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Song of the Day: "Maybe Today" - Ryan Montbleau Band
Mike McKinley
December 9, 2008
I caught Ryan Montbleau Band over the weekend for the first time since the summer, and it was fantastic. Every time I see them I'm reminded what a cool band they are, with such unique instrumentation and chemistry. They put on a great show and it's always a good time.

Here's "Maybe Today" from the band's last album, Patience on Friday. It features the legendary Peter Prince on background vocals.

Check out our conversation with Ryan Montbleau from earlier this year.





Visit Ryan Montbleau Band Langerado Announces Initial Lineup
Mike McKinley
December 9, 2008
This year Langerado will take place at Bicentennial Park in Miami‚ Florida on March 6‚ 7 & 8. The initial lineup was announced today:

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
SNOOP DOGG
RYAN ADAMS AND THE CARDINALS
THIEVERY CORPORATION
SLIGHTLY STOOPID
FLOGGING MOLLY
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE
COLD WAR KIDS
GIRL TALK
CHROMEO
MUTE MATH
BLACK KIDS
GYM CLASS HEROES
THE FAINT
THE POGUES
ZAC BROWN BAND
MATISYAHU
THE DISCO BISCUITS
UMPHREY'S MCGEE
ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND
MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
LOTUS
RA RA RIOT
THE EGG

And many more.

Tickets go on sale December 12 at noon at www.langerado.com

Check out some recent State of Mind articles on:
Langerado 2008
Death Cab For Cutie
Cold War Kids
Chromeo

Kids These Days: McLovins vs. The Wrong Trousers vs. Gauchos
Mike McKinley
December 4, 2008
There's hope for today's youth. Who is the best?

The McLovins - "You Enjoy Myself" (Phish)



Wrong Trousers - "Video Killed the Radio Star" (The Buggles)



Gauchos - "The Trooper" (Iron Maiden)

Song of the Day: Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks - "Baltimore"
Mike McKinley
December 3, 2008
Everyone who contributes to State of Mind really digs music. This thing runs on passion. And because of that, it tends to be awkward to make big declarations, like the year-end "best of" lists. But, hey, it's always fun.

As soon as I started thinking about the topic of best albums, one immediately jumped right out: Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks' Real Emotional Trash. I spent a lot of 2008 with this album. Try out some other Malkmus mp3s at Matador.

"Baltimore" - Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks



Visit Stephen Malkmus SoM Exclusive Video: Nathan Moore - "Understand Under"
Mike McKinley
November 30, 2008
State of Mind had a really cool opportunity to put on a show at FlynnSpace in Burlington‚ Vt. on November 10th: Marco Benevento Trio‚ featuring Marco on piano and circuit bent toys‚ Reed Mathis on bass‚ and Jon Fishman on drums (check out the trio performing "You Must Be A Lion" from this show). It was the fourth and final show of a mini tour they did together‚ and it showed; they were comfortable with the material‚ and the improvisation was fantastic.

After the show I went backstage‚ where the three of them were glowing and giddy‚ talking about all the cool stuff that spontaneously happened onstage. I remember hearing Fishman describe a tune they jammed on‚ laughing it up saying‚ "Oh‚ man‚ I'm sorry I pulled back during that."

It was a significant moment watching these three improvisers‚ who I've come to love through different bands‚ play together. The Duo‚ Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey and Phish -- man‚ I've spent a lot of time listening to these bands play some of the most adventurous improvisational music I've ever heard. Yes‚ it was quite the experience to be a part of it.

When you have these three incredible musicians playing together‚ how could you make the show any better? Open the show with Nathan Moore‚ one of the finest songwriters on the planet. And sure enough‚ like every time I see Nathan perform‚ he was full of surprises. A master of shock-and-awe performance‚ he hit the crowd with an optical illusion‚ a few magic tricks and songs where he had the audience in the palm of his hand‚ swaying and laughing. And once he has you there‚ he lays down something heavy like "Help Wanted‚" a song with such profound honesty that you get chills and your hairs stand on end.

The video presented here‚ of "Understand Under‚" was produced by our good friend‚ and favorite audiophile‚ Clinton Vadnais. The man does great work. Stay tuned for more exclusive video from the Marco Benevento Trio performance at FlynnSpace. And check out Nathan Moore's new album‚ You Yeah Smoking Hot‚ available now through reapandsow music.

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