By day, John Stirratt and Pat Sansone are members of rock standard-bearers Wilco, but for over a decade the pair have fronted passion project The Autumn Defense, whose Yep Roc release 'Once Around' hits stores on November 2nd.
John joins us today with a few thoughts on—you guessed it—vinyl.Cool older sisters. The unsung muses that launched a thousand bands. I can still see the Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy poster, feel the shag pile underfoot as I asked for the umpteenth time what the significance of this POW bracelet was. "Well, it's a remembrance of a soldier who is captured over there, and if he's returned home, you break it in half." Over where? Breaking the bracelet was fine, but don't touch the record player, and I'm sorry, but you're a little too young to handle the... records. These records Elizabeth had were not groundbreaking - at the very least MOR: Beatles, Queen, Stones, James Taylor, Elton... but the time spent in that room staring a hole into the jacket, spending large amounts of time listening to what was the real golden age of analogue recording - that was a shared, communal experience that so many people of my and earlier generations had in common, and for different reasons, what later generations didn't. 
The experience wasn't only about 'simpler times' - it seemed long gone even during the pre-internet /gaming mid to late 80's when it seemed that stereos got crappier, listening went inside the car. It had something to do with the large artifact of vinyl, the visual.My first record: Band on the Run - 1973, and I remember growing up in the New Orleans area and hearing the single alongside other regional hits on the radio - 'They All Asked for You' by the Meters was all the rage that Carnival season in February-March 1975, but I guess local NO radio was still playing 'Jet' a year later. Anyway, I asked my parents for it - and they got it for me. I still have it, and I feel like I'm in a time machine looking at the 3-peice Wings, with the coffee-stained passports and pre-mullet do's.
It's hard for someone who grew up with vinyl LPs to not be nostalgic about the medium, but the fact that the technology remains superior - even with higher sample rates - is some weird comfort to me, that things weren't improved upon. And like the streetcar, it remains an example of perhaps a slower paced, but richer point in time.The Autumn Defense - Back of My Mind (Mp3)Approved for download!
It's our Thursday flashback, culled from the rare and (ultra) obscure crates of 80’s vinyl, curated by our pal Gil:KIM CLARKE – It’s A Grey Day LPWe head to British North America for another underappreciated indie obscurity. This post starts with an imposing front album jacket picture of artist Kim Clarke wearing a gas mask. Kim Clarke has spent the majority of his time in Vancouver, BC. In his early days, he was a skilled guitarist by trade and even taught guitar lessons. 
He played in a variety of bands in the mid-late 70’s and then in the early 80’s he joined the obscure guitar post punk band Mocassin Telegraph. Kim then struck out on his own in the mid 80’s to record and produce this only solo full length effort. The main driving force behind this energetic album comes from the multi-talented Al Rodger, who was producer, engineer and instrumental guru. Al would go on to work with major Canadian music talent and have his own production studio.By the looks of the front album jacket, one would expect an apocalyptic type of session here. Well, Kim does deliver the goods in an ominous post punk style with some of the more notable tracks being provided below. Other tracks move into a guitar oriented alternative rock sound that works with the overall theme. Overall - this is a worthy addition to a post punk angled 80’s vinyl collection. Go visit Kim, he’s got a presence in the online w.orld….you can find more detailed info, bio, videos and songs here.Kim Clarke - It's A Grey Day (Mp3)
Kim Clarke - Place To Escape To (Mp3)
Kim Clarke - You Are Fire (Mp3)For more obscure and unknown titles, check out Vinyl Obscurity.
