We’re psyched to be heading to the Julian Casablancas show tonight at Terminal 5. His debut solo album rocks and is arguably one the best albums of 2009. Hopefully, we will have some fun news to report about the show (or some good videos) so check back next week. I’m also excited to see their second opening act, Telepathe. I’m intrigued to see how their dark, new-age sound translates at a live show. Today’s jam, “So Fine,” is the first track off their debut album, Dance Mother, produced by TV on the Radio‘s Dave Sitek.
What is there to say about the current situation in Haiti? It’s horrible, unthinkable, and heart-breaking for New Yorkers with relatives there. Here is one way to help.
This mournful Jam comes from the Shins off of their 2001 album, Oh Inverted World. We hope the situation there improves dramatically soon, these people need all the help they can get.
I woke up with this song in my head today although I’m not really sure why, since it’s been years since the Arctic Monkeys released their first EP. Their most recent release, 2009’s Humbug (out on Domino), has received some good reviews and it’s definitely worth checking out, but I’m still feeling this “Fake Tales of San Francisco” track four years later.
After detecting and then researching the origins of a very sophisticated cyberattack on Google (among several other large and well-known companies, from diverse industries), the company has released a statement titled “A new approach to China” on it’s official blog. Although Google.cn faces smaller attacks almost daily, Google decided that this statement was necessary in light of the scope of the operation and “evidence to suggest that a primary goal of the attackers was accessing the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists.” Although they had previously expressed “discomfort in agreeing to censor some results” when launching Google.cn in 2006, this recent attack has led them to the decision to stop censoring results, which “may well mean having to shut down Google.cn, and potentially our offices in China,” according to the statement.
Earlier tonight we attended what was essentially a live listening party for Bear Hands’ new single “What a Drag” at the Cantora Records studios in Brooklyn. “What A Drag” will be released in the U.S. by Cantora on February 16th, and will feature “Can’t Stick Em” as the b-side, available as a limited edition white 7″ vinyl and digitally via iTunes and the like. Bear Hands have been working on a new LP for a while now, and from what we hear it’s pretty much finished at this point, so this single release will serve as an entree to the LP at some point later this year (fingers crossed).
In any case, Bear Hands played a nice little six song set in a room built up with paper flowers and huge hanging lamps, ending with this nice rendition of the soon-to-be-major “What a Drag.” Have a listen! And if you want to download the tracks or buy the 7″, check out the newly redesigned Bear Hands website.
The Kings of Convenience are a Norwegian indie-pop duo whose third studio album, Declaration of Dependence, was released back in October. In my opinion, it’s one of the best records of 2009. On it, they remain true to their Quiet is the New Loud philosophy (the name of their first album) by showcasing the chemistry of their voices on their subtle melodic tracks. They have yet to announce all of their Spring 2010 tour dates but EV2BK has heard that they will play a show here in NYC at Webster Hall the day before Valentine’s day (2/13). For those of you making early plans to celebrate, tickets go on sale on Tuesday (1/12) at noon. To start your weekend on a mellow note, take a listen to one of my favorites from Declaration of Dependence, “Boat Behind”.