Fingered’s List of 9 for ‘09

Posted: December 20th, 2009 | Author: admin | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

These are some highlights of my past year.  Obviously biased, and in no particular order….

1. Blues Control Local Flavor - This was my summer jam.  Such an amazing little album - starts out rocking, moves to nice n super mellow, and then just beautiful and weird grooves to the end.  They asked me to do a video for the mellow ‘Rest on Water’ which I shot while up in Maine.  But track 3, ‘Tangiers’ might be my favorite of the year - and the fourth and final 20 minute track (or side B) is Future Days in Heaven.  Catch their next show in Brooklyn at Death By Audio on January 9th. 

2. Excepter Black Beach - The Motion Picture - We shot this while out in California in the spring of ‘08  - but it came out in October this year.  A small section of it, the ’single,’ is up online (castle morro) - but you really need to see the whole thing to catch the vibe - sink into the sun, ride the waves.  Excepter plays Monkeytown on New Years Eve.

3. Light Asylum ‘Shallow Tears‘ - the NYC ballad of the year, and probably next year, too, from the most exciting up and coming Brooklyn band.  This song moves your heart, but the rest of their work seriously moves your ass.  Can’t wait to see them at Glasslands on January 12th. 

4. David Byrne live in Prospect Park - I missed a lot of great shows this summer, but none could’ve been better than this one.  Free, outdoors and on one of the first beautiful nights of summer  - it was billed as the music of David Byrne and Brian Eno - the best from Remain in Light and Fear of Music, and a few from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts and the new one they did, plus a few non-Eno favs.  A lifelong Talking Heads fan’s dream come true - Stop Making Sense Part II, live.

5. Pet Shop Boys live in Boston - paired with Byrne, the perfect bookend to my summer.  Yes, it would’ve been better in New York, but I’m so glad my friend Sarah and I drove down from Maine that night to see this - yes, we both were a little teary-eyed when they played ‘Kings Cross.’  Again, lifelong fan, finally saw them, totally worth it.  And the new single  is pretty good.  If only Dusty Springfield had been there.

6. New York Eye & Ear Festival II - Yes, I saw two mega icons of music this summer, but I also heard an incredible collection of new New York talent at this four day follow up to the first NYEE fest, impeccably curated and produced by Todd Pendu.  So many bands, I lost count - 70?  80?  Highlights included:  Nymph, Blondes, Love Like Deloreans, Liturgy, Mike Wexler, Led Er Est, Living Days, Magic Markers, Martial Canterel, and so many more.   NYEE Fest III coming at the end of May 2010!

7. Psychic Ills Mirror Eye - These guys were out on the west coast, so they couldn’t play the NYEE, but hopefully they’ll be on the bill in May.  This was my winter jam of 2009.  I spent new years eve day of last year in their studio shooting the video for ‘Mantis‘ and much of January and February editing it and the follow up, ‘Eyes Closed,’ for which I used footage I shot at Angkor Wat a few years ago.  Looking forward to hearing a number of new releases they have planned for 2010.

8. The Fresh & Onlys - From San Francisco.  Hands down, best new band at SXSW.  I could listen to the song ‘Peacock & Wing’ ten times on repeat….. pop bliss.

9. Salem - From Hell?  or that place called Heaven located in Hell.  My friend Lauren introduced their music to me early last year with the warning:  you will listen to this and nothing but for the next month and be completely devastated.  Thanks Lauren.  The holiday celebrations don’t begin until January 5th, 2010 - Salem performs at the Glasslands (w/ Gatekeeper!).  Buy yourself a christmas present ticket now.

*********