Transatlantic Double Whammy: Michael Phelps at London 2012 Party

London is excited for 2012. They threw a massive party in front of Buckingham Palace at the weekend to celebrate the handover of the summer Olympics. New Yorkers would never be this thrilled and honestly I can speak for all the New Yorkers I know when I say I was relieved when we didn't win the 2012 bid.

The Beijing closing ceremony had a brief London segment featuring (OF COURSE!) a double decker bus and David Beckham. The bus bit was pretty cool although I think they would have more aptly captured the essence of London bus stops if they featured two drunk men beating each other. Kidding aside, Leona Lewis was fab even though I was disappointed all she did was sing a kind of weak version of Whole Lotta Love w/ Jimmy Page on guitar.

The London party featured the likes of McFly, Il Divo and pride of the USA and greatest Olympian EVER, Michael Phelps. Must go to 2012 Olympics.

ok I promise this is the last Olympics/Phelps mention on here for a loooong time. Just couldn't help myself with this transatlantic amazingness. He may be a total mouth-breather, but he's an inspirational and humble champion.

Enough gushing. Watch this video.

José González playing BAM in December

The Next Generation of Samba Soul: Dec 4 & 5 at 8pm

An all-star benefit tribute to the music and culture of Brazil, Red Hot + Rio 2 salutes Samba Soul, the post-tropicália movement of the 70s that merged elements of North American soul music with Brazilian rhythms. Featured artists: CéU, Curumin, Bebel Gilberto, José González, Otto

A portion of the proceeds will benefit BrazilFoundation’s AIDS-related projects. More Info Here

BAM Howard Gilman Opera House: $25, 45, 65
Running time: 120min, no intermission

MP3: José González - Heartbeats (The Knife Cover)

I have finally claimed my life back from the Olympics....

who has time to even read blogs when the Olympics are on let alone write one?! Ok lame excuse to have been so quiet the past week but all I've done since 8/8 is work. eat. olympics. sleep. repeat.

some things to look forward to from us in the next couple of days:
-Our two cents on Radiohead & APW

-While we were in our Phelps induced hypnosis BLOC PARTY RELEASED A NEW ALBUM?!

-The Courteeners plan one off UK single

-Oasis previewed the video for single The Shock of the Lightning but that shit was taken downnnn from Youtube right away like the contraband that it is. You can still see it here.
killer riff? check. crazy adenoidal vocals? check. random Beatles reference? check.
ridiculous rhyming lyrics? check (e.g. love is a time machine/up on the silver screen)
I didn't realize there was so much criteria for a quintessential Oasis song but whoa this one's got it all. TUNE! ahh welcome back fellas.

Win Tickets for MGMT, The Rapture and Diplo at The Grand Opening of Mini Space Rooftop!

As a part of Mini Rooftop NYC (September 4-13) this great line up will be playing for the grand opening of this creative art space in Hell's Kitchen. Click HERE for details, and good luck!

MP3: Madonna - Hung Up (Diplo Remix)
happy early 50th birthday Madonna!

The Age-Old Music Debate: US Vs. UK

TLC friend Katie Camosy wrote this great piece on US vs UK music "Is American Music Reigning Supreme Again?" in response to NME's "Top 25 Most Exciting Bands in America."

It's an intruiging piece as I've never actually put too much thought into this old-age cycle and shift of Trans-Atlantic music industry power. Check out both articles and discuss!

MP3: Death Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism

New Santogold Video: Lights Out

I'm smitten with Santogold and really enjoy this video. I'm not too sure how I feel about the Bud Light Lime endorsement in addition to Converse, but visit the beer company's mini site for music and more info. See below for the fun new wave-y remix of "Lights Out" from the site. Also check out my review of Santogold and Diplo at Central Park Summerstage.

MP3: Santogold - Lights Out [Bud Light Lime Remix]

Franz Ferdinand Stream New Song, Lucid Dreams

NME reports that new Franz Ferdinand track "Lucid Dreams," may or may not appear on the band's new album slated for an early 2009 release. The song is however set to appear in the EA Sports game, 'Madden '09" to be released on August 12.

This song will only be available to stream on the band's website for a limited time, so check it out HERE and discuss.

Bloc Party & Does it Offend You, Yeah? at Webster Hall

The doors opened late for Bloc Party's Wednesday night show at Webster Hall. As a person with a full time job this did not still well with me, nor did the following: the first band [whose name I didn't get because their mic wasn't working] Amazing Baby was a waste of time, Does it Offend You, Yeah? took forever to set up and had technical difficulties, and Bloc Party didn't hit the stage until about 10PM. TLC had an amazing spot in front of the stage, but we were definitely anxious.

Amazing Baby was a very bad combination of people thrown together: the Slash wannabe guitarist overpowering his band mates + the gag-worthy hipster pretty boy lead singer whose mic did not work + 2 random back up singers in dresses + 2 random guys. Even without the vocals the music was bad, and the band was so over the top. Does it Offend You, Yeah? burst onto the stage with a few technical difficulties but commanded everyones attention with their high-energy stage presence and naughty antics...I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Bloc Party zipped through their set seamlessly along with Gordon Moakes stand-in, Daniel Lindegren. They played tracks from previous releases including "Flux," gave a nod to Missy Elliott's "Shake it Like a Pom Pom," covered Prince's "I Will Die 4 You," and current single "Mercury." Even with all the bumps along the way, Bloc Party definitely gave a great show. I saw them three years ago at McCarren Park Pool and I must say they've definitely improved in sound and stage presence collectively.

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MP3: Bloc Party- Where Is Home? (Diplo Remix Featuring Skepta)


















Does it Offend You, Yeah?




Amazing Baby

Black Lips at McCarren Pool

Last Sunday I ventured over once again to McCarren Pool to finally catch The Black Lips. Wanted to see for myself what all the fuss is about and was really impressed. Really enjoyed their brand of synth-free retro garage rock and apparently so do tons of teenage boys.

The moshing and thrashing about from the kids wasn't as bad as I had expected and actually turned into a bit of a toilet paper party but was ultimately a great time.

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The Dodos At Cake Shop - July 17th

Since the failure of enjoying the overcrowded Dodos in-store at Sound Fix four months ago, I've been sitting tight for another chance. When I first heard rumors that they were to play Siren Fest, my heart sank a little. Partaking in the festivities at Siren has not been something I look forward & have actually skipped out more times than I've actually gone. Considering the circumstances, I was prepared to suck it up & return to Siren. Two days before Siren however, I was elated to find out about The Dodos' secret performance at Cake Shop happening that night. Myself & a friend found ourselves taking (what we deemed) necessary measures to ensure us entry to the show by showing up an hour before doors. Two hours later, we found ourselves alone in the basement asking ourselves "where is everyone?" Slowly but surely, the space filled to capacity, by the time The Dodos took stage.

Despite the fact that The Dodos have been my favorite discovery of 2008 & I hail Vister to be my favorite album of the year, I am not sure why I didn't expect to be so blown away. The show was, without a doubt one of the best I have seen in years. The high energy, dim lighting, intimate space, & happiness radiating from everyone there were all factors for this. Their set consisted of songs mostly off their 2008 release Visiter, including Paint the Rust, Ashley, Fools, Jody, Red & Purple, & ended with my personal favorite, The Season.

Once the show ended, I was left buzzing with a very familiar feeling that I hadn't felt in quite a while, that feeling was the reminder of the reason of why I love music. How noises made by two guys from the bay area have the ability to move one in such a way, is a magical thing. Unfortunately, Siren didn't hold water to the performance at Cake Shop & the very short set (4-5 songs), outdoor venue, hot weather, & crowd are to blame. For the real deal, skip the festivals and see them headlining at one of their following upcoming Tour Dates.


(UK Tour)
Aug 12 100, Club London
Sep 1 Black Box ,Belfast
Sep 2 Doghouse, Dundee
Sep 3 King Tuts, Glasgow
Sep 4 The Cluny, Newcastle
Sep 5 The Duchesss, York
Sep 6 Faversham, Leeds
Sep 7 Roadhouse, Manchester
Sep 8 Fusion, Sheffield
Sep 10 Bar Academy, Birmingham
Sep 11 Moles, Bath
Sep 12 Coalition, Brighton
Sep 13 Academy 2, Oxford
Sep 14 Bodega, Nottingham
Sep 15 Thekla, Bristol
Sep 16 ULU, London

(Return to the States)
Sep 21 Treasure Island Fest, San Francisco
Sep 28 Sonar, Baltimore
Sep 29 Spiegeltent, New York
Oct 2 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Oct 3 Fuel@ Dartmouth, Hanover
Oct 4 POP Montreal, Montreal
Oct 6 Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
Oct 7 Magic Stick, Detroit
Oct 8 Bottom Lounge, Chicago
Oct 10 Earlham College Richmond
Oct 11 Milo, Columbus
Nov 8 Echoplex Los Angeles

(European Tour)
Nov 12 Grand Mix, Tourcoing
Nov 13 Poudriere, Belfort
Nov 14 Point Ephemere, Paris
Nov 15 Cabaret Electric, Le Havre
Nov 17 Nachtleben, Frankfurt
Nov 18 Headcrash, Hamburg
Nov 19 Voxhall, Aarhus
Nov 20 Loppen, Copenhagen
Nov 21 Knaack , Berlin
Nov 22 Akropolis, Praguee
Nov 23 59-1, Munich
Nov 24 Chelsea, Vienna
Nov 25 Stalker , Padova
Nov 26 Casa 139 , Milan
Nov 27 ISC , Bern
Nov 28 Le Romandie, Lausanne
Nov 29 Luxor, Cologne
Nov 30 Vera, Groningen
Dec 2 Melkweg, Amsterdam
Dec 3 Belle Vue , Brussels

We Are Scientists at Music Hall of Williamsburg

We Are Scientists have been one of my favorite bands since 2006 when I first heard/saw them at the NME Shockwaves Awards show at Brixton Academy along with Mystery Jets, Arctic Monkeys and Maximo Park. ahh memories

I chose to go to the first of their two shows here in NYC last week. Music Hall of Williamsburg has definitely been getting preferential treatment from me over Bowery Ballroom as of late.

Last time I saw them was two summers ago at Warsaw (last year's Siren doesn't count) and they've beefed up their on-stage presence since then, adding a new guitarist/keyboardist. Keith and Chris seem to be doing just fine as a duo (drummer Michael left the band last year). All the new tracks sounded great live and their banter is priceless. Highlights included After Hours, Cash Cow, Textbook (which saw Keith meandering through the crowd) and latest single, Impatience.



Check out the new video for Impatience. They're almost up there w/ Foo Fighters for most clever videos

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