Bon Iver & New Moon

It's pretty clear that I am in a rather unique position: both a guilty Twighlight fan and lover of almost every artist that features on the soundtrack for the upcoming second installment New Moon. Whilst those who are keenly awaiting the films release on November 20 probably don't see much to get excited about beyond champions of the emo Death Cab For Cutie, music aficionados around the world are unanimously asking how such a shit movie can have such an awesomely good soundtrack?

The Bon Iver track was always going to my favourite, it would have to be a total stink pot not to be as Justin Vernon really is my number one man. Adding the mega talented singer songwriter St. Vincent to the track doesn't really change the feel of the sound much, probably because Vernon already sings like a girl! F.Y.I. non Vampire lovers: Roslyn is the icy cold eldest member of the Cullen Vampire sibblings...which could possibly explain the chilly vibe of the track? Or maybe its just stock standard Bon Iver.

Rosyln's greatness may not have come as much of a surprise to me, however the consistent quality of the whole album sorta did. I've read some people say that all the songs are dull, depressing and sound the same. Firstly, they're not. Secondly, yes they do all have a common feel of sadness, love and longing but this is what the film is about. A soundtrack should play a little bit like an art exhibition is viewed: artists exploring a common theme in different ways. So what would the point be if each track was completely different and had nothing connecting them? Lykke Li (who's track Possibility is my second favourite contribution) has said that she only wrote the hook of the song after watching an early version of the film, and that it was the tortured love between Edward and Bella that ispired her (awwww!), which supports my idea that the film is what draws all the artists together. Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear and The Killers are the standouts for me...but really its only the awful Muse effort that lets the team down.


Bon Iver & St. Vincent-Roslyn (mp3)

Death and Vampires

I love Twilight. I know, I know. Lame alert. I just can't help it. Just like with the other ultra famous fantasy series of our time, I started off being far too cool and thought these books were nothing but childish rubbish. But at the end of the day, I shouldn't even bother fighting it 'cos childish rubbish is what I'm ALL ABOUT. (Meanwhile I'm mega pumped for the Tomorrow When the War Began films to finally be made)

Anyway enough about my shit taste. Death Cab For Cutie has put out the lead track for the second film in the Twilight series New Moon. With a very vampiresque title Meet Me at the Equinox, the song obviously has the trademark Death Cab sound courtesy of Benjamin Gibbard and whilst at first I thought it felt a little nothing, it has slowly grown on me. Obviously I'm looking forward to this flick to come out, but even more exciting is the soundtrack which is set to also include stuff from Muse, Thom Yorke and Bon Iver. Amazing.

Death Cab For Cutie- Meet Me at the Equinox (zshare)

Bon Iver

On the hottest Sydney day in three years it was an odd feeling to walk out of the heat and into the stillness of a concert hall and the sounds of a Wisconsin winter. I was running late, which I feel ended up adding to my experience. I entered the room with Flume in full swing and walked down the centre ailse staring straight at the stage, which meant I got the complete impact of the performance. Justin in the centre and the three other band members surrounding him with guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and more drums. The sound in this venue (Angel Place Recital Hall) is probably second to none, though I suppose it helps that the nature of the place means one never has to strain over the sounds of screaming fans or bad audience sing alongs.

The whole show really blew my mind. It was quickly clear that the whole room was transfixed on this dude who speaks like a stupid, though charming, American hick named Earl but sings with such honest heart that it makes ya' cry. Bon Iver seamlessly mixed the best of their debut album For Emma, Forver Ago with new ones off the recently released EP Blood Bank. Crowd favourite Skinny Love was performed with perfection, as the three other band members drummed heavily in time during the crescendo of the track, as Justin remained seemingly oblivious-singing and playing as though he was alone in his bedroom.

Easily one of the best gigs I have ever seen, in one of the most beautiful and perfectly suited venues I'll ever be in.

Bon Iver-Blood Bank

Bon Iver Myspace

www.blogotheque.net

The French just do it so much better than everyone else. La Blogtheque is a blog. The Take-Away Show is a segment on this blog in which bands are filmed performing in places you wouldn't usually expect, often using limited or makeshift instruments. Probably most famously, they got Arcade Fire to perform Neon Bible in an elevator. This may be easy for some bands, but with a 10 person lineup it becomes a little more difficult. There have been over 100 Take-Away Shows with guests such as Jose Gonzalez, Architecture in Helsinki, The Wombats, Dappled Cities, Vampire Weekend, Jason Mraz and Cold War Kids.

For me, these little videos provide me with three things. (a) A chance to see the music I love performed in a totally unique atmosphere, with beautiful cinematography, (b) Introduction to music that I haven't heard, (c) An avenue through which to make a judgement on an artist as being talented or not. The first two are self explanatory. The last may not be. Simply check out Sebastian Tellier's Take-Away Show and see for yourself. Solid artists like Dappled Cities and Bon Iver thrive in these intimate settings as expected. Some, such as The Kooks manage to overwhelmingly exceed expectations and show that they are not a one-hit-wonder pop band. Whilst others, like Mr. Tellier himself, fall massively short without their usual array of instruments and production layering to hide behind. Call it drugs if you will, but he stunk.

On the other hand, the talent of Bon Iver is clearly on show as they perform For Emma, Forever Ago in the lobby of an apartment block. I'll be honest. I have always thought of Bon Iver as just one guy-Justin Vernon. But as the show highlights, it really has become more of a band. Watch and enjoy. And then explore the rest of what the Take-Away Show has to offer.