Journal of the Movement of the World

Okay, this is nuts. Nuts in the sense that it's being mixed live and is AWESOME. Madeon is, best I can tell, a 17-year-old kid from France who can MIX a fuckin' song. We heard about him in our turntable.fm room today (New Preferred + Unheard) and had to share. Start up this video and start up the dancing. According to his posting, this is 39 songs (listed below) mashed together live in glorious harmony. Nuts. Crazy nuts. You can hear more of his stuff over at his SoundCloud page. So much social music technology.... Speaking of tech, for anyone wondering, that lighty-up-thingy is a Novation Launchpad midi controller. And yes, I want one.


Tracklist:
Alphabeat - Boyfriend
Alphabeat - Fascination
Bag Raiders - Shooting Stars
Black Eyed Peas - Gotta Feeling
Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time
Capsule - Can I Have A Word
Chromeo - Momma's Boy
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Daft Punk - Aerodynamic
Daft Punk - Around The World
Deadmau5 - Raise Your Weapon (Madeon Remix)
Deadmau5 - Right This Second
Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed
ELO - Mr. Blue Sky
Girls Aloud - Biology
Gorillaz - Dare
Gossip - Heavy Cross (Fred Falke Remix)
Gwen Stefani - What You Waitin For (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)
Housse de Racket - Oh Yeah
Justice - DVNO
Justice - Phantom Part II
Katy Perry - One Of The Boys
Ke$ha - Take It Off
Kylie Minogue - Wow
Lady Gaga - Alejandro
Linkin Park - Crawling
Madonna - Hung Up
Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette - Boys and Girls
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
Nero - Me and You
One Republic - All The Right Moves (Danger Remix)
One-T - Magic Key
Ratatat - Shempi
Solange - I Decided (Freemasons Remix)
Stardust - Music Sounds Better With You
The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star
The Killers - Losing Touch
The Who - Baba O'Riley (SebastiAn Remix)
Yelle - Que Veux Tu (Madeon Remix)

The Find

Anyone who knows Katie and me in the real-life world...or even the Facebooks world, knows we totally flipped out when the AMAZING Miami-based creatives Friends with You teamed up with AOL to install Rainbow City at the top of the second phase of the High Line. For anyone who was unlucky enough to miss it, it was essentially like stepping into a real-world, old-school Nintendo game. Namely Super Mario Brothers. Inflatable sculptures, adult moon bounces housed in giant red-and-white mushrooms, giant floating balloons you could throw at passers-by...some of whom strangely did not appreciate such actions. It was awesome. IPhone photos of us enjoying the awesomeness below.

Alas, such awesomeness cannot last and was contained within less than a month. We wept. But we also asked, "What's NEXT for the Lot—the glorious, food-truck-filled public plaza at W. 30th?" We said it just like that. We're super-literal. Now: THE ANSWER—the High Line Rink, a new, outdoor roller-skating rink under the High Line. HOLLA! 

We applaud the High Line for keeping things happily regressive for the summer and can't wait to strap on our skates. If we can find them. I think they're in a box in a closet. Mine have unicorns on them.

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro and James Corner Field Operations, the rink will take up 8,000 square feet within The Lot, so don't worry—you can still get your falafel on. Roller festivities begin officially Thursday—at which point admission will be waived for the first 500 visitors for the first three days of operation, courtesy of co-sponsor, UNIQLO. After that, in true NYC style, it'll be $10 for kids, $13 for adults.

Oh, and there'll be UNIQLO shopping kiosks! So there won't be any tourists around or anything.

ROLL ON!!!

Music Monday

The Ladybug Transistor • Clutching Stems
Last week, in interview with singer-songwriter, Meredith Bragg—a friend since college—it occurred to us, as it often does, how lucky we are to have so many talented, creative friends. Not to sound like a broken record, but the same realization has crept up on us this week as we take some time to talk with friends and musicians, Gary Olson and Julia Rydholm—two members of the seminal indie band, The Ladybug Transistor and two of our favorite Brooklynites, especially when it comes to park- and beach-going. Since their 2007 album, Can't Wait Another Day, the band has gone through some significant line-up changes, the most dramatic of which was brought on by the death of their drummer, San, from a sudden, serious asthma attack. A lot of growth has happened since then and that's evident on Ladybug's seventh album, Clutching Stems, out now on Merge Records. The sound has grown more complex and contemplative and, from a listener's point of view, it's given the band a deeper appeal that far outlasts pop hooks or harmonic play—it's damned fine song-writing and solid, grounded musical exploration. The new album and recent touring gave us an excuse to chat up Julia and Gary about the new album, touring the world, and songs about trees.

Kindness of Ravens: So, you've been a band, in name and rotating membership, since 1995. That's—simply put—a cray-cray long time. What's the secret to staying together and active for so long? Most bands crash and burn or at least whimper and fade before they can celebrate their 16 year anniversary (that's silver Holloware, by the way—save you time with your gift-buying this year).

Julia Rydholm: Sharing a mutual enthusiasm and curiosity for similar music genres and music history is one binding element, for sure. Working with talented people we adore and respect also certainly helps.

Gary Olson: Julia receives her 11 year pin this fall and gets a free trip to the Caribbean. 

KoR: We’re told corporate incentives like that are imperative to optimal performance. Okay, we're suckers for names and presentation, so I have to ask a question you likely get ad nauseum—where's the name Ladybug Transistor come from? And don't tell me it was one of those internet name generator things because the internet barely existed back then.

Julia: It's a kind of radio. 

Gary: I found one during my early days of thrifting. I was hoping we could keep company with The Beatles or Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

KoR: That is a pretty rad radio. Okay then, what's behind the song/album title, Clutching Stems? Seems so poetic and...mournful, I think.

Julia: Some of my favorite Olson lyrics. The image conveys such a sense of achy emptiness. I think anyone can relate to that pit-of-the-stomach, "alone at the drive in," lonely feeling of being stood up by or separated from someone or something significant. Feeling robbed. Hanging onto hope when there isn't any.

There is a longing feeling those words carry, and that sentiment seems to be a recurring theme in all the album's songs. It felt like an appropriate moniker for the album.

KoR: We like the cover shot. Are you guys on a Brooklyn beach or is that, like, Iceland?

Julia: The moon.

Gary Olson: We used our entire recording budget to get there.

Gary + Julia. On the moon.

KoR: You've gotta have priorities, right? Listening through the album—which, first off, sounds great—you start with some really great, upbeat hooks and melodies, and then seem to settle into this kind beautiful melancholy. I know you all and you generally seem like pretty positive people, but I know you've gone through some hard times as a band since the last record. Is that something you wanted to reflect in the writing of Clutching Stems or is it more that songwriting just tends to happen more when you're feeling a bit blue?

Julia: I'll defer to Gary on this one. He's the wordsmith.

Gary: Well, I did spend more time with the lyrics, editing, and phrasing this time…. In the past we've been accused of being a bit "pastoral" and such in our presentation so maybe I was trying lower the expected dose…and have an attempt at writing more about people than trees. There is still plenty of landscape in there though, but maybe not just all of the lush green type… some arctic moonscapes. Of course losing San wasn't easy but there is plenty of his spirit in there. He's part of the band DNA now.
 
KoR: That’s a lovely sentiment. You've got some new faces in the line-up these days—most notably for us, Michael O'Neill from MEN/Hirsute—and then Mark Dzula and Eric Farber. Was it odd bringing in so much new blood? The new record sounds like Ladybug...but it also sounds different. Is that just growth or do you think the new lineup affected the song-writing and sound a lot?
 
Julia: All of them were friends first. Eric, Mark, and Kyle have known each other and played together for a long time. Michael we knew through (Amy) Linton (of the Aisler’s Set). All of them are such sweethearts, so musically talented, and they share similar musical vernaculars and had a great respect for the band's history. They also had very patient, open approaches to working with Gary, Kyle, and me. Through collaborating everyone found their individual niche and together we found our own collective voice that drew from the past while moving our sound distinctly forward.
 
KoR: Totally agree on the resulting sound. Alright, I know it's a bit akin to choosing a favorite child, which, I'm told is difficult but necessary, but what's your favorite track on the new album? Why?
 
Julia: "Life Less True." It was one of the first ones we really worked on for this record. We really honed it live first, recorded it later. The song just has this heartbreaking honesty and momentum that speaks volumes about that point in time. Playing it live feels extremely cathartic and invigorating. And fun! I could play the outro forever.
 
Gary: At the moment it's “Breaking Up On The Beach,” simply because of the season.
 
KoR: To most anyone who knows you—especially anyone who's familiar with Ditmas and recognizes all those street names in the album titles—it's pretty clear you’re big Brooklyn fans. Playing the devil's advocate here, what's so special about Brooklyn? I mean, I've heard great things about...I don't know...Staten Island?
 
Julia: It reminds me of my old neighborhood in Chicago. Very residential, approachable, and I'm close to a big ole park. Key ingredients for how I always want to live.
 
Gary: It's all I know. Except for a few summers when I was sent upstate for summer camp I have not left the borough. Honestly though I enjoy the diversity and balance of my neighborhood. I can disappear as much as I like. A five-minute walk in any direction will bring you somewhere completely different—from old victorian homes to apartment blocks and to all of the industrial business on Coney Island avenue. Plenty of good food. Prospect Park is close by and you can get to the city or the beach within 30 minutes in either direction.
 
KoR: It is kind of a different world down there, in a really tranquil way. Okay, so, ya'll've travelled like crazy, right? What's your favorite non-US city/town/county/village/
hamlet?
 
Julia: Stockholm, Sweden
 
Gary: Melbourne, Australia
 
KoR: Favorite movie ever?
 
Julia: It's impossible to single one out. But some of my top picks include: Breaking Away, Breathless, Foul Play, Trading Places, The Sound of Music, All the President's Men....
 
Gary: I'm terrible at lists, but any old musical will do.
 
KoR: What? We love lists! So, cat or dog person?
 
Julia: My cats; Stewball the dog (band mate, Jeff Baron's family dog); person? I don't play favorites with people.
 
KoR: Oh, no, we meant do you like cats more or dogs more.
 
Gary: Dogs. I don't own one but am close friends with a Saint Bernard and King Charles. I enjoy cruising the dog beach at the park on any given morning.

Gary + Friend

KoR: You’re totally one of those guys who borrows dogs to pick up the ladies, aren’t you? Oh, Gary, speaking of impressing the ladies—What the hell is that four-string thing you play live? Is it like a weird bass-guitar love child?
 
Gary: That's an old Dan Electro bass restrung with guitar strings. It's in 3 octaves of D. Inspired a little by Glen Campbell's baritone guitar. It doesn't really feature on the records any more but I pick little leads from it when we play live so I have something to do with my hands. It's more of a shield. The perfect weapon for a non-guitarist.

KoR: Better than an actual shield, I guess. Favorite vegetarian restaurant in NYC and/or abroad?

Veggie Castle—RIP

Gary: I miss Veggie Castle, which was close to me in Brooklyn. It was a vegan Jamaican buffet housed in a former White Castle. They had the best veggie burgers. Sadly they lost their lease a few years ago and shut down. There is another location in Queens that I visit whenever I pick up friends from JFK airport. And abroad, I'd say Hermans in Stockholm, Sweden simply for the view. It's a nice walk up the hill too. 

KoR: Cool, little-known band/musician we should all know?

Julia: Not little known, but I adore The Radio Dept.'s albums.

Gary: In two words: Tanks Amigo!

KoR: Best D+D class/race combo?

Julia: Halfling.

Gary: I still need to learn. Is there an adult class I can take for this?

KoR: I’ve got you covered, my man. Thanks to you both. I’ll be over with my d20, capes, and fake swords later this week!

Julia: Thank you, Kindness of Ravens!

Gary: When's lunch?

You can listen to the new album in it's entirety and buy it over at Merge, where you can also check out their upcoming shows as they head westward.

Journal of the Movement of the World

We were lucky enough to get out of town for a little bit last week and visit some good friends who were staying up in Woodstock. Along the way, we stopped by to visit our other friends, Jenny + Doug, who run the wonderful Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary, a picturesque sanctuary nestled in the Catskills that provides shelter to cows, pigs, chickens, turkeys, ducks, sheep, and goats who have been rescued from cases of abuse, neglect and abandonment. We ALSO got to reacquaint ourselves with resident cat, Moby, pictured above, posing as if he were some heavenly deity we're certainly not worthy to behold. 

You can find out more about WFAS on their site and, while you're there, be sure to check out the story of Kayli, the calf, rescued right before we got to town and pictured below with our friend, Justin. Scroll down a little more and you'll see an AWESOME video by WFAS of Kayli's arrival. 

Music Monday

Meredith Bragg • Birds of North America
Okay, first off, Reader, full disclosure—I've known this week's featured artist for going on 17 years. Which, A) means we're both old as crap, and; B) means I'm totally biased. That said, this guy's the best ever, as is his music.

Meredith Bragg and I first toyed with the idea of starting a band in the lounges of our respective freshman year dorms—one of which had a piano—way back in 1994. Obviously it'd have to be named after a rabbit from Watership Down—why anyone would pass up an opportunity to have their band be a namesake from that book was beyond either of us at that point. And though we didn't get on it right away, a couple of years later, we teamed up with an amazing drummer—one Jon Roth—and started playing really, really, really emo music under the moniker, Speedwell. Like, we had a song that went for like 8 minutes and included the entire recording of the Hindenburg disaster. Yeah. That emo. 

The band went through a number of iterations, adding our friends Brian and Cheryl at various stages, and—as many bands do—eventually succumbed to the many challenges that are thrown at you as you get older and try to balance the day-to-day, pay-the-bills life with the romanticized life of a touring, recording independent musician, the most significant of which is getting OLD.

Bragg and the author, on tour
together in 2002. Trying to sleep.

Which, to my mind, makes it all the more impressive that Meredith's kept the musical torch light bright and held high, producing better and better music with each year. Again, I'm telling you now, Reader—I'm biased. But take a listen to this week's Song of the Week, "Birds of North America," from his out-tomorrow third full-length, Nest. You can buy the record here, stream it for free here via Paste Magazine (for a limited time), and, if you're in the New York City area, check him out with Donny Hue + the Colors and Lisa Crawley Wednesday at the Rock Shop. But, before you do any of that, why don't you read our intimate, let's say fireside interview below, where we discuss such salient topics of today as waking up in the drunk tank, how it's okay to eat at good restaurants, and which trees are the most emo. 

Kindness of Ravens: Alright, it'd be disrespectful to both you and me if I didn't ask you this right out of the gate—What the f is up, dude? Why'd you give up the edge? I saw you drinking whiskey from a plastic cup not two weeks ago and I have PHOTOS OF YOU with a shirt that reads "NAILED TO THE X." On the front! IN GLOW-IN-THE-DARK LETTERING!!! 

Meredith Bragg: What? You told me you were going to lob softballs! I bet you didn't ask Davey von Bohlen these questions. 

I still have that glow-in-the-dark shirt somewhere. I can't get rid or it despite having fallen from my straight edge perch my junior year in college. What can I say? People change and I have acquired a taste for fine spirits. I mean, it's not like you're spending 20 minutes every morning gelling your hair into spikes anymore... (not that I'd bring that up in a public forum, mind you). 

KoR: Well-played, Bragg. Well-played. Though I hope to see that shirt at the show Wednesday. Sincerely though, looking back now—what, say, 17 years later?—had you the chance, would you go back and slap that 18-year-old self in the face and yell at him for distributing zines about how much big pantsed ravers sucked and everyone who drank a Bud Light was lame? Or was it just a slightly different take on the rebellious teen thing for you? 

MB: Absolutely the latter. The only thing I regret from my high school hardcore days was my refusal to wear earplugs. I'm paying for that now. 

KoR: I didn’t catch that last part, but now you're a settled-on-down, married, tax-paying father in northern Virginia. Do you ever feel too...sorry...old for the whole playing in clubs for drink tickets rock scene, or do you think your audience has kind of grown and evolved with your own sound? 

MB: I think there are certain genres that allow musicians to grow old gracefully. It's not like I'm jumping off Marshall stacks and screaming into microphones EVERY night. 

That said, there were times when it felt awkward. Thankfully a few years back a magical thing happened. We were touring down to Austin for SXSW and stopped in Houston to play a show. Our cellist—who comes from the classical music world and is completely immune from any perceived indie-cred baggage—wanted to get dinner at a moderately priced restaurant around the corner from the venue. Picture a restaurant with a wine menu, cloth napkins and a hostess. A few of us in the band started to balk. We were stuck in this mindset that indie rock musicians had to sleep on floors and eat at gas stations. She gently reminded us that we all have day jobs and we were basically on vacation anyway. 

I swear to you, a little light bulb went off. The notion of forcing ourselves into a younger "rock-scene" mindset just shut down. We stopped pretending we were 18 year-old struggling musicians and started acting like a bunch of friends who enjoy going out and playing music. I threw out the expectation of "breaking even" and any notion of a "band fund" that must be replenished. It was liberating. 

KoR: Okay, but do you ever miss the straight-up, SUPER-emo scene? Like, REALLY screaming out some lyrics that'd be supremely embarrassing today and bleeding actual blood onto your guitar while kids sing along with you in a suburban basement before buying you scattered and smothered hash browns at 2AM in a Waffle House and then letting you fall asleep on their musty couch for three hours? How can you NOT miss that? 

MB: Nostalgia is hard to shake, but actually...no. I had a good time. It was fun. But I really can't say I want to go back. I like where I am. A lot. 

KoR: Hm. Well-adjusted with a loving family and friends and family nearby. I guess that sounds alright. 

So, I know you're hyper-critical of yourself as a musician, but how do you think this album differs from your previous ones? Did you start in on it with anything in particular in-mind as far as an end result or sound? 

MB: You think I'm hyper-critical? I KNEW I had to work on that!

I think sonically this feels more expansive than other records. It's definitely more varied. 

KoR: I like the weird glitchy electronic bits. 

MB: Thanks! Chad Clark is a fantastic producer and over the years has pushed me to embrace the weird. I should send you some of the earlier mixes. There is some crazy stuff in there. 

KoR: Like Star Trek samples? Tibetan throat-singing? 

MB: Dogs barking. Literally. And slowed down until it was even creepier
than that sounds. 

KoR: That sounds kinda Wes Craven. Anyway, you've told me in the past your lyrics aren't usually about anything in particular; that the subjects in your songs aren't real people or actual situations. Is that still the case? I mean, you just had a child and you've got a lovely, lovely wife. SURELY they've got a song or two! HAVE YOU NO HEART, MAN!!?? 

MB: Over half this record is either directly or indirectly about having a kid.
The other half is all about you. 

KoR: FINALLY! So I’m assuming the album title—Nest—a reflection of your new role as a father then? You were a pretty wild club kid back in the day—all-night raves, popping pills, sleeping it all off in the drunk tank. Things have changed, dude. 

MB: I seem to remember drinking tea, playing Tekken and occasionally playing capture the flag. Perhaps you've mistaken me for your other male friend named Meredith. 
And yes. 

KoR: Forgive the non-music-y, design-y question, but you had our mutual friend/mortal-enemy-designer, Jeff Docherty, create your album art (below). In all seriousness, the cover's beautiful. Well done, Mr. Docherty. When we've done art for you in the past, though, you just kinda let us run with it. Was it the same with Jeff's design or did you give him direction—it does look pretty nest-y, after all. 

MB: It's actually a rejected design idea Jeff had for another project. I loved the image and thanked the gods that someone else had passed on it. The title came from the design. 

And while we're at it, let me give a little shout out for the EP design.
You people do good work. 

KoR: Shucks, thanks.

We've asked this general question of a few of our interviewees, but what's your take on the whole rapidly evolving music industry and music consumer gestalt? Is it a harder or easier out there today for the independent music maker? 

MB: As both a consumer and creator, I love where we are. It has never been so easy for creative people to have their work seen/heard. Of course I miss record stores, but I don't pine for the days before the Internet. Would anyone? Creative destruction is a natural, wonderful and sometimes uneasy thing. 

KoR: Good answer! Also, we’re now going Zip a folder of the MP3s from your new record and give it away for FREE! 

Okay, I've got the best cover song you should do Wednesday, 100%. Will you agree to learn it and play it in three days? 

MB: This better be good. 

KoR: “Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart” by Alicia Keys. It’s seriously an awesome song, it’d give you great crossover potential, and you could do it either low-down straight acoustic, or play it with that hype beat in there too. DO IT!!!
Alicia Keys • Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart

MB: That IS pretty fantastic.... 

KoR: I'll assume you're agreeing to that and I can't wait to hear it! Alright though, lightening round, my friend—Band we should be listening to but may not have heard of? ...Don't say Split Lip. 

MB: In Our Time. It's actually a BBC talk podcast, not a band, but A) you should be listening to it and B) I'm sure I haven't heard anything new that you aren't already listening to (I went through your record collection when I stayed over last weekend... it's pretty thorough). 

KoR: A) You’re a nerd for suggesting a podcast, from BBC, no less, B) you're obviously partial because it's hosted by a Bragg, and 3) alright, we’ll check it out. Favorite restaurant in the DC metro area? 

MB: PX. Technically it's not a restaurant, but a fancy bars close to my house. Sue me. 

KoR: Stop evading the questions! Favorite 'hood in the DC metro area? 

MB: Whatever park my kid is running around in. 

KoR: Aw, damn. We can’t say anything mean about that. Most emo tree? 

MB: White birch. 

KoR: Second most emo tree? 

MB: Tie—weeping willow or a barren oak with a single leaf threatening to fall...in silhouette...listening to The Promise Ring. 

KoR: I just finger-pointed. Book you're reading right now? 

MB: A Clash of Kings. 

KoR: You are behind, my friend. Favorite track on the new record? 

MB: "Barking Dogs." 

KoR: Best D+D class/race combo? 

MB: NERD! 

KoR: Okay, okay. Have you ever made your own fresh pasta? It's really good. 

MB: No. But I make a mean hot and sour soup. 

KoR: Oooooh. Can we get the recipe some time? Most emo line in a song ever? 

MB: Trick question—the most emo line is the sound of a single tear falling onto a breakup letter. 

KoR: You pass, Bragg. And finally, are you sleeping on our couch Wednesday night? 

MB: Not this time. But I'll be back. 

KoR: YESSSSSSSSSSSSS! 

Again, be sure to check out Meredith et al at the Rock Shop Wednesday night if you're in or around NYC. It's sure to be a great show, and hey, you can buy us a beer! ....please. We can't find our wallet. And, as an added bonus, you can listen to an old-school emo, but still kinda cool song from our old rabbit band, previous to the addition of Mr. Brian Minter or Ms. Cheryl Huber. Word on the street—meaning from Jon, our old drummer—is that a Speedwell discography will be coming out on Coolidge Records late 2011/early 2012.
Speedwell • Pacifique