Oh yea, before I forget...

You can all thank Rockebab for reminding me to remind you of the following in-store performance:

VAMPIRE WEEKEND
Feb 4 2008 - 7:00P
Amoeba Music
Los Angeles, California

Also, here a complete list of upcoming performances that the boys have scheduled:

Jan 31 2008 - 8:00P
Popscene
San Francisco, California

Feb 1 2008 - 7:00P
Amoeba Music
San Francisco, California

Feb 4 2008 - 7:00P
Amoeba Music
Los Angeles, California

Feb 6 2008 - 8:00P
The Rock and Roll Hotel (SOLD OUT)
Washington DC, Washington DC

Feb 7 2008 - 8:00P
First Unitarian Church (SOLD OUT)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Feb 8 2008 - 8:00P
Willams College
Willamstown, Massachusetts

Feb 9 2008 - 8:00P
Museum of Fine Arts (SOLD OUT)
Boston, Massachusetts

Feb 11 2008 - 8:00P
Horseshoe Tavern
Toronto, Ontario

Feb 12 2008 - 8:00P
The Blind Pig
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Feb 13 2008 - 8:00P
Gypsy Hut
Cincinnati

Feb 14 2008 - 8:00P
Wexner Center for the Arts
Columbus, Ohio

Feb 15 2008 - 8:00P
Andy Warhol Museum
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Feb 22 2008 - 8:00P
Wolverhampton Civic
Wolverhampton

Feb 23 2008 - 8:00P
Oxford Academy
Oxford

Feb 24 2008 - 8:00P
Audio (18 + with ID only)
Brighton

Feb 27 2008 - 8:00P
Academy 2
Manchester

Feb 28 2008 - 8:00P
Classic Grand
Glasgow

Mar 6 2008 - 8:00P
The Social w/ THE WALKMEN
Orlando

Mar 7 2008 - 8:00P
Langerado Festival-Big Cypress Indian Reservation
Clewiston, Florida

Mar 8 2008 - 8:00P
Cafe Eleven w/ THE WALKMEN
St. Augustine, Florida

Mar 9 2008 - 8:00P
The Earl w/ THE WALKMEN
Atlanta

Mar 10 2008 - 8:00P
The Bottletree w/ THE WALKMEN
Birmingham

Mar 19 2008 - 8:00P
The Casbah
San Diego, California

Mar 20 2008 - 8:00P
El Rey (SOLD OUT)
Los Angeles, California

Mar 22 2008 - 8:00P
The Independent
San Francisco, California

Mar 23 2008 - 8:00P
Rickshaw Shop
San Francisco, California

Mar 25 2008 - 8:00P
Doug Fir Lounge
Portland, Oregon

Mar 26 2008 - 8:00P
Neumos
Seattle, Washington

Mar 27 2008 - 8:00P
Richards on Richards
Vancouver, British Columbia

Mar 29 2008 - 8:00P
The Badlander
Missoula, Montana

Mar 30 2008 - 8:00P
Neurolux
Boise, Idaho

Apr 1 2008 - 8:00P
Bluebird Theater
Denver, Colorado

Apr 25 2008 - 1:00P
Coachella
Indio, California

Chris Walla shit

Sing Again is the name of the track. Is it just me or does it start off sounding like a Clash song? What do you guys think about it?

And you can dance...for inspiration!

"This feels so unnatural, Peter Gabriel."



Another album that was released yesterday: Vampire Weekend's self titled debut album (XL Recordings)

I absolutely LOVE the use of snare and tom drums. I don't know what it is. Reminds of Brazilian music I guess. DANCE...that's the message that my brain keeps sending to my little toes. And so I do. Won't you join me?

My fave track at the moment? Oh well, that would be Mansard Roof.



Another awesome track that has been getting a lot of radio play in L.A.: APunk



Vampire Weekend. Makes me wanna dance. And since I'd rather dance than write sometimes, I leave you with this. Be sure to check out the tracks. At least this will be one of the few bands to look forward to at Coachella.

Marilyn Bergman - "Oh hellllll no!"

Ok, she didn't really say that, BUT here is what she did say:

An Urgent Message From Marilyn Bergman

To All ASCAP Members,

Over the years, ASCAP has worked tirelessly to convince Congress and the courts that all songwriters, composers and music publishers are entitled to fair compensation for their copyrighted musical works. As you know, ASCAP represents the performing right, a large and growing part of your compensation. But mechanical and synchronization rights are also a critical element of your livelihood.

Today, the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) begins a hearing that will determine mechanical rates for every songwriter and music publisher in America. It will be critical because, in addition to setting rates for physical products, rates will be set for the first time ever for digital products such as digital downloads, subscription services and ringtones.

Our friends at The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) will be representing the mechanical right interests of songwriters and music publishers in this hearing. They will be fighting vigorously to protect those mechanical right interests to ensure that musical compositions are compensated fairly. On the other side of this fight stands the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Digital Media Association (DiMA). Both the RIAA and DiMA have proposed significant reductions in mechanical royalty rates that would be disastrous for songwriters and music publishers.

David Israelite, NMPA President and CEO tells us, "The current rate for physical phonorecords is 9.1 cents. The RIAA has proposed slashing the rate to approximately 6 cents a song - a cut of more than one-third the current rate! For permanent digital downloads, NMPA is proposing a rate of 15 cents per track because the costs involved are much less than for physical products. The RIAA has proposed the outrageous rate of approximately 5 - 5.5 cents per track, and DiMA is proposing even less. For interactive streaming services, which some analysts believe will be the future of the music industry, NMPA is proposing a rate of the greater of 12.5% of revenue, 27.5% of content costs, or a micro-penny calculation based on usage. The RIAA actually proposed that songwriters and music publishers should get the equivalent of .58% of revenue. And DiMA is taking the position that songwriters' and music publishers' mechanical rights should be zero, because DiMA does not believe we have any such rights!"

Irwin Robinson, ASCAP Board member and Chairman of the NMPA added, "Our opponents in this hearing are proposing a rate structure which would have devastating consequences for songwriters, composers and music publishers trying to make a living, now or in the future." The initial hearing will last four weeks, followed by a rebuttal hearing in May, and a final decision expected on October 2. Among the ASCAP writer members testifying at the hearing are Rick Carnes, Phil Galdston, and Board member Stephen Paulus.

And while all this is going on, ASCAP has been leading the fight for fair performance right compensation in Federal Court against DiMA members AOL, Yahoo! and RealNetworks. Our case has been heard and we expect an outcome this summer.

Clearly these are perilous times for those of us that create the music that generates profit for those that use our music. But remember this, there would be no profit without our musical compositions that they are fighting to use so freely!



Any thoughts?

English Sunday roast dinners, Tim's house and Americana bands - These are a few of Kate Walsh's favorite things

Kate Walsh's album, Tim's House, was released yesterday on her own label. Check it out on iTunes, download your favorites or the whole album, lather, rinse, repeat and enjoy.

I conducted a phone interview with Kate back in August. It was a shitty connection and the time difference meant that I had to be up at 6am to do the interview. Ew for me. Hope you dig.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

KillTheMicrophone: You come from a small town. With most small towns, if you don't fit into the mold or live the lifestyle that everyone else leads, you don't necessarily fit in. Where do you feel comfortable? Where do you feel that you belong?

Kate: Right where I am now, actually. I moved to Brighton. I still love my family home, it's wonderful and it will always be there, but to be able to become the person that I am know and live my life how I want to live, Brighton is just the place to be. There's just so much music here. There (are) so many creative people here and everybody is so liberal. People are accepting of everybody else. It's right by the sea. You can't beat that, really.

KillTheMicrophone: Blueberry Pie is your own record label. Do you have any other upcoming projects for the label or does it solely exist for your own projects right now?

Kate: No. I can barely manage my own career, let alone somebody else's (laughing). What I want to get out of this music career is to just keep writing and recording, really. So it never stops. Just because 'Tim's House' is getting this success now, (it doesn't mean that I'm not) always thinking about the next album. That's what I do.

KillTheMicrophone: That takes me to my next question – When it comes to writing your lyrics and the actual music, how do you go about that? How often do you write? Is there a particular approach that you take?

Kate: (I write) only when I feel like it. I'm not an artist that set aside time and, you know, have writing days. I really have to be in the mood. I wish it worked the other way, because then I would probably get a lot more done. I just kind of have to wait to be inspired, really.

KillTheMicrophone: Do you write knowing, 'This is going to be a song' or do you just write as an outlet for your emotions?

Kate: I write as therapy. I just happen to be quite good at it so I can use it to my advantage, you know? I'm lucky, I guess.

KillTheMicrophone: Definitely. What kind of music are you currently listening to?

Kate: At the moment, I am listening to a lot of Americana bands…Shins, Modest Mouse, Band of Horses. I really like that.

KillTheMicrophone: What is your absolute favorite meal?

Kate: My favorite meal…English Sunday roast dinner…with all the trimmings.

KillTheMicrophone: I haven't had that. What is it exactly?

Kate: Oh my god! When you come, you'll have to go for Sunday lunch at pub. It's basically any roast meat, like a chicken, or lamb, or pork, and you know, basically like a Christmas dinner…like a Thanksgiving dinner, probably. You know, you'll have your roast potatoes, parsnips, and loads of vegetables, and gravy and, oh, it's just wonderful. Followed by apple crumble.

KillTheMicrophone: Uh! Beautiful! How do you like to spend your free time…if you have any?

Kate: I'm not getting a lot at the moment, actually. But I just like to see my friends. I like cooking…I like…not an awful lot. I basically just like to sit down and do nothing. I like the nothingness of it all.

KillTheMicrophone: Of all of the venues that you've played, which is your favorite so far?

Kate: I played in a big chapel in London that was hundreds and hundreds of years old. It was amazing. There were about 400 people there. Everybody was just completely silent. You could hear a pin drop. I had strings with a slide guitar and me. I was just really, really special.

KillTheMicrophone: Do you have a favorite guitar?

Kate: I just bought a new one, actually. There's a guy…who makes these beautiful, handmade guitars in Canterbury (Atkin Guitars)…I just got a new Dreadnought, which is made with the same specifications as Joni Mitchell's guitar. Beautiful.

KillTheMicrophone: What's next for you? What intentions do you have for you, your music and your career?

Kate: As I said before, everything that happens from here on is a bonus. I don't know. Let's just see what happens. I just want to play everywhere and take my music and show everyone and see what happens.

The interview will also be featured in the spring issue of MF Magazine, along with others that I conducted late last year. Be sure to check it out so that I can keep the first magazine that ever published my shit alive. Thanks!

Bad acid trip...I should have taken mushrooms instead

First off, let me start by thanking all of you that came out last night. We love that you love us so much! Driving in the rain is no fun and Sundays in Downtown L.A. aren't necessarily everyone's cup of tea, but we appreciate you coming out last night. You da best!

Ok. Hmm. Yea. So... last night...

DJ DUSTIN was amazing. From New Edition to Bootsy Collins and everything in between and all around, Dustin was rocking that shit HARD. Plus, the man still uses vinyl. Needless to say, I needed new panties after he was done with his two hour set. Two hours. Yes, the man stepped up to the plate and brought down the house. Contrary to what we were told, the house engineer didn't have everything that was needed to accommodate to Ana (DIM MAK) and Melissa's (Girl School) Serato gear. Seriously though, Dustin had all the jams that made me want to give lap dances to certain people. Too bad certain people didn't get there until later. Oh well. We love you, Dustin.

We will keep you posted on Dustin's future events. He is currently on a plane headed east to my true love, NYC. Safe and happy travels, D. Hurry home.

With no Ana or Melissa in the mix, next on the ones and twos was Dirty Dave. His set was good. Mellow; appropriate for the mood and the amount of people that were at the bar. He even managed to play a track, go outside, have a cigarette and come back in time to mix a new track in. Laughable, right. Right. At this point, Joey from Shadowscene showed up with his paparazzi style flash and digital camera. Though I love Ellei, I didn't love Joey's ten flash at a time photo skills. Two is good, bro. I enjoy being able to see, thank you very much.

Sleazy V was next. Nothing memorable as far as his set goes, but boy did shit go down during his set. (hahahahahaha - sorry, I am STILL laughing about it). So after requesting more drink tickets and getting pretty saucy, Greg from The Acid Girls came up to me and said the infamous, "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Ha. Sure, bro. What's up?"
"Yea, so how much have we made so far? I am guessing it's about $60."
"Yes, you're probably right. Everyone you said you were going to bring you had added to your guest list."
"I think we're going to go. I'm not feeling it. No one is really dancing..."
"Yea, cool, awesome, let me grab Mary."
(I walk over to Mary with my hand held out and simply say, 'Come with me')
"Go ahead, Greg, tell her what you told me."

Well, you can imagine how the rest went down. Disaster. No blows were thrown or anything, but you can imagine how relieved we were after it was all over. Jesus. Thank goodness.

We're going to stick to what we know. Real music by real musicians. Live. And kickin'.

Lesson learned: I dance at these events, I don't organize them

No, your boxed wine and that all access pass does not entitle you to be an asshole

Man-eh-gah and I went to Indie 103.1's first Off Center event at the Orange County Performing Arts Center last night. Seawolf and Peter, Bjorn and John played the tunes. The venue was decked out to the nines, looking like every party Filter Magazine has ever hosted. The rain was nice. My coat and scarf were nicer.



We watched the Seawolf set from the "lounge" upstairs. I fell in love with the bass player wearing the orange beenie, playing that weird little ssshk-sshk instrument. Mary and I talked about starting a cover band (again) using only a xylophone and the sshk-sshk thingy. We went backstage to see if we could find the boys (and girls) from the band to sign some stuff for us. Yea, we're gay like that. We stumbled upon PB&J's dressing room and a few rude folks (dude, being backstage doesn't make you cool...I'm back here for pete's sake) so we were over it. We went out by the stage to catch the PB&J set.



The backdrop: It was a black backdrop with the words 'Peter Bjorn and John Backdrop' printed in large, white letters. Hilarious
The crowd: Difffferent
The set: Fun...I was pleasantly surprised. Especially when the guys fit in a little bit of Joy Division's 'Transmission' into the last song of the encore. Awesome. Definitely danced my ass off.
Their tour manager: Where do I begin?

So we are backstage, getting ready to go up the elevator to see the boys of PB&J. This "gentleman" walks up to the elevator with two girls and some other guy. He presses the button. Oh, how nice of him, right? No. Wrong. He then proceeds to use his pinky and index finger to point at us and says to the security folks, "I don't know who these two are but they don't need to be here."



Uh, dude...you see that little laminate around your neck? Yea, we have the same one. Who are you? Oh, you're the tour manager? Oh, you load equipment and book hotel rooms? Oh, you don't get attention from girls because you're not in the band. Yea. OK. Out of my way.

We later ran into him again. He was holding a glass of red wine, which we are almost positive came from a box, and had his mini entourage behind him. We laughed at him and let him know how lame he was. We headed into the room to chat with the guys for a bit. Thought they were super tired and sweaty, they were also super sweet. Didn't sound like they liked their douche of a tour manager either. What a relief. By the way guys, you can do something about that.

Little scoop straight for the source: Peter is having a solo show next week at Hotel Cafe, for all of you hardcore fans.

Too Cool 4 School is finally coming!!

Fuck yea!

Shadowscene will be taking pics... Fantastic DJs will make you wanna dance.

NAMM update...late but here...finally!

photos: Chris Jensen

So, the talk of the show was the Danelectro booth. Awesome vintage refrigerators with vintage looking guitars. Billy Corgan, Carlos Santana, Vahe from NU-TRA and others stopped by the booth to pay homage to the brand and check out the new guitars. EVERYONE was stoked on the Baritone reissue and the '63 short scale and long scale basses. Thanks to Chris for the pictures!


photos: Chris Jensen

NAMM

We interrupt your regularly scheduled program...

No seriously, Kill The Microphone is set to be at NAMM. We will report on the goods at some point (maybe while at the trade show) but until then, please don't hate for not having a new posting to enjoy.



What's NAMM? You're not a big enough music geek...clearly. If I had to describe it, I would say that it's like Disneyland for any musician or music industry geek. Or Sesame Street in the case of the picture above? I don't know...I just thought it was funny. Visit the site for more information...if you have a pass/badge for the show, be sure to stop by the Danelectro Booth...they are reissuing a couple of '63 guitars and basses....mmmm!

LA Riots remix Scanners' Low Life

LA Riots remixes Scanners' Low Life (click it to lick it)

By far one of the sickest jams on the dance floor. Always gets me going! I have been searching for this track for so long and I finally found it! I had to share it with you!

Don't forget to visit DIM MAK on the RCRD LBL site...more on this later. Also, for a few more awesome remixes that get all the "indie" kids shakin' it, check out LA Riots on myspace.

xoxoh!

Am I the only one who finds Mike Patton incredibly sexy?

Warning: If you're not a huge Faith No More or Mike Patton, you're not going to enjoy this.

" This footage was shot for the MTV Week In Rock; they shot 4 hours of footage and only about 10 minutes were ever aired on MTV."

Today's Sonic Treat

Mmmmmm...Armani XXXchange from Spank Rock did a remix of Bjork's Earth Intruders.



Enjoy that shit!

xoxoh!

Today's Sonic Treat

Sweet, Jesus. First off, shout out to my son, Taylor, for having great taste in music (like his mommy). Love you, baby boo!

As always, I have a deadline and, in true Ms. Killer fashion, I am procrastinating. Taylor sent me a wonderful gift in the form of a file and it made my day: Beach House's Apple Orchard.

Beach House is a hot little duo from Maryland and their track, Apple Orchard is stunning. Hypnotic slide guitars and organs, soothing harmonies and chilling falsettos....what more do you want? Take a listen and catch them at a city near you.



Letter from the band:

Hello Lovely Impersonal Internet Community(LIIC).....

We have finished our second record, "Devotion." We are releasing it on
Carpark (US), Bella Union (Europe) and Mistletone (Australia) Records,
somewhere around the 26th of February. We are working on some videos
which include fishbowls and sand boxes and lit plastic!

After the record comes out, we are going to tour. After that, maybe
we'll tour some more, then, eventually, tour. The first is with
Papercuts in March, and guess what, we are finally coming to Salt Lake
City, so dust off your prom dresses. Dates in shows page....

Love Beach House

02/28 Baltimore, MD Gspot
02/29 Chapel Hill, NC Local 506
03/01 Atlanta, GA The Earl
03/02 Birmingham, AL BottleTree Cafe
03/03 Memphis, TN The Hi Tone Cafe
03/04 Hattiesburg, MS The Thirsty Hippo
03/05 Baton Rouge, LA Spanish Moon
03/06 Houston, TX Walter's on Washington
03/07 Austin, TX Emo's
03/08 Denton, TX Hailey's
03/10 Tucson, AZ Solar Culture
03/11 Phoenix, AZ Modified
03/12 San Diego, CA The Casbah
03/13 Los Angeles, CA The Echo
03/14 San Luis Obispo, CA Steynberg Gallery
03/15 San Francisco, CA Bottom of the Hill
03/17 Portland, OR Holocene
03/18 Seattle, WA Chop Suey
03/19 Vancouver, BC Media Club
03/21 Salt Lake City, UT Kilby Court
03/22 Denver, CO Hi-Dive
03/24 Omaha, NE The Slowdown
03/25 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
03/26 Chicago, IL Schubas
03/27 Cleveland, OH The Grog Shop
03/28 Toronto, ON El Mocambo
03/29 Montreal, PQ Casa del Popolo
03/31 Cambridge, MA The Middle East
04/01 Middleton, CT. Wesleyan University
04/02 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom
04/03 Philadelphia, PA The Barbery
04/04 Washington, DC Rock and Roll Hotel

Let's Independent, shall we?

It's that time of the month again. No, not THAT one. It's time for the dappest of the dapper, Mister Joe Fielder, to host his monthly event, Let's Independent, at Boardner's in Hollywood.

Tonight's show features the following local bands:
Death To Anders
The Monolators
Wait Think Fast

Tonight is also the CD release party for Death To Anders -- whose new album is produced by Dave (The Little Ones, The Blood Arm, The Henry Clay People) Newton.

There is no cover tonight but you do have to be 21+. It starts at 9:00, and Boardner's is located at 1652 N Cherokee Avenue near Hollywood Blvd in Hollywood.

Enjoy the free downloads if you can't make the show. Visit Let's Independent to collect your goodies.

xoxoh!

Black Lips release an iTunes Exclusive EP

The Black Lips released an EP on iTunes today, featuring 5 live tracks. The boys continue to make the rounds across the states...coming soon, to a city near you.

01-19 Roswell, Georgia - Whirlyball Atlanta %
02-01 Denver, CO - Bluebird
02-04 Seattle, WA - Neumos *
02-05 Portland, OR - Dante's *
02-06 Eugene, OR - WOW Hall *
02-08 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
02-09 Pomona, CA - Glasshouse *
02-10 Costa Mesa, CA - Detroit Bar *
02-13 San Diego, CA - Casbah *
02-14 Los Angeles, CA - El Rey *
02-22 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jacks
02-23 Austin, TX - Emo's Outside
02-24 Dallas, TX - The Loft #
02-25 Lawrence, KS - Bottleneck #
02-26 Omaha, NE - Waiting Room #
02-28 Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry #
02-29 Madison, WI - Memorial Union (University of Wisconsin) #
03-01 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium #
03-02 Milwaukee, WI - Turner Hall #
03-04 Columbus, OH - The Basement #
03-05 Oberlin, OH - Club Dionysus #
03-06 Detroit, MI - Magic Stick #
03-07 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's #
03-08 Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place #
03-10 New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom #
03-11 Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg #
03-13 Cambridge, MA - Middle East #
03-14 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's #
03-15 Washington, DC - Black Cat #
03-16 Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 #
03-20 Nashville, TN - Mercy Lounge #
03-21 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone #
03-22 Atlanta, GA - The Earl #
05-01 Cardiff, Wales - The Point
05-02 Swansea, Wales - Club NME @ Club Sin
05-03 Dublin, Ireland - Crawdaddy
05-04 Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowlands 2
05-06 Sheffield, England - The Plug
05-07 Leeds, England - Brudenell Social Club
05-08 Birmingham, England - Club NME @ The Place I Love
05-09 Rye, England - Camber Sands Holiday Centre (ATP vs. Pitchfork) $
05-11 Cambridge, England - The Junction
05-12 Oxford, England - Academy
05-13 Bristol, England - Thekla
05-14 London, England - 100 Club

What the fuck!?

Um, so it sounds like my east coast babies are going to get a little taste of what we call Coachella. I think you all should just come to California for the real deal. That's just me, though.

"In addition having the festival outside of Palm Springs, like they do every year, this year they're mounting an east coast version of Coachella in New York or possibly New Jersey. It should be in August."

Thoughts?

UPDATE - PLEASE VISIT IDOLATOR BECAUSE I AM LATE FOR MY LUNCH DATE.

Kate Nash , Powerhouse Pipes behind the Little Red Curtain

Stashed behind a Pizza parlor, Miss Kate Nash made her Pacific coast debut last night at San Francisco's gentrified hipster hole in the wall, Popscene.

by Ella Lauser


photo by BarryB's fab phone!

With so much hype in such a short time, it was fitting that this red headed Brit was to have her Californian debut at a crap venue that she already had outgrown. If peanuts and straw had been strewn on the floor, it would have felt more authentic and less "sham in a jam" turned cool nightspot.
It wasn't until I saw that Little Red riding hood had apparently martyred her famous cloth for a more honorable cause, Kate Nash's keyboard skirt, that I relieved a sigh of knowing I was certainly in the right place. In a Joan of Arc meets ABBA silver shirt frock dress, Kiss Me Kate shimmied and shimmered her way past the men's water closet onto the four foot high stage. Leaping with the help of a formidable security brute, she mounted the platform steadying her course, it was not unlike an elementary school recital entry and it was just as endearing.

Plunking out the set with relatively unknown "Mariella" we were immediately informed that this songstress was packing a punch, no deer in headlights here. She was solid and yet with an aloof timidity, Nash presented her pipes and her prose. With simple, cute, and honest songs like "Merry Happy", "Pumpkin Soup", and knock out smash "Foundations" she finds her place amongst her fellow Brit-tersweet chart topping peers, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, who have made an indelible impression on the airwaves with their over-the-top brass and crass. Decidely, Kate dresses more like a Grandma but is just as sexy in her pert and classic manner. She's lovely and I was surprised to see that live, she's fucking ferocious. Giving her all, in wails that would have made Robert Plant or Bjork proud, Nash is a whole heart, playing full out as a performer and hopeful friend. She is polite, candid, warm, and a proper English rose even when she spats out "what you being a dickhead for" during the appropriately titled "Dickhead."

She's young and her candor is reminiscent of a time not too far back for this lass, given she's only 20. Nash manages to have this wise knowing, it's like she's knitting while explaining how a particular boy is a total shit.

Playing a full and heavy set on her piano with strong rhythmic support in her drummer, Elliott, she gave us a good thump on the head. Too bad she didn't actually thump upon the two tall boys in the front row that obstructed the entire audiences' view by taking upwards of 80 individual pictures, that would have MADE the show given that we couldn't see half of it. Sidenote- maintaining grace under digital fire ain't pretty for performers nor patrons and clubs should really enforce a no photographing policy and just be done with it.

As for Kate, she's a powerhouse cleverly disguised behind a ninny's pinafore and petticoats. Be prepared to pleasantly surprised, Kate Nash isn't tinny or folky although her myspace song samples prove otherwise- she is a wolf in a granny's moo moo that pounds heartache into it's proper place- your pulse.

Nab her debut album "Made of Bricks" out now and North Americanos, catch her if you can!

Next stop:
Instore performance and signing at Amoeba Music in Hollywood followed by a sold out show at The Troubadour, January 14th.

They finally realized they're spending too much money on artist that suck. Woohoo?

Ew. Best wishes to our friends at EMI across the world. It has been reported that as of this Tuesday, EMI will lay off as many as 2,000 of its current employees. Shitty. The good news is that Guy Hands (pictured) plans on investing "tens of millions of pounds recruiting new talent scouts and managing EMI's existing acts." The bad news is that a ton of people are going to lose their jobs. Again, ew.

Big ups to the peeps at Geffen that recently had to go through the same thing. Change is a comin' and we're all hoping it's for the best. Something's gotta give, right?

Real DJs do it with 12 inches...mmmm

As some of you might already know, Adam 12 from She Wants Revenge is also a DJ. He recently DJd a Motorola/Vogue Magazine party. He just posted the following on his blog and I HAD to share it with you. The man is not only a badass DJ, but he's also funny as fuck:

Recap : Vogue Party

vogue

n 1: the popular taste at a given time;


As guests like The White Stripes, Jet and The Faint were walking in, I decided since it was early, I would play some cool rock shit including Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Blonde Redhead, etc. The girl from Vogue who was in charge came running over... "Could you turn this crap off and put on some hip hop please ?!!"

Good Times...

The party was sponored by Motorola, so there were models walking around with new phones pretending to talk on them as part of the theme of the night. They normally do that anyways..

I didn't get a free phone, but I was offered a good deal on one...

I played an East Indian set and an East Indian girl came over and said, "Do you have any Britney?"

(Tall Blonde Model) "Do you have that song.. uh... um... you know, that one they're playing on the radio all the time? "
"I don't listen to the radio"
"You know, that black guy sings it..."
"Just walk away"

There was a guy who looked and dressed like Gilligan that was on some sort of hallucinogen. He would come over and smile at me, then lay down on the dancefloor and cry.

A girl asked for Portishead. She was wearing all black.

There was a guy who always goes out to every party, drinking the same drink and asking girls the same questions, only to, once again, go home alone and contemplate where he went wrong...

Along with the models walking around serving appetizers, the chef would make an appearance, offering guests his latest (boring) creations. He asked me, "Pasrty filled with cream cheese?"
"Three words... Mushroom Phyllo Triangles...."

A girl fell on the dancefloor and people laughed at her.

Hillary Duff asked me to play Ashley Simpson. Cute. Lame, but cute.

A girl asked if she could borrow a cd cover for a few minutes. She came back and handed it to me with coke residue all over it...
"Now I know that one cocaine effect, appetite suppression, is very popular for people looking to lose weight or maintain a low weight. Fashion models have been known to use cocaine in order to stay thin. But did you know that cocaine can cause convulsions,
seizures, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage and even heart failure? Now go sit in the corner and reflect on your horrible behavior."
...just barely enough left on the cd for me to get a freeze..

There was a camera crew following around a group of good looking, super trendy "in" guys and girls. I think they were filming the pilot for the new reality series, "We Look Absolutely Amazing, There's Gotta Be A Red Carpet Party We Can Crash! Let's Go!"

I love how everyone tells you what they're working on these days and never once thinks to ask you how you're doing...

Paris was there.
Nikki was not.
Over Paris.
Into Nikki.

"I just got Serato and I was wondering if I could pay you to borrow your hard drive so I could have all the music you have?"
"Could I pay you to take the Serato back to wherever you got it and refuse to join in with everyone else who is becoming a DJ but lacking in the musical knowledge, the technical and transitional skills it takes to actually be one?"

One of the editors from Vogue came up to me and said, "You know what would be perfect right now? Chris Brown. His new song is amazing and has a real funky inspiration. You would really get this party going with that if you put it on RIGHT NOW!"
"You know what the perfect accent for your cardigan and your pencil skirt? How about a piece of estate jewelry or a piece that looks convincingly real. Brooches are making a huge comeback: no surprise so since they've been sported by fashionistas like Sarah Jessica Parker. The freshest way to wear major jewelry this season is to pair it almost off-handedly... Pearls mixed with a white shirt, vest and faded denim or wear a sparkly brooch in your hair. They have a real hip hop star / Elisabeth Taylor inspiration, dont you think?"

Random quotes from the party:

"Must finish drink...
Must finish drink...
Then will have fun...
Then will have fun..."

"Ahhhhh....
Now have fun......"

"Um.. Debbie... You are such a liar... That is NOT the Punjabi MC... "

"That's DEFINATELY NOT my hairpiece you're stepping on...."

"NO SILLY! Martinis in left hand...
now, throw up your right..."

"Damn... Desperately Seeking Susan night
was LAST night..."

Cigarettes : 6
Carbs: 0
Vodka/Sodas : 4
Britney requests: 5
Britney spins : 0
Reality shows being filmed : 3
Lame marketing ideas for Motorolla : 3
Dumb models: innumerable
People I related with : 1 (but only when he was lying on the dancefloor crying..)
Times I thought how wrong it was to look at Hillary Duff's ass : 1
Times I actually looked: 3 or 4
Employees of Vogue who sucked : 2
Tips: $20 for "Rockin my world, dude!!"
Pairs of Uggs : 2 (C'mon already)
Rooms that were way too bright with no vibe that people were forced to dance in : 1
Times I wished it was 1994 and I was spinning at a Black Moon show : all night

Isn't she lovely?

RubberSoul treated me to dinner at Nate and Steph's and then a wonderful show at the Disney Music Hall this past Tuesday: Songs of the City. Aside from being really tired and totally hung over from the night before (too much wiskey with Man-e-gah and K Bro at the Silverlake Lounge), I swished two dirty martinis down my chute at dinner and enjoyed the show.

We witnessed a short and sweet set by She and Him, better known as M. Ward and the lovely Miss Zooey Deschanel, at the show. Damn, that bitch can sing. She may not be the greatest singer, but I absolutely love her voice. Here is some footage from that night. Enjoy.

FYI...she almost made me cry when she belted out 'I Put a Spell On You.'






According to Pitchfork, in an "interview Deschanel gave January 6 with KCRW (via The Playlist), she and Ward have christened their act She and Him, and together they'll deliver a full-length titled Volume One at some point during the month of lions and lambs." That's March, I think. Oooh la la, fancy pants!

Guess who's back in the mother fuckin' house

Awwwww shyt! I almost forgot to share this with you all yesterday.



John Foggerty is baaaaa-ack! Well, you know, it's not like he ever left but it has been more than a couple of years, right?

The Dude: "Oh, uh, yeah, uh... a tape deck, some Creedence tapes, and there was a, uh... uh, my briefcase."

Well, someone can tell The Dude that I got some Creedence for him. Chunky and hearty, like mom's homemade chicken soup, this song is sure to get ya all twangy and shit.

Enjoy.

86 In The Mix and it's SUCKA FREE

Aw shit ya'll. Dr. Dre has been doing it for years. I recently visited DJ Soul's (New York DJ) blog and found that he had not only gotten his hands on a mix tape that Dre made in '86, but he has also posted the tracks for our listening pleasure. Yes, side A AND B!

I feel like all I need is some cardboard in the garage and my brother's oversized boombox blaring all the Slick Rick I can handle. Fuck, this mix is the shit!! Seriously. If you don't know, now ya know....ya know!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the fucker managed to mix more than 300 tracks into a 60 minute mix tape? Yes, tape. Sigh.

Get your photography exhibit on!

From January 18 - February 1st, The Found Gallery will be exhibiting photos taken by Steve Gullick. Who the fuck is Steve Gullick, you might ask? Well, he's a photographer from the UK that has taken some awesome pictures (both in color and black and white) of some of the greatest artists and bands from around the world. Translation: Kick ass shots done by a guy with a yummy accent.





This will be the first time that the photographer will be exhibiting his work in Silver Lake. Some shots that will be worth checking out: BJORK, ELLIOTT SMITH AND BECK.

Found Gallery
1903 Hyperion Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Current TV

Did any one see that scotch_mist Radiohead special that Current TV aired? It's still online...until January 30th, or so the site says:

"This is Current Television's exclusive airing of Radiohead's "Scotch Mist." In this hour long private taping, Radiohead performs all of the tracks from its newest album, In Rainbows. Other elements include poetry readings and diverse imagery created or selected by the band. If you want to see it on TV, it'll be airing again on Current at the following times: Friday 1/04/08 3A - 4A EST / 12A - 1A PST Saturday 01/05/08 1A - 2A EST / 10P - 11P PST Wednesday 01/09/08 4A - 5A EST / 1A - 2A PST"

WARNING: Jonny Greenwood made me cream myself during Jigsaw Falling Into Place...and then again and again...no one's panties are safe



A few years ago, I attended one of the last Death From Above 1979 shows at The El Rey. I had just met JFK (DFA/MSTRKRFT). I was enjoying my "natural" high "whilst smoking a fag" outside the venue. I looked up and I saw a guy approaching me.

Guy with pins: "Hey, you want a pin?"
Ms. Killer (per Kevin Bronson): "Uh..."
GWP: "Do you know about Current TV?"
(he shows me the pins)
Ms. K: "No, but let me get the one with the cute robot on it."
GWP: "Be sure to look us up online. I have a feeling you will like what we're about."

Fast forward to last semester in my feature writing class....a girl in my class is telling me about how I should film my interviews and sell them to Current TV. Hmmm. Turns out it wasn't such a bad idea. Hahahaha!

PS: Shout out to my man, Lazaro Casanova, who I discovered through the guys of DFA and MSTRKRFT. Thanks for always making me dance my ass off and for getting me started on that delicious whiskey. You're right. Loud music + hard booze = good time had by all.

PPS: I will be posting the entire Lazaro Casanova interview soon. You will also be able to find it in mf magazine's spring 2008 issue.

What are you looking forward to in 2008?

There are so many albums coming out in 2008...tons of cool local bands releasing some amazing shit.

Check out Joe Fielder's RadioFreeSilverLake for a cool list.

Also, be sure to check Kevin Bronson's Buzz Bands out regularly for some awesome interviews and show suggestions.

What are you looking forward to?

xo xoh!

PS: I know....that's very Gossip Girl of me, but I was doing it before that bitch was!! Whoever she is....

Too Cool For School?

I thought so. Save the date:

January 27th.

It's a Sunday. Yea, it's school/work night. But you're too cool for school, so who gives a fuck, right?

Some magical shit will be going down in Downtown Los Angeles. Details will be revealed later. Just know that if you don't normally venture downtown for some fun, Too Cool For School is fixin' to give you a reason to do so.

xo xoh!

Today's Sonic Treat

So listen, if you haven't subscribed to NPR's Song of the Day, then get on that shit! Not only do they actually feed great artists and songs to their subscribers, but they also might be the ones to introduce you to artists that you didn't already know about...no matter how cool you are. Win-win situation, right? You bet your ass!

Today's Sonic Treat is brought to you by Thao with The Get Down Stay Down . Not sure how I can stream the music to you directly from this site yet, so until then, click on the fucking link and enjoy.



Here's a little sumthin' sumthin' from NPR.org:
"With three militaristic drum blasts and a furious strum of acoustic guitar, Nguyen makes a forceful declaration. In "Beat (Health, Life and Fire)," the singer-songwriter sounds lamenting and yet almost celebratory, but that suits the boozy, out-of-tune swagger of her voice."

If you dig that track, be sure to check out these tracks. She has a show coming up on the 12th in San Francisco. The new album is being released on the 29th of this month. Holla!

xo xoh!

You want a list? I'll give you a fucking list!

The Least Essential Albums Of 2007

The Onion, smelly and delicious, gives us a list that is heart felt and fucking hilarious. Steven Hyden, Josh Modell and Keith Phipps did us a solid.

Some highlights:

Least Essential Album From A Guy Who Once Made Essential Albums
Perry Farrell's Satellite Party, Ultra Payloaded


Least Essential Cover-Art Photoshop Abuse
Steve Vai, Sound Theories Vol. I & II


Least Essential Christmas Tribute Album That Isn't Nearly As Fun As You Might Hope
Monster Ballads Xmas (Razor & Tie)


Visit The Onion to see the complete list.

Need some pretty in your life? Check out Rolling Stone's Rock List: Readers' Twenty-Five Best Album Covers of 2007

Orange County Hipsters vs Los Angeles Hipsters

While doing some research for an upcoming piece I am working on for the Los Angeles Times, Miss Man-eh-gah and I made the following observations at The Avalon in Costa Mesa...

Round One:

Orange County Hipsters don't smell like shit.

Orange County Hipsters wear better clothes. And by that, I mean new clothes...hence the lack of "shit-fume."

Orange County Hipsters are generally nicer people...even though some of them drive hybrid cars.

Orange County Hipsters dress more like New York City Hipsters...better or worse?

So, who do you think wins this battle? Bring on the mother-fucking comments.

Come se quois?

Yea. I said it. Come se quois? Think about it. Digest it. You're welcome.

So, Mr. Ryan Fuller of Fort King sent me a funny email at 4am this morning. Something I thought I would share with all of yous was this Wikipedia "fact" about John Lennon and the composing and recording of "Sun King" off of Abbey Road:

"The faux Romance mixing of languages occurs in the last three lines of the song. In 1969, Lennon was interviewed about these lyrics and said, 'We just started joking, you know, singing "quando para mucho." So we just made (it) up... Paul knew a few Spanish words from school, you know. So we just strung any Spanish words that sounded vaguely like something.'"

Again, you're welcome.