Sic Alps Do Double Time: Tour with Magik Markers and Then Tour with Sonic Youth

By Nobodaddy on 12-11-2009

Ex-Grandaddy frontman Jason Lytle probably has some time on his hands ever since he decided to move into the mountains and recast himself as some sort of precocious, thin-skinned, sad-sack, indie-rock version of Ted Nugent. From his decidedly-isolated home in rural Montana, Lytle has already graced us with a decidedly homespun solo debut for Anti- earlier this year, Yours Truly, The Commuter (TMT Review). Now, he’s apparently decided to leave the mics on while he sips of the ‘Nog and doodles around on the old upright piano to entertain his pets or whatever and then give the results away online as an “improv” Christmas album. Hmm... touché, Jason. I’m sort of intrigued. The resulting freestyle album, which is comprised of seven improvisational pieces (that means “songs,” for all you Motor City Madman fans who googled this article by accident) for solo acoustic piano and aptly-if-not-sort-of-piteously titled Merry X-Mas 2009, is available to download from his website as we speak. "It just so happens that playing my piano at home is one of my favorite things to do (in terms of music),” Lytle explained on his site, “so it was nice to be able to capture some of these moments of me playing aimlessly and relaxed.” So, there you have it. No robots, no synths, no static, no Neil Young warble. Just one man... in a room... betraying his apparent fanboy love for melodic demigods like Schubert, Chopin, and Satie.

And while he was at it, The Nuge Jr. also dropped the casual bomb that he is currently working on his second full-length solo record. "I am currently at work on a new album," he explained. "And although I'm quite sure none of the songs will end up on the radio I'm guaranteeing that this will be the weirdest, most wonderful mayhem I have made yet." Right on, Uncle Ted. Right on.

Merry X-Mas 2009 tracklisting:

1. Last Conversation in Waltz Time
2. Wild Animals Slowly Approaching the Lovely Country Funeral
3. Out Cold on Indian Ambien
4. Meeshell
5. Good Chord Song for LP Two
6. Bird Feeder Soap Opera Plot
7. SepDecember Song

By Mario Speedwagon on 12-11-2009

Hey, party people. I know I’ve been off the radar for a while (I’ve been stupid-busy,) but I come back to you with a round up of shit to do this New Year’s Eve, if you haven’t made plans already. Where are you going to party?

In New York, Fischerspooner will be playing Irving Plaza. Patti Smith’s annual multi-night run at Bowery Ballroom is sold out already, but who knows, maybe someone has an extra ticket. The Felice Brothers are at Southpaw, Roky Erikson is at Maxwell’s, and Titus Andronicus is at Mercury Lounge. Oh yeah, and Mariah Carey is at Madison Square Garden. In Philadelphia, you got Lotus and MSTRKRFT at the Electric Factory. J Roddy Walston and the Business will play the Ottobar in Baltimore. In Washington DC, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings will play the 930 Club and TMT-er Mike McHugh’s favorite, Third Eye Blind, will play Grand Hyatt Washington.

In Athens, Georgia, Atlas Sound and guests will play at the 40 Watt Club and Washed Out is at the Chase Street Warehouse with DJs Kevin Barnes and Dottie Alexander from of Montreal. In Atlanta, Black Lips are at the Earl, Band of Horses do two nights at the Tabernacle, and Gentleman Jesse And His Men play 529. In Chapel Hill, The Love Language will play the Local 506. The Avett Brothers will play the Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, North Carolina.

Los Angeles has Chromeo at Club Nokia and Dengue Fever at The Mint. San Diego has Delta Spirit at Birch North Park Theatre. Seattle has Minus The Bear at the Showbox At The Market.

In Chicago, The Black Keys and Kurt Vile will play at The Riviera and The Jesus Lizard is playing The Metro. Also in Chicago, Jens Lekman is doing three nights at the Empty Bottle, Girl Talk is doing a show at The Congress Theater (sold out), and Crystal Castles are at Logan Square Auditorium (whatever). The Flaming Lips are performing Dark Side of the Moon at Oklahoma City’s Cox Center. Miami has Lady Gaga at the James L. Knight Center and Phish doing four nights (really? four?) at the American Airlines Arena. Spoon and Jay Reatard will play the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee.

…And that’s all I got. I know there are more out there, so feel free to hit me up. I’d like to collect more. As for links of where to buy tickets for these parties and shows, it’s almost 2010; you chumps should know how to use Google. Happy Holidays!