News
Jon Stewart To Interview George Lucas At Star Wars Convention
Robin Bacior :: Thursday, June 17th, 2010 2:30 pm
Not only is Jon Stewart politically savvy enough to go head-to-head with any government buff and hilarious enough to soothe the volcanic amount of tension created from doing so, but he ALSO hits triple-threat status with being a Star Wars aficionado.
Stewart will conduct a one-hour interview with the creator himself, George Lucas, this August at a fan convention called Star Wars Celebration V. Also appearing at the convention will be Carrie Fisher, and the man in the Chewbacca suit. For real.
Even better, Stewart is taking your questions. Got a question about Wookies or Sand People you’ve always wanted to ask the Big Man? Jon Stewart will do his best to get you some answers. Keep reading for detials.
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News
Matt & Kim Announce Fall Tour
Robin Bacior :: Thursday, June 17th, 2010 2:00 pm
The irresistibly catchy duo Matt & Kim have announced they’ll be scouring the map for a full US tour this fall. Following a few key summer performances at festivals like Siren and Lollapalooza the two will take to the road for three months, starting in Syracuse, NY and including a show at Austin City Limits.
The two have been polishing up their third full-length, scheduled to release in the near future on the FADER label, under the guidance of producer Ben Allen. Tickets go on sale June 23rd— check here for Matt & Kim’s tour dates!
News
The Walkmen: New Album Announced For Fall
Robin Bacior :: Thursday, June 17th, 2010 12:45 pm
Charming fuzz-rockers The Walkmen have just announced they’ll be releasing a new album, to be titled Lisbon, on September 14.
After the explosively popular 2008 release of You & Me, the five-piece has spent the last two years recording in Brooklyn and Philadelphia, gathering inspiration along the way from early Sun-Records-era Elvis Presley records. The group was also charmed by the city of Lisbon itself, where they wrote a few of the songs included on the 11-track album, said to be instrumentally simplistic, according to singer Hamilton Leithauser.
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BP: Apologies, Then What?
Robin Bacior :: Thursday, June 17th, 2010 12:00 pm
Upon exiting the White House after a meeting with a very perturbed President Obama, BP chairman, Carl-Henric Svanberg was quoted saying:
“People say that large oil companies don’t care about the small people. But we care. We care about the small people.”
There’s nothing more comforting than being called a “small person,” by a man’s who’s oil company is single-handedly poisoning the Gulf Of Mexico at a newly estimated 60,000-barrel-per-day pace. Small people, ouch. The Swedish native has since apologized for the comment, claiming it was a misunderstanding in translation, but just like the oil, the damage has stuck. MORE »
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Animal Collective: New Songs, New Visuals!
Robin Bacior :: Thursday, June 17th, 2010 11:00 am
The highly innovative, resonantly rambunctious Animal Collective is going multi-media, releasing their new visual album, ODDSAC, with the aide of director Danny Perez. The 55-minute film is soundtracked by a completely new score of Animal Collective songs, offered in surround-sound audio. Also, along with the DVD-package is a 40-page (!) art book.
The album will be available on July 27, and if you’re raring to get a copy of it, you can go ahead and pre-order, which will knock a Lincoln off the retail price, $24. 98. Sights and sounds compliments of Animal Collective for under $20?! Beyond bargain.
Pre-order the Animal Collective experience here.
News
Drake: Remix With Lil Wayne From Prison
Robin Bacior :: Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 3:30 pm
Somehow, Canadian native Aubrey Drake Graham has managed to go from new-generation Degrassi basketballer “Jimmy,” to suave rap phenomenon, cut sharply to just “Drake.” The man’s been collaborating with all the impressives, including Jay-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, and especially with Lil Wayne, who’s taken Drake on somewhat as his protege. Smart move, since his popularity grows exponentially, daily.
His new record, Thank Me Later, was released today, along with a remix from his myriad of jams, this one specifically being, “Lighten Up.” It’s being called the “Rikers Remix,” cutely titled from the fact that Lil Wayne adds a verse via telephone from the Rikers Prison. You maybe be able to cage Lil Wayne, but you’ll never be able to quiet him.
Check out a couple songs and see how you feel about Drake’s new release.
News
Ingrid Michaelson: Who Are You?
Robin Bacior :: Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 2:00 pm
The name Ingrid Michaelson is popping up everywhere, like flowers blooming wild in the height of spring. But if you’re anything like me, you have no idea who Ingrid Michaelson is. So why does her name keep showing up all over the place? MORE »
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“We’re Not BP”: Oil Companies Plead Before House Panel To Continue Drilling
Robin Bacior :: Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 1:00 pm
The Chief Executives of Exxon-Mobil, Chevron, Royal Dutch Shell and ConocoPhillips had to go before a subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on June 14th to defend the continuation of Off-Shore Drilling (Yes, we have bequeathed “Off-Shore Drilling proper noun status). Obama has instated a temporary halt to Off-Shore Drilling in response to the Deep Water Horizon disaster, still reeking havoc on the Gulf of Mexico water and wildlife. MORE »
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Pat Benatar: Breaking Ground For Female Icons
Robin Bacior :: Monday, June 14th, 2010 5:00 pm
Long before Lady Gaga or Rihanna were holding the masses eyes’ wide with their wild wear, sharp dance moves and aggressive lyrics, Pat Benatar was doing the grunt work, paving the way for girls who wanted to be rock stars. MORE »
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The Books: Fall Tour Announced with Special Guest
Robin Bacior :: Monday, June 14th, 2010 3:30 pm
The ultimate noise-thrifters The Books have recently announced they’ll be taking to the road this fall for a North-American tour to sport some aural fashion from their upcoming release, The Way Out. The duo, Nick Zammuto and Paul de Jong, will be accompanied on the dates by multi-instrumentalist Gene Back. Together the threesome will collect vintage, worn noises and sew both acoustic and electronic touches into them to create a new coat of multi-faceted, colorful sound.
The group will warm up for the road with some appearances at summer events like All Tomorrow’s Parties in NY and the Solid Sound Festival, curated by alt-rock fathers, Wilco. They’ll be making a stop at Chicago’s Frank Gehry-designed Millennium Park for a free show as well, so if you’re anywhere near the area, I’d consider stopping by. Check out a list of currently released tour dates after the jump. MORE »
News
Yoko Ono: “Give Me Something” Tops The Dance Club Charts
Robin Bacior :: Monday, June 14th, 2010 3:00 pm
The constantly creative-and-controversial Yoko Ono has recently released another “Give Me Something” (MOREL’s I Gave You My Heart Dub Mix) on RCRD LBL, her fourth consecutive #1 single on the Hot Dance Club Play Charts.
At the ripe age of 77, under her electronica pseudonym, ONO has been revamping old classics from decades past into new into new, fresh-faced Dub-based resonance, taking a cutting-edge interpretation to the digitally influenced music of today. The response has been overwhelming interest from listeners, and intrigued contributors. This summer ONO plans to premiere “Wouldnit,” rumored to be mixed by names like Dave Aude, Ralphi Rosario and Rob Rives.
Her innovative work has drawn previous collaborations with artists like Flaming Lips, Spiritualized, Peaches, CSS and Antony and The Johnsons. And if that’s not enough to sell you on the mystery of Yoko Ono, just spend some time on her twitter. Endless gems.
News
Lithium: Afghanistan’s New Gold
Robin Bacior :: Monday, June 14th, 2010 1:00 pm
After nearly a decade of military inhabitance in Afghanistan, the United States has come across an overwhelming amount of lithium that’s turned the country into one of the most sought-after resource wells in the world overnight. The $1 trillion find will lead to an incredible amount of change for Afghanistan, starting with their gross domestic product, currently at $12 billion (!). Does anyone else think the timing of the discovery is a little convenient? MORE »
