Video: Twin Shadow “Run My Heart” (Yours Truly Session)
I will reluctantly admit that I was slow on the uptake when it came to Twin Shadow‘s sophomore LP, Confess. For whatever reason, my ears tend to avoid sounds with such overt references to 1980s pop music. I have always had trouble finding the humanity beneath the often plastic dance beats and synth-driven overlays that dominated popular music during the latter half of that decade. This disdain could stem from my lack of any discernible posterior that prevents my wearing skinny jeans, my inability to dance or an intolerance for uppers of all varieties. That isn’t to say I won’t rock the fuck out to Rick James, provided a few cocktails and a reason to celebrate. But by and large, I find the music to mirror the gaudiness of the time – overstated and manufactured.
Despite all of this, Confess has steadily earned my affection in 2012. Yesterday, the outstanding San Francisco-based video blog Yours Truly debuted their session with Twin Shadow’s George Lewis Jr. “Run My Heart” proves one of my favorite tracks of the album, reminiscent of Police-era Sting or some of Prince’s more restrained work. Yours Truly presents a stripped down, bass-driven version of the song. It’s always a testament to the songwriting when a track translates in any setting. This is certainly the case with “Run My Heart,” which only grows more disarming in the intimate setting of Lewis’ Los Angeles backyard. Check out the video below, that begins with Lewis working on the most rock n’ roll of all vehicles, his Triumph Bonneville. Although he may need to trade it in for a Honda Shadow, just for consistency’s sake.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Video: The Making of Woody at 100
Were he still alive, Woody Guthrie would turn 100 years-old tomorrow. To commemorate the anniversary, the Smithsonian Institute’s Folkways Recordings has released Woody at 100: The Woody Guthrie Centennial Collection, a 150-page large-format book with three CDs containing 57 tracks, including Guthrie’s most important recordings. The set also contains 21 previously unreleased performances and six unreleased originals, including Guthrie’s first known—and recently discovered—recordings from 1939. Check out a video about the making of the project below. Indianapolis readers can join in the celebration of Guthrie’s life and career at Ellenberger Park on Saturday, where local musicians will pay tribute in the form of the Woody Guthrie 100th Birthday Celebration Jamboree. The event is free.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Video: The Drums KEXP Session
If I could think of one dream job, it might just be to work at Seattle’s KEXP radio station. I may have even written that sentence before on this site, but really it’s the truth. Simply put, every legitimate act on the road always seems to drop by, chat it up, and play a live performance. Luckily for us, they love posting them on the Internet for the world’s enjoyment. Last week, they posted a session of Thought on Tracks favorites The Drums. Recorded in October in support of the their brilliant 2011 LP Portamento, it’s an amazing four song set and interview featuring the following songs:
- What You Were
- Money
- Best Friend
- Days
So kick back with a cup of coffee and some toast, and enjoy a little of The Drums to start your hump day.
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Written by Greg Dahman
Thought on Tracks 