Magnet Magazine
Setting Sun is the solo project of New York singer/songwriter Gary Levitt, and he’s going to release his fourth full-length, Fantasurreal, on June 1 via Young Love Records. While you wait, check out the video for first single “Driving,” which stars a bizarre Claymation monster head on wheels, animated by Charles Pieper. Oh, and if you happen to live in Europe, catch Setting Sun live on tour this spring leading up to the release.
Ever wonder what will happen during the last five minutes of late-night TV talk shows? Here are tonight’s notable performers:
The Late Show With David Letterman (CBS): The Whigs
This week’s guest editors are playing “Kill Me Carolyn” from new album In The Dark.
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (NBC): OneRepublic
OneRepublic is promoting is latest, Waking Up.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC): Matisyahu
Matisyahu is still plugging last year’s Light.
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon (NBC): Drive-By Truckers
Drive-By Truckers are supporting new album The Big To-Do.
Last Call With Carson Daly (NBC): Doves
Doves are promoting The Places Between: The Best Of Doves, which is out April 20.
Like most bands, the Whigs—guitarist/vocalist Parker Gispert, drummer Julian Dorio and bassist Tim Deaux—have had to endure their fair share of rough patches during their eight-year existence, including major-label troubles and lineup changes, but perhaps these bumps in the road were merely the stars aligning for the Athens, Ga., trio. The label issues prompted them to record and release their debut album, 2005’s Give ‘Em All A Big Fat Lip independently, earning them the title of “the best unsigned band in America” from Rolling Stone. It wasn’t long before they were signed to ATO Records—which issued the band’s critically acclaimed second release, Mission Control, in 2008—and playing high-profile shows at festivals and late-night talk shows and touring with some really famous names. New album In The Dark is the Whigs’ grittiest and most explosive album yet. Ever the kings of the road, the Whigs are currently on tour in support of the release, but they’ll also be guest-editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with the Whigs and our 2008 feature on them.
Gispert:
1. Glazed
“Man, you are healthy. Eating me is almost like not even eating a donut. Good job.”
2. Chocolate Cake (Devil’s Food)
“Order a coffee to dip me in, douchebag.”
3. Sprinkles
“You only like me because I’m pretty.”
4. Blueberry
“You definitely have to order another donut. I appreciate you choosing me and know you will enjoy devouring me, but I recognize that I am not enough donut to complete your donut experience. It’s OK. I’m not offended. Now hurry up and order another donut. There’s someone behind you in line.”
5. Powdered
“Why did you even leave your house today? You could have bought a bag of me from the grocery store. I’d actually probably be a little more powdery, and I’d at least have been able to hang out with a bag of my friends. You selfish asshole.”
6. Crème/Jelly Filled
“Stop acting surprised when I bleed on you. Yeah, we both know how awesome I am. That’s right, bitch.”
Video after the jump.
Forgive Broken Social Scene for being away for far too long. The Canadian band’s long-anticipated new album, Forgiveness Rock Record (Arts & Crafts), will be released May 4. After being low on the radar since 2005, the harmonies of the collective/band, whose number of members can vary anywhere from six to 19 given the moment, are so far well-received and an easy-listening joy. Download the album’s six-minute single, “World Sick,” below.
“World Sick” (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/WorldSick.mp3
When is a cover song better than the original? Only you can decide. This week Camper Van Beethoven takes on the Status Quo’s “Pictures Of Matchstick Men.” MAGNET’s Edward Fairchild pulls the pin. Take cover!
“Pictures Of Matchstick Men” was the only hit for British band the Status Quo in the U.S., but worldwide, the group has gone on to sell more than 100 million albums. The song was partially inspired by artist Laurence Stephen Lowry, who would also be the muse for another U.K. hit song, Brian And Michael’s “Matchstalk Men And Matchstalk Dogs And Cats.” David Lowery (no relation to the artist) sang the Quo song on Camper Van Beethoven’s 1989 album, Key Lime Pie, and turned it into a hit again, this time on the alternative-rock charts.
The Cover:
The Original: