O'neal Mcknight is no stranger to Joonbug parties. But this Saturday, Mcknight isn't just appearing as a performer - he's also making his debut on Joonbug's designer committee at our Fashion Week Gala event at Capitale. ReWash Jeans, his new denim label with a vintage twist, is reinventing the classics with a modern rock flair. Jessica Gomes, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Angela Martini, and Jaimie Hilfiger have all been spotted sporting the coveted new "jeans of the future," and we're sure that many more are soon to join in. In addition to promoting ReWash Jeans, Mcknight has been busy in the studio recording with Kid Cudi, Mr. Bently, and more! Make sure to check out his hot new tracks "Something Bout Tonight" ft. Mr. Bentley and "Speed of Light" ft. Kid Cudi and Jessica Gomes!

What have you been up to since we last spoke to you just before New Year's Eve? Was the party everything you were expecting and more?

Wow! Where do I start? I've just been working and doing a lot of club dates around NYC. I just did a song for Haiti on a charity album called Rhymes & Rhythm for Relief. It's available at DJbooth.net. All proceeds will go to the CARE Foundation (www.care.org) to help the people of Haiti. Also, I just did a new song with Aubrey O'Day & Micah Jesse called "Fashion Week." And New Year's Eve was a blast! Joonbug never lets me down!

And how is 2010 treating you so far? Have you been living up to your resolutions?

2010 is off to a great start! This is going to be an amazing year for me, with new music, a TV series, and more. I'm really excited. My resolutions are pretty much the same: keep people dancing and feeling good.

What are your thoughts on the Grammy Awards last Sunday? Favorite moments? More importantly, favorite outfits? Which artists were worst/best dressed?

It was cool!  Michael Jackson's "Earth Song" was very touching. Pink rocked it for me, amazing! Jay-Z was the best dressed male, and Ke$ha was the worse dressed female.

Last time you spoke with Joonbug, you talked a lot about being a brand. How is the idea of oneself as a brand important? What words would you use to describe your brand?

My brand is being comfortable in your own skin. I'm very clean, fresh, and cool.

How much of that is comprised of your styling talents, and how much of that is your music?

My style and music go hand-in-hand, 50/50.

What do you want people to take away from your brand?

I want people to know that different isn't bad - it's just sometimes misunderstood.

What's the inspiration behind your new album, Prom: 2088? What draws you to the idea of prom, and how does that translate into your music?

Prom is a time to reflect and enjoy the journey of life. And the album title has been changed to PROM KING. My music is fun.

What did you wear to your prom?

I wore a basic black suit that my older brother wore before me! Ha ha!

You're from a small town in South Carolina. How are your roots affecting your work today?

The South helps me understand the basics, meaning working with what you got. I'm from a place where we grew up listening to everything, so you can definitely hear that fusion in my music.

What about your family? It looks like your family has played an integral role in shaping the man you have become. In what ways is your family responsible for your flair for fashion or ear for music?

My mother, Gracie Mcknight, was a seamstress, so BOOM! - fashion. My brother, Tony, was an amazing dancer, BOOM - you have dance. There it is!

As a celebrity stylist, you've been in the closets of some of the entertainment industry's biggest names. Who was your favorite celebrity to style?

Puffy, Puff, P.Diddy, DIDDY was my favorite cause he loves fashion and just being fly!

Who are your style icons, and why?

Michael Jackson - he was just the best at everything! Kanye West because he's super fly, classic, and urban chic all in one. Mr. Bentley is this generation's Fred Astaire - classic and timeless style. And then there is me, O'neal Mcknight. Put everything before me in a blender and it's magic!

You have a new clothing line out called ReWash Jeans.  What made you decide to start a clothing line?

Well, I'm a creative consultant and I love women's fashion. My good friend Johnny Shabe, Vice President of ReWash, wanted me to help him build the brand and make it a little more mainstream. I meet with the owner, Alden Halpern, and it was a match made in heaven. Alden and my mother share the same birthday. She died almost 10 years ago.

What's the aesthetic behind ReWash Jeans? Can you tell us more about the "vintage Americana" inspiration that drives it?

The iconic pin-up girl - sexy, classic denim on today's woman.

Who are some of the iconic women that you name your denim after? How did you decide who would represent each particular pair of denim?

The denim represents women with edge and attitude who are both strong and sexy. Women like Jessica Alba, Aubrey O'Day, Cassie, Denise Vasi, Kelly Bensimon, Angelic Zambrana, Camilla Alves and Alina Puscau.

Even though it's vintage-inspired with a modern interpretation, what makes ReWash the jeans of the future?

ReWash Jeans are the jeans of the future because, whether you dress them up or down, you're still a stylish and classy lady.

Who would you like to see rock ReWash denim?

Oprah, Kim Kardashian, Beyonce - any woman that's changing the game!

ReWash jeans are currently only selling women's apparel. Are you planning on launching anything for the men out there?

Just wait and see.

Your new song "Something Bout Tonight" definitely sounds like a club hit.  Is that the type of track you set out to create? 

Most of my music is up-tempo. I've gotta move and groove, so yes.

What was it like to work with Mr. Bentley, who most people will remember as "that guy with the umbrella" from Andre 3000's The Love Below shows?

It was an honor! He is a class act - an artist, actor, and Morehouse grad. And he hasn't held an umbrella since 2001!  Since then, he's done TV shows, commercials, and got a record deal with Kanye West's label G.O.O.D music.

I'm really digging "Speed of Light." What was it like to work with Jessica Gomes and Kid Cudi?

It's hard to think when Jessica Gomes is in the room. Make sure you check her out in Sports Illustrated and you'll understand. And Kid Cudi is the coolest dude I know.

In October, you mentioned your excitement for The Book of Eli with Denzel Washington? Have you had a chance to see it yet? Any thoughts?

Big shout out to the Hughes brothers, Allen and Albert! The movie was great, and it came in #2 to Avatar.

You've been tweeting about American Apparel's "Best Bottom Contest." Who are you rooting for? Who would your celebrity nomination be?

My Best Bottom nominees are Jessica Biel, J-Lo, Alicia Keyes, and, I hope I don't get in trouble for saying this, Michelle Obama. But I think Jessica Biel would crush them all!

Fashion Week is finally upon us! Which shows are you most excited for? Who are you hoping to run into on the red carpet?

Marc Jacobs! I love his shows! For a celebrity run-in, I have a new crush Lea Michele from Glee. I want to meet her on the red carpet!

How are you preparing for Fashion Week? Both for Joonbug's Gala event and for the Tents?

I'm preparing by resting, drinking water, and shopping. Ha ha!

What about Valentine's Day? Do you have any special plans with a special someone?

On Valentine's Day, I'm going to chill with someone special, she knows who she is.

Tickets are still available for Joonbug's Fashion Week Gala for Style360 with ELLE Magazine and ELLE.com. Don't miss out on your chance to dance the night away with Mcknight, the cast of Ugly Betty, a prestigious designer committee, and many more. And don't forget to download McKnight's latest tracks, available at DJbooth.net!

ALO Man of the World

Canibus Melatonin Magik

DJ Rap Synthesis

HIM Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice

Hot Chip One Left Stand

Massive Attack Heligoland

Fear Factory Mechanize

Allison Moorer Crows

Pantha Du Prince Black Noise

Phantogram Eyelid Movies

Pierced Arrows Descending Shadows

Redman Reggie Noble 9 ½

Sade Soldier Of Love

Scott-Heron, GII I'm New Here

Uffle MCs Can Kiss EP

Watson Twins Talking To You, Talking To Me

Yessayer Odd Blood

You Say Party! We Say Die! XXXX

Young Jeezy Thug Motivations 103

Every once in a while you'll hear a song and something just clicks. You don't know why but there's a certain feeling of familiarity that comes over you. You feel comfortable and confident in what you're hearing and that's the way I felt when I first heard Toro Y Moi's opening track "Blessa" 5 months ago.

Toro Y Moi is Chaz Bundick, a 23-year-old from South Carolina who just released Causers Of This on Carpark Records. The internet hype has been slowly gathering and with "Blessa" making top song lists all over hipster sites, it was only a matter of time before word spread about the music of Toro Y Moi.

The opening track "Blessa" was everything I had hoped for. I don't believe in telling people what I think the song means, or what I think the artist meant, so I won't go there, that's for you to decide. But the song itself gives off a dream-like quality with a hazy underwater feel and Chaz's lyrics are slightly distorted and echoed so when you hear, "I see the wind blow into my shins," it only adds to the outdoorsy beach feel that's been beautifully created. The album isn't all ‘low-fi' or ‘low-glo' or whatever they're calling it now. "Imprint After" shows Chaz's piano and synth skill in a dance pop while rolling through the lyrics, "Why did you want to come back to me? Was it cause I didn't want to leave you?"

"Lissoms" is the fourth track and, to me, this is where the record starts to get a little dark. "Lissoms" is an electronic instrumental that leads into "Fax Shadow," a very dark, erratic, cut and drop song. The beat is constantly falling in and out, and it gives you an uneasy feeling with lyrics like, "I don't want to know about him and how he was in your shadow." You can't help but feel unnerved and uncomfortable.

The next four songs are all blended together and are the high point of the album for me. "Thanks Vision" has an upbeat dance vibe, but once again with the lyrics, "Doesn't matter, does it?" asked in a hopeless and confused manner, it makes you think, is this more than just a dance track? And it doesn't get any brighter in the next one, "Freak Love," which I have to say is the highlight of the record for me, although it might be the darkest song on the album. When I first heard it, I thought I fell into the mind of J Dilla and he was having a nightmare. The constant drops of sound with tumbling beats that roll into each other make you feel like you're falling down a hole in slow motion while, "I'm sorry if I don't have faith in you," is being slightly spoken. It effortlessly turns into "Talamak," which is more of an upbeat synth dance song with, of course, dark undertones.

The album closes on the title track, "Causers Of This," and like the rest of the album it comes off with an 80s style dance sound and ends with the lyrics, "It's cause I've been alone. This is what I feel." Fortunately Mr. Bundick, if you keep making music like this, you won't be alone for very long.

Toro Y Moi has another full length LP due out in August that will be more alternative rock, than electronic.

You can purchase Causers Of This via Itunes or from Insound.

Tour Dates:

2/5 Durham, NC; The Duke Coffee House
2/25 Brooklyn, NY; Famous Friends Party @ Cameo
2/26 Haverford, PA; Haverford College - Lunt Basement
2/27 Fredrick, MD; Café Nola
3/12 Santa Barbara, CA; Muddy Waters
3/13 La Jolla, CA; UCSD - The Loft
3/14 Phoenix, AZ; Rhythm Room
3/15 Tucson, AZ; Plush
3/17 - 3/20 Austin, TX; SXSW
3/22 Atlanta, GA; Drunken Unicorn
3/23 Chapel Hill, NC; Local 506
3/24 Washington, DC; Black Cat
3/25 Philadelphia, PA; Kung Fu Necktie
3/26 Brooklyn, NY; Brooklyn Bowl
3/27 Cambridge, MA; Middle East
3/28 Winooski, VT; The Monkey House
3/29 Montreal, QC; Il Motore
3/30 Toronto, ONT; The Drake Hotel
3/31 Chicago, IL; Schubas
4/02 St. Paul, MN; Turf Club
4/03 Lawrence, KS; Jackpot Saloon
4/05 Denver, CO; Hi Dive
4/06 Salt Lake City, UT; Kilby Court
4/07 Nampa, ID; Flying M Coffee
4/08 Seattle, WA; Chop Suey
4/09 Vancouver, BC; Biltmore
4/10 Portland, OR; Mississippi Studios
4/12 San Francisco, CA; Bottom of the Hill
4/13 San Luis Obispo, CA; SLO Arts Center
4/14 Los Angeles, CA; The Echo 

Quincy Jones has been asked to remake ‘We Are The World' countless times over the past 25 years and every time it has been quickly shot down. Only after the devastation in Haiti was Quincy inspired to re-make the classic and just like 25 years ago, it's going to be big ... real big!

More than 80 musical artists joined forces at Henson Studios in Los Angeles on Monday to start recording the epic classic. Quincy Jones will be producing along with Will.I.Am and RedOne, and RedOne couldn't be more pleased to help, "Having Quincy, our father of music ... and Lionel Richie asking me to contribute and help, I said of course, because this is not about me," he said. "It's about Haiti."

The 81 member choir will look something like this with Pink, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Nick Jonas, LL Cool J, Robin Thicke, Celine Dion, Akon, Rob Thomas, Wyclef, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Barbra Streisand, Jordan Sparks, Good Charlotte's Madden brothers, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, Jamie Foxx, Tyrese, Katharine Mcphee, Sean Garrett, Will.I.Am, Carlos Santana, Melanie Fiona, Enrique Iglesias, Toni Braxton, Jason Mraz, Miley Cyrus, Busta Rhymes, Nicole Scherzinger, Nicole Richie, Usher, Julianne Hough, Raphael Saadiq, Zac Brown, India.Arie, Randy Jackson, Musiq Soulchild, Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson, Fonzworth Bentley, Kid Cudi, Iyaz, Bizzy Bone, Nipsey Hussle, the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, Trey Songz, Faith Evans, Mya and finally Gladys Knight.

It's also being reported that Lady Gaga, Jay-Z, and Justin Timberlake have been added to the mix of superstars.

Three solo sessions, sung by Bieber, Dion, and Groban were screened for the press and are said to have a more upbeat sound than the previous ‘We Are The World'.

The video for the song, which is being shot in 3-D, will debut February 12^th. 

You can add Amanda Blank to the list of badass chicks I'm obsessed with.

It's no secret that I'm big fan of girl power in the music industry, so it's unfortunate that when I hear the words "white female rapper," my mind immediately thinks the act must be gimmicky.  But Blank is no gimmick.  This girl is for real.  At Santos Party House on Friday night, Blank put all my preconceived notions to shame with her undeniable talent as a rapper.  She can spit as good as any of the boys, though I doubt any of her male contemporaries would look as good in a tiger-print teddy and sequined bra.

Blank's high energy set was disappointingly short but the quality of the performance made up for the short length.  After her DJ claimed she rode into town from Philly on the Chinatown bus, Blank launched into a slew of crowd favorites off her debut album I Love You.  She was joined by opening act Maluca for "Make It Take It" and achieved an impressive slow-rising buildup on the single "Might Like You Better."  She ended with a cover of LL Cool J's "I Need Love" (titled "A Love Song" on her album) that also sampled Santigold's "I'm A Lady."  The crowd practically begged for an encore and Blank returned to the stage after only a brief retreat.  Earlier in the show, Blank jokingly claimed that she "only sings in the studio," but "Leaving You Behind" revealed a beautiful and relaxed voice that she has no reason to be ashamed of.

The opening act Maluca was an impressive rapper/singer that called to mind a rawer Rihanna.  Her hair hung in a long black braid and she wore Daft Punk-like sunglasses as she performed her own brand of salsa/hip hop that incorporated Spanish lyrics, Jimi Hendrix samples, and dancers that reminded me of video game characters. 

Overall, MeanRed built a show that was completely enjoyable and full of female fierceness.  Both Amanda Blank and Maluca have a new fan in me.  And all of my friends that will reap the benefit of hearing me sing their praises.

The Album Leaf A Chorus of Storytellers

ALO Man Of The World

Anchors Music From The Future

Toni Braxton Pulse

Disco Biscuits Planet Anthem

Jamie Foxx Body

k.d. lang Recollection

Lifehouse Smoke & Mirrors

Lightspeed Champion Life Is Sweet! Nice To Meet You

Lil Wayne Rebirth

Midlake The Courage Of Others

Mount Eerie Black Wooden Ep

Nneka Concrete Jungle

Priestess Prior to the Fire

Toro Y Moi Causers Of This

We Are Wolves Invisible Violence

Rob Zombie Hellbilly Deluxe II

The 2010 Grammy Awards were the center of attention in Tinsel Town last night, but Beyonce and Taylor Swift stole the show...literally. The two were nominated for a combined 16 Grammys and took home 10 of them.

Beyonce led all artists with 6 Grammys, the most ever for a female artist, which included Song of the Year for "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)." Beyonce's other Grammy wins include Best Female R&B Vocal Solo and Best R&B Song for "Single Ladies," Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Halo," and Best Contempary R&B album for "I am...Sasha Fierce."

Taylor Swift was the other big winner, taking home 4 Grammys and becoming the youngest musician ever to win Album of the Year for "Fearless." Her other Grammy wins include Best Country Album for "Fearless," Best Country Song for "White Horse," and Best Female Country Voice Performance for "White Horse."

It seems like everyone was winning multiple awards, as there is a category for every imaginable aspect of music. The Black Eyes Peas and Kings Of Leon won 3 Grammys each, while Lady Gaga and Eminem also won 2 Grammys each.

The show got started by none other then Ms. Gaga herself. She was joined by Sir Elton John for a "grand" finale featuring "Speechless" and "Your Song."

There also was a 3-D tribute to the late Michael Jackson, which featured Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson, Jennifer Hudson, and Usher performing Jackson's "Earth Song" while 3-D images played around them. Directly after the performance, Jackson's children Prince and Paris took the stage to accept their father's Lifetime Achievement Award. The crowd looked on in tears as the children addressed the crowd, "I want to thank the fans, our father loved you so much," Prince said, "We will continue to spread his message and help the world."

For a complete guide to all the winners and performances head over to the official Grammys website.

There I was again in a small, dark and, for lack of a better term, dead Mercury Lounge. Used beer cups were thrown about and as you walked your shoes were grabbed by alcohol or whatever else was spilled during the previous show.

I could have stood anywhere, but I chose to stand in the back to have panoramic view of the scene as members of Turkuaz scurried around putting the final touches on their instruments. One after another they came out - 1, 2, 3, 7 and finally the count was up to 11. They stood on a crowded stage where there was barely enough room for them, but as I would soon come to find out, they couldn't care less.

There they were staring straight ahead, waiting for the OK from the sound tech. Of course I was prematurely judging them by their outfits and was already convinced I would hate whatever they played. Then, in a collective 1, 2, 3, I was hit with a deep groove bass line, which are the opening chords to "Mountain." Song after song, I was struck with straight funk, and by funk I mean James Brown funk.

Two angels sang the backup vocals, which were not overpowering, although there was no mistaking their presence. There was a three-piece brass section made up of two saxophones and one trumpet, and was accompanied by an original Hammond organ that made me think I was in 1973. It was only when I looked around and saw the hipster kids in trendy clothes that I realized that I was in 2010.

After a couple of songs I noticed more people slowly filtering in, and halfway through the set I had to strategically move around to see the stage. And like everyone else in attendance, I was drawn to the set, not only for the music (which I would have to say P Funk and Sly & The Family Stone would approve of), but because of the energy. Turkuaz has that "thing" about them when they're on stage; they love performing and it shows because they're genuinely having a good time. A couple of times I caught myself just randomly smiling, either after a huge build up or some crazy funk guitar solo, and I started to think that this is what music is for. It's here for us to enjoy ourselves and dance our asses off. Turkuaz obviously believes in both of those philosophies and it spread contagiously throughout the entire crowd.

Their music is available on iTunes, but nothing compares to the experience of seeing these guys live. This music was made to be played in front of people and I highly recommend checking them out if they're playing anywhere near you. They play every month at Brooklyn's Cluster Funk and are currently recording under Galaxy Smith Records.

After the set from Turkuaz, I was looking forward to the next performance by The London Souls. When I first found out that I would be covering The London Souls, I was pretty excited. I have some friends who've listened to their stuff and they've always had good things to say about them, but for whatever reason, I'd neglected to check them out for myself. After seeing them Tuesday night, one thing is for sure, I'll never forget the energy the band brought to the stage. 

Before the show, I overheard a conversation of someone trying to explain the sound of The London Souls to a friend. He used The Black Keys as a reference, but after seeing them last night I would have to disagree. The Black Keys have a blues DNA embedded in their sound as opposed to The London Souls, who have more of a classic rock vibe.

After the first song was completed, I knew exactly what type of band this was, and I was excited to see the rest of their performance. Their music is loud, fast, and hard. I would imagine that they're very big fans of bands like CREAM and Led Zeppelin, judging by the fact that their music is intertwined with traditional rock sounds of the 70s. 

The three-piece band works well off each other, with all of them taking turns singing at one point of the show. One thing is definitely for sure, and that's that these guys love to play rock music. I'm sure Tash, the lead singer and lead guitar player, must often be compared to Jimi Hendrix, but I don't think that's exactly his style (although he does look like him. A lot). 

The crowd was obviously enthusiastic about their music, and it's no wonder why. Each song had at least one huge guitar solo with an epic build up that finally exploded, just like the small membranes in our eardrums.

The London Souls have a residency at The Mercury Lounge until the middle of February, and I highly recommend seeing these guys live, because listening to a recording just doesn't do them justice.

Turkuaz Set List
1. Mountain
2. 1925
3. Tool Belt
4. Back To Normal
5. Slippery People
6. Coast To Coast
7. Gremlins
8. Getting Closer
9. 20 Dollar Bill
10. The Rule
11. Milady
 
Upcoming Shows (Turkuaz)
January 29 - CLUSTERFUNK @ Cameo Gallery; Brooklyn, NY
February 6  -  The Studio @ Webster Hall; New York, NY
February 11 - Jezebel Music Showcase   Brooklyn, New York, NY
February 26 - CLUSTERFUNK @ Cameo Gallery; Brooklyn, NY
March 20 -  CLUSTERFUNK @ Cameo Gallery; Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Shows (The London Souls)
February 2 - Mercury Lounge; New York, NY
February 9 - Mercury Lounge; New York, NY

It's turning out to be quite a week in the world of fake music. To clarify, the music itself actually does exist, but who made it has been intentionally misrepresented. Confused? Me too. Read on.

Quick on the heels of a faked "leak" from Daft Punk's soundtrack for the upcoming release of Tron Legacy, a faux Justice track sent out from a seemingly legit Ed Banger Records email address spread across the internet like a bad case of crabs at Eurockéennes. 

Why anyone would go to all the trouble to make a piece of music and release it under someone else's name is a little bit beyond me, especially given the way blogs and fans have handled the situation. Things have gone down a little like this:

Both tracks were initially greeted with much fanfare and evaluations ranging from "Oh awesome! I'm totally naming my first kid Guy-Manuel," to "Oh cool, new stuff from a band I was way more into 3-4 years ago but still love." Once the tracks were respectively unmasked, public opinion quickly shifted more towards the "Oh hell no!" and the "Whew good, I hated that track anyway," end of the spectrum. This inevitably lead some to speculate whether the emperor had any clothes to begin with, but for the sake of following Conan's advice about not being cynical, I will leave that sort of analysis for others to deal with.

Regardless of the quality of the tracks, both managed to garner considerable attention (oops) and have certainly whetted fan and media appetites for tracks from the real deal. As for real news, Justice has only released plans for a 2010 album in broad, noncommittal ways, while Daft Punk fans will likely have to wait until closer to Tron Legacy's December release for anything official.

In a conscious effort to sit down and write about Beach House’s latest release, Teen Dream, I initially had trouble sitting still and staying focused, as this album has moved me in all senses of the word 'move'. Over and over, Victoria Legrand’s voice is reminding me that “You are not the same as you used to be,” and so I must admit, I have changed a lot since I first heard Beach House's sophomore album, Devotion, in 2006. Now, nearly four years later, I am realizing “Used to Be” isn’t even how it use to be, in the most necessary way.

Subtle yellow stripes decorate the album cover, and as the artwork prepares the listener for the first track, “Zebra,” Legrand’s assured voice comes in: “You know you're gold, you don’t gotta worry none.” The velvety voiced Victoria offers a new sophistication, and we can hear her head held up high throughout the entirety of this intro.

The third full-length record this Baltimore duo, Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally, has created is quite possibly, in my opinion, the best indie-pop album of the year, if not of all time. Teen Dream was produced by Chris Cody, who is best known for his collaborations with Grizzly Bear, The Yeah Yeahs, and TV on the Radio. The pair recorded Teen Dream in upstate New York, in a converted church called Dreamland, and as a result the album was appropriately titled. The organ draws us in on the second track, "Silver Soul," with a slow and steady march and lyrics that help us decide “It is happening again.” And suddenly, in pleasing puzzlement, we are not just listeners; instead, we become part of an experience. Then, before we know it we have slipped into the predominant beat of “Norway,” the duo’s breathy single that proves that there is, in fact, a place you can look forward to having a broken heart.

The seduction continues as “Walk in The Park” becomes a break-up's nostalgic anthem. It is this song that best represents thinking versus feeling when love ends: “In a matter of time, you will slip from my mind, in and out of my life, you would slip from my mind.” The album offers cohesive variety as it can be considered a tribute to three separate decades, with the soul of the 60s, trippy haze of the 70s, and technicolor synth beats of the 80s. The track “Lover of Mine” stays connected with the rest of the album, but also encourages us to let it out on the dance floor.

The vinyl version of Teen Dream features beautifully crafted artwork that best represents the ideas of the album. Pink lipstick-scrawled "Teen Dream" stretches across the inside of the record's cover and includes a poster, hand-written lyrics, and a DVD bonus, which provides a music video for every track on the album. All different directors, including Victoria Legrand, made the music videos.

The album wraps up with the track "Take Care," which sings to us like a lullaby with a simple wavering synth beat and humming a promise, “I’ll take care of you, I'll take care of you, if you want me to.” Teen Dream has a heavy heart built out of perfect percussions, concise cascading guitars, and a voice that sings to the better part of our sadness. There is certainly nothing infantile about this teen dream, as it reminds us we are people that may just fall in and out of love forever.

Citay is a project from ex-Piano Magic man Ezra Feinberg and Tim Green from Drag City's The Fucking Champs.

Originally, Citay was a two man studio gig, but has now evolved, with the help of others, into a live band. Members of Tussle, Crime In Choir, The Dry Spells, By Land And Sea, 3 Leafs, Galactic Bunz, Horn of Dagoth, and Sweet Potatoes combined forces to complete Citay.

Their third full-length release, Dream Get Together, comes out on Dead Oceans Records and has an acoustic rock, folk, and psychedelic feel to it. It's the follow up to the highly acclaimed Little Kingdom.

The much anticipated Dream Get Together is on sale now, and can be purchased via Itunes.

Track List

Dream Get Together

1. Careful With That Hat
2. Return From Silence
3. Dream Get Together
4. Secret Breakfast
5. Mirror Kisses
6. Hunter
7. Fortunate Sun
8. Tugboat

Tour Dates

Jan 28, 2010 - Echoplex - with The Fruit Bats; Los Angeles, California

Jan 29, 2010  - Slim's - with The Fruit Bats; San Francisco, California

Feb 26, 2010  - SLO Arts Center; San Luis Obispo, California

Feb 27, 2010 - Brookdale Lodge - w The Fresh & Onlys; Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Mar 24, 2010 - Hi-Dive; Denver, Colorado

Mar 25, 2010 - The Waiting Room; Omaha, Nebraska

Mar 26, 2010 - Schuba's; Chicago, Illinois

Mar 27, 2010 - The Bishop; Bloomington, Indiana

Mar 28, 2010 - Southgate House; Newport, Kentucky

Mar 29, 2010 - The Nerve; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Mar 30, 2010 - Wildfire Lounge; Ithaca, New York

Apr 2, 2010 - The Knitting Factory - w Oakley Hall; Brooklyn, New York

Apr 6, 2010 - Local 506; Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Apr 7, 2010 - Pilot Light; Knoxville, Tennessee

Apr 8, 2010 8:00P:      The Bottletree; Birmingham, Alabama

Apr 10, 2010 8:00P:      Mohawk; Austin, Texas

Super Bowl XLIV is here and that means only one thing: another performance from a classic rock icon. Ever since the infamous 2004 Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake nipple incident, the NFL has been opting for "veteran" acts to lessen the chance of controversy.

The Who will be following the footsteps of Paul McCartney (2005), the Rolling Stones (2006), Prince (2007), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (2008), and last year's performance by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

Pete Townshend spoke to Billboard about The Who's planned set, saying "We're kinda doing a mashup of stuff. A bit of 'Baba O'Riley,' a bit of 'Pinball Wizard,' a bit of the close of 'Tommy,' a bit of 'Who Are You,' and a bit of 'Won't Get Fooled Again.' It works -- it's quite a saga. A lot of the stuff that we do has that kind of celebratory vibe about it -- we've always tried to make music that allows the audience to go a bit wild if they want to. Hopefully it will hit the spot."

Super Bowl XLIV, between the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, kicks off on Sunday, February 7^th at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida.

Miracles of Modern Science
Genre: Orchestral Indie Pop
Website: www.miraclesofmodernscience.com

I was at a Suckers show at Piano's when I noticed John Norris standing next to me. The 10-year-old girl in my heart who spent late nights watching Sifl & Olly and the MTV news anchor in News Briefs at 10 to the hour, every hour did a little jump for joy. When Suckers finished, we somehow struck up a conversation about Wavves (oh wow) and then he introduced me to a member of the opening band, Miracles of Modern Science.  Regrettably, I told the boy I had missed his set. "Oh," he said.  "Well, you should download our EP. It's free."

I have to pat myself on the back for allowing that tidbit of information to make it through the hazy, vodka-fueled night and into the next morning which saw me promptly (well, noonish) getting up and moving towards the computer and downloading the 4-song EP. The music of MOMS (gotta love that acronym) is upbeat and beautiful. Their instrumentation of double bass, cello, violin, mandolin, and drums is a refreshing alternative to the countless guitar/synth-led bands out there. Plus, their songs tell stories. Actual stories--not just a jumble of cool sounding phrases and descriptive ironies. My favorite track, "Eating Me Alive" features a perfect layering of plucked strings and driving bass. "524" tells the Wild West-inspired story of a man who wins a town's allegiance through the power of his whistle. And there is a mysterious spoken word sample during the musical break in "MR2." By the way, the Princeton-born band also performs in spacesuits. I'm sold.

I've since learned that it's not all that uncommon to spot John Norris at a NYC rock show. Apparently he goes to like, all of them. I've seen him three times since that night and I'm too jaded to strike up another convo. But I should. I should thank him for (quite literally) introducing me to Miracles of Modern Science. And hey, you should download their EP. After all, it's free.

Discography:

         Miracles of Modern Science [EP] (2008)

         Bossa Supernova [Single] (2009)

Phil Selway, the drummer of Radiohead announced on the band's website, Dead Air Space that they would be playing their own Haiti benefit concert this past Sunday at the Los Angeles' Music Box theater.

"All proceeds are going to the Oxfam Haiti relief fund. We're trying to raise as much money as possible, so tickets will be sold by auction."

According to Greenplastic, "Current reports are that around $572,000 was raised, with $2,000 being the highest ticket bid. About 1,300 people were in attendance, many of them celebrities as you would expect."

As always, Radiohead put together an extensive set list with one new song, ‘Lotus Flower'. 

1. Faust Arp
2. Fake Plastic Trees
3. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
4. The National Anthem
5. Nude
6. Karma Police + reprise
7. Kid A
8. Morning Bell
9. How to Disappear Completely [Ondes Martenot intro]
10. Wolf at the Door
11. The Bends
12. Reckoner [w/ false start]
13. Lucky
14. Bodysnatchers
15. Dollars & Cents
16. Airbag [Fan choice between 'Airbag' and 'Just']
17. Exit Music [Thom alone to start]

Encore #1
18. Everything In Its Right Place [Thom solo on piano]
19. You and Whose Army? [The rest of the band returns to stage]
20. Pyramid Song
21. All I Need

Encore #2
22. Lotus Flower
23. Paranoid Android
24. Street Spirit (Fade Out)

Also reported from Dead Air Space, the band is currently in the middle of recording, which is always good news for Radiohead fans..     

The internet has been rumbling since the Gorillaz agreed to headline the third night of Coachella, and now we have received a tiny glimpse into the much anticipated LP Plastic Beach.

Murdoc Niccals reported from his Twitter that "Stylo" featuring Mos Def and Bobby Womack has leaked, "My single's leaked! STYLO! If anyone's going to leak my single it'll be me! Listen to ‘Stylo' on Gorillaz.com."

The song is officially available for download starting tomorrow.

The album is set to drop on March 8^th and features a grocery list of guest spots.

The track list is as follows:

1. "Orchestral Intro" (featuring Sinfonia ViVA)
2. "Welcome To The World Of The Plastic Beach" (feat. Snoop Dogg & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
3. "White Flag" (feat. Kano, Bashy & The National Orchestra For Arabic Music)
4. "Rhinestone Eyes"
5. "Stylo" (feat. Bobby Womack & Mos Def)
6. "Superfast Jellyfish" (feat. Gruff Rhys & De La Soul)
7. "Empire Ants" (feat. Little Dragon)
8. "Glitter Freeze" (feat. Mark E Smith)
9. "Some Kind Of Nature" (feat. Lou Reed)
10. "On Melancholy Hill"
11. "Broken"
12. "Sweepstakes" (feat. Mos Def & Hypnotic Brass Ensemble)
13. "Plastic Beach" (feat. Mick Jones & Paul Simonon)
14. "To Binge" (feat. Little Dragon)
15. "Cloud Of Unknowing" (feat. Bobby Womack and Sinfonia ViVA)
16. "Pirate Jet"

Animal Collective Campfire Songs

Basia Bulat Heart of My Own

7dayBinge 7dayBinge [digital release Dec. 8, 2009]

Beach House Teen Dream

Jason Castro Jason Castro

Citay Get Together

Evacuate Chicago Veracity

Joe Firstman El Porto

Fredrik Trilogi

Four Tet There Is Love In You

Charlotte Gainsbourg IRM

Gorevette Lustfully Yours [EP]

Lady Antebellum Need You Now

Locksley Be In Love

Jennifer Lopez Love?

Los Campesinos! Romance Is Boring

The Magnetic Fields Realism

Never Shout Never What Is Love?

Patrick & Eugene Altogether Now (Birds Bees Flowers Trees)

Evacuate Chicago Verasity

The Silent League ...But You've Always been The Caretaker

Three 6 Mafia Laws Of Power

Amanda Blank is bringing her potty mouth to Santos Party House next Friday, January 29th as part of a show series built by MeanRed.

Amanda Blank stormed onto the scene in the wake of multi-talented female artists like M.I.A. and Santigold. She raps, she sings, and she might bite your head off. Her frank lyrics and intense performance style have made Blank a topic of conversation in indie-pop circles across the globe. Known for her stage appearances alongside Spankrock, Blank was originally a part of the Philadelphia-based pop group Sweetheart. She released I Love You, her solo debut in the summer of 2009. I Love You features the single "Might Like You Better" and tracks produced by Switch, XXXChange and Philly big shot Diplo.

Blank will be joined by Maluca, the New York native and newest addition to Diplo's Mad Decent record label. Another female rapper/singer, Maluca's set promises maracas and neon spandex. You've been warned.

And for those New Yorkers who will be hankering for something local after all this brotherly love, "Bushwick party legend" Anton Glamb from Brooklyn's Radical Outing has a DJ set planned.

The show starts at 7p.m.  Cover is $14 and you can purchase tickets here.

Two dimensions just aren't enough to honor the King of Pop, or so The Grammy Awards have decided. You'll need to put on one of the millions of free 3-D glasses being distributed at Target stores nationwide in order to view the never-before-seen 3-D film projection for "Earth Song." The glasses will allow both viewers at home and in the audience to experience this unprecedented performance of one of Jackson's most personal songs. As Grammy co-executive producer Ken Ehrlich put it, "[Earth Song] reflects Michael's deeply held feelings about the earth." Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy adds, "This very special GRAMMY Moment will feature some of our most respected GRAMMY recipients, all of whom have a great love for Michael. This segment promises to be an emotional highlight of this year's show, and is sure to join the unique list of amazing performances for which the GRAMMY Awards have become renowned."

Usher, Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and Smokey Robinson will be performing alongside the mini-film, which was originally produced to support live performances of "Earth Song" for Jackson's This Is It tour.

The Rolling Stone reports that the musicians will sing along with Jackson's pre-recorded vocal track as the 3-D movie runs.

The 3-D glasses are available at Target stores between January 24^th and the 31^st.

This Friday beginning at 8 p.m. ET, over 100 artists and actors will appear live for "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon which will help benefit the victims of last weeks devastating 7.0 earthquake.

The London show will highlight U2's Bono and The Edge with Jay-Z and Rhianna, while performances in New York will be accompanied by Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting. The Los Angeles gig will showcase performances from Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift.

The collaboration between Jay-Z and Bono sparked a new song, produced by Swizz Beatz that will be available for download in the near future, via Itunes.

The Show will broadcast from New York, London, Los Angeles and Haiti. The two-hour program will air commercial-free across ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, the CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT.

All donations will directly benefit Oxfam America, Partners in Health, Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef's Yele Haiti Foundation.

It’s rare that I get into a band that is doing something out of the ordinary.  While I like to pride myself on having a rather eclectic taste in music, anything outside of normal is not something I will fall in love with immediately (it took me a long while to get into Animal Collective).  I blame my father who believes that one guitar and a voice is the most perfect sound one can produce.  Most of the time he is right.  But why limit yourself to one flavor when there are a myriad of others begging to be sampled?

This is why I was surprised that I liked Micachu and the Shapes when I first heard them. Micachu and the Shapes is a three-piece band led by Mica Levi, a 21-year-old music composition student from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.  She plays her own construction: the “chu,” a modified guitar played with a hammer action and she is also known to use unconventional objects in her quest for original sounds, such as glass bottles and most intriguing: a vacuum cleaner.  The Shapes consist of  Marc Pell on percussion and Raisa Khan on keys/electronics.  I came across their video for “Turn Me Well” on the blogs because Bjork (someone whose music has yet to capture me) had posted it on her website.  The sounds were new and experimental, but there was a melody and a groove to the song that shined through the noise and made me listen to more of her stuff.  “Turn Me Well” remains my favorite tune, but I found others gems like “Golden Phone,” “Curly Teeth,” and “Floor” all songs from the album Jewellery. 

Their music is more approachable in a live setting.  It’s more raw and coarse and these kids can get pretty loud.  Overly produced vocals are replaced with Levi’s natural, heavily-accented growl and the percussive electronic blips and bleeps are overshadowed by an ambient wall of sound that evokes emotion you just can’t get from listening to mp3s on your Mac Book.

I was initially skeptical, but Micachu has won me over and I'll be anxious to listen to anything she undertakes in the future.

Discography

Jewellery (2009)