Archive | February, 2012

New Music Tuesday: WZRD (Kid Cudi and Dot da Genius)

28 Feb

This New Music Tuesday brings us the anticipated release of WZRD from the duo of Kid Cudi and Dot da Genius.  Taking a slight detour from his hip-hop focus, Cudi teams with Dot da Genius to put out an “alt rock” album that still has me wondering is that how to really categorize it and why for some reason I like it.  Give a listen and judge for yourself.

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Now Playing: Ball Park Music – “It’s Nice To Be Alive”

27 Feb

A little late but still in time for Music Monday. Today’s tune courtesy of Ball Park Music – “It’s Nice To Be Alive” off the album Happiness and Surrounding Suburbs.

Now get out and make the most of this week!

 

New Music: “DoYaThing” – Gorillaz, Andre 3000, James Murphy

23 Feb

It’s finally here, the official release of “DoYaThing” featuring Gorillaz, Andre 3000 and James Murphy.  As part of Converse’s three artists, one song campaign in conjunction with a limited edition Check Taylor Gorillaz collection, the track is a powerhouse of talent and a good one!  Bonus: click HERE to download the song courtesy of Converse.

 
Until the official video is released, here is a behind the scenes look at the making of it.

 

Now Playing: New Navy – “Zimbabwe”

22 Feb

Surprise, surprise yet another band from Australia that has caught my attention.  Give a listen to “Zimbabwe” from New Navy and check out their EP, Uluwatu.  Seriously there continues to be so much great music from Down Under.

 

New Music: B.o.B – “So Good”

21 Feb

The latest from B.o.B – “So Good” off his upcoming sophomore effort, Strange Clouds due out May 1.

Revisited: My week that was in music

20 Feb

Wow, wow, wow what a week of live music last week was.  It was intense, fun, full of surprises and I got to see a few of my favorite bands/musicians.

Monday, Feb 13 – AG Jeans party at Marquee Nightclub with Foster The People.  Having seen these guys six times previous in the last calendar year, I still don’t’ miss the chance to catch them live.  With a powerhouse sound system and coming off their GRAMMY performance the evening before, it was a solid show and they added “Warrant” to the setlist after nixing it during their October gig at the Cosmo.

Tuesday, Feb. 14 – Out to support the buddies at CRSVR Las Vegas for a DJ Vice x Jason Markk shoe cleaning kit release party.  The one and only DJ Fashen was on the decks as Vice played host for the evening.

Wednesday, Feb. 15 – As part of the Sports Illustrated Beauty & Beats Music Festival at The Cosmopolitan I was all giddy to finally see Delta Spirit live!  Fantastic 90 minute set that culminated with a real life Animal House moment when lead singer, Matthew Vasquez jumped into the crowd and got everyone low before getting “a little bit louder now” and everyone jumping to their feet and Vasquez climbing on the bar to finish out the show.

Thursday, Feb. 16 – A continuation of the Beauty & Beats Music Festival this night with White Denim, a band I have been digging for some time and WOW can they jam! Can’t wait to see these guys at Bonnaroo.  Following it was upstairs to catch the Black Lips before heading to PURE Nightclub for the final Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue soiree of the week where Bruno Mars took the stage and for 30 minutes with his band, played a mash-up melody of hits both old and new before finishing with two of his own songs.

Friday, Feb. 17 – Glam rock at its finest as The Darkness hot on their comeback trail rocked the House of Blues and reignited my love of this band.  Justin Hawkins, my hat off to you.

Sunday, Feb. 19 – Look for my review in the upcoming issue of Vegas SEVEN, Lenny Kravitz show where not only did he serenade Muhammad Ali for his 70th birthday but he was joined by Quincy Jones as well as Slash and Joe Perry.  Terrance Howard also made a brief appearance leading the crowd in a ‘Lenny’ chant during the encore break.

Phew, I’m exhausted just from writing this.  Just another week in Vegas…..

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ALL FOSTER THE PEOPLE IMAGES COURTESY OF OUR FRIEND Erik Kabik (© Erik Kabik/ erikkabik.com)

Revisited: My review of Vintage Trouble in Vegas SEVEN (2 16 12 Issue)

17 Feb

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a fun and energetic performance by Vintage Trouble over at Book & Stage inside The Cosmopolitan.  See below for my review which appears in the February 16 issue of Vegas SEVEN.

Taking a further look at the Bonnaroo 2012 lineup

16 Feb

As everyone knows, the Bonnaroo lineup was released earlier this week and all I can keep thinking about is, will June 7 just get here already?!

So in anticipation, I put some of my thoughts together on the lineup.  I’m also amazed at how many of the bands I’ve actually seen live before.

  • Radiohead – never been a big fan of them (a little shocker, I know) but seeing them in the middle of nowhere should be awesome
  • Red Hot Chili Peppers – yes, yes, yes! If you’ve ever been to a RHCP show you know what I’m talking about
  • Phish – been a while since I’ve seen them live, can’t wait (Bart Scott voice)
  • Bon Iver – have to be honest, not a big fan but will check them out
  • The Beach Boys – this one is growing on me, I am just imagining hanging out in the field listening to the Beach Boys on a hot summer day in Tennessee
  • The Avett Brothers – if you have never seen these guys live, WOW!
  • The Shins – yes! Catching them this spring too!
  • Foster The People – seen them way too many times in the last 12 months and thrilled to see them getting bigger and bigger
  • Skrillex – just doesn’t fit in Bonnaroo if you ask me but I’m sure the kids will be going crazy
  • Aziz Ansari – crazy to me he’s getting a big slot this year as the “comedy headliner” – introduced the Black Keys last year
  • Dispatch – one of my dreams coming true, finally getting to see them live
  • Feist – actually excited about this
  • The Roots – there is nothing quite like a Roots show, simply amazing
  • Alice Cooper – I can hear “School’s Out For Summer” in my head
  • SuperJam – oh who will it be this year
  • Black Star – yes sir!
  • The Word (featuring John Medeski, Robert Randolph and North Mississippi Allstars) – are you effen kidding me!
  • Ludacris – throw dem bows!
  • Ben Folds Five – I hope this is better than just a Ben Folds show
  • Flogging Molly – woohoo, let the ruckus begin!
  • Spectrum Road (featuring Cindy Blackman Santana, Jack Bruce, John Medeski and Vernon Reid) – solid!
  • Mac Miller – get to check what this kid is all about
  • Childish Gambino – my surprise of the festival last year, should be a blast
  • Major Lazer – I love this call!
  • tUnE-yArDs – mad excited to see them live
  • Afrocubism
  • Flying Lotus – late night bonanza
  • Umphrey’s McGee – yes, the jamming
  • Little Dragon – stoked!
  • St. Vincent – really intrigued with all the press and push over the
  • City and Colour – big fan of Dallas Green
  • The Civil Wars – super excited for this performance although I wonder if Joy Williams’ pregnancy will prevent them from performing.  Let’s hope not.
  • Young The Giant – so stoked for these guys and having seen them live in tiny rooms, concert halls and a festival atmosphere, I can’t wait for Bonnaroo to get rocked by them
  • Two Door Cinema Club – one of the more energetic and fun live bands
  • Punch Brothers – ready for a get down
  • NEEDTOBREATHE
  • Fitz & The Tantrums – if you’ve never seen Fitz live, it is a must
  • Bad Brains – taking it back, let’s rage!
  • Yelawolf – never got into his music, maybe I’ll give it a gander
  • Dawes – awesome live, incredibly talented, can’t wait to see them on The Farm
  • Battles
  • Danny Brown – YES YES YES! His coming out party continues
  • The Black Lips – there is really nothing like a Black Lips show, trust me
  • SBTRKT – I am just picturing a late night get down!
  • Phantogram – continuing to rise
  • Kendrick Lamar – one of the breakout artists of 2012, let’s see it!
  • Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires – oh man this may be one of the best shows at the festival
  • The Kooks – another band from across the pond I can’t get enough of
  • The Joy Formidable – fun live if you’ve never seen them before
  • The Antlers – dreams are starting to come true, can’t wait for this performance
  • Kathleen Edwards
  • Mimosa – just starting to listen to them, getting excited
  • Kurt Vile & The Violators – yes, another artist everyone should get excited to see
  • Alabama Shakes – HOLY AMAZING – when I first heard them I was in lvoe
  • Das Racist – kinda indifferent
  • Delta Spirit – just saw one hell of a rocking show with these guys.
  • Gary Clark Jr. – welcome back to Roo! Incredible talent
  • Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk – oh yeah!
  • Laura Marling – love, love, love her voice
  • Trampled by Turtles – JUST A LITTLE EXCITED!
  • Mogwai – not my cup of tea but…
  • The War On Drugs – Thanks, Kurt Vile!
  • Ben Howard – killer voice
  • Grouplove – they had my favorite album of 2011, are incredible live and will take the energy of Bonnaroo through the roof!
  • Blind Pilot
  • ALO – been a minute since I’ve seen them live. Fun show!
  • The Devil Makes Three
  • White Denim – get ready to take yourself on a rock experience
  • EMA
  • Here We Go Magic – P A R T Y
  • K-Flay
  • The Lonely Forest – on tour with Portugal. The Man right now
  • Mariachi El Bronx – oh this is going to be a special one at Bonnaroo!
  • Big Freedia
  • Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. – Detroit Rock City
  • The Soul Rebels
  • Kvelertak
  • SOJA – Jah ready for a reggae good time? Don’t miss this show
  • Steven Bernstein’s MTO Allstars Plays Sly
  • Big Gigantic – hello late night!
  • Sarah Jarosz
  • Orgone – one of the more entertaining and talented bands I’ve seen live. F U N
  • Darondo
  • Fruit Bats – feeling a mid afternoon slot for them
  • Moon Taxi – holy can’t believe they are on the line-up, so stoked for me and them!

So there you have it, some quick thoughts on the initial Bonnaroo 2012 lineup.  The best part is we still have more acts to be announced!

Can’t wait to be in Tennessee again! A little over 100 days away, I’m not counting or anything.

BONNAROO 2012 LINEUP IS HERE! WOW!!!

14 Feb

Holy Bonnaroo!  Are you kidding me?  What a line-up SuperFly put together this year.  Looks like The Farm is going to be a rocking for four amazing days.  Sweet headliners! Tons of legendary acts! A stellar list of the rising stars of tomorrow!  Bonnaroo favorites! I mean this is going to be B A N A N A S.

Now Playing: The Lumineers – “Ho Hey”

13 Feb

Music Monday. Here’s to a great week ahead! I really hope The Lumineers get a chance to show their stuff at Bonnaroo this year. I feel this Denver based band is the perfect fit for the festival and would just thrive in front of the this type of crowd. Give a listen to the below and you’ll see why.