Thursday, September 27, 2007

NEW PHOTOS & VIDEO: Jamie T @ The Bowery Ballroom 9/13/07

What's the hottest accessory for NY hipsters these days? A London accent. Or at least a
playlist that comes heavily loaded with Brits who flaunt their natural-born accents when
they sing, rather than going with the usual American blues impersonation. Would I go so
far as to call it another British Invasion? Not really. But the likes of Mike Skinner (The
Streets), Lily Allen, and newcomer Just Jack are now the big buzz kids in the NY show scene.

Add to that list Jamie T.

Jamie T @ NY's Bowery Ballroom 9/13/07

With an accent so thick you could stand a spoon up straight in it, the lad is the latest of
the lot to be critically lauded in his native land and shipped stateside to test the fame
machine that is the US music scene. (I mean really, he's on Zomba, for @$%'s sake.)

September found the wonderboy from Wimbledon hopping the pond for a series of US
shows, including multi-night runs in NY and LA. His Williamsburg Union Pool and
Bowery Ballroom shows were must-sees for the indie in-kids. With a recent nomination
for the UK's uber-prestigious 2007 Mercury Prize under his belt, can you blame the
hipsters for indulging their curiosity in the bright new Brit? I'll admit my own curiosity was
piqued by the odd contrast of the Mercury Prize nomination and the lukewarm review of
a previous show by the reliably spot-on Brooklyn Vegan blog. Hmmm, what to make of it?



Sporting a spitting style and a curled lip, Jamie T looked and sounded oddly like a very
young Empire of the Sun-era Christian Bale. But a little less polished and perfected, and
a lot more rock and roll.

Though the arrangements and slick production mute the effect on his recordings, his live
performance belied a propensity and predilection for ska. More than just a strong
undercurrent, there's a downright raging reggae river in his tunes.



Between the reggae, the accent, and the saucy attitude, is it any wonder the label paired
him with It-Girl Lily Allen for a bonus track? It's synergy. But where Lily Allen forgot the
words left and right, and royally botched her Coachella appearance last spring, Jamie T's
slightly sloppy delivery at the Bowery Ballroom was right in tune with his overall vibe, and
worked just fine.

Though he could benefit from a bit more touring experience under his belt, it was a fine
start to what could turn out to be a beautiful friendship with the US market. Keep
working at it, Jamie, and come back.

MORE JAMIE T LIVE:
--Photos from the show
--Videos from the show

Jamie T @ NY's Bowery Ballroom 9/13/07

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

SCENE AROUND: Usher Fragrance Launch Party at Cipriani’s Brings Out Beyonce, Martha & Tameka

Usher at the Usher Fragrance Launch @ Cipriani's

Ever the hip-hopitome of luxurious glamour, Usher chose Cipriani's as the setting for his
fantasy fete in honor of the launch of his first line of fragrance. And as you'd expect with
Usher, it was a starry night, indeed.

Beyonce Knowles at the Usher Fragrance Launch @ Cipriani's Liya Kebede at the Usher Fragrance Launch @ Cipriani's

Among the stars showing support by stalking the red carpet were a beaming Beyonce,
supermodel Liya Kebede, Martha Stewart, Gayle King, and a steady stream of models,
socialites and other assorted beautiful people.

 Martha Stewart at the Usher Fragrance Launch @ Cipriani's Gayle King at the Usher Fragrance Launch @ Cipriani's

One of the biggest hits of the evening was Usher's expecting bride, Tameka Foster. Clad
in Gucci - which she added she was lucky to find, as most designers don't make clothes a
pregnant gal can shimmy into - she was an absolute stunner. Her knockout smile and
confidence kept the press a-twitter, as a barrage of questions about the wedding and the
baby swirled around her. Though Usher says he's looking forward to having a son,
Tameka played it coy, saying she's keeping quiet on the sex of the child. (Um, but didn't
Usher just say he's looking forward to having a son?)

Usher's Wife Tameka Foster at the Usher Fragrance Launch @ Cipriani's

Part host and part guest of honor, Usher was a natural, as is the fragrance concept. When
your legal name has become a brand name, why not slap that brand on a box and see if it
moves units? Especially when that box encloses something that acts on the senses, transporting
one to an imaginary intimate encounter with a certain hunky R&B superstar. Why not?!
These fragrances are going for the out-and-out sex appeal Usher has made his trademark
in every other professional arena he's tried. It's everywhere from the packaging and the
ad campaign, to the scents themselves. Overripe and lusty, like something between Sex
On The Beach, the drink, and sex on the beach, the act.

Two of the divas in attendance know a thing or two about how to spin a brand. Of
course there's Beyonce, with her House of Dereon fashion label. And what hasn't
Martha Stewart branded? There could be few better supporters to cheer Usher on
as he unveiled his hers-and-his fragrances, aptly (and briefly) named, "Usher."

The Gift Bag for the Usher Fragrance Launch @ Cipriani's

Of course each smells good on skin, but do they smell good together when an "Usher
man" and an "Usher woman" are skin-on-skin? You can bet Usher tested it out
personally. Perhaps that's how he and Tameka found themselves expecting...


Tuesday, September 25, 2007

HOT TIP: Teddybears Play FREE at Hiro Ballroom Thursday 9/27

What's better than three Swedes playing a free show in New York? Three
Swedes playing a free show in NY dressed as bears. (*sigh*) Brilliant.

Teddybears @ NY's Gramercy Theater 4/9/07

Seriously, this will be my third time catching Teddybears, and I'm not sick
of 'em yet! In fact, I've already caught them at Hiro once before, and I'm
still signed up to catch 'em again. And so can you be! All you have to do
is RSVP here, and you're on the guest list...

 

Why should you bother with the 'bears? Get a load of this video, which
speaks louder than words...


Monday, September 24, 2007

CMJ NEWS: CMJ Music Marathon Features 1000 Artists & 1000 Reasons to Celebrate Indie Music

Can't wait until spring brings SxSW to get your fix of undiscovered indie music? There's
no need to wait, when CMJ Music Marathon is just around the corner! That's right, the
East Coast's premiere indie music festival and resource for emerging artists is returning to
New York for its 2007 incarnation, 10/16 - 10/20.

During the day, conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn from the pros. But
it's when the sun goes down on the NY skyline that the party really starts. CMJ
showcases have been the coming out party for many of the last year's biggest buzz bands.
Among the breakout bands at CMJ 2006 were the crazy Brazilians of CSS and the lads
of Cold War Kids. Some of the hardest working bands at last year's fest, they played
multiple showcases -- often several in the same day. Their unstoppable dedication proved
that blood, sweat and tears will get you noticed by tastemakers, fans and the national
press, alike. Just look at them now!

Coachella 2007 - CSS   Illinois @ Irving Plaza 5/10/07   Cold War Kids @ Madison Square Garden 8/6/07
>>L-R: CSS at Coachella 4/07; Illinois at Irving Plaza 5/07; Cold War Kids opening for Muse at Madison Square Garden 8/07

New artists will be added right up to the event, so keep an eye on this up-to-the-minute
listing of all the many wondrous bands on the CMJ Music Marathon lineup. In the
meantime, here's a handy list of all the bands already confirmed...

BANDS JUST ANNOUNCED:
M.I.A. - Justice - Band Of Horses - Devin The Dude - St. Vincent - UNKLE - Dan Deacon - Datarock - British Sea Power - Professor Murder - Islands - Tiny Masters Of Today - Simian Mobile Disco - Bouncing Souls - Deerhunter - Flosstrodamus - Celebration - Yo Majesty - Cool Kids - Meat Puppets - Del The Funky Homosapien - A-Trak - Xiu Xiu - Z-Trip - Dirtbombs - Mute Math


PLUS:
1990s - AIDS Wolf - A Band Called Pain - A-Trak - Aa - Keith John Adams - Adept - The Affair - Air Traffic - The Airborne Toxic Event - The Akward Stage - The Alarmists - American Steel - Anathallo - The Apes - Apollo Heights - Arise and Ruin - Arizona - Asteroid #4 - Aux Raus - The Awkward Stage - Band of Horses - Bald Eagle - Tim Barry - Chris Bathgate - Bear in Heaven - Beat the Devil - Bella - Beneath The Sky - Big Bear - The Big Sleep - John Biz - The Black Hollies - Black Tie Revue - Blackpool Lights - Blammos - Bloodhorse - The Bones of Davey Jones - Bonk - Bouncing Souls - Bound Stems - Bowerbirds - Jay Brannon - Brighton, MA - Bring Back the Guns - British Sea Power - The Broken West - Brother Ali - The Brought Low - The Brunettes - Bryan Scary + the Shredding Tears - C-Mon and Kypski - Canada - The Capitol Years - The Capston Shafts - The Caribbean - Carolyn Mark - The Carter Administration - Casper and the Cookies - Catfish Haven - Celebration - Centro-matic - The Chapin Sisters - Chairlift - Chris Mills - Clockcleaner - Coheed And Cambria - The Color Fred - Colour Revolt - Connan And The Mockasins - The Contrast - Cotton Jones - Crystal Castles - Cut Off Your Hands - Damnation A.D. - Danava - Datarock - Christopher Denny - Deerhunter - De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig - The Dead Trees - The Dear Hunter - Dear Tonight - The Deleted Waveform Gatherings - Del The Funky Homosapien - Dengue Fever - Devin The Dude - Die Romantic - Dirtbombs - Division Day – Dorp – Dragonette – Dri - Driver Side Impact - Paul Duncan - Dynasty Handbag - Eagle*Seagull - Earthless - Ecstatic Sunshine - Eisley - Fake Problems - The Falcon - Farewell To Freeway - Fight Amp - FiGO - Fire When Ready - Fishboy - Flosstrodamus - Flying - Fog - The Forecast - Foreign Islands - Forget Cassettes - Fourth of July - Frank Jordan - Freddy And The Dials - Freya - Georgie James - Get Him Eat Him - The Get Quick - The Giraffes - Gowns - Grady - Adam Green - Ha Ha Tonka - Hallelujah The Hills - Health - Head Of Femur - Higgins - High Class Elite - The High Strung - Ho-Ag -Holly and the Italians - Hollywood Holt - Holy Fuck - Holy Hail - Hopewell - Hornet Leg - Hot Iqs - Hot Springs - House And Parish - The Hugs - Hunter Valentine - Ida - Ida Maria - iLIKETRAINS - Illinois - Imperial Teen - Innerpartysystem - The Insomniacs - the iOs - Irepress - Islands - The Jealous Girlfriends - Jennifer O'Connor - Jesu - Japanther - Javelina - Jay Reatard - The Jealous Girlfriends - Jennifer O'Connor - Jesu - Josie Cotton - Justice - Kavinsky - King Of Prussia - Mike Kinsella - Jesse Lacey & Vin Accardi - Le Loup - Les Breastfeeders - Lewis & Clarke - Lifetime - Little Birdy - Little Brother - The Little Girls - The Little Ones - The Loose Salute - The Loved Ones - The Lovemakers - M Coast - M.I.A. - The Maccabees - Made In Mexico - Malkovich - The Mall - Mannequin Men - Mates Of State - The Matches - Matt & Kim - The Meat Puppets - The Melismatics - The Mellowmen - MGMT - Mickey Hart & Zakir Hussein - The Midnight Show - Miss Georgia Peach - Mixel Pixel - Modico - Mohawk Lodge - Monomen - Monotonix - Moon + Moon - Monty Are I - Moros Eros - Mouser - Mr. Wix - MSTRKRFT - Mud - Mute Math - Nakatomi Plaza - The Narrator - Nashville Pussy - National Seashore - Neimo - The New Amsterdams - The New Dress - Nikki Corvette And The Stingrays - No Age - The Nobility- The Nouvellas - o'death - Octoberman - Octopus Project - Old Time Relijun - Palomar - Papercuts - Paper Rival - Cale Parks - Pattern is Movement - Peachcake - The Peekers - Permanent Me - The Photo Atlas - Picastro - Poison Control Center - Polar Bear Club - Polytechnic - The Ponys - Pre - Prince Paul / Baby Elephant - Professor Murder - Project Jenny/Project Jan - Pterodactyl - Robin Horlock Band - Robbers on High Street - Rock Plaza Central - Rock N' Roll - Rockethouse - Rodrigo Y Gabriela - Roman Numerals - Rosetta - Ruby Isle - Ruins - Saves the Day (acoustic) - Schoolyard Heroes - Tom Schraeder -Scissors for Lefty - Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - Scream Hello - Section Quartet - Shellshag - The Shaky Hands - Shock Cinema - Shout Out Out Out Out - Sightings - The Silos - Simian Mobile Disco - Single File - Slaraffenland - Slim Cessna's Auto Club - Smittens - Smoke or Fire - So Many Dynamos - Southeast Engine - Speck Mountain - Spoon - The Spores - Spouse - Status Green - St. Vincent - The Sterns - Marnie Stern - Super Monster - Sybris - Takka Takka - Team Robespierre -The Teeth - Teenage Prayers - Ana Ternheim - The Three-4-Tens- -Thunderheist - Tigerbearwolf - Tiny Masters Of Today - Torche - Total Fucking Destruction -Tulsa - Unique Chique - UNKLE - USSR - Velcro Stars - Vietnam - The Warlocks - We Are Wolves - We Vs. the Shark - Craig Wedren - The Whip - White Denim - Willie Wisely - Wild Light - Witch's Hat - Wizardzz - Wooden Shjips - Xiu Xiu - Yip Yip - Yo Majesty- Z-Trip

Want the final word on schedules and lineups?
Here's what the CMJ folks have to say:
"All the updates on showcase placements will be available at cmj.com as soon as shows
are confirmed. The site will be updated frequently prior to the event. A complete schedule
is printed in the CMJ Music Marathon Festival Guide, which comes in your registration
goodie bag. The registration bags can be picked up during registration hours at
conference headquarters."


Convinced you should go? Here are some handy links:
--CMJ Registration
--CMJ Band Lineup
--CMJ Film Festival
--CMJ Panels

And don't forget the film festival! Be sure to catch "Greetings From The Shore,"
winning audience awards at film fests across the country. See if you can spot any
past CMJ bands in the soundtrack!

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

HOT TIP: Catch No Second Troy’s Fall North American Tour Dates

This weekend promises quite a number of compelling options for the live music fans.
Need help cutting through the noise? Allow me to introduce you to No Second Troy.
 hypnotic indie band out of DC, they've just released their new album, Narcotic.
Spin magazine's Joseph Coscarelli had this to say about their first single:

Sharing a name with a William Butler Yeats poem, No Second Troy are not shy about
their bookish origins, exhibiting a fine-tuned literary finesse on their bittersweet new single.
"Into Your Sun" is an earnest, articulate love song with a touch of sentimental longing
under which tender acoustic guitars and tinkering piano lay the groundwork. The song's
video treatment, directed by Brent Green, presents flickering fragments interspersed with
a handwritten narrative, beautifully complimenting the song's frailty with warm imagery.
Like scenes out of an I-Spy book or snippets from pictures you might find browned and
curling in the attic, the romantic wistfulness and youthful nostalgia of the clip serve to
heighten the song's serene glow. Narcotic
, No Second Troy's self-released full-length
album, is out now.
JOSEPH COSCARELLI

New Yorkers can catch No Second Troy at The Lion's Den on Saturday, 9/22.
Live elsewhere? Catch them on their Fall North American Tour:



>>BUY NO SECOND TROY TICKETS<<

Instant Gratification:
Watch the video for their first single, "Into Your Sun."
Hear the tunes on the No Second Troy MySpace page.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

HOT TIP: Music Downtown Gives us M. Ward 9/18 and Nick Lowe 9/19 FREE

Looking for something to do this evening? Well high-tail it over to 7 World Trade Center
starting at 5:30pm, and you'll catch one of my all-time faves, M. Ward! He's sharing the
free bill with Victoria Williams and McCarthy Trenching, thanks to the Music Downtown
concert series.

M. Ward at the Theater at Madison Square Garden   M. Ward at NY's Town Hall 1/26/07

Can't make it tonight? How bout tomorrow? You'll catch the legendary Nick Lowe, with
the Holmes Brothers and Ollabelle.

7 World Trade Center is located at Greenwich and Barclay Streets and the Music
Downtown events will be held in the outdoor plaza in front of the building. Need
Directions? View Map

More M. Ward:
--Photos: Live at Town Hall
--Photos: Live at MSG with Norah Jones
--Videos: Live at Town Hall, MSG & Webster Hall

Saturday, September 15, 2007

NEW PHOTOS & VIDEO: Sarah Blasko @ The Living Room 9/14/07

Heaven on earth. Sheer bliss. And she's going to do it all over again next week.

Why should you go see Sarah on 9/21, her final night at The Living Room? Why
should you see her on the 26th at the Hotel Cafe in LA?  Watch and believe...


>>4 of Sarah's stunning tunes, plus a cover of "Hold Your Horses" by the Go-Betweens

MORE SARAH BLASKO:
--More live photos
--More live videos
--Unwicked's recap

Sarah Blasko @ The Living Room 091407-105_edited

Friday, September 14, 2007

BUZZ BAND: Sarah Blasko Releases New Album & Plays the Living Room

Are you free tonight? New Yorkers, even if you already have plans, I encourage you to
drop everything and head to the Living Room by 7pm. One of the most incredible new
artists I've happened upon in the last few years is coming to US shores for a pitiably small
number of shows (only 3?!). If it was left up to 'lil ol' selfish me, she'd be doing a weekly
residence in NY, just so I could have the joy of hearing her repeatedly. Yes, I dig her that
much.

Who is this mysterious female? Australia's Sarah Blasko.

I first discovered Sarah when she opened for Martha Wainwright at the Bowery Ballroom
in 2005, and was literally struck dumb the moment she opened her mouth to sing. Well,
that's not entirely true -- I cheered my head off in-between each and every tune. Yes, I
had given her debut disc, "The Overture and the Underscore," a cursory listen ahead of
time to prep for the show. But as can happen with some of the best albums, the tunes
didn't reveal themselves as brilliant upon the first listen. It wasn't until I witnessed her
powerful, emotive, jaw-dropping live performance that I realized what would be in store
for me when I gave the disc a second listen. It hasn't left my playlist since.

We now have two new reasons to love Sarah Blasko:
1. She's finally released her eagerly anticipated sophomore album, "What The Sea Wants,
The Sea Will Have." Best of all, you can give the whole thing a listen, in its entirety...
FREE. But catch it quick, it's only streaming here for a limited time:
--AOL Full CD Listening Party
--indie911

2. She's gracing us with her presence, in person! Catch her at a scant trio of live shows:
--Sept. 14 at the Living Room, NYC
--Sept. 21 at the Living Room, NYC
--Sept. 26 at the Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles
>>BUY SARAH BLASKO TICKETS<<

May I humbly suggest you go grab your calendar and make some plans. Like right now.
You won't regret it. Then grab your coziest chair and settle in for some wistfully beautiful
music that is one part Radiohead, one part The Sundays, and one part elven magic or
something. She's otherworldly.

See you at the Living Room tonight...

Thursday, September 13, 2007

FESTIVAL NEWS: San Francisco’s Noise Pop Treasure Island Music Festival Schedule Released

The summer season has ended, but that doesn't mean we're stuck without any more
mega-fests to look forward to. On the contrary! We've got New Orleans' Voodoo Music
Fest and Las Vegas' Vegoose Festival for Halloween scaring up lots of buzz from the
press and fans, alike. But you don't have to wait until the end of October to rock out to
see just how many bands you can fit into your consciousness over a two day period. Oh
no, not with the lovely folks from Noise Pop and Another Planet throwing the
Treasure Island Music Festival in San Francisco this weekend, Sept. 15-16, 2007!

With artists as diverse as M.I.A., Modest Mouse, Gotan Project, Spoon, and Thievery
Corporation sharing the bill, you'd be a fool to miss it if you're within a half-day's drive
from any direction.  Just promise me you'll catch M. Ward. He's jaw-droppingly good,
and you'll be so glad to have seen his spellbinding guitar technique in person. Seriously,
get there early enough to catch his set. OK, 'nuff said.

M. Ward at the Theater at Madison Square Garden
>>M. Ward @ Theater at Madison Square Garden 4/18/07

So without any further ado...
Behold the schedule for the Treasure Island Music Festival on 9/15 & 9/16:

San Francisco's Noise Pop Treasure Island Music Festival Schedule

Don't have tickets yet?
>>BUY Treasure Island Fest TICKETS<<

BREAKING NEWS: Dates Announced for The Cure’s Rescheduled US Tour in Spring 2008

The Cure have at last rescheduled their canceled North American tour dates. Hallelujah!

The Cure 4Tour Publicity Photo

Robert and the boyz put it nicely in their publicity announcement, so I'll let them do
their own talking...


THE CURE ANNOUNCE RE-SCHEDULED 2008 NORTH AMERICAN 4TOUR SHOWS

AT LAST! WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THE NEW 2008 DATES OF OUR
POSTPONED NORTH AMERICAN 4TOUR.


EIGHTEEN OF THE NINETEEN PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SHOWS HAVE BEEN
RE-SCHEDULED IN THE ORIGINAL VENUES, AND ALL 2007 TICKETS WILL BE
HONOURED FOR THESE NEW 2008 CONCERTS.

(THE ONLY ONE WE COULDN'T GET SWITCHED WAS SEATTLE... BUT INSTEAD OF NO
CURE SHOW AT ALL, WE WILL BE CLOSING THE SASQUATCH! MUSIC FESTIVAL ON
SUNDAY 25TH MAY (MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND) AT THE GORGE AMPHITHEATRE,
HERE WE HAVE BEEN GUARANTEED 150 MINUTES ONSTAGE! ALL TICKETS FOR THE
ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED CURE KEY ARENA CONCERT WILL BE HONOURED AT THE
GORGE, BUT PLEASE NOTE: ALL TICKETS FOR THE SASQUATCH! FESTIVAL ARE
GENERAL ADMISSION, INCLUDING ANY PREVIOUSLY ISSUED CURE KEY ARENA TICKETS).


IT'S ALL HAPPENING SLIGHTLY LATER THAN WE EXPECTED DUE TO 'THE
PLAYOFFS' - A
LOT OF THE VENUES WE NEEDED WOULDN'T LET US CONFIRM DATES IN THE
MARCH/APRIL PERIOD - BUT WE UNDERSTAND THEY ALL HAVE TO LIVE IN HOPE!


HOWEVER, AN UNEXPECTED BONUS OF THE NEW ROUTING IS THAT WE HAVE BEEN
ABLE TO ADD IN KANSAS CITY, PHOENIX, AUSTIN, FT LAUDERDALE AND

CLEVELAND...
AND THERE WILL BE MORE DATES TO COME!


WE APOLOGIZE AGAIN FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND UPSET THE ORIGINAL
POSTPONEMENT CAUSED, AND WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE NEW SHOWS ARE MORE
THAN WORTH THE WAIT...


SEE YOU ALL SOON,
LOVE ROBERT, SIMON, JASON AND PORL XXXX (THE CURE)

PS. ANYONE WHO WANTS A REFUND ON THEIR 2007 TICKET WILL BE ABLE TO GET
ONE IN FULL FROM HIS OR HER POINT OF PURCHASE UNTIL 1ST NOVEMBER 2007.


THE CURE 4TOUR NORTH AMERICA 2008 TOUR DATES

MAY
09 WASHINGTON DC Patriot Center

10 PHILADELPHIA Wachovia Spectrum

12 BOSTON Agganis Arena

14 MONTREAL Bell Centre

15 TORONTO Air Canada Centre

17 CHICAGO Allstate Arena

19 KANSAS CITY Starlight Theatre - ADDED SHOW

21 DENVER Red Rocks Amphitheatre

23 SALT LAKE CITY E Center

25 GEORGE WA The Gorge Sasquatch! Festival (in place of Seattle -
headlining from 9:30 to midnight)

26 VANCOUVER General Motors Place

29 SANTA BARBARA Santa Barbara Bowl

31 LOS ANGELES Hollywood Bowl

JUNE
03 SAN DIEGO Cox Arena

04 PHOENIX Dodge Theatre - ADDED SHOW

06 DALLAS American Airlines Center

08 AUSTIN Austin Music Hall - ADDED SHOW

09 HOUSTON Toyota Center

11 TAMPA St Pete Times Forum

13 FT LAUDERDALE Bank Atlantic Center - ADDED SHOW

15 ATLANTA Gwinnett Center

16 CHARLOTTE Charlotte Bobcats Arena

18 CLEVELAND (Venue TBD) - ADDED SHOW

20 NEW YORK CITY Madison Square Garden

>>BUY CURE TICKETS<<

Monday, September 10, 2007

NEW PHOTOS & VIDEO: Peter Bjorn and John at The Roseland Ballroom 9/6/07

Peter Bjorn and John make me happy. Especially when they play live. They're just one of
those bands that makes me smile when I hear them, and even moreso when I see them.
Thus, I was doubly happy and smiling doubly wide on 9/6 at NY's Roseland Ballroom,
where PBJ carted out all the fan favorites for a rousing night of indie rock straight from
Stockholm.

PETER BJORN AND JOHN CONCERT PHOTOS
Peter Bjorn and John @ Roseland 090607-124_edited   Peter Bjorn and John @ Roseland 090607-092 

Peter Bjorn and John @ Roseland 090607-160_edited   Peter Bjorn and John @ Roseland 090607-146

This was my second opportunity to catch PBJ this year. If only the crowd from Coachella
could have been the crowd at the Roseland. Though every face featured a goofy grin like
mine, nobody cheered. What's up with that? It certainly wasn't for lack of energy on the
band's part.

PETER BJORN AND JOHN CONCERT PHOTO
Peter Bjorn and John @ Roseland 090607-087_edited

Though I'd rather see them at a slightly smaller, more intimate venue like the Bowery
Ballroom, Irving Plaza, or (*gasp!*) even Webster Hall, their performance at Roseland
was spot-on. Their winsome tunes were sweet as could be (see Ancient Curse and
Young Folks), while the more boisterous of the lot packed all the punch that they did at
their energy-packed set at Coachella. So even though the crowd annoyed the heck out of
me, it was nevertheless a fantastic night for the Peter Bjorn and John fans of NY.


PETER BJORN AND JOHN CONCERT VIDEOS

Next I have to figure out where I can get me one of those "PETER BJORN AND
JOHN  T-SHIRT" concert tees. Why oh why'd I leave without one???

PETER BJORN AND JOHN LIVE LINKS
--Peter Bjorn and John Roseland Photos
--Peter Bjorn and John Roseland Videos
--Peter Bjorn and John Coachella Photos
--Peter Bjorn and John Coachella Video

THE VIEW FROM MY SEAT: Feist @ McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn

Feist is a songbird of uncommon beauty. Anyone who hears either of her solo albums is
instantly pulled in. Her songwriting strikes a chord with both the mind and the emotions,
but it's that voice that hits you where it counts.

There is a vulnerability in her vocals that sets up a sense of intimacy between the artist and
the listener that at first may belie the grit and strength behind the voice. She has the ability
to manipulate that voice like any of her other instruments, sounding here like a delicate
flower, there like one of the mythical furies out for vengeance, and elsewhere like a
honkeytonk gal enjoying a beer with the boys.

Feist @ McCarren Park Pool

All of these incarnations are in attendance when Feist performs live, as was the case at
her eagerly anticipated NY show at McCarren Park Pool in Brooklyn on 8/29. She
slipped from ballad to torch song to honkytonk hoedown with ease. Anyone lucky
enough to hear her that night came away convinced that this is no ordinary indie artist
simply setting out to cross the boundaries of genre lines. Her sound could adequately be
described as an indie-folk / alterna-country hybrid, but it's really hearing that makes
believing. So try out this playlist of videos shot at the show. Play all and settle in for a nice
little cross section of the evening's highlights.



Fans of Neko Case and Jenny Lewis will respond to the folksy twang, while fansof
Martha Wainwright will immediately hear the range of emotion that boils just below the
surface. No matter what you hear in her music, there's no denying that Feist elicits an
immediate and intimate response.

Feist @ McCarren Park Pool   Feist @ McCarren Park Pool

Hearing that voice in person is something everyone should go out of their way to do. It's
an uncommon experience, and one you'll long to have the chance to repeat.

More of FEIST at McCARREN:
--See the Live Gallery
--Watch the Live Videos

Openers BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE:
--See the Live Gallery
--Watch the Live Videos

Friday, September 7, 2007

NEW PHOTOS & VIDEO: Paul Van Dyk at Central Park Summerstage New York 8/18/07

Paul Van Dyk @ Central Park 081807-072

Paul Van Dyk threw one of the best parties of the 2007 season at Central Park
Summerstage. After Daft Punk blew everyone's minds at Coney Island's Keyspan Park, I
harbored doubts that any electronic show could sway me, or my feet for that matter.
Nevertheless, I came to Rumsey Playfield ready to dance -- not just shoot. And so did
the rest of the crowd, without a doubt.



Far more wise in the ways of the internationally feted DJ, this
crowd knew Herr Van Dyk would bring more than just beats.

I stand corrected.

Paul Van Dyk @ Central Park 081807-040    Paul Van Dyk @ Central Park 081807-181    Paul Van Dyk @ Central Park 081807-211   

He played for more than 4 hours straight, without a break. And for roughly the last hour,
a live drummer and keyboardist accompanied him behind a parade of guest vocalists.
This was more of a live performance than I've seen before at many an electronic show.
After 3 hours of dancing our asses off, he made it all sound new again for another hour.
Energy never flagged - neither for him, nor his audience. I respect that.

If this is how he rolls, sign me up to catch the next installment of Van Dyk's annual
party under the stars at Summerstage. How bout you?



MORE PAUL VAN DYK:
--See the Live Gallery
--Watch the Live Videos


Tuesday, September 4, 2007

HOT TIP: Peter Bjorn & John After-Party DJ Set at Hiro Ballroom Thursday FREE

You love them. I love them. And now it's clear they love us, too! Yes, Peter Bjorn and John
are showing their fans the love by performing a DJ Set at their official after-party... FREE!

Coachella 2007 - Peter Bjorn & John   Coachella 2007 - Peter Bjorn & John   Coachella 2007 - Peter Bjorn & John
>>L to R: Peter, Bjorn, John at Coachella

That's right, courtesy of our friends at GBH.tv, Cheeky Bastard and Going.com, you
can rub elbows with hipster nobility and Swedish princes alike, this Thursday at Hiro
Ballroom. And you can do it for free. As long as you RSVP here, that is.

Peter Bjorn and John After-Party in NY