The Buddha Den

Everything you wanted to know about the Dayton music scene and more but were afraid to ask

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The Strange Boys


...Austin quartet The Strange Boys have taken up the quest for pure rock n' roll bliss on their debut disc ...And Girls Club and come up with a brilliant garage/psyche gem. Dig the vintage blues jangle of the guitars. Ryan Sambol's wiry whine bringing it all back home. The wiggle in the rhythm section. The sound of Sun and Shel Talmy and Tom Wilson and Bakersfield coating each and every note. This could have just as easily dropped anytime over the past 50 years, but we're pretty thankful it did so today...

MP3: The Strange Boys "Heard You Wanna Beat Me Up"



04.02.09 Thu Dallas, TX Doublewide
04.03.09 Memphis, TN Murphy's
04.04.09 Oxford, MS The Blind Pig
04.05.09 Athens, GA Farm 255
04.06.09 Atlanta, GA The Earl
04.08.09 Asheville, NC The New French Bar
04.09.09 Tuscaloosa, AL Little Willie's
04.10.09 Baton Rouge, LA The Spanish Moon
04.11.09 Houston, TX House Show
06.05.09 Denton, TX Rubbergloves *
06.06.09 Austin, TX Red 7 *
06.07.09 Houston, TX Mangos *
06.08.09 New Orleans, LA Saturn Bar *
06.09.09 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn *#
06.10.09 Greensboro, NC UNCG / Square One *
06.11.09 Washington, DC Comet Pizza and Ping Pong *
06.12.09 Baltimore, MD Sonar *#$
06.13.09 Brooklyn, NY Market Hotel *#
06.14.09 New York, NY Cake Shop *
06.15.09 Philadelphia, PA Danger Danger Gallery *
06.16.09 Worcester, MA Ralph's Diner *
06.18.09 Cleveland, OH Now That's Class
06.20.09 Columbus, Ohio Bourbon St *
06.22.09 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen *
06.23.09 Minneapolis, MN First-Avenue *
06.24.09 Iowa City, IA Public Space 1 *
06.25.09 Lawrence, KS Jackpot Music Hall *
06.26.09 Denver, CO Hi-Dive *
06.27.09 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court *
06.29.09 Los Angeles, CA The Smell *
07.02.09 San Francisco, CA Hemlock #
07.03.09 San Jose, CA Nickel City #
07.06.09 San Diego, CA Casbah #
07.07.09 Tucson, AZ Plush #
07.09.09 Lubbock, TX Ash Riprock's #
07.10.09 Dallas, TX TBA #
07.11.09 Austin, TX Mohawk #

* = w/ Mika Miko
# = w/ The Coathangers
$ = w/ The Death Set

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Holy!Holy!Holy!


...following their last stop through the Dayton Dirt Collective, St. Charles, Missouri collective Holy!Holy!Holy! left quite a buzz in their wake. Upon finally hearing them, we understood why. It could just as easily be a hundred years ago, sitting out at an IWW camp meeting listening to songs of the workingman. Through their hypnotic singalongs/growls/spoken word and acoustic instrumentation (well, mostly), the music and politics of HHH seem to be inextricably linked. You can read more about their views on their blog here and listen to their new EP, If I Can't Revolt It's Not My Dance, here. Holy!Holy!Holy! will return to the DDC this Friday, April 3. See you there...

MP3: Holy!Holy!Holy! "From The Bottom Up"
MP3: Holy!Holy!Holy! "Gone Like Jesus"

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Lucky Pineapple


...when we visited Forecastle last summer, one of our most exciting finds in the region was coming across Louisville outfit Lucky Pineapple. The band issued their second full-length, The Bubble Has Burst In Sky City, on Noise Pollution Records last fall and are gearing up for a national release of the disc. Melding their hometown's affinity for jam-inflected weirdness and the slightly older jazz/math inclinations of the early 90s found in Louisville, Lucky Pineapple meld a twisted Zappaesque flavor into minimalist Chicago jazz and eastern European flavors, brewing up an unpredictably savory stew. A summer tour in support of TBHBISC is currently in the planning stages, so stay tuned for the all the details...

MP3: Lucky Pineapple "Moonlight Spiderbite"
MP3: Lucky Pineapple "Moment in an Empty Street"

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Eulogies


...maybe it's the longing for better weather, but we've digging into a lot of new stuff coming from the West Coast as of late. Continuing in this trend, we've been enjoying LA-based quartet Eulogies. Due out April 7 on Dangerbird Records, Here Anonymous is a sunny slab of bouncy 80s-fueled indie pop on one hand, tempered on the other by a steady stream of remorse and subsequent resolutions from lead singer Peter Walker. In addition to the new album, you can grab some sparse home demos recorded by Walker under the title of The Homespun Sessions for free over at Eulogies website. The band will be rolling through the region in May, so check the sounds and get the dates...

MP3: Eulogies "Bad Connection"
MP3: Eulogies "This Fine Progression"

April 2 || Union Hall || Brooklyn, NY*
April 4 || Beachland Tavern || Cleveland, OH*
April 6 || The Firebird || St. Louis, MO*
April 7 || Replay Lounge || Lawrence, KS*
April 8 || Larimer Lounge || Denver, CO*
May 1 || Bell House || Brooklyn, NY#
May 2 || Valentines || Albany, NY#
May 4 || Bowery Ballroom || New York, NY #
May 5 || Johnny Brenda's || Philadelphia, PA#
May 7 || Black Cat || Washington D.C.#
May 8 || Diesel || Pittsburgh, PA#
May 9 || Grog Shop || Cleveland, OH#
May 10 || Skully's || Columbus, OH #
May 11 || Magic Stick || Detroit#
May 13 || Lakeshore Theater || Chicago, IL#
May 14 || Blue Note || Columbia, MO#
May 16 || Hailey's || Denton, TX#
May 17 || Warehouse || Houston, TX#
May 18 || Parish || Austin, TX#
May 22 || Casbah || San Diego, CA#
May 23 || Echoplex || Los Angeles, CA#
May 24 || Independent || San Francisco, CA#
May 26 || Douglas Fir Lounge || Portland, OR#
May 27 || Crocodile Cafe || Seattle, WA#

* w/ Bad Veins
# w/ The Dears & Great Northern

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Sunday, March 29, 2009

The Buddha Den Showcase Presents: Hospital Garden @ South Park Tavern 3.28.09

...from the start, it was obvious that Hospital Garden planned on making this a special evening at South Park Tavern for The Buddha Den Showcase. Suits. Ties. Dresses. Fedoras. Yeah, they looked sharp. They also brought an avalanche of songs. Melodies that burrow into yr soul. The incessant rhythms that slowly get every head bobbing in unison. The guitar histrionics of Lucas Hollow elevating the visceral impact of this trio. More than anything, Hospital Garden is a band that obviously enjoys what they do. You can see the evidence in the ear-to-ear grin of drummer Ian Spencer, the twirling of bassist Sarah Carey and most certainly in the trumpet-weilding freakouts of Hollow. These kids love the game. They can kill a song in any number of ways: grinding punk meltdowns, fist-pumping anthems, machine-gun breaks, slacker-shred solos, soul-bearing slowjams. Even covering the War classic "Low Rider", Hospital Garden owned it, putting their imprint all over the song. By the end of their second set, the trio reveled in shared jubilation with their audience, bringing an incredible evening to a close with shared smiles all around...





For more photos from the evening, go here. Additional photos by Atomic Justin here.

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Dayton Ladyfest Planning Meeting Today


...we apologize for the late notice on this, but we just got word that there will be a planning meeting today for the second annual Ladyfest Dayton. From the fest organizers:

Our first planning meeting will be this Sunday, March 29, at 2 pm, at C{Space (The venue we had Ladyfest in September). For those of you who don't remember, we are located at 20 N. Jefferson St., Dayton, OH 45402. We can't make Ladyfest Dayton 2 happen without your help! You, and you and you, are welcome to come join us (and feel free to bring snacks if you like!) We want this to have as many creative hands involved as possible this year, so that it can be a huge success and raise lots of money for charities, and awareness about why Ladyfests are needed. Ladyfest 2 will most likely take place mid-August. We will need more ways of raising money, fundraisers, and benefits. If you have some ideas for us then come join us. Bring yourself, a pen, some paper and lots of ideas... What you do depends on what you want to bring to the table. You are welcome to join us on Sunday, if you cannot make meetings but still want to contribute in some way, or any way feel free to email us at: ladyfestdayton@gmail.com


...if you're at all inclined to lend your time and services to this event, we would highly encourage you to do so...

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Wake Up Mordecai Announces Track Listing; Release Date


...as we previously announced, Vandalia high-schooler John Callon aka Wake Up Mordecai is already planning a follow up to last year's acclaimed North to the Nth Degree. According to Poptek Records, the label will issue Too Young for the Disco with a Release Party at Dayton Dirt Collective on May 23. Here's the tracklisting for the disc:

01. LOVEMACHINE5000
02. That's What She Said
03. Kinky Girl Scout Cookies
04. Orange Soda
05. Dignan
06. Bach Called - he wants his orchestra back
07. XOXO
08. Infinity x2
09. Disco = Crack
10. You're the Bomb(bay)
11. Cowboys and Indians


...if you want to keep up to the minute with the Wake Up Mordecai universe, you can tune in to his blog over here. Rest assured, we'll keep you posted as we get more information...

MP3: Wake Up Mordecai "Girls Don't Ride On Viking Ships" from North to the Nth Degree

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The Buddha Den Showcase Presents: Hospital Garden-Tonight @ South Park Tavern


...in case you missed the notice earlier this week, tonight is our big show with one of our favorite locals, Hospital Garden over at South Park Tavern. If you haven't checked them out yet, tonight is a great opportunity since the show is FREE. Music starts at 9 PM sharp and the band will be doing two sets throughout the night. We'll see you there...

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Friday, March 27, 2009

TRAILER: Where The Wild Things Are

...back in the early days of our education, there were some pretty important books that all the kids were reading. Lots of Shel Silverstein. Judy Blume. The Choose Your Own Adventure series was huge. One of the first books that really blew our minds was Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sedlak. The cover alone both terrified and intrigued this 6-year-old mind. Well, following in the fate of the world's most beloved books, WTWTA is soon to become a major motion picture. Under the direction of Spike Jonze, WTWTA is set for a October 2009 release. Check out the trailer with an interesting version of Arcade Fire's "Wake Up"...


...thanks to You Ain't No Picasso for the tip...

Jenny Lewis Announces Tour Dates


...we're just gonna go ahead and put this on the table: we're huge fans of Jenny Lewis. We loved her debut disc, Rabbit Fur Coat. It got a lot of airtime around here. When we heard on good authority that her follow-up, Acid Tongue, was equally amazing, we made a beeline for it and were subsequently smitten. What continues to amaze us is how Lewis makes such great albums but that we couldn't possibly be more indifferent to Rilo Kiley. Meh. Regardless, the thick vintage country/soul tone of Acid Tongue seems like a perfect companion for the coming spring, so check it out now and do yr best to catch Jenny Lewis when she comes through the area...

MP3: Jenny Lewis "Black Sand"
MP3: Jenny Lewis "Trying My Best to Love You"

03-28 Sydney, Australia - V Festival - Centennial Park
03-29 Gold Coast, Australia - V Festival - Avica Resort
03-30 Sydney, Australia - Hordern Pavillion
04-01 Adelaide, Australia - Adelaide Entertainment Center
04-02 Melbourne, Australia - Palais Theatre
04-04 Melbourne, Australia - V Festival - Melbourne Showgrounds
04-05 Perth, Australia - V Festival - Claremount Showgrounds
04-07 Sydney, Australia - The Lair @ The Metro
04-10 Honolulu, HI - Pipeline Café
04-13 Pomona, CA - Glass House
04-14 Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up
04-15 Sacramento, CA - Empire
04-18 Indio, CA - Coachella
05-27 Santa Cruz, CA - Rio Theatre *
05-28 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore *
05-29 San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore *
05-30 Portland, OR - Roseland *
05-31 Seattle, WA - Showbox @ Market *
06-03 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue *
06-04 Madison, WI - Barrymore Theatre *
06-05 Chicago, IL - Park West
06-06 Columbus, OH - Wexner Center for the Arts
06-08 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero !
06-09 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg !
06-10 Boston, MA - House of Blues !
06-11 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club !
06-12 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle !
06-13 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo
06-14 St. Louis, MO The Pageant !
06-15 Lawrence, KS Granada !
06-17 Omaha, NE Slowdown !
06-19 Telluride, CO - Telluride Bluegrass Festival
06-20 Santa Fe, NM - Sante Fe Brewing Co. $
06-22 Austin, TX - Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheatre $
06-23 Dallas, TX - Granada $
06-24 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live $
06-26 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues $
06-29 Orlando, FL - Plaza Theatre $
07-01 Athens, GA - TBA $
07-03 Richmond, VA The National $
07-05 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls $
07-06 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall $
07-07 Fayetteville, AR - George's Majestic $
07-09 Salt Lake City, UT - Twilight Concert Series #

* with the Sadies
! with Deer Tick
$ with Heartless Bastards
# with Bon Iver

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Vampire Hands


...there's nothing like finding great new music first thing in the morning. We got lucky today as we stumbled into Minneapolis psychemongers, Vampire Hands. Writhing in alluring-yet-sinister overtones, the band comes on just familiar enough to catch an ear, but mysterious enough to beg further investigation. Striding out a slinky strut, retreating into an eerie midnight stroll. There's a fine line between the waking and the dream...

MP3:
Vampire Hands "Safe Word"
MP3: Vampire Hands "We Widows"

Mar 26 The Zodiac w/ WAVVES/Blood Babies Baltimore, MD
Mar 27 The Marvelous Music w/ WAVVES Philadelphia, PA
Mar 28 Market Hotel w/WAVVES/These are Powers Brooklyn, NY
Mar 29 Cake Shop w/ WAVVES New York, NY
Mar 30 Mercury Lounge w/ WAVVES, DD/MM/YYYY New York, NY
Mar 31 Sneaky Dee’s w/ WAVVES/Bitters Toronto, Ontario
Apr 1 Magic Stick w/ WAVVES Detroit, MI
Apr 2 The Brass Rail W/ Wavves/Castle Fort Wayne, IN
Apr 3 Empty Bottle w WAVVES/My Gold Mask Chicago, IL
Apr 4 The Project Lodge w/ WAVVES/Nuclear Woods Madison, WI
Apr 5 7th St. Entry w/ WAVVES (18+) Minneapolis, MN
Apr 6 Aquarium w/ WAVVES/Blank Dogs Fargo, ND
Apr 8 The Northern w/ WAVVES Olympia, WA
Apr 9 The Funhouse w/ WAVVES/Broken Knifes/The Cold Cold Ground Seattle, WA
Apr 11 Holocene w/ WAVVES/Wooden Shjips/Eat Skull/Maus Haus Portland, OR
Apr 12 DAM House w/ WAVVES Davis, CA
Apr 13 Bottom of the Hill (AA) w/ WAVVES/That Ghost San Francisco, CA
Apr 14 Crepe Place w/ WAVVES Santa Cruz, CA
Apr 15 The Echo w/ WAVVES Los Angeles, CA
Apr 17 Casbah w/ WAVVES San Diego, CA
Apr 19 Imperial Shit Hole w/ Woodsman Denver, CO
Apr 20 The Church w/ Wrong Crowd and Expo 70 Kansas City, MO
Apr 21 O’leavers Omaha, NE
Apr 25 Hexagon w/ Daughters of the Sun(LP Release), Leisure Birds Minneapolis, MN

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Widespread Panic/The Black Crowes/The Black Keys/Avett Brothers


...as we previously mentioned, JK McKnight announced this morning that the headliners for this year's Forecastle Festival will include Widespread Panic, The Black Crowes, The Black Keys, and The Avett Brothers. Additionally, over 65 performers are still to be announced to this impressive lineup. You can get all your ticket info over here. We'll see you there...

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Myka 9


...it took us a while to finally get around to it, but once we threw on Myka 9 we were hooked. Building on his groundbreaking work in LA as a co-founder of the Legendary Freestyle Fellowship, Myka 9 hooked up with Fake Four Inc. (which Squids Eye Records mainman Tony Gilbert helped jumpstart), to release the soulful 1969. As the album title would suggest, Myka 9 is tapping into a bygone era focused more on spiritual awakening than superficial posturing. With Fake Four conspirator Factor laying down some funktastic beats, well-placed horn stabs adding punctuation, jazz-fusion flourishes, and featuring a cameo from Busdriver, this is food for the mind, body, and soul...

MP3: Myka 9 "Inner Knowing"
MP3: Myka 9 "Soul Beat"
MP3: Myka 9 "Chopper (feat. Busdriver)"

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The Lava Children


...so far, 2009 is shaping up to be a pretty good year for new music. More than anything else, we're pretty stoked that so many weird bands are popping up and catching ears everywhere. We came across The Lava Children late yesterday and it appears as if the trend will continue. Originally from Tulsa, OK, the duo now call LA home and their self-titled debut mini-LP will be out on Graveface Records May 26. As if yr entire world was dissolving into the most lucid and demented dream of yr life, The Lava Children weave exotic microtonal melodies into an hypnotic tapestry so inviting yet so foreign. As soon as yr ear latches on to one sublime melody or guitar echoing through the epochs, the subsequent meltdown ebbs into an Moroccan go-go circus. The question ultimately is whether to wake from such a dream...

MP3: The Lava Children "The Green Word"

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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

The Winter Sounds


...if you know much about music over the last 30 years, odds are the mention of Athens, GA will bring to mind a slew of big names. There's really no need for us to go into that here. We do, however, have cause to mention Athens in relation to current events, specifically in regards to The Winter Sounds. We've been hearing lots of good things about the band on previous jaunts through the Gem City and they'll be returning next Thursday, April 2 to Pearl/Vexx...

...Admittedly, we're a little disappointed in ourselves for not picking up on these guys sooner. With their incessantly danceable rhythm section propelling the sweeping choruses, alternately jangly/jabbing guitars meld effortlessly with synth flourishes glazing over into near-perfect pop hook bliss. With their second album currently in the final stages, the band seem poised to break out in 2009...

MP3:
The Winter Sounds "Autumn Movement" from the Pinebox EP
MP3: The Winter Sounds "Windy City Nights" from Porcelain Empire

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I Brought Pancakes


...with the weather continuing to improve, we're finding all kinds of goodies sprouting up. Cincinnati duo You, You're Awesome drop their new EP of tweaked out fun, You're My Superhero, today as a digital download. The team of Kevin Bayer and Yusef Quotah has been earning quite a reputation in the Queen City for their high energy live shows, and with this their second release in six months they seem poised to start spiraling out from their homebase. YYA's sonic palette is largely populated by twitchy electronic melodies with the drums being recorded live at the ubiquitous Ultrasuede Studios in Cincinnati by Brian Neisz (The Greenhornes, Heartless Bastards, Wussy), keeping things grounded in the human realm. You can grab this one through the band over here...

MP3: You, You're Awesome "I'm Deaf and You're Boring"

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Monday, March 23, 2009

Forecastle Festival to Announce Headliners


...over the last several years, Louisville's Forecastle Festival has grown from a small music fest featuring local talent to a multi-faceted weekend featuring music/arts/activism and earning a reputation as one of the best music festivals in the country. This Thursday, festival mastermind JK McKnight will be announcing the headliners for this year's lineup which he promises will be a BIG announcement. Who do you think might headline this year???

...As one of the region's most anticipated events, we're looking forward to what he's bringing this year. Forecastle will take place on Louisville's Riverfront Belvedere July 10-12, so start making yr plans now...

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Hospital Garden


...pretty much since The Buddha Den first started hosting our free monthly shows at South Park Tavern, we've been trying to get one of our favorite Dayton bands, Hospital Garden, on board. Well, this Saturday we're finally making it happen as the boys and girl of HG will take to the stage for the entire evening...

...In case yr still in the dark on this outfit, Hospital Garden's self-titled/self-released EP was one of the best releases out of the Gem City in 2008. Clearly in love with indie rock giants like Pavement, GBV, and Dinosaur, Jr., Hospital Garden echo traces of Murmur-era REM as well. Guitarist/vocalist Lucas Hollow spins triumphant underdog anthems splattered with searing guitars that are likely to inspire impromptu air-guitar singalongs. Tune in now and we'll see you this weekend...

MP3: Hospital Garden "Prayer for Skeptics"
MP3: Hospital Garden "True"

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The Royal Alberta Advantage


...with the weather improving so much so early in the season, it's really making us eager to get out of the city for a minute and out into some field somewhere. Yeah, spring has that kind of effect. Coming across The Rural Alberta Advantage over the weekend only intensified that desire. Drawing expansive soundscapes that mirror their homelands of central Canada, RAA harnesses an unbridled passion coupled with a reflective streak that seems born to roam the ranges but is equally content to rest in the meadows for a moment. Now hailing from Toronto, RAA has been gaining momentum as of late on the strength of their self-released Hometowns album and a great live show. The band will be touring over the next few weeks with one of our favorites, The Spinto Band. Check the sounds and the dates...

MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage "Don't Haunt This Place"
MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage "Frank, AB"

March 25 Gordon Best Theatre Peterborough, ON
March 31 Billiken Club St. Louis U. St. Louis, MO w/Spinto Band
April 1 Schuba’s Chicago, IL w/Spinto Band
April, 2 Southgate House Newport, KY w/Spinto Band
April 4 Rock & Roll Hotel Washington, DC w/Spinto Band
April 5 The Bell House ::: Brooklyn, NY w/Spinto Band

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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Adam Gnade


...with Spring on the rise, we're tuning into some great new sounds that we're looking to set the tone for the season. Hailing out of San Diego, Adam Gnade caught our ears a few weeks back and has been growing on us steadily since. Operating in a realm he calls "talking-songs", Gnade's prose streams out of the Californian literary wellspring over prickly guitars and crouching drums, finally relenting into cascades of brutal, searing surges and Gnade's wavering voice burning through with earnest intensity. With his words, Gnade sketches out stark imagery of modern American life, populated by inscrutable details of landscapes and human frailty. Working with everyone from Asthmatic Kitty, Menomena, and Gang of Four, Adam Gnade will likely be a name we hear more from as 2009 unfolds...

MP3: Adam Gnade "It's Five O' Clock In America"
MP3: Adam Gnade "Hymn America"

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VIDEO: Pitchfork ADD-The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

...earlier this week Pitchfork served up a great new clip in their A-D-D series in which a band is selected to record straight to 8-track cassette while video is shot of the performance. Pretty cool idea. This time around, P4K headed out to get some footage of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Intermingling party footage with the quartet crammed into a tiny bathroom. From the Mardi Gras cake to the kids hanging out, it almost seems like a trailer to a film from 1985. Check it out...



....head on over here to check out the last three clips from the session....

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Friday, March 20, 2009

VIDEO: Vampire Weekend "White Sky"

...continuing an amazing opening run, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon hosted Vampire Weekend last night. The band busted out a new song slated for their next album [to be out sometime...], "White Sky". Backed by a sprawling orchestra and showcasing the band's penchant for polyrhythmic pop, the song definitely runs along the smoother end of the Vampire Weeknd spectrum...

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VIDEO: Murder Your Darlings "Miss Compromise"

...with their lineage going way back in Dayton's notorious musical past, Murder Your Darlings continue to forge the no-frills punk/rock n' roll that the Gem City loves so much. With an as-yet-untitled DVD release slated for May, here's a clip with a not-so-subtle admonition and plenty of vintage vixens (NOTE: may not be work-friendly)...


MP3: Murder Your Darlings "3:00 AM"
MP3: Murder Your Darlings "House of Paranoia"

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VIDEO: Modest Mouse on Letterman

...it's been a minute since we've heard anything from Modest Mouse, so it's good to see that the band's appearance on the David Letterman show finds them in good form, even if they are Marr-less these days. Channeling a bit of that Pavement twang, this performance of "Satellite Skin" has us interested to see where Isaac Brock takes us next...

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

Lo-Fi Movement


...with his movement of the moment "recession pop" sound, Kris N. continues to wave the banner for the lo-fi basement hero. His new album, Lo-Fi Movement, will be out on Dayton label Poptek Records on April 23. The release will coincide with a show at Canal Street Tavern with Dayton ex-pat, Wil Cope, who is currently living it up in Austin. Although reveling in the murky lo-fi realm, Kris's melodies possess the ability to weave through the mire and lodge themselves firmly in the listener's psyche...

MP3: Kris N. "Pollard's Old Drunk Drivers"
MP3: Kris N. "Mustache Jesus"

...if you wanna dig into more Kris N., you can head over here to grab exclusive tracks courtesy of Poptek Records...

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Still Flyin'


...with spring knockin' on the door, we're more than ready for some new music to get us in the mood for better weather. We couldn't ask for a better offering than Still Flyin' to help us on our way. Hailing from San Francisco, this sprawling collective serve up an infectious pop flavor they've dubbed hammjamm, with sprinkles of twee/new wave/jam/indie pop coalescing into an utterly fun party. Take it for a spin now and let it help you usher in spring. The band's debut, Never Gonna Touch the Ground, is out through Ernest Jennings Record Co. on April 21..

MP3: Still Flyin' "The Hott Chord Is Struck"



...after their stint at SXSW, Still Flyin' will be heading east on tour with a stop in Columbus in April. Here's the dates:

4.3.09 Brooklyn, NY Union Hall
4.4.09 Boston, MA PA's Lounge
4.5.09 New York, NY The Cake Shop
4.6.09 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's
4.7.09 Baltimore, MD Zodiac
4.8.09 Columbus, OH Carabar
4.9.09 Lexington, KY Al's Bar
4.10.09 Chicago, IL Abbey Pub
5.8.09 Sacramento, CA Blue Lamp
5.9.09 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord

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These United States


...a few weeks ago we came across Lexington's These United States, who are slated for an upcoming visit to Canal Street Tavern, on April 8. From the first listen, we were smitten. Running in similar streams to contemporaries Andrew Bird and M Ward running through its veins, TUS's most recent album, A Picture Of The Three Of Us At The Gate To The Garden Of Eden, is filled with poignant sketches of modern life that engages the spectrum of human emotions, connecting the common links betwen us and telling the stories in language distinct to the modern era...

MP3: These United States "First Sight"
MP3: These United States "Burn This Bridge"

...as the band are currently out doing the requisite SXSW activities, they've teamed up with one of our favorite blogs, You Ain't No Picasso, for a superfun contest. Here's the lowdown:

Moving up to the next level in the real-life version of Rock Band, These United States have recently acquired a brand new (to them) 12-seater tour van - but it just wouldn't be the vehicle of fortune it's going to be without a proper christening.

TUS fans/YANP readers are invited to name this glorious van by leaving their suggestions, with their email addresses, in the comments section of You Ain't No Picasso:

The winner of the "VanTasy Prize Pack" will be announced at These United States’ show in Lexington Saturday April 11th at Al’s Bar.

The “TUS VanTasy Grab Bag”
- one (1) Very First Non-Essential Item to (Naturally) Fall off the New TUS Van
- one (1) Personalized Traveler-on-the-Go Mixtape by These United States
- one (1) Enlightening Road Haiku written by the TUS band member of your choice
- one (1) Meaningful Souvenir from the World’s Largest Truck Stop (Interstate 80, in Iowa)
- one (1) Full-Color Glossy Glamour Shot (Standing or Reclining) of These United States
- one (1) Super-Awesome Bragging Rights Forever to All of Your Awesome Friends You Have

Here’s a list of van quirks supplied by These United States to help you personalize your nickname:
- it whistles at certain speeds on the highway…AND NO MAN/WOMAN/MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT WHY?!?!
- it’s got a sweeeeeeet American Flag spare-tire cover in back (as pictured)
- it’s got a lot of personality “quirks” that we’re just now discovering…but we love it anyway
- we got it from the local Lions Club in northern Virginia - they are nice people
- it’s from the year 19hundred+96, complete with state-of-the-art casette player + faux wood steering wheel grip cover


...head on over and help make history...

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Ribbons


...we'll leave you with one last find for the day: Ribbons. Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Jherek Bischoff has served in one way or another with such electic outfits as Xiu Xiu, Parenthetical Girls, and Dead Science over the past several years, all of which reflects in Ribbons' sound. In particular, the range of early King Crimson to The Pixies to Bends-era Radiohead to splashes of Blonde Redhead and Arcade Fire made our ears very happy. Ribbons' new album, Royals, is out on Osaka Records. Have a listen...

MP3: Ribbons "The Last and Least Likely"
MP3: Ribbons "Children's Song"

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Papercuts


...although it's rare, once in a while a title actually conveys the essence of a song perfectly. In the case of the new track "Future Primitive" from San Francisco's Papercuts, the name perfectly captures the essence of the song: traces of Wall of Sound depth coalescing with mellotrons and a soulful/Kraut rhythm merge together to create a sound that is at once the product of the past but continues to inform the present into tomorrow. The strictly-analog endeavor of one Jason Quever, You Can Have What You Want will come out on the Gnomsong imprint in the US April 14...

MP3: Papercuts "Future Primitive"

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Electric Banana


...we're pretty excited about our FREE weekly at Oregon Express, The Buddha Den NTRO/XPO, tonight as we've got one of our Dayton favorites, Electric Banana. The duo actually hail from the northern outpost of Troy, but they've been busy making a name for themselves in the city over the last year on the strength of their self-released debut, Denim on Denim, and their hyperactive live sets. The band's juxtpaosed loves of sludgy guitars and ultradanceablity lands them in a zone that keeps feet moving and heads bobbing in unison. EB are currently putting finishing touches on their follow-up, so stay tuned...

MP3: Electric Banana "Denim on Denim"

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Cymbals Eat Guitars


...we've been getting pretty heavy into unsigned New Yorkers Cymbals Eat Guitars lately. Their self-released debut, Why There Are Mountains has been getting some good marks and for very good reason. CEG's blend of early Modest Mouse, Built to Spill, and Pavement somehow transcend the obvious conclusion and land into a unique wading pool combining references with an advance that sets them apart. They're well aware of the places from which indie rock sprung as well as where it has been in the interim: reimagination of the loud/soft aesthetic, jarring guitar attacks, unexpected symphonic swells, synths lurking in the background, and just enough noise drone to wrap the whole thing together nicely. However CEG dress things up, the songs lying underneath possess a capability to burrow into the psyche as twisted structures mount upon one another, creating an all-consuming listening experience...

MP3: Cymbals Eat Guitars "And The Hazy Sea"
MP3: Cymbals Eat Guitars "Cold Spring"

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Monday, March 16, 2009

Here We Go Magic


...we came across Brooklyn's Here We Go Magic a while back, only finally digging in deep last week. The brainchild of one Luke Temple, HWGM's self-titled debut (out on Western Vinyl) proves yet again the merits of the lo-fi aesthtetic. Temple worked out of his Brooklyn apartment on 4-track cassette and coming up with a hauntingly beautiful assemblage of tunes filled with the exploratory range that lo-fi embraces. Cloudy, ethereal vocals float over spacious percussion and snaking guitar lines. Adding a handful of friends to compliment the live version of Here We Go Magic, Temple & co. will be hitting SXSW this week and later this spring will be out on the road with Grizzly Bear. Here's some tunes and tour dates:

MP3: Here We Go Magic "Tunnelvision"
MP3: Here We Go Magic "Fangela"

03/17 Dallas, TX Mountain House*
03/17 Dallas, TX 6 PM INSTORE AT GOOD RECORDS
03/18 Austin, TX Austinist/Gothamist SXSW party @ Mohawk--- 3 PM
03/18 Austin, TX NY Noise SXSW Party @ TODD P's FREE OUTDOOR PATIO PARTIES @ Ms. Beas-- 8:30 PM
03/19 Austin, TX Gorilla vs. Bear day party @ The Peacock-- 1:45 PM slot
03/19 Austin, TX Western Vinyl Official Showcase @ Club 115-- 1AM slot
03/20 Austin, TX Other Music show @ French Legation Museum-- 1 PM slot
03/20 Austin, TX Park The Van Records/Partisan Records/indie outlaw/The Knitting Factory Day Party @ Side Bar-- 3:00 PM slot
03/22 New Orleans, LA Marigny Theatre*
03/23 Atlanta, GA 529 Club**
03/24 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506**
03/25 Baltimore, MD Ottobar**
05/28 New York, NY Town Hall***
05/29 New York, NY Town Hall***
06/01 Washington, DC 9:30 Club***
06/02 Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre***
06/03 Boston, MA Berklee Performance Center***
06/04 Montreal, QC Le National***
06/05 Toronto, ON Phoenix***
06/07 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural Center***
06/08 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theatre***
06/09 Bloomington, IN Buskirk - Chumley Theater***
06/11 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle***
06/15 Dallas, TX Granada Theater***
06/16 Austin, TX The Parish***
06/19 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern***
06/21 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore***

* w/ Callers
** w/ Titus Andronicus
*** w/ Grizzly Bear

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Buzz Chimp Productions Presents: The Human Reunion/Pretty & Nice-Tonight @ South Park Tavern


...it's been quite the busy weekend in the Gem City. Tonight is the icing on the cake. Head on over to South Park Tavern tonight for an electrifying conclusion to your weekend or an overamplified jumpstart to your St. Patrick's Day festivities. In their first localappearance since Dayton Music Fest, Human Reunion return to the stage along with their buddies from Boston, Pretty & Nice, who haven't stopped through town since we had them back in September. P&N are on their way to SXSW and the VOV Festival in Arkansas in support of last years' Get Young album (out on Hardly Art). We'll see you there...

MP3: Human Reunion "Red Ape"
MP3: Pretty & Nice "Tora, Tora, Tora"
MP3: Pretty & Nice "Grab Your Nets"

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Sunday, March 15, 2009

Ides of March IV-Tonight @ Pearl/Vexx


...although we're still not sure whether to keep calling the venue Pearl or start calling it Vexx, you know the place we're talking about. Local promoter Brandon Hawk hosts his 4th Annual Ides of March show tonight with quite a billing. From frentic mindbenders Stone the Mayor Sheriffs to Grizzzzy Bear, a reworked lineup of long-time Dayton faves The Motel Beds, jazz-inflected experimental post-rock from Cincinnati Where They Landed, and acoustic openers John Gassett and Alex Arnold, you've got a bill certain to hit all the right buttons...

MP3: The Motel Beds "Loves Hurts" (live)
MP3: Grizzzzy Bear "Aim the Flame"

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Squids Eye Records 2-Year Anniversary @ Blind Bob's 3.14.09

...as soon as we walked into Blind Bob's last night, we knew it was going to be a good one. Mixing in with the legions out on the town for a St. Patty's warm-up round, it was exciting to see so many people out specifically to support the lovable Dayton label, Squids Eye Records. Standing at the 2-year mark, the label's work in Dayton is impressive: they've helped to revive a once-flailing scene and redefine in many ways the Dayton sound. On this particular night, label head Tony Gilbert put together an eclectic bill, giving many of the unknown artists on Squids Eye Records a minute in the spotlight. From the drum-machine driven indie rock of Scott Deadelus and Joey Deady to the jazz-prog of Five Deadly Venoms to the folk-tinged laptop dance party of The Happy Planets, Squids Eye Records showed their range. Sadly, we missed the exciting conclusion of Cry Baby Genius and Astro Fang. By the time we departed, the staff had finally removed the last few tables near the stage as the crowd swelled to near-capacity. If you were there, we'd love to hear about it....

JOEY DEADY


FIVE DEADLY VENOMS


THE HAPPY PLANETS


SCOTT DEADELUS


For more photos from the evening, go here.

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

A Brief Evening with FNHarsh


...if yr as big of fans of poster art as we are, you should definitely try and make it down to Winan's by the Dayton Mall to catch a rare exhibit by local poster artists FNHarsh. The team of Skot Kustowski and Dennis Mutter have created some of the most memorable poster designs in Dayton over the last several years. They also exhibited with the Yo! What Happened To Peace? show that toured internationally. For any fan of great poster art, the work of FNHarsh should definitely be inspected...

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One More Saturday Night...

...as tends to happen in Dayton every so often, seemingly everyone decided to have a show on the same night. Tonight is a big night, so we just thought we would let the poster art speak for itself:







...you can grab a few tracks from the new Squids Eye Records sampler, Hi, We're From Dayton over here. They'll giving away the whole sampler tonight at the show. See you there...

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Friday, March 13, 2009

VIDEO: Buffalo Killers "It's a Shame" @ LaundroMatinee

...Indianapolis-based music blog My Old Kentucky Blog has been working for a while now on a brilliant project called LaundroMatinee in which they partner with a radio station at a local school in Indiana, bring in great touring acts for a recording session (much like Daytrotter) and then put up the audio AND video for the world to enjoy. Great idea, right? Well, they just put up a session from Cincinnati faves Buffalo Killers featuring "It's a Shame" from last year's Let It Ride album. Hearing these guys thrown down in a great sounding room like this is just an absolute treat for the ears. Have a look/listen:


You can grab more audio of the Buffalo Killers' session from LaundroMatinee right here.

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Dark Backward


...if you've spent more than ten minutes in Dayton, you'll understand that this city takes it's punk rock very seriously. From pioneers Toxic Reasons to punk breeding ground Haunting Souls to current torch-bearers Luxury Pushers, My Latex Brain, and Legbone, the Gem City loves it loud. Carrying on in that raucous tradition, one Eric Purtle recently unleashed his long-running project, Dark Backward, onto eager-yet-unprepared ears. If yr talking about dues, these guys have em paid in spades, collectively serving in Dementia Precox, Mondolux, Luxury Pushers, The Bang Tale, etc. Likely to flatten eardrums anywhere within the Dayton GMA, Purtle's whiskey-saturated, snarling delivery is a deliciously sinister front for a merciless sonic blitzkrieg. Tune in now, as the band hit Oregon Express tomorrow, March 14...

MP3:
Dark Backward "Parable"

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VIDEO: Hot Cha Cha "Bob"


...as we mentioned yesterday with a clip from Columbus duo The Receiver, numerous bands are currently creating clips for the Ohio Film Music Video Challenge. Another of our new favorite Ohio bands, Cleveland's Hot Cha Cha, put together a video for the song "Bob", which finds them making merry out on the farm somewhere in northern Ohio. The winner of this film contest are chosen by the public, so be sure to head on over and vote. Currently on Cleveland's Exit Stencil Recordings, we're hoping to see Hot Cha Cha down in these parts very soon...

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

Standard Recording Company 09 Sampler


...one of our favorite labels in the region, Indianapolis-based Standard Recording Company, put up a tasty little sampler in anticipation of their big showcase at SXSW. Even if you aren't able to make it to Austin, you can still enjoy all of these goodies right from the comfort of yr own home. Over the past year, we've fallen in love with a pair of the SRC bands: Everthus the Deadbeats and Everything, Now! and we like to keep tabs on what else the imprint will give us next. SRC's penchant for folk-tinged indie pop oddities contains strains of Elephant 6 Anglophilic psych, plenty of bucolic bluegrass beauty, and a distinct Midwestern rock chaser. You can grab the whole sampler (along with artwork) as a FREE DOWNLOAD HERE. Here's a taste for encouragement...

MP3: Amo Joy! "A Regal Tomorrow"
MP3: Kentucky Nightmare "Caroline and I"

...we've also been waiting for some excuse to share this video for a while now. Seems like a perfect occasion...

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VIDEO: The Receiver "Visitor"

...as Columbus duo The Receiver put the finishing touches on their upcoming album, Length of Arms, the band teamed up with Vital Film Works to put together a clip for the new track, "Visitor". With the antagonist in the clip walking through a day in the life of a prolific kleptomaniac, the imagery of the band wrestles beautifully with light and shade when the camera turns to brothers Jesse and Casey Cooper. The video has been entered into an Ohio film competition with the winner being chosen by public approval, so if you like it, speak up. Have a look:

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VIDEO: The Northwest Ordinance on Friday Night Fu

...the night before we had The Northwest Ordinance out to play The Buddha Den Showcase at South Park Tavern last month, they went in to the television studios at the famed WKRP in Cincinnati to tear through a few numbers for one of the region's more interesting tidbits, Friday Night Fu. Combining their love of kung fu and rock n' roll into an incredible spectacle of a show, the show has become quite the outlet for regional talent to ride the airwaves into homes around the area. Here's a pair of tunes The Northwest Ordinance threw down while they were there:

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Crocodiles


...we came across Californians Crocodiles a few weeks ago thanks to Stereogum and we've been digging it ever since. Yeah sure, the VU/Jesus and Mary Chain thing is there, but much like their buddies in No Age and Wavves, they're taking the trip to a different place. And besides, the raw materials are still viable: the big beat; the gnarly guitar hooks; the deadpan vocals. Yep, they still get us going...

...Their debut Summer of Hate is out on Fat Possum April 28...

MP3: Crocodiles "I Wanna Kill"
MP3: Crocodiles "Summer of Hate"



...and the tour dates...

Mar 18 2:00P EMO’S OUTDOOR (Fat Possum SXSW Showcase) Austin, TX
Mar 20 2:00P AAM ’09 - HABANA CALLE 6 ANNEX w/ Earthless, J Mascis & more Austin, TX
Mar 20 6:00P BALLISTIC MISSLE DAY PARTY (2706 South 4th St.) w/ Clipd Beaks + Aids Wolf (SXSW) Austin, TX
Mar 22 5:00P BEERLAND (SXSW) w/ Mika Miko, Past Lives + more Austin, TX
Mar 23 8:00P THE EXCHANGE Hot Springs, Arkansas
Mar 24 8:00P SOUNDPONY Tulsa, Oklahoma
Mar 27 8:00P CAFE VENTANA St. Louis, Missouri
Mar 28 8:00P CPR Lexington, Kentucky
Mar 29 8:00P THE TRIPLE Richmond, Virginia
Mar 30 8:00P THE RED AND BLACK Washington DC, Washington DC
Apr 2 8:00P BOWERY BALLROOM w/Asobi Seksu New York, New York
Apr 3 8:00P JUANITA & JUAN’S Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Apr 4 8:00P PIANOS New York, New York
Apr 5 8:00P 31st STREET PUB Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Apr 6 8:00P CAFE BOURBON STREET Columbus, Ohio
Apr 7 8:00P PAPA PETE’S Kalamazoo, Michigan
Apr 10 8:00P THE TURF CLUB St. Paul, Minnesota
Apr 13 8:00P EMPTY BOTTLE Chicago, Illinois
Apr 14 8:00P BEACHLAND TAVERN Cleveland, Ohio
Apr 15 8:00P SONAR w/ the Faint & Ladytron Baltimore, Maryland
Apr 17 8:00P ORANGE PEEL w/ the Faint & Ladytron Asheville, North Carolina
Apr 18 8:00P VARIETY PLAYHOUSE w/ the Faint & Ladytron Atlanta, Georgia
Apr 20 8:00P WAREHOUSE LIVE w/ the Faint & Ladytron Houston, Texas
Apr 21 8:00P STUBB’S w/ the Faint & Ladytron Austin, Texas
Apr 22 8:00P GRANADA w/ the Faint & Ladytron Dallas, Texas
Apr 24 8:00P RIALTO THEATER w/ the Faint & Ladytron Tucson, Arizona
Apr 25 8:00P THE GROVE w/ the Faint & Ladytron Anaheim, California
Apr 26 8:00P HENRY FONDA THEATER w/ the Faint & Ladytron Los Angeles, California
Apr 27 8:00P HENRY FONDA THEATER w/ the Faint & Ladytron Los Angeles, California
Apr 29 8:00P THE FILLMORE w/ the Faint & Ladytron San Francisco, California
Apr 30 8:00P THE FILLMORE w/ the Faint & Ladytron San Francisco, California
May 1 8:00P ROSELAND w/ the Faint & Ladytron Portland, Oregon
May 2 8:00P SHOWBOX w/ the Faint & Ladytron Seattle, Washington
May 5 8:00P OGDEN THEATRE w/ the Faint & Ladytron Denver, Colorado
May 11 8:00P THE CASBAH w/ Spectrum San Diego, California
May 16 8:00P SPACELAND w/ Magick Daggers & Blue Jungle Los Angeles, California

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