Saintseneca - Only The Young Die Good

I've found it helpful to "subscribe" to record labels on Youtube. Now and again, something amazing comes through I'd never have found otherwise. A couple months ago Saintseneca's album Dark Arc appeared in its entirety, and it was just that - amazing. (Song starts at 0:11)

This particular recording comes not from the album, but from a live session in the WPTS radio station. This is my favorite microphone recording I've ever heard (but only if you really turn it up), so hats off to their audio folks.

Saintseneca on MySpace

Architecture in Helsinki - Escapee

While a bit of a turn from their previous styles, Architecture in Helsinki deliver a stellar performance in this clip. The song is like a compilation of the 80's disco scene, while the camera is placed on what also appears to harken back directly to the 80's New Wave band, The Talking Heads. Though it could just be me. />

Note: The original video is no longer present, the video has been replaced with the album version.

I can't decide whether the audience in the foreground add or detract to the ambiance of the obviously fan-made recording. I also am not so sure I normally go for something so influenced by what I would call "dance" music, but it's just too catchy not to drag me along.

AIH on Facebook

Devendra Banhart - Foolin'

Devendra hits a home run with this slow-ballad take on his normally reggae-rock tune Foolin'. While enjoy the original just as much, I felt like track hit a more universal note. I also don't think I could begin to explain that video, which probably gets the NSFW stamp.

This was among a few others recorded for NPR and there seems to be something special in those performances.

Devendra Banhart on Myspace

Sufjan Stevens - I Walked

You wanted a little dance, right? What we have here is the most somber track, and my personal favorite from an amazing album by Sufjan Stevens, Age of Adz. I suggest you check out the whole album, it’s a dousy. I pulled this live performance off a great list of songs from last year I found here.

There is some sort of indescribable cadence used to wrap Steven’s lyrics in something magical. Amazing vocals, minimalist synth, and a dash of drums; what else could you want in a song?

Sufjan Stevens on Myspace

Josh Pollock - Books About UFOs (cover)

Evidently, Josh Pollock is currently writing and performing in conjunction with a local theatre group, produced by the Shotgun Players. Not long ago he performed a solo act at the very same venue. With a little help from his sampler he delivers a truly stellar song, so turn it up.


This continues a streak of posted covers far beyond their original recordings, which unfortunately aren’t worth mentioning on their own accord.

Villagers - Becoming A Jackal

This is a particularly dynamic live performance by Conor O’Brien of the Villagers at a Seattle radio station. I’ve definitely become a fan their heart felt tunes, especially when done unplugged, though you may wish to compare it the album version.



The film quality surprised me on this one, though I don’t think anything would surprise me coming out of those pipes; this guy is always daring vocally.

The Villagers on Facebook

John Butler Trio - Ocean

If you ever wanted to know what good guitar picking is, here you go. This lovely instrumental tune blisters off 12 well-used strings starting at 0:31.



I'm not a fan of this band in particular, but some things can't be denied. What I see here is the kind of performance that awakens the mind to just what is possible.

John Butler Trio on Facebook

Palais Schaumburg - Telephon

This bizarre track ran smack dab into my sensibilities (as it starts in at 0:40.) With a nice dose of ironic loo-la'ing (the kind you'd expect from a muppet song) this 1981 recording delivers a juxtaposition between sugar-pop and hardcore punk. Even if you get music, just don't expect to get the lyrics, they're German.


I realized it has some semblance to more recent art rock bands, like The Horrors. I only wish I could hear more of the thrashing laid down on that high hat. Rad.

Palais Schaumburg on Myspace

Dead Man's Bones - Name in Stone

I've really fallen love with Dead Man's Bones. Their melancholy songs are contained in simple progressions. DMB seems outwardly to be Halloween inspired ensemble, often imploring a children's chior (complete with ghost costumes.) I've only been able to find a single album of their's, but its a delight.


This particular video is amazing simply for its live audio. I'm surprised to hear leaves crunch underfoot while maintaining the powerful vocals of Ryan Gosling. Color me impressed.

Dead Man's Bones on Myspace

Fear - New York's Alright If You Like Saxaphones

This is a bit different. Here's something you shouldn't expect to see on Saturday Night Live before or since. An out-of-control punk-rock extravaganza circa 1981. A historic event that shouldn't be overlooked, so i'm including it here.

While you're not likely to hear anything great here, Fear is in perfect form, and its about what you'll see. The sarcastic "It's great to be in New Jersey!" sets a great tone, but even after the camera cuts, there's a great deal more to the story. If you're intrigued you can find out more from an epic interview done over 25 years later.

Reggie Watts - Out of Control

What a major over-site this has been. This clip by Reggie blew me away the first time and I just had to find more. You’ll probably want to crank it, but not until the beat-boxing starts at 0:28.



I believe Reggie Watts is still touring the country side as the opening act of Conan O’Brien’s acclaimed stand-up show. I didn’t know I was looking for “it,” but this guy has “it.”

Tom Waits - Chocolate Jesus

This has been one of my favorites for years now. Tom shows off on a tidbit of his showmanship, but it’s all you need. Tell me about it:

I dig the blown-out blaring bullhorn, but if there’s anyone who has the gritty-voice-part already covered, it’s Cookie-Monster stand-in, Tom Waits.

Tom Waits on Myspace

Vermilion Lies - No Good

The Vermillion Lies sisters recently took to separate solo careers, but you can catch Zoe tonight at the Mama Buzz café in Oakland. Here you can catch some her gorgeous singing.


Vermillion Lies have a history of using household objects for instruments like the typewriter here. Other examples include a gasoline tank, a barbecue grill, and a dancing marionette. As I've said before, catching Zoe at the Mama Buzz cafe might have been my favorite show of all time, so you don't want to miss it.

Zoe Boekbinder on Myspace

Sxip Shirey - Moon in Her Belly

Growing up Sxip was surrounded by the multicultural people of Brooklyn, NY and his music reflects the diversity. Most of what he does comes from experimenting with sound and making music from his self-made instruments. I had the privilege of seeing him play with Jason Webley in a tour they commemorated with collaborative album.


When last I heard from him he’d started work on a new album, not due for some time unfortunately. It seems everything he does is innovative (He's even been featured at the TED talks) so I'm looking forward to it.


Sxip Shirey on Myspace

Yann Tiersen - Sur Le Fil

Yann Tiersen is probably best know for creating the score for movie Amelie (an amazing work I would suggest to anyone) from which this song is taken. While this song was recorded with a piano on the score, here Yann plays it on the violin in what is surely the most powerful violin piece I’ve ever heard.



Such intensity. I love how the backlighting shows how terribly his bow is shredded. Live this piece has such a different mood; I wouldn't have been able to place this as the same song from the movie.

Yann Tiersen on Mypace

Zoe Boekbinder - Adventures of Turtle & Seahorse

As Oakland is her home, its not surprising I’ve seen Zoe play at the Mama Buzz Café before. The last show I saw of her's was with her sister (collectively called Vermillion Lies) which went down as one of my favorite of all time. Her voice is right out of a beaten-brass 1920’s gramophone as she strums subtle tunes on a guitar; these kind of one-man acts are hard to beat.


I loved the ambience of her and her friends throwing quips back in forth in a space the size of a living room. If you can catch her this month you won’t regret it.
April 25 (Saturday) – Oakland, CA – Mama Buzz Café - $10

Zoe Boekbinder on Myspace

Nobunny - Chuck Berry Holiday

Nobunny might be some kind of low-fi sugar punk rockers; they must be the grittiest little rabbits in briefs. With music that sounds like The Dwarves with a heart of candy (an a stage show that’s close) they’ll burrow right into your head. I’ll warn you, it ain’t pretty.

While the sound quality in this clip is destroyed throughout the song, its about as good a recording as you’ll ever hear from them. All part of the charm of Low-fi I suppose.

May 2 (Sunday) – Berkeley, CA – 924 Gilman
May 26 (Wednesday) – Dallas, TX – Lounge on Elm St

Nobunny on Myspace

Self - Back in Black

While no more than a joke set, Matt Mahaffry shows us just how talented he is after recording for a decade and a half. His one-man performance of the AC/DC cover Back in Black is astounding, as is his use of what might be considered a Keytar.

Never mind the improvised lyrics; Matt’s voice alone makes turns this into an incredible rendition. Self has been left out in the cold by record labels in recent years, and this clip makes it unthinkable.

Self on Myspace

Villagers - Pieces

I find these live home recordings of the Villagers to be much stronger than their album versions. Lead singer, Conor O’Brien, has a voice that is varied and sincere and in such a simplistic setting it gets the attention it deserves.

Although a repetitive melody, (nearly just one finger-picking set) it actually helps brings focus to subtlety of the song progression. You can find half a dozen others on youtube, all likely recorded in their hometown, Dublin, Ireland.

Villagers on Myspace

Parenthetical Girls - Unmentionables

The real meat of this clip from Parenthetical Girls doesn't start until exactly a minute in. Lead singer, Zac Pennington, blows me away with the cutting tone especially culminating in a near tantrum at the end.

I've no way to tell if the crowd of young girls was planned or not, but so fitting is the metaphor of the Unmentionables (a tale of green-horned homosexuality) in such a crowd. The punctuated nature of the end is emphasized by the public nature of the lobby; you can clearly hear his voice echo off the multistory rafters.

I suggest readers watch the high quality version on their facebook account, found here: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=230953372789

Parenthetical Girls on Myspace