Bon Iver, Decemberists, others nominated for 2012 Grammys

 



This year's Grammy Award nominations have been announced, and among those in the independent circle, Bon Iver came away with four nominations: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Alternative Music Album. His song "Holocene" receives the nod for both record and song of the year.

A handful of nominations for other independent artists were also included in the list of Grammy candidates. Alongside Bon Iver, The Decemberists picked up nominations for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for their track "Down By the Water." Wilco's album The Whole Love was nominated for Best Rock Album.

 

To view the full list of nominees you can check out the entire shortlist here.

My Whole Love of Wilco

First, Nick Lowe is cool.  As Jeff Tweedy said when Lowe came out to accompany Wilco for two songs (including one of his own), "It's okay to like Nick Lowe."  He was a perfect opener.  He played solo, just him and his pretty, old Hummingbird.  Sure, this is the guy that people mostly (if not only) know for "Cruel to Be Kind," and that seemed to be the main criticism of him I was hearing.  But I scoffed at these doubters - these fools would doubt anyone that Wilco choose to play with them.  His guitaring was smooth, his lyrics were smart, and he was cool.  Supreme.

Now, Wilco.  "Who's your favorite band" can be a pesky question if you don't have a ready answer.  Wilco's been mine since early high school.  This span of favoritism has included weeks without their music and days of listening only to them, but even when I'm not listening to Wilco I know that I'd like to be.  With 75 of their songs on my iTunes, adding up to more than five hours and 19 albums (and EPs, Singles, Compilations, etc.), they surely outnumber any other artist.  (This doesn't even include Loose Fur or any other side projects.)  Plenty of their 4+ minute songs have over 30 plays, and the star ratings... plentiful.  I love them.

So, hooray for Raleigh.  We hosted Wilco's new album (The Whole Love) release party, and we got a shout-out for housing their merchandiser, Kung Fu Nation. Many of my Wilco-friends thought The Whole Love has restored their faith in the band, and it's their favorite album since (blablabla yadayadayada), etc.  Yes, the new album kicks ass, but for me, so do the old albums--all of them.  Songs from their Wilco album already feel like classics, and hell, so do half the songs from their newest album.  They proved their range of greatness with a killer set and a magnificent encore.  There's nothing like knowing every song.  This is their set list as recorded by me (comment corrections if necessary):

1. Art of Almost

2. I Might

3. Rising Red Lung

4. Ashes of American Flags

5. Bull Black Nova

6. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart

7. One Wing

8. Dawned On Me

9. Born Alone

10. Impossible Germany

11. Say You Miss Me

12. Whole Love

13. Pot Kettle Black

14. Handshake Drugs

15. War on War

16. Black Moon

17. One Sunday Morning

Encore

Shot In The Arm

Jesus, Etc.

36 Inches High (Song by Nick Lowe, with Nick Lowe)

I Love My Label (with Nick Lowe)

Red-Eyed and Blue

Walkin'

I'm The Man Who Loves You

One hell of a night.  Tweedy called it out himself.  Honestly, though... it could've been a little louder (and I had great, close seats).  I'll be glad to see them as many times as I can.  They produce a poster for every single concert they put on.  If that's not some indication for how much they care about their shows, I'm not sure what is.  You can always count on bits of Tweedy's character in between songs. This evening was not filled with rants between each song, but there were a few gems to prove how personable he can be (plAAAtinum).

Artists Join Forces for Woodie Guthrie Tribute

July 2012 would mark the 100th birthday of one of music's greatest and most influential artists, Woodie Guthrie. Unfortunately, Guthrie would not be able to mark this occasion himself, as he passed away in 1967. However, the Guthrie estate has some big things planned for the would-be 100 year birthday of the artist. 429 Records will be publishing "Note of Hope: A Celebration of Woodie Guthrie." Featuring artists from Tom Morello to Lou Reed to Jackson Browne, the compilation will feature songs which have been interpreted from archival writings of Guthrie. It will be released September 27. For a full track listing look below.

Al0ngside all of this Mermaid Avenue will be released as a box-set featuring outtakes and a documentary showcasing the making of the album. Mermaid Avenue was a collaboration where artists including Wilco's Billy Bragg. This is set for a release some time next year.

Note of Hope track listing:

1 “The Note Of Hope” – Van Dyke Parks
2 “Wild Card In The Hole” – Madeleine Peyroux
3 “Ease My Revolutionary Mind” – Tom Morello
4 “The Debt I Owe” – Lou Reed
5 “Union Love Juice” – Michael Franti
6 “Peace Pin Boogie” – Kurt Elling
7 “Voice” – Ani DiFranco
8 “I Heard A Man Talking” – Studs Terkel
9 “Old Folks” – Nellie Mckay
10 “On The High Lonesome” – Chris Whitley
11 “There’s A Feeling In Music” – Pete Seeger & Tony Trischka
12 “You Know The Night” – Jackson Browne

DJ Ones' Five Music Facts from the past week

1. M.I.A came out this week against Twilight in a recent interview with NME. After being offered to record a song for the Twilight soundtrack she said, "They asked me-- luckily Jimmy (Lovine, boss at Interscope) had beef with the Twilight people, so he stepped in and told them to fuck off." M.I.A also came out against Lady Gaga stirring up reactions in fans saying, "People say we're similar, that we both mix all these things in the pot and spit them out differently," she said, "but she spits it out exactly the same. None of her music's reflective of how weird she wants to be or thinks she is." (via NME)

2. Wilco will be curating their own festival at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. The band will be headlining the "Solid Sound Festival." Alongside Wilco, and number of side projects from members of the band will also be joining. This will be Wilco's only show over the summer, and it will take place in mid-August. (via Pitchfork)

3. Mates of State will be releasing a cover album entitled "The Spaghetti Incident?" The album is currently available for streaming only. The band covers acts including Girls, Death Cab for Cutie, Belle and Sebastian, and many more. (via Pitchfork)

4. Dan Deacon has remixed Owen Pallett's "Lewis Take Off His Shirt" for the b-side to Pallett's 12' single that is set to release June 22. Pallett is planning on spending the next few months touring both North America and Europe. (via Pitchfork)

5. British folk star Laura Marling has come out against the criminalization of illegal downloads. In offering her reasoning she said, "I don't think people should be criminalized for getting music for free because it's there, it's offered to them." She added, "It's promised to them by the internet server people, it's promised to them by the phone companies. I think it's their responsibility." (via NME)

Bonnaroo --> Hey Listeners It's Just Around the Corner!!!

That's right guys Bonnaroo is THIS WEEK!!  June 11th- June 14th!  Check out the Bonnaroo website because tickets are still on sale and the website has tons of cool stuff to help you prepare for a great Bonnaroo time like the Artist Lineup and Activities and Attractions!!

So, I don't know about you guys, but I can't wait to see Phish, Wilco, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Snoop Dogg, Beastie Boys, Grizzly Bear, White Rabbits, Andrew Bird, TV on the Radio, Animal Collective, MGMT, and Girl Talk.

Bad news is it may be impossible to catch all the acts you are dying to see.  But, don't worry it is pretty much going to be a blast either way.

Ok, first step to go to Bonnaroo --> get a ticket somehow someway!

Next --> Look at the lineup and stages and make an estimated list of MUST SEEs.

Then --> Well get together with your Bonna Buds and make a Bonna Checklist.

HERE are some of the things I plan on taking! If you have any MUST SEE or Checklist Suggestions make sure to leave it in comment style on the blog!


*Tent and other camping equipment

*Hat/Bandanna

*Non-perishable food

*Water

*Cooler

*SunScreen

*Deodorant

*Baby Wipes

*Money

*Camping Chair

*Walking Shoes

*Nalgene Bottle

*Rain Gear

*Bug Spray

*Portable Lantern

*Batteries

*Sunglasses

*Something to Shade the Campsite

*Toilet Paper

*Alcohol

*And Whatever Else Will Make the Trip Complete

The Bonnaroo Website also has great lists to check out before you  make your trip!

The count down to Bonnaroo is ON! SO great ready everyone it's gonna be a crazy ride!!!!

--Liztopia