Video: The Donkeys Unveil "Hurt Somebody"

It has been a long time since I posted a video release, but I kinda love this one, and since it's by our hometown buddies, The Donkeys, I thought I'd share. This is "Hurt Somebody", off their forthcoming EP, Midnight Palms (Is that the opposite of Midnight Pine?), which is out on February 12. They're actually playing the night before--February 11--at Soda Bar, and you can probably get your hands on the EP a night early. Tickets for that show are available here, and you can pre-order the EP on iTunes.


About Midnight Palms:

Tracked largely live-in-the-studio with veteran producer, longtime friend, and fellow traveler Thom Monahan (Vetiver, Fruit Bats, Devendra Banhart), Midnight Palms was recorded at the end of one of the bands blitzkrieg road runs (which might see the band playing as many as 28 shows in 29 days).  The collection's lived-in live feel should surprise few.

The core founding trio of Tim Denardo, Anthony Lukens, and Sam Sprague drive the proceedings.  The fourth Donkey on Midnight Palms is The Hold Steady's Steve Selvidge, stepping in after the (amiable) departure of long-time guitarist Jesse Gulati.  Selvidge hopped on stage with the Donkeys during a show in TX and would end up joining the band for a fair number of those 150 RTBW shows. His pointed, tasteful leads are peppered throughout Midnight Palms.

"The Donkeys are a Californian band through and through. There's no escaping it. A four-piece from San Diego, they've spent the past few years developing a close relationship to distinctly homegrown source materials, bridging the gap between the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Buffalo Springfield, and the Grateful Dead."-  - Pitchfork

"Over the course of The Donkeys' more-than-a-decade-long career, the band has fallen into that special sort of Southern Californian sway. Percussive drum strokes sound like rustling palm fronds on Donkeys songs, and random psychedelic freak outs seem like the sonic equivalent of aimless driving through the Hollywood Hills.”  - Paste

FREE Golden Hill Street Fair Lineup Announced

San Diego is a constantly evolving city and every year that I continue this site, it is great that more and more neighborhood associations and arts associations are teaming up to bring great events to the communities where we live.

You can read the full lowdown about the Golden Hill Street Fair over at Sezio, but here's the basics:

What: Golden Hill Street Fair
When: Sunday, July 22. 11am-6pm. 
Where: 25th St, Between B & C
Cost: FREE!

In typical street fair fashion, there will be food from local eateries, a Stone beer garden, art activies including live screen printing, and of course, live music: 

5pm - The Donkeys
4pm - Cuckoo Chaos
3pm - The Tree Ring
2pm - Little Deadman
1pm - Jeans Wilder
12pm - Family Wagon

America's Cup Racing Series Kicks Off In San Diego

Penalty!

I'm at the America's Cup Village at the moment. I scored press credentials which means that I might hang out here during the week for a change of scenery while I take advantage of their wi-fi and learn a thing or two about racing. sailing. catamaraning. I dunno...maybe I'll pick up the lingo while I'm here. I'm also going to strategically sat by some Spanish media guys. I love hearing castellano.

I ran into Halloran and met the stage managers and they told me the listings had been updated but it appears that the site still has the vague spaceholders for the Battle of the Bands slots. They told me that Abandon The Raft, Illuminauts, Black Hondo, and one more qualified- the name escapes me now-but they didn't tell me what order they qualified. I heard Jamuel Saxon is playing on Friday, too, but I don't know what time. So yeah, I'm not very useful right now but thought I'd update what I know since I'm here now. I changed the link to the banner ad at the top of my site, so you should be able to get those updates when the ladies post from the office.

Wednesday, November 16 - Agua Dulce (4:15)
Thursday, November 17 - The Silent Comedy (8:15) , Little Hurricane (7pm), The Donkeys (5:15)
Friday, November 18 - Chromeo DJ Set (8:30), K.Flay (7:45), The Soft Pack (6:30), Earth Amplified (4:15)
Saturday, November 19 - Diplo (8:15), Hyena (7pm), The Chain Gang of 1974 (5:45)
Sunday, November 20- The Cataracs (5pm)







Obviously there is going to be massive press coverage (this media room is MASSIVE), but here are some quick photos I shot. More photos after the jump.

Agua Dulce soundcheck

America's Cup Village Is Coming...and Bringing FREE Concerts!!!

The America's Cup doesn't take place until 2013, but for many years it was an institution here in San Diego, so it is fitting that the first America's Cup World Series event is taking place right here in our own backyard (if you consider the Big Bay your backyard). Even if you know nothing about the regatta, the great thing for you is that the organizers are making a big party out of it. So even if that means they're trying to attract a younger demographic to care about the sport and earn eyeballs for advertisers by bribing you, I'd say that if someone wants to throw a free multi-day event and book awesome FREE CONCERTS, I'm all for it. (There is a suggested donation of $10 for Ocean Conservation Projects)

The concerts will take place at the America's Cup Village (Broadway & Navy Pier on Harbor Drive) each day immediately after racing ends so set times are approximate. There is also a Battle of the Bands taking place, so if you think your band has the chops to play, I highly suggest entering (click the battle of the bands flyer below or the banner at the top of my site). A little bird may have told me that there has only been ONE ENTRY so far, and though they reserve the right to not book anyone, it's a great opportunity to get in front of a lot of eyeballs and the contest closes on Sunday. Halloran will be hosting each night's events.

Wednesday, November 16 - Agua Dulce (4:15)
Thursday, November 17 - The Silent Comedy (8:15) , Little Hurricane (7pm), The Donkeys (5:15)
Friday, November 18 - Chromeo DJ Set (8:30), K.Flay (7:45), The Soft Pack (6:30), Earth Amplified (4:15)
Saturday, November 19 - Diplo (8:15), Hyena (7pm), The Chain Gang of 1974 (5:45)
Sunday, November 20- The Cataracts (5pm)

The Tree Ring + The Donkeys @ Sushi Art- 04.30.11

This past Saturday, Sezio and Sushi Art teamed up once again for an evening of exceptional music courtesy of The Tree Ring and The Donkeys. More after the jump.



Playing as a five piece for the evening, local act The Tree Ring started things off with an fine set heavy on tunes from their recently released debut album Generous Shadows. Joel P. West and co. warmed up the rapidly growing crowd of enthusiastic fans with their special brand of folksy rock, layering textures and melodies with their impressive vocal, keys, guitar, string and percussion skills.

Keeping with the theme from their video for new song 'Don't Know Who We Are', the impressively-dressed stage was set for The Donkeys as Sushi Arts filled up in celebration of the release of the band's newest full-length Born With Stripes. For having what had to be limited experience playing the new tracks live, they executed to near perfection the complex rhythms of their unique brand of indie psych-folk- any time a sitar is involved, you know you're in for a treat. By the end of the night the grateful crowd was yelling for more foot-stomping goodness which the quartet gladly provided, finishing up just after the 11pm curfew.

The Tree Ring:





The Donkeys:





For more from the evening click here and the rest of my concert pix here.
_______________________
All images copyright © Nate Vandermeulen, All Rights Reserved.
Please ask for permission before downloading or linking to them.

Shearwater & Red Pony Clock at Casbah 7.13.08

After chilling out at home for a bit after Claudia's birthday at Kate Sessions, I mde my way to the Casbah. Upon arrival I was told that The Donkeys had canceled because someone's flight was late or something rather, so there was plenty of time to hang out on the patio and catch up with some peeps.

Red Pony Clock played their charming nerd rock, singing songs about it being ok to be uncool, about being unpopular and being awkward. The band sometimes grows and shrinks, and on this night there were 11 people on stage. The lighting at the Casbah is problematic enough, but with 11 people onstage, nobody gets any good light, so I didn't bother snapping any pics. I do really enjoy this band, however, and enjoyed their set.

When it came time to Shearwater, I was there with only the knowledge that this was, at one point, an Okkervil River side project, and that, for me, was enough to go on. I go to a lot of shows, but this night was one of those specatucular shows, where I didn't know what to expect, I was in a chill out mood, and from the first note to the last I was completely captivated. I guess this was what I wanted from Fleet Foxes but with a sold out crowd on a Friday night, I couldn't get into the right place to fully enjoy that night. The music sounded great and the crowd was just the right size. In fact, the front row was made up of about 6 really tall guys who were tall enough that they didn't mind me moving around for pics. Of course it was dark and my pics still suck, but I appreciated their kindness, nonetheless.

I already posted video, but here are a couple pics and more after the jump.

The Donkeys "Black Cat"

The DOnkeys performing "Black Cat" at the Casbah.

Calico Horse, The Donkeys, Swim Party @ Casbah 6.6.08

Friday night had a lot of good stuff going on, but since I finally got the digital advance from Swim Party and missed The Donkeys the last few times they've played, it was a no-brainer to spend Friday night at the Casbah, especially because in addition to those bands, it was Calico Horse's CD. Yes, Emily, it's about time!! We've been waiting for this one forever.

I didn't take Swim Party photos but instead really just took in the music which sounded perfect. I'm so excited for everyone in SD to get their hands on the new album at the end of the month when it's released.

The Donkeys sounded really great too. They still won't let me talk about their record deal and I haven't heard anything new since December. I just occurred to me I should've bought the music they did have on Friday. Gonna have to get my hands on those. They sound like they've embraced their country sound a little more and I really loved it.





Between bands, Joey Barro of The Antiques performed in the Atari Lounge. Here he is with Jesse of the Donkeys. I blushed when we spoke; he is one good looking dude.


Calico Horse finished the night strong and Emily owned the stage with her command of the stage and soaring vocals. I've had the advance for some time now, but hearing the songs live just gives that something extra that you can only get from a live performance. Really, really good stuff.



After the show, some friends came over to my place, but I was done, and crashed out. Plus, I had a big weekend ahead...I needed as much beauty sleep as I could get.