DAYS & NIGHTS DON’T FEEL THE SAME

The online journal of Sparrow Hall

About 6 months ago I teamed up with producer and ex-Dual frontman David Crabb to write some songs and see where they went. The result is A Crowd Electric.

“Reckless” is a track we’re developing for an upcoming album. In the meantime, we decided to put together a mash-up version with one of our favorite bands Crystal Castles.

Download:
Reckless [A Crowd Electric VS Crystal Castles]

You can preview other tracks at our myspace and become a fan on facebook.

We’re looking forward to completing the entire album by the end of the year and hope you like listening the tunes as much as we like making them.

SH & DC

Skinny jeans were doing high kicks at The Faint show last night at Terminal 5. I made my way to the back to capture some of the magic.

We now know what happens when you sign to a major.

You get lights.

Lots and lots of lights.

David told me about this. We were going to go to the closing party, but were in the middle of a recording session.

What a sad photo. That workman is hauling out the stage I once danced away many a sweaty night.

Thanks once again to DJ Jess, Antonio and Alex Malfunction for all those lurid memories.

Read the full New York Magazine article.

SH

Done Twice / Ms. John Soda
Tell Me What To Swallow / Crystal Castles
Starstruck / Santogold
The Rip / Portishead
Swallowed In Beginnings / Paul G. Maziar & Goddamn Electric Bill
The Genocide Ball / The Robot Ate Me
If I Know You / The Presets
Crocodile / Underworld
Crosses / José Gonzales
Outlined View / Ms. John Soda

This month’s featured band is Ms. John Soda. I’ve had their track “By Twos” on my ipod in various playlists for what seems like forever.

Merging Snow Patrol melodies, wooden female vocals and a Kid A approach to production, the German two-piece creates songs that move between dirge-like reflection, and bright synthesized arrangements. The album I’m in love with at the moment is Notes and the Like, but the contemplative “Done Twice” off the Drop=Scene EP is definitely a keeper.

If you’re sick of the summer heat, and wish fall would roll up in all its corduroy glory, this is the band to turn to. There’s something about their music that reminds me of the end of a long hot season.

SH

Favorite video of the week. Make that the month. Actually – make that the summer.

Heavy Jamal is Devil (Wythe Marschall) and The Mangoose (Scott Neagle of Big Bang TV).

Wythe collaborated with Sam Tyndall of The Kiss Off on the track “Stranger In the Strangest Land,” which will be featured on the upcoming Two Blue Wolves Soundtrack.

On Tuesday I went to see Tony Glazer’s new play Stain at the Kirk on Theater Row. Intense show. The story is about a family unraveling as their secretive inner relationships are revealed. I could elaborate, but that would ruin all the fun. The night was filled with stellar performances – most notably that of Summer Crockett Moore in her role as the young mother who’s long-kept secret is at the heart of the family’s turmoil.

Glazer’s beautiful script carries traces of David Rabe and Neil LaBute, with scenes that are at once outrageous and unmerciful. You’ll find yourself laughing even as the vortex spins deeper into the darkness.

A must-see, and worth the price of admission (which is actually a steal). Catch it before the run finishes on August 23rd.

SH

Find out more about STAIN and buy tickets online.

The Crack-Up by F. Scott Fitzgerald

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Fitzgerald book you never hear about. This was published by a close friend after Fitzgerald’s death. A collection of his notebooks, broken down into sections like “Dialogue” and “Quotes” and “Names.” It provides a unique look at the author and his process - of connecting the dots that would one day form his most notorious works. There is also something incredibly impressionistic, reflective and sad about this book, illuminating some of the fears and demons that drove him.


View all my reviews.

SH

I was staying with friends on Fire Island this weekend and, randomly, someone knew the exact time the moon was supposed to rise. I had no idea the moon even did this. For some reason, I just thought it appeared from beyond the blue. Anyway, we headed down to the beach and this is what we saw.

This is what’s known as a “blood moon.” It appears a large red sphere on the horizon. The moment I spotted it, I pulled out my ipod and cued up the Violator album.

Photo by Rachael, Northamptonshire, UK

I’ve been swamped with production meetings, script reviews and mastering sessions, which has reduced my creativity to short bursts. But here’s a song I started writing (or maybe it’s finished) about a seeing eye dog.

Seeing Eyes
Lyrics by Sparrow Hall

You’re my eyes
Animal disguise
You keep me safe from pain

You’re my eyes
Animal disguise
I’ll let you guide the way

Cuz you can see where I need to be
Of when to walk and stay
My seeing eyes
Animal disguise
I’ll let you lead the way

Copyright 2008
Sparrow Hall

Anywhere / The Presets
Lovers In Japan/Reign Of Love / Coldplay
Vanished / Crystal Castles
Cry Little Sister / Gerard McMann
Guest Room / The National
Machine Gun / Portishead
LES Artists / Santogold
The Light 3000 / Schneider TM
Only Love Can Break Your Heart / St. Etienne
Stay / Shakespears Sister

This month I’m giving a shoutout to two bands with two new albums. First up, The Presets and Apocalypso. Who knew this guy could sing? Listen to “This Boy’s In Love” and you’ll see what I mean. I may be of the straight persuasion, but I have to admit, the video is pretty hot. Think: Queer As Folk meets Lord of the Flies. Who doesn’t like wrestling in milk?

Just FYI, this is what I look like under my clothes.

My favorite song on Apocalypso (”Anywhere”) made this month’s playlist. It makes me want to make out with 18-year-olds in the back of a dirty club.

The other shoutout goes to Coldplay for Living La Vida Loca or however they’re spelling it these days. Apparently the band is back on their meds and have returned to writing songs about love and the universe. What’s most apparent is Brian Eno’s uncanny ability to whip these boys back into shape. “Lost!,” “A Spell A Rebel Yell” and “Viva La Vida” are all favorites, but my top pick has to be the track that made this month’s list.