Chona Kasinger

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters is “Let Me Fall” by Final Spins available on their self-released debut This Is Then/That Was Now.

Today’s song of the day comes from group of musicians that are associated with some of the coolest bands to come out of Seattle. Final Spins is led by Joe Syverson (formerly of Throw Me The Statue), who is joined by Zach Tillman (yep, J. Tillman’s brother and frontman of his own band that Jay drums in, Pearly Gate Music), Colin English (the drummer from The Pica Beats), Chris Early (the former bassist from Band of Horses), and Colin Wolberg, who along with Tillman was in the short-lived project Siberian, which got quite a few spins on KEXP in its day. Aside from an impressive resume, Final Spins have been steadily promoting their record, This Is Then/That Was Now, since they released it earlier this year which included a set on KEXP. The album has already received quite a few spins from Cheryl and her fellow KEXP DJs and has been drawing favorable comparisons (including The Kinks, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket) from fans and writers alike. Today’s song, “Let Me Fall,” is one of the slower and moodier songs on the release and at least to me has a Shins-ian like hint to the melody.

Final Spins are supporting the Henry Clay People this Sunday 8/2 at The Croc and are gearing up for an EP release party at The Comet on August 27th. For more info about both shows, check out their MySpace page. Here’s a rough video of their recent performance in-studio at KEXP:

Jim Bennett

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each Friday spotlights local musicians. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show host Cheryl Waters, is “Steel on Steel” by J. Tillman from the 2009 album Vacilando Territory Blues on Western Vinyl.

You may know today’s artist J. Tillman as the drummer for one of Seattle’s hottest exports, the Fleet Foxes, but Mr. (Josh) Tillman has been making music on his own since 2004, though most have been as a limited self-release (i.e. if you have one, hang onto it!). This album (his fifth solo effort) is the first to be released via the Austin-based label, Western Vinyl, and he seems he has found a good home for his sparse, introspective and weary-beyond-his-years music. He is joined on several tracks by his Fleet Foxes bandmates Casey Westcott and Christian Wargo among other collaborators. Tillman joined the Foxes last spring in what can only be called a beautiful marriage of hair, incredible vocal talent, and penchant for creating unbelievably moving music. Today’s song, “Steel on Steel,” brings to mind a long drive you take when you have a lot on your mind. Tillman’s lyics, lonely and vulnerable at times, pose questions that seem to be on everyone’s mind these days. Luckily, he’ll have some time to figure things out as he is currently on tour with labelmates, Pearly Gate Music, but is heading back to the states next month for a few SXSW gigs. Keep an eye on his MySpace page for some hometown dates. Plus, it looks like a new album and an upcoming tour with Blitzen Trapper (including a stop at the Gorge for Sasquatch) will keep Josh and the rest of the Fleet Foxes busy for quite some time.

Here’s the video for “Firstborn” from Vacilando Territory Blues:

J. Tillman - Vacilando Territory Blues

Joshua Tillman is an undeniably talented musician. Tillman, who moonlights as the drummer for Fleet Foxes, has been releasing terrific solo albums for the last four or so years. His latest, Vacilando Territory Blues (released January 20th on Western Vinyl), does not disappoint.

In Vacilando Territory Blues, it’s easy to see the mark Tillman’s time with Fleet Foxes has left on his style. The change isn’t significant, but it’s definitely palpable, especially in the short, harmony-driven opening track “All You See”. This album seems to compliment Tillman’s work with Fleet Foxes while neither relying on or completely departing from it. A couple of the Foxes even make appearances in a few of the songs, adding to the rough, woodsy harmonies of the album.

This album seems to have found a balance in J. Tillman’s sound. Vacilando Territory Blues is more acoustically driven and simple than Minor Works (Fargo), though a little more complex than Cancer and Delerium (Yer Bird). It centers almost completely on Tillman’s subtle melodies, longing vocals and acoustic guitar. Other instruments make their appearances in various songs, but the true focus of the album seems to be on his lyrics, which are honest, sometimes ominous and more often positive than they have been in past albums.

Some songs carry the weight of growing older, addressing lessons learned from experience in “Laborless Land,” and, in “James Blues,” describes a struggle with staying in a long term relationship that began in younger days, imploring to be put “out to graze.” Some are almost unbearably sad, such as “Someone, With Child,” which describes the aftermath of a mother’s suicide from the point of view of her son. Though most of the album is on the serious side, it ends on a high note with the final two tracks. “Above All Men” gives instructions for how to lead a good life, and “Vacilando Territory” talks about a joyous feeling of brotherhood among friends.

Vacilando Territory Blues is a great album. Tillman’s soft, soothing voice will entrance you, and his words will make you stop and think about your own ideals and relationships. His work has become progressively better with each release — J. Tillman is definitely someone I will be keeping an eye on in the future.

J. Tillman will perform at The Sunset on February 15 before heading off to Europe. On this mini-tour, he’ll be performing with his brother Zach’s band, Pearly Gate Music.

The Bird and The Bee - Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future

L.A. pop darlings The Bird and The Bee are at it again. The duo, comprised of Greg Kurstin and Inara George has been steadily cranking out releases since 2006, often speaking of one-night-stands, broken hearts and growing dissatisfied with monotonous, loveless relationships. In their latest album, Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future (released January 27th on Blue Note), their tune seems to have changed a bit for the better.

Ray Guns manages to progress and mature from their 2007 self-titled release while still managing to remain true to their style. The music is a little more dancey at times, and the songs a little more pro-love than they have been in past releases, but the songs still demonstrate Kurstin’s skill as a musician, and allow for George’s voice to soar.

Among the love-positive songs is “Birthday.” With simple, sweet lyrics, Inara George sings about knowing your true love both literally (”Who knows the sum/The sum of all of your parts?”) and figuratively (”Who knows your limit/…your highest/…your lowest?”). There is also “Love Letter To Japan,” which describes the willingness to go anywhere and do anything to be with one’s lover. Some of the songs are more overtly sexual, such as “Polite Dance Song,” saying “I try to be as coy as I can/I want to see your naughty bit.”

Among the slightly less happy songs is “Ray Guns,” which implores for a “pretty little life” instead of the “sin and strife” that weighs down on real life. There’s also “You’re a Cad,” which is about a girl who, despite knowing better, always ends up with “a rascal and a rove, a villain and a crook.”

Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future is a really solid album. The songs are clever and cohesive, the instrumentation skillful, and Inara George’s voice as lovely as ever. The album is playful, and definitely a great listen. This is one of my favorite releases thus far in ‘09.

The Bird and The Bee will be playing with Obi Best at Chop Suey on February 12th.

Animal Collective’s new album cover deserves to be viewed larger than life. Just roll your eyes across this bad boy and feel the underwater movement the band tried to emulate in the recording of today’s release, Merriweather Post Pavilion (apparently, it was the lagoon at the outdoor venue in Maryland that inspired the concept). Freaky… and beautiful. And that’s exactly what’s available to you this week as the new release deluge begins. The Freaky? New albums from John Frusciante plus Six Organs of Admittance, Psychic Ills, and Frog Eyes frontman Carey Mercer’s project, Blackout Beach — all good if it’s freak folk, ambient drone, or other weird music you’re after (and who’s not?). The Beautiful? Try the latest from Antony & the Johnsons, A.C. Newman (of New Pornographers fame), Andrew Bird, Bon Iver, and Robert Pollard. Largehearted Boy’s list contains one great album after another. Other worthwhile releases come from Matt & Kim, The 1900’s, New Model Army, Cut Off Your Hands, local acts Blue Giant and J. Tillman, and Roger O’Donnell, a keyboardist who’s played with the Psychedelic Furs, Thompson Twins, and The Cure. There’s plenty to be had on this most hopeful of hopeful days, so get out there and help boost our economy!

The 1900s - Age of Metals (MP3)
from Medium High EP on Parasol Records

Kyle Andrews - Sushi (MP3)
from Real Blasty on Badman Recording Co.

Animal Collective - My Girls (MP3)
from Merriweather Post Pavilion on Domino Records.

Andrew Bird - Andrew Bird - Fitz and The Dizzyspells (MP3)
from Noble Beast on Fat Possum

Antony and the Johnsons - Another World
from The Crying Light on Secretly Canadian

Atmosphere - trailer for the Sad Clown Bad Dub 4 DVD
included with God Loves Ugly (reissue) on Rhymesayers

Blackout Beach - Astoria, Menthol Lite, Hilltop, Wave of Evil, 1982 (MP3)
from Skin of Evil on Soft Abuse

Blue Giant - Target Heart (MP3)
from Target Heart EP on Amore!Phonics

Bon Iver - Blood Bank (MP3)
from Blood Bank EP on Jagjaguwar

Coconut Records - Any Fun
from Davy on Young Baby Records

Cut Off Your Hands - Turn Cold (MP3)
from You & I on Frenchkiss

Fiction Family - When She’s Near (MP3)
from Fiction Family on ATO Records

Ladyfinger - Little Things (MP3)
from Dusk on Saddle Creek

Matt & Kim - (MP3)
from Grand on Fader Label

Modern Skirts - Soft Pedals (MP3)
from the self-released All Of Us In Our Night

A.C. Newman - Submarines Of Stockholm (MP3)
from Get Guilty on Matador

Roger O’Donnell - Tiny Pieces of You (feat. Erin Lang) (MP3)
from Songs From The Silver Box on Great Society/World’s Fair

Or the Whale - Call and Response (MP3)
from Light Poles and Pines on Seany Records

Robert Pollard - Imaginary Queen Anne (MP3)
from The Crawling Distance on Guided By Voices Inc.

Psychic Ills - Fingernail Tea (MP3)
from Mirror Eye on The Social Registry

Saeta - When Will You Find Love (MP3)
from Else Another Light Might Go Out on Tarnished Records

Six Organs of Admittance - Resurrection (MP3)
from RTZ on Drag City

J. Tillman - Steel on Steel (MP3)
from Vacilando Territory Blues on Western Vinyl

Titus Andronicus - Titus Andronicus (MP3)
from Airing of Grievances on XL Recordings

Zero Boys - Civilization Is Calling (MP3)
from Vicious Circle on Secretly Canadian

Zero Boys - Livin in the 80s (MP3)
from History of on Secretly Canadian