The slack attack continues...

My laptop is still busted, and my secret wellspring of new music dried up. So for now I will tell you about my current musical excursions:

American School of Warsaw: has been on hiatus for a couple of months. We will start rehearsing again soon, and will be recording an EP in April at Jupiter Studios with Jon Ervie. Plan on hearing some new sounds out of this old dog. (ASOWs first show was just over six years ago. Can you beleive it? Yes? Well, ok then.)

Key Note Speaker: is doing preproduction for a new record. We've been playing as a three piece as of late, occasionally augmented by our pal Leif Dalan on the keys. We hope to enter the studio (probably with Endino again) in late spring or summer.

Kate Tucker & The Sons of Sweden: have brought me on board as their touring bassist. BJ Meyers, who normally provides low end for the Swedes, has other comitments that prevent him from going on the road, so that's where I come in. We'll be playing a showcase at this year's SXSW in Austin, and I may be joining them for some gigs in New York in May.

Mi amiga Clarita and I also have started a group. We made our debut a few weeks ago at a birthday party for a dog. We haven't settled on a name yet, and are probably going to need a real singer, as I was told that I sing like a Muppet.

Explosions In The Sky:

An ex-girlfriend hipped me to Explosions In The Sky a couple of years ago. I like moody, epic rock songs (i.e. Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Do Make Say Think, and especially Mogwai), and these dudes fit the bill.

I was surprised when I found out that they'd done the soundtrack to Friday Night Lights. I don't typically associate epic instrumental rock songs with high school football. I finally got around to watching the movie last night, and ya know what? It works. Their music has been carried over into the TV series on NBC, which is actually pretty good as well. Plus it gives me a bit of a football fix until the NFL season starts again.

I've been geeking out on the longer of the two versions of "Your Hand In Mine" that appear on the soundtrack. (The original, 8-minute long version is from their 2003 album The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place.) Something about the chord progressions they use in this song just get me. I can't put it any better way than that.

I'm also putting up "The Moon Is Down" from 2001 release Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever, which is the first song of their's I ever heard.

FYI: big files, as is demanded by epic songs.

Explosions In The Sky - Your Hand In Mine (with strings) [6.73 mb]

Explosions In The Sky - The Moon Is Down [14.52 mb]