Got plans for this Halloween weekend? Despite being in semi-hibernation since CMJ & Justice / Midnight Juggernauts,
this DUMBO loft party with Whitey is just what the doctor ordered to
get me up and out the door in my dancing shoes... matching my costume,
of course.
Cheeky B*stard Loft Party!!!! Featuring Whitey & Rory Phillips (Trash,UK) Saturday Oct 27 - in DUMBO. Open Bar All Night!
When we heard that one of the best electro artists ever to come out of the UK, Whitey (a.k.a. Nathan J Whitey) was going to be in town this weekend and
looking to perform, we just simply had to throw a party... and seeing
as we haven't thrown a loft party for a while... well... you know how
it goes.
Whitey (currently on Dimmak Records in the US) has caught the ear of
many in the music industry. You have probably heard his single 'Non
Stop' on the Mitusubishi commercial - but if that's all you have heard
then you are missing out. Whitey has remixed (among others) Soulwax,
Chromeo, Kylie, Bloc Party... and his tracks have appeared on
compilations by from Kitsune Records, The Glimmers and too many more to
mention. His latest album 'The Light at the End of the Tunnel is a
Train' is nothing short of breathtaking, and he has a new album due out
shortly.More...
>>Get all the details<< with the restof this handy flyer from those Cheeky Bastards. Note: It says absolutely nothing about costumes being required for entry, so you have no excuse to stay home!
Nu-rave, nu-shmave. Genre labels be damned, Klaxons are a party band. And I don't mean the kind you suffered through while waiting in line for the keg. I mean they're the kind of band that brings the party. It's nigh impossible to avoid having fun at a Klaxons show, no matter
how gray your day was, nor how dead set against grinning like a fool
you may be. I mean seriously, there I was at Webster Hall on 10/12
having lost my schmancy new cell phone and my driver's license, and I
still couldn't help but forget my troubles and shake my @$$.
With their infectious beats, multi-part harmonies and synth-laden sonics, it's no wonder the Mercury Prize winners are catnip to the club kid set. And the club kids were certainly out in force at Webster Hall, requisite glow sticks in hand. But with a heavier, more aggro tone to several of their tunes, they've drawn a much more diverse crowd than I would have expected. And that made me happy.
Why? It shows promise. Not only does it mean the US market can see beyond the pigeon-holing labels, but it also means that Klaxons have a good shot at having legs. They may well achieve the brass ring of longevity and ever-broadening appeal that signals a solid future in the biz. I can't wait to see what they do next.
Unfortunately, I may have to. The Webster show was their last US performance at the tail end of a grueling touring season that saw them in Cali as early as April at Coachella. After such a lengthy road, who can blame them for heading back across the pond to savor their Mercury Prize win and relax. ...And then hopefully start the party up again.
The must-see show of the fall season? I think most in NY would agree that Randall's Island can boast having hosted that show: Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, Blonde Redhead, Les Savy Fav and openers, Wild Light, 10/6/07.
>>Arcade Fire
Yeah, read that lineup again. What indie music fan could live with themselves having passed up that opportunity? Not I, certainly. Thankfully, not only did I get to catch the show, but I also got to shoot it. Watch and believe:
Why am I only now finding out about DJ Krush? He's been making history, forging new ground, pioneering in the turntablist arts for well over 10 years. "History of DJ Krush" is a fitting tribute to a man equally respected among the hip-hop community as he is by the electronic cognoscenti. The "History of DJ Krush" is both the DVD release around which the buzz machine kicked in, and the unexpected gift that introduced me to something I find extraordinarily memorable. (Thank you, Justin!)
Let's get this straight: DJ Krush is from Tokyo. Despite the language barrier, he has collaborated with some of the brighter lights in the landscape of DJs and vocalists. You'll find Black Thought of The Roots, the heavenly Esthero, and even Zap Mama's Marie Daulne. But rather than being an unseen force behind the scenes, DJ Krush is really the scene-stealer here. His beats are what I can only lamely under-describe as "fat." Words just don't do it justice. And nowhere is this more evident then in seeing DJ Krush live.
DJ Krush is the perpetrator of some of the lowest low ends I've ever encountered live. My ears sang with joy. (Disclaimer: I have a particular weakness for bass.) His taste in hooks -- both vocal and instrumental -- areinfectious in the way that only the most gifted trip-hop auteurs can boast. I'm thinking Portishead. I'm thinking Massive Attack. An elder-statesman after more than 10 years on the international scene, it's a rarefied universe that DJ Krush finds himself inhabiting.
All of the aforementioned owes a debt of honor to Krush's most noteworthy ability. He is a world-class, stunning turntablist. This man spins. Seeing him spin, one is mesmerized by the speed and agility of his fingers. He plays it all live. His fingers move like smoke and mirrors. They are magic, and lightning fast.
The best thing about the "History of DJ Krush" release is that it comes with three individual DVDs, two of which are heavily saturated with live footage. You can watch the man's fingers move up close, in ways that my humble video couldn't capture. I only hope you can get a smidgen of a sense of the kind of atmospheric webs DJ Krush weaves within the confines of four walls.
New Yorkers: Looking for something to do TONIGHT that's all thriller, no filler? Try the double-biller of Webster's October calendar: The Klaxons, plus a late-night dance bacchanal that features legendary Welsh dj Sasha and his new London cohorts, production duo Spooky.
New Yorkers are lucky to catch the Klaxons' last US date before heading back over the pond to the land that, just last month, awarded them the internationally prestigious Nationwide Mercury Prize for 2007. Past winners have included otherworldly expat Antony and the Johnsons, and Arctic Monkeys, who found themselves nominated again this year.
Show up by 8pm and you'll most likely be in time to catch the openers, billed as "Special Surprise Guest". Ok, intriguing...
Meanwhile, late night revelers will shake it to the sounds of Sasha. You'll recognize the name from Sasha and Digweed fame. They've recently collaborated in the studio with interesting new production duo from London, Spooky. Tonight marks their first-ever show together in New York, and they'll celebrate the release of the fruit of their collaboration, the new double disc "Open."
See you there. Yeah, that's me up front with the camera, so say hello.
OK, so I've been poring over the CMJ schedule, and just as in years past, I've noticed that old familiar creeping sensation of being overwhelmed. (*sigh*) This may be unbloggerly conduct, but I'm going to admit my extreme uncoolness and announce, "I have never heard of most of these bands! Who the Hell am I going to choose?!" I mean, I love a whole slew of the band names (The Most Serene Republic, Care Bears on Fire, The Beasts of Eden, Tall Firs, and most especially Giddy-up, Helicopter), but is that reason enough to see them? Ummmm...
Granted, there ARE tons of bands whose shows I've been anxiously awaiting for weeks, and in the case of Via Audio, months even. But still, I know I could use some advice from a sage one, full of CMJ wisdom. Couldn't you?
As if on cue, enter Pop Tarts Suck Toasted and Brooklyn Vegan: The Interview. Thank you, Pop Tarts Suck Toasted. Not only have you revealed Brooklyn Vegan's name (Dave), but you've also had the forethought to provide us with a lovely Q&A to help us mine our CMJ schedules and make the most of our precious time to rock. A few snippets to whet the appetite:
- Out of your lineups what bands are you most excited to see? I'm really excited to see everyone, but of course there's the Black Kids coming up here from Florida, and then there's the return of the Maccabees from the UK who I loved last time they played NYC. Then of course there's the Meat Puppets. Saturday night at 205 I'm doing an afterparty with David Bruno, and we have Professor Murder playing as King Oppression which is like their other identity –they sing Professor Murder songs over other people's beats - live remixes I guess – or something like that. They did it at a Pitchfork Festival after-party in Chicago, and supposedly it went over really well there, so I can't wait.
- Are there any other blogger's shows that you are interested in seeing during the week? Gothamist, Underrated, After the Jump, Big Stereo, and Pop Tarts Suck Toasted of course. Are there others? I haven't totally figured out everything going on yet.
Film Festival Recommendation: Greetings From The Shore Directed by Greg Chwerchak At IFC on 10/17, 3:30pm --Winner, Best Feature: Big Bear Lake International Film Festival --Winner, Best Feature: Red Bank International Film Festival --Winner, Best Feature: Hope & Dreams Film Festival --Winner, Best Narrative Feature / Best of the Fest / Best Actress: Great Lakes Independent Film Festival --Premiere: Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival --Official Selection: World Film Festival, Montreal --Still to come: New Orleans Independent Film Festival (10/11-10/18), Oakland International Film Festival (10/18), Red Rock Film Festival (11/4), Queens International Film Festival (11/8-11/11), more... --Read a review: "Indie Films Take Spotlight In Hope"
CMJ Madness is coming to New York, and we have only one week to wait! With such an impressive and exhaustive list of indie bands, films and panels to sift through, you'll need all the time you can get to fully plan out your week. Just remember this: With CMJ, every minute matters. Now if only I knew how to clone myself...
Just like you, I'll be wading through all the glorious options and coming up with a schedule of my own. The minute my itinerary is done, you can bet I'll be posting it here.
Already know who you're seeing and when? Post a comment and let us know which you think are the MUST-SEE shows.
The boys from Bloc Party have been on a seemingly endless tour since last summer. But no longer! With only one US festival date left before they head back across the pond, their Theater at Madison Square Garden show was a fitting way to wrap up their trek.
You've already seen me wax rhapsodic about how much I adore seeing these lads live, so I won't bore you with a bazillion synonyms for amazing. Though I don't think the material from their new album is up to the same standard as the tunes from their debut, Silent Alarm, but their live performance was the high energy fun I've come to expect from them.
Know this: I'm a sucker for So You Think You Can Dance. I'm hooked. 100% completely and totally. I'm a believer, and I'm not the only one.
Though
American Idol is famed for locating undiscovered talent, I'm put off by
the machine it has become. I firmly believe almost any schmuck can sing
karaoke to other people's music and look relatively good doing it,
thanks to the ministering of legions of professional stylists and voice
trainers. The folks on American Idol are out there specifically to play
the fame game. They're there to get famous.
Not so with So You Think You Can Dance.
The kids who line up to audition for SYTYCD are fully aware that they
won't become superstars. Though they may become household names to
those who watch the show, the rest of the universe will slide blithely by without taking any notice whatsoever when someone mentions "Benji"
or "Sabra" in passing. The winner of SYTYCD is not going to become the next Kelly Clarkson, and everyone trying out on audition day knows it.
As
a result, there's a concentrated focus on true ability. The
notoriety-seekers are weeded out immediately, and you're left with the
cream of the crop -- all of whom are there because they have a dream:
They want to be dancers. Working, employed dancers. Dancers with a
career. And this show actually provides real opportunity for
outrageously talented dancers who might never have thought they could
make it farther than teaching a hip-hop class at their local dance
studio.
Much has been made of the fact that SYTYCD and Dancing
with the Stars have brought dance back into the mainstream. More power
to them for bringing dance into the living rooms of those who might
never have thought it was "manly enough" to enjoy watching a flawless
waltz, rhumba or disco routine. But speaking for those of us
[congratulating ourselves for] already loving dance as an art form,
I'll admit I thought a reality show dance contest couldn't possibly be
anything more highbrow than a trumped-up talent show. Man, was I wrong.
Not only is the quality of the dancers shockingly high, as Nigel
himself frequently pointed out in Season 3, but it's also wonderfully
egalitarian. Because they put an emphasis on turning out well-rounded
dancers versed in every genre, there's room for everyone from classically trained ballet dancers (Danny) and ballroom champions
(Lacey & Pasha) to B-Boys and B-Girls (Dominic & Sara).
Therefore, not only will you find every kind of dancer, but you'll be
entertained by every kind of dance.
Being a die-hard fan, I made the long trek to Continental Airlines Arena in E. Rutherford, NJ
already convinced it would be a fantastic show. Between the immense
talent of the finalists and choreographers, and the promise from the
show's judges that the most beloved numbers from the season would make
it onto the program, how could they possibly go wrong? I was not
disappointed.
On the other hand, I found some of the montages
on the jumbotrons tiresome. We'd already watched the full season,
including the finale. How many more times do I need to see Nigel ask
Sex not to come back next year? That was a little much. But when all
was said and done, the emphasis was on the dancers and the
choreography. We got to see the Flower and the Hummingbird routine firsthand. We got to witness Danny and Lacey burn down the house with one of the sexiest sambas you'll ever see in your life. We gasped at the acrobatics as two princes vied for the throne. Mia's ode to her father was even more beautiful and touching in person. Latin ballroom stars Pasha and Anya devoured their salsa dish. And the Devil chased the Angel, just for us.
Even
if you don't give a damn about Sabra, Danny or the lot of them... Even
if you've never seen the show once... Even if you despise reality TV
and all it stands for... The SYTYCD Tour
is still a worthwhile evening out. You'll come away from it having been exposed to more forms of dance than you'll ever find assembled under
one roof again. You'll enjoy watching them performed by talented,
humble artists who refuse to disappoint, because they know exactly how
lucky they are to be dancing for you. And lest I forget, they also want
to thank you for voting them onto the stage in the first place.
Yes,
Martha fans, your prayers have been answered, your dreams have come
true, and one of your three wishes has been granted. She has officially
announced that she'll be hitting the road with Swell Season for a full
US tour. Dates are as follows, thanks to Martha's MySpace Blog:
11/5/07- The Moore Theater, Seatte, WA 11/6/07- Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR 11/8/07- Regency Center Grand Ballroom, San Francisco, CA 11/9/07- Regency Center Grand Ballroom, San Francisco, CA 11/10/07- The Wiltern, L.A, CA 11/11/07- 4th and B, San Diego, CA 11/13/07- Ogden Theater, Denver, CO 11/15/07- Stubbs, Austin, TX 11/17/07- Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA 11/18/07- Lincoln Theater, Washington, DC 11/19/07- Beacon Theater, NY, NY 11/21/07-Orpheum Theater, Boston, MA 11/24/07- Vic Theater, Chicago, IL 11/25/07- Vic Theater, Chicago, IL >>BUY MARTHA WAINWRIGHT TICKETS<<
>>L to R: Signing autographs @ McCarren | With brother Rufus @ Gramercy (Yes, she's the one in pants.)
If
you haven't had a chance to witness the divine Ms. W. onstage before,
this is your big chance. It's her first time back on the road in the
year since she made the announcement at last summer's McCarren show that she'd cease touring while she records the follow-up to her self-titled album.
