Words are such useless little things. Nothing more than kitschy, clodhopping caskets of ink. The very fact that we use them is merely our stubborn need to define everything.
In Sigur Ros, there is no definition. A masterpiece of alt-human cinema, its music seeps into what we think is an overdeveloped consciousness and reboots it. When our screens refresh, we are struck dumb by the grace exhibited.
As its Hvarf/Heima tour DVD so magnificently displayed, Ros’ roots are a postcard, picturesque foundation, and probably why music journos hardly fail to mention Iceland all the time.
Singer Jónsi Birgisson’s “hopelandic” may never be the official tongue of the locals, but who cares? At worst, its tonality suffices. At best, he is translating for angels.
Need we discuss the dynamics? As accomplished as they are emotional, they’re a force for good and inspiration to other artists: Two songs in, my roommate ran downstairs and wrestled a long-dormant chorus out of one of his songs. Maybe those words are useful after all. —Mat Herron
Saturday night, while all the cool kids were waiting in line for beer and jockeying for prime position to glimpse My Morning Jacket at Waterfront Park, some of us could be found at the Kentucky State Fair, pumping our fists into the air while '80s rocker Joan Jett proved she's as badass as ever. Jett and her Blackhearts, all clad in black, were tight. From my view of the show (literally on the stage, bitches!), I experienced the raw energy that was oozing off the stage -- I saw the sweat, the spit and the genuine smiles she'd flash to her bandmembers between songs. She seemed to be enjoying herself just as much as the packed crowd at Cardinal Stadium was enjoying the music -- and it was all here: "Bad Reputation," "Crimson and Clover," "Cherry Bomb,"I Hate Myself for Loving You" and, of course, "I Love Rock n Roll."
While I'll never be cool enough to qualify as hipster (Exhibit A: The pink in my hair.), Saturday night there was no where else I would have rather been than air-guitaring behind Joan Jett's soundguy to "Do You Wanna Touch Me." —Sara Havens
Spirit of ’68 Promotions is hiring interns. The work experience can be for college credit or free tickets to all ’68 shows. You can obtain all this and more while working for Spirit of '68 Promotions. E-mail andy.goheen@gmail.com to set up an interview. —Mat
Mat watches too much Showtime, writes for the Louisville Eccentric Observer, but has no eccentricities. Mat hasn't found Jesus, but he's got an APB out on him. Mat has an affinity for gin and tonics in the summer, Woodford Reserve in the winter, and talking about himself in the third person. E-mail Mat here:
LEO’s Music Cast debuted on March 19, 2008, with Valley Station native Greg Maddux. Check back each Wednesday for a fresh interview with artists you might or might not see at Kroger. Hear the podcast at leomusiccast.podbean.com, or at myspace.com/leoweekly.
