awesome
by jilixi on 11/18/10The Music Box - HollywoodThey sounded better than ever! Great show, beautifl band! The audience seemed a little subdued, which was disappointing (but typical for los angeles audiences). Blonde Redhead was amazing!
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About
On September 14, Blonde Redhead will release their third album for 4AD, titled Penny Sparkle. It is another sonic twist in their already adventurous canon. Blonde Redhead is the trio of Kazu Makino, Simone Pace and Amedeo Pace.
Blonde Redhead has always been a band that innovates with each album. They challenge themselves with each recording situation, and the results have been stunning every time. Their music is always inspired by the same emotions, but their tastes and ways they choose to execute those emotions are constantly evolving. It was the early conversations about how to make this record that led the band to work with the up and coming Swedish duo Van Rivers and The Subliminal Kid (Henrik von Sivers and Peder Mannerfelt) as producers on the record. Drew Brown (Radiohead, Beck) also did production work on the record.
This really marks the first time that the band has worked in such a collaborative manner with their producers. Kazu says, "It was a real test - it shook everything up quite a bit." In fact, they were very much working outside of their comfort level, forced to move into directions that were completely unexpected, with many different opinions in the mix, which led to many challenges along the way. With friction however - there is also great art. And that's exactly what we have with Penny Sparkle. It's a truly gorgeous album, one that the band is VERY happy with. Although it took over a year to get there, the completion of the record lifted a huge weight off the band's shoulders.
The band initially spent six months in upstate New York working on the songs for the album. Despite the beauty of their upstate surroundings, the band felt very secluded. Simone said, "I wasn't too crazy about being up there, completely isolated - it was really beautiful, but without escape...we were working all the time, from the moment we got up to when we went to bed." They couldn't just take a break and go meet friends like they could at home in New York City, so they ended up feeling quite trapped and isolated - which is a feeling that clearly echoes through Penny Sparkle.
When it came time to record, they decided to do a trial run with Henrik and Peder. Kazu headed to Sweden to work on one song, "Here Sometimes" - to see how it might go. It was a little awkward for her - working away from Amedeo and Simone with people she barely knew in the middle of the grey winter. She really loved being in Stockholm, but she felt very isolated and looked forward to working on the record again back in New York with the twins and getting their thoughts on the collaboration.
Kazu returned to New York and the band spent time working with Drew Brown at The Magic Shop to record some basic tracks, and also to work on incorporating the electronic elements that Henrik and Peder had worked on. It was over Christmas and New Year's, and it was one of the coldest winters New York had seen. No one celebrated the holidays with their families - they just worked and worked - although at times felt like they weren't accomplishing anything. When they had more tracks recorded, Kazu went back to Sweden again, as it was decided that the collaboration would work.
Finally, in February, the band realized that they in fact had accomplished quite a bit. Everyone - the band, Drew, Henrik and Peder - met together in New York to finally all work in the same room - Sear Sound. This was just a few months before Walter Sear, the studio's owner, passed away; he helped them program the moog for the sessions. This is where the songs finally found their finished form. It took a long time, and it was very difficult, but the journey it took to create Penny Sparkle is well worth it.
The results of everyone's very hard work are found in the 10 songs that comprise Penny Sparkle. It's an emotional album full of discreet electronic flourishes, lush and sultry vocals and interesting sounds never before heard on a Blonde Redhead record. Sonically, the album sounds amazing on any stereo - which was also a goal of the bands. They really wanted it to sound perfect on any type of listening device.
It's no wonder that the band has some tensions to release after recording a record like this. In their spare time, Kazu and Amedeo both turn to horse riding, and Simone escapes on his motorcycle. Speaking of spare time, it's a wonder they have any at all. Between the year that it took to make Penny Sparkle, plus the soundtrack work that Simone and Amedeo have taken on, there really isn't much time to spare at all.
Simone first got into motorcycles about 10 years ago. Since then, he has educated himself about their inner workings and can fix his own bikes - Moto Guzzi being the preferred brand.
Kazu spends time in upstate New York, where she rides and takes care of horses, including her own. It's also where she met the album's namesake horse, Penny Sparkle. The stable at which Kazu keeps her horse is the same place where she had her riding accident in 2002. It's often surprising to some that she still rides after such a horrible accident, but it really brought her closer to her hobby and made her work even harder at it. Amedeo rides too, but he enjoys more of the training side of it.
Blonde Redhead have ended up with a thing of beauty in Penny Sparkle. Despite the rocky road they went down while making it, Kazu says, "I know that we have never made a record this way and if I could go back in time, I would do it exactly the same way again." And if the band is happy, then we should all be, too.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Rating: 5 out of 5 slice of heaven...I'll have another!
by RandySinAtl on 11/10/10Variety Playhouse - AtlantaI have been lucky enough to see them 3 times now I believe and this was the second time at VP. I enjoyed it very much. This album is more heady but it still rocks, can't complain. They still did some favs from 23 and Misery. I got close this time to get some pics. I'd love to see them fill a bigger place. I read that they like to play loud and a bigger place would suit them nicely to blow it out more, when they get to rockin' What else can I say, if you like them or music anywhere near their style, this show is for you. Go see them if they come near you. I hope they make it back soon, but it will probably be another album away. Is it too early to call for a BR cover band to service the Atlanta area? I have seen ones exist for Metallica and Dave Matthews, one can only dream. I'd be happy with a nice concert Blu-ray to tide me over! Blonde Redhead rules! Lates.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Blonde Redhead
by NiNiNikkles on 11/6/10Webster Hall - New YorkStunning. The most amazing concert of my life. The setting, the lights, everything was perfect. Magical. I slept so happy that night.
Rating: 5 out of 5 WOW - nothing like seeing them LIVE!!!
by justanaveragejoe on 11/5/10Webster Hall - New YorkI've been a fan since "23", and, truth be told, was a tad disappointed with Penny Sparkle because it was a bit slow and meditative for my tastes.... or perhaps I was not prepared for that tack. Regardless, seeing them live was an absolute eye-opener. They are a GREAT band. (Sorry - I don't know any of their names!). The singer - sometime guitarist - songwriter is exquisitely powerful. From her very spiritual movements to her mesmerizing singing - or is it the other way around! - she is fantastic. The twins - drummer and (?) guitarist are truly outstanding - each equally fascinating to watch, and totally in command from a performance point of view. They were both exceptional. There was also a terrific bassist. Their stage presence was exceptional, their playing abilities tremendous... and holy crap - these "kids" can rock like there is no tomorrow! An exceptional concert experience - I've been to about 100 over the past thirty years. (btw - get there late - the back-up "band" - a loop "artist" - sucked. He sounded like someone just learning how to make tape loops... when they are bored. sorry bud - just telling it like it was.)
Rating: 4 out of 5 Amazing Show
by emorency on 11/4/10Paradise Rock Club - BostonAwesome show Great Venue !!!!!! Band was great sound was amazing !!!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/3/10Paradise Rock Club - Boston Blond redhead delivered an awesome show as always.
Rating: 4 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/3/10Paradise Rock Club - Boston Small, intimate venue had me 5 feet from the stage even when I arrived late. The lighting was dramatic, the sound levels surprisingly good for such a small space. Blonde Redhead puts on a great live show, playing favorites beautifully and slipping in just a few from the latest album. Makino has an enchanting onstage presence. Pantha du Prince helped set the mood of dreamy energy.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/3/10Paradise Rock Club - Boston this show was absolutely fantastic. it was my first time seeing blonde redhead and i think they did a stellar job. the lighting show was awesome and the music to die for obviously. go see them if you can :-)
Rating: 5 out of 5 Another great BR show!
by PinkLove on 11/3/10Paradise Rock Club - BostonI simply love this band & their unique music! Always evolving, maturing beautifully...their shows evoke a wide range of deep feelings. A truly great artistic band - I will always go out of my way to see them!
Rating: 5 out of 5 amazing
by LadyRayCello on 11/3/10Paradise Rock Club - BostonBlonde Redhead blew me away. I have been listening to their albums for about six years and have never heard them live and I was not disappointed. The changes between songs were so smooth, the energy in the audience was great, and the overall sound was fantastic. I hope to see them perform again!
Rating: 5 out of 5by niff218 on 11/3/10Paradise Rock Club - Boston My fiancee introduced me to Blonde redhead. Great band. Great performance.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/1/10The Pageant - St Louis Blonde Redhead was absolutely amazing, there just wasn't much support from the crowd. I think this was only because they are so underground, thats why they didnt sell out. But I loved all the room, I hate going to shows that are sold out cause the pit is way too crowded.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 11/1/10Variety Playhouse - Atlanta Fantastic show. Venue was perfect. The lighting was very nice and Blonde Redhead has amazing stage presence. Washed Out was a little boring and long, but was still enjoyable.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Out of key, out of touch.
by thezor on 10/31/10First Avenue - MinneapolisI went to this concert having not heard their latest release. Wireless technology is never a good idea. Kazu's in-ear monitor failed, and there were no floor backups on stage. She sang out of key, off tempo and often conflicted with backing track. I love their studio stuff. I advise anyone not wanting to be completely disenchanted with this otherwise amazing musical act to steer clear of live events in the future. It was a pretty strong setlist other than the lack of my personal favorites. It seemed like it was heavy on tracks from 23. I didn't hear Misery is a Butterfly, which is pretty much my favorite track. Also there was no In Particular.
Rating: 3 out of 5by Anonymous on 10/27/10The Pageant - St. Louis Very little crowd interaction from the band. While I do not expect the cheesy "Hey St. Louis we really like it in this town," something would have been nice. I was quite surprised that they did not perform "Equus." Pitchfork listed that in their Top 500 tracks of the last decade. It's a great song with a lot of energy. It's often the only Blonde Redhead song people know. It's on samplers that get passed out.
Rating: 3 out of 5 From mild to hard rock!!!!
by taddra on 10/26/10First Avenue - MinneapolisThe event started too late to be Sunday. The first songs were not easy to appreciate. From the middle to the end, the concert was great!!! The drummmer was unbelievable!!!(five stars!!!) About the singers: she was not so good as she can. He was great. I would recommend to this music band to play more "hard rock" songs.
Rating: 5 out of 5by Anonymous on 10/26/10First Avenue - Minneapolis The show was great. Blonde redhead played songs from a mix of albums, and the back-lit light show added to the magic of the night. Sometimes it seemed as though the crowd was lit more than the band. Grade A experience.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Through the fog
by coolwillie2 on 10/20/10Magic Stick - DetroitWhile the music sounded good, I paid good money to go to "SEE" a show. The band produced this fog (at their Magic Stick show in Downtown Detroit) that made them literally invisible on stage, which was a huge disappointment. I could have stayed at home and "LISTENED" to the music. I went to "SEE" the show. HUGE disappointment and they would have to pay me to go "LISTEN" to them next time.