Mark Ronson @ Hard Rock Times Square 6/19

Mark Ronson - Stop Me ft Daniel Merriweather.mp3

This should be dope... Come thru

Wax Fang @ Mercury Lounge 6/6

Wax Fang played last week with The Features at Mercury Lounge and I was blown away by the sheer musicianship that this Louisville, KY 3-piece displayed. Their sound is so epic, crisp and tight. Originally a solo project for Scott Carney (vox, theremin, guitar) developed in his basement playing all the instruments himself until he eventually added Kevin Ratterman (drums) and Jake Heustis (bass, keys) to round out this retro/but updated indie rock outfit.


Carney sounds Michael Stipe-ish when he sings as some of the songs are instrumental or with lyrics with little regard for the traditional chorus, verse, bridge, chorus etc formula (below are two songs with lyrics). Their influences seem to range from southern 60s rock, to the obscure indie rock. They have recently toured with My Morning Jacket. Here's what Jim James of MMJ had to say about Wax Fang:

"...it’s got futuristic energy, a lot of elements I’ve never heard work before. A combo of all these things you remember from the past. You can sense some David Bowie in it. It’s so unique, it’s hard to place. The cool thing about it is he [Carney] made it by himself. Every single instrument is played by him and he paid attention to the details….The production is amazing, the songs are amazing. It takes you to a different place." - Jim James of My Morning Jacket from the New York Times

MP3:Wax Fang - Sweet Bloody Murder.mp3
MP3:Wax Fang - Bi-Polar Bear.mp3

Upcoming Shows: Liam & Me, The Virgins, Airspace etc

TONIGHT: 5/30 Airspace @ Arlene's Grocery 10pm ($8)
6/01 CSS, Yo Majesty @ Fillmore - Irving Plaza ($20)
6/05 Liam and Me w/ We Are The Fury @ The Knitting Factory 7:30ish ($10) 21+
6/09 The Long Blondes, The Virgins @ Bowery Ballroom 9pm ($15 day of)

Flyers:

YO YO Party


mp3s - virgins: here
mp3s - Liam and Me: here
mp3s - Airspace: and here

Show: Spankrock, Ghostface, Roxy, Lil Mama, Catchdubs tonight!

Doors 7pm
Show 9pm
Ages 16+

Highline Ballroom is on 16st btw 9th-10th Avenues

Lil Mama - Lip Gloss.mp3
A great-in-its-simplicity mashup by catchdubs Pump It Shawty 2.mp3
DJ Kentaro ft Spankrock - Free (Armani Xxxchange Remix).mp3
Ghostface Killah - Kilo ft. Raekwon.mp3

thats all folks, tonight should be kinda bananas... if you dont wanna shell out 30 bills to see Spank and crew, come to the Annex for the afterparty... rsvp at www.going.com

Albert Hammond Jr with High Class Elite tonight @ Hiro

My girl Aishah is singing with Franco V and the High Class Elite tonight at 10pm. They just came off an openning slot on the Stooges most recent east coast tour!

but before that you should go to the Knitting Factory for this show!

Shows this week and after, write that down!

Kid Sister is performing with The Rub at the Canal Room on Sat May 26th:


Also, this Thursday at The Knitting Factory, ill be doing merch (i feel so honored...note to self: need to get a job) for DJ Vibe and Max. The line up includes The Guts, Machinedrum, and Jungletalk.

Spankrock show and exclusive Santogold/SpankRo mp3

Santogold - Shuv It ft Spankrock (Produced by Disco D.mp3
This and other I've previously posted will be on the forthcoming album by Santogold.
Finally there's a flyer for this show:

Pierces Album Release Party @ The Box, NYC pics

Also, this Saturday 4/21 at the Gramercy Theatre, The Pierces open for Mason Jennings. Tix available here.

CYHSY and T.I. billed together @ Duke Univeristy

+

Ok so I was told by a member of CYHSY that their show at Duke University this past Saturday night was (to my surprise) not a so good an experience.
I asked, shocked "why? what happened? did the equipment fuck up"
He said: "we were there opening for T.I.- do you know him?"
Me: laughing and smiling "so this was one of those college free shows for students spring concert thing and they tried to please indie and hip hop heads"
Him: "we got booed and when we were finishing our set and Alec said that this was our last song, they cheered! It was terrible-worst band experience of my life"

I decided I didn't want to say anything about it but then I went to Idolator and saw this about T.I.'s performance... Check this out, its really funny that Duke thinks they can do this (since this is a regular occurrence):
"T.I. may face legal action after he allegedly botched a Saturday-night concert at Duke University, partially because he had to attend an "unrelated dinner" at P.F. Chang's Lucky Bistro." -Idolator. Full article in Duke newspaper here.

Recap of Virgins and Jet show

Donald after the show:
All my pictures are blurry and my camera broke mid show, but I'm waiting on Aron's Glob to post the one's he took from stage etc... I have some afterparty pictures too if you go my flickr page

It was the Virgins 6th show since starting the tour with Jet... they are getting the hang of the live show slowly but surely... But I gotta say, when they opened, the floor at Webster was packed with fans (not like friends of the band but real fans!). They really got a lot of love from the NY show. They have an EP out that they are selling on the road with them as an FYI if you happen to read this blog and are going to any of the shows.

Triumphant Virgins return to NY before going on the next oleg of tour with Jet

Tour is going swimmingly I hear and they are stopping at Webster Hall this Thursday April 5. So Come down, tix are not sold out!!!!
Here's an exclusive track:
The Virgins - Radio Christiane.mp3

Can't wait for tomorrow!

The Cloud Room is OFFICIAL

They're back and being good people:
J from The Cloud Room says "we are playing our first headlining NYC show in a year and 26 days!!!! Blame the absence on Australia, Muse, The National, fire, time, Poland & chicken pox (poor Dave). Oh, and we’ve also been recording our next EP (Please Don’t Almost Kill Me) & LP. So come check out the new songs next week, our new horn section (the 100% Natural Good-Time Family Band Horn Ensemble), bathe in the free booze, and support a great cause. All $$$ goes to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society"
Also playing this benefit are DJ/Producers The Rub
The Rub - Track14.mp3


then stay for the Cheeky Bastard party

Ed Banger and Mad Decent: 2 Nights of crazy dance parties

Ok, lets start off with Thursday night @ Hiro where I saw the Presets for the first of two shows in NY (the second in BK on Friday)... They were amazing, here are some pics:
the presets (the best pic I could get without being trampled by people in the crowd)

just look how packed it was
I'm not gonna lie, after the Presets and Busy P, the night got kind of blurry for me, but more party pics here.

Apparently, because there were some tickets to this sold out show still available at the door (which opened at 9pm) there was some beef outside. First of all, I got there at 9:07 or something and people were queing around the block like 3 people thick already. I somehow got myself in (thank you David!) and settled without TOO much of a hassle. Around, 10:30/11ish people were cutting the line and getting into fights where the police came out to stop them. I just am sort of shocked and proud that all these French hipsters could get that macho and aggressive. Vive la France!
-------------------------------------------------------------------
More Than Decent...
Ok, lets get into Friday night (the one I remember way more vividly for the music). I got there with my friend Meg at around 11pm definitely recognizing a lot of faces from the night before waiting in line again! We get in and Nic (catchdubs) was djing. There were strobe lights and sweaty dirty dance people writhing around the dance floor in every color fluorescent hoodies and ghetto gold-dope!
After getting settled in, Mad Decent's own Baltimore boy DJ Blaq Starr took the stage. I am embarrassed to say I never heard of him or his music, but when he starting freestyling over Rod Lee's "Dance My Pain Away" I knew he was up my alley.
Hes a dope producer and DJ who is apparently producing some tracks for the new M.I.A. record and has been described as "Something akin to the marriage of The Clipse, Carl Craig, and Peter Gabriel" and "violent, futuristic soul music" by Diplo. If you want to get at this amazing talent, u can grab an EP here.

Here's one of his productions with vocals from Rye Rye:
DJ_Blaq_Starr-Shake_It_To_The_Ground.mp3

Next up was bonde do role... I mean everyone knows they are dope, so I don't really need to say more about them. Here are some pics:




bondedorole - soltaofrango.mp3
bondedorole - gasolina.mp3

Then at some point in the wee hours of the morning, Diplo sprang into action, and was satisfying

Diplo vs The Beatles - Shhake It Up.mp3

Ed Banger goons @ Hiro This Thursday

This Thursday, I just found out (I don't know how this got past me) that Justice along with DJ Medhi, Sebastian, Busy P...
Cheeky B*stard Presents
Ed Banger Records and Presets Live

The Presets are dope, check em out


The Presets - Are You The One.mp3
The Presets - Down Down Down.mp3


Backpack Rap tours, Label News and this weeks shows

So, I just recently found out thatRock The Bells festival/tour is firming up its performers and dates for the summer. Hosted by Supernatural, Rahzel, and Dj Hi Tek includes performances by Mos Def, EPMD, Cypress Hill, and Public Enemy. For the full story on Allhiphop.com go here

Also keep marked in your calendars:
Mar 30 Diplo, bonde do role, and the Mad Decent Crew @ Studio B (SOLD OUT) but ill take some pictures for you
April 5th The Virgins open for Jet @ Webster Hall
May 8th-9th Amy muthafuckin Winehouse @ Highline Ballroom 16th btw 9th and 10th
May 15th Spankrock @ Highline Ballroom
May 18th Talib Kweli @ Highline Ballroom
May 26th Mos Def @ Highline Ballroom

Also, in other news from Stereogum "Alexandra Patsavas, the influential TV and film music supervisor who has helped put Death Cab for Cutie, Snow Patrol and the Fray on the mainstream map, has inked a deal with Atlantic Records to form a new imprint, Chop Shop Records. The label shares the name of Patsavas' 10-year-old California-based firm, Chop Shop Music Supervision"... Read the rest of the post here

I also have pictures posted on my flickr acct (linked on this page) of the Team Facelift show on Friday night. Here are a few, check em out...

before the show, the place is packed



Producer reps the Mets

Upcoming Shows This Week: The Changes, Team Facelift

The Changes (from Chicago) are a great bunch of boys whose music I made the acquaintance of thru my friend Nora. They have a quirky yet soothing music style that draws you into their live show. They are playing tomorrow night 3/20 @ Pianos 10PM and stay for the next band at 11, The Colour-the singer thinks he's Jim Morrison incarnate and its pretty funny to watch.

The Changes - When I Sleep.mp3
The Changes - In The Dark.mp3

Then on Friday 3/23 Team Facelift will be playing (i think) @ Club 205 Chrystie Street @ Stanton at 10:30

I blogged about them last yr, look here for more info
Fat Jew of Team Facelift (and yes that is a real mini horse)
These guys are hilarious, crazy weirdo hip hop music... here's a taste:

Team Facelift - Dippin Chicken.mp3
Team Facelift - No Love.mp3

sorry, ive been out of touch

but I have a very close friend in the hospital... so i've been at the hospital since Monday

but on a lighter note, Orlando was great: here's the highlight—face-painting and booze


I saw Stab the Matador last night at the Annex, they were amazing... and even though the entire industry and indie music fans are in Austin, the band seemed to draw a sizeable crowd.

Tonight, I'm going to see my best friend Danny's band Jounce at guess where? The Annex, again... whoopie

Then, Monday The Pierces are supporting Jesse Malin @ Bowery Ballroom I believe.

She's a Punk Rocker, Yes She Is

Ok so Santogold performed two songs with the Teddybears at their show at Hiro last Thursday. She sang on "Punkrocker" and "Yours To Keep"- my two favorite songs off the album. Here are some pictures:

Santogold looking good


a teddybear


more Santi


some people who are not Mad Cobra singing "Cobrastyle"

My favorite song out there now:
Santogold - Creator (Produced by Switch and Freq Nasty).mp3

And one of the songs Santi covered:
Teddybears - 07 Punkrocker (Featuring Iggy Pop).m4a

I'm going to miss Airspace!!! aaarrghhh

Airspace is a band a friend stumbled upon on myspace and told me to check out. I totally trust this person's music taste, so I listened to the music and was pretty impressed. Adding to my surprise, I saw that they were going to be playing in NYC the next week (this week). Sadly, I'll be out of town til Sunday and am missing a lot of great shows, including this band! I don't know the particulars but I know that some of the band is British and some are American which explains how thoughtful the music is. Anyway, I will get to the bottom of "their story" once I get back and have time to email/harass them. If any of my friends are interested in going to the show to review it for me and take pictures, let me know and I'll hook you up!

Airspace is playing 2 NYC dates:
3/7/07 Lion's Den @ 8:30
3/8/07 Pianos @ 8

Here are some great songs they sent me

Airspace - 06 Misspelled.mp3
Airspace - 05 Angel Unleashed.mp3
Airspace - 03 Candle.mp3

I don't esp agree with everything in this cause I'm a different person, but here's what Performer Magazine's Kat Amano had to say:
"With a sound that alternates between daring, grinding indie and shoot-for-the-stars mainstream, Airspace has yet to find label support, despite the help of hit-making engineer John Hampton (The Raconteurs, R.E.M., The Replacements) as co-producer. The album's transatlantic influences are immediately apparent: lead singer Alyn Mearns and guitarist Jimmy Brown grew up in Belfast, Ireland; bassist John Coogan and Alex Watson hail from the Southeastern U.S. The effect on this, their debut EP, is a smooth melding of Brit-rock edge and Southern sensibility, with a serious focus on thinking through the arrangements. This is perhaps the biggest appeal factor for Airspace. The overall sonic atmosphere sounds carefully, even meticulously, planned; dynamics are weighed and executed with excellent judgment, and yet never once does the band seem trapped in its own formulas. They maintain their spontaneity and liveliness, particularly as Mearns' vocals soar and sear through an impressive tonal range. He varies from expressive, balladic crooning to throaty rock 'n' roll sing-shouting as the music builds and pounds, at times sounding almost like The Strokes' Julian Casablancas, but with better lyrics. Mearns takes great care with his melodies and dynamic variations, understanding when to back off and let the other band members shine. On keys and guitar, Brown really drives the music with strong, weighty chords that serve the song without overpowering Coogan's quick-fingered bass lines and Watson's rock-your-face cymbals. The band keeps the quieter moments just as interesting, faltering only slightly on "Candle," which stumbles into emo territory with Mearns' breathy chorus and a "let's-outdo-U2" approach. Thankfully, they redeem themselves quickly with the punk-inspired "Hunky Dory" and then the catchy but rocking "Baby Don't Let Me Down." The key here is variety with unity, which nearly ensures an exciting and interesting live show."