Tag: best
0 Nurses is Back – Phoenix Rejoice!
2012 has already been very good to the Flowerhouse gang. First, Starfucker comes through and plays one of the best shows that I’ve ever seen them play, Crescent or otherwise. Next, Brooklyn based Friends and Portland based Nurses are both announced as opening acts for two forthcoming shows- Neon Indian and Stephen Malkmus respectfully.
And while Friends has us squirming in our seat in anticipation (I have a very public crush on bassist, Lesley Hann), I wanted to take a moment to celebrate an incredible band that simply didn’t get the attention they deserved their first time through Phoenix, Nurses.
Nurses is the best band you’ve never heard of. Wait, strike that. Nurses is the best band of 2011 (period) and their latest album, Dracula, was second only to Phantogram’s Nightlife EP as album of the year. Yep, I just said that. If you doubt our conviction, take a listen to our best of 2011 podcast where two of their tracks made our top 10 list.
You can also check out this link for some great beta on the band.
The flowerhouse gang was lucky enough to catch them the last (and only – I think) time they played in Phoenix back in September of last year. They played an incredible set, along with another great band, Dominant Legs, at the Trunk Space to around 15 people. (this included the fine folks of Dominant Legs who hung around after their own set to watch the show)
To say that it was an intimate show wouldn’t be doing the word intimate justice. To say that Stateside and Phoenix in general missed out would be stating the obvious. Phoenix, you blew it. No two ways around it.
Fortunately, you have the opportunity to make amends next Friday when Nurses returns to Phoenix, this time in support of Stephen Malkmus. While it blows that they will probably have to play a reduced set, even a little bit of Nurses is worth seeing.
It’s not that they are incredibly animated or talkative on stage or even that they wear dresses and make-up like their fellow portlandites, Starfucker. (they don’t) What they absolutely do is write and play incredibly catchy songs in a style that doesn’t seem reminiscent of anyone but themselves. If I sound like I’m gushing here it’s because I am. Aaron, John and James are that good. Listen to Dracula for yourself if you don’t believe me…
http://www.relix.com/video/live-at-relix/2011/12/16/nurses-wouldn-t-tell?embed
Of course, they could show up Friday, have an off night and discredit everything I just said about them. In that same vein, Toro y Moi could decide to do an acoustic set when they come to town March 5. Riggght.
Anything is possible I guess but don’t count on it. Nurses is a band going places and you’d be an absolute fool to miss them this time around.
Final Verdict? Come early for Nurses and then catch the rest of the show in the lounge eating churros. mmmmm, churros.
-A
0 Episode #8 – Week of 01/02/12
First show of 2012! – No Ceremony – Hurt Love, Craft Spells – After the Moment, Fruit Bats – You’re too Weird, Fantasy Island – Breaking a Heart, Ghost Beach – First Time.
Bubbling Under
Peaking Lights – Hey Sparrow
Wake Owl! – Gold
Saskatchewan – Skinny Dipping
0 Dude, where’s my podcast?
The Flowerhouse is taking a well deserved break this week which means that there probably wont be a podcast episode this week. I say probably because Brandon is rediscovering what “cold” really is back home in NorDak and doesn’t have a return flight booked last I heard. Such is the pull of worldly North Dakota I guess.
While you’re poking fun at the fact that we don’t have the mental or technical acumen to record the podcast from two separate locations (ok, we do but we are too lazy to do it), enjoy this sampling of awkward Christmas photos from the good people at awkwardfamilyphotos.com.
Someone call Child Protective Services…
You’re laughing but this makes Christmas shopping SO much easier. One stop at Hot Topics and you’re done!
The first rule of Santa Club is that you don’t talk about Santa Club.
More awkward goodness here.
See you next week for our first podcast of 2012!
- A
0 “Bubbling Under” Picks for November and December
We have had some requests to post our bubbling under picks and we are nothing if not responsive. These are from our November and December podcasts in case you didn’t have a chance to look them up yet. Going forward, we will try to list our bubbling under picks with the podcast track listings each week.
Brandon’s Bubbling Under Picks
Ducktails – Hamilton Road
Lumineers – Oh Hey
Alex’s Bubbling Under Picks
Analog Rebellion – Father Abraham
Dreams – In Love
Girlfriends – The Apocalypse Made Me Brave
These are Flowerhouse approved so check them out!
Got your own bubbling under picks? Post em’ below.
0 The Final Draft – Brandon’s Top Choices for 2011
As Alex mentioned earlier, 2k11 was yet another solid year for music. It seems we’ve witnessed the plunge of indie-wave into the mainstream spotlight as bands like M83, Phantogram, Youth Lagoon, and Neon Indian are now more accessible to a larger audience than ever before. Really the only downsides to this year were the horrific Grammy nominations (5-time Grammy nominee Skrillex……………….?), and that torture of a song ‘Pumped up Kicks’ by Foster the People.
Regardless, I’ve compiled a list of songs from 2011 that resonate with me as we move onto the new year. Eliminating songs for me is risky business, and I dislike when I have to pick and choose because I’m totally an ‘in the mood’ listener. Thus, my list shuffles from chillwave to guitar-based jams to melancholy songs fit for your ‘sleep’ playlist. My hope is that you take these at face value. Enjoy!
Real Estate – “Green Aisles”
Gardens and Villa – “Orange Blossoms”
TV Girl – “Baby You Were There”
Cults – “Bumper”
Youth Lagoon – “17″
Class Actress – “Weekend”
Toro y Moi – “Still Sound”
Ducktails – “Hamilton Road”
Phantogram – “Don’t Move”
Friends – “Friend Crush”
Nurses – “Trying to Reach You”
The Donkeys – “I Like The Way You Walk”
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – “How Can You Luv Me?”
Rostam – “Wood”
Cass McCombs – “County Line”
0 FHP Best of 2011 Show – Episode #5
Brandon’s top 5: TV Girl – Baby You Were There, Real Estate – Green Aisles, Friends – Friend Crush, Nurses – Trying to Reach You, Phantogram – Don’t Move
Alex’s top 5: SBTRKT – Wildfire, Washed Out – Amor Fati, White Denim – Street Joy, Nurses – Fever Dreams, Mr. Little Jeans – Suburbs (Arcade Fire Cover)
Honorable Mention: Gauntlet Hair – Top Bunk
