Strange music, indeed

How weird does something have to be before I begin to dislike it?

I’m trying to test my limits on strangeness. I’ve always said that if a song is weird enough, I am guaranteed to like it. I’m a fan of quirky acts like They Might be Giants, dancy-pants Freddie and the Dreamers and the ever popular Weird Al. Of course, these artists are all only marginally strange. They might be strange to someone whose tolerance for the unfamiliar is dangerously low. To me, they still fall under the realm of normalcy. But in more recent years, I’ve found myself gravitating toward the absurdness of groups like Danielson Famile and Dan Deacon.

I started listening to Dan Deacon when “Crystal Cat” was getting some attention. “This is just the right amount of weird,” I thought. Despite the craziness, the song maintains a melody, is up tempo and kind of catchy. Seeing this clip of Deacon performing on a local news show really sealed the deal for me. This guy is awesome.

Now Danielson Famile is a band that is really hit-or-miss for most people. A lot of people whose musical taste I thoroughly respect cannot stand Daniel Smith’s falsetto vocals or nursery-rhyme-meets-Jesus lyrics. But I dig it. Again, it’s just the right amount of weird. You can still sing along to it, but there are awkward twists and turns (and nurse uniforms). It has an unpredictable nature that is lacking in most music. Nothing is worse than knowing when the bridge of a song you’ve never heard is coming. Or worse, being able to predict the lyrics. That’s just lazy song writing.

These musings began when I recently heard both the most wanted and the most unwanted song. Dave Soldier, Komar & Melamid’s People’s Choice Music project surveyed people to find what were the most popular characteristics in music. The survey asked about lyrics, instruments, length, tempo, etc. The results are the most wanted song, a shitty, Kenny G-esque ballad; and the most unwanted song, a half-hour-long piece that varies between children singing holiday jingles and an opera singer rapping. The weird thing is, the most unwanted song is SO much better than the most wanted song. The unwanted mixture of all these unpopular features (accordion, advertising, strange transitions) makes for something so hilariously preposterous that it is pretty listenable. I only wish it wasn’t so long, but people dislike long songs. You have to keep in mind that this is the most unwanted song, after all.

A lot of people would argue that none of these groups are really all that strange. But “strange” is really subjective. Just play any of these songs for the average casual listeners, and I’m sure they’d have that classic wtf-look on their faces.

It’s not that I like weird for weird’s sake. It’s almost the opposite of that. In everything else, I dislike when art is made for quirk value. I suppose that music has permeated my life so much that I’m just grateful to hear something different. And a lot of times, different means weird.

Architecture in Helsinki at FSU

Score one for Tally!

Actually, that’s like score five (but who’s really keeping count?)

Florida State University’s Club Downunder once again trumps UF’s Reitz Union Board in getting great acts to play on campus. Architecture in Helsinki is playing a free (for FSU students) show Friday night at their badass venue located in the student union.

UF, while superior to our Tallahassee neighbors in most respects, fails to keep up with FSU. They have a cool club, we have a ballroom with a makeshift stage.

Now don’t get me wrong, I think the Reitz Union Board does a really good job. And we have had some great acts: Of Montreal, Tilly and the Wall, Cursive and of course the one that beats them all: The Flaming Lips in Flavet Field.

But FSU has had some good contenders as well: The Fiery Furnaces, Of Montreal as well, Mates of State and the one I regret missing the most: The Polyphonic Spree.

I just think we could do much better. Club Downunder seems to have someone cool every other weekend, while we have a good band everyone month. As a result, I’ve probably been to just as many Club Downunder shows as I have to RUB-sponsored UF shows.

So starting this week, I’m going to begin to tally (heh) up which school is more badass in terms of free shows for students.

But for now: Tallyho!

Matt and Kim show pictures

A good time was had by all.

My one Fest show

The 2nd Street Bakery was abuzz with peeps on Sunday for the Fest. Here’s my rundown.

Erin Tobey: the first person I happened to catch.

1. Nice set. More and more I am digging simplicity over, say, a horns section. Miss Tobey had a couple short, sing-a-longy ditties that make me say, “aww!”
2. When I hear someone play such simple sweet melodies, it makes me think, “hey, I could do that.” That doesn’t undermine the music to me, it just makes me feel lazy.

Result: Matt and I are going to start a band now?

Ghost Mice: always a pleaser

1. Argh microphones! I was lucky enough to witness their reported first-ever mic-ed (?) show at the Fest IV. I know they don’t wanna, but they gotta. It was really hard to hear. As a result, people were into it in a creepy way. Everyone had to sing along softly, the way you’d talk to a baby or someone you’re stalking over the phone.
2. I love that racecar song.

Result: should have bought a record from them, since mine is all scratched (not to mentioned burned in the first place)

Defiance, Ohio: Cello! (said like Hello!)

1. They sounded really good. Violin, cello, banjo (and some more conventional instruments, of course) all impress me easily. But its more their overall sound that really works. That scratchy lead singer’s voice works as a rough edge around the sweet violin melodies, and it all comes together really well with them.
2. I know about 15 Defiance songs, and not one of them was played.

Result: got a zine about fucking MySpace.

This Bike is a Pipe Bomb: missed most of this set

1. By this point in the day, I was exhausted, and those bakery pastries looked too good to not eat.
2. I did however, catch their last couple songs. I absolutely love the singer and his weird twangy… singing. Also, I got to hear “This is what I want,” which had undoubtedly the happiest looking mosh pit of the day. Those kids really loved each other.

Result: It’s fun to see a change in traffic between shows depending on who’s playing next. After This Bike, there was an influx of hipsters and an outflux of punks. I like them all, so it’s cool though.

Matt and Kim: my reason for attending

1. Like I said in a previous post, the banter really makes these guys’ shows. They played a short set, and not too many songs, mostly because their time was taken up by an explanation of what “supermanning that ho” means.
2. Got a little rowdy at the end, what with some drunk punk kids crowd surfing. Matt and Kim? Really? Matt (of Matt and Kim- not my Matt- he had a bad back) crowd surfed as well.
3. I didn’t see a lot of the “superfans” that were at the show they played in the summer at Common Grounds. I was disappointed because those kids could DANCE.

Result: I now know what supermanning a ho is.

Nada Surf review

Well Nada Surf was a big fat disappointment. They didn’t play “Popular,” and I don’t blame them. But, after doing a short survey/making assumptions about the people around me, a lot of people were there to hear a classic 90s hit. Unfortunately, the requests from people yelling “Popular!” and “My mom says I’m a catch!” were never fulfilled. When the lead singer said “Sometimes we play that song,” (hinting that tonight would not be one of those times) about 15 people left. I guess it was to be expected. That song has got to be over ten years old, and playing it must get tiring. I’d be surprised if they even knew all the words still, what with all the talking.

All in all, I didn’t have a good time. I listened to Nada Surf a little in high school, but I have absolutely no interest in them now. The music was just kind of trite and corny. It was all just so… 90s? The crowd seemed to like it though, and there were a few legit fans present. I found myself somehow knowing the words to songs that I don’t remember ever hearing. They’re all up in my subconscious an’ shiiii.

I liked Sea Wolf better.

Today: Ghost Mice, Defiance, Ohio, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb and Matt and Kim. Yes!

Google fun

I heard that Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter of Stella were coming to town, but had no details of where, when and most importantly, how much. So, I googled. Gainesville + Michael Ian Black (too lazy to type both names) gave me a hit at the alligator. Upon examination, it was some old column by Andrew Meyer. Ha! I love it!

Gainesville feels so small on Google.

Anyway, it’s in Orlando at the Social, $15. Traveling expenses are probably worth it, but I can’t afford to travel right now.

Nada Surf at the Reitz

Because I made a promise to myself that I would see any touring band who happened to have a hit in the 90s, I probably should go see Nada Surf at the Reitz Union on Thursday. I remember jamming along to “Popular” back in my ele-middle years. Now, I know Nada Surf is a legitimate band who has had other albums. And I know their new single, “Always Love,” has been on the radio lately. But I can’t help just wanting to go to hear the rules of dating ala “Popular.”

I hate when people only know a band I like for their one single (which always happens to be their worst song. See: Modest Mouse), but when I do the same thing, I just write it off as nostalgic ignorance. So, is it okay that I want to see this band because they had one hit in the 90s? I will go with yes. But I probably won’t actually attend unless I can convince someone else that this is good enough reason to tag along. Unfortunately Matt has already passed.

Nada Surf will be playing on Thursday at the Rion Ballroom at the Retiz Union at 9:30 p.m. Openers are Seawolf and Emperor X, free for students, doors at 9.

Tim Tebow and lessons in pedestrian caution

Although this is seemingly unrelated to anything, I have to write this because Matt probably won’t.

Today Matt and I were almost run over by Tim Tebow, quarterback for The Gators, on his motor scooter. We were walking along University; he was making a left; Matt let out a yelp.

We weren’t really in real danger. I’m fairly confident Tebow saw us. The funny thing is that this is the second time Matt has almost been run over by Tebow on a scooter, and so the conversation went like this.

Matt: “Hey look, there’s Tebow on his scooter.”
Me: “Oh really?”
Matt: “Ohmigod I don’t think he sees us.” [yelps and runs, truly fearful]

Matt was not really fearful of his life. He’s more afraid of being “that guy,” or the guy that Tebow hits (because it will happen eventually at the rate he’s going), causing Tebow to be thrown violently off his scooter and hurt badly enough to have to sit out a few games.

Matt doesn’t want to be that guy, and I don’t blame him.

If anyone else has had a near brush with death involving a football player or other campus celebrity, do tell. There might be a larger trend going on here.

The Fest VI

The Fest 6 is the weekend after next. As pretty much the biggest music-related thing to hit Gainesville every year, I figured it was worth mentioning.

Analysis: Not really worth attending this year, in my opinion. I admit I’m not a big punk/hardcore fan, so I probably shouldn’t even be talking about the Fest in the first place. Regardless, usually there’s one act that sort of appeals to the indie crowd (Mates of State, Ted Leo), but this year, not so much. Hell, Against Me! isn’t even playing.

My picks are Defiance, Ohio, Matt and Kim, Ghost Mice, and This Bike is a Pipe Bomb. Ghost Mice I’ve seen thrice, Defiance, Ohio once, and Matt and Kim once last time they were here, in one of the most fun shows I’ve ever been to.

Let me just say, Ghost Mice shows are some of the best. There’s something to be said for simplicity. With just acoustic guitar, violin and shouty voices, they play a packed, sweaty show of people just yelling along with the music. I’ve never seen a sad face at a Ghost Mice show.

As for Matt and Kim, they attract one dancy crowd. And their on-stage banter is simply hilarious. They probably wouldn’t like to be called “cute,” but it’s just such an accurate adjective.

Now, something tells me these four bands are probably going to be all in one show, which would be neat. I don’t want to pay for a pass, and I’m not sure how buying tickets to individual shows works. But if those four are all neatly wrapped up in one little Sunday package, that would be worth my while.

Recent Show Reviews + David Sedaris tonight

The last two shows that I went to were extremely notable.

First, I saw The Rentals at the Beta Bar in Tallahassee on Sept. 7. I’ve been a Rentals fan for about six years, and I hadn’t listened to their new stuff. In fact, the only album I own of their’s is Return of the Rentals. This was supposed to be a reunion tour of sorts, and I was definitely not disappointed.

1. I had no idea that Matt Sharp was so damn charismatic. I mean, the guy had serious stage presence and serious glasses. He definitely made the show that much better. Plus, those Haden girls were fun to watch as well.

2. They played an incredibly long set, with almost every song off of ROTR, so I was happy to be in the loop.

3. The thing that sucked was that Copeland, who I had never heard of, opened for them. It seemed pretty clear by the amount of sorority girls mouthing lyrics to their set, that the majority of the audience was there to see them. That always puts a damper on a show when a good third of the audience leaves after the opener. Also, the show was 20 bucks, which I did not find out until I arrived due to a typo on the Beta Bar Web site.

Second, I saw the Apples in Stereo on the 26th at Common Grounds. (Are they still going by the Apples in Stereo, or have they dropped the article, New Found Glory style?) They were pretty excellent, and the crowd seemed into it. Plus, their opening band Aqueduct was great. Matt didn’t like them so much, but any band that has its own theme song is instantly liked by me.

1. Horn solo from “Go” done by melodica (my wind instrument of choice)?! Very exciting!

2. In-between song banter, definitely not necessary, Robert Schneider. That’s for crapbands. Give us something of substance to fill the void.

Third, I’m seeing David Sedaris tonight at the Phillips Center at 8 p.m. Tickets were way too expensive, but I think it’ll be worth it. I met him once at a book signing, but I didn’t get to hear him read.