rebellion

Nora's birthday was wednesday, but the big party is tonight at Crash Mansion. There will be bands (and good ones!), DJs (including myself), and cupcakes... CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FLYER, and make sure to rsvp for free entry!

This week i did something completely insane. I hopped on a plane to paris on wednesday night, got there yesterday morning, spent the day with the family and then went to Le Nouveau Casino in the evening to see Arcade Fire's first ever parisian performance. Jumped back on the late plane right after the show, and got back to nyc early this morning. I know, crazy, but it was really awesome, the crowd was SO into it, jumping and dancing... check out this exclusive clip i got:
Arcade Fire :: Rebellion (lies) [video clip]

Ok, fine, i'm lying, i wasn't there, but this is real footage from the show from friends who were there, doesn't it look fantastic? More about this show (with more video clips) over at La Blogotheque.

There's a cool all british pop (classic and new) party going on tomorrow night in brooklyn. Check it out, looks like fun!

apart

Let's start the day with some videos...

Brendan Benson :: Spit It Out
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Tonight, the new princes of synth-pop will be the guest DJs at ATOMIQUE! Expect great dance moves as seen in this video...
Elkland :: Apart
Quicktime | Real Player

club foot

As i was updating the "new records" list on the right side, i got quite taken aback by the number of albums coming out in march, and more so by the domestic release of three french recording artists. There's Keren Ann, who by now needs no introduction. Then there's ex-top model Carla Bruni, who in my opinion not only released the best french album of 2002, but also managed to release an album that has become an all time favorite of mine. That album in question Quelqu'un m'a dit is getting a US release (on V2 Records) this month, and i seriously could not recommend it more to all of you music fans. Don't be scared off by the language barrier, her music is so beautiful that you'll get the emotional message translated to your ears without understanding a word of what she says. I wrote something very small about this album just over two years ago (damn this site is getting old).
Last of the three releases is a collaboration between Yann Tiersen (who scored Amélie amongst other things) and Shannon Wright, which i picked up when i was last in paris. It's a very dark and melancholic album that would probably not appeal to everyone, but is nonetheless of superb quality.

I also want to mention the self-titled Kasabian album out in the states today. The band has been under my radar for months, and yet, it took me a while to get around to listen to their debut. I remember when i asked Lio about Kasabian and he told me that they reminded him of Aerial Love Feed/Rockethouse. I immediately thought how awesome it was of him to reference a young new york band to describe a young UK band (note that most of us usually always do the exact opposite). After a few listens, i understood why he made that comparison, both bands share the apparent Primal Scream influence and a similar vocal delivery. This album is very much rooted in everything british rock that has been done since 1989 with a stronger electronic feel to it. Kasabian succeeds in mixing the late 80's Madchester space-rock sound (Club Foot, Test Transmission) with the more straightforward britpop anthems (L.S.F) that surfaced in the mid-90s. Without a question, it is a very solid debut that any (native or adopted) northern soul should appreciate. It also works really well on the dance floor, a tune like Reason is Treason being one of my current favorites to spin. I hear that their live show is beyond amazing, but i have yet to confirm that.

no title

It wasn't a very happening weekend for shows... I missed Calla on friday because i was deejaying in Williamsburg, and i missed Autolux / Moving Units / Secret Machines on saturday because of work i had to do, which then led me to miss Optimo spinning at Dave P.'s party because i was too tired from working. I heard both shows and party were fantastic.
Atomique and Crashin'in were both loads of fun. Crashin'in has a very entertaining crowd who loves to dance and request songs. As with most DJs, i have mixed feelings about requests, though if a request fits the set i'm working on, then i'll definitely throw it in there, and that's exactly what i did on friday night. Again a big thanks to the peeps who come to my gigs and have a good time, it's always very appreciated.

Anyways, enough boring talk, there are tons of great shows tonight, most of which are already sold out, so i can only suggest you come to Rothko for another solid lineup...

Melody Nelson and AddVice present...
Tuesday March 8th :: 7:30pm :: $8 :: 21+

11pm - The GoStation
10pm - Bloom
9pm - The Blue Van
8pm - Overnight
7:30pm - Eugene (acoustic)

Rothko :: 116 Suffolk St. Between Rivington and Delancey St.
For more info on the bands, go to the Vicious site.

the ballerina blues

There are two bands that got under my radar thanks to Ultragrrrl's Stolen Transmission label which put out their singles. First, Louis XIV, who are now all over the blogosphere (and signed to a major), but i gotta give Sarah credit for initially introducing them to me. They're playing Sin-é on tuesday night if you want to check them out. In the meantime, listen to this song off of their recent EP:
Louis XIV :: Finding out true love is blind [mp3]

The second band are The Oohlas, whose Stolen Transmission single i just got and have been very much enjoying. Check out some of their music here, and i believe you can still buy their single at Sarah's web site.

Enjoy these video links while i try to remember the past few days...

Ash :: Clones Video:
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Regina Spektor :: Us Video:
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