First/Last-Prairie Empire

"No one alive today can assay for certain the scope and reach that is Prairie Empire. Arcing across the untrammeled and mysterious blank on the map that is the Great American Desert, from the crumbling wharves of Brooklyn to the misty mountains of Oregon, the only thing that can be said for certain is that Ms. Brittain Ashford stands at its center. But is she its Secret Empress, or merely the inscrutable power behind the throne of its mellifluous and far-flung sonic landscape? Where Ashford came from is an enigma; one day, she simply appeared on the Coney Island Boardwalk, carrying a Gladstone bag packed with a dulcimer and a glockenspiel, and clutching an autoharp to her chest like an orphan, abandoned on some distant doorstep, that she alone can protect and carry into the wide, wicked world."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, and BandCamp. The Brooklyn 'folk-ish' band is the moniker of songwriter Brittain Ashford and her latest effort is the beautiful self-titled debut from 2012. Word is, if you purchase the vinyl, you get a 'handmade surprise that might be something magical made out of paper, just for you'! Very cool. Brittain stops in Pittsburgh on Thursday for a way cool house show with Anthonie Tonnon and good friend of the blog Guy Russo. and I want to thank her for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
A used copy of Nirvana's “Nevermind”.

Your last album bought?
It's really more of an EP, but I bought this crazy beautiful lathe cut split from Anthonie Tonnon and Shenandoah Davis. The last full length I picked up was Pure Bathing Culture's “Moon Tides”.

Favorite album of all time?
The Mountain Goats' “All Hail West Texas”. It's pretty much an album I can put on whenever and feel good about the choice I have made.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Ah, this is a hard one. There are certainly bands that I've been totally in love with and then not been wild about the direction they've gone, for sure. But if I had to pick a "least favorite" it would be Blonde Redhead's “Misery is a Butterfly”. I just cannot hear that album without thinking of a summer I spent in Los Angeles: it was one of three albums in my car. It was August. I didn't have AC. And I must have listened to it a million times. I don't think I need to hear it ever again.

First concert attended?
The first concert I really remember was Sicko at a small, all-ages club in Seattle called the Velvet Elvis. I was in Jr. High, I'm pretty sure I begged my mom to make my teenage sister take me along.

Last concert?
Matt Bauer and Melaena Cadiz at Brooklyn Rod & Gun.

Favorite concert ever?
This is also a hard one. I think one of the more memorable ones was Bon Iver with Bowerbirds at Bowery Ballroom in New York. They did a version of Sarah Siskind's ‘Lovin's for Fools’ which still, occasionally, gets stuck in my head.

Least favorite concert?
Once I was watching Quasi at Bumbershoot and Sonic Youth was following their set. The crowd just acted so unnecessarily rude during the Quasi set (one of my favorite bands at the time) I could hardly believe it. Shouting at the band, attempting to mosh, throwing corn cobs and lemon wedges. But I guess that's what happens at festivals?

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
The first (only?) time I've ever been to Pittsburgh was for a house show the summer of 2012 that I managed to secure last minute through CouchSurfing.org. Our host Matt was super nice and we had a long conversation about the Tallest Man on Earth. And I think other bands that were coming up at the moment. We stayed with an old friend of mine from college who studies brain science and has a mind boggling collection of whiskey. We bought a case of cheap beer and looked through some thrift stores. Not much of a story, I know... clearly I need to spend more time there!

Thanks, Brittain. Boy do I love house shows... almost as much as I love handmade paper surprises from songwriters! Hope to see you tomorrow.

First/Last-The Gotobeds

"Musically, The Gotobeds fit under a kind of catch-all slacker indie-punk umbrella. Early Pavement is one of the most obvious comparisons — the bands share the same kind of defiant looseness — but the group also recalls the freneticism of The Gun Club, the slipshod orderliness of Gang of Four, the brattiness of The Buzzcocks and the punk minimalism of Wire." - Margaret Welsh (Pittsburgh City Paper)

Check out the band on Facebook, BandCamp and SoundCloud. The Pittsburgh punk quintet are fresh off a SXSW jaunt promoting their latest 7" "New York's Alright (If You Like Sex & Phones)" and I want to thank Eli 'Hazy Lazer' Kasan (Guitar/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
"The Glory Of Love", Peter Cetera, though that might've been my sister buying it. I remember buying the cassingle of Sir Mix-Alots ‘Baby's Got Back’ (a 5th grade staple at dances).

Your last album bought?
Hard Skin "Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear?", Neil Young "American Stars N' Bars", Nikki Sudden "Bible Belt", The Jacobites "Robespierre's Velvet Basement" LPs all at Mind Cure Records in Polish Hill.

Favorite album of all time?
The Kinks "Village Green Preservation Society" LP.

First concert attended?
Warped Tour 1996. Was ill.

Last concert?
Zeitgeist. They're great.

Favorite concert ever?
Lots of choices here! The Ex, Konono No. 1, Elliott Smith, Ray Davies, Belle & Sebastian, Pavement reunion gig, Brain Handle's final show was great, Eddy Current Suppression Ring all come to mind.

Least favorite concert ever?
Warped Tour 2000. Was there working at a record store booth, sucked.

Favorite thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I love living here. Pittsburgh's detractors have valid points on what the city lacks but other cities exist that thrive in those areas so people should just move. Best experience? Working at Mind Cure. Dream job for sure!

Thanks, Eli. Are you referring to the Elliott Smith CMU Halloween gig? Man, talk about a concert I wish I was able to see.

First/Last-Party Gardens (Song Premiere)

"The TALKING HEADS met PAUL SIMON'S "Graceland" during a sporadic dance breakout in a garden full of tarantism-stricken partygoers. They fled, wedded, bedded, bred, and shed a new tear to the crying eyes of life. THE KINKS were born, grew up loud and proud and after graduating from Rock N' Roll High School, went off to college in New York, drank too much beer, didn't get enough sleep, majored in botany, minored in promiscuity, and met THE STROKES. They cuddled, fiddled, muddled, whittled, puddled, and little did they know, their middle finger spittle would tickle each others skittles and ALAS!!!!!! WHAM! BOOM!!! POW!!! FLAM!!! SNAP!!! WHIPEEEEEE!!!............................................................party gardens is born."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and SoundCloud. The L.A. based 'Psychedelic Surf Rock R&B Hip Hop Math Tech Classical Core' band is gearing up to release it's debut EP, "Dance Flora" on May 6th but you can hear the lead-off single, 'Highwaves' exclusively below before it's released tomorrow. I want to thank Sean Brennan (Guitar/Vocals) for letting me share the track and for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
The first albums I actually purchased were at the same time… “Nevermind” by Nirvana, Madonna’s “Immaculate Collection”, and Metallica's “Ride The Lightning”.

Your last album bought?
Foxygen “We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic”.

Favorite album of all time?
This is so tough... I'm going to list a few that I absolutely love. Bjork “Vespertine”, of Montreal “Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?”, Radiohead “Kid A”, Oingo Boingo “Dead Man’s Party”, Talking Heads “Remain in Light”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Sleigh Bells is a band that totally annoys the hell out of me... so I'd say all of their work. =)

First concert attended?
Phil Collins at the Great Western Forum sometime back in the 80's.

Last concert?
Quintron and Miss Pussycat.  Saw this at the Satellite in Los Angeles and it was mind blowing. This guy is a genius and is also responsible for inventing the ever rare instrument titled the Drum Buddy. So, so cool.

Favorite concert ever?
Radiohead at the Hollywood Bowl or Deerhunter at FYF.

Least favorite concert?
Sly and the Family Stone at Coachella... depressingly tragic.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Sadly enough, I have only performed in Pittsburgh once and it was literally the only time I've ever been there. Considering my time in Pittsburgh was never a proper amount of time to spend in a city, I was overwhelmed by the amount of good vibes I got in such a short amount of time. I drove into the city right as the sun was settling into the West, our car dancing around the downtown skyline. I loved watching the rotating city as we drove along crossing the Allegheny River to the show. The place was packed, we were playing with friends Jukebox the Ghost and Tally Hall. Before the show kicked off we were all outside playing 4 square, somewhat of a tradition among our tour. We seemed to attract a lot of kids within the area who wanted to jump aboard and play with us. Post heat building athletics (4 square), we felt more inclined than ever to perform. Energy was high, people were kind. I look forward to going back to Pittsburgh so I may peer around the actual city a little more.

Thanks, Sean. I appreciate you picking my blog to debut the new single, man. It really means a lot. Try to make it out to Pittsburgh again, buddy!

First/Last-Frances & the Foundation

"It was once noted that Colorado-raised / Nashville-based Samantha Frances would be the one you'd want on your team for Trivial Pursuit: the 90's Edition. A short time ago when 'jagged little pills' were prevalent and My So Called Life, or MTV (when it was MTV), swirled in the background of your mind while your taste in music evolved with the culture. You learned how to really move forward, but not without the breakup sex and mixtape-sounds of bands like Frances & the Foundation."

Check out the band at their official Website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and BandCamp. Returning to Colorado for the Paste 50 States Project, I'd like to introduce the indie-alternative trio Frances & the Foundation who now call Nashville their home. They are working on new music to follow up their 2013 EP "One Voice Among Many" and as they do I want to thank Samantha Frances (Bass/Vocals) for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
“New Kids on the Block” on cassette tape. Ha-ha there I said it. The first vinyl I bought was Sade “Sweetest Taboo”. The first CD was Mariah Carey, not sure which one?

Your last album bought?
Jeff Buckley, “Grace” on wax.

Favorite album of all time?
This is an unanswerable question for me. It’s all about my mood.

First concert attended?
Other than choir concerts, my first real show was Sheryl Crow, when I was 12 with my dad.

Last concert?
Ha-ha, I work at a venue soooo the last show I really enjoyed seeing at work was Shovels and Rope.

Favorite concert ever?
Humm… Stevie Wonder, or Grizzly Bear at The Ryman.

Least favorite concert?
Mumford and Sons.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I have few friends here in Nashville that are from Pittsburgh, but I have never been. I hope we can come and play a show there after our record comes out.

Thanks, Samantha. Feels good to get finally that NKOTB secret out after all these years, isn't it? Well... maybe not.

First/Last-Joseph Childress

"This is the debut full-length by Joseph Childress. The ten songs on this record, dubbed "The Rebirths" by fans, were penned on the road during nearly two years of “hard traveling” – hopping freight trains, hitchhiking, and eventually living out of a car. All this came to a halt shortly after finding trouble in New Orleans, prompting Joseph to find his way back to his childhood home in the Colorado Rockies. Once there, he locked himself in the bathroom with his road-worn guitar – its neck cracked while jumping from a train – and recorded this album. Filled with young wisdom, heartbreak, and spirited jubilee, this self-recording of Joseph Childress is a stirring introduction to a young songwriter with a soul-piercing voice and an undeniable gift of song."

Check out Joseph at his official Website and Facebook. Recently featured on the Paste 50 States Project reppin' Colorado, Joseph's debut, "The Rebirths" is available via Empty Cellar Records. I want to thank him for taking the time to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
My first purchase was a cassette single for the song ‘Love Me Do’ by The Beatles. My first full-length album was "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" by the Smashing Pumpkins, but I didn't buy it. My brother stole it for me for my birthday. I was really touched by that.

Your last album bought?
I just bought "Takamba" by Ali Ag Amoumine. Field recordings from Mali released by Mississippi Records. Good stuff.

Favorite album of all time?
"Highway 61 Revisited" by Bob Dylan. The most transformative album of my life by far.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
"The Love Movement" by A Tribe Called Quest. I was obsessed with Tribe as a kid. Their previous album "Beats, Rhymes and Life" was my favorite album, so when they announced the final album, I was expecting the best album of all time. I tried really hard to love it, but it felt flat and uninspired. It's certainly not my least favorite album of all time but it was a huge disappointment.

First concert attended?
A basement show in Colorado Springs in 1997 with two Colorado punk bands called The Nobodys and The Deadites. I remember it being incredibly loud and loving it.

Last concert?
Neutral Milk Hotel at the Fox in Oakland. I cried. I've only cried at one other show; the first time I saw Bob Dylan.

Favorite concert ever?
A band from Iowa called Ten Grand at a warehouse in Denver called Monkey Mania. It was a fairly large space, decrepit with rotted wood flooring. My kind of place. There was only one working light bulb that night hanging from the ceiling on a piece of wire. The band set up in a circle, facing each other with the light bulb in the center. The crowd formed a larger circle around the band. They destroyed.

Least favorite concert?
I took way too much acid at a Brightblack Morning Light show at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. I heard the performance was great, but I had to leave early because my friend found me talking to my own reflection in a glass door.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
I took a bus through Pittsburgh once on the way to visit a friend in Boston. We didn't even stop. I recall sitting next to a British man who was very passionate about the game of Cricket. He literally talked for hours about Cricket. Interesting fellow.

Thanks, Joseph. A British dude blabbing endlessly on about Cricket reminds you of Pittsburgh? That is a first!