this fire

Three things first:
- HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Karibomb, Matt GoStation and belated to Vince. Geminis forever. So many of us.
- New Interpol album is done people!! It will be released in the fall, date TBD. The title: ANTICS. The tracklist: 1. Next Exit / 2. Evil / 3. NARC / 4. Take You On A Cruise / 5. Slow Hands / 6. Not Even Jail / 7. Public Pervert / 8. C'mere / 9. Length Of Love / 10. A Time To Be So Small.
- Also, click here if you want to win some Streets goodies.

Now, let's recap the week that is actually very far from being over...

VICIOUS on tuesday at its new location was great. Even though i always loved Sin-é, the change of venue is a good change for the party. It's a little bigger than sin-é, with high ceilings and red everywhere. The sound is also getting much stronger. Overall i was really happy with everything, and especially with all the friends and people who showed up.

The bands were great. Morning Theft and Other Passengers fit so well together on the bill. Even though they're different in many ways, they both have these walls of noise and the same emotional appeal, which i'll attribute to the intense way both singers deliver. I'd say Morning Theft is a bit more on the pop side of the rock spectrum, while Other Passengers are definitely on the dark and gloomy side, both very worth checking out. The Affair was great, they're really growing on me. I really love Kali's voice, and their songs are full of hooks and fun parts, a bit reminiscent of Blondie. They have a single coming on Vice in July.
Finally, after hearing so many praises from so many people whose musical tastes i highly respect, i got to see La Laque play, which if you're wondering means "hairspray" in english. And to be completely honest, i was a bit skeptical, only because i knew the songs were sung in french by a non-native... so i was afraid it would come across gimmicky, but it actually did not at all. First, before getting into that, the music they play is gorgeous. Think 60's french new wave soundtrack, with prominent string parts and lush melodies and almost child-like vocals that reminded me of a cross betwen France Gall and Jane Birkin. Now, i couldn't really hear all the words, but the little i did hear really added something unique to the music and the vibe of the band, and so all my skepticism went away. They're also great performers, especially singer Devery who was dancing playfully, exuding the sex appeal of a Brigitte or even a Marilyn. My favorite song and performance was The Girl in Room 13. It woudn't surprise me if you hear more of La Laque in the coming months, many people told me they really enjoyed them that night.

Onto Franz Ferdinand at Webster Hall. So yeah, despite the fact that Webster is a shitty under-air-conditioned venue, believe it or not, FF met my impossibly high expectations. Though, i do give Webster credit for great sound and lighting, i give FF credit for being an incredibly tight and enthusiastic band. I also give them credit for writing songs that get my blood pumping, which leads my feet to get off the floor and my arms to get up in the air... pretty picture, huh? The band played most of the album (if not all) plus Van Tango and Love and Destroy. Jacqueline was a big surprise live, a lot more intense than i expected. Michael was fantastic, and i personally love the riff from Tell her tonight. Oh, and how impressive is the drummer? Also, i'd like to give credit to all the peeps who surrounded me (or were upstairs) for being just as crazy dancers as i am. It's good to see everyone having a good time.

After Franz, we went to the Delancey for Kari's birthday. The place's really nice, probably the best rooftop deck i've been to in a while. I spun a short and sweet set of some of my favorite songs. I did get started on the wrong foot, because there was a little problem with one of the turntables. It got fixed right away, but i was so nervous something else would go wrong that i sorta lost focus and didn't mix as well as i wanted... oh well, these things happen. I had a great time, i love DJ-ing. Lots of friends and familiar faces stopped by the Delancey, so sweet! Justine D. DJ-ed after me and played such a great dancy-disco-new-wave set full personal favorites. Here's my set list:

The Delancey - 6/17:
The Smiths - Stop me if you've heard this one before
The Bravery - Public service announcement
OMD - Electricity
Berlin - Sex (I'm A...)
ESG - Moody
!!! - Pardon my freedom
PJ Harvey - Dress
Gang of Four - Damaged Goods
Siouxsie and The Banshees - Cities in dust
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Tonight, so much going on... i wish i was going to see !!!, but i had bought FF before i knew they were playing. Same with The GoStation, who is playing at Pianos in honor of Matt's birthday. There's a Felix Da Housecat release party too, and so much more i'm forgetting. Well, unless i pass out, i'll most likely be at Volume.

Karipalooza

I forgot to mention all week that i'm DJ-ing tonight at the Delancey, which is now the new host to the great UP party on thursdays. Tonight's also the first night of the Karipalooza Festival, 3 nights of rock in celebration of Karibomb's birthday! I have yet to go to the Delancey, but i heard there's a killer rooftop and 2 floors of music. Justine D. and other awesome DJs will be spinning as well. Come rock'n'dance.

I'll be going to my first Franz Ferdinand concert before the party, better be good!! And speaking of FF, a friend told me last night that a while ago they covered Pulp's MisShapes on the Jo Wiley show... anyone's got an mp3 of it??

I'm reposting this from stereogum, check out Scissor Sisters covering Take me out, LiteFM style.

fit but you know it

This is just completely wrong. I'm not the biggest INXS fan, but i did like them a lot and that's just disappointing.

I'm curious about this new book called Kill your idols, which apparently is the trigger to many fights and arguments. Basically, a bunch of music writers explain why they think some of the "classic albums" are complete crap. Something to think about, how does one album become universally thought as a classic? What brings them to that next level? Certainly not the sales figures. Is it when all critics across the board agree that it's a brilliant album? But at one point exactly? Some albums seem to have become instant classic, others seem to have become overtime. And why have some just never cross the universal line? Mind you, i'm just thinking out loud here, but this topic just made me want to look into it some more.

Since i do like the new Streets single a lot, some nice people have given me some stuff to give away to you guys! All you need to do is email me with your name and "The Streets" in the subject line, tell me which giveaway you'd like to win and write a one liner as to why you should win it. Winners will be randomly picked by the end of the week or so.
Giveaway #1: European CD Singles with Fit But You Know It w/ Soaked by the Ale + Set of photos used on the video for Fit But You Know It (see pic below)
Giveaway #2: European CD Singles with Fit But You Know It w/ Soaked by the Ale + a T-shirt (Sizes: Men M or Women size 7-8 only - see pic below)

asobi masho

Asobi Seksu is performing live on KEXP's morning show with John Richards today at 12pm EST. You can listen to the live webcast here.

Tomorrow, it's the return of another great VICIOUS at its new location!

Jenyk/dot/com + melodynelson.com present...
VICOUS @ Rothko
Sponsored by SPIN magazine. in conjunction with ASCAP and Truthflies.com
Tuesday June 15th :: 8pm :: $8 :: 21+

11pm - La Laque
10pm - The Affair
9pm - Other Passengers
8pm - Morning Theft
With Guest DJs: Scout & JennyPenny

Rothko :: 116 Suffolk St. Between Rivington and Delancey St.
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Weekend was wicked fun, thanks all for birthday wishes and surprises!