ON REPEAT: Destroyer, Silent Poets & Virginia Astley, Doechii & JT, Kassie Krut, Elliot & Vincent, L.A. Witch, Magdalena Bay, Lip Critic, Erika de Casier, Trevor Dandy, Yusef Lateef
don't you cry, little tree
Hello! It’s been a minute since I posted here. As they famously say in Jurassic Park, “life gets in the way.” This is the scene where Dr. Ian Malcolm is lamenting why he hasn’t updated his music blog in a minute—or maybe it was a zine, idk.
Silent Poets & Virginia Astley “Don’t Break The Silence”
This is a 1997 song from the Japanese downbeat duo Silent Poets, known best for their appearance on the “chillout” Cafe de Mar compilations in the 90’s and is now better known for video game soundtracks. I was unfamiliar with Virginia Astley, who is Pete Townshend’s sister-in-law, came up in the UK alternative scene in the early 80’s and somehow became a much bigger star in Asia than her native Europe. It’s a little “chill beats to study to” until the vocals come in which elevate it a lot.
Doechii & JT “Alter Ego”
This one from a few years ago kicks off with a sample of Ayesha Erotica’s beautiful “Spread the Puss” and that Anna Wintour-coded character from The Incredibles. Then it blasts off like the Incredicoaster and gets us into a chorus that’s an onslaught that sounds like Robin S blasting in an arcade full of Street Fighter games. The video is just like what me and the boys get up to on the weekend.
Erika de Casier “Delusional”
New Erika de Casier, this time the flourish is some Cypress Hill stings. She has yet to miss.
Kassie Krut “Bloody”
My favorite newer band from the ashes of Palm, with another banger that sounds like you left a “Bam Bam” record in the sun for too long.
Elliot & Vincent “Doberman”
This was all the info I could find:
In an era where you can find out a musician’s height, age and dating history with one swift Google search, it’s refreshing to find a new enigmatic band. Thrilling, almost. Drum girl sings, guitar boy screeches.
L.A. Witch “777”
This song would fit right in on the Killed By Deathrock comps.
Lip Critic “In The Wawa”
Once upon a time, a friend and I went to a Wawa in southern New Jersey. For the uninitiated, Wawa is a convenience store that also has a sandwich station where at any hour someone will make whatever you want. It’s like a suburban bodega with touchscreens. This was all new and very novel to me, as a north Jersey & New York kid, where Wawa was a south Jersey & Philly thing. (This is a huge cultural divide, just bring up “Taylor ham” to anyone from New Jersey.)
Whatever I ordered was not a big deviation from the set sandwich, but when I looked at the rough-looking older woman whose job it was to make the sandwich I noticed she had a creepy blank stare. The order printed out on the other side of the counter but there she remained, then began licking her lips. Then a some dude walked in and broke her hypnosis by going behind the counter and “goosing” her. She (presumably wasted) responded by slurring some of the most vile things I’ve ever heard to this man while preparing my sandwich. Her snarling, “you gonna fuck me like that?” to this civilian wasn’t entirely a dealbreaker as I really wanted that late night sandwich, but when he started licking this woman’s ear.
Alas, when she handed it over, I decided to take a peek, and wouldn’t you know it—it was just entirely onions. I did say “it’s just onions” to the entangled pair, but then they both LOOKED AT ME. Suddenly, this weird movie I was watching was now interactive but they just walked away.
I grabbed some pre-packaged snacks, and greeted my friend back in the car who was like, “this crazy employee just walked out and flashed me, then tried to lick her boob.”
I’ve since had slightly better experiences at Wawa, and I like their soft pretzel.
Magdalena Bay “Death & Romance”
I like this song a lot but didn’t post it here, but I already talked about this record a lot.
Trevor Dandy “Don’t Cry Little Tree”
Discovering this song’s existence makes me want to make a season 2 of The John Gentle Show asap. (John also has a little tree.)
Yusef Lateef “The Plum Blossom”
Maybe he had a neighbor who would get mad when the music would get too loud so they had to play quietly.
Destroyer & Fiver “Bologna”
Whatever is going on with me, I’ll always take a moment to go on an aural vacation with Dan Bejar when new Destroyer music comes out. It isn’t always a labeled destination, but this one firmly plants us in Bologna.
Every once in a while I’ll read that magazine that is on the plane and it’s like, have you considered a trip to this five-star resort in Porto? And the eventual answer is, “I will never own a home and I sometimes can’t afford food,” but for a blissful moment the answer is “I am seriously considering a trip to this five-star resort in Porto” and that moment is the sweet spot to put some Destroyer on.
THE GOLD STANDARD
Destroyer “European Oils”
[turns to my gorgeous paramour in our hot tub on a cliffside villa facing the Amalfi Coast]
wait listen to this part…
[turns up the speaker around 1:52]
wait for it…
‘She needs release, she needs to feel at ease with her father - the fucking maniac!”
[crazy guitar part happens, then we ‘make love’ or whatever people do on vacation]