Back into the fold....

I've always been flirting with goth, new wave, synthwave, minimal, etc. but lately it's been dominating everything I do with such voracity. Going on tour was such an amazing experience, I just want to make more and more music. I really wish that my MC-505 instructions were a little clearer, or read more clearly in relation to the instrument itself, but I haven't really committed to sitting down and writing anything with it yet, either. Time=money, bastards.

Also, in the interest of shameless self promotion, here's my band:
wax fruit

my headphones are going to EXPLODE!!

This month is an incredible music month!! There are several new albums out, which from what I've heard of them are all really great releases. The first to catch my eye this month is Rave Age by french electronic artist Vitalic. I've enjoyed almost everything that Vitalic has done, and this is no exception. There are a few songs that stand out right away- those being the first single "Stamina" and a one off found by youtube searching called "March of Skabah" which I personally think should have been the single, but whatever.

The Second release that I'm excited about is III by Crystal Castles. They've been releasing song after song to listen to on Youtube through their facebook feed. It's different from the albums before it. It seems even more fuzzy and dreamy. I enjoy the lack of the punk edge that they came out with, because I found it, frankly, quite jarring. They, like most trends have taken a darker/gothish turn.  I like most of what I've heard here, as well! "Kerosene" stands out, as does "Transgender".  I'm really excited to hear it on vinyl.

The third big thing this month is Ghostly International releasing NEW adult., even though it's covers, and only a 7", it's still a big deal cos I frikken love them. I pre-ordered the 7"and it hasn't come yet, but I'm sure I'm going to wear it out. It's covers of "Shari Vari", which I guess is a nominal minimal wave hit, although I'd never heard it until adult. covered it, but I like it. The other side is a cover of "122 Hours of Fear" which is definitely in the top tier of the Screamers songs in my opinion. They site Screamers as a heavy influence, and it shows in their later work. I love hearing things like artists who have influenced me heavily are influenced by things that I, myself am influenced by. On the other end of the month Ghostly does the best thing ever for Electro-worshippers- They re-issue "Resuscitation" which is a compilation of all of Adult.'s early vinyl e.p.'s. It was released in limited number on CD, and never made digitally available! Absurd! I'd always hoped to collect the e.p.s, but I never came across any of them, but The next best thing is Resuscitation, which I have also pre-ordered. I can't wait to hear the grooves the way they were originally intended!!

The last big thing this month is.... MY BLOODY VALENTINE IS RELEASING A NEW ALBUM!!!! Take into account that they haven't released anything in.... about 20 years, and the last thing they released is heralded by critics and fans alike to be one of the most nominal albums ever released! Of course, I'm talking about Loveless, which changed my life, as I'm sure most shoegaze nerds would tell you. Kevin Shields recently spilled the beans that there would be a new MBV album in December of this year, and that he's spent the last several months mixing and editing. I'm so excited to hear what it has to offer!! I'm sure it can't be any worse than anything  else in modern pop music.  All this vinyl will be a draw on my bank account, but I don't care! Bring on the newoldwonderful tunes!!

October and The Future

This past October was my 30th birthday, and although I'm not one to scrutinize age, especially my age, it made me come to a lot of conclusions. I came to the conclusion that I'm doing alright. I set a few goals for myself to have accomplished by 30, and I've somehow actually managed to do a lot of them. The first was to be in a band, and to release something. Dom and I have been playing as the Fagettes for over a year, and JUST released a Cassette/CD, which makes me excited beyond belief.  We also went on tour, which was another of my goals. We had a fantastic time, Played some solid, and memorable sets, and met/caught up with some amazing people.

We, Dom and I, are getting married in April after having been together for four years. We're really happy together, and are somehow committed to the idea of sticking together for the rest of our lives. I've had a little difficulty with this, as most of my teen/YA years were marked by travels, and short-lived love affairs, which almost always ended badly.  My autonomy is my identity, and getting married is to pretty much always having to consider someone else in all of one's major life decisions. I traveled as a means of adventure, and I don't get to just pick up and run off anymore.  Anyhow, we're insanely happy. We are bandmates, roommates, best friends, and lovers, and our ability to be so many things to each other is a constant source of inspiration for both of us. I guess soon spouse will be added to that list.

As far the future is concerned, we have an idea to discuss a five year plan after our marriage, which involves probable re-location, and we're both dead set on two different cities-Minneapolis, and Milwaukee. Although I wouldn't mind living in the city he likes, my heart is in Minneapolis. We bought a new synth (an MC505), and changed the name of the band to Wax Fruit after a dispute with another Fagettes from Boston. We have two shows booked for this month already! Things change, and they stay the same, that being said, bring on the future.

Wax Fruit-We're Not the Human League, We're the Humane Society

echo....echo....echo....echo....echo....

I've changed my mind about that Cold Cave album. After much listening, and seeing them twice live, I've decided that it's actually quite good. I've been listening to a ton of Human League lately. This Heat, and the Pop Group are ruling my world pretty well.

"being boiled"-the Human League
 "she is beyond good and evil"-the Pop Group
"the fall of saigon"- This Heat
 "20 jazz funk greats"-Throbbing Gristle
"confetti"- Cold Cave

The band I'm in will be going "into the studio" this weekend. We've had such an overwhelmingly good response to our music that we've decided that we've just GOT to put something out. I'm really excited about it, seeing as it's the first time I will have done anything like this.

Well, that's all I've got.

Cherish the Light Years is a hugely disappointing album, but there was one sparkling beacon of greatness reminiscent of "Youth and Lust"-y ness...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLfPaC5cNds&feature=grec_index

 

You gonna look fine
Be primed for dancing
You're gonna trip and glide
All on the trembling plane
Your diamond hands
Will be stacked with roses
And wind and cars
And people of the past

I'll call you thing
Just when the moon sings
And place your face in stone
Upon the hill of stars
And gripped in the arms
Of the changeless madman
We'll dance our lives away
In the Ballrooms of Mars

You talk about day
I'm talking 'bout night time
When the monsters call out
The names of men
Bob Dylan knows
And I bet Alan Freed did
There are things in night
That are better not to behold

You dance
With your lizard leather boots on
And pull the strings
That change the faces of men
You diamond browed hag
You're a glitter-gaunt gangster
John Lennon knows your name
And I've seen his

This song absolutely makes me giddy. It's a little ridiculous just how much I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnIJOO__jVo