Interview

One of the biggest success stories of 2009 has been the glorious return of lo-fi indie rock. Like a fuzzy, sloppily recorded zombie returning from the 4-track grave, this scrappy subgenre came  back into the limelight this year. These dudes and ladies might sound like they recorded their albums in a basement  with a microphone wrapped in burlap (because maybe they did), but with music this catchy, who cares about polished production?

Dum Dum Girls
The brain trust over at Sub Pop records was smart to snatch up the Dum Dum Girls earlier this year. Described as a cross between the Ramones and the Ronettes, the DDG's share the same 50' pop fascination as many of their counterparts, but few other indie upstarts have as much panache as Dum Dum frontwoman Dee Dee. A full length album is on the way.

Best Coast
Perhaps the best and brightest in the new wave of lo-fi, Best Coast–the LA based duo of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno–sounds like classic 50s doo-wop delivered with the appropriate amount of angry-girl snarl. The band's finest offering thus far is a recent 4-song 7" single featuring standout tracks "Make you Mine" and "Over The Ocean," released via brand new NYC label Group Tightener.

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Dead Leaves is actually the title of a great old album by Versus, which I've been listening to a lot lately. In addition, I've been sweeping up lots of dead leaves in my garden and watching a lot of dead leaves fall to the ground all over New York City. Having been so busy falling into fall, I've barely had time to pay attention to the ever-growing pile of promos on my desk. However, I did manage to pull a few seasonally-appropriate records to brighten my daily autumnal strolls around Brooklyn.

The Middle East Self-titled EP
This band actually isn't from the Middle East at all, but from somewhere down under (Brisbane, Australia). Sonically, however, they come from the same folky, pastoral universe as Fleet Foxes or Midlake. Gorgeous harmonies and gently strummed guitars that go on for days and days. You can also download the band's 5-song debut for the bargain price of $1 by visiting their Myspace page. Every song is a winner, so consider it a bargain.

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Summer officially ended this week, which means it's time to break out the autumnal records and start listening to music that is less about dance jams and guitar riffery and more about the cozy, wistful feeling that comes just before everything dies and everyone goes into hiding for the winter:

Palms Boundary Waters Remixed EP (Rare Book Room)
One of 2008's most unexpected surprises was It's Midnight in Honolulu, the debut album from Palms. Equal parts moody indie-rock and atmospheric art-school weirdness, the record elicited strong reactions–both positive and negative–from everyone I shared it with. For this EP, the band took one of that albums standout tracks, "Boundary Waters," and let four different artists take a stab at a remix. Members of Animal Collective, Bloc Party, and Deerhunter all contributes reworkings of the song, as does DFA's Gavin Russom. These tracks all make for excellent "walking around" music, especially now that there's a certain crispness to the air.

To Kill a Petty Bourgeoisie Marlone (Kranky)
If you can get past the band name, this Minneapolis duo will reward you with a beautiful sampling of bedroom electronica and shoegazery post-rock. There are tracks on hear that stretch past 10 minutes long–perhaps more fitting as mood music than for concentrated listening.

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Having attended New York's version of All Tomorrow's Parties last year (and seriously damaging my hearing watching the My Bloody Valentine reunion), I had a good idea of what to expect when I arrived for this year's installment. The location–Kutsher's Country Resort in Monticello–is charmingly decrepit, the festival stages are an easy walking distance from pretty much anywhere, the beer is cheap and plentiful, and the place is crawling with a lot of dudes in their 30's (much like myself) who are high on 90's indie-rock revivalism and eager to bro down and talk at length about how great The Jesus Lizard used to be, or what it's like to play poker against Steve Albini (which happened nightly in a special "gambling room" in the hotel).

I started my Sunday (read about Friday and Saturday) at ATP the way any hungover person logically might–by watching the Boredoms basically destroy the Starlight Ballroom (and my un-plugged ears) by playing Boadrum with 9 drummers onstage and one drumset that actually moved through the crowd. Happy from having been auditorially assaulted first thing in the morning, I spent the afternoon drinking beers and catching bits and pieces of various band's sets. Caribou Vibration Ensemble were great, but Crystal Castles continue to boggle my mind. (At one point, the singer's mic was unplugged, though no one seemed to notice).

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