StokingtheRoots » video

In the Studio

Chad — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:52:41 +0000

Hey! We just repressed our split with the Saddest Landscape. We’re recording a new record right now, as in I’m sitting in the studio listening to Zac record bass parts, which will be called The Lack Long After. We plan on touring a bunch behind it so if you read this blog come up to me at a show and have an awkward conversation about it.

+ By Surprise – $600 Dollar Exorcism

I’ve been jamming this By Surprise song a lot lately. Good stuff – insanely catchy emo – but it took a while to grow on me. Which reminds me, you should go download the Topshelf Records sampler because that’s where I discovered this song.

+ Longform.org

Longform is a blog that “posts great new and classic non-fiction articles, curated from across the web.” If you have to spend a lot of time in front of a computer, this site will keep you entertained.

A few articles I’ve enjoyed:

+ DISPATCH FROM ANGOLA: FAITH-BASED SLAVERY IN A LOUISIANA PRISON

A first-person account of Louisiana’s prison rodeo in which:

…thousands of visitors drive down this road toward an inmate-constructed, 10,000-seat arena to watch Louisiana’s most feared criminals compete in harrowing events like “convict poker” (four prisoners sit around a card table and are ambushed by a bull; last one seated wins); “guts and glory” (a poker chip is tied to the forehead of a bull and inmates try to grab it off); and the perennial crowd pleaser, “bull riding.” Prisoners can win prize money, but have no chance to practice before entering the ring.

+ ENTER THE CYBER-DRAGON

On a decade-long war:

Hackers from many countries have been exfiltrating—that is, stealing—intellectual property from American corporations and the U.S. government on a massive scale, and Chinese hackers are among the main culprits.

+ The Usual – Light Letters

My friend Matt’s band The Usual recently released a new album called Light Letters. They play a controlled driving style of screamo that instantly brought L’antietam to mind. Apparently they recorded most of the album themselves, with the exception of drums. Cool stuff, check it out!

Cara Beth Satalino

Chad — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 02:09:05 +0000

Thank you Heavy Boots for letting me know these videos exist. I’ve probably listened to her EP more often than any other album on tour. So good. She’s in a rock band called Witches now. They played the Fest last year but that’s the last I’ve heard from them.

+ Shimmering Thing

Click here to view the embedded video.

+ Good Ones

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cara Beth Satalino Myspace.

You can download the EP with these songs on it HERE.

Balance and Composure – Burden & I can’t do this Alone

Chad — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 22:01:24 +0000

This past weekend Pianos had the pleasure of playing a show with Make Do and Mend and Balance and Composure. I love both of those bands so it was great to see them both in the same night and even better to be able to share a stage with them. Unfortunately the MDAM videos turned out like crap – you can’t hear James at all – but I did manage to get most of B&C’s set.

Excuse the janky pans and close ups in the video. I’m trying to get more interesting shots but after watching the videos I realize that I have no idea what I’m doing.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Old News

Chad — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 03:07:07 +0000

+ Pg. 99 Reunion

Pageninetynine is reuniting this summer to play Best Friends Day in Richmond, VA. They will be playing Document #8 in it’s entirety. Read the why and the how HERE.

+ Tyler the Creator – Yonkers

This video rules.

Click here to view the embedded video.

+ New Radiohead

This band can do no wrong.

Download HERE

+ Glassjaw – Coloring Book EP

Glassjaw is selling this EP on their current tour. Am I the only one hearing some reggae influence on this? Not what I was expecting their new material to sound like but I really enjoy it. They’re playing in Baltimore March 27th at Ram’s Head.

Download HERE

The Avett Brothers – Head full of doubt/Road full of promise

Chad — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 03:32:52 +0000

Let’s take a second to appreciate how much time and effort were put in to making this video. 2600 paintings compiled in to one music video.

First watch the video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it

There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out

There’s a darkness upon you that’s flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what’s wrong and what’s right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it

Then watch the making of HERE.

End of a Year (Self Defense Family)

Chad — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 01:23:45 +0000

I stumbled upon End of a Year‘s blog and ended up reading through all of their entries. Each post is like a mini editorial informing, poking fun or complaining (usually all 3) about some aspect of the indie/hardcore music scene and the subculture that has risen around it.

I especially like these videos where they give advice to bands:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Part 2, Part 3.

They also make some really good music.

Loma Prieta: Live @ CCAS

Chad — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 23:40:42 +0000

I just posted a video of Loma Prieta playing Worn Path that I took a month or so ago when they played at Charm City Art Space. I need to buy a field recorder to pick up sound in front of the band rather than behind them. And I finally got a video to render/upload properly to youtube 1080p HD. +1 nerd point for me.

There’s a nice little surprise around 1:40 from a skeleton.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Koji – Minute Eight

Chad — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 20:21:47 +0000

Bringing a video camera along on tour is bittersweet. You’re torn between capturing the performance on tape or experiencing it without a viewfinder in front of your face. Making that decision is difficult to do some times.

Koji covered Wagon Wheel by Bob Dylan/Old Crow Medicine Show at a venue in South Carolina and had the majority of the crowd singing along with him. I decided not to record that performance and now I’m kicking myself for it.

To make up for my mistake I taped Koji playing his song Minute Eight during a very intimate house show performance in Melbourne, Florida. Enjoy.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Heathers, Skrilla & Grunge-pop

Chad — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 19:43:15 +0000

Ate an ungodly amount of food last night. Got off work early this afternoon. Today is pay day. Went to the store to restock my apartment with food and also buy ingredients for a buffalo wing lunch. double shot of espresso. Arrive home and find my Have Heart final show vinyl waiting on my doorstep. So far so good.

Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!

+ Heathers – Waiter

I haven’t perused IfYouMakeIt in a while so today I’ve been going over all the sessions I’ve missed out on. IIOI just did a pink couch session that’s well worth your time. Koji recorded a session at the same time but it looks like it hasn’t been posted yet. Bummer. This Cara Beth Satalino video is still the best thing on IYMI.

Here’s another old favorite.

Click here to view the embedded video.

+ How to become a Millionaire in Three Years

Thinking about starting a company? Read this.

Obvious, but good advice none the less.

“Be an unrelenting machine- Brick walls are there to show you how bad you want something. Commit to your goals and do not waver from them a one bit regardless of what else is there. I took this approach to losing weight and fitness. I have not missed a single 5k run in over a year. (Here’s how I lost 50 pounds btw). It did not matter if I had not slept for two days, traveling across the country, or whatever else. If your goal is to become a millionaire, you need to be an unrelenting machine that does not let emotions make you give up / stop. You either get it done with 100% commitment or you don’t. Be a machine.”

+ Tigers Jaw – Two Worlds

From the few posts I’ve read on the internet it looks like they don’t want people sharing download links for this so I won’t post it up. But it’s out – go download it from their bandcamp for $8 bucks.

Daniel Romano – On the Banks of Trillium

Chad — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 23:32:13 +0000

Click here to view the embedded video.

Daniel Romano

Attack in Black