Mildenhall
Great tunes abound. Here’s a recent favorite from the mind of James Mercer and the Shins.
2013 McDowell Mountain Music Festival brings the Roots, the Shins, and lots more to Downtown Phoenix
Arizona’s own McDowell Mountain Music Festival marks its 10 year anniversary in just a couple of months (March 22-24) with a stellar lineup – arguably the strongest lineup in its decade long run.I’ve made it very clear over the years that MMMF is hands-down my favorite music event in old AZ. I’ve attended every one of them since 2007, when I watched in awe as Aaron Neville and his brothers belted out “Tell It Like It Is.”
From its earlier years at Scottsdale’s spacious Westworld complex (2004-2009) to the intimate sod-laid parking lot outside of the (now defunct) Compound Grill in north Phoenix/Scottsdale (2010-2012), the all-for-charity festival has brought in the likes of Los Lobos, Gov’t Mule, the Flaming Lips, Matisyahu, Blues Traveler, Galactic, and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros – as well as a regular rotation of local artists like What Laura Says, Tramps & Thieves, and Endoplasmic.
2013 brings another new venue for MMMF – Margaret T. Hance Park in downtown Phoenix (aka “Deck Park” because of it’s locale over the Interstate 10 tunnel). It’s clearly a shift for the festival, moving from the far outskirts of the Phoenix metro area to smack dab in the middle of an urban center. This won’t be welcome news to those that enjoyed camping out under the stars during its first several years at Westworld, and were hoping for a return there. But any hesitation to attend should be squashed with this year’s announced lineup…
The Shins
The Roots
Umphrey’s McGee
Les Claypool’s Due de Twang
Deer Tick
Heartless Bastards
Dr. Dog
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Yonder Mountain String Band
and more…Me? I’m most excited to catch the Shins for the first time, to see the Roots a second time, and to see Rhode Island’s crazy bastards, Deer Tick, for a fifth time. The afterhours Deer Tick party on Saturday at the nearby Crescent Ballroom should be a wild time too.
I’m also really looking forward to Sunday’s closer, Umphrey’s McGee – a prog-rock/jamband that has been making big waves in the jam scene for years.
There’s a little something for everyone, isn’t there? Sunday’s lineup is a jamband fan’s wet dream. Saturday is gritty and soulful. Friday leans to the Indie side. All in all, a killer lineup if you ask me.
So tickets just went on sale January 1st. 3-day passes are going for $120.
See you there on Friday, March 22nd, yeah?
Here’s the full lineup…
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 2013
5:00 LOCAL TBD
6:00 Balkan Beat Box
7:30 Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes
9:30 The ShinsAFTERHOURS AT CRESCENT BALLROOM:
11:30 ORGONESATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013:
12:00 LOCAL
1:00 LOCAL
3:00 Heartless Bastards
5:00 Deer Tick
7:00 Iration
9:00 The RootsAFTERHOURS AT CRESCENT BALLROOM:
11:30 Deer TickSUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2013:
11:30 LOCAL
12:30 JGB BAND
2:00 Dr. Dog
4:00 Les Claypool’s Duo de Twang
6:00 Yonder Mountain String Band
8:00 Umphrey’s McGeeOfficial Site for the McDowell Mountain Music Festival
Ickmix 2
I used to really enjoy creating mixes for friends and – well – especially girlfriends. Inspiration would smack me like a freight train, and I’d dig into my collection and weave together tapestries of musical brilliance (at least I thought so!) and what I thought to be clever proclamations of affection. Well, the girlfriends are no more (my wife would kill me), but I have to get my mix fix in every now and then. So indulge me, my internet friends, and take in my new Ickmix.
It’s a fairly mellow mix. I’m a mellow fellow. I hope you enjoy. If you do, let me know. It may give me a kick in the pants to make more.
Ickmix 2 (mp3 – 63MB – 46:00)
Playlist:Bob Schneider – “The World Just Passes You By”
Tom Petty – “Casa Dega”
Los Lobos – “The Town” – from The Town and the City
Wilco – “Pieholden Suite”, from Summerteeth
Old 97’s – “Valentine”, from Fight Songs
The Shins – “Gone for Good”, from Chutes Too Narrow
Steve Earle – “Telephone Road”, from El Corazon
Little Feat – “New Delhi Freight Train”, from Time Loves a Hero
John Prine – “Morning Train”, from Fair & Square
My Morning Jacket – “The Way That He Sings”, from At Dawn
Phish – “Esther”, from JuntaGone for Good
Here’s a great live version of a great indie-country song (indiecow? countrindie?), sung by a great singer, James Mercer of the Shins. Do enjoy.
James Mercer: Gone for Good (mp3) – live 07 Jan 2004 – studio version comes from Chutes too Narrow
Once Again Hitting you in The Shins
I’m going to blog about the Shins. You see, I’m relatively new to the Shins. I discovered them in April, when I heard “Gone for Good”, and promptly posted it, proclaiming my love for it. I could still listen to that song on repeat for an entire week and never tire of it. Well I picked up their first album, ‘Oh, Inverted World’ recently, AND I saw the movie Garden State, both which feature the great and also infectious tune “New Slang”. James Mercer’s smooth voice and intelligently entertaining lyrics are right up my alley.
So yeah, the Shins are nothing new to a lot of folks and “New Slang” is the most well known off the album, but for those of you who haven’t heard them, check ’em out.
The Shins: New Slang (mp3) from Oh, Inverted World
- The Shins Official Site
Hitting you in The Shins
My musical discovery and evolution continues as I recently discovered this gem from the Shins, which was released in 2003. The fact is I never paid much attention to the Indie scene until last year (when I stumbled into the world of MP3 Blogs…. coincidence? Nnno). And I’ve been unearthing some great songs ever since. Like this one. “Gone for Good” [Buy the CD]. A perfectly crafted pop song with brilliant lyrics; a breakup song. Just check out the first line:
Untie me, I’ve said no vows
The train is getting way too loud
I gotta leave here my girl
Get on with my lonely life
Just leave the ring on the rail
For the wheels to nullifyAwesome! Wise! Biting! I love it. This is a 3-4 times in a row type song. Unique. Fresh. OK, I’ll stop. Take a listen.
The Shins: Gone for Good
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