Normally, we don’t tend to give much space to hardcore acts around these parts, but yesterday an interesting music video was making it way around the internets that featured the music of Minor Threat. The folks over at Mean magazine (yeah I’ve never heard of it until now, too) have recruited Oscar-winning actor Sir Ben Kingsley to play the part of Ian MacKaye for a clip that pays tribute to the D.C. punk legends. Check it out for yourselves.
Finally, I received an interesting email in my inbox last night from the folks at Bowery Presents. The New York City-based promoters are encouraging its loyal patrons of the Bowery Ballroom to attend a community board meeting tonight to show support for a new restaurant, to be located a block away, that is seeking its liquor license.
Here’s some info for those who’d like to help out…
We want to encourage new, well-managed restaurants to open in the community so that our guests will have a place to eat both before and after shows. The Community Board has requested that Travertine show its widespread community support through letters or by having supporters attend the Community Board meeting tomorrow evening 6 pm at SEIU HQ, 101 Sixth Avenue, 22nd floor, between Canal and Spring Streets). If you are able to attend, the Community Board leadership is merely going to ask supporters of Travertine’s liquor license application to stand up or show their hands (this should take no more than an hour).
In and around 5 PM (PST), the initial edition of the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival gets underway in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. While the historic park has hosted numerous rock concerts over the years, Radiohead will hold the distinction of being the first act to actually play there after sundown. The three-day festie-much like its Tennessee brother-offers up a diverse bill spread across a whopping six stages, so this week’s Mix Tape is dedicated to some of those acts.
We kick things off with one of the bands that actually kick the fest off - San Francisco’s own psychedelic-blues revivalists Howlin’ Rain with Dancers At The End Of Time. How about some hip-hop from another local act? Lets check in with Lyric Born for Callin’ Out. Saturday sees a rare solo set from M. Ward, who has been doing the She & Him thing all summer long. Here’s Matt with Chinese Translation off his fantastic Post-War album. From there we move into one from the night’s headliners, here’s Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers with a live version of his classic American Girl. Early in the day Sunday sees a set from reggae legends Toots & The Maytals who will undoubtedly play their signature tune Funky Kingston. Finally, we close the mix out with a ripping Spiders (Kidsmoke) from Wilco’s career spanning residency at Chicago’s Riviera Theatre.
I’m in San Fran all weekend for the fest, so be sure to become one of our “followers” on Twitter to get loads of updates from throughout the weekend.
I’m sensing a bit of trend with my selections this week, other than the legendary Steve Winwood, I’ve offered up two acts that have been steeped in a rootsy-Americana sound and today isn’t going to be any different. There is only one place to be on Saturday when the clock strikes 3:40 and that’s at the Sutro stage for the set from M. Ward. The Portland, Oregon singer-songwriter will get a chance to finally play some of his own material after having spent the majority of the summer on the road with Zooey Deschanel doing the She & Him thing.
The sepia-voiced Ward is phenomenal live - he’s a killer guitar player, I promise you won’t be disappointed. You also never know who will drop by to sit in with him, over the years I’ve had the pleasure of seeing both Conor Oberst and Jim James take a guest turn during one of his shows.
Ok, enough fluffing, here’s Matt with Vincent O’Brien…
Back in February the surviving members of the Grateful Dead (sans Mr. Kreutzmann) put aside their difference and reunited on stage for a fund raiser for Barack Obama. Well, as we enter the months leading up to Election Day other half of the bands rhythm section, Mickey Hart, spilled the news to Billboard that the band is “ready to be of service” once again to the Junior Senator from Illinois. Reportedly Hart and his estranged band mates have exchanged “a few friendly e-mails” on the subject, but nothing is set in stone.
I won’t waste you time with a long intro here, but if you’re a fan of M. Ward and Jim James you’re going to want to watch this video from their acoustic performance from SXSW. Be sure to thank me later.
Aquarium Drunkard has this whole show for download too, which features solo sets from each as well as Matt and Jim performing together as an acoustic duo.
