The Current Music Blog: March 22, 2007 Archive

The Flaming Lips ... 3 Questions

Posted at 8:40 AM on March 22, 2007 by Jacquie Fuller (5 Comments)

Wayne Coyne is going to be on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno this evening, which sort of reawakened our collective (and not really dormant anyway) love of the F'lips around here, sending Jill Riley in search of a copy of The Fearless Freaks, and leading me to realize that it's been way too long (five years? six?) since my last Zaireeka listening party. Which then leads me to ask Question #1: Am I the only dork that actually did this? Four boom boxes and a whole lot of Chex Mix?

What I love about these guys is the way they play with technology. Zaireeka, then the synchronized cassette tape gig in Austin in the 90s (wasn't there for that one), then the headphone tour (was there for that ... twice in two weeks ... awesome), where we all got a pair of headphones and a portable radio, and tuned into a frequency where we were able to hear the live show in the fifth dimension. The furry animal costumes are fun, but I want to see/hear what the next big sound experiment is for these guys. Then again, I missed them at the State Fair, 'cause I was broke, which leads me to Question #2: Other than the downpour, what did I miss? In other words, what are these guys up to now at their live shows?

Oh, there were the puppets, too--we can't forget the puppets. The last time I saw them live in Austin, my friend brought an alien hand puppet. We were close to the stage, and she reached her puppeted arm up towards Wayne. I don't rememeber if he had a nun puppet, or a shark, or what, but he leaned into the crowd and his puppet lips sought out the lips of my pal's alien puppet and they tenderly, gently engaged in some of the sweetest puppet necking I've ever seen. I swear a little tear rolled out of my eye. So, Question #3: What's your best Flaming Lips live show memory?

One day, I'm gonna be in my rocking chair, with the grandkids gathered 'round at my feet, and I'm gonna tell 'em this one: Austin, SXSW 1998 or 99 (alzheimers kicks in early) ... no badge, no wristband, nada ... hopelessly standing in a line of hundreds trying to get in to see the Flaming Lips ... fire marshall says no one else gets in ... start telling this random guy how we drove 70 miles from San Antonio, and saw them just the week before in Dallas, and we're huge fans ... turns out the guy is Scott Booker, the band's manager. I guess he was touched by our rabid fandom, 'cause he walked us to the front of the line, lifted the tent flap, and pushed us in, shouting, "Run! Forrest! Run!"

Sniff ... Fwoop (tissues being pulled from box.)

Was good times. (But I was kind of peeved when Wayne threw confetti in my beer.) Okay ... Your turn. Flaming Lips fans, this one is all you.

Go!

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The Stream 03/22/07

Posted at 8:50 AM on March 22, 2007 by Barb Abney (3 Comments)

Palomar are looking for help with a new video. More info.

Preview two tracks from The National's new release The Boxer, here.

Voxtrot's self-titled album will be out in May, but you can download the first single "Kid Gloves" here.

Acoustic Hold Steady release via Pitchfork.

Status of Jurassic 5 is being questioned.

Today in music history:
1948 - Andrew Lloyd Webber was born.
1956 - Carl Perkins was hospitalized after car accident.
1978 - The Police signed to A&M Records.
1992 - Tears For Fears officially broke up (they reformed in 2004).

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Live On Air Blogging 03/22/07

Posted at 9:09 AM on March 22, 2007 by Barb Abney (8 Comments)

Noon-ish
Lindsey Buckingham on Conan

Amos Lee on Carson Daly

The Kooks on Jimmy Kimmel

Wayne Coyne on Leno

11:45am
Find out if The View will be playing in your town here.

11:05am
Amy Winehouse is playing The Varsity in May.

10:50am
Headlights are coming to town April 4th.
Fitzgerald aren't playing any uppcoming shows. However, their side project, Ghost In The Water have a couple of dates next month.
Lou Barlow will be coming to town (with Dinosaur Jr.) May 29th and 30th.
Sloan are coming to town May 18th.

10:30am
Albert Hammond Jr. writes a tour blog! He'll also be playing Conan soon. Find out when and read the blogs on his Myspace page.

10:10am
Today on our Song Of The Day Podcast we're featuring Air with "Once Upon A Time" from Pocket Symphony. They're coming to Minneapolis on May 2nd. Tour dates and more info on their Pocket Symphony site.

9:35am
Richard Buckner was in studio with us in September and again last month.

Jose Gonzalez did an in-studio for us last June.

9:25am
Preview new music from the Minneapolis band Romantica on their Myspace page.

9:10am
The Little Ones coming to Minneapolis with The Walkmen and Kaiser Chiefs on April 21st.

Neko Case coming to Minneapolis on April 7th.

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"My 3 Songs" for Thursday, 3-22-07

Posted at 12:34 PM on March 22, 2007 by Steve Seel (2 Comments)

A genuine long-distance dedication today -- to us. Like I said the other day, we don't screen for these ... but of course, we're happy to accept the love. Who wouldn't be? Kristina Knoll from Chicago says, "I first discovered The Current approximately one year ago, and instantly fell in love. The music that defines my life -- that defines my happiness -- is played every day. I turn 30 on Friday and these are just a few personal favorites that make me smile ... and I know I can hear them at any given moment on The Current. Thank you!"

1) Mates of State: "Fraud in the 80s"
2) Goldfrapp: "Number 1"
3) The Boy Least Likely To: "Be Gentle With Me"

And happy 30th tomorrow, Kristina!

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More music conference madness

Posted at 10:12 PM on March 22, 2007 by Mark Wheat

If you can stand it after all the SXSW craziness, check out;
http://www.wintermusicconference.com/

Miami is the center of the electronic music world right now.
DJ's from all over the world are converging and er...partying?!?!
Some awesome shows lined up with The Cure headlining, rather bizarrely.
Find out more about lots of the DJ's who we have featured on the
Friday Night Guest DJ Set, 10pm tomorrow we'll celebrate the WMC!