For my birthday (today!) the Jam is a classic that always puts me in a good mood and gets the party started. This killer live version was recorded for Sesame Street, which has been everywhere lately, as they are celebrating a big 40th Birthday themselves!
Enjoy!
Stevie Wonder – Superstition:
-Melissa
Filed under Event, Jam of the Day
The beginning drum beats of this song sound suspiciously like Marilyn Manson‘s “Beautiful People,” but once the guitar line drops in on “Percussion Gun” from New York City band White Rabbits, it’s clear that we have a great track on our hands here. There was kind of a reason not to write about a song with guns in the title today, but I can’t really tell what’s going on with this story. And then I stumble upon this live version of a song called “Rudie Fails” that White Rabbits performed at the SPIN offices. This is a good joke and another good song. This is a band that really knows how to rock out on the drum set. So White Rabbits wins. Jam of the Day.
White Rabbits – Percussion Gun:
And if the image of white rabbits gets you in the mood for a little magic this weekend, go check out Paper Garden Records Presents: Multiverse Playground on Saturday Night at 3rd Ward. It’s getting all sorts of press coverage, like even in the NY Post, and should be a great time with shows from Boy Crisis, a guest appearance from Das Racist, and sets from a bunch of other great bands. Come check it out!
-Drew
Filed under Event, Jam of the Day, Music
The World Series is heating up and tonight’s game could be the last (hopefully not!). The MLB is bringing out the heavy hitters to sing our nation’s anthem this season, with Mary J. Blige slated to bring it home tonight. Her vocal prowess is not a new discovery but it’s always amazing to really hear her belt it out. Her latest song, “The One” featuring Drake is a catchy, female power-anthem that doesn’t showcase her vocal skills as much but it’s sure to have you bouncing on the dance floor this weekend.
Mary J. Blige – The One featuring Drake:
-Melissa
Filed under Event, Jam of the Day
When we first heard about Brooklyn Skill Share, it was one of those ideas that made us say, why didn’t we think of that? Basically, it’s an organized forum for people who have skills that they want to teach and for people that have skills that they want to learn to barter their trades for a suggested donation of only $10. As a result, everyone will leave tomorrow afternoon more handy or capable than they were before. Some of the classes we’re most excited about are “Henna Body Art,” “Bicycle Mechanics 101,” “Basic Raw Food Preparation,” and “Make Your Own Butter and Ricotta.” There is no need to sign up and they are serving free breakfast and lunch with a closing party sponsored by Brooklyn Brewery, so there is no reason not to check it out tomorrow.
Gang Starr, the legendary duo of MC Guru and DJ Premiere are the types of artists that have extra to share in the skills department. Check out this track called “Skillz,” which Guru will tell you many times.
Gang Starr – Skillz:
-EV2BK
Filed under Event, Jam of the Day, Music
Tonight marks the first night of Fashion Week in NYC. In a bid to make it all seem a little less incongruous to be flaunting terribly expensive, high-fashion clothing and attending exclusive VIP events in the midst of a recession, the first night this year is being billed as Fashion’s Night Out, an event conceived by American Vogue, NYC & Company, the City of New York, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America “to enliven again the consumer spirit that churns the economy and boosts the local industry of America’s fashion capital, New York City.” The main point of the evening, of course, is to get people excited to spend money on fashion (and then actually part with the cash), and about 700 retailers and designers across New York City are confirmed participants in the event. These stores will stay open until 11:00 PM, and have been encouraged to provide “creative customer experiences” for everyone walking around and enjoying the fashion. Maybe you’ll see Diddy! Or Anna Wintour! But probably not.
As part of all the festivities this evening, one of our favorite bands, Bear Hands, will be playing a free show tonight in Rockefeller Center, right where the tree usually goes. The show kicks off at 6:30 with a set from Savoir Adore, and Bear Hands goes on last, from 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Joining the line-up, and hitting the stage at 7:45 PM, are Cincinnati-based “art-pop” foursome Pomegranates. Their music has been described online as hinting at early Modest Mouse or Death Cab for Cutie (the later seems more relevant), but they sort of sound more like American Football or early Piebald to these old-emo-loving ears. No matter how you slice it (it’s a fruit, get it?!), I’m definitely feeling this band. And from what I can hear online, they sounds great live. Check out their session at Daytrotter and you’ll hear what I mean. So come on out tonight and support some great bands (and fashion)!
If you aren’t able to make it to Rockefeller Center by 7:45, don’t fret! Pomegranates are also playing tonight at Bruar Falls, in Williamsburg, around 10:00 PM, and at Union Hall, in Park Slope, tomorrow night.
The jam today is a live video of the band playing “In the Kitchen,” from their debut LP, Everything Is Alive, released in May, 2008. Their most recent release was this spring’s Everybody, Come Outside!.
Pomegranates – In the Kitchen:
-Drew
Filed under Event, Jam of the Day, Music
Insound Music is having their 10th Anniversary celebration tonight at the newly opened Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg. After launching back in 1999, Insound has grown and grown and continued to be the place to find the CDs, vinyl, digital music, and merch of your favorite up-and-coming and unsigned bands. The way the music industry is going these days, the stream of revenue from these types of sales is becoming more and more important to a band’s success or failure. While on the road, many working bands depend on the sales at their merch tables to get by, so it’s a good thing to come out and support. The lineup of bands they have set to perform includes: Cymbals Eat Guitars, These Are Powers, The Drums, and Real Estate. The last time we saw The Drums, at one of their first shows, they killed it and if their brand new video for their song “Let’s Go Surfing” is any indication, they’re only getting tighter and sharper over time.
On all of the promotion for the event and on the Brooklyn Bowl website it lists the fifth band that will perform as “TBA.” But **EXCLUSIVE UPDATE** our sources at Brooklyn Bowl tell us that this TBA band will be Brooklyn’s own Suckers! I have been wanting to check them out for a while, mostly because of their song “Easy Chairs.” Listen below and you’ll see what I’m talking about. There is a free happy hour provided by Brooklyn Brewery from 6-8 so get their early if you’re going tonight!
Suckers – Easy Chairs:
-Melissa
Filed under Event, Jam of the Day
East Village to Brooklyn 