Daily Archives: July 29th, 2007

Mates of State

All right so if someone were to ask me, “Hey Erick, what kind of sound would you like to hear in a band?” Well then I’d be forced to answer “They’d have to be a male/female duo. One of them would have to play drums and the other play piano or occasionally the organ. And finally they would have to meet and form in Kansas.” And what do you know! I come across Mates of State with Kori Gardner on vocals, electric piano, organ, occasional guitar and Jason Hammel on vocals, drum set, glockenspiel, and other various percussion. Read more about them here and then watch this video “Like U Crazy” which really shows many but not all sides of their sound.

I hate to compare them to other bands but some stuff reminds me of a more stripped down Stars, in a good way, and maybe a more lo-fi Postal Service, perhaps? Their latest album is Bring It Back which I definitely recommend checking out, especially if you like the dynamic between a male and female vocalist.

Official Site

Myspace

-Erick

A song by Dia & Ian performed by Meg & Dia

All right, so occasionally I will post about an artist which I may not particularly find that good but will admit they have a good song. I’m not sure if that makes sense. Anyway I came across this band, Meg & Dia, on youtube playing this incredibly sad song “Yellow Butterfly” apparentally written by Dia and Ian, otherwise known as the Yellow Butterfly Project. My apologies if that was confusing…just watch.

From Dia and Ian’s myspace:

Back in July of 05′ Dia and I decided we should hang out once more before she left town. She came to my house, (since I did not have a car or drivers license) and we found ourselves in my music room. She started playing this song on my piano and I asked her if we could record it. Dia worked out a structure, I followed along on drums, then added guitars and bass. It was recorded on some of the lowest quality recording equipment known to man, but I still think it came out fantastic! After we recorded it, we thought of a name for our project, made a myspace, and took a picture! And so it was, the Yellow Butterfly Project was born!!!

Myspace the Yellow Butterfly Project – if you want to hear the audio version. I think the live version is the way to go.

Official site and Myspace for Meg & Dia who you saw perform the song. They just released album last year Something Real.

So my opinion, whatever that may mean to you, is well… I wouldn’t go as far as to call them bad or generic, they just don’t appeal to my tastes. Check them out though, Meg & Dia, if they pique your interest.

-Erick

Update - So the song is a bit indulgent and lyrics over-the-top perhaps? But damn it, I like it nonetheless. Also here’s the mp3 of the “studio” version, if you want it.

Yellow Butterfly (Mp3)