New Titus Andronicus video - In a Big City

Titus Andronicus have released the first video from their third LP Local Business, with "In a Big City." Filmed by Isaac Ravinshankara (Grantland) in the band's native New Jersey, a newly shaved Patrick Stickles and the band wander past the Garden State's transit novelties to the border of New York City, only to turn back.

Lollapalooza 2012 Must-See Artists, Pt. I

By the fifth year in a row, I'm used to this.

With less than two weeks to go before the August 3-5 Lollapalooza festival begins in Chicago, I'll be providing my annual top ten countdown of 2012's Must-See Artists. Last year, headliners My Morning Jacket and Deadmau5 rounded out the top two, with regular Bears and Bullets favorites Black Lips and Titus Andronicus also landing in the countdown.

As it is every year, seeing every act - notable or otherwise - is impossible. So for those waiting through the list to see Jack White, unfortunately, won't be seeing him. Regardless, let's start with #10.

#10: Jeff The Brotherhood
Despite officially beginning their careers in 2001, Nashville brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall didn't really catch anything close to buzz until their 2009 album Heavy Days. Pulsed with fuzzy blues and cool garage punk, the recently released Hypnotic Knights LP finally gave some more ground for the band to walk on. Amid an extremely extensive touring history, the band has finally reached the major festival circuit. And, more than likely, they'll be returning very soon.

You can see Jeff The Brotherhood early Saturday, August 4, at 1:30 p.m. on the Playstation stage.



#9: At The Drive-In
The first project of Mars Volta figureheads Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López made huge news earlier this year after announcing their 2012 reunion. Rodríguez-López has already declared that At The Drive-In would not be recording new material, despite finally returning after more than ten years. Their April performance at Coachella marked one of the very few appearances for the band, so having them perform at Lollapalooza should be considered extremely rare.

Catch the band one last time (probably) Sunday, August 5 at 6 p.m. on the Red Bull Soundstage.



We'll continue with Part II tomorrow ...

Friday Bears: Lollapalooza 2011: Day Three Review

I rarely meet Sunday, the final day of Lollapalooza, with aggressive eagerness. The varied anticipation is usually mulled by paramount exhaustion and the daunting fact that, well, it's all but over. In previous years, the final night had been met by the weekend's most anticipated acts, like Arcade Fire last year, and Kanye West in 2008. This year, organizers found it befitting that Deadmau5, the first headlining electronic act since Daft Punk in 2007, would close out the north side, while modern rock staples Foo Fighters set the night on the south. What they didn't have in mind, unfortunately, was the timely monsoon that would set in on the skyline.

Day Three:

Waking up early, nothing but grey rain was visible through my hotel window. For a festival sweltering with enough people, it's bad enough, but at Grant Park, which has a tendency to get muddy with even the slightest bit of water, it's a potential disaster. Keep in mind, a little (or a lot) of mud and rain won't hurt anybody, but it will absolutely destroy your phone, wallet, and whatever else you have in your pocket at the time, as it did my Ipod (temporarily).

Luckily, after a quick shower, light had shone through and the sky was completely blue again - a perfect start to the day, which began thankfully with Titus Andronicus.

Titus Andronicus

The New Jersey (hey) art punks shone on the brightest part of Sunday afternoon, which may not be terribly befitting to the band's post-civil war era - if there ever was such a thing - punk. The group raced through tracks from their first two albums, starting with fan favorite "A More Perfect Union." It was an unfortunately abrupt set, but that's what you get for a 12:45 main stage billing. Still, the show was insatiable, even though the sounds do more justice in an enclosed area for longer.

The next few hours were a spaced mix of Perry's casual curiosity and dragged exhaustion after days of dancing, screaming, and pushing with little to no sleep to speak of. Daedelus did a fine early afternoon show, but those common household assholes made their way around to Cool Kids, making yet another insufferable Perry's experience. It's a shame for an act that seemed to so effortlessly control the crowd and feed off their energy, but I couldn't get out fast enough.

Daedelus

Gathering time to collect myself, the first shroud of death clouds crept over the Chicago skyline, raining through nearly the entirety of Best Coast's late-afternoon set. While my friends chose to spend their hours in the mud on the park's south side, I was spent for shelter. It wasn't until 7 p.m., when Manchester Orchestra took the same stage that rain had eventually died out and I gave it another go around.

Manchester Orchestra

Now, I can't go on the record proclaiming I'm actually a fan of Manchester Orchestra - I've never given them a shot, nor have seen them the numerous times they've appeared at Lollapalooza. In fact, since 2006, no single artist (aside from Perry Farrell himself, which shouldn't count) has appeared at the festival more than Manchester Orchestra, a total of four times. Regardless, the group puts on a fine, if not-to-describable show.

Leaving early was key for grabbing a spot for Deadmau5, considering the shit-storm of mud and garbage that had glossed over the park at that point. And like predictable clock-work, the rain cloud of all rain clouds set in. Now, as I said before, a little rain and mud can't hurt anybody (unless you drown, but, come on), but it will destroy your electronic equipment if you can't protect it. Call it whatever you want, but I wasn't risking all of my possessions being destroyed, Deadmau5 or not. So, I booked it out of there in time to save my stuff (except my clothes, which belong to the trash gods now).

Some people can deal with it, I clearly can't. It's absolutely unfortunate what happened, but at the very least I have solace knowing I took every moment in that weekend before that. I would say that the rain ruined that end, but everything leading up to that point was still a success, so I can't gripe too much.

So, that's the end. Four years in, I feel absolutely normal riding the blue line train into center city in the morning, as if my commute to work. I've fallen in love with the city and the festival over the years, and 2011 was no exception. And with luck, 2012 will be the same. Speaking of, if you haven't heard, the dates for next year are already scheduled: August 3 - 5. If all goes as planned, I'll be doing this all over again.

Best Performances: Titus Andronicus
Worst Performances: Weather

Highlight: "A More Perfect Union," by Titus Andronicus
Lowlight: What do you think?

Hey, no more Lollapalooza posts for a while? Deal.

Thursday Bears: Lollapalooza 2011 Must-See Artists, Pt. IV

Today, we continue our Lollapalooza 2011 countdown with part four.

#4: Local Natives
Los Angeles five-piece Local Natives took a very, very slow rise to their eventual position in the alternative music sphere - one that seemed surprising, given their instantly likable vocal harmonies and often enriching material. Each member of the group is more than just an instrumental set in the band, with every member contributing in one way or another to songs' vocals. Their 2009 album Gorilla Manor is still the group's most recent studio work, but even with limited material the group as unmistakably thrilling live.

After playing last year's Pitchfork Music Festival, the band is making their first ever appearance at Lollapalooza, performing Saturday, August 6, at 5:30 p.m. on the Sony stage.

Local Natives - Who Knows Who Cares (Live on A Take Away Show)



Local Natives - World News



#3: Titus Andronicus
Ahhh, pure New Jersey civil-war era modern art punk. It's a tough description to pin to a band that's really tough to categorize. My affection for Titus Andronicus probably stems from the local tie-ins and the band's frequent appearances in the area, but there's something really different about these guys.

There last album The Monitor was a critical hit, bit broadly speaking, the group's still pretty small (hence the early Sunday slot). Regardless, check them out. Especially if you're from around the area.

Titus Andronicus will be performing Sunday, August 7, at 12:45 p.m. on the Music Unlimited stage. The group will also be signing autographs at 2 p.m. at the f.y.e tent.

Titus Andronicus - No Future Part Three: Escape From No Future



We'll continue with Part V tomorrow ...

Monday Bears: Philly's Popped! Music Festival is back

On hiatus since 2008, organizers of Philadelphia's Popped! Music Festival announced plans to return later this year.

The revamped line-up is fairly indie-friendly, fronted by the recently reunited Shins, Girl Talk, and Pretty Lights. Other notable acts set to perform include: Panda Bear, The Hold Steady, Titus Andronicus, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Rakim, Black Thought, and more. You can check the already scheduled acts here.

Other acts will be added to the bill in the coming weeks. If you catch on right now, Ticketmaster is offering $25 off two-day passes for a modest $90 or $175 for VIP passes for the September 23-24 dates.

Monday Bears: New Titus Andronicus video - No Future Part III: Escape From No Future

Last week, Titus Andronicus premiered the latest video from last year's The Monitor for "No Future Part III: Escape From No Future."

The video centers around the band's beloved home New Jersey (also mine), playing shows across the state. So, it hits a bit close to home when you start to recognize each and every high way the tour van passes.

Titus Andronicus - No Future Part III: Escape From No Future

Friday Bears: Pitchfork Music Festival lineup released, Lollapalooza rumors

Earlier today, Pitchfork announced the first official part of their annual Chicago music festival lineup (there are usually add-ons later). Filling out the top of the billing are Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes, and TV on the Radio, with a slew of quality undercard performers, such as: Deerhunter, Destroyer, Cut Copy, and James Blake, among others. You can check out the full official lineup and schedule here.

What this all means, for those who may not follow regularly, is that any artist that plays the Pitchfork Music Festival cannot perform at Lollapalooza - per the festival's radius clause. And as a regular, I'm okay with this. TV on the Radio, Deerhunter, Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes and Cut Copy, the festival's bigger names, all played Lollapalooza in the past two years. This opens up more room for artists that may not be considered regulars.

In related news, Titus Andronicus are now expected to perform at Lollapalooza per Consequence of Sound.

Pitchfork Music Festival will take place July 15-17. Tickets are now on sale.

New Titus Andronicus Video

The most recent band from New Jersey (that's not Screaming Females) that have been blowing up in the last calender year, Titus Andronicus, have released a video for their single "Upon Viewing Brueghl's Landscape With the Fall of Icarus" from the band's self-titled album, continuing the 'topping the confusing band name with even more confusing song titles' trend.

Titus Andronicus - Upon Viewing Brueghl's Landscape With the Fall of Icarus