photos by Chloe Rice

Built to Spill, just days after the release of their seventh LP There Is No Enemy, stopped by Cambridge for a three night run at The Middle East Downstairs last weekend. After seventeen years and a handful of different lineups, songwriter Doug Martsch is still at the helm, looking aged but adjusted. The "well-groomed" five-piece took the stage on Sunday, warmed up after two nights in the same venue, opening with a powerful version of "You Were Right," a tune from 1999's Keep it Like a Secret. The song pulled the audience back and forth through a dynamic maze, always climaxing with Martsch's accusation, "you were wrong/when you said/everything's gonna be alright." The song benefited from the controlled layering of three guitars. Most notably, guitarist Brett Netson's overdriven leads cut through the mix at times to reveal a deeper counterpoint against Martsch's riffing. [The MIT Tech]

Built To Spill played the last of four NYC performances in a row last night at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn (10/15). After the show they appeared on Letterman. The pictures in this post are from the third show which was also at Music Hall (10/14). Pictures from the second show, which was at Webster Hall, are HERE. First night's setlist is HERE. The other three setlists, more pictures from the third night, and the Letterman video, below...

Continue reading "Built to Spill played four NYC shows (pictures from Music Hall & all setlists) & Letterman (video) "

Oct 12 @ Webster Hall
Oct 13 @ Webster Hall
Oct 14 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Oct 15 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Tickets are still available to all, but one of the Music Hall shows. Disco Doom and Violent Soho open all four shows. Doug Martsch will be DJing after Built to Spill play on both of the Music Hall nights.

Recent live videos below...

Continue reading "Built to Spill kick off four-show NYC run today (tix available)"

Built to Spill @ the Siren Festival (more by Chris La Putt)

Pitchfork: So the album's called There Is No Enemy-- how can you be so sure?

Doug Martsch: [laughs] That's just the name of the record, it's not a philosophy. I have plenty of enemies, myself.

Pitchfork: You guys seem to be taking your time recording this album. It's been three years since your last record.

DM: Yeah, we're not in any hurry to put anything out. There are plenty of Built to Spill records-- no one is in a hurry to hear something new.

Pitchfork: Really?

DM: Well, I hope some people are looking forward to it. But it's not like we're a new band with just a few songs.

Pitchfork: Is there such a thing as having too many songs?

DM: There are lot of bands that have too many songs, I think.

Built to Spill are "currently mixing the group's seventh LP, dubbed There Is No Enemy, in a L.A. studio. (The record is due in October on Warner Bros.)"

Over the weekend, Built to Spill played the Pitchfork Festival, the Siren Festival, and Maxwell's in Hoboken. Built to Spill will be back in NYC during the month of their new album release to play 4 more shows. October 12 & 13 is at Webster Hall. October 14 & 15 will take place at Music Hall of Williamsburg. Disco Doom opens. Tickets will go on sale this Thursday. All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Built to Spill - a new album & 4 more NYC shows in October "