring, I ran into a friend on Friday evening whom I hadn't seen in a while. She had just returned from a week in Hipster Eden, er, Portland, Oregon and was positively aflutter over a band called Morning Teleportation, gushing with comparisons to Akron/Family and all sorts of other delicious psychedelic rock goodness. In short, she piqued my curiosity. Conveniently enough, the band just so happens to be in town tonight — presumably after teleporting this morning — opening for Cage the Elephant at the Higher Ground Ballroom. Here's a clip.