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The history of politics and music as bedfellows is a long one, from "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too" to, uh, "Vote or Die!", to the current spate of politically motivated benefit shows. But getting swept up in all of this, it's easy to forget that musicians are people too, and they have thoughts and ideas and concerns about the upcoming U.S. election just like the rest of us.With that in mind, filmmaker Brendan Toller-- whom you may recall as the director of record store documentary I Need That Record!-- and Thurston Moore's Ecstatic Peace imprint have inaugurated "Election 2008: Artists Speak Out". The ongoing series of videos, as its title suggests, features musicians, comedians, artists, and the like waxing thoughtful on the upcoming election and what it means to them.As one might expect, the opinions expressed in the first batch of "Artists Speak Out" videos run the gamut from pro-Obama enthusiasm to bemused apathy to down-and-out pessimism. Thurston Moore bandmate (and former Come and Codeine member) Chris Brokaw, comedian Eugene Mirman, and Tall Firs member Aaron Mullan, all interviewed during the recent ATP New York, each express generally positive, hopeful, Obama-friendly sentiments, though none exactly sounds gung-ho.Flying the flag for apathy and evasiveness are MV & EE, who aren't convinced the current situation really has an effect on them, and Burning Star Core's C. Spencer Yeh, who makes some comments on real estate which may in fact be a subversive critique of the status quo. We're not quite sure.For a more grim and strikingly negative view of the matters in question, try Built to Spill's Brett Netson, who expresses his disappointment with Obama (alluding to his ties with corporate lobbyist Moses Mercado) and notes that, as usual, nobody's listening to Ralph Nader. Or try Polvo's Ash Bowie, who predicts "the Republicans will steal the election." Well, at least he thinks Sarah Palin "sucks."And then...there's Meat Puppets man Curt Kirkwood (pictured). Joined by filmmaker Dave Markey, he begins by showing off his "one-of-a-kind Sarah Palin towel," which he apparently uses "to wipe the blood off after I sharpen my fingers." Things just get weirder from there, with the chat eventually devolving into a discussion of "elephant vagina[s]" and "dildo-headed unicorns." The man can certainly entertain, even if his disinterest ("You couldn't pay me to [vote].") is disheartening."This is really the heart of America," Kirkwood at one point deadpans in reference to his surroundings at ATP New York. "George Washington threw a submarine across the Potomac here in 1952." As a summary of political confusion in the Information Age, it would seem Kirkwood has, however inadvertently, hit the mark.
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Built to Spill: Albums From Worst To Best
submitted by Nick May 1st 2013 09:00 pm (stereogum.com)
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All Built To Spill songs exist on a continuum between two poles: snappy, twee-inflected pop songs and vast, mind-altering classic rock soundscapes. I’ve never been to Idaho, but I can’t help wondering if this reflects the topography there, the concrete quadrants of a busy Boise business district giving way to resplendent unma...
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Built to Spill: Kick Off North American Tour and Add Dates
submitted by Nick Feb 6th 2013 01:00 pm (www.antimusic.com)
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Built To Spill kicked off their 2013 tour plans last night in Victoria, Bc and have just confirmed a series of West Coast dates
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Built to Spill: Launching Winter Tour
submitted by Nick Jan 23rd 2013 01:00 pm (www.antimusic.com)
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Built To Spill will be ending the month by launching a brief tour on the Pacific Northwest
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Dinosaur Jr.: Stream The Electronic Anthology Project of Dinosaur Jr. (Stereogum Exclusive)
submitted by Nick Apr 16th 2012 03:00 pm (stereogum.com)
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A couple years ago, Built To Spill bassist Brett Nelson launched the Electronic Anthology Project, a passion project that reimagined Built To Spill’s songs through the aesthetic of New Wave bands like Talk Talk and Men Without Hats. The record contained all new vocal tracks from Built To Spill frontman Doug Martsch. Now, The Electronic...
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Band of Horses: Brett Netson and the Hungry Ghost @ The Wiltern, Los Angeles 9/8/11
submitted by Nick Sep 9th 2011 06:00 pm (stereogum.com)
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Fresh off their appearance on Conan, Band of Horses stopped by the Wiltern in Los Angeles for their own headlining show in the wake of the opening for the cancelled Kings of Leon tour. Brett Netson of Built to Spill fame provided support.
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