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| Posted: 03 Mar 2009 01:03 PM PST Anamanaguchi Dawn Metropolis Angus and Julia Stone A Book Like This Bell X1 Blue Lights on the Runway Bosque Brown Baby Diagonals Valley of the Cyclops Holy Rolling Empire Gigantis Grandmaster Flash The Bridge Justin Townes Earle Midnight at the Movies King of Conspiracy Youth Against The Empire :: "Youth Against The Empire" Neko Case Middle Cyclone The Bitter Tears Jam Tarts in the Jakehouse The Boy Least Likely To The Law of the Playground The Morning Benders Talking Through Tin Cans The Prodigy Invaders Must Die The Story Of Until The Autumn U2 No Line on the Horizon Wild Light Adults Nights Woodhands Dancer EP :: "Electric Avenue" Most Commented PostsThis posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival Dates Announced Posted: 03 Mar 2009 11:33 AM PST
Outside Lands 2009 represents the beginning of a five-year agreement with San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department and the City of San Francisco. San Francisco Rec & Park manages over 200 Parks, Playgrounds and Open Spaces throughout the City, in addition to numerous other recreation facilities and programs. Outside Lands is thrilled to support this mission. A significant portion of every ticket sold will directly benefit San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department. With the incomparable pedigree of its producers, Outside Lands 2009 is once again set to be the vital event with the broad range of entertainment and amusement options you’d expect from the partnering of the co-founders of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival with one of the most successful promoters in Northern California. The unique strengths of these companies using the backdrop of one of the most famous parks in one of the most thriving musical cities in the world is certain to make for yet another unforgettable weekend. The artist line up for the festival will be announced in the coming weeks. Check back for updates! Outside Lands: website | outside lands 2008 Related Posts |
| Heartless Bastards @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken NJ Posted: 03 Mar 2009 10:30 AM PST Maxwell’s in Hoboken is one of my favorite Jersey venues by virtue of the fact that it doesn’t really belong in Hoboken, aka “land of the yuppie broseph stock broker and assorted Abercrombie & Fitch models.” It’s like a Lower East Side venue that took a wrong turn in the Lincoln Tunnel and wound up right outside the N-Y-C and in the Jerz. Maybe that’s why I like it so much and it’s pretty much the only reason I enjoy going to the ”Ho-bro-ken,” except to visit a few equally misplaced friends who live there. Sure, Maxwell’s reeks of PBR and some of the shaggy patrons need a trim and then some, but it’s always felt like home. Maybe the bed-headed bartenders with full-sleeve tattoos have something to do with it, or the fact that the jukebox played two Replacements’ songs (”I Will Dare” and “Favorite Thing”) and New Order’s ”Ceremony” in the 15 minutes I spent waiting for my two undergrad pals to arrive, or perhaps it’s both. In a nutshell, if you’re ever in Hoboken, I advise an obligatory stop at Maxwell’s. Just knowing that many of indie rock’s most seminal bands like The Replacements, Sebadoh, and Hüsker Dü have all played in that tiny back room should at least make you feel like you’re sharing in that part of history. As my friends sipped their beers and we split some decent Tex Mex (the chicken quesadilla was rather divine, especially the mango salsa…who knew?!), I informed them I was there to cover the Heartless Bastards show and I was basically using the company of their indie-retarded (I say), indie-intolerant (they say) asses until show-time. In exchange for their hilarity, I promised I would begin my review with the line they took great pride in coming up with. So here goes: “The Heartless Bastards show was neither heartless, nor bastard.” (Happy? hah) Okay, no seriously. I found their entire set half exhilarating, half awe-inspiring. In regards to indie rock itself, the genre is pretty anemic when it comes to the lack of commanding front women; often times, the ones who exist seem to serve more for eye candy than much else. I mean no disrespect of course, I’m merely complaining about the lack thereof mostly. But lead singer Erika Wennerstrom is an anomaly and something of a phenomenon. She doesn’t really make sense, but in the best way possible. I literally felt like I was in the presence of the Christina Aguilera of the indie rock world. She’s this pint-sized dynamo onstage who can out-sing any of her male counterparts. Her voice is bigger than her body and is almost beyond comprehension, considering I myself found her rather diminutive and I’m a smidge taller than 5′3″. Pre-show, I had read that Rolling Stone once described her as a “female Robert Plant,” but I cannot concur. I feel she is best described as his daughter or maybe even his disciple. Star pupil, really. Move over, Allison Krauss. I think Plant has found himself a new singing partner. But she’s not the only reason to come to their shows. She’s backed by some highly competent male musicians that certainly have the playing power to match her boundless voice with their pretty ridiculous instrumentation. The drummer didn’t miss a beat, the pulsating basslines and edgy guitar licks sounded even better live than on CD, but I must admit that her voice is what stays with you the most when you leave the venue. This is not to detract from her backing band, it’s just that she is the glue that keeps the music together. If I may, their music is the gasoline, but Wennerstrom is the match that sets everything on fire. Trust me, she basically committed arson. I had the misfortune of standing by a speaker and her voice was ringing in my head… for days. One thing worthy of mention was the seated dude playing a pedal steel since I couldn’t take my eyes (or ears) off him. Like a siren’s song, his guitar had the coolest, most ominous, beautiful yet sad sound I’ve heard of late and I was in complete fascination. I’m really not sure if I’ve heard other bands use pedal steels, but Heartless Bastards have now directed my attention to this sound moreso than anyone else. It’s most recognizable during the intro of their title track, “The Mountain.” You’ll know it the moment you hear it. I made friends with some super-sweet fans who allowed me to gush about how fucking cool that guitar was, with mutual smiles and zero judgment. I think they were jazzed too, since we concurred it’s a shame more bands don’t use them. Leaving a show wanting to bang the lead singer, date one of the musicians, join a band or start your own are usually symptomatic of a great live show experience, even if the enthusiasm fades by the time you get to your car. However on this particular night, I seriously left wanting to become a pedal steel guitarist. Heartless Bastards: website | myspace  Photos by: Mona Sheikh Related Posts |
| Bill Clinton iPod in Tonic auction Posted: 03 Mar 2009 08:11 AM PST Bill Clinton presided over one of the greatest periods of peace and economic well-being in American history and today remains active in the fights against AIDS and global warming. An avid saxophonist, Clinton has been vocal about his love of music. For the first time ever, an iPod loaded with his personal playlist and autographed by the 42nd President himself is available for auction through Tonic’s Celebrity iPod Auction. Every week now through August Tonic will launch between 1 and 5 autographed iPods loaded with the celebrity's personal playlist. Now through March 12th, President Bill Clinton's autographed iPod is available for auction. The best part: ONE HUNDRED percent of the revenue will go directly to rescue the musical culture of the Central Gulf. Tonic has over 70 A-List celebrities participating including Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs & Marc Ecko's iPods that are available through this Thursday, March 5th. Next week sees the launch of auctions for Hilary Duff’s iPod, Scarlett Johansson’s iPod and Mandy Moore’s iPod, among others.
Bill Clinton's Personal Playlist Tonic: website | register to bid | auctions Related Posts |
| R.E.M. Tribute Show @ Carnegie Hall, NYC, March 11, 2009 Posted: 03 Mar 2009 06:45 AM PST
We’re talking the genius of R.E.M. and the on-stage help from some of these not too shabby musicians: Throwing Muses, Elf Power, Ingrid Michaelson, Kimya Dawson, Glen Hansard (of The Frames), Bob Mould (of Husker Du), Rhett Miller (of Old 97’s), Rachael Yamagata, The Feelies, Guster, Patti Smith, The Apples in Stereo and house band Calexico. Oh, there are more schedule performers and I could go on, but I’m too excited to type. In fact, I was imagining an ”It’s The End Of The World” mash-up, but I had to stop because my mind was about to explode and laptops are just really hard to clean. And if you think I’m lying because a line-up this good is inconceivable, feel free to find our more about the event here. But please click at your own risk. I can’t be held responsible if you fall off your chair out of sheer excitement. Trust me, I almost broke my ass. There’s even a chance to purchase VIP tickets that get you into an exclusive after-party. You get to mingle with the bands and chow down to some seriously fancy eats courtesy of Chef Mario Batali. But if this isn’t your scene, you can still find regular tickets here. If this event weren’t cool enough as is, 100% of the net proceeds will be donated to musical education programs for underprivileged youth. So, now you can rock out and do your part to keep the fine tradition of music alive and well! So come on out and support some of your favorite indie artists paying tribute to one of the best bands in American rock n’ roll! I know it’s Carnegie Hall and what-not, but whatever you do please try to leave those opera glasses at home. Related Posts |
Are you ready for the musical orgasm of your life? Take one of the single most influential rock bands ever, (in this case, the legendary R.E.M.), tie in a classy and famed New York City venue (Carnegie Hall), and pepper in about 20 of the biggest names in indie rock and you’ve got yourself one helluva night. And one helluva tribute show. And one helluva story at the water cooler the next morning. Have you ever wanted to be the envy of all your friends? Well don’t worry, I’ve got just the thing for you. Attend this show and no one will ever try to steal your lunch money again.| You are subscribed to email updates from popwreckoning To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
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