Yeti Don't Dance

And Jesus cried, "THIS IS SPARTA!"

2009-03-10T16:58:00.005-04:00

Last week I applied for the marathon. Not the DeGrassi Sunday afternoon marathon, of which I’ve completed plenty, but rather the 2009 ING NYC Marathon. You pay $11 for a 30% chance to get in – a lottery of sorts (or, by definition). The winners get to pay more and then suffer for months and months and months. There might be a free t-shirt along with the additional $138 fee. All in all it’s a good deal. People have all sorts of reasons why they run them. I’m in it for the free rubdowns at the finish line.

My goal has always been to make an attempt at the marathon before I reached 30, a round number, and the age at which Jesus was baptized by John (the Baptist) thus starting his ministry. Jesus traveled to Marathon to fight along 300 Spartans, or close enough. For a while I didn’t think I would be ready, but after years of music blogging and growing fat (correlation or causation - only SCIENCE! can tell), I surprised myself by losing 20 pounds in 2008. (As much as one can be surprised by working diligently at something for 10 months.)

For my New Year’s resolution (I'm 1 for 2) I reactivated my NYRR membership so I’d be eligible for guarantee 2010 entry if I don’t make it in 2009. Unfortunately I’m obsessive and I worry that my new obsession/motivation won’t last for 20 months. Eight months – surely, but 20 is a long time to motivate and train. Hell, I can train, get fat again, and retrain in that time.

In the meantime, I’m building my weekly mileage up to 20 if I do get accepted. I extended my long runs to 8 miles on Saturday, rested Sunday, and did another 4 on Monday. I’d like to have a couple more runs before an 8K race on Saturday -the dramatic mileage, of course, being in Canadian metrics. Then rest again on Sunday while I watch some DeGrassi, the highest metric of Canadian dramas.

Yeti's Top Albums of 2008!

2008-12-31T15:25:00.002-05:00

Ummmm. I liked the Dodos album quite a lot.

(I supposed I could have just twittered this.)

Legion of Rock Stars

2008-01-28T09:45:00.000-05:00

Legion of Rock Stars is the cover band that I would probably be like if my Rock Band buddies and I started a real band.

Danzig's "Mother"

Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart"

Speaking of cover bands. Thermals are playing their karaoke set this week.

Not sure if this is final post of this blog for 2007. I might try tumblr for a while. Maybe cross post in both places. Who knows.

X-mas mix

2007-12-05T09:27:00.000-05:00

Instead of posting a Indie Rock Christmas mix which tend to generally suck, I'll once again link to DJ Riko's Christmas mix from 2005. The only songs I skip are Bright Eyes (blehck!) and the "Snowflakes" song (yawn). But other than that it's really spectacular and much more solid than the one he made last year (although that too has some gems). I haven't yet sampled the other ones he made from 2002-2004, but I'll get right on that and report back here.

Rapidshare link to DJ Riko's Merry Mixmas 2005.

Here's the track list:

Intro
Singers Unlimited - Caroling Caroling
DJ Riko featuring Marcie - My Chimney
Luscious Jackson - Let it Show
The Free Design - Now Sound of Christmas
Lou Monte - Dominick the Donkey
Louis Armstrong - Cool Yule
Mr Hanky - Santa Claus is on His Way
The Ventures - Silver Bells
George W. Bush - Twas the Night Before Christmas (Jima edit)
Kids of Widney High - Christmas is the Time
Ringo Starr - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Madness - Insanity Over Christmas
Augie Rios - Donde Esta Santa Claus
Disney - Santa's Rap
Pizzicato Five - Snowflakes
Chet Baker - Winter Wonderland
Neil Diamond - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Big Ben Banjo Band - Christmas Medley 2
Alvin and the Chipmunks - Chimpunk Song (Slow Version)
Bright Eyes - Little Drummer Boy
Tenchi Muyo vs. The Singing Dogs - Jingle Bells
Wayne Newton - Jingle Bell Hustle
Buchanan & Goodman - Santa and the Satellite
Esquivel! - Frosty the Snowman
Huey Piano Smith and the Clowns - All I Want for Christmas
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Santa Claus - A Visit From Santa Claus
Little Bobby Rey - Corrido de Auld Lang Syne
Santa Outro

It Only Encourages Them

2007-11-12T11:10:00.000-05:00

I shouldn't be doing this, but I'm posting a band that someone actually sent me. I'm sick of reading emails from bands. Not that I read them. But they still take up space in my inbox. I have to read who sent them before I delete them.

So a guy asked me to give Slow Runner a listen, and since he pinned me against the wall and since I wasn't busy at the moment, I did. They are from South Carolina or thereabouts. I like them well enough. Reminds me of Pedro the Lion.

If I had an ftp that worked, I'd post some copywritted material for you guys to gobble up, but for now you'll have to go use ~~friendster myspace facebook~~ myspace.

----------------

Checked out Cadence Weapon and Final Fantasy last night. CW was OK. The crowd wasn't as responsive but given the Sunday night and unique pairing with FF I can understand why. Once again Owen P. was incredible. I wish he'd play here more frequently. The crowd gave rapturous applause almost ever song. That's really the perfect word: rapturous. The rapacious raptors rapturousily raped the Buffalo buffalo.

That's about it for now. Slow week coming up, but Mario Galaxy comes out today and I can devote some of my free time to that.

Rap City in Blue

2007-11-08T17:00:00.000-05:00

My CMJ week truly started off a day earlier with a free concert thanks to Rhapsody (of whom which few in attendance actually knew what they did). For those who don't know, they are the Rent-to-Own of the online music world. Without the "Owning" part.

A tight and talented by otherwise boring Brooklyn band name American Babies started the night. It was a trait, I’d experience many times over the week: yeah you sound fine and all, but I’d never chose you play your songs on my own. We all used up our complimentary drink tickets quickly during that set. The Little Ones played next and as no surprise were much better. In their case, I almost prefer their songs on my ipod. I'm still in love with "Cha Cha Cha" They’ll have an LP out shortly sure enough that I’ll be as hesitant to bond with as I was with Voxtrot’s. Pela provided the next hour’s amusement, and while I’ve always been a fan (occasionally a raging fan), I wondered where they were heading now-a-days. I’m still not sure. They have a big sound that made much more sense another hour later when the National brought their own anthems to fill the Highline.

So the National - they weren’t bad. I don't love them, but now I respect them.

Is this Blog Dead? BAH! I say!

2007-11-08T10:03:00.000-05:00

I was musing over the status and future of this space yesterday, wondering if it was finally time to head into the ole electrical closet and throw the Big Switch. Like a belly-up goldfish circling in its own urea, this site has become a shameful reminder that I'm just as fallible as my anonymous commentors. I still get some great one's from Fall Out Boy fans from time to time, and that warms my heart.

But give in, I shall not. It's a different world we are living in today. To forsake it now, after 2.5 years, would mean it wouldn't ever be the same. I make no apologies. There's few things more lame than a blogger blogging about not blogging. And yet here we are. Because it's really the only thing that there is to say.

I've outlived Stylus. I don't have to think about *my* year end list for 5 whole weeks. I've also outlived Robert Goulet. This drink's for you Mr. Goulet.

I'll begin with my latest failure: CMJ 2007. The winner of CMJ was Bon Iver. It may have been a close call, but the very first official CMJ set I caught was also the best. This is no statement on the rest of the week’s talent -or maybe it is- but Bon Iver stood out among the rest. I wasn’t alone in my sentiments. Big thanks to Brooklyn Vegan who hosted both and only of his CMJ shows. If you had the misfortune to miss them this time around, he'll be back soon.

Bon Iver – Skinny Love (mp3)
Bon Iver- For Emma (mp3)

You can stream the entire album here. It'll get re-released early next year I think, but it'll still make my list of top albums of 2007. They (or rather "he" since he'll be solo this time) return to open up for the always wonderful Elvis Perkins in Dearland on Friday December 7th. Tickets are available here.

So there's that. It's a start.

Richard Hawley to play Bowery Ballroom 12/1

2007-10-16T18:03:00.000-04:00

I'm so happy. Show Info. Richard Hawley: Website / Myspace.

After the Jump at CMJ

2007-09-27T10:14:00.001-04:00

We the folks of After the Jump are throwing some CMJ parties. I think at last count we are doing three, one at the Annex, one at the Yard, and one night show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. We'll finalize the line up for the day shows soon, but the MHW show is set:

Wednesday 10/17
A Place To Bury Strangers
Foals
Cadence Weapon
Sam Champion
Yeasayer
Alberta Cross

$12 A $14 DOS. Tickets on sale this Saturday.

More info to come.

What a Late Night that was: Dan Deacon, White Williams, Girl Talk

2007-09-24T16:29:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe it's been over a week since Dan Deacon, White Williams and Girl Talk played their one-two shows at Webster Hall and Bowery, and I feel I've just barely recovered. I went to the late late show, and I nearly lasted the entire time. I left during Greg Gillis's last "song". You don't get a trophy if you stay till the end and I had a put in a great night already.

Earlier that week, Amrit convinced me to get there early for White Williams who S'Gum's been plugging for ~~months~~ weeks. I'm glad I did as I've been listening to "Smoke" ever since [so that's what, Jerry, 9 days?] "In the Club" which may be the weakest on the album reminds me of a T. Rex tune (any of 'em, really) and "I Want Candy" reminds me of the Strangeloves (of all things). Most surprising at Bowery Ballroom was that Mr. Williams wasn't a laptop artist - he was a full band. The album release party for "Smoke" is October 31st at the Annex. It might be the cool post-parade shindig to attend.

While White Williams was a pleasant warm-up that late (by now it was what? 1:00 AM?), the real action waited for Mr. Dan Deacon [website / myspace]. Holy crap was that fun. Capital "F" fun except in the middle or end of a sentence. Fun: Dan Deacon. The album is a solid piece that seems to always trick me up; I don't think I've ever listened to it straight through. And yet it's brilliant and inspiring. Live, he's even more so. Dan plays his stuff on a table on the dance floor and it got so hectic I think it's time he graduated to the stage. Bring people up with him if need be, like that other guy you tour with.

Speaking of which. Girl Talk. Lowercase fun. More of the same, and that was good -and a few new samples/tunes he throws in. But the highlight for me was Dan's set and Girl Talk was just the late late late cherry on top. With White Williams being the delicious waffle cone.

Dan Deacon's back for CMJ at Bowery Ballroom with White Williams among other bands. Buy tickets while you can.

Eagle Seagull returns this week

2007-09-10T11:39:00.000-04:00

Eagle Seagull [website/myspace] are back in NYC this week from their homestead in Nebraska. If you dont know them still, you really should. They sound like Sunset Rubdown but they formed pre-them, so they arent a rip off. They are good live too.

Eagle Seagull - I'm Sorry But I'm Beginning To Hate Your Face [mp3]

Rest of their tour:
Sep 10 @ Schubas Tavern Chicago, Illinois
Sep 12 @ Union Hall Brooklyn, New York
Sep 13 @ Great Scott Allston, Massachusetts
Sep 14 @ The Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Sep 19 @ Duffys Tavern Lincoln, Nebraska

The new album I'm told is currently being mixed, but if that track is any indication, I eagerly await it.

Most Serene Republic & High Places @ Uhall, 9/21

2007-09-05T13:10:00.000-04:00

I tried to see High Places last Friday after Battles & Deerhunter at SSSport, but miscommunication at Death By Audio snafu'd that one. Unfortunately I'll be out of town the weekend of this, but otherwise I'd totally be at Union Hall. I also want to see MSR whom I've never caught either.

I'd buy tickets in advance if I were you.

Ra Ra Riot Interview | Playing Saturday @ ATJ Fest

2007-08-23T10:31:00.000-04:00

I got an opportunity to interview Ra Ra Riot's guitarist Milo [website/myspace] prior to their playing the After the Jump Festival this Saturday. They go on around 5:00. While you browse the text below, check out this new remix they released. It's dope.

Ra Ra Riot - Each Year (RAC Mix) [mp3]

Milo answers thusly:

So you guys are from Syracuse. Did you all grow up in Western New York or just meet there? Is the live scene in Syracuse as non-existent as I may expect and did that encourage you begin to tour?

I am the only one from Upstate NY. Everybody else is from various places on the east coast ranging from the Boston area to Miami. We all just happened to meet when we were at school in Syracuse. There is no shortage of bands coming out of Syracuse, but there is definitely a shortage of places to see live music. Most of our shows took places in various attics, basements and living rooms of our friends' houses.

What are some of the cooler bands you've played with?

We just came off tour with Tokyo Police Club. It was our first official tour ever, so we don't have much to compare it with. However we all had lots of fun and most of the shows were really fun and successful. We are definitely looking forward to playing more shows with those guys.

When did things start to pick up for the band? You appeared on many of our blog-radars shortly before CMJ 2006 but I also read that you guys hadn't even been around long before then?

We played CMJ not knowing what to expect. We just assumed we'd be lost in the lineup and nobody would be at any of our shows because there were 1,000 other bands that they could have gone to see on any given night. Much to our surprise there actually were some people at some of our shows, and a few of them even wrote nice things about us afterwards. After that it began to seem like doing the band full time could be a reality.

Any funny or wacky tour catastrophes?

Well, about a week into our tour with TPC, their van broke down. Luckily, we had recently bought a trailer that was much, much too big for us -so we ended carrying all of their gear and t-shirts and them along with all of our stuff.

Your cover of "Hounds of Love" [mp3] just works so well with your style. Accident or intention? Would you consider Kate Bush an influence?

I think the first time we all heard Kate Bush's original version of 'Hounds of Love' we all immediately fell in love with it. Wesley is a huge Kate Bush fan, and he introduced the rest of us to her music. Lately we have been playing another one of her songs, called 'Suspended in Gaffa.' Kate Bush is definitely an influence to us all in different ways. Personally, I think she is a really great songwriter and she often has interesting song structures and arrangements.

You guys played South Street Seaport earlier this year, the first performance after tragically losing your drummer and friend John Pike. Was it a hard decision to carry on with that show?

It definitely was a difficult decision to have to make. It was an emotionally taxing show in a lot of ways and it was certainly quite difficult to prepare for it. We've played probably 30 shows since then, and it hasn't gotten any easier.

Have you written songs since then and has this affected the Ra Ra Riot sound? "Healing and Easy Listening"?

We have been working on a few new songs- they are still in the process of being completed. The "Healing and Easy Listening" heading on our Myspace page has probably been up for six months. It's just one of those things that has an entirely different meaning now.

I noticed "St. Peter's Day Festival" streaming on your myspace also. Can you tell my more about this song? It's one of those tracks I hope to hear on an album in its original demo rawness.

'St. Peter's Day Festival' was one of the last songs we had all been working on together before John passed. It was an idea that he brought to the table, and we were in the process of figuring out the structure and other instrument parts. The version that is on our myspace page is a demo he recorded on Garageband after we had all been working on it for some time. I think the intent of that demo was to remember a
specific vocal melody.

You released an E.P. this July and a truly brilliant remix of the opening track, "Each Year (RAC Mix)" last week [see mp3 linked above]. What's next for the band beyond the next tour?

We're releasing a single in the UK in October, and we'll be recording in November or December for a full length that will hopefully be ready to release by April.

If in absence of humans, bears and primates battle for dominion over dry land, who wins?

Primates. When bears hibernate, primates plot. When they wake up, primates attack and take advantage of their groggy foes.

After the Jump Fest Kick-Off Party

2007-08-20T15:33:00.000-04:00

ROOF PARTY!!! Summer's almost over, so kick it out well with a mid-August roof party with free beer before gearing up for the all-day-and-all-night event on Saturday at Studio B.

Check out photos, videos, and audio at After The Jump Fest's Imeem page.

Free Blood & Golem added to After the Jump Fest

2007-08-16T12:09:00.000-04:00

In just over a week, After the Jump Fest will be going down on Saturday the 25th. The line-up's finally complete with the recent addition of Golem [whom I gave much love here] and Free Blood -the new band by former !!! singer John. Golem will play as part of the free day show headlined by Spectrum (Spacemen 3) aka Sonic Boomas well as other great artists. Free Blood play the cheap $12 evening gig with Riot in Belgium, the Virgins and Soulico. Tickets, again, are on sale. It's going to be a shitstorm.

Terminal 5 Opening Up | Not at JFK

2007-08-14T10:20:00.000-04:00

Bowery Presents are planting their flags in venues across the land: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Union Pool, Nokia, seabed of the North Pole and now Terminal 5 [starring Tom Hanks]. The 3,000 capacity venue will be opening up in trendy midtown-West at 56th Street and 11th Avenue to brings us larger and larger acts -acts that were once rinky-dink when about this blog started.

The National, who play for free this Friday at South Street Seaport, start things off October 11. It also appears the Webster Hall Justice show is now at Terminal 5. Since nearly all of Webster's gigs are $20, what'll be the average price for a T5 experience? I'll at least check it out with Justice, and if the mood is right, perchance the Decemberists.

Full line up, some tickets on sale this Friday:

Octoberist:
11: The National
19: M.I.A.
20: Justice
23-24: The Shins with Vetiver

Novemberist:
1-2: The Decemberists
23: State Radio with The Beautiful Girls 30

Decemberist:
1: Ween [BV better blog this or there will be angriness among commentors]

See Private John Vanderslice at the Living Room 8/17

2007-08-06T17:44:00.000-04:00

Following the National's show at South Street Seaport in two weeks, join John V-slice for a private XM radio taping at the Living Room. I have some guest list spots to give away -and while I never EVER do this- I'm breaking my own rules against giveaways. JUST THIS ONCE. So ~~email me here~~ if you're interested.

Friday Aug, 17th @ 11pm The Living Room
Solo John Vanderslice performance
Private Event and taping of “From the Living Room to The Loft” for XM radio

John Vanderslice - White Dove [mp3] off his new album.

Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood to Perform Award-Winning "Popcorn Superhet Receiver"

2007-08-06T10:44:00.000-04:00

Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood will be coming to the States to showcase his piece "Popcorn Superhet Receiver" as part of the 2007-2008 Wordless Music Series. Full Schedule Here. Supposedly this piece is pretty fantastic - so much that it won Radio 3 Listeners' Award at the 2006 BBC British Composer Awards. Wikipedia, the internet's bastion of veracity says, "The piece was inspired by radio static and the extended, dissonant chords of Polish composer Penderecki's 'Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima'." Pitchfork, the internet's bane of opinion says, "As a classical know-nothing, I would be a fool to try to describe the 18-minute-plus piece other than to say that, like a lot of things Radiohead does, it's both pretty and a little creepy."

Tickets are on sale for most of the Wordless shows, but not this one yet.

Jan. 16, 2008 & Jan. 17, 2008
Jonny Greenwood: Popcorn Superhet Receiver
The Wordless Music Orchestra
Brad Lubman, Conductor

Just Pretend has more about the piece and a link to a download.

Spectrum (Spacemen 3) added to After the Jump Fest | Night Tickets on Sale

2007-08-06T10:09:00.000-04:00

Spectrum (Spacemen 3 / Sonic Boom) has been added to the free After the Jump Festival day show on Saturday August 25th. Yaaay. There are a couple more bands to announce, so stay tuned.

Tickets for the night show are now on sale for $12 (advance). So far that line up includes the hemispherical debut of Australia's Riot in Belgium as well as Soulico and The Virgins (whom just sold out Mercury Lounge). We are working on one more super sweet band for that line up as well - but it hasn't been confirmed so I can't say any more.

There's also going to be a raffle to win two CMJ badges and other goodies.

Don't know Riot in Belgium yet? Listen to this:

Riot in Belgium - La Musique Antz Mix [mp3]
Also available for download at myspace.

I'm From Barcelona finally in NYC

2007-08-06T09:28:00.000-04:00

[Picture cred]

Blonde Redhead and I’m From Barcelona both played MacCarren Pool yesterday, and while it was my first time seeing them each, it won’t be my last. Especially I’m From Barcelona [website / myspace] who are also playing Southpaw tonight. The party on stage reignited my zest for their album [my 18th favorite of 2006]. Created with 29 members –each with a varying degree of participation- the album comes alive because they brought (almost) the entire extended band to the States.

So if you are around tonight, go see them at Southpaw. Tickets amazingly are still on sale.

I'm From Barcelona - We're From Barcelona [Adventure Kid Remix] [mp3]

[Picture Cred]

Awesome Pig.

2007-07-27T16:50:00.000-04:00

Homer may have his Spider Pig, but this little fella is way cooler.

Even I Find This News About Sufjan Intriguing

2007-07-26T10:29:00.000-04:00

It appears Sufjan, Messiah of the Undead, has been commissioned by BAM to compose as piece for their Next Wave Festival this fall about the BQE. Ahhhh, lovely I-278. For ages it has brought poets and lovers to gather beneath its shadows in its awe and splendor.

Mashup: Vanilla Ice & WiiSports [Yes, Really]

2007-07-23T09:50:00.000-04:00

DJ BC has a new mashup and it's as odd as it's brilliant.

Vanilla Ice (Play That Funky Music, Whiteboy) & The Wii Sports Theme [mp3]

I bet Vanilla Ice hasn't reached 2367 in Tennis though.

Free Shows: Rock Plaza Central, Bishop Allen, Siren Festival, Band of Horses, Ox Cal

2007-07-20T13:34:00.001-04:00

Lots of free shows this weekend.

First off, my favorite series of the summer continues with Rock Plaza Central and Bishop Allen at South Street Seaport tonight. I've been liking RPC's album more and more since I saw them earlier this year [the Mercury Lounge show was *much* better than the Glasslands show].

Rock Plaza Central -My children, be joyful [mp3]

And look. Holy crap. Bishop Allen has a sophomore LP finally, and it's out July 24th. I still really really love this song, which also appeared on an earlier EP [one of the previous 12].

Bishop Allen - Butterfly Nets [mp3]

Next up: Siren Festival is Saturday. Matt & Kim - Voxtrot pairing is what I'll focus on. I love Elvis Perkins, but that'll be a lot of time in the sun.

Matt & Kim - Yeah Yeah [mp3]
Voxtrot - The Start of Something [mp3]
Elvis Perkins - While You Were Sleeping [mp3]

Finally, Sunday brings two of my favorites in tandem [hey, both are on Sub Pop] to McPool: Band of Horses [now with birdies], and Oxford Collapse.

Band of Horses - The Great Salt Lake [mp3]
Oxford Collapse - Lady Lawyers [mp3]

Soak up the sun, and look for me at these things.

After The Jump Initial Line-up

2007-07-18T14:30:00.000-04:00

[AFTER THE JUMP FEST]

AUGUST 25, 2007
STUDIO B (259 BANKER STREET)
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

RIOT IN BELGIUM * SOULICO * THE VIRGINS * RA RA RIOT * LOCKSLEY * APACHE BEAT * GOES CUBE * JUKEBOX THE GHOST * BLING KONG * FINGER ON THE PULSE (DJ SET) * DAVID BRUNO (SLAP YOU IN PUBLIC) (DJ SET) * AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED!

FREE DAY SHOW (OUTSIDE STUDIO B)
NIGHT SHOW TICKETS ON SALE SOON

ORGANIZED BY:

themusicslut . batteringroom . disconap . earfarm . ryspace . irockiroll . musicsnobbery . merryswankster . softcommunication . theunderratedblog . sitdownstandup . watercoolergossip . bumpershine . themodernage . productshopnyc . yetidontdance . slapyouinpublic . subinev . punkphoto . poptartssucktoasted . stereoactivenyc . fingeronthepulse

All proceeds from the festival will help fund grants written by New York music teachers for their classroom via the Bloggers Choose chapter of DonorsChoose.org. Please join us in making a great day of music and a significant contribution to music education in our city.

WEBSITES:
www.afterthejumpfest.com
www.myspace.com/afterthejumpfest

CONTACT INFORMATION:
booking@afterthejumpfest.com
charity@afterthejumpfest.com
sponsors@afterthejumpfest.com
publicity@afterthejumpfest.com