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No Sleep Til Brooklyn

4 out of 9. I seemed to have overly anticipated my ability to run around Manhattan after very little sleep and numerous drinks. Note to self: no need to get a drink at every show. Two at one and skipping the next will work in your favor. Regardless the night was a blast and I'm ridiculously exhausted. Back in the city early tomorrow to interview Brandon of Nightmare of You and then catching the early show of The Changes. Then night #2 where I will have to revise my schedule due to the fact that I will be up town for Arcade Fire and sure as hell will not be leaving early. David Bowie, anymore? Anyway, my brief and sleep deprived run down of the night.

Sam Champion made me feel cool. And when I found out Brian from my favorite band produced the album AND plays on some of the tracks, I felt that much more cool.

Levy packed Arlene's and made me feel all warm inside.


The Cribs rocked my socks off and made me wish I was back in London.


Jaymay broke my heart...in a good way.


See more pictures here.

CMJ Day One

And we're off...

Tonight:
-Sam Champion at Virgin Megastore
-King of France at Bowery Ballroom
-Dandy Warhols at CBGBs
-Levy at Arlene's Grocery
-The Cribs at Bowery Ballroom
-Jaymay at The Living Room
-Nouvelle Vague at The Canal Room
-Feist at The Knitting Factory
-The Comas at Scenic

Tonight

Trying to take it easy before I run around like crazy for the next four days. But I will be checking one of my London crewmembers, Paul Hammer play at CB's Gallery tonight. Do it for you counrty. Do it for CBs. Do it because I said so.

Tuesday • 9-13-05 • 8:30pm
CB's 313 Gallery
(Bowery & Bleeker)
with Damon Daunno @ 7:30pm
$5 Cover

Check out Paul's tunes on myspace or on itunes.

Don't worry, Be Happy

I'm taking this class this semester, "Writing about Popular Music." I was really excited all summer to be taking a class in exactly what I wanted to be doing with the rest of my life. In the last month or so I've been having career crises, reconsidering my plan for the next year and ending up completely lost. I suppose that's normal. This class may have proven to me that this may not be the route I'm meant to take.

Perhaps it's just the school I'm in, but I'm almost sickened at the level of pretension that these people exude when talking about music. I hope I don't come off that way when I write in this little blog, because the truth is that there are many people who know a lot more about music than I do and I do not ever want to make the impression I remotely know what I am talking about. I like music. I like going to shows. I like finding out about new bands. And the magazine is simply to give other people an outlet to learn about them, then listen to them, and as a result make their own opinions.

I have a bit of a commute now to school and work, which I completely embrace because it gives me time to read and listen to my iPod. Today after class all I wanted to do was listen to music that makes me happy. Enough talking, just listening.

Below is a sampler of the music that makes me happy. I would never call them guilty pleasures because I don't at all feel guilty listening to them. But on the subway I can't help but tap my feet and sing along. And that, my friends, is what I love about this art form.

No comparisons, no cultural phenomenoms. No need to worry whether these artists are authentic or will stand the test of time. It's just the music. Enjoy.

Sam Champion - Now Look At Me

The Futureheads - Decent Days and Nights

Devin Davis - Iron Woman

Hard-Fi - Gotta Reason

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Gimme Some Salt

The Changes - When I Wake

The Subways - I Want To Hear What You Have Got To Say

The GoStation - Wandering Away

Tom Vek - I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes

The A-Sides - Sidewalk Chalk

The Cribs - Hey Scenesters

Nightmare Of You - My Name is Trouble

The New Pornographers - Sing Me Spanish Techno

The Colour - Tambourine

The Late Greats - Hours

Dressy Bessy - Ringalingaling

The Stairs - Escape Clause

Picture - Blind Side

Five O'Clock Heroes - Turn It Up

The Stands - Do It Like You Like

Levy - Rotten Love

Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To

Stellastarr* - Lost In Time

Scoville Unit - Last Train to Scoville

I dig music

Last time I starting drinking too early and missed The Diggs. This time I started drinking earlier but was sure I left Brooklyn to see them. I had a little apartment warming party with crappy beer and excellent pizza. Liz and I even danced along to The GoStation. Ah, just like old times.

The Diggs completely and utterly blew me away. My ears are still ringing. Recordings do this band no justice -- you must see them live. I thought other bands that only had three people were impressive, but the sound this band blasted into Sin-e was more than I ever imagined. In fact it was so intense that guitar strings were broken, symbols knocked over. Watching that drummer pound on that set with the water splashing. My god.






I left screaming profanities down the street. Not only was I praising the band left and right but in my drunken state I managed to drop my monthly metro card down the toilet. I think my ATM card too, because that ended up missing as well. I wonder how I get myself into these situations. Obviously didn't hinder me too badly. Hopped uptown for some more drinks before making a very long and exhausting trip home.

I'm saving my energy for this week. CMJ, man. I am pumped. I think I've basically figured out my schedule. I'm up to 35 bands in 4 days. I'm going to do to it too, just you wait.

I'll try and post a bunch of music this week of artists I'll be checking out. I picked up the new The New Pornographers this week while at Virgin. Although I've read mostly mediocre reviews, I think it’s superb. Its classic creativity screams genius...at least, to me. They play Bowery on Thursday.

The New Pornographers - These Are The Fables

The New Pornographers - Twin Cinema

The New Pornographers - The Jessica Numbers

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah @ Warsaw

Busy. Tired. Thouroughly enjoed CYHSY at Warsaw last night. Best I've seen them play. The crowd loved them. Alec and the boys seemed to have a lot of fun on stage. I was one of those people that left after their set and missed The National. Before you start throwing eggs or insults at me, I was way too early, way too drunk, and way too tired to stay out. That's all.

I'll be interviewing Alec over the next couple days for the next issue of Underrated. So if you have any burning questions that you want to ask him, send them my way.







See more here.

London Calling Part II: Things You Should Be Knowing

I swear it's taken me this long to get my life back to normal, and I'm still trying to situate myself. I'm hoping that in a week after I start back at work I'll have my whole routine down. Anyways. Chicago was a blast, I'm sad to see my sister move because I'd really like to get back there soon. I know she's going to miss it like crazy so we'll have to take a trip out there together. The interview with Jonny of The Changes went really well -- super cool guy, very articulate, and many awesome things are happening to that band (and deserved). They'll be in NYC for CMJ on September 15 with two shows: Pianos at 4 PM and CB's 313 Gallery that night at 11:30. (Thanks Nora)

I ran into a bunch of people today that were in London with me over the summer and I started to reminisce about the fabulous time and the even more fabulous music I was exposed to. So (a bit late), but here nonetheless is London Calling Part II. (Click here for the first part)

Hard-Fi (website)
Took me a while to warm up to this band. I was overly exposed with signs everywhere in London proclaiming me that this was Britain's newest and greatest act EVER. Naturally, I was skeptical. But I bought the album willing to give it an un-biased listen. At first I wasn't that impressed. Somewhat catchy, yes, but not instantly likeable. Although completely different bands, it was a similar experience with CYHSY. A lot of hype. But both albums aged well in my music collection. And both are truly works of art.

Middle Eastern Holiday (m4a)

Cash Machine(m4a)

Hard To Beat(m4a)

Move On Now(m4a)

The Stands (website)
<I'm always down for a free show and when I heard it was The Stands I was at Virgin Megastore quicker than you could say Noel Gallagher loves us. The similarities between this band and The Beatles are countless. No band will ever come close to changing the world musically as much as the Fab Four -- but this band is up there. They rocked the downstairs of the music store to a dedicated fan base. And when I talked to them afterwards, they chatted up a storm about how much they love New York. Too bad I couldn't understand a word they were saying.

Back To You (m4a)

When The Night Falls In (m4a)

Do It Like You Like (m4a)

Turn The World Around (m4a)

The Cribs (website)
I tend to dislike Pitchfork. I tend to disagree with them often. The Cribs is one perfect example. They gave the album a 3.0 and said that it is "less deserving of ire, and yet no more deserving of a listen." And what a surprise? They compared them to the Strokes. Come on! This lo-fi album is a gem of today's true brit rock. It's gritty but accessible. And musically it's incredibly impressive from a young band (and might I add superior to the Strokes). It may have flaws, yes --but this is just the beginning. I'm very eager to hear what this band does next.

Things You Should Be Knowing (m4a)

Baby Don't Sweat (m4a)

You Were Always The One (m4a)

That Can Be Arranged (m4a)

Tom Vek (website)
I technically wasn't listening to Tom Vek while I was in London because I only received this album two weeks ago. But I think it’s because of my summer in London that I appreciate it more. I've said it before, but I'll say it again -- I didn't ever used to dance at concerts, clubs, etc. I just don't have the moves. But there are certain bands and certain songs that you just can't help but boogie down to. London showed me that, and perhaps rid me of my apprehensions of looking like an idiot. And now I can proudly say I put on Mr. Vek and dance around my new apartment. Who needs a dance floor when you have no rug yet? It's an addicting album in all the right ways. And the coolest part is -- every instrument heard is recorded by this 24-year-old musical genius. Kinda cute too.

A Little Word In Your Ear (m4a)

C-C (You Set The Fire In Me) (m4a)

Direction (m4a)

Cover (m4a)

Bonus from Australia:
Youth Group (website)
I bought this album just prior to my departure and it was on heavy rotation during the summer. I fell in love with the song "Skeleton Jar" and then I fell in love with the entire album. Can't wait to see if they can pull it off live next week at CMJ. Although I've heard mixed reviews, I think it’s a beautiful record from start to finish. Something about it screams warm summer nights sitting on a beach with a bottle of wine. It's peaceful, intricate, and everything I love about music -- it brings me somewhere else.

See-Saw (m4a)

Lillian Lies (m4a)

Shadowland(m4a)

Why Don't The Buildings Cry? (m4a)

Help Out

Below are a list of Katrina Relief Charities where you can help out. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who is going through this terrible ordeal. Even the littlest bit could mean a world to these people. Please do what you can to help.

Bread for the World
Christian
Children's Fund
Christian
Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC)
Church World Service
Episcopal
Relief and Development
Heifer International
International
Medical Corps
International
Orthodox Christian Charities
International Rescue Committee
Mercy Corps
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Operation Blessing
Oxfam America
Red Cross
Save the Children
United Way
World Concern
World Hope International
World Relief
World Vision

A big thanks to Bob for the list.

Second City...perhaps

Greetings from Chi-town. My sister and I have always had arguements as to which city is better - Chicago or New York. Granted this is the first time I've visited her. I must say that Chicago is a pretty sweet town. Went to see Second City the other night which was hilarious and had some yummy deep dish pizza yesterday. Mmm. But I've found that it's quite a small world. I met two of my sister's friends tonight and we were chatting about bands. They asked if I knew Aberdeen City and of course I did. Turns out they went to high school with them. Aberdeen City will be featured in the next issue of the magazine and is a fantastic band. Saw them when they had a residency at Piano's a couple months ago and will be seeing them at the Dovecote Records CMJ showcase on the 17th. Carter said I was "insane" if I didn't check out The Late Greats there too.

Aberdeen City - God Is Gonna Get

Aberdeen City - In Combat

Aberdeen City - Final Bout

Aberdeen City - Popular Music



Listen to the The Late Greats here.

CMJ here we come. The Dovecote Records CMJ showcase is on Saturday Sept 17th @ CBGB's 313 Gallery at 7pm. Come support, get free stuff... It will be fun. WE PROMISE

7:30 Tim Williams
8:15 The Late Greats (UK)
9:00 Aberdeen City

Hey Chicago ain't bad, but I can't wait to get back to New York. Back for good come Monday. Yeehaw.