photos by Bao Nguyen

Jon Wiley & Lightspeed Champion @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

A circle of Brooklyn-based friends have joined together to throw a benefit for beloved, local musician, Jon Wiley. We Are the Wiley: A Benefit Concert for Jon Wiley will feature Adam Green, Lightspeed Champion, DJ Johnny Tropical, and Chairlift at The Shank-an art space and concert venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn-on Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 8PM.

On March 5, 2009, professional guitarist, bassist, and keyboardist, Jon Wiley awoke without feeling or mobility in his arms and legs. He was subsequently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and incurred more than $30,000 worth of medical bills for his week-long hospital stay. After a lengthy recovery process, Jon has regained most feeling in his limbs and has gone on in recent months to record and perform with Lightspeed Champion, Adam Green, and his solo project, SpaceCamp. However, he is still without the means to afford his own healthcare.

Join us to celebrate the extraordinary talent of Jon Wiley, and raise funds to cover the expenses of a musician in need. This is a concrete opportunity to help a friend who, like so many artists and musicians in the United States, lack affordable healthcare. Jon's story highlights the importance of healthcare for every person and the value of living each day to the fullest.

Jon Wiley performed at least three times in the past two days. As Bill pointed out, Spacecamp opened for, and played with, Lightspeed Champion at Mercury Lounge on Wednesday night (6/17). Jon (and the rest of Spacecamp) then backed Dev again last night (6/18) when Lightspeed opened for Phoenix at Music Hall of Williamsburg.

The benefit flyer w/ more details, video from Mercury Lounge, and more pictures from MHOW, below...

Continue reading "Lightspeed Champion played Merc (video) & MHOW (pics), playing A Benefit for Jon Wiley w/ Chairlift & Adam Green"

Exene Cervenka @ Bowery Ballroom - May 29, 2009 (more by Jacob Blickenstaff)

STATEMENT FROM EXENE CERVENKA OF X:

After some months of not feeling 100% healthy, I recently had some medical tests run and the prognosis is that I am suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Apparently, it has been affecting me for quite some time.

Although this is obviously unfortunate news, I am choosing to see the positive in it. I, and X as a band, have supported the Sweet Relief charity since the mid-1990's; the irony of this is not lost on any of us. Sweet Relief was started as an aide to uninsured artists by musician Victoria Williams when she herself was diagnosed with MS in 1992.

While this diagnosis will most certainly mean some changes for me, personally, it will not affect my commitments to the current X U.S. tour, nor will it affect my solo album that is slated for release this fall on Bloodshot Records.

My focus will certainly be on maintaining my health--many people remain strong and continue to live their lives as productively as they had before an MS diagnosis and I plan to be one of those people.

To find out more about Sweet Relief please visit: www.sweetrelief.org
To find out more about X please visit: www.xtheband.com

This sad news comes just after the completion of X's 3-night, fan-driven-setlist, run at Bowery Ballroom in NYC (May 29-31). The above picture comes from Night One. A picture of the the setlist from Night Two, below..

Continue reading "X's Exene Cervenka announces she has multiple sclerosis"