she's hearing voices

Local band Surefire will make their Bowery Ballroom debut on may 18th when they open for The Sights and Mando Diao. Great news!

Last night, i went to see Bloc Party play at Bowery, and enjoyed every second of the hour and some minutes gig. I wish i'd been closer to the stage where people were actually moving. I heard the second night was the best out of the two, and indeed, the band really delivered an edgy and fierce set with Banquet, She's Hearing Voices and Hellicopter being the obvious crowd pleasers. I personally have a soft spot for Positive Tension. I'll definitely see them again when they come back to the city.
Check out the video for Banquet and live video of Positive Tension.

Tonight, tons of cool people are DeeJaying at MisShapes including Fischerspooner from man Casey Spooner. There will be free red stripe from 10-12am, and great music all night. I'll be getting the party started with a DJ set from 10 to 11pm.

too young

On tuesday, i resumed my show going by heading over to Irving Plaza to catch the all-rising-star line-up and actually watching all four bands play.
The night started with the girl-boy duo, Joy Zipper, joined by a drummer and a bassist for the occasion. Joy Zipper's songs could be the soundtrack of those delicate and fuzzy dreams you have on very good nights. Though a clear shoegaze influence is audible in their music, they're a lot softer and calmer than other bands placed in the genre. Live, they were nothing short of loveable and genuine especially when they revealed their perfectly harmonious vocals. Playing through their debut album Amercian Whip, and including one brand new song ("no excuse" to fuck up as Tabatha claimed), they successfully recreated the dream-like effect that is so appealing about them. With its incredibly sweet chorus "I love you more than a thousand Christmases", hearing Christmas Song was one of the highlights of the night.

Next on the bill was the mancunian band Long-View, who i thought fitted really well after Joy Zipper. On stage, Long-View was more impressive than i expected. They would go from mellow, sappy tunes to grand sounding epic anthems. One element that really stood out from their performance (and less so on their album Mercury) was the vocal ability of three the band members who all sing (mostly harmonizing) on almost every song. IfJoy Zipper's music is best appreciated when daydreaming, then Long-View's sound is definitely best suited for those rainy, self-deprecating afternoons.

Dogs Die in Hot Cars was the band i was the least familiar with. Aside from their one tune that would not leave my head after only one listen (you know which one i'm talking about, the one that goes "i love you, i love you, i love you, i love you cause i have to"), i didn't know any of their material. Quite frankly, they left me unimpressed, but at the same time, i didn't expect them to be my thing. They reminded me a bit of Kaiser Chiefs with the similar commercial ska infused sound, and had some good moments, but overall didn't do it for me.

Last but not least, home boys Phoenix took the stage and proved once more that they are by far one of the best live bands around. I'll admit that the Bowery show had a better vibe and energy than Irving, but the band still delivered an amazing set comprised of tunes from both albums and one new song that they had just finished during soundcheck. They're soulful, funky, rocking, even a bit cheesy at time, but that's what makes them so compelling. The live show is incredibly tight and rehearsed (no one ever misses a beat), but the best part is the singer's attempts to get the crowd dancing and involved... and you know what, even in too cool for school new york city, it works every time! Goes to show that no one can resist the power of the Phoenix.

Joy Zipper at Irving Plaza.

Long-View.

Putting together and DJ-ing the after-party was great fun, i hope those who came to Hiro had as a good time as we did.

san salvador

Congrats to The Hong Kong (one of the first bands to play Vicious) for signing to Ric Ocasek’s Inverse Records(Ric's new imprint on Sanctuary). Mr. Ocasek also produced their upcoming debut album.

Now that i'm caught up with emails, i can bombard you with a bunch of streams of songs i've been digging lately:

New Order :: Krafty [video]
QT | WM 56 | 100 | 300

Fischerspooner :: Just Let Go (Skinny White Duke Remix) [audio]:
WM 56 | 100 || REAL 56 | 100

Shout Out Louds :: Very Loud [audio]:
WM 56 | 100 || REAL 56 | 100

The Raveonettes :: Love in a trashcan [audio]:
QT | WM 56 | WM 100 | REAL

Finally, some shots from paradise, also known as the island of San Salvador in The Bahamas, where i spent the last week.

too young

Tomorow night, there are two great shows happening, a vicious release party at Rothko and a guaranteed fun one at Irving Plaza. Wherever you go, may i suggest you join us at HIRO afterwards for some good times?

Tuesday April 5th at Hiro (Maritime Hotel)
************************************
Filter Magazine, Melody Nelson and GBH present...

The Official Irving Plaza Concert After-Party for four of the best bands around at the moment...
Dogs Die in Hot Cars, Phoenix, Joy Zipper and Long-View

With Guest DJs: Geo and Greg (MisShapes), Melody Nelson (Atomique) and Cockfosters (V2 Records) spinning rock'n'roll, dance rock and new wave in the Hiro lounge - the beautiful Asian-themed lounge deep inside the Maritime hotel.

Tiger Beer Specials all night!

To be placed on the GBH guest list for complimentary admission, email: event@gbh.tv with your name and number of guests you are bringing.

************************************
Hiro :: 16 St. and 9 Ave. in the Maritime Hotel :: Doors open 10pm.

tribulations

So i'm back from paradise (literally, i'll show a couple of photos), had an amazingly fun and relaxing week... up until the return to new york on saturday where the plane almost crashed on landing and decided to go back up in the air and divert to philly. After spending hours in the philadelphia airport waiting for my luggage, i finally got back to new york at 3am in the morning. That meant that i missed LCD Soundsystem at the bowery, which i had planned on going and was very much looking forward to.

Now i'm home, back at work, catching up on tons of emails and other things. New yorkers, stay tuned for some fun this week starting with tomorrow night's Phoenix / Dogs Die in Hot Cars / Long-View / Joy Zipper irving plaza afterparty... more details to come shortly.