photos by Chris La Putt

Phantogram / Yeah Yeah Yeahs

It was ugly and rainy outside, but that didn't stop the pretty people from heading to the W NY Downtown hotel last night (12/8) to attend a party in honor of the Mick Rock picture exhibition that will be up at the hotel between now and 12/28. Mick Rock was of course in attendance, and there was a "Symmetry Live Performance" (the name of the hotel's performance series) by Phantogram (live) and Mark Ronson (DJ). DJ Cash also provided some tunes while we were there.

We left before Mark Ronson took over, but you can see more pictures of Phantogram (who played a bunch of songs from their new album), their setlist, Mick Rock, members of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Zuccotti Park (it's right there), and more, below...

Continue reading "Phantogram played the Mick Rock party @ W Hotel (pics)"

photo by Mick Rock

Mick Rock will have photos on display at the W New York Downtown from December 8-28. On December 7th, they'll have a party with a performance by Phantogram and music by DJ Mark Ronson, as you can see on the flyer below... (flyer removed due to capacity issues, sorry!)

Black Lips at Emo's (more by Tim Griffin)

Black Lips have announced more tour dates. After playing Webster Hall last month as part of a tour with Vivian Girls, the band will return to the NYC-area in July, but this time they're not thinking so big. You can cach the band back at Bowery Ballroom on July 29th (tickets go on AmEx presale Wednesday), and at the even more intimate Maxwell's in Hoboken on July 30th (tickets on sale Friday at noon).

In June the Black Lips are touring with Cerebral Ballzy who are currently out on the road with Strung Out and face To Face. That tour hits Best Buy Theater in NYC on Wednesday night. Black Lips are currently in Europe. All tour dates are listed below.

Meanwhile, don't forget that Vivian Girls play a Brooklyn show at 285 Kent TONIGHT (5/17), alongside Widowspeak and Colleen Green. $10 gets you in to the all ages show.

Black Lips recently shot a video for the song "New Direction" from their new LP Arabia Mountain due on June 7th. The video is not ready yet, but you can download that new Mark Ronson-produced song HERE. Watch other recent videos with all tour dates below...

Continue reading "Black Lips announce more dates (Bowery & Maxwell's included), Cerebral Ballzy & a new song too"

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

Q-TIp with MNDR at Webster Hall last night

The stage set up was immaculate along with the male coordinated wardrobes and rotating performances by each guest, like a extravaganza variety in the best way. My personal highlights from the show include Rose Elinor Dougals' rendition of Stop Me, Alex Greenwald's California, Q-Tip and MNDR's performance of Bang Bang Bang and Marsha Ambrosius's closing rendition of Valerie (although nobody can match Winehouse.) I was a little disappointed that Somebody to Love Me was left off of the setlist and to the be honest the first song performed by the Atlanta rapper Pill Introducing the Business was a complete mess. Regardless, last night's epic gig will definitely make it on my list of best shows of the year. -[TLCBlog]

More pictures and some video from the show below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. were joined by Q-Tip & other friends @ Webster Hall (pics & video) "

photos by Toby Tenenbaum

a super blonde Mark Ronson at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Mark Ronson and The Business Intl played Music Hall of Williamsburg last night (10/11), the first of two NYC shows for producer/instrumentalist and his band of special guests. Toby says...

"Ronson went on stage at 10:15 PM just as the crowd started to get a little antsy following the almighty storm outside. His band, which included Amanda Werner aka MNDR, Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet, Spank Rock (Naeem), Pill and Rose Elinor Dougall, all took turns to share duets, lead vocals and center stage under the watchful gaze of the bleach blonde uber-prooducer himself. Featuring a mix of tracks from earlier albums and recent release Record Collection, the Brooklyn crowd shared the band's enjoyment of performing at a venue 'six blocks from where the band recorded the album last year'. A sort of homecoming, and a great show indeed."

As discussed, Mark also made an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman last night with Q-Tip and MNDR. The video of that with more pictures and the setlist from Music Hall, below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson & friends played Music Hall of Williamsburg & Letterman (pics, video, setlist)"

photos by Benjamin Lozovsky

MNDR & Mark Ronson

As previously mentioned, Mark Ronson will kick off two days of NYC shows starting tonight, Monday at Music Hall of Williamsburg. The second night happens on Tuesday, 10/12, at the larger Webster Hall. Both shows, and the two California ones that were since added (dates below) are in support of Ronson's new album Record Collection which is out now.

And: "While in New York, Mark Ronson, along with Q-tip and MNDR, will perform the hit track 'Bang Bang Bang' on The Late Show with David Letterman on Monday, October 11th." MNDR is also confirmed as being a member of Ronson's band (The Business Intl) at all shows. Whether Q-Tip will show up at MHOW or Webster Hall is still a mystery.

Tickets to the Music Hall show are gone, but tickets are still available to the one at Webster Hall. Both shows will be opened by Francis & The Lights. Tickets are also still available for a third NYC appearance, also taking place Tuesday but in the afternoon, at WNYC's Greene Space. It will probably be a short show, but as a bonus, Nellie McKay is playing it too.

For a longer Nellie McKay show, catch her when she returns to Highline Ballroom on December 11th. Tickets are on sale now.

Mark Ronson and MNDR appeared at the Creators Project event that took place at Milk Studios in June. An unposted set of pictures from that event (where Ronson was only DJing), along with all dates, continue below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson playing Letterman w/ Q-Tip, LA & Greene Space w/ Nellie McKay (who added a show too) -- dates & new pics "

Mark Ronson @ Creators Project (more by Ryan Barkan)

Now that Mark Ronson & The Business Intl has sold out one NYC show, set for October 11th at MHOW, they've added another. That'll be happening Tuesday, October 12th at Webster Hall. Tickets are on sale.

The pair of shows are the only US dates for Ronson currently - his new LP, Record Collection, is out now. Singer MNDR, who features prominently on that record, will most likely be in attendence: She has a show before then on October 7th at Terminal 5 with Miike Snow.

The video for "The Bike Song" and a teaser for Record Collection are below...

Continue reading "Mark Ronson added another show "

photos by Amanda Hatfield

MNDR @ Mercury Lounge

"MNDR's one of the hardest "gigging" musicians as of late, headlining local spots, along with supporting acts like Massive Attack and later this fall, Miike Snow, but this Monday's early show at the Lower East Side venue was all about her solo material; songs well known by the bloggers and journalists that love her, along with two new tracks she debuted for an appreciative audience.

Adding to the heat seeking missile she's currently riding, her aforementioned work with Ronson has garnered the attention of major media outlets like Billboard and Esquire. in which she notes that their partnership all began with a chance meeting during his Authentic Sh*t program (Fridays 8-10pm ET), here on East Village Radio."
[East Village Radio]

And though she isn't on the bill, maybe MNDR will show up for at least a song (like she did at Vice's Creators thing) on October 11th at Music Hall of Williamsburg when Mark Ronson & The Business Intl plays there. Tickets are on sale now. All of Mark's other currently announced dates are in the UK.

All MNDR dates and more pictures from Mercury Lounge, with Mark's new video for "The Bike Song", below...

Continue reading "MNDR played Mercury Lounge w/ Silk Flowers (pics), Mark Ronson & The Business Intl are playing MHOW (tix) "

by Andrew Frisicano

MNDR w/ Mark Ronson @ Creators Project (more by Ryan Barkan)

The debut LP from MNDR/Amanda Warner is still a ways off, due sometime in early 2011. Meanwhile, she features prominently (with Q-Tip) on Mark Ronson's single for "Bang Bang Bang." That song is currently No. 1 on the NME Charts, and they've been promoting it with TV appearances (like the one from the UK program Jonathan Ross, below) and live performances (like at the Creators Project in June). According to her blog, MNDR has also been busy producing the new record from Silk Flowers, to come out on Post Present Medium.

And MNDR has an NYC show coming up, set for Monday, August 30th show at Mercury Lounge. Tickets go on AmEx presale Wednesday at noon. General sale starts Friday at noon.

All tour dates and videos (including Jonathan Ross, though MNDR's voice doesn't seem to be its usually sturdy self) are below...

Continue reading "MNDR keeping busy, adds NYC show "

words by Andrew Frisicano, photos by Ryan Barkan

Mark Ronson & MNDR @ Milk Studios

The show spaces were predictably cozy and cramped, and USA lost their World Cup match again Ghana, but besides those qualms, not many bad things can be said about the Vice/Intel Creators Project event on Saturday (6/26). Interpol played their first hometown set since unveiling their new lineup earlier in the week, and M.I.A., the night's secret guest, put on a singularly ridiculous, entertaining show, albeit in the crowded, low-ceilinged second floor space. Even the un-affiliated soccer game screened amicably on a huge projector before the music started. If there was one caveat, it was that not that many people, relatively, got in to enjoy the art and music presented. Then again, that's one reason the labyrinthine network of art installations and stages was so surprisingly bearable and easy to navigate.

The same second floor stage that filled up for M.I.A. was also packed to capacity for Sleigh Bells. How much you enjoyed either's set depended a great deal on where you stood (and how early you got there). Cramped in the back, Sleigh Bells sounded pitchy and uneven - but jostled up in the front, the spectacle and body-shaking bass of Die Antwoord were entirely enjoyable. It also depended on your affinity for personal space, which was in short supply anywhere with a decent view of the stage.

And a view was pretty essential to enjoying the antics of the Antwoord crew and M.I.A.'s coterie of stage guests. Mia opened with caustic punk song "Born Free" (video below) a loud if not exactly melodious entrance choice. The stage-show continued the flashy political baiting of the "Born Free" video, which played behind the song. M.I.A. donned pot leaf goggles, rainbow hair and a hooded camo jacket, with a band who alternately wore glow-stick lined clothes and MIA-logoed burkas. Others on stage included a pair of dancers (one ginger-haired), Sleigh Bell's Alexis and Derek, and Ninjasonik. More new songs came, as did "World Town" and crowd-pleasing closer "Paper Planes."

Three of the night's other bands - The Rapture, Gang Gang Dance and Interpol - set up on the first floor studio's back loading dock, which was open to 14th street and the adjacent High Line Park. Gang Gang Dance sounded dependably sturdy in the cavernous garage. Interpol played an 11-song set with four new songs (including the slow-building "Lights") - tight and together, and ready for bigger arenas. The stage was open on three sides, so even without a spot in the front of the stage you didn't get locked out.

I didn't see much on the first floor lounge - Salem took a while to set up and I skipped them to catch Interpol. Neon Indian played the downstairs too, where DJs spun throughout the day. The eighth floor of the building was also part of the show (as was the penthouse/roof VIP-area above it). On eight, there was a screening room where Spike Jonze's I'm Here, a surrealist robot drama, played among other things, as well as installations like Nick Zinner's gothy, minimal photo and ambient-score room.

After M.I.A. I went to downstairs to find Mark Ronson DJing in the first floor gallery. MNDR was on stage with him singing her song "Fade to Black". She also reportedly performed Ronson's new single "Bang Bang Bang" before I got there. NME also says...

"Phantom Planet's Alex Greenwald [sang] the Ronson-tweaked version of Radiohead's 'Just' while executing an impressive crowd-surf.

Ex-[Pipettes] singer Rose Elinor Dougall took to the stage for two new 'Record Collection' tracks, 'Hey Boy' and 'You Gave Me Nothing' - the latter a song co-written by Jonathan Pierce of The Drums. Ronson ended the night with the first public airing of 'Somebody To Love Me', which features vocals from Boy George.

Ryan's Die Antwoord pictures were already posted (as were Ben's of Interpol). The rest of Ryan's pictures, and some videos, below...

Continue reading "a take on the Creators Project event @ Milk Studios - pics & video of Mark Ronson, MIA, MNDR, Rapture & more included"

DOWNLOAD: Salem - King Night (MP3)

Vice Creators Project Announcement party (more by Erez Avissar)

Between the whole Northside Festival, the BrooklynVegan showcase @ MHOW, two BV-BBG heavy showcases, the Afro-Punk Fest, the final Voxtrot shows, Apples in Stereo at the Seaport and the ton of others shows, there's a lot of quality music this weekend, not the least of which is the Creators Project show at Milk Studios on Saturday, June 26th. That show will be the NY debut of Interpol's new lineup (and their first show in the city in quite some time). It'll also bring Mark Ronson, Die Antwoord, The Rapture, Sleigh Bells, Gang Gang Dance, SALEM, N.A.S.A., Neon Indian, Lemonade and a special guest to perform sets (in addition to visual art and whatever else they'll have).

Most if not all of those musicians who are performing have new albums on the way. SALEM's debut, King Night, is due September 28th on IAMSOUND. The fierce, ghostly (wordless) title track is posted above. Another of those artists with a new record on the way is Mark Ronson, whose newest, Record Collection, due in September. As usual there's a long list of guests, including Q-Tip and MNDR, who sing/rap on the super catchy track "Bang Bang Bang," the retro-styled video for which is below.

All the bands that are playing the event are considered "creators", as are all the artists they have listed on their site. Not all the "creators" are performing, and not all the people playing are listed as "creators" on their site. Those that are listed have videos being made about them. A new one debuts each day. For instance, today is Fool's Gold (the label). Past featured creators include Diplo, CSS, Peaches and Mark Ronson.

The Saturday event was previously open for RSVPs, but the list is now closed. The only way to get in now is to win tickets which we have two pairs of to give away. Details and the videos below...

Continue reading "win tickets to the Creators Project party, get the new Salem MP3, check out Mark Ronson's new video w/ Q-Tip & MNDR"

photos by Erez Avissar, words by Andrew Frisicano

In May, Vice and Intel announced the Creators Project, an art & music series that would be hosting events in various cities and on its website. The NYC kick off for that will be Saturday, June 26th at Milk Studios and will include performances by Interpol, Mark Ronson, Die Antwoord, The Rapture, Sleigh Bells, Gang Gang Dance, Salem, N.A.S.A., Neon Indian, Lemonade and others, plus a "very special guest." The event is free; RSVP here. How big is the space exactly? They write that "the eight-floor art gallery and performance space will host thousands of people for live concerts, art exhibits, film screenings and panel discussions by leading artists and the next generation of innovators."

It's the first of five events in different cities- the others are slated for London, Sao Paulo, Seoul and a three-day event Beijing.

For Die Antwoord, it will be their first NYC show, making the July gig at Governors Island their second.

For Interpol, it will be the first time we see them with their new lineup (unless they announce something else soon).

Pictures from the Creators Project announcement event, and a flyer and the full lineup of music and visual art (which includes work by Spike Jonze, Nick Zinner, Danny Perez/Animal Collective's ODDSAC and more) are below...

Continue reading ""Creators Project" announces free show w/ Interpol, Die Antwoord, Mark Ronson, the Rapture, Sleigh Bells, Gang Gang Dance, Neon Indian & more"

photos by Kevin Mazur/ Wire Image

"Yoko Ono, Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, Bette midler, freaking amazing!" - nico843

Yoko's Plastic Ono Band will be playing a special show at BAM's Gilman Opera House on Tuesday, February 16th. The show includes guest spots from original/former Plastic Ono band members Eric Clapton, bassist Klaus Voormann and drummer Jim Keltner. Other guests include Justin Bond, Kim Gordon, Bette Midler, Thurston Moore, Mark Ronson, Scissor Sisters, Martha Wainwright, Haruomi Hosono, Paul Simon and son Harper Simon, and current Ono Band members Cornelius, Yuka Honda and Sean Lennon.

Continue reading "Yoko's Plastic Ono Band played BAM w/ Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Bette Midler, Scissor Sisters & more (pics)"

Lee Fields @ Southpaw on December 18th (Alex Darsey)

Lee Fields & The Expressions and Charles Bradley and The Menahan Street Band will be touring Europe this February. After they get back, the two soul bands will play a Music Hall of Williamsburg show on Friday, February 19th. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, January 13th at noon.

Lee headlined a show at Brooklyn's Southpaw on December 18th. A video of him and the band performing "Honey Dove" from that gig is below. He also appeared at Knitting Factory during CMJ with other Daptone artists including the Budos Band, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings (who have a new album on the way and who played Brooklyn Bowl since then), The Menehan Street Band and Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens (who played last night, Jan 11th at Joe's Pub, and who you can always catch at Fat Cat).

The Budos Band are playing at Maxwell's on January 15th (tickets) and Southpaw on January 16th, for a show that also includes the Nouvellas and DJs Chances With Wolves (featuring Mark Ronson) (tickets).

Mark Ronson will also be taking part in Yoko Ono's upcoming gig at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

All tour dates, a video from Lee's December Southpaw gig, a rehearsal clip of Naomi & the Gospel Queens and more are below...

Continue reading "Lee Fields touring w/ Charles Bradley & the Menahan Street Band (dates), Mark Ronson playing w/ Budos Band"

Yoko's Plastic Ono Band will be playing a special show at BAM's Gilman Opera House on Tuesday, February 16th. The show includes guest spots from original/former Plastic Ono band members Eric Clapton, bassist Klaus Voormann and drummer Jim Keltner (one former "member," Ringo Star, isn't scheduled to be there, though he is in NYC on Jan 14th). Other guests include Justin Bond, Kim Gordon, Bette Midler, Thurston Moore, Mark Ronson, Scissor Sisters, Martha Wainwright, Haruomi Hosono, Paul Simon and son Harper Simon, and current Ono Band members Cornelius, Yuka Honda and Sean Lennon. Tickets are on sale.

Plastic Ono Band (sans guests) will also be at this year's Noise Pop Festival in San Fran on Febraury 23rd. The group's new sprawling record, Between My Head And The Sky, the first 'Ono Band' record since the '70s, came out last September. A flyer for the show is below...

Continue reading "Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band playing BAM w/ lots of special guests (Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Bette Midler) (tix on sale)"

Lily Allen @ Roseland Ballroom (more by Natasha Ryan)

"I havent written on here for a while but I've taken the time to write this as I think music piracy is having a dangerous effect on British music, but some really rich and successful artists like Nick Mason from Pink Floyd and Ed O'Brien from Radiohead don't seem to think so. Last week in an article in the Times these guys from huge bands said file sharing music is fine. It probably is fine for them. They do sell-out arena tours and have the biggest Ferrari collections in the world. For new talent though, file sharing is a disaster as it's making it harder and harder for new acts to emerge." [Lily Allen on MySpace, September 14, 2009]

photos by Jaecyne Howell

DJ Spinna and Q-Tip @ Nokia Theatre

"On Saturday, August 29th, what would have been Michael Jackson's 51st birthday, fans of the King of Pop gathered at New York City's NOKIA Theatre Times Square for Q-Tip Presents: "Long Live the King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson." The sold-out crowd danced the night away to never-before-heard remixes of Michael Jackson's hits, as well as rare video footage from the Motown and Sony vaults. Joining Q-Tip onstage to DJ were special guests DJ Spinna and Mark Ronson. At one point, Quincy Jones called in to say a few words to the audience. Other celebrities in attendance included Solange Knowles, Marsha Ambrosius, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Premier and Anthony Anderson."

Continue reading "Q-Tip, DJ Spinna, Mark Ronson & guests celebrated Michael Jackson's birthday @ Nokia Theatre in NYC - pics "

DOWNLOAD: The xx - Basic Space (Micachu Remix) (MP3)

The xx @ South Street Seaport on 8/14 (more by Chris La Putt)

"The XX played 972 shows in NYC this weekend but the one we saw at Mercury Lounge after they played [Mark] Ronson's Authentic Shit on [East Village Radio] was mangled by bad sound until Ronson himself handed singer/guitarist Romy Croft a new guitar and the band played one more song. Their mics worked the whole time though, along with the drum machine for the most part, so aside from some light picking, not much was missed. In fact, their eerie spareness was enhanced, and for the first time in recent memory, the people in the back stopped talking to hear what was going on." [FADER]

The xx also have their own headlining gig at the Mercury Lounge on November 12th. Same deal with tickets for that.

Friendly Fires and The xx played Music Hall of Williamsburg (where the girl danced) one night after Friendly Fires played Le Poisson Rouge with The Phenomenal Handclap Band (who play PS1 this Saturday, 8/22). Micachu, who remixed the xx song available for download above under the name M.A.T.H.E.S., was scheduled to play Le Poisson Rouge on October 3rd, but that has been canceled.

All FF & xx tour dates are below...

Continue reading "The xx played Bruar Falls, Monkeytown, Pianos, Music Hall... playing Mercury Lounge (again) & Webster w/ Friendly Fires"

Mama-se, mama-sa, ma-ma-coo-sa (more by Toby Tenenbaum)

"On Saturday, August 29, 2009 - what would have been Michael Jackson's 51st birthday - Grammy award-winning, hip-hop icon Q-Tip presents "Long Live the King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson" at the NOKIA Theatre Times Square. Q-Tip will be joined in the DJ booth by special invited guests Grammy award-winning producer/artist Mark Ronson and the legendary DJ Spinna."

Like he recently did in Central Park, Q-Tip is rapping (not DJing) this Friday at All Points West. More info on the Nokia show below...

Continue reading "Q-Tip DJing @ Nokia Theatre on Michael Jackson's birthday w/ Mark Ronson & DJ Spinna (and playing APW Friday) "

McCarren Pool - Summer 2008 (more by Ryan Muir)

The much-delayed new Topshop store opens in NYC on Broome and Broadway on April 2nd (remember all that advertising at McCarren Pool last summer?). What does this have to do with music (besides the fact that people will probably start adding this place to the list that already includes H&M and American Apparel when they say where 'hipsters' shop)? Well, as previously posted, celebrity-musician deejays (The Rapture, Late of the Pier, James Murphy, etc), in conjunction with East Village Radio, will be playing music in the store all week while people shop (full list here).

And as also previously posted, Santigold and Mark Ronson will be performing, BUT not in the store. There are two nights of Sir Philip Greene-hosted, invite-only parties going on at Balthazar. Tonight, March 31st features Mark Ronson backed by the Dap Kings, and performances by Amazing Baby, Jimmy Fallon, Santogold/Spankrock, Nicolai from The Strokes, Alex Greenwald from Phantom Planet and Daniel Meriweather.

April 1st has Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and "a special guest we cant announce, big voice". Maybe it's Lady Gaga, who was originally mentioned, and who plays two shows at Terminal 5 on May 2nd (after the ones that were supposed to be TONIGHT were postponed) (though I don't know about the "big voice" part).

Then on Thursday, April 2nd, TopShop is having a third party. This time at the Box, and hosted by Sir Philip Greene and Kate Moss (who has a line of clothes in the store), with performances by Adele and La Roux, and DJ sets from The Misshapes and James Murphy.

Sounds fancy.

Santigold (then known as Santogold) @ Irving Plaza (more by Kyle Dean Reinford)

"Conan O'Brien is being lured by University of South Carolina honor students to make an on-campus appearance to receive their "Cocky Award" (named after the school's Gamecock mascot) in honor of his Bud Light Super Bowl ad, in which the comedian sported bunny ears and spoke in a Swedish accent. Daniel Boulud enjoyed the oysters at The Four Seasons Bar Room, while Robert Morgenthau, Jack Rudin, and Edgar Bronfman Sr. lunched nearby. Kate Moss is expected to hit up NYC on April 1 for the opening of Topshop on Broadway and Broome, celebrating with performances by Mark Ronson, Santigold, and Lady Gaga. Wild child Katy Perry likes kissing boys too. She's dating decidedly un-wild singer Josh Groban." [NY Magazine]

Santigold, fresh off a Vermont appearance at the US Open, has a few big shows coming up - two of which are in NYC. The first happens next Wednesday at the new Topshop store (see above). The next is a headlining show at Terminal 5 on June 9th with openers Amanda Blank and Trouble Andrew. $25 tickets for that one go on sale Thursday at noon.

You can also catch Santigold at this year's Ultra Music Festival in Miami (this weekend), Sasquatch Festival, Roots Picnic, and Bonnaroo. All dates below...

Continue reading "Santigold playing Topshop store opening, Terminal 5, the Roots Picnic & Bonnaroo"

photos by Leia Jospe

Clipse's Pusha T & Wale

Wednesday night, in downtown Manhattan, Mark Ronson's Allido Records and Hot 97 hosted a show featuring Colin Munroe, Wale, and Kid CuDi at the Highline Ballroom. Hot 97 on air-personalities Cipha Sounds and Peter Rosenberg took on hosting duties, lightening up the tense air between the sardine can-packed concertgoers....

...GOOD Music's latest signee and Kanye's new wonderboy, Kid Cudi, hit the stage next. Fresh off the plane from Australia, Mr. Solo Dolo definitely had all eyes on him. After killing mixtape bangers like "Down and Out" and "Man on the Moon," CuDi had one more surprise in store for the thirsty fans, as hometown hero Jim Jones joined the emcee for a performance of breakthrough single "Day 'n' Night," whipping the crowd to a fever pitch.

As Jay-Z and Leonardo DiCaprio entered the VIP room, Wale and his UCB band crept onstage. "W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E." quickly re-energized the crowd, and Hov seemed thoroughly impressed as his goons deflected the attentions of male groupies. The lovely Chrisette Michele made her cameo as the DC heavy hitter rocked his Roots guest spot on the track "Rising Up". One half of the Clipse, Pusha T, also made an appearance for his verse on "Back in the Go-Go". The hipsters could barely contain themselves. In true Roc-A-Fella form, though, the night ended with Freeway and Young Chris storming the stage and making a convincing case for the dynasty to which they lay claim." [DJ Booth]

Continue reading "Wale, Kid Cudi, Pusha T, Chrisette Michele, Mark Ronson, Jim Jones & others @ Highline Ballroom, NYC - pics"

photos by Faith-Ann Young

There were models at SOB's on [last] Tuesday [October 21, 2008] night. Or, at least, reasonable facsimiles thereof.

They might have been there for the aggregated talent from Washington, D.C., who headlined this showcase of artists on Allido Records. More likely, they were there for the label's co-founder Mark Ronson: onetime celebrity DJ, resurrector of vintage soul via his work with Amy Winehouse and others, and, it should be said, sometime squirer of models.

But if Mr. Ronson likes Wale, the rapper known best for his Seinfeld-themed mixtape "The Mictape About Nothing," then why couldn't they? To help plead his case, Wale enlisted the services of the go-go band U.C.B., likely one of the most proficient groups to be playing this festival, even if they weren't technically on the bill. Go-go music makes fantastic use of space in its rhythms, and when Wale gave in to the band's impeccable playing, as he did on "Nike Boots," he seemed at ease. But sometimes, he clustered his syllables together as if he were trying to out-percuss the percussion, making songs like "Back In The Go-Go" feel cluttered. [NY Times]

"Rhymefest kicked off his set....beasting out jams...He brought along with him suprise guest Rahzel (formerly of the Roots) mid set...Got the crowd perfectly rowdy.......especially when he ended with an Obama pitch : 'When I say O, you say BAMA' .....Next up, heavily hyped Brits, The Rumble Strips, took the stage with gleeful pop rock....(think Albert Hammond Jr. meets The Kooks.....) Got the killer hook-heavy jingle, Girls and Boys in Love, but also knocked out a sizzling cover of Amy Winehouse's Back to Black. Pretty damn cute. Aussie soul singer Daniel Merriweather brought major cred to the stage with the Dap Kings backing him.... Ronson played guitar at the end of his set....

Wale ended the set waxing lyrical to go-go influenced beats. He brought with him a heavy artillery of beatboxers, DC-based rappers, and friends- most of whom sported thick shades......In fact, most of the time, he relinquished the mic to his friends......as well as Daniel Merriweather who came back on stage for a rendition of 'Stop Me,' the hit from Ronson's solo album............Overall, Wale makes DC proud- a veritable talent....bringing home-grown DC music to more mainstream.... Was a jam packed night of talent.Ronson deserves a pat on his back.."

Continue reading "Mark Ronson's Allido showcase (Wale) @ SOB's, NYC - pics"

by Showtrotta

DOWNLOAD: The Whip - Trash (South Central remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Esau Mwamwaya and Radioclit - The Very Best Mixtape (ZIP)
DOWNLOAD: The Whip - Divebomb (FFS remix) (MP3)

Shout Out Out Out

It's CMJ time again. In a city where there are almost always some good acts passing through it's hard to understand what exactly the big deal is about the CMJ Music Marathon. Then you realize there will be "over 1,000 artists, in more than 65 venues in 5 days" and you have yet to even look at the schedule! Get crackin', run around, and get down! While last year's marathon (which featured Simian Mobile Disco, the Black Ghosts, MSTRKRFT, and Justice to name a few) will be hard to top in terms of dance music, this year's is by no means shabby.

What looks good to me on the official schedule is here (though note that the Little Boots Annex show is actually on Thursday). Explanations & more info is below. Also, be sure to read the official CMJ schedule carefully, as typically late night dj events will often be listed under the following day (ie: a Tuesday night dj set starting at 1am will actually be listed on CMJ's schedule under Wednesday)....

Continue reading "the CMJ week in Dance w/ Showtrotta "

by Black Bubblegum

Q-Tip @ Knitting Factory, Sept 29th (more by Eric Townsend)

In the past couple months, we have covered quite a few hip hop events at CMJ, but let this serve as a total guide to the madness to come... Have fun...

Continue reading "the 2008 guide to Hip Hop shows & panels @ CMJ"