Nice one DC.

One Day As A Lion (sick site) is a musical project by Rage’s Zach de la Rocha and The Mars Volta’s Jon Theodore. Hard hitting drums and def lyrics mean anyone who likes either of those bands will dig this sound. The EP is out and it does not disappoint. From the site:

One Day As A Lion is both a warning delivered and a promise kept.

a defiant affirmation of the possibilities that exist in the space between kick and snare. its a sonic reflection of the visceral tension between a picturesque fabricated cultural landscape, and the brutal socioeconomic realities it attempts to mask.
…
the name taken from the infamous 1970 black and white, captured by legendary chicano photographer george rodriguez featuring a center framed tag on a white wall in an unspecified section of Boyle Heights. it reads “it’s better to live one day as a lion, than a thousand years as a lamb.” this record is a stripped down attempt to realize that sentiment in sound.

Sunset Junction is coming up August 23-24 and the lineup is definitely the best in years. Broken Social Scene (pictured), Cold War Kids, and The Black Keys will all be performing. For those of you not aware, this festival takes place on Sunset Blvd – a drunken stumble from my house (you can clearly hear the music and even see the fest from my balcony). Get your reservations in now for couch space if any out-of-towners want to join the festivities.

The official Flight of the Conchords Album is out today. All the hits from Robots to Leggy Blonde, including cameos by the world famous Rhyme-nocerous and the Hip-hop-opotamus.

Only $10 on Amazon.

A family member once told me I am Welsh. Some small part of me at least and maybe my last name. I know almost nothing about Wales at all – but for some reason I have some Welsh pride.

Duffy is from Wales. She is blowin up in the Isles and has been makin a bit of noise over on this side very recently. She has definitely been getting the Amy Winehouse comparison (probably mostly because of her single ‘Mercy’) – but upon listening to more of her tracks I don’t think I agree. Her angelic voice and retro sound are fantastic and if that isn’t enough, she is a mega babe. My prediction – she’s gonna be huge.

Check out her set from KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic at SXSW.

Vids:
Rockferry
Mercy (US Version)
Mercy (Less exciting UK Vers.)

Photo by PaulJay

Two of the men above are the artists behind one of the most progressive alt.noise rock and roll bands playing music today – the other two are the goofy duo leading the Kiwi comedy.folk revolution happening across America (can you tell who is who?). What do they both have in common? They are both on the bill for this year’s Sasquatch Music Festival taking place at the Gorge Amphitheater this Memorial Day weekend.

Full Lineup:

Saturday, May 24th
R.E.M. / Modest Mouse / M.I.A. / The New Pornographers / The National / Ozomatli / Beirut / Dengue Fever / Fleet Foxes / The Breeders / Okkervil River / Crudo (featuring Mike Patton & Dan The Automator) / Destroyer / Dead Confederate / Grand Archives / David Bazan / Joshua Morrison / Vince Mira with the Roy Kay Trio / Throw Me The Statue / The Shaky Hands

Sunday, May 25th
The Cure / Death Cab For Cutie / Michael Franti & Spearhead / Blue Scholars / Cold War Kids / Tegan & Sara / Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks / The Kooks / Mates of State / Rogue Wave / White Rabbits / The Heavenly States / 65daysofstatic / Sera Cahoone / The Blakes / The Cops / J. Tillman / "Awesome"

Monday, May 26th
The Flaming Lips U.F.O. Show / The Mars Volta / Flight Of The Conchords / Rodrigo Y Gabriela / Built To Spill / The Hives / Matt Costa / Ghostland Observatory / Jamie Lidell / Battles / The Cave Singers / The Little Ones / Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down / Pela / Kinski / Dyme Def / Say Hi / Siberian

Pretty freakin amazing.  I bought my tickets – anyone else want to roll.

Cont. – More thoughts and pics of The Gorge