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17 posts tagged Mike Mogis
Stream: First Aid Kit, ‘The Lion’s Roar’
From the title track to their Rosanne Cash-approved homage to Johnny, June Carter, Gram, and Emmylou, previews of the Söderberg sisters’ sophomore LP promised a big step forward for the Swedish duo. Now we get to hear the Mike Mogis-produced set in full, complete with guest vocals from Conor Oberst on the triumphant closing track “King of the World,” the seasonally apropos “New Year’s Eve,” and 8 more of some of the best folk tunes we’ve heard so far in 2012. Without further ado, get acquainted with The Lion’s Roar above (via Paste).
First Aid Kit: “Emmylou” (Official Video)
First Aid Kit filmed a clip for their new homage to Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, and June Carter in the perfect location: Joshua Tree National Park, one of Parsons’ favorite haunts and — according to a famous ’70s rock story — his final resting place. Not only did the Swedish duo get the setting and reverent allusion to that story just right, but they also shot this scenic video on what would have been Parsons’ 65th birthday last November. Above, enjoy the Maximilla Lukacs-directed clip and excellent Mike Mogis-produced single from The Lion’s Roar.
First Aid Kit: “Lion’s Roar” Video
The title track off First Aid Kit’s Mike Mogis-produced sophomore album, The Lion’s Roar, now has an official video, in which the Söderberg sisters guide a mysterious procession through the woods before uncovering the contents of a suitcase submerged on the floor of a murky lake. The clip, directed by “Ghost Town” collaborator Mats Udd, becomes the tune’s darkly pastoral mix of familiar folk arrangements with haunting harmonies quite well. Check it out above.
First Aid Kit: “The Lion’s Roar”
The title track from First Aid Kit’s sophomore LP, The Lion’s Roar, premiered at The Guardian today, picking up where the Söderberg sisters’ nuanced, vocal harmony-driven debut left off before exploring a layered full-band sound that recalls a number of their folk-rock contemporaries (Fleet Foxes, Neko Case, et al.). With a little help from producer/Bright Eyes multi-instrumentalist Mike Mogis, they’ve taken a promising step forward here while retaining the indelible spirit behind The Big Black and the Blue that caught our attention last year. Give it a spin above.
Over the weekend, we prepared for First Aid Kit’s forthcoming LP by giving the Swedish folk duo’s recent Patti Smith tribute its due, but now comes the big announcement: On January 24, Wichita Records will unleash Klara and Johanna Söderberg’s sophomore effort, The Lion’s Roar, featuring production by Bright Eyes’ Mike Mogis as well as guest performances from the Omaha troupe’s other two official members: Conor Oberst and multi-instrumentalist Nate Walcott.
If you’re unfamiliar with First Aid Kit’s work thus far, I’d recommend their debut album’s single here. Otherwise, behold the album cover above and a trailer for the new set, which includes footage from Mogis’ ARC Studios, along with a live clip of one new tune below. *Update: Stream the title track here.
Bright Eyes “Jejune Stars” Video
In which Conor Oberst and friends break out the pyrotechnics for the new official clip to The People’s Key single “Jejune Stars.” Check out the video above, created by Where the Wild Things Are cinematographer Lance Acord, who also directed this year’s viral Super Bowl commercial for Volkswagen, “The Force.”
Previously: Bright Eyes’ “Shell Games” Video
Bright Eyes On ‘Leno’ - “Beginner’s Mind”
The last time Bright Eyes made an appearance on a Jay Leno-hosted Tonight Show, Conor Oberst got decked out in cowboy garb for a show-stopping solo take on his then-new protest song “When the President Talks to God.” While that folk tune aptly pried our attention via identifiable allusions, tonight’s The People’s Key affair was a lot less confrontational, although plenty entertaining in its own right. Enjoy “Beginner’s Mind” above (via Audio Perv) — or alongside every Bright Eyes late-night TV performance here. Also, do yourself a favor by catching the band on (perhaps their final) tour.
Video: Bright Eyes @ SXSW 2011 (Pop-Up Show)
While I did manage to soak in a mind-boggling amount of promising new bands in Austin over the past busy week, catching one of two Bright Eyes sets was simply not in the cards (they’re playing nearby soon anyway). Thankfully, the Internets have it covered, as Spinner dutifully filmed Conor and the boys’ AOL pop-up show on Friday — complete with closeups, soundboard-quality audio, and flattering, crystal chandelier-adorned indirect lighting. Congrats: you’re on The List and can enjoy the 45-minute set above.
Pull-quote (by Oberst): “This next song is about trying to not become a cynical asshole. Tall order, I guess. But SXSW is a good place to explore that, because you have the greenest of the green and the [most poisoned] of the poisoned, walking next to each other.”
Moments ago, Bright Eyes performed a rousing rendition of new The People’s Key cut “Jejune Stars” on the Late Show with David Letterman, which I was about to share as a solo video post before reflecting on the possibility of this being among their last string of TV appearances and fondly remembering past notable post-midnight moments from Conor Oberst and friends.
Our first listen to I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning, for example, arrived when they played opening cut “At the Bottom of Everything” on the then Craig Kilborn-hosted Late Late Show with the following political, provocative dedication from Oberst: “This song’s for the governor of California [Arnold Schwarzenegger] and the president of the United States [George W. Bush], two men I admire a lot… for their biceps and their creepy, fascist agendas.” And then, of course, there’s “When the President Talks to God” on the Tonight Show, as well as a trumpet-smashing performance/interview with Craig Ferguson.
So, without further ado, an 8-year span of Bright Eyes on late night television:
Video: Bright Eyes - “Shell Games”
Not unlike their future tourmates Titus Andronicus’ latest official video, Bright Eyes filmed their “Shell Games” clip in a snow-covered setting, though this scene is decidedly more cozy as Conor Oberst and friends (other band members, an owl, a horse, etc.) keep their The People’s Key party inside before rocking out around a bonfire. And then the morning after: a monkey and kangaroo (?) explore discarded equipment. Okay, this official video officially has nothing to do with “heavy love” or Sisyphus, but cheers to director Nik Fackler for making me wish I was there.