PREMIERE: TAN VAMPIRES' "DIGITAL ROT"

There are lots of things we don't understand: Air conditioners. GIF blogs. The type of person who follows a tornado for fun. But, whether you get your kicks from babies making wide-eyed faces on repeat or nature's own theme parks, we've got our hands on something we all collectively won't be able to wrap our brain candy around: Tan Vampires' new video.

 Now, I've seen some tricks in my day — well, more like just a lot of David Blaine documentaries — but I have no idea how this shit happened. Or how it worked. Or why no one went, "wait, this is kind of a pain in the ass, no?" before blowing the rest of the video budget on value menu treats at Wendy's. But, thankfully for all of us, these artists are more dedicated to projects and less obsessed with Frostys than I am.

The (ed. note: brilliant) director discussed how big of an (ed. note: near-psychotic) endeavor this truly was, but you can't truly get a grip on how hard and deep-into-the-cranium-cavern this is without giving it a look. So, look. 9 movies, 9 cameras, one video. Makes all of those other one-shot videos look a whole hell of a lot less special. 

COUCH SESSION: JONQUIL

Couch Session #43: Jonquil

There's something we do at Big Ugly that goes quite undiscussed,
it comes up, it's featured, but often with a hush.
For whoever comes by and plays tunes for us two,
we provide a whole spread, their favorites to chew.
We've had cookies and cakes, chips and dips galore,
but with these boys, it was our falafel they very (very) much adored.
For their second-to-last day in the states before traveling overseas,
we got to play host with hometown comforts to put them at ease.
It's an interesting twist, to do our best to make them relaxed,
when their songs bring to mind many free times that have passed
The bouncy melody on "Mexico", with those punchy keyboards
Two trumpets blaring on "Too Cold" and the reverberating chords,
These guys just sound to us like vacation in a bottle,
a summary of warmer times we wanna obtain full-throttle,
While the band's back at home, living their lives,
and we're here in the city, with a new home in which to thrive,
listening to these songs takes us back with ease,
to a time where palm trees swayed in the summer breeze.
It's rainy today, so if the tropics can't come soon enough,
have Jonquil whisk you there. We promise, it won't be tough:

MP3

Jonquil - "Mexico (live on Big Ugly Yellow Couch)"

Alternative content

Jonquil - "Real Cold (live on Big Ugly Yellow Couch)"

Alternative content

Download the entire session
///
website

NEW HOME, SAME BIG UGLY YELLOW COUCH

Yerp, you heard that right. The walls are freshly painted in our favorite shade of Nickelodeon orange, the stuffed animals are snuggling like nothing's changed, and the couch is still as soggy, faded and stunning as always. We might be the only New Yorkers who have moved this many times and lived to tell about it, but if life's an adventure, we're glad to be it's magic carpet. Or something like that.

The Big Ugly HQ have bounced from Williamsburg to Bushwick to our new loft in Greenpoint, where we are just painfully close to Peter Pan doughnuts and awaiting your delivery of them to us as a housewarming gift. Any time of day! Any day. Any hour! (Sorry, Donald. Save me a half.)

If your little Brooklyn biking legs can't get you to the undisclosed location where music magic and internet recordings happen, then don't fret your head for a second. The best part of our big news is that you'll be able to get a peek at our new place so soon. Crazy-kooky-soon. Like, tomorrow soon. Check back in 24 for a glimpse at our newer (better) space, and a band we're terribly excited to share with you.

Over and out,

c+d

Couch Session: Yellow Ostrich

Couch Session #42: Yellow Ostrich

Our love for this band is nothing new,
which is why this isn't their first trip to Big Ugly — it's #2.
We had them back on the couch in our old place,
but with so much new music, needed a second taste.
And ladies and gents: it's as good as before,
possibly better, potentially classic, well-worth an encore.
I sat through this session, having not yet heard Strange Land,
a beautiful pile of writing and music of which i became an instant fan,
and these songs, unknown and new, simply blew me away,
leaving me joyous, cheerful, and in awe for two days.
Because these three gents, unlike a lot of bands shilling their craft,
are a curious few who keep their main identity intact.
These songs are more grown up, more varied than before,
back when Alex and Michael first walked through our door,
but even with another member, a new album and a fresh set list,
it's still Yellow Ostrich, their objective never lost in the midst.
These new tunes are more moving — truth, one almost brought me to tears,
but considering I listen to it three times a day, I've got a few good years.
Which song? Well, I'll never tell,
but you'll know when the goosebumps on your arm start to swell.
So, take a listen to these three stunners, and see how you feel,
as Yellow Ostrich's brilliance is yet again revealed:

MP3

Yellow Ostrich - "Marathon Runner (live on Big Ugly Yellow Couch)"

Alternative content

Yellow Ostrich - "The Shakedown (live on Big Ugly Yellow Couch)"

Alternative content

Yellow Ostrich - "When All Is Dead (live on Big Ugly Yellow Couch)"

Alternative content

Download the entire session
///
website

Couch Session: You Won't

Couch Session #41: You Won't

It's weird, you almost wouldn't expect a kind sir named Josh to have that voice,
like it was assigned to him without reason or choice.
It could have been given to a weathered country lad, hands blackened from the soil,
Or a crooner long since passed, his talents a spoil.
You Won't, save for that high-flying apostrophe,
is in total, wholly and completely their own entity.
We keep hearing "The Shins," "The Shins!" The Shins on repeat,
but the comparison is lazy with a shade of self-defeat.
These comparative thoughts are just algebra to the listener's mind,
a broken-down equation to give feelings attachable signs.
In that case, at moments we see a newfound Dylan shining through each song,
with some of the most realistic, relatable lyrics we've heard in just as long.
We could say his songwriting's simplistic and brilliant, the melodies catchy as hell,
but there's just one word, one, simple word that resurfaces each time, and that is special.
At the end of the day, at the end of these tracks,
All we have left are the songs and the empty faces in the videos looking back.
But with each of these, and for some reason, this one like a hunch
we can reach into it, swim inside, and feel it so much.
I've done nearly nothing over 40 times, except for routines
(you know, pouring a glass of water, showering, calling a rude guy mean.)
But in the realm of thing I love, there are but few
that I think about, act on, and completely follow through.
We've shot so many sessions that they're their own new routine,
jamming them in on the days weekdays lie between,
but after this one, with its childhood infusions and shouts to Marty McFly,
well, shit like this just gets us high.
So take a listen to three songs you'll be enjoying like a seamless flow,
and let You Wont give you a spectacular, stunning show:

MP3s You Won't - "Televsion (live on Big Ugly Yellow Couch)"

Alternative content

You Won't - "Who Knew (live on Big Ugly Yellow Couch)"

Alternative content

You Won't - "Three Car Garage (live on Big Ugly Yellow Couch)"

Alternative content

Download the entire session
///
website