The Digital Outhouse

Undeniably lovable.

joewhistle — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:54:00 -0700

Undeniably lovable.

Super HD Cameras.

joewhistle — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 15:00:14 -0800

Super HD Cameras.

I’m writing this from a cramped table at a local cafe here...

joewhistle — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:04:00 -0800

I’m writing this from a cramped table at a local cafe here in San Francisco’s Mission District, sipping on what appears to be steamed milk with a hint of chai.

Why am I painting such a specific scene, with such an added emphasis on a meaningless cup of milky chai?

Well, if you haven’t noticed, I enjoy complementing my musical dissections with personal anecdotes. Just go with it. Anyway, I originally thought it would be a great idea to enjoy a chai latte, but since it was fairly late, I decided it would be better without the caffeine. Hence, the steamed milk with a touch of chai.

I bring this up not because I enjoy talking about Chai, or about San Francisco. No, I bring this up because listening to Mazes is a lot like sipping on my milky concoction. Take a deliciously diverse base, and add a hint of your favorite flavor and you’ve got a winner (or at the very least, something better than a loser).

In this case, that delicious base is a choice blend of 60’s and 70’s rock melodies, with a touch of Dinosaur Jr. inspired vocals. Alright, so that may not be the best comparison I’ve ever made. But it does illustrate the point I was trying to make.

This is my favorite song by them. This cup of chai? Not my favorite. But then again, I did ask for it.

There’s so much to like here, I don’t know where to...

joewhistle — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 22:55:00 -0800

There’s so much to like here, I don’t know where to begin. Christopher Owens is just so damn good at crafting pop music that tactfully blurs the lines between self-loathing and bliss.

It’s enough to make me hate myself.

And be alright with it.

Alt-J “Taro” I know I’ve already written about...

oosmik — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 11:55:25 -0800

Alt-J “Taro”

I know I’ve already written about Alt-J∆ before but I must do it again just because it deserves merit. Especially after every music blog posted a ”top albums/songs of 2012” lists that are compiled to deliver what subjectively was the best in music. Said lists aren’t necessarily useful for anything besides picking up on bands you might have missed out on, but are you trying to tell me to take your list seriously when Alt-J wasn’t even considered for Top 10 place? Not even Top 20?! JOKES. But seriously you guys.

Listen to Taro. Watch the music video. And if you are not completely impressed, then I’m sorry but I can’t fucks with you.

Hah. Just kidding.

Holic “The Nu-Disco Show Episode #1” Well, the...

renostache — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 21:04:00 -0800

Holic “The Nu-Disco Show Episode #1”

Well, the world didn’t end between my last post and now. I’m well aware it’s been awhile. I feel like I always say the same thing because I lag between posts. Hey, I’ve been busy.

Nevertheless, here’s a nice little funky mix to start your 2013.

Joe, my New Year’s Resolution is to post more, even though everyone knows these don’t last til past March.

Sleep Party People “We Were Drifting On A Sad...

lizisms — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 07:54:00 -0800

Sleep Party People “We Were Drifting On A Sad Song”

This is a little selfish of me but I was slightly (very slightly) disappointed the world didn’t end the other day. I just wanted to see what would happen next.

It’s always exciting when you come across music you could see yourself listening to as the world around you is ending. I thought that when I came across Sleep Party People. Their’s is perfect music for when you’re about to cease to exist.

Memory Tapes “Sheila” The Digital Outhouse’s...

joewhistle — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 02:30:00 -0800

Memory Tapes “Sheila”

The Digital Outhouse’s favorite songs of 2012

While everyone else is scrambling for the perfect stocking stuffer, why don’t you do that special someone a favor and hook them up with this time-machine to a place where music was more than just music.

Ok that’s not right. But, uh, Merry Christmas? In a week? Happy Hanukkah today? Right down there.

Free download

Woods “Bend Beyond” The Digital Outhouse’s favorite...

joewhistle — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 11:44:48 -0800

Woods “Bend Beyond”

The Digital Outhouse’s favorite songs of 2012

I have always been a fan of the way Woods blends traditional acoustic melodies with a touch of psychedelic freshness that invokes warm days on the open range (while on acid or something equally mind melting).

Bend Beyond was released in the latter half of 2012, in September. While there was (understandably) a great amount of hype surrounding the band’s seventh full-length album, it did not disappoint (which hard enough to do in a time where seemingly everything is overhyped). Bend Beyond is a different album than we’ve come to expect from one of Brooklyn’s finest bands, but is in no way a slight against them.

The essence of what made Woods one of my favorite bands in over the last decade is still ever-present. They just changed their wardrobe around a bit.

That’s cool. You can’t wear the same clothes forever.

Porcelain Raft “Shapeless & Gone” The Digital...

joewhistle — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 21:06:57 -0800

Porcelain Raft “Shapeless & Gone”

The Digital Outhouse’s favorite songs of 2012

For whatever reason, I wasn’t able to get around to this particular song until about last month (which is a testament to either how out of touch I am with music, or sheer volume of music available to me).

Since then, it’s made the perfect aural companion to the dreary winter days of December. That is, if you’re living in a place that actually is cold. That’s not the case here in San Francisco (which is a testament to either global warming, or an overabundance of Bay Area Sun).

Whatever the weather, spread some Christmas cheer with some Porcelain Raft. Or something like that.

Twin Shadow “Five Seconds” The Digital...

joewhistle — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 20:15:20 -0800

Twin Shadow “Five Seconds”

The Digital Outhouse’s favorite songs of 2012

Twin Shadow released Forget in 2010, and along with contemporaries Toro Y Moi and Washed Out, helped to spark a new (but arguably old) musical movement blending the shimmery synths of the 80’s with, well, whatever you’d classify modern music as today.

Two years later, Mr. George Lewis Jr. debuted his sophomore album Confess.

Five seconds ago, I decided that it was one of my favorite songs of 2012.

Just kidding.

It was more like 5 months ago.

John Maus “Bennington (2007)” The Digital...

joewhistle — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 16:21:00 -0800

John Maus “Bennington (2007)”

The Digital Outhouse’s favorite songs of 2012

I mentioned in my previous post that 2012 has been a fine year for new music. Since I’m in the business of sharing music (which is only true if you believe that personal fulfillment is a valuable commodity, which coincidentally, I do), I wanted to spend the entirety of what could possibly be our last month on this strange, strange planet spreading the good word. If we have to go down, let’s at least do it to an acceptable musical backdrop. Right?

Naturally, I’m going to cheat on this first one, since technically this was released five years ago, but who gives a shit, THE WORLD IS ENDING, REMEMBER?

I tend to stay from unreleased content because there is usually a justifiable reason it was never thrown into the adoring arms of the public in the first place (that’s putting it nicely), but John Maus is obviously different. This particular collection of songs is better than what most artists put out these days, and “Bennington” is my absolute favorite of the pack.

In fact, it would probably be my favorite Maus song, if it wasn’t for this little number which was released a full year later.

Which reminds me, Maus also happens to be an awesome graphic novel.

Life is crazy sometimes.

The Dirty Projectors “Stillness Is the Move”...

lizisms — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 09:17:00 -0800

The Dirty Projectors “Stillness Is the Move” (Solange cover)

I could probably listen to Dirty Projectors’ “Stillness Is the Move” on repeat 45 times in a row and not get sick of it. According to my iTunes, I listened to Solange’s cover of the song 17 times in the last two days (18 as I type). So there you go.

Upon first listen, you hear so much. Is that the Dr. Dre sample on “XXplosive”? Indeed. The one that Erykah Badu also sang “Bag Lady” to? My point exactly. This is the gift that keeps on giving. I think one of my favorite things is genre-crossing covers (done well of course). Who knew there was so much potential in this DP track to become such a sultry R&B jam? Not I.

Norwegian Arms “And Then I Found Myself in the...

joewhistle — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:32:00 -0800

Norwegian Arms “And Then I Found Myself in the Taiga”

2012 has been a fantastic year for music. In fact, I can’t remember a year that I’ve enjoyed new releases as much as now (and that’s saying a lot, trust me). My wallet can’t seem to remember a year I’ve enjoyed as much either, as the stack of incriminating LP’s in the corner of my room clearly indicates.

The best part of this influx of musical goodness? We still have an entire month before the year ends.

December is the month of holiday cheer, and while most people are understandably grabbing for their new Sufjan Steven’s Christmas album (or alternatively, this) I’d look elsewhere.

Specifically this way.

Yeah, right over here.

Wolf Like A Stray Dog is the debut release from the talented musical duo of Keith Birthday Brendan Mulvihill) and Dr. Awkward (Eric Slick). I had the opportunity to interview Brendan a few months ago, and had been looking forward to this for a while.

I was delighted to hear that Brendan had completed work on the album (which is slated for a January 15th release date) a few days ago. The timing couldn’t be better, as Wolf Like A Stray Dog is the perfect companion to the cold days ahead (a reoccurring theme across the album’s 11 tracks), providing listeners with an eccentric alternative to well, almost everything. Which is good. No wait, it’s great.

You can listen to the album in its entirety over on their bandcamp.

10cm “Fine Thank You and You?” I recently just came...

oosmik — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 15:32:00 -0800

10cm “Fine Thank You and You?”

I recently just came back from an amazing trip to the motherland (South Korea) and K-pop music isn’t as rampant as you would imagine. Well, maybe it is, but the K-indie scene has seen a rise in popularity too. I don’t know if the interest comes from the international rise of the Korean Wave but nonetheless, it’s really nice to see that the arts in Korea are being noticed in a country that works SO hard for it (but with little pay-off).

I was shopping in an underground mall when I heard 10cm. I recognized the song but there are certain moments in your life when a song is just so appropriate for that moment.

This was that song. The perfect song at the perfect moment.

It didn’t necessarily strike any chords with me when I first heard it on the web and hearing it in Korea just set it for me. That is the thing about traveling. Everything becomes fresh and new by happenstance.

“Their title track “Fine, Thank You, and You?” is an attempt at recreating the sounds of the ’60s with the Beatles as inspiration and makes use of vintage drums and guitars that can’t actually be used in standard recordings.” which I reckon Joe would enjoy.

Also, It’s funny that they chose the phrase “Fine Thank you and you?” because it holds somewhat of comedic value in Korea. It’s one of the default responses a lot of Koreans say when asked to speak in English and most often results in a chuckle. I think the phrase became more popular when comedians added their staccato twist to it and it became a trend.

So yeah, how are YOU?

Still Corners “Cuckoo” I started writing about...

joewhistle — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 18:41:41 -0800

Still Corners “Cuckoo”

I started writing about music on a whim a few years back. I had very little experience in this particular craft prior to the inception of The Digital Outhouse, and never thought it would evolve into what it is today. In many ways, it’s surprising.

What I enjoy most about my little piece of the internet pie is how everyone at TDO blends real life with the music we share. Each post is a look into our personal lives, and the music driving us along the long, winding road.

Minutes before writing this I was lying on my couch, deep in contemplation of life’s wondrous intricacies (because, why not?). Alright fine, I was lying there bored out of my mind. I couldn’t decide what to do. Play video games? Go for a walk? Call someone? Read?

Then I thought, “why not write?”. I walked over to my computer, logged into tumblr, and headed straight to writer’s purgatory (better known as “drafts”). I found this particular song, one I had saved several weeks ago.

I couldn’t have picked a better one to convey my feelings today.

I know I’m not the only one.

Animal Collective “The Purple Bottle” Life is not...

lizisms — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:14:00 -0800

Animal Collective “The Purple Bottle”

Life is not really a string of grandiose events.

It’s really more like: get up, rub your eyeballs, put your pants on while brushing your teeth, stumble out the door while grabbing a piece of bread, make your bus while tying your shoes, sit at your desk while trying to maintain proper posture, make friendly conversation with everyone to maintain a social status quo while calculating how much time you have before you can go home, go home, put food in your mouth, sleep, wake up. Repeat.

This is why I like music so much.

Sure, too much of it can sort of shut you off from the world but any amount of it can change the most prosaic routine into something colorful and lively. Dramatic even. Maybe it’s just in my life that I allow music like Animal Collective to have this great an impact on my bread eating and bus catching. But I’m not quite sure why you wouldn’t want something like that anyway.

Hm?

Beach House “Wild” Beach House unveiled their newest...

joewhistle — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 12:29:00 -0800

Beach House “Wild”

Beach House unveiled their newest music video for “Wild” a few days back, and it’s a good one (as if there was a doubt).

The video captures the essence of the track, splicing together scenes of several emotionally “invested” individuals, all of which whom are attempting to make sense of their bleak existences to the perfect backdrop of Victoria’s soothing, windswept voice.

It’s a great way to spend your Sunday morning. Afternoon. Evening. Whatever.

Black Moth Super Rainbow “Like A Sundae” I think it...

joewhistle — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 16:28:00 -0800

Black Moth Super Rainbow “Like A Sundae”

I think it would be great to throw a fancy dinner party (which, I should clarify, is what many San Franciscans do on seemingly mundane weeknights) set to Black Moth Super Rainbow’s latest release, Cobra Juicy.

I mean, there would have to be a certain level of confusion amongst the distinguished dinner guests right? I would imagine the air would be filled with an interesting emotional cocktail sporting equal parts fear, enjoyment and mystification.

Then again, this also sounds like an irrationally unoriginal idea.

Portishead “Glory Box” Naturally, on my first full...

joewhistle — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 19:30:28 -0800

Portishead “Glory Box”

Naturally, on my first full day of rest in 3 weeks I listened almost exclusively to Portishead.

No regrets about that. At all.