Suggested Listening - Holden

Holden's not well know here in the U.S. They are a group from France, which maybe the reason. They were formed in 1997 with band members Armelle Pioline (Vocals), Dominique Dépret (aka Mocke, guitar), with help from Pierre-Jean Grapin (drums), Evan Evans (keyboard) and Richard Cousin (bass). The band came up with their name from the JD Salinger's novel character Holden Caulfield.

My friends Paula and I discovered their music on MySpace  around 2006. We would spend our lunch hour scouring for new music/artists (what MySpace was originally created for) which sometimes would turn into almost an all day thing (hopefully our old boss Linda isn't reading this). Paula came across their page and played a few of their songs. Even though I don't speak or understand French that well if at all, I enjoyed their sound. Their Album Chevrotine was just released and they had a few songs posted. The first song I remember listening to was "Ce que je suis" (translates to "I have the right")

The lyrics of the song translate to:

I have, I have the right,
I have the right too,
To fail, to faint,
Until I weight the price,
But what happens to me?
I laugh until I cry, I cry until I laugh.
But what happens to me?
I sleep beside my bed
Ohoo I so regret,
I am not what I am,
Walls have ears,
Walls talk to much to me
Ohoo I so hate,
I am not what I am,
The moon is stalking me
The moon is on my back

I have, I have the right,
I have the right too,
To lead, to dismiss men,
To the end of night.
Ohoo I so regret,
I am not what I am
Walls have ears,
Walls talk too much to me.
Ohoo I so hate,
I am not what I am,
The moon is stalking me,
The moon is on my back,
Ohoo I so regret,
I am not what I am,
Walls have ears...

Armelle's voice is beautiful, that if she sang it in English it would loose the emotion in the translation. Another on the album is "Sur le Pavé", though it's sort of a creepy video. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever watched the video the entire was through.

But my favorite song on this album has to be "Madrid".

This a song that you should add to your collection of music for driving. It one of those songs that makes you want to own a convertible and drive down the coast (if you live by an ocean). I haven't listened to this CD in awhile because I played it to often. I have a tendency to do that with music or an artist that I really enjoy.  

I read a few weeks back that they had released a new CD in March. I haven't found it since they are relatively unknown here. I was lucky enough to ask my old boss Linda (who is originally from France) if she wouldn't mind picking up Chervortine (their third CD) for me on her trip back home. I can't thank her enough for this. I just might try to enlist her help to get their new CD since she's back living in France (hopefully she's reading this part). It's always great to discover artists from other countries that you would never hear on U.S. radio. I hope that in the future they become better known in the U.S. It would be great them perform live.

Gossip (AKA The Gossip)

What can I say about this group other than I ♥ THEM!!!! Gossip started back in 1999 with founding members Beth Ditto (lead singer), Nathan "Brace Paine" Howdeshell (guitarist), Kathy Mendonca (former drummer), and now Hannah Billie (present drummer). They all met (with the exception of Hannah Billie) in college where they all attended Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Now they all reside in Portland, OR where they are based.


The first CD that I bought of theirs was Standing in the way of Control 





This is the song that got me hooked. If I had to describe their sound I would say a little punk with a hint of disco. I don't think there was a song on this album that I didn't like. Beth Ditto has such an awesome voice that you can feel the emotions in her singing. Some songs on the album, Fire with  Fire (love this one as well), Jealous Girl, Coal to Diamonds, but a song that I think you can really feel her emotions is "Yr Mangled Heart". My favorite line in the song goes, "I don't want the world, I only want what I deserve!". This CD is a must own (in my opinion).


I just recently bought their newest CD Music for Men and all I have to say is WOW!!! Sometimes bands have a tendency with their follow up album not doing so well, but not this one. First single I think was "Heavy Cross"





The first couple of albums/EP's were gritty and raw, but this one seems a lot more polished. Don't get me wrong I loved the raw sound and feeling that I got from listening to the others. With this album they signed with a new studio which is a part of Sony, so I feel they wanted to try and make them look/sound a little more main stream. Some other songs on the CD are Dimestore Diamond, Vertical Rhythm (great song), Love and Let Love, and Four Letter Word.


I was hoping to see them April 19th @ the Regency Ball room here in SF, but they canceled the show. 


This is a group to keep your eyes out for. I feel like they are on the verge of becoming big soon. So if you get a chance and they are in your city see them while you can in a small intimate venue. You won't regret it!!!!!

And So It Shall Begin....

After weeks of trying to decide what I want to write about in my blog I finally came up with a format. It may change over time, but this is how it's going to start...

Mondays - New Artist/Group (write about new and upcoming artists and/or groups that I think are going to be someone to watch out for.

Wednesdays - Suggested Listening (Artists that I like and think you should give a listen to.)

Fridays - Flashback Friday (a song from my musical past that envokes great memories everytime I hear it.)

Look for to my first "official" blog Monday March 1st.

In The Beginning....

Music has always been a passion of mine. Unfortunately my life path didn't take me down that road, but I'm hoping this blog will be my outlet for it. I'm hoping to broaden my musical horizons and my readers with new groups/artist I find, and rediscovering music from my childhood up to now. So I invite you join me on my journey.....

Chris