Us Audio Muffiners have been keeping busy lately working on some new projects that we are very exicted about and have been somewhat neglectful to our followers. I wanted to assure you all that the rumors are not true, we did not sell out to MTV.com as some of you seem to think. We are still here in the Audio Muffin Bakery working hard for you and selling used records to pay the rent. For the time being, we ask that you continue to check in with us on a bi-hourly basis for more updates and I will leave you with three bands that have gained significant favor inside my ipod in recent months and have innovative videos to back their sounds.
Mika - holy awesomeness.
I’m sorry - this is not hot off the shelves or anything in fact its probably already forgotten after a year off the airwaves of every radio station - but I’ve been missing it until today. It was a completely unexpected find on my friend’s iPod while cruising around on mountain roads…… When questioned how/why he explained that while stationed in Morocco for the Peace Corps this super pop phenomenon was blowing up everywhere and was all over the radio waves. So he brought it back with him - resulting in making my day today. I mean… you’ve got to lighten up and like this.
Ghostland Observatory - Free Heart Lover (to play while you read)
After the promotion company suits and others responsible can be to blame for three years of lack-luster Street Scene Festivals, most notably ill-reviewed by their poor choice in venues (Cricket Amphitheatre and Qualcomm), the people were finally heard and the music festival returned to its rightful setting in downtown. Four stages tucked away in the up-and-coming East Village of downtown San Diego served home to the 2008 Street Scene music festival. Flooded with hipsters, rockers, hippies and yuppies, Street Scene combined the eclectic concert-goers scene in a two day party that played host to over 40 bands. The urban energy hyped the crowds as Petco Park and the East Village skyline graced backdrops.
Things got off to a somewhat rocky start. MGMT’s early Friday performance was plagued by exaggerated amounts of bass. People flocked to Hot Chip and not to be disappointed. Hot Chip, prized for their energy intensive performances, had the crowd jumping off the bat. With their hits, “One Pure Thought” and “Ready for the Floor” the band set the bar high for the remainder of the weekend.
Following Hot Chip, we moved on to see The Foals. Rocking out the Casbah Stage, which seemed to be more for the smaller up-and-coming bands, they attracted quite a crowd. Good sound and stage presence and songs like “Cassius” made this a very successful performance for the band. They also grabbed the attention of the hundreds frequenting the cocktail tent next to the stage…
Beer break.
Caught the end of Michael Franti and Spearhead. They had a good sized crowd and were playing many favorites. Onward to the Fulana Stage to see TV on the Radio. As the sunset on the East Village skyline, the energy of the festival intensified and was brought to fruition by this performance. With some classics, “Wolf Like Me” mixed with a lot of anticipated new stuff from Dear Science, the show was amazing. Everyone was into the performance including the band themselves.
From the Fulana Stage to the Fulano Stage we moved, Spoon was up. Spoon put on a show. Everything sounded so tight, their song selection had the crowd involved the entire time and they played for nearly an hour. This performance made me love the album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga even more.
Tough decision followed, Justice vs. Vampire Weekend. Since I recently saw Justice at Coachella, I made the call to see VW. Although I heard Justice was amazing, I am not regretful. Vampire Weekend literally has a record quality sound to their live performances. The Zarabanda Stage where they played is tucked in within a narrow street in the Village and created for a clustered and wild audience.
Saturday we got things going with Cold War Kids. Never a disappointment. Once again, they put on a soulful show and got their very large following into it immediately. Moving on back to the Casbah Stage (up-and-comings) we saw a solid performance by Tokyo Police Club. Definitely a band to watch over the next couple years, very Strokesy but a little more punk.
Time to get good seats for Audio Muffin reviewed, Ghostland Observatory from Austin, TX. The Zarabanda Stage did not know what hit it as Ghostland followed by Atmosphere completely shocked the crowd. Light shows, ten minute songs, rock star dancing, crowd singing, the epitome of a music festival. Man Man closed up the night with a stunning show as well.
All in all, Street Scene 2008 was a huge success. The band selection was on point, many new bands creating a lot of press and some old favorites as well. The East Village was a gracious host and would be expected to be the location of this event for years to come.
Most things are probably best left unsaid when it comes to 9/11. However, not to sound pretentious, I’m glad on this day we all remember who the real heroes are in this world. Officers, firefighters, etc. The Muffin thanks you. All those people who run into burning buildings deserve some sweet section of heaven, I am talking like God’s guest house or something.
Some reflective tunes seemed appropriate today. John Cusack had a great line in HighFidelity when he was critiquing the music for the day, ”I just want something I can ignore.” We all have those times when you want a song you enjoy but at the same time will not completely occupy your mind. It is almost like finding the perfect tomato. The wrong tomato can take over the whole sandwich and thereby ruining the awesomeness of that wonderful turkey and cheese. Liam Finn was that good tomato today. Son of acclaimed musician Neil Finn of Crowded House Liam released a solo album in North America in early 2008. For the most part I’ll Be Lightning was completely done alone by playing nearly every instrument on the album and recording it in his father’s studio in New Zealand. Very cool my friends. Enjoy… Concordia Discors
-Better to be looking for an answer out in the sea than under your bed-
In the journey for new music, you sift through lots of sounds making quick judgments, perhaps sometimes tossing a good listen to the side if it doesn’t grab you in its first few seconds, maybe you’re feeling hasty or maybe that was a sweet slow song and you’re looking for something upbeat. You probably guess potential and download an mp3 for a listen later and then it hits you on Shuffle with mass disappointment….. But then sometimes there’s just a magical moment when you stumble upon something for whatever reason and there is gold. Its serendipity - smacks you with perfect timing and you start wondering how this artist knew to touch your life at that time. Yah. Maybe its lame saying it that way…. Its sensitive sometimes, I understand! It happened today with a band called Horse Feathers.
Horse Feathers’ name comes from an old phrase meaning Rubbish… or perhaps you can relate better to the term Horse Shit? But this band is no load! It took me about 25 seconds into Working Poor to feel it (you know what I mean?).
So you all know how I love the folk - but the reasons why are uh……….. well this band is dripping with all of the reasons why I love folk music. Here they are
Breathy Sing Along
Harmony (you have to check out Bandmember Heather Broderick’s backup on Curs in the Weeds)
Meaningful Heavy Stuff…… that is pretty and makes me think
Instrumentation that I can relate to - acoustic, strings and bows, banjos……. plucking strumming
When we post a song here at the muffin we hope that the music will reach a wider audience than it did before we posted it. If you are an artist featured on this website and have a problem with the world hearing your amazing music please send an email to frank@audiomuffin.com and we will take it down ASAP.
Our mp3 files are only available for a limited time.
If you are an artist looking to make the muffin, send all inquiries to authors@audiomuffin.com.
Mika - holy awesomeness.
After the promotion company suits and others responsible can be to blame for three years of lack-luster Street Scene Festivals, most notably ill-reviewed by their poor choice in venues (Cricket Amphitheatre and Qualcomm), the people were finally heard and the music festival returned to its rightful setting in downtown. Four stages tucked away in the up-and-coming East Village of downtown San Diego served home to the 
