Posts Tagged ‘Say Hi’

The Friday Mixtape: 8/28/09

sumbitch

I know what you were expecting. “See You In September” or “Summer Nights” from Grease or, in a sarcastic vein, “School’s Out” — but we don’t need no steenkin’ kitsch. Your Popdose Pals have something else planned entirely.

September is more than just the unofficial end of summer; it’s also back-to-school time, and with the migratory return to dorms and classrooms comes the return to computers for the sake of homework. Did you know that new semesters are traditionally a heavy time for music downloading, probably because of all that new time at the PC or Mac? Neither did I, because I just made it up right here, but it kind of makes sense (even though it’s utter B.S. on my part.) The thought of increased downloading certainly wouldn’t cheer the beleaguered record labels, which through expansive & expensive special editions, Wal-Mart and Best Buy exclusives and the like are desperately trying to maintain market share. The Internet is evil, I tells ya.

Not really. To prove my point, I asked the staff to contribute a song, band or artist they found through the Internet. It could be from random surfing, suggestions via Facebook, Twitter or other social networks or even PR companies and their electronic press kits. The premise is that these introductions opened up new sounds, and new wallets, through this oft despised medium. Without further ado, I cede the floor to my colleagues and wish everyone a fine and functional new school year.

And to the rest who don’t have to go back to school, ha-ha! We don’t have to go back to school! (more…)

Song-Off Jr.: Misfortune

snakeyes

Social Distortion – “Bad Luck”

Janet Jackson – “Black Cat”

Ying Yang Twins – “Salt Shaker”

Prince – “The Ladder”

The Who – “Smash the Mirror”

Rihanna – “Umbrella”

Say Hi – “We Lost the Albatross”

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{democracy:53}

Last week Nada Surf was the most popular selection, as Sarah Sebestyen’s fans showed up en force to deliver her 49 percent of the vote — almost three times as many as anyone else. Join us again next week as we match up songs about Fading to Black.  Song suggestions for next week are welcome in the comments!

Frozen Trajectories of Superheroes: Say Hi @ Spaceland

Say Hi To Your Mom

I first learned of Say Hi to Your Mom from a WBAR podcast, when the DJ said: “The next song is from Say Hi to Your Mom, which is hard to take seriously….but you can take their music seriously.” Since then, the “to Your Mom” has been dropped. He (Eric)/They are actually one of my favorite bands at the moment — I really haven’t been disappointed by a single song. But having seen him play live four times, I can state with confidence that his shows are proportionally better based on how many people he brings onto stage with him.

I’ve seen him four times in four different configurations. The first was at the Echo, featuring a drummer and a keyboardist. The second was at Spaceland, all by his lonesome. The third was at the Troubadour, with three additional members, including a girl that contributed vocals. And the fourth was on Friday at Spaceland again, where he only brought along a floppy-haired, cheerful drummer (presumably his occasional partner Westin Glass).

The show was opened by a socially conscious songwriter from Brooklyn, Kevin Devine. I wish I had arrived in time to see his entire set. Clad in a sweaty t-shirt, Kevin managed to elicit a terrific reception from the crowd, and deserved it. His songs built to energetic crescendos, and I’m definitely looking forward to seeing him play again. (more…)