Hannah's Recs: "Don't trust me, but trust this"

By: Hannah Cook, Editorial Director

You can’t trust me with a lot of things. I already forget what you just told me, and the cookies? They’re burnt. Sorry.  BUT you can trust me with these Exec Recs. Sure, I may be making some shameless plugs for my friends, but they deserve it.  And yeah, we’ve all heard of Sigur Rós, but have you ever seen Shia Labeouf’s bare crotch region? Probably not, and you probably kinda want to. So here it goes, in no particular order. Each of these holds a part of my heart in one way or another.

1. Why?

Why? is a band of many strange colloquialisms.  You’ve probably heard of them, but I’m going to talk about them anyway because I’ve only recently starting listening to them (even though they’re from my hometown and their name is mumbled everywhere by everyone). Anyway, the Cincinnati natives are some kind of modern Cake with an indescribable edge. Half hip-hop, half indie and half weird (there’s three halves in a whole, you know), Why? creates the kind of sound one doesn’t often hear. The result is about a decade of bizarre music that hipsters across the land have grown to love.

2. Midpoint Music Festival 

Speaking of Cincinnati, at the end of September is the city’s own 11th annual Midpoint Music Festival. Since 11 is such an awkward age, the creators wanted to make up for the braces and training bra with a solid lineup: Andrew Bird, Grizzly Bear, Best Coast, Dinosaur Jr., Dirty Projectors, Sleigh Bells…need I say more? Fine. Stepdad, The Antlers, Pomegranates, Shovels and Rope, The Ridges, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. I’m out of breath. The festival is happening at various venues across Cincinnati, but most are all within walking distance. I’ve gone the past couple of years, and besides it being age discriminatory at most places (how wonderful it is to be of age now), it was a damn good time. Cincinnati’s up to something big, you guys.  

3. Fun Machine (Shameless plug number one) 

Speaking of Cincinnati one last time. There’s this band. They may or may not be friends of mine, but really, that doesn’t matter. What does matter is that they are earnest musicians, simultaneously young and old at heart.  Getting their footing in the Cincinnati music scene is proving to be easier said than done, but by golly, you better believe they’re one of the greater bands coming out of that town. Misunderstood suburban hoodrats (they’re not really all that hoodrat-y, it's just to say it) playing indie rock that’s special to where they’re from and who’s been in their lives.

4. Sigur Rós music videos

When one thinks of Sigur Rós, one thinks of soundscapes. When one watches Sigur Ros’ music videos, one sees those soundscapes perfectly materialized. Before your very eyes, unknown horizons and obscure characterizations are brought to life. The possibilities become endless.

The band’s latest endeavor is “Fjögur Píanó,” where Disney Channel's own early 2000s teenage babe, Shia LaBeouf, appears nude.  But that’s not even the weirdest part. It’s the story the video tells (mostly incomprehensible) as the characters show raw and desperate emotions. It’s eight minutes of confusion, but also some kind of aesthetic bliss.  

But Sigur Ros also wanted to put the creativity into the hands of its dearest fans, so it’s currently running a music video competition. (Shameless plug number two.) Hundreds, if not thousands, of videos from all over the world have been submitted, and students from our very own Ohio University are in the running. The video, shot at Strouds, is as peaceful as they come, showing the story of two “forest spirits” guiding a “wanderer” to where he needs to be. In and out of the top 50, these guys need your vote to keep their well-deserved spot at the top. You can place your vote here. 

5. Dan Deacon live 

Dan Deacon, a Baltimore native, is many things--a storyteller, a weirdo, a mastermind of electronics—but never, ever dull. That enthusiasm glimmers in his lengthy discography, but beams like the goddamn sun in his live shows. He is unlike any other musical performer. You don’t need to be an avid listener of Deacon’s electronic music to appreciate what he does, either. Heck, I wasn’t when I saw him for the first (and I pray not the last) time. You’ve just got to have an open mind--and I mean really open. Gaping. Free of all other thoughts irrelevant to the very moment you’re in. Unburdened, like a newborn baby. His audience participation is out of this world as he demands from the crowd dance-offs and appreciation for strangers. One can only oblige. Never has anyone possessed such a power over people and used it in all the right ways.