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April 22, 2006

Lifetime @ Emo's, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics PART 4

Previously
Lifetime @ Emo's, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics PART 3

Posted in SXSW | music | pictures at 5:42 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

April 21, 2006

James Blunt claims to entertain? | NY Times event, tix

James Blunt is speaking to writer Deborah Solomon about "How We Are Entertained" on June 4, 2006. It's part of a day-long CUNY / New York Times Magazine event. The full schedule is at their website. (via Bumpershine)

Posted in books | music at 5:07 PM | Comments (19) | TrackBack

Radiohead Boston dates & other predictions

Along with a few predictions, Chris says Radiohead is confirmed to play Boston June 4th & 5th.

Previously
Radiohead's 2006 U.S. Tour Dates so far

Posted in music | music at 4:54 PM | Comments (12) | TrackBack

Tapes 'n Tapes sold out Bowery | 2nd show added

T'nT PLAYING WITH NEW BASSIST (cred)

Why does Guns N' Roses put the apostrophe after the "N", Tapes 'n Tapes put it before the "n", and Rock 'n' Roll put it in both places? Tapes 'n Tapes SOLD OUT Bowery Ballroom (June 6), so they added a 2nd show (June 4). Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon.

Previously
Tapes 'n Tapes | Updated Tour Dates, new bassist
(still unsigned) Tapes 'n Tapes Touring | Bowery Ballroom

Posted in music at 3:47 PM | Comments (12) | TrackBack

Lansing-Dreiden Section II | Tour Dates (tonight), new album, MP3

DOWNLOAD: A Line You Can Cross (new MP3)
Lansing-Dreiden is a company whose extensive body of work consists of forays into music, video, sculpture, drawing and writing.....The Dividing Island is Lansing-Dreiden's second full-length album and it will be out May 9th.....Their new line up brings hints of Caribbean jams and synth pop struts with new lead singers Sect and Ion."
TOUR DATES
4/21 New York, NY @ Don Hills (NIGHT TIME PARTY)
4/29 Brooklyn, NY @ Asterisk Art Project (w/ The Lily's)
5/5 New York, NY @ Tonic (w/ Dragons of Zynth, Mirror Mirror)
5/16 New York, NY @ The Annex Record Release Show / Gallery opening at Rivington Arms)

The rest of the dates below...

6/19 Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
6/20 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
6/22 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
6/24 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour

Posted in music at 3:27 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

Kyp Malone @ SXSW | Tv on the Radio played some shows

I actually missed Kyp Malone's solo show at the Fader tent during SXSW. He was just leaving when I got there. Ghostface played on the same stage some time later.

TV on the Radio played two shows in NYC last week. One was unannounced at Union Pool in Brooklyn. Casa De Punk was there and has pictures. Someone told me they couldn't get in at 8:30, but Jerry says he got there at 9:26 and got in just fine (oh wait, that was just the same band in the same place last year, I'll leave the link up anyway).

The other show was well advertised, and at the sold-out Bowery Ballroom. I tried to buy a ticket about 5 minutes after they went on, but was told "no way". (I was in the neighborhood). Danfun has a review and pictures.

Previously
TV On the Radio, Matt Pond & Voxtrot playing Prospect Park
Tunde of TV on the Radio played Tonic
Tunde playing Tonic | TV on the Radio to Interscope
Kyp & band presenting at the Plug Awards

Posted in SXSW | music | pictures at 2:55 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack

Gnarls Barkley playing Webster Hall

Monday May 22nd, 2006 Gnarls Barkley - NYC debut @ Webster Hall, Ticket price:$25, on sale at noon on Wednesday April 26th (thx erik)

Posted in music at 2:26 PM | Comments (22) | TrackBack

Roger Waters | Dark Side of the Moon | Tour Dates!

FIRST: I never posted a review, but the David Gilmour show at Radio City Music Hall was one of the best shows I ever saw/heard. I didn't realize how good Radio City's sound can really get, and the light show was unreal...

DAVID GILMOUR @ RADIO CITY | APRIL 4, 2006 (from my camera phone)

NEXT....

"The tour promises a complete run-through of the 1973 Pink Floyd classic, Dark Side Of The Moon, which for the Magny-Cours concert, boasts Nick Mason on drums! The album will be performed alongside a selection of other Floyd classics, together with a number of Roger's solo material.

Roger was due to be performing at the Velodromo, in Palermo, Sicily on June 6th, but sadly, due to technical difficulties, this has had to be cancelled. A full refund can be obtained from the ticket agents.

Turning to the additional shows, these are being held in Moscow's legendary Red Square on June 24th, and at the Viking Stadium, in Stavanger, Norway, on June 26th. We understand that tickets for the latter show go on sale on April 25th, but are still waiting on confirmation of this. Our Roger Waters 2006 Tour Room will be updated with full details of these two new dates imminently.

We're also hoping to bring you full details of his proposed North American tour very shortly. Our thanks (as ever) to Roger's manager for his help..." [Brain Damage]

AND THE DATES
6 Sept PNC, Holmdel, NJ, USA On sale: May 19th
8 Sept Tweeter Center, Boston, Mass, USA On sale: April 29th
12 Sept Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA On sale: May 15th
13 Sept Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA On sale: May 15th
15 Sept Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY, USA On sale: May 19th

All dates below....

ROGER WATERS TOUR DATES
6 Sept PNC, Holmdel, NJ, USA On sale: May 19th
8 Sept Tweeter Center, Boston, Mass, USA On sale: April 29th
12 Sept Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA On sale: May 15th
13 Sept Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY, USA On sale: May 15th
15 Sept Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY, USA On sale: May 19th
16 Sept Tweeter Center, Camden, NJ, USA On sale: May 13th
18 Sept The Palace, Detroit, MI, USA On sale: May 6th
20 Sept Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada On sale: May 1st
21 Sept Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada On sale: May 1st
23 Sept Nissan Center, Bristow, VA, USA On sale: May 20th
24 Sept Post Gazette Pavilion, Pittsburgh, PA, USA On sale: May 1st
27 Sept Gund Center, Cleveland, OH, USA On sale: April 29th
29 Sept First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Chicago, IL, USA On sale: May 1st
30 Sept Verizon Wireless, Indianapolis, IN, USA On sale: May 1st
3 Oct Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ, USA On sale: April 29th
5 Oct Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, USA On sale: April 30th
8 Oct Theater Under The Stars, Las Vegas, NV, USA On sale: TBA
10 Oct Shoreline Amphitheatre, San Francisco, CA, USA On sale: May 7th
12 Oct Key Arena, Seattle, WA, USA On sale: May 6th

(thx thighmaster!)

Previously
Roger Waters to Perform Dark Side of the Moon (in France)
Pink Floyd say they're not reuniting (again)
David Gilmour Tour Dates | Tickets

Posted in music at 12:14 PM | Comments (133) | TrackBack

Guns N' Roses added 2 shows | all sold out

thank you thank you ...i got my tickets

whoever dropped the password...on your deathbed, you will achieve total conciousness. so you got that going for you. THANKS!

Son of a.....I bought 3 tix to the opening night on the 15th. Now they added 2 dates before on 12th and 14th. Anyone who has tix to Mon the 15th now will see the random 3rd show, and the only one that directly follows another performance. He stood me up in Philly in 02 when he was a no-show. Now this. He better show this time.

Whats the Mspace show everyone is talking about? Is there a myspace site/link?

GUNS N' ROSES @ HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM, NYC: Fri 05/12/06, Sun 05/14/06, Mon 05/15/06, Wed 05/17/06

All four shows are apparently now sold out. Hopefully you were following the crazy comments and got some tickets if you wanted them....

Posted in music at 11:30 AM | Comments (25) | TrackBack

We are Wolves @ Factory People, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics

DOWNLOAD (MP3s)
Little Birds
La Nature

I finally got the chance to see Montreal's We are Wolves at the late Saturday night Factory People party during SXSW (March 18, 2006). They went on before Voxtrot who went on before White Rose Movement. The combination of bands (and DJs...and free alcohol) made it a super fun way to end the week.

They have a bunch of U.S. dates coming up.

Previously
Voxtrot @ Factory People, Austin, TX (SXSW) pics
We Are Wolves from Montreal | Tour Dates | MP3

Posted in SXSW | music | pictures at 3:10 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

We are Wolves | June 2006 Tour Dates & SUNY show

We are Wolves are playing SUNY Purchase today. On June 9th they'll be at Rothko in NYC. All tour dates below...

WE ARE WOLVES TOUR DATES
5-31 - Detroit, MI - Mac's Bar
6-1 - Milwaukee, WI - Cactus Club
6-2 - Minneapolis, MN - Entry
6-3 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen
6-4 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
6-5 - Pittsburgh, PA - Garfield Artworks
6-6 - Washington, DC - DC 9
6-7 - Baltimore, MD - Ottobar
6-8 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian
6-9 - New York, NY - Rothko
6-10 - Boston, MA - Great Scott

24/06/06 Évreux, France - le rock dans tout ses états
30/06/06 Paris, France - Mofo
02/07/06 Belfort, France - Eurockéennes

Previously
We are Wolves | More tour dates & reviews

Posted in music at 3:02 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Diplo Tickets on Sale | Avalon & Warsaw

Tickets are on sale for Diplo + CSS + Bonde Do Role.

Posted in music at 2:54 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

Band of Horses sold out Bowery | added Warsaw show

Band of Horses' June 16th Bowery Ballroom show and June 17th Maxwell's show are both sold out. Their June 18th Warsaw show is now on sale (thx Marlow & everyone)

Previously
Neko Case, Band of Horses, & Elbow | Radio MP3s
Updated Band of Horses tour Dates | tix on sale
Band of Horses | Everything All the Time - Album Stream

Posted in music at 2:53 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

Ghostface Killah @ Fader tent, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics

"It was off-again/on-again all the live long day for one of SXSW's most anticipated performances. The rumors surrounding Ghost's presumed cancellation and eventual re-confirmation were great: He wouldn't fly without an entourage of 200 friends and relatives (false), he overslept (true), and the organizers got him there on a chartered flight (also true). What! He would inevitably go on as scheduled, forcing every cellphone and digital camera within a seven-block radius in the air." [Pitchfork]

"Ghost did a lot of songs, and I don't remember everything, but the set definitely included "Nutmeg," "Ghost Deini," "Apollo Kids," "We Made It," "Child's Play," "Cherchez La Ghost," "Run," "Holla," "Ice Cream," "Back Like That," and "Be Easy." Interestingly enough, about midway through the set, after doing a version of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" in tribute to Ol' Dirty Bastard, he and Trife performed "Reunited" and "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin' To Fuck Wit," neither of which feature verses by Ghostface." [Fluxblog]

After the show, Ghostface went to eat at PF Changs.

Ghostface plays Nokia Theater in NYC Saturday night, April 22.

Previously
Ghostface selling well
Green Apple Music Festival | Full Lineup w/ Islands, Nouvelle Vague, Ghostface
Wu-Tang Clan @ Hammerstein Ballroom | Reviews

Posted in SXSW | music | pictures at 2:25 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Culture Shock today & tomorrow | Set Times

SUNY Purcahse Culture Shock is today and tomorrow. Set times for the National, Saul Williams, Prefuse 73, We are Wolves and all the other bands are posted.

Posted in music at 1:46 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 20, 2006

TV On the Radio, Matt Pond & Voxtrot playing Prospect Park

June 30, 2006: TV On The Radio, Matt Pond PA, & Voxtrot in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY.

Posted in music | music at 3:40 PM | Comments (26) | TrackBack

David Byrne - Webster sounds better downstairs | Neko Case

"Saw Neko Case at Webster Hall last night. Didn’t realize my lens cap had dropped off while I was there. Apparently after I left Neko found it and someone said it was mine. Saw Beth Orton in the same room a few days later. Better sound down among the plebs." [David Byrne] (via Heartonastick)

GVB saw Neko in Dallas. Green Clothes was at the Michigan show. Molly and Chris were also at Webster Hall. Chris saw Beth Orton too. So did High Times.

Previously
David Byrne approved Os Mutantes playing Webster Hall soon
National show to Webster | People pissed, National sorry
Neko Case, Band of Horses, & Elbow | Radio MP3s
Neko Case not a diva | Concert streaming on NPR

Posted in music at 1:59 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

National High 5 Day, a blogger, a musician, RBI Baseball & some shows

HAPPY NATIONAL HIGH FIVE DAY!
This holiday that falls on the third Thursday of April each year "originated at the University of Virginia in 2002, and has since spread across the nation, and around the globe." Other websites wishing us Happy High Fives this year include VH1's Best Week Ever, DCist, and A Robot Cometh.

THE FOUNDERS & THEIR CONNECTION TO MUSIC
National High Five Day was founded by Sam Miotke, singer-songwriter Wynn Walent, and San Diego music blogger Conor Lastowka. Wynn regularly plays all the fine singer-songwriter-type establishments in NYC, of which I've personally seen him at Sidewalk Cafe, Rockwood Music Hall and Galapagos. Wynn is also associated with Kitchen Sink Music, a non-profit organization that brings classical music to kids and rock venues.

Conor Lastowka runs San Diego Serenade from San Diego where he recently reviewed the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Flaming Lips, and Tapes 'n Tapes in Haiku.

There's also a National High Five Day soundtrack which they were recently recruiting artists for.

WYNN WALENT


DOWNLOAD WYNN WALENT (MP3s)
David and Goliath
It's OK

RBI BASEBALL

If you're into sports at all, you've probably seen the Nintendo RBI Baseball video reenactment of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series by now. As Gothamist pointed out just two days ago, National High Five Day founder Conor Lastowka is also responsible for this popular piece of genius.

***HIGH FIVE DAY EVENTS TONIGHT*** (April 20, 2006)

IN BROOKLYN - founder Wynn Walent (9:00), Elephant Parade (10:00), and Chris Garneau (11:00) perform at Pete's Candy Store. Free.

IN SAN DIEGO - The Bo Dukes and Shaka Baku perform at Blind Melon's in Pacific Beach. Founder Conor will be on hand to sign your copy of RBI Baseball, or your hand.

Posted in NYC | To Do | music at 1:24 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

Free show at Pratt | French Kicks playing Sin-e

4/28/06 - French Kicks, Love As Laughter, Dirty on Purpose, Broken Spindles, and Kevin Devine @ Pratt, Brooklyn, NY Campus (FREE)

6/01/06 - French Kicks & "friends" @ Sin-e (tickets)

Posted in music at 11:06 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Takka Takka from Brooklyn | Free MP3s

Takka Takka is a band from Brooklyn and Queens. That picture there to the left is Clap Your Hand Say Yeah's drummer wearing their shirt Saturday night at Bowery Ballroom (He likes that shirt).

FreeIndie posted Takka Takka's web-only seven song EP for download. The band has even more good MP3s at their website and on MySpace.

Posted in music | pictures at 9:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 19, 2006

Tokyo Police Club | U.S. Tour Dates, Demo MP3s

Tokyo Police Club is coming here way sooner than I ever imagined.

TOKYO POLICE CLUB 2006 DATES
May 1 2006 The Mercury Lounge New York, NY
May 9 2006 The Empty Bottle Chicago, IL
May 10 2006 The Lager House Detriot, MI

TDOT posted five of their tracks for download.

Posted in music at 10:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Final Fantasy | June 2006 Tour Dates | D&D

New Final Fantasy tracks are popping up all over the Internet. There's some wong tour dates floating around too. I posted them for about a minute the other night. Final Fantasy (Owen Pallett) is NOT playing May 1st in NYC. He IS playing on June 24th though...

06.23.06 - Cambirdge, MA (TT The Bear's)
06.24.06 - New York, NY (Tonic)
06.28.06 - Columbus, OH (Little Brothers)
06.29.06 - Cincinnati, OH (Alchemize)
06.30.06 - North Manchester, IN (The Firehouse)

"His new album, He Poos Clouds, will be released on Tomlab Records and marks a bold step forward in ambition and scope, using the Eight Classes of Magic from venerable role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons as a jumping off point.

While the writing of most albums begins with a series of abstract ideas, solidified slowly throughout the recording and mixing processes, Owen Pallett, making records as “Final Fantasy,” set out with a plan. More specifically, he began with a list. Before beginning work on He Poos Clouds, he put together the following guide in order to help make the album a fantasy-based reality:"

1. The album will be a set of songs that attempt to modernize each of the eight D&D schools of magic.


2. Every song will be written for string quartet and voice.


3. Nobody who listens to it will ever again entertain thoughts of suicide

DOWNLOAD: Arctic Circle (MP3)

Previously
Final Fantasy Covers Bloc Party | MP3
Final Fantasy's Dream of Win & Regine Video
Buy Final Fantasy | Has a Good Home
Final Fantasy & Les Mouches
Final Fantasy Covers Joanna Newsom | MP3

Posted in music at 8:45 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack

Nada Surf benefit @ Mercury | Tix on Sale

Nada Surf are playing an acoustic benefit show at Mercury Lounge in NYC on May 10th. Tickets are on sale. Add this to the band's growing list of good deeds.

Posted in music at 5:47 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Southpaw expands | New downstairs bar | Art Brut, Antibalas

"Southpaw has completed and will be opening a new space downstairs from their main room. The bar will be known as Down South...The bar opened with a soft launch during the recent Art Brut show, but will have it's official opening night this Friday for the sold out Antibalas / Baaba Maal show. Down South will be open during the busier nights at the club and will also be available for private functions.

Down South features a full-bar, DJ Booth, projection and plasma screens showing CCTV of what's going on upstairs, a superb sound system piping in the live music and some really hot light-up tables that were once cases for rocket launchers. The walls are covered with murals of old photos of Brooklyn."

More pictures of Down South @ the Southpaw Photo Blog, and it's true that Friday's Antibalas show is sold out, but Saturday's isn't.

Posted in NYC | music at 5:17 PM | Comments (12) | TrackBack

National show to Webster | People pissed, National sorry

THE NATIONAL

BOWERY SHOW MOVES TO WEBSTER HALL
There was some initial confusion about the May 21st National show at Bowery Ballroom because "The Hold Steady" were listed as opener. People found out quickly that wasn't happening, and the show sold out in no time anyway. (Doveman and Baby Dayliner are opening instead). Then ticketholders found out the show was moved to the larger and less desirable Webster Hall. The National sent out this message:

Hi Everyone. Just a quick note to let you know the May 21st Show in NYC at Bowery Ballroom sold out very quickly and has been moved to Webster Hall for the same night (it wasnt possible to add a 2nd Bowery show). So there are more tickets available now. Thanks and hope to see you there!

PEOPLE ARE PISSED
"I feel taken advantage of. They didn't even offer a half-assed refund option, as they sometimes do when dates or venues get moved around." [Central Village]

"I'm bummed." [in an email I got]

"the f*cking national show was moved to webster hall...a-holes." [in the comments]

SO I CONTACTED THE NATIONAL, AND THIS IS WHAT THEY SAID....
"We agreed to play a benefit at the Bowery Ballroom on May 21st for the not-for-profit writers' workshop 826NYC, but the organizers couldn't get other bands to committ to play. Bowery then asked us if we wanted to play a headline show instead on that date. We agreed and confirmed it mid last week and announced the show in an email to our mailing list. We didn't realize tickets would sell out as fast as they did and before the show was listed in the papers. So there were lots of fans/friends who didn't have a chance to buy tixs before they were gone. We tried to add a second night at Bowery but that was impossible as Monday the 22nd was already reserved. We decided with Bowery to move the show to a larger room since we are about to enter the studio to record a new album, and therefore won't be playing shows in NYC again until at least the Fall. That's the story....it didnt occur to us that the switch could bother some folks who prefer bowery until the decision was made....in hindsight, we all feel bad that some people who prefer Bowery and bought tickets thinking that was the venue are upset by this. but that being said, we will make sure the show at Webster is great."

Previously
I stayed for the National | 2005 Plug Award Winners

Posted in music at 4:27 PM | Comments (41) | TrackBack

Rob Harvilla to replace Eddy at Voice?

"Word we're hearing is that Chuck Eddy's replacement as the Voice music editor will be Rob Harvilla, currently of the VVM-owned East Bar Express." [Gawker]

Previously
Village Voice Music Editor Chuck Eddy Fired

Posted in music at 4:13 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Village Voice Music Editor Chuck Eddy Fired

"On April 18, The Village Voice’s music editor Chuck Eddy was fired by Village Voice Media. Mr. Eddy is the 17th employee to leave the paper, either by resignation or termination, since Village Voice Media—then called New Times—assumed control in November. The paper lists 60 editorial positions on its masthead...." [New York Observer]

"...Critic Emeritus Robert Christgau is thought to be on his way out too, whether it will be a firing or an eventual hanging up of his hat from disgust, we don't know. I say hang in there for the severance pay, that's been my strategy in life..." [Banana Nutrament]

Previously
Nick Sylvester Speaks
Christgau calls Antony the "Dud of the Month"

Posted in NYC | music at 3:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Fiona Apple & Damien Rice touring | Summerstage

Another hour, another Summerstage announcement. This time it's Fiona Apple and Damien Rice playing (what I assume is a benefit) the outdoor Central Park venue on July 26th. It's one stop on a summer tour. Those dates below...

DAMIEN RICE & FIONA APPLE TOUR DATES
Fri 06/23/06 San Diego, CA SDSU Open Air Theatre
Sat 06/24/06 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Sun 06/25/06 Santa Barbara, CA Santa Barbara Bowl
Mon 06/26/06 Saratoga, CA Historic Mountain Winery (just Damien)
Sat 07/01/06 Bend, OR Les Schwab Amphitheater
Mon 07/03/06 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle
Wed 07/05/06 Denver, CO City Lights Pavilion
Fri 07/07/06 Grand Prairie, TX Nokia Theatre
Sat 07/08/06 Austin, TX The Backyard
Sun 07/09/06 The Woodlands, TX C.W. Mitchell Pavilion
Wed 07/12/06 Noblesville, IN Verizon Wireless Music Center
Thu 07/13/06 Chicago, IL Charter One Pav. @ Northerly Isl.
Fri 07/14/06 Minneapolis, MN Northrop Auditorium
Fri 07/21/06 Boston, MA Bank Of America Pavilion
Sat 07/22/06 Wantagh, NY Nikon @ Jones Beach Theatre.
Mon 07/24/06 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Casino
Wed 07/26/06 New York, NY Central Park SummerStage
Fri 07/28/06 Camden, NJ Tweeter Center At The Waterfront
Sat 07/29/06 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Hotel / Casino
Mon 07/31/06 Vienna, VA Wolf Trap Filene Ctr.

Previously
2006 Tibet House Benefit Concert, NYC | pics
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah playing Summerstage, FESTIVALS
Fiona Apple @ Nokia Theatre, NYC | Reviews & Pics

Posted in music at 2:35 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Sunset Rubdown & Frog Eyes | 2nd NYC date, tickets

DOWNLOAD: The Oscillator's Hum by Frog Eyes (MP3)

I've been privately wondering why the combination of Sunset Rubdown and Frog Eyes didn't sell out Mercury Lounge yet. I thought maybe it had to do with tickets going on sale three months before the show date, but it was still hard to believe that even a Pitchfork buzzed Wolf Parade side project on a bill with former champions wasn't enough to move an estimated 200 tickets, and that news of a collaboration between the vocalists of both bands and Destroyer didn't help either. I also thought their schedule wouldn't allow the chance for a second show to be added. I was wrong, and I guess the first show (May 24) is almost sold out because now there's a second one(May 22).

--
"...The brain child of one-time Frog Eye/current Wolf Parader Spencer Krug, Sunset Rubdown is a more lo-fi, more fragile project than what he as otherwise been used to. Whereas his participation with Frog Eyes came across as music for circus freaks, and his work with Wolf Parade was an attempt to make this circus more ‘indie friendly,’ here Krug focuses more on writing an opus for the insane. The results are both intriguing and exciting...." [Stylus]
--

Updated SR/FE tour dates below....

Sun, 5/1 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echo w/ Okay(AA)
Mon, 5/2 - San Francisco, CA @ The Bottom of the Hill w/ Okay (21+)
Fri, 5/6 - Victoria, BC @ Logan's w/ Frog Eyes (AA)
Sat, 5/7 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards w/ Frog Eyes (19+)
Tues, 5/9 - Calgary, AB @ Broken City (21+)
Wed, 5/10 - Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room w/ Frog Eyes (18+)
Fri, 5/12 - Winnipeg, MB @ The Collective Cabaret w/ Frog Eyes (18+)
Sat, 5/13 - Fargo, ND @ VFW w/ Frog Eyes (21+)
Sun, 5/14 - Mount Vernon, IA @ The Orange Carpet in the Commons Building w/ Frog Eyes (AA)
Wed, 5/17 - Northfield, MN @ The Cave, Carlton Campus
Thurs, 5/18 - Chicago, IL @ Schuba's Tavern w/ Frog Eyes (21+)
Fri, 5/19 - Toronto, BC @ The Opera House w/ Frog Eyes (19+)
Sat, 5/20 - Montreal, QC @ El Salon w/ Frog Eyes (AA)
Wed, 5/22 - New York, NY @ the Mercury Lounge w/ Frog Eyes (21+)
Tues, 5/23 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church w/ Frog Eyes (AA)
Wed, 5/24 - New York, NY @ the Mercury Lounge w/ Frog Eyes (21+)
Thurs, 5/25 - Cambridge, MA @ TT the Bears w/ Frog Eyes (18+)
Fri, 5/26 - Hanover, NH @ Fuel Rocket Club w/ Frog Eyes (AA)

Previously
Thunder Cloud NOW Swan Lake

Posted in music at 1:49 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Cloud Cult @ Pianos, NYC (Cross Pollination) | pics

DOWNLOAD: Living on the Outside of Your Skin (MP3)

Thank you so much Wes and Cross Pollination for setting this up. "We're an indie rock band that integrates electronica. Tonight we're going organica". That's approximately what Cloud Cult singer and guitarist Craig Minowa said to introduce their intimate, electronic-less acoustic-like set upstairs at Piano's last night (April 18, 2006). I almost shed a tear at the show the night before at Knitting Factory. I completely laughed, cried, and got multiple cases of the chills at this one. They played "Transistor Radio" (again), and the extremely emotional "My Son is Watching" about Craig's young son that tragically passed away in his sleep. (stream at MPR)

This was Cross Pollination, so there was a full set by M Shanghai String Band before Cloud Cult played, and three collaborative songs by both bands to end the night. Together they covered "Mr. Tambourine Man", (stream at KEXP and at MPR) another song, and (again, sort of) "You are My Sunshine". People were singing along. It was a really special night. Rachael Underrated likey too. More at the Yeti.

CROSS POLLINATING.....

Previously
Cloud Cult @ Knitting Factory, NYC | pics
The Cloud Cult fanclub (cult), 2005 lists & tickets

Posted in music | pictures at 12:16 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Broken Social Scene playing Prospect Park

Thursday July 6, 2006: Broken Social Scene @ Prospect Park Bandshell, Brooklyn

That's about two weeks after Feist & Jason Collett play Summerstage.

(thx ms. calculation theme)

Previously
Broken Social Scene w/ Feist on Conan | the video
BSS' Kevin Drew Loves You @ Webster Hall, NYC | pics
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah playing Summerstage
2006 River to River Festival Schedule | Belle & Sebastian, etc.
2006 NYC Summer Concert Preview

Posted in music at 10:44 AM | Comments (23) | TrackBack

Fiery Furnaces | Bowery Tonight, Webster in June | Tour Dates

Some people were wondering why the Fiery Furnaces didn't sell out their show at Bowery Ballroom tonight (April 19). Well, it didn't sell out fast, but now all the tickets are gone and Pitchfork just announced a bunch of new tour dates that include Webster Hall on June 29th. All dates below...

FIERY FURNACES 2006 TOUR DATES
04-19 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *
05-04 Manchester, England - Night & Day
05-05 Glasgow, Scotland - ABC 2
05-06 Dublin, Ireland - Whelan's
05-08 Leeds, England - The Cockpit
05-09 London, England - King's College
05-10 Brighton, England - Concorde 2
05-11 Brussels, Belgium - AB Club
05-13 Cologne, Germany - Gebaude 9
05-14 Hamburg, Germany - Molotov
05-15 Berlin, Germany - Magnet
05-17 Amsterdam, Holland - Paradiso Upstairs
05-19 Paris, France - Nouveau Casino
05-20 Camber Sands, England - Camber Sands Holiday Centre (All Tomorrow's Parties) #
06-08 Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
06-09 Milwaukee, WI - The Rave
06-12 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards
06-13 Seattle, WA - Neumos
06-15 San Francisco, CA - Fillmore
06-16 Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Theatre
06-17 San Diego, CA - Epicentre
06-19 Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
06-20 Denver, CO - Bluebird Theatre
06-22 Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium
06-23 Minneapolis, MN - First Ave
06-24 Chicago, IL - Metro
06-25 Cincinnati, OH - Desdemona Festival $
06-27 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
06-29 New York, NY - Webster Hall
06-30 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club

* with Vietnam
# with Sleater-Kinney, David Cross, the Gossip, Spoon, Lightning Bolt, Joanna Newsom, Boredoms, Dungen, Radar Bros, 1990's, Edith Frost, Black Heart Procession
$ with the Walkmen, Richard Swift, more

Pitchfork also just gave Bitter Tea a 7.6. Order it at Insound. Get MP3s at Coolfer.

Previously
Fiery Furnaces @ Bowery on sale @ Noon
The Fiery Furnaces @ Red's Scoot Inn, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics

Posted in music at 9:27 AM | Comments (14) | TrackBack

The Double & We Are Scientists | Tour Dates

The Double are playing a bunch of dates with We Are Scientists this summer. That includes Irving Plaza and Warsaw at the end of June. This all in the same month We are Scientists are playing with Arctic Monkeys at Roseland. All dates below...

DOUBLE & WE ARE SCIENTISTS TOUR DATES
Tue 06.20.06 Cleveland Heights, OH Grog Shop
Wed 06.21.06 Chicago, IL Metro
Mon 06.26.06 Columbus, OH Little Brother's
Tue 06.27.06 Washington DC Black Cat
Wed 06.28.06 Philadephia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
Thu 06.29.06 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw
Fri 06.30.06 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Sat 07.01.06 Northampton, MA Pearl Street
Sun 07.02.06 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club

Previously
Selling out Bowery Ballroom | A Highlight for We Are Scientists

Posted in music at 1:16 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah playing Summerstage, FESTIVALS

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are playing Central Park Summerstage on September 28, 2006. That means if CMJ is having another Summerstage show this year, it probably won't be them. The band is also playing Coachella, Sasquatch, Bonnaroo, Roskilde, Rock Werchter, St Gallen, Montreux Jazz, Quart, T in the Park, Rock en Seine and Oxygen. All dates below...

CYHSY TOUR DATES
04.21.06: Nashville, TN // Vanderbilt University
04.27.06: Williamstown, MA // Williams College
04.29.06: Indio, CA // Coachella
05.28.06: George, WA // Sasquatch Music Festival
06.17.06: Manchester, TN // Bonnaroo
06.29.06: Denmark // Roskilde Festival
06.30.06: Belgium // Werchter Festival
07.01.06: Switzerland // St. Gallen Festival
07.02.06: Switzerland // Montreux Jazz Festival
07.05.06: Norway // Quart Festival
07.07.06: London, UK // London Forum
07.08.06: Scotland // T in the Park
07.09.06: Ireland // Oxygen
08.25.06: France // Rock en Seine
09.28.06: NYC // Summerstage

(hopefully this Summerstage show is true, and not another Wilco).

(thx Nick!)

Previously
CYHSY @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC | pics | Night 2
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC | pics
Lady Sovereign playing w/ The Streets & Summerstage too
2006 NYC Summer Concert Preview

Posted in music at 12:49 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

Tapes 'n Tapes | Updated Tour Dates, new bassist

Erik played some of the bass tracks on the Tapes 'n Tapes album that he also produced. I don't know the details, but Erik has officially replaced Shawn as the bassist for this relatively new band. Yesterday I posted a few of their tour dates. Here's all of them....

TOUR DATES
Fri 04/28/06 Chicago, IL Subterranean
Sat 04/29/06 Chicago, IL Schubas
Fri 05/05/06 Minneapolis 7th St Entry
Sun 05/07/06 Minneapolis Women's Club Theater
Thu 05/18/06 London, UK Metro
Fri 05/19/06 Nottingham, UK The Social
Sat 05/20/06 Brighton, UK Great Escape
Mon 05/22/06 London, UK Barfly
Tue 05/23/06 Leeds, UK Faversham
Wed 05/24/06 Glasgow, UK Nice 'N' Sleazy
Thu 05/25/06 Manchester, UK Music Box
Thu 06/01/06 Madison, WI The Journey
Fri 06/02/06 Chicago, IL Abbey Pub
Mon 06/05/06 Cambridge, MA Middle East Club
Tue 06/06/06 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Wed 06/07/06 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
Thu 06/08/06 Baltimore, MD Fletcher's
Sat 06/10/06 Nashville, TN The Basement
Mon 06/12/06 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room / Ballroom
Tue 06/13/06 Austin, TX Stubb's Barbeque
Thu 06/15/06 Tucson, AZ Solar Culture
Fri 06/16/06 Los Angeles, CA Echo
Sat 06/17/06 San Francisco, CA Cafe Du Nord
Sun 06/18/06 Portland, OR Berbati's Pan
Mon 06/19/06 Seattle, WA Crocodile Cafe
Thu 06/22/06 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge

Previously
(still unsigned) Tapes 'n Tapes Touring | Bowery Ballroom

Posted in music at 12:17 AM | Comments (13) | TrackBack

April 18, 2006

Michael Leviton | MP3, record release show tonight

(La Laque member) Michael Leviton plays Tonic tonight (April 18) with/before (ex-On!Air!Library!) Daylight's For the Birds. Michael is celebrating the release of his new record. Here's an MP3 from it...

DOWNLOAD: Summer's the Worst (MP3)

Also tonight - TVOTR @ Bowery, Cloud Cult @ Pianos

Posted in To Do | music at 6:02 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

(underhyped) Riverboat Gamblers | 2006 Tour Dates, CBGB

FROM THE COMMENTS
jim: name a band that isnt 'over hyped' please.
sam: riverboat gamblers

"The best band without a major-label deal at SXSW '06 doesn't want much for signing up: 'We want ear-tube phones,' singer Mike 'Teko' Wiebe told the crowd at Emo's, 'so we can look like assholes talking to no one as we walk down Sixth Street. In return, the Gamblers guarantee punk-rock catharsis. Ripping through fourteen songs in half an hour, they baptized pogoers and badge-holders alike in sweat and yell-along choruses as Wiebe, a beanpole Iggy Pop, literally bounced off walls, crawled atop the audience as far as his mike cord allowed and hung by his ankles from the rafter as he sang." [ROLLING STONE'S DAVID FRICKE]

Listen @ Purevolume or @ Myspace

They play CBGB on May 31st. Tickets are $10. All tour dates below...

RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS 2006 TOUR DATES
4/25 – Austin, TX – Waterloo Records
4/27 – Houston, TX – Rudyards
4/29 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
4/30 – Charlotte, NC – Casbah
5/2 – Wilmington, DE – Mojo 13
5/3 – Philadelphia, PA – North Star Bar
5/4 – Shamokin, PA – Capitol Venue
5/5 – Baltimore, MD – Ottobar
5/7 – East Rutherford, NJ – Meadowlands (Bamboozle)
5/9 – Covington, KY – Mad Hatter
5/10 – Indianapolis, IN – Birdy’s
5/11 – Lawrence, KS – Replay Lounge
5/27 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom BBQ & Music Fest
5/28 – Baltimore, MD – Merriweather Post Pavillion (HFStival)
5/29 – Cambridge, MA – The Middle East
5/30 – Hartford, CT – Webster Underground
5/31 – New York, NY CBGB’s

Posted in music at 4:59 PM | Comments (12) | TrackBack

Phosphorescent @ Emo's Annex, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics

"Phosphorescent is the musical experiment of 26-year-old Matthew Houck (pronounced “How-k”) and a rotating cast of musicians from Athens, Georgia. His second full-length album, Aw Come Aw Wry, was just (2005) released by Austin’s own Misra Records." [Austinist]

Not counting the Tuesday night Comedians of Comedy show, Phosphorescent was the first band I saw at SXSW. It was 1:30 PM on Wednesday (March 15, 2006) in the semi-outdoor Emo's Annex tent. I'm a sucker for trumpets, big bands, and folky music, so it's no surprise that I liked this show. Being outside in Texas with free veggie food helped too. Listen @ Myspace.

The week was already off to a good start. I wanted to see Magneta Lane at SXSW, and they went on right after Phosphorescent.

Previously
Voxtrot @ Factory People, Austin, TX (SXSW) pics
More pictures of The Grates in Austin | SXSW 2006
¡Forward, Russia! @ Building C, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics

Posted in SXSW | music | pictures at 3:46 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

(still unsigned) Tapes 'n Tapes Touring | Bowery Ballroom

TAPES N TAPES PLAYING AUSTIN CITY LIMITS FOR KEXP (cred)

First a successful four day run in NYC back in January. Then something like eight shows @ SXSW in March. A UK tour. SOON an annoucement regarding what label they're signing to. NOW in June a tour that includes a headlining spot at the revered Bowery Ballroom. Tickets are on sale (now or soon) for the following Tapes 'n Tapes shows...

TAPES N TAPES - JUNE 2006 (so far)
June 2 - Abbey Pub, Illinois
June 6 - Bowery Ballroom, NYC
June 7 - First Unitarian Church, PA
June 16 - Echo, CA
June 17 - Cafe du Nord, CA
June 19 - Crocodile Cafe, Washington
*** Figurines & Cold War Kids opening on all/most of the dates ***

Full set of tour dates coming soon. If you don't believe me about the label, listen to the great podcast interview over at Audiovant.

Previously
Tapes 'n Tapes on KEXP | The MP3s & Pictures
Tapes 'n Tapes Tour Dates & Who's playing the most shows at SXSW?

Posted in music at 3:22 PM | Comments (18) | TrackBack

Strokes, Dead Boys to play Joey Ramone birthday bash

"The Strokes have announced plans to perform at a special tribute concert for former Ramones legend Joey Ramone. The band will play alongside the Dead Boys, The Dictators' Andy Shernoff and Cheetah Chrome at New York's Irving Plaza on May 19 on what would have been the late singer's 55th birthday. The Joey Ramone Birthday Benefit was set up a month after he lost his seven-year battle with cancer in April 2001. ....Tickets for the bash are priced at $25 (£14), and are on sale now. All proceeds will go the Lymphoma Research Foundation." [NME] (thx Graham and J)

Posted in music at 3:19 PM | Comments (12) | TrackBack

Upcoming Free NYC Instore Perofrmances

2006 INSTORES
April 18 6:00 - Calexico @ Virgin Megastore, 14th St. (TODAY)
April 19 10:00 - Joanna Angel @ "Virgin" Megastore, 14th St.
April 22 noon - Islands @ Sound Fix Records, Brooklyn
April 26 6:00 - Goo Goo Dolls @ Virgin Megastore, Times Square
April 22 2:00 - Dresden Dolls @ Virgin Megastore, 14th St.
April 25 8:00 - Jamie Lidell @ Other Music, NYC
April 27 6:00 - Secret Machines @ Virgin Megastore, 14th St.
April 29 4:00 - Wooden Wand @ Sound Fix Records, Brooklyn
May 6 4:00 - Eef Barzeley (Clem Snide) @ Sound Fix Records, Brooklyn

Previously
Calexico | 2006 Instore Tour & new album preview

Posted in NYC | music at 12:54 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack

2006 River to River Festival Schedule | Belle & Sebastian, etc.

NYC's River to River Festival just announced the official initial lineup of FREE NYC summer concerts. This includes the shows at South Street Seaport, Battery Park, and the World Financial Center. Previously announced highlights include Hot Chip, Richard Hawley, Okkervil River, The Hold Steady, Eels, Smoosh, Alex Chilton, Super Furry Animals, and Son Volt. All of those are now confirmed. New surprises include 4th of July with Belle & Sebastian, Mates of State at Castle Clinton, and a confirmation that Ted Leo is playing the Seaport for the 5th year in a row.

Keep reading for everything....

------

All of the following events are FREE, though tickets are required in some instances. For more information and a complete schedule of River to River® Festival programming, please visit www.RiverToRiverNYC.com.

River to River® Festival 2006 Schedule of Events – as of 4.18.06

Thursday, 6/1/2006
River to River Launch Parade
Various Sites in Lower Manhattan, 12-noon – 2:00pm
This is no ordinary parade – in a River to River parade, EVERYONE can march. Join us as we present characters on stilts, do it yourself inflatable architecture, gigantic masks, brass bands, an orchestra of bicycle instruments and more! Produced in association with veteran parade producers Great Small Works. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder with Andy Statman, Carrie Rodriguez and Citigrass
Castle Clinton, 7:00pm
New York Tribute to Bluegrass
The legendary Ricky Skaggs will headline a Big Apple tribute to Bluegrass music at one of the oldest music venues in New York City. Ricky will be joined by Klezmer sensation Andy Statman, Brooklyn-by-way-of-Austin fiddler and songstress, Carrie Rodriguez, and Urban Bluegrass entrepreneurs Citigrass. Tickets are distributed two per person on a first-come first-served basis outside of Castle Clinton, at 5pm day of show. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 6/2/06
Super Furry Animals
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
Fusing a number of disparate musical genres - including power pop, punk-rock, techno, and progressive rock – this Welsh legend creates shimmering, melodic, irreverent, and willfully artsy rock & roll. With their ever-amazing visuals, this will no doubt be a rare evening you just shouldn’t miss. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Sunday, 6/4/2006
Bang on a Can Marathon
World Financial Center Winter Garden, 11:30am – 10:00pm
Bang on a Can boldly embarks on a marathon of musical innovation. Fringe rock, bizarre pop, new classical, alt-jazz and world music combine in a concert presentation that defies classification. Featuring Alarm Will Sound (playing with Aphex Twin), Yat Kha, the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Matmos, a world premiere by Anthony Braxton, children’s programming and much more. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 6/7/2006=
Jimmy Delgado Salso Con Dulzura Orquestra
Wagner Park, 7:00pm
World-renowned timbalero, Jimmy Delgado has played with several of the greatest musicians in Salsa music today including Eddie Palmieri, Ruben Blades and Tito Puentes. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Saturday, 6/10/2006
Target Children's Day and Fireworks
South Street Seaport, 12-noon – 10:00pm
Featuring perfomances by Teddy Geiger, Gordon from Sesame Street, Barney, Hi-5, American Girl Theater, Thomas the Tank Engine with storyteller Driver Daniel, Jack's Big Music Show, Rebecca Frezza, Huckapoo, Dora the Explorer, Walk-around Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert & Ernie, Curious George, Cyberchase & more. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Tuesday, 6/13/2006
Eels with Smoosh
World Financial Center Plaza, 7:00pm
Possessing a nearly pathologic dedication toward songcraft, Mark Oliver Everett, or E, front man of the ever-changing Eels roster has amassed an impressive song catalogue and picked up countless fans along the way. Making music since the age of six and releasing albums since 1992, virtually every one of his records has scored critical success and raves from the media. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 6/14/2006
Ralph Stanley with Tres Chicas
Rockefeller Park, 7:00pm
Considered “one of the most important country musicians in the world,” Ralph Stanley has been honing his art since the 1940s. With nearly 200 albums, including his latest A Distant Land To Roam: Songs of The Carter Family, and three Grammys® to his credit, Stanley’s music is steeped in the rich culture of Appalachia and delivered in a high, forlorn tenor that seems to convey all the world’s grief and regret. Opening the show, Tres Chicas (Caitlin Cary, Lynn Blakey and Tonya Lamm) sing beautiful harmonies that convey sweet heartache and hope. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Monday, 6/19/2006
Multiple Undo & Other Distortions: A performance by Douglas Dunn paired with Elke Rindfleisch
Elevated Acre at 55 Water Street, 12:30pm
Rindfleisch and her dancers use her somewhat disjointed movement style of twists, torques, and overextended limbs to create an amplified experience of slightly dizzying and disorienting effects. Both artists co-create answers to the questions: “If dancing is a tying together of moves, what is it to undo them? If dancing is a merging of body & space, can we disconnect them? If dancing is identity of flesh and fantasy, what will we suffer to sever them?” www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Tuesday, 6/20/2006
Son Volt
World Financial Center Plaza, 7:00pm
Mining America’s history – past and, especially, present – for source material, Son Volt’s front man Jay Farrar blends beautiful, quiet and often stark acoustic songs with noisy, searing country-punk-flavored rock songs. His work often seeks out the ghosts of America’s discordant or forgotten past. He converses at length with them, and writes songs that stake claim to a better future. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 6/21/2006
Poetic City: A Celebration of Word and Song on the 20th Anniversary of Poets House
Rockefeller Park, 7:00pm
Join poets and musicians in celebration of Poets House, just steps away from its future home in Battery Park City. A poetry library and vibrant literary center, Poets House invites wordsmiths and the public to step into the living tradition of poetry. Performances by Regie Cabico, Martín Espada, Marie Howe, E. Ethelbert Miller, Willie Perdomo, Tracy K. Smith, Gerald Stern, and The Persuasions. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 6/22/2006
REVEALED
World Financial Center Plaza
Performance dates: June 22–25, 12-noon – 2:00pm
Installation dates: May 24-June 25, Wednesday–Sunday, 12-noon – 6:00pm
A public art installation/event by site-artist Stephan Koplowitz, Revealed is a two-fold public art installation. First, as a sculptural object designed by KBAS (Keith Kaseman and Julie Beckman), it is a room-sized, walk-in camera obscura that offers the public the unique experience of one of the world’s first imaging technologies. Second, it serves as a platform for Koplowitz and his performers-in-residence to investigate the creation of site-specific events. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 6/28/2006
Dr. John
Battery Park City Rockefeller Park, 7:00pm
On the heels of his new album, Mercernary: The Songs of Johnny Mercer, legendary singer and pianist Dr. John pays tribute to this giant of American pop music. The New Orleans native will interpret a handful of Mercer’s classic tunes live through his personalized blend of zydeco and creole funk. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 6/30/2006
Amy Rigby and Robbie Fulks
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
This critically acclaimed New York singer is known for her witty, outspoken lyrics and country-influenced rock sound. Robbie Fulks displays an offbeat, sometimes dark, sense of humor with his country/roots-rock hybrid. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Tuesday, 7/4/2006
Belle and Sebastian
Battery Park, 3:30pm
Our annual Independence Day Concert showcases the Scottish sensation Belle and Sebastian. This seven-piece band has an intimate, majestic sound that is equal parts folk-rock and '60s pop. Bring a blanket, enjoy the vistas and music! Tickets required. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

River to River Presents Macy’s Fireworks Spectacular Downtown
Various East River viewing locations, 9:00pm
Ignite the lights of freedom! It's the nation's biggest birthday bash, with over 120,000 bursts of color and light! Witness a dazzling tribute to America with this dramatic display of breathtaking pyrotechnics overlooking New York's East River and South Seaport. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 7/5/2006
Mary Stuart: a performance by New York Classical Theatre
Lobby of 195 Broadway, 5:30pm
The historic lobby of 195 Broadway will take you even further back in time as it becomes the tower of London, where Mary Queen of Scots was famously executed by order of her cousin, Elizabeth I. Although the two iconic monarchs exchanged scarcely a written letter, New York Classical Theatre uses Fredrich Schiller’s play, Mary Stuart, to help us imagine a possible personal confrontation between them. The play roams throughout the building’s vastness, taking the audience from scene to scene. Co- presented by New York Classical Theatre.
RSVP Recommended. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 7/6/2006
Mates of State
Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park, 7:00pm
Married indie-pop duo, Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel, have been performing as Mates of State since 1997. With a relentless touring schedule, they have honed their skills live and gained fans all across the country. Their newest CD, Bring It Back, showcases their catchy, melodic pop songs. Tickets are distributed two per person on a first-come first-served basis outside of Castle Clinton, at 5pm day of show. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 7/6/2006
New York is Here!: A performance by Aaron Rosenblum
32 Avenue of the Americas- main floor NE corner, 7:30pm
New York is Here! is a site-specific performance that honors the mythology of our great metropolis. Part funhouse, historical narrative and part performance art, New York is Here! goes inside the city’s mass texts by monumental New York writers and referenced sagas. Tales of the Chinese food delivery man stuck in an elevator, of McGurk’s Suicide Hall, of the flu epidemic of October 1918, of the hooks and scales of the Fulton Fish Market, of number-running lotteries, love, baseball, politics and more are fused together as vignettes to explore New York lore.
RSVP recommended. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Monday, 7/10/2006
Cameron Carpenter, organ
Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, 7:30pm
America's young organist and Julliard graduate Cameron Carpenter has dazzled audiences wherever he performs. He has been enthusiastically acclaimed for his passionate music making, virtuosity and stylistic flair. Tickets required - available after 4pm day of show or reserved in advance via an email to culture@Pace.edu.
www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Tuesday, 7/11/2006
TBD
World Financial Center Plaza, 7:00pm
www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 7/12/2006
Maude Maggart with Tony Desare
Battery Park City Rockefeller Park, 7:00pm
Cabaret phenom Maude Maggart began her career in 2001 in West Hollywood at The Gardenia, legendary launching pad of her mentors Andrea Marcovicci and Michael Feinstein. Receiving rave reviews for her shows and albums, the chanteuse embodies a past musical era with a penchant for the early 20th century song and a voice imbued with an eerie, haunting quality. The coolly elegant singer, songwriter and pianist Tony DeSare, leading an equally cool jazz trio, will open the show with his blend of American Songbook classics and original tunes. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 7/13/2006
Okkervil River
Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park, 7:00pm
Okkervil River’s original sound - profoundly lyrical with folk-rock inspirations and alternative rock sways - will bring their visionary sound to Battery Park. Tickets are distributed two per person on a first-come first-served basis outside of Castle Clinton, at 5pm day of show. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 7/14/2006
Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men with Chatham County Line
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
Dave Alvin, former front man of the legendary group the Blasters, is an instrumental figure in the roots-rock scene of the early eighties. His solo work masterfully blends blues, country and folk influences with rock and roll. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 7/14/06 – Saturday, 8/19/06
Buteo Huang: Starry Sky Kite Exhibition
World Financial Center Winter Garden, 9:00am–11:00pm daily
The Taiwan Today: Traditional Arts, Contemporary Artists festival continues with an exhibition of 258 dazzling kites by award-winning kite master and designer Buteo Huang, widely known for introducing groundbreaking innovation to the kiting world.
www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Monday, 7/17/2006
Svet Stoyanov, percussion; Joseph Lin, violin
Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, 7:30pm
Bulgarian-born percussion phenomenon Svet Stoyanov returns to River to River following his triumphant debut last year. The Boston Globe has described violinist Joseph Lin as “simply stupendous.” Tickets required - available after 4pm day of show or reserved in advance via an email to culture@Pace.edu.
www.RiverToRiverNYC.com.

Tuesday, 7/18/2006
Terry Allen
World Financial Center Plaza, 7:00pm
Among country music’s constellation of stars, Terry Allen may shine brighter than the rest. Combining his talents as a visual artist, playwright and musician, he crafts exquisite, image-rich songs in which he applies words and instrumental textures with the skill of a master painter. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 7/19/2006
Conjunto Clasico
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
This groundbreaking Salsa band merges New York-style salsa music with Puerto Rican influences to create a sensational new sound. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Little Feat
Rockefeller Park, 7:00pm
Formed in Los Angeles in 1969, Little Feat was one of the most popular Southern California Roots Rock bands of their era. Bringing strains of blues, R&B, country, jazz and rock styles together to create a signature sound, the band has amassed a devoted following of fans. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 7/20/2006
Josh Rouse
Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park, 7:00pm
Having lived in almost 10 U.S. states and recorded his last album in Spain, Rouse is set to perform his passionate and melancholy music under the open sky at Castle Clinton. Tickets are distributed two per person on a first-come first-served basis outside of Castle Clinton, at 5pm day of show. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 7/20/2006
Sugar Hill Gang
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
This pioneering group from The Bronx is one of the most influential artists in the history of rap music and modern R&B. "Rapper's Delight" was the first rap song to hit the top 40 charts and helped give rap worldwide appeal. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 7/21/2006
In Case of Love Break Glass: A Performance by Heidi Duckler’s Collage Dance Theatre
Fire Escape at 36 Orchard Street, 8pm
Heidi Duckler, known as Los Angeles' "queen of site-specific performance," and her unstoppable Collage Dance Theatre have performed in laundromats, swimming pools, locker rooms and historic buildings from coast to coast. They turn public spaces inside out and invite audiences to experience space and performance in unexpected ways. For their first performance in New York, they will appear on a Lower East side fire escape backlit by surreal projections. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Monday, 7/24/2006
Thomas Meglioranza, baritone; Reiko Uchida, piano
Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, 7:30pm
American baritone Thomas Meglioranza has been hailed for his compelling artistry and the expressive warmth of his voice. Pianist Reiko Uchida who has performed solo and chamber music concerts throughout the world to great acclaim will accompany. Tickets required - available after 4pm day of show or reserved in advance via an email to culture@Pace.edu.
www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Tuesday, 7/25/2006
Dianne Reeves
World Financial Center Plaza, 7:00pm
Dianne Reeves is perhaps the pre-eminent jazz vocalist in the world today. As a result of her virtuosity, improvisational prowess, and unique R&B and jazz stylings, she was awarded the Grammy® for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for three consecutive recordings – a Grammy first in any vocal category. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Tuesday, 7/25/2006
What The Thunder Said: A Performance by bluemouth inc.
32 Avenue of the Americas – main floor NE Corner, 8:00pm
The sky is clouding over and there’s a crazy wind rising up against the summer heat. Canadian interdisciplinary company bluemouth inc., along with guest artists from New York and Las Vegas, bring their Dora Award-winning performance installation, evoking the struggle for acceptance in the calm before the family storm. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 7/26/2006
The Spinners
Battery Park City Rockefeller Park, 7:00pm
Boasting four lead singers, The Spinners have always made timeless music with a classic group sound and approach that never loses its universal appeal. Throughout the years, they have earned twelve Gold Records and have climbed to the top of both pop and R&B charts. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 7/26/2006
Ray Sepulveda
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
This singer, who got his start in the New York City Salsa scene of the early eighties, has released six solo albums and consistently thrills audiences with his enthusiastic live performances. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 7/27/2006
The Hold Steady
Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park, 7:00pm
Freewheeling and dramatic, The Hold Steady will rock the Castle with their theatrical melodies in a unique accousitc performance. Tickets are distributed two per person on a first-come first-served basis outside of Castle Clinton, at 5pm day of show. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 7/28/2006
Richard Hawley with Nicolai Dunger
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
This English singer-songwriter crafts melodic pop-rock songs in the tradition of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley. Sweden's Nicolai Dunger recalls the joyful, pastoral soul of vintage Van Morrison with the melancholy crooning of Jeff Buckley. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Monday, 7/31/2006
Jie Chen, piano
Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University. 7:30pm
Twenty-year-old pianist Jie Chen, winner of the 2006 Young Concert Artists Auditions and the Piano-e Competition, has already performed on stages around the world in recitals and with leading orchestras. Tickets required - available after 4pm day of show or reserved in advance via an email to culture@Pace.edu.
www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 8/2/2006
Bio Ritmo
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
This established nine-member band has an authentic sound that reminds listeners of Latin dance pop from the 1970s. They specialize in classic Salsa and Rumba with an experimental twist. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Hot August Night
A Neil Diamond Celebration
Battery Park City Rockefeller Park, 7:00pm
Thirty-four years ago at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, Neil Diamond recorded the best live album ever. In fact Hot August Night is still his best-selling album. Celebrating this monumental achievement, several downtown singing celebs, backed up by a top-notch nine-piece band, will take turns interpreting his classic songs. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 8/3/2006
Dave Holland Quintet
Castle Clinton National Monument in Battery Park, 7:00pm
Perhaps the most accomplished jazz composer among bassists, Holland’s expertise with Swing is going to make for an unforgettable evening during this last Castle Clinton show of 2006. Tickets are distributed two per person on a first-come first-served basis outside of Castle Clinton, at 5pm day of show. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 8/4/2006
Hot Chip
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
This on-the-rise band from London has been impressing critics all over with a unique blend of rock and electronic music. Their quirky songs and impressive live show are contributing to their growing popularity and success. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Monday, 8/7/2006
Brasil Guitar Duo
Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University, 7:30pm
Young revelations of the guitar world, this exciting duo has taken top prizes in major competitions in Brazil and Germany. Their wide repertoire includes traditional Brazilian music such as samba, choro and baiao. Tickets required - available after 4pm day of show or reserved in advance via an email to culture@Pace.edu.
www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 8/9/2006
Son Boricua featuring Jose Mangual and Jimmy Sabater
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
Well-known vocalist Jimmy Sabater and percussionist Jose Mangual lead this seven-piece band’s remarkable blend of traditional Salsa with a new, refreshing twist. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 8/9/2006
Oasis: A performance by H.T. Chen paired with Sharon Estacio
Columbus Park (intersection of Baxter, Mulberry, Worth and Bayard Streets), 7:00pm
Parks serve as public gathering spaces for thousands of individuals to relax and socialize. Despite a seeming complexity, this work seeks to expose the universal themes of relaxation, rest and "downtime" that are experienced within the context of the park. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Saturday, 8/12/2006
River to River presents the Mountain Stage NewSong New York! Contest
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
Now in its fifth year, the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest is one of the nation's premier showcases of emerging performing songwriters of all genres. River to River is proud to present the first annual New York City Regional Round, where local artists compete to advance to the national finals round and a chance to perform on an internationally broadcast Mountain Stage Show. For information on how to compete in NewSong New York! visit the River to River website. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 8/16/2006
Conjunto Imagen
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
This six-piece, New York-based Salsa band has released 11 albums in the last 15 years specializing in spirited, upbeat rhythms that encourage dance-floor partipation from people of all ages and all walks of life. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 8/16/2006
Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours
Wagner Park, 7:00pm
Trombonist, composer and arranger Papo Vazquez boasts a twisted variation on traditional themes and uses terms like Jibaro Waltz, Plena Funk, Bomba and Mapeye Jazz to help describe his music. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 8/18/2006
The Box Tops featuring Alex Chilton
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm
The Box Tops gained popularity in the ‘60s with their carefree brand of blue-eyed soul. Singer Alex Chilton went on to gain cult status with Big Star and as a solo artist. This is sure to be an amazing night with the original lineup of this legendary band. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Monday, 8/21/2006
Fire On Wall Street: A performance by Ellis Wood Dance
Exterior Balconies at Cipriani’s 55 Wall Street, 12-Noon and 12:30pm
Fire on Wall Street exposes the passion and power of 20 women in an environment where these qualities are not usually celebrated. An arresting, raw exploration of the element fire, the women of Ellis Wood Dance manipulate their bodies and command the grandiose architecture of 55 Wall Street with sensual abandon. Sheathed in endless mesh fabric and little else, the dancers writhe and pull its limits, as their embers intensify into a reckless blaze. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 8/23/2006
Luisito Carrion and Orquestra
Wagner Park, 7:00pm
Salsa vocalist Luisito Carrion started performing at the age of thirteen in his father’s band, Orquesta Kafe. Since then, this in-demand singer has been the voice behind myriad hits. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 8/25/2006
Ted Leo + Pharmacists
South Street Seaport, Pier 17, 7:00pm.
Ted Leo has played some now legendary shows at the Seaport and the story
continues with one of the hottest shows of any summer.
www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 8/30/2006
Michael Stuart & Orquestra
Wagner Park, 7:00pm
The music of award-winning New York singer Michael Stuart is not easily categorized. Reflecting his varied interests, his sound mixes rock, R&B, hip-hop and electronica with traditional Salsa. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Wednesday, 9/6/2006
Evening Stars
Battery Park, 7:30pm
New York City's largest free outdoor dance series, co-presented with The Joyce Theater, returns to Battery Park featuring world class dance with companies from across the U.S., representing the best that modern dance and ballet have to offer, including a special evening dedicated to the Salsa. Please visit our website for updates on tonight’s line-up. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 9/7/2006
Evening Stars
Battery Park, 7:30pm
New York City's largest free outdoor dance series, co-presented with The Joyce Theater, returns to Battery Park featuring world class dance with companies from across the U.S., representing the best that modern dance and ballet have to offer, including a special evening dedicated to the Salsa. Tonight’s program focuses on modern dance, featuring Philadanco performing Gate Keepers, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in Emily Molnar's 4 Flight's Down and additional companies to be announced. Please visit our website for updates on tonight’s line-up. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Thursday, 9/7/2006
Jose Alberto "El Canario" & Orquestra
Wagner Park, 7:00pm
Dominican-born salsa vocalist, José Alberto, also known as "El Canario," is noted for his exceptional voice, unique style and superior improvisational skills garnering him acclaim from his peers and legions of adoring fans. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Friday, 9/8/2006
Evening Stars
Battery Park, 7:30pm

New York City's largest free outdoor dance series, co-presented with The Joyce Theater, returns to Battery Park featuring world class dance with companies from across the U.S., representing the best that modern dance and ballet have to offer, including a special evening dedicated to the Salsa. Tonight’s program is designed to illustrate how the art of dance passes from generation to generation. Trisha Brown Dance Company provides the jumping off point. The company will be joined by Stephen Petronio Company performing Bloom (Stephen danced with Trisha Brown) and Ashleigh Leite's work Autopsy (Ashleigh danced with Stephen Petronio). www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

Sunday, 9/10/2006
Evening Stars
Battery Park, 4:00pm & 7:30pm
New York City's largest free outdoor dance series, co-presented with The Joyce Theater, returns to Battery Park featuring world class dance with companies from across the U.S., representing the best that modern dance and ballet have to offer, including a special evening dedicated to the Salsa. Today, Latin heat, beat and moves take over the dance floor. In the afternoon, amateur salsa dancers will compete for cash prizes, with the winner making a return guest appearance during the 7:30pm performance by champion and award-winning professional salsa dancers. The evening concludes when the audience is invited to break out and join the salsa party. Please visit our website for updates on tonight’s line-up and information on entering the contest. www.RiverToRiverNYC.com

# # #

Free admission to River to River® events is underwritten by a wide range of funders, led by the Festival’s Founding Title Sponsor, American Express Company. River to River’s Presenting Sponsor is WNBC. Major support is provided by the Festival’s Producing Sponsors, including CB Richard Ellis, Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Pace University, Pontiac, Starbucks Coffee, Telemundo 47 and WNYC New York Public Radio.

Vital support comes from our Supporting Sponsors, including Century 21 Department Stores, HIP Health Plan of New York, JetBlue Airways, The Village Voice and WFUV-FM. Participating Sponsors are Con Edison, J&R Music and Computer World, Marriott New York Financial Center, New York Water Taxi, Thirteen/WNET New York and TKTS-Seaport. Philanthropic support comes from The Moody’s Foundation, New York Stock Exchange Foundation and The New York Times Community Affairs Department.

Previously
Wilco not playing Prospect Park?

Posted in NYC | music at 11:58 AM | Comments (31) | TrackBack

Cloud Cult @ Knitting Factory, NYC | pics

Thanks to all who entered the Cloud Cult contest yesterday. After separating the real entries from those submitted by Jerry Yeti under fake names, I was able to pick a winner. The correct answer was "Mr Tambourine Man".

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Everyone who played was great, but Cloud Cult truly was the headliner at last night's Movable Hype show at Knitting Factory in NYC (April 17. 2006). By the time the band took the stage, the room was packed with a surprisingly attentive audience that mostly-stayed until the 11:30-end of the moving performance. Everyone I talk to says the same thing - Cloud Cult's live performance is rougher than their nearly flawless album. I think it's more an observation than a complaint though. Afterall, we don't go to live shows to hear the equivalent of a CD being played over a fancy sound system.

We heard a few new songs and a successful rendition of "Transistor Radio" (last time they couldn't get that song to work - this time they ALMOST couldn't). If I only heard that song, I would have been happy. The rest was all a bonus. Ryspace has a much better review AND AUDIO from the evening.

Some more on this show at Waved Rumor. More on this show to come on - on every blog known to man.

Previously
Cloud Cult is here | Win Tickets
BMJ - Soundcheck @ Tonic, NYC | pics
Cloud Cult @ 169 Bar, NYC | CMJ 2005 | pics

Posted in music | pictures at 11:26 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

April 17, 2006

Wilco not playing Prospect Park?

Multiple sources now claim that Wilco IS NOT playing Prospect Park this summer. The following tour dates are STILL posted on Pollstar:

Mon 04/17/06 Bloomington, IN Indiana University
Wed 04/19/06 Portland, ME Merrill Auditorium
Thu 04/20/06 Providence, RI Brown University
Fri 04/21/06 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
Sat 04/22/06 Williamsburg, VA William & Mary Hall
Sun 04/23/06 Charlottesville, VA Charlottesville Pavilion
Thu 07/13/06 Brooklyn, NY Prospect Park ??????????????????????
Sun 08/06/06 Chicago, IL Grant Park
Sun 08/13/06 Saratoga, CA Montalvo Arts Center

Sorry! Hopefully it's just a mixup in venue or something, and not a fake tour date. I'll keep you posted....

Posted in music at 6:52 PM | Comments (11) | TrackBack

An Interview with the Secret Machines | not by David Bowie

I'm honored to present to you this exclusive interview with the Secret Machines by guest writer Eddie Ciminelli. More on the band at the end of the post...

How Quickly They Grow Up- A Conversation with The Secret Machines

By Eddie Ciminelli

It has been said that a band has their entire life to craft their debut album and only 18 months to make their follow up. The Secret Machines may have put some extra weight on their shoulders by releasing 2003’s remarkable Now Here is Nowhere before embarking on two years of heavy touring around he world in support of their debut. As soon as drummer Josh Garza’s meticulous thumping opened up “First Wave Intact” followed by the Curtis siblings scathing crossfire guitar riffs and layered keys, the world was quickly introduced to the Secret Machines. “I wonder what their waiting for?” the band sardonically inquired, almost challenging the critics to put down their pens, take a break from trying to conjure up another creative metaphor and simply just listen. But that was then and this is now; a band is only as strong as their last effort. The Machine’s press materials even touts the new record as “that moment when you realize that things have changed and can never be the same.” Sure, they have been road testing a handful of their songs over the past few months. It is true that they have opened for some of the world’s biggest acts. And yes David Bowie occasionally pops into their gigs when they play in New York. This band, however, is more ambitious than their stoned paranoid lyrics may let on, and they seem resolute not to blaze the same (exact) path with their upcoming LP, Ten Silver Drops. I recently caught up with guitarist/vocalist Benjamin Curtis of the band to hear his thoughts about life on the road, Pink Floyd and the band’s electric new album.

EC: Ten Silver Drops is coming out pretty soon. What do you think the band has done this time around to keep things fresh but still remain consistent for your established fans?

Benjamin Curtis: I feel that the aesthetic is still the same. It’s pop music with experimental arrangements. It’s sounds and atmospheres. To mix it up we made a record that was a little more personal. It has a little bit more to do with actual humans rather than the kind of universal context we sing about. It is kind of where we are at this point. It is the last two years of our life. I don’t think we could have made the same record again if we tried.

EC: Do you personally have a favorite track off the new record?

BC: Umm…yeah I do. It’s a tough one. It changes time to time but my favorite one is probably “Alone Jealous & Stoned.” It is a lot of new sounds and a direction we hope to go more to in the future.

EC: The band has some UK dates posted through June, when are you coming back stateside?

BC: Just after we are going to come back here. We are going to do a bunch of shows in March….I think…..April…..May!

EC: Secret shows?

BC: Yeah but hopefully not too much of a secret; we will tell a few people about it. I guess just major cities. We aren’t going to be in the middle of Iowa or anything. But we are going to tour a lot on this record. We did a shit load of touring on the last record.

EC: Yeah you guys were definitely road warriors on the last tour.

BC: Yeah it sort of just ended up that way. We know that we can do it; we know how to do it now so maybe we think we could even do it a little more now.

EC: I actually first heard the new album about five weeks ago because it was available on line. How do you feel about that?

BC: I think that you have to be honest and say I am lucky that anyone cares. It’s great. The last time we put out a record we put it on the internet before it was released in stores (with Now Here is Nowhere) and it was one of those things where nobody knew who we were so it couldn’t really have been leaked. But this time around we knew it was going to happen cause it happens to everybody. What can you do? It’s just the way it is these days. As long as people are listening to the music then I am happy because music has existed much longer than the music business has existed. Music will outlast the music business. I am going to be playing music anyways.

EC: Is that a master copy going around?

BC: I haven’t heard it. I have no idea. It is just so easy because everyone gets a disc. You import and it is done. I guess a lot of people don’t realize that nothing on your computer is as private as you assume. I am not even certain if it was leaked intentionally.

EC: I was curious if there was a conscience decision to use “First Wave Intact”, a nine minute plus song, as the opener on your debut. Was there a conscious decision to say “ fuck the rules, we are going to do things are way?” Was it always going to be the album’s first song?

BC: I don’t think it was ever about breaking rules; it went a lot deeper than that. I don’t think we were even considering the rules. We honestly weren’t even considering the fact that that wasn’t normal. We just thought it was a great way to start a record. When you make your first record you don’t really realize that people are going to ask you why you did certain things. That its going to be judged. People are going to be curious why you made certain decisions. Looking back on it you can say, “Fuck everybody!” but it wasn’t like that. There is that sense of independence that we have. It is more like life is too short to pay attention to what we should or shouldn’t do.

EC: No, I understand. Every time I play your album to people for the first time after that first song it is like, “Sold.”

BC: Well keep playing it then!

(Laughter)

EC: The Secret Machines make music that is expansive, it needs room to breathe. Your band is not associated with a sense of brevity so do you feel that hindered your chances of getting much traditional radio play?

BC: Absolutely. That is one of the main things that stood between us and FM radio play. That is the world we live in. I think it is up to people to realize that the songs people listen to (on the radio) are a particular length isn’t because that is the song’s length it is because you can play a certain amount of songs in a n hour and you can have a certain amount of advertisements that run in an hour which is how (radio stations) calculate their advertising rates. That is why music is like that. It has nothing to do with music. It has to do with business. It is one of those things that maybe people don’t care. But I know for a fact that most people don’t know. People are basically what they consume and art and culture is dictated by people who have a lot more money than they do. Music is something that people do and enjoy. It is a part of life that make people enjoy it, I think that people will find a way to get what they want. And right now FM radio is complete shit- it’s in a horrible state. I listen to pandora.com right now and I have learned about so many new bands and it is so much fun. We were just in Mexico City and the biggest rock radio station is called Reactor and they have 23 million people and has the biggest rock listenerhship of anywhere in the entire planet. The guy that programs the radio downloads his playlist off of Limewire. There will be Ride and Zeppelin bootlegs in heavy rotation next to the Secret Machines next to Mars Volta next to The Kills. Random shit. And this is what everybody and their grandmother and their little sister is listening to at work. It shows that the music isn’t that difficult it is just that it was never given to them.

EC: The first time I saw you guys live you were opening for Interpol in Toronto. It was great to find an opening band that I hadn’t really listened to before that completely blew my mind. Besides Interpol the band has opened for Blonde Redhead,….Trail of Dead, Oasis and even U2. Does the band have any say who you will tour with or have you been really lucky with your invitations?

BC: Its always that someone in the band is a fan of our music. I mean we will play in front of anybody. There is going to be a lot of people that don’t appreciate it but hopefully there are a few people we can turn on to a different world.

EC: The last time I saw you play was at Webster Hall in New York last December and who do I see but David Bowie sitting in the rafters with a shit grin on his face. I read an article that says your fans also include Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine and Jason Pierce of Spiritualized. What does having fans like this do to a bands confidence?

BC: It is really good. I mean you meet these people and its like they’re just musicians like ourselves which is cool. It is nice to chat with them. But at the same time it is kind of dangerous because you don’t want to be the band who all the old guys like. I think these people obviously have great taste. It is really cool touching those people but I would rather touch the kid in the middle of Nebraska. It is more interesting for me to excite them.

EC: What has been exciting you as a fan of music as of late?

BC: As far as new music there are so many great bands around. I like the new Prefuse 73 record that came out. I think he is making some great steps in the right direction. There is a lot of old stuff too. There is a lot of old records I have never heard.

EC: Right, but that is the best part of music- you can always go back and find something ancient but new to you.

BC: Yeah, but I feel bad for these bands that I am just now hearing about twenty years later. I hope it’s not prophetic.

EC: You played in Tripping Daisy with Tim DeLaughter right?

BC: Yes… (sighing)

EC: Were you ever close to picking up a robe and joining the (Polyphonic) Spree?

BC: You know he talked to me about it before they got started. He is a really charismatic character. It is kind of his show when he works. What I was kind of interested doing at the time, well my emotional palette was a little different.

EC: I could understand that. When I first saw them perform at Coachella a few years back DeLaughter came out with the band and asked the crowd, “Isn’t the sun beautiful?” It was all a bit surreal.

BC: In my opinion the occasional dark cloud will make you appreciate the sunshine a bit more.

EC: Last question. Are you pulling for Waters and the rest of Floyd to kiss and make up or is better to let a sleeping dog lay?

BC: That is a really tough one. They have already made their best records. I don’t know what it would prove. It would be fun, worthwhile to see just to kind of pay their respects. I don’t know. Those guys just need to get over it. They are kind of acting as role models for how we shouldn’t act when we grow up. If you want to see bitter old men, read a recent Pink Floyd interview as of late. I love that band but it is like you can never Dark Side of the Moon for the first time again. The first time is always the best and you have to appreciate that you were able to have that moment at all.

-------------

MORE SECRET MACHINES
* The Village Voice discusses a Secret Machines movie
* Preorder the new album at Insound

DOWNLOAD: David Bowie Interviewing the Secret Machines (MP3)
(more info)

Interviewer Eddie Ciminelli is a regular contributor to the site PopMatters.

Previously
Tickets on sale for Secret Machines at Hiro Ballroom

Posted in interviews | music at 4:58 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

Elefant playing free show at the Annex tonight

"Monday night at The Annex (152 Orchard St., NYC) join us to celebrate the release of Elefant's new album The Black Magic Show. The evening will include a midnight performance by Elefant and DJ sets by Jason Baron, Aurelio Valle (Calla) and b23." (thx Rich!)

You can stream that album @ AOL Music.. The same Elefant is headlining the much larger and more expensive Webster Hall in May.

Posted in music at 4:35 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

Mastodon covers Metallica | Listen

"MASTODON's cover of METALLICA's 'Orion', which was recorded for the recently released Kerrang! magazine tribute to the METALLICA album 'Master of Puppets', has been posted online at www.myspace.com/mastodon." [Blabbermouth]

Previously
Slayer, Lamb of God, Mastodon | Summer 2006 Tour Dates
Metallica @ Sundance and a 'Master of Puppets' sculpture

Posted in music at 4:23 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Tool | 2006 Tour Dates

May 19 - New York, NY @ City Center
May 20 - New York, NY @ City Center

All dates below...

Apr. 30 - Indio, CA @ Coachella Festival
May 02 - Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
May 04 - Oakland, CA @ Paramount Theatre
May 05 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Joint
May 06 - Phoenix, AZ @ Gammage Hall
May 08 - Dallas, TX @ McFarlin Auditorium
May 10 - Denver, CO @ Temple Buell Theatre
May 11 - Kansas City, MO @ Memorial Hall
May 12 - Minneapolis, MN @ Orpheum Theatre
May 13 - Chicago, IL @ Auditorium Theatre
May 15 - Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
May 16 - Toronto, ONT @ Hummingbird Theatre
May 18 - Philadelphia, PA @ Tower Theatre
May 19 - New York, NY @ City Center
May 20 - New York, NY @ City Center
May 21 - Boston, MA @ Wang Centre

Posted in music at 4:17 PM | Comments (26) | TrackBack

Stream new Bruce Springsteen & Tour Dates

"Bruce Springsteen's We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, features The Boss' take on thirteen songs associated with Pete Seeger." Q104.3 is streaming the album (unfortunately with "sneak peak - hear it here first" voices every few minutes though). Bruce is playing MSG with "The Seeger Sessions Band" on June 22, 2006. All dates below...

BRUCE 2006
April 30 New Orleans, LA Jazz & Heritage Festival
May 27 Boston, MA TD Bank North Garden
May 28 Washington, DC Nissan Pavilion
May 30 Columbus, OH Germain Amphitheatre
May 31 Indianapolis, IN Verizon Amphitheatre
June 3 Phoenix, AZ Glendale Arena
June 5 Los Angeles, CA Greek Amphitheatre
June 6 San Francisco, CA Concord Pavilion
June 10 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
June 11 St. Paul, MN Xcel Arena
June 13 Chicago, IL First MidWest Bank Amphitheater
June 14 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center
June 16 Cleveland, OH Blossom Amphitheatre
June 17 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Center
June 20 Philadelphia, PA Camden Tweeter Waterfront Amphitheater
June 21 Saratoga, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
June 22 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
June 24 Holmdel, NJ PNC Amphitheatre
June 25 Holmdel, NJ PNC Amphitheatre

thx Concert Joe

Previously
Doveman played w/ Sprinsteen too | Samamidon

Posted in music at 3:44 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

David Cross & Sigmund Droid added to Jamnesty benefit

David Cross is hosting the NYU Jamnesty benefit show at the Puck Building on April 20th. Sigmund Droid, Jean Grae and Saul Williams are playing.

Posted in music at 3:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Rosie Thomas' (and band's) gear stolen in Philadelphia

ROSIE THOMAS & SUFJAN STEVENS (cred)

1) Rosie Thomas is NOT having Sufjan Stevens' baby (she did go sledding with him in February though).

2) Rosie Thomas joins the ranks of musicians whose gear was robbed.....

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Our equipment was stolen in Philadelphia!!
Rosie and her band had all of their equipment stolen in Philadelphia after their show last night (April 14, 2006). If you live in Philadelphia or the surrounding area and frequent music stores, etc, please keep an eye out for the following items....

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Rosie Thomas (and band) stolen gear list:
(listed by who they belonged to)
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Rosie
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1) Takamine cutaway acoustic guitar normal looking brown w/ black pick guard electronics cut into the top of the guitar. The inner storage area of the case had a purple handmade bracelet in it. There were also notes in the case under the guitar. Case was black with fragile stickers all over it. 2) Boss tuner pedal
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Johnathon
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1) Fender P-Bass - 1975-78 - Brown Body, Black Pick Guard: one piece of pick guard is broken close to input jack and covered with red electrical tape. It has one black tuning peg on the D string... the rest are silver. The back of the neck is messed up a bit It has faded wear marks on the front of the bass. The back of body has a few chunks taken out of it. The case has holes in it and it has 2 stickers: one says John Ford, the other is a Thrasher skateboard sticker. Bottom latch of case is broken. 2) Ernie ball volume pedal (bottom, top right hand base peg is gone) 3) Boss compression sustain pedal 4) Boss chromatic tuner 5) Ampeg Rocket Bass Amp
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Jeff
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1) Black Fender '72 deluxe tele re-issue one hum-bucker on front position Replaced custom bridges in a black hard-shell case covered in Ryan air and fragile stickers on all sides black ernie ball guitar strap on it. 2) Custom black felt flight case pedal board with the following pedals: - morely a/b/y switch pedal - boss tuner - morely alligator volume pedal - minitone top boost in a can overdrive pedal (RED) - boss digital delay / reverb pedal (grey) - line 6 delay unit pedal (green) - Voodoo labs pedal power - power supply 3) Korg micro control midi control keyboard
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Brian
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1) Yamaha P-120 Keyboard Stage Piano it is dark brown with black trimming. Black soft case / perfect fit
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Andy
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1) Martin Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar / LR baggs deluxe EQ preamp on the top in soft case. There is a Fishman soundhole pickup in the case as well. 2) Fender blues jr. relic amp (tweed) 3) Fender pro junior amp (silver and black) 4) midi man oxygen 8 keyboard 5) 3rd generation 30 gig ipod

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Previously
Film School's van & gear stolen in Philly
Rosie Thomas appearing on next Sufjan album, not pregnant

Posted in music at 1:53 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

Avalon open again

"...A fight at a popular Chelsea night spot - raided by cops just two weeks ago because of alleged drug sales - left a man hospitalized with stab wounds early yesterday, police said. Cops were called to the recently reopened Avalon at 47 W. 20th St. shortly before its 4 a.m. closing...." [Daily News]

In-depth articles on the whole bust situation at NY Press & EDGE Boston.

Posted in NYC | music at 12:38 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Daniel Johnston to perform in LA

"Finally, on May 4, Johnston will make his way to LA for a special, intimate performance at Spaceland, his first gig in that city in over five years. While in LA Johnston will stop by for a visit and performance at the Henry Rollins Show (airing on the IFC channel)." [Tripwire]

Previously
Whitney Museum Biennial 2006 | Daniel Johnston

Posted in music at 12:29 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Cloud Cult is here | Win Tickets

CLOUD CULT @ BMJ (cred)

There's been a lot of confusion surrounding Cloud Cult's current tour dates. In fact, their site still doesn't have at least one of their upcoming NYC shows listed. Here's their exact NYC schedule:

CLOUD CULT IN NYC | 4/17-4/21, 2006
4/17 - Knitting Factory w/ Land of Talk (MOVABLE HYPE - TONIGHT)
4/18 - Acoustic set upstairs at Piano's w/M Shanghai String Band 7:30pm (CROSS POLLINATION)
4/21 - Arlene's Grocery w/ the Undisputed Heavyweights 8:00pm

Check their site for the rest of the dates.

WIN TICKETS: I've got a pair of tickets to tonight's Movable Hype show. The first person to email BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM with the correct answer to the following question wins them:

What is the name of the Bob Dylan song that Cloud Cult covered at BMJ, and on KEXP. Hint: this very song later surfaced as an MP3 on Yeti Don't Dance.

Good luck. I won't share your email address with anyone. Affiliates of Bob Dylan, Cloud Cult, KEXP and Yeti Don't Dance are ineligible to participate or win.

Previously
The Cloud Cult fanclub (cult), 2005 lists & tickets

Posted in Contests | To Do | music at 12:05 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

Chk Chk Chk (!!!) also playing Club Exit

!!! NEWS
"Work is progressing on the new LP. No title or firm release date yet. Shooting to have a new single out in late June, and the LP to follow in early-mid Fall. Lots of trax still in the works...and Justin is behind the dials so it should be, if anything, a sonic wonderland"

!!! U.S. (BROOKLYN) TOUR DATES
June 9 - Club Exit (a Todd P show) (thx danfun)
June 11 - Northsix

Posted in music at 10:45 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Own Arctic Monkeys' MySpace profile

People are selling MySpace accounts. 90 minutes left to bid on Arctic Monkeys. (via Prefix)

AND The NY TImes says MySpace Is Unprofessional, but That's the Point AND Stereogum went to the secret MySpace Franz Ferdinand show.

Previously
Arctic Monkeys TICKETS on sale, Tour Dates, & new song

Posted in music at 9:27 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

Wetlands Preserved | A documentary | NYC Premiere

"Wetlands Preserved will have its world premiere at the historic Ziegfeld Theatre in Midtown Manhattan at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 23rd, and will serve as both the closing film of the first Green Apple Film Festival and the final event in the Green Apple Music & Arts Festival. A limited amount of tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, April 11 at noon.

The directorial debut from writer/editor/deejay Dean Budnick, 'Wetlands Preserved' salutes a rock club celebrated for its eclectic bookings and political and environmental activism. Hailed as 'a landmark rock club' by Rolling Stone and often described as 'the Fillmore of the 90s,' The Wetlands is considered the very womb and birthplace of the modern day jamband scene." (thx CJ)

Posted in music at 1:34 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

New New York Dolls | MP3s, WMA

"This summer, the legendary New York Dolls will be releasing their first studio album in 31 YEARS, One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This, through Roadrunner Records."

Tracks posted at Roadrunner.

Previously
New York Dolls @ CBGB, NYC | pics
NY Dolls played Xavier High School w/ Hubert Sumlin
NY Dolls playing CBGB & Spaceland | New Album
New York Dolls @ Avalon, NYC | pics

Posted in music at 1:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Liars add more 2006 Tour Dates | Avalon + Warsaw

Last we spoke, Liars' tour dates looked like this. Now they look like this....

Sat 6/24/06 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw
Sun 6/25/06 Baltimore, MD Sonar
Mon 6/26/06 New York, NY Avalon

All dates below...

Wed 5/17/06 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
Thu 5/18/06 Washington DC Black Cat
Fri 5/19/06 Charlottesville, VA Jefferson Theater
Sat 5/20/06 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Sun 5/21/06 Knoxville, TN The Pilot Light
Mon 5/22/06 Atlanta, GA Drunken Unicorn
Wed 5/24/06 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
Thu 5/25/06 Houston, TX Walter's on Walters
Fri 5/26/06 Austin, TX Emo's
Sat 5/27/06 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room
Sun 5/28/06 Norman, OK The Opolis
Tue 5/30/06 Albuquerque, NM Launchpad
Wed 5/31/06 Tempe, AZ The Clubhouse
Thu 6/1/06 Tucson, AZ Plush
Fri 6/2/06 San Diego, CA Casbah
Sat 6/3/06 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour
Sun 6/4/06 Pomona, CA Glass House
Mon 6/5/06 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
Wed 6/7/06 Eugene, OR WOW Hall
Thu 6/8/06 Portland, OR Dante's
Fri 6/9/06 Vancouver, BC Richard's on Richards
Sat 6/10/06 Seattle, WA El Corazon
Mon 6/12/06 Salt Lake City, UT In the Venue
Tue 6/13/06 Denver, CO Hi-Dive
Sun 6/18/06 Chicago, IL Logan Square Auditorium
Mon 6/19/06 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
Wed 6/21/06 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
Thu 6/22/06 Montreal, QC Cabaret Music Hall
Fri 6/23/06 Boston, MA Paradise
Sat 6/24/06 Brooklyn, NY Warsaw
Sun 6/25/06 Baltimore, MD Sonar
Mon 6/26/06 New York, NY Avalon Nightclub

Previously
Liars videos to watch from Drum's Not Dead

Posted in music at 12:45 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

Stars' Stephen Ramsay = Young Galaxy | Listen

Amy Millan isn't the only member of Stars posting new songs to MySpace. Guitarist Stephen Ramsay has a side project called Young Galaxy and he has songs too.

Posted in music at 12:35 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Tokyo Police Club | Listen! - MP3s

Toronto's Tokyo Police Club first came to my attention when I noticed they were real friendly-like with Toronto's Magneta Lane. A few days later I found out Magneta Lane's label Paper Bag Records went ahead and signed Tokyo Police Club too. Their EP comes out in Canada on April 27th. Here's hoping they make it to the U.S.A. by C.M.J.

DOWNLOAD Nature of the Experiment (MP3)

Check out the songs streaming at their Myspace and download an MP3 at BSOF too.

MORE TPC
* An article @ Chart Attack
* Blog love from I (heart) Music
* A show review @ Chart Attack

Posted in music at 12:12 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

April 16, 2006

Magneta Lane @ Emo's Annex, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics

Seeing Magneta Lane @ Emo's Annex on the first day (March 14, 2006) of SXSW makes up for the fact that I was too slow to get to Mercury Lounge on time last week to see their 3rd-ever NYC performance (April 10, 2006).

Sound Bites got there too late too, but Jeff and Jasper made it and they really, really liked them.

Previously
Magneta Lane @ Tonic, NYC (CMJ 2005) | pics
Magneta Lane @ CBGB, NYC (CMJ 2004) | Pics

Posted in SXSW | music | pictures at 11:23 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

CYHSY @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC | pics | Night 2

I managed to catch Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at Bowery Ballroom for the 2nd night in a row last night (April 15, 2006), and I'm glad I did because they managed to top what was an already awesome show the night before.

It was the last show on their tour, and they brought in their friends from Philly to open for them - The Teeth and Scott McMicken from Dr. Dog.

Differences in the set included a slower new song that I loved, and a tour-ending 4-song encore that concluded with a cover of Neil Young's Helpless. To make it extra special, they brought Scott McMicken (and 2 other guys from?) back to the stage to jam...

Previously
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC | pics

Posted in music | pictures at 2:00 PM | Comments (26) | TrackBack