Smells Like Content

Hopefully all enjoyed their weekends. Mine was spent devoting energies to several areas, and now I'm pretty beat. Therefore, I'm going to provides some news, then try and keep it movin, so I can get a decent amount of sleep at the end of today. There is a full week of classes from now, until spring break, an although I'm more than dedicated to the cause of posting, I may falter in consistency. But I promise to try! That being said, its story time! Get in a semi-circle around your computer screen.
In festival news, there has been upsetting news in terms of the Highline festival. David Bowie, who has been working closely with the Highline festival, but has backed out of actually performing, due to other consuming projects. In his stead, Deerhoof shall play. I really don't see the trade off, not that I'm knocking Deerhoof, but vs. Bowie, there no contest. I was intending to kidnap my closest friends and go to see bowie, mother also in toe, but now I have to find another reason to nab them.
The dim festival news does not end with Bowie. How could It get worse? The James Madison extravaganza known as MacRock (Mid-Atlantic-conference-Rock!) May not take place this year. Due to poor budgeting, and lack of sponsors, the east coast monster may have crumbled under its own weight. They're myspace is still being checked regularly, so maybe that's a good sign?
The Bamboozle Fest is still a go, and may be my springtime celebration in the stead of the other two productions. The bandlists have been posted on CMJ's cite, and may be the pop punk monster we all prayed it would be. Some of the performances to be drooled over:

My Chemical Romance
Boys Like Girls
Hellogoodbye
Armor For Sleep
Brand New
The Rocket Summer
Weird Al Yankovic*
Yellowcard
Young Love

Coney Island may be getting a new venue, which means I'll go to the island for more than just the Siren festival. There is no definite word yet, but we shall see.
Lastly, at least for now, is some tech news for all those aspiring artists. A few months ago, myspace informed the masses that soon, we would be able to purchase music from the profile pages of our favorite unsigned hype bands ( hype in a non-derogatory manner). Amie Street, who also has a profile on myspace, who have had an online music store since July 4th, has had its profile deleted due to technical errors. Is it possible that Rupert Murdoch isn't as ethical as we all once thought (insert laughter)?

* Just checking to see if your paying attention

New Dancepunk?!

While perusing WCUR's top 40, I stumbled across New Young Pony Club's album. I listened to it, danced, pumping fists flaring in indie fashion. It was a good time. Although, its uncertain if this is a trend revisited, or the solidification of a genre's style, either way, its a good album. Pitchfork even says so.

Where Snoop goes if he gets sick

Dr. Dog's new video, "My Old Ways" is posted on MTV's overdrive page. I would have imbeded it...but yea...overdrive. Anywhoo, its great, and so is their new album We All Belong. It took a while for me to get behind Dr. Dog. I felt like a band that sounds like the Beatles, already existed. They were called the Beatles. Almost two years after a friend of mine introduced me to them, they have taken a firm hold. Lucky for them. Check it out, and enjoy yo selves.

February Shows NYC

If you go to these, you'll have fun, I promise!

Sunday, February 4th @ Hiro Ballroom 7pm-Cat Power
Monday, February 5th @ Hiro Ballroom 7pm-Cat Power
Friday, February 9th @ Studio B 7pm- Girl Talk
Saturday, February 10th @ Bowery Ballroom 8pm-Lifetime
Saturday, February 10th @ Irving Plaza 7pm- Deerhoof, El-P, Tokyo Police Club
Saturday, February 10th @ Webster Hall 6:30 pm- Lily Allen
Saturday, February 10th @ Piano's 7pm- Sure Juror
Friday, February 16th @ Union Hall 8pm-Sure Juror
Tuesday, February 20th @ Bowery Ballroom 7pm- The Matches
Wednesday, February 21st @ Bowery Ballroom 7pm- The Ataris
Wednesday, February 21st @ Mercury Lounge 7:30pm- Chin up Chin up, Someone Still loves you Boris Yeltsin
Friday, February 23rd @ Luna Lounge 7pm-Army of Me
Friday, February 23rd @ Southpaw 8pm- Lemonheads
Friday, February 23rd @ Union Hall 8pm- French Kicks
Saturday, February24th @ Maxwell's 8pm- Lemonheads
Sunday, February 25th @ Maxwell's 8pm- Lemonheads
Wednesday, February 28th @ Bowery Ballroom 7:30 pm- Young Love
Wednesday, February 28th @ Webster Hall 8pm- Sparklehorse

Mercey that's a lot of shows. enjoy them all.

Hipster wha? (warning...excessive "quotation" marks)

A big part of this blog, I hope, is a connection to social mobility. Not necessarily in terms of socio-economic, but societal circles. The title of the blog itself, actually relates to the ability to move between different urban "scenes" effortlessly. This fact is what made the "blipster" article so relevant to the intent of this blog. Therefore, I deem it necessary to note when I have the opportunity to be involved in such whimsical situations.
Friday, I made a trip to fishtown to visit some friends. While there, we came across the opportunity to go to a warehouse party. At this party, all the cool of the cool were in attendance, and it was obvious I was crashing the "popular kids" box social (Indie popular, not frat popular, which are actually inverse popularity). There was even a noise rock/ experimental band playing synths in white painters ponchos. Everyone was vibing on the "music" and I wondered if the appeal of experimental music is that there is protection in the transcendence of understanding things that could otherwise be called ...weird? I only say this because if I were to call this music, for the sake of argument, bad, I would only be accused of not getting "it". Just a thought tho. Enjoy the picture, It came at the beginning of the evening, when things we're "normal."

Philly February Shows-Holla!

Three days into the month, its time to break this out. This is your "spring" line up for the next 28 days. I wish I could make it to all, but lets be honest...try these if you are in dire need of getting your indie hood cred up. "Blipster" or otherwise.

Saturday, February 3rd @ Memories Lounge, Nj 7:30 pm -Jenell
Doors open at 6pm. It will be amazing
Saturday, February 3rd @ Electric Factory 8:30pm- Guster
Sunday, February 4th @ First Unitarian Chruch, Philly 7:30 pm -Young Love
Monday, February 12th @ TLA, Philly 8pm-Lily Allen
Wednesday, February 14 @ TLA, Philly 8pm- Musiq Solechild
Tuesday, February 20th @ TLA, Philly 8pm-Ataris
Sunday, February 25th @ Trocadero, Philly 6pm- Gym Class Heroes
Wednesday, February 28th @ The Institute of Contemporary Art, Philly 8pm- Plastic Little

New york shows should prob be up tomorrow. More excitement to follow.

A Rude Awakening

I feel that commenting on the joys of life's little foibles, via camera lens, is not my forte, and is better left to the professional. However, due to the oddity that is collegiate life, I felt compelled to post something.
This morning, I was awakened by incessant hammering from the floor below mine. It was horrid. Since I worked at 5 am this morning, and it was currently 10:15 am (EST), I was rightfully peeved at being disturbed. I attempted to roll over, and ignore the sound with the aid of two large pillows sandwiching my head, but alas, no success. I then rolled over, only to see a large man staring in my French door*, which also serves as the sole natural light source for my room. More shocking was the fact that I was dressed in only my skivvies , yet this drone, sent by my landlord, was peeping in on me while I was trying to return to my innocent slumber. My camera, which was next to my bed, has captured this horror. Which I will, in turn, share with you.

I believe I shall invest in curtains.

*Note that this is on the second floor, so Its a man, on a ladder, with voyeuristic intentions.

"The State of Music"

Three posts in one day? I'm pretty beat, but this needed to go up before I go. The post will be short n sweet, I promise.
So music is dying. Nas killed Hip-Hop, Fall Out Boy sold punk to corporate america, and poor sales killed Tower Records. What are we to do? While skimming through Spin, I came across their title article "The State of Music", which suggest 10 key steps for resuscitating our beloved vice. Being in a transitional period, trying to decide whether I like music or film better, and also because I feel its something worth sharing, here is the list:
1. Make Cd's cheaper
- It's not new technology, so make them cost less
2. Stop indulging artists
-This is in relation to double disc's and whatnot
3. Have a TV network launch the songwriting equivalent of American Idol
- Makes sense, maybe MTV could make a comeback?
4. Give up on the Blockbuster album
-this would call for a change of soundscan (YAY!!)
5. Only release certain kinds of music
-Only things people who plan on dying with the technology of Cd's buy them, so give them the music they listen to, in that format.
6. Cut concert ticket prices
-let ebay do the cost inflation
7. Stop making it hard to choose between formats.
-mp3, mp4, flacc, ogg, wav...!!!
8. Fully embrace the web
-its all about exposure
9. Reinvent the record store
-niche marketing
10. Stop releasing crap
-No explanation needed.
Clearly the main problem is format. Even if there were different formats, having a program (Linux), that can convert codec would be helpful. Any other thoughts?

Smokin' Aces

Over the weekend, while recuperating from the educational onslaught that I regrettably signed up for, I had a chance to go see Smokin' Aces. Written and Directed by Joe Carnahn, who is probably most know for Narc (2002), Aces is a classic Las Vegas, Mafioso vs. The law film, with an interesting twist. The movie had an interesting element of illusion, mostly because the main character, Buddy 'Aces' Israel (Jeremy Piven-from HBO's Entourage), is a Las Vegas showman, who relies a little to heavily on card magic and the slight of hand. That aspect was utilized in the flashy and hurried cenimatography displayed during the most intense, high stress moments of the film, when the audiences attention is most sporadic. Most guys will love it, cool girls will like it, my mother wasn't interested.This movie had everyone in it. Aside from Jeremy Piven; Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman (Arrested Development), Common, Ryan Renolds (Waiting) Andy Garcia( Ocean's 11,12,13, etc, etc), and most importantly for me, Alica Keys, also stared. Usually, big famous casts are used with the movie lacks substance. I wouldn't disagree that, but it worked. What more do you need?

Shimmy Shimmy YA

"Wu-tang is for the children", and they will soon be coming back to inform you of this. Not so much the children part, but they will be back. AllHipHop.com posted an article validating the rumors of a Wu-reunion, and their change of label to SRC Records. Break out your wu-wear, tim boots, and put 36 chambers on infinite repeat. They are back in the studio, with no tentative release date. Its been said that their will be a tribute to the late, great, Ol' Dirty Bastard, on the album. We'll just have to wait and see.

In love with labels?

Last night, I made a valiant attempt to post before my roommates threw an enormous party. Unfortunately, my laptop deemed it necessary to freeze, taking my fervor for posting away, and my unsaved work with it. Today, I shall retry in hopes of blog success. Its been a while since my last post, so lets bring on the updates!
Firstly, Sure Juror played Piano's, in New York's LES (Lower East Side) last night, and has a few more shows in February. They were also given some play on Brooklyn Vegan's blog. The Vegan also posted on an article from the New York Times discussing the occurrence of "Blipsters" (please note the subtle segue). This word, which is related to indie music fans of a darker persuasion (black people-see picture above). I find the word mildly disturbing, quite unnecessary, and mostly hilarious. It is disturbing because of its unnecessary existence. Blipster sounds more like a rare occurrence, a word who's entomology is associated with a extensive radar system, which would then connect it to how rare black indie fans are. So rare that A& R reps lacked the foresight to market the indie sounds to black markets, and the emergence of such fans was so off the radar, and intermittently placed in the independent segment that, we (I clearly fall into this category) were considered insignificant "blips", mere anomalies. Perhaps I'm just sensitive to this subject? It not a very cool sounding word, either. It doesn't even sound like something that would come from inside the culture. Therefore, I will only accept a label, once it sounds cooler, and will continue to consider myself, and any of my "reppin the streets", indie counterparts as "Indie Hood." Respect.

In other exciting news, hazbro has finally come out with a tooth brush that plays cool, already outdated music! The future is now!

Last bit of regalia, the royal family came to the illadel to take in the sights, and drive around city hall, aimlessly, trying to figure out how to navigate the horrid infrastructure we all know and love. They also came to look into urban development. They also saw the liberty bell, which isn't really all it's cracked up to be (boo, I know).

New things that are awesome, that deserves some time for consideration, and extensive, in depth readership:

Jamie is doing nice things with her "picture a day blog"
JaLisa has joined the game
Matt is attempting to take readership away from exitfare (both are from Boston)

Check those things out!


So February shall be upon us in a few days, which means February show listings, and more civically social commentary. I hope you're excited!

More Previews!

January is a good month. There is less school in this month than in most, American Idol begins (sarcasm) and bloggers are still ecstatic about albums that will drop later in the year. Myself included! This being said, there are a couple of hip-hop albums dropping later in the year that we should all get hyped up to download..err...purchase. About:Rap tells us whats "really good" with 2007:

It would be nice to weed out only the top five albums from this list...but there all so awesome (minus Young Buck) I'll just post all 27, but place stars next to those worth staring:

*27. El P - I'll Sleep When You're Dead

26. Young Buck - Buck the World

25. Eve - Here I Am

*24. Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III

*25.Timbaland - Shock Value

22. UGK - Underground Kingz21. Papoose - The Nacirema Dream

20. Devin the Dude - Waitin' to Inhale

19. LL Cool J - Todd Smith 2: Back to Cool

*18. Ghostface & MF Doom - Swift & Changeable

17. Saigon - The Greatest Story Never Told ( The Guy from Entourage, the HBO Show)

16. Sean Price - Jesus Price Superstar

15. Chamillionaire - Ultimate Victory

*14. Little Brother - The Getback

*13. Talib Kweli & Madlib - The Liberation

1*2. Lupe Fiasco - The Cool

11. 50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct

10. Pharoahe Monch - Desire

09. Eminem - TBA

*08. Redman - Red Gone Wild

*07. Rakim - The Seventh Seal

6. Talib Kweli - Ear Drum

05. Joe Budden - The Growth

04. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II

*03. Common - Finding Forever

**02. Kanye West - Graduation

***01. Dr. Dre - Detox

Opulent Hip-hop (Kanye), gang violence shoot 'em up anthems (50 cent), and the return of hip-hop legends (Rakim, Dr. Dre, LL Cool J) plus the other potential albums I posted earlier should help make 07 straight bang-a-rang.

I'm Too Sexy to Share

Kanye is in the most awesome producer on earth. This is in no way related to his skill with the production board, but simply because he feels himself a little too much. The Teriyaki Boyz ( I kid you not), a Japanese Hip-hop group, did a song with our beloved Chicagoan. Kanye then proceeded to cut them off of the track. He's momma would be so proud. It's pretty basic Kanye;blaring horns and chauvinistic lyrics, but this time, the absence of the General Tso's boys makes more of an impression on his ego's history, than a drum machine ever could. Luckily, the boyz aren't that good, so no one is missing out...well, except for them maybe.

Check yo self

Vh1 has wowed us again with the creation of "Ego Trips (White) Rapper Show." Just when the integrity of hip hop was trying to disassociate itself with Flavor of Love, Vh1 serves up another blow to the hip hop culture. This show, unsanctioned by Diddy, is just a making the band on Vh1. It's a good laugh, but not really worth more than that. I'll still watch them desecrate the beloved genre, and flip between it, and the Rolling Stone writer show on MTV.

January Shows-New York

Yay for Nueva York! If you're in the city, these would be worth checkin out:

Cold War Kids; Wednesday, January 17th @ Union Hall
The Hold Steady; Thursday, January 18th @ NorthSix
The Wrens; Friday, January 19th @ The Knitting Factory
Apollo Sunshine; Saturday, January 27th @ Southpaw
The Books; Saturday, January 27th @ Webster Hall
Peter Bjorn; 2 shows- Monday, January 29th @ The Mercury Lounge
-Tuesday, January 30th @ Bowery Ballroom

January shows-Philly Area

The illadel area is pretty charged for tonight's Eagles game. My house, is filled with roast beef and bean dip, and its only a matter of time before those products are followed by noxious man fumes. Therefore, I plan on posting and vacating the premises as soon as possible. This being said, if you want to escape your respective homes, fumes or otherwise, and enjoy a good ole indie show, these are one's I recommend attending:

Fall Out Boy; Sunday, January 14th @ The Electric Factory
Girl Talk; Friday, January 19th @ Johnny Brenda's
Cage (Def Jux); Friday, January 19th @ The First Unitatian Church
Jenell ; Friday, January 19th @ Seedy Store Record X-Change (Millville, NJ)


It's a short list for January, but I'm picky. New York shows to come!

omnipresence is everywhere

Ah, the first post of the year! We're only ten days deep into the year, and already there are silly occurrences. One "noteworthy" occurrence is Curtis James Jackson III's, whom we all know and love as 50 Cent, release of a condom line. The candy shop now has all your contraceptive needs, and we should be thankful.
Busta Rhymes is bustin the faces of fans once again. Last week, Busta woo-hahed on someone who asked for an autograph. Make a note.
In the political arena, president Bush has just ok'd the shipment of 21,000 troops to Iraq to help the country "break the current cycle of violence." That's actually a good plan, fighting violence with violence. Why wasn't this thought of earlier? Years of funds, not to mention lives, wasted, when the simple solution was just to get rowdier.
A less menacing confrontation took place in San Francisco, where Lady Sov, Def Jam/Island's sweetheart,suffered her own ambush. Rapper, JellyDonunt, challenged Sov to battle at her show at the Mezzanine, in defense of his homie, a guy who paid $10,000 for a date with the shortest mcee in the game. Apparently, the Sov wasn't having it and poured red bull on him. Busta Rhymes is not a good influence for hip-hop's youth. Tisk, tisk.

Show schedules for the next month in the New York/ Philly area to come.

Is It 2007 Yet?

Weekly posts are an interesting concept! This week, amidst all of the nostalgic, reminiscent lists that flurry upon the interweb at this time of year, I feel it necessary to look toward the future. Luckily, our friends at Stereogum share my sentiments. They have produced a collection of upcoming albums for us all to froth over until their release dates. Because we all know how reliable tentative release dates are.

The albums that have me the most excited:

Ted Leo-Living With The Living
Apostle of Hustle- National Anthem of Nowhere
Radiohead-TBD
Lauryn Hill-Khulami Phase
Spoon-TBD
Gnarls Barkley-TBD
The Postal Service-TBD
Arcade Fire- Neon Bible
Of Montreal-Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?

It will hopefully prove to be a good year. Enjoy the next few nights, because its all gonna break come Tuesday.

11 Spring Street

This past Sunday. I took the opportunity to travel to 11 Spring St, orchestrated by the Wooster Collective, to gaze upon the beauty that is street art. My comrade & partner in cultural discovery ventured to SOHO so we could stand in a line that engulfed the entire block. A line who's wait was approximately 5 hours. A line which we didn't stand in. Fortunately for those not fortunate to be aware of such a social commentary, or be blessed with the virtue of patience , a collection of pictures can be found here.
The tale behind this civic monument is simple. The Candle Building has been home to street art since .... a long time. Recently, the ownership has been shifted to a man who's interests will have the building converted to condominiums. The folks at Wooster worked out a 3 day exhibition (December 15-17, 2006) which had artists from around the globe flying in to tag it up. There is no word on when the building will be "revamped", but I shall surly hate to see it go.

Albeit a random post for today, being Christmas and all, Merry Merry nonetheless!

Hell Hath No Fury...Finally

Digital gums have been bumping since the initial postponement of Clipse's sophomore album, Hell Hath No Fury, nearly three years ago. Due to the delay of the album, in true DIY fashion, Clipse were left no option but to release We Got It For Cheap, Vol 1 & 2 to prolong the buzz surrounding their talents. Hip-hop fiends, whether they be blogger, college student, or crack-hop connoisseur, have been "on line" since Jive finally got off their collective corporate asses and gave the go ahead for the album's release late November of 2006. After the delivery of their first album, Lord Willin', The Clipse were met with mixed reviews. The crack game, personified in verse, seemed less like a blessing, and more like a curse for the Virgina Beach natives. Although the beats on which they conveyed their Pyrex parables were of the best Neptune variety, many still argued that the dichotomy of ominous beats and gaudy lyrics still produced a cliché coke story that those in the realm of contemporary hip-hop are all too familiar with. Reinforce stereotypes they say? It's all be done before? Perhaps, but seldom is it done so well. At first glance, yes, Hell Hath No Fury is a perfect example of Bill O'Reilly's most horrid fears. The Clipse sling ye, and pitch base via Bose speakers, and they do it with a flair that could wow any boyo from the hood. There is very little subtlety about Malice and Pusha T's "off season" profession, and they use this album as their lyrical confession. "Dirty Money" provides insight toward life behind the scale. A sinister guitar and ratcheting hi-hat provide the medium for these brothers to impart their wisdom on those unsure of how to spend the ill-gotten spoils of their labors. "Keys Open Doors" may be the most ingenious aspect of the album. With a ghostly ambiance hovering menacingly above the metallic chimes of a Chad Hugo (we speculate) & Pharrell Williams collaboration, Push and Mal continue to pontificate the potency of "base-ballin'" and the future benefits it can potentially provide. The Clipse manage to sustain this scale throughout the album. The production is almost impeccable on this album, and may be the best thing the Neptune's have produced in years. Pharrell's love for obscure instrumentation (there is an blaring accordion nestled to a trunk rattling snare on "Momma I'm Sorry") juxtaposed to Chad's warping, baleful, and dismal synths trump anything else this year, which is sure to leave countless paranoid, or "p-noid", of impending doom. Although Chad is not mentioned in the actual credits, after Pharrell's lackluster showing on his solo project, one can't help but notice the drastic change. All of these aspects, intricately pieced together, is what makes Hell Hath No Fury such an excellent work. The brothers are so simply complex in their delivery, that they overshadow their actual deeds, and give focus to the presentation. It is an album dedicated to narrating the life that birthed late 80's/ early 90's hip-hop, which is still a prevalent option today, albeit a negative lifestyle. Hell Hath No Fury like to brothers with lyrical talent scorn, and the backing of two super producers. We should just consider ourselves lucky that Jive figured out how to market Clipse "correctly" before the Apocalypse. Yugck!