The first album I ever bought for myself was R.E.M.’s Green. On tape. I was — 9 or 10, I think. I loved the hell out of that album, and it led me, in middle school, to newer R.E.M., and in high school, to older R.E.M. They were the first band I ever said, “That’s…
Author: brandnewkindof
Photographer, baseball fan, lover of rock music, sweet tea, chili cheese hotdogs, and Matt Wieters.
justin townes earle @ cat’s cradle
I’ve now seen Justin Townes Earle three times in three years, all three utterly different crowds: the first in 2008, a small but supremely enthusiastic crowd at the Berkeley Cafe in Raleigh (a tiny venue); in 2009 on one of the mainstages at Bristol Rhythm & Roots, to a huge (thousands) but utterly placid crowd;…
american aquarium @ motorco music hall
Such a polite crowd on Saturday night; I am not used to American Aquarium crowds who are that attentive and subdued. Also, the Motorco drink named after the band: the same blend of deliciousness and shame that I have come to expect from the band. (Band of my heart, my heart, my heart.)
stroke it, noel: a fully orchestrated performance of big star’s third album
Anyone who loves Big Star’s music knows there’s a particular kind of pop songwriting power behind it; every member of that band, save Andy Hummel (only because I don’t think he wrote anything they recorded), had and has a great ear and talent for songwriting, and Alex Chilton was among the best there ever was. But…
thank you friends
Alex Chilton passed away the day before my 30th birthday, and his death is something that I’ve struggled with all year. I was unexpectedly devastated by it when it happened, and I have found myself blindsided repeatedly by the fact that he’s gone, more than once at more than one random moment, this year. And…
an open letter to a variety of folks
Because Lani and I once made an ill-advised there-and-back trip to the Orange Peel to see the Decemberists — the drive was ill-advised, not the show; the show was great — I still get emails from the Orange Peel about their upcoming shows. Dr. Dog and the Old 97s have shows there in February, which…
justin townes earle — harlem river blues
Justin Townes Earle — Harlem River Blues. Out now, Bloodshot Records. You can’t fall over a review of or an interview with or an article about JTE without the painfully obvious question about his name in it; after three albums and an EP, I would like to think that most music writers are more clever than…
american aquarium @ the pour house, december 2010
American Aquarium at the Pour House in the first weekend in December is tradition, by now; last night was raucously hilarious and bizarre and fantastic. They always are. Those boys never disappoint me.
lost in the trees @ motorco music hall
so surround yourself with good people i know it’s painful but we can stand.
for all those with broken hearts
Lost in the Trees wraps up their incredibly (and well-deservedly) successful 2010 with a show at Motorco Music Hall in Durham tonight; locals Veelee and (LITT’s Trekky labelmates) Butterflies open. 9PM, $15 at the door. This week, the Indy gives Ari some equally well-deserved local loving and the Anti- reissue of All Alone In An Empty House is…
brand new kind of photography 