if Tara’s recommendation isn’t enough for you, let it be know that Tim, of Tim & Robin listed The National as one of the best bands he’s ever heard. and they’ve gone to more live shows that you have. maybe someone should be buying an album on itunes… but I’ll let Tara explain another reason why.
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I’ve decided that being from Ohio is a blessing in disguise. It’ll keep you humble. Not easy to get too big for your britches when you hail from the Buckeye State. Yeah, the buckeye is a tree that produces poisonous nuts. That nut is personified as Brutus, the mascot of Ohio State University. We don’t claim to take ourselves too seriously. It’s an underdog state if the country ever knew one. Of course, hailing from Oklahoma, this isn’t anything that I could expect Aric to relate to;)
All of that notwithstanding, I am pleased to be an OhiOan because OhiOans are a proud and hearty lot. They have to be to endure not only being constantly denigrated by other states, but also dreadful winters and terrible professional sports teams. (Bengals and Browns fans send all hate mail to Aric, not me. Thanks)
I’ve noticed a trend in the last few years of indie nods to Ohio. It seems that inserting the word, “Ohio†into a songs title or chorus is a hip thing to do. Hipster irony, no doubt, but, and if I could be allowed to speak for my state just now, Ohio will take all the credit it can while the gettins’ good.
These boys, The National, blew up after I flew the coop for Turkey, so I can’t personally relate to the phenomenon that is “them†having never seen them live. But having had a listen to many of their tracks now, I think people may find them refreshing for one simple reason: they just seem like good guys that like to rock out. To women, maybe they seem like the ex boyfriend that you managed to stay friends with. To guys, that guy at your high school that was friends with everyone and never tried to steal your girl. They’re not trying to uproot any genre limitations or flip the bird to the establishment or any such behavior. I think they’re just making music for the sheer joy of it; a sentiment so forgotten in an overglossed industry that it almost feels precious.
The National – Bloodbuzz Ohio
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This track is gorgeous, the singer has such a deep sexy voice. So love that. I’m definitely going to check out more of their work. Thanks Tara!
yes, that voice……..
“hipster irony”! love it!
i lived in athen’s for a few years. pretty appalachian town, great hikes, yummy morels to hunt and loads of live local music. my then bf and i owned and operated a a few retail spaces during the stationary winter months, one of them being the blossom amphitheater. live music was our life. Ohio itself was o.k. and without a doubt a very proud mix of liberal and conservative folks. yeah, ohio. thanks for giving us the nationals, the pretenders, the cramps; and an occasional bump in with jorma kaukonen. and of course, our very own tara.
aric-nice canvas, minimal and clean.
ohio – home of ed from firehose. and more importantly, bob pollard. must be something worthwhile there.
Leslie W – you should. they’re fantastic.
~A – thank ya. and Ohio gave us you + Tara? approved.
Robin – and the Players!