Category Archives: interviews

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Poetic Memory: Ivan & Alyosha (List)

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MP3: Ivan & Alyosha – “Glorify”

In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s final novel, The Brothers Karamazov, Ivan reads a parable to Alyosha called “The Grand Inquisitor,” in which Jesus returns to earth during the Spanish Inquisition, only to be arrested and sentenced to death by the church. This take on human nature is regarded as one of the most important passages in modern literature.

It’s that kind of source material that lends Ivan and Alyosha — an indie-folk outfit named after the novel — their air of intrigue. New light will be shed on the Seattle quartet, however, as it plays SxSW and travels the West Coast like a band of Karamazov brothers. Ivan and Alyosha are touring to support their new Fathers Be Kind EP, a harmonious collection of soulful, sincere songs with a pop sensibility to match, and they play the Tin Can Ale House on March 24th.

Band member Tim Kim was kind enough to send us a list of the songs inspiring the guys as they travel, and you can read it below. Continue reading…

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Poetic Memory: The Love Language (List)

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MP3: The Love Language – “Lalita”
MP3: Telekinesis – “Coast of California”
MP3: The Howls – “Weight”

As previously mentioned, amorous indie artists The Love Language will play the Casbah tonight with label mates Telekinesis and San Diego’s own The Howls. It’s sure to be a fun show, as The Love Language and Telekinesis are a Merge match made in heaven, and The Howls are offering “free money” to anyone who shows up early enough to catch their set. Free money! (Offer only valid in Alaska and Hawaii.)

In anticipation of their show, The Love Language sent us a Poetic Memory list of their top five “Innocent Pleasures.” With picks like Keith Sweat and Phil Collins, it’s hard to tell whether it’s serious or not, but either way, it’s effing funny. Check it out below.

interviews, listen, san diego

Poetic Memory: Infantree (List)

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MP3: Infantree – “No One’s Home”

Like L.A.’s Dawes, Infantree are another rootsy California band whose members still aren’t old enough to drink. Also like Dawes, despite their youth, Infantree sound like they’ve been recording and playing music for years — with no shortage of expert musicianship in any corner of the stage.

Basically endorsed by Neil Young — they’re signed to his Vapor Records imprint and have played Young’s Bridge School Benefit festival — Infantree are currently touring to support their 2010 full-length, Would Work. They also released an EP last year, called Food For Thought, and Would Work is scheduled for deluxified re-release this March.

Infantree will play the Casbah on February 15; in anticipation of their show, the band provided us with lists of their influences. Since the band prides itself on collaboration, we weren’t surprised a bit when all four members sent us individual lists. Check out Infantree’s Poetic Memory below.

interviews, listen, san diego

Poetic Memory: TV Girl (List)

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MP3: TV Girl – “If You Want It”
MP3: Dirty Gold – “California Sunrise”
MP3: Letting Up Despite Great Faults – “In Steps”

San Diego’s TV Girl are new to the music scene, but they’re already getting a lot of press.

Aside from generating local buzz, the lo-fi rockers recently caught the ears of Pitchfork, who called the band’s Todd Rundgren-sampling single, “If You Want It,” “balmy and inviting.” The tastemaking music website also bestowed the ever-important “ballsy” distinction upon the track.

One listen to “If You Want It,” and you’ll wish TV Girl had their own show. Fortunately for you, they do: The Rumble — San Diego’s monthly indie showcase at Bar Pink — kicks off its 2011 season this Saturday, and the band will be there to drag you away from the late nite boob tube. To prep yourself, download TV Girl’s whole EP for free at their Bandcamp page.

In anticipation of the show, we asked the TV Girl boys what influences them. Band member Trung Ngo replied: “Being in a ‘buzz band’ is about one thing: Money. Whether you’re haggling with some sketchy promoter throwing a chillwave festival in Finland or hawking your limited edition 7-inch through your blog, ‘buzzbands’ should be prepared to come into contact with lots of cold hard cash. Handling such ungodly sums of money can become tiresome, that’s why it’s important to keep it fresh by referencing lots of obscure slang in all your financial dealings. Here are just a few of our favorites.” Continue reading…

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Poetic Memory: Abe Vigoda (List)

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MP3: Abe Vigoda – “Throwing Shade”
MP3: Abe Vigoda – “Crush”
MP3: Wild Nothing – “Golden Haze”
MP3: Wild Nothing – “Summer Holiday”

Abe Vigoda are a band of self-described rock-and-roll fuckups from Chino, CA, but it’s the good kind of dysfunction, they assure you — and they open for Wild Nothing at the Casbah tomorrow. Continue reading…