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

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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.

Just Jack is not just from Will & Grace

This LDN native started djing at 15 and got heavy into the Grime (UK's abrasive brand of hip hop) scene. His first album "The Outer Marker" released in 2002 was given the cold shoulder, barely making a dent in the UK. "Overtones" is Just Jack's sophomore release on Mercury Records, having reached number 2 on the UK charts with the single "Stars In Your Eyes." People have taken notice and he is not playing sold out shows in the UK and being compared to the likes of Mike Skinner aka The Streets. However, Mike Skinner is the farthest from Just Jack. The media sees two white guys rap/talking over grime-ish beats in London with a storyteller quality and assume they are the same. Anyways, my favorite song has to be "Disco Friends". Check em out, I guarantee you'll like em



Just Jack - Stars in Your Eyes.mp3
Just Jack - Disco Friends.mp3
Just Jack - Glory Days.mp3

Wednesday:


TONIGHT:

Tigercity can't commit, so what else is new?!?

In the lax culture of hooking up and non-dating and def non-boy/girlfriends, its getting harder and harder to commit to just one person even if you know they're the one you want (for the time being). Tigercity's new song is all about this. "I'm easy/ It's nothing that you do/ It's everything the other girls do" I love Bill's vocals in this... very "smooth" as they like to call their pop sound.

Tigercity - Other Girls.mp3

for more on this band, go to my previous post here

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

Amanda Blank new song with XXXchange

Amanda Blank is a sultry sexy singer as well as a dope mc who can stand up to the boys.
Amanda Blank - Get It Now.mp3
Here's another new track I'm loving
Amanda Blank - DJ Play That Shit.mp3

and its been rumored that M.I.A. wants to take Amanda and Santogold on tour this summer which would be a show I would DEF be at! Will keep you posted on all that shit if it works out

And this song rings a little to close to home but I can dig it, can u dig it
it comes from The Pase Rock
The Pase Rock ft Amanda Blank - Sexy MF DJ Eli rmx.mp3

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!
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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

on my way to BK for Diplo at Studio B, but I'll review the Presets show last night and tonights with pics etc tomorrow. hold your breath.

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.

guess who discovered the Virgins! Stereogum!!!! read the post here

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."

Leaders of The Pack

Coming from the subgenre of hip hop known as hyphy from the Bay area, The Pack (formerly known as the Wolfpack)- skaters turned rappers from Berkeley, CA are bringing this movement a lot of attention as of late. Hyphy is distinguished by gritty, pounding rhythms, and in this sense can be associated with the Bay Area as crunk music is in the South. Contrary to popular belief, the musical aspect of the movement has very few similarities to crunk music, as it is dictated by more uptempo beats.

Longtime Too $hort studio engineer/production collaborator Taj Mahal Tilghman, who is Up All Nite Music's general manager and project coordinator says of The Pack “They're totally unique and they embody the whole essence of the 'hyphy' sound and style with their energetic crazy party personalities and all that shines through in their delivery and their lyrics." "Organized madness" is how Taj sums up The Pack's instantly spellbinding 'hyphy' assault.
The Pack’s self-titled album is highly anticipated featuring the likes of Too $hort, Keak da Sneak, Mr. F.A.B., Jody Breeze of Boyz N Da Hood, and The Team. Complete with hits such as "Vans" (already creating a strong buzz on the Left Coast with stations in California, Portland, and Washington all following the Bay Area's KMEL lead and quickly expanding to Miami and Atlanta), "Ice Cream”, " Dum Diddy Dum " and "Booty Bounce Bopper".
No strangers to controversy, their video for “Vans” was banned by MTV for apparently being a commercial for the shoe. For more on this go here.
"It’s a punk rock shoe so they get real dirty/Sole kinda thick like a big booty chick"
Watch the video:


Discovered by Too Short and now signed to his label Up All Nite/Jive, The Pack (formerly The Wolfpack) is on the fast track to Berkeley, California rappers stars. When they signed to Up All Nite Music they also officially became a part of the Up All Nite crew along with Too $hort and Atlanta's up-and-coming Murda Mob (comprised of freestyle master Booski, female emcee Lil Red, and Young Bay who was formerly known as Baby DC).
Here are some songs:
The Pack - Vans.mp3
The Pack - Dum Didi Dum Dum ft. Mr.FAB & Too Short.mp3

News and shit

*Ok so I'm obsessed with how weird this girl, Teyana from StarTrak who was on My Super Sweet Sixteen.... Fader wrote this funny blog entry about her here
*Madvilan has AN ACTION FIGURE OMG I WANT THIS
*Anything about Dick Manitoba is newsworthy to me... I love his bar, and have had many amazing nights getting fucked there and fighting about jewish/catholic raisings
*A touching tribute to the travel mixtape... I totally agree
*Callmemickey has a good post re: a new hip hop artist that played a Fader party earlier this week I think, named Tabi Bonney... for more info, go to catchdubs


This is my new favorite SONG for the WEEK... I love the line "i dont gotta rap i can sell a mill sayin nothin on a track"

MIMS - This Is Why Im Hot (Dirty).mp3



Oh,

P.S. I'm going here tonight