Califone are touring with Iron and Wine. I can't think of a more depressing combination of bands playing today. Sure, there are bands with more depressing lyrics, but do any of them sound more depressing? What do you do at a Califone/I&W concert? They're playing in Oakland if anyone feels like standing and slowly swaying with me.
If you haven't heard Califone, their music is downtempo and bluesy, with interesting percussion and some electronic effects. I highly recommend their latest album, Roots & Crowns. Iron & Wine is what the lead singer of Califone would sound like if the other 3 members were brutally murdered and he was asked to play solo acoustic guitar at the funeral.
How about:
ReplyDeleteMarvin Gaye circa "What's Going On" on a bill with Pink Floyd circa "Wish You Were Here"?
Neil Young circa "On The Beach" on a bill with Patsy Cline circa "I Fall To Pieces"?
Billie Holiday circa "Strange Fruit" on a bill with Karen Carpenter circa "Rainy Days and Mondays"?
Nope. The only one on that list that even comes close is Pink Floyd. If Elliot Smith opened for Pink Floyd then you might have a winner. The key is that it can't just be a performer with a sad story or sad lyrics, it has to sound really depressing as well.
ReplyDeleteHow about any shoegazing act with any other shoegazing act (Cranes and the Cure both circa anytime?)
ReplyDelete