A few weeks ago we mentioned what we thought at the time was a really one-off thing. Nicholson Baker, the author of several books collectively loved by Vol. 1 folks, issued a song protesting the construction of a military base in Gangjeong. We mentioned that the song sounded a good deal like Brian Eno, Robert Wyatt and even some Arthur Russell, and the conversation continued on Twitter about how great “Jeju Island Song” sounded (not to mention the important message):
Ian MacKaye: All Ages For Life
Behold: Ian MacKaye talking questions at Seattle’s excellent all-ages space, The VERA Project. There’s dry humor on display as well as smart observations on sharing music, the economics of running a label, and more. Follow Vol. 1 Brooklyn on Twitter, Facebook, Google + and our Tumblr.
Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Us Unwound’s Justin Trosper Had A New Band?
I think it’s safe to say that Vol.1 Brooklyn’s editors contain more than a few Unwound fans among their number. Of the group’s members, drummer Sara Lund seems to have been the most active lately, as part of Hungry Ghost and the Corin Tucker Band. We’re also incredibly excited to hear that singer/guitarist Justin Trosper has a new group, called Survival Knife, who are playing shows around the Northwest. (Seriously, west coast friends: why didn’t any of you mention this?) […]
The Very Necessary Ellen Willis
I had read a few Ellen Willis essays on music in the past, but until Out of the Vinyl Deeps: Ellen Willis on Rock Music (University of Minnesota Press) was released last year, I’d never had a chance to sit down and immerse myself in her writings. Simply put: Reading Ellen Willis’ thoughts on music was a revelation. Willis had this ability to mix the personal with the political when talking about music that I can’t recall ever reading before–she was truly in […]
Return to San Pedro: Mike Watt’s “on and off bass” Reviewed
on and off bass by Mike Watt Three Rooms Press; 100 p. If you’ve followed the music made by Mike Watt since the late 1970s, then you understand: the man has slowly crafted his own language. Through albums by the Minutemen and fIREHOSE, as well as a string of acclaimed solo albums with the Missingmen and collaborations such as dos and Spielgusher, Watt has charted his own personal history, cited influences obscure and well-known, and coined phrases that have entered […]
All That Glitters: Wired Up!: Glam, Proto Punk, and Bubblegum Reviewed
Wired Up!: Glam, Proto Punk, and Bubblegum; European Picture Sleeves 1970–1976 by Jeremy Thompson and Mary Blount Like any other kind of history, cultural history tends to be written by the winners—or whatever group happens to have the best access to printing presses, television and radio networks, and the more influential websites and blogs. In the case of the 1970s, the “official” history of popular culture is pretty much etched in stone at this point. For pop music, the standard […]
Making an Owen Pallett Comic
Our love for Mr. Pallett stretches back a few years, going well beyond the 2010 release of Heartland. We certainly loved him long before he helped usher in our Band Booking series early last year, and if he continues producing songs as gorgeous as the ones off his last LP, we will probably always love Owen Pallett.
The Rerelease of the Eraserhead Soundtrack is Beyond Important
Please feast your eyes on the deluxe vinyl reissue of David Lynch’s Eraserhead soundtrack coming out on August 7, 2012 on the always great Sacred Bones label. The soundtrack will be released in a limited edition of 1500 and will feature a 16-page booklet, three 11-inch prints, a digital download, and a 7-inch single of Peter Ivers’ “In Heaven” with the previously unreleased “Pete’s Boogie”. This is officially the Jesus of all soundtrack rereleases. Follow Vol. 1 Brooklyn on Twitter, Facebook, Google + and our Tumblr.