Congratulations to Phish

(Thanks to Access Atlanta for the pic)

I finally have something to write about! Even though most of you probably do not care, I would still like to congratulate Phish on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at last night’s Jammy’s at the Washington Mutual Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. To the surprise of some, all four members (Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Page McConnel, Jon Fishman) were present to accept the award, and to the disappointment of many they did not reunite to play for the crowd. However, in tribute to their success and the imprint they made to the music world, the Headcount Allstars (consisting of members from Umphrey’s McGee, Disco Biscuits, the Duo, and String Cheese Incident) covered four Phish songs to end the awards show. I am sure the crowd went crazy simply because of the band’s presence, I know I would have. This with the combination that Trey just announced he will be playing a solo acoustic set at the Newport Musi Festival in August (his first billed show in over 17 months), might lead to even bigger news (reunion anyone?). If there are any Phish phans that read ATG make yourselves known!

-Ethan

Beautiful Spring Day

It’s a beautiful spring day here in Madison, Wisconsin. Now most other blogs that throw together the obligatory first day of spring post did so about three weeks ago, but they don’t live in Wisconsin, where it (no joke) snowed less than a week ago. Yeah, we’ve had the occasional 70 degree day, but they’re interspersed between 30 and 40 degree ones. Today, however, I declare that spring has arrived in Madison, and is here to stay. So here is what I am listening to to celebrate this glorious occasion.

First up is “Part of the Sky” by Adam Arcuragi, who I first discovered through former ATG writer/butt buddy Austin. The song sounds like a cross between Andrew Bird, Sam Beam, and any other singer/songwriter with an acoustic guitar. Something about its simplicity really strikes a chord with me, and I’ve been hooked since the first listen.

MP3: Adam Arcuragi – “Part of the Sky”

I only very recently saw The Darjeeling Limited for the first time, upon the request of my insistant girlfriend, and while the movie didn’t blow me away, the soundtrack definitely did. Not surprising, of course, as it is a Wes Anderson movie. I instantly snagged the soundtrack, and have been blasting “This Time Tomorrow” by The Kinks constantly.

MP3: The Kinks – “This Time Tomorrow”

Finally, I’ve been enjoying a unique remix of Daft Punks “Digital Love”, featuring appearances by Alphabeat, Leon Jean-Marie, and ATG-favorite FrankMusik. The vocoder vocals have been replaced with real people, and the beat is even more upbeat and warm than the original, if that’s even possible. I think it’s literally impossible not to enjoy Daft Punk, so enjoy this.

MP3: Daft Punk – “Digital Love (Remix ft. FrankMusik, Alphabeat, & Leon Jean-Marie)”

If you’ve been relaxing in the warm spring weather for a while, then fuck you. If you’re like me and spring is a novel (and welcomed) concept then put some shorts on, pour yourself a mojito, put these songs (along with anything by Vampire Weekend) on a playlist and go outside.

Love,
Zack

On Heavy Rotation

Here’s a little sample of what I’ve been pumping steadily for the past few days:

MP3: Jonas Brothers – “S.O.S.”

Say what you want about the Jonas Brothers. I see one of the most talented up-and-coming bands that provide a nice template for how to build hype through blogs. Vampire Weekend eat your heart out.

MP3: Daughtry – “Over You”

Everyone who reads ATG knows how much I absolutely LOOOOOOOVE American Idol. With contestants as refreshingly talented and unique as Chris Daughtry, how could you not love it? His sound is like Nickelback, but better (if that’s even possible).

MP3: Danity Kane – “Damaged”

Danity Kane follow in a long line of awesome artists that were put together on a reality TV show, and they might just be the best of the bunch! Plus they have the Diddy seal of approval. What’s better than one girl with an incredible voice? How about multiple girls with beautiful voices serenading me about broken relationships. Talk about a song that’s applicable for everyone!

Peep these tracks and play them at your next party. I guarantee it’ll get the party bumpin’ out of control.

Oh, by the way…
April Fools.

Love,
Zack

Quiet Mood: Melpo Mene, Sparrow House, & Sally Shapiro

Ever get in one of those really quiet, contemplative moods on a Saturday or Sunday morning? You know, the ones that get you feeling comfortable yet nostalgic at the same time? I’m in one right now, and went searching for the perfect soundtrack to compliment my feelings. Mission accomplished.

First up is Melpo Mene’s “I Adore You”, which you might recognize from the new Volvo XC90 commercial. The song is very soft and innocent, yet features excellent instrumentation and a beautiful melody, in the vein of Mene’s Scandanavian brethren Seabear and Pelle Carlberg. I find it difficult to not smile or daydream when I listen to this track.

MP3: Melpo Mene – “I Adore You”

Next is Sparrow House’s “Heart Flood”, featured on Voxtrot-member Jarod Van Fleet’s 2006 EP, Falls. “Heart Flood” starts with an ever-building guitar riff, slowly adding ambient noise and slightly muted vocals, which gain steam then finally give way to a warm bass synth and the repetitive lyrics “give up, give up”. Clocking in at a modest 2:21, Van Fleet somehow finds a way to pack an album’s worth of emotions into one, bite-sized morsel of a song, which leaves listeners (like myself) begging for more, which is perfect, since”Heart Flood” introduces listeners to the rest of Falls, an almost flawless 19:26 of music.

MP3: Sparrow House – “Heart Flood”

The last song is Sally Shapiro’s “He Keeps Me Alive”, a song that even I am surprised to enjoy so much. Another Swede (see: Melpo Mene) drops this synth-and-vocal-driven beauty, which has an indescribably nostalgic feel. The first time I ever heard this song, I felt like I had heard it a million times, but in a good way. “He Keeps Me Alive” is equal parts comforting, familiar, and refreshingly new.

MP3: Sally Shapiro – “He Keeps Me Alive”

Love,

Zack

My Brother is a Badass – Eat and Smile Foods

There have been a smattering of posts recently that don’t necessarily pertain to new music news but rather to my personal life, which has generated complaints (actually, the only complaint I’ve gotten is from Ethan). This is, however, my blog, so I again dive into personal matters, though this time I ask, nay IMPLORE you readers to check this out.

My oldest brother, Oliver, is a 26-year-old juggler-turned-stage-actor-turned-chef who recently started his own small business, Eat and Smile Foods. He offers cooking lessons at reasonable prices as well as catering for parties of as little as a romantic dinner for two all the way up to a 60 person cocktail party. I know this has nothing to do with music, but I feel like, after being blessed with his meals on my plate every time I come home from school for the past two years, everyone needs to get a chance to experience this. I mean, he makes his own bacon from scratch. HIS OWN BACON.

I write this post now because just today his wonderful and affordable services were written up in Daily Candy, the popular online tastemakers and lifestyle blog. The review is, not surprisingly, glowing, and I encourage you to hire this man if you live in or around the D.C. area. Even if you don’t need his services, be sure to read his weekly findings at the local D.C. farmer’s markets that he posts on his website. For a small fee, he’ll even dress up like the Swedish Chef from the Muppets and speak in gibberish. Did I mention he makes his own bacon?

GO HERE NOW FOR FREE SEX AND CHOCOLATE AND INSTANT ADMITTANCE INTO HEAVEN. Ok I lied, go there to see my brother’s website. Call (202)222-2222 for the free sex though (I get lonely at night).

MP3: Common – “The Food (Ft. Kanye West)”
MP3: The Walkmen – “All the Hands and the Cook”
MP3: Kanye West – “Big Brother”

Love,
Zack

Spring Break

So I’m stuck in the Cincinatti airport trying to get home for my spring break. I swear that every airlines has it out for me, as this is my third cancelled flight in as many trips. Luckily my Dad offered to pick up my bar tab, so I am unsober enough to actually enjoy Ohio (sorry to my Ohio readers). So enjoy these tunes while I try to get home to the greatest city in the world, WASHINGTON, DC.

MP3: Mambo Sauce – “Welcome to DC”
MP3: Tabi Bonney – “Beat Rock”
MP3: Cold War Kids – “We Used to Vacation”

Love,
Zack

FUCK WORK, MAKE DANCE PART DEUX

DEAR RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF READING I HAVE TO DO,

GO READ YOURSELF. INSTEAD OF DOING YOU LIKE A NORMAL COLLEGE STUDENT WOULD…..

DAAANNNNCEEEE PARRRRTTTTYYYYYYY

WARNING: Listening to the following mpeg layer 3 audio files may will cause uncontrollable urges to shimmy, shake, and/or drop it like it’s hot. Consider yourself warned.

MP3: Robyn – “Be Mine (Ocelot Mthrfckrs Remix)” [zshare]
MP3: Enur ft. Natasha – “Calabria 2007 (Hatchmatick Clubabria Remix)” [zshare]
MP3: MGMT – “Kids” [zshare]
MP3: The Hood Internet – “$100 Million Sportswear (Birdman vs. Sebastien Tellier)” [zshare]

Love,
Zack

Super Tuesday – YES WE CAN

Barack Obama in New Hampshire:

It was a creed written into the founding documents that declared the destiny of a nation.

Yes we can.

It was whispered by slaves and abolitionists as they blazed a trail toward freedom.

Yes we can.

It was sung by immigrants as they struck out from distant shores and pioneers who pushed westward against an unforgiving wilderness.

Yes we can.

It was the call of workers who organized; women who reached for the ballots; a President who chose the moon as our new frontier; and a King who took us to the mountaintop and pointed the way to the Promised Land.

Yes we can to justice and equality.

Yes we can to opportunity and prosperity.

Yes we can heal this nation.

Yes we can repair this world.

Yes we can.

We know the battle ahead will be long, but always remember that no matter what obstacles stand in our way, nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change.

We have been told we cannot do this by a chorus of cynics…they will only grow louder and more dissonant. We’ve been asked to pause for a reality check. We’ve been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.

But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.

Now the hopes of the little girl who goes to a crumbling school in Dillon are the same as the dreams of the boy who learns on the streets of LA; we will remember that there is something happening in America; that we are not as divided as our politics suggests; that we are one people; we are one nation; and together, we will begin the next great chapter in the American story with three words that will ring from coast to coast; from sea to shining sea.

Yes. We. Can.

I guess you know where I stand, huh? Check the high resolution video here.

MP3: Otis Redding – “A Change is Gonna Come” [alt. link]
MP3: Ben Harper – “People Lead” [alt. link]
MP3: The Argyle Wishlist – “We’ll Change Our Minds Eventually” [alt. link]

Barack the vote today folks,
Zack

Happy Birthday to Us (and my Mom)! All Things Go Turns 2!

It feels like it’s been forever since my (only) four friends and I sat out to start this here blog in the hopes of educating a small (see: 10 people) readership on the newest and coolest music out there. Well, it hasn’t been forever. It’s been two years, to be exact. Yup, that fateful night of January 22nd, 2006, this little establishment came to be. It was a beautiful birth, and, while we’ve struggled through adolescence recently (lack of posting, now only 2 writers), we are still alive and kicking. This blog originally served as a way for me to express myself musically, and allow others to get a chance to discover new tunes and artists. It has turned into much more, allowing me to meet new people (including some of my favorite artists), hone my journalistic skills, and share my passion for music with you all. There are a couple of people I’d really like to thank here, as, without them, this site would be dead and gone.

First off, I’d like to thank Derek for enlightening me with his music, and educating me on the ins and outs of running a blog along the way. He’s been more than helpful with everything, and, to top it off, he’s been one of my best friends for a while. Sadly, his blog (GWFAS) is still miles cooler than mine.

Secondly, I’d like to thank everyone that has written for this site. It started with Alex, Adrian, Austin, Ryan, and me, and along the way we lost some, added and lost Everett and Nicholas, and, recently, added Ethan. Regardless of how much they have contributed in terms of actual posts, they have helped keep the blog fresh, and give you guys some more perspectives.

I’d like to thank everyone who has donated to keep this site running. Without you, this blog would literally not exist. I still find it a bit crazy that you guys would donate to some random person you’ve never met without being forced to, but nonetheless I appreciate not only the money but also the thought and kindness.

I don’t have enough time or effort to thank everyone, but I’d like to recognize these people for helping make ATG what it is today: Michael (for providing comic relief), Stephen and Andy (for attempting to make a diss blog against Derek and I), Will Cafritz (for keeping me on the cutting edge in terms of new music), Mickey (for introducing me to the newest and hottest remixes), Aaron Berger (for setting up the first ever All Things Go sponsored show), my parents (for reading the blog regularly), Nick Miller and Tim Nazanin (for providing us with Mixtape Monday’s and Nick Miller’s song of the week), and everyone else who I have enjoyed listening to music (or making drunken music) with.

Obviously, I want to thank you guys, the readers, for checking in to the site regularly and for interacting with me through comments and suggestions. Ultimately, this site would be nothing but rambling without readers, and you all are my motivation to keep writing.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my awesome girlfriend Claire. She’s introduced me to countless new songs (including “Silver City”) and has kept me motivated at times when I felt like calling it quits. I love her.

Here’s to two more years of All Things Go. And here’s a few songs to celebrate!

MP3: Ghostface Killah – “We Celebrate (ft. Kid Capri)”
MP3: Andrew Bird – “The Happy Birthday Song”
MP3: Bloc Party – “Two More Years”
MP3: Final Fantasy – “Took You Two Years to Win My Heart”

PS: Happy Birthday to Sara Friendly, my mom.

Mobius Band Stops by Daytrotter

ATG favorites Mobius Band stopped in to the Daytrotter last week to record a few songs (which seems to be the hip thing to do these days), and played a few songs from their newest effort, Heaven, as well as a few older songs. Check out my favorite, “Friends Like These”, as well as “A Hint of Blood”, both off Heaven. Their latest tour just finished up before New Years (and included a stop that was sponsored by ATG), so these two songs will have to hold you over until another album or tour.

MP3: Mobius Band – “Friends Like These (Daytrotter Session)” [via]
MP3: Mobius Band – “A Hint of Blood (Daytrotter Session)” [via]

Love,
Zack