"Mouse House"

Priceless video of the Fiery Furnaces performing "Mouse House" at a Pancake Mountain dance party can be seen here.

I think I may have heard a small voice in the back: "What the heck is Pancake Mountain?"
See below:

Fiery Furnaces — "Navy Nurse" Video

See also: Ex-Guru

Fiery Furnaces on KCRW

Just a shade over a month ago, The Fiery Furnaces recorded a set with Nic Harcourt of the excellent "Morning Becomes Eclectic" on KCRW, in Santa Monica, CA. I missed the actual broadcast, but thanks to the wonders of bit torrent, I was able to hear this broadcast in its entirety.

01. Intro
02. Duplexes of the Dead
03. Automatic Husband
04. Ex-Guru
05. My Egyptian Grammar
06. Japanese Slippers
07. Widow City
08. Interview
09. Navy Nurse
10. The Philadelphia Grand Jury
11. Clear Signal From Cairo
12. Outro

It's clear that Matt and Eleanor have a great time making music together. If you download just one of these tracks, choose wisely: Navy Nurse will rock your freakin' socks off. I know— I'm sitting here at my desk, typing in my bare feet.

Special thanks to Priscilla, who turned me on to The Fiery Furnaces. It's been a wild nonsensical trip, but I love it.

If you're lucky enough to have an account on DIME, here's the link.
[Widow City @ Amazon]

The Fiery Furnaces — "Ex-Guru" Video

From this past week's newest release Widow City.

Fire in Downtown Raleigh

The Fiery Furnaces roared through Raleigh last night at the Lincoln Theatre, Friday 06-Jul-2007.

I was proud to have arrived early enough to catch most of the opening act, an L.A. band called Dios, who really rocked the house. I found myself watching the drummer much of the time who was front and center, as he was so animated and energetic, and had a really subtle sense of humor with faux yawns and the like. Great band-- loads of energy, and excellent guitar playing, on 12-string acoustic alternated with a Guild hollow-body electric. I was left wishing I had caught their entire set.

The Fiery Furnaces took the stage very shortly after Dios' energetic set, and being up front, I couldn't have been more happier. I was pretty much dead center, amid a group of fans like me that knew their songs, and couldn't help move around a bit.

The main set was essentially a Two-Act affair. Act I was all songs from their latest release from 2006's Bitter Tea. I was blown away with the double percussionists one Bob D'Amico and another whose name escapes me (sorry) and an ace guitar player Jason Lowenstein. And of course the cibling duo Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger. I am almost certain it was just the duo when they took the stage at ACLF, 2005.

Be that as it may, we had a full band in front of us tonight, and they really rocked hard . Most if not all of the arrangements were different, but most notably, Matt was absent on vocals. For the entire show, actually. That didn't keep him from playing the KORG organ, however. Eleanor sang and ripped through those rapid-fire lyrics of hers that never fail to mesmerize. In fact, I have been addicted to Bitter Tea all day long. Tonight's pot went down quite easily.

Act II was comprised of choice cuts from Blueberry Boat, Gallowsbird's Bark, and EP. The latter of which features a timely song "Here Comes the Summer." In addition, Eleanor introduced a couple numbers as being on a new record due out in the fall. One of which was "Widow City" (I think) from the album of the same name. Good stuff. The band seemed to be having a good time on stage, but I'm not sure the entire crowd was into it, liked I had hoped they would be. We were treated to a few encores, including a bit of "Chris Michaels." It was a great set, and I was left wanting more.

After the show I hit the merch table for a vinyl copy of their latest and to pick up Dios (malos). My friend Jonathan (who picked up a copy as well) and I made our way down to the stage, where Matt was helping to break down the stage. I politely asked if he could sign my album, which he was very happy to oblige. We chatted a bit and I asked if Eleanor would be out later, and he said she would be. True to word, she came around to the pit a few moments later and signed my record.

We chatted a bit about Chuy's in Austin, and the music festivals for which the city is renowned. Why they're not on the line-up this year is beyond me. Surprisingly, I didn't find myself quite so tongue-tied talking with her, even though I think I have a RSGF* crush. Oh, and Eleanor, on the off chance you read this, the name of the place on Barton Springs is Shady Grove. I knew it would come to me.

[* Rock Star Girl Friend]

+ The Fiery Furnaces — Benton Harbor Blues Again.mp3
+ The Fiery Furnaces — Waiting to Know You.mp3
from Bitter Tea, 2006

+ Dios Malos — I Want it All.mp3
+ Dios Malos — Tokyo Sunrise (Excerpt From Flight Sequence).mp3
from Dios (malos), 2005

ACLF-Day Two

Day two.
There are a few things I didn't realize before yesterday. Parking is not the easiest thing to come by in Austin. Okay--reasonable parking. There are lots and then there are lots that charge LOTS for parking. And then there's the shuttles, which although they are free to ride, take ~30 min. to get to Zilker. So... being the savvy young couple we are, L. and I figured out (with the help of Aunt and Uncle) how to catch the Austin Cap Metro to within walking distance of the park. We drove a scant few miles, parked the rental, and rode with relative ease on the metro bus. I think we'll be repeating this process tomorrow, as it seemed to be the best solution to getting there stress-free.

The highlight for both of us turned up early in the evening-- The Fiery Furnaces. Although the set was an hour long... they have a very unique way of blending tempos, nonsensical lyrics and first-rate guitar playing into a what seemed to be a full set. They played many songs that I knew, but to my surprise, played some new cuts off of an upcoming album, due out next month. It was a great set, and their live show lived up to the hype. Other artists that rounded out Day Two included: a short segment from the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Bruce Robison, Bloc Party, and a few songs from Oasis. Oasis, although a headliner, disappointed this fan. I guess I should have seen them back during their heydey of the late 90's. Those are the songs I really wanted to hear anyway. I'm not cynical... I don't think... but I guess I just didn't want to hear anything but the older songs.

OH! Inbetween sets, I was able to strap on a Gibson SG Standard and rock out at the "G-Pod." I was thankful that I have such an understanding girlfriend, who, although she had to pee, allowed me to be a kid and play a little guitar. She's a keeper-- though I already knew that. :)

It's time for bed... Day Three is nearly here.