Do you remember Murfreesboro band The Lake from Volume 23 of the podcast and their song “I’m So Sick of the End of the World.” Let’s hope so! If not, you’ll have no context for the news that their followup EP Nothing Ever Happens and It’s Happening Right Now! is available for download right now. Okay, so even without the context you’ll comprehend the news but having heard them before would surely inspire you to click that link and snag the EP right away to keep your week rolling right along.

While I’m convinced that every Lake Fever Session that comes out into the world is a special piece of work worthy of time being invested into and enjoyed for days there is, occasionally, a special vibe that accompanies a handful of them that is undeniable. Such is the case with the just released session from Elvis Perkins in Dearland. Frankly, I have not counted myself among the large number of established fans of Mr. Perkins and his Dearland but after watching this session, I can see the appeal. The session is the perfect mix of a stripped down performance, unique instrumentation and (the magic ingredient) a noticeable aura of the performers enjoying themselves. Please watch them all and tell your friends about it.. they’ll appreciate it.

• Stay Zombie Stay
• Weeping Mary
• Sweet Roseanne
• Gypsy Davy

Now that the dust has settled from the Great WRVU Community DJ Shakeup of 2009 we have a chance to find out where the shows we will be missing this semester have found themselves. Fortunately Tony Youngblood runs a blog that has covered this exact topic. So if you’re wondering where Cat Beast Party or Nashville Mixtapes (among others) have wound up – please head over here and check out the full listing of new homes.

It’s also worth noting that Mr. Youngblood has posted a rather long Open Letter to WRVU that does a pretty elaborate job of showing the flaws in thought behind the DJ Cap. Granted, it’s a moot point at this time but still a fairly entertaining read.

You may not know him personally, but if you listen to local independent music on a regular basis, you have most definitely heard the work of engineer/producer Jeremy Ferguson. Working out of his studio, Battle Tapes Recording, he has manned the boards for Be Your Own PET, The Privates, Turbo Fruits, Apollo Up!, Hands Down Eugene, De Novo Dahl…. we could go on for a while, but surely you get the picture. In a city where recording studios are as plentiful as churches and liquor stores, Battle Tapes has become an important place for young, creative artists who want to make a record that doesn’t cost as much as a small SUV. We recently caught up Mr. Ferguson after a very busy year.
(more…)