photos by Alexander Stein

Are you in the holiday spirit yet? Last night (12/1) was the first of the 101.9 RXP "Yule Rock Holiday Concert Series" featuring Broken Bells (whose member Danger Mouse recently collaborated with Jack White) and Karen Elson (who is married to Jack White), a series that continues tommorrow night (12/3) with My Chemical Romance at the sold-out Hammerstein Ballroom (one of three upcoming NYC MY Chemical Romance shows). The show was also the start of a short stint of Broken Bells tour dates that will last through the middle of the month, hitting nine cities before closing up shop at Gibson Amphitheatre Universal City, California.

Karen Elson next appears in NYC as part of her group the Citizens Band at Highline Ballroom on December 18th...

"Equal parts show-stopping performers, political activists, eclectic tastemakers and headstrong personalities, The Citizens Band has been one of the most lauded and prominent staples of New York City nightlife for the past few years - a potent combination of the city's urban smarts, diverse style and forward-thinking attitude. Performers for "The Past is a Foreign Country" include Chelsea Bacon, Mr. Blue, Ian Buchanan, Michael Cavadias, Adam Crystal, Jorjee Douglass, Karen Elson, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Rachelle Garniez, Mike Jackson, Dave Lebleu, Mark McAdam, Angela McCluskey, Amy Miles, Jon Natchez, Jeff Palmiotti, Rain Phoenix, Kelly Pratt, Matt Ray, Ronin and Leah Siegel with direction by Calla Videt."

The show "promotes the new Blue Key campaign, tackling the topic of refugees and displaced people. The Blue Key campaign, organized by USA for UNHCR draws attention to the work of the UN Refugee Agency and the global refugee crisis." Tickets are on sale.

Were you at the Irving Plaza show? Did Broken Bells mention their Grammy nomination from the stage? Maybe RXP morning host Matt Pinfield said something about it?

More pictures from the show, with both setlists, below...

Continue reading "Broken Bells & Karen Elson played Irving Plaza (pics, setlists), Citizens Band playing Highline Ballroom"

Becky Stark & Amanda Palmer as Citizens Band members (Dese'Rae L. Stage)

Lavendar Diamond's Becky Stark opens both Human Highway shows. Those are Monday/tonight @ Cake Shop & Tuesday @ Joe's Pub.

THE CITIZENS BAND presents "The Panic is On" - Sept. 7th / 8th / 9th @ Spiegeltent

Visionary musical troupe The Citizens Bandare taking over the Spiegeltent for a three-night extravaganza. The Citizens Band is a sexy, ribald musical troupe renowned for their dazzling song and dance performances. "The Panic Is On," their sixth original show in three years, finds the troupe trapped in a makeshift bomb shelter, where they're forced to find common ground and hope in a terror filled world. Performing a spirited mix of classic songs and original compositions, they ponder such issues as fear mongering, war, immigration, xenophobia, poverty and their own dreams for political change. These shows also mark the troupe's debut performance with director Gordon Greenberg (Jacques Brel is Alive and Well, Assisted Loving), and features special guests Nina Persson of The Cardigans, Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond and Amanda Palmer of The Dresden Dolls.

The good news: Nina, Becky and Amanda. The bad news: neither CB regulars Craig Wedren or Angela McCluskey appear in this show.

Craig is probably too busy working with Nina's husband.

Amanda Palmer also performed her own show at the same venue earlier this year.

DOWNLOAD: Craig Wedren - Poolkiss (MP3)

Craig Wedren & Angela McCluskey @ Ars Nova, Dec 1, 2007 (CRED)

* VOTE tomorrow
* or Register to Vote
* Exodus & Goatwhore @ BB King's
* Death Vessel & Thao Nguyen @ Knitting Factory
* Barack Rock hosted by Stella w/ Craig Wedren, OK GO & more
* The Slits play Webster Hall for Chloe Sevigney (RSVP may be necessary)

Craig Wedren, Stella and the rest of the cast of tonight's sold-out Barack Rock show at Bowery Ballroom reminded me to remind you to get up and vote tomorrow. In honor of that, Craig gave us a brand spankin' new MP3 that you can download at the top of this post, and Dangle & Junior of Reno 911 recorded some special video messages that you can watch below. What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday? (Craig Wedren, Stella, vote, MP3)"

Did anyone notice a member of Beirut playing a horn with The Citizens Band when they opened for the White Stripes at Irving the other night? I could be wrong.

Zach @ Primavera sound 2007, 9:00 am soundcheck (more about that)

Back in May it kind of leaked out that Grizzly Bear-fan Zach Condon and his band Beirut would be playing three NYC shows in September, but the tour dates I just received only list two September dates - so either plans changed, or they'll announce the third one after the first two sell out. All dates, and new album info, below....

Continue reading "BEIRUT - new album & 2007 Tour Dates"

...in case anyone was wondering what their connection to the White Stripes was because they're opening for them tonight at Irving Plaza (June 19). Here's some shots of the Citizens Band at Highline Ballroom in NYC on June 12th....

Gothamist has an interview with the band from the same day. Other band members include Craig Wedren and Angela McCluskey.

Speaking of Angela who sometimes sings with Telepopmusik...

...Christophe Hetier (aka Antipop), 1/3 of the musical masterminds known as French electronic group Telepopmusik, is spinning a secret, free and one-time-only set at the Hotel Rivington lobby this Thursday, June 21st from 10pm throughout the night.

Craig just played a show at Pianos on June 14th. Did anyone go?

P.S. Icky Thump Records will be streaming on June 20th.