Siren Fest Artist Announced

Illustration by Paul Antonson

Saturday July 19th we can all go bake in the sun with a bunch of drunken hipsters, and hang out on the beach while the bands we don't like play...Unless it rains. Both times that I have gone it has been really hot, and really crouded. And really awesome. For those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, click the link, and read the Village Voice description of their event. So see the line-up here.


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Couldn't have said it better myself....

Hercules and Love Affair...

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Record Reviews: Islands and Wolf Parade

I know I'm behind my game on writing about both of these upcoming releases. Part of me was trying to wait until the actual records were released, instead of writing about the leaks. That part of me has a small, weak voice. And my overbearing, demanding half won, and I am going to write about them once I give each of the records solid chances at winning my heart.....

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Cave Singers at Mercury Lounge Tomorrow!

Thanks Matador for the Pic!

I think they go on at 10. I'm going to try to go, since I have heard from a very, very reliable source that they are truly amazing live. Take a quick listen.

Concert Review: Blues Traveler, Hollywood Race Track, CA

Note the guys in ties, they were born w/o the fun chromosome. Obviously, our friends in the foreground each have a healthy helices.

Last weekend I saw Blues Traveler! I know, remember them?!? Were they giving me the run around? Ok, sorry for the bad puns, but there were several things that made the situation awkward/awesome. For starters, we were at the horse races in Compton, that part of LA that all of the gangster rappers reference as "the hood". Apparently it is considered to be a pretty unsafe neighborhood. Not to worry, we were traveling in a large group, and we were armed with Sparks and Captain's. We had collectively had enough to drink to kill a menagerie of vermin before we entered the grounds. We arrive at the races, and watch the horses run...it was moderately entertaining. We used the time valuably to drink beer and take sips from the plastic flask (because obviously a metal flask sets off metal detectors) in preparation for the impending wild dance party that is a Blues Traveler's show. Except that we had missed the memo that it was a wake. I'm not sure if everyone was sour because their horses had lost, but never have I encountered such an uptight crowd at a Friday night concert. Our little troupe (of 8 people) was set to party and we did, much to the chagrin of the people around us. Whatever they were mourning we were desecrating.
The actual concert was a blast, the band was completely rocking out, and it was one of those shows where every song melted together (or not, and that was the Captain's I was feeling) and we just danced like crazy for the whole show. I think it was Colin who equated it to a Dan Deacon show, that same level of crazy dancing...except it was just us. Needless to say, I now have a warm spot in my heart for both LA and Blues Travler.

Worst Opener Ever Contestant Has a Video

Remember Blood On the Wall? I wrote about their penchant for screetchy, low growls and wanna-be Pixies sounds last month after Dave, Andy and I saw them open for Sunset Rubdown. Well, apparently they played SXSW, and made a video montage of their opening song "Hibernation". This is a great chance for of you readers to watch them in live action, and then write comments! Maybe the three of us (plus our new friend Chris) were being a tad harsh when we instantly decreed them as "crappy live band of the century". Or maybe not. So take a listen and a look at their Awesomer myspace page.....

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Thao and the Get Down Stay Down Tonght!

Tonight at the Brooklyn Maisonic Temple, Thao is opening for I'm from Barcelona. The latter is a fun, bright indie pop band, with horns and multi-person choruses, and Thao is, of course amazing. Take a moment to listen to both artists on Hypem.com and decide that you want nothing more than to feel like you are at a middle school dance watching two great bands. I love that strange displacement that the Masonic temple causes. Plus, they have beer tickets.

This is instead of an Art Party Thursday. I know, I have been a little lame on the art parties lately...

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