The Decemberists show @ Warsaw in Brooklyn, NY last night (May 26th, 2005) was so, so good. It was their last show on this tour to support Picaresque.

From their entrance on stage in traditional Polish costumes (Warsaw is actually a Polish club & they lent them the clothes) to the Petra Haden solo number to the Colin vs Chris "Richie Sambora" Funk guitar battle to to the entire crowd sitting and shushing on Colin's command to the special surprise rendition of the Tain to close the show, the show was high energy and amazing.

Were you there? Leave reviews in the comments.

Continue reading "The Decemberists @ Warsaw, Brooklyn, NY | Pics"

I've seen the Decemberists so many times in so many different venues. I was lucky enough to see their first NYC appearance ever at Knitting Factory in May 2003. I followed them to Mercury Lounge, Luxx (now Trash), Bowery Ballroom, and Webster Hall. I had tickets to see them at Maxwells, but never used them (family emergency). I saw them in the NYC KEXP studios, and I saw them while I was in Atlanta, Georgia (at the Echo Lounge). I saw Colin play some solo shows at Fez. Last week (April 28th, 2005) I saw them at NYU's Kimmel Center.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'm making it to the sold out Irving Plaza show this Thursday, though I plan on checking them out at Warsaw in Brooklyn in May.

This is the first of at least two photosets from the NYI show. I'll call this one "The many faces of Colin Meloy."

Continue reading "The Decemberists @ NYU | Pics | Part 1"

"In response to the band’s recent multi-thousand dollar loss of precious musical equipment, a few kind people have put together this Benefit Auction on eBay to help defray the cost of keeping the band in instruments. Among the items to be auctioned are several original Carson Ellis watercolors of a few of the stolen items, a Craig Thompson (of Blankets fame) original drawing depicting the procession of the Infanta, several Barger Rothery Academy badges (as seen in the ‘Sixteen Military Wives’ video), and many, many more cool bits of arcana."

as seen on Done Waiting.

Previously

Decemberists on KCRW | & @ NYU
Decemberists playing Summerstage
The Decemberists | 16 Military Wives Video

Watch or Listen to the Decemberists on KCRW.

The Decemberists are playing a $7 show at NYU on April 28th. (students or student impersonators only). That's a full six days before they play the sold out Irving Plaza. All dates here.

Paste Magazine gave "Picaresque" four stars.

Previously

The Decemberists are playing Summerstage (with Death Cab for Cutie who are on the OC tonight)
The Decemberists | Picaresque & M.I.A. | Arular

It's finally here. It seems like we've been talking about the Picaresque leak for ages. As of today, your MP3s go from 'illegaly downloaded leaked version of the album' to plain old "illegaly downloaded version of the album.'

Tiny Mix Tapes celebrates the release with a perfect score for Picaresque....

"The Decemberists somehow just get better and better with every release. From 5 Songs to Castaways and Cutouts to Her Majesty, each record trumps the last one in terms of quality, scope, and praise. So when it came time to release their third full-length, Colin Meloy and company did exactly what everyone thought they'd do: released their best and most ambitious album to date."

Stylus gave it a B+

Rolling Stone voted lowest with only 3.5 stars.

LargeHearted Boy posted a Decemberists' Daily Download

The Decemberists are in need of financial assistance. It's time to pay for the album. Order Picaresque.

Pitchfork, who seems to stick to the 'one major release per day' method, passed on Picaresque today, in favor of M.I.A.'s, actually released, Arular. With an 8.6, it's the newest addition to their 'best of' list. No surprises there.

Order Arular from Insound.

Happy World Water Day

Previously

The Decemberists | 16 Military Wives Video

Blogging M.I.A. | Sri Lankan Hip Hop Mix

The Decemberists posted their new video for 16 Military Wives on their site for download. BitTorrent required.

The video features a model United Nations, with Colin Meloy representing the United States. Martey DoDoo analyzed Korea's depiction in the video.

The bearded teacher is played by JR from the Long Winters. The lunch lady is played by Decemberists photographer Alicia J. Rose. Members of Death Cab for Cutie and Tom Heinl are in there too. Recognize anyone else?

In other news...The Decemberists had to postpone their show scheduled for tonight in Vancouver due to the theft of their gear. Maybe Conor Bright Eyes will give the stuff back after Picaresque is released next week, and they'll all kiss and make up.

:-(   The Decemberists announced that all their stuff was stolen. (via Sushi High)

"At some time between 3 a.m. and 8 a.m., the band's gear trailer was stolen from outside a house in SE Portland, near the Aladdin Theatre. Heartbreakingly, it housed practically every piece of instrumentation belonging to the Decemberists." ....more

The Decemberists put a whole bunch of rare stuff up for auction. 100% of the proceeds go to a Tsunami charity. Get signed posters, Colin Meloy Morrissey EPs, and a 5 Songs EP (pictured).

You can now pre-order that album you've been listening to for months. Do the right thing.

UPDATE: Download The Engine Driver (legally) (mp3)

And don't forget the Decemberists are about to play your town.

JoeCritic releases an early review. (9.5/10)

Meloy was meant for the stage.

The Decemberists have announced the rest of their 2005 tour dates.

May 4th Irving Plaza, NYC
May 26th Warsaw, Brooklyn

The rest here.

Previously

Colin Meloy Stuff

Kiki and Herb's final performance at Carnegie Hall is now a double CD. And as cool as I think it is that they covered the Decemberists, I really only wrote that to grab your indie rock attention. It's true. They cover "I was Meant for the Stage," not to mention "When Doves Cry," and "Total Eclipse of the Heart" in what has been described as "an emotionally exhausting, career-capping show."

The CD is officially released on Feb. 1st, and you can order your copy from CD Baby. (where you'll find a much longer description).

For even more info, and to download some tracks, check out Bride of Bloggenstein and Ultrasparky.

Backstage photos here, and a report from the show in September at Cheesedip.

So a bunch of kids from Australia got a band together, and covered Joanna Newsom and The Decemberists. Stream and download the questionable cover songs here.

Hi everyone.

We meant to announce this soon, though I realize that the folks at KRS kind of let the proverbial cat out of the bag.

We’re very sad to announce that Rachel Blumberg has decided, after much deliberation, to leave the group. We’re going to to miss her tons, but we all collectively feel it’s for the best.

Since joining the group, Rachel has always made it clear that Norfolk and Western, the band she shares with her sweetheart, Adam Selzer, has been her priority. Unfortunately, our increasingly hectic schedule has never really made this a possibility. Her decision to leave was a very difficult one to make, but we all support her wholeheartedly.

In happier news, we’ve taken the opportunity to shake up the ranks a bit and are pleased to welcome two new members to the Decemberist family, John Moen and Petra Haden. John’s a bit of a cornerstone of the Portland rock community and is a member of Steve Malkmus’ Jicks as well as his own band the Maroons; Petra was a founding member of That Dog and has played with tons of folks including the Rentals, Beck, and Cibo Matto. They’re both incredibly sweet people and we’re really pleased to have them on board.

So anyway, just wanted to write a little note to let you all know what was happening. Norfolk will be heading on the road this spring with M. Ward as both his opening and backing band, a show which everyone should go see.

Best,

Colin.

Related Links

M Ward Tour Dates

Tickets for M Ward @ Knitting Factory, NYC

New Bill Frisell & Petra Haden CD set for release January 11th, 2005

Stephen Malkmus Biography

Lured in after a listen

Thanks to More Cowbell for the heads up.

Previously

Colin Meloy (Decemberists) cover Morrissey

Colin Meloy on the Picaresque Leak

I want to say that you should rush over to Jim's Doomsday Robot and download the live cover of Morrissey's 'Sister I'm a Poet' by Colin Meloy of the Decemberists, BUT it's so-so, so just walk slowly.

As previously reported many places, like this Morrissey site, Colin will be selling a tour-only Morrissey cover CD called "Colin Meloy sings...Morrissey" on his upcoming solo tour. In NYC, he'll be playing Fez twice, both of which are now sold out.

Previously

2nd NYC Colin Meloy Solo Date Added

Colin Meloy on the Picaresque Leak

Colin Meloy Solo Tickets for Sale

I was about to post a link to Sweet Blasphemy, a blog that posted three songs off the new Decemberists album. But by the time I started writing this post, the songs were removed at the request of the Decemberists and replaced with this message.

I gave up on the post, but then took a quick look at another site, who, what do you know, posted two of the three songs himself. UPDATE: no more Decemberists tracks. sorry.

Thanks to more cowbell for the original heads up.

And if you like them, BUY IT when it comes out.

Previously

Decemberists' Picaresque

Release Date: March 22, 2005

Track List:

1. The Infanta
2. We Both Go Down Togethre
3. Eli, The Barrowboy
4. The Sporting Life
5. Espionage
6. Lost At Sea
7. 16 by 32
8. Engine Driver
9. Bus Mall
10. The Mariner
11. Angels

More info @ 'The Evil Monkey In Chris' Closet' HERE and HERE

Previously

Colin Meloy Solo Tickets on Sale

Pure Volume is a site that lets bands post songs for download and stream. The site, which caters mostly to punk & emo bands, has become real popular since the demise of MP3.com.

I always assumed that the actual band or label signed up for pages at Pure Volume. That's probably true most of the time, but the sign up process must not have many checks in place. I say that because I find it hard to believe that it was the Decemberists who created their page.

What's really weird about it is not just that the three posted songs are unreleased/bootlegs, but they also happen to be the exact three MP3's I posted on this site. That includes the version of Sporting Life I recorded in Atlanta.

The Decemberists @ Pure Volume

Related

Gratitude @ Pure Volume

Motion City Soundtrack @ Pure Volume

Author, and lead singer of The Decemberists, Colin Meloy is touring solo. (via more cowbell & central village)

Previously

The Decemberists' Bandit Queen

The Decemberists' Sporting Life

The Decemberists cover Joanna Newsom

Stream all CMJ KEXP Performances -- More Pics

This one ought to get you very excited for the forthcoming Decemberists album.

Here in MP3 format, pulled from a KET(?) broadcast, I present...

The Bandit Queen (mp3: right click, save to your computer)

While you're listening, check out these lovely pics of The Decemberists playing at Webster Hall by Alyssa Scheinson, then compare them to my own mediocre photos from the same show. (SPIN was there too)

Previously

The Sporting Life

Decemberists Cover Joanna Newsom

Catch The Decemberists perform live today (12 October 2004) on The John McEnroe show on CNBC at 10 pm EST/PST.

Hopefully they'll play The Sporting Life.

The Decemberists live @ Webster Hall, NYC (27 September 2004)

Continue reading "The Decemberists @ Webster Hall - pics"

The Decemberists have finished recording their next LP. They've been playing/testing a lot of the songs at shows. If you've seen them live this summer, you've probably heard at least one. One of those songs is called "The Sporting Life."

Today's exclusive Brooklynvegan recording is The Sporting Life by The Decemberists, live from Atlanta - 17 June, 2004.

Download:
The Sporting Life

The Decemberists have added yet another show in NYC...October 23rd at Mercury Lounge.

That makes:
9/27 Webster Hall
10/13 Bowery Ballroom
10/16 Maxwells (NJ)
10/23 Mercury Lounge

From May 2003 - October 2004, they'll have managed to play Knitting Factory, Mercury Lounge twice (or 3 times), Luxx, Bowery Ballroom 4 times, Maxwells twice, and Webster Hall. Not bad for a band from Oregon. Very good for us.

UPDATE: Sorry to say, but I got bad information. The Decemberists do not appear to be playing at Mercury Lounge in October.

The first two Pixies show sold out in negative ten seconds. I didn't get tickets. :(

I did get some tickets for the second Wilco show at Radio City though. I think tickets are still available.

Why does Bowery Ballroom list Rilo Kiley as playing on October 6th and 7th, but their official tour dates say October 7th and 8th? Third date going to be added? When are tickets going on sale?

Why are Bloc Party tickets still not on sale?

"The Band Formerly Known as Satanicide" ??? play The Delancey on August 21st with Slunt and Old Money. Has Devlin Mayhem left the band? What will Laura Bush think?

The Decemberists never stop touring. Here are their unannounced upcoming tour dates:

September 2004
22 - Champaign, IL @ High Dive
23 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin Coolidge
24 - Cleveland, OH @ Beechland Ballroom
25 - Clinton, NY @ Hamilton College
26 - Baltimore, MD @ Recher Theater
27 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
28 - Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street
29 - Montreal, QUE @ La Sala Rossa (Pop Montreal
Festival)
October 2004
14 - Burlington, VT @ Club Metronome
15 - Portland, ME @ Big Easy
17 - Columbus, OH @ Little Brother's
18 - Galesburg, IL @ Knox College
19 - St Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hills Duck Room
20 - Columbia, MO @ Blue Note
21 - Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot
22 - Norman, OK @ Opolis

What more could I ask for? One favorite artist covers another favorite artist. Today's MP3 is a live recording of The Decemberists covering Joanna Newsom's Bridges and Balloons.

Download:
Bridges and Balloons