The accompaniments of fame just keep rolling in for The Joy Formidable. Here are Ritzy, Matt and Rhyd on no less than Letterman, and doing a mighty fine job. They have just played such a well thought out game. The thing that really, I mean REALLY blows me away is that I have played this …
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Hearing about R.E.M.’s withdrawal from active duty was like being reminded that it’s no longer the 90s. It’s not like the band hasn’t been active, but who can tell me the name of their hits off “Collapse into Now”? Back in ’83, I recall the first review I wrote on them. From a musical era …
So, you’re driving about town and this song comes on the radio, and you’re thinking — this is one of the best f*&$ing rock songs I’ve heard in a long long time. But then the DJ doesn’t tell you what you were listening to, so you keep recycling the lyrics in your head over and …
There is no doubt that Bearsuit is a band that will provoke a strong and somewhat immediate response from listeners. As a litmus test for this theory, I offer up one of the band’s new singles, “When Will I Be Queen?” Many listeners will love it; many others will positively despise it. Personally, I share …
SXSW 2011, Part 4 This report has four parts. Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 Friday Another important aspect of SXSW is that it is truly an international affair, with many new and established music acts from around the world. I heard a lovely Columbian singer yesterday who was channeling …
SXSW 2011, Part 4 This report has four parts. Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 This leads me to another interesting fact about SXSW. As I headed across town to Mellow Johnny’s for the next show, I took note that businesses far and wide participated in this event. That meant …
SXSW 2011, Part 4 This report has four parts. Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 Wednesday was a trip to Fader Fort to see my favourite rock band make its SXSW debut on a big stage. A hasty cancellation allowed The Joy Formidable to take the stage and give an …
SXSW 2011, Part 4 This report has four parts. Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4 Every year in America, the coming of spring is celebrated with March Madness, a competition among 68 of college basketball’s most passionate teams to gain the title of National Champions. It’s great fun but it’s …
Recently, the “Greatest Guitar Solo Ever” clip has been in circulation on the Tube of You, and might I say — “Wow! Up with hyperbole.” While there’s no question that this was supposed to be rock legends covering another rock legend’s song, the focus quickly shifts to who has the hottest lick. With Prince in …
Of all the great choral works of Christmas, the many compositions of “O Magnum Mysterium” including those by Poulenc and Victoria stand apart in their power and beauty. But Morten Lauridsen’s more recent composition of “O Magnum Mysterium” has an inner emotional strength and beauty that I’ve seldom experienced in sacred music. This is a …
Over the decades and centuries of Western culture no other holiday music has proliferated or endured like Christmas music. From old English carols to the present favourites, Christmas music can make up a considerable portion of your average collection, which is such the case with my own. When we’re all tired of hearing the same …
In my book, music is supposed to be fun, and why not. But it also should reach out and grab my ears, arrest my attention, lock in and not let go until its finish. Much like a growling dog biting down on the leg end of your jeans, it’s music that must be attended to. …
Love Will Make Our Ears Bleed, Again: The Joy Formidable, “The Big Roar,” by Peter Raffington Dysart
The Joy Formidable – Music – More Music Videos Valentine’s Day has come and gone and good riddance. In what could be antithetical to modern analogs of Valentine’s Day, the Joy Formidable’s debut CD, “The Big Roar,” is a release of mammoth proportions, dark emotions, and impossibly gigantic and brilliant sounds. It’s an effort is …
It’s been getting colder at night, which really gets my Celtic blood pumping. With the sunlight fading and the ale growing darker, my senses are filled with the drifting sounds of pipe music and the lights that dance in the bonfire’s flames. It’s just this time of year that gets me thinking about fusion music …
On 12 September 1962, John F. Kennedy famously said during a speech: “We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…” Side One (and the title track) of Public Service Broadcasting’s new …
Peter Dysart digs this band too and is looking forward to their SXSW appearance. When asked for one sentence to describe this gift of song, the great Mr. Dysart tweeted out, “Fine. Earnest and tightly spun poetry from telegraphically billowing shirt sleeves that touch the floor.” My friend @Liljengren asked me for a sentence to …
Peter Dysart digs this duo and looks forward to seeing them at SXSW. https://www.facebook.com/kinghannahmusic/
East Portland Blog has been featuring the excellent music of Wales for a long time now. Perhaps the best example of this is seen in the coverage and analysis Peter Dysart gave to the Joy Formidable in East Portland Blog as far back as 2010. This made EPB an early, even an eccentrically early, adopter …
East Portland Blog has been around for ten years and for at least 7 of them we’ve employed the motto, “Where East Meets West for All the Best.” It’s a fine principle, guiding us to better things every year. The mighty Peter Dysart is the writer who came up with that theme and he has …
Hitch, A Wild Ride or Hitch, A Musical in 13 Parts A review of The Joy Formidable’s Latest Album By Peter Dysart As a preface, this album was released six months ago and from the week of its release, I’ve been listening intently. As the band’s third full release, Hitch was immediately a bit of …
By Peter Dysart It’s been a blustery overcast morning. The steady rain has formed rivulets and puddles all over the lawn. Hot cup in hand, I’ve opened the email and click on a link to a new song. Within seconds of sound waves pushing a few bars of The Joy Formidable’s stompy new Aruthrol single …
By Peter Dysart ‘My favourite habit,’ as I’m calling them now, have returned with new music and an interesting new project. It was about a month ago that I received word from the band that they had a new project in the works, and that something would be arriving soon. The Saturday before last I …
Finally, after waiting patiently for a few years now, North American fans of Public Service Broadcasting are finally getting their wish. Starting on 18 February at the Casbah in San Diego and concluding with 16 March, 2014, the south London duo are bringing their dynamic and cinematic multimedia experience to thirteen shows with potentially another …
Over at Lost Wax Method, my cousin deftly recounts a performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Marshall Field’s Choral Society which we and some others attended in the 1980s. As an eye (and ear) witness, I can vouch for his accounts and descriptions, which are compelling and accurate. He recreates the tension, disappointment and humor …
Lost Wax Method has put together a lovely sonic Advent Calendar which features delightful, rediscovered, seasonal music every day ’til Christmas. See also: The Three Greatest Recordings of Handel’s Messiah, By Don Lundell The 20 Greatest Christmas Albums of All Time, By Don Lundell Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium Sung By the Robert Shaw Chamber …
Peter Dysart discovered this advert last summer while on a trip to the UK. The Brits love their pugs and so does EPB: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8NDt85cHQw
A review of Wolf’s Law by The Joy Formidable By Peter Dysart “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” — T. S. Eliot Risk is essential to a strong and thriving creative process, but it’s also central to the survival instinct. Popular artists from any …
I like the idea of an over-the-top gothic Gatsby for the 21st Century, and this version of Fitzgerald’s novel looks like it could be an amazing ride in 3D. I only wish they’d gone for period music in the soundtrack, or orchestral music simulating period music, or even electro dance pop incorporating period music. Gatsby …
Lost Wax Method has put together a lovely sonic Advent Calendar which features delightful, rediscovered, seasonal music every day ’til Christmas. This includes more of Jimmy Smith. See also: The Three Greatest Recordings of Handel’s Messiah, By Don Lundell The 20 Greatest Christmas Albums of All Time, By Don Lundell Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium …
I know very little about this guy – from Skåne Sweden and a recommendation from my friend Peter Dysart in the USA. Eeh ‘eck what a small world it is these days! I have to say it’s pretty understated and charming, something right for the dark days and endless rain of Portland. – Mike Hughes