It's a very sweet moment as Castle wraps up tonight - Castle is getting strategic as he woos Beckett, letting her think she is informing him about a cool film screening at The Angelika, when he's been wanting to go all along. Clever man! We sent them off into the elevator to the sounds of The Daylights "I Hope This Gets To You".
This episode is titled "Love And Murder" and it first aired March 28, 2011.
The Daylights: Amazon :: iTunes :: official site
There's always room for a little classic rock on Castle - what better song to accompany Martha's spring-cleaning binge than "Takin' Care Of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive?! This episode is titled "One Life To Lose" and first aired on March 21, 2011.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive: Wiki :: Amazon :: iTunes
Hooray! My colleagues are back at work on production of The Big C - it takes awhile to put these episodes together so don't expect airdates anytime too soon but I'm just glad its underway. We've had many music discussions already and we've got some big plans for Season 2 so stay tuned!
I recently had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours chatting with Lou Barlow for a yet-to-be-announced project. Dream assignment! I would definitely call that a highlight of my last twelve months. In addition to being a talented indie rock ICON, he's intelligent, well-spoken, well-informed, AND well-versed in indie rock from the 80's right up to current day. I wanted the afternoon to just go on and on. We did the interview in a gem of guitar shop hidden away in Silverlake called Old Style, where photographer turned guitar-maker Reuben Cox handcrafts new guitars from old parts. I'm glad to see Lou's band Sebadoh from the 90's is getting some deserved (if belated) attention and in fact they are performing tonight in Echo Park and will be playing one of their classic indie rock albums, Bakesale, in it's entirety. Not to be missed!
Lou Barlow: Official Site
Sebadoh "Bakesale": Amazon :: iTunes
Old Style Guitar Shop: Official Site
This episode got a little worldly when Castle met up with a Syrian diplomat in a Euro-style coffee bar. (Of course he saved the day.) To bring in a little of that 'Casablanca' feeling, we used Pink Martini's song "Sympathique" from their album Hang On Little Tomato. This episode was titled "Setup" and first aired Feburary 21, 2011.
Pink Martini: Official Site :: Amazon :: iTunes
Wow. I just saw an absolutely phenomenal film. Forget the Oscar nominees, this one blows them all away. Great concept, first-class screenplay, world-class acting, stunning cinematography, and a timeliness vis-a-vis the current Middle East rebellions that the filmmakers couldn't possibly have forseen, but that drives their point home all the more. Not an indie rock song in sight, but I'm still saying, Go See It.
Even The Rain: Official Site :: YouTube Trailer
If I say "December", on the English coast, in a town called "Butlins", it might not sound immediately like a dream vacation. But a festival has just been announced that will be curated by Jeff Mangum of Neutral Milk Hotel, who made one of the best albums of the 1990s, (In An Aeroplane Over The Sea), and then disbanded before too many people had a chance to see him play. Add in the bands he's booked just so far: Superchunk, The Olivia Tremor Control, The Magic Band, The Raincoats performing their debut LP in it's entirety, and Apples In Stereo and maybe you'll start to see the appeal.
If it's just a bit too early to know what you'll be doing in December, maybe just look up this classic record by Neutral Milk Hotel and dream away to that.
Neutral Milk Hotel: Website :: Amazon :: iTunes
All Tomorrow's Parties Festival: website
If I would have had any INKLING that indie band Arcade Fire was going to win "Album Of The Year" at the Grammies, I definitely would have watched that silly show. It would have been worth sitting through the many mainstream pop acts just to feel that moment when maybe, just maybe, there was hope that a changing of the guard was not only possible, but imminent. Congratulations to Arcade Fire, manager Scott Rodgers, and most definitely congratulations to Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance who founded indie label Merge Records in 1989 with a dream that bands could sell records, find an audience and enjoy artistic freedom instead of sacrificing their soul to a major label record contract. You did it.
Arcade Fire "The Suburbs": Amazon :: iTunes
Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records, the Indie Label That Got Big and Stayed Small: Powell's Books
Merge Records: website
EVEN though Beckett has a hot, studly, boyfriend, apparently she was not too busy on Valentine's Day to take her buddy Castle out for a drink. They cruised off into the NYC evening to the sounds of "I'll Go Anywhere With You" by The Seventeens. This episode, "The Final Nail" first aired on February 14, 2011.
The Seventeens: Facebook Page
Daniel Ahearn is one of Los Angeles' best kept secrets (not his favorite boast, I'm sure), and I was happy to see an extensive interview and article with him in Kevin Bronson's wonderful blog Buzz Bands LA. Kevin is a talented writer who loves L.A. and has excellent taste in music. It's well worth five minutes of your time to read his piece on Daniel Ahearn, but first buy Daniel's music and then you can listen while you read!
Daniel Ahearn: Buzz Bands LA article :: official site :: Amazon :: iTunes
In the episode titled "Lucky Stiff" that first aired February 7, 2011, Castle and Beckett went late-night undercover and things got a little steamy on the dance floor to "Loose" by Benny Blanco & Spank Rock from their EP Bangers & Cash. Earlier in the episode, Castle & Beckett tracked some suspects to a recording studio, where they were found rapping the soon-to-be-huge rhymes of "Get On The Floor"-- lyrics by Castle writer Alexi Hawley, and music by composer Jeff Russo (remember the band Tonic?). The opening song was "Money ($$$)" by Tim Myers (currently unreleased). I also like to call this episode "The One In Which Beckett Drove A Ferrari".
"Loose" by Benny Blanco & Spank Rock: iTunes :: Amazon
This is my new favorite album. I somehow overlooked it when it came out in late September last year. It is definitely one of the best of 2010 though. Slightly more sophisticated than his Two Gallants albums, but still that amazing voice that carries emotion so well, and his incredible songwriting. We Live On Cliffs, indeed. And we like to hear Adam Haworth Stephens sing about it.
Adam Haworth Stephens: official site :: Amazon :: iTunes
I didn't go to Sundance this year and I think I might skip SXSW as well but thats okay because every week is a music festival when you live in LA! Last night I saw a double bill of Laura Marling and Iron & Wine at the Wiltern. Laura Marling is truly stunning, not just another gal singer-songwriter but a powerful presence and voice reminiscent of Joni Mitchell or an acoustic Patti Smith. Sam Beam of Iron & Wine upped the ante on this new album with a horn section that accompanied him on tour so it was a lot more lively than your average Sam Beam presentation. I ADORE the new Iron & Wine album, by the way. The show finished in plenty of time for me to skip on over to Spaceland and see The Vaccines, who had a ton of energy and a lot of very short songs, all the indie rockers were there and so was Jake Gyllenhaal! Pictures below of the Spaceland festivities. Iron & Wine: official site :: Amazon :: iTunes
Laura Marling: official site :: Amazon :: iTunes
The Vaccines: official site :: Amazon :: iTunes
vaccines
th closeup at vaccines
It's a great pleasure of mine to place one of my favorite bands of all time in the episode of Castle titled "Knockdown". The Frames song "Rise", from their 2007 album "The Cost", is heard at the end of the episode as Beckett vows to make weekly visits to the sniper she put in prison until he reveals her mother's killer. The angelic voice of Glen Hansard leads The Frames, and he is also one half of the duo know as The Swell Season, who won an Academy Award for their song "Falling Slowly" from the film Once. This episode first aired on Jan 24, 2011
The Frames: official site :: Amazon :: iTunes
amos lee mission bell
Castle 312
Although most Castle fans would love to see Beckett and Castle get engaged, they settled for a sweet proposal scene between Detective Ryan and his girlfriend Jenny to close the episode titled "Nikki Heat". She happily accepted to the romantic song "Flower" by Amos Lee, from his new album Mission Bell. This episode originally aired Jan 3, 2011.
Amos Lee: official site :: Amazon :: iTunes
coveting fresno
I rarely find myself dreaming of Fresno (no offense, Bulldogs) but The Miss Alans are playing a reunion show there tonight (20 years, seriously?) and I do wish I was there.
The Miss Alans: Facebook :: Trouser Press bio
As the Big C Music Supervisor, I'm THRILLED with our show's Golden Globe nomination and Laura Linney's Best Actress WIN in the comedy/musical TV series category. I've watched hours and hours of footage of Laura Linney acting in our series and she is, honestly, flawless. To The Big C creator, Darlene Hunt, and the talented producers Jenny Bicks, Michael Engler and Vivian Cannon who brought the show to life, congratulations on your nomination and thank you for making such a rewarding show that I am privileged to work on. The Big C: official site
The 88 - The 88
belleandseabastian
aloeblacc
blackkeys
broadcast 2000
basia bulat
dr dog
extra lens
fitzandthetantrums
folchen
freelance whales
frightenedrabbit2010
gold motel
This year was a little more chaotic than most, but despite that I did manage to find plenty of good music to listen to. I found 27 truly wonderful records, that number might seem random but why pad it out? Listed below in alphabetical order.
gold panda
The 88 - The 88 Amazon :: iTunes Belle & Sebastian - Write About Love Amazon :: iTunes Aloe Blacc - Good Things Amazon :: iTunes The Black Keys - Brothers Amazon :: iTunes Broadcast 2000 - Broadcast 2000 Amazon :: iTunes Basia Bulat - Heart Of My Own Amazon :: iTunes Dr Dog - Shame Shame Amazon :: iTunes The Extra Lens - Undercard Amazon :: iTunes Fitz & The Tantrums - Pickin' Up The Pieces Amazon :: iTunes Fol Chen - Part II: The New December Amazon :: iTunes Freelance Whales - Weathervanes Amazon :: iTunes Frightened Rabbit - The Winter Of Mixed Drinks Amazon :: iTunes Gold Motel - Summer House Amazon :: iTunes Gold Panda - Lucky Shiner Amazon :: iTunes Hold Steady - Heaven Is Whatever Amazon :: iTunes Laura Marling - I Speak Because I Can Amazon :: iTunes Josh Ritter - So Runs The World Away Amazon :: iTunes Rogue Wave - Permalight Amazon :: iTunes The School - Loveless Unbeliever Amazon :: iTunes Sally Seltmann - Heart That's Pounding Amazon :: iTunes Shout Out Louds - Work Amazon :: iTunes Adam Haworth Stephens - We Live On Cliffs Amazon :: iTunes Angus & Julia Stone - Down The Way Amazon :: iTunes Stornoway - Beachcomber's Windowsill Amazon :: iTunes Tired Pony - The Place We Ran From Amazon :: iTunes Vampire Weekend - Contra Amazon :: iTunes Warpaint - The Fool Amazon :: iTunes
hold steady
lauramarling2010
josh ritter
roguewave2010
sallyseltmann2010
shoutoutlouds2010
aw stephens
angusjuliastone2010
stornoway2010
the school
tired pony
vampireweekend2010
warpaint
I really couldn't say how many times I've seen The Frames (more than any other band, definitely) but it's never less than brilliant. I always try to bring along someone that hasn't seen them, because it's a guaranteed conversion. I'm proud to say I made two new Frames fans tonight at The Avalon!
The Frames: Official Site :: Live at the Avalon Nov 2011
I am in recovery from a three day orgy of indie rock aka The Lost Weekend, aka Matador at 21. Highlights: Yo La Tengo, Superchunk (featured at the left), Sonic Youth, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Guided By Voices, Cat Power, but it was all soooo divine! Then there was also lounging by the pool with all the Beggars/Matador folks, eating at yummy celebrity chef restaurants, and, well, not so very much sleeping. So I'm in extended nap mode today shh! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Matador Records: Website :: Wikipedia