Amazon & The Coming Change to The Music Business

Amazon Helping To Change The Business Of Music [Techcrunch.com]:
"But Amazon may be doing more than anyone else to change the way music is discovered, promoted and sold. Not only do they have a music store that only sells DRM-free music, but they are experimenting with startups who are trying to break the stranglehold that labels have on discovering, promoting and marketing new artists. These startups are giving artists a different path to find their fans. And Amazon is helping them."

WIRED: David Byrne and Thom Yorke on the Real Value of Music

David Byrne and Thom Yorke on the Real Value of Music

But people will still pay to have that experience. You create a community with music, not just at concerts but by talking about it with your friends. By making a copy and handing it to your friends, you've established a relationship. The implication is that they're now obligated to give you something back.

LOST - Season four theatre trailer

Fall to Winter...

Last Sunday's Fall...

Today's Winter...

In Rainbows Remixes by Amplive

Amplive
The Bay Area, US - Hip Hop / Electronica / Rock
www.myspace.com/amplive

check out remixes of Nude and Arpeggi...he's allegedly got 4 more on the way ("Rainydayz Remixes")

woxy.com > Holiday Mixer

woxy.com > Holiday Mixer: "From now through Christmas, we're pleased to offer up the WOXY HOLIDAY MIXER! This unique 24/7 collection of seasonal tunes is filled with vintage renditions of your holiday favorites by modern rockers from around the globe."

Get Sweaty

Semi Pro Movie - Will Ferrell
Don't forget to get season tickets by calling 1-800-TROPICS

RADIOHEAD.TV

RADIOHEAD.TV

NBA: Where a good song happens...

Been struck by this song for the new season of the NBA...tracked it down. By a (seemingly) unsigned artist from Brooklyn named Carly Comando. Full song streaming on her myspace page.

Radiohead start world tour in May ‘08 | Radiohead At Ease [In Rainbows]

Radiohead start world tour in May ‘08 | Radiohead At Ease [In Rainbows]:
"Radiohead will embark on an international tour starting next spring. Although details are still sketchy, expect the band to play multiple markets, in sizeable venues."

Sigur Ros at the New Yorker Festival

Almost forgot to post MY very own video from the night with Sigur Ros at the New Yorker Festival. Proud to finally contribute a (nearly) complete concert video. Enjoy.

Radiohead Tour 2008? or Save the Environment?

Gothamist: A Conversation with Jonny Greenwood:

Are you working out plans to tour in America at this point?
We’re talking about touring somewhere in the world next year. Now that the album’s out that’s what we’re talking about. I hope you’ll get to see some good shows.

Have you considered doing some sort of carbon-offset thing with touring?
We’ve heard bad things about that. I’m not sure that that’s enough; to buy off our guilt with money. That might not be the best way to do it. We’re kind of looking at a few other ideas. It’s interesting; we’ve had a report done on touring and how much pollution gets created and what would be the most efficient way to do it: playing small venues or big venues, playing venues inside a city or outside a city, playing a big venue and having lots of people drive a long way to get to see you or whether it’s better for us to travel to different places. There are a lot of things to balance out. Whether it’s better to play a festival. So we’ve got to factor that in as well."


Whether they wanted to change the music industry or not, they may very well have. I can see them doing the same for touring and its effect on the environment. They are definitely more passionate about saving the world...literally.

Radiohead's "In Rainbows"

Having listened to the bootlegs a ton of times since last years tours I was wondering how I would feel about the studio versions. For the most part I'm very happy (They could write shit and I'd still be happy). I'm most impressed by Reckoner. After the first listen through, that one stands out the most. I've always loved Nude/Big Ideas and I really like what they ended up with here. 15 Step has always been a fav and I guess we now know where they put that class of kids they were recording with (no clapping...but they got to cheer). I was disappointed a bit in Videotape...the live version is similar but by far better. My favorite live version was House of Cards which is duplicated here nicely...just missing the live ambiance that I got used to. I suppose it just reminded me of listening to it outside at the Marina in San Diego, which was lovely.

Anyone surprised that it is slightly stripped down? There are still the usual Nigel touches but alot less than I had thought there would be. Kinda nice.


I paid the 40 quid...can't wait for the LP to come.

Andrew Bird: Take Away Shows!

#45.3 - Andrew Bird - Spare-Oh
Uploaded by lablogotheque

Blogotheque: Take Away Shows!

Juno Trailer

FR*A » Future Rockstars of America

So my friend's roommate has started up a music mag/blog as an affiliate to his clothing company, FRA. And being the superstar blogger that I am, they asked if I would care to contribute to the site. So I'm thinking...for now...most of my music postings will go directly there rather than here. Not many posts these days floating around in my head so if anything pops up...I guess I'll throw it up over on FR*A.

Check it out: FR*A » EWALK

Oh how I miss my daytime music...

Thanks Jetblue!

Man...I used to listen to music on my ipod or my computer all day long when I was in grad school. Turns out that's a no-no here in the working world. So how do I get my fix? By getting put on hold and listening to Vivaldi (our DC office's music of choice) or Counting Crowes (Jetblue's selection). I'll take what I can get.

Heima means "At Home"

From the director of Lilo & Stitch (ha!) comes a documentary about Sigur Ros and their string of concerts in their beautiful home country of Iceland.

Live From Abbey Road: Muse

Stumbled upon a pretty good show on Sundance last night:

Sundance Channel : Series : Live From Abbey Road

Each episode features 2 or 3 bands playing a few songs in the Abbey Road studios of Beatles fame. The cinematography was well done and the sound was amazing (might have just been my roommates TV). Always cool to see the band do variations of their songs when they perform live. Also include some mini-interviews spliced in. Try to catch the real version (with better quality)...but for now, I found the videos for the 3 songs I saw last night by Muse. Enjoy. (And oh yeah, Matt Bellamy is god!)

Starlight

Map of the Problematique

Knights of Cydonia

Matrix Music School: Lucky Lil' Bastards

Matrix Music School & Arts Centre

Matrix students record with Radiohead March 2007
Bass guitarist Colin Greenwood and producer Nigel Godrich invited thirty Junior Extension children to help realise an idea for one of the tracks on Radiohead's forthcoming album. The whole experience was great fun - for parents as well! - and we're all looking forward to the release date.

Why wasn't my elementary school this badass? My closes brush with stardom was when I got to milk a cow on the local news.

Guarenteed they are recording the kids clapping for '15 Step'...or atleast teaching them how to clap to the semi-complex beat. Uber-RH snob that I am, I of course had to properly teach my friends how to do it before the two shows I saw last summer at the Greek (cuz I'm so cool that I memorize brand new RH songs before 1.5 yrs before they are even released). And yes, by making fun of my music snobbery it makes it okay to be a music snob.

NYC - early August

The week started off Monday with Muse at Madison Square Garden. I've seen them about 5 times now and they actually get better and better (and bigger and bigger) with each and every show. Even though there are just 3 of them, they definitely know how to put on a show. Highlights included 'Unintended' (one of my oldest favorites being played for the first time in the U.S.) and 'Invincible'. We had seats just above the floor on the side so had a pretty good view of the pit...ah those young kids and their moshing.

Upside of big concerts in NY: No post-concert traffic jam...just walk home.
Downside of big concerts in NY: No pre-concert tailgating.

Tuesday: Tornado

Thursday was Brooklyn and the Beastie Boys...I've already written about that...good show. I'd definitely go see them again.

Friday: Richard Serra exhibit at MoMA. Really great museum and an interesting exhibit of huge steel sculptures. Boring up close, but pretty amazing when you stand back and take a look and try to comprehend 'scuplting' such a piece. MoMA also has one of my favorite paitings, Van Gogh's 'Starry Nights' as well as a cool wing on Design and Architecture. It was also 60 and rainy that day which was cool (and cold). And Friday nights are free at MoMA courtesy of Target. Damn Target...you just make me love you more and more.

Saturday: My first sample sale. Quite an interesting environment...a loft full of racks of jeans and blaring techno music. Not sure why we needed techno music but it worked...I bought a pair of Lucky Brand jeans...probably the cheapest ones they had. Tried on some Seven jeans for the first time...pretty damn comfortable.

Saturday Night: Had Ethiopian food for the first time...not bad. Taking family style to the next level sorta as you share the one big plate they bring it all out on. No utensils of course so you just scoop it up with your hands or with the crepe like bread they give you. Very flavorful. Wet naps were definitely appreciated.

Tomorrow night...Shakespeare in the Park's Mid-Summer Night's Dream @ Central Park.

No Sleep 'till Brooklyn

Beastie Boys - McCarren Pool, Brooklyn NY - 08/07/09

Wow...first time New Yorker and I got to see the Beastie Boys very first show EVER in their hometown of Brooklyn....very cool. Other than waiting an hour in the beer line for NO BEER, the venue was pretty cool (old, empty community pool). The Beastie Boys put on a very good show that definitely took me back to my old school days. Great being outside on a great night in Brooklyn...despite there being more threats of "tornadoes" (we couldnt even bring in our umbrellas...had to ditch them at the entrance. thankfully i was able to find mine after the show). And of course they closed with "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn".

Polyethylene (stereogum: OKX)

One of my top 5 Radiohead songs as covered by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie.

Thanks Stereogum!

Chris Walla - "Polyethelyne (Parts 1 & 2)" (MP3)

Rolling Stone : Global Warming: A Real Solution

Rolling Stone : Global Warming: A Real Solution

The global climate crisis is the result not of an orderly free market, but of a distorted market run amok. A truly free market is the planet's best friend. Free markets promote efficiency. "Efficiency," after all, means the elimination of waste ? and pollution is waste. The pollution that is catastrophically heating the Earth is the result of market failure; the incapacity of a poorly designed marketplace to place a proper value on an essential asset ? the atmosphere. That market failure has brought us to the brink of a planetwide environmental collapse.

Stereogum Presents... OKX: A Tribute To OK Computer

stereogum: Stereogum Presents... OKX: A Tribute To OK Computer

Happy 10th Birthday to the greatest album of all-time...

10 years ago today, Radiohead released my most favorite album of all-time...and I didn't even know it. I wasn't a huge Radiohead fan prior to the release of OK Computer...I enjoyed Creep and High & Dry just like everyone else that listened to KROQ but I just wasn't in awe of them as I am today. Actually, I even gave back Pablo Honey to friend that got me a free copy (he worked at Music Plus)...and I NEVER give up on free! I'm not sure exactly when it was, but my first transcendent moment with Radiohead and OK Computer was when I first caught the video for Paranoid Android late one night on MTV. The cartoonish video was definitely cool but I was more enthralled with the song itself, which over 6 min 23 sec had this multi-layered composition that I found mesmerizing for whatever reason. Once I bought the CD, I found out that I felt the way about pretty much every single track on the album (sorry FRED - the 'fitter-happier' computer voice of track 7. Ok...I guess I even like that 'song'.)

OK Computer was the band's 3rd LP but the first produced by Nigel Godrich (who coincidentally is now my all time favorite producer). Nigel, who is now considered Radiohead's "5th/6th Beatle", definitely added some very cool touches to the album without which the album would be just ONE OF the greatest albums of all time.

More on OK COMPUTER:
OK COMPUTER @ Wikipedia

OK Computer | ateaseweb.com

RH: A bit of tape from the studio

DEAD AIR SPACE

Nigel posted some chopped snippets from the recent studio sessions...so excited for LP7.




Some of the members of the ateaseweb messageboard have cut them up to separate them out:

http://www.citizeninsane.eu/audio/cuttingroomopenpick1.mp3
http://www.citizeninsane.eu/audio/cuttingroomopenpick2.mp3
http://www.citizeninsane.eu/audio/cuttingroomapigsear.mp3
http://www.citizeninsane.eu/audio/cuttingroomallineed.mp3
http://www.citizeninsane.eu/audio/cuttingroomditnu.mp3
http://www.citizeninsane.eu/audio/cuttingroomarpeggi.mp3

Crack...

Wow....I didn't think it would get much better than my iMate Jamin and some geeked up Windows Mobile, but I stand corrected. Blackberries (and specifically my 8800) kick ass! Very sleak and oh so handy. I guess it helps that my work bought it for me. Free is always better. Now I gets all of my emails pushed to me, I gets me some gTalk on the go and I gets the GPS (which I have yet to figure out how to start up).

Ah sweet Funnel Cake

Man...NYC has a ton of "street fairs" everywhere...EVERY weekend. Its kinda cool though...to be able to walk down the middle of normally busy streets...but other than that, it's nothing special...same old street vendors selling socks (???), $5 purses/sunglasses/belts and the assortment of food. My roommate's wife talked me into going to the 2nd "Spring Jubilee" outside of our apt. today and I got to enjoy the so-so chicken kabob, the $1 lemonade and...my favorite...funnel cake! Definitely the highlight of my weekend. Felt like I was back in SoCal at Magic Mountain getting sick off of the powder sugared present that is funnel cake. If only they had deep-fried oreos.

Maya also got me to admit my admiration for Robin Thicke. I find it hard to like any progeny of Alan Thicke (not sure why...what has he done to me??) but he's a mighty good singer. He's like the white Nate Dogg. Really likin' his Got 2 Be Down with Faith Evans.

[Sidenote: Back in the day, Pam got to be on Win, Lose or Draw with Alan Thicke...that's hot!]

SCHEDULE New York City Street Fairs and Festivals
Got 2 Be Down - Faith Evans w/ Robin Thicke (.mp3)



I was supposed to go to Brooklyn this afternoon/evening to catch a benefit show for Domino's Sugar Factory but it looks like its going to start raining any minute now (I love doppler). There are a handful of bands playing but I only really cared to see Nada Surf . Oh well....

New Nada Surf Album news and MP3's at Sonic Itch Music
Killian's Red - Nada Surf (.mp3)

Knocked Up

Saw Knocked Up tonight...good stuff from the people who brought you The 40 Year Old Virgin.
Read YS's review of the movie/soundtrack: The Yellow Stereo

Big Apple BBQ

I'm glad to be going home for a visit but bummed I'll be missing this:

Big Apple BBQ

UCLA First School To Win 100 NCAA Team Championships

UCLA Becomes First School To Win 100 NCAA Team Championships :: Women's Water Polo wins its third straight title, beating Stanford 5-4

Sea Wolf at Union Hall - May 11, 2007

Finally caught Sea Wolf live. Been wanting to see them for a bit now and luckily they came out to Brooklyn within my first month in nyc. I really liked Union Hall (in Brooklyn) too...very cool, intimate venue (felt like I was in some basement library at the Haunted Mansion from Disneyland). Sea Wolf was 1000 times better than I had anticipated. I'm sure they are picking up a ton of fans opening up for SilverSun Pickups. Their EP came out this week so i bought it from the Celloist and even got to shake hands with the Alex Brown Church.

Sea Wolf

Blonde Redhead & Fields at Webster Hall - May 8, 2007

Went to my first NYC concert and it was an amazing show...both bands were fantastic live. Looking forward to seeing Fields again next weekend at Union Hall and Blonde Redhead over the summer at Mcarron Pool.

Blonde Redhead
Fields

YouTube - Travis - Selfish Jean

Travis - Selfish Jean
with Demetri Martin

Coachella in NYC...

...on my computer. Although I didn't get tickets this year (wasn't looking forward to the crowds/heat...and probably deep down knew I would get a job in NY), I definitely wish I was there this year. Thankfully they are webcasting some sets over at the Blue Room so I'm enjoying it from the east coast when I can. Also got to talk to my friend Amy who is there right now so its kinda like being there (I could hear the heat on the phone). Like she said, its damn hot...but that makes for really nice nights. That's when Coachella is the best...warm nights in the desert under the stars with really good bands. Right now I'm listening to a small band though...one of my favorites...a band i'll get to see at my first NYC show in 2 weeks. Fields...a band so small, they are literally the 2nd band to play today (the earlier, the less well known). Their tourmates Blonde Redhead go on later.

Fields - MySpace

KCRW

Thank god for KCRW.com - my favorite. And glad to find Indie1031 streams. Now if i could only get some Zankou and some Spitz out here. Rumor is that Zankou is looking to expand to the NYC....my friends better not have been pulling my leg. Until then, I settle for Chirping Chicken.

LA to NYC

Seems like forever since my last post but its all cuz I finally got a job and I have since relocated from LA to the NYC. So far, so good. Weather has been relatively nice...until today's 36 degree/snow flurry Easter (atleast its kinda sunny still). I don't mind though...I'll stay indoors today and watch the Laker game.

That's one of the new things I'm adjusting to...I used to live in LA and see NY based tv shows (Law & Order, Seinfeld, Sex & the City) and it all looked the same. Now I'm starting recognize neighborhoods and a lil NY city street details. On the otherside of that, now living in NY, when I see LA on tv (Entourage, Laker games, etc) I miss my wonderful Southern California. Its good to see it of course...but its still kinda torturific. Then of course there is the whole sporting event time difference. I used to love waking up to sporting events already being on. On the east coast, nothing really starts until noon and can go late into the night (laker games typically end after I'm asleep now). No more checking NBA box scores at 4pm at work.

Other things I've learned:

• Traffic is traffic: Yeah the 405 sucks when there is a sigalert...but so does the 4/5 express train when some passenger 'got sick' at the next station down the line.
  
• Speaking of subways...I've always been a fan, but I'm learning the downside - alot of people really really smell bad. I can't wait for the heat to come. Ugh. Yet this is no reflection on NYC. The absolute worse smelling person I've ever smelled on a subway was on the blue line in LA (pam knows exactly what I'm talking about).
• Music Scene: The few bars/restaurants I've been to in nyc have all had amazing DJ's/Playlists...very cool. I'm going to my first 2 concerts in a few weeks so we'll see how the live music situation is. Just looking at listings though (and seeing how some shows DON'T sellout), I'm thinking LA's live music scene is better. Maybe I still have a lot to learn.
• I'm going to get fat: That or I'll break even at least. There are so many places to eat here and so many places to eat DESSERT. I've always been fond of a lil latenight dessert but this is ridiculous. In the past 2 weeks I've had ice cream like 5 times, cupcakes 3 times, and the list goes on. On the plus side, I walk a lot. Break even?
• Rivalry? So far, most people I meet have all had very high opinions of LA - love it, always wanted to go there, can't wait to get back. Not what I was expecting. Maybe its just the circles I've been around. Oddly enough, most LA people that hear I'm in NYC speak very highly of NY - oh how they miss it, etc. I guess the grass is always greener. (i think I'm adapting a new life mantra...the grass is greenest EVERYWHERE)

I'm sure I'll have more groundbreaking revelations...just hope i have time to write them down. Bottom line, I like it here a lot but I do miss my friends, family and my LA.

Earlimart @ Getty, 3/9/07

Wow...that was definitely unexpected and one of my favorite shows. Los Anjelous couldn't have put it better:

Earlimart @ Getty, 3/9/07: See?! What’d I Tell You?!

Really looking forward to the new album.

February Favorites

My End of February Favorites:

Fields - Heretic (.mp3)
website - myspace

What Made Milwaukee Famous - Mercy Me (.mp3)
website - myspace

LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum (.mp3)
website - myspace

Explosions in the Sky - Catastrophe and the Cure (Fourtet Remix.mp3)
website - myspace

Bloc Party - Emma Kate's Accident (.mp3)
website - myspace

The Softlightes - The Microwave Song (.mp3)
website - myspace

Sea Wolf - Black Dirt (.mp3)
Sea Wolf - You're a Wolf (.mp3)
website - myspace

Guster - Satellite (Astronauts Remix .mp3)
website - myspace

The Animation Show 3

Went to see the 3rd installment of Mike Judge and Don Hertzfeldt's The Animation Show last Thursday at The Rialto. These are my two favorites...

Versus


Rabbit

SNL's Samberg vs. Levi's Flat Eric

Watching SNL on Saturday and this Digital Short reminded me of one of my favorite commercials...I'm pretty sure its the music...although, Andy could play Flat Eric on the bigscreen.

SNL's Andy Samberg

Levi's Flat Eric

Previously on LOST...

Woohoo! LOST is back tonight at 10pm. Thank god! I was able to last the 2+ month long hiatus and boy oh boy am I excited. Started preparing by watching the last 6 episodes over the past week (thank you Tivo). Here's some of the scoop:

• "Not in Portland" will be a Juliet-centric episode...first episode about an Other, no?
• Juliet arrived on the island on or close to September 11, 2001 (3 years, 2 months and 23 days ago) making the current island date December 4, 2004.
• Ok that's enough...

Also, EW.com has an interview with the producers of the show, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. Lots of good info...but is any of it spoilerish? I guess so. So don't read if you don't like some spoilers.

• Michael and Walt will be back in the story, but "that's most likely a year 4 story."
• Juliet came off the island and was recruited by the Others...versus some Others being born on the island.
• The connection between the Others and Dharma gets revealed in episode 11.
• We'll be getting more of an understanding of the apparitions (Kate's horse, Jack's Dad, etc.) during the course of this season. (and Sayid's cat will be in season 11)
  
• There will be an anagram in tonight's episode that hints at a larger mythological mystery that will start to unfold later in the season.
• In the next six episodes, the show will answer the burning question/conspiracy theory: Is Claire Jack's half sister?
• "That's the one thing that when the show ends, you won't have a causal explanation for why did all these people interconnect."
• "Penelope's story continues in episode 8 [Feb. 14] in Desmond's flashbacks. We put that scene at the end of the season finale for a reason, and like the anagram, they're components to a larger revelation. You'll learn more about why we put that scene at the end of season 2 by the end of season 3."
• We will see the smoke monster again this season. Its origins, however... we'll have to wait.

JJ Abrams - LOST Opening "sound" (.mp3)

70's SlowJam Battle

So last weekend my mom had me look up some song she used to love back in the day that she hasn't been able to find...let alone come up with the title. After finally tracking it down for her (and oh was she happy), we had a debate over which was the better slow jam. I've always been partial to the KOST classic that is Always & Forever. She obviously favors Billy Preston & Syreeta's With You I'm Born Again (yeah, I had never heard of it either). I say, let the public decide.

Billy Preston w/ Syreeta - With You I'm Born Again (.mp3)

vs.

Heatwave - Always & Forever (.mp3)

I'd like to give Billy points for that afro...but the real ace up the sleeve goes to the video footage of Heatwave. Not only do they have AMAZING outfits, the white keyboardist. who they credit with writing the song, is...well...words can't describe...check it out:

**So the clip is no longer on youtube...bastards! I guess Boogie Nights will have to do...

PB&J @ Roxy / 2.1.07

Well I wasn't sure what to expect from Peter, Bjorn and John but needless to say, my expectations were blown away. Despite having to wait for-friggin'-ever (not that long, just got their way earlier than I needed to) and despite it being a thousand degrees and a packed house inside the Roxy (not an exaggeration), I found myself fully enjoy the band's first appearance in LA.

After listening to their latest CD for the past couple of weeks, I knew the swedes had the talent to write very catchy, fun songs. What worried me was whether they would have the entertaining stage presence that really makes a band. I only based this on the band's seemingly blah performance on Conan earlier this week. Thankfully I was relieved right from the start as they tore into Lets Call It Off and had the crowd moving. I later realized the blah-ness of the Conan performance was mostly due to the TV audience, who were unfamiliar with PB&J and a ways away from them. In the hot and friendly confines of The Roxy, Young Folks, with its whistle-track and all, absolutely killed. Anyways, you get the point...rest of the show rocked. Peter can REALLY play the guitar (didn't expect that from him). Bjorn...well, mostly felt bad for the guy during his quiet rendition of Amsterdam in which he forgot some lyrics. And John...well, John was Mr. Perfection on the percussion.

I was looking for a good vid clip from the show on YouTube and by far the best just happened to be from the brother of one of my good music buddies...unfortunately no embedding for it. So go check it out on YouTube yourself:

Peter, Bjorn and John - Let's Call it Off (live at Roxy YouTube)

* * * *

And check out the LA Times pre-show review of the band and their thoughts of being a one-hit wonder. I don't think they will be...plenty of other catchy, solid hits.

*Whistle, and it works - LA Times - calendarlive.com:

"'Maybe in 10 years we'll be one-hit wonders,' Morén said. 'But that's OK. It comes down to what sticks out. We aren't so cool, no one knows who we are.'"

SIDENOTE: The crowd, although tolerable, ultimately sucked at this show...I really hate when people go to shows and just talk loudly like they are at a bar...especially during quieter songs. Show some respect. Clearly those people weren't there for the band...probably just wanted to be at the HOT sold-out show. A welcome to our new Swedish friends. No wonder everyone hates LA.

Happy Puxatony Phil Day!

When Chekhov saw the long winter, he saw a winter bleak and dark and bereft of hope. Yet we know that winter is just another step in the cycle of life. But standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn't imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.

Rodrigo y Gabriela a El Troubadour 1/27/07

So friday night was the Rodrigo y Gabriela show at The Troubadour. They were even more entertaining than I had anticipated. They of course are amazing musicians...some of the best guitar handiwork I've seen and by far the best use of a guitar for percussion. And just as entertaining was their between song banter. The crowd loved Gabriela's somewhat shy, yet curse-filled stories about their early days in an unsuccessful Thrash Metal band in Mexico City or how they talked their Irish-based label into sending them to a Mexican beach for a month to record their album and how they came back without a single song. Besides their own flamenco style songs (but according to Gabriela, "not fucking flamenco"), they also covered Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and of course Metallica. Rodrigo even did a lil bit of Rage Against the Machine which would have been phenomenal if he had only continued. The crowd was very much into the entire performance, clapping along to most of the songs...especially when Rodrigo assigned different clapping rhythms to 4 different sections of the crowd. Made for a very cool effect. I have a video of it that I'll have to upload later. I have no doubt the KCRW benefit concert crowd is going to love them. Next up, Thursday at the Roxy with Peter, Bjorn and John (PB&J).

Oh and I found the cover of One (Metallica) and Take 5 (Dave Brubeck) that I mentioned previously...its on their Live in Manchester/Dublin CD.

Rodrigo y Gabriela - One/Take 5 (.mp3)

2 days until the Irish Mexicans

Looking forward to Friday's Rodrigo y Gabriela show at the Troubadour...should be a lot of fun. Glad I got tickets for myself and 5 of my friends a month or two back cuz the show is sold out. My morning shower while listening to KCRW today included RyG's cover of Metallica's One (my favorite Metallica song...probably only fav) which also includes their cover of Dave Brubeck's Take Five (my favorite jazz song). Used to be online somehwere but I can't find it. How about their cover of Stairway to Heaven instead?

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Stairway to Heaven (.mp3)
website - myspace

Hopefully I'll remember so I can capture some hot flamenco action myself...in the meantime, David Letterman caught some hot flamenco action:

Coachella '07 (April 27-29)

It's a far drive and a ton of traffic but it can be a good time...hmm...should I go or not?

Who I'm excited for:
FRI: Interpol, DJ Shadow, Sonic Youth, Faithless, Silversun Pickups
SAT: Arcade Fire, Decemberists, The Good the Bad & The Queen, Travis, Black Keys, Hot Chip, Ghostface Killah, Andrew Bird, and Fields
SUN: Rage, Air, Happy Mondays, Crowded House, Damien Rice, Explosions in the Sky, and Rodrigo y Gabriela

Wow... Looks like I need Sat/Sun tix. I really want to see Rage, Happy Mondays, Crowded House and Travis since they haven't been around in ages. Of course Damien Rice is one of my favorites but not sure how his mellow tunes will work across a field from some louder acts (kinda killed the vibe for Sigur Ros a few years back). Definitely would like to see Damon Albarn's new band.

**Check out a sample of the NEW Travis**
TRAVIS - Big Chair (.mp3)

24 Ringtone

Get your 24 Ringtones

Be a geek like me and think..."Hmm, I really wish my cellphone ringtone sounded like the cool CTU phones on 24" and then google it and find out that you aren't the only geek who has such dreams.

CTU Phone

The Submarines / Fujiya & Miyagi / Peter, Bjorn & John / Bloc Par

January is starting out a good music year it seems. I've either seen or bought tickets to see 4 of my current favorite bands. I highly recommend you making the purchase or download and check them out live (although the 2 I have yet to see could totally suck live so who knows).

THE SUBMARINES - Vote has been just about my favorite song for the past few months but I kept missing opportunities to see them live so I was happy to finally catch them at the first night of their month long residency at The Echo. Its just Blake and John up on stage and Blake (who is FEMALE) is super cute. Not usually my type but she was very nice and I dig chicks who play instruments. She reminded me of Maggie Gyllenhaal who I really liked in Stranger Than Fiction. Weird, I used to really not like her. But I digress...anyways, its just the two of them with their instruments and an iBook handling the bass and drums. Works for me! Wonder if they'll evolve into a full band someday (like Mellowdrone). Always interesting to see.

Highlights from their bio...Blake is from Vermont. John was raised in Dubai. Met in Boston and played music near and far. Moved out west and broke up. Then...

They wrote songs, each in their own place, about their dismay and unhappiness without the other. Their songs said things they hadn't said in person, and when they heard them--together--it all made sense. In fact, life made more sense together. After a while, and having realized this, they became The Submarines.

Mondays in January - go on around 10:00 PM
The Submarines
at The Echo, Silverlake, California
$FREE

* * *

FUJIYA & MIYAGI - All I know is that they aren't Japanese...they are british. In fact, their names are really Steve Lewis and David Best and yes, they move my feet. Me likey the beats. Playing at Spaceland and I got 2 tickets.


Wednesday, March 14 at 9:00 PM
Indie 103 presents CLUB NME featuring Fujiya & Miyagi
at Spaceland, Silverlake, California
U.S.$12.00

* * *

PETER, BJORN & JOHN - All I know is that they aren't Japanese either...they are, as expected thanks to Bjorn, from Sweden. That and they too move my feet. They formed in 1999, got blogger buzz in 2006 and then had a song play on Grey's Anatomy = game over. Playing at The Roxy ...who's in?

Thursday, Feb 1 at 9:00 PM
Peter, Bjorn and John
at The Roxy, - Hollywood, California
U.S.$15.00

* * *

BLOC PARTY - Everyone knows Bloc Party right? Everyone loves Bloc Party, right? Well if you don't, go buy a soul and start. They kick ass live and write really good songs. They are playing two nights at The Wiltern



March 19 & 20 at 9:00 PM
Bloc Party
at The Wiltern, - Hollywood, California
U.S.$30.00

* * * *

The Submarines - Vote (.mp3)
website - myspace
Peter, Bjorn & John - Young Folks (remix - .mp3)
website - myspace
Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone (.mp3)
website - myspace
Bloc Party - Song for Clay (.mp3) *taken down by request
website - myspace

Veinte Quatro

Well my 2007 TV viewing is pretty much in full swing with The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock, Grey's Anatomy and um... another show (ok fine, for some reason I like What About Brian? Don't ask). Thankfully all these wonderful shows are helping me get over the mid-'season' cancellation of Day Break. Damn you ABC. Next week is of course the start of Heroes. And I still have to wait until Feb. 7 for the return of LOST. But for now, at least I've got the start of 24 this past weekend. Had to clear out the old Tivo to make sure I keep the good stuff. Jack Bauer is back and crazier than ever thanks to that no good Chinese Government. Most memorable moments of the first 4 hours (WARNING: possible spoilers!):

1. Jack kills a terrorist while handcufffed by biting his neck. I think Jack has reached the new low of canabalism. Well, eat or be eaten.
2. Kumar is on this season. Not sure if I can take him too seriously as a terrorist considering I just watched Van Wilder this weekend. Oops...he's dead now. No worries.
3. My favorite character (next to Jack), Curtis Manning, has some issues. Kinda fell off the Curtis wagon there. But we learn why. Unfortunately, Jack shoots Curts. Dead? We'll find out next week...but I'm guessing not. This just means alot more tension.
4. After seasons with the threat, 24 finally sets off a nuclear bomb in LA. Not much left for the writers to do now...they knocked out cannabalism and a nuc within the first 4 hours.

Only 20 hours left to go!

Extras

Watch Ricky Gervais' EXTRAS season premiere on iTunes for free
(with Orlando Bloom)

iPhone - Looks pretty sweet

Check out the flash demos

My 2006

Highlights include a PhD defense, Habitat for Humanity in Watts, my friends and lots of babies, St. Patrick's Day March Madness, Mammoth and Big Bear, UCLA's Final Four, Q's, Central Cali Boating Weekend/Wedding, Al's Bachelor Party and Wedding, Mud Run, Graduation, 3 Cali Radiohead shows, Yosemite, Mom's 60th, a ton of shows at The Greek, Steve's 30th, UCLA at Notre Dame, Thanksgiving at the Roost, a Ton of Troubadour shows, UCLA BEATS USC, Damien Rice @ The Orpheum, Xmas parties, Vegas, Guitar Hero, Griffith J. Griffith's observatory and my HAPPY new year!

Best Commercial (and jingle) of 2007

Wow...can't wait for this song/dance to hit the clubs. Way to go Pepto!
(I give the blogging community about 1 week until there is a remix of this)

Great Taco Hunt: Best of...

Best of 2006 (@ The Great Taco Hunt)