I have had a ton of people ask me what I plan to do with the blog once I up and move to New York. Well, in between packing boxes, pulling dust bunnies out of my nose (and other places I won't mention), and frantically searching for a buyer for my car, I've decided to put the blog on a hiatus. I'm not sure how long it will be. I just know that I have a lot to do once I get up there, and I don't want to worry about this.
Am I going to pick up in New York? I don't know. Am I going to keep the pulse in Atlanta? If I decide to revive the blog, then yes. Claire and Terri will still be here to contribute if I decide to continue - as far as I know (unless Claire pulls a Claire ;)).
I just ask that no one solicits me with their music, because I will just delete the email. Too much clutter for now. . .
For anyone who is interested, I ended up finding a really charming one and a half bedroom apartment in Astoria that I get to have all to myself. I'm pretty excited about the new job, and the new neighborhood, and the new life. I'll be leaving by one-way ticket Tuesday morning, so wish me luck!
Sometimes I just like stuff that comes from Florence, SC. While I can imagine that Sequoyah Prep School is probably a bigger hit with the ladies than the lads, I really like them . . . in an Old 97's kind of way.
My Brightest Diamond's new album, A Thousand Sharks Teeth, comes out today. I highly recommend it. I interviewed Shara Worden for Venus Zine. You can click here to read the article.
The night was young. Datarock took the floor right at half past eight and had our attention the whole time they graced our presence. It was the first time an opening band was worth seeing rather than making a beer run or a potty break (as in bathroom). The Norwegian foursome were dressed in red sweatsuits Royal Tenenbaums style and perhaps sporting the commando look (for one of them at least). We were amused with their songs inspired by Molly Ringwald and E.T. and had as much energy as they did. From devout fans reciting every word to people like me amazed with the drummer, who was a show stealer, Datarock knows how to have fun.
Shortly after sound checks from unique characters behind closed curtains, Ladytron took the stage opening up with the very fitting "Black Cat" from their newly released album, Velocifero. In their signature black apparel, they rocked out to newbies ("Runaway," "Ghosts," and "Deep Blue") along with their classics ("Discotraxx," "Fighting in Built Up Areas," "Playgirl"). The sound on the vocals heard from up front could have been raised a lot, but nonetheless we were all floored and happy.
From people-watching to trying not to gag from the funny cigarettes, it was awesome. The highlight of the night was a fan in the audience on his friend's shoulders screaming his love for group and lifting his shirt (aka: flashing)- classic. Until the next time we are graced with their presence (soon I hope), we can do nothing but wait and enjoy their music that makes us smile every time we hear it.
Brazilian Girls. Neither members are from Brazil nor girls... well one is a girl. They were quite fun to see when they played here last year with Ladytron. Preceding their self-titled debut album and their second album, Talk to La Bomb, is New York City. Expect it in stores August 5.
From Talk to La Bomb, "Rules of the Game." Mysterioso...
Nine Inch Nails is pleased to offer a free EP featuring songs from the talented group of artists who will be supporting NIN on the Lights In The Sky tour this summer.The EP contains high quality, DRM-free, fully tagged MP3 files from A Place To Bury Strangers, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Crystal Castles, Deerhunter, and Nine Inch Nails.
I have been waiting for this for a quite a while. To be exact, I've been waiting since I interviewed them last February. :-) At any rate, this is one of the music addict's take on Ladytron's latest and greatest.
The opening track is "Black Cat". Think "Turn It On" and "True Mathematics" off their sophomore album, Light & Magic. It's chill, goth and addictive to listen to. The only thing I wished they did for "Black Cat" was segue it into "Ghosts." Being their first single as well as making a music video, "Ghosts" is to their Witching Hour's "Destroy Everything You Touch" - solid. "I'm Not Scared" and "Runaway" stand as solid pieces leading us Ladytron fans to a surprise. "Season of Illusions" features Mira Aroyo's singing voice that does not consist of haunting Bulgarian mantras heard on "Fighting in Built Up Areas" from WH. She sings well and hopefully this will broaden horizons for future works.
"Burning Up" is reminiscent of "Another Breakfast With You" off 604 with the lyrics. I was not impressed with "Kletva" for one reason- unnecessary to the *sound* of Velocifero. I am a supporter of the musicality and the performance of Aroyo and the group, but the style of the song did not fit the album. I realized "Kletva" didn't fit because it wasn't written by Ladytron. I am not knocking the writer, but this song would have been perfect for a B-side they should have featured in a future B-sides/remixes compilation. They should come out with one anyways (hint, hint).
"The Gave You A Heart..." has great vocals heard in "Seventeen" where Helen Marnie is echoed by Aroyo - classic! Two extremely different songs came to mind when I heard "Predict The Day." The song opens with a whistle giving me a deja vu of "Engel" by Rammstein and the background vocals of "This is a Landslide" by Intramural. It's crazy to compare German industrial metal with American indie rock, but it's so true!
"The Lovers" is probably my favorite track off the album. This song is what Ladytron is all about - dark, driving, haunting and gorgeous. "Deep Blue" is yet another classic example of combining sweet lyrics with a dark melody making it a track of full of intrigue. "Tomorrow" stands as a combination of "Beauty*2" (from WH) and an 80's song I can't think of at the moment. "Versus" is also a goodie for two reasons. One is Ladytron is an expert at picking the perfect closer for their albums. The other is you hear one of the boys singing!! I'm not sure if it's Reuben Wu or Daniel Hunt, but it's one of them and I was so excited to her him with Marnie as well as belting out a solo. Bravo!
This is obviously a strong recommendation if this electronica underground band is your bag, baby. If you're just starting to hear about these fine folks and like them, I suggest you start from the beginning and get 604, Light & Magic and Witching Hour. I'd also recommend getting on iTunes to look at their other stuff. Their remixes are badass (especially Placebo's "Because I Want You") and Extended Play is brilliant as well. They're on MySpace, Facebook, and touring the US as we speak. They will be saying hello to the ATL next week on a very fitting June day, Friday the 13th.
1. Black Cat 2. Ghosts 3. I'm Not Scared 4. Runaway 5. Season of Illusions 6. Burning Up 7. Kletva 8. They Gave You A Heart, They Gave You A Name 9. Predict The Day 10. The Lovers 11. Deep Blue 12. Tomorrow 13. Versus
I came across a few treasures in the way of chick rock in the last few weeks. It looks like there's some good new indie releases on the horizon for summer.
I just got an EP in the mail from Samantha Crain. She's from Oklahoma and has been compared to "Judy Garland singing Neutral Milk Hotel songs." Her new EP, The Confiscation, is packaged as a "musical novella" and I really dig it. Check out the track "Traipsing Through The Aisles" on her Myspace page (although the CD really does read well if you listen from beginning to end.) Samantha Crain is on tour now, including a Dunch show at The Earl on June 8th.
Check out Nerdkween's new release "Synergy". Monica (aka Nerdkween)will be playing a CD release show at Lenny's on June 30, as well as a couple of dates in Athens and New York. Tracks from the new release are already up on her Myspace page.
Jena Malone, yes the actress, has a new project called The Shoe. I really like it. It appears that they are only performing in California (boo) but check out the track "Raccoon" on The Shoe's Myspace page. It's cute.
Vancougar (from Vancouver) has a new disc out called Canadian Tuxedo. They don't appear to be touring the States right now but hopefully that will change. Check out the track "Obvious" on the Vancougar Myspace page.
This *just happened* not even 15 minutes ago when they posted a MySpace bulletin and blog. It's out there for $9.99 via iTunes plus. It will come out in stores June 3. Get it!!!
1. “When Your Mind’s Made Up” and “Falling Slowly” by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – I chose these tracks for my two free song credits I received when I got The Swell Season tickets online. Even though these are both great, I favor “When Your Mind’s Made Up” more. When Hansard holds out those notes live and on film, you turn numb it’s so good. I haven’t heard someone get into their music that much in a while. “Falling Slowly” has that spark as well knowing they’re together in real life.
2. The Cycles – EP by AutoVaughn – “Inertia” and “The Cycles” take the cake on Atlanta-friendly’s first major label EP (snaps for AutoVaughn!). Even though I yearned for more tracks on this six-song EP, its energy thrives for this Nashville band. You can catch them live May 31 when they come to town at the Star Bar. FYI, they’re even hotter live.
3. “Grace Kelly” by MIKA – I’ve loved Grace Kelly the actress for over a decade and almost floored when I heard this song way back when. I bought it while it was on my mind. “Grace Kelly” is pure fun and you can’t help but do a little jig.
4. Ghosts – EP by Ladytron – One sweet EP. At first, I wasn’t a fan of this song and was surprised they didn’t release another track as their first single (“The Lovers” anyone?). Being the faithful supporter I am to this Liverpudlian band, I got the EP and fell fast for the track and the three remixes that went along with it. It’s also a great warm-up to their upcoming album, Velocifero, due June 3. You can also hear it live June 13 at Variety Playhouse.
5. “Dear Prudence” by Siouxie and the Banshees – Coming from Beatles lover, this is a decent cover and it’s up there with the I Am Sam soundtrack. They definitely preserved the ominous vibe when they get to the “look around” sequence. It’s worth checking out…
6. “Try A Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding – One of the best R&B/Soul songs ever. I think the Pretty in Pink scene where Duckie lip syncs to it – classic. A friend of mine told me to check out Michael Buble’s cover of it, and it’s very nice indeed.
7. “Chelsea Dagger” by The Fratellis – I said this before and I’ll say it again. This song is so much fun and I love it! This is yet another track like “Grace Kelly” where you can’t help but do a jig and smile.
8 The Slip by Nine Inch Nails – This FREE album is available on their website. According to their website, a hard copy will be available to own sometime in July. It has what Ghosts I-IVlacked – the libido, the essence, the life force, the right stuff, what the French call a certain I don’t know what. “1,000,000” will have you rockin’ in your space boots.
I have of tickets to give away...thanks to the lovely people at the Loft, who are hosting some pretty awesome line-ups in the coming weeks...
This week, I have two pair to give away. Aren't you excited? If you want to enter both, be my guest. In case you're wondering, I pick winners from a hat. So it's pure luck.
First off, Thursday, May 22, Bell X 1 is playing with support from Brooke Waggoner and Rantings of Eva. In case you don't know, Bell X 1 is out of Ireland and is also the other half of the defunct band Juniper, which boasted membership from Damien Rice. The Irish never seem to disappoint (except the Fighting Irish...they're having some major performance problems) so throw your name into the hat. Email me with "Bell X 1" as the subject, please, and, thank you.
Secondly, I have millions of peaches, peaches for me, millions of peaches, peaches for free. Yes, that's right, a pair of tix to the Presidents of the United States of America with support from Ski Club at the Loft on Friday, May 23. Just email me your name and "Presidents" as the subject for a chance to win.
I'll notify winners tomorrow night - before I go to the Braves game and pray I don't get drenched...
Legends are breathing the same air as us right now. The Eagles will be playing at the brand-spankin’ new Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park May 14 (last night), 16, 17 and 20. Under the same roof as them last night, I was in rare form jumping up and down like a kid at a candy store. They played all the hits: “Witchy Woman,” “Life in the Fast Lane,” “Desperado,” “Take it Easy,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “The Long Run,” “One of These Nights,” “Love Will Keep Us Alive” and others. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention they played “HOTEL CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!” I went nuts when they played “Hotel California!” The famous guitar duet at the end was *flawless,* everything I imagined it would sound like and more! Can you tell it was a great concert and I loved every minute of it? If you were there last night, I hope you were as excited as I was. If you’re going to see them over the weekend, enjoy! If you’re missing out, I’m sorry :-)
