WYEP Music Blog

Every Wednesday at 9:13 am, one of Pittsburgh’s finest music writers joins me (Cindy Howes) on the Morning Mix to play a couple favorite new songs and share some insight. Today we welcome Andy Mulkerin of Pittsburgh’s City Paper

In case you missed it here’s what he played with commentary by Andy (plus a bonus song):

Samantha Crain – Lions
A 23 year old singer from Oklahoma who is making some waves in the indie-folk world. Andy says: “I wrote a short bit about Samantha Crain when she played at South Park last year; her 2009 release, Songs In the Night, was haunting, beautiful and folky. “Lions” comes from her new release, You (Understood), and has more of a rock feel, which — perhaps suprisingly — befits her. I listen to it again and again, and keep picking up on subtle rewards within.”

Meeting of Important People – The Jesus Song
WYEP’s local act of the year for 2009. From their new EP ‘Quit Music’. Andy says: “This is a local band I’ve been a fan of since I encountered their first release early last year — I had a great time interviewing Josh about their new record a couple weeks back, and I was particularly interested in this song. As he explains it, it’s not sincere nor ironic; it’s just a character song, an exercise in expression.”

Love of Everything – Tin Can Phone
Project of Bobby Burg of the indie group Joan of Arc. It began in 1999 before Bobby was a part of JoA. Andy says: “This is the lead track from a recent collection of songs from the Joan of Arc-related project. Kind of lo-fi, a little bit amateurish, definitely naive and sweet, it fits well with the JoA vibe. Perhaps a slightly nostalgic pick on my part.”

Well, the acts featured in The Local News for July all coincidentally have long complicated titles. All quality artists and all available on The Local News Podcast. You can also check them out on-air Monday-Thursday at 9 pm (starting tonight). Let me know what you think: cindy@wyep.org
Thanks!
Cindy

Joy Toujours and the Toys Du Jour – “Touchez Moi”
I have to say the name of this band very slowly: Joy Toujours and the Toys Du Jour. They’ve been playing for a few years and have a new record entitled Onward. Definitely of the experimental indie persuasion, Joy Toujours’ new record would please fans of bands like Morphine, Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers and Talking Heads.

Meeting of Important People – “Leap-The-Dips”
Last year, WYEP named Meeting of Important People our local act of the year for their excellent self-titled debut. They boys are back this month with a new EP titled Quit Music, which hopefully they don’t plan on doing. The seven song release further demonstrates the pure talent of lead singer Josh Verbanets in songwriting and performing.

B-Rad and The Best of The West Players – “Oh, My Baby”
B-Rad and The Best of The West Players is lead by Brad Ladik. The new B-Rad CD features players from local favorites like Donora, Meeting of Important People and Mariage Blanc. It also covers a broad sonic spectrum with clear influences of country, garage rock, punk, soul and funk.

Thomas Jefferson’s Aeroplane – “This Changes Everything”
Thomas Jefferson’s Aeroplane consists Bill Deasy and and Rich Jaques- who led two of the finest bands to come out of Pittsburgh in the late 90′s- The Gathering Field and Brownie Mary. Together, they’ve created very catch music with skillful songwriting and creative interesting electronic instrumentation. This is their second release.

Pittsburgh’s own Meeting of Important People‘s rowdy instrumental “Pretzel Rod Blues” will be featured on MTV’s The Real World: Washington DC’s season premiere. The show airs tomorrow (Wed, Dec. 30th) at 10 pm on MTV. When asked, lead singer Josh Verbanets proclaimed “We don’t know how it will be used… it could be inaudible, but its definitely in there”. Hopefully “Pretzel Rod Blues” will be sweeping the nation… more on MOIP (WYEP’s #1 Local Act of the Year) is here: http://myspace.com/meetingofimportantpeople