Spotlight On: Introduction/Astronautalis

Hey folks. So as I thought would happen, my schedule has pushed my posting into the land of infrequency. But that’s OK, as this was expected. I’m still working my way through the best of last year and pretty soon I’ll start tackling albums from this year. But first, something new.

The subtitle of this blog is “The Art Of Music Curation In Action.” What I want this blog to be is something very simple: a place where you, my friend or random person, can come and look around at what music I think is good or important enough to share with you. Not a day goes by where I do not think something along these lines: “I think that (name of friend) would really dig (name of artist)” or “It’s a shame more people don’t like (name of band.)” So to that end, this still new blog.

The whole purpose is to provide my friends with a place to come and check out new stuff, because I know that for most people, finding new music takes a lot more time and energy than it does for me. I’m not doing music news, or even just new albums and with that in mind, I’d like to start a new series of posts called “Spotlight On.” The purpose of this series will be to highlight artists I like and think you should know, not necessarily just one of their individual albums, but them as a whole, their body of work or just a couple songs I think everyone should hear.

So that’s basically it. I hope you enjoy this series and maybe find something new you like because of it. And to get the ball rolling, allow me to shine the spotlight on:

Astronautalis

When Hip-Hop was first birthed, I sincerely doubt it ever was ever envisioned that a man like Astronautalis could ever exist. Born Charles Andrew Bothwell, Astronautalis began his career in music as a freestyling battle rapper, which is not something you would immediately guess hearing his music for the first time. In fact, hearing his music for the first time, you probably wouldn’t know exactly what to think… or what century you’re in. Gifted with a silvery tongue and quick-witted sense of story, Astronautalis fashions a kind of music that at one time sounds totally anachronistic and yet thoroughly modern. After all, this is technically Hip-Hop, but it doesn’t sound like it. It sounds old. But not like old Hip-Hop. Just old.

Astronautalis’ is something of a Blues man when it comes to story if not structure. Either that, or he’s a con man that’s just grabbed the bag of money and left you with the blood on your hands when the sheriff shows up to arrest you both. Further more, there’s no proof that he was ever there at all. That’s a sample of the world you enter when listening to his music. Astronautalis could be called the Tom Waits of Hip-Hop, in that his music eclectically fuses elements of Americana, Folk and Nick Cave-like storytelling with crackly vinyl beats. He may not have the robust growl that Waits posses, but what he does have is spotless diction and a gripping command of tall tales.

Though he looks thoroughly unassuming, do not be deceived by this man. Astronautalis is the kind of wordsmith who will charm his way into your house, eat your dinner, make your mother laugh and before you know it, have married you and disappeared into the night with all the family jewels. He will do this by talking. I know it sounds like I’m writing about pathological liar and not a musician, but that is the kind of feeling you get listening to his lyrics. Every story is true and everything he says is a lie.

The combination of these fisherman’s tales with the almost Steampunk-esque beats is a match made in heaven for people who appreciate a sort of eclecticism in their Hip-Hop or the kind of genre crossing music created by people like the aforementioned Nick Cave and Tom Waits. The album to start with if you want to get into Astronautalis is called Pomegranate, as it features his most focused work to date as well as some of his most riveting stories. We don’t even get one song into the album before he’s on the run from the law and wooing married women. In fact, “The Wondersmith And His Sons“ is one of his best songs and if it hooks you like it hooked me, don’t be surprised, it’s a damn fine piece of music.

So that’s about it. I hate coming up with clever endings, so to close out, I wish you well and hope that you continue to enjoy the music. Cheers.

Recommended Listening:

The Mighty Ocean And Nine Dark Theaters (2006, Fighting Records)

Pomegranate (2008, Eyeball Records)

Tracklist:

01: “The Wondersmith And His Sons”

02: “Skeleton (Everybody’s Favorite)”

03: “Two Years Before The Mast”

04: “Astigmatism”

05: “A Love Song For Gary Numan”

06: “Trouble Hunters”

07: “Be Careful Of What You Wish For” (Produced by zoën)

(The names on the Tracklist are correct. Not all names in the player are. But the numbers line up.)