A Man Called Son @ Wesley Anne, Tuesday April 6!!

If you have the remorse of the sugar junkie after the Easter holiday, catch the atmospheric, tuneful sounds of A Man Called Son on show at Wesley Anne on Tuesday 6 April, performing tracks off his new album 'Ruins of Our Town' (available at the show for a special discount price!) with some talented musicians. Support by Matt Storey (Papernecks) and Luca Della Nightowls. Doors at 8.30 pm. Entry is only $7.Times are as follows:

A MAN CALLED SON 10.15pm-11pm
MATT STOREY 9.25pm-10.05pm
LUCA DELLA NIGHT OWLS 8.45pm-9.15pm
Wesley Anne address: 250 High St Northcote.

We'd love to see you there!


-AMCS

A Man Called Son w/ Richard Hunt @ Idgaff this Saturday!!

Yes, it's another Saturday gig spectacular from A Man Called Son and his merry musician men. Come along for an early evening performance at Idgaff Bar (160 Hoddle St Abbotsford). A Man Called Son will also be supported by the folk sounds of the intriguing Richard Hunt.

Session times are:
Richard Hunt - 5:30 - 615
A Man Called Son - 6.30 - 7:15 pm

Entry is free, though I might bring the old spare change hat along. I jest...

For more details visit:
www.myspace.com/idgaff

Love and guitars,
-AMCS

'Please Don't Take My Sunshine Away' - R.I.P Mark Linkous/Sparklehorse

Mark Linkous, better known under his moniker Sparklehorse, has sadly ended his life at the age of 47. Rest in peace.

Today, without knowing yet of his passing, I played 'Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot', (the debut album from Sparklehorse released in 1996.) Perhaps part of me knew. Or maybe it's just that I play it so often. Aside from the adventurous title, this release contains the first song I ever heard from this deeply unique artist, 'Hammering the Cramps.' I was 14 or 15 when I found it on a compilation, and its weird vocals and tremelo-laden guitars immediately resonated with me.

Sparklehorse is one of those rare songwriters who successfully created his own universe. The sound of his records were distinctive, a collision of lo-fi recordings, crisp drum machines and dusty mellotrons. His fragile vocals were often treated with interesting effects, but not in a superficial way like many other acts. The sonic effects simply added another layer to the already heady atmosphere of the songs. To top it all off, his lyrics were highly surreal, yet somehow moving. They were also incredibly visual, incoporating bizarre images of animals and insects. Take this example from 'Happy Man', a track off his second album 'Good Morning Spider' (1998):

"I woke up in a horse's stomach one foggy morning
His eyes were crazy
As he crashed into the cemetary gates."

The level of respect that major musicians had for Mark Linkous is easily grasped by looking at a lineup of collaborators and guests that appeared on the Sparklehorse albums: Tom Waits, David Lynch, Danger Mouse, PJ Harvey...the list goes on. The music community will be saddened by the loss of this one-off creative genius.

To qoute one more Sparklehorse lyric:

"May your shade be sweet
And float upon the lakes
Where the sun will be
Made of honey."

-AMCS.

A Man Called Son @ The Grace Darling Hotel this Sat 6 March!

The first A Man Called Son gig of the year will be supporting uber-tuneful indie act The Red Aces at the Grace Darling Hotel. He promises to be backed by one hell of a rhythm section, rather than a drum machine this time. There will also be copies of A Man Called Son's new album 'Ruins of Our Town' available at the show for a special discounted price. It all kicks off at 9.30 pm. Exciting times!

P.S - address of Grace Darling Hotel is 114 Smith St Collingwood. It's a lovely bluestone building.

Hope to see you there
-AMCS