by Andrew Frisicano

DOWNLOAD: Harlem Shakes - Strictly Game (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Sean Bones - Easy Street (MP3)

Harlem Shakes @ Highline Ballroom (more by Ryan Muir)

The lineup at Pianos tonight (5/6) at has had some changes since we last wrote about it.

Harlem Shakes are still playing a free early show with The Cringe and Sean Bones, but Japandroids, who were originally scheduled to play the show's late set, had to reschedule all of their dates because of illness. They'll be in town instead on July 10th and 11th. Heavenly States canceled as well. Instead, we have the Octagon, Electric Owls, and Stars Like Nesseth for the post-Shakes late show (10pm start).

The Shakes have been busy since the release of Technicolor Health on Gigantic Music in March. I caught their show at the Starr Space on Thursday, April 23rd, where the band closed the night. The late Harlem Shakes set was persuasive enough to convince most of the crowd to stick around and sacrifice a totally alert work/school day. Accordingly, the front of the room was packed with people dancing to the band's new album songs, which they played as A Christmas Story rolled on the projector. The hardwood surface of the Starr Space were less than ideal acoustically (the PA speakers mounted behind the crowd didn't help either), but no one seemed to notice -- most were more interested in the party anthem choruses of songs like "Strictly Game" and "Sunlight."

At the end of May, the band heads out on tour with Passion Pit and Cale Parks across North America. After that, the Harlem Shakes will headline a July 1st show at the Bowery Ballroom. Tickets are still on sale.

Max & Willow (Sean Bones & Norah Jones in Wah Do Dem)

Also playing the free show tonight (7pm, you better hurry) is Sean Bones, "solo project of Sean Sullivan aka the guitarist of Sam Champion." He's set to release his debut LP (a reggae album), Rings, July 21st on Frenchkiss Records. Coming up, Bones will also play the Delancey on May 20th, open for the 1990s at the Mercury Lounge on May 28th, and perform at the Frenchkiss Records Northside Fest showcase at Bruar Falls on June 12th.

Sean Bones stars with Norah Jones in the indie flick Wah Do Dem, premiering at the LA Film Festival in June. Jones also sings on "Turn Them," the closing track on Bones' new disc.

You might recognize the other band on tonight's bill, The Cringe, as the group that features Rachael Ray's husband, guitarist/singer John Cusimano. The group has performed at Ray's pre-SXSW Santos show and SXSW BBQ in March of this year, her 2008 SXSW party, and other Ray-sponsored gigs. She's also hosting tonight at Pianos (Watch Entertainment = her production company) (flyer posted again below).

Two new clips from the Harlem Shakes' record release party at MHOW on March 26th, and the Sean Bones record track list and and IFC interview, and the trailer for Wah Do Dem, below...

Continue reading "Sean Bones - new record & movie, Norah Jones & tonight w/ (Rachael Ray and) The Harlem Shakes (new live videos) "

"One year after she set the blogosphere on its collective ear by invading the indier-than-thou confines of South by Southwest with her own party -- and then shocking everyone when that party actually turned out to be pretty good -- Rachael Ray is at again, with plans for another SXSW soiree.

While details are still limited, a source close to the event told MTV News that Ray is looking to throw an "expanded" party at this year's South By, tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, March 21. Last year's party was held at Austin, Texas' Beauty Bar, but no location has been determined for this year's event.

The source said that "10 to 12" bands could be booked for Ray's SXSW party (last year's bill featured the Raveonettes, Holy Fuck and the Cringe, the band fronted by her husband, Jon Cusimano), and while not all the acts have been confirmed, we hear that a couple of fairly huge names -- the Hold Steady and the Airborne Toxic Event -- have already committed to play.

The source also added that another "big name" will be added in the coming days.

Ray will work out all the kinks at a SXSW pre-party, scheduled for February 25 at Andrew WK's NYC spot Santo's Party House. Semi-Precious Weapons, the Orion Experience and the Cringe top the bill." [MTV]

Last year it wasn't only Rachael that "set the blogosphere on its collective ear". It was Perez Hilton's entrance into SXSW too. His party ended up having Robyn, N.E.R.D., Riskay and others. Then he did a CMJ party too which Semi Precious Weapons also played (along with Sharon Jones and Lady Gaga).

Continue reading "Rachael Ray coming to Santos Party House, returning to SXSW ("Hold Steady & Airborne Toxic Event rumored")"