Good morning, Seattle? Have you ever seen Fugazi live? If not, you’ve missed out.

I’ve been listening to the new CocoRosie album all day and I think it’s fantastic. The new album comes out May 11th but until then you can stream it, in high quality, using the player below.

I recommend starting with ‘Lemonade” first as it’s the most aurally accessible – it’s been getting a it of play on KEXP recently. After that, start digging down into the randomness. “Smokey Taboo” and “Grey Oceans” are both great. I can honestly say that CocoRosie is seriously unique. Let me know if you love it or hate it because I have no idea which it’ll be.

CocoRosie – Grey Oceans by subpop

This morning I’m bringing you a new discovery (for me anyways) of a live in-studio performance that took place at KEXP earlier this month. Fans of orchestral rock like Fleet Foxes and Bright Eyes should dig it. It’s ethereal and orchestrally variegated while maintaining passion and song-writing focus. When the vocals come it at about 1:40, the song really comes into its own so make sure to stick with it at least long enough to get there and decide for yourself.

As per usual, it looks like I just missed catching these guys performing in Seattle the weekend before last but they’re from here and it looks like they’ll be back on April 8th at the Crocodile. Anyone interested in a little music that Thursday (or as my friends in college used to call it, “Little Friday”)? $8 sounds like an inexpensive night out for a rocking good time.

If you have ever wondered what youth is capable of when they apply hard work and talent towards a common goal, then you need to watch this video. It’s incredibly energizing to watch this Venezuelan youth orchestra play. It looks and feels joyful.

At what cost are starving our own nation’s children of liberal arts in our schools?

[via TED]

Did any of you know that they had made a documentary about Stephen Merritt of The Magnetic Fields?

Yeah, me neither – but it looks like it will be a great character study about a wonderful songwriter. I’ll definitely be plunking down the cash to see this when it comes around. Unfortunately, for us in the here and now, the only upcoming screenings listed are at SXSW and a sneak peek in San Francisco on February 28th, 2010.

Hi everyone! I’m back from holiday and looking forward to another great year with The Puget News. For now, a quick video with some compelling storytelling. It’s one Vimeo’s top videos of 2009. Enjoy.

[Hat tip to the ever excellent kottke.org]

I once heard Tori Amos on the radio show “Rockline” describing where she found inspiration for her songs. She was sitting at a piano and said she found it everywhere. Using the example of hearing a bus on a busty street, she improvized a piano drone and started layering different melodies on top and describing what she was seeing. It was a fascinating radio exercise in the translation of the everyday. The results can be unexpected, whimsical, and pleasant.

That interview and music has still stuck with me and it’s what I think of when some guy composes the “Bohemian Rhapsody” using old computer hardware.

Finding art in the mundane is an extremely gratifying experience.

[hat tip to Neil Gaiman's blog]

I have been seriously grooving to this guy’s albums the last few days. Acoustic guitar work with a persistent beat and beautiful vocal work always seems to be a recipe for my attention.

We’ve all seen videos on YouTube of individuals playing their instruments, generally poorly. What happens when you put those videos into the hands of a masterful mixer?

You get Thru-YOU. And it’s awesome.

Check out the Beastie Boys meets Portishead meets St. Germain “I’m New” and then hit the site up for the other amazing mixes, each individually styled. They’re all good.