« January 21, 2007 - January 27, 2007 | Main | February 4, 2007 - February 10, 2007 »

February 2, 2007

Keren Ann is playing Joe's Pub in March | live MP3s

Keren Ann plays Joe's Pub on March 12th. I saw her last time she played there. I would see her a million times. These old live MP3s are STILL UP - get 'em before they're gone.

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 6:16 PM | Comments (7)

Selfish C*nt in NYC - Tonight @ Ruff Club w/ Tommie Sunshine

Mike Nouveau of Ruff Club brings me this late-breaking news. UK punk band Selfish C*nt is playing Ruff Club @ The Annex in NYC TONIGHT (Feb 2, 2007). From the band's Wikipedia:

They are notorious for their highly provocative lyrics, aggressive stage shows, and brutal electronic-influenced rock. Their mix of electric guitar and electronic drum machines is accompanied by highly politically-charged and often sexually graphic lyrics. Due to their highly provocative image, as well as their name, Selfish C*nt have a mixed reputation amongst critics, and have had a great deal of media coverage, in spite of their low record sales and small fanbase, particularly in The Guardian, which named them as one of the 40 most important bands in the UK.

Tommie Sunshine is also DJing. For more DJ events in NYC this weekend, check out David Bruno's week in dance.

UPDATE: The band is playing Misshapes Saturday night too. (thx Jackson)

Posted in To Do | dance | music at 5:02 PM | Comments (4)

Keep your "blogging campaign" away from my comments

J just sent me this unfortunate Craigslist ad:

Date: 2007-02-02, 11:48AM EST
Contract Writing Position for Blogging Campaign

We are an advertising agency that is looking for somebody to work from 2/14 - 2/26 as part of a viral marketing campaign. The job will essentially consist of contributing to a variety of blogs and message boards. Candidates should write well and have the ability to think creatively on their feet. An interest in music and technology is a big plus.

Though this should be a fun job, it is important that the candidate understand the objectives of the campaign, work hard, and go about blogging in a very efficient and organized manner. Tracking when and where comments have been posted is just as important as the comments themselves. It is a full-time position, $10/hour for the tenure of the contract. You will be working at our midtown office location.

Please send a resume as well as writing samples that illustrate creativity.

The ideal candidate would have experience with:
-Blogging -Viral marketing -Web marketing -Excel

Those that are successful in this role will have contract opportunities in the future. We are looking to start interviewing next week.

Seriously, phony comments are a problem I'm constantly dealing with. It sucks. If you do apply for this job, please don't come around here. If you already do this job...also please stay away.

RELATED: Warner's Tryst With Bloggers Hits Sour Note

Posted in industry | music | technology at 3:56 PM | Comments (29)

RJD2 & band + Busdriver/Happy Chichester | Tour Dates

RJD2 is going on tour with Happy Chichester. Busdriver (who just toured with Deerhoof) plays on many dates. Pigeon John (who is also playing with Slick Rick at Knitting Factory) plays on some dates too.

RJD2 "will be performing for the first time with a 4 piece band and also as a DJ, both songs old and new." They hit Webster Hall on April 13th. All tour dates below...

RJD2 | 2007 Tour Dates
Fri 03/09/07 Wexner Center Columbus OH ***
Sat 03/10/07 The Dame Lexington KY ***
Sun 03/11/07 Exit In Nashville TN Happy w/ Chichester
Mon 03/12/07 Revolution Music Room Little Rock AR ***
Tue 03/13/07 Bricktown Ballroom Oklahoma City OK ***
Wed 03/14/07 Haileys Denton TX ***
Fri 03/16/07 Emos Austin TX SXSW (Pitchfork Party)
Sat 03/17/07 Warehouse Live Houston TX ***
Mon 03/19/07 House of Blues Parish New Orleans LA ***
Tue 03/20/07 Variety Playhouse Atlanta GA ***
Wed 03/21/07 Cats Cradle Carrboro NC ***
Thu 03/22/07 Satellite Ballroom Charlottesville VA ***
Fri 03/23/07 9:30 Club Washington DC ***
Sat 03/24/07 Sonar Baltimore MD ***
Wed 04/11/07 Starlight Ballroom Philadelphia PA ***
Thu 04/12/07 The Crazy Donkey Farmingdale NY ***
Fri 04/13/07 Webster Hall New York NY w/ Happy Chichester
Sat 04/14/07 Middle East Downstairs Cambridge MA ***
Sun 04/15/07 Pearl Street Nightclub Northampton MA ***
Mon 04/16/07 La TuLipe Montreal QC ***
Tue 04/17/07 Phoenix Toronto ON ***
Wed 04/18/07 Magic Stick Detroit MI ***
Thu 04/19/07 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights OH ***
Fri 04/20/07 Metro Chicago IL w/ Happy Chichester
Sat 04/21/07 First Avenue Minneapolis MN ***
Sun 04/22/07 The Picador (formerly Gabes Oasis) Iowa City IA ***
Mon 04/23/07 Birdys Indianapolis IN ***
Wed 05/09/07 Fox Theatre Boulder CO **
Thu 05/10/07 Bluebird Theatre Denver CO **
Fri 05/11/07 Abbey Theatre Durango CO **
Sat 05/12/07 The Clubhouse Tempe AZ **
Sun 05/13/07 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach CA **
Mon 05/14/07 Henry Fonda Theater Los Angeles CA **
Tue 05/15/07 Mezzanine San Francisco CA **
Thu 05/17/07 Wonder Ballroom Portland OR **
Fri 05/18/07 Neumos Seattle WA **
Sat 05/19/07 The Nightlight Lounge Bellingham WA **

** w/ Pigeon John & Happy Chichester
*** w/ Busdriver & Happy Chichester

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 3:09 PM | Comments (1)

(unpopular?) Scissor Sisters | 2007 Tour Dates & on TV

"SCISSOR SISTERS make their acting debut guest starring on NBC’s popular daytime drama 'Passions' airing February 8 and 9 (2 pm in most markets). The band will be performing two songs, 'I Don’t Feel Like Dancin' and 'Land of a Thousand Words'."

Is the TV appearance another attempt at raising Scissor Sisters' profile in Middle America? As David Bruno pointed out, Tricia Romano wrote another article in the Voice this week about the band not catching on in the US. Will Mika catch on instead? Updated March SS tour dates below....

Scissor Sisters | 2007 Tour Dates
3/02 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
3/03 New York, NY Theater at Madison Square Garden
3/04 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
3/08 Detroit, MI State Theatre
3/09 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
3/11 Maplewood, MN Myth
3/12 Saint Louis, MO The Pageant
3/13 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater
3/15 Dallas, TX Palladium Ballroom
3/16 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater

Previously
Scissor Sisters @ The 2006 Village Voice Siren Festival, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY | pics

Posted in music | tour dates at 2:45 PM | Comments (21)

V-day events in NYC -- bands, monologues & stuff

"V-DAY NYC 2007 is part of the larger worldwide campaign begun by Eve Ensler in 1998 after her Obie Award-winning play The Vagina Monologues."

"We will not only put on a production of this seminal work, we will also put together a variety of events throughout the 5 boroughs of NYC to raise awareness and funds to stop violence against women and girls."

Bands like The Choke, The Demands, The Visitors, and Locksley are involved in the following events....

V-day events in NYC
Feb 2 2007 - V-Day VARIETY SHOW AND DJ SPECTACULAR @ Hellgate Social
Feb 3 2007 - Bop 'til you drop! @ The Delancey
Feb 15 2007 - "The Vagina Monologues" @ The Cutting Room
Feb 20 2007 - VIRMA CARAMIA BENEFIT PERFORMANCE @ Kenny's Castaway
Feb 23 2007 - Rockin' Your Vaginas @ The Charleston
Feb 25 2007 - "The Vagina Monologues" @ Sage Theater

More info at the V-Day site.

Posted in To Do | music at 2:01 PM | Comments (3)

Sufjan to perform with a string quartet & Amiina @ The 2007 Music Now Festival in Ohio

DOWNLOAD: Sufjan Stevens - Holland (MP3)

Waiting to get a Sufjan ticket (BIGGER) (more info)

Sufjan Stevens (appearing with a string quartet), Amiina (Icelandic string quartet), My Brightest Diamond (not a string quartet), Pedro Soler, Clogs, and Vojtech & Irena Havel are among those perfroming at this year's Music Now Festival
in Ohio - April 5-7.

Also
* Amiina is touring
* My Brightest Diamond touring w/ Decemberists
* Sufjan in DC - quickly "sold out"

Sufjan is also playing Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI w/ Anathallo on March 30th.

Posted in music | tour dates at 1:42 PM | Comments (0)

Rob Crow (Pinback) & Genghis Tron | 2007 Tour Dates

DOWNLOAD: Rob Crow - I Hate You, Rob Crow (Single Version) (MP3)

Rob Crow, of Pinback, Goblin Cock and other fame, and who also has a new solo album out, is touring throughout February and March. Tickets are on sale for Rebel (Manhattan) on March 1st and Southpaw (Brooklyn) on March 2nd. The Rebel show has Genghis Tron opening. Genghis Tron is then going on tour with Kylesa. Everyone is playing SXSW. All dates below...

Rob Crow | 2007 Tour Date
02.14 @ Casbah, San Diego, CA
02.15 @ Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA
02.16 @ Mezzanine, San Francisco, CA
02.17 @ Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
02.18 @ Doug Fir Lounge, Portland, OR
02.19 @ Chop Suey, Seattle, WA
02.22 @ 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN
02.23 @ Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL
02.24 @ Mad Planet, Milwaukee, WI
02.26 @ Grog Shop, Cleveland, OH
02.27 @ Soundlab, Buffalo, NY
02.28 @ TT the Bears, Cambridge, MA w/ Genghis Tron
03.01 @ Rebel, New York, NY w/ Genghis Tron
03.02 @ Southpaw, Brooklyn, NY
03.03 @ North Star, Philadelphia, PA
03.04 @ Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
03.06 @ Wetlands Dance Hall, Chapel Hill, NC
03.07 @ Village Tavern, Mt. Pleasant, SC
03.08 @ The Social, Orlando, FL
03.09 @ Common Grounds, Gainesville, FL
03.10 @ The Earl, Atlanta, GA
03.11 @ Lamar, Chattanooga, TN
03.15-17 @ SXSW

Genghis Tron & Kylesa | 2007 Tour Dates
Mar 8: Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church w/ Ultradolphins
Mar 9: Buffalo, NY @ Soundlab
Mar 10: Oberlin, OH @ Oberlin College
Mar 11: Louisville, KY @ Keswick Democratic Club
Mar 12: Memphis, TN @ Rally Point
Mar 13: New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks w/ Stinking Lizavetta, Child Abuse
Mar 15: Austin, TX @ SxSw
Mar 16: Austin, TX @ SxSw
Mar 17: Austin, TX @ Snake Eyes Vinyl (daytime party)
Mar 17: Corpus Christi, TX @ Zero's
Mar 18: San Antonio, TX @ Sanctuary
Mar 20: Phoenix, AZ @ Modified Arts
Mar 21: Riverside, CA @ Parkview
Mar 22: San Diego, CA @ Che Cafe
Mar 23: Southern California @ TBA
Mar 24: Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory (Murderfest w/ Athiest, Obituary, Repulsion, and more)
Mar 25: San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
Mar 27: Oakland, CA @ Hazmat (early show)
Mar 27: Oakland, CA @ Uptown w/ Totimoshi (21+)
Mar 28: Arcata, CA @ TBA
Mar 29: Portland, OR @ Satyricon
Mar 30: Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
Mar 31: Vancouver, BC @ TBA
Apr 1: Spokane, WA @ BLVD
Apr 2: Boise, ID @ The Bouquet
Apr 4: Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive
Apr 5: Wichita, KS @ Headway Park
Apr 6: Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge
Apr 7: St. Louis, MO @ Creepy Crawl
Apr 8: Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Apr 9: Traverse City, MI @ American Legion Hall
Apr 10: Grand Rapids, MI @ DAAC
Apr 11: Southgate, MI @ Modern Exchange
Apr 12: Pittsburgh, PA @ Lawrenceville Moose w/ Microwaves

Genghis Tron are also playing with Oneida and Parts & Labor @ Vassar College on February 17th.

PReviously
Pinback @ Northsix, Brooklyn, NYC | pics
Genghis Tron & Akimbo @ Knitting Factory, NYC | pics

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 12:20 PM | Comments (4)

Dean & Britta (Luna) | March 2007 Tour Dates

(Dean &) Britta @ Mo Pitkins, NYC | Jan 23, 2007 (CRED)

Dean and Britta are going on a tour in march that DOES NOT include a stop at SXSW, but does include a show at Hiro Ballroom in NYC on March 30. All tour dates below...

Dean & Britta | 2007 Tour Dates
March 8 Philadelphia World Café Live
March 9 Boston Museum of Fine Arts
March 10 Montreal Main Hall
March 12 Toronto Mod Club Theatre
March 13 Pittsburgh Dowe’s
March 14 Cleveland Beachland Ballroom
March 15 & 16 Chicago Schubas Tavern
March 17 Minneapolis Cedar Cultural Center
March 19 Madison, WI High Noon
March 20 Indianapolis The Music Mill
March 22 Nashville Mercy Lounge
March 23 Atlanta Variety Playhouse
March 24 Carrboro Cat’s Cradle
March 30 New York Hiro Ballroom

Previously
Dean & Britta (Luna) | 3 NYC dates + March tour

Posted in music | tour dates at 12:00 PM | Comments (0)

Voxtrot | 2007 Tour Dates, Ramesh, etc..

Everyone's been like, "what happened to Voxtrot?" and "What's all this nonsense about Peter Bjorn and John", and even "We want more Ramesh!", so in the name of catching up, here's one, two, and now THREE Voxtrot-related posts in the course of 24 hours....

Voxtrot are touring with Au Revoir Simone. They play Webster Hall in NYC on June 15th. Pitchfork talked to Ramesh about the new album. All tour dates below...

Voxtrot | 2007 Tour Dates
02-21 London, England - Water Rats
02-22 Manchester, England - Night and Day
02-24 Glasgow, Scotland - The Hold
02-25 London, England - Astoria (NME Awards Show) *
02-28 Paris, France - La Fleche d'Or
03-02 Berlin, Germany - Mudd Club
03-03 Hamburg, Germany - Molotov
03-14-15 Austin, TX - SXSW (more info)
05-25 Austin, TX - Emo's #
05-29 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey #
05-30 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall #
06-01 Portland, OR - Doug Fir #
06-02 Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe #
06-05 Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock #
06-06 Grand Rapids, MI - Intersection #
06-07 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick #
06-08 Toronto, Ontario - Sneaky Dee's #
06-11 Cleveland, OH - Beachland #
06-12 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar #
06-13 Washington, DC - Black Cat #
06-14 Boston, MA - Middle East #
06-15 New York, NY - Webster Hall #
06-16 Philadelphia, PA - Pure

* with the Shins
# with Au Revoir Simone

"The album doesn't have a name yet, but Ramesh is leaning toward either a self-titled affair ('I guess it's the first time we're presenting ourselves to a lot of people, so maybe we'll just name it after us') or (said in jest) Remember Us From the Blogs? At least we think he's joking." [Pitchfork]

Previously
Voxtrot playing SXSW
Sparrow House (Voxtrot) & Adem | 2007 Tour Dates & Tonight

Posted in SXSW | music | tour dates at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)

The Roots & Lupe Fiasco | 2007 Tour Dates

The Roots and Lupe Fiasco are touring, and they're now playing THREE NYC shows:

Sat 03/10/07 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall (tickets?)
Sun 03/11/07 New York, NY Nokia Theatre (tickets)
Mon 03/12/07 New York, NY Nokia Theatre (tickets)

All Tour Dates below...

The Roots | 2007 Tour Dates (some w/ Lupe)
Fri 02/02/07 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
Sat 02/03/07 Seattle, WA The Showbox
Mon 02/05/07 Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
Wed 02/07/07 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Thu 02/08/07 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Sat 02/10/07 Universal City, CA Gibson Amph. At Univ. CityWalk * & Jill Scott & Akon
Mon 02/12/07 San Diego, CA House Of Blues *
Wed 02/14/07 Anaheim, CA House Of Blues
Fri 02/16/07 Park City, UT Harry O's *
Sat 02/17/07 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium *
Mon 02/19/07 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room & Ballroom *
Tue 02/20/07 Austin, TX Stubb's Barbeque *
Thu 02/22/07 New Orleans, LA House Of Blues *
Sat 02/24/07 Lake Buena Vista, FL House Of Blues
Sun 02/25/07 Fort Lauderdale, FL Revolution
Sat 03/03/07 North Myrtle Beach, SC House Of Blues
Sun 03/04/07 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle *
Wed 03/07/07 Norfolk, VA The NorVa *
Thu 03/08/07 Baltimore, MD Meyerhoff Symphony Hall *
Fri 03/09/07 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall *
Sat 03/10/07 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall *
Sun 03/11/07 New York, NY Nokia Theatre *
Mon 03/12/07 New York, NY Nokia Theatre *
Tue 03/13/07 Boston, MA Avalon *
Sat 03/17/07 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre *
Sun 03/18/07 Milwaukee, WI The Rave Eagles Club
Tue 03/20/07 Maplewood, MN Myth
Thu 03/22/07 Saint Louis, MO The Pageant
Sat 03/24/07 Toronto, ON Kool Haus
Sun 03/25/07 Montreal, QC Metropolis
Sat 03/31/07 Fremantle, AUS Esplanade West Coast Blues N Roots Festival
Tue 04/03/07 Philadelphia, PA Kimmel Center For The Perf. Arts
Wed 04/04/07 Philadelphia, PA Kimmel Center For The Perf. Arts
Sat 04/07/07 Byron Bay, AUS Red Devil Park East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival
Sun 04/08/07 Sydney, AUS Newington Armory The Great Escape
Tue 04/10/07 Sydney, AUS Enmore Theatre
Thu 04/12/07 Adelaide, AUS Thebarton Theatre
Fri 04/13/07 Melbourne, AUS Metro
Sat 04/14/07 Perth, AUS Metro City
Sun 04/29/07 Indio, CA Empire Polo Field Coachella *

* w/ Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiaso (no Roots) | 2007 Tour Dates
Feb 2 2007 Clark Hall Rochester, New York
Feb 5 2007 Memorial Hall Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Feb 13 2007 HipHopDX.com - Magic/NBA All Star Jump Off Party @ Empire Ballrooom w/t Little Brother Las Vegas, Nevada
Feb 24 2007 UC Riverside - LOT 30 Riverside, California

Previously
Lupe Fiasco playing Radio City w/ The Roots | Tour Dates
The Roots & Talib Kweli @ Webster Hall, NYC | pics & review
Kanye West played w/ Lupe Fiasco @ SOB's ++ Lupe wants Pink Floyd ++ Jill Scott video
My 40 favorite albums of 2006 & then some
Wes' Top Hip Hop Records of 2006

Posted in hiphop | music | tour dates at 11:01 AM | Comments (4)

Beirut, Voxtrot, The Mountain Goats, Mastodon, Okkervil River & more will join Blonde Redhead & others at SXSW

DOWNLOAD: Beirut - Elephant Gun (MP3 from new EP)

Not only is Beirut about to come out of hiding, check out the two-stage Beggars lineup happening at Emo's at SXSW this year:

Inside Room (Beggars):

• Voxtrot (playlouder)


• CALLA (Beggars Banquet)


• The Early Years (Beggars Banquet)


• Future Of The Left (too pure)


• iLiKETRAiNS (Beggars Banquet)

Outside Room (4AD):

• Blonde Redhead


• The Mountain Goats


• Beirut


• Emma Pollock


• Wolf & Cub

What's crazy about SXSW is that as amazing as that show seems, when the day comes you still have to weigh it against like 100 other options.

In other Beirut news, Zach is currently holed up in New Mexico, resting, and working on a new album. The rest of the world is listening to his awesome EP that just came out called "Lon Gisland" (get it? Long Island):

You can buy it at Insound who have also announced a little SXSW party of their own:

Friday, March 16th-
Le Tigre, Death & Taxes Magazines, and Hot Freaks Present Insound SXSW w/

** Shout Out Out Out, Pelican, Walter Meego, Black Lips & Apes and Androids **

@ Club Deville- 900 Red River, Austin, TX.
Noon-6pm, $3 at door. Free beer & bbq.

That party is in direct competition with the Pitchfork party.

PLUS, I don't think I ever mentioned that Mastodon and Okkervil River are also playing SXSW this year.

We already know there will be Satellite Party, The Good The Bad and The Queen, Willie Nelson (sort of), Amy Winehouse, Daniel Johnston, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and many others (and here and here).

Blonde Redhead is also touring.

And in other Voxtrot news, don't be surprised if you run into any one of them in NYC for the next couple of weeks. Like Jared, they're all here visiting.

**BONUS**: Beirut's McCarren Pool show was taped, and you can download it

Posted in MP3 | SXSW | music at 9:15 AM | Comments (5)

February 1, 2007

Sparrow House (Voxtrot) & Adem | 2007 Tour Dates & Tonight

DOWNLOAD: Sparrow House - When I am Gone (MP3)

Sparrow House (aka Jared Van Fleet from Voxtrot) is in town to work on the new Voxtrot record (due out some time this year). Adem is in town to play for David Byrne at Carnegie Hall. Tonight (Feb 1, 2007) Adem & Sparrow House join Luke Temple for one big-small show at Union Hall in Brooklyn. Tickets are still on sale, or get them at the door. Adem is also playing a free show at Other Music tonight @ 8:00.

Sparrow House plays again at Mercury Lounge on February 13th - with Andrew Kenny of American Analog Set. Adem is going on tour in March with Badly Drawn Boy. They'll all be at SXSW. All dates below....

Adem | 2007 Tour Dates
2/1/07 - New York, NY @ Other Music Instore (8pm)
2/1/07 - Brooklyn, NY @ Union Hall
2/2/07 - New York, NY @ Carnegie Hall (Welcome To Dreamland)
3/3/07 - Philadelphia, PA @ TLA *
3/5/07 - Boston, MA @ Somerville Theatre *
3/6/07 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club *
3/7/07 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall *
3/9/07 - Detroit, MI @ Majestic Theatre *
3/10/07 - Chicago, IL @ Metro *
3/11/07 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line Music Café *
3/13/07 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In *
3/14/07 - Atlanta, GA @ The Loft *
3/16/07 - Austin, TX @ SXSW
3/18/07 - Boulder, CO @ Fox Theatre *
3/19/07 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge *
3/21/07 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues *
3/22/07 - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey *
3/23/07 - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall *
3/25/07 - Portland, OR @ Aladdin Theatre *
3/26/07 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo's *
*w/ Badly Drawn Boy

Sparrow House | 2007 Tour Dates
Feb 1 2007 - union hall w/ adem Brooklyn, New York
Feb 13 2007 - mercury lounge w/ andrew kenny New York

Previously
David Byrne's freak folk radio playlist -- "playing" SXSW
Sparrow House is Voxtrot's Jared Van Fleet (solo)

Posted in MP3 | SXSW | music | tour dates at 3:57 PM | Comments (3)

the week in Dance w/ David Bruno (02/01/07)

DOWNLOAD: Switch (DJ Set) in Budapest July 2006 (MP3)

NYC PARTY ALERT
SWITCH --> THURSDAY FEBRUARY 8th at CIELO

Switch (aka Dave Taylor, aka Solid Groove, aka etc...) the big boss man of Dubsided records, the father of Fidget, the sultan of Wobble, drops into Cielo for his first proper NYC headline spot on the first stop of his quick US Tour.

If you've been on a dancefloor in the past year, you've heard a Switch remix. Using destructive low-end bass, a warped, stuttering kick, and a slew of hip-hop devices; Dave's one of the few producers pushing house music forward. He's (officially) given the wobble to a diverse collection of artists ranging from Jaydee to P.Diddy to the Futureheads. Don't even get me started on the bootlegs...

2007 will see Dave produce the new M.I.A album and continue his world domination of speaker junking remixes. Download:

• the Switch remix of The Black Ghosts' Face @ Shot Callin'.


• Partytack has one Switch did for P Diddy and Christina Aguilera.


• Robbie Williams and The Chemical Brothers at iPop.

See Switch while he's touring:

SWITCH | 2007 Tour Dates
Thursday February 8th - Cielo New York NY
Friday February 9th - Smart Bar Chicago IL
Saturday February 10th - Footwork Toronto ON
Sunday February 11th - Manhattan Room Philadelphia PA
Tuesday February 13th - Safari Sams Hollywood CA
Thursday February 15th - Mezzanine San Francisco CA
Friday February 16th - Stingaree San Diego CA

Dance to the underground sound.

NEWS

• The Pop Manifesto has great interviews with Tim Sweeney, Black Strobe, and Prinzhorn Dance School


• Tricia Romano takes on the Scissor Sisters conundrum


• The Villager looks into Dubspot and the value of a "DJ School"


• Stylus talked to Jamie Lidell


• Nick Warren tries to sell you his new Global Underground disc

MUSIC

• Discobelle has a Sinden Minimix


• Acid Girls has a killer new Guns'n'Bombs Mixtape


• Le indiefferenti has the Klaxons covering Justin Timberlake's My Love


• These Rocks Pop have Justice's new, new track

DO A LITTLE DANCE NYC.....

Thursday - 2/1
* The Glass at Galapagos

Friday - 2/2
* Dirty Down at Lit
* Hello, Nurse! with Egyptian Lover at Studio B
* Derrick Carter at Duvet

Saturday - 2/3
* Trouble & Bass at Boogaloo
* Trentemoller at Bank at Element
* Z-Trip & Plastic Little at Studio B (Tickets)
* Nightflight (TECHNO!) throwdown at Galapagos

Sunday - 2/4
* Nick Warren at Cielo

-david

Posted in MP3 | To Do | dance | music at 2:12 PM | Comments (8)

Kiri Te Kanawa doesn't approve of the underwear tossing

"Kiri Te Kanawa testified Thursday she pulled out of concerts with veteran crooner John Farnham after learning that women flung their underwear at him during his performances — and he held them like a 'trophy'." [Yahoo]

Posted in music at 12:40 PM | Comments (7)

Xiu Xiu & Sunset Rubdown | 2007 Tour Dates

DOWNLOAD: Xiu Xiu - Clowne Towne (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Sunset Rubdown - Stadiums And Shrines II (MP3)

Xiu Xiu @ Mercury Lounge, NYC | Oct 12, 2006 (CRED)

Hardly something to complain about, but one possible downside of the vibrant music scene in NYC is the inevitability that a band like the Hold Steady would never play on the same bill as a band like The Thermals anymore. Why should they when they can each sell out Bowery Ballroom on their own? The same goes for Xiu Xiu and Sunset Rubdown who are touring together, but not in NYC.

Tickets are on sale for Xiu Xiu with Shearwater and Casiotone For The Painfully Alone at Bowery Ballroom on April 8th. Tickets are also on sale for Sunset Rubdown and Katie Eastburn at Bowery Ballroom on May 4th. All tour dates for both bands below...

Xiu Xiu & Sunset Rubdown | 2007 Tour Dates
04-12 Toronto, Ontario - Lee's Palace
04-13 Ann Arbor, MI - Blind Pig
04-14 Bloomington, IN - WUIX Culture Shock at Indiana University
04-16 Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
04-17 Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
04-19 Seattle, WA - Neumos
04-20 Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
04-22 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
04-23 San Francisco, CA - Bottom of the Hill
04-24 Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour

Then again - Toronto, San Fran, LA, Portland, and LA are pretty popular music places too. I guess we just didn't get lucky this time....

Xiu Xiu | 2007 Tour Dates
03-25 Phoenix, AZ - Paperheart *
03-26 Tucson, AZ - Solar Culture *
03-27 Santa Fe, NM - College of Santa Fe *
03-28 Oklahoma City, OK - Conservatory *
03-29 Austin, TX - Emo's *#
03-30 Baton Rouge, LA - Red Star Bar *#
03-31 Birmingham, AL - BottleTree Cafe *#
04-01 Murfreesboro, TN - Casa Burrito *#
04-02 Durham, NC - Duke Coffee House *#
04-03 Wilmington, NC - Bella Festa *#
04-04 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel *#
04-05 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar *#
04-06 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church *#
04-07 Cambridge, MA - T.T. the Bear's Place *#
04-08 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom *#
04-11 Montreal, Quebec - Club Lambi

* with Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
# with Shearwater

Sunset Rubdown & Katie Eastburn | 2007 Tour Dates
04-25 Phoenix, AZ - Modified
04-27 Austin, TX - Emo's
04-28 Denton, TX - Hailey's
04-30 Atlanta, GA - Drunken Unicorn
05-01 Charleston, SC - Map Room
05-02 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel
05-03 Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church
05-04 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
05-05 Cambridge, MA - Middle East

Last time Sunset Rubdown played 2 nights at Bowery.

Last time Xiu Xiu played one night at Bowery and one at Mercury.

(dates via PF)

Previously
Sunset Rubdown @ Mercury Lounge, NYC | pics (night 2)
Xiu Xiu @ Misshapes

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 12:26 PM | Comments (17)

Streetlab remixes + Professor Murder opening for Matt & Kim

DOWNLOAD: Professor Murder - Free Stress Test (streetlab remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Prophet Omega - Hit the Deck (streetlab remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter (streetlab remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Led Zeppelin - The Immigrant Song (streetlab remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: INXS - Need You Tonight (streetlab remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Chemical Brothers - Galvanize (streetlab remix) (MP3)

DOWNLOAD: Smashing Pumpkins - Starla (streetlab remix) (MP3)

Streetlab = the Brooklyn remix team consisting of Mark Lamorg ( a.k.a. coZ ) and Ryan Leary. Some of their tracks, Professor Murder included, are linked for download above. More at their site.

Professor Murder is opening for Matt & Kim at Bowery Ballroom on March 9th. Tickets are still on sale.
More Professor Murder remixes here and here.

Posted in MP3 | music | tour dates at 10:49 AM | Comments (5)

Nublu Orchestra w/ Kudu & Brazilian Girls playing Bowery

Nublu is coming to Bowery Ballroom:

"with this recording nublu, in its fourth year as an alternative music venue here on new york city's lower east side presents its eponymous orchestra under the ubiquitous baton of renowned conductionist lawrence d. "butch" morris. known for his method of composing in real time through a system of signals of his invention that allows him to organize a vocabulary of sound and rhythm coaxed extemporaneously from an orchestra into coherent compositions as they are imparted (much like skywriting, where puffs of seemingly indiscriminate smoke become language under the amazed eye, or action painting), mr.morris herein directs a protean assembly culled from the personnel of various nublu repertory bands such as wax poetic, love trio, kudu and brazilian girls.

what ensues is a genre-bending landscape of collaborative composition that at times brings to mind the free jazz collaborations of ornette coleman and eric dolphy, while at others that electronic music of oliver messien or scriabin seasoned with more than a hint of funk. imagine all the serialists under one tent with george russell. –john farris, nyc

Tickets are on sale for "Nublu Orchestra Conducted by Butch Morris plus Kudu / Love Trio & Brazilian Girls" @ Bowery Ballroom in NYC on February 14, 2007. There's a video of Nublu Orchestra on YouTube.

Posted in music | tour dates at 10:20 AM | Comments (1)

Jarvis Cocker | 2007 Tour Dates

Jarvis Cocker is coming...to North America. The debonair Pulp frontman will support the Stateside release of his debut solo album, Jarvis, with a string of performances surrounding his appearance at Coachella on April 27." [Pitchfork]

Jarvis Cocker | 2007 Tour Dates
04-23 New York, NY - Webster Hall
04-27 Indio, CA - Empire Polo Field (Coachella)
04-28 San Francisco, CA - Fillmore
04-30 Seattle, WA - Showbox

Members of Blur and Verve hit Webster Hall and Coachella soon too.

Posted in music | tour dates at 10:06 AM | Comments (20)

Klaus Kinski's Comedy Canon (02/01/07)

Klaus came down with the flu since the last Canon, but he's stopped vomiting long enough to bring us this week's edition of the Comedy Canon...

Todd Barry as Kiss @ Yo La Tengo Hanukkah show (via)

Proving my point once again that the relationship between alternative comedy and music is no coincidence, Todd Barry will be (or already has, depending on when you read this) opening for Yo La Tengo on two of their Florida dates. He will join them on 1/31 at Studio A in Miami and on 2/1 at the State Theater in St. Petersburg. Todd also just opened for Sarah Silverman at Caroline's on January 30th, and his upcoming shows unclude Emo's in Austin, TX on March 9th. Todd was also on Sesame Street once.

And speaking of Sarah Silverman, the NY Times thinks her new program "about nothing is quite funny". The Star Ledger says it "isn't for everyone". The Onion interviewed her boyfriend Jimmy Kimmel.

But the BIG news of the week is the announcement by The Apiary that their new LA-based satellite comedy site The Coming is now live. The Apiary is New York City's number one source for news and gossip in the world of underground comedy. From the press release:

The Coming will follow the blogging methods and practices set by The Apiary and its Chicago sister site, The Bastion, by documenting improv, stand up, sketch, comedic theatre, internet news, deals, industry events, local happenings, and ALL of the things that effect THE WORLD AROUND YOU. The Coming is edited by Los Angeles inhabitant/comedy fan, Rick Paulas, an editor of Duct Tape and Rouge, and contributor to McSweeney's Internet Tendency. Kurt Adam is a contributing writer.

I cannot overstate the sheer greatness of the LA comedy scene; where else can you see Bob Odenkirk, Paul F. Tompkins, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Nick Swardson, and Maria Bamford for a mere $5.00? Thank cod The Coming is here. At last.

Here are some highly recommended shows

• 2/2/07 & 2/9/07, UCB Theater: Rebecca Drysdale: Two nights only!


• 2/3/07: The Walsh Bros. Show: Brothers Chris and David Walsh bring their insanely funny show from Boston to NYC for 1 night only. Reservations STRONGLY suggested, dude .


• 2/6/07, UNION HALL: Laugh Don't Destroy Comedy Night: An evening of comedy featuring Baron Vaughn, Michael Showalter, Eugene Mirman, Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal and more! Buy tickets at the door. First come, first served


• 2/6/07, The Pit: Here's The Thing: After an amazing year at Rififi, Here's The Thing begins it's residency at The Pit. This show features Pete Holmes, Tom Mccaffrey, Heather Lawless, John Mullaney and Chelsea Peretti


• 2/8/07, UCB THEATER: A Muthaf*ckin' Evening with Fabrice Fabrice: This is probably the funniest show on earth. If you don't make a reservation now, you ain't getting in.


• 2/10/07, UCB THEATER: The Al Pacino School of Acting: I've never seen this show, but it sounds awesome.

Brett Gelman and Horatio Sanz @ UCB, NYC | Dec 20, 2006 (CRED)

In Other News

Could Burn Baby Burn be one of the best things to happen to NYC comedy in recent memory? Taking place at Rififi and hosted by Brett Gelman and Jon Daly, the January 23rd show featured David Cross, Todd Barry, Heather Lawless, Eric Slovin, and Curtis Gwinn and John Gemberling. Then, the January 30th show featured MC Chris, Andrea Rosen, Tony Camin, and Craig Baldo; Demitri Martin was initially on the bill, but because of an unexpected booking was unable to attend. With line-ups this incredible two weeks in a row, I have high hopes for the future, though for now, I still think Invite Them Up is the king of weekly comedy shows.

DFactor recommends NYC comedy troupe The Post Show. And after seeing their Bob Dylan parody on Super Deluxe, I have to agree.

And speaking of Bob Dylan parodies, Weird Al has one of his own that is truly brilliant. It's done entirely in palindromes which is quite a feat.

And speaking of palindromes, Demetri Martin penned one hell of a palindromic poem.

I know I probably bring up Tim and Eric too much, but as they unleash new updates each week, what choice do I have? A recent myspace bulletin from Eric Wareheim was loaded with tour dates and links to 6 brand spanking new promos for Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job (coming soon to Adult Swim). For those of you not 'friends' with Eric, you can find the tour dates on the Tim and Eric myspace page. The new promo clips can be found on the Tim and Eric website.

And speaking of Adult Swim, they caused a bomb scare in Boston!

Keep reading for more comedy, I'm telling ya...

On Tuesday 1/30, Myspace Black Curtain Screenings hosted preview screenings of the highly anticipated film Reno 911: Miami in Phoenix, Boston, and Seattle. The film will have it's general release on 2/23/07, and I for one cannot wait. Joy was at one of these premieres and apparently took a picture with a camera from 1891.

If you haven't read it yet, go and read the Gothamist interview with Brian Stack, writer and actor from Late Night with Conan O'Brien. As usual,Ben Kharakh does a superb job as interviewer. He's doing such a good hjob in fact, he's now even a contributor to the New York Press?

The latest issue of The Comedians is live. There are great articles about Kristen Schaal, Jeff Caldwell, Sean Crespo, and Tom McCaffrey.

RECENT RELEASES YOU SHOULD BUY

• LUCKY LOUIE: Yet another funny show that died too early is now on DVD. Included in the set are all 12 episodes aired on HBO, an unaired 13th episode, a 17 minute making-of and four commentaries.


• MARIA BAMFORD: HOW TO WIN: Recorded live at the Cap City Comedy Club in Austin, TX. Order the CD from her website and get a personalized signed headshot of Maria along with your copy of the CD!


• COMEDIANS OF COMEDY: LIVE AT THE EL REY: For a while, you could see this on Showtime or rent it from Netflix. Now, you can finally own it. I have been waiting ages for this

Even more current news at the Apiary!

-Klaus

Posted in comedy | music at 9:18 AM | Comments (25)

Perry Farrell + Nuno Bettencourt + friends = Satellite Party | new album, played LA, playing SXSW, etc

I'm weary of anything Perry Farrell does now - I mean, read that postcard to the right. And I'm weary of supergroups in general. Actually, would you even consider Satellite Party a supergroup? Jane's Addiction + Extreme + "new musicians"...

Blending sounds as varied as rock, electro, urban beats and symphony, Farrell enlisted guitar virtuoso Nuno Bettencourt with new musicians Kevin Figueiredo on drums, Etty Lau Farrell on background vocals and Carl Restivo on bass.

The album is definitely filled with super guests...

The album, produced by Farrell, co-produded by Nuno Bettencourt and executive produced by Steve Lillywhite, features a host of guests participating in the recording, including The Red Hot Chili Peppers Flea and John Frusciante, UK production duo/beat-makers Hybrid, New Order/ Joy Division bassist Peter Hook, down tempo pioneers Thievery Corporation, Porno for Pyros' guitarist Peter DiStefano, Black Eyed Pea's Fergie, film composer Harry Gregson-Williams (Chronicles of Narnia, Kingdom of Heaven), and a 30-piece orchestra.

Fergie?

Perry even resurrected Jim Morrison for the album:

One of the album's highlights features an unreleased Jim Morrison vocal track, the first unheard Morrison performance in almost 30 years. Entitled "Woman In The Window," Morrison sings against a backdrop of Farrell's music, "Just try and stop us, we're going to love" before the song culminates with an elegant piano outro. Farrell calls the track the mantra of The Solutionists.

Nice. "Ultra Payloaded" is out May 15, 2007, and Satellite Party supposedly made their "live debut" at the Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado on January 25th....

Rust told Outside Online that the evening events finished up around 10:30 p.m. nightly when the crowd was shuttled to the Aspen Skiing Company and ESPN sponsored Après X free concert series. Performances by Everclear, Common, and Satellite Party were held in Wagner Park, in downtown Aspen. [Outside Online]

Here are some pics:

I say "supposedly they made their live debut" because Perry & Nuno played together as Satellite Party at Perry's own Lollapalooza last year too. Plus, they played a secret show at Spaceland the night before Aspen.

I imagine they'll play Lollapalooza again, but before then we'll at least have the chance to catch them live on March 15th and/or 16th at SXSW in Austin. Songs are streaming at MySpace.

"Fear not dear Solutionists; the future is upon us." [Perry?]

Posted in SXSW | music at 8:18 AM | Comments (19)

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.

-----

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)