About 4 times a day people say to me, “Alex, all you listen to is blasphemous death metal, what’s up with you? Also, you look handsome today.”

Well I’m here to reply to that. First of all, yes, I am handsome, there is no denying that.

Secondly, no I listen to far more than just blasphemous, satanic death metal. Some of my favorite artists include Roky Erickson, Morrisey, American Werewolves, The Strokes, Kate Bush, Ween, Queens of The Stone Age, Beck, Cee-lo, The Police, Outkast, Etta James, Young Jeezy, Wu-Tang, and other groups and artists that have now been, and will potentially be raped by the popularization of skate video parts effortlessly tossed onto Youtube.

I do however, often like to sit back in my favorite chair, grab a Yoohoo, close my eyes, and travel across the world to various parts of Africa and the Balkans, (look! a toucan! a vodka distillery! Chernobyl!) here are some of my favorite worldly artists:
Just because I have no idea what the hell they’re talking about doesn’t mean the music isn’t both beautiful and powerful.

Idir, is an Algerian ex-pat living in France. Burbur is the language of choice in Algeria and again, despite not knowing what this guy is saying, I love this song and the entire record.

I heard about Boban Marković by reading up on Beirut’s Zach Condon, another artist I absolutely love/admire. When Condon was 17 he fell in love with Balkan Folk music, notably Marković. Brass attack from this dude, he rules. Good drinking music.

If anyone has any suggestions for any other great worldly artists, feel free to shoot them my way!

A few randoms from the past few weeks.

One of my favorite bands ever is Ween. Something about their energy, their ability to adapt to any genre and take it on perfectly matched with amazing live shows brings me happiness and I’m proud to say that I’ve followed them around the US to experience their presence.

My best bud Brandon Hale just launched his Chicago-centric music blog bangbangslang and wanted a poster to promote Ween’s Friday live show. Since I’ve been doing most of the creative work on the blog Brandon contacted me to come up with something and he shot me a few photos for reference.

After both deciding on the exploding Chicago dog I went my own way with it and Ween was so psyched on it that they’re using it as their poster to promote the show this Friday in the windy city. They were awesome enough to link back to bangbangslang’s blog as well for the support.

So make sure to check out Brandon’s site for music reviews, concert updates and plenty of shenanigans as well as Ween’s website and Facebook fan page for updates on the bands’ going ons.
Thanks for being so brown Ween!

If anyone in is in NYC check out my buddy Brett Land’s band Razor Tail playing with the Goat and Bad Shit. Should be a night of debauchery, shredding and craze.

Roky Erickson is releasing his first new material in 14 years on Tuesday.
On the album, True Love Cast Out All Evil Erickson will be backed by Okkervill River.
Here’s a little interview with Roky I found.

edit: just heard the entire record and it is absolutely beautiful, a real look into Erickson’s soul. I have a feeling i’ll be listening to this one for a while.