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
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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
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
Sunday, March 7, 2010
'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.
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.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
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
P.S - address of Grace Darling Hotel is 114 Smith St Collingwood. It's a lovely bluestone building.
Hope to see you there
-AMCS
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A review of 'Ruins of Our Town' in thedwarf.com.au
http://www.thedwarf.com.au/nd/albumreviews/ruins_of_our_town_a_man_called_son
A Man Called Son - Ruins Of Our Town (Album)
by Natalie Salvo
Monday, January 18
"Australian artists have a long tradition of using a band like The Beatles as a cornerstone for fashioning a truly melodic pop song. But perhaps as a by-product of living in this great sun-bronzed country, girt by sea, they also manage to come up with music and lyrics that are so quintessentially Australian you can almost hear the war cries, “Oi! Oi! Oi!” underscoring the beat. While the obvious artists that spring to mind are The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and The Church, now we can add A Man Called Son to this impressive list.
Don’t be fooled, the overblown name is actually the new solo project for singer-songwriter, Simon J Pearlman (The Narcotics). 'Ruins Of Our Town' is the debut album and follows up two successful EPs by offering eleven mellow, pop folk and alt-country songs. From the opener and aptly titled, 'Broken Sunlight' the listener is whisked away, floating on air to a soundtrack that is one part Thunderclap Newman’s 'Something In The Air' and one part Beatlesque, shiny pop.
The song titled, 'Waiting For The Jets' sounds like it could be a homage to Elton John but in reality plays closer to something by Powderfinger. 'The Distant Stores (Looked Ghostly At Night)' meanwhile, could be a serving by Youth Group, while 'A Time Before' sounds like a lost song from Radiohead’s 'Kid A' record. The remaining tracks find an excellent balance between sweetly harmonious tones, dreamy music and moody lyrics such that they could be played along with music by Bluebottle Kiss or 78 Saab and not sound like a note is out of place.
'Ruins Of Our Town' is a serene indie pop record perfect for a balmy summer night. Gather round, enjoy these gorgeous pop gems, be proud to be Aussie and relish the sounds only heard on the streets of your town."
----
A Man Called Son - Ruins Of Our Town (Album)
by Natalie Salvo
Monday, January 18
"Australian artists have a long tradition of using a band like The Beatles as a cornerstone for fashioning a truly melodic pop song. But perhaps as a by-product of living in this great sun-bronzed country, girt by sea, they also manage to come up with music and lyrics that are so quintessentially Australian you can almost hear the war cries, “Oi! Oi! Oi!” underscoring the beat. While the obvious artists that spring to mind are The Triffids, The Go-Betweens and The Church, now we can add A Man Called Son to this impressive list.
Don’t be fooled, the overblown name is actually the new solo project for singer-songwriter, Simon J Pearlman (The Narcotics). 'Ruins Of Our Town' is the debut album and follows up two successful EPs by offering eleven mellow, pop folk and alt-country songs. From the opener and aptly titled, 'Broken Sunlight' the listener is whisked away, floating on air to a soundtrack that is one part Thunderclap Newman’s 'Something In The Air' and one part Beatlesque, shiny pop.
The song titled, 'Waiting For The Jets' sounds like it could be a homage to Elton John but in reality plays closer to something by Powderfinger. 'The Distant Stores (Looked Ghostly At Night)' meanwhile, could be a serving by Youth Group, while 'A Time Before' sounds like a lost song from Radiohead’s 'Kid A' record. The remaining tracks find an excellent balance between sweetly harmonious tones, dreamy music and moody lyrics such that they could be played along with music by Bluebottle Kiss or 78 Saab and not sound like a note is out of place.
'Ruins Of Our Town' is a serene indie pop record perfect for a balmy summer night. Gather round, enjoy these gorgeous pop gems, be proud to be Aussie and relish the sounds only heard on the streets of your town."
----
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Top Ten Albums of the Decade
I was tempted to post some choice Christmas albums but only got as far as The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and Elvis. I'm sure there are more, but I don't think I have the stomach to handle too much Christmas music, even if it is performed by great artists...
So without further ado, here are my top ten albums of this decade. The list will probably change every time I try and catch up with all the music out there, so think of it as an approximate list.
10. Art of Fighting - Wires
9. The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
8. Sparklehorse - It's A Wonderful Life
7. The Go-Betweens - Oceans Apart
6. East River Pipe - Garbageheads On Endless Stun
5. Augie March - Sunset Studies
4. TV On the Radio - Dear Science
3. Portishead- Third
2. Radiohead - Kid A
1. The Strokes - Is This It?
On that note, Merry Xmas dear readers and a rockin' New Year. We survived the "noughties" (what a dreaded term), now it's time for the..er...tenties?
Love and drunken festivities,
-AMCS
So without further ado, here are my top ten albums of this decade. The list will probably change every time I try and catch up with all the music out there, so think of it as an approximate list.
10. Art of Fighting - Wires
9. The Shins - Chutes Too Narrow
8. Sparklehorse - It's A Wonderful Life
7. The Go-Betweens - Oceans Apart
6. East River Pipe - Garbageheads On Endless Stun
5. Augie March - Sunset Studies
4. TV On the Radio - Dear Science
3. Portishead- Third
2. Radiohead - Kid A
1. The Strokes - Is This It?
On that note, Merry Xmas dear readers and a rockin' New Year. We survived the "noughties" (what a dreaded term), now it's time for the..er...tenties?
Love and drunken festivities,
-AMCS
Friday, November 20, 2009
Debut album 'The Ruins Of Our Town' out now!!!
Yes, after months of speculation, it turns out my debut album does now officially exist.
As of...now, you can purchase 'Ruins of Our Town' online at Amazon, iTunes, Napster and all other good online retailers.
Or, if you prefer CDs to MP3s (and would like to experience the multi-layered artwork) you can purchase physical copies directly through Paypal. Please see the links below!!
-AMCS
Or, if you prefer CDs to MP3s (and would like to experience the multi-layered artwork) you can purchase physical copies directly through Paypal. Please see the links below!!
-AMCS
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Survive in the Shallows (2008)
Fires, Floods and Boredom (2006)
