The A.V. Club - Daily

City Life: Music Notes: Tennis holds court on Grey's Anatomy, Bad Weather California does Daytrotter, and more

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:00:00 -0700

Our music scene is a busy place with lots happening. If you don’t obsessively visit the local blogs, alt-weeklies, and other outlets, you could miss something important! That’s okay—we’re here to help with a weekly roundup of some of the more enticing news happening around town. • Grey’s Anatomy is still on TV and, for Tennis fans, that’s a great thing. The Denver band made its prime-time première last week, with its track “Origins” appearing as the incidental music on the latest episode of the long-running medical drama. The song plays right at the ...

Music: Music Review: Achille Lauro: Flight Or Flight

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Achille Lauro does a fine job of summing up its new record on the track “Thing About Sauza,” with lyrics that proclaim: “There’s a word for this, and the word is nuts.” That hits the nail on the head. This band cannot be easily labeled beyond the vague “indie rock,” and it’s better for that. The quartet blends genres with abandon to create some moments of head-scratching—one minute the sound is jazzy, then the next track has a little post-rock vibe, followed by some hip-hop influences, and so on. Despite all of these shifting genres, Flight Or ...

Eat/Drink: Local Newswire: James Beard Foundation announces nominee short list, includes handful of Coloradans

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:50:00 -0700

The James Beard Foundation’s annual gala is basically the Oscars of the food world. (We know this because Padma Lakshmi said so on an episode of Top Chef once.) The James Beard Award is of the type that’s so prestigious that it gets to preface its winners’ names for the entire remainders of their careers, which is sort of like how we all still have to say “Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino.” The nominee short list for the 2012 ceremony was announced today and, while the current batch of names will be whittled down once more in March ...

Sports: Jock Itch: The Denver Nuggets, communist basketball, and you

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700

On Saturday, Jan. 28, the Denver Nuggets were riding high. Kicking ass and taking names, they were running people out of the gym left and right. They spanked the reigning-champion Mavericks, whipped the mighty Heat like it was nothing, and had just won their sixth straight, slapping down punks aplenty on a lengthy road trip. Since then, though, Denver has lost 10 of its last 13, with the Nuggets abruptly finding themselves stuck out in the cold, looking in on the playoffs. Some of the losses were exasperating wastes of time, kind of like sitting through a bad slasher film ...

Film: Local Newswire: Women + Film Voices Film Festival aims to recognize females in filmmaking

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:45:00 -0700

Last year, Bridesmaids was touted as the harbinger of a new era for women in film. ... But, then again, back in 2002, so was Bend It Like Beckham. And before that, the female-empowerment vehicle du jour was Thelma & Louise. The sad truth, though, is this: Even in 2011, only 5 percent of the 250 top-grossing films of the year were helmed by female directors. (In other words, for every Sofia Coppola or Kathryn Bigelow, there are roughly 19 Michael Bays.) Women make up less than one-quarter of the Academy voting base—despite being, oh, approximately 51 percent of the ...

City Life: News Net: Cat leads mayoral race, lighting choices confuse area shoppers, and more

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:15:00 -0700

Since sifting through dull newspapers, hyperbolic blogs, and overflowing RSS feeds for meaningful news can be an arduous process, News Net catches and compiles both the amusing and the significant reports that were overlooked throughout the weekend. Here are some things to think about as the workweek begins. • Teller Country Regional Animal Shelter is putting on a mayoral race between the members of a menagerie of area animals. Critics of the frontrunner Walter the cat say he is only winning because of his species, and Ron Paul supporters are already planning to contest the results. Presidential candidate “Mittens” Romney could ...

Eat/Drink: Strangelunch: Tao Tao Noodle Bar reveals the succulent secrets of the sesame pocket

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700

In a little corner of Aurora, on a mysterious menu, is one of the cutest and rarest dishes in all of the Denver area: The sesame pocket at Tao Tao Noodle Bar (10400 E. 6th Ave., Aurora; 303-366-1761). Even though they’re people pleasers, these sesame pockets are hard to find. The little, sandwich-like treats are so very American-palate-friendly that their absence on American-Chinese menus is downright inexplicable. Perhaps this is one that restaurant proprietors have tried to keep for themselves. It’s easy to see why: These handheld snacks are so munchable, so perfect in flavor and texture ...

Music: Local Newswire: New Havok EP coming in May

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:00:00 -0700

It’s been almost a year since the Denver-based thrashers of Havok released new material, but relief from the wait is on the horizon. Mark May 22 on your calendar and plan to head to a record store near you to pick up the band’s forthcoming EP, The Point Of No Return. The release will bring two skull-crushing original tunes, a cover of Sepultura’s “Arise,” and a Slayer medley originally released on the digital version of last year’s Time Is Up that was simply too powerful remain removed from a physical release. If you simply can’t ...

City Life: News Net: Lone Ranger Colorado bound, arsenic and Occupy, and more

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0700

Since sifting through dull newspapers, hyperbolic blogs, and overflowing RSS feeds for meaningful news can be an arduous process, News Net catches and compiles both the amusing and the significant reports that were overlooked throughout the workweek. Here are some things to think about as the weekend begins. • A Hollywood reboot of The Lone Ranger is set to co-star Johnny Depp and might even be filmed in Colorado! Casting calls will take place next month in a few Colorado cities, although you might blow it if you confuse the show for Walker, Texas Ranger. Not the same thing, at all ...

Music: Interview: Leslie of Leslie And The Ly's teaches us how to name sweaters, babies

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 12:00:00 -0700

Leslie Hall is good at a lot of things. Her band, Leslie And The Ly's, described as “deadpan hip-hop,” is girl pop meets Tim And Eric, with a sound kid-friendly enough to be invited on tour with Yo Gabba Gabba. Beyond that, she paints lovely pictures and actively speaks for the gem sweater cause. Her website features a gallery of the collection of mostly fan-sourced sweaters, which she names with a skill that should not go unnoticed: “Route To My Feelings,” “First Lady Manners,” “Cloud Grabber,” and “Flute Of The Virgin.” To tap into her thought process, we chatted ...

Music: Interview: Young The Giant’s Sameer Gadhia

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Many music fans think of Young The Giant as an overnight sensation: A few months after its debut album hit stores, the band scored a massive radio hit with “My Body.” That impression couldn’t be further from the truth: While a recent name change—the act originally called itself The Jakes—clouds some of its history, the band’s been in the trenches in one form or another since 2004, when its members were high school students. The A.V. Club chatted with frontman Sameer Gadhia ahead of the band’s show on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the Ogden ...

Sports: Local Newswire: Tim Tebow reads Green Eggs And Ham, because of course he does

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:00:00 -0700

It’s been weeks since the specter of Tebowmania has reared its head here, but today brings us a reminder that everyone’s favorite Jesus-loving quarterback is still a thing. That reminder comes in the form of the Tebow reading a passage from his favorite book. Not the Bible, which is presumably now his favorite book, but rather his favorite childhood book, the Dr. Seuss classic Green Eggs And Ham. The video is meant to promote reading as part of the Book It! reading incentive program, and it’s hard to argue that having Tebow endorse a book (besides the ...

Music: Gotta Start Somewhere: Mux Mool

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700

No matter how successful entertainers become, they’ll inevitably always remember the first gig—whether it was disastrous, wonderful, or absurdly strange. Gotta Start Somewhere embraces these nostalgic moments by asking established entertainers to retell the story of the first time they ever graced a stage. In this edition, The A.V. Club speaks to all-purpose electronica artist Brian Lindgren (a.k.a. Mux Mool) about his lousy inaugural gig before he performs Thursday, Feb. 16 at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom. The A.V. Club: What was your very first live performance like? Brian Lindgren: My very first live performance of ...

Music: Music Notes: Pretty Lights debuts video, Sweden loves BLKHRTS, and more

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:00:00 -0700

Our music scene is a busy place with lots happening. If you don’t obsessively visit the local blogs, alt-weeklies, and other outlets, you could miss something important! That’s okay—we’re here to help with a weekly roundup of some of the more enticing news happening around town. • In case you missed it: Pretty Lights (a.k.a. Derek Vincent Smith) released a new video a couple weeks back for the soulful electronic track “We Must Go On.” Filmed and edited by Smith and his girlfriend/Pretty Lights creative director Krystle Blackburn, the video includes footage that the ...

Music: Just Announced: Iron Maiden announces Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son-themed tour, makes your summer worthwhile

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:45:00 -0700

Over the past decade or so, Iron Maiden’s tendency to plan concept tours around its back catalog has certified the band’s vitality as heavy metal’s hardest-working tour act. As if ignoring the release last year’s compilation From Fear To Eternity: The Best Of 1990-2010 (a “best of” album containing choice cuts from some of the band’s worst records), Iron Maiden is heading on the road with another historically themed tour, galloping to stadiums across North America. Based on the 1988 concert movie filmed during the Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son tour, the Maiden England ...

Music: Music Review: C.P. Carrington: The Valley

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700

C.P. Carrington doesn’t have a website, he’s not on Facebook, and you can’t find any of his songs on YouTube. In fact, one of the few places you can find his stellar sophomore album, The Valley, is on his Bandcamp page. Carrington’s lack of an online presence isn’t on purpose though. Carrington isn’t actually trying to hide from the spotlight. “My Internet presence, or lack thereof, is because I’m about as good at marketing as I am at writing lighthearted songs,” Carrington says. Luckily, the album does a good job of speaking ...

Music: Local Newswire: Mane Rok unveils new EP, website

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:00:00 -0700

No matter what you think of Mane Rok’s music, you have to admit dude’s got a heck of a work ethic, so it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that, following a flurry of guest appearances, a collaborative effort with Es Nine dubbed En Stereo and helping spearhead political action, the Denver MC isn’t taking any much-deserved time off this winter. He’s just reflecting on his work ethic with an new EP. Saul Amore: A Modern Day Massacre, which features guest appearances by Denver’s Zome and Los Angeles’ Scarub. Rok and company struggle ...

City Life: Local Newswire: My Bloody Violent-tine offers a Valentine's Day antidote this weekend

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:15:00 -0700

Does the thought of Valentine’s Day simply reaffirm your “forever alone” status and force you into a deeper spiral of depression and self-loathing? Screw that. Instead, mark Cupid’s favorite day by watching local horror movies and listening to local music. And drinking beer. Can’t forget the beer. This Saturday, February 18 at 3 Kings, the My Bloody Violent-tine Horror Film Festival offers the opportunity to do just that. It's more than just a film festival; it’s the antithesis of everything Valentine’s Day represents. Featuring local Colorado short horror films, a performance by local rock ...

Film: Roll Call: The A.V. Club’s Valentine’s Day movie marathon

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700

“Love,” Ewan McGregor manically speak-sings in Moulin Rouge, “is a many splendored thing.” Maybe. But more to the point, love, romance, and all of the warm-fuzzy Valentine’s Day trimmings are multifarious. It’s all splendorous, sure. But it’s also intoxicating, melancholic, and downright maddening. Love is like a benchmark test for human emotion, grinding you through highs and lows so pointed that, regardless of whether it blossoms like a beautiful love crocus or withers and dies on the vine, it ends up teaching you about who you are. With this grueling view of love in mind, The A ...

City Life: News Net: Bird watching to provide cover for neighbor watching, giant “water coaster” coming, and more

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0700

Since sifting through dull newspapers, hyperbolic blogs, and overflowing RSS feeds for meaningful news can be an arduous process, News Net catches and compiles both the amusing and the significant reports that were overlooked throughout the weekend. Here are some things to think about as the workweek begins. • Creeps who spy on their neighbors with binoculars under the guise of “bird watching” will gain some credibility in their alibi this weekend, as a national Great Backyard Bird Count is set to take place. It’d be good to at least grab a couple of snapshots of birds and report them ...