Shawn R K Anderson's Blog

Indie music, Neo Soul, and Cursive trilogy

shawnrkanderson — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:31:44 +0000

Darin was in a debating mood today. We debated the word “indie” while longboarded to the IGA so I could pick up some milk. Darin felt it was ridiculous to call music “independent” when the band was signed to a major record label. Being a zealous (near snobbish) indie music fan, I took offense to this. At the time I thought that TV on the Radio was signed to a major record label, but they were the essence of indie music. So we debated like Sophists for a while. When I got back home I jumped online to do some reasearch. This research led to my recant in the debate (I found out TVOTR was not in fact signed to a major record label). During this ‘research’ time I discovered some interesting information. Most interesting was the information on the Nu Soul movement. The Neo Soul movement mirrors; and precedes, the current indie music movement. The Neo Soul movement came about from the underground soul movements of the various traveled cities. This movement was in response to the radio’s biased focus on the marketing, promotion, and airplay or pop and hip-hop music. Artists of the Neo Soul movement favors lyrical substance, real instrumentation, and soulful integrity in comparison to pop’s sensibilities. They considered themselves educators, artists, and musicians. I feel that today’s indie music is fueled by the same passions and desires. Independent labels unable the artist to be self governing and concentrate on making music rather than the less noble aspirations of the major record labels.

So why don’t I give you another taste of this indie music? The following is three video’s by a group called “Cursive”. All three songs are from the album “Momma I’m Swollen” released earlier this year. I Love all the songs but especially appreciate their ambitious and high concept music videos(to quote stereogum).

The first is called “I couldn’t love you”

This song is called “Let me up” and it’s the most recent video. I Love/ am surprized by the stunning ending. (Sorry I couldn’t place it right in but heres a link)

http://stereogum.com/archives/video/new-cursive-video-let-me-up-stereogum-premiere_091411.html

The final is my favorite. The song is called “From the Hips”. A warning, this song is … an interesting case study on an individuals personal morals of sex and relationships. Basicly it isn’t about a good Christian guy.

I end by quoting a friend: “My throat feels like an anus!” person 2 “How so?” person 1 “My throat is swollen tight like an anal sphincter.”

videos and wal-mart

shawnrkanderson — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:03:01 +0000

Okay so I’m going to add another level to my blog today… Funny Videos

Now don’t get to excited, I know it’s some pretty big news. You can thank me latter

First, for all you single girls And if none of them float your boat then theirs my friend Darin!

Now I have a little brother, and sure he can be a little wacky from time to time, but compared to this guy he’s normal?

After you’ve stopped laughing from those take a listen to this

I love the lyrics.

So today I worked at Wal-Mart. It was the 15 year anniversay sale. 15 years of what you ask, I don’t know it just was. So in the middle of my shift an older lady comes up to me and “polietly” informs me that some of our peperoni sticks are expired as of September 2. Bad I know, so i went over to check it out, for some reason she is not satisfied when I assure her that I will remove them immediatly, instead she threatens to text Schnider (the company that makes these expired peperroni sticks) As she walks away I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. First, I don’t think Schnider has a number you can text, Second, this lady was Grandma age, I don’t think she could text, Third, I have no clue what she hoped to accomplish by treatening me like that.

New Moon?

shawnrkanderson — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:31:30 +0000

I will start by jumping right in.

I have yet to enter the Twilight world, but some recent news might cause me to take a second look. Death Cab For Cutie has just posted their exclusive track for the New Moon Sound track. Ben says the song called “Meet me at the Equinox” is “about meeting another halfway, because life is short”. It sounds like it was written before the band’s recent releases “Narrow Stairs” and “The Open Door EP”. It’s not the old Death Cab, but it’s not bad. Maybe getting engaged to Zooey Deschanel has changed Ben? Take a listen

">Death Cab For Cutie – Meet Me At The Equinox

In more “New Moon” news, Thom Yorke(Radiohead), Justin Vernon(Bon Iver), Muse, The Killers, Band of Skulls and Grizzly Bear have been listed as other indie greats contributing to the teenage vampire craze.

Bon Iver (The Outfield) – Your Love (Live)

Radiohead – These Are My Twiseted Words

">Grizzly Bear ft. Michael McDonald – While You Wait For The Others

Continuing with the Soundtrack theme ">Karen O And the Kids – All is Love

Anyways…

That’s it for today. The New Moon Soundtrack is out October 13th. The “Where the Wild Things Are” soundtrack is out Septenber 29.Enjoy the Music.

Hello world!

shawnrkanderson — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:57:25 +0000

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