Unearthed Gem of a Song: "The Golden Path" by The Chemical Brothers & The Flaming Lips

I have extolled the virtue of radio -- online or otherwise -- as a source for new music but it can also bring a song into your day that you haven't heard in so long that it feels like new.  Such was the case when "The Golden Path" aired on KEXP last week.  I felt the thrill of discovery all over again, even as I remembered how I loved the song when it appeared as a single back in 2003.  It has an intricate, electronic chug provided by The Chemical Brothers underneath that wacky laid back yet timeless vibe, via vocals by The Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne. Stephen Drozd of the band chimes in with the transcendent harmonies during the chorus.

The first thing I did was buy a copy for my music stash, which immediately felt bereft without it. (Maybe I owned a CD of it at one point? The cover artwork here does look familiar.) Looking online for a video, I found this live version from the MTV 2003 European Music Awards at a huge outdoor venue. While I have issues with the constant swirling crowd shots and cropped close ups of the performers, Coyne's stage presence is always a joy to behold.  It's fun to see his shout outs translated, for example "Come on everybody!" becomes "Vamos todos!"  He even slips in how he's going to tell us a little story before starting the down the lyrical path, allowing more Oklahoman country twang than in the produced track.

Check out the video below and if this song isn't in your collection, it should be!  Plus, another required update is "Peace Sword," The Flaming Lips' epic new song from the movie The Ender's Game.

Videos for Moby's "The Perfect Life" (Album Due September 30)

Yesterday Moby released another new song called "The Perfect Life" from his upcoming album, The Innocents, (due September 30 via Mute Records). This collaboration with wacky Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips is being called an "epic electronic soul track" by the label. 

The track begins as a sing along with an uplifting chorus, Flaming Lips style, yielding to a soaring melody by a songstress that acts as a typical Moby stamp of approval. The musicians share the verses, then continue on together in through the choruses. "The Perfect Life" video was shot in L.A. with these two dressed as Mariachis. Moby posted a casting call on his Facebook with some very specific requests: S&M gimp rhythmic gymnast, eight roller-skating ghosts, 12 goth choir members, a punk rock brass band, and a drunk king (guy with beard age 35-50).  I love the scenes of this funny pair just making their way through the streets of the city in full, yet somehow adorable, costume. According to my brother out on the West Coast the filming took place in downtown L.A. on Broadway between 6th and 8th where there are many old theaters -- The Palace gets a nice cameo. Check it out below, along with an impromptu teaser which finds Coyne in frontman mode egging people on to sing just like he does so well in concerts with The Flaming Lips.

Moby explains, "A few weeks ago Wayne and I spent the day making a video for 'The Perfect Life'.  Then at the end of the day we broke out an acoustic guitar and gathered all of the extras on a rooftop overlooking L.A and sang an unrehearsed, impromptu version of the song.  Please keep in mind we had no idea what we were doing." The pair met in 1995 when they were both openers for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' European tour.  Moby says, "I thought of Wayne for this song because The Flaming Lips have evolved in this very open, celebratory band when they play live,and that was the perfect vibe for what I was imagining for ‘The Perfect Life.’ I texted Wayne and said, ‘Hey, I have a song – want to sing on it?’ Thirty seconds later, he texted me back: ‘Yes, send it to me, it will be great.” Indeed!

Moogfest 2011 Recap & My Brian Eno Airport Encounter

For all you people who keep asking, "What's Moogfest?"  Here's a recap of this awesome festival in Asheville, NC. It pays tribute to Bob Moog, inventor of the modern synthesizer and founder of Moog Music, now located in a renovated brick building right in town.  This year the Halloween weekend event expanded from four to six venues with approximately 25 acts to choose from a night and four afternoon panels/workshops during each day.  It was also attended by 28,000 people, catching a wide variety of acts such as The Flaming Lips' Wayne Coyne, Dan Deacon, plus NBC's "Community" and Childish Gambino frontman Donald Glover.

My write up for PopMatters is here and see posts from the weekend: Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3 on the blog for a more complete review of Moogfest 2011.  Leaving town, I also happened upon a key turning point in my life. After running into Brian Eno in passing at our hotel, we were behind him in line at the airport to check in as he searched his bag for any identification.  Eno was actually relieved to see us as he explained to the airport personnel that we were "together at the festival" so we could vouch for him. Since his passport had been stolen, we were honored to be in such a position but felt for the guy as he said it'd had even happened before. Paul would later joke that it'd be a hard Halloween costume to pull off but for that moment we were more concerned with just getting him on our plane.  Fortunately, it was a small airport and there were only a few obstacles.  As we were waved along, I took his elbow and told him how I had a very famous English name, Jane Seymour like the favorite wife of King Henry the Eighth, and to page me if needed.  

Photo in our hotel lobby - he liked Paul's hat!

Paul and I went ahead through security to the gate and sat listening to a U2 song playing through the sound system, how ironic. Not only did Eno write the influential electronic music composition called "Music for Airports" in 1978 but he produced that U2 album back in the day.  If the airport staff only knew!  I went back to see if Brian Eno had made it through the security line when I heard that charming man's accent call soft and low, in the dulcet tones of a soothing baritone. "Jane."  I can honestly now say I like my name -- it's my mother's name so I never felt like it was my own, growing up with various nicknames.  I quickly turned around to see him behind me in the shopping kiosk, happily browsing for reading material.  We had a quick chat about how lucky he was to make it through the boarding process.  Later, he even joined us sitting by the gate and as we all just heard the Talking Heads song, "Take Me to the River."  

"You know I was listening to that and thought, what a great song it was," Eno told us. "I totally forgot I had anything to do with it!" We all had a good laugh as the conversation turned as he asked us what business we were in and why we were at Moogfest. A fan came over and rambled on about how he loved Eno's music etc. (Probably just like we sounded as we rode the hotel elevator with him days earlier!) There was a pause before Eno stood up and shook his hand to send the fanboy on his way. We were able to continue our beyond-the-surface experience with the icon before boarding the flight.

So here's to Moogfest and all it offers.  Start making plans to travel to this unique, artsy town this October!

Moogfest 2011 Day #2

The eventful morning began with a fire alarm blasting throughout the hotel about 9:30 am.  I threw something decent on in anticipation of perhaps running into a band member or two but there were only a smattering of people who took things seriously.  After a visit from the Asheville Fire Department, it was determined that  overly steamy shower had set off the alarm.  (Hard to imagine as the shower stalls are so huge that it's hard to warm things up before hopping in!)  It was good exercise to walk down the stairs six floors so we did the same back up to finish getting ready the day.  On the way down later, we stepped into an elevator with the one and only Brian Eno who was giving an "Illustrated Talk" about his art exhibit in town later that afternoon.  Paul was the one to confirm his identity and them became completely starstruck as I've never seen him.  I had to chime in about how we've been fans since the days of Roxy Music -- to which he replied something charming about how I didn't seem old enough... we asked for a photo in the lobby with Paul's hat that Mr. Eno liked (he was such a sweet guy, full of compliments!)

Later, while waiting to enter the building for the lecture I saw a white commercial van going by with a bunch of guys in the back eyeing the line to get in... with one of them looking like Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips!  I could help but smile, giving him a cheery wave and when he waved back I threw him a thumbs up.  What a moment to share but no one but myself, at the time anyway. The Flaming Lips are one of my fave bands and I had never seen them play live -- until later that night!  Definitely the highlight of the day, maybe even the entire festival.  Can now check them off my concert bucketlist, with their blow out showmanship with huge balloons, strobe lights, confetti blasts and of course fully realized songs.  It was cold in the parking lot venue, but the crowd closed in and Coyne had everyone up the noise to keep everyone warm. As a tribute to Bob Moog, they lovingly played a Flaming Lips version of Emerson Lake & Palmer's "Lucky Man"with its original synth solo, although this time played on an ipad app.  The final song, "Do You Realize" was a sing along I'll always remember.  See below for photos from the show, along with scenes on the streets of Asheville and clips from the other acts of the day (Cant, The Naked & Famous, Adrian Belew, Amon Tobin, and St. Vincent).