Catching up...

I am still trying to get into the swing of things. So let us take some time to play catch-up. We landed back in the Twin Cities two weeks ago. Ever since, I have had this dreadful ear infection (blood oozing and all). Finally saw an ENT specialist yesterday and amputation will not be necessary. Work has been kicking my ass after being away for so long. 1) Bum ear, 2) buried at work. Add to that exhaustion from the trip, my two insane dogs, a foot of snow and mango withdrawal. Needless to say it has been a slow rise back to reality. But truly, it is always good to come home. Just not as good as being away.

As my ears return to stereo fidelity, music is back in the forefront. SXSW kicks off tomorrow! Please don't ask why I moved away from Austin. After returning home, I did have a chance to finally pick up some new discs and catch some live shows. In that regard, a few notes...

Everything is connected.
So I picked up the new Destroyer release Destroyer's Rubies. It rocks, go get it. For those who don't know, Destroyer is the solo act of Canadian Dan Bejar, who is also a member of super-duper, proud-to-be-Canadian, indie-pop band The New Pornographers. I love hyphens. As luck would have it, I caught The New Pornos at the Orpheum this past Sunday night (Sopranos premiere be damned) opening for Belle & Sebastian whose new release is also a must-buy. B&S were most excellent in preparation for their much-anticipated SXSW show this week. The New Pornos sounded great as well, but AC Newman was left to fend for himself on stage sans Destroyer Dan and indie-diva Neko Case. They each had pressing plans it seems. But all is good because next week, I'm seeing Destroyer at the 400 Bar along side Magnolia Electric Co. It will be my sister-in-law's 21st birthday so here's hoping I don't black out. A week later it's Neko Case, fresh off her very own SXSW appearance in support of her new solo album Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. A third outstanding album of note. Oops, I skipped over another show...I also intend to catch I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, a hot new Joy Division-obsessed indie-goth act from where you say? Austin, TX of course. They will be playing their hometown SXSW this week before coming to the 400 Bar next Friday, two days after the Destroyer show. A life-long friend of mine is flying up (from Austin of course) to visit and I'll be forced to drag him to the show. Opening up for ILYBICD is Planes for Spaces, a local up-and-coming band also worshiping at the altar of Ian Curtis. And I don't mean that in a negative way. Oh, and I work with the Planes' drummer's girlfriend. Whew. Touring season is indeed upon us. Other upcoming gigs include Built to Spill, The Strokes, Mogwai, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, etc. Music is in the air and thanks to four drops a day of antibiotic in my right ear canal, I'm happy to hear it.