Push Play Gets Freaky
Perhaps in name alone, New Weird America and Freak Folk may be my new favorite genres. When I came across the terms, I searched my iTunes and Rhapsody libraries to see if I had any songs that were categorized as such. I didn’t. “Didn’t,” however, is past tense.
Devendra Banhart and Greg Rogove’s (of Power Mineral) side-project, Megapuss, was the assailant of my iTunes’ regular “alternative” and “rock” genre listings. The Stroke’s drummer Fabrizio Moretti is a tentative member of Megapuss, but since he’s always playing with them I personally would call Megapuss a three-member band. My first introduction to the band was the song, “Duck People, Duck Man:”
Megapuss- Duck People, Duck Man
I’d say this song falls under the large banner of New Weird America and I was apprehensive as to whether or not I was going to accept this as a song into my library. It won me over, however, through the humor provided by Human Giant’s Aziz Ansari. Example: “We buy hummus from Trader Joe’s…Have you ever had hummus with white bean and basil? It’s delicious. We don’t even need pita bread. We just eat the hummus by itself.”
I laughed to myself a bit, and regardless of my similar hummus-eating tendencies, I like the tune. It’s a mellow but peppy song and it prepared me for appreciating their other songs:
Megapuss- Crop Circle Jerk ‘94
Megapuss- A Gun on His Hip and a Rose on His Chest
Though none of these songs indicate what Banhart is wearing on set (likely a plastic penis skirt) I think that the general tone of the music gives the listener an idea of his quirky attire and their engaging sets.
At first Megapuss’ shows were just for kicks, and some of the now “real” songs on the album were created out of ad-lib. Nevertheless, the album, Surfing, in which these songs are featured on, will be released on CD and vinyl through Neil Young’s record label, Vapor Records, in mid-October – for real.
At the end of October, Brooklyn band, School of Seven Bells, will be releasing their first full-length album, Alpinisms (meaning the attempt to reach the highest point of an unclimbed mountain). It features the great song “Connjur:”
School of Seven Bells- Connjur
School of Seven Bells (SVIIB) is made up of three members – twin sisters Claudia (vocals, keyboard) and Alejandra (vocals) Deheza with guitarist Ben Curtis (ex-Secret Machines).
The three have a smoother-than-most shoegazing sound with the Deheza sisters on vocals and Curtis’ airy guitar filling in the background. As with many recent electronica, and, in this case, shoegaze music, SVIIB taps into the laptop’s ability to create psychedelic beats and textures.
On November 21 School of Seven Bells, on tour with M83, will be in Chicago at the Bottom Lounge.
Most Recent Music Comments
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
that city center house show was one of those life-affirming things.
Most Popular Music Articles (60 days)
- 2012 Pygmalion Music Festival initial lineup
- Elsinore, Common Loon impress diverse crowd
- Tonight in Urbana: Ursula K. LeGuin
- Cursive is so cool
- Look closer: Withershins' Silver Cities
- The Overture: April 3–9
- Record Store Day 2012 in review
- A breath of fresh air
- BEST Music
- Cymbals Eat Guitars: Malfunction-free (so far)
Most Recent Comments
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
Facebook
Twitter
Full Site
represent, Matt.