Hometown: Washington, D.C.
Album: Divide & Conquer
Band Members: Mark Charles Heidinger (vocals, multiple instruments), Rose Guerin (vocals)
For Fans Of: Elliott Smith, Frank Sinatra, The Bird & The Bee

Mark Charles Heidinger, the primary member of Vandaveer, is at once an old soul and a little child trapped in a 32-year-old's body. His band's name comes from the middle name of many men in his family, the word engraved on a pocket watch passed down for as many generations as the name itself. He balks at the idea of reading on a Kindle ("I want the pages, man") and begins our conversation by saying, "I am often failed by modern technology—I couldn't answer my phone." Yet he believes the kids' section of The Washington Post is "absolutely the best part of the whole paper" and draws as much songwriting inspiration from Shel Silverstein as from the work of John Steinbeck. The music on Vandaveer's upcoming second album, Divide & Conquer (out Aug. 25 on Supply & Demand Music) reflects this duality, with lyrics referencing both World War I and children's author Beverly Cleary in daydreamy songs featuring rich piano melodies and the pure, delicate voice of bandmate Rose Guerin.

Read more at PasteMagazine.com

Now that the Twitter universe has expanded to fans of The View and What Happens in Vegas, it's time to figure out whose 140-character tweets are worth reading. More than just concert announcements and what they had for breakfast—the miniature prose of these 10 musicians is almost as interesting as (or, in one case, more interesting than) their music. (And fake Tom Waits has been removed)...
Take a look at some of our favorites here



Artist of the Week: Anni Rossi



Hometown: Austin, Texas
Album: Rockwell
For Fans Of: Andrew Bird, Laura Veirs, Ben Sollee

On her new album and sometimes during live shows, Anni Rossi covers a song that tends to stump even the most dedicated audiophiles. As she plucks the first few bars of the Ace of Base hit "Living in Danger" on her viola, “I might see a few people get big smiles on their faces, but most of them don’t have a clue.” Rossi says....Find out more about Anni Rossi here

Wheelpusher - Anni Rossi

With baseball season in full swing (get it!?), we've created a list of the best baseball movies of all time.Take a look at some of our favorites



Band of the Week: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears



Hometown: Austin, Texas
Band Members:Black Joe Lewis (vocals, guitar), Zach Ernst (guitar), David McKnight (tenor sax), Eduardo Ramirez (baritone sax), Darren Sluyter (trumpet), Bill Stevenson (bass), Matt Strmiska (drums), Ian Varley (keyboard)
Album: Tell 'Em What Your Name Is
For Fans Of: James Brown, Skip James, Howlin' Wolf

When you watch Black Joe Lewis enthrall a crowd of hipsters with soul riffs hotter than Bo Diddley’s kitchen stove, keep one thing in mind: the 27-year-old performer is still figuring out just what he’s capable of...Find out more about Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears here

Gunpowder - Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Band of the Week: The Coathangers



Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Band Members: Julia Kugel (guitar/vocals), Stephanie Luke (drums/vocals), Candice Jones (keyboard/vocals), Meredith Franco (bass/vocals)
Album:Scramble
For Fans Of: X-Ray Spex, Le Tigre. Black Lips

T“People tell us, ‘Oh, I thought you guys were gonna suck!’” says keyboardist Candice "Bebe Coathanger" Jones. Her fellow Coathangers, gathered at a table in a coffee shop outside their hometown of Atlanta, alternately nod and shake their heads quizzically...
Find out more about The Coathangers here


Shut The Fuck Up - The Coathangers

Artist of the Week: Wavves



Hometown: San Diego, California
Album:Wavvves
For Fans Of: No Age, Sonic Youth, Nirvana

Twenty-two-year-old surf-punk wunderkind Nathan Williams, who performs as Wavves, is an unlikely candidate for the voice of a generation. But with guitar notes as ragged as his asymmetrical bangs, and with themes of apathy, financial hardship and general malaise recurring throughout his pseudo-eponymous sophomore album, Wavvves (out now on Fat Possum), what better way to soundtrack the recent economic downturn than with his static-soaked collages, recorded lovingly—and for free—on GarageBand in a backyard shack?
Find out more about the Wavves here


So Bored - Wavves

Band of the Week: Fujiya & Miyagi



Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Album:Technicolor Health
For Fans Of: Vampire Weekend, White Rabbits, The Shins

“Maybe it’s just like a personal delusion, [but] I feel like I relate to, say, Akon, more than I do Death Cab for Cutie,” quips Harlem Shakes lead singer Lexy Benaim...
Find out more about the Harlem Shakes here

Strictly Game - Harlem Shakes


Yawn! Man-oh-man, we're tired here at Paste. If you haven't already heard, South by Southwest was last weekend. When we weren't hosting three parties, we were trying to catch as many shows as we could. Take a look at some of the bands we've recommended. If you haven't heard of them, you will soon. Check out our picks here

With hundreds of bands converging upon Austin and what seems like a zillion shows to choose from, planning a South by Southwest schedule can be a daunting task. Last year, we tried to make some sense of it all by offering up our hour-by-hour recommendations list. This year we done did it again—but that's not all! We're hosting three day parties (M. Ward, Indigo Girls, Daniel Johnston, Passion Pit, The Avett Brothers, Heartless Bastards, The Wrens, Samantha Crain, many more, oh my!) this week, covering the festival in various ways on the Festivus blog, and anticipating that coverage with all sorts of great SXSW-related stuff right here on these interwebby pages. It's a lot to take in, but we know you're good for it. Enjoy, and here are our SXSW 2009 music picks, conveniently split up by day:Check out our full list of recommendations here

Artists of the Week - William Elliot Whitmore

Hometown: Lee County, Iowa

Album: Animals in the Dark
For Fans Of: Tom Waits, Woody Guthrie, Reverend Gary Davis

William Elliott Whitmore needed a change of pace. After concluding his Southern Records trilogy, a series of albums steeped in country-folk and Delta blues variants, through which the musician and humble horse-farmer worked through his grief over the death of his parents, he retreated home to his cabin in Iowa to listen to the coyotes howl. He didn't know if he had anything left to say; his songwriting had been cathartic, but the despair he once felt was turning to disgust...

Read more about William Elliot Whitemore at Paste


Midnight - William Elliott Whitmore

Paste's SXSW Party Mix!


In just a few days, Paste will be heading down - more accurately, heading West - to Austin, Texas for SXSW! Though we'd like you to believe that we're discovering new artists from all over the world, boning up on independent films and schmoozing Janeane Garofalo - we're just going to party. Actually - we're hosting three parties. These won't be your typical shindigs either - no "ipod mixtapes/playlist/mycollectionisbetterthanyours" shenanigans here - live music from some of the best bands around. And since we're a bunch of party animal(z), you're guaranteed a wonderful time. Check out our full details of our SXSW coverage here.

Here are just a few of the bands playing our ragers. Just click, listen and scroll.

Paste @ SXSW


"Devils in Boston" Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers
"Vocalist/guitarist Crain, along with her band The Midnight Shivers [drummer Jacob Edwards, bassist Andrew Tanz and guitarist Nate Hendricks], delivers a refreshing brand of indie-folk that fuses accessible, narrative lyrics with a home-grown wholesomeness reminiscent of her rural origin." - Paste Magazine, Artist of the Week 07/20/08
Need we say more?

"I Google You" Amanda Palmer
Palmer could probably perform as both on the music and comedy circuits showcased at SXSW this year. When we heard this song, we were instantly enamored by her Ella Fitzgeraldesque crooning and acute awareness of hi-tech voyeurism. She sings "I google you late at night/when I don't know what to do/I've found photos you don't know that you're in/put up by your friends." Admit it, we can all relate and maybe we've gone so far as to google earth an abode or two. No one judges, not even Amanda Palmer.

"Airport Surroundings" Loney Dear
Loney Dear is just one of the many international bands that will be at SXSW this year. They stopped by the office a few weeks ago for a fantastic performance and we can't wait to see them again. If you are flying into Austin, we hope you enjoy your surroundings as much as the guys of Loney Dear do.

"I Woke Up Today" Port O'Brien
Make this song your new morning alarm and you'll never over sleep again.

"Bitch, I Love You" Black Joe Lewis
Black Joe Lewis comes off a little strong with this song title, we assume he's a passionate romantic - but not in the Chris Brown/Rihanna way. This is precious and gritty, like peanut butter, jelly and glass shards. M'mm, it hurts so good.

"When I Get to the Border" M. Ward f. Zooey Deschanel (She & Him)
Even though She & Him are not performing together for us, M. Ward will be at our party. We assume Zooey will show up to support M. Ward with her man Ben Gibbard in tow-we can only hope! As one of the top songs of the duet and a stunner off the "The Go-Getter" soundtrack, this sparkling serenade predates the She & Him's foundation by all but a few months. Even though this new combo is certainly delightful, and one of our favorites of 2008, we're looking forward to M. Ward's sincere solo presence to steal our hearts back. You don't need her, M - you have us - and she has Death Cab.

"All the Words" The Bridges
There is nothing we love more than sibling bands. Eisley, The Avett Brothers (also playing one of our parties), AC/DC, Hanson (yup!), Oasis, Radiohead, Tegan and Sara, The Watson Twins - aw,heck - even those cute brunette brothers that are friends with the mouse. What's the name? Oh yeah - The Jonas Brothers. Why didn't we get those kinds of genes? We'll just harbor our secret jealousy and bask in the musical genetic advantages that make up The Bridges. Thanks - Ma & Pa.

"Sleepy Head" Passion Pit
Passion Pit has been one of our favorite bands as of late. We can guarantee all eyes on stage and feet off the floor when these boys perform for us. Have you started clapping yet? Clap...clap...clap...clap. Dance off - right here, right now! ::::Paste staffers spin on backs_flipkick_headstand_360_worm crawl_ harlem shake_hand in shirt heartbeat_reverse tail spin_glare with hands folder across chests_lip pout galore::::
Paste 1-0

"Feet Asleep" Thao Nguyen
Interesting - we've just noticed two consecutive sleep songs. We're sure to be fatigued post-SXSW, but until then - forget about it. She was ever so lovely while stopping by Paste a few months ago as she beatboxed her way into our hearts. Thao Nguyen promises to be tons of fun.

"Sad Song" Au Revoir Simone
The only thing sad about this song is when it ends. Tear - we'll miss you lovely songstresses at the end of the party. No - don't stay and clean up, you're too kind but we've got it. Just go celebrate and here - take some potato chips for the road.

"From the Hips" Cursive
We'll be dancing from the hips as Cursive sings "we were better off as animals," which we can only assume he means that Pasters are best as party animals. Thanks for the Paste shout-out, Cursive!

There's a tiny detail in one of the scenes from Watchmen that's indicative of the graphic novel's larger complexity and the play between word and image within it.Catching Up With...Watchmen illustrator Dave Gibbons

Artists of the Week - DM Stith

Hometown: Bloomington, Ind. via Brooklyn and Buffalo, N.Y

Album: Heavy Ghost
For Fans Of: Castanets, Wooden Wand, Sufjan Stevens

As the son of a choir director and pianist, young David Stith was positioned to follow a similarly musical path. But at age eight, he began refusing to sing; for the next two decades, he instead turned his focus to visual art....

Read more at Paste


Be My Baby (newest) - DM Stith
Be My Baby - DM Stith

Why Vacation When YOU Could Be Here?



A playlist to complement our Six Greatest Things That Happened This Week to Paste Staffers Not on the Cayamo Cruise.""
As you may have heard, a few Paste staffers are cruising the Caribbean on Cayamo this week and shared their favorite things via blog post. If sipping Coco Loco's, riding an inflatable banana boat, getting a sun tan and watching Over the Rhine perform from the comfortable view of a 90-100 degree hot tub doesn't tickle your fancy, consider vacationing in lovely Decatur, GA - your next great vacation destination. There are many wonderful things in Decatur (like Paste HQ), we hope to see you soon! Here are our highlights from this week, let us take you on a "journey through song." Start the playlist and keep reading...


Decatur Vacation Playlist


"Decatur" Eagle Scout
Yes, they mean Decatur, GA (we hope). A lovely area just outside of the city of Atlanta, Decatur is home to the Michael Stipe, Lil'Jon and Chris Tucker. Don't believe us? Check out wikipedia's Decatur page
Decatur also has lots of yummy restaurants and fun bars. Our interns (or "winterns) love the venture to the Brick Store, Dancing Goats coffee shop and Tacqueria del Sol, just to name a few must sees.

"Inches & Falling" The Format
Even though The Format is no longer together, we can still enjoy their music and hope - just maybe - for a reunion tour. But why this song, you ask? Because for the first time in a long time, it snowed last weekend. We're not talking flurries - it straight up DUMPED on Atlanta. Have you ever heard of "thunder snow?" Neither have we. Turns out it is pretty self-explanatory. Take a thunder storm, sprinkle a little lightning and add 1-2 inches of snow falling from the sky. When lightning strikes, everything turns completely white.

"Space Jam Theme Song" Space Jam Soundtrack
Despite the treacherous weather, our winterns bundled up and headed to Phillips Arena to watch the Atlanta Hawks take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (read: just Lebron James). The Hawks lost their hope for overtime in the last two seconds of the game, ugh - Lebron, but they did not leave disappointed. Bill Murray's court side appearance justified that dangerous trek. Our interns are all about the same age to have enjoyed Murray's victorious defeat over the Mon-stars in Warner Brother film, Space Jam. He stole the show back then (Michael Jordan was alright, too) and once again left the interns with warm hearts at the Hawks/Cavs game. Thank you, Bill Murray.

"Ice Ice Baby" Ben Kweller
Thundersnow +
"Under Construction" No Doubt
This week a massive renovation project has started in the office space downstairs. As our vacationing staffers enjoy the soothing sounds of the musicians on board Cayamo, we've been hearing some music of our own. We love the sound of drilling, hammering, clinking of metal, and ground vibrations coming from the construction crew below. Really - we always wondered what the latest Maria Taylor album would sound like with industrial inconsistent percussion. On the plus side, now we can drop our "acoustic-only before 5 PM" rule when musicians visit the Paste studio. And - it should be noted - Gwen Stefani and her crew are headed on tour this year!!!!

"California On My Mind" Wild Light
From the article: "Editor-in-Chief Josh has been blasting their "California on my Mind" from his desk speakers at top volume pretty much all year, so it's a bit ironic that the band came to visit while he was out on the high seas. The rest of us made a pretty nice welcome committee, though, for this great new four-piece out of New Hampshire, whose stripped-down set included three acoustic guitars, one drummed-on guitar case and a bunch of beachy harmonies." Well said, Rachael Maddux - we couldn't agree more.

"Strictly Game" Harlem Shakes
Even though the Harlem Shakes were battling colds and assorted tour-related maladies, they blew us away with a few songs off of their new album (ironically titled) Technicolor Health when they stopped by the Paste studio. They even had Managing Editor Nick singing backup vocals on their cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World." We enjoyed the studio performance so much that many of us went to their show later that evening.


"Electricity, Electricity" Schoolhouse Rock
This week, our web editor Austin bought a new power cord in leiu the demise of his former power source. We'll never forget you, Sparky. May you rest in peace.

"Ten Dead Dogs" Wild Sweet Orange
All this week, we've had two fantastic dogs grace the office and provide comforting legs brushes, puppy dog glances and welcome distractions. Zoe, Managing Editor Nick's boxer, and Baxter, Metaleap designer Josh's terrier/chihuahua mix are our new best friends. This song is a tribute to multimedia producer Kevin Keller - it is his favorite song by WSO who will be playing Atlanta tonight with Gringo Star. Just ignore the dogs being dead part - we have had a wonderful week with our very sweet and very much alive canines. Look at the puppies!