Cold War Kids "Hospital Beds" - Live

In March, Spin Magazine declared Silverlake, CA the "next big scene." Personally, I feel like the actual "next big scene" is the entire state of Texas. If you disagree, this guy will do his best to convince you otherwise. As it turns out, two of the front runners from these two scenes (Cold War Kids & Sound Team) are on a national tour together! Coincidence or RIAA consipiracy? This has yet to be determined.

Cold War Kids are out representin' the Silverlakers and if every other band in Silverlake is even half as tight as the Kids, then it would be pretty difficult to argue with Spin. Sadly, I've been to Silverlake and they aren't. Regardless, CWK play like a band of lifelong best friends. They pat each other on the back midsong. They constantly move around the stage but never get in eachother's way. They have that nonverbal communication that only comes from countless nights driving around town with nothing to do. "Hospital Beds" seems to be everyone's favorite song. I was on the fence before the show but this performance pushed me all the way over.


Here's an mp3 of the video - Hospital Beds (Live - 7/22/06)

Joe and Matt were there too.

Here's an mp3 of the video - Hospital Beds (Live - 7/22/06)

Joe and Matt were there too.

Final Fantasy "This is the Dream of Win & Regine" - Live @ Alchemize

Yes, Alchemize is gone. But there are so many amazing things to come in the not-too-distant future that I haven't felt bad. Not even for a second.

But that's not to say Alchemize wasn't a wonderful place. If it weren't for Alchemize, I would never have been brought to near tears by a man and his violin. At the end of June, Final Fantasy came to Cincinnati and played to maybe two dozen people. It was a sad turnout, even for a Thursday night. But the meager audience did not discourage Owen. Or at least he didn't show it.

His performance of "This is the Dream of Win & Regine" was the highpoint for me. I know it's the "hit single" but it is the hit for a reason. First off, I love the way he sort of laughs to himself when he is doing the initial violin plucking loop. What does he know that I don't?! Also, there is something undeniably romantic about Owen's music. When he plays live, the imagery and the emotion are intensified even further. Watch as Owen "builds" the song from the bottom up.


Here's an mp3 of the video - This is the Dream of Win & Regine (Live - 6/29/06)
A video feature with additional live footage as well as an interview with Owen will follow in the upcoming weeks.

Here's an mp3 of the video - This is the Dream of Win & Regine (Live - 6/29/06)
A video feature with additional live footage as well as an interview with Owen will follow in the upcoming weeks.

Sound Team

The new Sound Team album is fantastic. Pitchfork is wrong. And their live show is something to write home about too. In fact, some people say it’s even better than the album. Some people might be right.

On stage, Sound Team exudes passion, precision and excitement. They transform into a rather intimidating six-part machine. Gears meticulously grind, perfectly in sync with one another, becoming more than the sum of their parts. And like any good music machine, they churn out amazing songs, one after another. After speaking with Bill Baird and Matt Oliver, it’s clear that they didn’t get where they are through luck or favors. They put in the time and effort to create something spectacular.


Sound Team play at Alchemize on July 22nd with Cold War Kids.