Kill The Microphone

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - AZEALIA BANKS

2012-02-02T19:20:00.000-08:00

You know what's awesome about Azealia Banks? She's effortless, you don't question this chocolate chick from Harlem rapping in a valley girl voice rocking a mickey mouse sweater w/ daisy dukes talking to a white boy about cunnilingus and hoodlums. Why should any of that make sense? I don't know, but it does. It's like your little sister suddenly started to grow out of playing with my little ponies and turned bad ass. Who rocks a chorus as mean as "I guess that cunt getting eaten." Whaaaaaaaaaaaat? Imagine screaming that at a concert. Oh, bliss just crossed your face! I see you downloading that off iTunes and putting it on blast repeat in your car in your "bitch is bad" playlist followed only by Peaches rapping "Sucking on my titties like you wanted me calling me all the time ..."! Now, that's a tour I would support with pride.

Currently rocking a sold out tour in the UK, I can't wait until she graces the LA stage so I can get a load of her live in person to further my belief of Nicki Minaj who? Banks can also sing rocking a mean Interpol Slow Hands cover.

-Crystal Holt

Sho Nuff Show Shots: Pacific Festival OC (Return of the Yarn Bird)

2011-08-18T20:59:00.000-07:00

Photos: Kristy Sparow
Pacific Festival: OC
Oak Canyon Ranch
August 13, 2010

The second annual Pacific Festival OC was something special. At one point, I thought, "This must have been what Coachella was like in the beginning." Le sigh...

Oak Canyon Ranch shimmered so beautifully in the sun (and no, it wasn't the raver glitter). The weather: perfection. The crowd: mellow as fuck. The line up: TO DIE FOR. Highlights: Justin Miller | Pretty much everything at The Lakeside Stage | Hanni El Khatib | Calvin Harris | Jacques Renault | The lonesome and peaceful Shagadelica bus | Fred Falke's sunset set | Bag Raiders dancing my heart into the night | finding a trailer to take a nap in - and now, without further ado, the wonderful photo goodness that my fellow yarn bird was able to capture.

McQ's Point of View: BloomFestLA 2010

2011-08-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

Photos: Joe McQuillen
BloomFestLA
Downtown Los Angeles
July 23, 2010

Things have been suppa busy at the KTM headquarters lately but Joe Joe Dancer was kind enough to head out to BloomFest and snap some photos of the happenings for us. Peep 'em.

The Art

Chicano Batman

Easter Conference Champions

Grouplove

Voxhaul Broadcast

Mark Your Calendar: Also I Like To Rock Series Returns To The Hammer Museum

2011-07-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year again! The nights are warm. The sun sets late. And the Hammer Museum's courtyard hosts an awesome line up put together by the folks over at KCRW. Every Thursday night in July, the museum invites awesome people of all ages to enjoy a night of music, booze and art.

The annual event kicks off tonight with Graffiti6 and Eastern Conference Champions (a FANTASTIC local LA band that you need to become familiar if you're not already down). KCRW's Dan Wilcox will provide delicious tunes between sets. The show is based on a first come, first served basis so get there early. Be sure to treat yourself to a stroll around the current exhibits at the museum. They stay open late so that you can get your music and your art culture on! See you there!!!

Important Stuff:
Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd.
Doors: 7PM
Cover: $Free.99 (all ages)
Parking: $3 in the museum's lot

Line for the rest of the month:

Thursday, July 14, 7PM

The Soft Pack + Hanni El Khatib

KCRW DJ: Chuck P

Thursday, July 21, 7PM

Grouplove + Milo Greene

KCRW DJ: Eric J. Lawrence

Thursday, July 28, 7PM

The Henry Clay People + Lady Danville

KCRW DJ: Chris Douridas

Free Stuff: Signed Copy of Motopony's Self Titled 12"

2011-06-23T22:52:00.000-07:00

Free stuff? Yeah. I know. Sign YOU up. Send me (killthemicrophone@gmail.com) your name and mailing address (US ONLY) for a chance to win a copy of Motopony's self titled album. I will pick a winner at random next week and have the goods sent to you.

You can catch the band live not once, but TWICE on Saturday. Come closer and I'll tell you...

Grab Bag: Things To Do This Weekend

2011-06-23T20:59:00.001-07:00

KCRW has been serving up an awesome menu filled with delicious goodies for your ears through their Summer Nights concert series, hosted at One Colorado Courtyard in Pasadena. This week, the series brings you Seattle, WA's Motopony. The fun starts at 7:30PM but get there early for decent parking options and a nice walk around the neighborhood.

What's that? You don't want to drive ALL the way to Pasadena? Listen, asshole...don't fret. Catch their in-store set at Origami Vinyl earlier that same day at 1PM. Be sure to check out our giveaway post for a chance to win a signed copy of the band's 12".

Photo: QuarryGirl

LA Vegan Beer Fest returns on Saturday. Get your tickets yesterday. People are finally starting to catch on.

I'm not going to lie. I totally am that girl that has a soft spot for Maná. Lucky for me and my kind, the Mexican boys known for their "ojos tapatios: are in town this weekend. Catch them at The Staples Center on Sunday.

Super Cheese-y (but sincere, no less) Message: No matter what you do, be good to one another and have fun.

Late Notice BUT Mark Your Calendar: Buzzbands Presents Second Tuesdays

2011-06-13T17:31:00.000-07:00

The Buzz Bands gang puts together a decent line up of singers/song writers every month at Lot 1 Cafe (a venue that is becoming one of my favorite local hang out spots because the St. Bernardus is always nice and cold, the desert menu usually consists of delectable little cupcake-sized treats and music between bands isn't so loud that you can't enjoy a conversation with a friend or one of the Usual Suspects). This month, Sir Bronson and Co. host Luz Elena (of Y La Bamba), Chris Accardo and Mark Lane at SecondTuesday (yeah, I know, tomorrow night, but I've been busy getting busy so just chill out and come for a beer before you hit the hay).

Doors: 9pm
Cover: $5 at the door

Visit Buzz Bands to treat your ears to a sampler of streamed music from this month's bill. Hope to see you there.

Sonic Treat of the Day: Burial + Four Tet + Thom Yorke

2011-04-12T17:54:00.000-07:00

What do you get when you have Burial, Four Tet and Thom Yorke collaborate on a couple of tracks? I'll tell you: something so good you're willing to lick the plate in public. I have been ADDICTED to this "Ego" track from the moment I got my grubby little hands on it. I am so ready for some remixes to be released. Bring it, homies.

SIDE NOTE: Dear Coachella: Why could we have this trio tear up a stage or tent? Just wondering...

Ego by killthemic

Review: Junk Culture and Girl Talk Take Over Los Angeles' Palladium

2011-03-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Photo/Review: Dean Wick
Junk Culture and Girl Talk
March 26, 2011
The Hollywood Palladium

On the last night of a two month tour, Junk Culture touched down at The Hollywood Palladium to open a night of revelry as abrupt as a neighborhood block party. Mixing so many samples, Costco couldn't compete, he sated even the most deficit-disorder afflicted amongst the crowd. Junk Culture (aka Deepak Mantena) brought his brother along to play live drums for the tour, adding an additional layer of intricacy to the sonic patchwork stitched together with a mixer, deck and mic. A nod to the sound of LA cult film The Room was injected into the set, perhaps because they had just landed in the front yard.

Max Tundra took the middle slot in the electronic mini-fest using vocals as well as pulling out a few 'instruments' that gave pause to the definition normally attributed to Dj's. As with all parties, the later it gets: the more people show up.

By the time Girl Talk came out with toilet-paper guns a blazin', the crowd was immediately in the air. Confetti guns, beach balls, dozens of people dancing onstage, and a massive balloon drop naturally were all part of this celebration. The mix throughout sounded eerily flawless, and just what everyone came for. This was the dance party to be at in Hollywood.

Guess Who's Back in the Muthafuckin' House

2011-03-25T09:24:00.000-07:00

Photo: MEA (Wurstküche)

I have been missing in whatever action you considered to be action for quite some time. Well, I'm back. I've moved back to Los Angeles (shout out to Glendale) and I'm ready to resume my role as one of the usual suspects. See you soon? Yeah. Probably.

Sunset Strip Music Festival 2010

2010-09-01T17:37:00.000-07:00

Photos and words: Dean Wick

Sunset Strip Music Festival 2010

Marking only the second time The Strip has shut down for a live music festival, the SSMF had an East and West stage set up on the boulevard itself--while people darted in and out of the Key Club, Roxy, Cat Club and the Whisky a Go Go to see over 50 bands performing during 3 days. The Rainbow Room played host as the Bermuda Triangle, with an extended drinking area where many ended up in the middle of without really knowing how they got there, and not in any particular rush to find their way back out. Smashing Pumpkins, Slash (special guests Myles Kennedy & Fergie), Common, Nico Vega, P.O.D., Unwritten Law, Kid Cudi, Big B, Steel Panther, Semi Precious Weapons and Travie McCoy were the big-draw names at the festival.

With 6 stages continuously running, there was certainly no shortage of musical variety. Vanaprasta played the Key Club and delivered in a package you had to sign for at the door: the magic to make you feel like the holes on the sides of your head were the best idea ever. Tomorrows Bad Seeds, fresh off The Warped Tour, closed out the Roxy, telling people to 'Slow Down' while giving them no choice but to dance frantically. We SHOULD know them better than that. If you have worn out the grooves on your Sublime and favorite Reggae-punk Cd's, give them a listen. Meanwhile, the dark corners of the Cat Club had couples getting a little bit closer when LINKS sang sultry southern rock stylings to them.

Sometimes, closing down the boulevard is the right thing to do.

Dean had a moment to chat with Unwritten Law's Scott Russo...check it out.

Q: As far as going from a smaller band situation, and then blowing up with an album like Elva: what is the main difference you see when all of a sudden everything opens up like that and it starts moving in fast forward?

SR: That happened kind of a bit ago, but I do remember at that time when 'Seein’ Red' actually hit and was seen on TRL or whatever; I remember the audience tripling immediately. What I did notice, the fan base went from generally 16-24 year-olds to 12 and 34 year-olds. The demographic got really wide, really quickly.

Q: How many different festivals have you been on at this point?

SR: I've played basically every festival in the whole world. Played Redding in England, Lowlands in Holland, Big Day out in Australia, Warped in America, Weenie Roast-I've done a lot of shows; once again, we've done this for a long time, almost 20 years now...pretty much had a very blessed career.

Q: What was it like playing in Yellowstone? Sounds like an amazing idea.

SR: It was very cool, actually. The funny story behind that, Jimmy Eat World has a manager named something-Silva, and our manager was Bill Silva-they called the wrong band, my manager is so slick that he ended up talking them into inviting our band to do the show. We did the show, ended up becoming such good friends with the producer of the show and we talked him into parlaying that into a record. Then Atlantic picked that up and we put out the record. It's really kind of scary for me, I'm a beach kid, and I like either the city or the beach, I don't do very well with, like nature and bears and shit-or being part of the food chain, or whatever. That's pretty much where I was at, I said "Yo, man, I don't want to get dirty-I don't want to (expletive deleted) meet any bears, or whatever". Every single song was shot in a different place, which was pretty cool-and obviously we were well protected from bears. It was really actually a really religious experience; we met the Crow Indians, which was pretty cool. We did some next level things with next level people, we became part of nature and filmed the thing-it was a very good time for our band, you know what I'm saying. It was cool, and we were stoked to do it. It was dope, yo.

Dean also snuck a little interview with Tomorrows Bad Seeds...

Q: When was the band actually formed, because I noticed one thing: a lot of the bands here are really new-formed in the last three or four years?

TBS: We've been together six, almost seven years; touring heavily and really trying to do 'the thing' the last three years.

Q: You just did a tour of Nevada and parts of California....

TBS: We just did a whole national, along with the Warped Tour
(discussion ensues about Warped Tour and the 'two cute girls' in Eyes Set To Kill, among other important issues)

Q: How many albums deep are you?

TBS: Two Albums. The last one was just released May 25th

Q: What do you notice in the progression of your sound from the first album to the second; are you sticking with the same thing, or are you trying new things as you get more comfortable in the studio?

TBS: We've never been the kind of band that sticks to one sound. If we write a song, however it comes out-we try a lot of different ways-whatever sounds the best and meshes the best with it is what we usually go with. We don't really stick to a particular sound. Whatever we play, we try to make it happy-you know...whether it's a ballad, if you listen to our second album, you'll see what I mean.

Q: Was Warped your first festival circuit?

TBS: Yeah, as far as a circuit festival, we've done a lot of festivals, but never a circuit.

Q: Is it a more comfortable than touring alone; more of a support situation from city to city?

TBS: It's hard to say. To do the Warped Tour, it's kind of crazy-you have to check in at 7 in the morning. You find your set time every day. If you don't have a bus, you're gonna have it pretty heavy-if you are in a van. We got to have a bus on this one, so that was a lot of help. It's seems really fair, I like it. In a lot of ways it was easier, but in a lot of ways it was nuts; a lot more discipline and hustle. There's about a 100 bands there.

Album Review: Autolux's 'Transit Transit'

2010-08-25T19:14:00.000-07:00

On their sophomore release in a decade Autolux proves that they are
worth the wait.

By Julio Iniguez

From their early shows with Blonde Redhead at the El Rey back in 2001, Autolux proved that they had the magic that a local band needs to stay alive in the LA music scene. Playing for small crowds and drawing celebrity fans like Giovani Ribisi at opening sets created a definite buzz that breathed life into their under the radar career. With their original independent release "Demonstration", which came carefully hand crafted in spray painted jewel cases, a tracklist carefully taped to the inside cover and a label maker sticker placed on the spine with the bands name. I had to buy two of these because I knew they were in it for the long run, and because they just looked cool.

With residencies at local venues like Spaceland, they won over crowds with their hearty sonic discharge coming from three very talented individuals. It doesn't hurt that their guitar player plucked the bass for legendary underground grungers Failure (if you know Failure then you might have an idea of the melodic outputs of Greg Edwards, Eugene Goreshter and Carla Azar).

In 2005, they released "Future Perfect" on DMZ. Their attempt to capture their live sound was fruitful. Produced by T Bone Burnett, the debut album found the band re-recording some of their songs from "Demonstration," including additional tracks to flesh out a long player that showcased their melodic stylings.

It's been ten years since the band formed and 5 since "Future Perfect." With the release of "Transit Transit" they are sure to garner attention and accumulate handfuls of fans, mostly from the quality of the music on the album. Being a band whose live show makes you want to buy their cd, they have created an album that makes you want to see them live. Their dreamy shoegazee pop is wonderfully balanced: lazy dreampop with the perfect amount of melody to keep you on board and prevent you from zoning too far out. From the title track, an awesome ethereal blend of perfectly recorded and layered piano and a bass-heavy drumloop that puts you in the relaxed state necessary to digest this 43 minute work. What follows is a collection of carefully assembled songs ranging from the simple pop song using only guitars, drums and bass to fleshed out fully arranged
indie rock gems, complete with strings and drum machines. Very dynamic. The songs change in style and tempo enough to keep the music fresh but are all crafted within the unmistakable Autolux framework of melodies that seem a little off but still manage to pull you in. A perfect sophomore release with a new set of tunes to look forward to when they play at your local venue.

Tour Dates:

SEP 1 BLACK CAT ------------------> WASHINGTON, DC
SEP 3 CAT'S CRADLE ----------------> CARRBORO, NC
SEP 4 MASQUERADE ------------------> ATLANTA
SEP 5 ONE EYED JACKS --------------> NEW ORLEANS
SEP 7 WHL STUDIO ------------------> HOUSTON
SEP 9 EMO'S -----------------------> AUSTIN
SEP 10 THE LOFT --------------------> DALLAS
SEP 11 THE BOTTLENECK --------------> LAWRENCE, KS
SEP 12 THE BLUEBIRD THEATRE --------> DENVER
SEP 13 URBAN LOUNGE ----------------> SALT LAKE CITY
SEP 15 THE CLUBHOUSE ---------------> TEMPE, AZ
SEP 16 BELLY UP---------------------> SOLANA BEACH
SEP 17 GLASSHOUSE-------------------> POMONA
SEP 18 EL REY THEATRE --------------> LOS ANGELES

Sonic Treat of the Day: The Antlers' "Atrophy" Gets Remixed

2010-08-24T08:53:00.000-07:00

Photo: Ben Ritter

The fine folks over at Hob Nob Wines and The Juice Blog are offering up an exclusive remix by Sybarite of The Antlers' “Atrophy” from their latest album, 'Hospice.' Visit the site and show them some love for offering up a beautiful track. Haunting lil number.

DOWNLOAD

You can also catch The Antlers at this weekend's Saturdays Off the 405 at The Getty Museum. Show starts at 6pm. Get there early and enjoy yourself some art.

Ticket Giveaway: Sunset Strip Music Festival 2010

2010-08-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hey, what are you doing this Saturday? Want to see The Smashing Pumpkins, Kid Cudi and my personal favorite, COMMON?! On Sunset Blvd?! I got your back. Win a pair of tickets to attend the Sunset Strip Music Festival by emailing us your name. That's it. You must be 21+ to enter but aside from that it's free game.

Email: killthemicrophone@gmail.com

Winner will be selected tomorrow and will be notified via email. Good luck!!

Sonic Treat of the Day: Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang's "Lonely Lonely Night"

2010-08-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Image: Ryan Kelley

Juston Stens and the Get Real Gang
"LONELY LONELY NIGHT"
(Um, PS: you can visit the label's site and get the entire EP for free)

Do you like twangy goodness done right? Yeah, I know, me too! Juston Stens (ex Dr. Dog drummer) and the Get Real Gang deliver a charming collection of tracks on their self titled debut EP. Definitely worth checking out. Go on. Download it and see for yourself. The EP comes out on August 24th via Park The Van Records. Oh, Park the Van records? Yeah. Nuff said. Get it. And check out the rest of the label's catalog. Be good to your ears.

The gang is doing the east coast thing. Check them out if you happen to be in town:
August 4th
Penn Treaty Park in Philadelphia, PA (free show - Philebrity.com Rock n Roll BBQ)
August 24th
Northstar Bar in Philadelphia, PA w/TV Torso
August 25th
Death By Audio in Brooklyn, NY w/TV Torso, Slow Animal
August 26th
Mojo 13 in Wilmington, DE w/The Spinto Band, TV Torso
August 27th
Mercury Lounge in New York, NY w/TV Torso, Arms
August 28th
Lizard Lounge in Boston, MA
October 13th
Pianos in New York, NY
October 22nd
Littlefield in Brooklyn, NY (Park The Van CMJ Showcase)
w/Generationals, Brass Bed, From A Fountain, Giant Cloud & more
October 27th
Pianos in New York, NY

Sonic Treat of the Day: Friendo's "Callers"

2010-07-23T10:58:00.001-07:00

Remember those summer nights from yesteryear that went by like molasses and made you believe that THIS summer was your endless one and that nothing could possibly make it better? Remember the tracks that reminded you how good it was to be alive and how simple life could really be if we just let everything go? Here's another for the books. Friendo's "Callers" (off their Debut Ep 'Cold Toads' - out now) smells like beach bonfires and sunblock. Go on. Have a sniff.

CLICK HERE TO ENJOY YOUR EXCLUSIVE FREE DOWNLOAD

Keep An Eye On This Guy: Ty Segall

2010-07-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

Ty Segall
July 15, 2010
Milk
San Francisco, CA
Photos and words by: Lorna Pacheco

Only three things can lure me up to the wasteland that is known as the Upper Haight: Amoeba Records, the new Puerto Rican eatery, Parada 22, and a good lineup of bands at Milk Bar. San Francisco’s Ty Segall. performed his one man solo act. Beloved by the fortunate ones to be in the know of his no nonsense, raw, loud, crude sounds. With minimized instrumentation (an electric guitar and kick drum set), Segall’s DIY philosophy delivered a song stomping, playful, energetic performance. At one point, Ty looked up to the tightly packed audience and asked, “What song should I play next?” A few yelled out a couple of songs, but he just shook his head in disagreement, finally I hollered out, “Drop Out Boogie,” my favorite Captain Beefheart song (thank you Jerry Bultsma for the introduction to CB). Ty squinted his right eye and produced a serious face as if I had struck a nerve or point of contention. He was in thought, trying to figure out the chords, then began to play the familiar chords. His voice, muffled in echo and reverb, “You wanna do what? You wanna do what? I told you what?! I told you what?!" The kid seriously has arrived to where he wants to be with this style of music: a nostalgic post-punk homage, with plenty of blues infused within.

Ty Segall's new album, 'Melted,' is out now. He is currently on tour and is scheduled to play The Smell on August 4th. You can listen to his songs on MySpace. Go see Ty, it is good for the soul!

Album Review: Best Coast's 'Crazy For You'

2010-07-20T10:56:00.000-07:00

QUEEN OF THE BEACH
By Daniel Grant

Album Review: Crazy for You – Best Coast

The best thing about Crazy for You, the debut album from El Lay beach popsters Best Coast, is that these songs could have been written anytime over the past 45 years. With echoes of everything from Phil Spector to Pet Sounds to the Go-Go’s, these are timeless little pop gems that don’t deal with anything much heavier than dreaming of the perfect boy, the perfect wave, the perfect day and the perfect jay. With a noted lack of irony or posturing, Best Coast still manages to sound current even when singing lyrics about “waiting by the phone” (don’t people just carry their phones around in their pockets these days?).

The secret behind Best Coast’s ability to avoid sounding like some sort of revival band is the authentic emotion with which Bethany Cosentino infuses her sun-drenched tunes. Crazy for You is a great summer record, made for driving the freeways and lying on the sand. It’s hard to imagine this album coming from anywhere other than Los Angeles. Just like most other great L.A. albums, Best Coast infuses their summer sunshine anthems with a subtext of ennui and dissatisfaction. The world-weary and yearning tone in Cosentino’s vocals belie her simple girl group lyrical concerns and convey a depth of emotion lurking beneath the surface. You get the feeling that, as much as Cosentino finds comfort in the simple themes of youth and summer, she is far too worldly to really believe that this is all life is really about.

The album leads off with current single “"Boyfriend” (click on the link for a free download, courtesy of our friends at Aquarium Drunkard), in which Cosentino pines for a boy who has eyes for another girl who is “prettier and skinnier.” In the tradition of all the great girl group epics, Cosentino’s desire is palpable and she teeters uncertainly along the thin line between love and obsession. In the title track, perhaps sung to the same generic boy, Cosentino finds that now that she has bagged her prize she’s not always so sure that she likes what she ended up with. “I want to hit you but then I’d kiss you” and “I want to kill you but then I’d miss you” are the kind of conflicted emotions that have been the theme of great pop songs back to the days of Goffin/King’s “He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss).”

With the aid of Bobb Bruno, Cosentino has mastered lo-fi studio technique and knows how to get the most out of overdubbed harmonies, studio reverb and the famous monochromatic Spector drum sound that has featured in this type of music from The Ronettes through the Jesus and Mary Chain. Cosentino has a knack for simple melodies and understands her influences and how to get the sound she is after. Crazy for You represents a major advance in sonic quality from the earliest Best Coast singles, without sounding too produced or too derivative of the vintage source material.

There’s only about 30 minutes of music on Crazy for You and the twelve songs fly by faster than a summer vacation, but every songs works well within this context. Cosentino is particularly effective on mid-tempo numbers like “Our Deal” and “I Want To,” in which you can feel the sense of longing and restlessness in her voice. By the time the album closes with “Happy” and “Each & Everyday,” a pair of spiky tracks that could easily be outtakes from Beauty and the Beat, you have the feeling that this may be the opening chapter in a running dialogue with a compelling new songwriter. Now that we’ve had a taste of summer romance with Best Coast, it will be interesting to see how things turn out once the weather turns colder.

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Christina Perri's "Jar of Hearts"

2010-07-16T11:27:00.000-07:00

They broke this on Amp radio this morning (much like Eminem/Rihanna jam that isn't on his album). You may have heard Jar of Hearts on So, You Think You Can Dance or maybe not. But this song is awesome and Christina Perri is probably about to blow the frick up. Turn this up to 11, cry your eyes out and get over that stupid man that doesn't deserve any of your time or affection. Wash that man right out of your hair! Let Christina tell him how you feel!

Download it off her site chrstinaperri.com or iTunes.

-Crystal Holt

Adventures in Dean-o-landia: Electric Daisy Carnival 2010

2010-07-15T20:36:00.000-07:00

Electric Daisy Carnival
June 25th and 26th
Exposition Park & The L.A. Coliseum

spec·ta·cle –noun
1. anything presented to the sight or view, esp. something of a striking or impressive kind
2. a public show or display, esp. on a large scale

85,000 on Friday and 100,000 on Saturday, according to Kaskade's management company; while Sirius Radio touts "Over 250,000 people". It certainly seems like a mere 65,000 people could get lost in what is considered the largest electronic festival in North America. The press has been a bit rough on EDC; however, considering the scale and size of this event, you can attribute all they talk about to 1 or 2 percent of the overall attendees.

Walking through the crowd over the two-day event, you would see smiling faces everywhere connecting with friends past, present, and future --intent on enjoying the banquet of sights and sounds. Feasting on hard-hitting sets from Steve Aoki and MSTRKRFT in the Cosmic Meadow, you knew this audience would be coming back for seconds. The Kinetic Field hosted Deadmau5, Above & Beyond, Kaskade, and Armin Van Buuren. Beats were generously deployed to what seemed like a dancing army of living lights in the Coliseum itself. The 85+ artist lineup brought tears of joy to those reading the program, making some wonder how they could be in more than one place at one time.

Five separate stages continuously playing music tailored to every type of genre over an 11-hour period each day was enough to sate even the most voracious music lover. Reminding people why it's called 'Electric', a plethora of larger-than-life carnival rides were yours for the asking, if you dared. Fireworks brought dramatic color to the sky during the sets, giving them a little more of what they came for. It is something you can try to write about, but there is no substitute for seeing something this epic in person (hoping the pictures help).

EDC also holds concerts in Denver, Dallas, and the newest entry: Puerto Rico (why not?). The philosophy seems to be: If you don't go big, go home. It rarely gets bigger than this, friends. Whether winding through a tunnel of lights over 100 feet long, contemplating 8-foot flower sculptures glowing gently in a wash of light, watching metal behemoths engulf themselves in flames, trying to count the incredible number of disco balls that made their way into the tree you just passed, or simply savoring the sweet music dripping like a waterfall of honey from the decks, a land of pure-imagination exists everywhere in this garden of embellishments.

-Dean Wick

Eye Candy: Kitten Covers Cat Power for The Voice Project

2010-07-08T16:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm mildly obsessed with Kitten's lead singer. Her raw beauty and captivating voice. The cray-cray she brings to the stage. All of it. Love it. Below is a side of her that I'm not used to seeing but I am more than digging. She's stripped down to her very pretty guts and is as stunning as ever. Ew. She's so awesome it makes me sick.

Kitten » Cat Power from The Voice Project on Vimeo.

"The Voice Project is a US based non-profit supporting the women of Northern Uganda who have been using music effectively to bring soldiers home from Africa’s longest running war, the 24 year old conflict that has devastated the region of Northern Uganda, Congo, Southern Sudan and CAR."

McQ's Point of View: Kitten and Saint Motel

2010-07-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

Photos: Joe McQuillen
Also I Like To Rock
Kitten and Saint Motel
Hammer Museum
July 1, 2010

Last week went off!! Tonight, Happy Hollows and Admiral Radley will be rocking the courtyard. It's sure to reach capacity early so get your ass there as soon as you can. See you there!!

Sonic Treat of the Day: Wild Moccasins

2010-07-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

Photo: Molly Rodriguez

I've been loving on the Wild Moccasins for quite some time. Their latest release, Skin Collision Past (out now), is a wonderful pop morsel to have your ears chew on over and over again this summer. And guess what...the Houston kiddos are currently in California. They're playing shows tonight and tomorrow in Los Angeles and are scheduled to hit Santa Barbara up on Sunday and Monday.

Without further ado, the title track off the album and today's sonic treat:

SKIN COLLISION PAST

Thursday, July 8th
The Prospector
Long Beach, CA

Friday, July 9th
The Tribal Cafe
Los Angeles, CA

Sunday, July 11th
Presidio Motel
Santa Barbara, CA

Monday, July 12th
Muddy Waters Cafe
Santa Barbara, CA

How It Went Down: Warner Bros.' BET Awards Party

2010-06-30T23:36:00.000-07:00

So here's the thing...I WON'T censor those that contribute to KTM (not on purpose, Crystal. C'mon now). I may choose to NOT publish something all together or edit down an obscene amount of pictures (and that's my choice to make) but cut out some chunky shit? No, thank you. Bring it. Would you like to help me welcome the newest member of the KTM family?

-mea

Warner Bros. BET Party or some shit like that...
The Highlands
June 25, 2010

Have you ever been on the elevator with people and thought to yourself: I hope they’re not going to the same place as me. And when you realize that indeed those folks are headed to your destination your second thought is: I need to stay 8-10 paces behind them so other people don't think I’m with them. Those were my exact two thoughts upon arriving at The Highlands in Hollywood for the Warner Bros. Records Pre BET Awards Celebration.

Now that we’ve all had a chance to cry with/for Chris Brown and laugh at Nicki Minaj being awarded BET’s “Best Female Hip-Hop Artist” title (I’m not the only one laughing right?) let’s rewind and dish on the lame pre-party I attended. My first clue as to what type of event I was attending came as I arrived in the elevator with three females speculating on which celebrities might be at the event that they could push up on. One of the “ladies” wore a shirt as a dress (not to be confused with a shirt dress though she obviously was) that barely covered her bum. I’m still wondering how she kept the shirt from rising. Sweat maybe?

After my name was finally found on the RSVP list I headed to security for a bag check at which point I was told that no gum was allowed in the club. My fresh pack of Wintermint Orbit Gum was immediately confiscated by a gum smacking security guard. When event producers plan for and set policies such as “no gum allowed” it means they've predetermined what type of crowd they’re expecting. Therefore everything about the type of party Warner Bros. Records was throwing that night was communicated to me in the first 5 minutes of my arrival.

At that point I was agitated and needed a drink. To be more specific: I needed liquor. So I headed over to the bar (which looked a mess) and ordered a rum and pineapple (still waiting for the rum portion of that drink). While sipping my pineapple juice I decided to settle in for what I could tell would be a long night. Found a comfy position leaning against a riser and went into tweet mode.

I happened to look up from tweeting to find a small, well waxed ass-a-jiggling descending down towards my face. Seriously. Where did these go-go dancers come from? And what are they wearing? Bra tops, cheekies (which became thongs), fishnet stockings, furry legwarmer like thingies, and one dancer wore Converse sneakers. To some of you this may seem sexy but it wasn’t. Many of the dancers lacked rhythm and good choreography. That irked me. There weren’t even any black go-go girls at this party celebrating BET. I'd like WB to at least be equal opportunity with their low grade thong girls next time around.

Then, I noticed that I was also standing next to a section of booths reserved for VIP. I didn’t see any VIPs but a pair of young, skinny guys who thought they were special occupied the space. Members of their posse kept standing on the seats of the booths and sitting on the ledge of the wall. Security asked them several times to get get down for safety reasons, to which the young and skinnies told them, “They can do what they want cuz this is our party.”

Who are these punks? After practically being knocked over half the night by groupies trying to get to them I found out it was the New Boyz, who later in the night were presented with their double platinum albums. Well, like their song says..."You’re a Jerk." Write what you know, huh?

Time for the celeb photo op on stage. In the building: Angie Martinez, Rocsi of 106th and Park, Ajay from BET, LisaRaye (can you guess what color she was wearing?), Twista, Slim Thug, Ciroc Boys, Quinton Aaron (portrayed Big Mike in the Blind Side), and Kiiiiiiid Capri.

Is this night over yet? Nope. Still need to get through the special musical performances; which didn’t begin until 1:30AM. First up: Lyfe Jennings. After encouraging all the ladies not to be a booty call via lyrics in his song, “Statistics,” I really thought he had gotten through to the groupies. Wrong. Not a minute after he finished it was back to folks trying to make it rain.

Next up: Kandi Burruss (“ATL Housewive” and former Xscape member). Like her, not such a fan of her songs, so let’s move on. The New Boyz capped the night off making me wish I’d left hours ago.

Only saving grace that night was DJ D-Nice spinning songs I actually don’t mind hearing. I think I might have enjoyed that event about 13 years ago; before I was old enough to know better. In my opinion it’s not a party unless there is A) an open bar or Jello shots, B) a buffet, passed hors d’oeurves or pot luck, or C) gift bags. Basically free stuff. Do better next time.

-Mercedes Yolanda Cooper

Mark Your Calendar: Also I Like To Rock Series Starts Tomorrow

2010-06-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

You know it's summer when the Hammer Museum starts it's Also I Like To Rock series in July. Tomorrow is the first of the series and this year KCRW and Buzz Bands have teamed up with the museum to bring you another amazing year of free shows in the courtyard.

This year, you can opt to get yourself the "Rock the Summer" VIP pass for only $25! What does that get you? Well, you not only get a short term membership to the listener supported KCRW awesomeness, but you also get a short term membership to the Hammer Museum, VIP entrance to all of the shows as well as VIP Lounge access. Sounds fancy so you better do it. I am personally a fan of most things fancy and will definitely be getting on that shit.

The following dates are all ages shows and they're FREE - no excuses on not supporting KCRW and their wonderful contribution to the community and music industry. Shows start at 8pm but get there early for parking...trust me!

July 1
Saint Motel
Kitten
Dan Wilcox (DJ)

July 8
Admiral Radley
Happy Hollows
Anne Litt (DJ)

July 15
Fitz & the Tantrums
The Heavy - JUST ANNOUNCED!
Garth Trinidad (DJ)

July 22
Voxhaul Broadcast
Chasing Kings
Chuck P (DJ)

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Florence and the Machine's "Dog Days Are Over"

2010-06-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

Florence and the Machine - Dog Days Are Over

What you think all I listen to is rap? Expand your mind son! I love this song. I think it's the authority in her voice. The kabuki make-up isn't hurting. Cloned black choir? Check! People blowing up like a Logan's Run birthday? Check! I like a little weird.

Nope. I don't know why the dog days are over and I don't particularly care, either.

-Crystal Holt

Florence and the Machine - New Music - More Music Videos

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Drake's "Find Your Love"

2010-06-30T16:11:00.000-07:00

Don't even pretend you can understand the dude at the beginning of the video. Or any of the dudes that aren't Drake. Stop lying! Everyone wanna shoot in the favelas in Brazil. You are not down with the City of God. Not getting the shots of Drake smoking. In no way is ashtray mouth sexy or even remotely tasty. Pass! The beach views are beautiful though. Don't get the ending. Seems unnecessary. But hey, when you're hip-hop's golden child, you can afford to take risks.

-Crystal Holt

Drake - New Music - More Music Videos

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - T.I.'s "I'm Back"

2010-06-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

Apparently T.I. is back - fresh from prison. I checked out that Behind The Music. It was really good. I highly recommend it. This song is standard T.I. fare. It's good, but not excellent. Give him a moment. Hopefully, he's just warming up.

-Crystal Holt

T.I. - New Music - More Music Videos

McQ's Point of View: Abandoned Pools & Ashes Divide

2010-06-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Photos: Joe McQuillen
Abandoned Pools and Ashes Divide
The Viper Room
June 23, 2010

Abondoned Pools weren't as bad as I thought they would be. The band definitely sounded better live than on the album. And as for Ashes Divide: glad to hear that A Perfect Circle is back in game. Per usual, it was a lovely spectacular at The Viper Room... or as Jose Maldonado of Indie 103.1 likes to call it: "a glorified broom closet." I like the place, though. Makes me feel dirty in all the right ways.

Electric Tickle Machine - Blew it Again - Vinyl Giveaway

2010-06-24T08:28:00.001-07:00

Electric Tickle Matchine - "PART OF ME"

I want whoever wrote Electric Tickle Machine’s press kit on staff to write my fabulous biography to make it sound grand and interesting or maybe most of us just aren’t fortunate enough to have lived the colorful lives of the ETM crew. ETM’s brand new album Blew it Again drops June 29th. Be sure to cop that! If you’re feening for an ETM fix because you crackheads just can’t wait, download the free track “Part of Me” and get your tweak on. This whole album makes me want to drop acid, watch Across the Universe, get naked and steal a couple of cop cars in Utah. If you want a vinyl copy of this bad mamajama for FREEEEEEEEEEEEE, tweet me @saviaj about why your undeserving ass feels you are worthy in 140 characters or less. Make it interesting! I’ll announce the winner this Sunday, June 25th. Later twatters!

-Crystal Holt

Eye Candy: Peggy Sue

2010-06-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

Really digging the sounds that are being churned out by the UK's Peggy Sue. Before heading back to their motherland, they will be playing a show at Spaceland tomorrow night. I like to call this Aggressive Folk but what the fuck do I know, right? Right. Check out the video below for a taste of what you can expect and be sure to get your ass to the show.

Watchman from Peggy Sue on Vimeo.

But that's not all, folks! You can also have yourself a lil sonic treat to get you pumped for tomorrow night's show.

Peggy Sue - Watchman

Mark Your Calendar: Tame Impala Plays Los Angeles

2010-06-21T14:59:00.001-07:00

Unless you've been hiding in your cave for the past however long, you've heard that everyone is up on Tame Impala's dick. Yours truly included. The Australian band is coming to Los Angeles to play two shows later this month, one of which is free. Mark your calendars and get your assess out there. No excuses. See you at the dance party, kids.

In the meantime, enjoy some sonic goodness:

"RUNAWAYS, HOUSES, CITY, CLOUDS"

Monday, June 28th
The Echo (FREE SHOW )

Tuesday, June 29th
Silverlake Lounge

Mark Your Calendar: Buzz Bands Presents Abandoned Pools

2010-06-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't been reading Buzz Bands everyday (like you should be), Tommy Walter and his band, Abandoned Pools, will be playing their first show in five years. The band is going to play at Spaceland tomorrow night (along with Chasing Kings, Vanaprasta and a special guest) and you should meet me and the rest of the usual suspects at the venue for a drink or two.

Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. And don't forget kids, Spaceland is 21+.

Read more about what Abandoned Pools has been up to lately by clicking HERE. What's in it for you? A free download, courtesy of the band and Sir K Bro at Buzz Bands.

Eye Candy: Bear Hands

2010-06-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

Mmmm. Let me get at that Bear Hands goodness. Please and thank you. This video is fantastic. Don't have time to watch? LIstening to the audio while you do other shit: also fantastic. What else is fantastic? Their Daytrotter session from last year, that's what.

You can check out the interview that I did with the boys in the latest issue of mf magazine by clicking HERE. Enjoy.

Bear Hands - The Rumpus Session // LIVE in Brooklyn from Cantora Records on Vimeo.

Sonic Treat of the Day: Doug Burr

2010-06-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

Photo: Jason Upshaw

So recently, I've been mildly obsessed with Doug Burr. Pure folky goodness. I can't really get behind the Mumford and Sons shit that everyone has been RAVING about (mostly because I was tired as fuck on the night of their last show) but this I CAN get behind. Download my favorite track off Doug Burr's most recent release: 'O Ye Devastator' (Velvet Blue Music). "Red, Red" is the perfect driving song for these June Gloom mornings on the coast of Southern California. Thank you, Mr. Burr.

DOUG BURR - RED, RED

Upcoming shows...damn you, Texas!!

June 11 2010
The Hydrant - Denton, TX.

June 18 2010
Lochrann's - Frisco, TX

June 19 2010
AllGood Cafe - Dallas, TX.

June 26 2010
The Parish - Austin, TX.

July 8 2010
Barefoot at the Belmont - Dallas, TX.

July 9 2010
The Mohawk - Austin, TX.

McQ's Point of View: The Middle East and Mumford and Sons

2010-06-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

Photos: Joe McQuillen
The Middle East & Mumford and Sons
Henry Fonda Theater (The Music Box)
June 4, 2010

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Christina Aguilera's "Not Myself Tonight"

2010-06-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight

WTF X-Tina? I don't think this chick knows who she is. Find a fucking identity. Who the hell are you now? Madonna? Lady Gaga? And stop hating on Gaga. We know you're jealous. Go back to singing Genie in a Bottle. I don't know what the hell to do with this video. Snore. Next. Come again.

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Travis McCoy and Bruno Mars' "Billionaire"

2010-06-04T18:27:00.000-07:00

Travis McCoy featuring Bruno Mars - Billionaire

I love this song. This is my new theme song. Yeah he fucked up the Katy Perry situation, but I'm not sure that Russell Brand is an upgrade. Sure McCoy's look is a little too tatted and a little too funky, but I just wanna hang out, I don't wanna fuck. That Bruno Mars on the other hand ... Anyhoo, this song is beachy and sunny and hopeful. Just in time for the summer! Put your top down and head to Venice, the water's fine.

Travie McCoy - New Music - More Music Videos

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Dirty Money's "Hello Good Morning"

2010-06-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

Dirty Money - Hello Good Morning

-Crystal Holt

Diddy is trying to re-live the days of Biggie and Ma$e when he was still on top musically. You know how I like my Diddy? Making clothes and telling me what's sexy. I don't want to hear you trying to sing and have a career - same goes for you Timbaland. Why producers always trying to be stars? If your name isn't Pharrell or Ne-Yo, stay out the booth. Stop having a heart attack, I can say nice things about Ne-Yo ... every blue moon ... Halley's comet. Why is T.I. on this song? He must have been bored in jail and just started writing random verses and stuck them in random ass songs. Don't even get me started about members of that defunct girls group who's name I can't remember because they were so flipping annoying. I don't want any part of you Dirty Money, Diddy. I like my money laundered.

Diddy-Dirty Money - New Music - More Music Videos

Sonic Treat of the Day: The Middle East

2010-06-04T11:01:00.001-07:00

While LCD Soundsystem helps facilitate the dance party at the Palladium, The Middle East will be opening up for Mumford and Sons at the Henry Fonda (Music Box...whatever. I always refer to it as the Fonda). McQ and I will be checking out the under-water-y sounds of The Middle East - a band I've been loving for quite some time and though you might want to check out some of their tunes...even if you don't get to go to the show. Click it and lick it, cats and kittens.

LONELY

DARKEST SIDE

BLOOD

PS: Support the band and get the album HERE.

Adventures in Dean-o-landia: Lightning In A Bottle 2010

2010-06-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

Photos and review: Dean Wick

May 28 - 31, 2010
Lightning in a Bottle
Irvine, CA

Lightning in a Bottle is nothing like your garden variety big city festival. You can live a lifetime and not experience a phenomenon quite like this. Music and Art are truly integrated. Blank canvases are set up for dozens of on-site artists who transform the stark-white boards into commissions of majesty by the festivals end.

The crowed here comes prepared -- donning everything from giant panda bear suits and every sort of colorful cartoon character, to animal spirit hoods and more Mad-Max Chic than you can shake a stick at. Fire performers and stilt-walkers wardrobed to the hilt regaled the enthusiastic throng throughout the celebration.

Enjoy some photos from the event and a spotlight on Booka Shade:

BOOKA SHADE - FRIDAY

Booka Shade took the closing spot on the main LIB stage Friday night, playing to arguably one of the largest single-stage crowds of the weekend. These men transcend the standard conventions of one person with a turntable, seemingly bouncing ideas off of each other on the fly. When you realize Arno Kammermeier and Walter Merziger grew up together and have produced thousands of tracks between them, it is no wonder that a simple nod or look shared is what keeps the track and the dance floor moving in perfect synchronicity. A live stand-up drummer exacting perfection from his sticks is a rare thing of beauty to behold, and a sight you may only see once while you vigorously frolic on the canvas of earth beneath you. Booka Shade make it clear they want us to enjoy life, and for that....we thank you.

Note on Video Clips: Please excuse the bass in the clips: This was filmed directly in front of the main stage subwoofer array (20 boxes lined up side-by-side in front of the stage--each one measuring approx. 4.5'H/2'W/5'D, housing 2 drivers per box). 40 massive bass-producing speakers slapping the crowd like a pimp who wants his money. Get the live feel from the clips, get the polished sound from the albums.

Sho Nuff Show Shots: From Paris, With Love - Singer/Composer Lisa Papineau

2010-05-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

Photos: Kristy Sparow

Lisa Papineau did an in store performance at Gals Rock in Paris, France while promoting her latest release, 'Red Trees' (out now - Sargent House). The Sparow was there to capture the show, the charm and a couple of other interesting things in the shop. Enjoy.

Radio Free Silver Lake Presents Under Covered - A Rock Against HD Event

2010-05-27T22:38:00.000-07:00

It's that time again: Radio Free Silver Lake is putting on another benefit show and all proceeds are going to research to cure Huntington's Disease.

What's Huntington's Disease? Huntington's Disease is a disorder passed down through families in which certain nerve cells in the brain waste away, or degenerate.

There is no cure but Joe Fielder and the Radio Free Silver Lake family are doing their part to help find one.

The show is on Sunday at All Star Lanes in Eagle Rock. It's an all ages gig, it starts at 7pm and it's only $8 to get in. If you don't already have plans for the holiday weekend, be sure to hit up the event and put that hard earned money of yours to good use.

The set times are as follows:
Seasons at 7:30
Rademacher at 8:15
George Glass at 9:00
The Hectors at 9:45
One Trick Pony at 10:30

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Beyonce's "Why Don't You Love Me"

2010-05-27T22:30:00.000-07:00

Beyonce - Why Don't You Love Me

Not really sure why she decided to go retro, but she does have that pin-up body. And I want to go on record as saying she might have the best boobs. Not too big, not too small. They stay put, they're natural and have no signs of droopage. Must be nice .. for Hova. This housewife sure wears a lot of stockings. It's almost as if Marilyn Monroe was a house wife. What a happy husband that would be.

-Crystal Holt

Beyoncé - New Music - More Music Videos

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Ciara and Ludacris' "Ride"

2010-05-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Ciara featuring Ludacris - Ride

Ciara does what she does best ... dance. Hahaha, you thought I was gonna say sing! Fools! She can "say ride the beat" 85 times, but we all know she's talking about riding the penis. The success of a good song is measured by the amount of ridiculous memes it inspires. Get on YouTube and see the big girl doing her rendition and commence rolling around the floor in gut wrenching guffaws.

Anyhoo, word is the hypocrisy that is BET banned this video for being too sexual. Maybe they are appalled that Ciara doesn't wear support hose ala Beyonce because as far as I am concerned the vagina acrobatics are about the same. Whoever put Ciara in that orange brimmed hat and big chunky gold earrings, THAT'S NOT A GOOD LOOK. Ce-ce must be doing something right, she has 50 Cent on lock. Look at this like a dick riding how-to exercise video, you know the one that Olivia Newton John originally wanted to put out while wearing her Sandy black spandex outfit. Now how does it go again? Swim suit, fur coat, Ferrari ride it or wet T-shirt, glistening boobs, mechanical bull ride-it. I can never get the sequence straight on these things.

-Crystal Holt

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Nicki Minaj's "Massive Attack"

2010-05-25T23:46:00.000-07:00

Nicki Minaj - Massive Attack

Hmm ... I'm confused. What the hell is this song about? What the hell is a Tom Tom and why is it bigger than a monster? What is going on in this video? What's up with the freaky monster dancing dudes from the So You Think You Can Dance tryouts? Amber Rose getting her Barbie Lamborghini on. Minaj licking her teeth? Army of asian barbies in pink wigs? My head hurts. If her plan was to confuse the hell out of me ... SUCCESS!!! I'm just going to sit back and watch this Minaj person over time to see what the hell she's all about. It is not yet evident. I don't even think she knows. Kudos to the art director. Viva the Black Barbie movement I suppose. I just wish she was talking about something. How far does a pretty face, tiny waist and a fat ass get you ... to the top in the black world. Substance people. Substance over image. Only Gaga's bringing both at this stage. I'm going to wait and see.

-Crystal Holt

Nicki Minaj - New Music - More Music Videos

Sonic Treat of the Day: Hunting Club

2010-05-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Photo: Ryan Taylor and Josh Thacker

There is a band that I CANNOT stop listening to (if you follow my twitter rants, you've heard me talk about this already).

The band: Hunting Club.
The album: Self Titled (Plaid Album)

Why you should get it: It's better than most shit I get in my inbox. These guys hit the nail on the head...from beginning to end, this is a an album that is worthy of heavy rotation in your iPod, CD player, what have you. All summer long. It certainly will be for me. The recordings are the perfect combination of homegrown dirtiness and fantastic mixing (the boys had their album recorded and mixed at Vaudeville Studios by Jeff Halland). While "The Coast" and "Raising Arizona" were stand out tracks before I received the album in the mail, I am now head over heals for the last track on the album, "Cactai".

Because it's Tuesday, I'm going to give you not one, but TWO sonic treats today. Click on the titles to enjoy yourself some goodness.

The reason I fell for Hunting Club: "RAISING ARIZONA"

The reason I continue to scream my love for them at the top of my lungs: "CACTAI"

Hunting Club's self released and self titled album is out June 4th. The boys will be celebrating its release in their hood on that night. If you happen to be reading this and you live out there, go. And get the album. If you're not in Minneapolis, visit the band's Facebook, Myspace or Twitter pages and get yourself the album the moment it comes out.

Guess Who's Back in the Muthafuckin' States: Frightened Rabbit at The Music Box

2010-05-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

Frightened Rabbit and Maps & Atlases
The Henry Fonda (Music Box)
May 23, 2010
Review and Photos: Joe McQuillen

I'm a big Frightened Rabbit fan. That said, I wasn't totally sold on the new album, in the short amount of time I had spent with it before the show. Feel free to now consider me sold. Maybe I was put off by what I felt was a lack of appropriate depression with the new stuff, but I suppose I don't need to rip out my heart every time I sing at the top of my lungs whilst driving my car. Passengers, be warned. So thanks for the great show gents, I am more than happy that I eschewed "whatever the fuck's on the tellie" to come see you.

Note: Maps & Atlases were great, too. They have inspired me to refer to any band with two or more beards as a hair band. Suck it Bret Michaels. What, too soon?

FRIGHTENED RABBIT

MAPS AND ATLASES

Eye Candy: Inlets' "Bright Orange Air"

2010-05-24T09:11:00.000-07:00

Photo by Kristianna Smith

Check out the video for Inlets' "Bright Orange Air" - a track off Sebastian Krueger’s newest release, 'Inter Arbiter' (out now/twosyllable records).

"Bright Orange Air" by Inlets from twosyllable records on Vimeo.

Treat yourself to a download of "Bright Orange Air" by clicking here.

If you visit Stereogum you can get yourself a little string to thread in and out of said Inlets and gear yourself up for the show... it's a track you won't find on the record but it's a stunning lil ditty and you'll definitely want to check it out. I'm still digging Inlets' 2006 release, 'Vestibule'.

Mark your calendars with the following tour dates:
06/12 – New York, NY @ 92Y Tribeca
06/13 – Brooklyn, NY @ Littlefield
06/15 – Portland ME @ Space Gallery
06/17 – Montreal, QC @ Suoni Il Popolo Festival (Casa del Popol)
06/18 – Toronto, ON @ NXNE Festival (Whippersnapper Gallery)
06/19 – London, ON @ Gigs
06/20 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick
06/23 – Madison, WI @ Gates Of Heaven
06/24 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Saloon
06/26 – Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
06/30 – Boise, ID @ Neurolux
07/01 – Missoula, MT @ The Badlander
07/02 – Calgary, Alberta @ Sled Island Festival
07/04 – Vancouver, BC @ The Railway
07/05 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
07/06 – Seattle, WA @ High Dive
07/07 – Olympia, WA @ Northern
07/09 – Davis, CA @ Sophia’s
07/10 – San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern
07/11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
07/12 – Tucson, AZ @ Solar Culture
07/14 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
07/15 – Lawrence, KS @ Jack Pot Saloon
07/16 – Columbia, MO @ Mojo’s
07/17 – Lexington, KY @ Al’s
07/18 – Asheville, NC @ The Rocket Club
07/19 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
07/21 – New York, NY @ Joe’s

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - J. Cole's "Lights Please"

2010-05-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

J. Cole's mixtape single "Lights Please" made the rounds in L.A. without little fanfare though the track is quite hot. I predict J. Cole will blow up Drake-style by 2011 at the latest. His talent is evident. The first artist to be signed to Jay-Z's Roc Nation label. There is a consciousness and authenticity to Cole's music that Drake either doesn't have or is steadily losing with each and every A-list star colaboration. You can tell in the earnestness of his tracks that he's yet to be seduced by the fame and the bling. I hope he retains that quality after he's crossed the gates of success. Only time will tell.

-Crystal Holt

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Full Crate & Mar's "I Said"

2010-05-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

Full Crate & Mar

Shout out to Terrance at TIRM for hipping me to this. Get your repeat button out. This song is soooooooo dope. It's a mellow jazzy hip hop jam. It's a pop open your bottle of muscato, turn out the lights, light some candles and sprawl out on your chaise lounge and contemplate why you fucked your woman/baby daddy/mate/fuck buddy over. This is the type of cut where you go ... who is this???? And then you download all their shit just to see what they're about. Get your iTunes giftcard out and let the dopeness commence. Upgrade your inner ear people!

-Crystal Holt

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Daniel Merriweather's "Red"

2010-05-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

I now dub Daniel Merriweather's music as "Music to Break-Up To". I love his sound, not a bad face ... nice to see he's shed some of the weight. Now all he needs to do is gain some muscle tone and his fuckability and career would seriously skyrocket and chicks would be throwing panties on the stage with their phone numbers sharpied on them like a Tom Jones concert. I'm just saying. And why wasn't Adele in the video for Water and the Flame? They should have portrayed a torrid love affair - a match made in singer heaven.

-Crystal Holt

Eye Candy: ArpLine's "Fold Up Like a Piece of Paper"

2010-05-23T16:53:00.000-07:00

ArpLine's video for "Fold Up Like a Piece of Paper" is quite blinky (like when you're contacts get all dry and you see everything all....of fuck, you know what I mean) but the track is great to listen to while you're getting ready to go out on the town or preparing to kick some ass. Check it out...the song can be found on their LP, 'Travel Book' - but because I love you so much for taking the time to read these posts, I'm going to share a link to the track with you. And why might you like the album? Well, Chris Coady, the same dude that produced Chris Coady Beach House, Delorean, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio and Grizzly Bear, just to name a few, co produced this here album of theirs that I'm talking about. Check it out for yourself.

ArpLine - Fold Up Like a Piece of Paper from think/feel on Vimeo.

The gang of Brooklyn dudes will be opening up for School of Seven Bells at a sold out show on June 10 at the Mercury Lounge. Stay tuned for more dates. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE TRACK

Eye Candy: Via Tania covers Fever Ray's "If I Had A Heart"

2010-05-23T16:30:00.001-07:00

Via Tania does a beautiful acoustic cover of Fever Ray's "If I Had A Heart" with the haunting and alluring quality that only a voice like hers has. I had to share this with you. Her EP, 'Fields' is out on iTunes now. Though it does not include this track, the EP does include remixes by some of my favorites in the music biz, including The Juan MacLean. It's definitely worth your money and iPod space. Check it out. It's would also be wise of you to pick up her full length album, 'Moon Sweet Moon' while you're at it.

Via Tania - Fever Ray Cover from The Hours Entertainment on Vimeo.

Everest Live at The Mayan

2010-05-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

Everest and Minus The Bear
The Mayan - Downtown Los Angeles
May 20, 2010
Photos: Joe McQuillen

I was tickled with excitement when I heard that Everest was going to be back in town last week...and thank goodness I got to see them before this wicked cold kicked the shit out of me. The band did not disappoint. Aside from playing several tracks from their earlier releases that many of us have come to know and love, they also played a few of my favorite tracks, including "Let Go", from 'On Approach' (out now on Warner Bros. Records). Though the crowd was filled with Minus The Bear fans, those of them that were there early enough to catch the band were treated to a tight set of musicianship from some of Los Angeles' best singer/songwriters. If you've yet to get their latest album and need some more convincing, allow me to treat you to a lil Sonic Treat:

CLICK HERE TO GET "LET GO" (LOVE this track!!)

EVEREST

MINUS THE BEAR

Keep An Eye On These Guys: Mama Lion

2010-05-18T11:05:00.000-07:00

April 27, 2010
San Francisco
Interview and Photos: Lorna Pacheco

The members of Mama Lion took the time to talk to Kill The Mic's San Francisco contributor, Lorna Pacheco. Who are Mama Lion? They are Victor Mitrani, Hana Frances Healy (corrected - sorry about that) and Gabriel Gipe. Their latest EP ('Gamble Gamble, Die') can be found on myspace and be purchased on iTunes. They are currently working on new music and plan to tour southern California. Definitely worth watching out for! As for the interview: there are a shitload of "likes" so brace yourself...

KTM: Thank you guys for joining Kill The Mic. I read somewhere that you are originally from San Diego?

Hana: We all came separately. I came to go to San Francisco State. (When) I graduated high school, I wanted to move up here. My sister was up here (and was) going to SFS.

Victor: I went to school at UC Santa Cruz and I reconnected with one of my friends who I knew from San Diego. Towards my senior year I was coming up to SF to hang out with him and (Hana) happened to be there and they would go into these crazy jams, and I would jam too.

Hana: Victor knew him from elementary school and me and Victor went to the same elementary school.

Victor: We lived in the same apartment complex, but we didn’t know each other. It was just like one of those "Whoa, what are you going to do now when you graduate?" "I'll go to san Francisco, work at a shitty job and play in a band."

Hana: He graduated as a business major.

Victor: Which is completely worthless, and then I asked Hana, "Oh we should start a band," and she said "OK." And we started jamming with some people and we were sort of a band. We didn’t call it a band for so long. It was like "We’re just jamming” and we played with them and it didn’t work out with them. At the end, Hana asked Gabe a question like, half question, like "Are you still drumming?" and Gabe (said) “Why you still need a drummer? I can drum buy drums."
(laughter)
And so we did a very formal, test out run with Gabe and you know…

Gabe: I think it's just funny, we all grew up in the same neighborhood, but I knew Hana since I was a kid.

KTM: Tell me a little about the song writing process?

Hana: We usually write songs separately. That’s how we started playing music, writing songs on our own, and that’s still how we do it. We usually make songs separately and then add on to it .

Victor: We play the song through. We sort of figure out an arrangement. Pretty much the main ideas are developed by the time we get it in there.

KTM: How would you describe your sound?

Hana: It's sort of like the same problem for us, we have a hard time describing it, we actually just finished recording this past weekend and the guy that was recording us was like, "Yeah I really couldn’t pinpoint, if we needed to call you a genre, like its really dynamic there’s a lot of different parts, different styles different influences, you know?" So I guess we just put it under the blanket of indie rock.

Victor: That’s just the easiest thing

Hana: Or folk rock. We made, like, a fake genre: Post College Rock.

Victor: Post College Folk Punk Rock. Post College Graduate School Rock

(laughter).

Hana: The most effective way is to say what people say we sound like, what our influences are gives you more of an idea than a genre.

Victor: Like country music. I really, really like Hank Williams, or Johnny Cash, which isn’t to mean I like Toby Keith or whatever; you just pick the best parts out of the stuff you like.

KTM: You put out a 4 song EP, any full length CD in the works in the near future?

Hana: We have tons of songs. We just need to get the money to record them. We met this guy who is recording us pretty cheap. We're probably going to record more songs. We recorded, like, 4 and a half songs. In a couple more months we are gonna do more as far as, like, a full album. That will be a couple months, you know if we do it.

KTM: Do you feel the San Francisco music scene is pulsating again?

Victor: There is definitely... as far as an interest to what’s happening in San Francisco. I would say so, but I noticed that a lot of those bands are sort of similar. People are excited about music which is great, but it's just, like, I don’t know, the garage rock sound of it is like…

Hana: I don’t know it's different now. I think there are a lot of specific genres that are popular and those are, like, the scenes that are really popular... Psychedelic Rock and Garage Rock.

Victor: Lo Fi Chill Wave…

Gabe: The all ages show were our biggest turn outs.

Victor: There are some really cool bands. It's really cool to see, like, Grass Widow. Now they are blowing up. There seems to be an interest in music.

KTM: Hana what’s your favorite song right now?

Hana: The first song on 'Death of a Lady’s Man' by Leonard Cohen, great song. Oh, also "Big White Cloud" by john Cale.

KTM: Victor, favorite guitarist?

Victor: Guitarist, wow, how much time you have? (laughter), I like, see it's different aspects. I like me some Lee Renaldo and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth. I like Jimi Hendrix, I like Greg Ginn of Black Flag. I like so many guitarists, it's really, it's a lot of people.

KTM: All right, Gabe. Favorite movie of all time? And don’t say Avatar!

Gabe: This is really easy for me cause when people say what’s the biggest book that’s ever influenced you, the biggest band and the movie, the book would be "1984" the band would definitely be the Clash and the movie, well who am I kidding, Star Wars! Original Star Wars Trilogy. I can recite every line. I get in arguments at work on who is on the Jedi council. That’s how ridiculously dorky I am!

KTM: But you know what, you are still cool. It's not Star Trek. You got any shows lined up in the near future?

ML: We have a show May 27th with our friends' band, The Guns and that will be a fun.

KTM: Anything else you’d like to add?

Victor: We might go on tour afterwards. Maybe a southern California tour…

Hana: Possibly, but that wont be until August.

Victor: So south. Try to do Santa Barbara, try to visit my mom, we have friends in LA, San Diego, our biggest show, homecoming. We will see how things pan out.

Sonic Treat of the Day: Lightning Bolt

2010-05-16T21:34:00.000-07:00

Lightning Bolt is the perfect way to start your week. Seriously. This should be your Monday morning theme song. Kick the week's ass and you won't have to worry about it kicking yours.

CLICK HERE to let the incredible drumming begin.

'Earthly Delights' is out now and Lightning Bolt is getting ready to head out on the road again in June. Pray that they get a hair up their ass and come back to Los Angeles.

06/30 - Washington D.C. - DC9
07/01 - Charlotte, NC - The Milestone
07/02 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
07/03 - Knoxville, TN - Pilot Light
07/04 - Atlanta, GA - Eyedrum
07/05 - Orlando, FL - Will's Pub
07/06 - Miami, FL - Churchill's Pub
07/07 - Tallahassee, FL - Farside Collective
07/08 - New Orleans, LA - Zeitgeist Multi Disciplinary Arts
07/09 - Houston, TX - Kohn's #
07/10 - Austin, TX - The Mohawk #
07/11 - Dallas, TX - Trees*#
07/12 - Little Rock, AR - Arkansas Community Arts
07/13 - Lawrence, KS - The Jackpot Saloon
07/14 - Iowa City, IA - The Picador
07/15 - Minneapolis, MN - Triple Rock Social Club
07/18 - Chicago, IL - Pitchfork Music Festival
07/19 - Detroit, MI - Museum of Contemporary Art!
07/20 - Bloomington, IN - Rhinos Youth Center
07/21 - Newport, KY - Southgate House
07/22 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
07/23 - Pittsburgh, PA - Belvedere's

* = w/ Best Fwends
! = w/ Wolf Eyes
# = w/ Indian Jewelry

Eye Candy: Steel Train cover La Roux's "Bulletproof"

2010-05-16T09:58:00.001-07:00

I think the Steel Train boys do an excellent job of covering the little dance number that has put La Roux on just about everyone's radar. Plus, it's shot and black and white and I'm a sucka for that shit.

The band did the cover as part of the ever growing Voice Project.

"The Voice Project is a US based non-profit supporting the women of Northern Uganda who have been using music effectively to bring soldiers home from Africa’s longest running war, the 24 year old conflict that has devastated the region of Northern Uganda, Congo, Southern Sudan and CAR."

Steel Train » La Roux from The Voice Project on Vimeo.

Visit the site, enjoy the projects, spread the word via twitter/facebook and support the cause by donating. Steel Train returns to California in July to play the El Rey and is currently on tour. Here are the dates:

JUN 22 2010
MERCURY LOUNGE
NEW YORK, NY

JUN 24 2010
EAGLE THEATRE AT THE CROFOOT BALLROOM
PONTIAC, MICHIGAN

JUN 25 2010
SUMMERFEST
MILWAUKEE, WI

JUN 26 2010
THE FIREBIRD
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI

JUN 27 2010
LINCOLN HALL
CHICAGO, IL

JUN 29 2010
BLUEBIRD THEATRE
DENVER, CO

JUN 30 2010
KILBY COURT
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

JUL 2 2010
GREAT AMERICAN MUSIC HALL
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

JUL 6 2010
EL REY THEATRE
LOS ANGELES, CA

JUL 7 2010
RHYTHM ROOM
PHOENIX, AZ

JUL 9 2010
EMO'S ALTERNATIVE LOUNGE
AUSTIN, TX

JUL 10 2010
CAMBRIDGE ROOM AT HOUSE OF BLUES DALLAS
DALLAS, TX

JUL 12 2010
THE SOCIAL
ORLANDO, FL

JUL 13 2010
THE DRUNKEN UNICORN
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

JUL 14 2010
EXIT/IN
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

JUL 16 2010
GROG SHOP
CLEVELAND, OH

JUL 17 2010
WATER STREET MUSIC HALL
ROCHESTER, NY

JUL 20 2010
JAMMIN' JAVA
VIENNA, VA

JUL 21 2010
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH
PHILADELPHIA, PA

JUL 22 2010
BOWERY BALLROOM
NEW YORK, NY

JUL 23 2010
THE MIDDLE EAST (DOWNSTAIRS)
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS

Sonic Treat of the Day: The Most Serene Republic

2010-05-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Most Serene Republic has invaded my iTunes this week. Blame Canada. Good shit. Bad shit. Whatever. But let's be honest: We need to stop hating on Canada. They have given us some of the best music I've heard in the past 10 years. The Most Serene Republic is definitely another addition to my list of faves from our neighbors to the north or whatever the fuck they say.

CLICK HERE for a little treat from me to you.

Their latest effort is a 6 song EP titled 'Fantasick Impossibliss' and is definitely worth your hard earned money (for you non trust fund kiddos). Radiohead-esque progressions on the title track...my heart is theirs. Louder. Louder. Louder. iTunes had the hook up or you can hit up a show and give the band your money directly. It's my favorite way to support the artists I like. And buy a shirt or something. For fuck's sake, do you really need that 4th Jack n Coke? No. You don't.

Catch the band at Spaceland tomorrow night or at any of the following dates for the last leg of their tour:

5/15/10 – Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
5/16/10 – Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
5/19/10 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s
5/20/10 – Houston, TX @ Mangos
5/21/10 – Denton, TX @ Hailey’s
5/22/10 – Little Rock, AR @ Stickey Fingerz
5/23/10 – St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House
6/15/10 – Washington, DC @ DC9
6/16/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
6/17/10 – Boston, MA @ Great Scott
6/18/10 – Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
6/19/10 – Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwell’s
6/20/10 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
• all dates with Annuals & What Laura Says

Keep An Eye On These Guys: The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt

2010-05-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt
April 2, 2010
Amnesia Bar, San Francisco
Review: Lorna Pacheco
Photos: Joseph P. O'neil

With a huge duffel bag filled with inflatable props and costumes, this performance art-sing along-dance troupe-band of performers transformed Amnesia into one of those darkened Disney rides one went to as a kid (remember, large objects and images popping out of nowhere) and brought the house into a sweaty frenzy.

It was crazed and crowded, the hosts were feeding off from the energy of the crowd, who were dancing and singing the night away. It was an interactive event... an off off broadway musical without script, or spectators. It felt like a party with friends... the kind where you don’t give a fuck and you are able to shake your tail feather and cut loose. What better way to spend a wet, rainy Friday San Francisco night?

The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt's album "I Love You. I Love You. I Love You And I'm In Love with You, Have An Awesome Day! Have the Best Day of Your Life!" is out now. Get it and shake that ass.

Open Letter to Insomniac Events and the Electric Daisy Carnival

2010-05-09T21:01:00.000-07:00

To whom it may concern:

I went online to purchase EDC Los Angeles tickets, but the ONLY option was to pick them up at will call. I have never dealt with will-call and always have tickets in my hand when I go to events (ridiculous lines at will call). I have been to 1,000 concerts and am not asking anything extraordinary here-these are the basics of having an event. How may I purchase tickets and have them mailed, or pick up at an authorized brick-and-mortar store? In short, you will be having over 100,000 people at this event; however, there is no proper website at this time for vital information. This event is too close not to have the website up yet. Assuming you will be able to handle this amount of people through will-call is short-sighted (you can barely handle the line of people just to GET IN - ie: not providing names to match with tickets/etc). Please reply.

Dean Wick

Mark Your Calendar: Everyday Noise Launch Party April 22

2010-04-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

Yay!! Ashely and Albert had a baby and they named it Everyday Noise!! Detroit Bar will be hosting the launch party (the site officially launched at midnight) and, as always, Ashely and Albert will be giving local bands some love. On the bill for the evening you have BLOK (um, wow...you should see them live at least once in your lifetime...trust me and let's discuss after you do), Big Whup, The Silent Comedy and Honeypie. Davy of We Are The Pilots will be providing the tune-age between sets so rest assured there will be no dull moments on this evening.

See you there!

Sonic Treat of the Day: Toro Y Moi's 'Blessa'

2010-04-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

I've been addicted to Toro Y Moi's 'Blessa' lately. It's my jam right now. And guess what?! They're touring. You HAVE to download the track and check out the live show.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

April 14th - The Echo - with Ruby Suns

The Runaways - Movie Review

2010-04-09T10:48:00.001-07:00

By Crystal Holt

You know what, press screenings are weird. You go catch a movie in the middle of the afternoon with a bunch of jaded journalists who have seen everything under the sun and who aren’t necessarily a fan of anything in the film and are truly only there because they have to watch it for work. You don’t the energy of the people who want to see the film because the love Twilight or Charlotte’s Web or Joan Jett or the 70s. You can’t feed off the excitement of the person sitting next to you because they’re thinking the same thing you are, what they have to do after this gig.

That being said, I don’t know how to feel about this film. Honestly, it meanders. And I really feel like they marketed this as a Kristin Stewart/Joan Jett vehicle and it’s not. It’s a Dakota Fanning vehicle and since when does she not take top billing over Kristin fricking Stewart? The first frame is about Cherie Currie and I’m pretty sure the last one is too. It’s about the rise and death of The Runaways. You see Cherie’s journey, her family, her life evolve. You don’t see any of that with Joan Jett and the actual Joan Jett was an executive producer. I’m wondering how much of that was on purpose. No one truly wants their life and dirty little secrets splayed across the screen for the world to judge, but someone else’s … someone’s who’s you were there to witness even when they were too incapacitated to be a witness themselves … that’s another story all together.

The music kicks ass and I’m sure anyone who was around the first time those songs were popular will have flashbacks and sense memories of their childhood, adolescence and days of yore. And I’m not going to lie, while I was sitting there in the dark trying to push away the rays of ambivalence wafting off the person sitting next to me, I was secretly dreaming of becoming a kickass rock star that pushed boundaries and antiquated concepts of what people think women’s lib is and taking over the world. How many movies do that?

Sonic Treat of the Day: Useless Keys' 'White Noise'

2010-04-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

Photo by Laurie Scavo

In honor of Useless Keys' show at Orange County's Detroit Bar tomorrow night (FREE SHOW), I'd like to offer you a little something something.

Useless Keys - White Noise (learn a lil more about the band by visiting Buzz Bands)

See you at the show!

Noise Pop Festival 2010

2010-03-22T17:41:00.000-07:00

Noise Pop Festival
Photos and Review: Lorna Pacheco
February 23-March 1, 2010
San Francisco

Noise Pop delivered a unique series of performances,\ and films with its 18th installment here in San Francisco, from legendary Yoko Ono to local bands that are on the cusp of stardom, such as The Dodos and Maus Haus. Here is my recap of what I went to see as there were just too many shows to choose from.

Wednesday night at Café Du Nord the line up started with the Young Prisms, not the first to say the obvious but the young band had a My Bloody Valentine, distorted garage sound to them. The three-piece band, The Sandwitches, played a down-tempo emotive set and Southern California’s Best Coast, where Bethany Consentino, lead singer brought the house down with the bands lo-fi, surf rock. We talked a bit and she discussed her “amazing experience” touring with the Vivian girls in the east coast a few weeks back.

“Bethany, your band is going to be bigger than the Vivian girls!” I exclaimed in excitement, still pumped from her set. She glowed and swung around on the barstool. Texan boy trio, Harlem, was disappointing as they sounded way too sloppy, which really sucked cause I like their music.

Saturday I hit up club Mezzanine. The line up started with My First Earthquake, lead singer Rebecca Bortman bounced happily all over the stage as she belted out some funny lyrics. Sugar and Gold, a polished synth-pop, band that reminded me of 80’s OMD, shook their tail feathers. My personal favorite was San Francisco’s Maus Haus. Their analog electronics, omni chords, horns and drums delivered hypnotic sounds that reminded me of Can and the Silver Apples. A bold statement, but I have nothing but praise for originality. !!!, always a high energetic performance with their dance oriented rock, put the crowd in an almost riotous state as they were in a gyrating, sweaty frenzy. The festival ended on Monday with The Magnetic Fields performing at Herbst Theatre. That show had sold out and my Noise Pop badge didn't get me in.

Sho Nuff Show Shots: From Paris, With Love - Féloche

2010-03-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

Photos: Kristy Sparow

FÉLOCHE - February 2010

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Bone Thungs N Harmony

2010-03-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Bone Thugs N Harmony - Rebirth - Official VIdeo

Bone Thugs N Harmony | MySpace Music Videos

Bone Thugs N Harmony

By Crystal Holt

Let's get the awkward question out of the way: Who the hell is the 5th guy? I always thought there were only 4 members of Bones Thugs-n-Harmony. Either I'm remember incorrectly or they have a Apl-de-ap situation on their hands. Who the hell is Flesh-n-Bone?

People don't give Bone enough credit for lyrical style. They get caught up who stole what from where, did blah blah blah originate in Cleveland or Memphis or Mars. Who cares? What is clear is that these four dudes are talented (the jury's still out on that 5th one that I never heard of that joined the group AFTER the grammys and plantinum albums) and they still got it. While I think the chorus is too simple, I get the point. When you find success doing something, people copy your style - Imitation being the highest form of flattery and all that. Where they really shine is in the individual verses. These guys are lyricists. No one listens to 50 Cent for his command of language and his original syntax. I'm still undecided about the music video for "Rebirth" (why is everyone trying to be born again ... I see you Lil Wayne). Are those graphics Q-tips or femurs? I'm so very confused.

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Dominique Young Unique

2010-03-12T09:35:00.000-08:00

Dominique Young Unique - "Show My Ass"

Review by Crystal Holt

First impression, she's got fierce style and a real flow, but she needs some lipstick and the timbre of her voice is unfortunate. Her moniker is too long - drop the Young. Dominique Unique. Done. She also needs some black people in this fucking video. White college frat boys are not her demo. I see this as a real black club (mixed Hip-Hop club) banger. It's fast enough to dance to, DJs will want to remix this and black chicks (hell, women in general) are always looking for a fricking athem (see: Beyonce's "Diva"). And with this uprise of the Black Barbie movement (I see you Nicki fucking Manaj) Dominique Unique could really be the Queen of this genre usurping power from the less talented, nonsensical Manaj. I'm rooting for you Domnique. Keep up the pace, but you might want to pick up some ellocution lessons, too. Don't sleep on the power of folks knowing what the hell you're saying.

(Shout out to Chuck P. of Indie 103.1 and Fader for turning us onto this)

Urbanology: Class Is In Session - Beyonce Works With Lady Gaga

2010-03-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

I will preface this review by saying, I'm not a fan but Crystal is. So here you go:

Review by Crystal Holt

I don't give a frick what @mercedesyolanda says. I don't even want to know what a Ke$ha is. I'm on the Gaga train. I also love how the Swedish directed videos are really short films. I'm digging Beyonce in Gaga's technicolor world. And it's hard to channel Madonna, Michael Jackson AND lesbionic B-Movie prison films in the same scene. I was sooooo hoping B would make an appearance in the prison house, but such is life.

They really should play this video and Videophone back to back. You can really see their difference in styles and personalities. I hope some of the Gaga fun and tongue and cheek rubs off on the Beyonzzzz. And I'm starting to wonder why Beyonce didn't get a Droid promo type deal with her video like Gaga got with Verizon and whatever phone they're hocking now. This is one of the videos where you have to watch it over and over again to trully understand what the hell is going on. And don't think I slept on the numerous QT (that's Quentin Tarantino to you lames and NOT Quick Trip you midwesterners) references: Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill and perhaps a dash of Thelma & Louise. My question is: What the hell will part 2 be about?

Free Stuff: The Bird and The Bee's new album and T-Shirt

2010-03-11T13:33:00.000-08:00

The Bird and The Bee will be releasing an awesome collection of Hall and Oates covers later this month ("Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall And John Oates" - March 23rd) and to honor the release and the amazingness that is Hall and Oates, we're going to give one of you a copy of the album and an awesome t shirt! That's right. You heard me. I want to shower you with The Bird and The Bee gifts. Yay!! By the way, this album is really well done. A fan of both artists, I can assure you that you will dig the personal touch that The Bird and The Bee add to these classics.

All you have to do is send an email with THE BIRD AND THE BEE in the subject line to: killthemicrophone@gmail.com - include your name and address. I will pick a winner at random on March 23rd, the day of the release. I make this very simple, folks. Get your entry in. Tell your pals. And good luck!

For now, check out the tracks on these sites...a little musical scavenger hunt:

1. Heard It On The Radio – MySpace
2. I Can’t Go For That – Brooklyn Vegan
3. Rich Girl – SPIN
4. Sara Smile – Entertainment Weekly
5. Kiss On My List - Idolator
6. Maneater – Perez Hilton
7. She’s Gone – AOL Spinner
8. Private Eyes – USA Today
9. One on One – Prefix

Sonic Treat of the Day: Headlights' 'Wild Life'

2010-03-11T10:03:00.000-08:00

I've REALLY been digging all of the tracks on 'Wild Life' - the latest release from Headlights (out now on Poly Vinyl Records). If you're a Beach House fan or if you dig you some soft and gentle sonic breeze, you're definitely going to want to check this out. They were in Long Beach recently, and I'm totally bummed I missed them, but at least I can cuddle with the songs.

If you visit RCRDLBL (which you should be doing on a daily basis for a healthy dose of new music), you can download "I Don't Mind At All" and "Get Going," but be sure to get the entire album and enjoy a good ear fuzzin'.

The gang is currently touring with David Bazan and can be seen and heard in the following venues:

03/12 - Norman, OK The Opolis
03/13 - Springfield, MO Gallery Sounds
03/14 - St. Louis, MO Old Rock House
03/15 - Newport, KY Southgate House
03/17 - Nashville, TN Exit/In
03/18 - Asheville, NC Grey Eagle
03/19 - West Columbia, SC New Brookland Tavern
03/20 - Richmond, VA Alley Katz
03/21 - Baltimore, MD The Ottobar
03/22 - Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
03/23 - Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg
03/27 - Grantham, PA Messiah College
03/28 - Columbus, OH The Summit
03/29 - Bloomington, IN The Bishop
03/30 - Grand Rapids, MI Calvin College
04/03 - Dekalb, IL House Cafe
04/04 - Milwaukee, WI Pabst
04/05 - St. Paul, MN Turf Club

Eye Candy: Simon Cardoza directs the Manhattan Murder Mystery's Video for "Parking Lot"

2010-03-09T15:13:00.000-08:00

The video for Manhattan Murder Mystery's "Parking Lot" is black and white beauty in all it's glory. Simon Cardoza (directed videos for Death to Anders and The Happy Hollows) does it again.

Enjoy!

Manhattan Murder Mystery - Parking Lot from Simon Cardoza on Vimeo.

The band will be making the rounds at SXSW before returning to L.A. to rock your face off at a few local shows. Visit the band's myspace page for more tunes and a list of dates.

Urbanology - Class Is In Session: Alicia Keys' "Unthinkable (I'm Ready)"

2010-02-19T20:59:00.000-08:00

Review: Cystal Holt
Alicia Keys - Unthinkable (I'm Ready)

I'm ready indeed for more songs like this from Keys. I like the sexy side of life she's showing and now that she's put those lesbian rumors to rest by bedding Swizz Beatz (much to the chagrin of his wife ... ex-wife). The pairing of Keys with Drake isn't hurting my ears or my eyes either. Is it too soon to hope for a sultry music video starring the two as star crossed lovas - rhymes with under the covas. Some slinky hugs and kisses are in order. Hopefully, Swizz doesn't have Keys locked in a guilded cage ala Hova/Beyonz. Jay-Z wouldn't let Usher up on it in "Naughty Girl" OR Sean Paul in the "Baby Boy" video, but let Michael Eely cuddle in Halo? I guess he figures once you've bed Halle Berry, one can only go down. Anyway, add this to your sex mix right after Robin Thicke's mochachocolata "Sex Therapy."

Urbanology - Class Is In Session: The Color Purple

2010-02-18T17:15:00.000-08:00

Review: Crystal Holt
The Color Purple

I had the privilege of seeing this play’s first run in New York on Broadway and I was hoping to catch the LA version with Fantasia, but alas she was not there and I was “treated” to her understudy. Now, I pulled the understudy in New York as well, but that experience left me with the feeling of “if this is the understudy, who the hell is the lead.” The L.A. version was not the same experience. While this young lady definitely pulled it together in the end, it took her a while to get there and several emotional songs left me sans goosebumps. Rufus Bonds, Jr’s portrayal of Mister left me wondering who he blew to get the role. He neither had the acting chops nor the range for the role. And his physically in places reduced me to inappropriate giggles. In the land of lost angels, I’m quite certain there was SOMEONE far more talented to fill the shoes in this vital role.

Stu James really did shine as Harpo and I’m not saying that because he’s high yellow and fine. He had the acting range, singing range and physical presence to pull off the role, and not once did he shirk away from the romance he shared with his female counterpart Sophia, played by the hefty, beautiful and I’m sure 10 years older Felicia P. Fields. James and Fields played their relationship quite convincingly which was very refreshing. Fields’ physical presence ran shivers down my spine and delighted the audience. “Hell No” is now my official theme song for life.

Angela Robinson was properly cast as Shug Avery and while I liked her swagger and the timbre of her voice, she could stand to emote a bit more energy, volume and presence. Her character should have in theory outshone everyone else – which she managed to eclipse everyone BUT Sophia. But I’m sure Fields is never easy to eclipse in any role she deigns to play.

One can only imagine what prowess Fantasia brings to the role, but I will argue that she’s hardly ugly enough to be Cely. It would have been engaging to see her interact with Fields, James and even LaToya London’s Nettie. And while the play has some pretty memorable songs, several from Steven Spielberg’s film will be sorely missed – especially “Sister” and “God’s Going to Tell You Something.” Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to catch Fantasia in the role… or a shooting star … or a unicorn or maybe not.

Urbanology - Class Is In Session: Gucci Mane & His "Musical Shenanigans

2010-02-18T16:44:00.000-08:00

Review: Crystal Holt

Gucci Mane

Call me old fashioned or an elitist, but I like my lyricists to be intelligent. Scratch that; I prefer not only the individual to be experienced in both street and book, but have that knowledge, that gift of worldliness to be expressed in the song. I want a good beat AND lyrics. I want cake AND icing, the Moon AND the motherfucking sky … galaxy … alternate dimensions. I want effort AND perfection. Otherwise in the landscape of music the artist gets lost and the consumer gets bored, not unlike a new magazine in the busy and loud sea of the newsstand.

What exactly am I supposed to be impressed by? His love of yellow? Fuck chicks, sells drugs, one-up dudes, kick-ball-change, repeat. Jewelry, jewelry, misogyny, drop name brand, name drop athlete, uninvention, electric slide, repeat. Mush mouth, bass, bass, simple refrain, Phantom, kilo, sing off key, macarena, stanky leg, repeat. <<**Yawn**>>

And did he do videos for EVERY song? Must have been stocking up for jail. This album would have been really good and progressive in 1993 when I was growing up in the hood. But I have grown and evolved since then and it’s just a little too 4th grade vocabulary worksheet for me. Sure Lil Wayne and Ursher (yeah, I spelled it that way on purpose) do what they can, but as gutta as Wayne still claims to be, that motherfucker reads and has evolved beyond Master P/The Block is Hot.

I give this album a half a bag of Redhot Riplets, two bites of hot pickle and a sip of grape Crush. That’s the ghetto equivalent of 2 stars on Netflix or 1 mic from The Source, you know, back when THAT was still relevant.

The Vernacular Expressions of Art

2010-02-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

Sirron Norris Studio and Gallery Grand Opening
The Vernacular Expressions of Art
Saturday, February 6, 2010

Review Lorna Pacheco
Photos Joseph O'Neill and Lorna Pacheco

Lately, the atmosphere of art has been marginalized. Creative instincts have been malnourished and stunted due to programs being cut in the public school system. Many fear that art will soon be monopolized by the private sector. However, there is at least one place where it thrives in a very grass roots way. Artist Sirron Norris (his name is a palindrome), a local legend, has come to the rescue as he has discovered the anecdote.

His mission: to make his art accessible to all. Norris’ new studio and gallery opened earlier this month in The Mission. A diverse and huge crowd of children and adults filled his gallery and poured out onto the street. The concept: bring street art into a gallery space. Normally, high-end art galleries are associated with wealth, soft music and an art gallery curator. Norris aims to change that by creating a high-end space that is for the community, for children, for families, aspiring artists, students, any anyone walking down the street.

“Art should not be intimidating and neither should galleries,” says Norris. He lived up to his word on Saturday. Kids were lined up to play the 3-D interactive video game where they could walk into Norris’ paintings. The gallery featured his artwork, clothing, stickers, art books, toys and the studio was the center of commerce. A favorite instillation was a diorama of San Francisco-styled Victorian buildings made of recycled materials. DJ Eric Chavez aka “The Fog” was spinning raw, uncut funk and classic, underground hip-hop on his turntables. Cookies and milk for the kids, wine and cheese for the adults. It was a unique, colorful scene, filled with splendor as his works of art evoked a vibe of euphoria. One sees it and thinks, Anime meets Hanna Barbera meets graffiti inspired work. Norris defines his style as “cartoon literalism.” His work interprets social issues such as race, segregation and gentrification, through symbolism, toned down by the use of cartoon caricatures.

He plans on offering cartoon classes for the youth for only $15 per class starting mid February. The large storefront window allows for public viewing of live painting. As this process comes to life, it helps break the disconnect of what one buys and how things are created. Next time you are in San Francisco, stop by this gem of a gallery. As demonstrated at his opening, the San Francisco community seems to appreciate Sirron Norris for breathing new life back into the art sector and for doing it in a new funky, street-savvy style.

Sirron Norris is an artist, educator, muralist, painter and commercial artist in San Francisco. In the last 11 years he has created over 15 murals all over the city, including “Victorion, El Defensor de la Mision” in Balmy Alley in the Mission district (www.balmyalley.com). His “blue bear” murals are famous and located all over in SF. Among other projects, he has worked on Fox’s animated series Bob’s Burgers (be on the lookout early 2011). His new gallery and studio is located in the Mission at 1406 Valencia Street at 25th. For more information please go to www.sirronnorris.com or Facebook.

Our Show Pick For This Evening: The Antlers and Editors at The Wiltern

2010-02-11T11:35:00.001-08:00

Photo: Ben Ritter

Head over to The Wiltern tonight to hear The Antlers and Editors perform their latest releases, Hospice and In The Light And On This Evening, respectively. Both are decent records and both bands put on great shows. If you can't make the show, be sure to check out the records.

Photo: Kevin Westenberg

Mark Your Calendars (or the creepy clowns will get you...)

2010-02-08T13:42:00.000-08:00

Seriously. Am I the only who feels totally uncomfortable when I look at this flyer? Okay. So what? That's not the point. K Bro has put together a neat little line up of sonic goodness. This show is 18+ so tell all the kids. As an added bonus, if you want to get on the $5 cover list, you can email buzzbands@gmail.com get the hook up. Holler!

Glacier Hiking
Haim
Kitten
Go West Young Man

Yours truly will be working the merch booth so be sure to stop by and support the artists. Kevin is really good about having goodies for everyone at the table...even you broke folk.

Sonic Treat of the Day: Still Life Still's "Kid"

2010-02-08T11:40:00.000-08:00

Hey. Here's a little something for your dome this afternoon: Still Life Still. They're from Canada. Shocking. I should just marry Canada already because I like most things Canadian. Any who, Still Life Still is one of these things I like so allow me to share...

CLICK HERE to get yourself your very own copy of "Kid"

You can catch Still Life Still live on Wednesday night at The Troubadour.

As an added bonus, why don't you feast your eyes on the video for Girls Come Too's first single, "Pastel" - and yes, that's Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene making two lil cameos.

And The Nominees Are...

2010-02-08T08:01:00.000-08:00

Cheers to all of our local musicians that are nominated for an OC Music Award this year. OC Weekly's Jim Washburn will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Yay!! We've noted some of our favorites with links. Be sure to check them out if you haven't already. Without further ado, the list of nominees...

Best Album – Released in 2009
“Asleep in the Wake” - Melanoid
“Beggars” - Thrice
“In Search of Solid Ground” - Saosin
“Place and Stage” - Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
“Portable Record Player” – Michael Ubaldini

Best Song – Released in 2009
“El Capitan” – The Steelwells
“How it Feels” - Aushua
“Oh Goodbye” – The Colourist
“Storm” – Atreyu
“Walk Like a Gentleman” – Eye Alaska

Best New Artist – New to 2009 Music Scene
Blok
The Colourist
I Hate You Just Kidding
She Screams Remedy
The Steelwells

Best Alternative
Aushua
Eye Alaska
Saosin
Stereofix
Thrice

Best Blues
Parker Macy Blues
Mississippi Man
Roman Alexander and the Robbery
Savage City
Walter Trout

Best Club DJ
Bobby Soul
DJ Dan Sena
DJ Oldboy
Free the Robots
Rachael Starr

Best Country/Americana
Billy Kernkamp
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
The Fallen Stars
Michael Ubaldini
Pawn Shop Kings

Best Electronic
Blok
Break the Circus
Color Theory
Electric Valentine
Free the Robots

Best Folk
Argyle Smile
Barrett Johnson
I Hate You Just Kidding
Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob
Yellow Red Sparks

Best Hip Hop
Blok
Brawdcast
The Dirty Heads
Loose Logic
My Hero

Best Indie
The Color Turning
The New Limb
The Steelwells
The Union Line
Young The Giant

Best Jazz
Dana Parker
Rare Form Band
Riff Raff
Todd Oliver
Translucent Ham Sandwich Band

Best Latin
Boogaloo Assassins
Chris Williams
Miguel Garcia and the Vaquetones
Robert Anthony Aviles
Soul Hustlers

Best Metal
Atreyu
Avenged Sevenfold
Death by Stereo
Pistolero
Throwdown

Best Pop
The Bolts
Cambria Detken
Molly Jensen
The Sequence
Stacy Clark

Best Punk
The Adolescents
Audacity
Chaser
Franki Doll & The Broken Toys
Longway

Best Rock
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band
Melanoid
Thrice
Stereofix
Sederra

Best Surf
Gantez Warrior
Hindu Pirates
Marc B
The Eliminators
The Growlers

Best World
The Dirty Heads
Humanlab
Pilot Touhil
Reel Big Fish
Starpool

Orange County Impact Award
Sugar Ray

Lifetime Achievement Award
Jim Washburn

The Grove in Anaheim will host the award show on March 6th. Support your local scene and artists. Tickets to the award show are available via Ticketmaster. We'll definitely be there. Hope to see you there.

February Residency - The Echo Hosts The Useless Keys

2010-02-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

The Useless Keys are house sitting for The Echo on Monday nights in February. Haven't heard the band or seen them live yet? Click here to have a listen. This week, the band is joined by Spirit Vine and The Arms. A little birdy named K Bro told me Warpaint was going to be the surprise guest for tonight. Oh, werd? You better go...

As always, Mondays at The Echo are free and open to cats and kittens that are 21 and over.

First Weekend of the Sundance Film Festival Earns Decent GPA in 2010

2010-01-30T00:02:00.000-08:00

I've never been to Sundance and I'm sort of bummed about the whole thing. Don't get me started, okay? Moving on... This year, I asked my friend/son, Taylor Ghrist, to hit me up with his favorite films from this year's entries. The young man has excellent taste. You may want to make note of these films and check them out if you haven't already. And be on the look out. One of these days you may find yourself watching one of his films. Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, Taylor Ghrist...

At this yearʼs Sundance Film Festival, many ﬁlms had tons of buzz surrounding them. Unfortunately, I could only for the ﬁrst weekend. The following are reviews from a batch of the ﬁrst weekendʼs ﬁlms.

Splice
Directed by: Vincenzo Natali (Cube)
Written by: Vincenzo Natali, Antoinette Terry Bryant and Doug Taylor
Starring: Adrien Brody, Sarah Polley, David Hewlett
Grade: B+

If you are squeamish at the slightest sight of creature gore, frantic noises, or easily perturbed by things with tails, Splice isnʼt the movie for you. The story, plain and simple, revolves around two scientists who make a juvenile mistake by contributing to their own “experiment” instead of actually working on assigned work. As a result, a new organism named Dren is born. The two foster the organism as if they just had their own offspring and form an unlikely bond that eventually descends into chaos. The ﬁlm was packed at the Sundance premiere. The cast, Sarah Polley and Adrien Brody, along with the director, Vincenzo Natali, were there to speak. Before the ﬁlm screened, Natali mentioned that Polley herself describes the ﬁlm as a ﬁlm with no “moral boundaries,” not to say that this is ʻA Clockwork Orange.ʼ The ﬁlm feels like itʼs almost set in the Garden of Eden and introduces some unnerving ideas about science and mankind. I thought the ﬁlm was actually a bit ludicrous, due to the seriousness intertwined with the dark humor. Though, the more I thought about the ﬁlm the more it grew on me. The next day I couldnʼt stop thinking about it. Who said a sci-ﬁ action ﬂick canʼt be silly at times?! Do yourself a favor, grab some popcorn and see this movie when itʼs due in theaters.

Poison
Written/Directed by: Todd Haynes
Grade: A-

I also had the chance to see Todd Haynesʼ Poison, originally released in 1991. Having seen his other ﬁlms, including Far From Heaven and the ever-so glam fueled, Velvet Goldmine, I expected another empowering ﬁlm. I was right. Sundance screened a remastered version of Poison as part of their selection of “important” ﬁlms, all from the UCLA ﬁlm archives (the other two were Harold and Maude and Metropolitan). The ﬁlm tells three different stories, titled “Hero”, “Horror”, and “Homo." The stories explore the melancholy lives of three different characters. There will soon be a released DVD for this ﬁlm. Poison struck a chord with me because of its haunting imagery and in-depth analysis of what makes life so difﬁcult for these human characters (mostly homosexual in this ﬁlm) to live and pursue the happiness that everyone wants. Haynesʼ perfectly orchestrates a sinister look that society imposes on the gay community and leaves much interpretation to his general audience with disturbing metaphors (AIDS and a “mysterious skin infection”), moody camera movements and stylized touches (ﬁlm noir for “Horror”). All in all, I think Poison is a very underrated ﬁlm that should at least be viewed by most. Look out for it on DVD when itʼs re released. At the moment, a single DVD on Amazon (used) runs for about $45.

Enter the Void
Written/Directed by: Gaspar Noé
Grade: A

ENTER THE VOID. The title says it all. Gasper Noé, the controversial French director (Irreversible), introduced his newest addition, Enter the Void, to North America last weekend and audiences were both enthused and appalled (the ﬁlm was previously screened at the Cannes Film Festival). The central story of Enter the Void is simply (if only) about a young drug dealerʼs soul lingering the streets of urban Tokyo after being shot by a cop and how the soul embarks through the past, present and future, in a deeply meditative, almost hypnotic, visual feast. The young drug dealer, played by the stunning Nathaniel Brown, is closest to his sister, Linda, after their parents had died in a devastating car crash when they were younger, which they both witnessed. He then promises his sister that he will never leave her and, as a result, his attachment is what keeps his soul lingering the streets for the time being. I will warn any viewer that the ﬁlm isnʼt for everyone and has no moral boundaries whatsoever. If one is truly curious to see this ﬁlm check out his previous ﬁlms beforehand. The camera work is seen mostly through the main characterʼs eyes, which provides a dizzying, realistic glimpse into the world he once lived in. The colors, saturated and vivid, do justice for the city of Tokyo and emphasize several tones of the ﬁlm, with its themes of sex, violence, drugs and life. I would also like to acknowledge the fact that Daft Punk and Air helped with the score.

Women Without Men (Zanan-e bedun-e mardan)
Directed by: Shirin Neshat, Shoja Azari
Grade: B+

I had one day left to experience the thrills of Sundanceʼs contagious movie going and had no idea which ﬁlm to see. At the last minute, I ﬂocked to see Women Without Men, a courageous story about Iranian women suppressed by war, politics, and, as you guessed, men. Set in 1953, the four female characters revive themselves in a serene garden, set apart from the CIA infested backdrop in Iran. My praise for this ﬁlm remains highly induced by the lead female performances, namely Pegah Ferydoni, which inspire and move the audience more than anything else, including the imagery (shot in HD), which is still beautiful. The ﬁlm contains some nice surprises and, overall, Iʼd recommend it to anyone whoʼs looking for an honest, intimate look into real people recognizing real issues in past history.

Oh, and donʼt go see The Perfect Host, starring Frasierʼs David Hyde Pierce. I swear the movie will go directly to DVD.

OTHER MENTIONS
I didnʼt have the chance to see these ﬁlms but they have either had great buzz or Iʼve heard great things about them. Enjoy perusing.

*THE RUNAWAYS (Dakota Fanning in the Joan Jett ﬁlm)

*HOLY ROLLERS (Hasidic Jews smuggling ecstacy! Who doesnʼt want to see this!? Jesse Eisenberg stars)

*WINTERʼS BONE

*SINS OF MY FATHER (Pablo Escobarʼs daughter tells her story)

*THE KILLER INSIDE ME

*BURIED

*WELCOME TO THE RILEYS

*HOWL

*HAPPYTHANKYOUMOREPLEASE

*CYRUS

*HESHER

*THE ROMANTICS

*GET LOW (I actually heard something terriﬁc about this one)