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January 31, 2007

tonight's Northsix (RIP) show cancelled! -- Ted Leo needs video extras

R.I.P.

Northsix's final show with Radio 4 and The Big Sleep was scheduled to start in just a few hours. Now this sad note is posted on the closing venue's website:

**WE REGRET TO ANNOUNCE THAT, FOR REASONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL (ConEdison disconnected power to the building one day too early), TONIGHT'S FINAL NORTHSIX SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THOSE WHO PURCHASED TICKETS AND, ESPECIALLY, TO THE BANDS THAT SO GRACIOUSLY AGREED TO PLAY OUR LAST SHOW.

IF YOU PURCHASED TICKETS VIA TICKETWEB, A REFUND WILL BE ISSUED AUTOMATICALLY. IF TICKETS WERE PURCHASED AT THE VENUE, PLEASE MAIL TICKETS TO:
Northsix
Ticket Refund
66 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211

That sucks for all involved...except Apollo Heights, Jealous Girlfriends, Unlove, and Ahoi who all played there last night.... which ended up being the actual "last night" ever at Northsix.

Ted Leo, who played there the other day, needs extras for a video shoot in Brooklyn this Sunday. Bright Eyes needs extras too.

Posted in music | venues at 6:19 PM | Comments (38)

upcoming TVOTR solo shows

Two from TV on the Radio...

* Kyp Malone is playing Zebulon tonight
* Tunde is playing a free show @ White Rabbit on Feb. 12

Previously
Tunde (HikiJiki) played Tonic
Kyp Malone @ SXSW

Posted in music | tour dates at 4:58 PM | Comments (1)

Bright Eyes (who needs extras for a video) showed up @ the M Ward (who is touring with Norah Jones) show

Conor Oberst & M Ward @ Town Hall, NYC | Jan 26, 2007 (CRED)

M Ward played Town Hall in NYC Friday night.

First time seeing him live, and I was not disappointed. He actually surpassed my expectations, which is difficult to do. I knew how good of a finger-picker he was on the acoustic, but his piano playing is equally as proficient. As for the voice, man it just explodes in a live atmosphere. However, his lyrical deliver never seems forced. I was just amazed how naturally the words just flowed out him. [Bob Mapplethorpe]

Frequent M. Ward collaborator Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) showed up for the last song of the encore. Bright Eyes also needs you (California people) to be in his new video:

*Attention ! Bright Eyes Video Needs Extras! *

Hello there,

Bright Eyes are filming a music video in the Los Angeles area on Friday, February 2 and would love to have some fans in the audience!! Unfortunately you must be 18 or older.

If you are interested and would like more information please send your name and contact information to brighteyesvideo@yahoo.com.

M Ward is going on tour with Norah Jones. Norah just came out with a new album and people pre-ordered it like crazy:

Hailed by critics as her best album to date, the new release from jazz vocalist Norah Jones, "Not Too Late," was the most preordered album of all time on the online retailer Amazon.com. [Hollywood Reporter]

In NYC M & N are playing the Theater @ MSG. All tour dates below...

M Ward & Norah Jones | 2007 Tour Dates
Fri-Apr-13 Wallingford, CT Chevrolet Theatre
Sat-Apr-14 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
Sun-Apr-15 Portland, ME Merrill Auditorium @ City Hall
Tue-Apr-17 Providence, RI Providence Performing Art Center
Wed-Apr-18 New York, NY Theatre @ Madison Sq. Garden
Fri-Apr-20 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre
Sat-Apr-21 Atlantic City, NJ Borgata Casino
Mon-Apr-23 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
Tue-Apr-24 Greensboro, NC War Memorial Auditorium
Thu-Apr-26 Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
Fri-Apr-27 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
Sat-Apr-28 Asheville, NC Orange Peel ***M Ward only***
Mon-Apr-30 Birmingham, AL BJCC Concert Hall
Tue-May-01 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre
Wed-May-02 St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre
Fri-May-04 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan Theatre
Sat-May-05 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre
Sun-May-06 Minneapolis, MN Orpheum Theatre
Tue-May-08 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
Wed-May-09 Cleveland, OH The State Theatre @ Playhouse Square
Fri-May-11 Toronto, ONT Massey Hall
Sat-May-12 Montreal, QUE St. Denis Theatre

Previously
Bright Eyes tickets go on sale @ 10 am
M Ward | 2007 (solo) Tour Dates (presale)
Sloppy Joannes (Norah Jones) @ Rockwood Music Hall, NYC | pics

Posted in music | tour dates at 3:14 PM | Comments (20)

Flickr users angry about changes, Northsix closing tonight, Ted Leo played there --> for Callum Robbins

Ted Leo @ Northsix, Brooklyn | Jan 28, 2007 (CRED)

"On Tuesday, Yahoo said in a Flickr blog that it will discontinue the e-mail-based Flickr sign in system, requiring everyone to have a Yahoo ID to sign in on March 15.................A San Francisco photographer who blogs under the name "Thomas Hawk" complained that he has four Flickr accounts and the change will mean he will have to create four different Yahoo accounts.....He also criticizes Yahoo's limiting of the number of contacts a Flickr member can have and the number of tags users can use." [Cnet]

The above photo of Ted Leo was taken at Northsix in Brooklyn on January 28, 2007 by Wolinetz who in turn posted it on Flickr.

The last show ever at Northsix happens tonight. Tickets are still on sale. Northsix reopens remodeled in a few months as the Music Hall of Williamsburg.

The Ted Leo show was a benefit for Callum Robbins. The next benefit show for Callum will feature Shellac and take place in Chicago. Ted Leo is also touring.

Posted in To Do | music | technology at 2:14 PM | Comments (5)

"NY Teen in Piracy Lawsuit Accuses Record Companies of Collusion"

"A 16-year-old boy being sued for online music piracy accused the recording industry on Tuesday of violating antitrust laws, conspiring to defraud the courts and making extortionate threats." [1010 Wins]

Posted in industry | music at 2:02 PM | Comments (3)

Bad Brains (past?) homophobic ways caught on video

Hot on the heels of the "blipster" controversy, another issue arises that forces us to think about the unfortunate existence of hate and separation in the world, and in the music world even....

Unlike the popular parody making the rounds on the Internet lately, the below video I found of HR from Bad Brains is depressingly real...

The audio in the video is hard to understand, but yes, HR Did say, "...I do say unity, but for all people, not for all faggots".

I was as excited as everyone else when Bad Brains reunited with HR to play three shows at CBGB before it closed. And I was as excited as everyone else to find out that Bad Brains are releasing a new album. You might even argue that there is universal love and respect for the Bad Brains among music fans, fellow musicians, the music industry, and the press.

Wikipedia describes Bad Brains as a "highly influential American all-black hardcore punk band" and "pioneers of hardcore punk", but makes no mention of homophobia. Most articles don't bring it up either...

"...the seminal black punk-reggae band..." [NPR]

"...the Brains inspire as many people to pick up instruments as lay them down in frustration... [Rolling Stone]

"On-again/off-again rock act Bad Brains appears to be on once more.." [Billboard]

"...hardcore legends Bad Brains seem to be back in commission..." [Pitchfork]

"Bad Brains reuniting - HR included | 2 shows @ CBGB" [BrooklynVegan]

....though it is documented on the Internet.

I even waited until now to follow up on the comment in this post...

Does anyone remember the controversy surrounding the Bad Brains back in the early '90s (I think it was around then)? I think they had a lyric that was viewed as homophobic or that the lyric viewed folks striken with HIV/AIDS pretty negatively. I can't recall much else about it, but I do remember that the band was getting slammed pretty hard for it some zines.

...which ironically was written on the same day as an anti-gay post about fellow Rastafarian Buju Banton.

Obviously the above video is old, and HR is not the same guy he used to be...

...or is he? Has HR gone on record to say he's changed his ways? Either way, is the exchange in the above video forgivable? Can you enjoy a band's music while ignoring their beliefs? Even though I'm not sure I know the beliefs of half the musicians I listen to, I'd have to say no. Whatever the answer is, I'm not happy about it.

Posted in music at 12:25 PM | Comments (66)

Amiina | 2007 Tour Dates

"Amiina (previously Amina) have announced a North American tour and a release date for the upcoming single Seoul, available on Danish label Rumraket." [Spacelab]

They play the Wordless Music Series in NYC on April 2nd - the same place Explosions in the Sky is playing in February. All tour dates below...

Amiina | 2007 Tour Dates
03-21 - Café Montmartre - Madison, WI
03-22 - Varsity Theatre - Minneapolis, MN
03-23 - Lakeshore Theater - Chicago, IL
03-25 - Cambridge Room, House of Blues - Cleveland, OH
03-26 - Magic Bag - Detroit, MI
03-27 - The Music Gallery - Toronto
03-28 - Le National - Montreal
03-30 - World Café Live - Philadelphia, PA
03-31 - The Remis at Museum of Fine Arts - Boston, MA
04-01 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club
04-02 - The Wordless Music Series - NYC
04-06 - MusicNOW festival - Cincinnati, OH

Previously
Amina NOW Amiina, banging cans w/ Matmos | Sigur Ros Tour Dates

Posted in music | tour dates at 10:39 AM | Comments (1)

The Avengers playing NYC show then touring Europe

Tickets are still on sale for a show by the Avengers at Bowery Ballroom in NYC this Saturday. Last time the reunited punk band was here, was to play CBGB. The NYC show is their only U.S. show before they head to Europe.

Posted in music | tour dates at 10:26 AM | Comments (2)

Peter Bjorn and John @ Bowery Ballroom

Yes, I went three nights in a row (I shouldn't have). I'm writing a full review, but in the meantime I thought I'd put up this placeholder in case the disappointed feel like commenting (they certainly commented to me in person on the way out). Full depressing post coming soon. (of course positive comments are welcome as well)

update: based on the postive comments so far (they're so rare!), I obviously overreacted (initially called it a "complete disaster"). I'm still writing up my honest thoughts, but in the meantime I made this intial post a lot less harsh because a lot of my "disaster" reaction was based on what I thought was universal....

....I was also standing all the way in the back for this one - back where people were talking non-stop - from the first song to the last, and back where I could see each person leave early until it got to a point during the encore where the 600-person-over-capcity room was literally only half full. And what seemed like hilarious, cute and endering stage antics by the band the previous nights, seemed only to bore and infuriate people in this larger, tougher venue. who knows...

----

morning update: I'm not bashing the band. I know they're great, but from where I was standing it seemed like an awkward situation that kept getting worse as the band fed off the people that weren't into it. Monday night's best quote from the band was about NYC crowds being more receptive than they were warned about. The best quote at this show was something like "C'mon, Bowery Ballroom can certainly do a better job than Mercury Lounge?!" (actual quote may vary)

More:
* NY Times loves Mercury Lounge show too
* Pitchfork interviews PB&J
* another Union Hall review @ Stereogum
* The Conan O'Brien video

Posted in music | pictures at 12:39 AM | Comments (143)

January 30, 2007

Wes' Weekly Hip Hop News Roundup | (Jan 30, 2007)

Not only is the Wu Tang Clan back this summer with 8 Diagrams, Rza's Afro Samurai, and a disc of unreleased material by "Wu Tang Clan and friends" are among this week's new releases.

Last week I expressed my love for Joell Ortiz. Get an MP3 at the Rap Up.

UPCOMING SHOW @ IRVING PLAZA
Lord Finesse's B-Day Bash features everyone from Chuck D to DJ Premier - Lord Finesse, D.I.T.C., Das Efx, Grand Puba, Nice & Smooth, and more to come!?!?! Who's coming?!! Tickets for the February 23rd show here

SHOW TOMORROW @ SOB'S
Info on X-Clan's NYC CD release party here.

This week's Hip Hop TV appearances at a glance includes Nas on Kimmel and The Game on Leno.

La Coka Nostra is kind of a lame name - especially considering who's in this supergroup, but anyway check out some info on House of Pain, Non-Phixion, Soul Assassins, and Lordz of Brooklyn getting together. Music @ MySpace. Live show March 8th @ Avalon in Hollywood.

Clipse speak on the mixtape controversy. AngryCitizen reviews the recent Clipse show at Bowery Ballroom. More tour dates have been announced.

In case you were wondering, or even worried, Trent Reznor's new upcoming Nine Inch Nails record is NOT a Hip Hop Album.

9th Wonder and Little Brother part ways. :(
SoundSlam takes a look at some other hip hop divorces.

Finally a Mobb Deep related release to get excited about: Prodigy's upcoming solo album Return of the Mac. Read about it here. Watch a video also. The Voice also speaks.

Gangstarr’s Guru is finishing up “Jazzmatazz Vol. 4,” featuring David Sanborn, Common, Bob James, Damian Marley, Bobby Valentino, Blackalicious, and Vivian Green.

Consequence is hoping to finally quit his day job after March 6th when he drops his album Don't Quit Your Day Job.

Now in concept it might be clever, but unfortunately the song itself kinda sucks. Jay-Z and belle Beyonce are releasing singles that feature each other on the same day. Hollywood (Jay-Z ft Beyonce) and Upgrade U (Beyonce ft Jay-Z) will have also have split videos. Add in all the product placement deals like Cherry Coke, and you might say Jay-Z really is becoming the Mike Jordan of recording.

Tru Life returns to BV Hip Hop news with more entertainment. Watch a video of him posing with stolen Dip Set chains.

Watch this Beat Kingz video featuring Kanye, Swizz Beatz and Just Blaze for some edumacation.

Some info on new female MC Psalm One here.

NPR on Subway Hip Hop. A phenomenon I have yet to witness. (listen)

Info on two upcoming DJ Muggs projects here and here.

A truly pointless Notorious B.I.G. Greatest Hits compilation coming up. Info here.

DJ Jazzy Jeff releasing new work.

Rev. Run's Wife Justine Simmons Releases Inspirational Book

Q-Tip looking into releasing unlistenable Kamaal album.

Make Hip Hop Not War (VIA)

----

this post brought to you by Undisputed Wes

Posted in hiphop | music at 5:04 PM | Comments (6)

Clipse | 2007 Tour Dates

Clipse announced their full tour. Exact dates below...

Clipse | 2007 Tour Dates
Tue 02/27/07 Cambridge, MA Middle East Restaurant & Nightclub
Wed 02/28/07 Baltimore, MD Sonar
Thu 03/01/07 Pittsburgh, PA Rex Theatre
Fri 03/02/07 Chicago, IL Metro / Smart Bar
Sun 03/04/07 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig
Wed 03/07/07 Boulder, CO Boulder Theater
Thu 03/08/07 Colorado Springs, CO Black Sheep
Fri 03/09/07 Park City, UT Harry O's
Sat 03/10/07 Jackson Hole, WY Mangy Moose
Mon 03/12/07 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
Tue 03/13/07 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
Wed 03/14/07 San Francisco, CA Mezzanine
Thu 03/15/07 San Jose, CA Agenda Lounge
Fri 03/16/07 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
Sat 03/17/07 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern
Sun 03/18/07 Anaheim, CA House Of Blues
Wed 03/21/07 Austin, TX Emo's Austin
Sat 03/24/07 Orlando, FL The Club at Firestone
Tue 03/27/07 Knoxville, TN Bijou Theatre
Wed 03/28/07 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
Thu 03/29/07 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Thu 04/26/07 New York, NY B.B. King's Blues Club

Previously
Clipse played Bowery Ballroom

Posted in hiphop | music | tour dates at 3:31 PM | Comments (3)

Nellie McKay (& Laurie Anderson) w/ Brooklyn Philharmonic -- Letterman video + live show Thursday - WIN TIX

That's crazy that Nellie McKay and the whole Brooklyn Philharmonic got to perform on Letterman last week (1/22/07) - video above (MP3 here). This Thursday (2/01/07) is the live show that brings together the Brooklyn Philharmonic with Nellie, Joan Osborne, Laurie Anderson, AND Suzanne Vega "for an electrifying evening of newly-orchestrated songs". It's at BAM.

You can buy tickets HERE for the Nellie show AND the Antony & The Johnsons show happening on March 9th. You can also WIN a pair of tickets to the Nellie show right here and now. To win, E-mail BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (subject: Nellie) and tell me what school Nellie attended in third grade while she lived in Harlem. A winner will be picked randomly tomorrow (1/31) at Noon.

The entire Brooklyn Philharmonic calendar can be found here.

Previously
Nellie McKay playing Philharmonic and other news
Ryan Adams & Nellie McKay | Bowery Ballroom
Nellie McKay's "Pretty Little Head" release details
Laurie Anderson & Lou Reed playing 20th Annivesary Knit show
Suzanne Vega @ Ground Zero, 7 WTC, NYC | pics

Posted in Contests | To Do | music | tour dates at 2:27 PM | Comments (4)

The Good, The Bad & The Queen | 2007 Tour Dates

"THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE QUEEN, the collaboration between Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz), former Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Verve guitarist Simon Tong and Fela Kuti/Africa 70 drummer Tony Allen, whose eponymous, Danger Mouse- produced debut was released last week, have confirmed the following first-ever series of North American dates:"

TGTBTQ | 2007 Tour Dates
March 11th Toronto Kool Haus
March 12th New York Webster Hall
March 14th Washington DC 930
March 16th Austin Stubbs (SXSW)
March 18th New Orleans Republic
April 28th Coachella

more dates TBA around Coachella.

Elsewhere
* The Stylus album review
* The Music Snobbery UK concert review
* Official YouTube videos

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 1:27 PM | Comments (43)

Deerhunter - new album (Cryptograms) + NYC, SXSW & other tour dates

Deerhunter's new ambient-psych-rock-something-like-that album Cryptograms is out this week. I like it a lot. Prefix and Cokemachineglow describe how it sounds, and the drama involved in making it. I'll just say that Deerhunter have songs streaming at their MySpace, and you could probably imagine them fitting right in to a Grizzly Bear/Papercuts/Beach House show.

Deerhunter fit in to that lineup so well in fact that they ARE playing with Grizzly Bear and Papercuts when that tour hits Deerhunter's hometown of Atlanta, GA. Unlike NYC though, Beach House is not at that show, but Deerhunter will play with them too - at Pitchfork's SXSW party ("Best New Music" coming any second? update: yes).

Do not confuse Deerhunter with Deerhoof who also have a new album out.

Deerhunter's upcoming NYC show is at Mercury Lounge on April 26th. All tour dates and a video below....

Deerhunter | 2007 Tour Dates
Mar 2 @ Drunken Unicorn w/ Grizzly Bear, The Papercuts Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 3 @ Music Farm w/ Sparklehorse, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter Charleston, South Carolina
Mar 4 @ Variety Playhouse w/ Sparklehorse, Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 16 @ Emos - Pitchfork SXSW party
Mar 18 @ Mink w/ Black Lips & The Ponys, Houston, TX
Mar 31 @ George Street Grocery, Jackson, MS
Apr 26 @ Mercury Lounge, NYC

Posted in music | tour dates at 5:51 AM | Comments (11)

Peter Bjorn and John @ Mercury Lounge, NYC | pics

For a great review of Sunday's Union Hall show, and to understand a little more about how Peter Bjorn and John rock (and don't just whistle), check out Sound Bites (MP3s included).

Monday night (January 29, 2007) - I sold my ticket to Paul Weller for $200 (just kidding), and headed over to see Peter Bjorn and John play their "first show on the Lower East Side" at Mercury Lounge in NYC.

I couldn't resist going two nights in a row, even though I didn't really feel like it. I didn't want to ruin Sunday night's memory and didn't really feel like commuting in the cold, but I made it, and as soon as PB&J played their first note - all pain (mental and physical) went away. And it didn't return until at least the time I stepped on to the cold subway platform some time around 12:30 am to return home post-show. That's how you know you saw a good show - it takes the pain away. And once again PB&J proved they were both funny, and know how to play a show better than 99% of the bands I go to see (no offense other bands - I still love you).

And this time we got Victoria Bergsman:

And for one song (Young Folks), the place went wild - wilder than we were going already - which is saying a lot (especially for Mercury Lounge in NYC). The quote of the year came when Peter said (something like) "They told me NYC crowds were too cool to sing along. They were wrong." (actual quote may vary).

It was actually the second time the five of them (Peter, Bjorn, John, Victoria, and Lars the best bongo player in Sweden) played "Young Folks" together that day - the first was on Conan O'Brien that afternoon. (Did you see it?). They told us it was why they missed sound check.

Anyway, GREAT show again. nuff said. Bowery Ballroom tonight (then Cake Shop) - then off to LA. More pics below...

Previously
Peter Bjorn & John @ Union Hall, Brooklyn, NYC | pics

Posted in music | pictures at 5:14 AM | Comments (46)

Willie Nelson playing (during) SXSW, Coachella, Radio City | 2007 Tour Dates ("Last of the Breed")

DOWNLOAD: Willie Nelson - My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys (MP3)

Country legend Willie Nelson (pictured above with fellow rock gods) is going on tour with fellow Country legends Merle Haggard and Ray Price (not pictured). The "Last of the Breed" tour runs from March 9th to March 25th, and hits Austin, Texas DURING SXSW. On March 22nd the breed play Radio City Music Hall in NYC. Afterwards Willie plays two shows in California without the rest of the breed - once at the regular Coachella (same day as Tapes n Tapes, Junior Boys, Soulwax, Mika, and Rage Against the Machine), and once at the "Stagecoach" Coachella the following weekend (same day as Neko Case). All tour dates below...

Last of the Breed Tour
Fri 03/09/07 Prescott Valley, AZ Tim's Toyota Center
Sat 03/10/07 Las Vegas, NV Aladdin/Planet Hollywood Resort
Sun 03/11/07 Rio Rancho, NM Santa Ana Star Center
Mon 03/12/07 Loveland, CO Budweiser Events Center
Tue 03/13/07 Colorado Springs, CO Colorado Springs World Arena
Thu 03/15/07 Tulsa, OK Mabee Center Arena
Fri 03/16/07 Austin, TX The Backyard
Sat 03/17/07 Austin, TX The Backyard
Sun 03/18/07 Bossier City, LA Horseshoe Casino
Mon 03/19/07 Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry House
Wed 03/21/07 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun
Thu 03/22/07 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
Fri 03/23/07 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
Sat 03/24/07 Milwaukee, WI Riverside Theatre
Sun 03/25/07 Rosemont, IL Rosemont Theatre

Willie Nelson | 2007 Tour Dates (no breed)
Thu 02/01/07 Lake Buena Vista, FL House Of Blues
Fri 02/09/07 Robinsonville, MS Grand Casino Tunica
Thu 02/22/07 Universal City, CA Gibson Amph. At Univ. CityWalk
Fri 03/23/07 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
Sun 04/29/07 Indio, CA Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
Sat 05/05/07 Indio, CA Empire Polo Field (Stagecoach Coachella)

Previously
Willie Nelson says stop eating horses
Willie Nelson caught with pot and mushrooms
Willie Nelson @ Yogi Berra Stadium, NJ | Pics

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 4:36 AM | Comments (3)

Junior Boys | 2007 Tour Dates, Coachella

Junior Boys are playing a bunch of March and April tour dates leading up to their April 29th appearance at Coachella. Tickets are on sale for an April 11th show at Bowery Ballroom in NYC. All tour dates below...

Junior Boys | 2007 Tour Dates
Fri 03/23/07 Orlando, FL The Social
Sat 03/24/07 Miami, FL Post
Sun 03/25/07 Tampa, FL The Crowbar
Fri 04/06/07 Toronto, ON The Mod Club Theatre
Sat 04/07/07 Montreal, QC La Sala Rosa
Wed 04/11/07 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
Thu 04/12/07 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
Fri 04/13/07 Washington, DC Black Cat
Sat 04/14/07 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Sun 04/15/07 Atlanta, GA The EARL
Mon 04/16/07 Nashville, TN Exit / In
Tue 04/17/07 Kansas City, MO Record Bar
Sat 04/21/07 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
Tue 04/24/07 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
Wed 04/25/07 San Francisco, CA Mezzanine
Sun 04/29/07 Indio, CA Empire Polo Field Coachella

Previously
Junior Boys | Morgan Geist remix & Brooklyn show (win tix)

Posted in music | tour dates at 3:45 AM | Comments (0)

Sharon Jones playing 2 nights @ Maxwell's

Not just one - Sharon Jones is playing two nights at Maxwell's this weekend.

Posted in To Do | music at 3:26 AM | Comments (0)

Knitting Factory in NYC gets new sound system

"As it embarks upon its 20th year as the leading authority on live emerging music, Knitting Factory Entertainment (KFE) today announced major technological enhancements to its landmark New York City venue. The upgrades, which affect the venue's Main Space stage area, will enable significantly improved artist and fan experiences through all-new lighting and PA systems, a new onstage monitor mix position and an HD audio/video capture system."

nice. Full press release below....

New York, NY (Billboard Publicity Wire) January 29, 2007 -- As it embarks upon its 20th year as the leading authority on live emerging music, Knitting Factory Entertainment (KFE) today announced major technological enhancements to its landmark New York City venue. The upgrades, which affect the venue's Main Space stage area, will enable significantly improved artist and fan experiences through all-new lighting and PA systems, a new onstage monitor mix position and an HD audio/video capture system.

"The Knitting Factory has never looked or sounded better," said Jared Hoffman, President and CEO of KFE. "Entering our milestone 20th year, we are actively building on our reputation, not only as the place that showcases the best in emerging and established music, but also as a state-of-the-art venue that provides the very best audio-visual live music experiences. Equipping the NY facility with the most advanced technology we could find is just one more way we're demonstrating our absolute commitment to artists and audiences alike."

In addition to enhancing the artist and audience experiences, the installation of the new lighting, sound and video capture systems underscores KFE's mission to create a digital services platform to support its artist, record label and media company partnerships. The company is currently developing media partnerships, such as a previously announced partnership with XM Satellite Radio, which will serve to distribute Knitting Factory exclusive live performance content. The venue upgrades enable the aggregation of this content at the highest possible quality. XM Satellite Radio will launch the weekly program, "Live from the Knitting Factory," for XM Satellite Radio's nearly eight million subscribers in the coming weeks. Additional media partnership announcements are also forthcoming.

Lighting System
The Knitting Factory's new intelligent lighting system unleashes an unlimited color palette and dazzling special effects. Driven by the programmable Hog 500 lighting console, the system features top-of-the-line Vari-Lite 2500 moving head luminaires, high-impact Martin Atomic 3000 watt strobe fixtures and the DF-50 atmospheric fog hazer. The system also boasts a professional par can array enabling frontal lighting and full washes of the stage from multiple angles.

Live Sound System
The venue's brand-new live sound system is anchored by a 32-channel Soundcraft MH3 console at front-of-house, and features state-of-the-art Meyer Sound UPA-2P and UPJ-1P self-powered main speakers and USW-1 sub-woofers. Outboard processors include popular devices by Klark-Teknik, Drawmer, TC Electronics, Lexicon and Meyer Sound.

KFE has also installed an onstage monitor position, featuring a new 24-channel Midas Siena console manned by a dedicated monitor engineer for the best stage sound possible.

HD Audio/Visual Content Capture System
In addition to the lighting and sound system upgrade, KFE is also installing a ground-breaking content capture system that will enable record labels and artists to cost-effectively capture live music content in high-definition quality. The system boasts 4 Sony BRC-H700 HD audio/video cameras and can be customized with unlimited operator/floor cameras for additional angles and shots, mixing, and post-production. Controlled from a production booth by a dedicated director, each robotic camera features independent pan, tilt, zoom capabilities. Additionally, the system boasts a Panasonic HD/SD switcher with full effects and processing, facilitating fast delivery of professional line edits (or camera ISO) to SD and HD DVD or cartridge formats. Multitrack or stereo audio capture is also available. A matching HD A/V capture system is also being installed in the Knitting Factory's Hollywood venue.

About Knitting Factory Entertainment
Knitting Factory Entertainment is America's most prolific presenter of new and emerging musical talent. With more than 5,000 live music performances each year at its multi-stage New York and Hollywood venues, this treasured New York cultural icon has been transformed into a leading national arbiter and filter of 'what's next' in the emerging music scene.

With a focus on the creation of a national platform with direct, demonstrable contact with the urban active demographic, the Knitting Factory is actively creating a next-generation music venue by developing a presence in the digital content space through unique media partnerships that harness KFE's power as an aggregator of exclusive live performance content.

KFE's Bravo Entertainment division is a leading regional concert promoter with operations across 18 states and wholly owned venues in Boise, Idaho, and Spokane, Wash.
For more information, please visit www.knittingfactory.com.

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Previously
Old Knit (Knitting Factory) 20th Anniversary show @ Town Hall
Neighbors complaining about Knitting Factory

Posted in music | venues at 3:02 AM | Comments (11)

tapes 'n tapes | 2007 Tour Dates

Not much new to report with Tapes 'n Tapes other than their plans to play Coachella on April 29, 2007, at Irving Plaza on May 18th (one day before Joey Ramone's birthday party), and a whole bunch of other places before and after....

Tapes 'n Tapes | 2007 Tour DAtes
2/23 St Paul, MN Fitzgerald Theater with Chuck Klosterman
3/10 Mexico City, Mexico MX Beat @ Deportivo
4/16 Columbia, MO Blue Note
4/17 St.Louis, MO Creepy Crawl
4/18 Nashville, TN Mercy Lounge
4/20 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room
4/21 Austin, TX Emo's
4/22 Houston, TX Numbers
4/27 Indio, CA COACHELLA
5/2 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
5/4 Portland, OR Dante's
5/5 Seattle, WA Neumo's
5/6 Vancouver, BC Plaza Club
5/9 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater
5/10 Omaha, NE Sokol Underground
5/11 Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews
5/12 Chicago, IL The Abbey (Two shows)
5/15 Montreal, QUE Le National
5/16 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
5/18 New York, NY Irving Plaza
5/19 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club
5/23 Columbus, OH The Basement
5/24 Newport, KY Southgate House

Previously
Tapes 'n Tapes gear, passport, pictures & stuff - robbed from their van in Australia
Tapes 'n Tapes @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC | pics
Tapes 'n Tapes @ Mercury Lounge, NYC | pics

Posted in music | tour dates at 2:51 AM | Comments (3)

January 29, 2007

(Whole Earth) Vegan Bakery facing eviction

As a vegan who goes more for the decadent cakes available at Atlas Cafe (and the new Little Atlas) (and elsewhere), I have to admit that I don't LOVE the healthier stuff they sell at the vegan bakery on St. Marks. I do love the bakery itself though, and I make it a point to buy something there almost every time I pass by. Unfortunately I won't have that option anymore. Like the 2nd Ave Deli, CBGB, Continental, and many others before it, the Vegan Bakery is about to be priced out of the neighborhood.

Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen has been an institution on Saint Marks Place for 16 years. Now, its landlord is threatening it with eviction and it’s scheduled to close its doors forever on March 31st.

They're not going without a fight though. Join the League of Humane Voters of New York City (LOHV-NYC), Whole Earth Bakery and Kitchen, Council Member Rosie Mendez (D-Manhattan), Assemblyman Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan) and Rev. Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping this Saturday February 3rd at 2:15 pm in Tompkins Square Park (7th between A & B), NYC. Come for the protest, come to take pictures, or just come to get some free hot apple cider and vegan baked goods.

Posted in NYC | To Do | veggie at 7:56 PM | Comments (21)

Camping out for Sufjan Stevens tickets in DC

DOWNLOAD: Sufjan Stevens - Sister Winter (MP3)

"waiting outside the kennedy center at 4:30 in the morning to get tickets to the Sufjan Stevens Concert. Man it was cold. There was supposedly like 3000 people out there. Only the first 1000 or so got them." [tmuff's flickr]

"Check out both the triumphant and the whining bloggers". [Vinyl Mine]

"Well, I figured the line would be long, but I had no idea that thousands of people would brave freezing temperatures to camp out overnight for tickets." [Pop Candy] (thx J)

Posted in music at 6:49 PM | Comments (18)

Shout Out Out Out touring w/ 120 Days - NYC, SXSW -- and finally some CMJ pics

DOWNLOAD: Shout Out Out Out - Nobody Calls Unless They Want Something (MP3) (more @ MySpace)

Canada's Shout Out Out Out Out (not to be confused with the Shout Out Louds) were one of the buzz bands to come out of CMJ last year. Reminiscent of bands like !!! and their broken-up brother Outhud, Shout out (chk) out (chk) out (chk) out-hud play instruments with the goal of making people dance. Pitchfork doesn't like them, but Canada does.

I only caught the second half of their CMJ set downstairs in the basement of Lit on the final night of CMJ - it was right around the time my legs were completely giving out. The whole place was dancing and going nuts (which made it easy for me to dance over and take a few shots before collapsing for the night).

Shout Out Out Out and Norway's 120 Days (Vice) are touring together. They play Southpaw in Brooklyn on March 9th, Mercury Lounge on March 10th, and then SXSW after Philly and Houston. All tour dates, and more pics, below....

Shout Out Out Out & 120 Days | Tour Dates
Thu 03/01/07 Ottawa, ON Zaphod Beeblebrox
Fri 03/02/07 Montreal, QC Mile End Cultural Centre
Sat 03/03/07 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
Sun 03/04/07 Hamilton, ON The Casbah
Tue 03/06/07 London, ON Call The Office
Wed 03/07/07 Waterloo, ON Starlight Social Club
Fri 03/09/07 Brooklyn, NY Southpaw
Sat 03/10/07 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
Sun 03/11/07 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda's
Tue 03/13/07 Houston, TX The Mink
then SXSW

The above photos were taken at Lit in NYC on November 4, 2006. Before Shout Out Out Out, I was over at Midway checking out Van She.

Posted in CMJ | MP3 | SXSW | music | pictures | tour dates at 5:22 PM | Comments (5)

Largehearted Boy's Interesting CD Releases This Week

For those not following along, Largehearted Boy brings us this list of interesting CD releases every week....

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's sophomore album, Some Loud Thunder, sees its official release date today. EPs from Beirut, the Love of Diagrams, and Lavender Diamond round out the discs that I plan to pick up tomorrow for myself.

For my friends with children, Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The Ramones will find its way into birthday and care packages throughout the year (as will the similar disc of U2 lullaby tunes).

What new releases are you buying this week?

CD releases:

Alkaline Trio: Remains (with bonus DVD) [cd]
Beirut: Lon Gisland EP [cd]
Bill Kirchen: Hammer of the Honkey-Tonk Gods [cd]
Bracken: We Know About The Need [cd]
Brand New Heavies: Elephantitis: The Funk and House Remixes [cd]
Busdriver: RoadKill Overcoat [cd]
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah: Some Loud Thunder [cd]
Finches: Human Like a House [cd]
Hella: There's No 666 In Outer Space [cd]
Jill Scott: Jill Scott Collaborations [cd]
Lavender Diamond: Cavalry of Light EP [cd]
Lewis Taylor: Lost Album [cd]
Lily Allen: Alright, Still (US release) [cd]
Lisa Lampanelli: Dirty Girl [cd]
Lou Barlow: Mirror in the Eye EP [cd]
Love of Diagrams: Love of Diagrams EP [cd]
Lymbyc Systym: Love Your Abuser [cd]
Madonna: The Confessions Tour - Live from London (with DVD) [cd]
A Million Billion: Ready. Fire. Aim [cd]
Norah Jones: Not Too Late (with bonus DVD) [cd]
Paolo Nutini: These Streets [cd]
Peter Frampton: Frampton Comes Alive II [cd]
RZA: Afro Samurai [cd]
Skinny Puppy: Mythmaker [cd]
The Time Flys: The Rebels of Babylon [cd]
Various Artists: Black Snake Moan (soundtrack) [cd]
Various Artists: Can't Stop It: Australian Post Punk 79-84 [cd]
Various Artists: Endless Highway - The Music Of The Band [cd]
Various Artists: Hip-Hop Tribute to Iron Maiden [cd]
Various Artists: Immortalized: The String Quartet Tribute to Evanescence [cd]
Various Artists: Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The Ramones [dvd]
Various Artists: Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of U2 [cd]
The View: Hats Off to the Buskers [cd]
Wu-Tang Clan & Friends: Unreleased [cd]
Xavier Rudd: Food in the Belly [cd]
Young Love: Too Young to Fight It\ [cd]
Youth Group: Casino Twilight Dogs [cd]

My only DVD preorder was the CBC's hockey mockumentary, The Tournament, and I will probably also pick up Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven's First Annual Camp Out Live

[This month, all affiliate fees from this list go to The Dog Pound, where my wife and I adopted our puppy Lily.]

Posted in music | new releases at 1:58 PM | Comments (22)

Cat Power adds 2nd NYC show @ Hiro Ballroom -- watch Prince instead at the Superbowl

The Superbowl didn't stop Cat Power from selling out her February 4th Hiro Ballroom show in just a couple of days. I'm sure it did stop at least a few people from buying tickets though. Either way, there are no tickets left. So luckily she added a February 5th show at the same place. Tickets are now on sale.

Speaking of the Superbowl...
* You can watch "banned ads" on YouTube
* You can watch Prince perform at halftime
* Billy Joel is singing the national anthem
* (his daughter is playing Mercury Lounge)
&
* Janet Jackson Wants You To Remember Her Famous Breasts

Posted in TV | music | tour dates at 12:42 PM | Comments (43)

Peter Bjorn & John @ Union Hall, Brooklyn, NYC | pics

DOWNLOAD: Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks (MP3)

Wow.....

Peter Bjorn and John played a last-minute "secret show" at Union Hall in Brooklyn Sunday night (January 28th). The show was set up so the band could practice a bit with their new American sound engineer and tour manager before playing their scheduled serious shows at Mercury Lounge and Bowery Ballroom on Monday and Tuesday. Press was not invited. Tickets were only sold to 50-or-so people who pre-ordered their CD at Other Music on Friday and Saturday. The other 50 tickets (capacity of about 100 there?) went to who-knows-who.

I wanted to go, but figured I'd never make it to Other Music in time on Friday (January 26) to get a ticket.

Instead I headed over to Sidewalk Cafe to catch the all-star anti-folk lineup of Paleface, Kimya Dawson and Jeffrey Lewis. How stupid I was to think that getting to Sidewalk Cafe ten minutes after Paleface's scheduled 8:00 pm start time would be early enough to get in - Sidewalk was PACKED, and at capacity. Nobody else was getting in. Bummed (and thinking I should have chosen Ted Leo or M Ward instead), I left and decided to take my chances at Other Music - they stay open until 9:00 on Fridays. Long story shorter, they still had tickets! I still would have loved to have seen that Kimya show, but scoring the PB&J ticket was just as sweet.

The Sunday night Brooklyn show, which also ended up being the Swedish trio's first-ever U.S. performance, kicked off around 10:30 pm and ended about 11:45. Eugene Mirman and Michael Showalter's weekly comedy show happened in the same room from 7:30 - 9:30. I'm pretty sure Eugene stayed for PB&J too. Carl Newman of the New Pornographers was also present, but ex-Concretes vocalist Victoria Bergsman was not - actually it's possible she was there, but she didn't join them on vocals when they played their hit single "Young Folks" (mp3 above). She will be joining them on their remaining U.S dates though - and I'm sure she'll be a bonus even though Peter definitely did just fine without her at Union Hall (he was aided by a Swedish friend on the bongos instead & too).

In fact, Peter, Bjorn and John ALL did just fine all night - more than fine - AMAZINGLY FINE (legendary fine?? - it felt that way)...they ROCK even --> definitely the best show I remember seeing in a long time, and one I won't forget any time soon.

Two more NYC shows to go (+ Conan then LA + the Cake Shop thing).

Previously
the ACTUAL secret Peter Bjorn & John secret show
Peter Bjorn and John sign to "Almost Gold Recordings" for U.S. release
Peter Bjorn & John playing 2 nights in NYC!
My 40 favorite albums of 2006 & then some
Peter Bjorn and John - Best New Music

Posted in MP3 | music | pictures at 3:26 AM | Comments (28)

Fox subpoenas YouTube over "Simpsons" & "24"

"News Corp. studio Twentieth Century Fox subpoenaed Google Inc.'s YouTube video service to learn who uploaded pirated copies of episodes of television shows '24' and 'The Simpsons,' The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday." [Reuters]

In other news, The Simpsons MOVIE has a website.

Posted in TV | industry | music at 2:14 AM | Comments (4)

January 27, 2007

Blipster = a black hipster? NY Times on black + indie

In an article entitled "Truly Indie Fans", the NY Times wrote::

...There is even a new word for black fans of indie rock: “blipster,” which was added to UrbanDictionary.com last summer, defined as “a person who is black and also can be stereotyped by appearance, musical taste, and/or social scene as a hipster.” .........THE recent attention given several bands with black members — like Bloc Party, Lightspeed Champion, and the Dears — could signify change. “Return to Cookie Mountain,” the second album by the group TV on the Radio, a band in which four of the five members are black, was on the best-album lists of many critics in 2006. Around the country, other rock bands with black members are emerging....

I'm thinking the term "Blipster" (not much unlike "hipster") is unnecessary. Offensive even. Do you agree, or do I just need to lighten up?

Posted in music at 1:17 PM | Comments (142)

January 26, 2007

the ACTUAL secret Peter Bjorn & John secret show

Peter Bjorn and John added a third (and first) NYC show at Union Hall in Brooklyn on January 28th. It's one day before they play two sold out shows at Mercury and Bowery respectively. The only way to get tickets to the Brooklyn show is to get to Other Music in Manhattan right now (the actual one, not the online one or digital one), and pre-order the CD. The show happening at Cake Shop on the 30th is supposedly just a DJ gig.

Posted in music | tour dates at 6:34 PM | Comments (14)

Cat Power playing Hiro Ballroom (again) & London

Cat Power is returning to Hiro Ballroom for a show on February 4, 2007. Tickets for the NYC show are on sale. That's in addition to the NYC museum show she's playing on February 2nd. She'll also be at Langerado (March 11), ATP (April), and the London Forum on May 1st.

Posted in music | tour dates at 5:53 PM | Comments (21)

Callum Robbins benefits -- Ted Leo tonight (Northsix), Ted Leo tour dates (Webster Hall) ++ win Fred Armisen

J & Callum Robbins

* Please help Callum Robbins
* You can do so tonight with Ted Leo in Brooklyn
* Or Saturday in Chicago with Eleventh Dream Day
* Where you can also win Fred Armisen
* Who does a good Steve Jobs impression

Ted Leo & The Pharmacists are also playing Webster Hall on May 5th. All tour dates below...

Ted Leo | 2007 Tour Dates
3/28 Philadelphia, PA (Theatre of Living Arts)
3/29 Washington, DC (9:30 Club)
3/30 Carrboro, NC (Cat's Cradle)
3/31 Atlanta, GA (Variety Playhouse)
4/1 Orlando, FL (Social)
4/2 Miami, FL (Studio A)
4/4 Baton Rouge, LA (Chelsea's Café)
4/5 Houston, TX (Numbers)
4/6 Dallas, TX (Gypsy Ballroom)
4/7 Austin, TX (La Zona Rosa)
4/9 Tempe, AZ (Clubhouse)
4/10 San Diego, CA (Epicentre)
4/13 Los Angeles, CA (El Rey Theatre)
4/16 Portland, OR (Hawthorne Theatre)
4/17 Seattle, WA (Showbox Showroom)
4/18 Vancouver, British Columbia (Richard's on Richards)
4/20 Boise, ID (Venue)
4/21 Salt Lake City, UT (Club Sound at In the Venue)
4/22 Englewood, CO (Gothic Theatre)
4/23 Lawrence, KS (Bottleneck)
4/25 Minneapolis, MN (First Avenue)
4/26 Madison, WI (Club 770)
4/27 Iowa City, IA (Picador)
4/28 Chicago, IL (Metro)
4/30 Detroit, MI (Magic Stick)
5/2 Toronto, Ontario (Mod Club)
5/3 Montreal, Quebec (La Sala Rossa)
5/4 Boston, MA (Avalon)
5/5 New York, NY (Webster Hall)

"Veteran punk-folk singer Ted Leo unveiled a headlining spring tour this week in support of his latest album, Living With the Living, which hits stores March 20." [MP3.com]

Pfork has a track off the new album.

Previously
14 free Ted Leo & The Pharmacists MP3s
Ted Leo leaves Lookout! for Touch & Go

Posted in To Do | comedy | music | music | tour dates at 5:00 PM | Comments (4)

Smashing Pumpkins announce 2 Germany shows

I totally forgot to mention the Smashing Pumpkins in my reunion post yesterday, though someone did mention them in the comments.

Billboard just announced that The Smashing Pumpkins have announced two shows in Germany.

Posted in music at 4:17 PM | Comments (3)

the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (01/26/07)

DOWNLOAD: JDH & Dave P live @ FIXED 12/16 mix (MP3)

David Bruno is DJing at Finger on the Pulse at Royal Oak in Brooklyn tonight (1/26)

PLUR

Its really, really cold out.

The only thing getting me through this crap is dreaming of Miami and Coachella in the coming months, that and the dancing.

The obvious big rock reunions aside, there is some pretty sick dance talent among the roster for the lovefest in the desert.

Before I highlight my top picks, I want to shed some light on why I love going out to Coachella. It is hot (hot as fuk), tough to get drunk, and your cell phone probably won't work; but when the sun starts to set and you stand in the middle of that field with 60,000 other people trying to decide if you want to see a rock god under the stars or a dude in a tent fiddle with a laptop: that's the real deal. That's why I love music.

Top 3 (Dance) Reasons To Go To Coachella

• Soulwax Nite Versions. Soulwax will unequivocally change your life
  (video above).


• Digitalism


• Justice

If you didn't see Justice at Studio B in the past year, you've heard about it.

Yes, you could catch them here in NYC, but multiply the chaos in Greenpoint by a billionty, add about 58,200 people, a desert, and you've got yourself a really unique experience. Maybe a New Rave rave?

Not convinced? Maybe these other artists alsp playing Coachella will get you dancing in the desert: DJ Shadow, Tiesto, LCD Soundsystem, !!!, MSTRKRFT, Girl Talk, Mike Relm, Richie Hawtin, Spank Rock, Junior Boys, Hot Chip, The Rapture, Klaxons, Paul van Dyk, and Teddybears. I also heard Erol Alkan, but can't seem to find him on the flyer.

NEWS

• Learn to DJ for $99 at Dubspot


• Ben Watt (Everything But the Girl/Buzzin' Fly) Interview


• Philip Sherburne gets into the New Rave fray (highly recommended read)


• MSTRKRFT is touring with Digweed (in case you missed it)


• Ellen Allien is playing some shows


• RIP Disco D

MUSIC

• DFA's Myspace is streaming new music from Booji Boy High (Chip)


• Acid Girls have a remix of the killer new Glass track


• Green Pea-ness is offering a Smith N Hack Herbert remix


• Music for Robots has a Funkstörung Remix of Spacek's 1st Stroke

People: don't forget to dance. It will keep you warm.

Here's what's happening this weekend in NYC...

Friday - 1/26
* I will be DJing Tonight at Finger on the Pulse at Royal Oak in Brooklyn. Come out and get down. Bonus: Tell me off for 25 cents.
* Detroit Grand Pubahs sleeze up the Music Gallery

Saturday (disco day) - 1/27
* The Rub with Escort (live) at Canal Room
* Strobe Lodge at Love
* Dan Selzer DJs after the bands at Union Pool

-David

Posted in MP3 | To Do | dance | music at 3:23 PM | Comments (6)

Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (01/26/07)

Tony Camin, Michael Showalter, Kristen Schaal, Jonathan Ames
@ UCB | Jan 22, 2007 (CRED - Anya Garrett)

David Cross was (unfairly) panned in a recent review of his SF Skethcfest appearance at Comedy Death-Ray. What I found truly shocking was that he actually posted a rebuttle in the comments section. If you can sift through the 125+ comments, you'll see he posted an additional two times. See Gawker's take on this, and even more at Young America.

When David Cross isn't being a hate-mongering bigot (kidding!), he's fancies himself a singer. Here's a video of him singing on stage with Canadian indie rockers Sloan at the highly controversial Onion holiday party at Brooklyn's Union Hall. Then of course there was his stint as U2 with Johnny Marr & Modest Mouse at Bowery Ballroom.

"Barclays Center" is coming to Brooklyn whether we like it or not, but that won't stop Develop Don't Destroy who are holding a benefit at Union Hall on February 20th. Comedians Baron Vaughn, Michael Showalter, Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal, Jon Benjamin, Robin Cloud, Gilad Foss, Andrea Rosen, Patrick Borelli, and Chelsea Peretti are scheduled to perform.

More Comedy Canon news after this list of highly recommended NYC shows...

• 1/26/07, MO PITKINS: Don't Touch Me There: Hosted by Pat Stango and Blaine Perry with special guest Chelsea Peretti.


• 1/27/07: Moonwork Presents: An Evening of Original Works: Featuring Kristen Schaal, John Oliver, Sean Crespo, Shayna Ferm, Tom Shillue, Andres du Bouchet.


• 1/27/07, UCB THEATER: Let's Have A Ball: This is the LAST one!


• 1/28/07, UNION HALL: Tearing The Veil of Maya: Hosted by Michael Showalter and Eugene Mirman and featuring Tig, Pete Holmes, TJ Miller


• 1/29/07, UCB THEATER: Olde English: Their work has been featured on Good Morning America and Entertainment Weekly's "Must List", as well as CollegeHumor.com, Salon.com, iFilm, BestWeekEver.tv, Digg.com, Fuse cable network. They're now a staple of Super Deluxe


• 1/31/07, COMIX: Hot Tub Variety Show: Hosted by Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler and featuring Michael Showalter, Jon Glaser, and Jon Oliver.

DOWNLOAD: The Flanks - Everybody Wants to Be Your Man (MP3)

The highlight of my week in comedy was catching Bro'In Out with Leo and Tony at the UCB Theater on 1/22/07. I always love Bro'In Out, but this episode was particularly engaging. The guests included comedienne Kristen Schaal, comedian Michael Showalter, jack-of-all-literary-trades Jonathan Ames, musicians the Flanks. Recently jilted bartender Jawney Conroy and hosts Leo Allen and Tony Camin seemed a lot funnier and looser than the last time I saw this show, but it was Schaal, Ames, and The Flanks that really floated my boat. Schall added a sweet and endearing presence to the all-male panel, while Ames added a humorous yet dark element to counter her sweetness. And the Flanks just blew my mind. They play this old-timey, country-folk music complete with guitars, harmonica, fiddle, upright bass, and some of the most beautifully sung harmonies I've ever heard. The unexpected greatness of the Flanks made an already incredible Bro'In Out one of the most wonderful shows I've ever seen. Anya Garrett took some amazing pictures and they can be seen here

Speaking of Michael Showalter, he now has his own little program on CollegeHumor called The Michael Showalter Showalter. The premiere episode (Jan. 16th) featured Zach Galifianakis. It is very short, but he and Zach manage to cram buttloads of comedy into the thing. Michael will also be doing shows at the Aspen Comedy Arts Festival from 2/28 - 3/3 with Mary Lynn Rajskub (Mr. Show, 24) and John Oliver (The Daily Show).

I also caught one of the Marijuana-Logues performances at Comix on 1/19. I'm not a big fan of cliche stoner humor, but I am a big fan of Doug Benson, Arj Barker, and Tony Camin. The show didn't disappoint. The stand-out line of the night was when, in reference to the film Alive, Doug blurted out "Who ate all the nuts!?" Gothamist interviewed each comedian. Doug here, Arj here, and Tony here.

Turner Broadcasting Systems launched online comedy site Super Deluxe last week. The site has everything I want - individual comedian pages, personal videos, original programming ranging from serials to short films, and more. There's also an element of personal networking which apparently a site needs to survive these days. Prominent contributers include Eugene Mirman (see above), Jonah Ray, Chelsea Peretti, Dave Foley, Reggie Watts, and several other established and rising comedians.

Rest assured the Super Deluxe roster will only continue to grow . The Apiary has a GREAT interview with Super Deluxe VP of Product Development John Buzzell and User Experience/Community Director Jim DiStefano. Oh, and for those who didn't realize it, Super Deluxe recently sponsored the Invite Them Up shows that went down at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC and The Paradise in Boston.

As mentioned in a previous Comedy Canon, Sarah Silverman is doing 4 shows at Caroline's. If you haven't made a res, I think time is seriously running out. But don't worry - if you can't make it there's plenty of other ways to get your Sarah Silverman fix. Her new show The Sarah Silverman Program premieres on Thursday February 1st on Comedy Central. It has a stellar cast including Brian Posehn, Zach Galifianakis, and Jay Johnston. Sarah was interviewed by Michael Musto in this week's Village Voice. They also put her on the cover. And according to the Comedy Central Insider, the Onion AV Club was soliciting sex advice questions for Sarah to answer in an upcoming issue. Unfortunately, questions are no longer being accepted.

There is a great charity event happening at the Empty Bottle in Chicago this Saturday, 1/27/07. For those of you who don't know who J. Robbins is, or the hell his family is going through, read this and then come back. Welcome back. Anyhow, the benefit features performances by Chin up Chin up, Bobby Conn, Life & Times (Shiner folks), Red-Eyed Legends as well as an incredible raffle. However, the HIGHLIGHT of the raffle prizes is A PRIVATE PERFORMANCE IN YOUR HOME BY FRED ARMISEN. That prize sounds as awesome as it does awkward. More important details about the event and this unbelievable raffle are here.

Another Callum Robbins benefit tales place with Ted Leo at Northsix in Brooklyn tonight (1/26). I'll be there.

Here's The Thing is on it's way to being the greatest comedy showcase in New York. Hosted by Andrew Wright, Sean O'Connor, and Nick Maritato, they have moved from Rififi and begin their weekly showcases at The Pit starting February 6th. Check out who'll be stopping by in February: John Mulaney, Pete Holmes, Tom McCaffrey, Heather Lawless, Chelsea Peretti, Andrew WK, Michael Showalter, Tom Shillue, Kristen Schall, Slovin & Allen, Christian Finnegan, Brett Gelman, and many more. I shit you not. Keep checking their myspace for updates and other details. If you can't wait that long to get your dose of Here's The Thing, Here's The Thing Radio with Sean and Nick can be heard Wednesdays and Sundays from 9pm to 11pm on Click Radio starting Wednesday, January 24th.

IN OTHER NEWS

• FIRED, a film by Annabelle Gurwitch, opens 2/2/07 in New York at the Village East Theater. The film features a ridiculous cast including Tim Allen, Andy Borowitz, David Cross, Andy Dick, Illeana Douglas, Jeff Garlin, Judy Gold, Richard Kind, Anne Meara, Bob Odenkirk, Robert Reich, Jeffrey Ross, Harry Shearer, Sarah Silverman, Ben Stein, Paul F. Tompkins and Fred Willard, among others...


• I always enjoyed the bit parts Ron Carey played throughout the years, especially his roles in Mel Brooks films. Sadly he passed away on 1/22/07. "I bust my anus for you, and this is the thanks I get? Boy, you are nuts. N-V-T-S nuts!" (from History of the World, Part I) Rip Ron.


• Morgan Murphy is in this month's issue of Vice. Check it out.


• The Comedians of Comedy will be heading back to San Francisco for two shows at The Indendent. The shows are on March 4th at 6:00pm and 9:00pm. Patton Oswalt, Brian Posehn, and Maria Bamford will be joined by a host of surprise guests. They will also be at Coachella on April 27th.


• Zach Galifianakis is playing SXSW


• Tickets still on sale for Tim & Eric's Awesome Tour


• Dave Hill attends celebrity impersonation convention


• Todd Barry has dinner with Louis CK


• Todd Barry performed with indie rockers Beach House on the radio


• Don't believe the rumors. Bob Odenkirk is fine

-Klaus

Posted in comedy | music at 1:12 PM | Comments (11)

the ten richest musicians

"British band the Rolling Stones have topped the US music rich list for the second year running." [BBC]

the richest musicians
1. Rolling Stones $150.6m
2. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill $132m
3. Rascal Flatts $110.5m
4. Madonna $96.8m
5. Barbara Streisand $95.8m
6. Kenny Chesney $90.1m
7. Celine Dion $85.2m
8. Bon Jovi $77.5m
9. Nickelback $74.1m
10. Dave Matthews Band $60.4m
Source: Forbes magazine

Madonna money shot found randomly on the Internet.

Previously
Rolling Stones - top grossing tour of 2006
Rolling Stones Lead Mid-Year Tour Figures
$750 was a deal | Madonna madness continues on eBay
Madonna is crazy (expensive) | PRESALE now

Posted in music at 11:29 AM | Comments (65)

Beastie Boys - new album, fighting racism

"Russell Simmons' drive to make people from different backgrounds more racially aware is picking up steam - with Brooklyn act the Beastie Boys next on his list of star speakers. [sound generator]

"The New York rappers are recording their seventh album and may sample some new works when they headline the Good Vibrations festival" in Australia next month...."the New York rappers are recording their seventh album". [daily telegraph]

Posted in music at 11:08 AM | Comments (19)

Other Music launching digital music store | in-stores

The National performing in Other Music| 2004 (CRED)

Wired magazine's Eliot Van Buskirk interviewed Other Music co-owner Josh Madell about the soon-to-be-launched digital.othermusic.com.

Madell: We are trying to stay current, and to continue our "mission" of spreading great music. I personally prefer vinyl to CDs and CDs to MP3s, but in the end I'm just glad people are listening to music, and the convenience factor of MP3s is undeniable.

Indie Internet retailer Insound recently launched an MP3 store too.

UPCOMING OTHER MUSIC IN-STORE PERFORMANCES
Feb 01 - Adem (8pm)
Feb 12 - Arbouretum (8pm)

Posted in music at 10:53 AM | Comments (5)

The Raveonettes | March 2007 NYC Tour Dates

The Raveonettes' Sharon and Sune will be performing as a duo at the following shows...

Mar 10 - Southpaw Brooklyn, NY (tix)
Mar 11 - Maxwell's Hoboken, New Jersey (tix)
Mar 12 - Mercury Lounge NYC

Previously
The Raveonettes Gear & Van Stolen in Brooklyn

Posted in music | tour dates at 10:38 AM | Comments (3)

January 25, 2007

Reunion mania - more Police details + Jesus & Mary Chain, Rage, Crowded House, Dio & David Lee Roth ++ new Wu-Tang album, Dinosaur Jr...James

DOWNLOAD: Stars - Reunion (MP3)

The Police @ CBGB (VIA)

"The Police will rehearse for their upcoming reunion tour at Lions Gate Studios in Vancouver, according to reports today (Jan. 25) by the city's classic rock radio station, CFMI. Details of the summer trek, the band's first in more than two decades, will be announced next month. In addition, the Police are strongly rumored to be performing as part of the opening segment of the Grammy telecast on Feb. 11...." [Billboard]

Everyone also seems to think/hope the Police might play Coachella and/or Bonnaroo. It didn't help matters when the Coachella presale password ended up being "Roxanne". So far they aren't playing Coachella. If they did - are they enough to get you to go to the festival? Or are the reunions of Rage Against the Machine, Crowded House, and Jesus & Mary Chain good enough? Or is it all about Arcade Fire, Bjork, and Mika (yes, he's playing too)?

How bad would you want to go to a 2nd Jesus & Mary Chain show?

Are you more psyched for Dio (Black Sabbath) or David Lee Roth (Van Halen)? I'm a little scared to see David Lee Roth get on stage actually, and I'll probably keep my Black Sabbath Ozzy style. I think I'll leave Dio to the D too:

Did I mention the new Wu-Tang Clan album?

What about a new Dinosaur Jr album?

James?

Posted in music | tour dates at 5:51 PM | Comments (21)

"EMI merges Capitol and Virgin labels in U.S"

"EMI Group, the third largest music company in the world, said on Thursday it is merging its Capitol and Virgin record labels in the U.S. to create The Capitol Music Group........EMI, like other major music companies, is restructuring to cope with the move of music sales from the dominant physical format of CDs to digital music downloads through personal computers and mobile phones." [Reuters]

Posted in industry | music at 3:18 PM | Comments (5)

UK sensation Mika @ The Box, NYC | pics

I'm a Queen AND Scissor Sisters fan, but I don't get Mika.The headlines:

MIKA IS GRACING US WITH HIS NO1 SMASH

Mika records using Mercury's piano

Mika Rockets To Number One With Debut Single 'Grace Kelly'

Mika Claims Top Spot On UK Chart

Mika Set To Be The Biggest Music Sensation Since The Arctic Monkeys

...yeah - the UK's latest sensation seems like some sick major label experiment (signed to Universal)...that's working.

Mika @ The Box, NYC | Jan. 22, 2007

I was invited to see him perform on Monday at the new (but not officially opened yet) venue The Box on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. I already knew Mika was annoying, but I couldn't resist the opportunity (there was open bar too). It was an invite-only showcase, but they (Universal?) must have invited everyone they ever met because the place was PACKED - not exactly the positive experience I had in the same venue when Queens of The Stone Age played there.

Luckily it wasn't too long before Mika and band took the stage, and I managed to find a somewhat comfortable spot. Three-and-a-half songs in, curiosity satisfied, I left. Maybe I should have at least held out for the gift bag.

More Mika @ Arjan Writes.

Posted in music | pictures at 1:55 PM | Comments (34)

Ellen Allien | 2007 Tour Dates & MP3s

DOWNLOAD: ThinkToy mixes Ellen Allien (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: XLR8R Ellen Allien Podcast DJ Mix (M4A)

DOWNLOAD Ellen Allien - Always (Club Vocal Mix) (MP3)

"Ellen Allien, born Ellen Fraatz, is a successful electronic musician, music producer and music label owner. She lives in Berlin, Germany, but travels extensively. She sings in both German and English." [Wikipedia]

Ellen Allien | 2007 Tour Dates
Tue 03/20/07 Suite Nightclub Miami Beach FL
Wed 03/21/07 B Side Liquor Lounge Cleveland Heights OH
Thu 03/22/07 The Social Toronto ON
Fri 03/23/07 Smart Bar Chicago IL
Sat 03/24/07 Studio B Brooklyn NY
Sun 03/25/07 Pawn Shop Lounge Miami FL

Maybe SXSW too?

In September 2006 Ellen was at Hiro Ballroom, and these tour dates are further proof that she "Owns 2007".

Previously
Orchestra of Bubbles | 2006 Tour Dates

Posted in MP3 | dance | music | tour dates at 6:00 AM | Comments (10)

Bright Eyes tickets go on sale @ 10 am

Tickets for the two Bright Eyes Bowery shows go on sale @ 10 am

Previously
Bright Eyes signed a deal with Polydor
Bright Eyes playing Bowery Ballroom | 2007 Tour Dates

Posted in music at 5:34 AM | Comments (55)

Peter Bjorn & John playing secret NYC show?

Cake Shop, January 30th, midnight?

Previously
Peter Bjorn & John add LA date + Conan O'Brien

Posted in music | tour dates at 5:27 AM | Comments (5)

Clipse played Bowery Ballroom

Clipse @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC | Jan 24, 2007 (CRED)

I saw Camera Obscura and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah last night, but not Clipse. Wes didn't make it either. How was it?

More pics like the above here. Tickets are on sale for Clipse @ BB King's on April 26th.

Posted in hiphop | music | pictures at 5:19 AM | Comments (13)

Camera Obscura @ Warsaw, Brooklyn, NYC | pics

DOWNLOAD: Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out of This Country (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill (MP3)

I saw Glasgow, Scotland, UK's Camera Obscura @ Poland's National Home (Warsaw) located in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, NYC, USA before heading into Manhattan to catch the super late Clap Your Hands Say Yeah show at Mercury Lounge last night. (January 24, 2007)

Camera Obscura are a great "indie pop and/or twee" band that sound great live, but I think Warsaw was too big and noisy for most of them. As many have said before - the sound isn't that great in Warsaw unless you're standing up close. I bet the more intimate Bowery show back in July was nicer. Still a good show - GREAT at times, but I did have a hard time paying attention when the band wasn't playing their louder 'hits'.

I got there too late to see opener, and their Merge labelmates, Essex Green.

Previously
Clipse @ Bowery & BB Kings on sale | Camera Obscura @ Warsaw not
Camera Obscura | 2007 Tour Dates & remix

Posted in MP3 | music | pictures at 5:06 AM | Comments (17)

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Mercury Lounge (2007) NYC | pics

loved it!

Previously
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah playing MERCURY LOUNGE TONIGHT
2nd Clap Your Hands Say Yeah now available for download
CYHSY @ Mercury Lounge (2005), NYC | pics

Posted in music | pictures at 4:17 AM | Comments (25)

David Lee Roth & Van Halen Reuniting

"Sources tell Billboard.com a contract could be signed as soon as today for Live Nation to produce a 40-date amphitheatre tour by Van Halen this summer, with original frontman David Lee Roth back in the fold for the first time in more than 20 years."

Posted in music at 3:59 AM | Comments (15)

Black Sabbath - the Dio years | 2007 Tour Dates & presale

"Putting to bed the longstanding rumors of a reunion tour, Heaven and Hell have announced their first tour dates for 2007. The tour will feature 11 Canadian shows, along with an exciting one-night-only performance at one of the most prestigious venues in the world, New York's Radio City Music Hall. Heaven and Hell reunites Ronnie James Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice for the first time in 15 years." Presale here. Regular sale here. Tour Dates below...

Heaven & Hell | 2007 Tour DAtes
Mar 11 Pacific Coliseum (Vancouver, BC Canada)
Mar 13 Rexall Place (Edmonton, AB)
Mar 14 Pengrowth Saddledome (Calgary, AB)
Mar 16 Brandt Centre (Regina, SK)
Mar 18 MTS Centre (Winnipeg, MB)
Mar 20 Steelback Centre (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)
Mar 22 Air Canada Centre (Toronto, ON)
Mar 24 John Labatt Centre (London, ON)
Mar 26 Bell Centre (Montreal, QC)
Mar 27 Colisee Pepsi Arena (Québec, QC)
Mar 28 Civic Centre (Ottawa, ON)
Mar 30 Radio City Music Hall (New York, NY)

Posted in music | tour dates at 3:54 AM | Comments (15)

January 24, 2007

Live Nation reorganizes & stuff, Lady Sov tours with Gwen Stefani, the jelly donut video

"Live Nation's music business is now comprised of four major divisions: North American Music, led by Eskowitz; International Music, led by Carl Pernow (international) and Paul Latham (U.K.); Global Touring, led by Arthur Fogel, who is also chairman of Global Music; and Global Digital, led by Bryan Perez."

* Live Nation Reorganizes, Eskowitz Promoted
* Live Nation Consolidates North American Operations
* Live Nation, Last.fm strike partnership
* Top London music venue to close
* Live Nation venues for sale
* Live Nation to Operate, Manage and Book Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona
* Music festivals enjoy renaissance in North America
* Gwen Stefani, Lady Sovereign & Akon tour dates

Bananas Gwen?

related?: Gisele blames parents for anorexia

Previously
Lady Sovereign feuds with Donut
Live Nation doing shows at Gramercy Theatre

Posted in industry | music | tour dates at 4:46 PM | Comments (5)

Matt & Kim | Bowery & SXSW & other 2007 tour dates

Matt & Kim are officially moving out of the hood with a headlining show at Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan on March 9th. I want to say that security won't have to worry about stopping the stage divers this time, but the duo do seem to be keeping it real with a 16+ age limit and a low-low-for-Bowery ticket price of only $8.00.

Matt & Kim also playing some other places including the SXSW parties listed below....

Matt & Kim | 2007 Tour Dates
Feb 14 2007 Subterranean Chicago, Illinois
Feb 16 2007 TaxLo @ Sonar Baltimore, Maryland
Feb 17 2007 Lunt Basement @ Haverford Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Feb 23 2007 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York
Mar 1 2007 Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, California
Mar 2 2007 Sing Sing @ Chop Suey Seattle, Washington
Mar 3 2007 TBA Seattle, Washington
Mar 9 2007 Bowery Ballroom Manhattan, New York
Mar 15 2007 Beauty Bar - iheartcomix SXSW show Austin, Texas
Mar 16 2007 Red 7 - F yeah party Austin, Texas
Mar 30 2007 Swarthmore College - Olde Club -students only Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Mar 31 2007 Terrace F. Club -students only Princeton, New Jersey

Previously
Matt & Kim @ Studio B, Brooklyn, NY | pics
Matt & Kim | NYC, CA, & SXSW - Tour Dates
Matt & Kim | new video & Tour Dates

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 4:17 PM | Comments (14)

Sure Juror | 4 NYC (blog) shows & pics from CMJ (blog) show

DOWNLOAD: Sure Juror - Smut (MP3)

"And how’s this for an introduction: The band’s car got towed early Wednesday morning, they showed up after their start time, hastily and apologetically threw their equipment together and..." [Heartonastick]

Sure Juror playing a BV show @ Pianos, NYC | Nov 1, 2006

Heartonastick tells the story of how the NJ-based Sure Juror almost didn't play their first-ever NYC show. They were the first band scheduled to play (at noon) at the first of the three shows I threw during CMJ last year. Their car got towed in Brooklyn the night before, and they hadn't slept much if at all. They finally arrived almost-too-late, tired and stressed, but still managed to jump on stage and play an awesome 4-song set that left me (and most in attendance I think) wanting more. Somehow we still managed to keep the rest of the show on time too.

They haven't played here (or anywhere?) again since. That changes starting Saturday:

the blogs love Sure Juror NYC tour
Jan 27 @ Sin-e w/ Seth Kallen + the Reaction, Liam and Me, White Rabbits (UNDERRATED presents)
Feb 3 @ Pianos w/ Americans & Linfinity (I ROCK I ROLL presents)
Feb 10 @ Pianos w/ Care Bears on Fire & Age Rings (EXIT FARE presents)
Feb 16 @ Union Hall w/ Muggabears, Johan & The Antlers (BATTERING ROOM presents)

more CMJ pics below...

Previously
Sure Juror | MP3s
during-CMJ Wednesday day show (main stage) lineup

Posted in CMJ | MP3 | music | pictures | tour dates at 2:49 PM | Comments (8)

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah playing MERCURY LOUNGE TONIGHT

Tickets are on sale. Last night they played Bowery. Tomorrow Rockwood Music Hall?

Posted in music | tour dates at 12:25 PM | Comments (58)

Kaiser Chiefs + The Walkmen + Annuals + Little Ones | Tour Dates & Presale

"Following tours of Europe, Japan and Australia, Kaiser Chiefs will hit American soil starting April 6 in Philadelphia and play East Coast and West Coast cities plus a few dates in Canada. The current schedule has the band wrapping things up April 29 at the Coachella Festival in Indio, CA. However, according to their website, Kaiser Chiefs still plan to add shows in Nashville and Dallas, and play a festival or two.

New York indie band The Walkmen will fill the support slot for all American dates with indie-pop groups Annuals and The Little Ones opening on select shows." [LiveDaily]

The presale is underway. Tour dates for all bands below...

April 2007
6 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
7 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
9 - Boston, MA - Avalon Ballroom
12 - New York, NY - Roseland Ballroom
17 - Montreal, Quebec - Spectrum
18 - Toronto, Ontario - Kool Haus
20 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
24 - Vancouver, British Columbia - Commodore Ballroom
25 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Theatre
26 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
27 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
29 - Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)

The Walkmen are also touring with Ferraby Lionheart.

And Annuals are playing the following dates

Annuals | 2007 Tour Dates
1/24 – Miami at Studio A w/ The Dears
1/25 – Orlando at the Social w/ The Dears
1/26 – Atlanta at the Variety Playhouse W/ The Dears
1/27 – Nashville at the Exit/In w/ The Dears
2/20 - Newport, KY at the Southgate House
2/21 - Cleveland at Case Western University
2/22 - Chicago at Schuba's
2/23 - Milwaukee at the Stonefly Brewery
2/24 - Minneapolis at the 400 Bar
2/27 - Seattle at Neumo's
2/28 - Portland at the Doug Fir
3/2 - San Francisco at Café DuNord
3/3 - Los Angeles at Spaceland w/Aqueduct
3/4 - San Diego at Casbah w/Aqueduct
3/5 – Tucson, AZ at Club Congress w/Aqueduct
3/6 - Phoenix at Rhythm Room w/Aquaeuct
3/7 - Albuquerque at the Launchpad w/Aqueduct
3/10 – Springfield, MO at Randy Bacon Gallery w/Aqueduct
3/11 - Little Rock, AR at Sticky Fingerz w/Aqueduct
3/12 – Fayetteville, AR at Dickson Theatre w/Aqueduct
3/13 – Norman, OK at the Opolis w/Aqueduct

---

"Yours Truly, Angry Mob, Kaiser Chiefs's second full-length album, is set for release on Universal Motown Records on March 27th, 2007."

Previously
Annuals @ The Annex, NYC (CMJ) | pics + new tour dates
Little Ones | 2006 Tour Dates & pics from CMJ

Posted in music | tour dates at 12:09 PM | Comments (11)

Wes' Weekly Hip Hop News Roundup | (Jan 24, 2007)

The most anticipated MC of 2007? Joell Ortiz. Lets just hope Aftermath won't change him. Watch arguably the greatest EPK of all time. The hunger, the flow, the conviction. Incredible.

That video is what's right with Hip Hop. Now watch a prime example of what's wrong.

RIP
Disco D reportedly committed suicide Monday night (January 22).. His discography includes albums by 50 Cent, AZ and Nina Sky.

Those who knew Dave know he was a once in a lifetime person with an electric and captivating personality. He was a friend without equal, who was selfless with himself and his counsel, consistently living up to his mantra, "the only thing you cant make more of is time." He was a relentlessly creative, passionate and ambitious artist whose passion for music illuminated everything he touched.

Under the alias Disco D, Dave was responsible for production on 2 grammy nominated albums and releases totaling 17 million in sales worldwide. [Disco D Message Boards]

Download "Outro" at Palms Out Sounds. And here's one more MP3 courtesy of the Fader:

DOWNLOAD: T-Pain - I'm Sprung (Disco D Baile remix) (MP3)

Freddie Foxxx aka Bumpy Knuckles, the scariest man in Hip Hop, is working on a new album featuring beats by DJ Premier, Alchemist, Pete Rock and more. Why can't Nas just do this?!! Check out 4 songs on Freddie's myspace page. Fire.

First Jay-Z's Kingdom Come, now Coldplay's Chris Martin is set to appear on Kanye West's upcoming record.

Mobb Deep's very own Prodigy has announced he's dropping a solo album on Koch produced in full by Alchemist. Why can't Nas just do this?!!

Lupe Fiasco, The Roots, Ghosface Killah, El-P, Brother Ali and The Coup are among those scheduled to play Coachella this year

OhWord writes about what is shaping up to be an album bound to land in my 2007 top 20: Brother Ali's The Undisputed Truth.

Tom Breihan called the White Rapper Show "the best thing on TV", and wrote a smart review of "White lines: A new book examines hip-hop's crossover appeal".

This week's WTF moment : Jesus & Jigga. Presenting a Biblically Balanced Respect for Hip-Hop Culture.

More news on the Ghostface/MF Doom project.

Fabulous managed to avoid the 4th quarter, and is now set to drop March 13th.

Idolator has the hard-to-believe story of a Timbaland beat jacking move (as seen here too). Timbaland is also working with Bjork.

Brandy's lil' brother Ray J is making no-budget one-camera music videos with Snoop, and oh - he's also dating Whitney Houston.

Tru Life shows off his entertainment skill and sense of humor in this interview on Shade 45 Radio.

50 Cent comes out to agree with me on Jay-Z's Kingdom Come being a good album.

Blender calls Suge Knight the second worst thing to happen to music.

Clipse still hasn't sold out their Wednesday night show at Bowery Ballroom (and did tickets just go up in price?)

Independent rapper Timz, an American born rapper of Chaldean and Iraqi descent, and a nominee for Best Hip-Hop Album at the 2006 San Diego Annual Music Awards, sent us a link to his controversial new video.

Middle Eastern tinged beats with incendiary rhymes in an effort to shatter those ugly stereotypes that have plagued people who look like him since 9/11 and the start of the Iraq war.

Share your opinion on the song & video with us in the comments.

-----

this post brought to you by Undisputed Wes

Posted in hiphop | music at 4:10 AM | Comments (14)

The Fratellis add 2nd NYC show

The March 22nd Fratellis show sold right out, so they added a 2nd one on March 23rd.

Posted in music | tour dates at 3:18 AM | Comments (17)

Luna Lounge is operating - - pics & a letter

thx Nora for this picture of the new Luna Lounge in Brooklyn...

The Comas played opening night over the weekend. Pics & more below....

opening night shot

Owner Rob Sacher left this letter in the heated comments:

Hey folks,

Thanks so much for giving us a chance in Williamsburg. I really want you to know that we are going to do everything we can to bring many of the best qualities of the old Luna Lounge to the new venue while allowing this new version a chance to evolve and become something new and exciting for the next decade.

Luna will be the home of some great shows to come and yes, you'll have to pay the bands for performing most of the time now. It's a good thing to do and I am very happy to be able to provide an opportunity for musicians to earn a living. It's funny, but this sort of reminds me of when Dylan went electric... Odd comparison? Maybe, maybe not...

Thanks again for your support. It's really appreciated...

Best wishes,

Rob Sacher
Luna Lounge

The Comas - opening night

The Young Knives are playing Luna Lounge in March

Posted in music | venues at 2:56 AM | Comments (4)

January 23, 2007

Maybe RIAA lawsuits help pay Paris Hilton's 'tour' expenses

The Daily Express has yet another article about the suffering music industry

One of Warner Music’s biggest mistakes last year was an album released by socialite Paris Hilton. It sold just 13,000 copies, a disaster made worse by the money spent on the heiress and her entourage.

One source claims that she brought 14 people with her to the UK including three security guards, two tour managers (despite there being no tour) and three American publicists.

A week’s accommodation at the exclusive Metropolitan hotel on London’s Park Lane came to around £160,000. The entourage was flown to Britain in either first or business class.

Via Coolfer who also weighs in on the Merlin/Snocap deal.

Now the RIAA is going after XM Satellite radio, and the future of mixtapes is in question.

More pictures of Banksy's Paris Hilton CD art here.
More info on Banksy in Brooklyn here.

Plus, Bush ignores true cost of Iraq war

And, the actual true cost of the Iraq war

Posted in industry | music at 7:01 PM | Comments (7)

CYHSY + Kimya tonight = half price

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah sent out a notice that the $50.00 benefit tickets for tonight's Bowery show are now available for $25. Go here. CODE=PATRON. It didn't work last night or this morning. Now it does.

Posted in music at 2:48 PM | Comments (13)

The Young Knives (UK) playing Luna Lounge & other US shows | SXSW & other tour dates

DOWNLOAD: an XFM interview/session w/ The Young Knives (MP3)

Last year I saw the UK's Young Knives play at SXSW - they were fun (and funny). They played one NYC show soon after which I missed, but I'd probably go check them out again if I had another chance - which I do ---> at least three times in March - twice in NYC, and who-knows-how-many-times at SXSW.

Most interesting is that they have a March 3rd show at the recently (re)opened Luna Lounge in Brooklyn. The venue wasn't kidding when they said they'd be bringing in international acts.

The band's debut album ‘Voices of Animals and Men’ is getting a US release through Rykodisc on February 20th, 2007.

All tour dates below...

The Young Knives | 2007 Tour Dates
Feb 8 2007 Night and Day Manchester
Feb 26 2007 Shepherds Bush Empire London

Mar 1 2007 North Star Bar Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mar 2 2007 Mercury Lounge New York City, New York
Mar 3 2007 Luna Lounge Brooklyn, New York
Mar 4 2007 Great Scott Allston, Boston, Massachusetts
Mar 5 2007 Black Cat Washington DC, Washington DC
Mar 6 2007 Safari Sam's Hollywood, LA, California
Mar 7 2007 Spaceland Los Angeles, California
Mar 8 2007 Popscene San Francisco, California
Mar 10 2007 Chop Suey Seattle, Washington

Mar 14 2007 SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 15 2007 SXSW Austin, Tennessee
Mar 16 2007 SXSW Austin, Tennessee
Mar 17 2007 SXSW Austin, Texas
Mar 18 2007 SXSW SXSW, Texas
Mar 19 2007 SXSW Austin, Texas

Mar 23 2007 Loughborough University Loughborough
Mar 24 2007 Academy Birmingham
Mar 26 2007 Academy 2 Manchester
Mar 27 2007 University Newcastle
Mar 28 2007 QMU Glasgow
Mar 29 2007 University Leeds
Mar 31 2007 Rock CIty Nottingham
Apr 1 2007 Waterfront Norwich
Apr 2 2007 Anson Rooms Bristol
Apr 5 2007 Brookes SU Oxford
Apr 6 2007 Pyramid Portsmouth
Apr 7 2007 University Cardiff
Apr 13 2007 Snowbombing Mayrhofen

Previously
Brakes & Young Knives tonight | SXSW in NYC continued
The Young Knives @ The Parish, Austin, TX (SXSW) | pics & MP3s

Posted in MP3 | SXSW | music | tour dates at 1:59 PM | Comments (0)

Ratatat | 2007 Tour Dates

DOWNLOAD: Ratatat - Seventeen Years (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Ratatat - Wildcat (E*vax Remix) (MP3)

Like Fujiya & Miyagi, Ratatat make pleasant sounding electronic music that may or may not work in a live setting. Tickets are now on sale for a live Ratatat show at Webster Hall in NYC on April 18th. It's one of many shows the Brooklyn band is playing all around the world in the coming months. All dates below...

Ratatat | 2007 Tour Dates
Jan 27 2007 Yeni Melek Gosteri Merkezi Istanbul
Jan 29 2007 Estonian Academy of Arts Tallinn
Jan 30 2007 White Heat London
Feb 1 2007 Concorde (w/ CSS) Brighton
Feb 1 2007 Custard Factory (THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED) Birmingham
Feb 2 2007 Independent Sunderland
Feb 3 2007 Castle Castle Oldham
Feb 4 2007 Night and Day Manchester
Feb 5 2007 Digital (THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED) Newcastle
Feb 6 2007 Moshulu Aberdeen
Feb 7 2007 Flash Dundee
Feb 8 2007 Arches Glasgow
Feb 9 2007 Whelan's Dublin
Feb 12 2007 Atomic Café Munich
Feb 13 2007 MTC Cologne
Feb 14 2007 Paradiso Amsterdam
Feb 16 2007 Point Ephemére Paris
Feb 17 2007 Beurrschouwburg Brussels
Feb 18 2007 Kamp Bielefeld
Feb 19 2007 Club 103 Berlin
Feb 20 2007 Prinzenbar Hamburg
Feb 21 2007 Loppen Copenhagen
Feb 22 2007 Pink Flag Malmo
Feb 23 2007 Debaser Stockholm
Feb 24 2007 Sticky Finger Gothenburg
Feb 25 2007 Garage Oslo
Mar 15 2007 Paradise Boston, Maine
Mar 16 2007 Showplace Theatre Buffalo, New York
Mar 17 2007 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, Ohio
Mar 18 2007 Kenyon College Gambier, Ohio
Mar 19 2007 Southgate House Newport, Kentucky
Mar 21 2007 Logan Square Auditorium Chicago, Illinois
Mar 23 2007 Bluebird Theatre Denver, Colorado
Mar 24 2007 In the Venue Salt Lake City, Utah
Mar 26 2007 Wonder Ballroom Portland, Oregon
Mar 27 2007 Neumo's Seattle, Washington
Mar 28 2007 Richard's on Richard's Vancouver
Mar 29 2007 Wow Hall Eugene, Oregon
Mar 30 2007 Bimbo's San Francisco, California
Apr 1 2007 Glass House Pomona, California
Apr 2 2007 Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, California
Apr 16 2007 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, North Carolina
Apr 17 2007 9:30 Club Washington D.C.
Apr 18 2007 Webster Hall New York, New York

Some of these shows will be with 120 Days

Previously
reviews of Herbert, Ratatat & the Junior Boys & a new Teddybears/Annie MP3
Ratatat "Classics" | 2006 Tour Dates & MP3s

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 1:12 PM | Comments (8)

Ennio Morricone to receive honorary Oscar | Morrissey

DOWNLOAD: Ennio Morricone - America (MP3)

Ennio working on the Morrissey album (VIA)


The 79th annual Academy Awards nominations have been announced. Composer Ennio Morricone is receiving an honorary award. The man has composed 528 movie soundtracks. Of those 528, he's been nominated 5 times for Malena, Bugsy, The Untouchables, The Mission and Days of Heaven. He never won, so it's nice to see him get something.

Mr. Morricone's other credits include a string arrangement contribution to Morrissey's newest album Ringleader of the Tormenters, and it's rumored that Morrissey might get up and sing something at 78-year old Ennio's upcoming North American debut - at Radio City Music Hall....not that Ennio needs Morrissey to make the night any more special - he'll already be joined by a 200 member orchestra and choir.

----

Morrissey is also rumored to be playing SXSW (again).

Pan's Labyrinth is up for six Oscars including 'Best Foreign Language film' and "original score'. Dreamgirls is up for eight, though three of them are in the "best original song" category (which means they're really only for six I guess?). I liked both of those movies a lot.

Posted in MP3 | movies | music at 12:31 PM | Comments (5)

Fujiya & Miyagi - album stream + 2 NYC shows + SXSW -- U.S. Tour Dates

Fujiya & Miyagi are an electronic band from the UK. They put out an album called Transparent Things that a lot of people like. It comes out in the USA TODAY (Jan 23, 2007), and I'm now finally listening to it for the first time via THE FULL ALBUM STREAM on MP3.com.

They're from the UK. Everyone likes them. They have a new album. Naturally they're doing the whole East Coast / West Coast / SXSW thing in March. Tickets are now on sale for a March 18th show at Mercury Lounge in NYC. AND they're playing the very next day up at Barnard College. More details and all tour dates below....

Fujiya & Miyagi | 2007 Tour Dates
Mar 10 - CHOP SUEY SEATTLE, Washington
Mar 11 - DOUG FIR LOUNGE PORTLAND, Oregon
Mar 13 - MINT SAN FRANCISCO, California
Mar 14 - CLUB NME @ SPACELAND LOS ANGELES, California
Mar 15 - SXSW AUSTIN, Texas
Mar 16 - SXSW AUSTIN, Texas
Mar 17 - SXSW AUSTIN, Texas
Mar 18 - MERCURY LOUNGE NYC
Mar 19 - BARNARD COLLEGE, NYC --> Details below

WBAR Barnard College Radio PRESENTS:

Monday, March 19th

**FUJIYA & MIYAGI
****ESCORT

@ Lower Level Macintosh, 116th St. and Broadway
Doors: 8
Music: 9

$3 students, $5 public

1 Train to 116th Street, walk through Barnard College campus

For info call 212.854.6538 or visit www.wbar.org

You can also listen to music at the group's MySpace

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 12:02 PM | Comments (5)

David Bowie not playing Highline festival, but Deerhoof is? | Friend Opportunity

DOWNLOAD: Deerhoof - +81 (new MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Deerhoof - The Little Drummer Boy (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: David Bowie & Bing Crosby - The Little Drummer Boy (MP3)

Someone emailed me this unfortunate news that was supposedly posted on BowieNet

01.22.2007 NEWS: HIGHLINE FESTIVAL UPDATE

Due to ongoing work on a new project, David Bowie has announced that it will not be possible for him to perform at the Highline Festival in May. He will however continue to curate the event alongside Highline producers David Binder and Josh Wood.

Further announcements relating to the festival line up will be made shortly.

Total Blam Blam - (BowieNet News Editor)

Strangely this news doesn't actually appear on (the public section of) BowieNet, but there are others who saw it.

That sucks. In better news, and according to a commenter, Deerhoof will be joining the already known high-lineup that now includes only Daniel Johnston. Bang on a Can cellist Wendy Sutter also lists 'Highline Festival' in her tour dates. The festival is supposed to be ten days long, so obviously there will be many more artists announced.

---

Speaking of Deerhoof, today marks the release of their new album Friend Opportunity. Deerhoof wrote on MySpace:

...I want to say for the record that I'm a big fan of THE SHINS and OF MONTREAL , both of whom also have new albums coming out the same day. I've already heard the Of Montreal record because we share the same booking agent, and I fully believe that any song on there deserves to be all over the airwaves come January, they are all so ingenious. I haven't heard the Shins album but I can say that I was so amazed when I heard them play at ATP one time, I ran right back to our room afterwards and wrote most of "Running Thoughts" in a fit of admiration and (attempted) imitation.

After FRIEND OPPORTUNITY comes out we're going on tour, and we're feeling pretty privileged about the chance to play with so many great other groups

The tour they're speaking of has them at NYC's Irving Plaza this Friday night. Busdriver (who Wes does not like) and Proton Proton are also on the bill.

----

Has anyone seen the new animated movie Arthur and the Invisibles (starring David Bowie)? Good?

Previously
Deerhoof | 2007 Tour Dates & Christmas MP3
David Byrne, Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer
Deerhoof @ McCarren Pool, Brooklyn, NYC | pics
Deerhoof @ Bowery Ballroom & the Byrne-Bowie-Reed factor
60 yr old DAVID BOWIE bringing DANIEL JOHNSTON to NYC HIGHLINE Festival in MAY (9-19) (+ TVOTR & Arcade Fire?)

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 10:57 AM | Comments (9)

Go Where You Wanna Go

DOWNLOAD: Jesus & Mary Chain - Just Like Honey (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: 1983 interview with Art Buchwald (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Denny Doherty - Simone (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Mamas & the Papas - Make Your Own Kind of Music (Mathieu Bouthier & Muttonheads remix) (MP3)

* RIP music blogger JSpaceman
* Ex-Jesus And Mary Chain brothers return
* Cold War Kids: Unfairly written off for Christian beliefs (or possibly just suck)
* Ani DiFranco Gives Birth to Righteous Baby
* Patron killed at New Jersey hardcore show
* Astroturfers attack PETA in the NYT
* Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton in Concert
* Arcade Fire played secret show at St Michel church
* Download Arcade Fire show at St Michel church
* A review of Arcade Fire at the High School
* A video of Arcade Fire at the High School
* Wilco Confirm New Album Details
* Music industry divided over digital future
* U.K. Music Event to Make New York Debut
* iPhone Ringtone Remixed Into 90's RPG Soundtrack
* Even in Death, Buchwald Had Last Laugh!
* Art Buchwald's Son Calls Past Year "A Rollercoaster"
* Mamas and Papas' Doherty dies at 66
* Dennis Gerrard Stephen Doherty Nov. 29, 1940 - Jan. 19, 2007

Posted in MP3 | music at 2:17 AM | Comments (2)

Low | 2007 Tour Dates

Low have a ton of dates scheduled in 2007 including an April 6th show at Webster Hall in NYC. All dates below...

Low | 2007 Tour Dates
02-15 Spitz, The London UK
02-16 Concertgebouw Brugge Belgium Music in Mind Festival
02-17 La Route du Rock Festival St. Malo France
04-06 Webster Hall New York City NY
04-07 Somerville Theatre Somerville MA
04-09 First Unitarian Church Philadelphia PA Loney, Dear
04-10 930 Club Washington DC Loney, Dear
04-11 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights OH Loney, Dear
04-12 Magic Stick Detroit MI Loney, Dear
04-13 Metro Chicago IL
04-14 First Avenue Minneapolis MN
04-25 Rescue Rooms Nottingham England
04-26 Oran Mor Glasgow Scotland
04-27 Academy 3 Manchester England
04-28 Butlins Holiday Resort Minehead Somerset UK All Tomorrows Parties - curated by The Dirty Three
04-30 Ancienne Belgique Brussels Belgium
05-01 Gebaude 9 Koln Germany
05-02 Molotov Hamburg Germany
05-03 Knaack Klub Berlin Germany
05-04 Gleis 22 Münster Germany
05-05 Cafe de la Danse Paris France
05-07 Paradiso Amsterdam Netherlands
05-08 Shepherds Bush Empire London UK
05-09 Village, The Dublin Ireland
05-10 Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival Belfast Ireland
06-13 Triple Door Seattle WA
06-14 Triple Door Seattle WA
06-15 Doug Fir Lounge Portland OR
06-16 Doug Fir Lounge Portland OR
06-19 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
06-20 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
06-22 Troubadour Los Angeles CA
06-23 Troubadour Los Angeles CA

Previously
Low & Retribution Gospel Choir | 2006 Tour Dates

Posted in music | tour dates at 1:17 AM | Comments (0)

January 22, 2007

Shins NYC instore tonight | Letterman tomorrow

To celebrate the release of their new album, The Shins are performing a free show at the Union Square Vigin Megastore in Union Square tonight (Jan 22) at midnight. Details below....

"The Shins will be performing live at the Virgin Megastore Union Square on Midnight January 22nd to celebrate the release of their new CD "Wincing the Night Away". Purchase the new CD beginning at 11:00PM at the Union Square location only to receive a wristband to attend this special performance and signing. Time and Space are limited."

all promo stuff
2007-01-22 Virgin Records Union Square New York City
2007-01-22 Whistle Stop San Diego CA Shins listening party/midnight sale
2007-01-22 Hideout Chicago IL "Wincing the Night Away" listening party 9pm w/ Ping Pong.
2007-01-26 Amoeba Music Hollywood CA FREE IN-STORE at 6 pm

They'll also be on Letterman tomorrow night (Jan 23). More tour dates here.

Posted in music | tour dates at 6:18 PM | Comments (12)

The WHOLE 2007 Coachella lineup

Poster below...

thx Mike Nouveau, and everyone!

Previously
Rage Against the Machine to reunite for Coachella | Crowded House too + Bjork, Arcade Fire, RHCP & more

Posted in music | tour dates at 3:12 PM | Comments (34)

stream Menomena's Friend and Foe

DOWNLOAD: Menomena - Wet & Rusting (MP3)

Menomena (MaNa MaNa) put out one of this week's interesting releases. Pitchfork thinks it is very interesting. Stylus gave it a B+.

Decide for yourself. Stream Friend and Foe in its entirety. See Menomena on tour with the recently signed Land of Talk, and Field Music (who also came out with a CD this week).

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

Cat Power playing PopRally MoMA event | tix

"Please join us for a very special Happening coinciding with Doug Aitken's new work 'Sleepwalkers'. View the exhibition from 5 PM-10 PM and then join us inside the Museum at 9 for special performances by Cat Power, Melissa Plaut, Hisham Bharoocha, Ryan Donowho and surprise guests." [Tickets are on sale] (thx "Cat Power is Better Then Amy")

Gridskipper has more info

Previously
more Cat Power news.

Posted in music at 12:13 PM | Comments (19)

Largehearted Boy's Interesting CD Releases

Every Monday Largehearted Boy now brings his "Interesting CD Releases" to BrooklynVegan...

----

This week, the music world sees its first huge release week of the year. The Shins get another chance to "change your life" this week (if they haven't already) with their Wincing the Night Away album. The other two huge indie rock releases this week worth checking out are Of Montreal's Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? and Deerhoof's Friend Opportunity.

Beyond the big three albums, releases by Alisdair Roberts, Fujiya & Miyagi, Julie Doiron, Kristin Hersh, Pinback frontman Rob Crow, Six Parts Seven and You Am I combine with three Boredoms reissues and a Paul Weller box set combine with many others to make this week's music shopping a potentially expensive proposition.

What are you picking up this week? All releases listed below...

The Affair: Yes Yes To You [cd]
Alisdair Roberts: Amber Gatherers [cd]
Animal Collective: People EP [cd]
Arbouretum: Rites Of Unconvering [cd]
Berg Sans Nipple: Along the Quai [cd]
Boredoms: Super Roots Vol. 1 (reissue) [cd]
Boredoms: Super Roots Vol. 3 (reissue) [cd]
Boredoms: Super Roots Vol. 5 (reissue) [cd]
The Bird & The Bee: The Bird & The Bee [cd]
Bonnie Prince Billy: Lay & Love (single) [cd]
The Broken West: I Can't Go on I'll Go on [cd]
Brothers Martin: Brothers Martin [cd]
Camera Obscura: If Looks Could Kill (single) [cd]
Carey Ott: Lucid Dream [cd]
Catch & Release: Catch & Release [cd]
Chris Garneau: Music for Tourists [cd]
Clinic: Visitations [cd]
Cooper Temple Clause: Make This Your Own (import) [cd]
Damien Jurado: Gathered in Song EP [cd]
David Kilgour: The Far Now [cd]
David Vandervelde: Moonstation House Band [cd]
Deerhoof: Friend Opportunity [cd]
The Earlies: The Enemy Chorus [cd]
Echo & the Bunnymen: The Very Best of Echo & The Bunnymen: More Songs to Learn and Sing (remastered) [cd]
Exploding Star Orchestra: We Are All From Somewhere Else [cd]
Faces: The Definitive Rock Collection [cd]
Field Music: Tones of Town (import) [cd]
Fratellis: Flathead EP [cd]
Fujiya & Miyagi: Transparent Things [cd]
Ghost: In Stormy Nights [cd]
The Good, The Bad & The Queen: The Good, The Bad & The Queen [cd]
The Good, The Bad & The Queen: Kingdom of Doom (import single) [cd]
Grateful Dead: Live at the Cow Palace: New Years Eve 1976 [cd]
Herbert: 100 Lbs (reissue with bonus disc) [cd]
John Mellencamp: Freedom's Road [cd]
John Wiese: Soft Punk [cd]
Julie Doiron: Woke Myself Up [cd]
Keane: Bad Dream Pt.1 (single) [cd]
Keane: Bad Dream Pt.2 (import single) [cd]
Kristin Hersh: In Shock (import single) [cd]
Kristin Hersh: Learn To Sing Like A Star [cd]
Lee Hazlewood: Cake Or Death [cd]
Lovers: Sleep with Heat [cd]
Macromantics: Moments in Movement [cd]
Madeline: Slow Bang [cd]
Menomena: Friend And Foe [cd]
Mew: Frengers [cd]
Moe: Conch [cd]
Mum: Peel Sessions [cd]
New Young Pony Club: Ice Cream (enhanced single) [cd]
Nine Horses: Money for All [cd]
Nurse & Soldier: Marginalia [cd]
Of Montreal: Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? [cd]
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Damo Suzuki: Please Heat This Eventually [cd]
Paul Weller: Hit Parade [cd]
Paul Weller: Hit Parade (box set) [cd]
Permanent Me: After the Room Clears [cd]
Pete Townshend: The Definitive Collection [cd]
Pete Townshend and Ronnie Lane: Rough Mix (remastered) [cd]
Piebald: Accidental Gentleman [cd]
Placebo: Meds [cd]
Rafter: Music for Total Chickens [cd]
Rob Crow: Living Well [cd]
The Shins: Wincing The Night Away [cd]
Six Parts Seven: Casually Smashed To Pieces [cd]
The State Champs: The State Champs [cd]
Tim Hecker: Radio Amor [cd]
Two Lone Swordsmen: Emissions Audio Output, Vol. 1 [cd]
Various Artists: Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life (soundtrack) [cd]
Various Artists: 2007 Grammy Nominees [cd]
Various Artists: Forever Changing: The Golden Age of Elektra 1963-1973 (box sets) [cd]
Various Artists: Stones Throw Ten Years (with bonus CD) [cd]
Vietnam: Vietnam [cd]
The View: Hats Off to the Buskers (import) [cd]
Yes: The Definitive Rock Collection [cd]
You Am I: Convicts [cd]

[This month, all affiliate fees from this list on BrooklynVegango to The Dog Pound, where my wife and I adopted our puppy Lily.]

Posted in music | new releases at 11:40 AM | Comments (2)

Amy Winehouse & The Pipettes | NYC, Canada & SXSW

DOWNLOAD: The Pipettes - We are the Pipettes (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Amy Winehouse - Rehab (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Amy Winehouse - Rehab (Hot Chip remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Amy Winehouse - You Know I'm No Good (feat. Ghostface) (MP3)

Amy Winehouse @ Joe's Pub, NYC | Jan 18, 2007 (CRED)

According to Pitchfork Amy Winehouse is very uncool. According to Chris Ott, The Pipettes are very uncool. I say let's all just get along and admit that March 13th's "Live From London" lineup at Bowery Ballroom in NYC is a hot one. Tickets for the Amy/Pipettes show go on sale at noon.

By the time I realized Amy Winehouse (who like Lily Allen, is huge in the UK) was playing Joe's Pub last week (see above), the shows were already way sold out. The Pipettes have never played the U.S. before.

The Pipettes are also playing Canadian Music Week in Toronto on March 10th, and then SXSW (March 14-19) after NYC. I'm assuming Amy will show up in Austin too (as long as Kelly Osbourne is able to keep her alive that long of course).

Posted in MP3 | SXSW | music | tour dates at 10:47 AM | Comments (17)

The Pogues | March 2007 Tour Dates

For the second year in a row, The Pogues are visiting NYC while I'll be at SXSW (and on St Pattys day). Tickets are now on sale for two Pogues shows at Roseland Ballroom (and there's a presale site). All tour dates below...

The pogues | 2007 Tour Dates
March 5 & 6 - Congress Theatre / Chicago, IL
March 10 - Avalon / Boston, MA
March 11 - Orpheum / Boston, MA
March 14 - Roseland Ballroom / New York, NY
March 16 - Electric Factory / Philadelphia, PA
March 17 - Roseland Ballroom / New York, NY

they might be returning with a new album (thx Joe!)

Previously
Stars playing NYC, cover Pogues' Christmas | MP3
The Pogues add 4th NYC Show

Posted in music at 10:25 AM | Comments (8)

Clipse @ Bowery & BB Kings on sale | Camera Obscura @ Warsaw not

DOWNLOAD: Camera Obscura podcast (MP3)

Despite putting out the third most critically acclaimed album of 2006, hip hop's Clipse still haven't sold out their Wednesday night show at Bowery Ballroom in NYC, and now tickets are ALSO on sale for a Clipse show at BB King's in NYC on April 26th - it's part of the previously announced Seagram's Gin tour.

Tickets are NOT on sale for Wednesday night's NYC concert alternative - twee pop's Camera Obscura @ Warsaw. It is sold out.

“We’re quite excited,” pianist/organist/vocalist Carey Lander told GO Brooklyn, adding that after three previous shows in New York City, this is the band’s first in Brooklyn. “[We wanted to] do something different so we weren’t playing the same venues again.”

Of course Camera Obscura tickets were only $15.50 - Clipse are $25.00.

The image above is a solar eclipse as observed with a camera obscura (or something like that).

The Camera Obscura (Latin for Dark room) was a dark box or room with a hole in one end. If the hole was small enough, an inverted image would be seen on the opposite wall. Such a principle was known by thinkers as early as Aristotle (c. 300 BC). It is said that Roger Bacon invented the camera obscura just before the year 1300, but this has never been accepted by scholars; more plausible is the claim that he used one to observe solar eclipses. In fact, the Arabian scholar Hassan ibn Hassan (also known as Ibn al Haitam), in the 10th century, described what can be called a camera obscura in his writings; manuscripts of his observations are to be found in the India Office Library in London.

True Story

Previously
Clipse show moved from Webster Hall to smaller Bowery Ballroom
Camera Obscura | 2007 Tour Dates & remix

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 9:56 AM | Comments (7)

Independent music (Merlin) to be sold through MySpace (Snocap)

Here's an educational press release I just got....

GLOBAL AGENCY MERLIN’S FIRST DEAL: INDEPENDENT MUSIC TO BE SOLD THROUGH THE MYSPACE MUSIC SERVICE POWERED BY SNOCAP

Pact with SNOCAP, Inc. Paves the Way for Thousands of Independent Labels Worldwide to Benefit

San Francisco, CA and Cannes, France (MIDEM) - January 22, 2007 - Merlin, the world independent record sector’s new licensing agency, agreed to its first ever global deal, with the digital music company SNOCAP, as announced this weekend at MIDEM.

The agreement will enable repertoire from potentially thousands of independent labels across the world to be put into SNOCAP MyStores, SNOCAP’s retail initiative, which enables U.S. users to download music from the MySpace Music Service powered by SNOCAP as well as other websites that allow html to be edited.

SNOCAP’s partnership with MySpace, already live for unsigned artists and set to launch in the near future for labels, will enable artists signed to independent labels from across the world to sell digital downloads of their music directly from their MySpace pages. The MySpace Music Service, powered by SNOCAP’s MyStore, is live for consumers in the United States.

Downloads through the SNOCAP MyStore are sold as unprotected MP3 files, enabling them to be played on all digital music players including Apple’s iPod.

The agreement, the first of its kind for Merlin, is a global template deal which will be offered to all members of Merlin across the world over coming days.

Merlin has set the terms by which independents across the world can deliver their repertoire into SNOCAP. Once there, labels can use the SNOCAP MyStore to sell their music through the MySpace Music Service, as well as through any website where users can edit html. SNOCAP’s MyStore is a totally portable retail initiative that can spread virally around the Internet.

Said Rusty Rueff SNOCAP CEO “This deal epitomizes what SNOCAP’s MyStores were designed to achieve - bringing more music to more people. We are thrilled to bring the independent labels and artists that Merlin represents to the digital marketplace and direct to music consumers.”

Commented Charles Caldas, Merlin CEO “SNOCAP has revolutionized how independent labels can distribute music online. Our deal with SNOCAP is a perfect example of the value that Merlin brings to its members and to new music services, by creating an easy one-stop mechanism for both to do business.”

# # # #

About Merlin:
Merlin is the global independent record sector’s licensing agency for new media. A one-stop shop, Merlin will license collectively the individually unlicensable making it possible for Web 2.0 and emerging media to license content from the world’s independent record sector. This sector is responsible for 80% of the new releases worldwide and commands a 30% market share.

About SNOCAP:
SNOCAP’s pioneering service for registering digital content and managing online distribution makes it easy for artists and labels to sell music directly to their fans over the Internet, creating a more vibrant digital music marketplace. Using SNOCAP’s MyStores, independent artists can sell their music on any website and via online retailers anywhere, anytime, while remaining fully in control of the licensing and rights. SNOCAP’s exclusive partnership with MySpace powers the digital storefronts for thousands of artists on the popular social networking site.

Posted in industry | music at 9:12 AM | Comments (0)

The Long Winters touring in March & before that, etc

DOWNLOAD: The Long Winters - Pushover (MP3)

The Long Winters (who by the way still have their whole new album streaming) are touring Europe in February and March before coming back to tour the U.S.A. All the dates haven't been announced, but the following tickets are on sale:

Mar 10 - The Independent, CA
Mar 30 - Maxwell's, Hobooken, NJ
Mar 31 - Mercury Lounge, NYC
Apr 01 - Mercury Lounge, NYC

The Long Winters also appear on a new compilation CD by fellow music blog Music for Robots. Frightened Rabbit, Lo Fi Fnk, Pela and many others are also on that disk. European tour dates below...

The Long Winters | 2007 Tour Dates
Feb 8 2007 Romein Leeuwarden, Netherlands
Feb 9 2007 W2 Den Bosch, Netherlands
Feb 10 2007 Hedon Zwolle, Netherlands
Feb 11 2007 Botanique Brussel, Belgium
Feb 13 2007 Bar Academy Birmingham, England
Feb 14 2007 Le Pub Newport, UK - South Wales
Feb 15 2007 Monto Water Rats London, England
Feb 17 2007 Cavern Exeter, England
Feb 19 2007 [2]- Barcelona Barcelona, Espana
Feb 20 2007 Moby Dick- Madrid Madrid, Espana
Feb 21 2007 Wah Wah- Valencia Valencia, Espana
Feb 22 2007 Centro Cultural Matadero- Huesca Huesca, Espana
Feb 23 2007 Kafe Antzokia- Bilbao Bilbao, Espana
Feb 24 2007 1La Casa Encendida- Madrid Madrid, Espana
Feb 24 2007 Teatre Lloseta- Mallorca Mallorca, Espana
Feb 26 2007 Bad Bonn Düdingen, Switzerland
Feb 27 2007 Boa Luzern, Switzerland
Feb 28 2007 Palace St. Gallen, Switzerland
Mar 2 2007 Pauk- Zagreb, Croatia Zagreb, Croatia
Mar 5 2007 Voxhall Aarhus, Denmark

Previously
The Long Winters played a free show @ Mercury Lounge
John Roderick played 826NYC benefit

Posted in music | tour dates at 9:00 AM | Comments (4)

two MP3's from Clinic's new album Visitations

Here are two new MP3's from Clinic's new album Visitations - out tomorrow (January 23, 2007) in the U.S. (its been out in Europe) on Domino Records (home of Animal Collective). I especially like the song "Jigsaw Man"...

DOWNLOAD (MP3s)
Clinic - Harvest (Within You)
Clinic - Jigsaw Man

* Pfork gave it a 7.0
* Stylus gave it a B

Tickets are still on sale for their March 9th show at The Gramercy Theatre. Their latest tour dates are below....

Clinic | 2007 Tour dates
Fri 3/2 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
Sat 3/3 - Noise Pop Festival / The Independent - San Francisco, CA
Mon 3/5 - Apple In-Store - Chicago, IL
Tue 3/6 - Black Cat - Washington, DC
Wed 3/7 - Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
Fri 3/9 - The Gramercy Theatre - NYC, NY
Sat 3/10 - Middle East - Boston, MA
Sun 3/11 - La Sala Rossa - Montreal, QC
Mon 3/12 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON

Previously
Clinic | March 2007 U.S. Tour Dates
Gramercy Theatre is in (concert) business

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 8:37 AM | Comments (0)

The Frames playing Town Hall & Boise, Idaho

The Frames currently list two U.S. dates in April - the 13th in Boise, Idaho, and the 24th @ Town Hall in NYC. Tickets for the latter are already on sale. Ticketmaster also has them in Somerville, MA on the 22nd. I'm sure more tour dates will be announed soon. (thx all)

Posted in music | tour dates at 8:20 AM | Comments (0)

Rage Against the Machine to reunite for Coachella | Crowded House too + Bjork, Arcade Fire, RHCP & more

DOWNLOAD: Rage Against the Machine - Wake Up (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Daft Punk (live @ Coachella) (full set) (MP3) <<<----HOT!

DOWNLOAD: Radiohead - Planet Telex (live @ Coachella) (MP3)

"....a reunited Rage Against The Machine, Bjork and the Red Hot Chili Peppers will lead the lineup for the 2007 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, to be held April 27-29 in Indio, Calif. Sources tell Billboard.com the event will also feature a reunion gig from Crowded House as well as the Arcade Fire, Sonic Youth, Air, the Roots, Willie Nelson, Interpol, Manu Chao and Fountains Of Wayne......The full lineup will be announced imminently; it is also expected to sport sets by Jarvis Cocker, the Good, the Bad and the Queen, Hot Chip, Peeping Tom, the Decemberists, Arctic Monkeys, Tiesto, Kings Of Leon, Travis, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Lily Allen, Kaiser Chiefs, Silversun Pickups and LCD Soundsystem. [Billboard]

"Crowded House, one of Australia's biggest musical exports, is re-forming for a world tour. Former frontman Neil Finn and bassist Nick Seymour will hold auditions for a drummer in Melbourne this week. Auditions have also been held in Auckland and Los Angeles.
Founding drummer Paul Hester took his own life two years ago. Sources say Finn will commit 12 months to a world tour." [the Courier Mail]

I'm pretty sure I read !!! was playing Coachella too - already such a good lineup - I could almost be convinced to go this year. Who else is playing that they missed?

Are you going this year? What's your best Coachella memory? What do you think of all day hot festivals? What festival would you rather go to instead?

Did you get tickets via the presale?

Previously
Bjork's new album w/ Antony, Timbaland, Konono, & Lightning Bolt
video of Arcade Fire playing the High School
Rodrigo y Gabriela | 2007 Tour Dates (Bowery Ballroom, SXSW, Leno)
Manu Chao @ Celebrate Brooklyn (Prospect Park Bandshell), NYC | pics
Decemberists & My Brightest Diamond | 2007 Tour Dates
video of Daft Punk @ Coachella

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 8:07 AM | Comments (17)

January 21, 2007

Party all the Time -- Pan's Labryinth, Dreamgirls, Beyonce, gangsta penguins, The Doors, Old 97's & The Tone Rangers

DOWNLOAD: Paul Wing - Pan the Piper (completely unrelated MP3)

I just thought I'd talk about some movies movies I've seen recently...

PAN'S LABYRINTH
Guillermo Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth is the one movie that I'd say you should definitely go see...unless you're easily traumatized by violence, or you can't read (the movie has English subtitles). See it on the big screen (if you can find it and before it's too late)

The beautiful soundtrack was composed by Javier Navarrete, and performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. I think it's basically streaming at the movie's official website.

DREAMGIRLS
Dreamgirls was also great (not as GREAT as Pan's, but great), but don't see it if you don't like musicals. In addition to telling a musical story (Motown & The Supremes), featuring famous musician actors (Beyonce, Jenifer Hudson from American Idol, and Eddie Murphy), and recreating concerts (by The Supremes, Jackson 5, etc), it's also REALLY a musical - Broadway musical style - scenes where they'd just be talking are instead done singing. I like that, but you might not.

And YES, Eddie Murphy IS SO a famous musician...

GOLDEN GLOBES
Believe the hype - Dreamgirls just won THREE Golden Globes --> BEST PICTURE (musical or comedy), Best supporting actress = Jenifer Hudson, and best supporting actor = Eddie Murphy, but no Beyonce who lost to Prince (best song in Happy Feet) and Meryl Streep (whose son used to be in Bravo Silva)

---- Beyonce's father cries racism. New York Sun says thanks for nothing.

East side walk it out...

I also just saw The Doors (15th Anniversary edition) and The Breakup (starring Vince Vaughn & Jennifer Aniston) on DVD.

DOWNLOAD: Snoop Dogg ft The Doors - Riders on the Storm (fredwreck remix) (MP3)

THE DOORS
I thought Jim Morrison was the coolest when I was younger, and I have fond memories of the Doors movie, but it wasn't as good as I remembered this time around. I was looking to get some music history out of the movie, but often I didn't even know who a character was supposed to be in real life. I don't even think Oliver Stone ever had anyone mention Edie Sedgwick or Nico by name, though they were both characters in the movie. Andy Warhol was at least a little more obvious.

The 15th anniversary DVD makes up for it by adding some documentaries on the second disk (though I haven't watched them yet).

[Edie Sedgwick, as you know, now has her own movie too]

[Not to be confused with "Edie Sedgwick" the "transgendered chanteuse from the Isle of Manhattan" - aka Justin Moyer from El Guapo.]

DOWNLOAD: Edie Sedgwick - Martin Sheen (MP3)

My favorite part of the The Doors was the huge concert scene towards the end that happens after Jim (Val Kilmer) gets maced by police backstage. Tripping on acid (as usual in the movie), he goes on stage to greet a huge crowd of rowdy fans (some authentic hippy, some mainstream-the-doors-have-sold-out-by-now) who he tells to get naked before going on a rant about how the police suck. He in turn causes a riot which has the police battling everyone as speakers are falling over and people are getting carted away.

The officers go after Jim as he dives into the crowd and keeps singing (impossible, but dream-like and cool) - the whole crowd is running in a circle with him, and dancing, and chanting, and naked, and so on...I can't exactly describe it - but it was how I wished all shows would be (and not just Gogol Bordello ones).

DOWNLOAD: Gogol Bordello - Bordello Kind of Guy (MP3)

THE BREAKUP
The Breakup wasn't rock 'n roll at all (or as funny as I thought it would be). There was a scene where Jennifer Aniston goes to an Old 97's concert though. It's at Chicago's Riviera Theater, and the band is really playing - Rhett Miller and all....

"yes, that IS me in the pink shirt making Jennifer Aniston cry with my heartfelt declarations of love's non-existence." [Rhett Miller]

There's also a prominently featured a capella-singing group called The Tone Rangers....

HEY, IT'S SUNDANCE!
* Bestiality doc premieres at Sundance
* Redford calls US leaders to account over Iraq
* ‘Trade’ and ‘Ghosts of Abu Ghraib’ are early standouts
* Documentaries flourish at Sundance, then struggle
* Sundance hosts Joe Strummer film premiere
* Sundance, iTunes Ink Deal

What else out is good?

Posted in MP3 | movies | music at 11:39 PM | Comments (5)

video of Arcade Fire playing the High School

Pitchfork posted this exclusive video of the Arcade Fire show at a high school in Canada.

Posted in music at 7:27 PM | Comments (3)

January 20, 2007

and now... ALL SEVEN Lily Allen tour dates

First came the leak. Then came the five on-sales. Now all seven of Lily Allen's February tour dates have been announced. Dates, new videos, and a bowling pin below...

BUT FIRST, A FUNNY QUOTE
"'Extending 'Discover and Download' into a tour is a natural extension for this brand,' said Joe Armenia, VP, Promotion, MTV. 'This will give us even more opportunity to bring live music to our audience while also creating a deeper connection between the artists and their fans.'"

"MTV DISCOVER & DOWNLOAD PRESENTS LILY ALLEN" TOUR DATES
February 5 - Los Angeles, CA - Henry Fonda Music Box
February 6 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
February 8 - Chicago, IL - Metro
February 10 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
February 12 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of Living Arts
February 16 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
February 18 - Boston, MA - Axis

also SNL on February 3.

VIDEOS
* Lily On Body Image (yuck, I hate this one)
* Lily On Fashion
* Lily On The Internet #1
* Lily On The Internet #2
* Lily On The Internet #3

More pics of Lily's Japan adventure here

Previously
Lily Allen - tickets on sale
here comes Lily Allen
Lily Allen @ Hiro Ballroom, NYC | pics

Posted in music | tour dates at 11:26 PM | Comments (4)

Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (01/20/07)

my bad. this third installment of Klaus' Comedy Canon was supposed to be up on Wednesday. Better late that never...

Eugene Mirman, Michael Showalter, & Leo Allen @ Rififi, NYC (CRED)

Since my last Comedy Canon, the NYC comedy scene has been bustling. Comix hosted 5 sold out shows featuring Janeane Garofalo, Marc Maron, and Leo Allen, and Let's Have A Ball went down Saturday night at the UCB Theater.

And Sunday night was like a city-wide comedy Lollapalooza - Comix had Reggie Watts, and Rififi held its final installment of Here's The Thing which is moving to The Pit. This blockbuster show had the likes of Tom McCaffry, Slovin and Allen, Kurt and Kristen, Julie Klausner, and Val Myers. A little further downtown Pianos hosted Cavalcade which featured an incredible line-up including Marc Maron, Jessi Klein, Andy Blitz, Chelsea Peretti, and Tom McCaffrey.

Then on Monday, Patrick Borelli hosted The Grouch Show at Mo Pitkins - a show that featured Jon Benjamin & Jon Glaser, Dave Hill, Amelie Gillette from the Onion, and Matt Hall. Sometimes there is wayyy too much comedy happening in this fair city. Seriously.

A few upcoming shows are listed at the end of this post, but first the news...

Bonnie Prince Billy (CRED)

In the comments section of the last Comedy Canon someone asked whether musician Bonnie Prince Billy has been doing some stand-up. The short answer is, yes. The long answer is that, indeed, he did some stand up at Weeds in Chicago on December 19th 2006. The show was part of his record label Drag City's People Under the Stares comedy series. There is also a video of Bonnie Prince Billy on Neil Hamburger's internet show Poolside Chats with Neil Hamburger, and one of him in a skit from Wondershowzen with David Cross and Zach Galifianakis. Watch it!:

Speaking of musicians turning to comedy, the fading captain himself Robert Pollard has released the follow-up to his first post-GBV record / first comedy record Relaxation of the Asshole. Meet the King: Asshole 2 is Bob's second foray into comedy (read: stage banter). Most of the material has been culled from various recording from GBVs final tour. It is only available on vinyl and is limited to 1000 copies.

Fans of comedy duo Tim and Eric have a lot to look forward to in the next few months. Taking a break from Tom Goes to the Mayor for a bit, they've been working on a new show called Tim and Eric: Awesome Show, Great Job. It premieres on Adult Swim on February 11, 2007 at 11:45pm. Tim and Eric claim the show is "a mostly live action/sketch/variety/insanity experience". There is a mega-creepy website with an equally creepy promo clip here. The clip features Bob Odenkirk, and what is easily the most bizarre montage I've ever seen. Check out another promo they just put on YouTube too.

Tim and Eric are also on the road!. Here are the dates:

Sun Feb 25 TT The Bear's Cambridge, MA tix
Mon Feb 26 Knitting Factory New York, NY tix
Tue Feb 27 Franklin Institute Philadelphia, PA
Wed Feb 28 Local 506 Chapel Hill, NC
Thu Mar 1 The Earl Atlanta, GA

They were also in a recent episode of Poolside Chats with Neil Hamburger. Oh, and there's a Tom Goes to the Mayer DVD set to be released in Spring of 2007!

Keep reading below for more!!!

Sadly, NYC comedy club Comix has confirmed on their website that, starting February 1st, there will be a 2 item minimum person at their shows. Any items purchased on their food & drink menu can be applied to the minimum per person rule - but still, I have to say, that really ain't all that bad. The cover charges are reasonable and sometimes have secret discount codes. Further, the items on their menu are still more reasonably priced than most of the other comedy clubs in NYC.

The Louis CK stand-up special Louis CK: Shameless premiered on HBO on January 13th. It will be re-airing several times throughout the next couple of months, and I highly suggest watching it. For specific air dates and times, check your local listings or this link.

I don't exactly remember what I was googling for, but I happened upon this little article entitled Eugene Mirman and David Cross Go Five Rounds with Entertainment Weekly's Laura Gilbert. In it, they "discuss indie rock". It's not going to change your life or anything, but I found it highly amusing. I do think someone should turn it into a short film though.

In more sad news, two highly anticipated DVD releases have been shut down indefinitely. Way back in May of 2005, Tinkle put on a charity show in Seattle that featured Todd Barry, Jon Benjamin and David Cross. NPR legend Sarah Vowell, SNL’s Fred Armisen and comedians Eugene Mirman, Heather Lawless, AD Miles, Jon Glaser, Andy Blitz and Slovin & Allen also performed. There was even music by The Thermals and the New Pornographers. And it was all caught on film! And yet, SupPop has put the brakes on the project for good. What's more, the live material recorded for a Midnight Pajama Jam (the brainchild of Jon Benjamin and Jon Glaser) DVD release was apparently unusable and that DVD project has been shit canned for now as well.

The Apiary rounds up more news in The Sting, and even more in Things Go Around.

But that's all in the past. Here are some upcoming shows I highly recommend.....

Obsessed with Julie and Jackie: Mo Pitkins, Sunday 1/21/07, 7:00pm: Featuring Janeane Garofalo, John Mulaney, and Seth Rudetsky. Join comic geniuses Jackie Clarke and Julie Klausner as they host an evening based around the theme of obsession. For those who missed one of Janeane's 5 Comix shows, you can catch her for a mere $6.00 at the teeny tiny venue Mo Pitkins. I highly recommend buying tickets in advance here

Tearing The Veil Of Maya: Union Hall, Sunday 1/21/07 @ Union Hall, 8:00pm: comedy with Eugene Mirman + Michael Showalter + Patrick Borelli + Jessi Klein

Bro'In Out with Leo and Tony: UCB Theater, Monday 1/22/07, 8:00pm: In this live talk/variety show, host Leo Allen and 'sidekick' Tony Camin welcome real celebrity guests for a straight up talk show with booze, swearing, sketches and music. This particular installment features Kristen Schaal, Jonathan Ames, & The Flanks. Reservations are only $5.00 and are strongly suggested.

Threat + Talk Show with Bob Wiltfong: The Pit, Every Wednesday, 8:00pm: The Apiary has a really good Review of this show. I haven't seen it yet, but it is high on my list of things to see this week. You can get tickets here.

*** Do you recognize the future star featured in the below Atari 2600 PITFALL commercial? ***

video via CCInsider

c ya wednesday
-klaus

Posted in comedy | music | tour dates | video at 10:37 PM | Comments (3)

Coachella presale underway

The 2007 Coachella music festival takes place in Indio, CA from April 27-29. The lineup hasn't been announced yet, but a $199 presale has started. CODE=ROXANNE (thx Andy)

Posted in music at 6:54 PM | Comments (15)

January 19, 2007

the UK's The Fratellis | HOT OR NOT? | 2007 Tour Dates (NYC, SXSW)

Tickets are now on sale for yet another show by another UK band (March 22, Mercury Lounge) They're called the Fratellis, and what I've heard so far is not that pleasurable, but here are their credentials:

* NME writes about them
* Up for a Brit Award
* Playing the Brit Awards
* in iTunes ads
* IGIF says they are bigtime
* Stereogum is watching them
* Modern Age liked them one day
* They rock Cleveland
* Fratellis Top of the Pops

They're also playing SXSW, and The Troubadour in LA on March 19th. So, are the Fratellis.. HOT OR NOT?

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 1:41 PM | Comments (28)

Stolen Transmission benefit show + Horrors @ Bowery (SXSW?)

The Horrors @ Studio B, NYC | March 11, 2006 (CRED)

The Horrors must be playing SXSW because the UK band have a March 10th Bowery Ballroom NYC show that is now on sale. You'll remember them from NME/CMJ.

In related news, the Horrors are the only Stolen Transmission band NOT playing Ultragrrrl's Stolen Transmission benefit show at the Annex in NYC this Monday - January 22nd.

8:30 - The Oohlas (acoustic)
9pm - Bright Light Fever (FIRST EVER NYC SHOW!!!!)
10pm - Monty Are I
11pm - The Photo Atlas
12pm - Permanent ME

Tickets are $10 and the money goes to Waggytail Rescue and Here Kitty Kitty.

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 1:13 PM | Comments (11)

LCD Soundsystem add 2nd Bowery show (ALREADY!)

The first one just went on sale and sold out less than an hour ago.

Show two on sale now.

Posted in music | tour dates at 12:51 PM | Comments (4)

Lily Allen - tickets on sale

Five of the seven upcoming Lily Allen shows are now on sale...

Mon, 02/05/07 - Henry Fonda Theatre Hollywood, CA (tix)
Thu, 02/08/07 - Metro Chicago, IL (tix)
Sat, 02/10/07 - Webster Hall - New York, NY (tix)
Mon, 02/12/07 - Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA (tix)
Sun, 02/18/07 - Axis Boston, MA (tix)

anyone know the presale codes?

Posted in music | tour dates at 12:46 PM | Comments (11)

Elvis Perkins | Spring 2007 Tour Dates

Elvis Perkins in Dearland have announced dates for their first headlining tour. Tickets are on sale for March 1st @ Joe's Pub and April 19th at Union Hall in Brooklyn. All tour dates below...

Elvis Perkins | Tour Dates
Feb 1 2007 Tripod Dublin
Feb 2 2007 Manchester Academy Manchester
Feb 3 2007 Glasgow Barrowlands Glasgow
Feb 4 2007 Birmingham Academy Birmingham
Feb 6 2007 Gebaude 9 Cologne
Feb 7 2007 AB Club Brussels
Feb 8 2007 Paradiso Amsterdam
Feb 9 2007 Postbanhof Berlin
Feb 11 2007 Knust Hamburg
Feb 12 2007 La Cigalle Paris
Feb 13 2007 Shepherds Bush Empire London
Feb 14 2007 The Enterprise London
Feb 15 2007 The Enterprise London
Feb 27 2007 Great Scott Boston, Massachusetts
Mar 1 2007 Joe's Pub New York, New York
Mar 2 2007 Tin Angel Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Mar 6 2007 Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Mar 7 2007 The Earl Atlanta, Georgia
Mar 8 2007 Pilot Light Knoxville, Tennessee
Mar 9 2007 Grimey's (The Basement) Nashville, Tennessee
Mar 10 2007 Bottletree Birmingham, Alabama
Mar 11 2007 The Parish @ House of Blues New Orleans, Louisiana
Mar 14 2007 Gypsy Tea Room Dallas, Texas
Mar 19 2007 O'Shaughnessy Santa Fe, New Mexico
Mar 20 2007 Solar Culture Tucson, Arizona
Mar 21 2007 The Casbah San Diego, California
Mar 23 2007 TBD Los Angeles, California
Mar 24 2007 Largo Los Angeles, California
Mar 25 2007 Cafe Du Nord San Francisco, California
Mar 26 2007 The Attic Santa Cruz, California
Mar 29 2007 Doug Fir Lounge Portland, Oregon
Mar 30 2007 The Tractor Tavern Seattle
Mar 31 2007 Media Club Vancouver, British Columbia
Apr 3 2007 Soiled Dove Denver, Colorado
Apr 4 2007 Sokol Underground Omaha, Nebraska
Apr 5 2007 400 Bar Minneapolis, Minnesota
Apr 6 2007 Schuba's Chicago, Illinois
Apr 9 2007 Mod Club Toronto, Ontario
Apr 11 2007 Main Hall Montreal, Quebec
Apr 12 2007 Higher Ground Burlington, Vermont
Apr 13 2007 Iron Horse Music Hall Northampton, Massachusetts
Apr 15 2007 Mountain Stage Morgantown, West Virginia
Apr 19 2007 Union Hall Brooklyn, New York

Patrick Watson supports 2/27-3/11 (except for 3/9)

Lets Go Sailing supports 3/19-4/13 (except for all Canadian shows)

"The single 'All the Night Without Love' (including 2 previously unavailable b-sides 'The Dumps' and 'Untitled #1') is now available on itunes."

Previously
Elvis Perkins signs to XL Recordings + pics from the Annex show + tour dates

Posted in music | tour dates at 12:31 PM | Comments (4)

Libation closing!

Unlike with Sin-e, I don't think anybody will be crying over the closing of this Lower East Side establishment..

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

Papercuts | signed to Gnomonsong - MP3 & tour w/ Grizzly Bear

DOWNLOAD: Papercuts - John Brown (MP3)

If you like Grizzly Bear and Beach House, you'll probably like the perfectly pleasant Papercuts (Jason) too. If you don't like Grizzly Bear and Beach House, YOU STILL might like Papercuts. Check out the above MP3. Do you hear James Bond? It's song #2 on Can't Go Back, the album that comes out on Feb. 5th. I have a copy, and I think it's good. He sounds A LOT like the Delays at times (see song #7). Sometimes the Beatles - actually he switches it up a lot song to song, but it all fits together nicely.

Devendra Banhart and Vetiver Andy like Papercuts too. They signed him to their Gnomonsong label.

Papercuts is Jason Quever's cathedral of sound, a place for the desperate worship of all things analog and devotion to the musicianship of the old world. His new album for Gnomonsong, Can't Go Back, is a marriage of timeless songs, richly textured studio sounds, classic rock/pop hookery, and focused narratives -- all delivered with Quever's warm voice and wonderfully layered melodies.
The first formal Papercuts release, Mockingbird (2004), received a warm critical reception, earning four stars in Great Britain's Uncut. The song "Pan American Blues" was a top-five download of the week on insound.com and the album rode the CMJ Top 200 for months.

Grizzly Bear like him too. They asked him to tour with them. In NYC, Papercuts play before Beach House who play before Grizzly Bear. Those two nights at Bowery should be a couple of long, mellow, and wonderful shows.

Check here for more info on Devendra's label and Papercuts' labelmate Rio En Mende

Papercuts CD tracklist below...

01 Dear Employee
02 John Brown
03 Summer Long
04 Unavailable
05 Take the 227th Exit
06 Outside Looking In
07 Sandy
08 Just Another Thing to Dust
09 Found Bird
10 The World I Love

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 11:19 AM | Comments (1)

the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (01/19/07)

MSTRKRFT @ Hiro Ballroom, NYC | June 22, 2006 (CRED)

DOWNLOAD: Panthers - Thank Me With Your Hands (MSTRKRFT Remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Metric - Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Death From Above 1979 - Sexy Results (MSTRKRFT Remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Bloc Party - 2 More Years (MSTRKRFT Remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Wolfmother (MSTRKRFT Remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: John Digweed - Kiss 100 57:10 2006 mix (MP3)

John Digweed @ The Showbox, Seattle | June 11, 2006 (CRED)

Indie Club (aka the Diamonds 07 tour)

I come from the progressive house/trance scene of the mid to late nineties, but the convergence of John Digweed and MSTRKRFT (they're touring together) is one I'm looking forward to.

John Digweed (of Sasha & Digweed fame) is a phenomenal DJ, and has been responsible for groundbreaking music, arguably the first DJ mix compilation, and spreading electronic music (and the Superstar DJ phenomenon) to more of the globe than all but Carl Cox and Sasha. Digweed's record label Bedrock has been a very consistent source of progressive electronic club tracks, with releases by Nick Muir, Hernan Cattaneo, Misstress Barbara, and more. I've seen him DJ many times, and his technical skill and musical taste level is really incredible, but very much rooted in "pure" electronic genres.

MSTRKRFT on the other hand have a somewhat different cache in the dance scene. Spawned from the ashes of Death From Above 1979, the group's remixes of indie rock singles have catapulted them to the forefront of the indie dance/rocklectro movement. MSTRKRFT is more likely to be heard coming off the lips of a kid leaving a Metric show in Austin than a clubber coming out of Crobar at 10 am. Not to say that they aren't rising stars in the larger electronic spectrum - their LP The Looks was a fantastic slice of the sound of 2006, but definitely no Homework.

Let's discuss this pairing.
Will you go see them? Is it happening in a club you regulary attend? I'm guessing not. New Yorkers - will you go to Pacha for this? Have you heard of John Digweed?

Tour dates at the end of this post.

And who's coming to Miami?

Daft Punk @ Coachella 2006 (CRED)

NEWS

• Urge (MTV's Music Service) signs exclusives with Ed Banger and Planet E


• Josh Wink hosts a panel on the future of dance music (video)


• Remix lists "32 Artist Albums, Products, Services, People and Music-industry Predictions for 2007"

MUSIC

• Good For Nothing has a banging Busy P & Justice live mix


• Urb has a full video Daft Punk live at Coachella (I can't watch this with out tearing up...why didn't I go, why?)


• A 120 Days remix is featured in this Jaguar Ad


• Missing Toof has three of six tracks off a new Modular sampler.

GET OUT AND DANCE THIS WEEKEND NYC

Friday - 1/19
* DJ Pippi (Ibiza Legend) plays Cielo's 4th Anniversary
* Carl Craig (Detroit Legend) brings DEMON DAYS to Studio B
* Robot Blair & Max Pask guest at Dirty Down at Lit

Saturday - 1/20
* Blake Baxter helms a techno throwdown at Studio B

Upcoming Freakers

January 25th
Marc Houle & Troy Pierce Minimalize Robots at Cielo

January 30th
Joakim Plays APT

February 2nd
Hello Nurse! features The Egyptian Lover and In Flagranti at Studio B

February 10th
Fixed has Lindstrom (Live) at Studio B

DIAMONDS 2007 TOUR DATES
Thursday, March 1st Portland, OR Roseland Theater
Friday, March 2nd San Francisco,CA Ruby Skye
Saturday, March 3rd Los Angeles, CA Vanguard
Sunday, March 4th San Diego, CA Belo
Wednesday, March 7th Phoenix, AZ Axis/Radius
Thursday, March 8th Las Vegas, NV Jet
Friday, March 9th Minneapolis, MN Myth
Saturday, March 10th Denver, CO Vinyl
Tuesday, March 13th St. Louis, MO Dantes
Thursday, March 15th Houston, TX Warehouse Live
Friday, March 16th Austin, TX SPIN
Saturday, March 17th Dallas, TX Karma
Sunday, March 18th New Orleans, LA Ampersand
Tuesday, March 20th Miami, FL Pawn Shop (WMC)
Tuesday, March 27th Atlanta, GA Blue
Wednesday, March 28th Nashville, TN Club Play
Thursday, March 29th Charlotte, NC The Forum
Friday, March 30th Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Saturday, March 31st New York City, NY Pacha

Elsewhere on BV
* The Gossip | 2007 Tour Dates & MSTRKRFT remix
* LCD Soundsystem "Sound of Silver" - new album & Tour Dates
* Bjork working on new album
* Urb cover girl Lily Allen remix
* Flosstradamus played Studio B
* last week's dance post

-david

Posted in MP3 | To Do | dance | music | tour dates at 9:36 AM | Comments (16)

Bjork's new album w/ Antony, Timbaland, Konono, & Lightning Bolt

Download Bjork - Who is It (Vitalic remix) (MP3)

why Beck? Why not

I LOVE collaborations, especially (well, mainly) if they're by artists I also love, and the idea of Antony and/or Bjork contributing to anything always gets me excited. Bjork & Antony BOTH appear on the last Matmos album, Bjork recently worked with Bonnie Prince Billy, and we even heard something back in July about Bjork working with Konono No 1.

Yesterday I posted something about Bjork collaborating with Timbaland on her new "hip hop" album. Coincidentally - just minutes later "meester fly" posted an official update on Bjork's site (which i used to live on pre-pre-blogging days) that confirms this, Konono, and MORE:

It has not been snowing at all here, but today we are graced with snow. It is a few days after the hidden people and elves move home, if they have to. We are in Iceland. I arrived after a short absence of mind and body back into the HQ of the MWC. I got the word to get back on the case and gather some knowledge, as I of course, am truly the wise one.

Being the one and only I got sent new songs from Björk. These songs are to be on the new album she has been working on for the past months. She has been all around the world to record, working with numerous people from truly different background. I have been left with many thoughts after listening to these tracks, the first impression is that I want to hear more, as I did not get everything shortlisted for the record. It made me excited.

The only thing I have heard prior of the making of this new record was a collaboration with Timbaland was being penned in. They met for a couple of sessions and laid down some beats for two tracks, "then I took these tracks and worked on them further", says Björk. This is true, as I hear that she has taken them to a another level.

We speak about the many collaborators on this record and the list is very interesting as Antony Hegerty duets on two tracks. Drummer Chris Corsano jumps into at least the 2 songs. New sounds and instrumentation are provided by Toumani Diabate who plays the Kora and Konono nr.1 with electric thumb pianos. More percussive delights come from Brian Chippendale from Lightning Bolt Great artists being drafted into the fold!

This list is very impressive and intriguing and from this first batch of song create a very unique sound and emotion. Nothing sounds really familiar about this experience, apart from the name of Mark Bell, him I know. And Sjón, turns to form to deliver one lyric, his 5th lyric since they started work together. This record is a Björk production par excellence. No stone left unturned to seek out the perfect pitch.

And more work is being done in the next few weeks on the new record. It has not got a name. The record is scheduled for late spring release. Some of us have wished to see Björk live in concert.

Well. Björk will be going on the road and giving us long wanted concert recitals. Yes gigging again. I get to see who is the band, I'll be damned, I forgot. It is being finalised right now! From what I remember: We are in for a treat. I am promised to be there. Bien sur. Of-course. Að sjálfsögðu. More soon."

A treat indeed.

I wonder if Bjork & Antony will show up at the Lightning Bolt show happening at Northsix on Sunday. (which is now old out)

"Björk is also contributing vocals to Valgeir Sigurðsson's new album, titled 'Equilibrium Is Restored'." [Wikipedia]

Antony & The Johnsons play the Brooklyn Philharmonic on March 9th.

Konono No 1 play Bowery Ballroom on May 5th.

Previously
Timbaland a thief?
Sugarcubes reunion happened
Sugarcubes Reuniting for one show

Posted in MP3 | music at 7:21 AM | Comments (5)

Gnomonsong = Devendra Banhart's record label | Rio En Mende = signed Brooklyn artist

DOWNLOAD: Danielle Stech Homsy - Ferris (MP3)

Rio En Mende

"Gnomonsong is the new record label formed by Devendra Banhart and Andy Cabic in parnership with Revolver USA. Banhart and Cabic do not push the paperwork in the label as much as work with the artists.....The label's first release was Texan singer/songwriter Jana Hunter's album, entitled Blank Unstaring Heirs of Doom, released in October 2005. The second release was a CD version of the self-titled debut of Feathers (April 2006). Releases are expected from ABRA, a NYC family band, as well as Michael Hurley and Danielle Stech Homsy." [Wikipedia]

Gnomosong will also be releasing the new Papercuts album, but I want to talk about Danielle Stech Homsy for a second. She, like Sarah Assbring (El Perro Del Mar), has a high voice and a pseudonym:

Rio en Medio is the musical adventure of Brooklyn-based singer/ukulelist Danielle Stech-Homsy......Rio en Medio's debut album for Gnomonsong The Bride of Dynamite is an intricate collage of layered vocals, delicately plucked ukulele, ghostly samples and gritty, deconstructed electronics, all performed by Rio. Final production and remixing was done by Thom Monahan (of the Pernice Brothers) at his home studio in Los Angeles aided by Vetiver's Andy Cabic. Special touches were contributed to some tunes by Andy, Sierra Casady (CocoRosie), Tim Fite and David Coulter among others.

The album is out February 5th, you can listen @ MySpace, and she has three shows coming up:

Rio En Mende | 2007 Tour Dates
Feb 10 - Southpaw Brooklyn, NY w/ Vetiver & Vashti Bunyan
Feb 13 - The Kitchen New York, NY (Ugly Duckling Presse 6x6 Magazine release)
Feb 14 - Union Hall Brooklyn, NY (album release party) w/ Tim Fite, Feathers & Pepi Ginsberg

P.S. Gary Higgins is tonight.

Previously
Vetiver & Vashti Bunyan | 2007 Tour Dates
Tim Fite @ Joe's Pub, NYC | Pics
CocoRosie @ La Tulipe | Pop Montreal | pics
The Family | Devendra Banhart Sick of Freak-folk Label

Posted in industry | music | tour dates at 6:26 AM | Comments (4)

Wes' Weekly Hip Hop News Roundup | (Jan 18, 2007)

RIP J DILLA, Los Angeles, CA (CRED)

Even after death J Dilla continues to release music and even has a new video. Well, actually it's his label Stones Throw Records doing all the releasing - and they're also releasing a 2-CD Stones Throw retrospective compilation on January 23rd to celebrate their 10 year anniversary (of course Dilla's on there too). Wanna win some J Dilla CD's & a t-shirt (girls & boys)? Find out how at the end of this post.

Stones Throw is unfortunately all out of stock of this insanely sick MadVillain figure, but of course there's plenty to be had (at a premium) on eBay (@#$% scalpers):

WHAT ELSE TO LOOK FOR IN 2007
AboutRap previews 27 albums to watch for in 2007. The list includes new new albums by Dr. Dre (Detox - September 2007...yeah right), Kanye West, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Madlib, and Devin the Dude.

Speaking of Kanye, Consequence, one of A Tribe Called Quest's original collaborators and much shelved MC, is dropping Don't Quit Your Day Job March 6th under his G.O.O.D. Music imprint.

And Kanye's DJ A-Trak, paired up with fellow DJs The Rub and toured North America. French label Disque Primeur captures the tour with Sunglasses Is A Must Live. Here's a song:

DOWNLOAD: A-Trak - Walk it Out Trazz (MP3)

A-Trak Nick Catchdubs and Rub DJ Cosmo Baker were hangin' all night with Flosstradamus and Spank Rock at Studio B on Sunday night.

DOWNLOAD: Nick Catchdubs - Oz Quick Mix (MP3)

GET MORE MP3s:
* Raekwon ft Mathematics - Trees (download here)
* Chamillionaire ft Kelis - 'Not A Criminal' & other good MP3s @ Spine Magazine
* Kanye West - I Still Love H.E.R. (download here)
* Graph - Glow In The Dark (download here)
* KRS-One - A Tribute to Nas (download here)

I don't like Busdriver's music much, or at all really, but this is mostly an indie rock blog, and he is touring with indie rockers Deerhoof (who by the way are big fans of the Roots). Busdriver's new album is out on Anti/Epitaph on January 30th. More love for Busdriver at Analog Giant and You Ain't No Picasso.

DOWNLOAD: Busdriver - Les Yes's, More No's (MP3)

Gangstarr is releasing a retrospective compilation. Somewhat pointless release since they already released an arguably more complete retrospective. Pitchfork gave it a good review.

Edan and Grizzy Bear are playing the ATP Festival. Grizzly Bear are indie rock, but Girl Talk did mash them up with Clipse.

Tickets have gone on sale for EL-P's March 22nd Bowery Ballroom show. El-P is also playing the Plug Awards in February.

Slick Rick is playing Knitting Factory on February 9th with Pigeon John and live beats by Adam Deitch Project. Hopefully he doesn't get deported before then.

Classic 90's NYC rapper OC is coming out with a new album in February. Why aren't I hearing about it? Spine Mag has Yes Sir featuring another classic 90's NYC rapper Sadat X.

(Speaking of signings) Battle rapper extraordinaire Serius Jones signs with Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Piece/Def Jam label. Is there a move obvious hook-up than him getting his own Satellite Radio show with.....XM?

I could link to each element in this post - its got an interview with The Game (who's gonna "kick David Beckham's ass". ha), a Mobb Deep MP3, a six minute documentary on the making of Illmatic, a J Dilla MP3, and youtube links to some Ghostface and Nas' first video appearance.

Lower East Side rapper and Jay-Z protege Tru Life drops another mixtape mostly focused on dissing the Dip Set crew. Download some of it here.

Speaking of mixtapes, bad news for DJ Drama and mixtapes. More at the NY Times.

TheRapUp links to an interesting article on the history of crack rap.

Sean Price, Skyzoo & Craig G played Knitting Factory.

AND NOW THE CONTEST (sponsored by Ecko, iMeem and BBE)

Each prize pack contains:
* 1 limited edition J Dilla - "The Shining" T-shirt (mens large or womens medium)
* 1 limited edition J Dilla - "The Shining" Instrumental EP
* 1 CD of J Dilla - "The Shining"
* 1 Mixtape CD by DJ G. Brown, courtesy Ecko

For a chance to win, e-mail us at BVCONTESTS@HOTMAIL.COM (SUBJECT: Dilla) and include the answer to the following question: Dilla was part of two notable production collectives. One was The Ummah, known for their work with A Tribe Called Quest. What is the name of his other collective - the one that worked with Common and Erykah Badu? TWO winners will be picked randomly from the pool of people who got it right, and don't worry - your email address is safe with us.

----

this post brought to you by Undisputed Wes

Posted in Contests | MP3 | hiphop | music | tour dates at 1:19 AM | Comments (3)

January 18, 2007

Cold War Kids add 3rd NYC Bowery Ballroom show

seriously nuts. Cold War Kids added a THIRD Bowery Ballroom show. The first two sold out. Mabye it was their appearance on Letterman, or maybe their art. (thx all)

Meanwhile, member of the Black Crowes still working on selling out one.

Posted in music | tour dates at 8:56 PM | Comments (8)

LCD Soundsystem "Sound of Silver" - new album & Tour Dates

'North American Scum' video shoot (yep, for a new video)

(I've been listening to a lot of of) LCD Soundsystem's new album "Sound of Silver" (which) is (officially) out on DFA/Capitol Records on March 20th.

...the follow-up to the massively acclaimed and eponymous 2005 debut, was recorded over the summer of 2006 in a farm in upstate New York by Murphy and visitors from the big city including live band members Nancy Whang, Pat Mahoney and Tyler Pope. There, between silver foil-covered walls, nine tracks were crafted...

A Spring tour announcement is on the way, but in the meantime we know that tickets (thx Bill) go on sale Friday at noon for a March 30th LCD show at Bowery Ballroom in NYC.

It's also rumored that LCD are playing a Brooklyn show some time around then too, and speaking of a Brooklyn show - Night Time presents Carl Craig and DFA DJ Tim Sweeney at Studio B Friday night. And then of course there's DFA DJ Juan Maclean with Professor Murder at Hiro Ballroom TONIGHT.

All known tour dates below...

LCD Soundystem | March 2007 Tour Dates
Wed 7th Birmingham: Birmingham Academy
Thu 8th Leeds : Metropolitan University
Fri 9th Glasgow : Barrowlands
Sat 10th Manchester : Manchester Academy
Sun 11th Norwich : UEA
Tue 13th Bristol : Bristol Academy
Wed 14th London : Astoria (late show)
Thu 15th London : Astoria
Fri 16th Brussels, Belgium : A/B Main Hall
Sat 17th Amsterdam, Holland: Melkweg MAX
Mon 19th Koln, Germany : Stollwerck
Tue 20th Berlin, Germany: Postbahnhof
Wed 21st Munich, Germany : Kleine Elserhalle
Thu 22nd Milan, Italy : Rolling Stone
Sat 24th Toulouise, France: Salle de Tourefeuille
Mon 26th Barcelona, Spain : Razzamatazz
Tue 27th Paris, France: Bataclan
Fri 30th New York, New York: Bowery Ballroom

?? Brooklyn
?? Miami

Previously
Nike-commissioned album too long for creator James Murphy, yet even Yeti dances
The Juan Maclean @ Avalon (M*therf*cker NYE), NYC
LCD Soundsystem @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC | Pics

Posted in music | new releases | tour dates at 5:42 PM | Comments (17)

Ted Nugent offends at Texas politician's inaugural ball

"Using machine guns as props, Nugent, 58, appeared onstage as the final act of the inaugural ball wearing a cutoff T-shirt emblazoned with the Confederate flag and shouting offensive remarks about non-English speakers, according to people who were in attendance." [Yahoo]

Posted in music at 4:23 PM | Comments (2)

Peter Bjorn & John add LA date + Conan O'Brien

DOWNLOAD: Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks (MP3)

Last time we spoke, Peter Bjorn & John were only playing two NYC shows. They've since added a February 1st LA date (sold out), and a January 29th Conan O'Brien appearance. The 29th is the same day they play Mercury Lounge which is one day before they play Bowery Ballroom. Writer's Block is out in the U.S. on February 7th.

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 3:58 PM | Comments (4)

Bjork & (thievin?) Timbaland

First this....

Bjork stuff below...

HIS
"The prominent producer's next move is a mash-up compilation between different artists from various genres. Be prepared to hear bands like The Hives and Fall Out Boy mixed up with beats from Dr.Dre, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and 50 cent. You'll even find some more alternative artists like Elton John and Bjork on the disc." [Soul Shine]

HERS
"Bjork is collaborating with Timbaland for her new album, the follow-up to 2004's vocal-and-sample-based 'Medulla.' According to New York's Manhattan Center Studio, the Icelandic songstress and the hip-hop producer recently recorded there, with Jimmy Douglas (Jay Z's 'The Blueprint') acting as engineer." [AOL]

"Will Timbaland's new collaborations with Björk and Chris Martin push him higher?" [Guardian]

""[The new Bjork album] It's crazy - I'm going tonight to go hear it. It's hip hop. I can't really describe it to you - if I had it right now I'd just play it to you. That's the best way for you to understand, and I'd let you tell me what it is." [Perez Hilton]

ALSO: All-Star Joni Mitchell Tribute Featuring Prince, Bjork And Sufjan Stevens Due In Spring

Posted in hiphop | music at 3:45 PM | Comments (12)

Bright Eyes signed a deal with Polydor

I asked why the notoriously indie Bright Eyes' new website is being run by Universal. Someone was nice enough to email in with the answer - it's because Bright Eyes just signed a huge deal with Polydor Records UK - a Universal label. Polydor is also home to Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Scissor Sisters and Eminem. More confirmation:

Conor Oberst recently penned a deal with Polydor in the UK to release Bright Eyes records worldwide excluding N. America where Conor and co. remain on their hometown label Saddle Creek records in Omaha, Nebraska. [Between Planets]

Bright Eyes' upcoming album includes "guest performances from M.Ward, Gillian Welch and Janet Weiss of Sleater-Kinney. Titled “Cassadaga”, the album is due for release in the UK on 9th April 2007." April 10 in the U.S.

Other people are signing deals too.

Posted in industry | music at 2:35 PM | Comments (12)

Decemberists & My Brightest Diamond | 2007 Tour Dates

My Brightest Diamond @ Tonic, NYC | Jan 17, 2007 (CRED)

The Decemberists and My Brightest Diamond are kicking off a Spring tour together in Jersey City on March 21st.

03-21 Jersey City, NJ - Loews Theater
03-22 Jersey City, NJ - Loews Theater

Check here for the presale, and here for the regular sale. All tour dates below...

The Decemberists | 2007 Tour Dates
02-02 Sheffield, England - Leadmill
02-03 Dublin, Ireland - Vicar
02-04 Glasgow, Scotland - ABC *
02-05 Manchester, England - Academy 2 *
02-07 Nottingham, England - Trent University *
02-08 London, England - Shepherds Bush Empire *
02-09 Southampton, England - University *
02-10 Brussels, Belgium - Botanique
02-12 Cologne, Germany - Prime Club
02-13 Hamburg, Germany - Knust
02-14 Berlin, Germany - Postbahnhof
02-16 Fribourg, Switzerland - Fri-son
02-17 Bologna, Italy - Estragon Club
02-18 Munich, Germany - Ampere
02-19 Vienna, Austria - Flex Club
02-21 Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Paradiso
02-22 Paris, France - La Maroquinerie
03-21 Jersey City, NJ - Loews Theater #
03-22 Jersey City, NJ - Loews Theater #
03-23 Boston, MA - Avalon #
03-24 Boston, MA - Avalon #
03-26 North Bethesda, MD - Strathmore Music Center #
03-27 Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theater #
03-29 Wellesley, MA - Wellesley College (students only) #
03-30 Buffalo, NY - Center for the Arts #
03-31 Grantham, PA - Messiah College #
04-01 Norfolk, VA - The Norva #
04-02 Raleigh, NC - Meymendi Concert Hall #
04-04 Knoxville, TN - Tennessee Theater
04-05 Nashville, TN - City Hall
04-06 Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
04-08 Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live #
04-09 Tallahassee, FL - The Moon #
04-10 Birmingham, AL - Alabama Theater #
04-11 Memphis, TN - New Daisy Theater #
04-13 Louisville, KY - Brown Theater #
04-14 St. Louis, MO - The Pageant #
04-15 Champaign, IL - Foellinger Auditorium (University of Illinois) #
04-16 Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater #
04-18 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theater #
04-19 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theater #
04-20 Madison, WI - Orpheum Theater #
04-21 Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater #
04-22 Denver, CO - Fillmore Auditorium #
04-25 San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theater #
04-26 San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theater #
05-03 Eugene, OR - McDonald Theater #
05-04 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theater #
05-05 Bellingham, WA - Western Washington University #

* with Lavender Diamond
# with My Brightest Diamond

"Also, the Decemberists DVD The Decemberists: A Practical Handbook will be released on Kill Rock Stars on March 20." [Pitchfork]

More My Brightest Diamond dates here.

Last time the Decemberists toured, they played Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC.

Posted in music | tour dates at 2:13 PM | Comments (18)

support needed for Manhattan Music Society | NEW 3000-capacity BOWERY PRESENTS VENUE

First the Music Hall of Williamsburg, now Manhattan Music Society

Dear Friend of Live Music,

I am pleased to let you know about New York's City's newest venue - Manhattan Music Society. Like our other live music theaters at Bowery Ballroom and Mercury Lounge, Manhattan Music Society will present the finest quality performances in a world class facility. With a capacity of nearly 3,000, Manhattan Music Society will allow us to showcase bigger name performers at reasonable prices, and create a "step up" for those who have outgrown our other stages.

Unfortunately, many people want to prevent the opening of any new venues or close existing ones (even if the exiting ones are good neighbors). Since you are familiar with Bowery Ballroom and The Mercury Lounge, you know that our track record as a good neighbor is impeccable.

Manhattan Music Society is opening at 610 West 56th Street, a site that is saddled with a long history. While our plans will erase those old problems we are subject to a negative campaign by a few people, even after working closely with our new neighbors.

I am asking you - as someone who understands the quality and safety of our other venues - to help us by letting Community Board 4 know that you support Manhattan Music Society. Community Board 4 will be meeting to approve (or deny) our license at 6:00 pm Wednesday evening, February 7, at Fulton Center Auditorium (119 Ninth Avenue, between 17th and 18th Streets). I hope that you can attend to let Community Board 4 know that Manhattan Music Society will be a good addition to the community and our City, and that we want quality, safe entertainment.

If you can attend, please let me know by responding to this email and we will provide you with additional information. If you decide at the last minute to come, however, please do. A show of force is critical to keep New York as the Live Music Capital of The World.

Regards,
Michael Swier

610 West 56th Street used to house Club Exit, a multiple-floor Dave Marvesi club that was also called Mirage, Carmen, Icon and Black at times. Marvesi also owned Estate (post-Limelight, pre-Avalon, pre-mini mall) and Spa, and either owns or owned Capitale. Exit's website is still up and provides a handy e-tour of the space.

In the meantime, Bowery Presents' competitor Live Nation is also starting to throw shows at the 3500-capcity United Palace Theatre, not to mention (Barry Manilow) shows at the MUCH larger Madison Square Garden.

Posted in NYC | music | venues at 1:52 PM | Comments (11)

Bright Eyes & Universal BFF? | Ticketweb tickets

Tickets go on regular sale for the Bowery Ballroom Bright Eyes shows on Thursday, January 25 at 10:00 AM. The presale is now sold out.

And what is up with ThisIsBrightEyes.com being run by Universal?

Posted in music at 1:39 PM | Comments (0)

Bright Eyes presale now

the presale for the upcoming Bright Eyes tour is beginning now.

Posted in music at 12:56 PM | Comments (31)

NYC venues Sin-e and R&R closing?

Tim Robbins @ Sin-e (MORE)

Last night two different people told me that two different NYC music venues are closing, or already closed.

1) R&R - the short-lived meatpacking district venue is possibly already closed

2) Sin-e - the lower east side venue is supposedly closing in April.

As many of you know, Sin-é (pronounced shin-ay) was an important music venue exposing many New Yorkers to vital talent in the early 90's. Located on St. Mark's Place in the East Village, Sin-é gave wings to such performers as Katell Keineg, Jeff Buckley, and David Gray. The informal atmosphere and devoted regular audience were instrumental in creating a fertile musical scene that flourished until Sin-é closed it's doors in the mid 90's.

Sin-e re-opened in its current LES side location in 2003.

Posted in music | venues at 12:37 PM | Comments (15)

Six Parts Seven & Richard Buckner | 2007 Tour Dates & MP3

DOWNLOAD: Six Parts Seven - Stolen Moments (MP3)

"Brooklyn, NY's Richard Buckner will embark on a major US tour with Kent, OH's Six Parts Seven. The tour will have Buckner supporting his latest release, Meadow, out now on Merge Records; 6P7 is gearing up for its forthcoming disc, Casually Smashed To Pieces, out January 23, 2007 Suicide Squeeze Records. The pairing has the songwriter headlining these shows, while the 6P7 handles both opening duties and act as his backing band. The union makes for an amazing live show, with the heartfelt and engaging storytelling of Buckner cradled beautifully by 6P7's engrossing stage dynamic. The tour kicks off February 17 with a two night stand at the Union Hall in Brooklyn, NY and wraps up in April 13 at Larimer Lounge in Denver."

All tour dates below...

6P7 & RICHARD BUCKNER | 2007 TOUR DATES
2/17/07 Brooklyn, NY Union Hall
2/18/07 Brooklyn, NY Union Hall
2/19/07 Arlington, VA Iota Club and Cafe
2/20/07 Philadelphia, PA North Star
2/21/07 State College, PA Roustabout
2/22/07 Newport, KY Southgate House
2/23/07 Chicago, IL Schuba's
2/24/07 TBA
2/26/07 Iowa City, IA Picador
2/27/07 Madison, WI High Noon Saloon
2/28/07 St. Paul, MN Turf Club
3/1/07 Des Moines, IA Vaudeville Mews
3/2/07 Lawrence, KS Jackpot
3/3/07 TBA
3/27/07 Chattanooga, TN Lamars
3/28/07 Memphis, TN Hitone
3/29/07 Denton, TX Dan's Silverleaf
3/30/07 Austin, TX Emo's
3/31/07 TBA
4/1/07 Marfa, TX BALLROOM Marfa
4/2/07 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
4/3/07 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room
4/4/07 Los Angeles, CA TBA
4/5/07 San Francisco, CA Café Du Nord
4/6/07 TBA
4/7/07 Portland, OR TBA
4/9/07 Bellingham, WA Nightlight Lounge
4/10/07 Seattle, WA Crocodile
4/11/07 Boise, ID Neurolux
4/13/07 Denver, CO Larimer Lounge

6P7 SOLO | 2007 TOUR DATES
1/26 Morgantown, WV - 123 Pleasant St.
3/9 Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
3/10 Louisville, KY - Pour House
3/11 Oklahoma City, OK - The Conservatory
3/12 Dallas, TX - Ellum Festival
SXSW???
3/20 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon
3/22 Orlando, FL - Backbooth
3/24 Tampa, FL - Cuban Club

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 11:50 AM | Comments (8)

The Rapture - video casting call & Tour Dates

DOWNLOAD: The Rapture - Woo Alright, Yeah Uh-Huh (MP3)

CASTING CALL for The Rapture’s new video!

The Rapture will be shooting their new music video for Pieces of the People We Love THIS THURSDAY (1/18/07) in Brooklyn, NY and we need real fans to appear in the video!

If you are interested in appearing in our new video, please submit the following to rapturecasting@gmail.com
1) A photo of yourself
2) A short blurb about why you want to appear in the video

The production company will contact you directly if they think they can use you for the video.

Hope to see you Thursday,
The Rapture

thx PC. Tour Dates below...

The Rapture | 2007 Tour Dates
01.25 The Club at Firestone Orlando, Florida
01.26 The Beta Bar Tallahassee, Florida
01.27 Masquerade Atlanta, Georgias
01.29 Cat's Cradle Carrboro, North Carolina
01.30 Starr Hill Music Hall Charlottesville, Virginia
01.31 Headliners Music Hall Louisville, Kentucky
02.02 20th Century Theatre Cincinnati, Ohio
02.03 Rex Theatre Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
02.05 The Rave Milwaukee, Wisconsin
02.06 Birdy's Indianapolis, Indiana
02.07 The Basement Columbus, Ohio
02.09 Sonar Baltimore, Maryland
02.10 Pearl Street Northampton, Massachusetts

Previously
The Rapture & Presets played Bowery Ballroom (CMJ)

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 11:31 AM | Comments (8)

Signed

DOWNLOAD: Lordi - Hardrock Hallelujah (MP3)

* Pela signs with Great Society
* Gigantic Music Signs BiG A little a
* Domino Signs Animal Collective
* Land of Talk sign to The Rebel Group
* Call Me Lightning - signed to Frenchkiss
* Peter Bjorn and John sign to "Almost Gold Recordings
* Mystery Jets Sign to Dim Mak
* Willowz Sign to Dim Mak, Ready New Album
* The Chalets Check-In to U.S. Record Deal
* Warp Records Sign Nice Nice
* Kayo Dot signs to Hydra Head, members form side project
* The Phoenix Foundation sign to Young American Recordings
* I'm From Barcelona Sign to Mute
* THE CRIBS Sign to Warner Bros. Records in the U.S
* Bloodshot Records Signs Gore Gore Girls
* Liam and Me sign to Thrive Records
* Maserati signs to Temporary Residence
* Unsigned band make chart history
* Spike Lee Signs On to Direct James Brown Biopic
* Rough Trade Signs Licensing Deal With World's Fair
* AOL Signs Napster For Subscription Service
* Federline signed to do Super Bowl ad
* LORDI signs to THE END RECORDS

Posted in MP3 | industry | music at 10:37 AM | Comments (7)

Andrew Bird @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC | pics

DOWNLOAD: Andrew Bird - A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left (MP3)

Andrew Bird (& band) played a set of "mostly new stuff" to a sold out crowd at Bowery Ballroom in NYC last night (Jan 17, 2007). His new stuff comes out on March 20th on an album called Armchair Apocrypha on the record label Fat Possum.

The new album "Armchair Apocrypha" is finished, and will be released worldwide on March 20, 2007. Click here to read a bit more about the recording in process... we will be sneak previewing new tracks and etc in the new year.

Meanwhile, Fingerlings 3 is out now! It includes live selections from the new album, a few studio outtakes, as well as other tracks from the last few years.

Andrew's drummer was Martin Dosh.

Dosh wrote my favorite new song that they played. Not surprisingly - it had really strong drumming. Dosh has his own stuff going on too.

Andrew's collaborator extraordinaire Dosh's new album "The Lost Take" is in stores now. It features contributions from members of Fog, Tapes N' Tapes, Happy Apple, and Mr. Bird.

Here's a video of Andrew & Dosh from another show.

They opened the show with one of Andrew's best songs - "Nervous Tic" - download it above.

Previously
Exhausted Beirut show up @ wordless Andrew Bird show
Andrew Bird @ Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY | Pics
Andrew Bird @ Bonnaroo 2006 | pics, news

Posted in MP3 | music | pictures at 10:02 AM | Comments (11)

January 17, 2007

Daniel Johnston playing SXSW, other Texas shows, Canada & NYC -- plus 80 more SXSW bands

DOWNLOAD: Daniel Johnston - She's a Clown (MP3)

As you know, Daniel Johnston is playing the Higline Festival in NYC in May. Ends up he's also playing SXSW and the Over The Top festival in Toronto! This is all such good news because it wasn't long ago peole were saying that Daniel was too sick to travel.

Daniel Johnston | 2007 Tour Dates
Feb 18 - Dallas, Tx
Mar 3 - Austin, TX
Mar 15 - Austin, TX (SXSW)
May 6 - Toronto, Ontario - "Over The Top" Festival
May 9-18 - NYC, Highline Festival

Check Austinist for an updated list of 240 bands most likely playing SXSW. Check my SXSW archives for more info. Buy Daniel Johnston stuff here.

Posted in MP3 | SXSW | music | tour dates at 3:59 PM | Comments (5)

Rodrigo y Gabriela | 2007 Tour Dates (Bowery Ballroom, SXSW, Leno)

Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela are touring throughout 2007 including a stop at Stubbs during SXSW, and a much smaller show at Bowery Ballroom in NYC on March 21st. I don't know how quickly they're catching on here, but I won't be surprised if the Bowery show sells out pretty quickly.

Last time they were here they played a sold out show at SOB's. Next time Summerstage?

On January 26th they'll be on Leno.

All tour dates, and a video of them playing Letterman, below...

Rodrigo y Gabriela | 2007 Tour Dates
26 Jan - Performing on Jay leno
26 Jan- West Hollywood, CA - USA @ Troubadour, Santa Monica Blvd CA 90069
11 Mar - Sunrise, Florida, Langerado Music Festival
13 Mar - Boston, MA, US Paradise Rock Club
15 Mar - Austin, Texas, SXSW Stubbs
20 Mar - Washington, D.C. Grosvenor Auditorium, National Geographic Headquarters
21 Mar - New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
22 Mar - Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
14 Apr - Los Angeles, CA - KCRW Charity Drive Gibson Amph
23 Apr - Portland, OR Aladdin Theatre
24 Apr - Seattle, WA Showbox Theatre
26 Apr - San Francisco, CA Grand Ballroom at Regency Center
01 May - Denver, CO - The Ogden Theatre
04 May - Chicago, IL - Park West
23 May - London UK, @ Shephards Bush Empire - Book tickets

"The self titled album was released in the United States on Oct 3rd. A Mexican release followed later that month on Oct 31st. The release features an Audio CD and Limited edition DVD."

Here's a video of Rod y Gab on Letterman (Dec 18, 2006)....

In other world music news, tickets are still on sale for Knonono No 1 at Bowery Ballroom on May 5th. All tour dates here.

Rod y Gab are playing Stubbs on March 15th. Badly Drawn Boy is playing there on the 16th.

Previously
Rodrigo y Gabriela | Live at Scala (video)
Rodrigo y Gabriela @ SOB's, NYC | pics
Rodrigo y Garbriela | Fall 2006 Tour Dates & MP3

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 1:32 PM | Comments (3)

"DJ Drama Arrested In Mixtape Raid"

"The Aphilliates Music Group office, homebase to Justo's 'Mixtape DJ of the Year' awardee DJ Drama and DJ Don Cannon, in Atlanta, GA was raided yesterday afternoon by the Morrow County Sheriff's Joint Vice Task Force and the Clayton County Police. The officers confiscated over 81,000 mixtape CDs, to be destroyed, along with computers, recording equipment, four cars, as well as froze the team's assets" [Billboard]

Posted in hiphop | industry | music at 1:17 PM | Comments (14)

Patrick Wolf "Blue Bells" video from "The Magic Position"

Patrick Wolf's new album The Magic Position is out in the UK on February 26th. Cover art below....

Posted in music | video at 6:54 AM | Comments (12)

The Clipse show moved from Webster Hall to smaller Bowery Ballroom | tour in April

DOWNLOAD: lock3Down - when it's over (Clipse vs. Cause & Effect) (MP3)

"The January 24th NYC Clipse show has moved from Webster Hall to Bowery Ballroom which is great for everyone in attendance, except maybe Clipse. Remo da Rapstar, Kidz In The Hall, SkyZoo, and DJ Superstar Jay are all also on the bill.

No other Clipse dates are scheduled at the moment, but "The group recently recieved an offer to headline this year's Seagram's Gin Tour, which kicks off in April." [SoundSlam]

In other news, tickets are still on sale for Girl Talk at Studio B and Grizzly Bear at Bowery Ballroom, AND you can get an MP3 of Clipse MIXED WITH Grizzly Bear BY Girl Talk @ Pitchfork.

Previously
Grizzly Bear's 'knife' mixed with The Knife | mashup MP3
Cold War Kids sell out 2 nights @ Bowery
Clipse @ Knitting Factory - CMJ reviews & video

Posted in MP3 | hiphop | music | tour dates at 6:29 AM | Comments (5)

The Gossip | 2007 Tour Dates & MSTRKRFT remix

DOWNLOAD: The Gossip - Listen Up! (MSTRKRFT remix) (MP3)

The Gossip @ The Faversham | Nov 2, 2006 (CRED)

"In October, Jean-Paul Gaultier sent a 20-stone woman down the runway clad in lingerie, to show that beauty is universal. How we giggled. But a few months later, unrepentantly fat pop singer Beth Ditto was named the coolest woman alive. Is there a connection? The catwalk is a mirror reflecting the zeitgeist, but also the place where it all kicks off." [Scotsman]

The Gossip have some shows scheduled including April 14th at Knitting Factory in NYC. It should go on sale any second. All tour dates below...

THE GOSSIP | 2007 TOUR DATES
02-16 - Mexico City, MEX - Salon 21
02-24 - Astoria LONDON
02-25 - Academy 2 MANCHESTER
02-26 - Met University LEEDS
02-27 - ABC GLASGOW
04-04 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
04-06 - San Francisco, CA - Bottom Of The Hill (tix)
04-07 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
04-12 - Chicago, IL - The Abbey
04-14 - New York, NY - Knitting Factory

stay tuned for more dates

Previously
Gossip (Goxxip) | 2006 Tour Dates
The Gossip | remix EP, cover Aaliyah | MP3

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 5:57 AM | Comments (24)

here comes Lily Allen: 7-date MTV tour including Webster Hall show + SNL + Leno + March tour w/ SXSW + Coachella + MORE

DOWNLOAD: Lily Allen - Smile (Feather Boom remix) (MP3)

Lily Allen is already well known and famous in the UK where her album Alright Still has been out since last year. In fact, it was just announced that she's up for FOUR Brit Awards - more than any other artist.

And she's well known on the Internet where she graced many a 2006 top-album list (including my own). And she's known in indie rock-pop circles that branch out into real life U.S. magazines like Blender and URB. They both have her on the cover right now. I saw her on three total covers at Barnes & Noble actually - the third one was some strange teen mag. The URB story is online too.

She's also already been on MTV (one of them), and on late night TV too:

And it's MTV's Discover or Download that's about to sponsor a 7-date tour that includes a February 10th show at NYC's Webster Hall (no ticket info yet). It will be her 2nd NYC show - or 3rd if you count her February 3rd appearance on Saturday Night Live. (Strokes-less) Drew Barrymore is hosting that night. One night earlier (Feb 2nd), Lily will be on Jay Leno. The above video is her on Jimmy Kimmel. Conan O'Brien is in the works.

In March she's touring again and playing SXSW. It's also rumored that she's playing Coachella AND Bonnarroo. Her new label Capitol Records also has deals in the works with Clear Channel, AOL, Yahoo, MSN, Rhapsody, and Nokia - all this to promote the January 30th U.S. release of the album.

Alright, Still will be the first full-length CD in the U.S. to include u-myx software, which allows fans to create their own mixes. In addition, the U.S. release will feature two bonus tracks - "Nan You're A Window Shopper" and "Smile (Version Revisited)." The latter is a remix by Mark Ronson.

The song "Smile" will also be featured in the upcoming "The Sims 2 Seasons" video game.

We're about to be inundated with Lily. Will the US be as kind as the UK?

Previously
Dognapper sells Lily Allen her dog back?
Lily Allen calls NME 'cool list' cover 'sexist'

Posted in MP3 | SXSW | music | tour dates at 5:30 AM | Comments (15)

January 16, 2007

WiiPhone Home

DOWNLOAD: Klaxons - Gravity's Rainbow (Van She remix) (MP3)

* Nintendo Wii More Elusive Than PS3
* MS to add gaming to Zune by mid-2008
* Video: Guitar Hero II for Xbox 360
* CES Zune speaker / dock roundup
* 10 Weird iPod Accessories
* Cassette tape ripper for your PC
* Maximize your iPod's battery life
* A closer look at the iPhone
* Conan O'Brien - iPhone Commercial
* SNL -- Weekend Update iPhone Special (starring comedian Fred Armisen)
* Live from Macworld 2007: Steve Jobs keynote (starring comedian John Mayer)
* Clippy The Phone Sex Girl
* BBC - Sound of 2007: Klaxons
* Klaxons @ Club Midway, NYC | pics
* New rave doesn't exist
* Artist Profile: Stars of Track and Field
* Stream the new Stars of Track & Field @ AOL
* Download classic Nintendo games on your Wii

Posted in MP3 | dance | music | technology at 11:27 PM | Comments (5)

Land of Talk sign to The Rebel Group | 2007 Tour Dates w/ Menomena (SXSW)

Land of Talk @ The Syrup Room, Brooklyn, NY | June 29, 2006 (more)

photo by Bao

LAND OF TALK NO LONGER AN UNSIGNED BAND
"Land Of Talk will release their acclaimed debut mini album Applause Cheer Boo Hiss in the U.S. on March 20th via The Rebel Group."

"The Rebel Group is pleased to announce the release of Land of Talk’s Applause Cheer Boo Hiss. Rebel Rebel Management’s Thaddeus Rudd founded The Rebel Group in 2006. They are distributed by Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) and are based in Brooklyn, New York. To date, The Rebel Group has released albums by The Ark, Say Hi To Your Mom, and Lady & Bird. Rebel Rebel Management was founded in 2001 and manages Lucero (Liberty & Lament), the Caesars (EMI/Astralwerks) and the Teddybears (Big Beat/Atlantic)."

Regular readers of this site know that I'm already a huge fan of the album since it came out in 2006 in Canada - so I'm definitely excited about this, but even more so hope they announce an even newer album some time soon.

Starting at SXSW on March 14th - Land of Talk are going on tour with Menomena and the UK's Field Music. They play Bowery Ballroom in NYC on March 28th. Tickets are on sale. All tour dates below...

LOT + Memomena + Field Music | 2007 Tour Dates
3/14-18/07 Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/20/07 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
3/21/07 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
3/22/07 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks
3/23/07 – Toronto, ON @ El Macombo
3/24/07 – Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebox
3/25/07 – Montreal, PQ @ Main Hall
3/27/06 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
3/28/07 – New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
3/29/07 – Princeton, NJ @ Princeton University
3/30/07 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
3/31/97 – Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel

Menomena also play the Crystal Ballroom in their hometown of Portland on January 28th.

Here's the Land of Talk tracklisting:

Tracklisting:
Speak To Me Bones
Sea Foam
Summer Special
Breaxxbaxx
Magnetic Hill
All My Friends
Street Wheels

Previously
Land of Talk @ Mercury Lounge, NYC | pics
Land of Talk's first signing was to Dependent in Canada
Muppets Mashups

Posted in SXSW | industry | music | tour dates at 3:21 PM | Comments (3)

The Autumn Defense - 2007 Tour Dates & new album + Jeff Tweedy on tour too

As Largehearted Boy pointed out, Wilco side-project The Autumn Defense released their new self-titled album today (Jan 16). There's some songs from it streaming at their MySpace.

They go on tour in February, and make it to Mercury Lounge in NYC on March 19th. Their Wilco bandmate Jeff Tweedy is touring right now.

All Autumn Defense and Jeff Tweedy tour dates below...

The Autumn Defense | 2007 Tour Dates

February
08 St. Louis, MO The Duck Room
09 Columbia, MO Mojo's
10 Norman, OK The Opolis
11 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room
12 Austin, TX The Parish
14 Tucson, AZ Plush
15 Phoenix, AZ Modified
16 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
17 San Francisco, CA Swedish American hall
19 Eugene, OR Sam Bond's
20 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
21 Portland, OR Doug Fir
23 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
24 Denver, CO Soiled Dove
26 Kansas City, MO Record Bar
27 Champaign, IL Canopy Club
28 Milwaukee, WI Pabst Theater

March
01 Madison, WI Cafe Monmartre
03 Chicago, IL Park West
09 Nashville, TN The Basement
10 Oxford, MS Proud Larry's
11 Meridian, MS The Opera House
13 Atlanta, GA The Earl
14 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
15 Vienna, VA Jammin' Java
16 Philadelphia, PA Northstar
17 Baltimore, MD Fletcher's
19 New York, NY Mercury Lounge
20 Cambridge, MA Middle East
21 Northampton, MA Iron Horse
22 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
23 Montreal, QE Main Hall
24 Toronto, ON Horseshoe

Jeff Tweedy | 2007 Tour Dates
JAN-16 MEMPHIS, TN GERMANTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
JAN-17 NASHVILLE, TN JAMES K. POLK THEATER
GLENN KOTCHE supports Jan-16 Memphis and Jan-17 Nashville
JAN-19 TULSA, OK CAIN'S BALLROOM
JAN-20 DALLAS, TX GRANADA THEATER
JAN-21 MARFA, TX LIBERTY HALL
JAN-23 AUSTIN, TX HOGG AUDITORIUM - UT
JAN-24 AUSTIN, TX HOGG AUDITORIUM - UT
JAN-26 NEW ORLEANS, LA HOUSE OF BLUES
JAN-27 BIRMINGHAM, AL ALABAMA THEATRE
JAN-29 ATLANTA, GA THE TABERNACLE
SCOTT McCAUGHEY supports Jan-20 thru Jan-29 except Jan-21 in Marfa
JAN-30 KNOXVILLE, TN BIJOU THEATRE
JAN-31 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA THE PARAMOUNT THEATRE

Previously
Autumn Defense | 2006 Tour Dates

Posted in music | tour dates at 9:17 AM | Comments (0)

Flosstradamus, Spank Rock & XXXplosive (Cosmo Baker and the Pase Rock) @ Studio B, Brooklyn, NY

DOWNLOAD: Spank Rock - Put That Pussy on Me (Diplo Tonite Remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Spank Rock - Far Left (Mochipet Remixes) (ZIPPED MP3s)

DOWNLOAD: CSS - Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above (Spank Rock Remix) (MP3)

STUDIO B, BROOKLYN, NY - Sunday, January 14, 2007
All I really remember is that Kudu and their half-naked dancer left the stage around 1am, and then some mix of Flosstradamus and XXXPlosive (The Rub's Cosmo Baker included) played a lot of songs I loved, and kept me and everyone dancing all night.

Spank Rock @ Studio B (CRED)

Some time around 4am(?) Spank Rock took the mic. Soon after that I found my way home. I didn't bring a camera, so thanks go to gillianmae for the pics. Speaking of pictures, here's what New Years Eve at Southpaw looked like.

Cosmo Baker @ Studio B (CRED)

Cosmo Baker has mixes & remixes for download at his page. This was my second weekend in a row at Studio B (my new favorite venue).

Previously
Flosstradamus in NYC Sunday | Tour Dates, MP3s
the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (01/11/07)

Posted in MP3 | music at 7:43 AM | Comments (4)

Luna Lounge re-opening in Brooklyn this weekend

LUNA LOUNGE IS BACK
"Luna Lounge is located at 361 Metropolitan Avenue at Havemeyer Street - Brooklyn, NY. The nightclub will be open weekends in January and early February with a full schedule starting in the spring."

SCHEDULE SO FAR
Jan 19 - The Comas & Falcom (OPENING NIGHT)
Jan 20 - Orange Park, The Picture, & Motel Creeps
Feb 10 - The Mugs, The ios, Louis

more below....

Luna Lounge started out as a Lower East Side bar with a small back room where about 90 people could cram themselves in and see a band on any night, except Mondays. We opened in August of 1995 and kept going on Ludlow Street until our lease ran out in June of 2005. The building’s new owner had plans to demolish our building and replace it with a high rise apartment house.

Mondays were fun (and funny). That was comedy night and we were so fortunate to have the “Eating It” comedy series created by Michael O'Brien and produced by Naomi Steinberg & Jeff Singer for our entire ten year run on Ludlow Street. The show was virtually free but we did require a one drink purchase which we collected at the door. There are probably quite a few of those old Luna Lounge drink tokens which folks paid for but never turned in at the bar, floating around the drawers of old audience members’ apartments. On Monday nights people could see Demetri Martin, Christian Finnegan, Marc Maron, Louis C.K., Todd Barry, Janeane Garofalo, Lewis Black, Wanda Sykes, Colin Quinn, Ed Helms, Jeff Garlin, Jon Stewart, The Upright Citizens Brigade, Sarah Silverman and so, so many others who presented the twisted side of life in a way that made people laugh.

Every other night of the of the week, bands would do the first shows of their careers at Luna. Thousands of artists performed there. Some of the most notable performances were by The Strokes, Interpol, Elliott Smith, Kid Rock, The Rogers Sisters, Stellastarr*, and Longwave.

Now, we are located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn! Our building is centrally located and folks can get here easily. It’s a wonderful building with no columns to obstruct any line of sight. There is truly not a bad spot in the club.
This is a much larger venue and artists will be performing here from all over the world. We’ll try to keep the qualities that made the old club successful and bring you new experiences that would have not been possible in the past.

Come in and check out the new Luna Lounge…

Visit Luna Lounge's website.

Previously
An article on music venues in the NY Times

Posted in music | veggie at 7:08 AM | Comments (33)

Matt & Kim @ Studio B, Brooklyn, NY | pics

Brooklyn's Matt & Kim played Brooklyn's Studio B last Saturday night (January 6, 2007). It was great seeing the band revel in their own success as they tore through their about-30-minute high-energy set and constantly thanked the 800-something high-energy crowd for being there. The show was fun - their music is fun, and I even think stage diving is generally fun, BUT it's understandable that a venue - especially an all-ages legitimate venue full of kids - would be concerned that someone might get hurt....

...It's understandable that the venue might send a bouncer on the stage to stop anyone trying to jump back into the crowd on top of people's heads - to protect people, and the venue (from a lawsuit)....And you might say that the large bouncer they DID put on the stage next to Matt & Kim was "just doing his job", or if you were Matt, I guess you would say something like, "Please get off the stage. This show is MATT (points at self) and KIM (points at Kim) - not Matt, Kim, and YOU (points at bouncer). These people are all our friends!". (I don't rememeber the exact quote, but it was something like that)

I don't think I was the only one that thought the smiley duo needed to get over themselves a bit at that moment. Or maybe Matt just felt he was the one doing the protecting at that moment - protecting US from the big scary (no-fun) bouncer. The security staff at Studio B are a serious, and sometimes unfriendly, bunch. (and oh yeah - Matt mentioned that the security staff gave him a hard time outside the venue earlier in the night - maybe his anger was building up. Either way - it was weird).

Anyway, still a good & sweaty show.

read & see more @ Suckapants

Watercoolergossip too.

Previously
Matt & Kim | NYC, CA, & SXSW - Tour Dates

Posted in music | pictures at 6:13 AM | Comments (21)

2nd Clap Your Hands Say Yeah now available for download | Congratulations Alec on your new....bride

DOWNLOAD CYHSY - Love Song N0. 7 (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: CYHSY - Underwater (You and Me) (MP3)

1. Pre-Order the Some Loud Thunder CD anytime between now and January 29th.
2. Beginning January 16th, all customers who have pre-ordered will receive an email with a special secret link
3. Follow the link to download the Some Loud Thunder MP3s for FREE (link valid only until January 29th)
4. Your Some Loud Thunder CD will be shipped to you on January 30th.

I got myself a copy, and so far I think it's a pretty damn good second CYHSY album. In fact, it's getting better with each listen.

Don't forget you can pre-order the new Arcade Fire at Insound too.

P.S. Sorry ladies - The Guardian is reporting that Alec Ounsworth got married this weekend. (they're also reporting "He's got a children's album on the go, idle thoughts of scoring a film..")

Previously
CYHSY playing benefit at Bowery Ballroom
Alec Ounsworth & David Byrne BFF
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder -- MP3s

Posted in music at 5:46 AM | Comments (9)

My Brightest Diamond playing Tonic before touring Europe

DOWNLOAD: My Brightest Diamond - Something of an End (MP3)

Wednesday (January 17, 2007) is one of those days when there are too many good show options. I haven't even been going to that much lately, so it sucks - relatively speaking - to find out that everything is happening the same night (wah). The latest discovery - My Brightest Diamond (Shara Worden) is playing TONIC!....and it sounds good:

My Brightest Diamond takes string quartet formation and will be performing songs from their album "Bring Me The Workhorse" in a classical remix, songs from their upcoming album "A Thousand Shark's Teeth", as well as tunes by Kurt Weill and Ravel.

Other stuff I want to see Wednesday night: Anders Parker at Living Room, Andrew Bird at Bowery Ballroom (sold out), Frightened Rabbit at Northsix, a friend's comedy show, and Jackson's band (Frankpollis) at Pianos. It's also the night Cold War Kids play Union Hall.

Later this month My Brightest Diamond leaves in "rock trio formation" for a tour of Europe. Those dates below...

My Brightest Diamond | 2007 Tour Dates
25 January – Schouwburg – Deventer NL *
26 January – Lux – Nijmegen NL *
27 January – Harmonie – Leeuwarden NL *
28 January – Patronaat – Haarlem NL *
31 January – Mezz Concert and Dance – Breda NL *
1 February – Oosterpoort – Groningen NL *
* Opening for Dayna Kurtz!

6 February – Whelan's – Dublin, Ireland
7 February – Auntie Annie's – Belfast, N Ireland
8 February – ABC2 – Glasgow, Scotland
11 February – Life Café / Late Room – Manchester, England
12 February – AB Club – Brussels
13 February – Paradiso (upstairs) – Amsterdam, Holland
14 February – Gebäude 9 – Köln, Germany
16 February – Brotfabrik – Frankfurt, Germany
17 February – Mudd Club – Berlin, Germany
19 February – La Casa – Milan, Italy
20 February – Spazio 211 – Turin, Italy
21 February – Salzhaus – Winterthur, Switzerland
22 February – Fri-Son – Fribourg, Switzerland
25 February – Le Ciel – Grenoble, France
26 February – La Maroquinerie – Paris, France
27 February – Le Grd Mix – Tourcoing, France
28 February – Bush Hall – London, England

Previously
My Brightest Diamond @ Town Hall, NYC | pics (& full album stream, video, MP3, etc)
An Interview with Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond
Jedi Mind Tricks + Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond)

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 5:17 AM | Comments (1)

Scotland's Frightened Rabbit playing a bunch of NYC shows & Philly & Chicago | MP3s & Tour Dates

DOWNLOAD (MP3s)
Frightened Rabbit - The Greys
Frightened Rabbit - Go Go Girls

"A coupla guys from Glasgow pulled this one together, and it blew me away. I tried my best to spread the word, but it just didn't seem to take..." [Catbirdseat]

"Belle and Sebastian are from Glasgow, but fellow Glaswegians Frightened Rabbit are nothing like B&S. Instead, they display their city's love of another sound: rough-edged, unpolished indie rock." [Pitchfork]

The played in Brooklyn last night. Don't worry if you missed it - they're playing a bunch more (+ Joly posted a video). Dates below...

Frightened Rabbit | January 2007 Tour Dates
MON Jan 15 - Micheline's Brooklyn, NY w/ Hundred Eyes, Ill Ease
WED Jan 17 - Northsix Brooklyn, NY w/ Batman & The Robins & Overlord
FRI Jan 19 - Cake Shop New York, NY w/ La Dolce Vita, The Sky Drops
SAT Jan 20 - Sin-e New York, NY w/ The Brother Kite, The Octagon, American Devices
SUN Jan 21 - Johnny Brenda's Philadelphia, PA w/ Benjy Ferree, Public Record
MON Jan 22 - Mercury Lounge New York, NY w/ Cities of Fire
TUE Jan 23 - Empty Bottle Chicago, IL

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 4:43 AM | Comments (4)

Mark Eitzel | January 2007 Tour Dates

American Music Club's Mark Eitzel is about to play a bunch of shows...

THU 1/18/2007 New York NY - Tonic w/ Black Swans (tix)
FRI 1/19/2007 Brooklyn NY - Union Hall w/ Ola Podrida (tix)
SUN 1/21/2007 New York NY - Winter Garden (free)

All dates below...

Mark Eitzel | 2007 Tour Dates
THU 1/18/2007 New York NY - Tonic
FRI 1/19/2007 Brooklyn NY - Union Hall
SUN 1/21/2007 New York NY - Winter Garden
MON 1/22/2007 Boston MA - Middle East Upstairs
TUE 1/23/2007 Northampton MA - Iron Horse
WED 1/24/2007 Philadelphia PA - Northstar Bar
THU 1/25/2007 Arlington VA - Iota

Previously
MArk Eitzel touring January 2007
Mark Eitzel (American Music Club) | Tour Dates

Posted in music | tour dates at 4:18 AM | Comments (0)

Arcade Fire playing School Cafeteria | Neon Bible PRE-ORDER

"One of the hottest Canadian bands, the Arcade Fire, are treating Canterbury High School students to an impromptu concert. While the Arcade Fire's upcoming five-night stints in Montreal and New York sold-out within minutes, the indie rock super-group is offering an informal concert at Canterbury's school cafeteria on the evening of Friday, Jan. 19." [Ottawa Citizen]

The band is also rumored to be playing at least one more impromptu show in Canada. They've been up to lots of fun stuff actually - most of which I can't keep track of, but the coolest of which is that THEY ARE ACTUALLY ANSWERING THE PHONE AND CALLING PEOPLE BACK when they call the "Neon Bible Hotline".

Also - the Neon Bible website is full of cool stuff, they announced a European tour, a fourth track leaked, a fan made leaked-song video was pulled off YouTube, and THE ALBUM ("Neon Bible") IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. That's the cover art there to the right.

Previously
Arcade Fire visit museum with David Byrne
Arcade Fire most likely not playing Highline Festival

Posted in music | tour dates at 3:59 AM | Comments (3)

2 night tribute to The Grateful Dead @ World Financial Center - American Beauty Project

DOWNLOAD: Grateful Dead - Till The Morning Comes (MP3)

Remember when a bunch of artists honored Bruce Springsteen by playing Nebraska live at the World Financial Center in NYC? This time a bunch of artists are doing it for the Grateful Dead on January 20th & 21st:

The American Beauty Project will honor the Grateful Dead's two storied 1970 albums, American Beauty and Workingman's Dead with two free concerts under the glass atrium of the World Financial Center Winter Garden (directly across the street from the World Trade Center site in lower Manhattan). Performing their own arrangements of the songs will be Mark Eitzel, Tim O'Reagan, Catherine Russell, The Holmes Brothers, Ollabelle, Jay Farrar, Jorma Kaukonen, Toshi Reagon, Dar Williams, Jim Lauderdale, Jen Chapin, Larry Campbell, Andy Statman, The Klezmatics, Tony Trischka, and many more!

Full lineup below:

Workingman's Dead 8pm Sat, Jan 20, 2007 -

1. Uncle John's Band - Ollabelle with Larry Campbell
2. High Time - The Holmes Brothers
3. Dire Wolf - Larry Campbell with Teresa Williams and Rob Barraco
4. New Speedway Boogie - Catherine Russell and friends
5. Cumberland Blues - The Klezmatics
6. Black Peter - Jim Lauderdale with John Leventhal and friends
7. Easy Wind - Tim O'Reagan (the Jayhawks)
8. Casey Jones - Railroad Earth

Plus instrumental interludes by: Andy Statman, Tony Trischka, Kerryn Tolhurst, and David Spelman.

American Beauty 8pm Sun, Jan 21, 2007

1. Box Of Rain - Toshi Reagon with Catherine Russell
2. Friend Of The Devil - Mark Eitzel (American Music Club)
3. Sugar Magnolia - Jim Lauderdale and friends
4. Operator - Jorma Kaukonen with Barry Mitterhoff
5. Candyman - Jay Farrar (Son Volt/Uncle Tupelo)
6. Ripple - Dar Williams and Dan Zanes
7. Brokedown Palace - Ollabelle with Larry Campbell
8. Till The Morning Comes - Espers
9. Attics Of My Life - Larry Campbell with Teresa Williams and Rob Barraco
10. Truckin' - The Jen Chapin Trio

Plus instrumental interludes by: Sex Mob, Tony Trischka, and Andy Statman.

----

Last time Jay Farrar was in town to play Northsix, he also played a Bob Dylan tribute. This time he's doing Northsix and The Grateful Dead.

---

(thx Concert Joe!)

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 3:37 AM | Comments (2)

Pitchfork, Intonation, Summerfest, & Lollapalooza 2007

According to Ghost Media, this summer in Chicago is going to look something like this:

Intonation Music Festival: ???
Pitchfork Music Festival: July 14-15, 2007
Wicker Park Summerfest: July 28-29, 2007
Lollapalooza: August 3-5, 2007

Posted in music at 3:02 AM | Comments (7)

Tokyo Police Club & Cold War Kids | 2007 Tour Dates & MP3s

Cold War Kids are giving away this free EP...

"We got asked to do a Benefit at the District Lounge in Orange on September 24th with Dustin Kensrue and Chuck Regan. It was through the Breast Cancer Walk that takes place in Costa Mesa the last several years. We decided to play some covers that we like with Nathan singing and playing guitar, Jonnie on the drums, and Maust recording. It's a pretty informal loose performance but we decided to let you hear it anyway."

1. Indoor Fireworks (MP3) (elvis costello cover)
2. Fast As You Can (MP3) (fiona apple cover)
3. Die Die Die (MP3) (dr dog cover)
4. I Don't Wanna Grow Up (MP3) (tom waits cover)
5. Tonite, You Belong To Me (MP3) (lawrence welk cover)
6. The Littlest Birds (MP3) (be good tanyas cover)

Cold War Kids @ The Annex, NYC | Nov 3, 2006

As many of you know, Cold War Kids (CWK) are playing a zillion NYC shows (including one at Pianos back on January 10th, and another one for SPIN at Hiro Ballroom on December 18th). They're also going on tour in March with Tokyo Police Club (TPC). CWK headline the U.S. shows . TPC headline in Canada.

I liked CWK when I saw them at Pianos in May, but for some reason I haven't really liked their live shows since. Last time I saw them was opening for The Hold Steady at The Annex during CMJ (pic above), and they just didn't seem like the same energetic band. Well, they personally have energy (see the sweat), but the songs seemed to be missing something.

Energy or not, Pitchfork or not, the band seems to be blowing up - all their recent NYC shows this month sold out pretty quickly, and now they're headlining two April nights at Bowery Ballroom with the always great Tokyo Police Club (who are doing pretty well themselves). One of the Bowery shows is ALSO ALREADY SOLD OUT....3 months in advance. These shows will be the second time Cold War Kids play two nights at Bowery - last time was opening for Tapes 'n Tapes.

Tokyo Police Club @ The Annex, NYC | Nov 4, 2006 (BrooklynVegan show)

The CWK/TPC tour starts in March and will almost definitely hit SXSW. Tokyo Police Club are also playing the Plug Awards at Irving Plaza on February 10th. Nathan Willett of Cold War Kids is playing a solo show at Knitting Factory on January 25th. All tour dates for both bands below...

CWK in NYC
01/10/07 New York, NY @ Pianos (past)
01/17/07 New York, NY @ Union Hall (sold out)
01/24/07 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (sold out)
01/24/07 New York, NY @ Knitting Factory (Nathan solo) (tix)
04/06/07 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/ Tokyo Police Club (sold out)
04/07/07 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/ Tokyo Police Club (tix)

TPC in NYC
02/10/07 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza (Plug Awards) (tix)
04/06/07 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/ CWK (sold out)
04/07/07 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/ CWK (tix)

COLD WAR KIDS | TOUR DATES
01/10/07 New York, NY @ Pianos
01/12/07 Los Angeles, CA @ The Fold in Silverlake Lounge
01/17/07 New York, NY @ Union Hall
01/19/07 Los Angeles, CA @ The Fold in Silverlake Lounge
01/24/07 New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
01/26/07 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
02/20/07 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
02/22/07 West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour
02/23/07 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall
02/24/07 Santa Cruz @ The Attic
03/02/07 Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
03/03/07 Omaha, NE @ Sokol Underground
03/04/07 Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck

CWK & Tokyo Police Club | Tour Dates
03/06/07 Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater
03/07/07 Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave at the Eagles Club
03/08/07 Madison, WI @ The Annex
03/09/07 Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
03/10/07 Columbia, MI @ Mojo's
03/12/07 Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's
03/14/07 Dallas, TX @ Gypsy Tea Room & Ballroom
??SXSW???
03/19/07 New Orleans, LA @ The Republic
03/20/07 Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder
03/21/07 Orlando, FL @ The Social
03/22/07 St. Augustine, FL @ Cafe 11
03/23/07 Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
03/24/07 Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge
03/26/07 Mt. Pleasant, SC @ Village Tavern
03/27/07 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
03/28/07 Washington D.C. @ Nightclub 9:30
03/29/07 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
03/30/07 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
03/31/07 Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street Night Club
04/02/07 Montreal, Quebec @ La Sala Rossa
04/03/07 Ottawa, Ontario @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
04/04/07 Toronto, Ontario @ The Mod Club
04/06/07 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
04/07/07 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom

TPK | Tour Dates
2/4/2007 Casbah Hamilton,Ontario
2/10/2007 Irving Plaza New York, NY
2/13/2007 Plug (NME Club Night) Sheffield, UK
2/14/2007 Nice and Sleazy's Glasgow, Scotland
2/15/2007 Barfly (XFM Xposure) London, UK
2/16/2007 La Boule Noir Paris, France
2/18/2007 Paradiso (Upstairs) Amsterdam, Netherlands
2/19/2007 Molotov Hamburg, Germany
2/20/2007 Mudd Club Berlin, Germany
2/22/2007 Loppen Copenhagen, Denmark more info
2/23/2007 Debaser Stockholm, Sweden
2/25/2007 Underground Cologne, Germany
2/26/2007 AB Brussels, Belgium
2/27/2007 KOKO London, UK
2/28/2007 Club Fandango Manchester
3/2/2007 Popbar Barcelona, Spain

Previously
Tokyo Police Club @ Mercury Lounge, NYC | pics
The Ballet, Ramesh from Voxtrot, Tokyo Police Club & Land of Talk @ Syrup Room, Brooklyn, NY | pics
Cold War Kids @ Pianos (night 1), NYC | pics

Posted in MP3 | SXSW | music | tour dates at 2:19 AM | Comments (9)

Tunde (HikiJiki) played Tonic

HikiJiki @ Tonic, NYC | Jan 13, 2007 (CRED)

Previously
ACTOR Tunde Adebimpe (TVOTR) playing Tonic Saturday (Hiki Jiki) + Pit er Pat tour dates

Posted in music at 1:05 AM | Comments (1)

January 15, 2007

Largehearted Boy's Interesting CD Releases This Week

Every Monday Largehearted Boy now brings his "Interesting CD Releases" to BrooklynVegan...

----

Next week may be the first huge release week of the year, featuring new albums by the Shins, Of Montreal, and Deerhoof, but there are two interesting album releases this week. The Smithereens have an album of Beatles covers, Meet the Smithereens, A Tribute to the Beatles, and 70's band America has collaborated with artists like Ryan Adams and Ben Kweller for its album, Here & Now. As interesting as these releases are, my only music preorder was the Shins' Phantom Limb single.

What new releases are you picking up? Anything worthwhile missing from the list?

Al Green: Definitive Greatest Hits [cd]
America: Here & Now [cd]
The Autumn Defense: The Autumn Defense [cd]
Byrds: There Is A Season (box set) [cd]
Crowded House: Farewell to the World [cd]
Guillemots: Annie Let's Not Wait Pt.2 (import single) [cd]
Klaus Schultze: Timewind (with bonus tracks) [cd]
Klaus Schultze: Trancefer (Revisited) [cd]
Refrigerator: Bottles of Makeup [cd]
Roxette: A Collection of Roxette Hits: Their 20 Greatest Songs [cd]
Shins: Phantom Limb (single) [cd]
The Skids: Saints Are Coming: The Best of the Skids [cd]
Smithereens: Meet the Smithereens: Tribute to the Beatles [cd]
Stars of Track and Field: Centuries Before Love and War [cd]
Various Artists: Bullfrog Jumped: Children's Folksongs from the Byron Arnold Collection [cd]
Various Artists: Even More Mellow Cats 'N' Kittens: Hot R&B and Cool Blues 1945-1951 [cd]
Wanda Sykes: Sick & Tired [cd]
Woods: At Rear House [cd]

[This month, all affiliate fees from this list go to The Dog Pound, where my wife and I adopted our puppy Lily.]

Posted in music | new releases at 7:04 PM | Comments (2)

January 14, 2007

David Byrne, Of Montreal, Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer

DOWNLOAD: Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse (MP3)

David Byrne w/ Of Montreal @ Irving Plaza, NYC (CRED)

The NY Times has a great piece on David Byrne today

Perhaps more surprising is that while Mr. Byrne has been busy being a curator, sculpturing, drawing, mounting theatrical pieces about deposed foreign leaders and buying shoes, he has also become, without fanfare or Talking Heads reunion tours, perhaps the single greatest influence on the current generation of indie rockers. Four of the most hotly anticipated CDs of 2007 — by the Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, !!! and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah — are coming from bands that, each in its individual way, show a clear stylistic debt to Mr. Byrne and his old group......his conversation ranges energetically from computerized embroidery machines to a recent visit to a neuroscience lab in Canada with his pals from the Arcade Fire.....

David also recently blogged about his upcoming Carnegie Hall shows.

This has been an incredible opportunity to program this series of shows and be offered this kind of programming freedom. I sure hope I can pull it off.

Tickets for those shows here.

By the way, David Byrne never showed up at the Wainwright Christmas show - what was up with that? Not that it was a bad show - it was great. Antony showed up instead and did the most amazing cover of Blue Christmas (Elvis style). David did show up at the New Years Eve CYHSY show though - in the audience (and backstage where I heard he and Alec Ounsworth were seen chatting).

---

That's Mr. Byrne with Of Montreal in the above picture - from back when Of Montreal played Irving Plaza with Jamie Lidell for WIRED Magazine. Of Montreal are playing Irving Plaza TWICE (and other places) again in March 2007.

2007 should be a big year for Of Montreal. Their new GRAND glam album Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer isn't out until January 23, 2007, but everyone's been raving about it since it leaked months ago. You can download an MP3 above.

With their new album, Kevin Barnes takes the recipe for his glam pop excess of that last endeavor, steps up the Prince and embraces Sly Stone, adding more beats and bass to the mix, to ensure more time on the dance floor. However, with the lyrics, Barnes has turned the otherworldly absurdist character driven tales of yore, and instead turned the pen on himself. As for "Heimdalsgate...", not only is the track one of the most personal of Barnes' songs, but also one of the most straightforward pop tunes of his career.

You can STREAM THE WHOLE ALBUM TOO

(Now if only they hadn't gone and done that stupid steakhouse commerical...)

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"Barnes has recently switched to a MacBook Pro running Apple Logic Pro 7, but for the making of Hissing Fauna, Steinberg Cubase was his main recording and mixing platform." [if that quote interests you, definitely check out this article]

Previously
Of Montreal | 2007 Tour Dates
David Byrne's freak folk radio playlist -- "playing" SXSW
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, meet David Byrne
Of Montreal played McCarren Pool
Forro In The Dark starring David Byrne, Seu Jorge

Posted in MP3 | music at 6:42 PM | Comments (7)

V2 label explodes

DOWNLOAD: White Stripes - There's No Home For You Here (MP3)

"Sheridan Square has basically shuttered its frontline V2 record business as part of restructuring to focus on its catalog releases and the future opportunities presented by digital distribution......As part of that move, the company will retain the White Stripes catalog, but will no longer issue new music by the duo or other frontline artists such as Moby or the Raconteurs, sources say." [Billboard]

"Indianapolis band Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos are leaving V2 Records and fielding offers from new labels." [MOKB]

"V2 was the home to a number of acts that we cover, including Gang Of Four, the Blood Brothers, the Adored, Sugarcult, Burning Brides and the Icarus Line. The label recently made headlines by signing wildly popular punk act the Alkaline Trio." [Punk News]

"Where does that leave the Langhorne Slim full length that was due out early this year? Or the new Mooney Suzuki that was due at the end of the month?" [diablojesus]

Posted in industry | music at 2:59 AM | Comments (11)

January 13, 2007

Interviewed

DOWNLOAD: Irish interview w/ Morrissey Part 1 (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Irish interview w/ Morrissey Part 2 (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Chicago Interview w/ Thom Yorke (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: 1970 interview w/ Mick Jagger (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: 2004 interview w/ Noel Gallagher (MP3)

* Paula Abdul drunk interview video
* AT&T Decemberists performance & interview
* Nerve.com interviewed Emily Haines
* Sara Schaefer interviewed Gwar (videos)
* Pitchfork interviewed The Shins
* Stylus interviewed Lavender Diamond
* Music Sucks interviewed Alex Chow of Islands
* Interview with Jeff Magnum, bassist, The Dead Boys
* The Wire interviewed Joanna Newsom
* Merry Swankster interviewed the Ballet
* BBC interviewed the Earlies
* Weird Al interviewed Kevin Federline
* Tripwire interviewed The Fields' Nick Peill
* Popmatters interviewed Spoon's Britt Daniels
* Popmatters interviewed Interviewed Guillermo del Toro
* Wes & Ryan interviewed DMC
* Pitchfork interviewed Nas
* It's Hip Hop interviewed Ghostface Killah
* podbop interviewed CSS' Luiza Sa
* OMG interviewed Vito Roccoforte of The Rapture
* Thighs Wide Shut interviewed Lily Allen (in case u missed it)
* NPR interviewed Borat's Sacha Baron Cohen (in case u missed it)
* Time Out interviewed Barry Manilow (in case u missed it)
* Stylus interviewed Minilogue (in case u missed it)
* The Guardian interviewed Kele of Bloc Party (the famous interview)
* CIA: Interrogation guides would aid terrorists

Posted in MP3 | interviews | music at 6:52 PM | Comments (1)

January 12, 2007

We hold these truths to be self evident

DOWNLOAD: Martin Luther King - I have a Dream (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Martin Luther King - I've Been To The Mountain Top (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Martin Luther King - Declaration Against the War on Vietnam (MP3)

* Play Sudoku online
* Steve-O vs the Circus
* Fader magazine is free on iTunes
* Lady Sovereign feuds with donut
* Simon Cowell vs. Bob Dylan
* Living the NYC starving artist life
* Scariest Bar in Brooklyn?
* 4th Avenue Pub opens in Park Slope
* Judge: 20-year-old has to pay for piracy
* Ronnie Spector Stepping Out With New CD, * Hall Of Fame Nod
* EMI's Levy, Munns split confirmed
* Irresponsible Rumormongering: MTV President Canned
* 2 preteens perform with Tenacious D
* Gothamist's Week in Rock, Volume 2
* Creepy Eyes & Avant-Garde Theater in the Burg
* Barry Manilow disses Williamsburg, hangs up on TONY
* Historic NYC church vandalized
* LI man arrested for hate crime for kicking menorah
* Fighting racist police brutality from LA to NYC
* Martin Luther King Jr. - Wikipedia

Posted in music at 5:58 PM | Comments (13)

comedy show Here's The Thing moving to The Pit - last show @ Rififi w/ Slovin & Allen

Rififi comedy staple Here's the Thing is having their one year anniversary / final Rififi show on Sunday (Jan 14, 2007). The show starts up again at it's new NYC location - Peoples Improv Theater (The Pit) - on February 8th. Their final Rififi show includes guests Tom McCaffry, Slovin and Allen, Kurt and Kristen, Julie Klausner, Val Myers, and a yet to be revealed special guest.

Gothamist just published a very extensive interview with Slovin & Allen by comedian interviewer extraordinaire Ben Kharakh. The Apiary interviewed the hosts of Here's the Thing back in June.

For more comedy, check out this week's Comedy Canon. -Klaus

Posted in comedy at 4:31 PM | Comments (9)

The Apples in Stereo | 2007 Tour Dates + Colbert

"We'll be heading out on the road with our new touring group, featuring original Apples in stereo members Robert Schneider, John Hill, and Eric Allen, and new touring members including Elephant 6 co-founder Bill Doss (Olivia Tremor Control, Sunshine Fix), John Dufilho (Deathray Davies), and John Ferguson (Ulysses, Big Fresh)."

Get the MP3 from the Colbert Report performance here. Get tickets for the Apples' February 15th show at Bowery Ballroom here. All Tour dates below...

Apples in Stereo | 2007 Tour Dates
Thursday 02/08 Lexington, KY The Dame
Friday 02/09 Cincinnati, OH Top Cat's Club
Saturday 02/10 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop
Sunday 02/11 Buffalo, NY Buffalo Icon
Monday 02/12 Pittsburgh, PA Diesel
Tuesday 02/13 Washington, DC Black Cat
Thursday 02/15 NYC Bowery Ballroom
Friday 02/16 Philadelphia, PA Northstar
Saturday 02/17 Boston, MA Paradise
Monday 02/19 Montreal , QC Main Hall
Tuesday 02/20 Toronto, ON Lee's Palace
Wednesday 02/21 Detroit, MI Magic Stick
Thursday 02/22 Columbus, OH Little Brothers
Friday 02/23 Chicago, IL Subterranean
Saturday 02/24 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theatre (Late Show)
Sunday 02/25 Madison, WI Univ of Wisconsin (Madison), Memorial Union
Tuesday 02/27 Ames, IA Maintenance Shop
Wednesday 02/28 Omaha, NE Sokol Underground
Thursday 03/01 Kansas City, MO Record Bar
Friday 03/02 St Louis, MO Duck Room
Saturday 03/03 Columbia, MO - Blue Note

----

"...people can go to MTV2.com to stream The Apples new music video directed by Elijah Wood (his directorial debut) - the music video for 'Energy' (the first single off 'New Magnetic Wonder'). The video for 'Energy' is also set to have it's TV premiere on MTV2's 'Subterranean' this weekend, on Sunday, January 14. (To connect the dots, 'New Magnetic Wonder' is being released via Yep Roc / Simian Records / Elephant 6 - Simian Records being Elijah's new record label. It hits stores on February 6!)."

Previously
Decemberists on Colbert Report tonight + Colin's favs
Apples in Stereo | CMJ Tour Dates + new album + drummer
Apples in Stereo Sign to Elijah Wood’s Label

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 4:12 PM | Comments (1)

Flosstradamus in NYC Sunday | Tour Dates, MP3s

DOWNLOAD: (MP3s)
Walter Meego - Romantic (Flosstradamus Remix)
Laffy Taffy (Curtafied Flosstradamus remix)

Flosstradamus @ the Pitchfork Festival (CRED)

As David Bruno pointed out, Flosstradamus are DJing Studio B in Brooklyn Sunday night (Jan 14, 2007) (it's MLK day-eve). Well, I think they just DJ - not sure what else they might do - and Kudu is playing, and Spank Rock is MCing?, and some other stuff I'm not totally sure.

Culture Bully has an MP3 of the hot 'Twista vs Sigur Ros' Flosstradamus mashup (MP3).

Flyer, more tour dates, and other stuff below....

FLOSSTRADAMUS | 2007 TOUR DATES
Jan 11 - Kid Sister and MAYBE Flosstradamus in Vancouver @ Shine Vancouver, Alberta
Jan 12 - w/ Kid Sister in Vancouver @ Limerick Junction Vancouver
Jan 14 - w/ The Pase Rock (XXXplosive Soundclash) @ Studio B NYC New York, New York
Jan 17 - Get Outta The Hood @ Town Hall Pub w/ Special Guests Chicago, Illinois
Jan 20 - w/ DJ Gorky (Bonde Do Role) @ Houston Fine Arts Museum Houston, Texas
Jan 25 - in Atlanta @ The Royal Atlanta, Georgia
Jan 25 - w/ DJ Nephets @ Sonotheque Chicago, Illinois
Jan 30 - in LA Check Yo Ponytail! @ Safari Sams w/ Franki CHAN!! Los Angeles, California
Feb 1 - w/ Our Roommate Jarrett @ Schubas Upstairs Chicago, Illinois
Feb 3 - in Milwaukee @ The MOCT Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Feb 14 - Get Outta The Hood Valentines Day Extravaganza! Chicago, Illinois

URB MAGAZINE

Previously
the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (01/11/07)

Posted in MP3 | dance | music | tour dates at 1:39 PM | Comments (7)

ZunePhone

Posted in music | video at 11:47 AM | Comments (13)

NYC clubs Crobar, Pink Elephant & Sol reopening

I know you have other places to be, but I still thought you might want to know that, after being shut down by the cops the other day, Crobar and Sol are reopening this weekend. Sol says:

Sol is pleased to announce that it will official begin operations today, with its first party this Friday, January 12, 2007, with Sol Fridays and Sexy Saturdays at Sol. In addition, next week, Sol is pleased to welcome nightlife legend Michael T. to celebrate his 40th birthday on Thursday night, January 18, 2007 @ 10 PM featuring live performances, rock music and a unique nightlife experience.

Sol also says "The settlement reached is not in any way an admission of guilt or admission of any wrongdoing on Sol’s behalf". More in a press release below...

---

New York, NY Jan 10 -- Today, Sol is pleased to announce that it has officially reopened after last week’s closure by the NYPD and City of New York. Sol, working closely with the NYPD is taking several steps to ensure the club’s patrons a safe and fun time in and around Sol.

Sol will continue to take pro-active steps to ensure the safety of its patrons by working closely with the 10th Precinct to combat all drug-related activity in the area, and reaffirming its ZERO tolerance for drugs and violence. Sol is happy to work closely with the NYPD in helping to curb under-age drinking and fake id use. With these additional security precautions, some of which Sol has already implemented, Sol, its owners, managers and employees look forward to providing a safe legal and fun nightlife experience.

“We will be open for business again this weekend and look forward to welcoming everyone back to Sol. We will continue to be an industry leader and good neighbor within our community, serving as an example of how NYC nightlife should be,” says James Tobin, a Partner at Sol.

The settlement reached is not in any way an admission of guilt or admission of any wrongdoing on Sol’s behalf.

Sol is pleased to announce that it will official begin operations today, with its first party this Friday, January 12, 2007, with Sol Fridays and Sexy Saturdays at Sol. In addition, next week, Sol is pleased to welcome nightlife legend Michael T. to celebrate his 40th birthday on Thursday night, January 18, 2007 @ 10 PM featuring live performances, rock music and a unique nightlife experience.

---

sort of related: New York nightlife titans salute James Brown

Previously
NYC clubs Crobar, Sol & Pink Elephant shut down this weekend

Posted in dance | music | venues at 2:44 AM | Comments (0)

Old Knit (Knitting Factory) 20th Anniversary show @ Town Hall

Celebrate 20 years of the Knitting Factory......at Town Hall! Tickets are on sale for the March 1st show. There's special stuff happening AT Knitting Factory too (like four nights of Jonathan Richman), but this is just a special thing Michael Dorf is doing to benefit The Stone. The show will feature "live performances by John Zorn, Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, Medeski Martin & Wood, Mike Doughty, Joe Lovano, Marc Ribot, Lee Ranaldo, Don Byron - plus surprise guests and friends." Press release below...

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NEW YORK-(Business Wire)-January 11, 2007 - With the recent closure of two seminal "downtown" clubs — CBGB and The Bottom Line — the Knitting Factory's survival to reach a 20-year milestone is cause for celebration. Michael Dorf founded the venue on Houston Street, almost equidistant between CBGB and The Bottom Line, in late February 1987. The club quickly emerged as a home for the sounds that did not neatly fit into the categories of jazz or rock, becoming the downtown home for the burgeoning improvisational jazz community, as well as, the preferred venue for the growing alternative rock scene. This eclectic programming combined with Mr. Dorf's ambitious marketing and entrepreneurial skills quickly established the "Knit" brand as one of the important venues in New York, in addition to gaining status as an international symbol of the "downtown" scene.

Artists as diverse as Sonic Youth, Cassandra Wilson, Yo La Tengo, Cecil Taylor, and Bill Frisell could be found on the stage in a single week. From 1987 to 1994 the venue lived at 47 E. Houston Street, before the neighborhood became known as "NoLiTa". The New York Times said of Michael Dorf in 1987, "The Knitting Factory has almost single-handedly revised New York's downtown arts scene in its first six months of operation. Presenting Jazz and improvised music, along with films, poetry, performance art and dance, it's putting on affordable, genre-crossing double bills every night of the week." Rolling Stone Magazine said of club in 1991, "It's rare for a club to act as a magnet for talent, drawing a new scene around itself. But in New York City, where the Knitting Factory has become synonymous with new music, that's precisely what's happening."

From the inception through 1996, Michael Dorf was the sole owner of the Knitting Factory moving the club to Tribeca and building the recording business festival business. He created KnitMedia, during the dot-com economy, as the umbrella company to the Knitting Factory club in NY and soon to open state-of-the-art club in Los Angeles. By 1999, as the Chairman and CEO, Mr. Dorf grew to over 100 employees and worked with Apple Computer, Intel Computer, Bell Atlantic, and MCI among others, on a number of ground breaking developments helping usher in a wave of music and internet ventures. In 1999, Inc. Magazine named KnitMedia, one of the top 500 fastest growing businesses in America. New York Magazine, named Michael Dorf one of the ten most important New Yorkers that year. -0- *T Michael Dorf's 20th Anniversary Concert "The Old Knit" MARCH 1, 2007 AT TOWN HALL, NYC CONCERT AT TOWN HALL WILL FEATURE WORLD RENOWN ARTISTS INCLUDING: LAURIE ANDERSON, JOHN ZORN, MEDESKI/MARTIN/WOOD, MIKE DOUGHTY, JOE LOVANO, MARC RIBOT, LEE RANALDO, DON BYRON, LOU REED AND OTHERS. A benefit for The Stone *T

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Posted in music | venues at 2:30 AM | Comments (0)

Call Me Lightning - signed to Frenchkiss, MP3s & Tour Dates (SXSW)

DOWNLOAD (MP3s)
Call Me Lightning - Ghosts in the Mirror (old)
Call Me Lightning - Billion Eyes (new)

Call Me Lightning (cred)

Frenchkiss Records signed another band that rocks. Milwaukee three piece Call Me Lightning (they used to be on Revelation) release their album Soft Skeletons on February 20th - right around the time they start a tour that gets them to Cake Shop in NYC on February 24th. All tour dates below...

Call Me Lightning | 2007 Tour Dates
2/17 -- Milwaukee, WI -- Todd Wehr Hall on MSOE Campus
2/19 -- Chicago -- Empty Bottle FREE SHOW!
2/20 -- Detroit --The Lager House
2/21 -- Pittsburgh -- Garfield Artworks
2/22 -- Oberlin, OH -- Dionysus Club @ Oberlin College
2/24 -- NYC -- Cake Shop w/ Chariots
2/25 -- Boston – The Middle East Upstairs
2/27 -- Washington DC -- The Red and Black
2/28 -- Norfolk, VA -- Relative Theory Records
3/1 -- Atlanta, GA -- Lenny's Bar
3/2 -- Birmingham, AL --The Bottle Tree
3/8 -- Minneapolis, MN -- The Turf Club
3/14 -- Austin -- SXSW: The Red Eyed Fly
3/15 -- Hot Springs, AK -- Valley of the Vapors Fest
3/17 -- Milwaukee, WI -- Cactus Club

Previously
Call Me Lightning were here for CMJ

Posted in MP3 | SXSW | music | tour dates at 2:04 AM | Comments (4)

Lifetime's new video filmed at Cake Shop on You Tube

"Lifetime's new video "Airport Monday Morning" has surfaced online. The song itself debuted earlier this week along with re-recorded versions of both songs from the Two Songs 7" via an e-card here. The songs will all appear on the upcoming self-titled album from Lifetime. The disc is due out February 6th via the Fueled By Ramen imprint Decaydance Records." [Punk News]

You can check out the video here.

Previously
Catching up with Lifetime & The Bouncing Souls - Tour Dates
An interview with Lifetime (Ari, Dan, Pete & Scott)

Posted in music at 1:47 AM | Comments (3)

the Hold Steady playing Northsix & Stone Pony

The Hold Steady
Jan 18 - Northsix, Brooklyn, NY (presale) (regular sale)
Jan 19 - Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ (benefit) (tickets)

they're touring Europe in February

Previously
The Hold Steady @ The Annex, NYC (CMJ) | pics & remix MP3
The Hold Steady @ Mercury Lounge | Report

Posted in music | tour dates at 1:33 AM | Comments (8)

January 11, 2007

the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (01/11/07)

David Bruno is back with his second weekly installment of 'the week in dance'....

----

Thanks to everyone who came out and got busy at Element on Friday night. People Don't Dance No More is off to a roaring start. Stay tuned for news on the February 23 edition!

SYIP @ Club Element, NYC | Jan 5, 2007

Last week I highlighted the Ed Banger crew from Paris. This week I want to start to highlight some of the amazing dance talent here in NYC...

DOWNLOAD: Drop The Lime Resonance FM DJ Mix (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Passions - at war with Satan mix (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Mathhead x Mishka - Doom & Bass mix (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Mathhead - Troublemix! (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Starkey - Starkey Trouble and Bass mix (MP3)

The TROUBLE & BASS crew has been breaking down boundaries between electronic genres for quite awhile. Their core roster includes ringmaster Drop the Lime (DTL), as well as mathhead, Zack Shadetek & Star Eyes.

They've all been known to mash grime with break-core, and electro with jungle. Their only goal is maximum BASS. The crew has been involved with some of the craziest regular parties in Brooklyn, from Bangers & Mash to Mad Suspect, and their new monthly Trouble & Bass party.

Not only do they throw rippin' parties, they are some of the most prolific producers I've ever encountered. Look at these Discogs pages: Drop The Lime + Team Shadetek...insane!

DTL and mathhead just put out an EP entitled Bass Bandits on Philly's Flamin' Hotz. Pick it up at Turntable Lab. The next Trouble & Bass EP is out in March via SEED distribution.

Trouble & Bass just added two new producers that have been setting the internets on fire: Curses! and Passions. Serious Parisian purveyors of future music immediately picked up both kids. Curses! has an EP dropping on Institubes in the Spring, and Passions is putting out a single with Kitsune in March or April. Very big news for the NYC crew.

Download the above mixes, but don't listen on an empty stomach - and turn down your speakers.

NEWS

• Coolfer reviews 2006 music sales (Electronic music sells the most digital albums)


• Stylus has a solid inteview with Minilogue


• TRASH London is dead.


• Nothing But Greenlights has a missive on the non-existence of New (Neu) Rave


• Cassettte Playa makes clothes for New Ravers (pictured)

MUSIC

• Remixes every Sunday at Palms Out Sounds (Speaking of Professor Murder, pick up ANOTHER remix over there)


• BBC Radio 1 Dance Classics with Dave Pearce. Dude is pretty cheesy, but the toons are huge. Lots of rave classics that give me goosebumbs and remind me of the times I woke up naked on a beach in Ibiza. (Link is only live until the next show airs Sunday 2 PM EST)


• Put the Needle on the Record has the amazing Alors Les Filles On Fete Noel? mixtape mixed by DJ Orgasmic to promote the Ed Banger/Institubes Christmas party. (Not like they needed any help)


• Turntable Lab Radio Freshy Fresh

GET OUT AND DANCE NYC

Thursday - 1/11
House legend Frankie Knuckles' Birthday at Cielo

Friday - 1/12
Calling All Kids Turns 1 with James F!@#$%^ Friedman at Luke & Leroy
Ruff Club with Locksly & Jacksonn at Annex

Saturday - 1/13
Mad Suspect at Savalas
Friction at Sin-E (I'll be DJing between bands and throwing a New Ravey afterparty)
Detroit legend Stacey Pullen at Sullivan Room

Sunday - 1/14 (some of you don't have work on Monday)
Bowie Ball at Don Hill's
Body & Soul at Pacha
Norman Jay at Cielo
The Klash with Flosstradamus vs Cosmo Baker & The Pase Rock at Studio B

-David

Posted in MP3 | To Do | dance | music at 10:10 PM | Comments (5)

Hey Willpower

DOWNLOAD: Hey Willpower - Hundredaire (MP3)

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----Hey Willpower----
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Posted in MP3 | music at 7:04 PM | Comments (9)

El Perro Del Mar | 2007 Tour Dates (SXSW?) + Joe's Pub pics

DOWNLOAD: El Perro Del Mar - God Knows (MP3)

"This album really took me by surprise. For some reason I initially wrote it off as something twee and not my cup of tea, but then I gave it a second shot and after a few listens found myself hooked on her brand of melancholia. The songs are simple, repetitive, yet weirdly have infinite playability for me. I have yet to get sick of this one...not sure if I will anytime soon." [Grizzly Bear's Ed Droste on El Perro Del Mar]

El Perro Del Mar @ Joe's Pub | Nov 13, 2006

I saw El Perro Del Mar play Joe's Pub back in November when she played 4 NYC shows in a row. I don't think I ever posted about it because this website was all messed up at the time. It was also around the time I was obsessively listening to her self-titled album (the one Ed Droste expresses his love for above) - it was that obsessive period that led me to list her album as one of my favorites of 2006.

The Joe's Pub show was good - not spectacular or anything - she sounded like the album, so see her if you like the album (which at least one person I'm close to DOESN'T).

Is El Perro Del Mar big enough to play Bowery Ballroom? (are Under Byen?). Because that's where she's playing on March 1st. All tour dates & more pics below....

El Perro Del Mar | Tour Dates
3/1/07 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
3/2/07 - Boston, MA @ Museum of Fine Arts *
3/4/07 - Montreal, PQ @ Musee Juste Pour Rire
3/5/07 - Toronto, ON @ Mod Club
3/6/07 - Chicago, IL @ Lakeshore Theater
3/9/07 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo's (KEXP Benefit)
3/10/07 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
3/12/07 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American
3/13/07 - Los Angeles, CA @ Rec Center
3/14/07 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Café
THEN SXSW????

* w/ Under Byen & Frida Hyvonen

show reviews
* El Perro Del Mar at Union Hall
* El Perro del Mar @ Zebulon - 11/12/06
* Annuals, Evangelicals, El Perro Del Mar, and The A-Sides
* El Perro Del Mar @ Mercury Lounge, NYC 11/16/06

Previously
Sweden's El Perro Del Mar | NYC Tour Dates, MP3
My 40 favorite albums of 2006 & then some

Posted in SXSW | music | pictures | tour dates at 3:52 PM | Comments (8)

Fear the goat from the front, the horse from the rear, and man from all sides

actual Brooklyn goat

* Goatse iPod case
* NY Times: Uncruel Beauty
* Searching for John Darnielle
* Broken Angel Solution: Condos
* Street Art: What is up with it?
* Freelancers Unite in Williamsburg
* Jessica Alba In A Bikini Changes A Life
* Justin Timberlake cribs from Prince, Jackson
* 12 finalists named in Justin Timberlake Grammy contest
* Pop Star Extraordinaire Justin Timberlake Talks Alpha Dog
* My Chemical Romance Gearing Up For Extensive Touring
* Rapper Kanye West walks with HBO on reality show
* Mountain Goats: 'Michael Myers Resplendent' MP3
* Joey the goat (PICTURED) escapes slaughter in Brooklyn

Posted in music at 2:09 PM | Comments (0)

Austinist compiled a list of bands playing SXSW

This is what they came up with:

AM
Ad Astra Per Aspera
Airbourne
Amy Millan
Andrew Winton
Apollo Sunshine
Aqueduct
Architecture In Helsinki
As Tall As Lions
Badly Drawn Boy
Beasts Of Bourbon
Bic Runga
Black Helicopter
Black Moth Super Rainbow
Black Rose Band
Blindspott
Bloc Party
Brave Radar
Call Me Lightning
Carly Binding
Castanets
Charalambides
Children Collide
Chris Mills
Chris Smither
Circa Survive
Cold War Kids
Crooked Still
Cute Is What We Aim For
Danny Saul
Devin The Dude
Die! Die! Die
Dimmer
Dirty Fuzz
Eilen Jewell
Elemeno P
Emmylou Harris
Errors
Evermore
Every Move a Picture
Fatal Flying Guilloteens
Field Guides
Foals
Gasoline Cowboy
George Byrne
Ghostland Observatory
Girl Talk
Go! Go! 7188
Great Lakes Myth Society
HY
Haunt (Matt Hebert)
Hazey Janes
Hedrons
High Dials
Hoodoo Gurus
I Heart Hiroshima
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
Interpol
Jeffrey Foucault
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter
Jessie Deluxe
Josh Pyke
Kill Surf City
Kiosk
Kris Delmhorst
Kristoffer Ragnstam
LZ Love
Les Savy Fav
Lily Allen
Little Birdy
MV+EE
Macromantics
Magik Markers
Malajube
Margot and the Nuclear So And Sos
Mates Of State
Matt & Kim
Menomena
Mint Chicks
Money Waters
Monotract
Morrissey
My Latest Novel
New Buffalo
New Violators
OWKMJ (Ore Wa Konna Mon Janai)
Octopus Project
Okkervil River
Oreska Band
Ozomatli
Pagoda
Paul Kelly
Pete Townshend
Peter & the Wolf
Pig Out
Pistol Valve
Popup
RJD2
Rachel Fuller
Rahim
Rocky Votolato
Sarah Blasko
Sasquatch
Say Hi To Your Mom
Scissor Sisters
Scout's Honor
Secretary Bird
Shaky Hands
Snowden
So So Modern
Sonic Flyer
Spod
Starky
Stax 50th Anniversary Soul Review
Sunwrae
Tall Firs
Tally Hall
Temposhark
The 50 Kaitens
The Amity Front
The Big Sleep
The Black Hollies
The Caribbean
The Creteens
The Emeralds
The Frames
The Fratellis
The Gear
The Have
The Needles
The Panda Band
The Rise
The Shivers
The Soft Hands
The Stooges
The Theater Fire
The Walkmen
The Weird Weeds
The Wild Eyes
The Young Knives
The Zebras
Thinking Aloud
Thunderbirds Are Now!
Thurston Moore
Turbonegro
Under Byen
Union Of Knives
Via Tania
Viva Voce
Voxtrot
W-S Burn
Watson Twins
Wild Eyes
Winterkids
Winterpills
Wooden Wand
X-Wife
Yip-Yip
Youth Group
Zach Galifianakis (comedian)

I can also add to that list:
120 Days
Ferraby Lionheart & Broken West
Blonde Redhead
Frida Hyvonen
The Ponys & Black Lips
David Byrne (sort of maybe)
Loney Dear

& I'll have a few more updates over the next few days.

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"Last week, the Austin Chronicle reported that officials at SXSW are delaying the release of their huge band list. The rationale is that a late release will cut down on the rampant day party scene from last year since party planners won't know who is playing until late in the game. Given the unbridled love we have for day parties, we have our doubts about the effectiveness of these tactics, but that still doesn't get you a band list, does it?" [Austinist]

(thx all & props to DoneWaiting)

Posted in SXSW | music at 1:20 PM | Comments (6)

Cat Power news & MP3s

* Chan only recorded 30 seconds of Cat Stevens
* rbally has a soundboard Cat Power recording (MP3s) (as seen)
* DHH has Cat Power covering "Crazy" (MP3)
* SIO has MP3s from Chan's performance at ACL
* Cat Power playing Langerado in Florida
* Cat Power and Joanna Newsom for ATP
* Cat Power @ Hiro Ballroom | Bao got some pics

Posted in music at 11:46 AM | Comments (26)

lost Brooklyn goat now safe @ Farm Sanctuary

not the actual goat or brooklyn

"On Saturday, January 6,