Video Roundup with Radiohead, Dirty Pretty Things and The Verve

Everyone's probably seen this by now, but it's really cool and bears repeating. In true Radiohead fashion, they're paving a new road in video technology w/ the use of 3D plotting in the video for House of Cards.

"no cameras or lights were used. Instead, 3D plotting technologies collected information about the shapes and relative distances of objects. The video was created entirely with visualizations of that data."

Most of that explanation went completely over my head, but it looks really great and I would expect no less from Radiohead than to do something completely different.

Carl Barat hoists high the flag of Albion once more in Dirty Pretty Things' latest single, Tired of England, from the album Romance At Short Notice released in June in the UK but WHEN IN THE US?!!! We'll have to tide ourselves over with this video in the meantime. Nice haircut, Carlos.


And lastly, The Verve's new single is called Love is Noise from their forthcoming album Forth released August 25 (UK)/26 (US). When I saw The Verve back in April we all thought this song was amazing and could be a total club anthem. The recorded version is a little disappointing (I don't remember all those wawaaah whoawhoaaaas) and this video elicits a big "HUH?!"

Surprise Killers Concert at Highline!

I don't care if people may deem it uncool to still be a fan of The Killers. I almost bought a ticket for the Download Festival that they were playing and considered purchasing a ticket for their now sold out Atlantic City show until I heard the best news all day:

THE KILLERS SURPRISE SHOW at HIGHLINE!
Tuesday 7/29/2008
7:00 pm EST

Buy your ticket RIGHT now if you want to go, it'll sell out extremely fast, if not already! I am highly anticipating the new material produced by Stuart Price!WOOOO

MP3: The Killers - Mr. Brightside (Stuart Price Thin White Duke Remix)

Mercury Music Prize: The 2008 Shortlist

The Nationwide Mercury Music Prize is a big deal in the UK. Last year I had the pleasure of watching the awards ceremony televised live on the BBC (take notes, America) from the comforts of my lovely South London kitchen. Jo Whiley and a couple of twatty highbrow music journo types presented the show and conjectured about why overwhelming favorite, Amy Winehouse, should (amazing talent) or shouldn't (this album was too retro) win. Out of nowhere underdog indies, Klaxons, took the gong for their brilliant album Myths of the Near Future. Many were upset at Amy's upset but it was nice to see someone other than the favorite win (plus Amy's been recognized with a bunch of prestigious Ivor Novello's). Myths... is a truly modern, innovative album that still manages to be very British and very poppy and by winning, Klaxons managed to smash that new-rave nonsense and force people to take them seriously.

Here's this year's shortlist:

Adele - 19

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music?

Burial - Untrue

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

Estelle - Shine

Laura Marling - Alas I Cannot Swim

Neon Neon - Stainless Style

Portico Quartet - Knee-Deep in the North Sea

Rachel Unthank & The Winterset - The Bairns

Radiohead - In Rainbows

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Raising Sand

The Last Shadow Puppets - The Age of the Understatement

They sure kept it nice and eclectic. My personal favorites are Radiohead, Last Shadow Puppets (that makes 3 noms now, Alex), and Laura Marling. I'm ashamed to say I'm actually not all that familiar with a few of these artists, but Burial is quickly becoming the critical favorite to win. To learn more about theses album, check out the links here. Thoughts??

Oasis reveal artwork and tracklisting for 'Dig Out Your Soul'

So here it is; the album cover. Dig Out Your Soul is released in the UK on 6th Oct and in the US on Oct 7th. This date is drawing nearer and nearer and normally I'd be ecstatic about an impending Oasis release, but these past few album have made me wary. Hmmm this cover is collage, combine, psychedelic, Revolver/Sgt.Pepper much? It was designed by Julian House of London based design firm, Intro who was previously responsible for this beauty:
Here's the tracklisting:

Bag It Up

The Turning

Waiting For The Rapture

The Shock Of The Lightning

I’m Outta Time

(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady

Falling Down

To Be Where There’s Life

Ain’t Got Nothin’

The Nature of Reality

Soldier On

Features songs written by everyone in the band (probably not the best idea) and will most likely include some real serious tunes mingled with some serious cringeworthy numbers. Lord Don't Slow Me Down was great so if there's anything on here remotely as good as that, I'll be satisfied. The Shock of The Lightning is the first single out Sept 29th.

Don't get me wrong, I love Oasis and do expect fans to have become a bit jaded over the past few years but whoa was I surprised at the apparent backlash going on. Check out the comments on the cover art post from the Guardian Music Blog.

Santogold + Diplo at Central Park Summerstage

The hottest Central Park Summerstage event of the summer, was also one of the hottest days of the summer...coincidence? The temperatures peaked in the upper 90's with scattered rain showers, but this didn't deter my fellow New Yorkers (and Dave Grohl who I spotted walking in Central Park) from dancing in the sun.

The Mad Decent Crew / Fools performed from 3PM-7PM and included Kid Cudi, Mz Streams, A-Trak, Diplo and of course Santogold. Although I love Diplo and LOVE watching him, I must admit that his set got old after awhile...I actually preferred A-Trak's. Santogold only performed for about 40 minutes, but she sounded great and put on a fun show. It was definitely worth the hot and sweaty 3 hour wait. Catch Santogold on tour with Coldplay (or not!) this fall.

L: Diplo and A-Trak. R: Kid Cudi


Diplo and A-Trak




Kid Cudi



Santogold







«More Pictures From Diplo + Santogold 7/20»

MP3: Santogold Featuring AC - You'll Find A Way

Matt & Kim, The Whip, The Breeders and Top Shop!

I attended my first Pool Party at McCarren Park Pool of the season this past Sunday. We walked in as The Whip was on stage, whose music I hadn't heard before. Their sound is electro-indie rock [is there an official name for this genre yet?] with very simple lyrics that mostly consist of getting trashed and things of the sort---I enjoyed it!

Next up was Matt & Kim. They brought on a school band for a rendition of Beyonce's "Crazy In Love," and "Yea Yeah" which I think lacked the dancey punch that the recorded version has. Matt's banter in between songs got kind of irritating at times, nonetheless they put on a good show...but I wouldn't pay to see them live.

Last and not least, the Deal sisters took the stage in all their legendary glory with The Breeders. They [like Matt & Kim], seemed genuinely happy and appreciative for the outpour of support from the fans. They played an array of old and new material that seemed to make the crowd very happy. I personally would have loved to have heard a cover of "Gigantic" but knew it was 100% doubtful from the start.

Also kicking off their upcoming domination of the American retail market was Top Shop/Top Man! I was so excited last year upon hearing the news of the UK-based company's new Soho residence and the time has finally come. Photobooths were set up along the deck of McCarren Park Pool and free gifts were given to people patient enough to wait on the line [Men got free Towels/bags and the ladies got a free tank top.]

The Breeders:





The Whip:


Matt & Kim:




«More Pictures From The Pool Party 7/13»

Mid-Summer Outdoor Party at the Yard

This past Saturday The Yard hosted the Mid-Summer Outdoor Party, an all day event in the super-residential neighborhood of Caroll Gardens.

We set up shop, laid out on the picnic tables with our smuggled-in six packs [shh] and enjoyed sun, sounds and sights. There were two stages on either side of the yard, Ponytail took the main stage earlier in the day but High Places was the only band to play the raised stage with the cool graffiti backdrop...high places.

Ninjasonik also played an impromptu 10 minute set to fill in the a gap while High Places set up, I even spotted John Norris beside me giggling at their naughty lyrics. The rest of the line-up included:
ONEIDA, HIGH PLACES, TITUS ANDRONICUS, Shy Child, Chinese Stars, Ponytail, Telepathe, Vivian Girls, Abe Vigoda, Knyfe Hyts, Soft Circle, Soiled Mattress and the Springs, Chairlift, Ninjasonik.

High Places.

Ninjasonik.

The Yard at sundown.

Some crazy dude who just got stage and started performing after closedown.

«More Pictures From The Yard»

Gordon Moakes Will Not Join Bloc Party on Tour

An email was sent to Bloc Party fans this morning with disappointing but understandable news from Gordon:

Hello dear friends and comrades

A little bit of news for you ahead of the US tour, our first tour in some eight months. To have been away from the winding road of touring so long is a pretty big deal for us, considering we've spent most of the last four years playing our skewed R'n'B meltdown with barely so much as a pause for a cup of tea between shows. But the time has come to stretch the gig legs and break out the spandex once more.

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to join the boys during the next month or so of touring. The reason for this is that my wife is expecting our first baby in a few weeks and after some long hard thinking we all decided, band included, that it was a bit silly for me to be flying round the world at such a critical time in the pregnancy. No one wants me to wind up in the wrong continent should there be any complications or should the little one decide to put in an early appearance. So while the other chaps are jetting around the Pacific Rim I will be buying the groceries, attending ante-natal classes and generally preparing myself for the cloud of unknown that is becoming a Dad.

In my stead we've been schooling a friend of ours, Daniel Lindegren (aka Tommy Sparks), in the ways of the Bloc. For the next few weeks Daniel will be doing his best to cover my portfolio of bass, keys, buttons, knobs and things that go 'clonk'. He is more than proficient at many of these things so I can't see it marring anyone's enjoyment of the Bloc Party experience while I'm away. All being well, I will return to reclaim my mantle around the end of August, possibly bringing with me some profound wisdom as a new father, if not a complete lack of sleep.

Keep on rockin' young 'uns

Gordy. x

Last Shadow Puppets NYC ticket update!

Tickets for The Last Shadow Puppets at Grand Ballroom NYC (pictured left) on October 30 go on sale TOMORROW AT 12PM!

See this page for details.

My Drive Thru Music Video

YAY or NAY

Go over to Converse's official site for more info on this campaign.

Cold War Kids at Prospect Park

On Friday June 27th, I attended the Cold War Kids' free concert on the Bandshell field of Prospect Park in Brooklyn. A few friends of mine arrived early, sprawled out on prime lawn real estate of the stage, an impromptu picnic (I brought the wine of course.)

Sam Champion opened the show setting the overall mood for a pleasant evening in the park. The Cold War Kids took the stage at about 8PM bringing everyone to their feet. Lead singer Nathan Willet's gut-wrenching voice transferred from mp3 to the stage beautifully. My favorite performance was Hospital Beds since it is my favorite track off of Robbers and Cowards. I enjoyed the show and would definitely see them once they come around again for LP #2.

«More Pictures: The Cold War Kids»

MP3: The Cold War Kids - Hang Me Up To Dry (Ingo Star Cruiser Mix)