Many of us know this song as we hear it on A Ghost is Born and Kicking Television, but “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” started out much simpler from that version. Actually, it was first performed in 2001 at a Jeff Tweedy solo show in Chicago; below, taken from the 2002 Bumbershoot Festival in Seattle, it’s with the … Read more
In the big mess of schedules that is SXSW, you might want to give Patrick Watson your attention. His song, “Into Giants,” which you can listen to below, really belongs on the Pink Floyd album, Atom Heart Mother. But since we’re clearly not going to get our way, let’s just accept that it probably came … Read more
Way back in 2010, one of the Speakers in Code gang listed Suckers’ auspiciously far-flung debut, Wild Smile, as one of the top albums of the year. And while the trio’s just-completed sophomore album, Candy Salad, due April 24th on Frenchkiss Records, is a remarkable progression, it’s every bit as indicative of how they’re powered … Read more
Photo by Jonathon Kingsbury PUJOL was raised in Tullahoma, Tennessee, where he lived in a haunted house which sat one block away from the wrong side of the tracks. He spent his formative years scribbling on walls, shredding behind closed doors, and riding around in cars with older kids. He took his first communion at … Read more
Photo courtesy of The Lighthouse and the Whaler Last year, I sort of developed this nerdy crush on Ohio’s dream-folk outfit, The Lighthouse and the Whaler. The band-aid kind, not the groupie kind. But, I definitely went through a phase where I plastered the band’s name all over Speakers in Code like a hopelessly devoted … Read more
Photo by Katie Guymon Last June, Saint Louis was treated to a rousing (read: sweaty and energetic) post-Bonnaroo performance by Seattle’s The Head and the Heart. The sold-out show at Blueberry Hill was summed up well by Katie here, and she also took this video of “Rivers and Roads.” Yes, they’re moving on to better … Read more
From: Mr. Justin Vernon To: Mr. and Mrs. Speakers in Code It’s a difficult task to write about Amateur Love. The band was the singular catalyst driving me to found Chigliak Records. What Amateur Love means to the history of Eau Claire music is representative of everything we set out to illuminate with this record … Read more
Photo by Stefania Chiorean It’s been a long time. We shouldn’t have left you. Without a dope beat to step to. But, never fear, The Radio Cure is back, just in time for the weekend. To reiterate: The Radio Cure provides you a smattering of great tracks (all at once!) to cure you of your … Read more
Last August, Amy LaVere took part in our 10 to Spin series. Her theme? The road. Well, “Planes, Trains, and Automoblies,” to be exact. And guess what? LaVere’s on the road again, back in Saint Louis tomorrow night at the Old Rock House, opening for Rich Robinson (8 PM). We’re big fans of LaVere’s 2011 … Read more
On Saturday, you’ll have two opportunities in Saint Louis to catch the phenomenon known as Lights. At 3:30, the Canadian sensation will be performing a special acoustic set at Vintage Vinyl, and later that evening, she’ll be doing a full electro-pop set at The Firebird. The latter should sound something like “Banner,” her latest single. … Read more
Photo by Louis Kwok Call it one drink too many Call it pride of a man But it don’t make no difference if you sit or you stand ‘Cause they both end in trouble and start with a grin Yeah they both end in trouble and start with a grin Forget about being ready. These … Read more
Tonight I’m in love with everybody on the city bus Tomorrow night at Plush in Saint Louis ($13-15), Portland-based Blind Pilot will be playing songs from their 2011 release, We Are The Tide, one of our favorite albums of last year. It’s a fine follow-up to their 2008 debut, 3 Rounds and a Sound, providing … Read more
Tonight, singer-songwriter Grace Weber will be performing at Off Broadway in Saint Louis (8 PM), singing songs off her latest release, Hope & Heart. The 23-year-old has already appeared on the likes of Oprah and The Today Show, and Billboard called her an “artist to watch.” Let’s take a few minutes to watch the video … Read more
Photo by Matt Wignall All of the feelings that I know you never felt, and all of the simple words you never said, I want you to keep them like a secret to yourself, they’re not for me. It was just last August, on one of the hottest nights of the summer (seriously, my car … Read more
I never, ever thought it could be Never thought the day would come for me If you’re expecting an album full of straight beats, you might be disappointed. And that would be too bad, because Kid Cudi and Dot DaGenius have created songs that are as much rock as they are rap (read: it’s different). … Read more
It was the month of concerts here in Saint Louis. And now it’s ending, but not without one final push. Ben Kweller, who recently released Go Fly A Kite, will be performing at Off Broadway on Friday, March 30th, and we have two pair of tickets to give away. And all you gotta do is … Read more
Hiding out in the subway system Hanging out in the library system You made me feel like a harbor And you made me feel like a fortress In 2009, I fell in love with Lost Channels, the fourth album from Canada’s Great Lake Swimmers, the folk-rock outfit fronted by Tony Dekker. I remember hearing the … Read more
I’m like James Brown only white and taller And all I want to do is stomp and holler On Sunday, Texas singer-songwriter Hayes Carll will be back in Saint Louis, set to play one of my favorite venues in town: The Sheldon. Carll can rock a little — today’s Jam of the Day proves his … Read more
I’m a little late with this one, with last week featuring St. Patty’s Day and all. Sorry! But really, I don’t celebrate the holiday –I’m Turkish, not Irish. So, you’re getting this jam now. We’ll call it a “Sweet 16 Jam,” as basketball once again gets underway this evening. It comes from Enter The Haggis’ … Read more
Photo by Kyle Dean Reinford If you’re a music fan who lives in Saint Louis, March is looking a little ridiculous right now. In a very good way. Conveniently on the way to (or home from) Austin, many bands like to make pit stops in our fair city before/after their SXSW stints. And, we appreciate … Read more
Some wounds will never heal loneliness becomes an expectation but you’re stretched there by my side and you whisper those foolish incantations I’m quite excited to tell you this: The Wilderness, Cowboy Junkies’ new album to be released on March 27th (pre-order here), and the last offering in their four-volume Nomad Series, is one of … Read more
Photo courtesy of Marcus Foster Our Jam of the Day today serves as a great introduction to the music of Marcus Foster, which, to the American ear, is simply saturated with scotch, smokes, and all the other the vices that make the UK downright wonderful. “Shadows Of The City” has a raw personality that is … Read more
Last week, Baltimore’s Beach House (Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand) casually released their new single “Myth” and label Sub Pop confirmed that Bloom, the duo’s fourth LP, would be released on May 15th. Bloom will arrive amidst a swell of anticipation building from Beach House’s utterly amazing 2010 LP, Teen Dream, and some interesting statements … Read more
Once referred to ironically as “Thurston Moore & the E Street Band,” The Men have never played by categorical rules. Instead, over the last three years, this band has dabbled in everything from hardcore punk, to psych, to black metal. And they have done it all effortlessly, and for the most part, completely flawlessly. Our … Read more
Photo by Dusdin Condren You’re the reason why I’ll move to the city You’re why I’ll need to leave When the stakes are high, and things eventually bottom out, we’re left with reality. We’re left with songs like Sharon Van Etten’s “Give Out,” taken from her latest album, Tramp, and you won’t find a song … Read more
In a fun twist on the way the LouFest lineup is usually announced, this year the Saint Louis music festival is hosting a lineup release party to spread the good word on the artists expected to razzle dazzle music fans in Forest Park for the third year in a row. Taking place on Tuesday, April … Read more
Last December, my favorite Saint Louis radio station, KDHX, hipped me to the glory that is Alabama Shakes. The rock-soul band played here in town to absolutely rave reviews, confirming the high year-end critical praise that it had collected over the fall months, many thanks to the buzzy release of the Alabama Shakes EP back … Read more
I don’t know where I belong I don’t know where I went wrong But I can write a song Since we’re in March Madness mode, and a #16 seed has never beaten a #1 seed in the history of the NCAA tournament, I present to you a band from Denver, The Lumineers, who could just … Read more
“The most beautifulest thing in the world!” – Jigga In case you hadn’t heard, us bloggers roll deep. And when one of us falls, and goes to that endless hash tag up in the sky, we walk out the Starbucks door and pour a drop of our non-fat, venti, one pump, caramel macchiato onto the … Read more
One could easily argue that The Black Keys have achieved full musical and cultural saturation at this point. Nationwide arena gigs with opener Arctic Monkeys, a stomping return appearance on SNL, and the omnipresent soundtracking of the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament (“Gold on the Ceiling” has been mainlined into sports fans’ collective psyches after … Read more