Lost Link Of The Day

I've been sending daily emails to my friends and co-workers with various Lost related links, and figured I might as well let everyone else enjoy. I'll copy and paste my emails here, and most of the time I'll make fair warnings if any spoilers are involved. This week's episode is a Juliet-centric episode. It's going to be hard to beat last week's Desmond-amazingness, but I'm sure our Lost friends will throw something just as crazy at us. Is this season the best, or what?

I know some of you don’t like any spoilers, but here’s two clips from this Thursday’s episode. I promise that these are official ABC promotional clips, and coming from someone who watches them each week, it doesn’t give anything big away. It’s just a nice way to ease the pain of having to wait 7 whole days for a new episode.

Watch at your own risk:









Via Kristen at E!Online

A Brief Smile Reveal 'Never Have The Time'

Download the video to your iPhone/iPod over here where you can also find studio videos off a whole bunch of other tunes from their fabulous Now We All Have Horns. Check out the band this Friday at the Delancey, or April 19 at the Annex.

ALSO! Please go vote for A Brief Smile in the Collegiate Nationals. All you have to do is click here. It takes two seconds, I swear.

Jukebox The Ghost | Lounge Act, WOXY

Definitely one of the best I've heard (and I basically listen to them all). Fantastic job boys, and the wonderful WOXY. Watch the really frickin' cool video, and download the whole thing while you are at it! Catch Jukebox The Ghost at Union Hall February 9 with Mason Proper. I'll be djing! (And not smoking).

woxy.com presents Jukebox the Ghost from Soft City Lights on Vimeo.

DOWNLOAD: Jukebox The Ghost Lounge Act

Find single tracks over at WOXY's blog, The Futurist.

Ra Ra Riot - Dying Is Fine | Video

This is beyond cool.

little boxes

I'm loving Showtime lately, even more so then (gasp) HBO. Shows like Weeds, Dexter, and Californication are my new obsessions and I start to panic after one episode knowing that its a full week before the next. I might, as I've heard, become too attached to things.

My good friend Toby Louie (you may remember him from the Birdmonster video) has entered the Showtime contest where one videographer will create a music video for the theme song "Little Boxes." Toby did a fantastic job, and used up and coming artist Emily Eddy to beautifully sing the tune. Go here to watch the video and leave him awesome comments so he can win!

Jukebox The Ghost | Ariel

Jukebox The Ghost have continued to impress me each time I see them play, even on a weekly basis, taking over Pianos this month for a residency. Each Friday it is packed with eager fans who aren't afraid to sing along and do a little dance. The three boys are out in preparation of their upcoming debut. This song, I believe is not on the album, but it was premiered at the first night of their residency. Oh, and I really like it, too.

Wakey!Wakey! | Fading Like The Fourth

Like Jukebox, Wakey!Wakey! has taken on his own residency, but at the comfy and snazzy venue Rockwood Music Hall just around the corner. Every Thursday the New York native has wowed the crowd, playing a ton of new songs, some that he had just finished that day. There's one new song that I immediate fell for, a Lower East Side love tune that Mike feels may be too personal, but could be one of the most heartfelt and geniune songs I've heard in a very long time. The video below is not of that song, but I felt the need to mention it. Hopefully I'll get an MP3 or video of it soon. The song below is "Fading Like The Fourth" off of Wakey!'s upcoming album that will be out really really soon (or so they tell me).

don't be impressed

I began looking at old blog posts the other night and became a little sad that I no longer have time (or really, the energy) to keep this thing going. So I'm going to try and change that. My problem is that now that blogs have become such a big deal, I feel all this pressure to make every post worthwhile. That wasn't why I started this, and let's face it, I was never that impressive of a blogger. I gush about the same bands over and over again, write nonsensical reviews, and tell you how in love I am with (insert indie rock band here). And I was okay with that. And maybe some of you were too. So I'm back, to tell you, that I'm not here to impress.

What will impress you is the amount of shows I've been going to lately and the music I've been listening to (yay for new iPod!) I'll get to some new stuff soon (probably without MP3s, because I never remember to upload those), so you'll actually have to do some reading instead of stealing. Imagine that!

I'm not really sure where to begin. I've been at the Seaport every Friday. I saw 77 drummers play one Saturday afternoon. I saw the Decemberists for the first time and managed not to cringe during Grizzy Bear. Oh, and I brought my interns karaoking where I belted out Mandy Moore and Blind Melon. See! I told you I started to get out again.

But let's go recent with a show last weekend at Madison Square Garden. Yes, I went to MSG and yes, I saw Dispatch. Before you point your finger at me and laugh, I ask you to open up your mind a little bit and hear me out. For those of you who have read this blog for some time, you know about my musical history and Dispatch was a big part of it (although Guster, much bigger). So I wanted to go. I went on my own accord. And dammit, I had a blast.

See at these types of shows I feel free to have a good time. If I'm stuck in Mercury Lounge with a bunch of industry know it alls and hispters du jour, I will stand there planted and not move an inch. Because when I do start, my moves aren't of appropriate behavior by those peoples standards. But while at MSG with a bunch of high schoolers smoking pot around me, I danced my little behind, sang really loudly, and did the finger point. If you don't know what that is, you are better off.

I managed to actually use my trip to nostalgia for work, and interviewed Pete Francis of Dispatch for the CMJ Blog. You can read that, and see some pictures right here. If you want to be mean about it, don't, because it was all for Zimbabwe.

Last night I drank too many margaritas and headed over to Mercury Lounge (the place I'm not allowed to dance) to catch Underrated favorites Mason Proper. I've gushed about this band so much that you don't need to know anything more, except that I have decided that if I had enough confidence to front a band, I'd act exactly like lead singer Jonathan Visger. I love his spasms. It makes the show so incredible to watch. You can read my review here.

The band even managed to come to our office today for a super acoustic performance. It sure is fun having a job where you can see some of your favorite bands during your lunch break. With pizza in hand I hummed along to the four-song set, and was very excited to hear a cool b-side "Travelling Man (The Pond)." You can read that post here.

It's a busy weekend ahead, and I'm already tired just thinking about it. Tonight is Seaport and accompanying Pat to go grab a copy of Harry Potter (I'm not really a member of Pottermania, but I'll observe). Tomorrow Siren Fest and McCarren on Sunday. One of these days I'll take a night off to relax, but it doesn't look like any time soon.

I leave you with my grin of the day (new column perhaps? nah). White Rabbits performed on Letterman last night and they are the first band I know of that didn't look totally scared shitless when on national TV for the first time. In fact, they sound pretty spectacular. Check out the video below. Yay!

ryan adams @ hiro ballroom.....wow

My review from CMJ.com...

“Let’s play some more songs of the summer,” Ryan Adams joked as he continued his stripped down, raw, mostly-acoustic set with his band the Cardinals at Hiro Ballroom in New York City last night. The small gig was a mostly private party in celebration of his ninth studio album Easy Tiger (Lost Highway), although 100 tickets were released over the weekend for die-hard fans. Dressed in a suit and tie and wearing sunglasses all night, Adams stayed perched on his stool for the entire set, most likely due to a hand injury in May. Instead of strumming the guitar, he instead focused on lyrics from tunes back from Heartbreaker to the latest effort, giving fans (and a large part of the industry) something to write home about.

Ryan Adams is one of those artists that you go see live for both the music and the in-between banter. Notoriously fighting a battle with both drugs and alcohol for years, he’s now switched to Diet Coke and sarcasm in-between the 19 song set. Joking that his songs are “feel good summer hits” and repeating his now signature line “oh snap,” Adams seemed to be in good spirits upon the release of the well-received new album (so far). And perhaps the less partying, and more recording has done him justice – his voice was crisp and startling soaring through the venue last night, where at times the crowd was so quiet you could hear the popping of his Diet Coke top. Highlights included a unique performance of “I See Monsters,” an old favorite “Winding Wheel” and new song “Halloweenhead,” (although he refrained from the classic “guitar solo” yell found in the recording.)

Adams ended the set with Gold favorite “Goodnight Hollywood Boulevard” before coming back on stage for an encore of Alice In Chain’s “Down In A Hole.” And although you could only catch a glimpse of his eyes behind the dark shades, they appeared wide-eyed…most likely for finishing a set without any interruptions, fights, or a mistake to be found.

Video of Ryan performing "Halloweenhead" below....

just stay kevin devine, just stay

I heart Kevin Devine. There are never enough chances to see him, and I really dont pass up the chance whenever I can. I'll be seeing him next when he co-headlines (or plays with?) Jesse Lacey of Brand New.

Review here, video below. (Zebulon is a really cool venue in Brooklyn too, in case you were wondering)

Jukebox The Ghost Goes To The Zoo

I had one of the most amazing birthday weekends, most noteably due to Pat's wonderful show he put on for me on Saturday night. I really couldn't have asked for a better party. Tally Hall was a huge surprise, and did a short but sweet set of covers that left me with the biggest grin ever. I'm going to put up a bunch of pictures this week (with my new camera yay!) but for now, check out Pat's recap of the night and this...

In case you weren't aware that is members of four (!) different bands on stage singing me the Beatle's Birthday: Jukebox The Ghost, Seth Kallen & The Reaction, Tally Hall, and Wes from the Undisputed Heavyweights. Frickin amazing!

Speaking of Jukebox The Ghost, I went to the zoo with the band yesterday for a blog post up on CMJ.com. It was a really fun experience, complete with amazing pictures. Check out the post here.

Wisdom teeth go bye bye tomorrow. More soon!

ba da be bum bum bum

I am beyond excited because 24 hours from now Holly Dolly will be making an apperance at CMJ's office. Who is Holly Dolly, you ask? Well what started out as a joke at work has now become an obsession with the animated donkey. It just may be my favorite guilty pleasure. I have no idea how she is coming to our office, whether she'll be in costume or a hologram, but I do know she will be performing. And I will be the happiest girl alive.

You must watch.

in one ear and out the other

I'm very tired today which could be a combination of a lot of things. I stayed at Pianos past 10 PM last night which never used to be a problem but has become one and so I woke up late and didn't go to get my allergy shots this morning. It could also be the fact that my apartment feels like the 6th circle of hell with the heat it emotes and that plans to put my air conditioner back into the window were carefully thought out out at about 3:30 this morning. It could be the excitement for Holly Dolly (see below) or it could be the fact that I was just sent Linkin Park's new CD. Zzzz. Who knows.

I was surprised to see Fujiya & Miyagi's video for "Ankle Injuries" at #2 on YouTube today. Not that I don't think its a fantastic song or a great video, but I just wasn't aware that they were that popular. Regardless, if I had to make a top 10 albums of 2007 list right now, I'd definitely put their album Transparent Things up at the top. Seeing them live basically sealed the deal. If you have yet to hear the album, go do so immediately. It'll make you want to dance down the street like Peter Parker in Spiderman 3. And I've done it too...just before my 10 PM bedtime.

While I love "Ankle Injuries" (video below), my favorite track is definitely "Collarbone." I kept on hearing the song while I was down in Austin and couldn't pinpoint who it was. Definitely a track born for the dance floor.

• Fujiya & Miyagi - Collarbone (live in DC, thanks to livemusicblog)

White Rabbits @ Bowery Ballroom

Okay, it's official. I love the White Rabbits. After an incredibly exhausting week of going out every single night (not so glamorous, I promise you) I was tempted to stay in and get an early night. But there's only one (okay maybe 3) bands that could get me out when everything else is telling me to stay in, and that's the power of the Rabbits.

I wrote a blog post for cmj.com about the show last night and included Wes's pictures (thanks!). Check out the post here.

I also found this very funny video diary of their trip to SXSW. A must-see, if I say so myself.



Don't forget that their debut album Fort Nightly will be out May 22 on Say Hey Records. I can vouch that it's one of the best releases of the year.

Check out a bunch of new songs on their myspace.

Birdmonster - Moving Out

Ah, it starts again.

Word is the Birdmonster boys are about to retreat to a cabin in the woods to write a bunch of new tunes that they will take on tour with them this spring, very similiar to the experience they embarked on to record their debut No Midnight this time last year.

And while I'm dying to hear some new tunes, I'd take a Billy Joel cover anyday.

Check out their performance of "Moving Out" from their show in San Fran on New Years Eve. Looked like fun.

[Update: O em gee. They also played one of my all time favorite songs, "500 Miles" by The Proclaimers. Amazing.]

birdmonster - 500 miles

Lost....?

I should be excited for Lost to come back. But like Whitney, life without the show hasn't been that treacherous. I had plenty of other shows to keep me occupied, and I can't even remember how the last part of the season ended. Thank god for the hour recap.

But it's also that I don't want to get excited. Because if I get excited, that will only lead to disappointment. I'd much rather expect the worst. So the dog will die tonight. That's my bet. Where is that dog, anyways?

Um, has anyone else seen this? A Lost music video? Oy vey.

This song is so much better.

The Undisputed Heavyweights - Lost (On An Island)

Movies that Rock: Inland Empire

Last night, I chuckled over the fact that outside the IFC Film Center there was an ad stating that if you watched David Lynch's latest flick Inland Empire nine times....the tenth was free. Who in their right mind would watch a film that clocked in just under three hours ten times in the theater? Well after just watching it just once, I can see why someone would.

Although the movie was extremely long (especially at 10 PM, a latte was needed), it's easily the most confusing and mind altering films of Lynch's I've seen thus far. I'd consider myself a fan of Lynch, but clearly not anywhere near some other people I know, or have read about. I can't even tell you what Inland Empire is about, although I did quite enjoy it. With the expected awkward dialogues and freaky imagry, it's completely worth viewing. Just bring some coffee. And an open mind.

Here's the trailer.

What I've always loved about David Lynch's projects is his obsession with music. I wrote a blog entry about Twin Peaks back in May and Inland Empire was no different. Again, Lynch contributed much of the score himself, including that track in the trailer. There are some very peculiar moments that I wont ruin for you (one features The Locomotion, that’s all I’ll say), but perhaps my favorite choice was Beck’s "Black Tambourine." I was surprised to hear it, but it worked beautifully.

If you are a Lynch fan, you'll like this movie. Otherwise, be prepared for something quite odd. Laura Dern usually bothers me, but she put on one hell of a performance. And Justin Theroux is yummy. Check out the official site for the film here. Once you've seen it a couple times (at least three times, I'm thinking) you can start to check out the message boards over there for discussions on theories.

Beck - Black Tambourine

Are You On The List?

Every Monday night, my roommate shuts her door to my usual crazy talk as I run around our (very) small apartment chanting "Save The Cheerleader! Save The World!" I was a little late on the Heroes fanfare, but once I started watching (and catching up obsessively) it has taken over my life. This is quite reminiscent of Lost during its first season. Let's all hope that Heroes doesn't take the same beating our island friends have as of late. I'm still watching, yes, but with a quite skeptical eye.

Anyways, Heroes returns tonight and I couldn't be more excited. Instead of running around chanting about the cheerleader, I now get to ask everyone if they are on the list.

Are you?

My favorite pop culture blogger chimes in on her obsession as well.

OH! And you can watch all the episodes SO far right here. Amazing. Catch up before 9 PM tonight!

David Bowie - Heroes

Annuals on Conan

You know I love Annuals, but I was a bit underwhelmed by their performance on Conan. I dvr'd it and watched it the next morning, and was like with a big "eh." Perhaps it is a direct result of being so blown away by Cold War Kids on Letterman last week, but regardless, making your television debut is always a hit-or-miss. It may have been the song choice. They should have sung "Complete Or Completing." And Adam should not have cut his hair. And he should have been wearing a poncho or choir robe of sorts.

Okay, enough with my advice. Just watch for yourself.

The DL - Ear Test: White Rabbits

In case you missed it.