Toe Jam Mondays: Vol 10 – The Tallest Man on Earth
Something about September weather makes me feel like its ok to be lazy on a Sunday. I’m talking a don’t put regular clothes on until 3pm kind of day, if you put them on at all. Even the sun doesn’t want to wake up as early anymore. I love lying in bed or curled up on the couch listening to albums that tell me a story. I’m even too lazy to read on Sundays, I just want to stare at the ceiling and listen to the tales of great storytellers while my imagination runs wild.
One of the albums on this playlist is The Wild Hunt by The Tallest Man on Earth. I know you’re probably imaging some gargantuan with a raging guitar, but Kristian Matsson is an average size folk singer who sounds like a Swedish Bob Dylan with a garage rock past.
You know when someone says a word to you and you’re supposed to say the first thing that pops in your head? When I listen to this album, I picture nature. Trees, water, sunshine, a hammock… the whole shebang. It might be his strumming banjo or the fact that he mentions nature quite a bit in his lyrics, but I lose myself in imaginary adventures of the fresh air kind whenever I listen to this album.
He is not one for interviews, but Matsson has said that he doesn’t like to label his music and is not fond of the folk label he has been given, but agrees that he is definitely a storyteller. He once said, “It’s the beauty of starting a story from your life and then letting it take a turn. You play around with your own character and see what happens.†I love the idea of letting go and becoming someone else through story. Sometimes I imagine myself as a cat loving Hamiltonian who somehow ends up in a magical world found deep in the forest where I learn the secret to happiness from a wise old bear and live the rest of my life in a cabin built in a tree. I’m not saying I believe it can happen, I’m just saying I can relate.
He will be playing a sold out show at Lee’s Palace on September 24th. If you can get your hands on a ticket, consider yourself lucky.
If you’ve ever had the chance to see him live I would love to hear about it, or even if you’ve never heard him, I would love to know what you think.
You’re Going Back – Tallest Man on Earth
[audio:http://www.monstersvsme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/04-Youre-Going-Back-1.mp3]
King of Spain – Tallest Man on Earth
[audio:http://www.monstersvsme.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/06-King-of-Spain-1.mp3]
* If you are a member or manager of the above band and you would like your track removed, please contact us and we will swiftly oblige. Fans – new or old – please support these bands by using your coffee money to buy their records.
Lastly, as promised, here is a list of some upcoming shows that are definitely worth checking out:
September 22 – The Strange Boys, Garrison
September 25 – Best Coast, Lee’s Palace
September 26 – Murder By Death, Horseshoe
September 28 – Menomena and Suckers, The Mod Club
October 7 – Perfume Genius, The Drake
October 8 – Los Campesinos!, Wrongbar
October 9 – Miike Snow, Kool Haus
October 12 – Neon Indian, Lee’s Palace
October 15 – First Aid Kit, El Mocambo
October 16 – Dr.Dog – Phoenix
October 17 – Jimmy Eat World, Kool Haus
October 26 – Soko, the Drake
October 28 – Angus and Julia Stone, Opera House
October 29 – Matt and Kim, Phoenix
November 2 – The Wooden Sky, The Casbah
November 3 – The Joy Formidable, Horseshoe
November 5 – Morning Benders, Mod Club
November 6 – WolfParade, Sound Academy
This guy is awesome. Thanks for the post Monica. I keep coming back every Monday to get some new music.
Will you be at any of those shows you listed?
He has a really neat voice. I particularly like the King of Spain. Another great Toe Jam, Monica! You’re really good at this… keep it up!
Totally found this guy last year and he slipped through the cracks and I totally forgot about him. Thanks for making me remember Monica. On the I-Pod he goes!
AMAZING! so glad that you guys are into this guy. He was a definite staple on my cottage playlists this year too, such good tunes.
I love to hear that I put new music on an ipod! (or at least jogged a musical memory) Mission accomplished.
I really wanted tickets to see his show, but missed the boat. As of now I have tickets for The Joy Formidable and the Menomena/Suckers show. Not a super big Menomena fan, but I would definitely pay the money to see Suckers.
I’m hoping to see The Strange Boys at the Garrison – $9! you can’t lose and can’t wait for The Wooden Sky at the Casbah.
If I had the cash…I would be at all of them.
I hadn’t even heard of this guy before, Monica. Wow, thanks for introducing me. Love your blog. Please keep it coming!
mon!! I was totally just gonna say perfect fall time cottage music. Your descriptions are so vivid. You nailed it dead on.
That’s a good pick Mon, I like the 2 songs you posted. May even buy the album!
clever name stewdio!