* Winter Jazzfest @ KF
* No pants on the subway
* Mirah is playing Joe's Pub
* Carolina Chocolate Drops are playing Joe's Pub
* Wu-Tang Clan are playing Hammerstein Ballroom
* Children of the Unicorn is playing Mercury Lounge
* Wynn Walent, Jaymay & Dave Deporis are playing Pete's
* Petra Haden and Laurie Anderson are playing the Stone
* A superstar cast doing Dylan classics - NY Guitar Festival (free)

What else?

Lori Goldston and Kyle Hanson of Black Cat Orchestra acclaim team up with K Records recording artist Mirah to deliver a sweeping multi-media song-cycle inspired by the tragic and triumphant lives of insects. On a limited January tour, Mirah and Spectratone International will score Share This Place live for a suite of twelve stop-motion animated short films by Britta Johnson. Along with Goldston and Hanson’s trademark cello and accordion, Spectratone International features percussionist Jane Hall and Kane Mathis on oud (Middle Eastern lute).

Video & tour dates below....

Continue reading "Mirah & Spectratone International - "Share This Place" tour"

The Cribs @ Capitol Hill Block Party 2007, Seattle (CRED)

The Cribs have added a 2nd NYC show at Union Pool in Brooklyn on August 12th, and their Manhattan show at Bowery Ballroom on August 9th is still not sold out. Tickets for both shows available @ Ticketmaster, but keep in mind that the much-buzzed about White Rabbits (not to mention Foreign Islands) are opening the Bowery Show, and Right on Dynamite is the opener for Union Pool.

More photos from the Capitol Hill Block Party in Seattle, and Cribs tour dates, below....

Continue reading "The Cribs add Brooklyn show ++ pics from the 2007 Capitol Hill Block Party"

DOWNLOAD: Band of Horses - Na (MP3)

* Mirah is here w/ Benjy Ferree
* A free show at Summerstage
* Band of Horses & Zach G do Hiro Ballroom
* A free movie in McCarren Park
* Union Hall keeps celebrating
* Write some interesting questions for Les Savy Fav
* Rest up for this weekend
* RIP character actor Charles Lane

What else?

Are you going to see Mirah & band @ Bowery Ballroom tonight? Benjy Ferree is playing there too.

Updated tour dates below....

Continue reading "Mirah - updated 2007 Tour Dates"

DOWNLOAD: Electrelane - On Parade (MP3)

Tonight (May 15) is another one of those nights when a live music junkie like myself feels their head about to explode. Are you going to:

• Daniel Johnston @ Warsaw?
• Sam Champion @ Bowery Ballroom?
• Arctic Monkeys @ Hammerstein Ballroom?
• Spank Rock & Ghostface @ Highline Ballroom?
• Electrelane & The Blow @ Irving Plaza?
• Silversun Pickups @ Webster Hall?
• Bo Bice @ Canal Room???????????

Electrelane tour dates below....

Continue reading "What are you doing tonight? + Electrelane tour dates"

CALVIN JOHNSON & THE SONS OF THE SOIL

In 2003, K recording artists Khaela Maricich (the Blow) and Jason Anderson had a vision. "What if Calvin Johnson played all his best songs from over the years, with a band of real music-making people?" This was their vision, and they decided to make it happen. Jason formed a band of other K music stalwarts that included Kyle Field (Little Wings) on bass with Adam Forkner (Yume Bitsu, VERSION) and Jason sharing the guitar and drum playing duties. Dubbed by Jason the Sons of the Soil, they set out to modernize the primitive. Khaela designed a graphic image that perfectly captured the Sons of the Soil's transcendental vibe. A tour was arranged that crossed paths with other fine Olympia types, including Rebecca Pearcy and Mirah. Songs were chosen that spanned the years and various combos, including songs originally recorded by Halo Benders ("Love Travels Faster"), Dub Narcotic Sound System ("Booty Run") and the Go Team ("Sand"). Rehearsals commenced, and then it was off across the Western United States for a rollicking, rockin' good time.

This album was recorded at the Dub Narcotic studio in July, 2003, immediately following their return to Olympia, Wash. It features a good cross section of the material from the tour and includes a few live snippets from the Sons of the Soil performance in Spokane, Wash.

Calvin Johnson is playing Don Pedro's in Brooklyn on June 1st. All tour dates below...

Continue reading "Calvin Johnson - 2007 Tour Dates"

DOWNLOAD: Mirah - Don't Die In Me (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Mirah - Light The Match (MP3)

Mirah @ Chum's Coffeehouse - Brandeis University - 3/1/07 (CRED)

Mirah plays Bowery Ballroom in NYC on July 10th. Tickets are on sale Wednesday. Stay tuned for a full tour annoucement. In the meantime, five known tour dates below.....

Continue reading "Mirah - some 2007 Tour Dates (Bowery Ballroom)"

DOWNLOAD Dirty on Purpose - light pollution (MP3)

The NYC band Dirty on Purpose documented their Spring Tour on Flickr. I especially like this shot of the Thermals and The Big Sleep playing with fireworks...

Dirty on Purpose's next NYC show is at Bowery Ballroom on April 14th with Calla. The Big Sleep's last NYC show was with Les Savy Fav and Call Me Lightning at Bowery Ballroom this past Sunday night (April 1st). The Thermals, who recently played Bowery Ballroom, are playing next in NYC at NYU with the Hold Steady.

Before that, NYU is putting on another awesome indie show that looks something like this:

** Battles
** O'Death
** Dirty Projectors

Thursday April 19th - Doors: 7:30pm, Show: 8:00pm
Kimmel Center - E&L Auditorium (4th Floor) 60 Washington Square South

NYU:$5, General Public:$7 (day-of-show)
Tickets available at Ticket Central (2nd floor kimmel center - 60 Washington Sq. South)(Valid Photo ID required)

NYU has been booking some great shows. Battles' last NYC show was Tuesday night at Bowery Ballroom. Last time I saw O'Death was at SXSW. Last time I heard The Dirty Projectors was on my radio show last Tuesday.

Here's a picture of Khaela Maricich from the Blow performing at NYU on March 7th:

Yeti was there. Jona Bechtolt was not.

DOWNLOAD: Yacht - See A Penny (Pick It Up) (MP3) (new one)
DOWNLOAD: Yacht - Hot Dog (Iron Cobra Version) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yacht - I have a Computer (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yacht - It's Just Music (Devendra Banhart tour jam) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yacht - From the Sky, Down (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yacht - Remember What This Feels Like (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Yacht - Sometimes I Doubt Your Commitment to Sparkle Motion (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Blow - Hock It (We Two Yacht Remix)(MP3)
DOWNLOAD: The Blow - Pile of Gold(MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Mirah - Make It Hot (Over Yacht Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Bobby Birdman - And Then It Begins (YACHT Remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Bobby Birdman - I will come Again (YACHT Remix) (MP3)

Though SXSW advertises (advertised) that they run through Sunday (March 18, 2007), the festival is pretty much over after Saturday night. Most people have left Austin by Sunday afternoon, and there were only even three official music showcases to pick from on that last night - two of them at Emo's - one of which was all cover bands, and the other which was a mix of wacky, sometimes humorous dance and hip hop. Performers on the "wacky" bill included V.I.P., Grand Buffet, DJ Jester the Filipino Fist, and Yacht.

I stayed that extra night, and so I was psyched that there was at least one performer left in town that I really wanted to see (Yacht) (Steaming Wolf Penis next door at Beerland was tempting though).

[full disclosure: I actually did try to see Steaming Wolf Penis, but I missed them by a second, so I went back to Emo's even though there was a Queens of the Stone Age-related reunion going on after Steaming Wolf Penis.]

Yacht (aka Jona [pronounced JOHN UH)] from the Blow] was entertaining. His performance (much like Khaela's from the Blow who Jona doesn't seem to tour with) is just him singing, and dancing, and acting "silly" on stage. All the background music is pre-recorded - he just hits play on his laptop or iPod. I was cynical at first, but was totally into it by the end.

Yacht is coming to Brooklyn on April 14th to play Cinders Gallery with Telepathe. Then he'll play Bard College on the 15th, and then he'll end his NY run with a show at Hiro Ballroom on the 16th that also has Professor Murder and Gang Gang Dance on the bill. More pics and tour dates below.....

Continue reading "Yacht (Jona from the Blow) - MP3s, 2007 Tour Dates & pics from SXSW"

DOWNLOAD: Jona (The Blow)'s hour mix w/ Blow remixes (MP3) (info)

DOWNLOAD: Mirah - Don't Die in Me (MP3)

The Blow is about to return to NYC for the first time since CMJ ---> two FREE shows this week with MIRAH, and one show in May with Electrelane (who will have just finished touring Europe with Arcade Fire).

The Blow in NYC
Sat Mar. 3 - Bronx, NY @ Fordham University w/ MIRAH + (FREE)
Wed Mar. 7 - NYC @ NYU Shorin Auditorium w/ MIRAH & (FREE)
Tue May 15 - NYC @ Irving Plaza w/ ELECTRELANE (TIX)

All dates for all bands, and all details, below....

Continue reading "The Blow + Mirah + Electrelane - 2007 Tour Dates"

If you love gothic psych-folk, quietness, relaxing, Joanna Newsom, Mazzy Star, Keren Ann, long walks on the beach, Beach House, Vashti Bunyan, El Perro Del Mar, Mirah, Britta Persson, heroin, heroines, pandas and/or puppies, definitely go listen to (if you haven't already) some songs off of Marissa Nadler's unreleased (out March 12th), but already acclaimed, new album Songs III: Bird on the Water. You can do so at her her MySpace or at Gorilla Vs Bear or at Stereogum. For older MP3s check out Marissa's website.

THIS WEEK LIVE: See Marissa live when she opens for El Perro Del Mar this Thursday (March 1st) at Bowery Ballroom in NYC. Chris Garneau (signed to Absolutely Kosher) is opening too. Tickets are still available.

ALSO: On March 2nd she'll be on WNYU. On March 7th she's playing a free Other Music In-store. On March 15th she plays her first of many SXSW shows in Austin. All dates below....

Continue reading "Marissa Nadler "Songs III: Bird on the Water" + Tour Dates"

A VIEW FROM SASQUATCH! 2006 (MORE)

This is definitely the festival I want to go to:

Sasquatch! Music Festival is pleased to announce the official line up for their 6th annual event to be held over Memorial Day Weekend on Saturday, May 26th and Sunday, May 27th at the breathtaking Gorge Amphitheatre. The Festival features over 50 artists on 3 stages. Tickets for the festival go on-sale Saturday, March 3rd at 10:00 am. On-site camping for the festival is available for Friday, May 25th through Sunday, May 27th and reservations can be made upon ticket purchase.

Saturday, May 26th:
Bjork
The Arcade Fire
Manu Chao Radio Bemba Sound System
M.I.A.
Citizen Cope
Neko Case
The Hold Steady
Grizzly Bear
Ghostland Observatory
Electrelane
Two Gallants
The Slip
Loney, Dear
Aqueduct
The Thermals
Viva Voce
The Blow
Gabriel Teodros

Sunday, May 27th:
Beastie Boys
Interpol
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Spoon
Bad Brains
Ozomatli
Dandy Warhols
The Black Angels
Mirah
Tokyo Police Club
Money Mark
St. Vincent
Jesse Sykes & The Sweet Hereafter
Smoosh
Common Market
Helio Sequence
Minus The Bear

***More acts to be announced!***

Previously
* Sasquatch! 2006 | Sunday review in words & pics
* Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Sasquatch! 2006 | pics
* Beck @ Sasquatch! 2006 | pics
* Sasquatch! 2006 | Saturday review in words & pics
* Band of Horses @ Sasquatch! 2006 | pics
* Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks @ Sasquatch! 2006 | pics
* Jamie Lidell didn't shave @ Sasquatch! 2006 | pics
* Arctic Monkeys' new bassist @ Sasquatch! 2006 | pic
* CYHSY's drummer in GNR sweatshirt @ Sasquatch! 2006 | pic
* Neko Case, before & during the hail @ Sasquatch! 2006 | pics

DOWNLOAD: Channels - Always Check for Holes (MP3 from "Play")

DOWNLOAD: Georgie James - Grizzly Jive (MP3 from "Play")

DOWNLOAD: Hayes Peebles - Gone Grey (MP3)

I just got this email from a reader:

I was hoping you might be able to help me with something. I'm looking for music for a video I'm making for my daughter's pending adoption. Hate to use same old tired songs that come to mind. Could you recommend some better, perhaps more obscure songs about children, parenting, love, etc? I came across a Dar Williams song called "The One Who Knows" that was pretty good, but can't find too much else.

I couldn't think of anything off the top of my head, but leave it to Wikipedia to have a page entitled "List of songs about children". I'd like to see this guy use "Mommy's Little Monster" by Social Distortion, "Throw Away Children" by Dio, or even "Youth Gone Wild" by Skid Row, but maybe Pink Floyd's "The Happiest Days of Our Lives" and/or Lou Reed's "Beginning of a Great Adventure" might be more appropriate. Any other suggestions? Help him out in the comments.

And Speaking of kids...
* Dan Zanes is touring
* Justin Timberlake to host Kid's Choice Awards
* Britain's indie bands making children's albums
* Alec Ounsworth working on a children's album
* Tiny Masters of Today playing NYC, London, SXSW
* 14 year-old Hayes Peebles playing Movable Hype
* Mirah, Mudhoney, Mary Timony & others "play" on new kids CD

We've also established that UK band The View are young, and right before them, but after Arctic Monkeys, we had the young UK band The Kooks. It's all very confusing, and even more confusing because both of the NME-approved bands with four letters in their name just announced tour dates. Tickets are on sale for:

• The View @ Luna Lounge - March 3 - WITH YOUNG KNIVES and FOREIGN ISLANDS


• The View @ Bowery Ballroom - March 20


• The Kooks @ Irving Plaza - May 10th

I didn't much like The Kooks when they played Bowery Ballroom, but to each his own. The Kooks are also doing Coachella. The View are doing SXSW.

All Dan Zanes, Kooks & View tour dates below....

Continue reading "Music for, by and about (please help) kids ++ Dan Zanes & Kooks & View tour dates"