|
|
|
11/4/02 - Rogue Donuts - Friday, Nov. 8 No Cover
I hope this email finds you all well. I realize
these have been particularly trying times. I'd love to see you this Friday. It
should be a fun show. Either way, drop a line if you feel so moved. It's always
good to hear from you. Rogue Donuts Music, Art & Donuts at the
Rogue Buddha Gallery The Rogue Buddha Gallery For more info on the Coma Savants Leslie Ball's Friends Present - Two fabulous
evenings of music, comedy, dance, performance and treats to benefit: Schedule: 3/25/02 - another review of the new CD, from Toast Online: PABLO: Bitches and Machines pablo@sursumcorda.com 612-384-7202 There’s huge lots mucho good to say about “Bitches and Machines,” the dynamite sophomore effort from Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter Pablo. Pegged by some as a “Folk artist with a post-punk sensibility,” I prefer to describe Pablo as “Some guy with a guitar who, lyrically and experimentally, makes the rest of the CD’s currently in my CD player sound like shit. And I don’t listen to shit.” This CD grabbed my attention right from the start, when the ending to the initial track, “Rebecca,” made me laugh out loud with surprise at Pablo’s slyness. Track 9, “Seed Dude,” is hilarious filler. Other tracks such as the title track and “Firecracker” show his ability to craft a memorable tune or two. Also noteworthy here is the strong production, which highlights a creatively tracked and paced CD. But what impressed me the most about Pablo is his interesting lyrical work: “Rebecca/I never liked your name/That’s why I changed it for this song,” or “My father is a giant/I can provoke him…I know how to hurt him/But what profit is there in conquering the dead and dying.” Creative, unusual and eclectic, “Bitches and Machines” is a treat for sore ears. (Deneen Gannon) 3/7/02 - new review of "bitches and machines here... from suite101... 12/17/01 - new release, "bitches and machines" in stores on tuesday, december 19, 2001... buy it online now here... here is the first review for your reading pleasure: Pablo: "Bitches and Machines" Describing Pablo's latest release presents a hair-trigger trap for any lover of music and words. Beware the pitfalls of trying to evoke this inventive, soulful collection in print. The most loathsome music-critic clichés - you know, the ones that hail the artist as an Amazing Musician and catapult his work into the realm of the Groundbreaking Masterpiece - lie in wait, just asking to be dredged up by the laziest or least original writers. Thing is, "Bitches and Machines" really is the kind of album that dares the listener to describe it in superlatives. Pablo has been described as a folk artist with a post-punk sensibility, as a poet influenced by everyone from Lenny Bruce to Walt Whitman, as an unnervingly honest crafter of obscene and eloquent anti-tunes - and it's all true. But those phrases don't evoke the palpable, mind-body rush of listening to his work. "Bitches and Machines" isn't just an aural experience. The disc's many musical charms are confident and theatrical, its poetry is as evocative as your favorite literature, and its surprisingly contagious sway-along vibes, tucked within some of the most unpredictable songs in recent memory, pulse with subtle, seductive lust. Pablo has never, ever been associated with a connect-the-dots pop sensibility - but this new collection fosters such a vital swell of connection, it's tempting to croon and howl along with its every unconventional note. Produced by Sursumcorda founder Dave Wesley, "Bitches and Machines" is a far more polished effort than Pablo's acclaimed 1997 collection, "Vulgar Modalities." The singer's instinctively raw vocals are still there, as genuine as ever - but this work contains layers of production that enhance its every mood: purposeful beeps and loops bring a low-tech, mechanical beat to "When We Were Animals," while a soft, cavernous echo adds depth to the "endless swallow" of "You Are Special." Most of all, fans of "Vulgar Modalities" will recognize the collection's tingling intimacy, so complex and familiar it's like listening to a stranger read passages from a diary you threw away for fear of discovery. Pablo is nothing if not authentic, and his gift for exploring dynamics and power struggles - both within and without - is in full bloom here. "My Father is a Giant" stands as a prime example of his knack for telling the whole tale: a spare, bittersweet rumination, the song drags its bone-deep love for an enigmatic parent through a landscape of sadness and cynicism. When Pablo sings, "I can provoke him ... I can wash his feet, or I can hurt him - yeah, I know how to hurt him," it's clear that he's documenting the decline of every family, of every parent's inevitable fall from grace and every child's secret, heartbreaking disillusionment at the idea that God is just another balding, middle-aged guy. Likewise, the album's lyrical title track (as well as the easygoing, techno-groovy riff "Shotgun") are love songs based unapologetically, recognizably in real life. "Bitches and Machines" comes wrapped in a poetical package, as its infectious chorus demonstrates: "We're bitches, we're machines, we're spitting, biting pearls." But the tune's hum-able interludes and passionate, lush imagery are only half the story. The song is at once a vulnerable acknowledgement of helplessness and a thinking man's ironic statement of regret at his own self-awareness. It's a yowling, yearning plea for transcendence, stubbornly unwilling to concede defeat but wily enough to admit the battle is over. When Pablo records an account of his life (and ours), it's with a clear eye - lovingly, maybe, but always resolutely within the embrace of his own shortcomings. There's plenty more to mine within "Bitches and Machines," be it the spiritual awakening of "Thunder and the Sun"; the goofy, shaggy-dog story of "Seed Dude"; or the hopeful "I Asked God," which belies the sweet conviction that the ruler of the universe wields a benevolent big stick. The juxtapositions within all 14 tracks - poignant but sharp, structured but loose, simultaneously organic and mechanic - only serve to deepen the connection with every new listen. Pablo rides the waves of his contradictions so well, navigating his own storms and peaceful rhythms with such an amiable, creative intelligence, that he opens up a new insight into yours. To steal a line from "When We Were Animals," Pablo takes his listeners on a brand new trip with this collection - "jogging through the freshest parts of the truest places." 8/9/01 - New record coming very very soon... 3/6/00 - Check out the bootlegs section. We just did another net gig complete with a Realaudio slide show. This one's a little more offbeat. We had a small cast and special guest Chris Jurek showcasing a very funny bit that includes his portrayal of 80's icon Lou Diamond Phillips. Stay slap happy and cashed up. Love. Pablo.
If you check out the "bootlegs" page on the website, there are some photo's from the Chicago trip and a new song available for your downloading/streaming pleasure. Some of you might recognize my road-mate from her heddy days as a TV legend. Email me if you can make a positive ID. The other fella pictured is my pal Ben, who now lives in Chicago and is the very same "Ben" I refer to in the song "Vienne." May great waves of happiness make it difficult for you to breathe. Pablo. Friday, February 25th at the Bryant Lake Bowl -Minneapolis as part of the Noiseless series. for more info call 612-825-8949 1/8/00 - So my pal Dave says "Hey...umm. Like I've got some time man. Do you... well like, how 'bout we do a show." I respond with my usual spunk "ummm..shure. Yeahhh...that'd be...cool. Ok." Then Dave says he'll record it and broadcast it on his website. We both were totally jazzed on the idea. At first I thought it would be really, really important to bring in a lot of really, really great kids. Like maybe, some strippers and a circus act or two. Nothing fancy, just a high wire dude or a funny clown or something. Dave's wife wasn't too happy about the high wire guy. Apparently some "work" would need to be done on the "house" whatever that means. And when me and Dave found out strippers cost money, well that pretty much nixed that cool idea. After a lot of long thinking, we just got some guys to come over before the game. If you look at the photos posted on the site, you'll see there wasn't such a good turn out. In fact there was one guy who probably should've stayed at home, because that motherf***er was one chatty Cathy. Blah, blah, blah through almost the whole show. If you listen to the show and get the feeling that I am occasionally hostile, you'll know why. Find the archived show in my bootlegs section...
12/30/99 - Just wanted to drop a line after these last dates and thank everyone
for putting out high-style while I was on the road. A grand spicy blessing
to those of you who cleared a place for me and all my stuff, both literal and
figurative. I had a great time, I hope you did as well. Until then, see some good movies, dance and shake some love at the tricky, tricky moon. Peace Out, Pablo.
|
