Tour! (round one)

Well it's that time again. We're preparing to hit the road in support of our new record, due out April 6th. Here's a list of dates:

Wednesday April 7th: The Spot, Newark, NJ---8pm
Friday April 9th: The Khyber, Philadelphia, PA---9pm
Saturday April 10th: Bowery Electric, New York, NY---7pm
Sunday April 11th: Cousin Larry’s, Danbury, CT---9pm
Monday April 12: The SAC @ Rutgers University, New Brunswick---8pm
Tuesday April 13: The Savant Project, Boston, MA---9pm (solo)
Wednesday April 14th: Langdon Street Cafe, Montpelier, VT---7pm
Thursday April 15th: Manhattan Pizza, Burlington, VT---10pm
Friday April 16th: Penn State University, State College, PA---12pm
Friday April 16th: House Party, Syracuse, NY---10pm
Saturday April 17th: Longitude Global Headquarters, Fredonia, NY---8pm
Monday April 19th: Wilbert’s, Cleveland, OH---8pm
Tuesday April 20th: Elbo Room, Chicago, IL---8:30pm
Wednesday, April 21st: The Vollrath, Indianapolis, IN---9pm
Thursday, April 22nd: ACAC, Little Rock, AR---9:30pm
Friday, April 23rd: The Lounge on Elm St, Dallas, TX---8pm
Saturday, April 24th: TBA, Austin, TX
Sunday, April 25th: Dean’s Credit Clothing, Houston, TX---9pm
Monday, April 26th: The Red Star, Baton Rouge, LA---10pm
Tuesday, April 27th: Cafe Prytania, New Orleans, LA---10pm
Wednesday, April 28th: Smith’s Olde Bar(Atlanta Room), Atlanta, GA---8pm
Thursday April 29th: Manhattan’s Club, Knoxville, TN---9pm
Friday April 30th: TBA, Asheville/Charlotte, NC
Saturday, May 1st: Broad Street Cafe, Durham NC---10pm
Sunday, May 2nd: Diven House, Norfolk, VA--6:30pm

We're still finalizing some info on a few dates. That should be up soon. If you or anyone you know are in or around these areas, please spread the word and come out to support. We can't do it without you!

In another month or so we should have info regarding the second leg of the tour. Look out West Coast.

For further details visit: http://www.myspace.com/liketrainsandtaxis

Here's a look at our fall 2009 tour:

Inspirations: Wilco

When I listen to Wilco, the first thing I notice are the layers of rich guitar tone, then Tweedy’s rhythmic wordplay entices me with its imagery, but eventually I end up focusing on Glen Kotche’s drumming. Playing in a lyrically driven band with 3 guitars, bass, and keyboards means knowing how to leave space—and Kotche shines at doing more with less. His talent lies in his time, his feel, and a keenly developed sense of his “voice” on his instrument. Check out the artful way he drives the beat in “Side With the Seeds”

Inspirations: Leonard Cohen

Beneath My Hands

Beneath my hands
your small breasts
are the upturned bellies
of breathing fallen sparrows.

Wherever you move
I hear the sounds of closing wings
of falling wings.

I am speechless
because you have fallen beside me
because your eyelashes
are the spines of tiny fragile animals.

I dread the time
when your mouth
begins to call me hunter.

When you call me close
to tell me
your body is not beautiful
I want to summon
the eyes and hidden mouths
of stone and light and water
to testify against you.

I want them
to surrender before you
the trembling rhyme of your face
from their deep caskets.

When you call me close
to tell me
your body is not beautiful
I want my body and my hands
to be pools
for your looking and laughing.

-from The Spice-Box of Earth


I suppose when most people think of Leonard Cohen the first thing that comes to mind is his music, and with all time classic songs like "Hallelujah" in his repertoire, it's no surprise. Recently though, I encountered a collection of selected poems and songs dating back to his first book of poetry called "Let us Compare Mythologies," which was published in 1956 when Cohen was twenty two. There are several things that have impressed me about this collection so far, but for the sake of brevity, I'll simply offer the above poem for your rumination.

Inspirations: Phil Spector

This week I've been listening to music produced by Phil Spector in order to study the "wall of sound" he achieved in the 1960s. That huge sound of guitars strumming in unison, drums recorded in an echo chamber, and full orchestras accompanying lush textures of vocal harmonies is why I still love the oldies station on the radio. Check out this prime example of the "wall of sound" - "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes - used to full effect here in Matin Scorsese's 1973 film "Mean Streets" (song starts at 0:40) :



Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys were also influenced by Phil Spector's production techniques, although they never worked together. In fact, Brian Wilson said that "Be My Baby" is "the greatest pop record ever made" and he considers the Beach Boy's song "Don't Worry Baby" to be the "male answer" to it:

"Charlie" Video!