Selling Out Isn't Plausible

We realize that this story has already been making ripples throughout the blogosphere, but since we’ve been taking a bit of heat for it, we thought you might like to hear our side of the story. You see, a couple of months ago we were approached by the Café Bustelo corporation to film some TV spots in part of their campaign to reach a younger, hipper demographic. In light of the recent trend of television advertisements featuring not only the music, but the personalities of notable indie bands such as Of Montreal, Art Brut, and Mates of State, the prospect didn’t seem that strange to us.

So we said yes, but we made sure to do it on our terms. Instead of using some bogus script, we decided to let the Café Bustelo crew into our world and document our practice sessions. This made it possible for us to speak candidly about their product, which was obviously a big part of our lifestyle even before they asked us to take part in their promotion. We’re actually proud of these, and honored to be featured alongside the likes of Deerhunter and Los Campesinos! (who also took part in the campaign), but we’re posting them here so you can judge for yourself.

A bit of SXSW news

So we have been trying to get a handle on this whole SXSW situation for a while now. What's the deal? Where do we play? Why is it called that? The fellas from Flight of the Conchords haven't been much help either.

Today though, we found this flyer in our inbox and realized we do have a showcase booked and it is going to be the most freakingly awesome showcase of the whole week!
It's a tag team between Daytrotter.com and Philly's Park the Van records. What more could you ask for? Dr. Dog, the Teeth, Ra Ra Riot, Hugh Strung, Tulsa, Pepi! oh man- if this lineup toured the world it would end in Armageddon. For it would rock so hard nuclear missiles would just up and detonate from too much bloody rock. Mick Jagger would be the only surviving human and he would just sit in a rocking chair all day knitting mittens for his dog because there would be no rock left for him to juice. Dry as a bone Mick... dry as a bone.

So I bet we all wish we could see it. Unfortunately, attending SXSW doesn't really make sense unless you are somehow in a band or write for a magazine or work in a corner office of Atlantic Records. Speaking of Daytrotter, Jon wrote an account of the band's performance with Cornelius the other day in Chicago that is up on the site now... Peep it.

how bout that poster too? looks like it might be the work of this man.

Cooking with Jon

The full list of ingredients:

2/23 - Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge*
2/25 - Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
2/26 - Asheville, NC - Grey Eagle Tavern*
2/27 - Charlotte, NC - Visulite Theater*
2/28 - Charlottesville, VA - Satellite Ballroom*
2/29 - Durham, NC - Duke Coffeehouse*
3/01 - Lexington, KY - The Dame*
3/03 - Lawrence, KS - The Granada*
3/04 - Omaha, NE - Waiting Room*
3/06 - Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge*
3/07 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep*
3/09 - Austin, TX - Austin City Limits Studio
3/11 - San Antonio, TX - Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar*
3/17 - Tulsa, OK - Crush Lounge
3/18 - St. Louis, MO - Bluebird**
3/19 - Des Moines, IA - Vaudeville Mews**
3/20 - Chicago, IL - Schuba’s** (18+)
3/21 - Chicago, IL - Schuba’s** (All Ages)
3/22 - Grand Rapids, MI - Intersection**

* with the Whigs
** with Tally Hall

New Music from Old Friends

Well, what would a blog be without an occasional post pertaining to the latest happenings within the independent music stratosphere? Here at the spinto blog, we understand that we hold a voice that thirty some people pay attention to when we post. Therefor, we try not to abuse our voice and keep our opinions close. We avoid posting on Vampire Weekend, and instead post on Jeff's eating habits. (As that is what our audience loves to read about.)

However, all that haullabaloo aside, we felt the urge to recommend a few songs by some old friends whom we shared a stage with a little over a year ago. Sheffield's Tiny Dancers just recorded a couple new songs then posted them up on their myspace page. Click below to listen in- then forget about all that jazz I wrote above about opinions and potentially preachy sounding short sentences about the rolls of a blog because all that doesn't really hold a candle in any church where I'm praying... that's for damn sure:

Tiny Dancer's Myspace page, featuring two new songs.

Spinto Band crafts

I've been admiring these Spinto Band inspired crafts from the mysterious Flickr user froot loops.

Our faces, from our website a long time ago...

Beloved Bippy...Based upon Joe Hobson's "Did I Tell You" photograph.

And finally, a collection of buttons ("badges" for you Europeans). The "Treasure of the Cisne" one never ceases to crack me up.

Good work, Froot Loops! (Belated) honorable mentions go to those midwestern sisters.

We've made it!!!

Forget trying to "break" the U.K music scene. We all know a band has really made their mark when their album artwork is featured prominently in the background of a British gay porn film. Earlier today, we were told by a reliable informant that a promotional poster for our U.K single "Oh Mandy" (see artwork below) was used in a crucial scene from the film, Indie Boyz 2 (dir. Simon Boothe).

Our source even included a still from the film in which the poster can clearly be seen. (WARNING: probably NSFW) For some reason, I cannot find the IMDB entry for the film, but I would love to thank the art director for finding us relevant enough to reference. Whomever you are, you really went the extra mile to reinforce how "indie" those boyz really are!

Do the Clam Digger

When asked to list 10 things that quicken his heart, Jon put " watching babies fall on their diaper butts (in airports)" at number four... While seemingly not an airport, 1 minute 47 seconds in, such an event unfolds.

Summer Grof Shoot

Here are a few photos taken at a recent spinto band video shoot. The video was conceptualized and directed by one Albert Birney.We shot the whole thing in Tom and Sam's parents backyard, then ate a huge feast and celebrated birthdays and played board games and guitars until we forgot why we even got together to begin with. We aren't sure when the video will be ready, but are excited to see it.

The ammo

West Grove Pennsylvania

white balance Mr. Moses

Setting up the cam

Albert witha sinister look

I think it was about 20 degrees out

The mustard dries in your ears and makes for a gross discovery later

Sam getting walloped

Jeff near death

Nick heading for the shower

"Eeeeeeeevery Rose has its thorn!"

Daisy dancing

The Feast