Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Mountain Battles = New Breeders album
But now its official. The Breeders will be releasing a new album in the Spring of '08 on 4AD
From a Press Release from 4AD (via The Breeders Myspace)
THE BREEDERS NEW ALBUM -- MOUNTAIN BATTLES -- SET FOR RELEASE ON 4AD APRIL 8, 2008 IN US AND APRIL 7, 2008 IN REST OF WORLD!
4AD is pleased to announce the forthcoming world-wide release of Mountain Battles, the new album from The Breeders on Tuesday, April 8, 2008 (April 7 outside of North America).
ETC.....
This not to mention that they will be streaming a new song from MOUNTAIN BATTLES on their Myspace called "We're Gonna Rise" for the next 7 days.
Stream Daft Punk's 'Alive 2007'
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Kids and Money
Conveniently titled "Material Girls (+ Boys). The short, 5 paragraph piece talks about a new 'docu-short' by award winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield and in conjunction with The New York Times Magazine's Money issue. The film was shot in LA and Lauren asks different teenagers about money and its effect on their lives.
I'm not trying to pick on the "well-to-do" people in the world, I just find it amusing to listen to people explain their spending...almost rationalizing it to you. The film doesn't just stick to the upper crust. Miss Greenfield talks on all walks of life, from the "4-digit" girls ($1000+ FYI) to family's that share a one bedroom house. It's somewhat humbling to see these kids, none of them are portrayed as unhappy or in an unsatisfactory light. They're all on different tiers revolving around the same city.
I commend Lauren Greenfield for this unbiased look at what could become a major problem for children and teenagers especially in the next decade or so...
You can watch the entire 14 minute film here and then find out more about Lauren Greenfield at her website.
Quotes from the documentary that I just love:
"Going to the things that are 4-digits I think that's very inappropriate for school."..."But, if you want like a really nice classic bag. Its definitely appropriate to spend that kind of like 4-digits..."
-Gabby, 16
"Its just something you have to do. You have to be popular, you have to be in-style. And in order to be popular you have to be in-style, so like you know. So to achieve popularity you have to have a lot of clothes, a lot of shoes."
-Sean Michael, 17 (as an added notation, Mr. Michael says he spends $700-$800 a month just on clothes, which is over twice what I pay in rent every month.)
Oh my a music blog contest....
(Via Hey Nielsen)
(UPDATED 11/13) Following the success (good for us, good for bloggers) of our First Annual TV Blog Contest, we're launching our First Annual Music Blog Contest on Monday, November 12. With the help of our friends at Billboard.com, we've nominated a heap of
You must be a member to vote. Membership is free!
A big thanks to Billboard.com's Jaded Insider Blog for their help and to our newest H!N teammate Sarah Epler who researched all of the sites and stats, and has not taken her headphones off in a week.
Best Music Blog Nominees | Rules
To vote, simply click on the VOTE link next to the blog and then click on the RATE IT button on that blog's main page. You can vote for as many blogs as you want, but you can only vote for each blog once.
From The Southside? | Visit | VOTE | |
God damn what is it mean
White Shoes & The Couples Company
(Minty Fresh Records)
As a child I watched a lot of old television shows (i.e. Mary Tyler Moore Show, Get Smart, The Bob Newhart Show, The Dyke Van Dyke, F-Troop, Dragnet...anything that was playing on Nick at Nite when Nick at Nite was on Nickelodeon and there wasn't a channel dedicated to 5 hour blocks of the Cosby show everyday). I feel that this was a major point in my life. I discovered 'Classic' shows that my parents and grandparents were raised on, and I've noticed that quite a few of my friends also share a fondness for these shows.
That being noted, I was very happy the first time I heard the Indonesian sextet, White Shoes & The Couples Company. They had all the makings of a 70's show...wardrobe included.
White Shoes & The Couples Company self-titled album , available on Minty Fresh, is a breathe of fresh air for me in this slow moving indie pop world. Their light harmonies, sparse arrangements and flowing melodies make it easy to stare off just reminiscing about your childhood over a cup of tea. Its no wonder All Music Guide named them one of their "25 Most Crush Worthy" bands last year .
White Shoes formed in 2002 at an art institute at Cikini, central Jakarta. Two lover from the fine art faculty Rio & Sari decided to form a band together with their ffriend in the faculty named Saleh. This was the first formation of White Shoes & The Couples Company, which featured Sari on vocal & violin, Rio on rhythm guitar and Saleh on melody guitar. The three of them made their first debut as White Shoes & The Couples Company at a college event. However, the trio formation diverged from their original plan when Sari and Rio had keenly asked a married couple from the music faculty to join the band. The couples was Ricky Surya Virgana & Mela Virgana. Yet the couple was hard to meet since they were busy lecturing and covering for orchestras. Several months later, the couple join White Shoes & The Couples Company with Ricky on Bass and cello and Mela on viola, keyboards and piano. White Shoes & The Couples Company did not have a drummer in the beginining, but Ricky took the initiative to ask a friend at his faculty namely John Navid to play drums for one event at the BB's Bar. How ever, as the time went by John eventually became a permanent drummer in 2004. Thus, the final formation of White Shoes & The Couples Company was set.
I feel like it would be cheating you not to give you as many songs from White Shoes & The Couples Company, but I don't want to infringe on anyone, so I'll put them up in the form of videos. I can't pick a favorite song, but do yourself a favor and go get this album. You won't regret it.
Track 2 Tentang Cita
Track 4 Windu & Defrina
Track 6 Sunday Memory Lane
Track 8 Senandung Maaf
Hot Chip New Album Free MP3....
Its no secret that Hot Chip are readying a new record, Made In The Dark, for release February 5, 2008. What you should know is that they are giving away a MP3 that has been streaming on their myspace. "I Became A Volunteer" is not a track from their up coming LP, but it is a pretty sweet song. The only catch is that you have to sign up for their mailing list to get access to the mp3, but who doesn't want up to date information on one of London's hottest groups?
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Woodies mad me ill
The night was pretty uneventful...The performances were good, and the drinks were strong. The most interesting thing to happen during the night was watching the antics of Philly's MC Spank Rock, and his interactions with the live blogging tables of The Gothamist and Best Week Ever.
And to make things even better...between Rilo Kiley's 2 song set (They closed out the night's performances and the show itself), MTV handed out a press release...which I find pretty ridiculous...its pretty much the equivalent to live blogging but in hard copy form. I even took the time to jot down notes during the precedings to re-tell the story to everyone...but instead you can just read about it.
Regardless I ended up waking up the next day feeling sick, and even now I'm still fighting this badass cold...
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Hello, Blue Roses
Is it any surprise that Dan Bejar would be collaborating/releasing a new record? From The New Pornographers to Destroyer he always seems to be pushing forward in mud hole that we call the music world (industry sounds a bit too tacky here).
This time he's teamed up with Sydney Vermont as the duo Hello, Blue Rose. Together they create a warm soft aura in the vein of Joni Mitchell-ish singer/songwriters of the 70's...But you will notice a deepness upon listening, a new founded insight into song structure, and of course there is a great juxtaposition betweenBejar's songwriting and vocals to Syndey's ethereal voice.
Their debut is due out on January 22, 2008 on Chicago-based label Locust Music. But if you can't wait until then, there will be two 7" splits coming in December. One a 'tour only' split with Frog Eyes on Absolutely Kosher, and the other with the UK's Starless & Bible Black. Available only from Locust's website.
Go to Hello, Blue Roses Myspace to listen to Hello, Blue Roses (yes that is the song title, I'm not delirious yet)...or click here to hear the song "Shadow Falls"
Marina Gasolina
Its scheduled for a December 4th release.
The track listing looks a little like this:
1 - Marina Gasolina (New Version)
2 - Contaminada
3 - Cagago
4 - Miami Beach
5 - Marina Gasolina (Fake Blood Remix)
6 - Marina Gasolina (Peaches Remix)
7 - Office Boy (CSS Remix)
8 - Office Boy (Architecture In Helsinki Remix)
9 - Solta O Frango (Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Remix)
10 - Solta O Frango (Ladytron Remix)
Its getting to be pretty cold out now, so let's hope that another dose of that infectious Baile Funk will help keep us warm until the spring thaw.
Charith Cutestory
This one is the first episode that I watched...
I don't care how this speaks about my character...its CUTE.
Friday, November 2, 2007
pop:ped
Now:
I really don't have much to say about this, but if this isn't a great start for the return of pop music?...
Then how about the fact that Britney Spears' lastest album will be at the top of the Bilboard Charts next week. Huh?..HUH?
Oh Backstreet Boys where are you?...Oh Wait...
Post: Halloween
Tracklisting:
Aesop Rock - Citronella
El-P - Smithereens'
Rob Sonic - Rock The Convoy
Junk Science - Do It Easy
Hangar 18 - West Wing
Rob Sonic - Dead As Disco
Junk Science - Hey!
Hangar 18 - Bakin' Soda
Junk Science - Jerry McGuire
Hangar 18 - Thing Big
Rob Sonic - Fat Man & Little Boy
El-P - Flyentology
Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
New Liars "Houseclouds" Video
Liars - Houseclouds (directed by Sonny Gerasimowicz)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Birth of Hip-Hop
Monday, October 29, 2007
Its been over a week since CMJ started, and I don't think my liver has finished cleaning out all crap that I drank...anyway I'm going to slowly but surely recount the shows I went to last week...so close your eyes and let me whisk you back through space & and time to...
*Note: My camera broke sometime between the summer and fall so no pictures
Tuesday 16-October-2007
-6:30pm @ Hi-Fi - IODA CMJ Launch Party
This was one of those I have to work (in Chelsea) days, so I wasn't able to catch any of the day shows or parties until I arrived upon Hi-Fi for IODA and Spectre Launch Party. I got there late and had to wait in line like all the other smucks...I didn't run into anyone from IODA or Spectre then, but I did meet some cool guys from Tee Pee Records and ended up going down to the Annex with them before I headed over to the Damn! Showcase at Cake Shop.
-8:00pm @ Annex - Sam Champion
I've never been inside the Annex this early, nor have I ever been inside when it was that empty...maybe 20 people, no more than 30 tops. I set about having a couple of beers and just talking to my new companions about their plans for the evening and the week. I wasn't even sure that I would be able to catch any of the acts at Annex before I left to head around the corner, but low and behold Sam Champion took the stage. It was pleasant, being able to hear a band like Sam Champion and not be elbow to elbow with hundreds of people. They sounded great, and as far as it goes...I couldn't of asked for a better band/performance to kick off my CMJ.
-9:00pm @ Cake Shop - Malkovich
The night was still very young and I had made a promise to stop by and check out the DAMN! Showcase and/or the Dutch showcase @ Cake Shop. First up on the bill was Netherlands' Malkovich. This hardcore band didn't wow me in anyway, but from the back of a crowded room everything sounded muffled and I couldn't wittness the "perfomance" end of their show. I did however realize that there is a huge Dutch population in New York City.
-9:30pm @ Pianos - Jukebox the Ghost
I wanted to stop by Pianos to check out Nashville's Natalie Prass, but when I got there they were running behind and D.C.'s Jukebox the Ghost were head strong into half of their set
I was trying to avoid seeing the same bands repeatedly during the week to maximize the number of new bands I would check out...but they're great guys and they have a great live show...So I got to hang out with some friends and listen to JBTG for a half hour.
-10:00pm @ Cake Shop - Adept
I returned to Cake Shop to check out The Netherland's Adept. I enjoyed their faux electronic sound, but found the crowd to be a little to 'eh' (friends aside) to hang there for their entire set, so I set out to just talk with friends and co-workers upstairs and outside while I waited for the next band I wanted to see to go on.
-11:00pm @ Pianos - The Octagon
Of all the bands I wanted to see Tuesday, The Octagon were the ones I had been most excited about...I had recently got a copy of their new album "Nothing But Change" and was definitely digging on their classic/indie rock sound. Their set was far from disappointing. Refreshed from the drone I had just walked away from...The Octagon had just enough to make me want to continue my day.
-12:00am @ Orchard Bar - 'Sup' Magazine release Party
Okay so I never even heard of 'Sup' Magazine before CMJ, and because of their free booze tactics, I forgot their magazine...I'm sure it's good...whatever its about
-1:00am @ APT - Miami takes over CMJ DJ Party
My last stop of the night should of been the iMeem Party, but I was coarced into going to some party at APT...It was pretty lame. The DJs were pretty much done, and I met the craziest girl ever...she came up and said things about nipples and blow and stalkers...weird...then she convinced a drunk me to let her use my phone to call her friends...and yes she called me the next day...CRAZY
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
and more stuff for Tuesday
Come drink free booze and see great bands tomorrow!
Tiny Masters Of Today, Sam Champion and The Little Ones are set to play the NME.COM Welcome to CMJ party tomorrow night (October 16) at Annex.
The line-up is as follows:
7.30pm Doors
8pm Sam Champion
9pm Tiny Masters Of Today
10pm The Little Ones
Admission is FREE, and there's free beer 'till it runs out! After the bands, Club NME resident DJs Jpeg and Young Bailey, and there's a special midnight happy hour from midnight till 1am with $3 well drinks and beer.
and...
-------------
Its also worth noting that there is a ton of stuff happening at The Sound Fix Lounge all week as well.
So its back...like the changing of the seasons...
I realize that its hard to make it to all the shows cases and parties and whatever else is going on, but I'm going to try and help a little bit by posting daily parties that are either free or just require a RSVP...No badge required. I wanted to start the week's festivities with two of the most well put together WEEK LONG parties.
Indaba / Underrated / This Side Up Presents...CMJ
Underrrated, Indaba Music and This Side Up are collaborating this year to put on not one, but 5 shows at the Indaba Music loft at 268 Bowery. Its a great place to relax sort out your day and listen to some great bands. I also hear they'll be serving cold beverages there...as if we needed more incentive.
TUESDAY Oct 16
2 - KRYSTLE WARREN
website
3 - QUINTIS
website
4 - ARIZONA
website| Some Kind Of Chill [mp3]
5 - CUT OFF YOUR HANDS!
website | You And I [mp3]
6 - SOME VELVET MORNING
website
7 - MATT SINGER
website | Outrageous [mp3]
WEDNESDAY Oct 17
2 – DIVISION DAY
website| Tigers [mp3]
3 – MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER
website | The Sun & The Earth [mp3]
4 – SETH KALLEN AND THE REACTION
website | Shiver [mp3]
5 – NATALIE PRASS
website | Never Satisfied [mp3]
6 – BEAT RADIO
website | Mexico [mp3]
7 - THE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHTS
website | Roll Your Windows Down [mp3]
THURSDAY Oct 18
2 – A BRIEF SMILE
website | Big Sky [mp3]
3 – LET'S GO SAILING
website | Icicles [mp3]
4 – TIM WILLIAMS
website | Novel [mp3]
5 – MASON PROPER
website | My My (Bad Fruit) [mp3]
6 – THE JAGUAR CLUB
website | The Sirens [mp3]
7 - MANCINO
website | Five Blades [mp3]
FRIDAY Oct 19
2 - THE SISTER LOVERS
website
3 - THE LATE GREATS
website | He's Not It [mp3]
4 - PRINCETON
website | Blackbeard [mp3]
5 - PEASANT
website
6 - EAGLE*SEAGULL
website | Your Beauty Is A Knife I Turn On My Throat [mp3]
7 - WAKEY!WAKEY!
website | Fallin' Apart [mp3]
SATURDAY NIGHT Oct 20
7 – SURE JUROR
website | The Once-Great Gender Debate [mp3]
8 – THE DIGGS
website | Careen [mp3]
9 – NOUS NON PLUS
website | Allo Allo [mp3]
10 – JUKEBOX THE GHOST
website | Hold It In [mp3]
11 – TBA
&
Gothamist House @ White Rabbit
Gothamist is also putting on a day show right down the street, so if just can't get enough music before dinner feel free to stop by White Rabbit (145 E. Houston St). WOXY will be broadcasting their shows live from the location as well so if you're stuck at work don't forget to tune in...Wednesday October 17th
7:30pm - Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping (website)
6:45pm - Charles Bissell of the Wrens (website)
6:00pm - The Forms (MySpace)
5:15pm - Aaron Behrens
4:30pm - Sparrow House (MySpace)
3:45pm - Peasant (MySpace)
3:00pm - O'Death (MySpace)
2:15pm - Cut Off Your Hands (MySpace)
Thursday October 18th
7:30pm - iLiKETRAiNS (MySpace)
6:45pm - Sam Champion (MySpace)
6:00pm - Dead Confederate (MySpace)
5:15pm - Bad Veins (MySpace)
4:30pm - The Big Sleep (MySpace)
3:45pm - The Teeth (MySpace)
3:00pm - The Jealous Girlfriends (MySpace)
2:15pm - The Muggabears (MySpace)
Friday October 19th
7:30pm - Bound Stems (MySpace)
6:45pm - Deadly Syndrome (MySpace)
6:00pm - White Denim (MySpace)
5:15pm - The Mugs (MySpace)
4:30pm - Pattern is Movement (MySpace)
3:45pm - Jukebox the Ghost (MySpace)
3:00pm - The Epochs (MySpace)
2:15pm - Illinois (MySpace)
Saturday October 20th
7:30pm - The Narrator (MySpace)
6:45pm - Eagle*Seagull (MySpace)
6:00pm - The Spinto Band (MySpace)
5:15pm - Luke Temple (MySpace)
4:30pm - Ford & Fitzroy (MySpace)
3:45pm - Andrew Dost (MySpace)
3:00pm - The Subjects (MySpace)
2:15pm - Palomar (MySpace)