REVISITED: Mayer Hawthorne at The Cosmopolitan

20 Dec

Over the weekend I found myself returning to the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas to check out Mayer Hawthorne & The County performing at The Book & Stage.  First off let me just say that this may be the coolest thing that any hotel & casino has ever done, offer free live entertainment of bands that you would normally be paying at least $10-$40 to see.  At the same time I was on property to see Mayer Hawthorne do his thing, Nervo (smoking hot Australian sisters Liv and Mim) were performing just down the way at the Chandelier Bar and Beats Antique were performing at Bond and all you had to do was just show up to hear great music.

Back to Mayer Hawthorne; from the minute he took the stage, the energy in the lounge skyrocketed and a swarm of people from the casino floor started building around the venue.   His soul sounds  were captivating as he pumped out an hour set filled with his hits, “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” and “Maybe So, Maybe No” as well as handful of covers including Snoop Dogg’s “Gangsta Luv” and The Isley Brothers’ “Work To Do.”  Overall it was easily the best free lounge entertainment I’ve experienced in Las Vegas and hopefully Hawthorne will return soon as his sound and energy were a perfect fit.

Also I’m really stoked about a handful of acts Cosmopolitan has booked in January including Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (January 26-29), Fitz & The Tantrums (January 13-16) and Best Coast (January 5-8).  Four night runs at The Book & Stage and all non-ticketed events so just show up and you’re golden.

Here are a few photos from the show, next time I’ll bring a real camera to snap some quality images.

 

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DJ Roger Gangi – New Remix

20 Dec

Here’s another new remix from my buddy DJ Roger Gangi,  “Barbra Streisand” by Duck Sauce (A-Trak and Armand Van Helden) vs. “The Time.”  Download it for free by following THIS link.

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Cassette Tape Art Behind Bruno Mars – “Just The Way You Are”

17 Dec

This is a really cool article by Mark Morganstein of CNN.com about Erika Iris Simmons and how Bruno Mars got the idea for his video “Just The Way You Are.” Fascinating stuff and really creative.

Erika Iris Simmons calls herself a “pop” artist.

But she could also be called a “classical” artist or a “spoken word” artist. It all depends on whether she’s creating Madonna out of cassette tape, Beethoven out of sheet music, or Shakespeare out of some of his sonnets.

In just three years, Simmons’ unique recycled portraits have earned admirers around the world. Now, the 27-year-old Atlanta, Georgia — based artist is enjoying a much higher profile. The music video for Bruno Mars’ chart-topping single, “Just the Way You Are,” inspired by her cassette tape portraits, has been viewed more than 50 million times on YouTube. Continue reading

http://vimeo.com/17029454

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Brandon Flowers at Grand Opening of Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas

16 Dec

Pool side performance for the grand opening!

Team CRSVR

16 Dec

Congrats fellas!

Now open at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas!

 

Live Music Tonight at Cosmopolitan Opening in Vegas

15 Dec

Excited for the grand opening of Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas tonight for many reasons and the success of friends but also how live music is a part of the evening.  Stoked to see Brandon Flowers perform poolside (it’s quite warm in Las Vegas so no worries on the show being outside) and hearing some of his solo stuff live.

Also Mayer Hawthorne and The County begin a four night stint performing two sets each evening at The Book & Stage.  MH&TC shows are free so come one, come all!

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Why No Electronic Music In Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Singles Of 2010?

14 Dec

For as much as Rolling Stone has given electronic/electro music credit this year, I’m pretty disappointed that their Top 50 Singles of 2010 didn’t include any of the below:

Swedish House Mafia – “One” – arguably the song of the summer and anyone who’s been to a pool party or a nightclub has heard this.  The song took off like a wild fire and didn’t get put out.

Afrojack – “Take Over Control” ft. Eva Simons – a late bloomer but still one of the hottest dance tracks of the year.  Play this song for anyone and I’d be shocked if they don’t start dancing.

Deadmau5 – “Sofi Needs A Ladder” – for as much as Rolling Stone has a crush on Deadmau5 and for this song not to be included is a shame.

David Guetta – any song off of One Love since it came out in the second half of 2009 and got MAJOR play in 2010

Steve Angello – “KNAS” – another club banger in the summer of 2010

Edward Maya – “Stereo Love” – from late 2009 and undoubtedly blew up in 2010

Steve Aoki – “I’m In The House” ft. will.i.am – for as much electro as the music industry has gone in 2010 and how big the Black Eyed Peas are, this would be borderline consideration at least.

Those are just a handful of songs that deserve their due but we could go on forever with this and artists who are not being recognized (Yolanda Be Cool & DCup, Roger Sanchez, Alex Gaudino, etc.) for their influence on pop culture. Just because they may not have a song full of lyrics or one incredible line that makes you laugh shouldn’t take away from the sheer talent and popularity.  I know not everyone is into electronic music and that’s fine but don’t just dance (no pun intended) with the music throughout the year and then throw it to the curb when it’s time to hand out awards and accolades.

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Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas: CRSVR LV

13 Dec

This is an exciting week but especially special for my friends Eric Aguirre aka DJ Vice and Nick Sakai as they get set to open their second CRSVR Sneaker Boutique inside the brand new Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Hotel & Casino on Wednesday evening.  A huge congrats as they open their doors and start outfitting you with brands like Nike and Supra for your feet and threads from The Hundreds and Five Four Clothing, just to name a few.

While the fellas are hard at work getting the store together in time for opening, check out some of the photos Vice just sent along.  We’ll have more to share after Wednesday.

Oh yeah, CRSVR LV also has a DJ booth so you know Vice and Co. are going to be throwing it down at all random times of the day and night.  As we say, L’Chaim!

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REVISITED: The Black Crowes – 12 10 10 – The Joint – Las Vegas, NV

11 Dec

Last night was the eighth TBC show I’ve seen and quite frankly I’m not sure I’ve ever heard them sound that good!  They were firing on all cylinders and the crowd was definitely soaking in one of the last remaining shows.  From the get go with “Movin on Down the Line,” “Jealous Again,” and Twice as Hard” the tone for the evening was set and it was a memorable one for sure.  Chris Robinson sounded alive as usual but to me the man who stole the show was Luther Dickson (also lead guitarist for North Mississippi Allstars) so crisp and spot on all night.  Also the trio of “I Ain’t Hiding,” “Soul Singing” and “Remedy” before the encore break definitely made me a happy camper.

While there were numerous songs I would have loved to hear live one last time, I have zero gripes about the show except last night really sunk in how much I’m going to miss The Black Crowes, true purveyors of rock and roll.

Also I was thrilled to see so many people at The Joint early for Truth & Salvage Co. Those boys can rock and definitely have a bright future ahead of them.

And check out the gallery of photos from last night’s show courtesy of Erik Kabik of Retna/ErikKabik.com.

Set List

MOVIN ON DOWN THE LINE
JEALOUS AGAIN
TWICE AS HARD
BALLAD IN URGENCY ->
WISER TIME
BY YOUR SIDE
THORN IN MY PRIDE
OH SWEET NUTHIN
I AIN’T HIDING
SOUL SINGING
REMEDY
– encore –
DON’T DO IT

 

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TONIGHT: The Black Crowes – The Joint – Las Vegas

10 Dec

Just hours away from rock and roll heaven as The Black Crowes farewell tour invades Las Vegas and The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel. Each time I’ve seen the Crowes at The Joint it has been a wild good time and I expect nothing but the same if not better tonight. Also really excited about Truth & Salvage Co. opening. Chris Robinson signed these guys to his label in 2009 and everyone should take note because they are going to be big one day. Anyways, off to the show and to see true icons of rock perform one last time.

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