Half and Hour with Mark Eiztel in Amsterdam 2013

A great video of Mark Eiztel playing the Paradiso Amsterdam in 2013. I assume although I don't know that it is an edited set list but its still a wonderful performance of some classic American Music Club and solo material. It's a shame the banter has been cut back as Mark is often very funny in a deadpan kind of way.



The track listing is as follows:

• Mission Rock Resort
• Dead Part of You
• Apology for an Accident
• Blue and Grey Shirt
• Decibels and Little Pills
• Bad Liquor 

Mark Eitzel Talks About Songwriting to Northampton Students

Mark Eitzel of American Music Club came to the University of Northampton and spoke to music students about song writing and many other things. Also contains some amazing performances by Mark.

Mark talks about songwriting in general, his songwriting process or lack of it,working with Peter Buck of R.E.M., why he uses real live in his songs and songwriting as art v songwriting as commerce, working in American Music Club (with special mention of Vudi's guitar playing). He also talks about the difference between songwriting with electronics and writing song's with guitars. He also talks about his favorite lyric writers name checking Nick Drake and Iggy Pop.

The crowd look a little confused by it all but then his back catalogue is confusing. 

Live songs are:

• Mission Rock Resort 
• I Love You But Your Dead 
• Firefly
• I've Been a Mess

Mark Eitzel full LP stream - Don't Be a Stranger

Paste Magazine have posted a complete stream of the new Mark Eitzel LP - Don't Be a Stranger. I have had a copy of the LP for about a month and its a glorious listen. The production on it is full of light and air and Mark's guitar playing carries real shades of Nick Drake.

I am not one for listening to streams of records that I think I am going to love. I think listening to a record should be like a first date, something that should be treasured and given the attention it deserves not done at your desk at work.

This is what Paste have to say about the LP.

"...Renowned songwriter Mark Eitzel, of San Francisco band American Music Club, is set to release his new solo album Don’t Be A Stranger on Oct. 2 via Merge Records.

For the album, Eitzel worked with acclaimed producer Sheldon Gomberg (Rickie Lee Jones, Ben Harper) to create a piece of work that displays his finest musical talents.

Eitzel has plans to make a US tour later in 2012 followed by a European tour in early 2013. In the meantime, you can stream his album below and look out for the release of Don’t Be a Stranger on October 2..."

Anyway - here the link to the stream. Enjoy it -

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2012/09/album-stream---mark-eitzel-dont-be-a-stranger.html

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Mark Eitzel - I Love But You're Dead (Audio Stream)

I Love You But Your're Dead is the opening track on Mark Eiztel (American Music Clubs) new LP Don't Be A Stranger.
When he played it live in Winchester on Sunday he talked about how it was about meeting  Destroy all Monsters when he was a young man in his first ever punk band.

The production on the new LP is great and lightness of touch really shows of the ache and awe in Mark Eiztels voice.

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Mark Eitzel - Don't Be A Stranger New LP

Very pleasing to hear that Mark Eitzel is going to release a new LP this year.

Don't Be a Stranger will be released by Decor Record in the UK on the first of October.

"...in May of 2011, Mark suffered a serious heart attack that kept him out of circulation until the following October, forcing him to re-evaluate his lifestyle and habits and take a step back from the recording.  Good luck suddenly appeared in the form of a friend who had just won the lottery and offered to fund his recording in a professional studio. Producer Sheldon Gomberg put together a band that included Attraction’s drummer Pete Thomas and American Music Club guitarist Vudi on a few songs, as well as a full string section and many Los Angeles musical luminaries. The collaboration between Mark and Sheldon had an organic sound resulting in a generous and beautiful record, about which Mark says, “I wanted to make an album more reminiscent of records like Harvest by Neil Young or Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake than anything I’ve previously done..."

The track listing is as follows - 

Tracklist: Mark Eitzel, Don’t Be a Stranger

1. “I Love You But You’re Dead”
2. “The Bill Is Due”
3. “All My Love”
4. “Oh Mercy”
5. “Costume Characters Face Dangers In The Workplace”
6. “Why Are You With Me”
7. “Lament For Bobo The Clown”
8. “Break The Champagne”
9. “We All Have To Find Our Own Way Out”
10. “You’re Waiting”
11. “Nowhere To Run”

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Mark Eitzel The Thorn in My Side is Gone Live SXSW

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Brilliant version of the American Music Club track - The Thorn in My Side is Gone from the San Francisco LP. Mark Eiztel is is wonderful voice, the piano playing by Marc Capelle is great. Its good to see him have use of a grand piano and not the piano synth he played in Bristol last year. Getting Mark to give up the guitar and just sing has proved to be inspired. The man has a golden voice full of red wine hurt and experience. He is a soul singer if I have ever heard one!

Thanks to Ben Londa of Exit Productions for filming and uploading this.

Mark Eitzel & American Music Club South by South West 2011

The great Mark Eitzel is playing a number of shows at South by South West in 2011 as solo and American Music Club.

The details can be found on his blog here - Mark Eitzel South by South West

He is playing as part of the Merge Records show case and a number of other public/free events.

Friday night Merge showcase and Saturday night showcase are both wristband/badge-only, as they are official SXSW events. All others below are free to the public. Most of the shows are Mark Eitzel, Marc Capelle and Vudi.

Weds 3/16
AnSo Party @ Spiderhouse - Mark plays 1-1:30pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126420674098574

Weds 3/16
Noise Pop @ Red Eyed Fly - Mark plays 5:15-6pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102370176509669

Thurs 3/17
Joe Raaen Party @ Cheers Shot Bar Deck - Mark plays 3:45

Thurs 3/17
Music By The Slice @ Home Slice - Mark/AMC plays 5:50-6:20pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=200620243282963

Fri 3/18
Merge Showcase @ The Parish - AMC plays at 10pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=193197650710070

Sat 3/19
Yard Dog Party @ Yard Dog Gallery - Mark plays 1:30-2pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=154459411274327

Sat 3/19
Showcase @ St. David's Bethel Hall - Mark plays at 10pm
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102677506478529

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Mark Eitzel Bristol November 2009

Mark Eitzel St Bonaventures Social Club Bristol.

A piano, a voice and the solid gold song writing of Mark Eitzel. This was some night. Mark was on sparkling form at St Bonventures Social Club. His voice of wine bruised wisdom and burning regret. That voice infused the material with a gravitas, wonder, soul and strength. The tales of losers, the lost and the lonely burnt with a passion rare and wise. From the warm introduction of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” to the closing requiem of “Nightwatchman” there was nothing to fault. A great review here from Extreme Listening Mode of the Mark Eitzel gig in Edinburgh.

Thanks to Jane Oriel for the videos.

100 Greatest LP's Since I Was Born

My Favorite 100 LPS since I was born.



My Top 100 LPs since I was born!
1. American Music Club – California
2. New Order – Low Life
3. The National – Alligator
4. Momus – Tender Pervert
5. Tricky – Maxinquaye
6. Pixies – Surfer Rosa
7. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
8. Burial – Untrue
9. Portishead – Dummy
10. PJ Harvey – Rid of Me

11. The Human League – Dare
12. My Bloody Valentine – Isn’t Anything
13. Band of Holy Joy – Manic, Magic, Majestic
14. Galaxie 500 – On Fire
15. The Smiths – Meat is Murder
16. Belong – October Music
17. Talk Talk – Laughing Stock
18. Jens Lekman – Oh Your So Silent Jens
19. Disco Inferno – D.I. Go Pop
20. Art of Noise – (Who’s Afraid of)The Art of Noise

21. Prince - Parade
22. Mark Eitzel – Sixty Watt Silver Lining
23. William Basinski – Disintegration Loops
24. Antony & The Johnsons – I am A Bird Now
25. The Caretaker - Theoretically Pure Anterograde
26. Blue Nile – Hats
27. Underworld – NodubbasswIthmyheadman
28. Bjork - Debut
29. Arctic Monkeys – My Favourite Worst Nightmare
30. The Smiths – Hatful of Hollow

31. The Cure – 17 Seconds
32. Arab Strap – The Week Never Starts Round Here
33. Stone Roses – Stone Roses
34. Depeche Mode – Black Celebration
35. Lilly Allen – Alright Still
36. Jesus & Mary Chain – Psychocandy
37. Vic Chesnut – West of Rome
38. This Mortal Coil – It’ll End In Tears
39. Tom Waits – Rain Dogs
40. Billy Bragg – Workers Playtime
41. Pet Shop Boys – Please
42. PIL – Metal Box
43. Tim Hecker – An Imaginary Country
44. Bob Mould – Work Book
45. Richmond Fontaine - The Fitzgerald
46. Cowboy Junkies – Caution Horses
47. R.E.M. – Document
48. Morrissey – Vauxhall & I
49. Primal Scream – Screamadelica
50. Galaxie 500 – Today

51. Talk Talk – Sprit of Eden

52. Junior Boys – No Exit
53. Joy Division – Closer
54. Michael Jackson – Off The Wall
55. Yellow Swans – Drift
56. My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
57. Burial – Burial
58. The The – Soul Mining
59. Kraftwerk – The Man Machine
60. Soft Cell – Non Stop Erotic Cabaret
61. Robert Wyatt – Rock Bottom

62. New Order – Technique
63. Afghan Whigs – Gentlemen
64. Rilo Kiley - More Adventurous
65. Nick Cave – The Boatmans Call
66. PJ Harvey – White Chalk
67. Vic Chesnut – Drunk
68. Big Black – Atomiser
69. American Music Club – United Kingdom
70. The Cure – Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me
71. Beach Boys – Surfs Up

72. Brian Eno – On Land
73. Suicide – Suicide
74. Buzzcocks – Another Music From a Different Kitchen
75. Big Star – Third/Sister Lovers
76. Nirvana – In Utero
77. Bruce Springsteen – Nebraska
78. Durutti Column – Vini Reilly
79. Malcolm Middleton - Into The Woods
80. Times New Viking – Born Again Revisited

81. This Heat – Deceit
82. The Go-Betweens – Tallulah
83. His Name Is Alive – Mouth by Mouth
84. Goldmund – Corduroy Road
85. The XX – XX
86. Matson Jones – Matson Jones
87. Wedding Present – Sea Monsters
88. The House of Love – The House of Love
89. A.R. Kane – 69
90. Scott Walker – Drift

91. Leila – Like Weather
92. Deerhunter – Microcastle
93. Nick Drake – Pink Moon
94. Billy Bragg – Lifes a Riot with Spy vs Spy
95. Liars – Drums not Dead
96. Bjork – Homogenic
97. Jack – Pioneer Soundtracks
98. Beloved – Happiness
99. Martyn – Great Lengths
100. Bon Iver – For Emma, forever ago.

Mark Eitzel Live - i left my heart in san francisco

Another video from the Hoboken Show. Mark Eitzel ripping through a delightful version of I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

Mark Eitzel Plays American Music Club - Me and Mr Jones

A little taste of Marks upcoming tour. Just Mark Eitzel singing and Marc Capelle playing the piano.

Marks wonderful cover of Me and Mr Jones

Mark Eitzel Live 2009

The ever wonderful Mark Eitzel is touring with Marc Capelle. They will performing American Music Club Songs, some covers and some new songs.

They is a good post on Mark Eitzel's blog.


Sat 7/18 New York, NY at Le Poisson Rouge
Sun 7/19 Hudson, NY at Jason’s Upstairs
Mon 7/20 Hoboken, NJ at Maxwell’s
Tue 7/21 Boston. MA at Lizard Lounge
Wed 7/22 Albany NY at Lindas at WAMC
Thu 7/23 Rochester, NY at Lovin’ Cup Cafe
Fri 7/24 Buffalo, NY at Marty & Susan’s House
Sat 7/25 Baltimore, MD at Metro Gallery
Sun 7/26 Chapel Hill, NC at Memorial Hall Theatre w/ She&Him & Wye Oak (part of the Merge XX celebration)
Mon 7/27 Arlington, VA at IOTA Club
Tue 7/28 Philadelphia, PA at Johnny Brenda’s
Wed 7/29 Brooklyn, NY at Bell House

Mark Eitzels upcoming tour for his new solo album looks a bit like this.

04.10.09 Exeter -Phoenix
06.10.09 Winchester – Tower Arts Centre
07.10.09 London - St Giles in the Fields
08.10.09 Brighton – The Basement
15.10.09 I-Milan, House Concert
16.10.09 I-Massa Carrara, Tagomago
17.10.09 I-Turin, House Concert
18.10.09 CH-Zurich, El Lokal
20.10.09 Karlsruhe, Jubez
22.10.09 L-Dudelange, Centre Culturel opderschmelz
23.10.09 B-Brussels, AB Club
24.10.09 B-Brugge, Music In Mind Festival
01.11.09 NL-Utrecht, Ekko
03.11.09 Bristol – St Bonaventures
04.11.09 Birmingham – Glee Club
05.11.09 Manchester - St Margaret's Church
07.11.09 Edinburgh – Cabaret Voltaire
08.11.09 Newcastle – Cluny 2
09.11.09 Leeds - Brudnell Social Club

The Invisible Blog

I wanted to point all Mark Eitzel and American Music Club fans in the direction of the wonderful Invisible Blog.

Shaun has done an amazing job of collating all manor of fabulous Mark Eitzel and American Club related information, MP3, sessions and videos. It’s the X on the blog treasure map for American Music Club fans like me.

It’s a goldmine of info. I had never heard of the film, I, Curmudgeon. Has anyone ever seen it? There are links to a wealth of wonderful video clips, interviews and some interesting reviews.

Go visit today its well worth the time.

The Invisible Blog