CUT THROUGH THE NOISE » Contramano

Letter to Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson

Kate Bradley — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 22:36:06 +0000

Welcome back to our guest post series, LETTERS FROM THE ROAD, where we invite artists we freak over to takeover. The deal is, they can write whatever they like, only 2 rules: it has to be in the form of a letter, it has to have something to do with music. This week, featuring the musings of Pablo Cubrale, the brains behind Contramano, easily one of our favorite new bands (or at least, new to us). Think Argentine Clash with a whole lot of cello. Weird? Perhaps. But also woooooooooonderful. Like the below.

I mean seriously, how brilliant is this? Buy every record Contramano has ever made.

LETTERS FROM THE ROAD: Pablo Cubrale/Contramano

Dear Lou and Laurie,

Did you ever get my e-mail about the BBQ at home?

Man it was a real Argentine asado! And you were the only ones that didn’t make it. I guess it’s because you don’t read e-mails? Or maybe just my e-mails.

I mean, I understand if you don’t like computers, Lou, but come on, Laurie, I know that you’re pretty good with the knobs…

I really wanted you to come and talk about your song we are playing. That’s right, Small Town. I couldn’t figure out the piano part so I replaced it with the drums. I know, you might think that’s weird but it really works. Trust me. Now the song sounds more like Argentine Punk . Can’t wait to show you.

On a side note, I wanted to tell you that I changed a few words. For example when you say “Pittsburgh” because Warhol was from there, I say “Cordoba,” because, well, you know… that’s where I’m from. Also, when you say “Capote my hero,” he wasn’t really my hero, in fact I just learned about him when I saw the movie a few years ago. So, what I did was to change it to Lou and Laurie

You know, when I was in Argentina I used to listen to the song and with the dictionary and try to figure out what you were saying. I couldn’t find the meaning of Capote. A plant, an animal? I was confused. And also because I used to see Home of the Brave all the time (I recorded it on my VCR) and you, Laurie, would talk about the differences between being a 0 and a 1, and I thought the two songs were very connected somehow…. Anyway. I hope you guys like it.

Oh, one more thing. I also did the song in Spanish… But dude, it really sounds cool! I have both versions so you can tell me which one you like best.

Oh man, I miss you both

Even though you didn’t make the BBQ, I hope you can come to the show. It’ll be really great, I promise. I even put some footage of you at the end of Small Town when you say: “you hate it, and you know you have to leave” because… my voice, you know, it’s a bit higher than yours, and I can’t reach those looooow notes. Jaja.

Ok. Take care and call me!

Abrazos,

Pablo

www.contramano.net

NOW PLAYING: Top 9 2009

Kate Bradley — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:59:33 +0000

You read that right, it’s the Top 9. Two qualifiers: 1) an album totally worth the price, your money will be well spent and 2) an album that’s stood up on replay, ad infintinum. Hence, there were only nine. Trying to squeeze in a 10th felt like a copout. And we can’t have that. So, just in time for your shopping lists, our faves around Outlandos HQ for the past year:

1. Michael Miller, I Made You Up

Awash in a melodic swath of near-psychedelic ether, Miller’s sound teeters between that delicate dream state of newborn refuge and Milky Way haze. But don’t let the SoCal singer-songwriter thing fool you: Miller’s unassuming yet gumptious approach places him squarely alongside the likes of troubadours Pete Droge/Steve Forbert but with flecks of Supertramp/Bowie-style transcendental grandeur. No kidding. Which is why it’s my top pick.

2. Chris Velan, Solidago

Solidago was on my tops last year because I had an early copy (the release was April 2009) but it’s so good I’m putting it on the list again. The scoop: cunningly disguised as jangly chill-lax pop, Solidago reveals whipsmart songcraft and no-bullshit guitar rockers juxtaposed amidst easy-going ditties. Think Paul Simon, Tom Petty, The Wallflowers, Bob Marley. The kind of political/romantic moxie that makes me think hell yes, I too am a Hard Way Learner.

3. Mike Gent, Mike Gent

A pop masterpiece. Seriously. It’s easy, it’s smart, it’s fun, AND it has balls. Like Wilco used to (think Box of Letters, Monday). Speaking of balls, Mike’s other band, the Figgs, has long been one of my favorite badass live outfits.

4. Glasvegas, Glasvegas

Timeless Glasgow glampop at its uber-finest. Echo and the Bunnymen-esque, bigger drums. Shit-hot.

5. Gidgets Ga Ga, The Big Bong Theory

Fountains of Wayne meets Cheap Trick meets Strawberry Alarm Clock. Lots of bouncy, chimey guitars, and an authentic garage sound. Plus the album has a million songs on it. Loads of bang for your buck.

6. Contramano, Contramano

Argentinian chamber-punk. Go figure. It’s spectacular. Seriously, you need to own this record IMMEDIATELY.

7. Roman Candle, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear

The Bees (US) are easily one of my fave bands ever. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, they had to change their name to The Silver Seas. They should have a new album out soon (yay!). In the meantime, Bees’ cofounder Jason Lehning has been keeping busy. Roman Candle is his latest project and everything you would expect from a Bee. Smart, fun, shades Steely Dan, Pretzel Logic-style.

8. Passion Pit, Manners

A dance record! Who knew. Fun fun fun. Very Jackson 5. Plus a lot of synth.

9. Gary Yerkins, Compass

Gotta have a touch of blues in your list. Gary has a sweet Robert Cray sort of thing going on. Produced by guitar great Pete Droge who plays all over it as well. Total gem.

NOW PLAYING August 2009

Kate Bradley — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:12:22 +0000

Has summer even happened? Good Lord, it’s almost over and it feels, with the recent swelter-fest (at least in the East Coast) that it just started.

Lots of good stuff cranked at Outlandos HQ to keep us feeling somewhat cool, see below.

But first, petite favor to ask you kids. This will literally take you 2 seconds, it’s super easy and you don’t even have to give a rats tail about SxSW but… would you vote for us? 30 seconds of your life. It’s a BIG deal in our world and would mean so much! How could we ever do it without you? Seriously. Thanks zillions. If we get in, not only do I get a free badge (let me tell you, those suckers are expensive) but we get some handy-dandy publicity.

Help me, help me? Just click the 2 links below and then click the “thumbs up” next to each one:

The Value of Emotional Value (Interactive Version)
VOTE HERE

Doing It like Trent: DIY for the Little Guy
VOTE HERE

Now on to the fun stuff:

1. Contramano, Contramano

Buy it.
Argentinian chamber-punk. Go figure. It’s spectacular. Seriously, you need to own this record IMMEDIATELY. In case you missed it, they were featured on the Dose last week.

2. Roman Candle, Oh Tall Tree in the Ear

Buy it.
The Bees (US) are easily one of my favorite bands of all time. Unfortunately, for legal reasons, they had to change their name to The Silver Seas. They should have a new album out this year (yay!). In the meantime, Bees’ cofounder Jason Lehning has been keeping busy. Roman Candle is his latest project and everything you would expect from a Bee. Smart, fun, shades of the Dan.

3. Division Day, Visitation

Buy it.
Soooooo very Radiohead… not that there’s anything wrong with that. But there’s kind of a fresh twist. Really digging this one. Headphone listening for sure.

4. Passion Pit, Manners

Buy it.
Been loving this one for a while now, it’s dance music. Who knew. Fun fun fun. Featured on the Dose earlier this month.

5. David Mead, Almost and Always

Buy it.
He’s always wonderful. Not my favorite of his catalog but still worth it. And just a sweetheart of a guy with a crazy-lovely voice. It might take a little while to grow on you, more complex than you think on the first listen.