It’s the end of an era for pop-punks, emo kids, and sk8er bois – Warped Tour just announced their final cross-country lineup and it’s going to be a very grand finale! The show will hit the road for virtually the whole summer; kicking off on June 21st in California and ending on August 5th in Florida. Warped veterans Sum 41, Taking Back Sunday, Simple Plan, the Used, and All Time Low are along for the ride with more than fifty other artists. In a public letter, tour founder Kevin Lyon reflected on the history of Warped since its start in 1995 and what the future holds for the venture.
“I have been a very lucky person to have traveled across the country and sometimes around the world as one of the founders and producers of the Vans Warped Tour. Today, with many mixed feelings, I am here to announce that next year will be the final, full cross-country run of the Vans Warped Tour. I sit here reflecting on the tour’s incredible history, what the final run means for our community, and look forward to what’s to come as we commemorate the tour’s historic 25th anniversary in 2019.” – Kevin Lyon
After a five-year run around the world, sprawling and comprehensive art exhibition David Bowie Iswill make its final stop at the Brooklyn Museum. Running March 2nd through July 15th, the show mines Bowie history for a mind-blowing display of thousands of music artifacts, drawings, props, videos, and, of course, costumes, some of which have never been seen before. There’s also a framed photo of Little Richard that Bowie was rumored to have carried to every recording session. The show is organized by time and cycles through the many different phases of the Thin White Duke’s career, starting with his early life as David Jones and ending with the making of Blackstar. It’s no accident that the traveling exhibition has its finale in Brooklyn; the legendary musician called NYC home for many years. Exhibition organizers have pulled out all the stops for this one, so whether you are a music lover or art addict, David Bowie Is cannot be missed.
Changes are afoot in the music industry! On Wednesday, Spotify went public on Wall Street, despite the fact that the company lost $1.5 billion dollars last year. Also on Wednesday, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee was elected to the Country Music Association’s philanthropy board, but by Thursday, he had resigned due to outcry. That night, Lorde started off her North American tour with a bang – she performed an unreleased song as well as a cover of Frank Ocean’s “Solo.” En Vogue made the Billboard Top 10 for the first time in twenty years with the Ne-yo penned track, “Rocket.” The Kills released a video for a cover of the Saul Williams song, “List of Demands (Reparations).” Jack White gives us “Over And Over And Over,” another unveiling from his next record, this one originally written thirteen years ago for The White Stripes. NPR has got the first play of David Byrne’s upcoming album – you can stream “American Utopia” on their site now. The record’s official release is today. Yo La Tengo has released “For You Too,” the latest from their March 16th album, There’s a Riot Going On. Dinosaur Jr. give us “Hold Unknown” via Adult Swim’s Singles Series. After teasing their reunion with “Octagon Octagon,” Kool Keith, Dan the Automator, and DJ Qbert release “Area 54.” The awkwardly-titled Moosebumps: An Exploration Into Modern Day Horripilation is their first album as hip-hop supergroup Dr. Octagon in 22 years. Lastly, in case you forgot – Dolly Parton is a saint! This week she visited the Library of Congress to celebrate the delivery of the 100 millionth book by her nonprofit, the Imagination Library. The music legend founded Imagination Library in 1995; since then, it has mailed a book to more than a million young children every month.
If you’ve seen the cover of this month’s TIME Magazine or have recently tuned into any national media outlet, you know that Detroit’s sister city, Flint, is in crisis. Due to corrupt government, dangerous mismanagement, and incompetence, thousands of Flint residences have been poisoned by lead through the water system.
Long story short, Flint was getting its water from Detroit until 2011 when Gov. Rick Snyder, due to economic disparity, decided that Flint would begin receiving water from the Flint river, despite the water’s highly corrosive makeup and the cities aging, weathered pipeline. The water itself is not poisoned with lead, but is so corrosive that it is stripping the lead pipes. Last fall, auto manufacturers refused the usage of Flint water as it was corroding the auto parts, yet it continued to pump into every household, poisoning an entire city. Despite the President issuing a state of emergency and the allocation of 80 million dollars in FEMA relief funds to assist Flint in its recovery, the damage is irreversible.
I know what you’re thinking. What does this have to do with music? Well, nothing, really. Other than the fact that I feel that I bear the shared responsibility of social consciousness as an artist and fellow human taking up space on this floating ball in space. I couldn’t help but search for some convoluted way to draw attention to this issue, while also finding personal solace through the only outlet that I knew. I’ve curated a playlist of “water songs” by Michigan artists with the hope of a healthy resolve for the millions of people around the world who do not have access to safe drinking water, which now include the thousands of children and families of Flint, Michigan. Let these tracks wash over you and extinguish any unwanted fires.
Eddie Logix and Blair French are BLKSHRK. Released last year, Jellyfish on Cassette is an ocean of temperamental pulsations. The project fuses programmed sampled, live takes and improvisation all of which swell. “Arm Floaties (Night Swim)” gives gives the aural allusion of treading deep water.
This alternate take of “Tidal” from 800beloved‘s dreamy sophomore record, Everything Purple, is a trembling and sedated beachside lullaby. Lynch’s breathy vocals paired with the distant and upbeat pop distortions forms the sensation of having a sun stained memory you wish you could return to.
A standout track off of their 2013 album Wormfood, “Water” is drowsy and pleasantly complacent, much like falling asleep in a filled-to-the-rim bathtub. It’s a smug track about the things we normally don’t have the guts to confess about the disinterest in meaningful love and sex. It’s the type of song that demands hydration; a sonic hangover.
Before they dropped the Nascar kitsch, JRJR released Patterns. “Dark Water” is reminiscent of The Shins with hints of Jon Brion, making it both sugary and brooding. The Beach Boys-esque harmonizing and piano crescendo mask the heaviness of the repeated imagery of drowning which makes this bubbly pop track ironic and bittersweet.
One of my favorite Detroit duos, Gosh Pith, channel a sleepy Animal Collective/Vampire Weekend vibe with a track off their 2015 EP, Window. “Waves” challenges the listener to let go, internalizing the symbolic properties of water via a gentle, lapping synth pop track.
The Gories: “Goin’ To The River”
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The Gories formed back in 1986 and were fearless in welding 60’s garage rock with hyper rhythm blues. “Goin’ To The River” from I Know You Fine, but How You Doin’ released in 1990, is defiant and demands rowdiness. This track by The Gories is a perfect example of their lasting and often overlooked influence.
What I consider to be the most under appreciated album in Iggy Pop’s catalogue and one of the most important contributions to post-punk, New Values is full of songs as jutting as this one. “Endless Sea” is particularly provocative. The synth breakdown along with seductive, temperate vocals are the perfect pairing for giving the drugged sensation of literal endlessness.
The Dead Weather: “Will There Be Enough Water”[/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]
The Dead Weather may be my favorite collaboration from the diverse repertoire of Detroit’s golden child, Jack White. White along with Alison Mosshart (of The Kills) make for a sexually hypnotic rock experience. “Will There Be Enough Water” is a smokey, blues infused anti-apology that is as thirsty as it is satiated.
The folkiest track on the playlist, “Waterfall” off of Fred Thomas’ Kuma is moody and textured like a messier, sleep deprived Elvis Perkins. The song begs “Come on everyone/it’s time to go see the waterfall” an uplifting chorus partnered with moaning string arrangements keeps “Waterfall” in the heartache category.
This track off of Don’t Wait by experimental pop duo Valley Hush could easily be a secret video game level trudging through sparkling, underwater sludge where Lana Del Rey meets St. Vincent. It’s more sensational than literal, but the ominous gurgling noise is animatedly visual.
If you would like to learn how you can help the residents of Flint, Michigan, click here.
Capitol Hill Block Party is Seattle’s beloved street party meets music festival. Usually convening at the end of July, this is the block party’s third year running. Taking up over six city blocks, it showcases more than 100 artists. The neighborhood of Capitol Hill, traditionally known for its colorful artist and music fueled culture, will be entirely occupied with parties, DJ sets, and many other events aside from the Block Party itself. It isn’t so often that new local bands have the opportunity to play alongside world renowned acts such as TV On The Radio, The Kills, Father John Misty, RATATAT, Toro y Moi, etc. Below are a few local bands playing that you definitely shouldn’t miss because you’re waiting in line for a festival beer.
