Jarvis Cocker: "Further Complications" (Video)

As we sat here on a Friday morning, waiting for our flight to depart out of Laguardia, we stumbled into some free wifi, and subsequently started browsing YouTube. The result was the above video, which we somehow missed last fall, but which is utterly and unquestionably worth watching. If you're obsessed with Jarvis (as we are) then you'll no doubt find the video for "Further Complications" the best thing you've seen in quite some time. xoxo.

Little Joy, Jarvis Cocker Played Music Hall Of Williamsburg - Review, Setlist

Last Thursday night we managed to get out for a night in Brooklyn to catch up with Jarvis Cocker. The last time we caught JC's show it was at the Fillmore, and it certainly did not disappoint. Fresh off of a new record (and newly divorced) we had a guess that Cocker's performance might be even more saucy this time around, and boy were we right.

Little Joy opened the night with their full lineup; This included the on-hiatus Fabrizio Moretti who apparently managed to pencil in the time for this hometown gig. The band played a set that more or less drew upon their debut record, and (at least to our ears) seemed relatively par-for-the-course. Maybe it's because they were in an opening slot, or maybe it was just the vibe of the night, but it seemed that the band never quite hit their stride.

The main act was another story entirely: Cocker took to the stage and never let up for the duration of the set. On stage his band almost seemed frozen when compared to JC's frenetic movement from song to song. He is, most certainly, a showman at heart. Equal parts Bowie and vaudeville dancer, Cocker simply manages to have the crowd wrapped around his finger while he delivers his performance.

The set focused heavily on the new record, Further Complications, and it should be said that the songs hold up even better live than they do on the record. Some of the tunes that seem a bit simplistic or trite on the record really benefit from the energy and vigor infused by the live environment. In fact, the only weak point we could find in the set was the choice to close with the mellowed out "Discosong". After such an intense show, we would have rather seen Jarvis go out with a bang.

That being said, our conclusion is the same: If you ever have the opportunity you really must catch Jarvis Cocker in concert. His dynamic energy and showmanship is simply unparalleled in the world of music, and is a sight to be seen (and heard). While we weren't on camera duty on Thursday, we have to say that we think our lone cameraphone shot (above) illustrates the gig pretty well. Which is to say: a really, really, good time.

Jarvis Cocker Setlist
--
Angela
Further Complications
Leftovers
Slush
Big Julie
I Never Said I Was Deep
Homewrecker
Fat Children
Black Magic
--
Pilchard
Hold Still
Don't Let Him Waste Your Time
You're In My Eyes (Discosong)

Head to Brooklyn Vegan for some nice pics.

Jarvis Cocker: Live In Chicago (Video, With New Songs)

We've been digging on Jarvis Cocker's latest, Further Complications, quite a bit over the past few weeks. As such we were psyched to stumble upon video of his full set at last year's Pitchfork music festival in Chicago.

This video definitely qualifies as "must see". The performance is spectacular, the audio and video are great, and best of all it features tons of tunes of the new record. There's a lot of awesomeness to be had, so get watching!

Jarvis Cocker Plots Summer Tour

Jarvis Cocker's forthcoming second solo album is certainly high on our list of must-haves for the year. Given that, we were stoked to see that Cocker has planned a brief summer tour, with a few notable US stops. Sadly, if you're not on one of the coasts, you're out of luck: the tour's only US stops are in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Lucky us!

Cocker's SF stop will be at The Fillmore, and having seen his 2007 show at the same venue, we can assure you that this is one you won't want to miss. The combination of Cocker's epic showmanship with San Francisco's most notable venue is just way too sweet to pass up. Combine that with a whole album's worth of material, and well, you get the idea. Tickets are on sale now.

mp3: Jarvis Cocker - Angela

Jarvis Cocker Summer 2009 Dates
May 29 Primavera Festival Barcelona
May 31 Vega Copenhagen
Jun 2 Fabrik Hamburg
Jun 3 Rockhal Luxembourg
Jun 4 Bataclan Paris
Jun 6 Ancienne Belgique Brussels
Jun 10 Empress Ballroom Blackpool
Jun 12 ABC Glasgow
Jun 14 Rock City Nottingham
Jun 16 Brighton Dome Brighton
Jun 17 Troxy London
Jun 19 Ejekt Festival Athens
Jul 24 Secret Garden Party Huntingdon
Jul 27 Wiltern Theater Los Angeles
Jul 28 Fillmore Theater San Francisco
Jul 30 Terminal 5 New York
Aug 8 Berlin Festival Berlin
Aug 21 Frequency Festival St. Polten
Aug 22 Green Man Festival Brecon Beacons

Jarvis Cocker Drops New Single, "Angela"

We couldn't be more psyched for this news: It's been three years since Jarvis Cocker's debut solo record Jarvis made it's way into the world, and two years since he wowed us at The Fillmore. Well now he's back for more. The former Pulp front man has been relatively quiet for a spell, but it now he's on tap to release a new record, entitled Further Complications. The disc is the result of an collaboration with non-producer Steve Albini, and promises to have a raw sound in line with Albini's decidedly hands-off methods.

In anticipation of the new record, the first single "Angela" has just dropped, and in many ways is exactly what you might expect. Raw, retro, and garagey, the track clocks in at just under three minutes. It's loaded with more backup vocals and handclaps than you can shake a stick at, and is based solely around one solid guitar riff. To our ears, this is about as early 60's as you can get without a time machine, and we like it. Well played, Jarv.

mp3: Jarvis Cocker - Angela

Further Complications drops on 5/18.

Thanks to Stereogum for the tip.

New Jarvis Cocker

Jarvis Cocker debuted a new tune in Argentina called "Girls Like It Too". Audience-caliber footage, but still a nice look at the new tunage. Check it out below, thanks to Product Shop NYC for the tip.