We'll Mine Our Sparks to Shoot Us Above!

I've already listened to "Excuses" 6 times this morning, which has probably been the average number of times I've listened to it per day since Monday.  

The Morning Benders have become my recent obsession after my roommate played this video for me on Monday. Lovin' the 1960's throwback/fun vocal harmonies. I can't get over how such a strong voice comes from such a skinny half-Asian dude! I will have to go see this for myself when they play the Housing Works Hype Machine CD Swap next Thursday, February 25th. (Upon which, you should then head over to 45 Bleecker for the long awaited Father Figures Record Release Show, featuring opening act, The Relatives, back from Prague!)

The Morning Benders' new album, Big Echo, comes out on Rough Trade Records on March 9th. Co-produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear, you can guess there's gonna be some wacky accented beats and instrumentation. Until then, check out their cover of The Cardigans' "Lovefool."

Polonaise Hollandaise

Though I had my fair share of learning some beautiful pieces, the one classical piano piece I wish I learned while I was still studying is this one, Chopin's Polonaise in A-flat Major, Op. 53. I bought the sheet music for this a couple of years ago with the hopes of one day teaching it to myself, and the process has been pretty slow going. Luckily, in the wonderful age of technology, I now have Vladimir Horowitz to show me how it's done. Check out his expression at the end; I'd feel the same if I could play it like him!