Starling Electric --- Clouded Staircase

Clouded Staircase, the newest (sort of) release by Ann Arbor darlings, Starling Electric came to me in my dreams the mail a month ago. It's a re-release of an album recorded two years ago, now to be released on Bar/None (on August 19th) who have released records by such bands as Of Montreal, Yo La Tengo, and Puffy Amiyumi. No lie. Check out their site.

While their re-released album has no hints of Puffy Amiyumi, I still felt the need to review it. When I got it in the mail, I tore open the packaging to see that singer/songwriter/mastermind Caleb Dillon left me a little note on a Post-It*. "PS I highly recommend getting naked before listening to this album." Well, goddamnit. I have a roommate, she wouldn't appreciate that. So I waited until she left for a weekend to get down to my skivvies and really take a good, hard listen at Clouded Staircase. A good, hard listen.

And I really did need to give this album a hard listen; it was a bit dense, very thick. Eighteen tracks, some are only a minute or two long, but it's still eighteen tracks long. That is a long time to stay in your undies. The first track of the album, St. Valentine's Day Massacre, is much more rock than most of the other tracks. Lyrically pensive, this track is an ode to a love that got lost in the folds of a lust-filled night.

It's imperative to note that "Camp-Fire" was featured on the under appreciated, yet awesome, TV series Veronica Mars. I find that other people might not fully appreciate this album because of it's very 60s/70s hippie vibe. Yet, it is a joyful voyage into a lush sound scape of an indie band on the fringe.

"Black Ghost/Black Girl" is a catchy little ditty with gorgeous harmonies. "Clouded Staircase (Part Two)" sends you floating in the breeze, high on life (maybe on some psychedelic druuuugs too), without a care in the world... Building up slowly, and then bringing you back down to the earth softly. And then there are some snaps and bah-bah-bahs. I'm starting to feel very comfortable sitting around in my undergarments at this point.

Oh, wait, it's starting to get romantical all up in this joint. "A Snowflake," so sensual and breathy. Oh my god. Oh. My. God. As I continue to delve deeper into this melodious beast of a record, I am beginning to get the feeling that Caleb Dillon attaches the same Post-It note to everyone he sends an album to. That sly fox.

I could not bare to review anymore of the tracks. Heartbroken, I wept through the rest of the album.


*I love getting Post-It notes from bands.

Smashed!

Come out to Detroit Summer Smash this Thursday/Friday/Saturday.
Some highlights:
Thursday: Dude, the fuckin' Friendly Foes and Four Hour Friends for fucks sake.
Friday: Dude, The Beggars. They will melt your face off with rock. And a lot of fun.
Saturday: Dude, Deastro isn't playing anymore. But Silverghost will be there. And so will Prussia, The High Strung, and The Dead Bodies. Hell yeah.

It's $16 for all three days (totally good deal, people), or $5 on Thursday, $8 Friday, and $8 Saturday. According to Laura Witkowski in an interview with Metro Times, "Professional security and legal support will be on hand during the festival to ensure our guests and members' civil rights and personal dignity is not violated by anyone." Well put, comrade.

It's at the CAID. Please come out. You won't regret it. Well, I can't completely say that. You might regret it. Like, if you run into your ex or something and they're there with their*** new "friend" and you are looking like crap. So, don't look like crap. Try to look nice. Then you might not regret coming. And who cares about your ex anyway? There was obviously a reason you two aren't together anymore. You should still try to look nice, though. Because if you are there at 4pm on Saturday and you look like crap, I will probably make fun of you.

According to the Detroit Summer Smash Myspace page:
"Detroit Summer Smash was in hibernation last year after an 8 year run! We are returning in 2008 with the help of the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit! Summer Smash 2008 will raise monies for a CAID-sponsored grant for Detroit-area musicians!

Here is the lineup:
Thursday August 21st, $5 or $16 for festival pass
9pm- Bird Gang
10pm- 4 hour Friends
11pm- Friendly Foes

Friday August 22nd, $8
9pm- Sons of the Gun
10pm- Hotness
11pm- Beggars
12am- Oblisk
12:30am- DJ Afterglow

Saturday August 23rd, $8 for full-day Saturday pass
2pm- Whistling School for Boys
3pm – OHTIS
4pm- Elle & The Fonts
5pm- Always 17
6pm- dinner break!!!
7pm- Prussia
8pm- Electric Fire Babies
9pm- Goudron
10pm- Dead Bodies
11pm- The High Strung
12am- Silverghost
12:30am- dancing sounds by Dave Shettler and Scott Zacharis!"

***I have a degree in writing stuff, I swearz.

U-G-L-Y

I don't mean to talk about shows that I play, but I can't help it when it comes to last night. I was at Corktown Tavern, playing with local bands Lightning Love and To and Fro (even though they live in Croswell, which is way the eff up by Memphis, MI), and a touring band from Brooklyn, Deleted Scenes. Chris O was there. Yay.

Deleted Scenes played right after me, and they were amaaaazing. The lead singer's neck looked like it was rubber. You know, when you take a pencil between your thumb and your index finger and you shake it up and down and it looks like it's made of rubber. Well, he wasn't, like, headbanging but it was some weird, indie-rock version of headbanging. Besides that, they were tight as hell (that's what she said), and catchy as the flu in the middle of flu season. Loved it.

To and Fro are a instrumental, metal-core, two-piece with some fierce guitar techniques and a crazy motherfucker with the curliest hair ever on the drums. It wasn't really my cup of tea, but I definitely can appreciate the talent of the guitarist, who can tap like a pro and shred as perfectly and frantically as a papershredder at work when the auditors come to town (was that metaphor too out there? Sorry, I am trying to amuse myself while avoiding the "Dream"cruise).

Then there was Lightning Love. Now, I have heard so many people get all "omg" and "srsly, omg" over this band. I can see why now. Super cute, almost twee-popish, with sly, bet-you-didn't-see-that-coming, interesting musicianship. The songs were killer. The male-female vocals were offensively adorable. The have a lot of songs about being ugly. But they aren't ugly. I almost wanted to hate them, but I haven't been around Detroit long enough to become that bitter (oh snap, yeah I said it, haters). Needless (very) to say, I reeeeaaaaallly enjoyed their set.

Tonight, I am going to Pontiac for Prussia's CD release show.

Oh, and, fuck the Dreamcruise. Srsly. Dumb. But a good excuse to party?

Where my girls at?

I was having a conversation with a fellow female musician in the area, and she pointed out the Detroit scene is a little sausage dominated. Now, it's not something we were necessarily complaining about. This scene is also chaulk-full of awesome bands (please do not be an ass and try to argue that they are awesome because they are dudes, you will fail). The conversation stemmed from trying to find other female musicians*. I know a lot of people, and I was stumped. Of course, we all know the powerhouses: Alicia (The Nice Device), Lizzy (Friedly Foes/Kiddo), Leann (The Von Bondies), Marcie (Silverghost), Ko-Ko (Hard Lessons), etc. I did some digging to find some ladies you may not have heard of just yet.

Darling Imperial, a new project of some Detroit veterans, boosts an amazing lead singer by the name of Sarah Sadovsky. Imagine White Chalk album-era PJ Harvey, mixed with a little Tori Amos, but certainly not as old or weird.

Sh! The Octopus has pianist/vocalist Christine Baxter providing lush harmonies and rocking out on the ivories.

Got anyone to add to that list?

In other news, I had a dream last night that I joined Spice Girls as their guitar player. Weird.

*Is anyone else sick of hearing, "There is a girl in that band!"? It seems like such a novelty still, which is ridiculous. It is almost as if we are hard-wired to believe that women playing instruments are rarities because women aren't hard-wired to play instruments. So, is the lack of women musicians because of the male-dominated musiciandustry (I made up a new word!)? Or is it more of a general social issue (women are conditioned to find rewards in areas of society other than creative outlets/being creative holds no rewards for the modern woman who is supposed to be family and career driven at the same time/artistic women are seen as living on the fringe of society/etc)? Discuss.

The Silent Years' release on iTunes.

Check it out. I hear it is good. I have not actually heard it yet though, so I could totally be wrong. If I am, you can yell at me next time you see me. Or you can buy me a drink for suggesting such a good album to you. Whatever.

Also check out the EP entitled "Size King" by Your Skull My Closet, which comes out (came out) today on iTunes. Some dude that used to be in Small Brown Bike is in that band. I miss them. Oh, and this guy named Sean Hoen. He played at Alvin's two months ago and it was fantastic. I think SubSprawl released some stuff by him. Yes Michigan!

I need iTunes. I am going to download it tonight and get the YSMC EP and then review it.

Anyone looking for roommates or a house in Ferndale? Help a girl out.

MoFo Karaoke

MoFo Karaoke is the best thing ever. Way to go, Elbow Room, for hosting it. I know it's been happening forever, but I finally experienced it in all of it's glory last night. I even got to sing first! The bar was hustlin' and bustlin' (yay for people buying booooze!)! There were hot people everywhere!

On a side note, Myspace informed me that yesterday was the birthday of Chris O. (from The Recital and Mas!). Happy Belated Birthday, you minstrel of merriment, you troubadour of transcendent talent, you balladier of... awesome? Yeah!

Today is 8-8-8! WHOA DUDEZ!

I LOL'd my butt off.

Read this interview in it's entirety.
JRC: Are you just not a fan of the garage sound, or was it more city specific?
Ryan Allen: The jean jackets, the skinnyness… Also, the attitude of it seemed a little off to me. This sense of entitlement like, “one time Meg White bummed a smoke from me, so you should pay attention to my band, motherfuckers!”

I am laughing because it is so. goddamn. true.

I saw her at a bar once. You should pay attention to my band because I am awesome, though.

Go to Ypsilanti tomorrow evening and enjoy some MoFo Karaoke at the Elbow Room! It's a good time. And I will be singing. Oh yeah.

Putting the 'Garbage' in 'Hott Garbage'

The title for this article was going to be "Hott Garbage: Putting the 'Hott' in 'Hott Garbage'"
I mean, look at these guys!

But I decided against that title because I didn't want Mike Berlucchi and Rick Boven, the brains behind the Michigan-based production company, to start getting death threats from my stalkers.

Hott Garbage is serious. Seriously awesome. These two young men don't fuck around when it comes to making videos. I experienced first hand how talented and serious they are when it comes to their videos at the recent Mason Proper shoot for "Safe For the Time Being." It reminded me of all the "Making of..." documentaries that I used to watch on MTV. Lots of lights. A fog machine. Lots of crew members. Free pizza for the extras... A make-up artist! On hand! Ridiculous!

According to Wikipedia, my only source of information, Hott Garbage also produced four music videos for the Mason Proper "Short Hand EP" which were free with the purchase of the EP off iTunes. I have seen two of the videos. One of which is posted at the end of this (so you can skip all the boring words).

I tried to do some more research of these two dudes. Mike has, like, a million pages on the Internet. Rick does not. If this were a Local Celebrity Challenge, I think Mike would win it. Sorry, Rick.

Please state your names and your titles.

Mike Berlucchi - Nice Director of Photography, Producer Ass Hole

Rick Boven - Director...(?)

Where are you from?

MB: Brighton, MI forever

RB: Alpena, MI.

Where did you go to school?

MB: Hawkins Elementary School

RB: 95% of my education came from chain book stores that provide plush furniture and exorbitantly priced caffeine. College is a myth.

What got you into video production?

MB: In 2005 I was at a roller skating competition and saw a man with a large camera, I said to myself "I want one of those." So I saved up and bought one, it ruined my life.

RB: Mike Berlucchi.

As trite as this might sound, what is your inspiration?

MB: My inspiration is money, I'm saving up to buy a Land Rover. But seriously, money is only 75% of it, the other 25% is because I love it, the traveling, the people, the product, it's all very wonderful.

RB: Bringing work into this dimension and affecting others, and not really being conscious of it. My little cousin still shows her friends 'Tiger Dance' at sleepovers. Somehow, the things we do sprout legs and create worlds of their own. And Land Rovers.

What is the best part of shooting a music video, in your opinion?

MB: The best part of shooting a music video is making someone look much more attractive than they actually are. Have you ever seen Jon Visger in real life?

RB: Hott Garbage is one of the few projects that I've worked on that I can create what I want and actually pays rent. That's a new thing for me. I've had a long career in retail, landscaping, nursing homes, etc. etc. So sometimes when I eat dinner I think, "Yeah. Music Videos."

Favourite director?

MB: Currently, Nima Nourizadeh.

RB: Godfrey Ho.

What is your current favourite local band?

MB: Supercontinent

RB: This guy comes over to my apartment sometimes and mows the lawn but he leaves his two yippy dogs in the cab of his truck. I think they're really pushing the boundaries of music and are what this community really needs.

I have noticed a reoccuring theme in your music videos: Dave Kloc. What's the intrigue there? Is he just really photogenic? Or just always available for music video shoots?

MB: Superstition, videos always turn out terrible if Dave is not within 100 ft of the camera at all times.

RB: I used to visit Ann Arbor long ago when I was just a baby. Nick Vandermolen and I would bounce around town with artists like Jason Polan and Jake Brege. (They did the "Ants" mural by the Parking Structure, and a few other ones about town) I remember the energy and insanity of those times and redefining what I knew art to be; organic, uncomfortable, and mesmerizing. These are qualities that I see in Dave Kloc. The last of a by-gone era.

If you could make a video for any artist/musician who has ever lived, who would it be and why?

MB: Danzig, because he's Danzig.

RB: I don't tend to work with artists based on who they are as musicians. I tend to work with them based on how much they will let me get away with. So, probably Boney M.

Rick, are you really a flamenco dancer? You had some pretty killer moves at the Mason Proper video shoot.

MB:No, he's not, he's fat.

RB: I read that John Frusciante kicked heroin by dancing to The Cure for something like 36 hours straight. I just want to be able to kick cigarettes.

When you both aren't making videos, what are you most likely doing?

MB: Petting my dog Riley or reading books.

RB: Graphic Novels. I've linked up with a few artists/writers that I like to sell our books and we call ourselves the Ballum Rancum.

And lastly, and most importantly,

what are you favourite pizza toppings?

No joke. Your fans neeeed to know.

MB:My favorite pizza topping is oreos. I had one of those in Kansas and my head about exploded.

RB: Ham. Pineapple. Onion. Bacon. Rarely do I find anyone who will go halfsies with me.

To date, this is one of my favourite music videos put out by Hott Garbage. Please enjoy.

MASON PROPER - "FRIENDSHIP" - Music Video from Dovecote Records on Vimeo.

Weekend Update

Thursday: PJ's Lager House. Champions of Breakfast's triumphant return from their European tour. Most of their old equipment has been recycled. They have a brand new set-up that will blind you as badly as you were blinded at the Ladytron show last month. If you were there, that is. Please try the Champion of Breakfast drink next time you go. It is delicious.

Friday: PJ's AGAIN. This time for Scarlett Oaks and The Darts, who soldiered on even though the singer fucked up his cankle again. I thought they were great*. Jocelyn needs to sing more. She's good. I stuck around through half of The Vamps' set, but I was too tired to stay for Scarlett Oaks. Which sucks. Because I like them. But I am a wimp.

Saturday: The CAID. Not only did Oscillating Fan Club release a new record, but they had Zoos of Berlin open for them. I love Zoos of Berlin. I cannot get enough of them. Please put out a new record, dudes.

Honestly, I wasn't digging The Bee Keepers at all. Sorry.

If you weren't at The Magic Stick, you missed this and that. I know, right? Those two dudes are creepy.

I ended up at a strange party in Ferndale Saturday night where I was yelled at by the doppelganger of this man:

You know what, people? It's not my fault if you have someone who lives in the same area as you and looks almost exactly like you when we are standing outside with very little light. I used to get told I looked like Drew Barrymore. Do you think she'll be mistaken for me while she is in town? Probably not. But that would be cool.**

Sunday: Sleepday.

This next weekend? Corktown Tavern to see Jack Oblivian on the 9th.

*I know, I know, I totally dissed their CD last month. I am not trying to make ammends, though. They really are good live.
**Although I think we look nothing alike.

Leann Banks Takes on Home Movies, Slurpees

A formidable lady, Leann Banks knows some things about some stuff. First off, she understands that Slurpees are horrible if they contain more than two flavors. Her flavor choices? Coca-cola and cherry. If you are hear to read her talk some shit about Jason Stollsteimer, you have come to the wrong place. Leann is a genuinely nice person. I mean, G-E-N-U-I-N-E. I tried to bait her into talking shit. And she didn't take the bait. Actually, I didn't do that. Anyway, she had nothing but marvelous things to say about her polarizing band mate. Enough about him though. This article is about her. In all her rock n' roll glory.

Born and raised in Michigan (on the "east side"), Banks started playing guitar as a teenager, and eventually switched to bass, which she plays in The Von Bondies currently. Before The Von Bondies, Leann was in The Sirens, and more notably, Ghost City.

For some reason or another, I cannot seem to find part of the interview on the recording device I use. This really puts a damper on the article. I would like to apologize to Leann for the lack of awesomeness in this article because of my stupidity.

I decided to do the interview while watching the first season of Home Movies with Leann seeing as we are both avid fans. We were hanging out with our ex-bandmate (from different bands) Brandon.

Leann: Brandon (from Ghost City) reminds me of Jason (from Home Movies).
Brandon: That's what Jason says (from The Von Bondies)!
Elle: I can totally see that.
Leann: Jason (TVB) reminds me of Brendon (HM).
Elle: So are you the Melissa to their Jason and Brendon?
Leann: No... I don't know. But our sound guy reminds me of Coach McGuirk.
Elle: I need to meet this guy.

Elle: So, let's talk about tour. What kind of food did you eat?
Leann: There was this one pizza place we went to and we had a pizza that was seriously 24" in diameter. It was sooooo huge.
Elle: I love pizza.
Leann: Me too.

"I'm going to punch him in the butt!" --- Brendon Small
Leann: I was having a really bad day a couple weeks ago, and we have basic cable. I came home and turned on the TV. I've only seen like the first two seasons of Scrubs, and I knew there was a musical version, and when I turned on the TV, that's the episode that came on.
Elle: I thought the musical was great.
Leann: It made me so happy. And from that day, I cannot stop listening to 'Guy Love.'
Elle: I was just going to say, 'Guy Love' is great!
Leann: I just can't stop! I listen to it like everyday!
Elle: I know!
*we begin to sing 'Guy Love'*
Leann: 'There's nothing gay about it in our eyes...' I'm a huge showtune nerd.

After the interview, I sent her a few more questions via Facebook after I realized that my journalism skills suck (i.e. losing most of the interview).

Elle: What do you love about Michigan? What do you hate about Michigan? Favorite Detroit band of all time? Favorite Detroit band of the moment?
Leann: Michigan is a strange place... I kinda stand a middle ground with it... That's why these questions are so tough! It's pretty sweet that I can tell someone where I live by pointing at my hand. One thing I've always disliked about Michigan is the fact that people don't travel through it. They don't need to! You either come to Michigan, or you don't. and most people don't. As far as bands.... I always hate these kinds of questions because I never feel like I'm covering all the bases! :) so I'll say the early/original Funk Brothers... because that covers a lot of ground. And listen to those bass lines! As for the band of right now... you should check out this group called the Von Bondies... I hear they're pretty sweet. ;)