FINALLY!

Guess who I am finally going to see in concert on Wednesday?
Close but no cigar...
Much better. FINALLY! I get to see Spoon! Living at the tip of the United States, has a few perks (mainly the weather and croquetas) but sadly many tours leave us out in the cold (75 degree weather). The ones that do come down, figure that Broward country is close enough for people from Miami to drive to. Ugh.

Who cares?? I'm going to see Spoon!!!

Add to the bill The White Rabbits and The Walkmen and the evening is a sure hit.

So first up is the track that got me enamored with the band.

MP3: Lines In The Suit (YSI)

It is easily it is one of their best songs.

The next are from Spoon's latest single, Don't You Evah. The Matthew Dear mix is a dance floor ready, singable version that ends up with all the instruments swirling around you. The Diplo mix (it is a promo mix, so it fades out halfway through.. very slowly...) slows the beat down a bit and throws in a nasty bass line.

MP3: Don't You Evah (YSI)
MP3: Don't You Evah (Matthew Dear Mix) (YSI)
MP3: Don't You Evah (Diplo Remix) (YSI)

Oh and I almost forgot. I got really bored and created a "city" at http://www.myminicity.com/. And I need people to visit it for it to grow. So help a brotha out! Just click that link. That's it!

So to increase the population of Cabezitaville click here. Then to help increase industry click here. Leave a comment if you want! I want the stupid city to get past its Mongolia status.

Oh and Spoon is playing at the Culture Room on Wednesday. Oops. I meant Revolution! Which is actually way better, Culture Room gets too packed. Thanks to Jennifer for catching this!!

Everybody Likes Their Twenties

Being a huge fan of Metronomy (signed copy of Pip Paine (Pay The £5000 You Owe) anyone?), I listen to any recommendations he makes. Particularly if the band is a side project of bassist Gabriel Patrick. No worries, he is still part of Metronomy. In fact they are embarking on a headline tour through the UK in February and March and their new album entitled Nights Out has been submit to their label. (Note, I find it strange that Metronomy is one person but has band members, so I apologize from switching between he and them) Aaaaannnyyywwaayyss... isn't this a funny keyboard?

As far as the new band, its name is Your Twenties and their music has melodies reminiscent of 60's pop. Plenty of humable melodies (is that a word?) and catchy hooks

Check out a few songs on their MySpace profile. I cannot stop playing Caught Wheel. I like how it is a play on cart wheel. I wish I had some music of theirs to post or a video but seems like they are still in the demo phase.

Your Twenties has a few shows coming up in London next month.

• Feb 4 2008 //8:00P - DURRR @ The End, WC1 London, London and South East
• Feb 5 2008 // 8:00P - Club Skulls @ The Old Blue Last London, London and South East
• Feb 8 2008 // 8:00P - Put It On @ The Trinity, Harrow North West London, London and South East
• Feb 11 2008 // 8:00P - Wolfboy @ The Amersham Arms Saaaf East Lahndahn

The Love Is All remix album appropriately titled Love Is All... Mixed Up is awesome. Then again you cannot go wrong with getting remixed by Hot Chip, Optimo, Chicken Lips and Studio (and Metronomy). They hail from Sweden and have had a few high profile appearances such as touring with Maximo Park and being featured on Peel Sessions in the UK. They are currently signed to What's Your Rupture with label mates The Long Blondes.

So here's a little diddy that ties this whole post together and a b-side or something from Metronomy.

MP3: Love Is All - Spinning and Scratching (Metronomy Remix) (YSI)
MP3: Metronomy - Heart Rate Rapid (YSI)

Oh and here are a couple of Metronomy videos including their newest one for Radio Ladio (it's a featured video on YouTube's home page today!). First up is Trick or Treatz.


Trick or Treatz


Radio Ladio

By the way, the whole point of this post when I started was to highlight Your Twenties, so at least check out their tracks. I got carried away with all the side projects and remixes and videos etc...

Coachella Is Trippin'

I kept on talking about this the whole weekend. Coachella is going EAST! Coachella's promoter Goldenvoice is moving the music festival east this summer! It will take place at Liberty State Park, across the Hudson from lower Manhattan. It will not be named Coachella per se but RADIOHEAD is rumored to be headlining! Road trip anyone? The regular Coachella line up should be coming out today. The eastern Coachella details are still being finalized but it seems it will be in direct competition with the Vineland Festival also in New Jersey around the same time.

URB Magazine:

Portishead is confirmed to headline this year's Coachella festival on Saturday night, according to a high-level source. The same source unequivocally denied rumors that Radiohead would appear at Coachella, but did confirm that the group would play the East Coast festival being planned by Coachella promoters Goldenvoice/AEG Live . The full Coachella line-up will be announced this Monday.

I think this is the first Portishead post I write that actually has NEW songs of theirs! Take a listen to a new instrumental studio track and a couple other tracks from their December ATP Nightmare Before Christmas show (first full performance in over a decade!). I cannot wait to hear the studio versions of these songs. Ten years is a long time to wait between albums and I wonder if they can still be relevant.

MP3: Key Bored 299 03
MP3: Wicca (Live @ All Tomorrow's Parties)
MP3: Hunter (Live @ All Tomorrow's Parties)
MP3: Peaches (Live @ All Tomorrow's Parties)

*Coachella UPDATE:

Here is the lineup for this year's Coachella Festival:

FRIDAY, APRIL 25: Jack Johnson, The Verve, Raconteurs, The Breeders, Fatboy Slim, Tegan and Sara, Madness, The Swell Season, The National, Animal Collective, Slightly Stoopid, Mum, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Stars, Battles, Aesop Rock, Midnight Juggernauts, Does it Offend you, Yeah?, Minus the Bear, Spank Rock, dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip, Diplo, Adam Freeland, Santo Gold, Jens Lekman, John Butler Trio, Vampire Weekend, Dan Deacon, Architecture in Helsinki, Sandra Collins, Busy P, Cut Copy, Black Lips, Datarock, Professor Murder, Reverend and the Makers, The Bees, Porter, Rogue Wave, Modeselektor, American Bang, Lucky I Am.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26: Portishead, Kraftwerk, Death Cab for Cutie, Cafe Tacuba, Sasha & Digweed, Rilo Kiley, Dwight Yoakam, M.I.A., Hot Chip, Cold War Kids, Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, DeVotchKa, Flogging Molly, Mark Ronson, Turbonegro, Scars on Broadway, Islands, Enter Shikari, Calvin Harris, Boyz Noize, Junkie XL, Cinematic Orchestra, Jamie T, The Teenagers, VHS or Beta, Carbon/silicon, Erol Alkan, Yo Majesty!, Little Brother, Bonde Do Role, St. Vincent, Akron Family, MGMT, Institubes DJs (Surkin, Para One and Orgasmic), James Zabiela, Sebastian, Kavinsky, Dredg, The Bird and the Bee, Grand Ole Party, New Young Pony Club, 120 Days, Yoav, Electric Touch, Uffie

SUNDAY, APRIL 27: Roger Waters (“Dark Side of the Moon”), Love & Rockets, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Justice, Gogol Bordello, Chromeo, The Streets, Metric, Danny Tenaglia, Simian Mobile Disco, Booka Shade, Murs, Dmitri from Paris, Autolux, The Field, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Les Savy Fav, The Cool Kids, Sons & Daughters, Sia, Holy Fuck, Black Kids, Black Mountain, The Annuals, Kid Sister w/A-Trak, Man Man, Duffy, I'm from Barcelona, Manchester Orchestra, Deadmau5, The Horrors, Austin TV, Shout Out Louds, Plastiscines, Brett Dennen

It is impossible to see EVERYTHING at Coachella, so I was super-selectetive (that's a Miami phrase for you) highlighted what I think I would check out if I went. I chose acts that I have never seen (Okay, I have seen Kraftwerk but it's KRAFTWERK!). Acts that I think would present a good show (just because the music is good does not mean the show is entertaining). And those that I think will never make it to my neck of the woods (you would be surprised at the number of national tours that do not make it to Miami - and I don't want to start the "Miami doesn't have a music scene" argument right now... It apparently has something...). So this list is not necessarily complete, I am sure that if I was walking by a stage and Bonde Du Role was pumpin' out the booty jams I would stop and break a sweat or two (it's in our blood down here).

The real question is who is playing in Jersey?!?!?!

Oh and yes, Friday would be the day that I "leave early" from the show. Jack Johnson? WTF? Sorry.

Win Passes to see Deerhoof and Ken Kagami

The NADA Art Show Preview Party
Ice Palace Studios
Tuesday, December 4th, 8:30PM
1400 North Miami Ave

These are special price passes for reduced admission (regular tickets are upwards of $100 to $200 the day of the show! See online.). It's hard enough to get into special events during Basel, let alone pay less than the general public.

All you gotta do is leave a comment with your favorite Art Basel memory or what you would like that memory to be and we will randomly pick 2 responses to get 2 fliers each for reduced admission. LEAVE a way to contact you on the comment (email, MySpace, phone, beeper, etc...)

*Since the show is next week, we won't have time to mail them out, you will have to visit Ray at Circa28 for CircaSaturdays or Purdy Lounge for Chocolate Sundays (backroom) to pick them up. Deadline is Saturday evening~ish.

Art Positions: Iggy Pop and the Stooges

A must go to event every year is the opening of Art Positions (also known as the "Containers") on Collins and 21st St in Miami Beach. It is an exhibition of young galleries in cargo shipping containers converted to public art spaces. It gets crowded, so in order to appreciate the art arrive early or come back during the day (there are events all weekend).

It is also the home base of P.S.1's art internet radio station WPS1. (P.S.1 is the Contemporary Art Center affiliated with the MoMA).

Opening night of the event has a special free performance by Iggy Pop and the Stooges at 10:00pm. The location could not be better. They set up a stage right on the sand and for anyone that has not been to Miami in the winter, let's just say we are the envy of the nation. Past performers have been Fischerspooner, Scissor Sisters, The New York Dolls, and Peaches.

Check out a recent interview with Iggy Pop over at Pitchfork.

NOTE: The show runs on time, so when they say 10pm that means Iggy is strutting his stuff on stage at 10pm.

Containers lined up/stacked up/filled up

Art Positions

Featuring new work by
Ryan McGinness
assume vivid astro focus

plus

Skate Ramp & Cafe Installation
Skateboarding Demonstrations
DJ Dance Nights
Open Air Cinema
Live streamcasts from Miami Dec. 5-9, 2-5 p.m. US Eastern Time and on WVUM 90.5 FM in Miami (University of Miami, Coral Gables)

Here are some classics to get you in the mood!

Well c'mon!

MP3: Penetration (YSI)
MP3: The Passenger (YSI)
MP3: Search and Destroy (YSI)
MP3: I Wanna Be Your Dog (YSI)

DJ Booth or Lookout tower?

Onslaught of Art to Commence Shortly

Next week starts one of the most (if not the most) spectacular weekends in Miami. From the horse's lips:

Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 38 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.

And honestly I cannot disagree. What makes it more amazing and even larger than life, is that there are dozens of other shows, private exhibits, and parties that occur at the same time (using Art Basel's popularity to draw the crowds) and it becomes a feast for the eyes, ears and mind all over the greater Miami area and not just Miami Beach were the majority of the official Art Basel events take place. I am not an art scholar or critic, I just know what I like and what moves me. So I will try and highlight shows I think (or have heard) are worth attending and hopefully discover some new along the way.

One of the (let's call them companion shows) is the New Art Dealers Alliance (N.A.D.A.) Art Fair at the Ice Palace film studios. This show is full of contemporary art with the goal of making art more accessible to the general public, and nurturing the growth of emerging artists, curators, and galleries.

The show is FREE to the public and highly recommended if you are in town next week. It closes daily at 7pm, except Sunday at 4pm. On Tuesday is the opening night preview with a special performance by Deerhoof! And featuring the art of Ken Kagami (who designed the artwork for Deerhoof's Milk Man album). I think he might be performing with the band? Who knows what can happen it's Basel. More info about the fair here.

Now about that opening preview, if you go to the NADA site, you can buy tickets there for $100-$125, which prices going up to $200 that day of the show!! The lovely Lolo of Sweat Records (go visit the new store location that opens THIS Friday @ Churchill's) happened to give us a little stack of special invites for reduce and I mean REDUCED (speculation is $10-15 but don't quote us) admission to the show... All you gotta do is leave a comment with your favorite Art Basel memory or what you would like that memory to be and we will randomly pick 2 (maybe more, if you're nice) responses to get two fliers each for reduced admission.

Deerhoof @ Ice Palace Studios
Tuesday, December 4th, 8:30PM
1400 North Miami Ave

Since the show is next week, we won't have time to mail them out. So you will have to visit Ray either at Circa28 for CircaSaturdays or Purdy Lounge for Chocolate Sundays (backroom) to pick up your tickets. Hop to it! Deadline is Saturday evening~ish.

UPDATE: Just realized that you guys will have to leave your email (or some way to get a hold of you, MySpace, etc...) so that we can communicate with the winners!

Here is a nice collection of Deerhoof tunes that spans a few albums including their most recent LP, Friend Opportunity.

MP3: Deerhoof - Green Cosmos (YSI)
MP3: Deerhoof - Siriustar (YSI)
MP3: Deerhoof - Chi-tan First Guitar (YSI)
MP3: Deerhoof - +81 (YSI)

Check back through the week, for more Art Basel updates/suggestions/comments/sightings/musings...

Buzz In Our Backyard

This weekend you have a chance to catch Black Kids in their own backyard (they are from Jacksonville, FL) before they cross the big pond to play shows in London. The interest this band is creating is reminiscent of the The Arctic Monkeys or The Go! Team. And their music is not far off either. Infectious pop songs, girl group harmonies, 80’s synth-pop. I swear I can hear The Cure in the song Hit the Heartbreaks.

The ENTIRE Wizard of Ahhhs demo is available for FREE from their MySpace profile. The band is currently unsigned but picked up Quest Management who also handles Bjork and Arcade Fire to represent them. And it seems they will not be unsigned for long.

So if you live in South Florida don't miss your chance to catch them LIVE this Saturday (11/24/07 ) at Circa28 for CircaSaturdays. They have already played with the likes of Lo-Fi Fnk and Tiger City and you know we are fans of those bands.

More info about Black Kids at their website (http://blackkidsmusic.com/). Here is song where they channel The Cure and a remix not available on the EP.

MP3: Hit the HeartBreaks (YSI)
MP3: Hurricane Jane (Beige Reemix) (YSI)

More press on Black Kids:

• Vice Magazine: Interview (Sep 4 2007)
• Pitchfork Media: Best New Music (Oct 5 2007)
• Current: Daily Fix (Oct 23 2007)
• Treble: Album of the Week (Oct 31 2007)
• NME: CMJ Review (Nov 10 2007)

Wh-what? Do my eyes decieve me?

I think this is the first time I am excited for the Langerado Festival!

It takes place from March 6th through March 9th (of next year). Check out this line up. I started highlighting the blog favorites and I realized it was a huge part of the list. Local favorites The Spam Allstars and Awesome New Republic are also playing. I'm sure as the festival gets closer we will have more info and definitely photos of the event after.

(Have you guys realized it's Thanksgiving NEXT WEEK????)

Beastie Boys • R.E.M. • Phil Lesh & Friends • 311 • Matisyahu • Thievery Corporation • The Roots • Gov't Mule • Ani DiFranco • Ben Folds • G. Love & Special Sauce • Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood • Built to Spill • The National • Les Claypool • Umphrey's McGee • The Disco Biscuits • Mickey Hart Band • of Montreal • Robert Randolph & the Family Band • The Wailers • funky Meters • Citizen Cope • Antibalas • !!! • Dark Star Orchestra • Ozomatli • Sam Bush • Minus the Bear • Ghostland Observatory • Arrested Development • Blind Melon • Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars • The New Deal • Benevento Russo Duo • Perpetual Groove • Railroad Earth • Martin Sexton • The Avett Brothers • Grace Potter and the Nocturnals • The Walkmen • Dr. Dog • Indigenous • State Radio • Vampire Weekend • The Bad Plus • The Felice Brothers • Pelican • Yard Dogs Road Show • Brett Dennen • Earl Greyhound • The New Mastersounds • Dan Deacon • Josh Ritter • Pete Francis • Ryan Shaw • Blitzen Trapper • matt pond PA • The Dynamites feat. Charles Walker • Bassnectar • Balkan Beat Box • The Lee Boys • Shout Out Louds • Golem • The Wood Brothers • Busdriver • RAQ • Will Hoge • Spam Allstars • Phix • American Babies • The Heavy Pets • Backyard Tire Fire • The Postmarks • Steel Train • Hoots and Hellmouth • Jonah Smith • Pnuma Trio • Awesome New Republic • That 1 Guy • Trevor Hall • American Bang • School of Rock All-Stars •

Just Go and Let Me Know How It Was

Times I wished I was in NYC.... (oh but Holy Ghost! is going to be in Miami soon...).

thaNANNANANANANANANNANANANNNANA

M.I.A. invades MIA tonight playing Studio A. The show is sold out. Sooo best chance to catch a glimpse is the after-party, if you don't have tickets. Everybody knows where that is. (I have been known to frequent the place...). DJ Contra (M.I.A.'s former tour DJ) will be holding it down. And honestly the last time Contra DJ'ed an M.I.A. after party in MIA it was insane (and actually at the same place).

MP3: Boyz (Diplo Remix Feat. Battles & Akon) (YSI)

UPDATE: The show was amazing. You can see how much she has progressed since I first saw her at I/O a few years back. The experience she has gained on festival stages has given her a confidence that even with technical issues keeps her in control of the show without missing a beat. (WTF Studio A, can't you handle power for a couple of turntables and projectors?!?!)

The crowd freaked out for Bucky Done Gun and kept up the energy for the entire show. In fact the only bad comments I have are for Studio A itself (and I'll leave those out).

I headed out to the after-party during the last song but it was to say hi to a few friends and I left before the crowd arrived (and M.I.A.).

Here are some shaky clips. The bass was boomin' yo!

We want bucky done gun!

Toronto Vids - Interpol

So in anticipation of the Interpol tonight at University of Miami's Convocation Cente-- I mean Bank United Center, here are a couple of short video clips we took when Interpol hit the stage V Fest in Toronto.

They looked bored as always. Played a solid set (...minus the one false start they had. Paul Banks looked a little embarrassed in the monitors. The drummer frustratingly tapping out the beat their second time around.) but for some reason it just did not feel loud enough.
We were noticeably further back than we were for Bjork but I have seen them in festivals (and clubs) before and they definitely feel more comfortable in the dark and smoky confines of a club (nothing beats their show at Ice Palace a few years back in Miami - 2003 - Wow).

So in honor of their performance tonight, I give you a remix of their current single Mammoth and an orchestral version of the fantastic album opener Pioneer to the Falls. I am not sure how I feel about Mammoth yet. It is definitely a change for them, Banks vocals do not even sound like him. The rework by Erol Alkin smartly stays away from the current electro movement and just beefs up the drums and high hats and makes the song a bit more dance floor friendly.

MP3: Mammoth (Erol Alkin Rework) (YSI)
MP3: Pioneer to the Falls (Orchestral Version) (YSI)

Aaannd here are the videos of Interpol peforming Obstacle 1. You can obviously get better quality videos from other users of YouTube.

Tigercity Live @ The Attic

Last week Tigercity (NYC) performed an encore show @ The Attic after their earlier show at Studio A. Suffice to say that the guys enjoyed their time here in Miami. A LOT! The Attic is one of the Residencies for Ray Milian (the other half of this blog).

THE ATTIC :: A Merger of Art, Music & Culture
Sponsored by Absolut
Tuesdays @ Jazid (Upstairs)
1342 Washington Ave
Miami Beach
(Right Next to Miami Ink)

Hosted by::Ryan, Shannon & Andy
Resident DJ's :: Ray Milian, Jonathan & Mike Deuce

Live Intallations Weekly + Rotating Artworks on Display Party Starts @ 11
COMPLIMENTARY PREMIUM ABSOLUT 'LEVEL' COCKTAILS 11-12!!
No Cover!
21+
Here's a couple great tracks from this up and coming band to watch!
MP3: Other Girls (YSI)MP3: Dark Water (YSI)

Toronto Vids

When I say amateur, I mean it. Eddy's videos are better than mine so I am posting his. I might try and edit the ones I have because I do have a few of Bjork's literally explosive ending.

Bjork and her army of brass instrument players

Anyways, here we have a video of her performing Joga. And an MP3 of another version of her latest single (and concert opener) Innocence.

Technology was at the heart of her performance.
Touch screens are not just for iPhones...

MP3: Innocence (Ghostigital Untouchable Innocence Still Amazes 12" Remix) (YSI)

Bjork declaring independence with confetti and lasers.

Video performance of Joga.




UPDATE: Pitchfork has some even better pictures of her recent ATL show. Damn I really want to see her in New York but it looks like I am going to miss her by 2 weeks.