• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/06/jw-show-134-part-1-live-at-gogo-festival-2011/
• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/06/jw-show-134-part-2-live-at-gogo-festival-2011/
• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/06/jw-show-135-pt-1-gogo-fest-live-more-interviews/
• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/06/jw-show-135-pt-2-gogo-fest-live-more-interviews/
• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/07/jw-show-136-part-1-jill-jackson-caz-coronel/

• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/06/the-jw-show-132-pt-1-matt-miri-and-i-am-harlequin/
• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/06/the-jw-show-132-pt-2-matt-miri-and-i-am-harlequin/
• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/06/jw-show-133-part-1-joanovarc-pre-gogo-fest/
• http://thejustinwayneshow.com/2011/06/jw-show-133-part-2-the-locals-pre-gogo-fest/

Hi Everyone,

I realise that I haven’t been writing many notes to you guys.  Some people call this a blog, I hate that word, but I understand that many people have “blogs” that they love, so apologies to you guys. It’s essential. This entire show started as a blog, and I’ve been reminded that it’s important to communicate via text from a new friend, Bob Lefsetz.

Bob Lefsetz

Bob writes The Lefsetz Letter, an email blog about the new music industry sprouting from the ruins of big music.  He’s not technically literate, nor does he spend money on it as the thing goes directly to your (well, my) email and doesn’t appear on his site. However, despite this shortfall in tech, he gets huge names to write in and posts their replies back out to the email masses. He’s listened to – a great study in where content is king.

What he’s reminded me is how a little stream of consciousness can go a long way in the world of music, and how important is not only to create excellent content, but to direct that straight to your fans. He knows that his fans are on email, and that’s the one medium of communication he focuses on. Another lesson there – focus.

One thing I see artists doing is not maintaining focus in one direction. In particular here at the JW Show, bands will submit music, get played on the show, participate in the live chatroom for a week, and then never return. Why wouldn’t they push another single this way when they had it done? I’d played one AND they’d participated, I would OF COURSE play another tune. It baffles me sometimes.

Anyway, the main focus (see, even I lose focus) of this note was to point out The Lefsetz Letter and to let you know that I’d be blogging more as my research into interactive independent radio starts really getting fruitful as it has been. What an interesting industry to be involved in right now, we should all feel lucky… and scared at the same time.

Have a great week,

~JW

Single Review

Artist: Mono Stereo

Singles: “Me and My Machine” and “You Gotta Take Me Home”

Release Date: Out Now

For those of us old enough to remember what A sides and B sides were on what we used to refer to as singles… This is a double A side “Me and My Machine” and “You Gotta Take Me Home from Mono Stereo, which in absolutely simple terms means that it is two tracks that are both as good as each other, and should be considered together as one.

Mono Stereo are a Swedish band who refer to themselves using the term “shoegazer.”  When the NME started using that in the late 80′s I’m sure it wasn’t always meant as a compliment.  However, the first track (or the “A side” if you will) would not be out of place on a compilation of some of the better exponents of this almost psychedelic style of music, it sits comfortably with local band to me Ride, mixed in with some of The Verve’s better moments, and in more recent times Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.  The dreamy linked and looping guitars evocative of an earlier time in music, and the band almost have a Small Faces / Kinks inspired look about them in their dress sense and hairstyles.

Album Review

Artist: Auditorium

Album Title: Be Brave

Release Date: 18th January, 2011

There are many crimes, and having had this Auditorium’s Be Brave in my possession for a few weeks only collecting dust has been a devastating oversight and possibly the crime of the century.  A mixture of folk/indie/rock, Be Brave has a blissfull blend of haunting melody and uninhibited hope. It sounds like a simple combination that can be said for a lot of recent albums, but something in the lyrics gives the songs a levity whereon first listen you might confuse it for solemnity and possibly darkness.

Be Brave, the brain-child and studio-child of Spencer J Berger, everything you hear on the record has been recorded and played by him… over the course of a year. All the mixing was done by Berger, but mastered by Pete Lyman of Infrasonic Sound (Beck, No Age, Mission to Burma). Whether this is the work of an introverted genius or an anti-social hack will become very clear by the end of this review. Formally called “Field,” this project now has five other live musicians on board (Daya Wolterstorff, Chris Littler, Justin Hogan, and Elizabeth Berger… as well as BK Etheridge on drums) and is bursting onto the California live scene.

With, arguably, some of the best unsigned music around that works itself into a rich tapestry of heroism, hope and ultimately beautiful music.  But what does that really mean?  There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t see a review that says “the best thing since sliced bread” and then sadly it becomes yesterday’s news before the pictures have started to fade. 

Photo by Amanda Barnes

Be Brave is one of the most accomplished LPs I’ve heard; one of the best.  There is longevity infused into each song, reverting the aging process that afflicts the flavour of the week, and after five days of listening to it on repeat I’m still not bored.

Songs to look out for on the record are as follows, and not necessarily in that order, “Sunday”, “I’m the Enforcer” and “Oh My Desperate Soul”.  These are the key tracks for me, and the whole thing seems to revolve around their themes.  But then we’re not treading on familiar ground with Auditorium’s Be Brave, each song is as different as can be, giving this LP strength but keeping its common thread.

Be Bold, Be Brave.

~DC~

Podcast will return soon, I promise.

~JW

Had a computer virus this weekend, a bad one.  just barely got the studio computer back up and running before Wednesday’s live show.  I’ll get the podcasts n’such back on track ASAP.

Stick with us, don’t worry.  We’re ok!  We survived!

~JW and Stu (the studio computer)

Since the website didn’t update the podcasts until now, have a treat: some great web comedy!  Have a look at my friends over at No Budget Studios.  They’ve got a really crude, funny internet TV show called “ABCDEFU“ that’s just finished posting all 10 of the first episodes.  It’s certainly 18+, so don’t view them if you’re younger, but if you’re of age check them out.

http://www.nobudgetstudios.com/nobudgetstudios/coming-soon

Trevor and Seth reviewing dalies

And say “hi” to Trevor and the gang for me!

Cheers,

~JW

A man of action will always be worth more than a man of words. A wise old saying which in this case means the hard work and recognition go to the band and not the writer… although a free lunch would be nice on occasion.

This is not the first time I’ve written about Zalinski and hopefully it won’t be the last – they have that original spark that will carry them far.  A blend of melody and rock that uses a wealth of inspiration to transform the indie rock template into something with a little bit more colour and a dash more of flash.

Actions… is the culmination of Zalinski’s hard work and as their second EP, it’s the next rung on the ladder toward stardom.  Tracks “Soar” and “Alive” shine as lead singer Bowes (Andrew Lee-Bowen) really opens up the pipes showing off his vocal range, making the songs come alive.  These songs showcase where Zalinski’s essence truly lies, outshining their indie/hipster

Zalinski... ROCKIN'

baggage. The song “God” is a close contender and is definitely another favourite on the EP.  While Actions… content is good and can occasionally invoke serious emotion lyrics, songs such as  “Apology To The Feminine” and “Revelation” lack the personal connection, turning them into your ordinary pop-rock song filler.

That being said, Zalinski’s talented and energetic vibe are ever-present throughout this EP.  It’s laid back, it’s soothing, and the last 3 tracks right the wrongs (if they can be called that.)  You’ll come away thinking “just wait, another couple of years and this band will re-invent the wheel/indie scene and put those flannel shirt wearing hipster bastards back in their place.”  But, before things get too personal:  it’s a solid EP, and a good jumping-off point.  The unsigned underworld is a cutthroat place and Zalinski’s Actions, Reactions and Misunderstandings has a sound that can placate the madness.

~DC~

Hear a full interview with the band on JW Show Episode 68, as well as a few of the EP tracks!

David Couch

The summer sounds have reached us once again.  Dancing in the streets becomes our festival as the sun beats it’s steady rhythm down, the smell of…ah f**k I forgot to get my cigarettes. Be right back…For those of you that haven’t noticed it is officially summer.  Which means that live music is in abundance and any bar you’re lucky enough to stumble in to will have an open mic night. I’ve been to a couple of said event in recent weeks… and they really don’t deserve a mention here… but don’t lose hope!  You’re just closing the gap between yourself and the band that will set your summer ablaze.  But enough about my lamentations and trifles with the current state of Camden bars, I’m here to spread a wealth of music knowledge, trivia and add perspective to an otherwise shallow and empty grave where our passions go to die…

…But feast your intellects on this carefully constructed Top 5 Movie Soundtracks!

#6 Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) …Yeah, I know I said “top 5″.  You’re so smart.

The soundtrack to this film was compiled by none other than Joe Strummer, so straight away you know that it’s gonna be good.

Notable tracks from the soundtrack include:

• Queen and David Bowie “Under Pressure”
• Tones On Tail “Go”
• The Clash “Rudie Can’t Fail”
• Guns ‘n’ Roses “Live and Let Die”
• Motorhead “Ace of Spades”
• Violent Femmes “Blister In The Sun”

There are many, many more songs on the soundtrack but these are a selection that seem to sum the movie up pretty well.  Fast, cool and sexy songs that should accompany all films about hitmen who go to their 10 year high school reunion. I really can’t help thinking it should be higher on my list but thems the breaks, and I couldn’t find a good enough quote to finish this piece so we’ll leave it at the bottom of the pile.

#5 Ferris Buellers Day Off

One of the most important film for any young buck ever, I think we all learned a valuable lesson about the benefits of skipping school when:

a) your best friend has an old school Ferrari

b) you have a personal feud with your principal

c) you’re a pretty good hustler and get away with almost anything.

Notable tracks include:

• Sigue Sigue Sputnik “F1-11 Love Missile”
• The Beatles “Twist and Shout”
• Big Audio Dynamite “Bad”

granted FBDO does not have as many “big” tracks as #5 but it does have the benefit of working better, because of it’s cult reputation Ferris has become as much a part of the 80′s as hair metal.

#4 Reservoir Dogs

K Billy’s super sounds of the 70′s… Tarantino’s first feature length film has one of the most identifiable and unique soundtracks… with its own personal radio station that flits from being an external and internal source.  Oh and Mr. Blonde slices some dude’s ear off while dancing to “Stuck in the middle with You.”

Notable tracks include:

• George Baker Selection “Little Green Bag”
• The aforementioned song by Stealer’s Wheel, “Stuck in the Middle with You”
• Joe Tex “I Gotcha”
• Pretty much every song on the soundtrack…
• lest we forget Tarantino’s own insight into the meaning behind Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”…classic.

#3 The Departed

Martin Scorsese’s re-imagining of the Japanese thriller Infernal Affairs is really good and with a soundtrack to match it has to be number 3 on my list, because no other song in cinema has made as much impact on me then when you first hear “Shipping up to to Boston” in 5.1 surround sound on the big screen.

A new soundtrack with an old feel; there’s a quality to The Departed soundtrack, like the difference between the gangsters from prohibition Chicago and the hoodlum gangs from L.A. It’s a matter of class. Notable tracks include:

• Dropkick Murphy’s “Shipping Up To Boston”
• The Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter”
• The Human Beinz “Nobody but Me”

There are more… but if you haven’t seen this film then you don’t deserve anymore.  Shame on you.

#2 Pulp Fiction

the second Tarantino film on the list, I wish it could have been different but I would be remiss if I didn’t include this. We’ve all seen this film, we all have our favorite moments where the soundtrack brings the scenes alive.  Bruce Willis running down Ving Rhames to the tune of “Captain Kangaroo” or Uma Thurman’s overdose to “Son of a Preacher Man”. I won’t insult you with notable tracks because there are too many to list and you all undoubtedly have your favorites.

#1 O Brother Where Art Thou

This is probably the odd one out of the group, but the story is a mixture of folk legend and Hollywood myth, the story of Robert Johnson spliced with Homer’s odyssey and George Clooney’s award winning smile (spoiler alert.)  The mixture of music in this film is really good – I’m not one for musicals (I don’t know if it counts as a musical but there’s definitely singing,)  But the Cohen brothers always do a good job of mixing folk/blues/bluegrass with some pretty bitchin’ scenes that will make you watch this film 5 times in one day… (I had the day off) and who can forget the Soggy Bottom Boys?  There really aren’t that many tracks to choose from and I’d recommend the whole film rather just the soundtrack.

There are a few films I would have put in this list but it got to a point where I just had to bite the bullet and pick five to put through… or six.  I know you may not agree with the list but there’s a wonderful quote about being pro-active and getting s**t done… “I did it before you.”

~DC~