In House #1696: Apollo Sunshine in Boise; New Thermals















In House #1696.
Airdate: 8/31/06
Focus: Apollo Sunshine in Boise tonight, plus new music from The Thermals, Cursive, Bishop Allen and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Stars of Track & Field, from Centuries Before Love & War:
"Movies of Antarctica" (MP3)

Chin Up Chin Up, from This Harness Can't Ride Anything:
"This Harness Can't Ride Anything" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #167

Live: Camper Van Beethoven & Cracker
Gallivan Center, Salt Lake City, UT 8/24/06



Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven played outdoors as part of Salt Lake City's Twilight Concert Series, the final date of the summer. The show marked the end of an impressive line-up for the weekly event, as its organizers stepped up the talent this year with acts like Michael Franti, Robbie Fulks, Earl Scruggs, and others, all of it offered free to the public.



Camper Van Beethoven opened things, playing a big dose of material from 2004's comeback New Roman Times, with plenty of between song explanation as to each song's place in the rock opera from frontman David Lowery. Elsewhere, they also slipped in classics like "Take the Skinheads Bowling," "Pictues of Matchstick Men," and "All Her Favorite Fruit."


Camper Van Beethoven's Jonathan Segel


Cracker took the stage just after dark, in front of an increasingly and surprisingly raucous (and drunk) Salt Lake City crowd (apparently not tired of drinking 3-2 beer, to paraphrase Camper Van Beethoven).


Cracker played several cuts from their new release, Greenland, with notably strong live versions of "Gimme One More Chance," and "Everybody Gets One For Free." Johnny Hickman's "Lonesome Johnny Blues," stood out among the older tunes, with Hickman turning in an impressive round as country-blues guitar god.


The show signed off with a Cracker Van Beethoven encore, if you will, a veritable sonic orgy of improvisation highlighted by the dual dueling guitars of Hickman and Camper guitarist Greg Lisher. It was a fitting ending for two long-running bands whose recent work suggests may just now be peaking.

Plenty more photos to see here...

In House #1695: New Seafaring Compilation, Rogue's Gallery; New Decemberists

Pirates are hot right now. Not the Pittsburgh ballclub, who have languished in last place for most of the season, but the mean and vicious-arrgh matey-walk the plank type, who have lately had their reputations boosted by the likes of Jack Sparrow. Speaking of which, it was the man who plays Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp, in case you're unaware) together with the director of Pirates of the Caribbean, Gore Verbinski, who began playing with the idea of an album of modernized takes on the kinds of songs they became intrigued by while filming the movie. Enter Brett Gurewitz, the head of the Anti-Epitaph label, and his willingness to take on intriguing, envelope-pushing projects (it's no mistake his label's roster includes the likes of Tom Waits, Greg Graffin, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and Neko Case, among others). Gurewitz commissioned Hal Willner to produce the sprawling results: the 43-track, 2-disc collection Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs & Chanteys.

The haphazardly organized recordings, which you can read about at length on Anti's website, gathered a truly random, not necessarily seafaring assortment of artists for contributions to the compilation. Lou Reed is here, as are the Thompsons, Richard & Teddy. Many artists, like Bryan Ferry, Bono, Lucinda Williams, Joseph Arthur, and Pulp's Jarvis Cocker, are truly unexpected, while others make more stylistic sense (Baby Gramps and Eliza Carthy, for example). It's uneven, as any such collection would be expected to be, but it also has its revelatory moments, like Carthy's read of "Rolling Sea," and Bryan Ferry's teaming with Antony on "Lowlands Low." The songs are lyrically fascinating, often bawdy historical documents that shed light on centuries of sea life, and while they may not satisfy the listener looking for authentic takes on sea-folk, the 21st century reinterpretations make more than worthwhile listening.

In House #1695.
Airdate: 8/30/06
Focus: New compilation, Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, & Chanteys, featuring Richard & Teddy Thompson, Lou Reed, Joseph Arthur, Eliza Carthy, Bono, Brian Ferry and more. Plus, new music from The Decemberists, James Yorkston & the Athletes, and more.

BONUS MP3s from today's show-
Richard Thompson, from Rogue's Gallery: "Mingulay Boat Song" (MP3)

The Decemberists, from The Crane Wife (due 10/3): "Summersong" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #166

In House #1694: M. Ward's Post-War; New Andre Ethier, Black Keys

Perhaps the best way to describe the unique musical perspective taken by M. Ward has been that it is "out of time." That is, it exists within no discernable chronological scope, exhibits the failings of no one particular era, and is organic enough to suggest that it has always been here from the moment it was birthed. His is a mossy, slippery sound that tends to defy genre classification, a sound as at home paying homage to David Bowie as it is borrowing from John Fahey, a music carved out of oak and pine in the attics of the Pacific Northwest.

Post-War is the singer-songwriter's fifth full-length, and comes just one year removed from the predictably excellent Transistor Radio. While Ward has opted for the direction of a fuller, whole band kind of sound for many of the new compositions, his songs still resonate with an old-worldliness, suggesting that the post-war the title is referring to could be Iraq or Iwo Jima or Lexington. Ward gets help from an indie A-list of musicians, including My Morning Jacket's Jim James (who plays the part of a rather convincing Beach Boy on "Magic Trick"), Neko Case, and former Decemberist Rachel Blumberg. The result is maybe not Ward's best album (that distinction will be hard to wrest from 2003's Transfiguration of Vincent), but a subtly brilliant collection that has trimmed the filler fat a bit, clocking in at a succint 37 minutes. Post-War is out today on Merge, while Ward begins a month-long tour this weekend in Seattle.

In House #1694.
Airdate: 8/29/06
Focus: New release from M. Ward, Post-War, plus new music from Eric Bachmann, Andre Ethier, the Black Keys and more.

BONUS MP3-
From M. Ward's Post-War: "To Go Home" (MP3)

BONUS Vid-
M. Ward performs "Chinese Translation" last week on Late Night with David Letterman:




PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #165

In House #1693: Bob Dylan's Modern Times; New Will Kimbrough

The third release in the career renaissance trilogy of Robert Zimmerman, Modern Times, drops tomorrow after five years in between releases. As you may recall, the last time Bob Dylan emerged from his philosopher's cave was with 2001's Love & Theft, an album released on September 11th and coincidentally filled with the foretellings of a sage on songs like "High Water." This time around, Dylan has had more time to deliberately reflect on events like the invasion of Iraq and Hurricane Katrina, although his allusions are mostly veiled, symbolic references, full of respect for the artform and the intelligence of the listener. As for the music backing his lyrics, Dylan is joined by the "cowboy band" he sings about being a part of at one point on the album-- he's also called them the best band he's ever had, which would make sense considering they've no fewer than 150 shows together to their credit.


Great artists steal, so the saying goes, and while Dylan may not go so far as to steal from the likes of Muddy Waters, Slim Harpo, and Led Zeppelin, et. al., he shoots winks and nods to these artists and others over the course of ten meaty songs. He's been showing off his musicologist's knowledge of music history recently on his weekly XM radio show, and he seems to use that information directly in the creation of his songs. In fact, Modern Times references entertainers throughout the 20th century-- from the Charlie Chaplin-referencing title to words lifted from the mouths of Robert Johnson and Carl Perkins, it's as if Dylan is taking from where we've been to tell us where we are and we're going. On his 31st studio album, the sixty-five year-old Dylan shows he's nowhere near finished saying what he has to say-- how many 20-something musicians wish they could say the same?

In House #1693.
Airdate: 8/28/06
Focus: New release from Bob Dylan, Modern Times, plus new music from Tom Petty, Will Kimbrough, Bo Ramsey and more.

BONUS MP3-
From Bob Dylan's Modern Times: "Thunder On the Mountain" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #164

In House #1692: Live This Weekend: The Rubes, The Minders, Wolf Parade

It's another pleasantly busy weekend of music throughout the region this weekend, as rock is king. The Rubes, out of Salt Lake City start it off tonight with their first ever performance at Woody's in Twin Falls, ID before moving on to the First National Bar in Pocatello tomorrow night. The high energy stew of punk, blues, boogie-woogie, and whatever else happens to strike their fancy rarely fails to inspire the same kind of sweat-soaked floor-flopping that simultaneously takes place on stage at a Rubes performance. Over the past year or so, the band has established itself with high-energy, high-antics performances, as well as one of the more original sounds in the region.

The Rubes' Greg Midgley

Elsewhere, The Minders-- Beatles and Kinks-obsessed as ever-- play Kilby Court tomorrow night in support of their most recent release, It's a Bright Guilty World. The band's fourth album is another concoction of lo-fi-ish indie-pop and 60's British invasion from Martyn Leaper and company, celebrating ten years since their debut this year. Drew Danburry opens.

Finally, last year's Canadian indie darlings-- you know, the ones with "wolf" in their name; no the other ones; umm, no, the other other ones; yeah, Wolf Parade, play Salt Lake City's In the Venue Sunday night. The Montreal-based band first garnered the attention of just about everyone last year with the Sub Pop-issued debut Apologies to the Queen Mary. Since, it's been "it" status, Isaac Brock connections, and acclaimed-before-actually-heard side projects-- the music's alright, too.

In House #1692.
Airdate: 8/25/06
Focus: Live music in the region this weekend featuring The Rubes, The Minders, and Wolf Parade. Plus, new music from Radio Birdman, The Lemonheads, and more.

PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #163

In House #1691: Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven in Salt Lake City






















In House #1691.
Airdate: 8/24/06
Focus: Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven in Salt Lake City tonight, plus new music from Bettie Serveert, DeVotchka and more.

PHOTOS TO COME...

PLAYLIST

In House #1690: An Interview With Josh Ritter; New Bob Dylan, Hem

About the recent Josh Ritter media blitz we've been experiencing: it ain't quite over yet. Today we feature an interview with Ritter that took place after Sunday night's performance at the Redfish Lake Lodge near Stanley, ID as part of the on-going Music From Stanley series. We caught up with Ritter amongst the din raging outside his cramped quarters in the lodge and asked him about his early development as an artist, his decision to work with producer Brian Deck, and the songwriting on his latest release, The Animal Years. Special thanks go to Ryan Peck, Jamon Anderson, Dylan Anderson, and Shawn Murdock, all of whom helped, in various capacities, to make the meeting happen.

Josh Ritter last weekend in Stanley, ID

In House #1690.
Airdate: 8/23/06
Focus: An interview with Josh Ritter, plus new music from Hem, Bob Dylan, Mason Jennings and more.



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #162

In House #1689: Lambchop's Damaged; Eric Bachmann's To the Races

Lambchop's ninth album is a dark, streamlined, mood-inducer of a release, expanding on the more subdued moments found on past efforts like Is a Woman and Aw C'Mon/No, You Come On. This is not to say there aren't moments of excess-- opener "Paperback Bible," clocks in at just under eight minutes-- but the mood is elegant and subdued throughout, even when there may be far more going on beneath the surface of the 15-piece collective's music. Kurt Wagner is as fascinating and mysterious as ever, darkly chirping his way through tunes that occasionally border on those of Stuart Staples' Tindersticks. Damaged is a slow grower, to be sure, its dense textures and relative lack of hooks require the kind of attention a lot of people don't want demanded of them by their music. But, oh, the rewards. Damaged is out today on Merge.



Elsewhere on a busy new release Tuesday is the second solo release from Eric Bachmann under his own name. The former Archers of Loaf frontman continues his musical metamorphosis on To the Races, released on Saddle Creek. Bachmann's unique vocal tones are familiar, but the sonic landscapes here are for the most part more sparse than those found on records he's made as Crooked Fingers, including last year's excellent Dignity & Shame. Instead, the aim here is Nebraska-style Springsteen, with a nod to old bluesmen on the tune "Genie, Genie." Like Lambchop's Damaged, it's not exactly happy listening, but it reaches rare and introspective places signaling the coming season.

In House #1689.
Airdate: 8/22/06
Focus: New releases out today from Lambchop, Damaged, and Eric Bachmann, To the Races, plus new music from Primal Scream, M. Ward, Andre Ethier and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Lambchop, from Damaged: "Crackers" (MP3)

Eric Bachmann, from To the Races:
"Carborro Woman" (MP3) and "Lonesome Warrior" (MP3)

Tara Jane O'Neil, from In Circles (out 9/12): "Blue Light Room" (MP3)

Andre Ethier, from Secondathallam:
"Honeybee" (MP3) and "In With the Prim" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #161

Live: Josh Ritter
Redfish Lake Lodge, Stanley, ID 8/20/06



Making just his third performance appearance in his home state, Josh Ritter wowed the homefolk with a lakeside solo set. His setlist included songs from each of his four releases, including his 1999 self-titled debut, as well as a John Prine cover.


Even without a full band, Ritter's performance was dynamic, perhaps surpassing studio versions of songs like "Bone of Song," and "Idaho." Elsewhere, he stepped it up when he needed to on acoustic but "electric" versions of "Wolves," and "Me & Jiggs."


One thing Ritter's performance highlighted is the sheer joy with which he plays. From the smile on his face throughout to the stage stomping that eventually spilled his beer, it was obvious there was nothing anywhere else he'd rather be doing.


And what a place to do it: that's Redfish Lake and the Sawtooth Mountains as the backdrop. There could hardly have been a more perfect setting for music that seems to both rely on and evoke an Idaho kind of vibe. This was Ritter comfortable and at home, playing in his own backyard.




Many more from the performance to see here...

Watch for the In House interview with Josh Ritter coming later this week.

In House #1688: The Mountain Goats' Get Lonely; New Evangelicals, What Made Milwaukee Famous

On the heels of last year's fine The Sunset Tree release (which you hopefully don't need to be reminded was In House's favorite of 2005), John Darnielle's Mountain Goats return to tomorrow with what can only be described as an about-face. Get Lonely replaces the pent-up rage of The Sunset Tree with an almost reserved demeanor as Darnielle meditates on love and loss, on empty space where there once wasn't. The music is by comparison empty and stark, with Darnielle opting in large part for the relative timidity of a new-found falsetto. Needless to say, it's not exactly the feel-good album of the year. It is, however, another masterpiece in songwriting for a theme, following similar experiments on 2002's Tallahassee and the aforementioned The Sunset Tree. Get Lonely drops tomorrow on 4AD, the Mountain Goats embark on a series of fall dates beginning in mid-September.

Mountain Goats

In House #1688.
Airdate: 8/21/06
Focus: New release out tomorrow from the Mountain Goats, Get Lonely, plus new music from Evangelicals, The Village Green, What Made Milwaukee Famous and more.

BONUS MP3s from today's show:
The Village Green, from Feeling the Fall: "When the Creepers Creep In" (MP3)

Evangelicals, from So Gone: "Here Comes Trouble" (MP3)

BONUS Vid: The Mountain Goats' "Woke Up New"


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #160


The Mountain Goats' music is available at eMusic. Click the link for a trial run and 25 free downloads.

In House #1687: Josh Ritter Plays Idaho This Weekend

Although he was born and raised in Moscow, singer-songwriter Josh Ritter's visits back to Idaho, at least in a performing capacity, have been a bit few and far between thus far-- especially at this end of the state (southeast, for those not in the know). Still riding the wave of momentum generated by the near-universal popularity of his latest, The Animal Years, Ritter remedies the situation somewhat with performances tomorrow night at the Big Easy in Boise and Sunday evening at the Redfish Lake Lodge in Stanley, ID. Since attracting the attention of a lot of people with 2002's The Golden Age of Radio, in particular the song "Me & Jiggs," Ritter's fanbase has only snowballed, with two acclaimed full-lengths, an opening slot for Bob Dylan, and a national television debut just last week on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Ritter's Stanley performance on Sunday is his last U.S. appearance before heading off for a series of dates in Ireland, where he enjoys star status.

Ritter last week in New York City

In House #1687.
Airdate: 8/18/06
Focus: Josh Ritter in Boise and Stanley, ID this weekend, plus new music from Paul Burch, Amy Millan, Richard Buckner and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Josh Ritter, from this year's The Animal Years:
"Good Man" (MP3) and "Girl In the War" (MP3)

...from Hello Starling (2003): "Kathleen" (MP3)

...from The Golden Age of Radio (2002): "Me & Jiggs" (MP3)

Richard Buckner, from the upcoming Meadow (out 9/12): "Meadow" (MP3)

BONUS Vid-
Josh Ritter's "Lillian, Egypt":



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #159


Josh Ritter's music is available at eMusic. Click the link for a trial run and 25 free downloads.

In House #1686: Live Music In the Region Tonight Featuring Dr. John, Blind Boys of Alabama, and John Hammond

Once again, it's a veritable wealth of live music in the region tonight, all of it falling on the same date as has generally been the case as of late. Perhaps the highlight of these offerings is the legendary Dr. John playing Salt Lake City's Red Butte Garden. The former Mac Rebbenack, in fact, has a new recording to support out on Blue Note. Mercenary, so named in part because it's made up almost entirely of songs composed by tunesmith Johnny Mercer, is an impressively solid collection of interpretations from Dr. John and his band, the Lower 911. It's not just up to the musician's legacy, it might actually add to it, as the doctor injects his own brand of New Orleans funk and soul into classic American Songbook tunes like "Blues In the Night," "Come Rain or Come Shine," and "Moon River."

Dr. John

Elsewhere, the Rebirth Brass Band (speaking of New Orleans) play Salt Lake City's Twilight Concert Series with opener John Hammond at the Gallivan Center. The bill is just the latest in an impressive summer of shows at the Gallivan Center, which concludes next week. A bit closer to home, the Blind Boys of Alabama play the Driggs Outdoor Concert Series in downtown Driggs, ID. The appearance is surely a coup of sorts for the series' organizers, whose goal seems to be to attract recognizable touring names. The Blind Boys' most recent effort is last year's Atom Bomb.

In House #1686.
Airdate: 8/17/06
Focus: Performances in the region tonight featuring Dr. John, Blind Boys of Alabama, and John Hammond with the Rebirth Brass Band. Plus new music from Elvis Costello & Allen Toussaint, Peter Mulvey and more.



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #158

In House #1685: Jim Noir's Tower of Love; New Birdmonster, Chris Walla Covers Clinic

Given the evidence, Jim Noir must have some kind of encyclopedic musical mind. What else could explaing the young Brit's ability to create a kind of indie-pop mash-up of drum-loops, synths, lo-fi guitar lines, and mini orchestras. It's no wonder that Noir's label info page compares his creations to an exploded jukebox full of ELO, Beach Boys, Sgt. Peppers-Beatles, Pink Floyd, Beta Band, and Supertramp records, with his music being formed from the bits and pieces that resulted. That result is Tower of Love, a fairly lush if slightly uneven record that dares you not to bob your head, ala the Beta Band scene in High Fidelity. More importantly, it hints at what may very well be bigger things to come for Noir, who seems to be just beginning to hone his skills. Tower of Love saw its U.S. release last week on Barsuk after dropping last February in the U.K.

Jim Noir

In House #1685.
Airdate: 8/16/06
Focus: New release from Jim Noir, Tower of Love, plus new music from Headlights, Birdmonster, the Decemberists, and Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla covers Clinic.

BONUS MP3s from today's show-
Jim Noir, from Tower of Love: "My Patch" (MP3)

Bishop Allen, from the July EP: "Click Click Click Click" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #157

In House Attic #1 (Random Junk)

Introducing our little way of house cleaning, passing along show and website news, tidbits, recommendations, mp3s, and the occasional desperate plea for money. Think of it as a trek up to the attic, arms spilling with odds & ends, bits & pieces, shag & macrame.

-First, recent blog updates have included new additions to both the "in house live archive" and the "live image archive." Check them out for newly available in-studio recordings from Robert Blake and Zach Murphy, as well as photos from recent concert performances featuring Ladyhawk, Magnolia Electric Co. and Frank Black. Also, the "heavy rotation" section now includes a product link under each album cover where one can purchase the music from Insound.com, and support In House at the same time.

-Speaking of product consumption, In House has recently become affiliated with a couple of very cool websites: eMusic and Threadless. In case you don't already know, eMusic is the clear indie mp3 service leader, with rates far below that of iTunes' 99 cents per track. In fact, click any of the eMusic links here and get a free trial run of 25 downloads just to see if it's your bag or not. The site features labels we all know and love, including Bloodshot, Matador, Yep Roc, Secretly Canadian, Merge, and scores more. It also features thousands of obscure jazz, blues, world, and classical recordings. We use it, we love it, and have done so for a number of years now-- eMusic gets a hearty In House recommendation.

Elsewhere, the outstanding Threadless is introducing eighteen new designs this week as part of their $10 t-shirt Back to School sale. Some interesting stuff, to be sure, and who doesn't like t-shirts with monkeys on them?

-Also, as long as we're here, check out Portland OR's Friends of Rock & Roll. No mp3s available at the moment, but pay particular attention to the bluesy vamp of "Sandra" (found at their myspace site). The FoR&R bring to mind classic stuff like The Kinks and Rolling Stones and will be touring and releasing a debut full-length soon. Look out Iowa City, CambridgeMass, New York!

-Another monthly EP installment from Boston's prolific and consistently brilliant Bishop Allen has arrived. You'll find the July EP available for purchase at their website for a measly $5. They've made "Click Click Click Click" (MP3) available as a preview.

-Believe it or not, In House is featured in "Music Makers" in the current issue (August, 2006) of Idaho Magazine. Sorry, there's no on-line content, but you can supposedly find it in any one of these fine Idaho locales.

That's all for now. We'd like to send out a few acknowledgements to those of you who've bothered to pay so much attention in exotic and far-off locales like Burnaby and Vancouver, BC; Melbourne, Austrailia; St. Paul, Minnesota; Tokyo, Japan; and even Novosibirsk, in the Russian Federation. Much thanks to you all for listening. As always, any questions, comments, requests, concerns, or criticisms can be directed to the email: inhouseradio@gmail.com

In House #1684: Randy Newman in Park City Tonight; The Walkmen Cover Nilsson

Before he became a score composer for films like Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., and Cars, Randy Newman became known as a rare breed of 70's singer-songwriter. Foregoing the touchy-feely confessionalism of many of his peers, Newman built a reputation as a biting satirist, covering everything from historical events to national politics to family dynamics. His ability to walk the line between the ridiculous and the sublime, between dark humor and poignancy, has made Newman's songwriting some of the most interesting and enjoyably deconstructed in pop music history. Though he hasn't released a proper pop album since 1999's Bad Love, he brings his one man show to Park City tonight, playing the Eccles Center For the Performing Arts.

Randy Newman

In House #1684.
Airdate: 8/15/06
Focus: Randy Newman in Park City tonight, plus the Walkmen cover Harry Nilsson and new music from Ron Sexsmith, Teddy Thompson, and more.

BONUS MP3-
Randy Newman, from Good Old Boys: "Rednecks" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #156

In House #1683: Amy Millan's Honey From the Tombs; New Joseph Arthur, M. Ward, Magnolia Electric Co.

Trend watch 2006: chanteuses heretofore specializing in one brand of what we'll call indie rock of one form or another branch out with albums flavored like classic Nashville and Memphis, more country than anything on "country" radio. Trendsetters: Chan Marshall, Jenny Lewis, and now Amy Millan. The Canadian musician, ordinarily the female vocal half of Stars as well as ertswhile Broken Social Scene-ster, recently released Honey From the Tombs, a solo debut responsible for one of the musical "who knew?" moments of the year (albeit slightly less so than Greg Graffin's Cold As the Clay). From the opening barstool country-folk of "Losing You," to the nearly straight-up bluegrass of "Blue in Yr Eye," (with chops supplied by members of Crazy Strings), the release is a surprisingly authentic and enjoyable set of alternative country-folk tunes, more Kathleen Edwards or Be Good Tanyas than Feist or Metric. Call it music pour les cowboys, if you like. Honey From the Tombs is out on the Arts & Crafts label.

Amy Millan

In House #1683.
Airdate: 8/14/06
Focus: Solo debut from Stars' Amy Millan, Honey From the Tombs, plus new music from Joseph Arthur, M. Ward, Magnolia Electric Co. and more.

BONUS MP3s from today's show-
Amy Millan, from Honey From the Tombs:
"Losin' You" (MP3) and "Baby I" (MP3)

Joseph Arthur, from the upcoming Nuclear Daydream:
"Last Train to Ithaca" (MP3)



PLAYLIST

In House #1682: This Weekend's Targhee Bluegrass Fest; Nickel Creek in Salt Lake City

Plenty going on, musically speaking, throughout the region this weekend-- much of it featuring exclusively roots and acoustic flavored stuff. Beginning in Alta, WY, it's the annual Targhee Bluegrass Festival being held at the Grand Targhee ski area. The always talent-full lineup features three days of bluegrass, Americana, and the like. This year includes long-known names like Peter Rowan and Tim O'Brien, as well as newer acts like Uncle Earl.


Going on at the same time, a few miles to the north in Challis, ID, is the Braun Brothers Reunion, put on every year by Idaho musician Muzzy Braun. This year's line-up once again features Braun's sons' bands, Reckless Kelly and Micky & the Motorcars, as well as a diverse lineup that includes The Greencards and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

The weekend closes out in Salt Lake City with Nickel Creek playing the summer concert series at Red Butte Garden. The envelope-pushing new-grass trio's most recent release is last year's Why Should the Fire Die?

In House #1682.
Airdate: 8/11/06
Focus: Music galore in the region this weekend, including the Targhee Bluegrass Festival in Alta, WY, the Braun Brothers Reunion in Challis, ID and Nickel Creek in Salt Lake City.



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #155

Live: Frank Black
Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City 8/9/06


The Pixies frontman showed up alone and in black, armed with nothing but an acoustic guitar and a steely mettle. He spoke little to the sold out room, but tore through songs spanning almost twenty years, adding new flavors to many old favorites.


The setlist included selections from both The Pixies and The Catholics, as well as solo material that included last year's Honeycomb, this year's Fast Man Raider Man, and older gems like "Los Angeles," "Headache," and "Abstract Plain." The Pixies content tended toward the lesser known, with numbers like "Nimrod's Son," "Cactus," and "Mr. Grieves," delighting many who at the same time were unsure how to react when Black teased them with the first few strains of "Where Is My Mind?" and "Caribou" only to abort them with an evil grin.


"Don't you know they speak...vaude-vill-ee-annnn..."






Many more to see here...

In House #1681: Paul Burch's East to West; Drive-By Truckers in Jackson Hole Tonight

It was, as he tells it, the musical equivalent of one of those big existential moments. After several years and five albums worth of fostering a career as a singer-songwriter-- and a consistently enjoyable one at that-- Paul Burch had begun to wonder if anyone was listening to him anymore.

His answer, it seems, came shortly thereafter in the form of three successive and career-buoying events, all of which contributed directly to the creation of his sixth full-length, East to West. First was the relationship fostered with the legendary Dr. Ralph Stanley during a short UK tour he and Burch did with Laura Cantrell (both make appearances on East to West-- Cantrell as a lyric, Stanley as himself). Next was a trip on the same tour to the home of famed BBC DJ John Peel. He and Burch hit it off wonderfully, comparing musical notes and spinning their way through Peel's extensive music collection. The night, in fact, so affected Burch that he wrote a song about it: "John Peel," pays tribute to the late DJ's legacy while name-dropping the likes of Laura Cantrell, Eddie Cochran, and "I Got Stripes". Finally, a rather chance series of events led to Burch exchanging a series of letters with Mark Knopfler, whose influence rears its head every now and then in Burch's music, as in the aforementioned "John Peel." In the end Knopfler encouraged Burch to come to London and begin recording East to West at his studio, even lending his own talents to a spot or two. The series of events in and of themselves makes for good story, but the finished product-- talent-laden and multiply-influenced-- is something to behold indeed. With the talents of Stanley and Knopfler, as well as those of names like Tim O'Brien and Kelly Hogan (not to mention Burch's WPA Ballclub), Burch's throwback sound-- a little Jimmie Rodgers, a bit of Buddy Holly-- has never sounded fresher. East to West drops August 15th on Bloodshot. Note to Paul: we're all ears.

Paul Burch

In House #1681.
Airdate: 8/10/06
Focus: Upcoming release from Paul Burch, East to West, plus the Drive-By Truckers in Jackson Hole, WY tonight and new music from Kevn Kinney, Bobby Bare Jr., Will Kimbrough and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Paul Burch, from East to West: "Montreal" (MP3)

Bobby Bare Jr., fromt The Longest Meow (due 9/28): "The Heart Bionic" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #154

In House #1680: Frank Black in Salt Lake City Tonight; New John Doe, Grant-Lee Phillips

None other than Pixies frontman Frank Black makes a rare visit to Salt Lake City tonight, playing the Urban Lounge. On a solo acoustic tour, Black will likely be under the guise of the dusty roots troubador he's been fashioning himself to be over the past eight years or so, with and without his band the Catholics. His most recent effort is last month's Fast Man Raider Man, recorded in Memphis with legendary sessions players and the likes of Buddy Miller, Levon Helm and others. It's a far stylistic cry from "Then God is 7!!! Then God is 7!!! Then God is 7!!!" but Black has stuck by his rootsy direction-- and produced a solid body of work-- since he debuted with the Catholics back in 1998. Check back tomorrow for pics and a rundown from tonight's performance.

Frank Black (Francis)

Related content: here

In House #1680.
Airdate: 8/9/06
Focus: Frank Black in Salt Lake City tonight, plus new music from John Doe, Grant-Lee Phillips and more.

BONUS MP3s-
Frank Black, from Frank Black:
"Los Angeles" (MP3) (courtesy Mars Needs Guitars)

Frank Black, from Fast Man Raider Man:
"Elijah" (MP3) (courtesy Indie for Dummies)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #153

In House #1679: Death Cab for Cutie & Mates of State in Utah Tonight; DeVotchka Tomorrow Night; New Jim Noir, Viva Voce

Was a time when the cozy confines of Salt Lake City's Kilby Court was an ample space for Death Cab for Cutie, essentially meaning that their northern Utah contingent of followers was such that it fit into your standard two car garage. Everything's bigger for the band these days, though: the label, the ticket prices, and the venues. Thus, the band finds themselves in Orem' s (Orem?) McKay Events Center tonight as part of a bill that also includes the Mates of State. Death Cab's most recent album, of course, was Plans, appearing last summer as their major label debut. Lately, they've been keeping busy touring, sharing a stage with Elvis Costello, that kind of thing.

Death Cab for Cutie

Speaking of the Mates of State, the husband/wife, mother/father, drums/keyboards duo released their first album on the Barsuk label, Bring It Back, in March. Also keeping plenty busy, the Mates recently returned from Austrailia (mate) and are touring with Death Cab (later to be joined by Spoon) through mid-August before convening with labelmates the Starlight Mints for some eastern U.S. dates beginning in mid-September. Also, they put on one helluvan entertaining show.

Mates of State

In House #1679.
Airdate: 8/8/06
Focus: Death Cab for Cutie and Mates of State tonight in Orem, UT, plus DeVotchka plays Salt Lake City tomorrow night, and new music from Jim Noir, Viva Voce, Matthew Friedberger and more.



PLAYLIST

In House #1678: The Hiders' Valentine; New Richard Buckner, The Sadies

The Hiders may sound a bit familiar to you, particularly if you've got a worn copy of Neil Young's Harvest or have followed the branches of the Uncle Tupelo tree for the past fifteen years. This is not to claim that the Cincinnati band is a mere derivative of these acts, but rather to suggest that the comfortable old sweater of sound they weave finds its threads there (and that's some kind of analogy). Led by the plaintive, Young-esque vocals of former Ass Pony Bill Alletzhauser, The Hiders have been garnering deserved attention for their recent debut Valentine, which shares as much in common with The Band as it does Sparklehorse. Flourishes of pedal steel mesh with classic mid-tempo roots rock, resulting in glorious moments like "Everything I Wanted," the single catching the most attention. For now, the band remains unsigned-- though it's hard to imagine that will last long with efforts like this.

the Hiders

In House #1678.
Airdate: 8/7/06
Focus: Debut release from The Hiders, Valentine, plus new music from Richard Buckner, The Sadies, Brothers & Sisters, Paul Burch and more.

BONUS MP3-
The Hiders, from Valentine: "Everything I Wanted" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #152

In House #1677: X in Salt Lake City Tonight; Zach Murphy Live

Call today's show a study in contrasts as reunited Los Angeles punk legends X play The Depot in Salt Lake City as part of a bill that also includes the Rollins Band and the River Boat Gamblers. Perhaps the reunion was a given after last year's regrouping of X side act the Knitters, although X's first comeback after their break-up occurred in 1998. No word yet on whether or not any new recordings might be on the way, ala last year's The Modern Sounds of the Knitters.

vintage X

Meanwhile, a bit closer to home finds banjoist extraordinaire and former southeast Idahoan Zach Murphy live in the studio today in front of a performance tomorrow night at Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello. Murphy's in town for an annual summer visit, but these days plies his trade in Seattle.

Zach Murphy

In House #1677.
Airdate: 8/4/06
Focus: X in Salt Lake City tonight, plus Zach Murphy joins us live in the studio in front of tomorrow night's performance at Portneuf Valley Brewing in Pocatello. Also, new music from Greg Graffin, Johnny Cash and more.

BONUS MP3s-
X, from See How We Are: "4th of July" (MP3)

Zach Murphy Live In House, 7/24/03
"Sugar Babe (LIVE)"(MP3)
"Pretty Little Chicken (LIVE)" (MP3)


PLAYLIST

Arthur Lee, 1945-2006




The Love frontman died yesterday in Memphis, the result of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. More via Pitchfork.

A sampling of Arthur Lee & Love:
"Everybody's Gotta Live" (MP3)
"A House Is Not a Motel" (MP3)
"You Set the Scene" (MP3) (courtesy last sound of summer)

In House #1676: The Futureheads & Tapes n' Tapes in Salt Lake City Tonight; New Sleepy Jackson, Boy Least Likely To

It's a fairly unlikely and odd-coupled bill tonight in Salt Lake City as The Futureheads and Tapes n' Tapes play Club Sound. Both young quartets with "it" status and new albums, little else exists in common between the two acts, though that should hardly detract from the performance. Sunderland, U.K.'s Futureheads recently issued their sophomore album, News & Tributes, to generally strong reviews following the typical hype that surrounded their debut. Often grouped with other recent '80's-inspired Brit-pop acts like Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party and Dogs Die in Hot Cars, a deeper examination reveals much in common with the more dub-tinged moments of bands like The Jam or even The Clash. Tapes n' Tapes, meanwhile, have recently had their debut The Loon re-released by XL after its initial appearance late last year. They're both fresh off last weekend's Pitchfork Music Fest in Chicago, which was apparently some kind of big deal.

the Futureheads

Related content: here.

In House #1676.
Airdate: 8/3/06
Focus: The Futureheads with Tapes n' Tapes in Salt Lake City tonight, plus new music from the Sleepy Jackson, Boy Least Likely To, and more.

BONUS MP3-
Tapes n' Tapes, from The Loon: "Cowbell" (MP3)



PLAYLIST

In House PODCAST #151