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Entries tagged with 'Music News'
Posted Aug. 9, 2007,
Amy Winehouse to Appear on The Simpsons!
By Alexis Swerdloff
Two of our favorite things, Amy Winehouse and The Simpsons, are coming together as one! As reported yesterday, Winehouse (who is currently being hospitalized in London for "severe exhaustion") has agreed to appear on an episode of The Simpsons. According to Music Rooms, "it’s understood the ‘simpsonised’ Amy Winehouse will meet Lisa Simpson in a blues bar in the show." We can't wait!
Posted Jun. 25, 2007,
Animal Collective's Watermark Trail
By David Hershkovits
Holy watermark, Batman!
I wonder what makes record companies watermark certain advance CDs and not others. Does it make an artist feel second-rate if his CD doesn’t have a watermark while his labelmate does.
Nowadays if you’re a music critic it’s not unusual to receive, unsolicited, an advance CD with a watermark that enables the record company to determine the source of any unauthorized MP3s circulating on the internet. Recently this has led to several embarrassing incidents involving the record companies and the music critics they depend on to get the word out about their new releases.
Take, for example, this email which was sent around by Animal Collective's publicist regarding the leak of some songs off its client's upcoming album.
Posted Jun. 19, 2007,
Patti Smith to Open Music Hall Of Williamsburg on September 4th!
By Shanon Kelley
Weeee! As most of you probably know, Northsix was simultaneously bought out by The Bowery Presents and shut down for renovations. For those of you that miss the venue, fear not! The space, from here on in to be known as the Music Hall of Williamsburg will open it's doors again September 4th with a performance by Patti Smith and Her Band.
The new venue will have a capacity of 550 (about the size of Bowery Ballroom) and will be the first Brooklyn venue to be managed and operated by The Bowery Presents. And from what I can tell from the press release, it seems the layout will also be similar to that of Bowery: "The re-designed layout of the Music Hall of Williamsburg will be three levels, including a lower level lounge, where guests can congregate around the U-shaped bar, one of three bars in the facility. The ground floor lobby leads into the Music Hall performance space, which will feature 28' ceilings, side balconies and a back mezzanine."
I'm very excited about this, but at the same time I can't help but feel a sense of loss for all the venues that once had shows for $8. Patti Smith tickets go on sale June 23rd at noon for a whopping $35.
Posted Jun. 11, 2007,
Farm Aid Comes to New York City and Willie Nelson Cracks Everyone Up.
By Carol Lee
I was that close to one of my all-time heroes Willie Nelson! He and John Mellencamp came to the farmer's market in Union Square today. Along with the mayor Mike Bloomberg, the Farm Aid president Nelson announced that this year's Farm Aid 2007: A Homegrown Festival will be held on Randall's Island on September 9. I think this is so cool!!! They stood behind a dais in front of an assortment of New-York-state-grown veggies and fruits, and gave props to local and family farmers.
I had never been to a mayor's press conference before and I must say Bloomberg really won me over! He's seriously funny and charismatic. He joked how he, Willie and John Mellencamp started a band and they wrote a new song this morning called -- drum roll please -- "Mama, Don't Let Your Boys Grow Up to be a Mayor." You had to have been there, I guess. But all in all, Willie got the biggest laugh. When a reporter asked about him only using biodiesel fuel on the road, Nelson said, "Well, it was my wife Annie who first told me about it. She came to me and said she wants to buy a Volkswagen that runs on vegetable oil. And I thought she had finally found one of my stashes...." He had everyone cracking up including the mayor (see picture above)!! The other board members Neil Young and Dave Matthews will join Nelson and Mellencamp but the full lineup is still being ironed out. However, the tickets go on sale this Saturday, June 16 at 10 a.m.
Posted May. 31, 2007,
RJD2 Made An Indie Pop Album. Seriously.
By Shanon Kelley
At this point I'm sure I'm the last person on the planet to be shocked by this bit of news, but I just found out that Philly's very own producer turned DJ, RJD2, broke with his long-time record label, Definitive Jux, and has since released a pop-inspired album.
His latest album, The Third Hand, was released a few months ago on XL Recordings out of London. Once again, RJD2 has proven himself a virtuoso. All songs were written, arranged, recorded and produced by the man himself from his basement. The difference this time being that he can now count singer/songwriter on his long list of talents. The Third Hand is a beautiful pop album. That's right -- POP. If you don't believe me, simply check out his MySpace page and listen to "You Never Had It So Good." It's pretty awesome. Seriously.
Posted May. 30, 2007,
Beth Ditto's Nude NME Cover!
By Shanon Kelley
The outspoken, large and gay leading lady of punk icons, The Gossip, never ceases to inspire and shake up the status-quo. We love Beth Ditto!
Posted May. 24, 2007,
Michel Gondry Directs Natalie Portman in Paul McCartney's New Music Vid
By Alexis Swerdloff
Here's the video for Paul McCartney's new song "Dance Tonight," off his upcoming album Memory Almost Full (out Jun. 5). The video, directed by Michel Gondry, stars Natalie Portman as a "mischevious ghost" and Mackenzie Crook (from The Office and Pirates of the Caribbean) makes an appearance. Apparently, it was Stella McCartney, Paul's daughter, who suggested approaching Natalie about being in the video. According to People, McCartney is quoted as saying, "I rang her up and said 'Hey, I'm Stella's dad!' She had a bit of time off as she was between films so it was great." Pretty amazing stuff, we must say.
Posted May. 22, 2007,
Lady Sovereign's Breakdown at Studio B
By Shanon Kelley
Everyone's talking about it! The so-called "breakdown" of Lady Sovereign at Studio B this past weekend. Apparently she complained about a number of things, some of which included: the fact that she was only playing the gig because of how broke she was, how America "fucks you up" and, well... It's all just too sad to bother explaining. I don't really know what to think of it, but I'm honestly considering banning all British female performers from my iPod (this, plus Lily Allen's MySpace confessions are just too much). Here's the video:
Amendment: Since this video was put up it was taken down from youtube (no doubt by the powers that be, aka Lady Sovereigns management). For those of you that haven't seen it yet, it included a 5 minute rant from the Sov about everything I mentioned above, along with booing from the audience when she finally stormed off-stage after making fans wait for hours and then only playing two songs. My favorite part was a fan's outcry of "Yea fucking right!" after she claimed to be so broke that her landlord was going to kick her out of her flat.
Posted May. 21, 2007,
About Last Night... Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue Tribute Band with Adam Green, Albert Hammond Jr. and The Pierces
By Carol Lee
I saw the best show (almost) ever at Club Midway (the old Save the Robots spot) on Avenue B!!! If you are a manic Bob Dylan fan like I am, you'd have been in heaven! Dylan’s 66th birthday is creeping up on May 24 (a Gemini) so a bunch of hip cats got together on Friday night to sort of restage Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue as the Rolling Thunder Reborn Band.
I must say, for a venue as small as Midway, and a cheap $5 door charge, there was a lot of star power there. But more impressively, really good vibes and awesome music. There were many, many rotating guest musicians, as is the tradition with RTR. Russell Simmons (Blues Explosion) came on to play drums on “Highway 61” and stayed for a few more. AG blew the hell out of a little bazooka on “Highway” and later did a rocking rendition of “Baby Let Me Follow You Down.” David Mead sang “Rainy Day Women #12 & 25” and “Just Like a Woman.” The Pierce Sisters came on to sing back up on “Changing of the Guards” from the Street Legal album (one of my favorites) with this hot dude who I didn’t know, who also sang his heart out on “Someday Baby” and “She Belongs to Me.” The Pierces also covered “The Man in Me,” which was on the Big Lebowski soundtrack. Seriously, this was one of the funnest shows I’ve been to in a long time! The crowd was really mixed -- young and old as you can imagine. But unfortunately I had to cut out to go to my friend Gemma’s engagement party at China Chalet by Wall St. Oh, I really hope that they do at least one more Reborn show -- it's to die for! And Happy Birthday, Bob!!!
Posted May. 17, 2007,
Animal Collective's New Album: Strawberry Jam!
By Shanon Kelley
Animal Collective's new album, Strawberry Jam, is set to be released worldwide in September... and I couldn't be more excited! AC is by far one my favorite bands. Their music is at once visceral, while at the same time floating in the ether of the intangible. It's screaming and dancing. It's exclamations of joy and quiet contemplations all rolled into one. In short, Animal Collective is the best thing to happen to music in quite some time. Their creativity knows no bounds, a fact which is reiterated again and again with each album they release. But enough of my nerding-out, you guys knew this already, right?
The four boys of AC (Panda Bear, Avey Tare, Deacon and Geologist) came together from all different corners of the globe to record Strawberry Jam in Tuscon, Arizona, this past January. Says the press release: "Though the melodies and lyrics for Strawberry Jam were written by Panda Bear and Avey Tare in various places such as Paris, New York, Lisbon and Baltimore, there was also three intense full-band writing sessions with Geologist and Deacon. These production sessions occurred in both Lisbon and in NYC. So, while the songs might seem to come from all over the map emotionally, it was important to match that geographical variation sonically." I can't wait for this album!
Tracklisting
1. Peacebone
2. Unsolved Mysteries
3. Chores
4. For Reverend Green
5. Fireworks
6. #1
7. Winter Wonder Land
8. Cuckoo Cuckoo
9. Derek
Animal Collective come to New York City June 1st, where they'll be playing at the South Street Seaport for FREE.
Posted Apr. 30, 2007,
Courtney Love Kicks Kurt Cobain Out of the House
By David Hershkovits
Sure, its been 13 years since Kurt Cobain left the building, but his pajamas are still keeping Courtney's buns warm at night. No more, says Love. She has decided to auction off his belongings at Christie's. She tells Spinner: "[My house] is like a mausoleum. My daughter [14-year-old Frances Bean] doesn't need to inherit a giant hefty bag full of flannel f***ing shirts ... A sweater, a guitar and the lyrics to 'Teen Spirit' -- that's what my daughter gets. And the rest of it we'll just f***ing sell."
Does this announcement, once again trafficking on the Cobain legacy, have anything to do with the fact that Love has a new record, Nobody's Daughter, about to drop in which she looks back at some of her celebrated affairs with Trent Reznor, Billy Corgan and Ed Norton. I'll leave it for you, dear reader, to decide.
"I still wear his pajamas to bed," she says. "How am I ever going to go form another relationship in my lifetime wearing Kurt's pajamas?"
OK, well maybe there are some other reasons she has not moved on to another relationship besides Kurt's pajamas. Like her personality and destructive habits. Seems like she still hasn't learned to take responsibility for her actions.
Here she is photographed with daughter Francis Bean Cobain.
Posted Apr. 24, 2007,
Jesus & Mary Chain Playing Webster Hall!
By Shanon Kelley
That's right! You read that correctly, Jesus & Mary Chain are adding more shows to what was originally going to be only a two-show reunion (they're playing in California twice this week -- Friday at Coachella). The only other North American stops are two nights at Webster Hall, May 21st and 22nd. There is a God!
JAMC haven't played together since 1998 when they broke up during a show. When looking back at that show, Jim Reid said, "I suppose you could say this is another good reason for our reformation, cause that was no way for the Mary Chain to end." Indeed.
Tickets aren't on sale yet, but I can already feel my wallet being emptied out. Who cares, though, it's the Jesus & Mary Chain! This band is arguably one of the most influential bands of the last three decades. And boy are we lucky that they're gracing New York with their presence.
Posted Apr. 17, 2007,
Lily Allen Cancels North American Tour
By Shanon Kelley
The music community is all a buzz buzz buzz about Lily Allen, who just cancelled pretty much all of her North American tour. There have been rumors for a while concerning her immense home-sickness and reluctance to completely devote herself to her "music career," but this seals the deal. She wrote on her MySpace page the following:
"Hey Guys, I'm writing to tell you that I have cancelled many of my May and June tour commitments in America. The reason for this, is because my mummy and daddy are very rich, and I have never been in a position where i have actually had to do any hard work before. I thought that being a popstar meant going out getting trashed with famous people and sleeping in all day. The fact that this is not true has come as a huge dissapiontment [sic] to me, and as a result I am throwing the towel in.
No but seriously, I have been on tour with this album for a year now, I have fulfilled every commitment up to this point. I am tired, but more than that I don't think I have been giving my best performances recently. I have been getting really drunk because i've been so nervous about doing bad shows, and I don't want people spending money on a going to see a show that isn't the best it could be. I am not falling apart at the seems, I am not suffering with exhaustion, I am not pregnant, and I am not going to rehab. I will be here in America, promoting the album and also starting to write the second album, which I am beyond excited about. The LA and New York shows will still be happening, and I am still playing Coachella and Bonaroo and all the other festivals.
I'd like to apologise [sic] to anyone who has bought tickets, but you can get your money back, if you take 'em back to the place you bought them from."
And there you have it!
Photo by Dan Monick
Posted Apr. 16, 2007,
Tonic Dies, Downtown Lives
By David Hershkovits
There's been much ado about the closing of the club Tonic, a haven for experimental and avant garde music on the now burgeoning Lower East Side. The latest to weigh in is the New York Times which felt the closing significant enough to assign a reporter to spend the night there to witness the club's last show, the dismantling of the equipment and the eventual arrest of Rebecca Moore who refused to leave the premises in protest.
I'm as much as a supporter of Tonic's programming as the next person, which is part of the problem. I supported Tonic in theory, but attended shows only on rare occasions. If the Times had given the performers there as much attention in its closing as it did when it was open, perhaps it would still be around. The Voice's nightlife columnist Tricia Romano also weighs in on the closing, using it as a jumping off point to ask the age-old question: Is Downtown dead? Well, the answer is a resounding yes and no. If by downtown we mean that our memories of what is was like before real estate prices skyrocketed and the neighborhood was a true creative community of indie sensibility, then yes those days are over. On the other hand, downtown has become a destination for all types of people and, therefore, thriving as never before.
Whether we in Manhattan like it or not, the downtown we remember fondly has moved on to Williamsburg. Venues like Tonic, featuring essentially non-commercial music, are always going to have a hard time surviving in the market place. They need outside support from from both public and corporate institutions. Where would jazz be today without Lincoln Center. Experimental and avant-garde music is indigenous to New York and must be viewed as an art form needing official recognition and support. Maybe the powers that be will see this now. MacArthur grant recipient John Zorn, who closed out Tonic with a final show, is probably best positioned to become the spokesman for the cause just as Wynton Marsalis was for jazz. Lets hope he (or someone) picks up the baton.
photo of John Zorn via nytimes
Posted Apr. 13, 2007,
David Byrne's Bike Stolen
By David Hershkovits
David Byrne is many things -- musician, artist, lecturer, blogger -- but most endearingly he's an avid city bicyclist. The vision that lingers most from Miami's Basel Art Fair was that of Byrne making the rounds on his bicycle. So you can imagine how I felt when I heard the news that his bike was stolen over the weekend right in front of the IFC theater! "If anyone sees a bike with both a Che sticker and one for the MOST space telescope that's mine," says Byrne who's already back on the streets sporting a new two wheeler as he goes around organizing an Alternative Transportation Music Festival for Oct. 6 at Town Hall
Posted Apr. 11, 2007,
The Fillmore New York!
By Shanon Kelley
Sometimes I get so caught up with telling everyone about bands they've never heard of that I forgot to blog about the really "important" music news. For example, is everyone aware that The Fillmore (yes, the one in San Francisco) has taken over Irving Plaza and renamed it The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza? Well they are, and what a mouthful of a venue it is. Just a few hours ago the sign officially went up. Being born and raised in San Francisco, I have very fond memories of the original historic venue. I went through every possibly music phase through high school and The Fillmore was there through it all -- ska (The Pietasters), hip hop (too many to count but a memorable one was Cypress Hill) and electronic (Tricky). Lily Allen will be the first to play at The Fillmore New York tonight, April 11th.
Posted Apr. 10, 2007,
Essa-Pekka Solonen to Pass Conductor's Baton to Gustavo Dudamel in 2009!
By Ann Magnuson
It's rare that I see a headline on the cover of the L.A. Times that makes me jump out of my seat and leap for joy but it happened on Easter Sunday when the news came that Venezuelan wunderkind Gustavo Dudamel (top) would be succeeding Essa-Pekka Salonen (bottom left) as conductor and music director of the L.A. Philharmoic in 2009! Don't get me wrong, I love Essa-Pekka (I especially love to say Essa-Pekka over and over again) but after seeing Dudamel conduct at the Disney Concert Hall earlier this year I've reconsidered the exit strategy out of L.A. that my husband and I were planning. (It's the traffic, man! I mean, c'mon! It's almost intolerable! In five years it's gonna be HELL here on the freeways, not to mention here in Silver Lake which is getting WAY too crowded! Sunset Boulevard at rush hour is bumper to bumper now!)
But Dudamel was a force of nature at the Disney Concert Hall and his passion and exhuberance (not to mention talent) is enough to keep me sitting in 24 hour traffic here in LA for the next ten years!
Seeing him conduct on January 4th was the best birthday present I've received in years! When I blogged about him back in January there were hardly any GOOGLE entries. Now there's an avalanche of them! This guy is a classical music superstar on the rise! Los Angeles really is going to be THE city to live in during the 21st century (even if the traffic will suck)!
Posted Mar. 21, 2007,
Daniel Johnston an Anti-Semite?
By Shanon Kelley
Most music-bloggers I know are only now returning from SXSW in Austin. Since I was unfortunately unable to attend I've been reading the reviews that are starting to pour in. The most alarming one that I've been coming across again and again is of Daniel Johnston's apparent new interest in anti-Semitism. The underground, cult musician and outsider artist has a long history of mental illness, as those of you who have seen The Devil And Daniel Johnston are well aware. But Nazi-loving? I would have never believed it if I hadn't read so many rumors, including reviews of his awkward performance Saturday at the Austin Convention Center.
According to Brooklynvegan, The Mercury News and Scan the music blog of The Independent Weekly, Johnston started the show with some "jokes" including, "I heard the Jews are having a pajama party... at the concentration camps." This was followed by an awkward silence to which Johnston then added a Nazi salute and a "Heil Hitler." Johnston has been hospitalized countless times (apparently he was shaking uncontrollably during the show as well), but should this excuse such behavior? In my opinion, most definitely not.
Posted Mar. 8, 2007,
Arcade Fire Ticket Fiasco Gets Spoofed
By Shanon Kelley
I think we all remember the online ticket disaster that accompanied the Arcade Fire's 5-night stint at the Jusdon Memorial Church two weeks ago. In short: it sold out in minutes yet no one was able to get a ticket (at least no one in the greater blogging world). But where most were discouraged, the good people at Untucked Films saw an opportunity. Here's a video spoof they created about the desperation, depression and downright ridiculous outrage people felt over the shut out. Enjoy!