Eek!

Just wanted to write a brief apology for not updating. I have been absolutely swamped at work. We moved offices (which is actually a really good thing, though stressful) among other things. I worked all weekend and I've often been working until 8pm or later. I am also editing a music-related video project for a friend of mine, which is fun because I get to combine both my interests. I'll be posting that sometime soon.

Sadly, I'm so busy I don't really even have time to go to the Tribeca Film Festival. I might still make it to an event or two, but I had hoped to do a little festival coverage on this blog.

I'll try to update with some substance sometime soon though. I promise.

Via Audio and SSLYBY @ Mercury Lounge

Tuesday night I headed over to Mercury Lounge to see Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin (what a mouthful...). I had intended to get there toward the beginning because it looked like a good lineup, but I worked late so I missed the first half. It still turned out to be a fabulous concert though - everything a concert should be: fun music, witty banter, people taking their shirts off, dancing, bands intermingling and people switching instruments.

I managed to catch Brooklyn band Via Audio, who went on before SSLYBY and who - it turns out - I absolutely love. I had heard a song or two of their's before but had never really paid attention (so much music, so little time, you know?). Well from now on I will listen more closely. Via Audio was spectacular. They were high energy, fun, silly, serious, sultry, jazzy, spunky, and so much more all in one show - sometimes all at the same time. I was dancing my heart out, which is exactly what I needed after a very long (not to mention boring) day at work. They're a large band too - guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and two guys who switched between sax, clarinet and flute between the two of them. They play a variety of styles, which I always appreciate. I would even go so far as to say that this band is one of my new favorites.

SSLYBY was great as well, though I can't say they had quite as much energy as Via Audio. Actually, when the bass player from Via Audio came and played cowbell for them for a few songs, their energy increased a great deal. It was really neat to watch. But they were wonderful and I enjoyed them very much (and they were still very high energy too). They had one super fan in the audience who brought a Springfield board game (they're from Springfield, Missouri) and a Boris Yeltsin book. I think my favorite song was one that the drummer said was about Missouri but had never been recorded. About 3/4 of the way through the set, the band switched it up - the lead singer played the bass, the bass player played the drums and the drummer took over the guitar/lead singer position. I always like seeing people switch instruments - it shows they're multi-talented.

More pictures (a slideshow because I don't have time to add them each individually):

View Album

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Mp3s:

Digital [mp3] - Via Audio (iTunes unavailable)
Glue Girls [mp3] - Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - "Pershing" (iTunes)

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Pre-order "No, Virginia..." Now!

The Dresden Dolls newest album, "No, Virginia..." can be pre-ordered now, and if you pre-order it, you will be entered in a contest. Ooooohhhh... Details here. Although the signed CDs are sold out, so don't get too excited when you see that like I did. Also, you can listen to one of the tracks on their myspace and download a track for free off of Stereogum. I've already pre-ordered mine and I am giddy with anticipation.

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Chris Bathgate @ The Knitting Factory

Last night I went to The Knitting Factory Tap Bar to see Chris Bathgate, along with a few other Michigan performers. I missed the first performer - a guy who goes by the name Drunken Barn Dance - because I worked late, but I caught part of his last song. It was peaceful singer-songwriter/ acoustic-guitar type music but I didn't catch enough of it to really write about it.

Next up was The Library is on Fire. It was kind of like The Knitting Factory was playing a game of "one of these things is not like the other." They were noisy rock 'n' rollers from Brooklyn instead of peaceful singer songerwriters from Ann Arbor. Actually, though, I think it was a nice way to shake things up. For the most part I liked them. Their music was upbeat and fun. Every now and then though there'd be something that would take me out of the music - a strange chord or rhythm. I think they could iron that out though with work and become quite a solid band. I guess they have a new bass player and this was his first show with the band. He was one of the more energetic male bass players I've seen (so many bass players are so stoic and motionless).

Chris Bathgate was up next. I believe he said it was his 26th birthday. For those of you who've read my blog before, he is good friends with Matt Jones. Matt Jones also drums for him sometimes. I can see why they collaborate - Chris Bathgate's music is very much that gentle singer-songwriter music, but it is less whimsical and more dramatic than Matt Jones'. Also unlike Matt Jones who said he "forgot how to be sad," I feel like Chris Bathgate's music has a little more sadness behind it. He played with an electric guitar and lots of reverb. He also made good use out of one of those looping pedals to create beautiful harmonies. I want one of those. I was very impressed. The one thing I would say could be improved would be that he should perform with more confidence. He seemed kind of uncomfortable up on stage, and I know it's scary performing in front of people, but he's very talented so he should stand a little straighter and own the stage a little more.

I got Chris' album at the show, "A Cork Tale Wake." I really like the album and there is more of a variety of genres on the album than there was when he performed. He rocks a little harder on some songs and on one song I'd say he gets downright funky. Part of me almost misses the beautiful looping harmonies, which aren't present on the whole album, but he has a full band behind him on some of the songs, which makes up for it. On a side note: starting today Chris Bathgate is going to live out in the woods for 2 months without electricity and whatnot so he will be incommunicado. He never really explained why, but I hope he enjoys himself nonetheless and he hope the concert was a good send off for him.

Fred Thomas was last, who I believe is from Michigan but now lives in New York? Could be wrong about that but he was/is part of Saturday Looks Good To Me with Scott from Drunken Barn Dance, so I would assume he lived in Michigan at some point. His music seemed to me to be more of the same - soft singer-songwriter music that made lots of use of the looping pedal. I was less impressed than I was with Chris Bathgate and I was tired (all the gentle music was lulling me to sleep after my 10-hour work day) so I only stayed for the first 15 minutes of the set. Based on the music on his myspace, I think I would like him better with a band behind him.

Pink Rock (In The Frontyard) [mp3] - The Library is on Fire - "Cassette" (iTunes unavailable)

A Flash of Light Followed By [mp3] - Chris Bathgate - "A Cork Tale Wake" (iTunes)
Smells Like A Fist [mp3] - Chris Bathgate - "A Cork Tale Wake" (iTunes)

Apples on the Floor [mp3] - Fred Thomas - "Sink Like a Symphony" (iTunes unavailable)

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A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Yesterday was an absolutely perfect day here in New York City. I got up nice and early to go see Ms. Regina Spektor play at SoundFix Records for Record Store Day. I got in line at 10:30am, and I was honestly a little worried that I wasn't going to make it in, as the line was already pretty long. I did make it in however. I even got a "guaranteed entry" wristband (which some people who made it in via standby didn't have). Although I was probably in the last 10 people to get a wristband. The doors didn't open until after 1pm, but it was a beautiful day to wait in line for 2.5 hours.

When we finally got in, I got shoved in the back. That turned out to be not the worst thing in the world though because Regina entered right where I was standing, so I got this awesome picture:

She played about 6 songs. Unfortunately I couldn't see her all that well because this one tall guy with the bald spot was directly blocking my view (see right). Honestly, she was adorable. She giggled a lot. She was funny. When she first came in she said she felt like she was at a press conference because of all the cameras flashing. Then she goes "I'm like the Pope. What was that, God? Ok, I'll tell them." She also seemed very modest, as if she didn't really understand why all of us were there to see little old her. Her performance was great. Her voice is amazing. She made a few mistakes because, as she informed us, she has been working mostly on new stuff lately so she is forgetting some of the old stuff, but that just made the performance more real. At the end of the show, she stood up to do "Hotel Song" with a beat boxer and then I could finally see her decently well, so that was nice.

The other advantage of being in the back for the concert portion was that meant I was one of the first people to get her autograph. She was so sweet during the signing. And I got my picture taken with her but the kid who took the picture is apparently technologically inept - or at least when it comes to a camera that is more complex than a point-and-shoot. He couldn't grasp the concept of looking through the viewfinder, so the framing is terrible. Plus he took three in rapid succession while I was trying to explain how to use the camera, so they're pretty much the worst pictures ever taken of me.

After that was done, I headed over to Central Park to catch Matt Pond PA doing a performance for an Earth Day celebration. It was a cute little event - with a community mural made up of 1000 squares, each painted by a different person (yes, I painted one, and it was only slightly better than the 7 year old who was painting next to me. Ha) and the concert was powered by solar panels, which was pretty cool. There was a band that played before Matt Pond PA called Glint, but I wasn't really digging them, so we went and played frisbee instead on the very crowded lawn.

Matt Pond PA was good. It was pretty much the perfect music for the day - kind of laid back, peaceful rock music. They also had some playful dialogue with the audience. Matt Pond kept complaining about the heat, and by the end of the show his shirt was pretty much soaked with sweat. It got a little hot in the direct sunlight, even though it was for the most part otherwise the perfect temperature. And I have to guitarist Steve Jewell was one of the most nonchalant lead guitarists I've ever seen. When he had any kind of solo, he didn't milk it at all - you wouldn't have been able to tell it was him soloing if you weren't watching his hands. And his long hair covered his face half the time.

The concert seemed to also attract eccentric park-dwellers who wanted attention. There was this guy in ruffled skirts with flowers and bees sown on them, with funny hats (one of which I think was actually a purse upside down). His beard was painted, and he had a parrot and a poodle, both of which were also painted. I felt sorry for the animals. The guy kept going up in front of the stage and twirling around. At one point he went directly in front of one of the videographers (clearly trying to get on film) and the cameraman was just annoyed. There was also a guy who danced in front of the stage briefly dressed all in black with white iPod earbuds. Even his face was covered. I think he was trying to imitate the iPod commercials with the silhouettes of people dancing. It was random.

More pictures from Regina Spektor.

Hotel Song [mp3] - Regina Spektor - "Begin to Hope" (iTunes)

More pictures from Matt Pond PA.

Taught To Look Away [mp3] - Matt Pond PA - "Last Light" (iTunes)

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Record Store Day and more

Tomorrow is Record Store Day around the country, where artists will be performing (for FREE)/DJing/selling stuff to support smaller, independent record stores. I'm hitting up SoundFix Records in Williamsburg to see Regina Spektor. And if there's anyone in Lexington, KY reading this, go out to CD Central to see Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Duke Spirit. I'm a little bit jealous of that one since the closes BRMC seems to be getting to New York during their tour is rural Pennsylvania and they have spent very little time on the Eastern side of the country in general. Check out the website for the full list of participating artists and stores so go show your support for your local record store (although I have to say their website is really crappily put together - it's not that easy to figure out who's playing where).

On a rather unrelated note, Matt Pond PA is performing a free concert in Central Park tomorrow at 3pm. I'm going to try to get there too after things die down at SoundFix.

One Minnesota band - Tapes 'N' Tapes - that is participating in Record Store day here in New York (at Other Music) is also performing a show tonight at Irving Plaza and a show tomorrow night at Music Hall of Williamsburg with White Denim (from Texas) and Vampire Hands (also from Minneapolis).

Apparently there's a silent rave in Union Square tonight? Bring your headphones and get your groove thing on to the music of your choice. It starts at 6:17pm (not sure why they chose that time). It's on my way home from work so I think I will at least stop by and check it out. I read a (fictional) book where one of the characters tried to do this as an "art installation." In the book it failed miserably. But 6000 some people have RSVPed on facebook, so this event may actually turn out.

One last little side note - I'm sorry I've been rather neglectful in updating as of late. I had to play catch up when I got back from London, and work is getting busier and busier. I'm thinking of adding another writer or two to this blog though, so that I don't have the sole responsibility of updating. More on that later.

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Son of Rambow

Last night I saw Son of Rambow. Despite the fact that it was a free screening, it was surprisingly hard to find someone to go with me. Most people seemed to believe that it was some terrible new Rambow sequel. It's not. So let me just dispel that myth right now. I suppose part of the reason for this is that it's a British film, so there hasn't been a whole lot of publicity for it here in the states.

Son of Rambow is a heartwarming British comedy about two young boys from very different backgrounds - who are both rather obsessed with - their quest to win a young filmmakers' contest by making a film about the son of Rambow. The two boys are: Will, an awkwardly quirky, religiously devout and rather gullible member of the Plymouth Brethren; and Lee Carter, a rich troublemaker whose parents are never around and who basically does whatever he wants. Honestly, this kid is badass. And I'm now going to use the word "skill" as my new slang word, inspired by him. Side note: ridiculously attractive Gossip Girl actor Ed Westwick plays Lee Carter's older brother - funny how he always plays rich assholes.

Will and Lee Carter meet when Lee Carter hits Will - who was waiting out in the hall while his class watched a documentary film because he's not allowed to watch television - in the head with a tennis ball. You might be wondering how a boy who's not allowed to watch TV became obsessed with Rambo... I don't want to explain in too much detail, but basically Will sees Rambo at Lee Carter's house and becomes obsessed, so they make the film, even though it means Will has to sneak around and lie to his mother in order to do it. They quickly become close friends and "blood brothers" (gross).

There's a whole subplot with these French exchange students that are in town - one of whom (named Didier) all the British kids idolize. While some of the scenes with the Didier were rather hilarious, at first it wasn't clear to me what this had to do with the story. Later it comes out that Didier's dream is to be an actor, so he seeks a role in the boys' film and suddenly Will is one of the coolest kids in school. However, Lee Carter doesn't like all the extra people being in the film (deep down he's jealous because Will is really his only true friend) and he thinks Didier is ridiculous, so this is when the major conflict comes in and lots of drama ensues.

Overall this movie is very funny and heartwarming. I would say the best word to describe it would be cute (but I mean that in a good way). The ending is a little cheesy, but I'll admit I got teary-eyed. And the young boy actors are very good. Props to the director because kids are so hard to work with. It comes out May 2nd here in the US. Go see it.

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Kid:Nap:Kin and Julius C @ The Village Underground

Last night I went to the Village Underground to see Julius C. I missed the opening bands because I worked late, but I got there just in time to catch Kid:Nap:Kin. This was also their New York CD release party for their new album "Hush Now..." A 3-piece band from Boston, they were a high energy rock band with a hint of metal. I really liked lead singer Dan's voice. He sang in falsetto a lot but he actually pulled it off quite well, which is hard to do. And bass player Jamila was badass. I don't know why, but female bass players seem to always be so cool. Drummer Pat was good, and they had some great complex rhythms in some of their songs. Honestly I expected not to like them because metal-esque music isn't one of my favorite genres, but I found myself really getting into it. Their music is much more melodic than most metal, and they had a hint of funk at times. I suppose they aren't really all that metal-esque, besides the scream-singing. "Hush Now..." is a strong album. It's got a great energy. I can totally see myself popping this into the CD player of my car and speeding down the freeway, rocking out. If I had a car that is. I'm not much of a head-banger but I can't seem to help it listening to this album. My favorite track is the slightly funkier Hush Now.

Julius C was great as usual. I was extra close this time, which was fun. I could've reached out and touched them if I wanted to - some people did and even got on stage at the end. And as always, Julius C fans are awesome and high energy without being rowdy. They played a few new songs, and they departed from the usual - playing one ballad featuring only the lead singer Jay and guitar player Kate (Jay said they wanted to try something without a funky bass line) and one instrumental (and funky) song with the rest of the band and without Jay and Kate. The songs were good, although I have to say that I hope Julius C continues to keep funk in most of their songs because that's part of why I love them so much. One thing I should alert you to: if you join their mailing list on their website, you get free exclusive downloads. I highly recommend it.

Some pictures (even more here). I brought my crappy camera because I was going to a party afterwards. Oh well.

There was a little smoke for a bit and that seemed to upset my camera

I love that Kid:Nap:Kin are rocking out in the background

And some mp3s for you to sample:

The Hush [mp3] - Kid:Nap:Kin - "Hush Now..."
Mama Says [mp3] - Julius C - Live in Montreal

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Theme Thursday - Home

I'm back from London. Part of me is sad but the other part of me is liking sleeping in my own bed and meals that cost less than $20. Unfortunately I didn't get to see any shows while I was there. It appeared that no one I liked was really playing and I didn't want to exorbitant amounts of money to go see bands I had never heard of. Plus I kind of just ran out of time. If you want to check out my pictures from London (above) and Brighton (below), click the links. As usual I took lots of photos, but I love the architecture so I couldn't resist. I also went to Bath, but I have to get those pictures from my friend as I didn't have my camera that day.

Since I'm "home sweet home" now, the theme for this week is home. Since I haven't posted in a while, I'm going to post a lot of songs and I'm going to post them as a .zip file.

Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then) - The Decemberists - "The Crane Wife" (iTunes)

Within a Mile of Home - Flogging Molly - "Within A Mile of Home" (iTunes)

Come on Home - Franz Ferdinand - "Franz Ferdinand" (iTunes)

Home - Great Northern - "Trading Twilight for Daylight" (iTunes)

Honey Come Home - Murder Mystery - "Are You Read for the Heartache... Cause Here It Comes" (iTunes)

Home 0207 - Plastic Operator - "Different Places" (iTunes)

Leave the City and Come Home - The Rakes - "Ten New Messages" (iTunes)

Own Your Own Home - Rogue Wave - "Asleep At Heaven's Gate" (iTunes)

Sunny Came Home - Shawn Colvin - "A Few Small Repairs" (iTunes)

Going Home - Shoot The Messenger - "Get On With It EP" (iTunes)

There's No Home For You Here - The White Stripes - "Elephant" (iTunes)

Home - Zero 7 - "When It Falls" (iTunes)

THE ZIP FILE

One more thing - tomorrow night (Friday) one of my favorite NYC bands is playing at The Village Underground: Julius C. Also playing with them is Kid:Nap:Kin (who are having their CD release show), Sentient Machine and The Hollow Sound. Doors at 6:30pm. $10, ALL AGES. Julius C goes on around 8:30pm and I hear they'll be playing some new stuff. It's sure to be a spectacular show, as always.

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London Calling

This afternoon I leave for London and I will be gone until April 9th. Probably won't update much in the meantime and if I do, this will become more of a travel blog than a music blog for the next week. Although hopefully I'll get to see a show or two while I'm there.

Anyway, see you when I get back!

London Calling [mp3] - The Clash - "London Calling" (iTunes)

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