Forecastle 2008

Forecastle Festival is quickly approaching, and JK McKnight, the captain of this ship, is hard at work to ensure some incredible musicians take the stage for the best Forecastle yet. The dates for this year’s Forecastle are July 25-27th, but if you want to learn even more about the event, check out an interview we did with JK back in February, as well as the official website for Forecastle 2008.

We’ll be updating the list as new artists are confirmed, so keep checking back to see who there is to see at this year’s festival, but it will no doubt be bigger than any Forecastle yet.

If you have thoughts on who you’d like to see this year, discuss it in the comments below, or on their forum.

Confirmed:

For a shortened review on each of the confirmed artists…

Unwed Sailor have confirmed for Forecastle 2008. Unwed Sailor played a show back in October at the Nachbar & until that point I wasn’t familiar with them. As I spoke to Brooks Tipton, the pianist in the band, I learned that they are also most of what comprises Bear Colony…an incredible band heavily influenced by Radiohead and melancholy. The story behind Bear Colony is one of the best (and sort-of saddest) stories of an up and coming band I’ve heard. But this isn’t about Bear Colony, so let me get back to my point.

Unwed Sailor is an incredible instrumental band based out of virtually every western state (though I’d say predominately Arkansas), consisting of piano, keyboards, bass, guitarand drums. I’ve enjoyed their recorded stuff, but touring is where they win your heart. And their touring line-up has included just about every artist alive, it seems, including David Bazan, members of Fleet Foxes, members of Parlour, Aaron Ford of …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead, and Jamey See Tai of The Photographic. They took absolute control of the Nachbar the night that they came. Whereas most instrumental bands are unable to connect with their audiences, the energy and fun these guys project. Yet even in the cramped quarters of the Nachbar, to a crowd who I would venture to say was mostly unfamiliar with their work, and without lyrics, they managed to have enough stage presence to completely consume us. It’s very accessible, very fun, and very good…

Unwed Sailor: “Little Wars”
Unwed Sailor: “Ruby’s Wishes”
Unwed Sailor: “Snowcaps”
Unwed Sailor: “Golden Cities”
Unwed Sailor: “Riddle of Stars”
Unwed Sailor: “Old Ironside”
Unwed Sailor: “Chandelier”
Unwed Sailor: “At Peace in the Forest”
Unwed Sailor: “Asleep in the Forest”

Of all the bands announced for Forecastle so far, I am perhaps the most excited about Cincy’s The Seedy Seeds. Their debut album, Change States, was released last year and was named one of the top albums (#30) of the year by WOXY. The We Listen For You crew put me on to them with this great review:

“Imagine if a plane carrying the instruments of Casiotone For the Painfully Alone, Arcade Fire, Boy Least Likely To, and Dan Deacon crashed in Cincinnati, OH and two folk singers found the wreckage. This is The Seedy Seeds. Accordion, Banjo, Bass, Cello, Synth, Guitar, Kazoo, Drum Beats…all wrapped around a folk sensibility. The perfect example is the song, “Calliope” off their upcoming album, Change States. The song starts with a bold bass/synth/drum line that makes your toe tap. Before a few loops pass, a folk guitar strums with a few hits of synth. Then a pause…they all come together with a banjo and lyrics…the result: it’s beautiful, like opening the curtains to find a sunny day when it’s supposed to be rainy. This band will fool the casual listener, the first track immediately drawing comparisons to Midnight Movies and the best track; “Earned Average Dance America” will be labeled a LCD Soundsystem B-Side. If anything, this band is a cross between Tap Tap and Sufjan Steven’s early work. The band dares to not only do something new but to also challenge the very boundaries of genre. It seems that all the best new bands these days do.”

If you can’t wait until Forecastle, they will be playing in Lexington on April 20th at The Shrieking Shack (503 Oldham Court). It is a fundraiser for WRFL and only costs $5 bucks.

The Seedy Seeds- The Little Patton
The Seedy Seeds- Changes Less the Sun

Prizzy Prizzy Please have confirmed for Forecastle 2008. Prizzy Prizzy Please, despite having one of the worst band names in history, have been ripping Bloomington, IN apart since they burst onto the scene with two self-released albums (actually, one of them was an EP) in 2005.

I have little idea of what to expect from these guys…compared to everyone from The Vandals to Black Flag, and even 80s power pop, but goofy, and with a sax?!? Perhaps most interestingly….there isn’t even a guitar in the band. The rest of the make-up is Scott McNiece (drums), Ted Wells (keyboards), Bob Allen (bass, vocals) and Mark Pallman (sax, vocals)… In fact, PPP frequently plays with Totally Michael, who I saw open for Jens Lekman lsat year in Bloomington…and so my expectations are that PPP might be a little more goofy than I’d have otherwise thought from their reviews.

Nevertheless, the guys are known for their live shows…and the energy, activity, and volume of them. One description I’d read of them said “Prizzy Prizzy Please aren’t a dance-punk band so much as a band of hyperactive noise miscreants who can’t quite decide what genre will spark the most fun.” Whatever that means, it’s got me interested.

Prizzy Prizzy Please -Shorgasm

Dr. Dog is spending a lot of time in KY & they’re coming back for Forecastle. In the last 6 months or so, they’ve been here with Wilco, and solo. They owe Louisville a little loyalty though, as touring with My Morning Jacket is what put them on the fast track to success. We reviewed their last show at Phoenix Hill Tavern, and maybe it was the venue, maybe it was inflated expectations, but we wanted a little something more. That said, the setlist was what you wanted and expected to hear, playing most of the previous album. With that in mind, we should expect that Forecastle will see their upcoming album Fate to be released July 22…three days before Forecastle.

With several great bands already announced, I can’t wait to see what else falls into place for Forecastle 2008.

Dr. Dog - Oh No
Dr. Dog - The World May Never Know
Dr. Dog - Alaska

Snowden has confirmed for Forecastle 2008. This, for me, is the band I may be the most excited for at this moment. I only learned of Snowden last year, and I’ve been dancing to them continuously ever since. Snowden plays a very danceable sort of disco post-punk, and so I imagine they’ll be set for Friday night’s performance of Forecastle. Tracks like Black Eyes from their most recent album Anti-Anti are the perfect example of what they can do, putting lyrics like “you didn’t have much to say, but you were beautiful anyway” over good dance rock beats makes for the kind of show you want to get sweaty and dance with the girl you want to be with. Due in large part to the heavy touring, Snowden hasn’t had a chance to get an album out since their debut Anti-Anti album, but I’ve heard rumor they’ve spent a little bit of time in the studio and that we might be able to expect something not too far out. Who cares though, so long as we have anthems like “Anti Anti” to scream out lyrics like “One time we believed, but now it’s passing and cliche.” Fans of Interpol or VHS or Beta are likely to fall in love with Snowden…as that same dark flavor and fuzzy distortion of Interpol (only not so dark), and the same dance vibe and The Cure influence as pervades VHS or Beta releases…every song from Anti Anti is the type of concert anthem that most bands manage to get one or two of in their career….which makes you understand why Snowden invests so much time into their live shows. In the end, it’s dance rock that is incredibly accessible to both the electro kids, and indie rockers…and Louisville has a lot to look forward to with Snowden coming to visit us this summer.

Snowden is known for the incredible effort that they put into touring. Although Atlanta based, people often mistake them for being from any number of cities, considering the number of times they’ve played everywhere. That includes Louisville. Snowden has come to town at least twice, and played with our friends The Photographic at Uncle Pleasants on August 29, 2006 (with an In-Store Ear X-tacy earlier that same day), and one other occasion at Headliners. Also, another more attenuated connection is that on Snowden’s remix album, Fuel of the Celebration, was featured Le Castlevania…who blew up Louisville’s Fuzion New Years party this year. Their touring has paid of in recognition from fans, as well as other major musicians, touring with Arcade Fire, The Unicorns, Claps Your Hands Say Yeah, and Kings of Leon. IF all that isn’t enough to make you see them…there’s a hot girl in the band. Get ready to dance Louisville…..

Pick Anti Anti up from iTunes, Amazon or Jade Tree.

For more info, David Payne runs his own blog talking about the band HERE. Also, a very comprehensive album review is available HERE.

Snowden - Anti Anti
Snowden - Time of the Season
Snowden - Christmas Time is Here

Tortoise has confirmed for Forecastle 2008. This is a massively important confirmation because this is a massively important band. Tortoise was amongst the first American bands to incorporate Krautrock, minimalism, jazz and electro into the progress rock of their day, often resulting in their being cited as one of the dominate forces behind the post-rock movement. Their sound is uniquely their own…neither jazz nor prog, experimental without sounding like your typical “experimental” music…and ultimately quite important.

Tortoise has strong Louisville connections as well, considering David Pajo of Slint was with the band for a time, and more recently Bonnie “Prince” Billy helped out for a covers album.

Tortoise - It’s All Around You
Tortoise - (Some Say) I Got Devil (w/ Bonnie “Prince” Billy)
Tortoise - TNT

Ferdinand Fox has confirmed for Forecastle 2008. As of now, their set for the after party on the 27th, which is going to be going on downtown. Ferdinand Fox have made their love for Louisville apparent in recent months, playing an OVCE benefit last September and most recently on March 20th (review). Also, FF played the Halfway to Forecastle, but a late time slot and some complications with Headliners and the Fire Marshal ended up with a less than full audience. However, they’re an incredibly entertaining band, blending nearly every staple genre into a cohesive set all their own…even when performing covers of Young MC or the Soft Cell. You never really know what to anticipate with these guys…while one set might be an all out rock show, the next one might be a more dancey or hip-hop set. However, the constants that you get with these guys are matching suits, energy, and a lot of fun. I highly encourage using your bathroom breaks for some other band…because these guys are really worth checking out…

M-E-T-H-O-D MAN…is kicking off this year’s Forecastle Fest! Forecastle has already been named one of the stops on Paste Magazine’s ultimate summer music fest road trip guide and now we have an opener to look forward to. He is the second confirmed artist for the fest…that I know of. The other is Louisville’s People Noise. I don’t need to tell you about what he has meant to hip-hop music, or about all the music he has put out, or about his TV and film history (star of “How High”). The name Method Man speaks for itself…as the opener for a music fest should. I linked a track below to get you ready. Keep up the good work JK.

Method Man- The Afterparty ft. Ghostface Killah

The first band has been confirmed for Forecastle 2008 and its People Noise.

People Noise is Zeke Buck (founding member of VHS or Beta) and Matt Johnson (former member of Boom Bip). But even still, they’re not what you’d expect. They’re far less electronic than you’re imagining, and a bit more rock, and completely ignoring the 80s synth. Think more of JAMC or My Bloody Valentine. Check out their album Ordinary Ghosts. These guys epitomize what our music scene here in Louisville and throughout the US is all about right now. They are doing amazing things and bringing a brand of shoegaze back to the forefront of music.

These guys have been working their asses off touring around the country. Just look at what one month worth of their tour schedule has been like, and they’re not just regional, they’re everywhere. You should have seen where they were all last fall if you want to talk about a band that gets around.

These guys know what it takes to make it in the music industry, and its paying off as they’re the first confirmed artist for Forecastle and opening for British Sea Power. You can keep up with their tour schedule even better here.

People Noise - The Killing Fields

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