Here it is folks! We finished Old Soybu's debut release Job John Rise. It's a heavy mixture of chiptune, post-punk, post-hardcore, drone, and noise. An incredibly experimental release and hopefully the first sign of many new directions and mixtures from this side project Chief Tizo supergroup. Download it for free below!
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
"I'm a blues man in the life of the mind. I'm a jazz man in the world of ideas..."
Cornel West is probably one of the most progressive thinkers that is still living today. West has written 4 books and has appeared on multiple political shows. I have always been captivated by him, the way he dresses, the way he speaks and the profound ideas he brings forth. This documentary, Examined Life, has many other progressive thinkers, Judith Butler and Slavoj Žižek ,but West's words struck me the most.
In this video he speaks about his own thoughts of truth. He goes on about romanticism, jazz, blues and everything in-between.
Also the documentary is done by Jeff Mangum's wife, go figure.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Status updates: Why hasn't Job John Rise been released? and Shows!
If you noticed that Old Soybu's EP hasn't been released yet, then that's completely correct. But what isn't correct is that we forgot about it. I have been very sick this past week and so has Starlon. So there has been absolutely zero amount of time for us to finish said EP.
We have the lyrics, melodies, and tracks all ready to go but our voices had been destroyed over the week. So hopefully this weekend we'll be able to record and finish up the EP for next week! Also, we started going back to college again, so that kinda slows us down.
In another good news, How Scandinavian is still working on releasing it's first single of the year. It'll probably be our first double A-Side single and will hopefully be out sooner than most expect. We've been gathering up a whole lot lately and some of the new material has been a treat to play. So more on that later.
Also, How Scandinavian has some shows for February and March! Woo hoo. They are as follows:
February 4th, 2012 - Cedar Center
February 10th, 2012 - Undisclosed High School
February 19th, 2012 - Battle of the Bands #36
March 3rd, 2012 - The Industry Theater
We have the lyrics, melodies, and tracks all ready to go but our voices had been destroyed over the week. So hopefully this weekend we'll be able to record and finish up the EP for next week! Also, we started going back to college again, so that kinda slows us down.
In another good news, How Scandinavian is still working on releasing it's first single of the year. It'll probably be our first double A-Side single and will hopefully be out sooner than most expect. We've been gathering up a whole lot lately and some of the new material has been a treat to play. So more on that later.
Also, How Scandinavian has some shows for February and March! Woo hoo. They are as follows:
February 4th, 2012 - Cedar Center
February 10th, 2012 - Undisclosed High School
February 19th, 2012 - Battle of the Bands #36
March 3rd, 2012 - The Industry Theater
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Song of the Day: Rufus Wainwright - Evil Angel
A while back I was heavily obsessed with Red House Painters and was beginning to look into any sort of bootlegs from their live shows. This being difficult because they have this longtime policy of not allowing any cameras or recording devices, but far and between from their formation to their last tour there were indeed some bootlegs floating around.
I had stumbled upon a recording of one of their last shows ever in 2001 and it had a bunch of cool rendition of 'Grace Cathedral Park' and even a fucking RHP version of 'Duk Koo Kim'; I was happy. But all of that would make little to no difference in the week long torment that would follow finding this bootleg.
The first track of the bootleg was entitled 'Introduction' which contained a snippet of a song that was playing in the venue's speakers and promptly was cut short as the band went on stage. It sounded like Thom Yorke singing with a choir from hell. It was absolutely fantastic. Yet, I was left dumbfounded since the vocals were pretty much words being stretched to infinite and the noise from the crowd obscured any finer details.
I tried looking everywhere, I used those websites that would capture the melody from your voice, I tried playing the melody on guitar and asking if anyone knew what it was, I even contacted the bootlegger if he had any clue and if he could share a longer snippet of the track. Luckily, he had one and wished me luck on my journey.
I was able to use the snippet for the melody website and found it was 'Evil Angel' by Rufus Wainwright. The fuck? I was pretty confused for two reasons, the first since I figured Wainwright was just some pop singer. The second because the track opens with this immensely evil sounding cello... I was pretty wrong with my premature judgement!
In the long run I was able to hear this entirely fantastic track, I was greatly impressed by the album, Poses, it was on (highly recommended for some actually great alternative/singer-songwriter music), in my quest I actually found these two other bands called Swell and The Ocean Blue (their spot will be on here in the future...), and I didn't kill myself out of frustration.
All for a good melody.
Note: Pretty cool tribute here.
I had stumbled upon a recording of one of their last shows ever in 2001 and it had a bunch of cool rendition of 'Grace Cathedral Park' and even a fucking RHP version of 'Duk Koo Kim'; I was happy. But all of that would make little to no difference in the week long torment that would follow finding this bootleg.
The first track of the bootleg was entitled 'Introduction' which contained a snippet of a song that was playing in the venue's speakers and promptly was cut short as the band went on stage. It sounded like Thom Yorke singing with a choir from hell. It was absolutely fantastic. Yet, I was left dumbfounded since the vocals were pretty much words being stretched to infinite and the noise from the crowd obscured any finer details.
I tried looking everywhere, I used those websites that would capture the melody from your voice, I tried playing the melody on guitar and asking if anyone knew what it was, I even contacted the bootlegger if he had any clue and if he could share a longer snippet of the track. Luckily, he had one and wished me luck on my journey.
I was able to use the snippet for the melody website and found it was 'Evil Angel' by Rufus Wainwright. The fuck? I was pretty confused for two reasons, the first since I figured Wainwright was just some pop singer. The second because the track opens with this immensely evil sounding cello... I was pretty wrong with my premature judgement!
In the long run I was able to hear this entirely fantastic track, I was greatly impressed by the album, Poses, it was on (highly recommended for some actually great alternative/singer-songwriter music), in my quest I actually found these two other bands called Swell and The Ocean Blue (their spot will be on here in the future...), and I didn't kill myself out of frustration.
All for a good melody.
Note: Pretty cool tribute here.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Song of the Day: Daniel Rossen - Saint Nothing
The first song from this year that has me eating out of the palm of its hand! I've been a great fan of Grizzly Bear ever since Veckatimest came out a few years back. Grizzly Bear are one of the few modern bands that have an extremely distinctive sound and are incredibly talented at the same time. I was lucky enough to catch them perform at the Hollywood Bowl two years ago as well.
But this song isn't the new Grizzly Bear single or anything like that, no, this is a taste of Daniel Rossen's, the second half of Department of Eagles and the guitarist/vocalist for Grizzly Bear, Silent Hour / Golden Mile EP that is to be released this March.
The song is nothing short of beautiful, melancholic, and powerful. A gloriously subdued piano ballad with dark lyrics at first, the choir and horns only add to the mix and turn it into a gloomy march. While it could have easily fit in any of the previous releases by Grizzly Bear or Department of Eagles, it certainly does have a since of desperate sadness that hasn't been explored since the release of 2007's Yellow House.
This track has me extremely excited for future material by Grizzly Bear, Department of Eagles, or Daniel Rossen himself. An unparalleled track from this year, it sets a high bar for what's left to come. Amazing.
But this song isn't the new Grizzly Bear single or anything like that, no, this is a taste of Daniel Rossen's, the second half of Department of Eagles and the guitarist/vocalist for Grizzly Bear, Silent Hour / Golden Mile EP that is to be released this March.
The song is nothing short of beautiful, melancholic, and powerful. A gloriously subdued piano ballad with dark lyrics at first, the choir and horns only add to the mix and turn it into a gloomy march. While it could have easily fit in any of the previous releases by Grizzly Bear or Department of Eagles, it certainly does have a since of desperate sadness that hasn't been explored since the release of 2007's Yellow House.
This track has me extremely excited for future material by Grizzly Bear, Department of Eagles, or Daniel Rossen himself. An unparalleled track from this year, it sets a high bar for what's left to come. Amazing.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Song of the Day: R.E.M. - Parakeet
R.E.M. is a very special band to me, their song crafting was an incredible influence on me when I first started writing and recording songs with a Rock Band microphone and would have a lasting effect to me even later on. But a lot of people, for good reasons, tend to ignore much of the later material that the band released because of how varying in quality it was.
The song 'Parakeet' comes from their 1998 album Up, and to me was the last great album R.E.M. put out right at the end of their superb and varied 90's reinventions. Devoid of any jangle-y guitars and obscured lyrics by this point in their career and having recently lost Bill Berry as their drummer, R.E.M. turned to more electronic, subdued, and lush sounds as a result.
'Parakeet' is one of the lush cuts from the album and is rightfully so with it's sleigh bells, use of Leslie treated keyboard, pipe organ, and Michael Stipe's drawling vocals. The lyrics are bittersweet and brilliantly describe the modern difficulties of living in broken aspirations, which brilliantly contrast with the music until the very end. One of the strongest tracks in the entirety of R.E.M.'s post-Bill Berry era and, in my opinion, one of their best songs in their entire discography, 'Parakeet' is a song for all the naysayers of late era R.E.M. to hear.
(Couldn't find the studio version, so enjoy this live version)
The song 'Parakeet' comes from their 1998 album Up, and to me was the last great album R.E.M. put out right at the end of their superb and varied 90's reinventions. Devoid of any jangle-y guitars and obscured lyrics by this point in their career and having recently lost Bill Berry as their drummer, R.E.M. turned to more electronic, subdued, and lush sounds as a result.
'Parakeet' is one of the lush cuts from the album and is rightfully so with it's sleigh bells, use of Leslie treated keyboard, pipe organ, and Michael Stipe's drawling vocals. The lyrics are bittersweet and brilliantly describe the modern difficulties of living in broken aspirations, which brilliantly contrast with the music until the very end. One of the strongest tracks in the entirety of R.E.M.'s post-Bill Berry era and, in my opinion, one of their best songs in their entire discography, 'Parakeet' is a song for all the naysayers of late era R.E.M. to hear.
(Couldn't find the studio version, so enjoy this live version)
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Song of the Day: Cibo Matto - King of Silence
I'm going to try out this new segment to get more things to read about on here. I'll post what songs I've been feeling each particular day I want to post (I don't think I'll be able to handle a post a day for very long...) and share.
So this segment's debut track will be one from New York based band Cibo Matto! Composed of Miho Hatori, Yuka Honda, Sean Lennon and Timo Ellis, they are extremely versatile band and one of my favorite 'Jet Set Radio Future' featured bands; that was actually where I first heard Cibo Matto from along with Scapegoat Wax, BS 2000, and bis. Check out that entire soundtrack along with it's bonus tracks if you want to hear some awesome music.
Anyways, the song I am featuring isn't their contribution to this game but instead comes from their 1999 album Stereo * Type A, the song 'King of Silence. This track is really smooth and I mean fucking smooth. A great catchy and unconventional number on the album. The brass arrangement is stellar and the entire thing just reeks of redemption and comfort. A really touching track if you take a closer peek at the lyrics, it just enhances the entire song experience.
A successful mix of jazz, trip-hop, samba, and j-pop in one lovely package. If you enjoy this song be sure to check the rest of the album. Also they recently reunited last year to play a couple of reunion shows and are releasing a new album this year! Fuck yeah!
So this segment's debut track will be one from New York based band Cibo Matto! Composed of Miho Hatori, Yuka Honda, Sean Lennon and Timo Ellis, they are extremely versatile band and one of my favorite 'Jet Set Radio Future' featured bands; that was actually where I first heard Cibo Matto from along with Scapegoat Wax, BS 2000, and bis. Check out that entire soundtrack along with it's bonus tracks if you want to hear some awesome music.
Anyways, the song I am featuring isn't their contribution to this game but instead comes from their 1999 album Stereo * Type A, the song 'King of Silence. This track is really smooth and I mean fucking smooth. A great catchy and unconventional number on the album. The brass arrangement is stellar and the entire thing just reeks of redemption and comfort. A really touching track if you take a closer peek at the lyrics, it just enhances the entire song experience.
A successful mix of jazz, trip-hop, samba, and j-pop in one lovely package. If you enjoy this song be sure to check the rest of the album. Also they recently reunited last year to play a couple of reunion shows and are releasing a new album this year! Fuck yeah!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
My Dad is Dead, the end of youth, and ambition.
There's this band that I heard a very long time ago because of how much I liked the name of a song called 'Seven Years'. At the time I was barely getting into David Bowie and I liked the idea of a sequel to his song 'Five Years'. The name of the band was My Dad is Dead and I was hooked.
Yet, in those times I didn't really know about post-punk and didn't know who or what Joy Division were. So you can imagine how listening to something like My Dad is Dead was enticing and new. Unique to the point where I only listened to that song twice, saved the album it was featured on, and would return to it on and off for years.
A few weeks ago I started to listen to them again after a chance reunion while driving along with some friends when they made a few comments on the off-putting name. It sparked a lot of memories within myself and how back then I had no idea I'd be making music and running this label with Starlon and Co.
It really hit home though when I stumbled upon an interview with Mark Edwards, the founder of My Dad is Dead, from last year in which he describes how he was ready to stop the band. He details his life and how he had gone from having a period of touring and playing with his live band and then hitting an immense decline in poverty.
The realities of uncertainty in the future and how living as an artist/musician is truly a difficult one struck me (this isn't the first time...). For Mark Edwards there truly was a struggle but he ended up having a great conclusion to his beloved band and has a happy married life. It's uplifting, redemptive and ominous at the same time for me and many others I assume.
Being a musician who truly began to write personally meaningful music on my own at home, I relate to Edwards's experiences. It's tough and it's easy to get lost awash in your own ambitions.
Whatever comes along the way or whatever never comes, I at least will keep my ambitions so to be able to reflect in a seven or more years in genuine conciliation.
Here's the interview: 'My Dad is Dead bids a redemptive farewell'.
The song that started it all.
Yet, in those times I didn't really know about post-punk and didn't know who or what Joy Division were. So you can imagine how listening to something like My Dad is Dead was enticing and new. Unique to the point where I only listened to that song twice, saved the album it was featured on, and would return to it on and off for years.
A few weeks ago I started to listen to them again after a chance reunion while driving along with some friends when they made a few comments on the off-putting name. It sparked a lot of memories within myself and how back then I had no idea I'd be making music and running this label with Starlon and Co.
It really hit home though when I stumbled upon an interview with Mark Edwards, the founder of My Dad is Dead, from last year in which he describes how he was ready to stop the band. He details his life and how he had gone from having a period of touring and playing with his live band and then hitting an immense decline in poverty.
The realities of uncertainty in the future and how living as an artist/musician is truly a difficult one struck me (this isn't the first time...). For Mark Edwards there truly was a struggle but he ended up having a great conclusion to his beloved band and has a happy married life. It's uplifting, redemptive and ominous at the same time for me and many others I assume.
Being a musician who truly began to write personally meaningful music on my own at home, I relate to Edwards's experiences. It's tough and it's easy to get lost awash in your own ambitions.
Whatever comes along the way or whatever never comes, I at least will keep my ambitions so to be able to reflect in a seven or more years in genuine conciliation.
Here's the interview: 'My Dad is Dead bids a redemptive farewell'.
The song that started it all.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Music Documentaries II The Great Reckoning
Being sick sucks a lot. I can't do too much except sleep, read, cough, whine and write. So here is a list that was postponed for months. I hope all 3 readers would enjoy the few movies I recommend cause I had loads of fun with them.
American Hardcore
The main reason I ever even attempted to listen to Black Flag or Bad Brains was because of this documentary. Showing the six year long hardcore scenes in different cities from Los Angeles, the core of the scene, to Washington D.C , the hometown of Minor Threat. This documentary features interviews from band members from all scenes. It really feels like all these punk legends are just telling you about their lives in their bands. which is exactly as awesome as it sounds. Probably would not be the same if I never watched this documentary. Highly recommend this to anyone.
Decline covers the early hardcore punk scene of LA. There is interviews with X, Black Flag and the infamous Germs. The overall atmosphere is just so rugged for no reason it ,but it just some how works. The thing that sets this apart from other music documentaries is that it asked what really is punk. There was interviews with kids that went to concerts and they assumed it was about violence, club owners thought it was all about fast music and the performers seen it as a kind of blues like music for solace.
Kill Yr Idols.
The No Wave scene in New York was the end all and be all of pure 100% experimentation. Bands grew from the concrete sidewalks like grotesque flowers spreading their pollen through punk clubs like PCP. Swans, DNA, Sonic Youth and Lydia Lunch grew from this scene taking the expectation of punk and running it through a grinder making unique sounds all influenced by the grimy lives they lead in the city. This documentary shows the scenes infancy and then shows its quick demise then shows the next incarnation of No Wave with bands like The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Liars. Highly recommend this documentary not only because it shows great interviews with Lydia Lunch and Michael Gira ,but because it asks the question what is happening to independent music and what has happened to New York's connection to punk.
American Hardcore
The main reason I ever even attempted to listen to Black Flag or Bad Brains was because of this documentary. Showing the six year long hardcore scenes in different cities from Los Angeles, the core of the scene, to Washington D.C , the hometown of Minor Threat. This documentary features interviews from band members from all scenes. It really feels like all these punk legends are just telling you about their lives in their bands. which is exactly as awesome as it sounds. Probably would not be the same if I never watched this documentary. Highly recommend this to anyone.
The Decline of Western Civilization.
Decline covers the early hardcore punk scene of LA. There is interviews with X, Black Flag and the infamous Germs. The overall atmosphere is just so rugged for no reason it ,but it just some how works. The thing that sets this apart from other music documentaries is that it asked what really is punk. There was interviews with kids that went to concerts and they assumed it was about violence, club owners thought it was all about fast music and the performers seen it as a kind of blues like music for solace.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
New Release/Upcoming: Old Soybu - Job John Rise EP
Chief Tizo is proud to present it's most experimental release yet, the label's very own supergroup that consists of How Scandinavian, 14 Charisma and Starlon are releasing their debut EP under the name Old Soybu. It's a mix of chiptune, post-punk, slowcore, noise rock and drone-y pop tunes. The EP entitled Job John Rise will be released next week, but check out the lead track and debut single 'Karate Means Shut the Fuck Up' below!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Chief Tizo Interviews #3: Thrill Touch
My favorite interview so far! Starlon and I decided to give Thrill Touch an interview before their set at the Explosion New Year's Eve show and got some interesting information! Lots of laughs all around. Oh and some release news somewhere in there... So what are you waiting for? Check it out above!
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