THE ROTATION ROOM

So it's been a minute, but I decided to do a little CPR on The Rotation Room. Give credit where credit's due, and credit is due to Neko Case. Listening to her new record, Middle Cyclone, I can't help but smile. What a freaking masterpiece. I'll buy ice cream for whoever can tell me which photographer did the album artwork. Seriously, I want to know.

My other reason for getting back into the blog game is just an overall feeling of excitement about new music, and wanting to write about it. Take a little taste of these up-and-comers:

Friendly Fires: Nic Harcourt had these guys on KCRW before his curtain call, and I haven't stopped the 'Night at the Roxbury' head-wag since…in a good way. Hit up their MySpace page.

White Lies: Like Friendly Fires, White Lies are a sign that the mix of rock/dance/electronic used by bands like Justice, The Killers and MGMT is paving the way for a new wave of young talents. Oh, and by the way, they just dropped a SICK cover of Kanye's "Love Lockdown."

The Peekers: These Shreveport natives' Daytrotter Session is worth a listen.

What's up everyone:
My apologies for being M.I.A. (like missing, not like the femme fantastic performer) for a minute. I've taken up residence in wonderful New Orleans working for a nonprofit, and my blogging has fallen by the wayside. However, I've been taking pictures every now-and-again, and you can check them out here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57404914@N00/

Until further notice, I'll be hitting the snooze on The Rotation Room, but feel free to check out the flickr site from time-to-time for photos from The Big Easy.

Cheers.

Labels: Reviews/Photos

In the spirit of the Product (RED) campaign, one of my absolute favorite things which has ever been created, I thought I would list a few people's work which I have found to be particularly inspiring.

I don't even know what to say about this. DJ Reggie strikes again.

"It's a sad, sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger."
- Natalie Maines

Full review and even more photos to follow, but in the meantime, here's a glimpse of one of the most fun nights New York has ever seen.

Labels: Reviews/Photos

It's been long enough. I'm finally back in the flow after a considerable amount of time away from New York and its beautiful music scene, and it's time to share what I've been hearing. As always, some of the these you may know, but hopefully not all of them.

MOCEAN WORKER (MySpace)
I've posted about Mocean Worker, but some people can never get enough shine. Whether you call it nu-jazz, funk, soul, electronic, dance, or anything in between, one thing you can always call it is H-O-T. Being Brooklyn-based, MoWo should never be more than a week away for those New Yorkers wanting to catch a glimpse.
HOT Track: "Shake Ya Boogie"

JENNY OWEN YOUNGS (MySpace)
This Monmouth, NJ native put the dirty back in the Dirty Jerz. You wouldn't know by her dockside prep-star getup, but this red-haired fireplug will keep you on your toes. If you don't believe me, check out her single (which is destined for the R-rated version of Grey's Anatomy), titled "F--- Was I."
HOT Track: "F--- Was I"

JESSIE BAYLIN (MySpace)
If you trust my taste in music, you're clearly crazy. But if you're crazy, then take this recommendation. This L.A. singer-songwriter's tune "See How I Run" is burning a hole in my iPod, and it's not stopping anytime soon. There's something about the tempo of this song that is absolutely perfect for walking down the streets of New York on a sunny day, and that's how I prefer to spend my time.
HOT Track: "See How I Run"

BROOKS CHAMBERS (MySpace)
I think bands (and perfectly good ones, I might add) like Interpol and The Killers (yes, dammit...The Killers) have shown us that even the most red-blooded American bands can let a little of that Brit charm drip onto their vocal chords every now and again. Likewise, back in the day, Elton John showed us his affinity for American country music on albums like Honky Chateau. Well, next in the line of those culture-appreciating/culture-confused frontmen is Austin's Brooks Chambers. The Rhett Miller look-a-like is a crooner if you've ever heard one, and he's about ready to be the subject of your next "frontman identity" debate.
HOT Track: "Honey Tree"