It wasn’t easy to come up with questions to ask power pop legend Mitch Easter, as he has given lots of interviews recently. I wanted to avoid any REM questions, since it’s been a long time since he’s worked with them, and concentrate on the new album, Dynamico. Click on our interviews section or the direct link here to the Mitch Easter Interview.
Charlotte Pop Fest
Charlotte Pop Fest is a 2-day “power pop” music festival that will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th, 2008. It will mainly feature local and regional power pop artists/bands. The band line up is impressive and if you missed IPO, this will do just fine. Featured will be:
The Saving Graces (Winston-Salem, NC) – Frank Royster (Charleston, SC) – Ed James (Harrisburg, NC) – James Deem (Charlotte, NC) – The Vinyl Strangers (Athens, GA) – Tim Anthony (Syracuse, NJ) – Cool King Chris (Charlotte, NC) – Leisure McCorkle (Charlotte, NC) – Crisis (Charlotte, NC) – Mitch Easter (Kernersville, NC) – Shalini (Kernersville, NC) – Bryan Shumate (Charlotte, NC) – The Fire Apes (Charleston, SC) – Analog Daze (Charlotte, NC) – Steve Caraway (Gloucester, MA) – The Dukes of Stratford (Winston-Salem, NC) – Barry Holdship (Los Angeles, CA) – Carl Rosen (Charlotte, NC) – Jerry Chapman (Mt. Airy, NC) – The Stellas (Charlotte, NC) – Lindy Dobbins & The Red Velvet Manx (Charlotte, NC) – The Smith Bros. (Columbus, OH)
Between now and July 4, 2008 James Deem and Ed James will be hosting a “popcast.” Each episode will feature a different artist/band that will be performing at Charlotte Pop Fest. You can subscribe via iTunes
Mark your calendars, Powerpopaholics!
More info on MySpace.com
Wisely "Wisely"
Minneapolis native Willie Wisely has been a fixture on the power pop scene since the mid ninties and every release has been met with critical acclaim. This new self-titled album has an introspective tone and feel, as now a father Wisely looks at life with new eyes. Each song has a seriousness that soak through each of the melodies. “On My Way” opens with a smooth adult California-styled strumming nicely brought along by Wisely’s crisp vocals. The next track, “Cracked World View” is similar to an Elliot Smith pop tune without all the moping. But my favorite track here is “California” with amazing hooks and uplifting tone that has found a near-permanent home on the ole’ ipod. The track has energy and exuberance to spare. “Ella” is a good follow up, as a Paul Simon-like message to his wife on the joys of parenthood as he tells his wife “..the things that made us sad seem far away”. The feel good vibe continues with “Vanilla” (yes a song about the simple pleasures of ice cream) and this is a song that Ringo wishes he could record.”Through Any Window” is a joy of multi-tracked vocals and guitars, that remind you Paul McCartney has permeated the brain here. It impressed actress Jenna Fischer (The Office) so much she appears in the video. Every song is a light gem, and fans of Andrew Gold, Paul Simon or Sondre Lerche would love this album. I’m proud to list it as the best new release of 2008, so far.
Wisley site | MySpace | Itunes | Not Lame | Emusic
Listen to “Through Any Window”
Randy Newman "Short People"
Personally I love this song, as it’s a guity pleasure of mine. Before Randy did a lot of political grandstanding or Disney soundtracks, he did this wonderful ditty that pissed a lot of overly PC people off. Notice no one said a thing when the song “Rednecks” took the same sarcastic approach to the subject. Like most pop icons, it’s very easily parodied, and below is my favorite Randy Newman parody, where he’s just singing about “everything he sees”. Enjoy.
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Hammer No More The Fingers "self-titled"
Reviewed by Mike Z.
Let’s get this out of the way: the comparisons between Hammer No More the Fingers and either Presidents of the United States of America or Weezer are inevitable, and pretty much apt. But this band, especially after a few listens, brings even more to the table. That may be a bold statement for such a young act, but it’s difficult to disagree. To start, HNMTF not only rock but also know how to write a hook, which is a requisite for any good review. More importantly, they have a lyrical sensibility that deserves close inspection and reveals that they are a noteworthy notch above your typical college party band. Okay, no one’s going to confuse these guys with a latter day Baudelaire, but they strike an uncanny balance in their lyrics. There is a pronounced sense of humor to what they offer, and even though the lyrics are pro orgy, mushrooms, and vodka, they are not unapologetically so. So this is a party band with at least a little bit of a conscience. Use this as a litmus test and see if you agree: regarding said “Mushrooms,” lead vocalist Duncan Webster sings, “They’re pretty fucking tasty/Give them water, give them fertilizer, give them love/Just don’t give them to you kids.” Maybe that sort of wry parallel construction will go unnoticed by all but the English majors in the house, but when you factor in the well-crafted over-driven guitar licks, there really are the makings of something approaching great here.
HNMTF Site | My Space | Emusic | Itunes
Listen to “Listen to “O.R.G.Y.”