Monday, June 30, 2008

HOT TIP: Catch DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist Last 5 Shows Including McCarren Park Pool

If you've ever wondered what it is that gives Jurassic 5 that signature old-timey sound, Cut Chemist is the man. And hallelujah, now we have the opportunity to see why he's the man! He's heading back to the US with DJ Shadow to perform the last 5 dates of their Hard Sell world tour.

Wish I could catch 'em at DC's 9:30 Club, as that would be the ultimate joint for this kind of show. But who's complaining when we New Yorkers can catch them at Brooklyn's McCarren Park Pool, smack dab in the heart of hipster heaven, Williamsburg.


Here's the deets from their lovely PR peeps:

As with their two previous sets, [the now-legendary "Brainfreeze"  (1999) and "Product Placement" (2001)], the pair eschew  their own material in favor of an amalgam of music from all eras and styles, providing for amusing and provocative mash-ups; rap mixes with fiddle music, doo-wop with new wave, and every thing in between...all while avoiding the obvious, "been there, heard that" stuff you get from most DJs. 


The first time "The Hard Sell" was performed in the United States was in front of 15,000 people at the world famous Hollywood Bowl (2007).  As demand for the show has grown, the pair have continuously refined and reworked the song selection, so that aspects of it are different every time.  In the words of Shadow himself, "If you happened to catch one of the earlier shows, never fear...you won't be disappointed!" Don't miss these final appearances by two of California's most cutting-edge DJs.The Hard Sell exists as a result of a unique combination of the duo’s shared passions –for records, for playing them to people, for collecting them as objects and understanding their tactile properties as well as loving, appreciating contextualising and recontextualising the sounds they were designed to reproduce.

This is the third part in the trilogy of Cut Chemist & DJ Shadow collaborations and is probably the most ambitious in its execution.


The Hard Sell Dates



16-Jul-2008   Washington, DC       9:30 Club
17-Jul-2008    Brooklyn, NY         McCarren Park Pool    
18-Jul-2008    Atlantic City, NJ         HOB 
19-Jul-2008    Mariaville, NY         Indian Lookout Country Club      
25-Jul-2008    Portland, OR         Roseland Theatre
26-Jul-2008    Seattle, WA         Showbox SoDo
27-Jul-2008    Pemberton, BC        Pemberton Festival Site


BUY TICKETS: DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist Live

Friday, June 27, 2008

HOT TIP: Cold War Kids Play Free Show at Prospect Park

The Cold War Kids are an amazing live band. Even moreso when it's free, eh?   While I'm ashamed to admit that I don't have a single one of their tunes -- not even the intensely catchy, "Hang Me Up To Dry" -- I've gone out of my way to see Cold War Kids twice. And both times I was wowed out of my socks. So I can personally vouch for the power of their playing. Catch them tonight at Prospect Park Bandshell and see for yourself... free!

Cold War Kids at Bowery Ballroom 4/7/07
Cold War Kids @ Bowery Ballroom, NY 4/7/07

Per the peeps at FreeNYC:
Unleashing “cave-stomp drums, barroom piano and chiming post-punk  guitars,” (Rolling Stone) Cold War Kids eschew preciousness for grit. Live,  they’re all smoldering energy and raw power. Joining them are local favorites  Elvis Perkins in Dearland with their dream-like folk rock “drenched in equal  parts sunshine and cloudy grey skies,” (Drowned in Sound) and the tuneful but  hard hitting Sam Champion, “an absolute force of nature.” (Sterogum) All  Ages.

Cold War Kids @ Madison Square Garden 8/6/07
Cold War Kids @ Madison Square Garden, NY 8/6/07

MORE COLD WAR KIDS:
--See Photos: Cold War Kids Live at Madison Square Garden
--Watch Video: Cold War Kids Live at Madison Square Garden
--See Photos: Cold War Kids Live at Bowery Ballroom
--Watch Video: Cold War Kids Live at Bowery Ballroom
--Read Up: Brooklyn Vegan on Cold War Kids' 2008 Tour

Thursday, June 26, 2008

HOT TIP: Paul van Dyk Ditches Central Park For Pier 54 As His NY Summer Stage

Paul van Dyk, the Berlin-based electronic music pioneer, has made Central Park the home of his annual summer concert in New York for 5 years running. This summer he breaks with tradition and holds his peerless outdoor bacchanalia river-side at Pier 54. Catch him August 16th!

Paul Van Dyk @ Central Park 081807-072

Paul van Dyk @ Central Park Summerstage, Rumsey Playfield, NY 8/18/07

Paul Van Dyk @ Central Park 081807-082

Here's the deets, courtesy of the lovely rephlektor ink peeps:

For five consecutive years Paul van Dyk’s annual concerts in Central Park have been one of New York City’s most anticipated live music events. In 2007, over 10,000 loyal fans from around the world descended upon New York City with the sole purpose of experiencing their favorite artist in this surreal environment. This year, van Dyk and Made Event leave the friendly confines of Central Park and travel west to the famed Pier 54 for a waterside dance music extravaganza that’s never been experienced before.
For the first time ever in New York City, Paul van Dyk’s 4-hour live set is to be accompanied by a full sound system installation engineered specifically for this event by acclaimed sound design company Integral Sound. Fans in attendance at Pier 54 will enjoy Paul van Dyk’s music in its purest form and at an unmatched level of clarity.

Tickets for Paul van Dyk at Pier 54 are available in advance for $45 dollars per ticket from  ww.ticketweb.com.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Madonna's 4th & Final NY Show Added - Tix On Sale Friday 6/6

Good news for those of us out there who weren't able to snag seats at one of Madge's first three NY dates in the 2 minutes before they sold out: She's putting a fourth and final show on sale tomorrow!

Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour
October 12th - Just Added
Madison Square Garden

(October 6th, 7th & 11th Sold Out)
October 12th Tickets go on sale Friday, June 6th at 9am.

Tickets available from LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster.com, Madonna.com & at the MSG box office.

More Madonnna:
--Watch Video: Catch the Candy Wall at Madonna.com for all her best Vids!

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

HUH-WHA? Rosie O'Donnell Plays What For Who?

Sitting squarely in the "um, really?" file is this headline, courtesy of WNBC.comRosie O'Donnell Plays Drums On Lauper Tour

Um, really? You're serious? Well, I guess so. Here's a snippet from the news peeps: "Rosie O'Donnell is living her rock star dream, riding in her own tour bus, playing  drums and singing backup for Cyndi Lauper on her "True Colors" tour." Get the full story...