http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rqNteisSqs

we got to write a song for a PR pitch to represent the Grain Foods Foundation. it turned out pretty good.  check the link.

We had a great show at the Cactus Cafe the other night.  If you weren't able to make it, you can listen and / or download songs from the show in our player. 

they liked our cover art!
http://austinist.com/2008/08/06/le_diamant_brut_cheap_time_alexande.php

Music to Stand by the Fireplace to is available in Austin at the following retailers:

End of an Ear
Sound on Sound
Cheapo
Waterloo

We are also available nationally on-line at
http://cdbaby.com/cd/alexandersdarkband
You can get it either by mp3 or by physical copy.

You will like it.  We promise.  Check out our CD review in the previous post.

Floating beyond the standard rubric of lyrically quirky indie pop, Alexander's Dark Band demonstrates the power of thoughtful arrangements in moving novel narratives toward individual distinction. Named for the unlit sky between two rainbows, the kitchen-sink symphonic sextet colors a half-serious/half-kidding approach that wouldn't be entirely out of place in a Christopher Guest mockumentary. Following an overture that sets a relatively unassuming musical tone, "Tarzan" documents the frayed existence of a celebrity has-been through telltale observations, like having an autographed photo on the dry cleaner's wall. Then "Pico" recounts the all-too-short saga of a baby chick purchased at a flea market. These tragicomic social commentaries evoke a local chamber music take on the Flaming Lips, while the oddball affinity in "Unicorns" leans toward Kimya Dawson. Although Fireplace contains somber passages to balance out the whimsy, the sixtysomething man wearing a thong at Barton Springs pool in "The Big Whisper" is the take-home image you won't soon forget.

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/review?oid=oid%3A634951

we got our first writeup of sorts from the austin chronicle.  here's what they said: "Alexander's Dark Band skews positively pastoral with wind, strings, and quirk-laden wordplay"

we'll take that as a complement.  thanks austin chronicle.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Calendar/MusicListings?StartTime=2008-01-25

http://www.austin360.com/calendar/mediahub/media/slideshow/index.jsp?tId=33243

pics from our aug. 29th show at emo's. 

we just read about the history of canned laughter.  apparently, it was not created for television, as we had originally thought.  roman playwrights, way back in the day, would hire people that would disperse themselves among the audience and laugh at the moments that were intended to be funny.  the french, in the 1800's, not only employed laughers, but also weepers, and elbow nudgers.  an elbow nudger would nudge people with his / her elbow and say things like, "this is where it gets really good."  quite a few french people were employed in this profession.  they almost started a union, but their livelihood depended on their anonymity, so it was not possible for them to assemble.  plus, it would be very difficult to gauge the popularity of any one idea of a group of people who had made careers out of being disingenuous. 
partly because of this, french playwrights were the most successful in history. one hardly ever hears "19th century" unaccompanied by the term "french play."  the two almost go hand in hand.
we regularly take lessons from history.  we would like the year 2007 to be remembered as the "year of Alexander's Dark Band."  therefore, we are seeking laughers and elbow nudgers for upcoming shows. please contact us for more info.