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Web: Pitchfork TV launches
This week it was finally announced that Pitchfork TV was alive, and we must say we're impressed. Say what you will about smug record reviews, the new video extension of the Chicago-based enterprise is short on commentary and long on visual music.
The content for yesterday's launch was pretty impressive, complete with exclusive live performances from Radiohead and a full Liars set, as well as music video premieres from the likes of MSTRKRFT and M-83. What really tickled our collective fancies is that they're hosting the entire Pixies documentary "loud QUIET loud" for a week. Talk about lowering work productivity. But content aside, we were equally impressed by the simple layout and lack of advertising (for now). Hi-res vids load quickly and are easy to flip through. They even label "not safe for work" vids, which definitely comes in handy for the near-pornographic MSTRKRFT video.
According to the site the new venture laments the death of the 24-hour music network and claims its the "first-ever music video channel dedicated to the documentation of independent music." We suppose the new site can't be entirely devoid of the trademark Pitchfork self-championing, but we must give respect where respect is due. It's definitely worth a bookmark.
Download: Psapp continue to license, not sell out
We suppose good things do come in pairs, which is why we're offering TWO downloads from one of our favorite DUOS (get it?) Psapp, and showing their latest commercial license for Disaronno featuring the song "Hi" showcasing some lovely TWIN sisters. Reminds us a bit of those classic Doublemint Gum commercials, only with much better music and sexy ladies.
Psapp are a phenomenon. Their sound is unique and cannot be swiftly categorized (some have said they've invented their own genre "toytronica") yet it fits so well to corporate ads and network TV. They are in some ways the quintessential indie band in their aesthetic and approach to making music. But if the general public mostly don't know them by name, they almost certainly know their music. Their song "Cosy In The Rocket" is the title theme to Grey's Anatomy, and they've been licensed almost 20 times in the past few years to shows like Nip/Tuck, CSI:NY, The OC (RIP) and have soundtracked ads from brands like Volkswagen, Absolut and Powerade. How does an indie band with only two full releases make such waves in the tv and corporate world? It can only be explained by their fearless and irreverent angle in making genre-defying music. In a world where music companies are increasingly trying to find talent for the express purpose of licensing their stuff to film/tv/ads etc, here is a refreshing example of a cool band making great music for music's sake and having success come with it. Much respect.
Psapp, made up of the London-based duo Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant, are busy at work on their 3rd LP in their London studio (something tells us they're not watching too much TV or commercials while recording), and have recently completed a remix of Astrud Gilberto's 'Bim Bom' for the new Verve Remixed album. Should be dope. Thanks to the generosity of Domino Records and Chrysalis Songs publishing, and the band themselves via management, we can offer two very rare if not unreleased Psapp tracks for our dear SEEN readers. Enjoy.
Download: Psapp - Hi (Sutekh Remix)
Exclusive: Interview With Music Supervisor Alex Patsavas + The Republic Tigers Download
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If you look up music supervisor in the dictionary you will find a picture of Alexandra Patsavas (not really, but probably in Webster's next edition). She has made quite a name for herself and her company Chop Shop Music Supervision over the past few years, shaping the sound of a long list of hit shows including; The O.C., Grey's Anatomy, Gossip Girl, Mad Men, Rescue Me, Chuck, Carnivále, Without A Trace and Shark.
Jumping off from her success supplying a hip soundtrack to prime time TV, she recently started a label called Chop Shop Records as a partnership with Atlantic Records. Their first two signings are singer/songwriter Jade McNelis and indie rock six piece The Republic Tigers and this Saturday, March 15th at 4pm, Chop Shop Records are having their first public showcase at the West Tent, Brush Square Park in Austin. We were fortunate enough to catch Alex in a (somewhat) quiet moment while she was taking a break from the SXSW festivities to ask her some questions about her work, her label and her favorite soundtrack. She was also gracious enough to give us "Buildings And Mountains" by The Republic Tigers which we are passing along to you.
Click here for full interview and download.
Exclusive: interview with music supervisor Gary Calamar (Six Feet Under, Entourage, House, Weeds)
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A couple of weeks ago we had a post on some of the new TV shows that will be
using music in interesting ways. One of the music supervisors who seems to be quite busy shaping the sound of TV lately is Gary Calamar. Along with stints on Six Feet Under, Dexter, Entourage, Weeds, House, and Las Vegas, he hosts a radio show called The Open Road on KCRW in Los Angeles that can be heard Sunday's from 9pm - midnight.
Obviously he's a busy guy, but we were able to catch up with him and ask him a few questions about his past work and some exciting new projects. Click here for the full interview.
Classic Video: Black Flag "TV Party"
In honor of the on-going writers strike (fingers crossed) we are inaugurating a new on-going series of classic videos with Black Flag's "TV Party". Have you guys tried to watch TV recently? If you thought here was nothing on before, it's really gone to shiite now (except for maybe this). The above vid features a young Henry Rollins, Greg Ginn and band rocking out to a crazy bass line and drinking brews while they catch their favorite shows without having to leave the comfort of their couch. Now that there's not much on TV maybe we'll venture into the outside world and catch the Masta Ace show.
TV: Man Men assures quality, or your money back
Despite the yawns over this year's struck Golden Globes, some serious shit went down. Mad Men won for TV's best drama, and the show's Jon Hamm won for best lead actor. This show came out of nowhere and is the best thing on right now. Again, it's off network (it's AMC's first ever drama) and it begs the question how will the networks ever catch up to cable? It's 1960 New York City and "Advertising is Happiness." It's the America that's not yet grown up through Kennedy and Vietnam, women are seen as second class citizens, and smoking is still cool.
The mad and ruthless advertising world is shaping the heart of the American Dream. This cut-throat world is so ego driven (nothing new there) that it's a wonder these people could sleep at night. Maybe that's why it's constant cocktail hour. What's refreshing about this show is the stellar writing and fantastic performances. It's a lush bygone era that's so similar to today, it's amazing. We’re sure Madison Avenue is hooked. The music is perfect too, with music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas dishing up classic tunes from Bobby Vinton, Gordon Jenkins and Don Cherry. Main title is the whacky "Beautiful Mine" by RJD2 (Def Jux) and Amy Winehouse's "You Know I'm No Good" was on promo duty earlier in the season.
Music highlight from the series premiere: The song that plays through the surprise reveal that Draper is married with kids is Vic Damone's take on the My Fair Lady song "On The Street Where You Live". The sentiment of the song makes it feel like Draper adores his family, but is really just visiting them as his real home is back in the city. And let's not forget that My Fair Lady is about a woman giving up her dreams of a career to marry an emotionally stunted rich man, something that the secretaries at the agency all seem to aspire to.
Playlist: Mad Men - Ep101
1. "Band Of Gold" - Don Cherry - Draper talks to waiter in bar
2. "Shangri-La" - Robert Maxwell - burlesque show
3. "Caravan" - Arthur Fiedler - men commute home to the suburbs
4. "On The Street Where You Live" - Vic Damone - Draper with wife and
kids/credits
Check out the trailer here. It's on Thursdays at 10pm on AMC.
TV: Even with strike, is TV still the new radio?
Despite the fact that the writer’s strike has forced many of our favorite shows into repeats for the new year, there is a crop of new shows with scripts completed just before the strike began. With the growing trend of TV shows using more and more music, here is an update on some of the new shows that will feature interesting soundtracks.
"Quarterlife" is a show that is actually comprised of thirty-six 8 minute episodes that will originally air as webisodes on the social networking site of the same name and on Myspace. The show will then air on NBC as an hour long drama in six episodes. Quarterlife follows the lives of young artists (including a band) who are using a the social networking site to help promote themselves and advance their careers. Music supervisor Jen Ross has brought some new and fresh sounds to the show including one of our favorite LA shoegaze bands Helen Stellar. All of the bands who's music appears in the show can be tracked down through their own Quarterlife pages where you'll be able to find music, videos and interviews.
Six Feet Under producer Alan Poul is taking us back to the 70s with "Swingtown" (trailer above). It's kind of like Dazed And Confused but about adults. The show is about a couple who move to a new neighborhood and discover that their friendly neighbors are swingers. Fortunately for us they are into it. Since the show takes place in the 70s music is key and the pilot we saw was chock full of the hits everybody knows and loves from rock to R&B. We also hear that in addition to all of the licensed music the show it will feature original music provided by Liz Phair. Keep posted to SEEN for an interview with music supervisor Gary Calamar in the very near future.
Alan Ball, another Six Feet Under producer, is back on HBO with a new series called "True Blood". Vampires who ingest synthetic blood and frequent a Louisiana roadhouse will be the center of the series. Alan Ball and music supervisor Gary Calamar promise a soundtrack heavy show with blues influences as well as more contemporary regional sounds from Louisiana. Look out for songs from Jim White, Joseph Arthur, and C.C. Adcock to be some of the featured sounds.
Keep it locked on SEEN for updates on these and other new shows featuring good music as SEEN on TV.
INTERVIEW: SEEN and PJ Bloom
SEEN have a rad interview up with PJ Bloom, the music supervisor of the acclaimed drama Nip/Tuck. With the writer’s strike and all, TV is kind of messed up at the moment, but it’s cool to see one of the last shows left still faring well in the creative department. The show’s choice of music has always been commendable (one of our faves Goldfrapp was highly featured last season), and it’s interesting to see where it all stems from.
PJ Bloom at the SEEN RCRD LBL blog
