Thanks, Dog: A Strangely Fitting Kinship
It was only recently that I began to finally fathom, after four years or so, the narrow yet oddly pervasive influence of Dr. Dog in the consciousness of New Orleans. I’ve always felt their presence here; it’s inescapable when you live in the town that boarded the dudes who started a label specifically to put [...]
Live Picks: 12.15.2011 – 12.21.2011
12.17: Giant Cloud + Empress Hotel + The Hawks (of Holy Rosary) – One Eyed Jacks
With the release of their debut Old Books EP and the numerous live gigs that followed, the humble quintet engulfed listeners with a rare breed of ethereal space-pop, a relentless onslaught of baroque musical suites that bounded freely between dark spots and bright patches with untamed ease. As they reunite for the 6th Annual Park The Van Holiday Soiree, GIant Cloud is giving all comers one last chance to see what was the most dependably awesome local bands perform live.
Brass Bed: 11.11.2011
You’d think that with their admirable success over the past three years, Brass Bed would be just a little complacent with themselves. However, even after having had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of indie big wigs The Walkmen and releasing last year’s shimmering chamber pop epic, Melt White, the on-stage demeanor [...]
Giant Cloud: Bloom And Decay
Perhaps the most beautiful thing about Bloom And Decay, New Orleans stewards of shimmering astro-pop Giant Cloud’s semi-posthumous final album, is how instantly comfortable it feels even upon first listen. With only 2010′s delightful – but tiny – Old Books EP available for public consumption as the band relentlessly toured until their mid-2011 breakup, the [...]
Giant Cloud Releasing Final Album, Playing Reunion Show
From the end of 2008 until just a few months ago, many arguments about the best band in New Orleans’ burgeoning indie rock movement came to one surprisingly consistent conclusion, surprising only given how nebulous and pedantic any such discussion tends to be. With their baroque space rock – equal parts majestic instrumentation, soaring vocal [...]
Live Picks: 06.23.2011 – 06.29.2011
06.25: Generationals + Giant Cloud + Empress Hotel + Au Ras Au Ras – Tipitina’s
Generationals breezy, retro-pop ear-worms provide a blissful backdrop for nearly any activity that comes to mind. In a live setting, however, Widmer and Joyner are far less quaint, beefing up their spacious studio sound with enormous drums and synth that give their already catchy songs enveloping sonic weight.
