Cigarette Smoke and Mirrors

In a recent issue of Rolling Stone, there was a fold-out feature titled the Indie-Rock Universe. It was cartoonish, made to look like a bored teen scribbling and doodling in their notebook. It was pointless and fun, and that seemed about it. But then the ad on the outside of the folds, there was a similarly colored and styled Camel cigarette ad, which itself promoted indie music, and their new site www.TheFarmRocks.com (which has since been shut-down). Harmless advertising or planned ploy? To me, it seemed like the latter, and many agree. The "Indie Rock Universe" seemed like a part of the Camel ad, and vice versa. Many have noticed, and Rolling Stone and Camel both seem to be in some hot water.
Another bone I have to pick is in Camel's sponsoring of many indie concerts. These are clearly aimed not only at the young concert-going crowd but the younger concert-going crowd, those young impressionable teens like myself. The bands who have had their concerts cig-sponsored defend their ways by saying that they just want to sell affordable tickets to their fans, but I ask this: Won't your fans be dead if they smoke too many cigs??? WELLL?????

Below are some great articles about the topic. What are your views?

Paste article
The Daily Swarm article

Grammy nominations. *yawn*

For a music lover, I strongly dislike the Grammys. Or maybe that is to be expected of a music lover. Either way. I find the nominations boring and predictable, with no spice and no daring choices. My ultimate favorite award show (the Oscars), on the other hand, takes risks with both their nominations, not to mention the winners. With the Grammys, it is almost guaranteed that an indie artist will not be included in the Album of the Year category. Indie artists will, however, on occasion, be included in the Best New Artist category, no matter how venerable the musician may be. That said, independent artists have been accounted for under the Best Alternative Album category, but unfortunately often times the albums selected are obvious, sub-par, middle-of-the-road rock albums. This year, Kanye West leads the nomination race, with 8 noms to his name. I am a huge Ye fan, so I see no problem there. Graduation is fantastic. Next in line comes Amy Winehouse with 6 noms. I am GREATLY looking forward to her acceptance speech; let the slurring begin...
Anyway, most years I tune in to the show just to see a few of the performances, but this year I am guessing that I will just check who won the next day. Eh.

Simply because I am lazy and don't feel like typing all the nominations, here's a link to the list: clicky

Thoughts?

A Merry Indie Christmas #1

Well folks it's that time of year again: Thanksgiving has ended, and that means the Christmas season has begun. In addition to the yearly onslaught of pop star renditions of beloved Christmas carols (Soulja Boy does Carol of the Bells, anyone?) we will be bombarded with indie renditions of beloved pop songs (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah does What Child is This, anyone?). Now, this is both a positive and a negative. Positive: sometimes those speedily cranked-out carols can be unnecessary and leave us questioning the artist's motive. Other times, the merry tunes can be the perfect alternative to yet another "All I Want for Christmas is You," courtesy of yet another Mariah Carey knock-off. Since there are still a few weeks til the commercial holiday of the universe (xMaS 2k7 LOLZ!) I will have a few segments of this here "A Merry Indie Christmas" post. Oh, and to all you non-Christians out there: I will be throwing in some Hanukkah (Chanukuh? Czhanukeh? Hannukuh?) and non-denominational "holiday" (oh the easily offended...god bless. I mean, "bless") songs as well. So...you better watch out and you better not cry because "A Merry Indie Christmas #1" is here!!!!

Yes. ok. Now that I have done that snappy lil intro. Today I have found a Christmas tune that is actually not technically indie, but indie-leaning (let the arguments commence). This band is The Killers. I will deny nothing, but (and don't disregard my taste from henceforth) I am a big Killers fan. Ever since Hot Fuss came out, I have really loved them. Anyway, last year Brandon Flowers & Co. released "A Great Big Sleigh" and, in the "it's-better-to-give-than-receive"-vein, donated all the proceeds from said song to charity. The Killers decided to do the same this year, releasing "Don't Shoot Me Santa," which is enjoyable, in a take-it-as-it-is way. Some sample lyrics:

Don't shoot me Santa Claus
I've been a clean living boy
I promise you
Did every little thing you asked me to
I can't believe the things I'm going through

Hmm. Ok. Yeah. Well anyway, I really like the song. The only, teensy little bone I have to pick with it is that, with a few lyrical changes, it could have been released at any other time of year. Is it really too much to ask for a few jingle bells? Really? Anyway, if you are an owner of Sam's Town, I will tell you that it sounds a little "Why Do I Keep Counting?"-y, which I think is a good thing, so props to The Killers for their charity work and great addition to my Annual Christmas Mix!

The borderline-bizarre yet oddly lovable (I think it's the Brandon Flowers in the Christmas sweater that makes me like it)"Don't Shoot Me Santa Claus" video follows:





P.S. please note the holiday-themed YouTube skin?????

News Briefs 11/27

• Aimee Mann puts finishing touches on 7th solo album, "Smilers." Fans wonder if title is a joking reference to someone else...?

• Amy "Booze, Cigarettes and" Wine-house cancels remaining tour dates; cites health issues (dead liver, perhaps?). Fans of weeping, slurred lyrics devastated.

• John Lennon's hobbies revealed to include designing Christmas cards (especially since the War is Over).

• Radiohead announces two 2008 tour dates. In an annoying move, ticket prices are NOT up to you.

• Conor Oberst and M. Ward form band, hope to sound more like Dylan.

• Kanye West reconciles with Evel Knieval; asks to sample his motorcycle noises.

More to come...maybe...

NPR never sounded so good

So my parents always listen to NPR (National Public Radio) in the car, and it is usually just boring old news and whatnot, but on occasion there would be some stuff that interested me, at least to the point that I didn't beg them to change the channel. Earlier this past summer I discovered the NPR podcasts, namely All Songs Considered, in which the musically-enthused staffers at NPR discuss the latest albums, songs, and artists. The discussions were usually pretty interesting, and I'd listen to the podcast whenever I knew they were discussing an artists I was interested in, but what really got me going was when they would record full concerts and post them as podcasts. I live in the D.C. area, and that is where NPR is based, so 99% of the concerts they record are local shows at the 9:30 Club that I had wanted to attend, but couldn't for various reasons (i.e. school nights, lack of cash, etc...). Examples: The Swell Season, Rilo Kiley, Bright Eyes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Josh Ritter...the list goes on and on. Each show is a quality recording, and on the NPR website they include set lists. My one grievance is that because they are podcasts, you can't skip around from song to song with ease. However, I figured out a way to clip song-by-song and convert them to AAC files. So far I have only done it for Rilo Kiley and The Swell Season's shows, but I will probably be clipping Josh Ritter and Iron & Wine in the near future. To reach the All Song's Considered Live Concerts podcast, click here.

Wake Up Call- Maroon 5

Is it wrong that I really want Maroon 5's most recent CD It Won't Be Soon Before Long? I have had Songs About Jane for quite a while, but I've never given it a thorough listen until just this week. It is very satisfying, unabashed pop-funk. Plus their ultra-catchy singles "Makes Me Wonder" and the newer "Wake Up Call" won't get out of my head. Plus, the "Wake Up Call" video is just great. Check it out:

New Name!

I have renamed this blog "Hello Peppermint!!"

Please link to this new and improved URL: http://hellopeppermint.blogspot.com

Nature Appreciation

Yesterday after school I walked to the Potomac River with a friend of mine, and I hadn't been since summer, and I was reminded of how perfect it is, and how amazing nature is when it is just there. She had to write an English paper, so while I was there with her I just sat and appreciated everything around me. I had my iPod with me, but didn't end up listening to anything because the river and the trees had their own music, and that was more than beautiful enough to hear. It was freezing and gorgeous, and the water was so glassy, and the only noise was the wind and the occasional bird flying overhead. I usually only go in the summer, where there is a rope swing that we dive in the river with, but going yesterday brought to my attention the fact that while in the summer it is a social place, in the winter it becomes a subtly, solemnly placidly perfect sanctuary. And although I recommend not bringing music with you on your nature appreciation outings, my visit to the river inspired me to make a mix when I got home, so here it is. Along with some pictures I took while there. Enjoy.

The River & the Leaves- a mix. For best results, record on cassette tape.

1. She's Half- The American Analog Set
2. I Love NYE- Badly Drawn Boy
3. Dust in the Wind- Daniel Walker
4. I am a Man of Constant Sorrow (Instrumental)- John Hartford
5. Walk On- Braddigan & Josh Garrels
6. Birds & Ships- Billy Bragg & Wilco
7. At Last- Neko Case
8. Drift On- Butterfly Boucher
9. White Daisy Passing- Rocky Votolato
10. Kissing the Lipless- The Shins
11. Either Way- Wilco
12. Dead Duck- Badly Drawn Boy
13. The Upper Peninsula- Sufjan Stevens
14. Sybill- State Radio
    

Liner Notes:

• "Going to Georgia" by The Mountain Goats was almost included as the first track, with State Radio's "Sybill" as the second, but I omitted "Georgia" because I found John Darnielle's voice too grating (don't get me wrong now, I love him), for the rest of the mix. Once I lost that, I switched "Sybill" to the final track, because I found it didn't start the mix off with the right tone, and left with a better finish.
• You may notice there are two Badly Drawn Boy songs on the mix. There were I think four to begin with. This is because I connote The Hour of the Bewilderbeast with nature, and also because I think of About a Boy (soundtrack) as a very life-soundtrack-y album, which fit the theme of my mix. I recommend you buy both now if you haven't. Bewilderbeast is one of the best albums I own, and the About a Boy soundtrack is listenable everyday, and as a song for every occasion.
• I put the instrumental version of "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow" on. On the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack (which is where I found this song), there are two instrumental versions. The one for this mix is not the violin one.
• The song "Dust in the Wind" is from my friend's older brother Daniel Walker. He recorded it in his room with his friends talking in the background, and I think it sounds great. I don't know how to post MP3's on here, but if you like, leave your email address and I would gladly send you one.
• I almost decided not to include "Drift On" by Butterfly Boucher, because I thought it might be too poppy, and clash with the rest on this mix, but I think it fits nicely between Neko Case's female vocals and Rocky Votolato's acoustic "White Daisy Passing."

And yes, I put a lot of thought in when I make mixes.

Here are the accompanying photos from my day out (click to see them bigger):

Paste follows Radiohead's example

Until Thursday, Paste magazine (a 11-per-year music magazine with an included mix cd in each issue) is letting customers choose the price of their one-year subscription. I just ordered mine today, I suggest you do the same!!
Click HERE to order your subscription, then tell me what you paid!

The iTunes Side of Indie

iTunes semi-recently started a playlist series called "The List," where a list of 20-or-so-songs are compiled that represent a theme. Past themes have been sports, money, and summer. Currently, the list's theme is "Independent Artists." The accompanying description:

Need a break from the onslaught of mainstream pop music? iTunes has whipped up a nice batch of indie pop/rock/noise/etc....drawing from artists who are just on the precipice of going huge, off the radar, or are just plain awesome. Take a big bite out of Band of Horses classic rock revisionism! Witness the preppie posturing and African highlife/indie pop hybrid of Vampire Weekend! Behold the power of White Williams minimal glam/electro pop! Dare to sing with the Fiery Furnaces elaborate wording! The List, as they say, goes on and on.

The playlist goes on to include such "obscure" and "off the radar" artists as Spoon, Iron & Wine, Animal Collective and Stars. If these iTunes folks paid an ounce of attention to blogs, or music periodicals, they would realize that these bands are no longer "on the precipice" of success. They are indie musicians, yes, but they are the mainstream indie musicians. These are the indie musicians that are everywhere, that could very well get radio play if only the radio weren't a dying creature. These are some of the most popular bands on sites such as last.fm, where many true-blue music fans flock. Not to sound like a music snob (and I can tell I am coming off that way, so my apologies), but I would appreciate it if companies like iTunes stopped acting like the discoverers of indie, "obscure" music.
When iTunes used Feist's "1234" for their new Nano ad, the song shot up the online charts. It became known, at least from what I heard at school and from friends who hadn't heard it before, "that iPod song." While I think it is great that Feist should get so much success (she by-all-means deserves it), it irks me when a song becomes known by the ad in which it appears. I don't want to think of a product when I am listening to a song, I want to think of my own, special, personal connotation. The same thing happened with Badly Drawn Boy's "All Possibilities" (Campbell's Soup) and Of Montreal's "Wrath Pinned to the Mist and Other Games" (which was annoyingly butchered and re-worded for Outback Steakhouse).
I do not oppose artists selling their music for advertisements, on the contrary I think it is a natural checkpoint of success for emerging artists, but I do not like when a band is pinned as "emerging" simply because never before had their song been playing in the back of a Volkswagen commercial. Feist is not a new singer, Spoon is not "on the precipice" of success, and Iron & Wine is not "off the radar" (unless by "radar" you mean Top 40 charts, in which case, I guess). Each of those artists is established, respected and quite successful in the music world, if not in the music business, by which I mean Top 40 charts, and ability to sell dolls of their likeness (actually, Wilco does...).
Anyway. By all means a great playlist, iTunes really irks me how it labels the bands on their "Independent Artist" list as breaking. "Just plain awesome?" Yeah in most of their cases. "Off the radar?" Not quite...