All posts by Concrete Opinions

[on repeat] fun.//We Are Young (feat. Janelle Monáe)

September 30, 2011 Concrete Opinions 1 Comment

I heard the tail end of this track on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic the other day and pretty much forgot about it…that is until I rediscovered it on Elbows earlier today and the rest is history.

fun. is an indie pop trio based in NY that was formed by Nate Ruess (you may remember him from The Format). Now I have to admit, this is one of those bands that’s been on my radar for awhile now, but i’ve never really given them a good, honest listen. But this track has me excited for what’s to come, and thanks to spotify, i’ve been catching up on what i’ve been missing.

The track in question is “We Are Young,” (stream it/watch it below, then download it on iTunes) the latest from the trio and first single off their yet-to-be-titled sophomore album, and just happens to feature some vocals from the one and only Janelle Monáe. Rumor has it the new LP will be released early 2012, so in the meantime, familiarize yourself ournameisfun.com and be sure to take note of their tour dates — they’ll be hitting the road tomorrow (10/1), and while it’s mostly a East Coast/Midwest tour, they will be playing the Troubadour on Nov. 14th.

do something good today

Do Something Good Today: Memory Walk 2011

September 30, 2011 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

Obviously this isn’t music related, but it’s for a good cause. You, or somebody you know, has most likely been affected by Alzheimer’s, so please join me in bringing awareness to this truly awful disease.

For the last 4 or 5 years or so, i’ve been taking part in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®. Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised $300 million for Alzheimer care, support and research. By teaming up with others, I’m hoping to do my part to fight this deadly disease and show my support for the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease. Funds raised through Memory Walk go towards research to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s, and programs to improve the lives of millions of Americans already affected.

I’m hoping you’ll join me this year. Whether it’s in the form of a donation, or simply joining my team (Team “Lori and Grams”), every little bit helps. My team will be walking in tomorrow’s Memory Walk in Chico, CA, but be on the lookout for your local Memory Walk this year…more than likely there’s at least one nearby.

You can join my team HERE (Team “Lori and Grams”).

You can make donations HERE.

concerts, live music, music, on the road

[on the road] Future Islands

September 29, 2011 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

Future Islands are hitting the road this Fall in support of the upcoming release of their latest LP, On The Water, which is due out Oct. 11th via Thrill Jockey (pre-order). I’ve heard nothing but great things about their live shows, so check the dates below and make it out if you have the chance, you’ll definitely see me at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach on Nov. 18th.

♫ Future Islands – Balance ♫

October 1 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Prospecto Festival
October 8 – Baltimore, MD @ The Sound Garden (Free In-Store Performance! Starts at 5PM)
October 25 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat (w/Javelin)
October 26 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Small’s Theatre (w/Javelin)
October 27 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern (w/Javelin)
October 28 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick Lounge (w/Javelin)
October 29 – Kalamazoo, MI @ The Strutt (w/Javelin)
October 30 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall (w/Javelin)
November 1 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry
November 2 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
November 3 – Lawrence, KS @ Jackpot Saloon
November 4 – Norman, OK @ The Opolis
November 5 – Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest
November 7 – Marfa, TX @ Padre’s
November 8 – Santa Fe, NM @ VFW
November 9 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
November 10 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
November 11 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
November 12 – Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project
November 13 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
November 15 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
November 16 – Santa Barbara, CA @ Muddy Waters
November 17 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
November 18 – Long Beach, CA @ Alex’s Bar
November 19 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah
November 20 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
November 23 – New Orleans, LA @ Circle Bar
November 25 – Birmingham, AL @ The Bottletree
November 26 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl (w/Lonnie Walker)
November 27 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle (w/Lonnie Walker)
November 28 – Wilmington, NC @ Soapbox (w/Lonnie Walker)
November 29 – Charlottesville, VA @ Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar
November 30 – Lancaster, PA @ The Lizard Lounge
December 1 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom (w/Zomes)
December 2 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kungfu Necktie
December 3 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar (w/Javelin)

music, video, watch

[watch] San Cisco//Girls Do Cry

September 29, 2011 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

San Cisco are proud to present second single “Girls Do Cry” from their debut EP, Golden Revolver. Shot in New York by an independent fashion design collective, the track’s vintage-inspired clip was a lucky discovery.

San Cisco drummer, Scarlett Stevens, uncovered the piece of footage by chance, posted on an underground fashion blog ‘Cat Party”. After introduction, Hannah Metz—clip co-director and slumber party beauty—thought the passage a perfect fit for Girls Do Cry. The women seen in the video are all independent fashion designers themselves. There’s an undeniable synergy between the splendour, strength and individuality of the small NY fashion collective, and the liberated youthful abandon of this foursome of teens from Fremantle, WA, that colours the ‘Girls Do Cry’ collaboration.

♫ San Cisco – Golden Revolver ♫

2011, music, new music

[new music roundup] 9.27.11

September 27, 2011 Concrete Opinions Leave a comment

So this is a bit late, but I was at the Big Black Delta show at The Satellite last night (very good show btw, definitely worth checking out if you have the chance), followed by a pretty hectic day of work, and I may have had one too many PRB tall boys at the show. Needless to say, today I wasn’t exactly the olympic caliber blogger I aim to be today.

But enough excuses, here are a few of my favorite new releases this week. Enjoy.

Big Black Delta – BBDLP1