Frances Comes Alive!
November 18, 2008 by Mike Newman
If you’re in the New York tri-state area this Friday (November 21st), then you MUST go to the Mercury Lounge to see our good friends, Frances, play their energetic, super-tight live show for their debut full-length album release party. The album is called All The While and it is absolutely brilliant, full of catchy hooks, amazing harmonies, and melt-in-your-mouth melodies. If you can’t be at the show on Friday, you can get yourself a copy of the album from Amazon for under $10 or you can get the digital download at Amie Street for just half of $10! Dig the cover/flyer for the show…
So, hopefully I’ll see you at the show, but if not, make sure to catch this band on the rise in the near future. They’ll probably play in your town in 2009!
The after-party is at Stanton Public.
Listen to songs at the Frances website.
Download the song “All The While” for free at RCRD LBL.
Cheers!
Democracy and ice cream go hand in hand!
October 30, 2008 by Brian James
Hit up the voting booth, pat yourself on the back and get FREE ice cream? Ben and Jerry’s wants to thank you for voting by giving you a free scoop of ice cream! Head over to any participating Ben and Jerry’s location on election day from 5-8PM to claim your scoop (or scoops if you’re slick).
Voting locations and participating shops can be found here… http://www.facebook.com/benjerry
Michael Kors finally arrives in Washington
October 23, 2008 by Lela Luxe
Michael Kors has decided to open up shop in Washington’s Bellevue Square. It’s a 3,000 square-foot store and schedule to open in July of 2009.
Kors’ fans will find his ready-to-wear collection, including shoes, handbags, watches, fragrances, and eyewear. It will be a lifestyle store, just as the ones found in New York and throughout the country (there are 33).
In 2009 he’s looking to open 20 more! Not sure if this will affect his exclusivity. Michael Kors is already a mass produced brand, easily found in discount stores. We’ll just have to see. I’m sure we won’t here any protest.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Apache Beat Release “Tropics” Single
October 23, 2008 by Brian James
Ilirjana Alushaj, lead front-woman of Apache Beat is a cutie. Apart from being the leading lady in one of NYC’s most exciting new bands, she’s also the editor of The Pop Manifesto. Cute, talented and ambitious. Expect an Apache Beat full length out in 2009, but here’s a free track to hold you over…
Download Tropics RIGHT HERE.
And if you missed them at the NME showcase you can catch them at CMJ this Saturday at Webster Hall. This one’s FREE to! [Read more]
CMJ: Indaba Music at Crash Mansion!
October 22, 2008 by Brian James
Online virtual recording studio Indaba Music has a great event coming up in correlation with CMJ this week. Flyer is below. See you there!
Let The Pumpkins… FLY!!!!!
October 9, 2008 by Marc Schindler
Now that its officially October all I can think about is pumpkins. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, Sam Adams Octoberfest beer. (which by the way is the BEST beer ever) But there is an event that happens soon that gets me very excited!
Its a tradition in the area I live, and is now world famous. It’s the World Championship Punkin’ Chunkin’!! Yes, its exactly as it sounds. Teams get together and construct massive catapults, air cannons, centrifugal machines and more, all just to see which team can launch a pumpkin the farthest. [Read more]
How and where to Celebrate John Lennon’s 68th Birthday
October 9, 2008 by Brian James
Today would have been the 68th birthday of Beatles rocker John Lennon. While some accuse the Beatle of being an idealist and a capitalist, many wonder what Lennon would have to say about the state of our nation and relations throughout the international community. Something tells me he wouldn’t approve of the Bush administration.
Although he cannot be here with us today, we can still celebrate the birth and life of this visionary 1960’s teen heartthrob, musician and political activist.
Here’s a rundown of today’s Lennon celebratory festivities: [Read more]
At The Atlantic Antic (Not Pickin’ Pockets)
October 6, 2008 by Mike Newman
Well, yesterday was Brooklyn’s famous Atlantic Antic street festival, the absolute best of all the New York street festivals because it’s massive, it’s the last gasp of organized outdoor fun before the cold weather kicks in, there’s live music, the food is amazing, there are plenty of adult beverages to enjoy, and it’s in Brooklyn! And, for me, it’s right outside my apartment door.
I didn’t get out there till about 3:30 because I was nursing a pretty hefty hangover from a late Saturday night, but quickly grabbed myself a bloody mary and a yummy Vietnamese sandwich and was on the up and up. I met up with a couple friends and ran into some others, but mainly spent the next couple of hours first with Red David and then just with my hazy hangover-headed self.
It was really nice to see all the Obama frenzy at the Antic this year. Everywhere I looked were people of different races, colors, religions, sexes, sexual preferences, musical tastes, and ice cream flavor preferences banding together in support of positivity, hope, and America’s future. You could get your picture taken with a life-size cutout of Barack, you could order an organic Obama burger, and even order Biden gelato. It reminded me of New Yorkers inate ability to see through bullshit, and it’s easy for us to see that there is only one presidential campaign right now which is running on truth and honesty…and it ain’t McCain/Palin. [Read more]
Super Drummio Brother!
October 2, 2008 by Mike Newman
Tell me this guy is not bad-ass! Amazing…he should be playing the halftime show at the VP debate tonight. What…there’s no halftime show?
Stretching Out with The Skatalites
October 1, 2008 by Mike Newman
ROIR Records has just re-released some excellent live and historic Skatalites music on CD, LP, and digital download, which was previously only available on cassette. Stretching Out, from 1983, is historically significant because it is from the year when the band had just reconciled the differences that had driven their 2-year career apart in 1965. Peter Tosh’s manager, Herbie Miller tracked them all down to play at the 1983 Jamaica Sunplash. Prior to the big gig, the band got together for some rehearsal nightclub gigs at Miller’s Blue Monk Jazz Gallery in Kingston before a crowd of local fans, friends, and fellow musicians. There were no restrictions on the length of their sets, no barriers on soloing, and no boundaries in general…which led to a stretched out, spontaneously joyful Ska reunion. [Read more]
ZZzzZZzzZ David Blaine Survives Yet Another Lame Stunt.. ZZzzzZZ
September 25, 2008 by Marc Schindler
Some called David Blaine a magician, an illusionist, a stuntman, in my opinion its more like attention whore.
For some reason there are some Americans that still care about the stunts David Blaine takes on. Illusionist David Blaine survived a 44-foot jump after hanging 50 feet above the skating rink in New York City’s Central Park, upside down, for 60 hours. Woohoo freakin’ hooo! [Read more]
The Altamont, NY SoCo Music Experience: Drink Responsibly. Party Hard - Part 1
September 17, 2008 by Brian James
The Altamont Fairgrounds in NY was the last stop of the Soco Music Experience, a six market traveling music festival featuring recording artists like The Roots, The Black Keys, The Flaming Lips, Lotus and Justice. Of course, there was plenty of Southern Comfort to guzzle down.
Highlights of the event consisted of photo booths (Spin Magazine / Complex Magazine), a last minute set by Matt and Kim (replacing MGMT), couples awkwardly making out on film, VIP dinner, free drinks and stellar performances by electronica jam band, Lotus and French duo/cult leaders, Justice.
Check out the photo story below:
(Lack of inhibitions starts on page 4…)
Videos coming soon!
FREE: Guitar Center Sessions w/ Joe Bonamassa
September 12, 2008 by Brian James
Here’s another FREE event for you guitar and music enthusiasts. This Saturday September 17th at 7PM, blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa will be hanging out at Guitar Center Hollywood for a one-night special event. The praised guitarist will be following in the footsteps of guitar legends Slash and Dave Mustaine in hosting an exclusive sit-down, sharing tips, technique, experiences. Expect some jamming for sure.
Again, this is a free but limited capacity event
More info can be found at www.guitarcenter.com/sessions.
BREAKING ARTIST: Who is Bryn Christopher?
August 26, 2008 by Brian James
Bryn Christopher
No I didn’t forget the the letter “A”… His name is Bryn not Bryan and if you don’t know him know then you will within the next couple of weeks. From across the Atlantic in Birmingham, England, Bryn puts back soul into popular music. Known for his powerful and soulful voice, Bryn opened as a supporting act for paparazzi soul sensation Amy Winehouse during the end of her 2007 tour. Will this fellow Brit follow in the footsteps of Winehouse’s shortcomings and misfortunes?
My guess is no, but with rave reviews from the UK, Bryn Christopher has a sure shot at good ol’ American tabloid loving stardom. Look out for the digital release of his EP on September 16th and his full-length, My World, slotted for a January 13, 2009 release on Interscope Records.
Get a sneak peak of his single “The Quest” below:
Audio Stream: The Quest - Bryn Christopher
US Live Performance Dates
September 22, 2008 - Los Angeles - Viper Room - 8:00pm
September 24, 2008 - New York - Joes Pub - 7:30pm
More dates to come soon!
REVIEW: The Wailin’ Jennys Live
August 26, 2008 by Heather Holloway
The Wailin' Jennys
The Wailin’ Jennys performed at Joe’s Pub in NYC on Sunday night. They are an acoustic folk group consisting of Ruth Moody, Nicky Mehta, Heather Masse and the “boy Jenny” Jeremy Penner. They filled the intimate setting with folk, bluegrass and spiritual songs. Their unique sound is like a soul soothing mix of The Indigo Girls, Nanci Griffith and Norah Jones. The ladies sang haunting three part harmonies either a capella or while they played a variety of instruments. They masterfully played the stand up bass, banjo, accordion and ukulele among other instruments, which added to the distinction of their music. Penner accompanied them on violin and mandolin. [Read more]
