news from the dispensary : gold lake // alone again (love cover + for amnesty international


 
It is so distressing to watch tragedy unfold regardless of which part of the globe it originates. But, almost just as worrisome is not knowing what to do, or how to help alleviate a bit of the suffering for those physically or domestically maligned by dire circumstances.

For me (and for many I suppose) it is those who don’t have to, but do so anyway, who are the true heroes. Those who are safe and secure in their comfortable enclaves, who not only deign to intervene, but do so risking life and limb to make a difference regardless of peril.

Amnesty International is such an organization. Comprised of selfless individuals who comprise a collective human consciousness in perpetual action.

The basic tenants of AI’s mission, to campaign tirelessly to end grave abuses of human rights are something the Brooklyn-based band Gold Lake agrees with wholeheartedly. And what does any compassionate world citizen (or band) do? Well, they take action in whatever capacity they can. The band, with the help of a few friends, pulled up their shirt-sleeves and made a song. Listen to their cover of Love’s Alone Again.

To record the cover, Gold Lake teamed up with friends of various bands including Pico Alt (Sufjan Stevens) on violin, Kyle Resnick (Beirut, The National) on trumpet, Steve Mertens (Here We Go Magic, Moldy Peaches) on bass and Carleigh Aikins (Bahamas) on vocals. All in all, this is one heck of an extended family band. The representative love and energy joined Gold Lake in the studio, and their pals from The Wild Honey Pie recorded it on video. Check out the results after the jump. Peace. Continue reading “news from the dispensary : gold lake // alone again (love cover + for amnesty international”

the st. jerome’s laneway festival detroit 2013

The end of Summer can’t get here soon enough!

My head is literally spinning. No, not from overindulgence of the mind altering sort. But, from the total euphoria which comes from good news. The year is 2013 and what a year it will be. This the inaugural year of the St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival Detroit. Yeah, Detroit! Like right down the street from me. I’m excited. The Motor City is finally getting it’s groove back, and with an international music line-up it’s sure to be one of the nation’s premiere music venues to take in this summer. Laneway Festival Detroit takes place on Sept. 14th at Meadow Brook Music Festival in Rochester Hills, Mich. Ticket info HERE. After the jump, check out one of the highlights that’ll be bringin’ it this year. Peace. Continue reading “the st. jerome’s laneway festival detroit 2013”

the national // sea of love + video

Inhale. The National is one of those serious bands. A great band no doubt, just no funnin’ around. Musically, they’re akin to a strong quality whiskey kept under lock and key. Only to siphoned from under the most dire circumstances. You have only to reference the Brooklyn-based band’s previous album High Violet to find this to be especially true. But in perfect contrast to the stone-faced rigidity the previous LP flaunted, the latest album Trouble Will Find Me (4AD) finally finds the guys taking a more subdued stance. Exhale.

Band member Aaron Devendorf describes their recent post-High Violet sound as, ” “ … more airy, less uptight and anxious. He sent me a lot of Cat Stevens, Neil Young, Dylan and David Bowie. And Bryce and I wanted a more relaxed and open sound too. We’d been getting deeper into the world of composed music in the last few years and developing more of an interest in classic songwriting.”

After the jump look, and listen to the song, Sea Of Love and experience the evolution of The National. Peace. Continue reading “the national // sea of love + video”