popwreckoning updates |  |
- Matisyahu – Light; Fall Tour Dates
- We’re Only Show Biz Losers: Beware: Assistants in Power
- The Pretenders @ Vic Theatre, Chicago IL
- Pavement Announces Reunion Show
| Matisyahu – Light; Fall Tour Dates Posted: 18 Sep 2009 09:00 AM PDT Matisyahu has released his newest album Light already this year and it is just as good, if not better than his first album that came out in 2006. It is evident in Matisyahu’s first few tracks on his new album Light, that his craft, and style of music has evolved. All music changes from album to album, and after listening to both of his, there is a profound difference in his sound. However, even though his music has changed (not too dramatically by the way), his message remains constant. I have noticed that Matisyahu is very inspired by overcoming obstacles and self-empowerment. These ideas are very much embedded in his music. The first track of the album titled “Smash Lies,” is proof of his meaningful messages. The main line in the song that is repeated is “Dream away!” It speaks of dreaming big and not letting the little things (smashing lies) hold you back. The song “One Day,” Matisyahu’s newest single, is a song about how that one day the world will be without war, starvation, and other viruses such as these, that have infected out world. After listing to this Reggae ballad, I have found that he has added a splash of the essence that you can find in all of Bob Marley’s music. These must have been a key factor in determining that this song would be the single. A good part of the album Light is made up of R&B-Reggae as apposed to Matisyahu’s last album that was primarily Rap-Reggae, and I like it. He did still manage to keep his rap in his record, but the fact that he ventured out into R&B for this album is impressive. Especially because he did a hell of a job. My personal favorite song on the album is “On Nature.” It is oh so very good. I will leave it up to you to check the song out! Tracklisting: Tour dates: Matisyahu: website | myspace | interview | @ crossroads Related Posts |
| We’re Only Show Biz Losers: Beware: Assistants in Power Posted: 18 Sep 2009 08:00 AM PDT Beware: Assistants in Power Assistants may be the definition of show biz losers, but the job does have its perks. Aside from getting first crack at the CD's and free tickets that get sent to our boss, we are the gatekeepers. We control everything. And I do mean everything. Everyone is vying for the attention of our boss, and the sole purpose of the assistant is to decide who gets through and who doesn't. Before you can get anywhere, you have to be able to answer two questions. "Who may I say is calling?" "And what is this regarding?" If you can't answer them coherently and politely, then you're going to hit a roadblock. Every assistant will give the message to his or her boss (because we all value our job, demeaning as it sometimes may be), it's all a matter of timeliness and context. If a message is given at the wrong time in the wrong way, like when Boss Man is distracted by a poor selling show or a car in the shop, the message will be forgotten. Assistants don't just have power over the outsides that try to get to our boss; we also have power over our own boss. We book travel, rental cars, and appointments. You can easily be assigned to a middle seat on the last row of the plane and drive a subcompact with no GPS if you don't keep us happy and relatively well paid. This is nowhere near my style, but if an assistant were criminally inclined and especially slighted by the man who signs the paycheck, assistants hold all of the vital information not just on the boss, but if it's anything like my office, also of clients and their families. That includes addresses, phone numbers, credit card numbers and social security numbers. For obvious reasons, the boss must find the delicate balance of barking orders and appreciating the assistant's work. Of course, this power trip should never go to the assistant's head, less they end up like a former coworker. One of my fellow assistants became too comfortable and believed herself to be quite indispensable to our boss after five years of service. She was very mistaken and found herself unceremoniously fired by email. - The Assistant If you have any questions about what I do, the workings of the music business, or just the perspective of an insider, then please post them in the comment section. I'll do my best to answer them. On any given day I work with management, labels, book agents, publicists, venues, marketing people, promoters, radio, web masters, and loads more, so I have plenty of dirt to dish. Related Posts |
| The Pretenders @ Vic Theatre, Chicago IL Posted: 18 Sep 2009 07:00 AM PDT This was one of those shows that took me completely my surprise in how amazing The Pretenders were, how hauntingly beautiful Cat Power comes across live and how badly Juliette Lewis wants to look like Karen O and try to wail like Janis Joplin. Beginning with Juliette Lewis, the intensity was never lacking, but I felt it was mostly an act, it didn't seem entirely genuine and lyrically, it was rather bland. That and call me crazy, but I found it a little on the showy side for a band to take two curtain calls as an opener after a five song set. With that aside, let me confess my admiration and appreciation for Cat Power. I've been a fan of her covers for awhile now, but getting to hear them live, takes it to another level, especially in such an intimate setting, her voice is allowed to shine. I was particularly impressed by her ability to transform a song into something completely. Most covers are done to replicate the original band, Cat Power makes them her own and for that, I thank her a great deal. As for The Pretenders, let me say how completely impressed I was by how Chrissie Hydne as the only original member left of the band breathes new life into their catalogue of classics with a new backing band full of amazing showmanship by the drummer and lead guitarist. The soaring riffs and beats complimented Hydne's vocals as she ripped through the band's catalogue, barely taking a breath between cuts, trying to cram in as many songs as possible and I for one, was not complaining. My only gripe with the show was the photo rules for the show, which barricaded photographers stage left and right, and did not allow us directly in front of the stage, making for cramped conditions and poor angles. All in all, I had one hell of a good time and I suggest anyone to see The Pretenders and you will not be disappointed. Setlist: The Pretenders: website | myspace Related Posts |
| Pavement Announces Reunion Show Posted: 17 Sep 2009 06:51 PM PDT Say what?! Pavement is getting back together? Well, not forever, forever, as the press release noted: “Please be advised this tour is not a prelude to additional jaunts and/or a permanent reunion.” OK. Pavement will be reuniting for a 2010 world tour, though. The players involved are Mark Ibold, Scott “Spiral Stairs” Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West. The first show will be on September 21, 2010 at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park in New York. The presale begins Friday, September 18, 2009, at 10 a.m. EDT (that’s tomorrow, kids), so get on it. The presale password is ZOWEE. Here is the ticket obtaining link: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/00004330A3C355DD General sale will begin on Friday, September 25, 2009, at 10 a.m. EDT. And, do note: “Tickets will be available without surcharges from the Nokia Theatre box office in Times Square and from Earwax at 218 Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg.” Keep tabs on ticket sales and up-to-date Pavement news by visiting http://www.crookedrain.com. Related Posts |
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