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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)