Let the Voodoo begin

Today starts I believe it is the 11th Voodoo Experience. That's what they want you to call it. It is not a festival like say Jazz Fest, it is an experience like being in a religious cult. You dig? Well after going and hearing music outside then going to the Hornets game and watching CP3 run circles around the Kings this is where you can catch me taking pictures

Day two of the Park the Van 5 year Anniversary brings out the big guns with the Spinto Band, the Generationals and the final performance of the Peekers ever! I am starting on my behind the music special on them and Ratzinger the week after. Day 2 will be at the same location that day one was, The Marigny Theater/Allways Lounge. It is once again only 5 bucks and the doors are at 9. See you guys there.

Let the Halloween festivities begin

Tonight is the kickoff a way too long of a celebration for Halloween. Don't get me wrong, I love it, and am excited to be back in town this weekend, but honestly I don't think my body can handle it. Voodoo, Park the Van 5 year anniversary, the Hornets getting the season started, trying to break a zombie record, and a huge Monday night football game are sure to make me never sleep! Well here are some of the things to do tonight.

At & (Ampersand) tonight hard hitting DJs MSTRKRFT will be playing some of their mind juggling electronic music that is sure to keep you moving all night even if you aren't drunk since the drinks are too damn expensive there. They will be playing along side my boys in Force Feed Radio and New Orleans DJ legend Beverly Skills. I call her a legend because I first saw her play when I was in high school at good old Brother Martin. Shout out to my Crusaders! Tickets are $20 and you can get them HERE. BTW, this is the official kick-off party to the Voodoo Experience.

Tonight, also kicks off the two night celebration of all things Vans and Parking. The label that broke Dr. Dog celebrates 5 years in this vicious industry as a label. Park the Van has put out some of the best acts in the last 5 years from the Teeth and Dr Dog to the local legends Generationals and the Peekers. Tonight, Britney and John of the Peekers will perform, probably some of their solo stuff, along side new signings Giant Cloud and Pepi Ginsburg from near my hood in Brooklyn. The one and only DJ Pasta will be starting out the night. It is only $5 and will be at the Always Lounge. For more information head over to the facebook event page.

Get to know the Dum Dum Girls

Hump day. I am on a plane to Honolulu to take care of some family buisness so I have posted this bad boy early. My friend Jeramy from Learning Secrets in Austin stayed a little longer in New York following CMJ, which was fortunate for us because I actually got to hang out on Monday while he watched some old friend of his who are in this band, the Dum Dum Girls. Don't let the name fool you, they know what they are doing. I was really upset not to have brought my camera to Buara Falls that night because they were on point. They have very retro, lo-fi sound and you can tell they have been influenced by a lot of classic chick rockers of the past like Patti Smith and Blondie. Be on the look out for these guys, especially since they just signed to Sub Pop.

MP3: Dum Dum Girls - Catholicked

PHOTOS: The xx @ Music Hall of WIlliamsburg

You ever have this feeling when you leave a show and you think to yourself, "that was exactly what I thought it would be." Well that is how I felt leaving The xx's last CMJ show this past Friday. The first band Shaka Ponk I didn't find very good, but the sound seemed off and Mat felt like their recordings are probably pretty good based on their performance. I wasn't inspired to try and find out. Phantogram on the other hand was really good live, and had a great sound and a beautiful lead singer. It inspired me enough to buy their EP titled EP. I was let down by their recordings, but it is a year old. So, I will give them another shot when they release new material. As for The xx, they were flawless musically. Every note sounded like it did on their album. My man on the drum machine, who was also the shyest one during our interview, played the thing like he was on expert on Guitar Hero. My only complaint was their lack of stage presence. They seemed to be just going through the motions. They are young though, and I am sure with time and confidence they could grow into an amazing live show. They aren't ready to be headliners quite yet, but it is amazing to hear their music on a great sound system.

SHAKA PONK

PHANTOGRAM

THE XX

Click HERE to see more photos from the night.

Get to know PANTyRAID

CMJ is finally over, but I still have a few more posts, and some interviews to edit from it including this man here who is half of the amazing electronic group PANTyRAID. MartyParty was amazing to talk to, and he revealed a lot of things like how EHop will soon take over hip hop in the states and how Midwest kids listen to better music then New Yorkers. Can't wait to show you the interview. I got such amazing content this past week from him, and The xx that I think I might start working on a new show after I get back from Voodoo Fest this weekend. I will keep you posted. Until then, enjoy this song of PANTyRAID's breathtaking album, The Sauce.

MP3: PANTyRAID - Beba

PHOTOS: M for Montreal Party 10/21/09

I didn't do any CMJing tonight or today, so I decided to get these photos out of the way. I have spoke about most of the bands shown here already except We Are Wolves, but I didn't see them so I can't really say anything about them.

Did I mention the free Poutine?

I seriously ate 3 of them! Shout out to Poutine on 168 Ludlow Street and Jesse for hooking that up.

PARLOVR

THINK ABOUT LIFE

This is seriously right before he pushed down my camera.

And that was the sweet girl in the band that came up to me after he pushed down the camera and told be he didn't mean anything by it. I get it. I would hate for someone to be taking a lot pictures of me while I was working too. All part of the game. I still love you guys.

WE ARE WOLVES

Dan Gilbert took all of the pictures of We Are Wolves. To see more pictures from this party click HERE. Now to bed. Big day tomorrow with interviews with the xx and PANTYrAIND and two showcases including the Park the Van one.

PHOTOS: WIll Blog For Booze

My first event of the day yesterday hit the nail on the head. It was called Will Blog for Booze and you know what I am. The first band, Parlovr, who I saw twice yesterday really impressed me and I loved their attitude. They called out everyone at Bowery Electric for not standing on the dance floor and hovering around the bar. Granted they were giving away beer (Magic Hat at that), but it was great to see them do that. Call out jaded music industry people and hanger-ons. They deserve it. You will see how few people were in front of them by the pictures.

PARLOVR

As you can see a whopping 3 people stood in front of them by the end. But believe me, they left enough room for the Holy Ghost. Don't let that stop you guys you were really good.

The last band before heading to the M for Montreal showcase was Little Fish from England who just signed with Universal. Not my bag, but boy can the lead singer rock!

LITTLE FISH

Hopefully I can get the M for Montreal pics up before heading out. Click HERE to see the rest of my pictures from Will Blog For Booze party. Shout out to Muse Box for hooking it up and Jill Menze and Consoli for having an ear for me to bull shit into.

Get to know Think About Life

Think About Life played last night at the M for Montreal party (pictures to be posted later on) and they were the ones that jumped out at me the most. Now I could have posted them yesterday in my Canada post, but to be honest when I listened to the album it really didn't jump out at me. I saw them live because I had a lot of trusted friends recommend them and talk about how awesome they were and I am glad I did. They brought a lot of amazing energy. They are kind of like the Canadian version of Datarock, but I don't think that gives them justice and nor does their recordings. They have a lot more energy live then what translated on record.

MP3: Think About Life - Sweet Sixteen

PHOTOS: New Zealand Showcase @ CMJ

Ohhhh New Zealand. How I want to be in you now. I learned a lot from you last night. I learned that your rock bands are super white, and seem like they have a lot of fun. I also learned that your hip hop groups are pretty amazing, and deserve a stage here in the states, especially Kidz in Space. That was my favorite of the night, and Bang Bang Eche surprised me, which I always love. The last thing I learned was that you love your 45 Below vodka and you know what, so do I. I think our cultures have a lot in common, including our love for making out. Here are the pictures.

MOTORCADE

BANG BANG ECHE

KINGSTON

Will Blog for free Vodka

DIE! DIE! DIE!

KIDZ IN SPACE

DAVID DALLAS

SMASHPROOF

Click HERE to see a lot more pictures including a couple making out and man purses. Other credit for these photos goes to Amy Franklin and Dan Gilbert.