Welcome to day one!
Why has it taken me this long to relive SXSW? Well, it hasn't really. I wrote this out a bit ago, but surprise, surprise - it's insanely long. Maybe embarrassingly long given there is documentation of four more days to follow. I couldn't tell. Whatever. I have now overcome my length inhibitions and am just posting it. Hopefully you survive! :D
When I first read the Pitchfork item about Fader's split vinyl, I thought to myself, "Man I want that, but clearly I will never get it," you know - since the item's header was 'YACHT, Black Lips Split a 7" You Probably Won't Hear". Seriously - not for sale, limited to 500 copies, and only sent out to what Pitchfork made it seem like the elite. And then I got an email asking if I wanted one. Of course!!!
So what better time to showcase some stuff I've recently come across having to do with Portland's favorite son YACHT and the dirty south's Black Lips.
Remember that Bastille day event I went to, but never saw any live music? Well, apparently it got good, maybe even magical by the looks of this photo of Claire and Jona doing a duet of 'The Summer Song':
(care of Steve Schroeder)
Go here for 'The Summer Song'
Onto Black Lips. I won't see this band live because I'm scared to. It seems as though they've toned down their act to now include live chickens and assaulting the audience with a mass amount of feathers, but their previous reputation of making out with each other, vomiting, and peeing on each other really turned me off live-wise.
Pete Nema went and saw them.
So did Leia Jospe.
Makes all the sense in the world to me that they'd be signed to Vice. Ben Rayner did some publicity shots of them. God - remember when his stuff was EVERYWHERE in the UK? It was like I couldn't make a trip to Borders without spying one of his shots in a mag - from Dazed and Confused to Vice to some others I think and of course you couldn't go online without seeing his tour shots of Test Icicles. Anyway, back to Black Lips - I first heard of them when interviewing Be Your Own Pet back in the first month of 2006 - Nathan was raving about them as was Jemina.
'Cold Hands' Black Lips MP3
Now go download yourself Fader's diverse podcast mix!
Track listing:
Daft Punk "Harder Better Faster Stronger"
Kavinsky "Wayfarer"
Bonde do Role "Solta O Frango"
MIA "Boyz"
The Aliens "Setting Sun"
Collie Buddz "Blind To You"
Trae f Styles P and Jadakiss "Smile"
Lil Wayne "I Feel Like Dying"
Kanye West "Can't Tell Me Nothing"
The Fixxers "Can U Werk Wit Dat"
The Dirty Projectors "No More"
Blitzen Trapper "Wild Mountain Nation"
Jason Isbell "Dress Blues"
I keep going back and back to that Dirty Projectors track.
Last Saturday I saw YACHT's show to celebrate Holocene's four year anniversary-birthday. They were holding a free extravaganza that included support from Hooliganship who remind me SO MUCH of Gay Against You.
Juice Team DJs were out in the foyer as the entertainment between sets and won my heart when they played some Sexual Harassment!!! I booked it to the dancefloor.
YACHT took the stage a little overdue to his scheduled 10:45 start time rocking the same sailing-themed cardigan he wore at his YACHT on a yacht release party. He had a few words to say, words that I especially agreed with. To paraphrase:
"When I first came here, Holocene was so cool that I thought the people running it must be assholes. Then I met them and they were so cool - you know not like the Doug Fir. I don't know if any of you have ever been there, but..."
My sentiments EXACTLY.
In his first few songs he played 'Platinum', 'The Magic Beat' ("Do what you love, love what you do") and an especially thrashing electro tune that sounded a bit like his new track 'The Summer Song' and seemed to reflect his time spent touring with LCD Soundsystem - it was very James Murphy-esque - kinda like DFA production, but also unmistakably his own, complete with lyrics including "save it, waste it, or throw it away."
He again moderated a question and answer period during which he was asked about the Amazon's average rain fall in July and I asked what his favorite type of ice cream was. For the record it's vegan chocolate-chip-cookie-dough.
I stayed for half of his set, then booked it back over to the Doug Fir where I'd just watched Horsefeathers and was now heading back for Flash Hawk Parlor Ensemble's set.
'The Summer Song' YACHT MP3
Just a couple days later a press release turned up in my inbox announcing his departure from the Blow, which was then later posted on LocalCut.
My condolences to his step-mother.
In hindsight, this is something I could've picked up on earlier had I read the signals right, much like Jamie leaving Islands and telling me as much before it was announced, but me just thinking he was joking.
Khaela told me she needed new publicity shots at Sasquatch - ones that only featured her, but I just assumed it was to reflect that she tours alone. Then there was his parents on the yacht talking about how it had been Khaela that turned down Grey's Anatomy.
I'm wondering if this will mean more recorded and pressed YACHT output!?! Goody-gum-drops if so. I'm digging his new direction!
After YACHT on a yacht, pretty much everyone headed over to the "afterparty" at Disjecta for yet more sets!
There was a bit of change up to the line up - Adrian Orange and the Child Slave Rebellion played before E*Rock instead of after.
It was my first time seeing Adrian Orange live since 7th grade. He played our Valentine's Day dance with his then-band Menagerie wearing an orange dress. I think Robin Rasmussen lent it to him. God. I remember that like it was yesterday. He had just gotten out of his phase of being referred to only as Kurt in homage to Mr. Cobain. Hahaha - middle school rocked! I am so glad I went to da Vinci!!!
Anyway, their set was good.
There was a brief DJ interlude that was grand. They played 'This is Why I'm Hot'. It really raised the energy level!
E*Rock was up next with a very inventive set. As I was watching, I was like, "Why is that guy kneeling down right by him on the stage?"
Then I realized he was assisting on vocal duties. The song was GREAT - my mind is a little foggy at this point, but it had a bit of a hip-hop feel to it.
He once again played that song that I liked last time -with lyrics about "black." Wow I am so articulate and so clearly familiar with his back catalog haha.
There was another DJ interlude.
Then YACHT took the stage, but once again he did not stay on it for long. He was in the crowd and above it.
Bobby Birdman came out and guested on 'Platinum' live as opposed to "live over the internet."
Then mid-set, much of the Urban Honking crew graced the stage front and center to form a one-off grunge band to reproduce much of the tracks off of his latest album I Believe in You. Your Magic is Real. Jona said it'd likely never happen again, to which White Rainbow shouted that it definitely wouldn't.
The band of three back up singers, a drummer, bassist, a keyboardist, and additional guitarist closed with the VERY appropriate 'Women Of The World' - the most hardcore rock type song on the new album.
Afterwards, Jona retired to the merch table to dole out free copies of his album and partake in some elaborate signing. Emphasis on elaborate.
I never get things signed, but there was no way I was going to miss out on some genuine Jona art. Guess who got the "promo copy?"
Anyway, if you wanna check out my Pitchfork post about the YACHT on a yacht party - click here
MORE THAN A SHOW
What I hate about writing about this event is that I will not be able to justify how special it was in words. I feel like I shouldn't even try, because I don't want to under-represent it in anyway possible - it was just too amazing!
It was funny when boarding, as Jona's dad walked over to Claire who acted as the guest list commander:
and asked "Did Jona put us on the guest list?"
(Papa YACHT relaxing after successfully boarding yacht)
After everyone who had purchased, won, or just plain received a spot on the guest list had boarded, the tally was 104 - 16 away from the 120 capacity. A lot of people who didn't have tickets were waiting around to see if no one showed, so they were luckily able to eventually board. At some point, the tally hit 124.
For a little over an hour Beyonda spun - she played Yelle and Yo Majesty!!!!!!! Cue excitement!!! She also played a Crystal Castles track I have never heard before - with a lot of Alice vocals - it was no 'Alice Practice' - it was like a full on lyric driven song!
Jona's voice frequently came over the pa system overhead - his announcer voice in perfect form.
Beyonda's spinning eventually evolved into a full on dance party - it was completely packed downstairs, with everyone jumping and dancing, and clapping in the air.
Birdman took front and center in the lower cabin to play live.
Mid-way through his set, the PA caught fire. The show was stopped. He took control of the situation a little bit like a fourth grade teacher would. He then spouted some words of Marines inspiration - that we would "Adapt, improvise, and overcome."
(with E*Rock rocking out in the backgrond)
Cue audience participation at it's finest! - all of us using our voices to provide him with beats to sing over. Then came the chants of "Fuck bass! Fuck bass!" His set included the VERY appropriate 'Victory at Sea' and 'I Will Come Again'.
The bar wasn't carding, so the yacht's underage contingent was getting sloshed among everyone else of age swilling wine and champagne. Rolling in style.
Jona was wearing his Andrew WK T-shirt.
So who all did I meet? A girl named Carissa who writes about green issues, but does not use the PGE green option tsk tsk :). I met a guy with the first name of Palmer! I met Tyler who had just gotten back from Coachella. I met Rob Simonson from the Mercury. We exchanged emails after a short chat. Hung out with Aaron on the deck talking about music and his friend Greg aka DJ Never Forget.
We were already docked by the time YACHT's set started. The PA had cooled down. He was ready to rock.
And ready to get the dirt of his shoulders. (At least that's what I get from this pic haha)
I can't put into words how amazing YACHT's three song set of 'Penny', 'It's Coming to Get You', and 'We're Always Waiting' was - even though a lot of people hadn't heard the songs before, let alone knew the lyrics, everyone sang along to each of the songs.
He crowd-surfed to the ceiling.
(The guy in purple reminds me of Girl Talk. He was very visable - and fun!!)
The energy, the positivity, the enthusiasm - I will never forget it. I feel so happy to have been apart of something that special!!!!
Rob Walmart played a set from a moving van with people on top of it to the venue Disjecta.
Disjecta part coming up . . .
Here's me taking a photo in line with Bobby Birdman, YACHT, and E*Rock:
(care of Steve Schroeder of States Rights Records)
'See a Penny Pick it Up' YACHT MP3 Repost
'Victory at Sea' Bobby Birdman E*Rock remix MP3
Flickr roll call:
ALL of my YACHT on a yacht photos
Josh Berezin: YACHT on a yacht
KMikeym: YACHT on a yacht
CorbinC: YACHT on a yacht
Steve Schroeder: YACHT on a yacht/Disjecta
(click to enlarge)
Have you seen the LocalCut photoshop YACHT on a yacht Party winners yet?
I take the piss out of everything (most of all myself). At first I was like "I am going to make a masterpiece - me and Jona on a yacht wearing eyepatches and Bill O'Reilly T-shirts." Then I realized - what is the fun in that? Other people's are going to be good too, so how can I make it so that it's SO BAD, it's bad?
From the site:
Easily the most divisive entry of the contest, Nilina’s masterpiece/eyesore was praised by some and despised by others. There was enough LC love, though, to grant Nilina’s wish and award her a special runner-up prize (to be determined). Nilina: “I think a new category should be established. An award for groundbreaking advancements in the techinal field of photoshop. CLEARLY it would be created to further accommodate my entry. And yes, I’m in it to win it.”
Basically the idea was that you look at it, maybe mouth "oh my god" inaudibly, then turn away in confusion and maybe disgust. Hopefully there would be some uncomfortable laughter in there too.
This has totally made my day!!!
In a related/unrelated note, the YACHT family has been super cool to Not on the Guest List lately. Marriage Records includes a link to NotGL on their YACHT page and my YACHT post was also linked on Urban Honking.
*For the record, I do know how to use photoshop. I just chose not to excercise that knowledge.
I've still yet to finish my Klaxons+Fist Fite review I posted yesterday (now finished) and have yet to post a review of last night in Portland, but it's Gossip time!
➔ Fresh off opening for Klaxons for their first ever shows, Fist Fite will be joining Klaxons on their UK headline tour later this year!!!!!! Brooklyn's Shy Child are along for Klaxons' UK May ride.
➔ Got a message from Nathan aka Gossip's Brace Paine. Guess what they did in LA? Aside from Beth hanging out with Kate Moss, they had a meeting with RICK RUBIN! Speechless! He said it was surreal. I am in love with Rick Rubin! He slept with his parents in their bed until age 18 and what he did with Def Jam in his NYU dorm room is what made me want to go to NYU (though I eventually never even applied)
'Rick Rubin' Spank Rock MP3
➔ Men's Journal magazine contacted me last week about Portland music photography as their summer issue is a music issue and they're doing a feature on the Portland music scene! I sent mine over of Quasi, Hey Lover, the Shins, Viva Voce, Gossip, Y.A.C.H.T., Panther, and the Thermals (all linking is to my photos of each act on flickr). I think they're passing on my photos, but it's still pretty sick that Portland music is drawing this attention!
➔ Yacht has his CD release party next Saturday at OMSI on May 5th 2007. Doors at 8:30, show at 9pm. GO if you live in Portland and are in town! Adrian Orange who went to my middle school (and high school for a portion of freshman year) is playing as is E*Rock and of course the man of the evening is doing a set as well. A concert at OMSI! Too cool!
Tix are available at Jackpot Records, but haven't appeared yet online on Brown Paper Tickets
Here's a cool video Y.A.C.H.T. made of Portland bands at this year's SXSW:
Asking for the lights to be dimmed, YACHT aka Jona Bechtolt (and one half of the Blow) took about announcing the nonexistent Portland Trail Blazers in his best ominous hush of an announcer voice as smoke began wafting from the stage and through the venue. He then declared the audience the boss - whatever we want, we get and kicked straight into his set opening for Man Man at Berbati's Pan.
He started out with more noise, electronic, dance-resembling tracks that sounded like a blend of bits of every genre imaginable. One track featuring female backing vocals had a bit of a hip hop edge to it - both lyrically and musically, but then only on certain refrains - it sounded a bit 'My Humps'-ish. For another he had Bobby Birdman guest on a track. He proclaimed it to be happening through the power of the internet - implying that Bobby was live online.
From the stage to the audience, YACHT let loose a stream of impeccably coregraphed spastic dancing - what a show!
YACHT conducted a question and answer section mid-set.
The three questions put to him:
1. Will you play 'See a Penny Pick it Up'?
2. Do you like chocolate?
3. What makes you kinky?
His answers?
1. "Yes."
2. "No."
3. "See me after the show."
Soon after he said he was only playing two more songs at which point an onlooker screamed "3!"
And because the crowd was "the boss," YACHT obliged, hurling out two especially hardcore tracks (while looking especially hardcore) and then a very western one which allowed him to close his set using the mic cord as a whip and have it perfectly fit the theme of the song.
Official verdict: YACHT should think about joining up with Panther and forming their own brand of aerobics ala Punk Rock Aerobics. I would totally take a weekly class from them whenever they're not on tour!
'See a Penny Pick it Up' YACHT MP3
I CANNOT get over how much this sounds like The Rolling Stones' 'Miss You'. What do you think?
Watch him perform the track in Cologne when opening for Klaxons.
His album is out soon on Marriage Records. He's having his CD release show on an actual yacht. I wanna go.
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