I’m a simple dude. T-shirts and flip-flops. No video games or HBO. Haven’t changed the filter in the Brita since 2007.

Not many assets, either. I’m a renter with a thrift-store living room. Got a mattress with no headboard. Admittedly, other than the truck, the most valuable possessions in my name might just be a fifth generation iPod classic and its Bose docking station.

For a guy with secondhand sofas, you can imagine the extent to which my world was flipped when the iPod suffered a ‘hardware issue’ late this summer. Hell, give me a completely empty house, high quality stereo sound and shuffle mode (and maybe a beer) and I’m content. So this was bad news.

A visit to the Apple store in SouthPark was pointless. Part of me wonders if Steve Jobs himself puts a microchip in these things that triggers self-destruction on the day the warranty expires. I was offered 10% off a brand new purchase, but decided to pass.

So for the past month and change, my home has been devoid of music. It’s a sad state of affairs in Elizabeth. No testing out new tunes on weeknights, like Phoenix’s fantastic new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. No John Fogerty while mopping the kitchen floor on cleaning days. No rainy Sunday afternoons set to Cat Power.

Sure, I have hundreds of CDs overflowing their racks, but nothing decent at home to play them on. Never was into vinyl. If I want to hear music, it’s either the Palladia cable channel or the weak-ass output from my laptop’s built-in speaker. Nothing competes with the Bose.

I get it. The obvious answer here is simply to pick up a new iPod, maybe a shiny new seventh generation. Unfortunately, it’s not in the cards this month and by now it’s become quite evident that I’m just using this space to complain.

I’m just surprised by how dependent I’ve been on the gadget. (Back in ’03, my then-boss bragged about pawning off a thousand CDs so he could transfer his tunes to a handheld electronics device called an iPod. I thought he was nuts).

When I was growing up, the folks always had music on in the house, the sounds of ‘70s soft rock seeping into every room. It was as constant as the bare-assed beat-downs (we had four boys, it was warranted), and it’s probably the reason why I love music so much.

As an adult, the iPod / Bose buddy system has served as my own home stereo, providing the soundtrack to my domestic life. It’s been a truly amazing source of happiness. And now it’s no more.

Although the fun budget may be tight, I can’t take this much longer. I’ve endured a miserably quiet existence far too many days. Pretty soon I’m gonna talk with one of those headset-wearing teens at Apple and just knock it out… Right after I change the water filter.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

I highly doubt that German composer Richard Strauss was a big college football fan, but when it comes to slapping a game face on 80,000 crazed fans for kickoff, the man’s got skills.

The 2009 college football season is upon us, my friends, as South Carolina travels north to N.C. State for a season-opening showdown tonight on national television.

Now, I pledge no allegiance to the Gamecocks (more of a Hokie guy), but there’s no better tune than Strauss’ “2001: A Space Odyssey” theme to incite near-riots at major college football stadiums.

It’s a tradition down in Columbia, and even though tonight’s game is in Raleigh, I thought I’d share with all you hybrid music lovers / college football aficionados out there. After all, no matter who you root for, it’s game time.

I’ve mentioned it before in this blog – the right piece of music can provide the perfect backdrop to any emotional sports scene. I immediately recall the subtle guitar work in Any Given Sunday, drifting and building over Al Pacino’s halftime speech, or “New Noise” by hardcore band The Refused in Friday Night Lights.

The end of Rudy? No question.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

It’s here, finally. International Left-Handers Day. Roughly 93 percent of you may not give a shit, but then again it’s not your time to shine, now is it?

Maybe I’m really excited because I’m really, really left-handed. Watch me do anything with my right hand and you’d assume that my applesauce had been laced with muscle relaxers.

Honestly, I didn’t even know this celebration existed until this morning. But nonetheless I thought I’d pay tribute to some of our most prominent left-handed musicians, dead or alive.

Notable left-handers

Jimi Hendrix

Kurt Cobain

Paul McCartney

Dick Dale

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (The Mars Volta)

Iggy Pop

Tim Armstrong (Rancid)

Phil Collins

Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band)

Babyface

Iggy Pop

David Cook

There’s a ton more if you care to research, including tip-toein’ Tiny Tim (ukulele), Billy Ray Cyrus and, for what it’s worth, Eminem.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

First impressions don’t get much better than Jonathan Stewart’s first dance with the Queen City and Carolina Panthers fans last fall. As a rookie, the first-round draft pick made quick work of NFL defenses, teaming with good buddy DeAngelo Williams to form the league’s fiercest rushing attack.

Turns out the dude can make beats, too. Stewart the musician spent his first offseason putting the finishing touches on a new production company, Heart Grab Productions, which he launched with biz partner Titus Jackson in the spring.

The Vibes Blog recently caught up with Stewart, now sweating through two-a-days at camp in Spartanburg, to talk a little music.

PS: NFL star-turned-hip-hop producer appears to be the road less traveled. Talk about the decision to launch Heart Grab Productions.

JS: The decision was simply to bring awareness to the idea of letting people hear my music. I enjoy making and playing music.

You started on the keys. How long have you been making music?

I’ve been playing the piano by ear since grade school, and I’ve been making music for about two years.

At what point did you realize that this could become something serious?

The point it became semi-serious was when I played my music for friends and family, and they were asking me, “What producer made this? This sounds hot.” So automatically I was intrigued by their reaction.

Is there a fear associated with putting your stuff out there for the first time?

Of course there is. The fact that it’s something from within me, my expressions being displayed through music. That people can enjoy and connect with my music is definitely a hope that I have.

What’s been the response thus far?

The responses so far have all been good. I’ve talked to some actual producers and they’ve said some great things.

The meaning behind the name Heart Grab?

The meaning behind the name [relates to] the wonders that music can do for a person. It’s grabbing the hearts of the listener as the music travels through them.

You seem pretty open when it comes to working with different kinds of musicians. What are you looking for in collaboration?

I look for an overall positive message. Something different, but still catchy and attractive. Something that gets the attention of young listeners and older listeners – something they both can relate to.

Hypothetical. You have the chance to collaborate with any five artists on a Jonathan Stewart-produced album. Name them.

Kanye West, Anthony Hamilton, Tyrese, Keri Hilson and Jay-Z.

Which of your Panther teammates has the best mic skills? I’m guessing DeAngelo doesn’t sing like D’Angelo.

The best mic skills on the team would have to be Dante Wesley.

Is this a year round project or will HGP go into sleep mode during the 2009 NFL season?

I play music in my free time year round. It’s something that keeps me stable. Instead of sitting down and watching TV, I’ll sit down and play music.

At age 22, you could be doing this for a long time. What does the future hold for HGP?

Hopefully big things.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Alex Turner and his bandmates may come off as pricks, but I’ve never cared. Since their brilliant 2006 debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, Arctic Monkeys have been one of my favorite bands and have built quite the global following with its brand of abrasive, witty Brit-punk.

That said, I was bummed to learn the Sheffield, England-based quartet won’t even graze the Southeast during their 2009 U.S. tour. A major disappointment. I caught them for the first time at Coachella in ‘07 and again later that year after a four-hour trek to Atlanta’s Tabernacle.

The more intimate set was unbelievable, possibly best of the year for this guy. Perhaps it was too intimate, however, and that’s why they’re not coming back (the audience paled in comparison to the hordes of sing-along followers at Euro festivals).

Regardless, since this year’s a wash, I’ll be sneaking peeks today when the band streams a live performance of its new, Josh Homme-produced album, Humbug, online at 4 p.m. EST this afternoon. The record doesn’t drop for another month (Aug. 25), so I’m looking forward to an early look at their new stuff.

Given the East Coast timing of the set, it’d only be fitting for Arctic Monkeys to sneak in an old favorite, “The View from the Afternoon,” the opener on its first LP.

To check out a preview of the show, click here.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

I really like this concept. About once a month, Daryl Hall invites musician friends to play music with him at his home in rural New York, videotapes the jam sessions and features the videos as Webcasts on his site, “Live from Daryl’s House.”

If you go to the archived episodes, you’ll find some really interesting guest collaborations, including sessions with Nick Lowe, KT Tunstall, Chromeo, Eric Hutchinson, the Bacon Brothers, Travis McCoy (Gym Class Heroes) and the Doors’ Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek. In the most recent episode, which premiered July 15, Hall invites the Plain White T’s into the studio of his restored Revolutionary War colonial.

You don’t have to be a huge Hall & Oates fan to enjoy these online shows. The sound quality is excellent and there’s some fun banter in between songs, when the artists trade trips on how to play each other’s tunes. There’s usually a fair mix between the guest’s stuff, Hall’s solo work and classic H&O.

As for the future of the show, there seems to be some question marks since it was reported this week on real estate blogs that Hall’s 245+ acre property, including the guest house where the show is filmed, was for sale for $16 million. We’ll see. Hopefully it sticks around.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Typically, you see concert tours schedule a break for the bigger holidays, but there are indeed some live music options if you’re headed to the Carolina coast for the Fourth of July.

Myrtle Beach seems to have the best stuff with the Edwin McCain Band and Sophie B. Hawkins playing tonight at the House of Blues in North Myrtle. Singer/songwriter Corey Smith, who recently opened up the new Fillmore here in town, visits the HOB on Friday evening.

Funk rockers Ten Toes Up has three dates scheduled in the band’s hometown of Murrells Inlet, S.C., including the Hot Fish Club (July 2) and Spud’s (July 3-4). Soul Function plays the Boathouse on Sunday night.

Charleston has a few shows on the calendar as well. If you like the Windjammer in Isle of Palms, check out The Design tonight, The Blue Dogs tomorrow or Playlist on Saturday. The New Mastersounds has back-to-back gigs scheduled at The Pour House (July 3-4), while Kevn Kinney serves up a double dose of gritty folk at Red’s Icehouse in Mount Pleasant (July 2-3).

I’ve never been to Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ on Sullivan’s Island, but it just sounds awesome. Guilt Ridden Troubador is there tonight, WILX tomorrow and T-Model Ford & Gravel Road on Saturday.

Not much in Wilmington, it appears. The New Mastersounds are at The Soapbox on Sunday, July 5.

If you’re making the longer trip to Hilton Head, you can see Gary Pfaff tonight at Wild Wing Café. Or, if you’re headed to the Havelock, N.C. area, country singer Darryl Worley performs at the Havelock Recreation Center this evening.

Oh and wear sunscreen.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

With the electro / dance rock wave surging toward tsunami status thanks to thumbs-up releases by grizzled vets Animal Collective and hot-shit rookies Passion Pit, look for Discovery to capitalize on the momentum.

Discovery is a two-man, collaborative effort from members of last year’s buzz bands, pairing Vampire Weekend keyboardist Rostam Batmanglij with Ra Ra Riot lead singer Wes Miles.

Ra Ra Riot, whose album The Rhumb Line is one of my favorites from last year, performed at Davidson College in April and was impressive in their role supporting Death Cab For Cutie and Cold War Kids. Great lineup, awesome show.

Look for Discovery’s July 7 release, LP, on XL Recordings. VP’s Ezra Koenig makes an appearance, as does Angel Deradoorian, who was in town on June 11 with her band Dirty Projectors (opening for TV on the Radio at Amos’).

For now, try “Osaka Loop Line” or “Swing Tree” on the band’s web site.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

With the high vendor prices at Charlotte music venues stirring debate this week – see Lynn Farris’ post from earlier this week or Sarah Aarthun’s rant here – it was refreshing to walk into a show last night and see things the way they’re supposed to be.

First, by now most of us are aware of the $11 beers that angered so many at the new Uptown Amphitheatre’s debut on Saturday evening. If you’ve made the trek north to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre this season, you’ve seen the same thing. Inflated prices on food and band merchandise as well.

Enter an old staple, NoDa’s own Neighborhood Theatre. Last night, on the verge of releasing its third album, indie darlings Band of Horses was in town to debut some of its new stuff in front of a keenly attentive, sold-out crowd. The show was great, but there were a few other elements in play that really made for an enjoyable concert for us fans.

The ticket was $18, to start. Fair.

A draft of AmberBock was only $3.50 – refreshing in more ways than one. Other choice brews were available for a dollar more, but completely reasonable compared to the options at Live Nation spots. (Now, I heard the Neighborhood bartenders were also selling $2 PBR cans, but haven’t been able to confirm).

At the merch booth, the band sold its high quality tees (the super soft, jersey kind) for $20. Again, not too bad. Last Friday, Nine Inch Nails and Jane’s Addiction had them for $35 apiece at Verizon.

Band of Horses CDs went for $10 a pop and the show poster was priced at $20. We’ve all seen higher. If I had one chance to gripe, a 10 spot might be a tad high for the Band of Horses signature Frisbee. I’m not an ‘ultimate’ guy, though.

No plans on getting into a comparative argument or prolonging the assault on other venues. I just think that, with things the way they are, it was nice to see a local favorite – and its guest musicians for the night – keep it real.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Last year at Bonnaroo, I had a chance to meet Guy Burwell, an illustrator and designer renowned for his work on concert posters. Seeking refuge from the summer sun in a festival art tent, Burwell’s My Morning Jacket four-color screen print caught my eye.

It was brilliant. And until he introduced himself, I had no idea the proud father of the masterpiece was standing right there beside me.

I decided to pass on the $30 purchase for the time being, thinking that it’d be easier to grab one on the way back to my tent. Sure enough, the thought slipped my mind and soon all 350 signed editions were gone. Damn.

No worries. That’s what eBay is for, right? Well, not exactly. You could buy a four-day Bonnaroo festival pass for less than what sellers were asking for this poster. If I remember correctly, one was even listed as high as $300.

Since then I’ve had a thing for concert posters. A newbie to the silk screened world of rock ‘n’ roll art, it didn’t take long for Gigposters.com – a fantastic online database – to become a new time-wasting favorite.

I could spend hours clicking through the pages, comparing the unique styles of different designers or searching for posters from the Gin Blossoms’ 1994 tour.

You can’t buy prints directly off the site, but there are links to both classified ads and designer contact info. Assuming the item is still in stock, a quick email and credit card should hook you up.
To help exercise a little self control, my personal rule is to only buy posters from shows that I’ve been to. Chris Williams of Raleigh-based Plastic Frame Press shipped me a mint condition print of his Bright Eyes design (Millennium Center, Nov. 9, 2007). A few days later, I received a 13×20 inch Bloc Party poster from Connie Collingsworth at Print Mafia. For some local talent, try Get A Clue Design (Matt Pfahlert) or Smackhound (Ben Gelnett).

So check out Gigposters.com if you have a chance. And pick up a print either online or the next time you’re at a show. They’re great as souvenirs, gifts or simply for dressing up a lonely wall. These artists pour their hearts and souls into this work, so I know they’d appreciate the love.

And if you happen to come across that elusive My Morning Jacket / Bonnaroo ‘08 print, give me a shout. Maybe we can work out a deal.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites