Recent Articles
Larry T to Launch Club Badd May 8th, Album Drops May 5th
Perhaps this is a case of “it’s so bad, it’s good.” Downtown denizen Larry T will be hosting The Official Launch Party for his debut album, Club Badd on May 8th, 2009. You’ll have a firsthand chance to experience Club Badd in all its good/bad brilliance, with hosts GBH, Ultra Records and the master himself, [...]
The Rakes Klang It Up
It makes sense that The Rakes’ newest release, Klang, recorded in a Communist radio station in East Berlin, was a precise piece of work that was edited and re-edited until the band felt it was just right. The Rakes make hyper-smart songs brimming with bits from history and daily life and always manage to seek out the extraordinary within the mundane.
Doves: A Kingdom Evolves
It was quite the honor to chat with Jez Williams, 1/3 of British powerhouse Doves. Having been around for almost two decades, it’s hard to believe they’re only on their fourth album, but when the boys like to record, they go to town. Another town, or village, (a converted farmhouse in Cheshire, England, to be exact) hiding away crafting a sound that has claimed and enchanted fans worldwide.
Tinted Windows: Not Donning Capes
An amalgamation of 90’s music royalty, Tinted Windows is inserting catchy ballads and fun rhythms back into pop music. This new “super group” is a fusion of Taylor Hanson, James Iha from Smashing Pumpkins, Adam Schlesinger from Fountains of Wayne and, oddly enough, Bun E. Carlos from Cheap Trick. Though this collaboration of musicians may seem unexpected, Tinted Windows have produced an album full of charisma, generated by super pop and novelty.
Patrick Wolf is Having a Debbie Harry Moment
Not only can Patrick Wolf successfully change musical directions but he can successfully change hair color and look just as good. His double-album release of this summer’s The Bachelor and part two, The Conqueror (due in 2010) is something of epic proportions, but after the wonderment of 2007’s The Magic Position, I would expect nothing more from Wolf.
Littl’ans at Ben Sherman, Soho, NYC. 4.22.09
Those who don’t know East London’s Littl’ans, who ventured out to Ben Sherman’s “Big British Sound Party” expecting an epic English band along the lines of Coldplay or Doves, may have been in for a shock when the band kicked the night off with a purposefully long-winded, vocal-free number. A mere minute into the set, [...]
Submarine Bells at Pete’s Candy Store, Brooklyn, NY, 4.19.09
I was in Siren’s Isles today and I have sunk my boat for the Submarine Bells. Owen McCarthy’s arresting voice descends my mind into the alpha waves, I think it’s a dream where I’m snapped together by the bass, the underlying drums fishing for my heartbeat. These are songs of love lost, found while in [...]
Coachella 2009: Sunday, Day 3, April 19, 2009: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cure
Sunday was the scorcher of the Coachella stretch, so it seemed a good idea to sleep in and catch some pool hours before braving the 100+ degrees afternoon. Fittingly, the Balearic pop of UK darlings Friendly Fires made them the hot ticket of the first shift. Their stirring, somewhat deranged punk/dance anthems like “Jump In [...]
PJ Harvey and John Parish Announce New US Tour Dates for June
PJ Harvey and John Parrish have just confirmed a June run on U.S. shores in support of their latest release, A Woman A Man Walked By. The pairs shows thus far have been very well-received, as current single “Black Hearted Love” continues to gain steam.
Coachella 2009: Saturday, Day 2, April 18, 2009: M.I.A., The Killers
Saturday was definitely crazier than Friday. Even though Friday was sold out, it seemed more tame because crowds had just driven in from work or were trying to “do” the Coachella festival while working from their blackberry on site. It’s not always that easy to find the stamina to rock after putting in your nine [...]
