Well I’m happy to report that Hot Club de Paris is still making music. They just released Free the Prerodactyl 3, which is a compilation of EP releases from 2010. According to the HCdP website, you can get it on CD in Europe and download only in the US.
Here’s a video for their song “Free the Prerodactyl 3.” Yes, it reminds me a little bit of The Proclaimers’ “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” meets the Polyphonic Spree, but I like it!
Later,
MM
PS – The same day we saw Hot Club de Paris we also saw lenticular clouds. It all comes around!
I know that it’s been a really busy week for you and all, with receiving your first Oscar nomination, and rehearsing for your debut hosting gig on SNL this week, but I really do think you have enough time to shave off that soul patch situation going on. Please deal with that, Sir Eisenhair.
So many shout outs to Table 114 on the Golden Globes. Who was sitting there? The Boardwalk Empire peeps, including Dougie Payne (bassist from Travis) and wife Kelly Macdonald (who I loved as Diane in Trainspotting), of course.
The legend that was Table 114
With those two amazing Scots, how could you go wrong?
Watch Steve Buscemi‘s win with a shout-out to “table 114″:
Other folks at the table, Buscemi’s wife Jo Andres, Steven Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw, Tom Hanks (who later gave a shout out to table 114) and wife Rita Wilson. [click to continue…]
This post is devoted to Jesse Eisenberg‘s newly straightened hair — which apparently is for a movie role, which Jesse says he has to “look Catholic.”
This hair change is probably the most traumatic coiffure shocker since Jesse’s Zombieland co-star Emma Stone went from her trademark fiery red to a golden blonde for her role in the new Spider-Man movie (coincidentally starring The Social Network‘s Andrew Garfield).
Even though the slick new style is a bit of a shocker from Jesse’s naturally curly hairdo, I kinda like this new look. [click to continue…]
Briefly — I went to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus tonight at Lincoln Center. All around the event was a bit uneven in it’s organization and planning, but there were some highlights. For about 25 some odd minutes, last minute headliner Ariel Pink totally confused/captivated the audience with his bizarre performance which was swiftly ended 30 minutes early when he simply walked to one of the tent exits and just kept going…
With a pre-recorded music track, Ariel treated the crowd with what came across as part performance art part Ariel Pink doing Ariel Pink karaoke covers. Dressed like a one man drunken Where’s Waldo? pajama party, Ariel was a sight to be seen, slowly circling the ring with a lackadaisical walk, seemingly with no intended direction or purpose, other than to keep him from falling asleep during his own show. The act was basically exactly how I imagine it would be like if you caught Ryan Adams, during his drug-fueled days of the early 2000s, while sleepwalking and talking after a nights worth of Halloween shenanigans.
During one point of the performance Ariel decided the only way to go was up, so he started to climb one of the lighting rigs, much to the horror of the Big Apple staff:
Seemingly lost and possibly bored, Ariel also took some of the set to sit down and chat with audience members, give one concert-goer a hug, and eventually he made his grand exit by calmly walking out of the venue.
“I’ll tell you a secret — I’m not going to finish this set.”
Confounding, discombobulating, but utterly fascinating, Ariel Pink was the only act to bring a little good ol’ fashion intrigue and drama to the night.
Part of me wonders if he basically gave up on trying to compete with the herd of magical white ponies had mesmerized the crowd minutes before his own set. I’m not sure how someone is supposed to follow PONIES.
I’d like to take this moment to apologize to the girl sitting in front of me since I think I screamed “PONIES!” for 5 minutes straight into her ear while the galloping troupe of heaven sent ponies pranced around and around the ring.
I admittedly have my ebbs and flows when it comes to my interest in music, and 2010 was definitely a year in which I leaned upon my American sensibilities with interest in more homegrown talent, with genuine affections for groups that many would label “standard” indie hipster favorites — Best Coast, Wavves, Warpaint, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. — mixed with deliciously horrible pop loves like Bruno Mars. But something in the air is telling me 2011 is going to be a strong year for UK obsessions.
To start 2011 with a Brit-flavored beginning, I’m going to direct you to a band I just saw on MTVU (possibly the only MTV channel that actually plays music videos) called The Vaccines. Up until a few months ago, they didn’t even have a website or MySpace page and only just played their first London gig in October, but as soon as they had, the British press got themselves into a frenzy, hailing The Vaccines as the leaders of a new wave of (British) music.
With lead singer Justin James Hayward-Young‘s ties to successful acts like Mumford & Sons, Laura Marling, and Noah and the Whale, the band already has a head start in terms of respected industry buzz, but it remains to be seen whether the four piece will fare just as well here in the States. Sink or swim time comes in just a few weeks with their first New York City shows at Bowery Ballroom and Glasslands on the 20th and 22nd respectively. 32ft/sec is predicting a US win, while Soundbites is cautiously hedging his bets with a wait and see attitude. I’m on the hopefully optimistic side, their song “Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra),” really winning me over with it’s fast, upbeat tempo, and the perfectly situated extremely British “crowd chanting section”. I’m rooting for these guys.
Mesmerizing twirling disco ball music video for “Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)”:
I love Christmas music! And today Coldplay added to their Christmas canon (see Mince Spies) with the release of a new Yuletide tune, “Christmas Lights.”
The video, directed by Mat Whitecross and filmed in London on November 25th, features the band in a charming children’s Xmas panto-type setting, then opens up onto a Baz Lurhman-esque city of Christmas lights.
I’m watching MTV U, and they just played the video for “New Low” by Middle Class Rut which apparently was quite popular on “alternative” rock stations in 2007-2008. I’ve never heard this song, and I can tell by this totally over-the-top video that it’s a band that’s not very “cool,” but there’s something about this song I really kinda enjoy.
Here’s a video of some chick covering it:
Here’s the official music video:
I like the twangy westerny vibe to it…
According to the Middle Class Rut’s tour dates, they are playing with both Neon Trees and My Chemical Romance, so yes, they definitely seem to be up my soft spot for horrible music alley.
Just a few days ago the episode of Iron Chef featuring Kings of Leon front man Caleb Followill as one of the guest judges was finally aired on the Food Network. The segment (which was filmed over a year ago) features Caleb dispensing refined culinary judgment (“it could have used a little bit of salt,” “is it OK if you eat it all?”) about the chef’s preparation of the secret ingredient: veal.
But I gotta say, the combo of a perpetually bearded rock musician with a food competition doesn’t seem the likeliest of pairings, so what could have been the reason why Caleb agreed to be a judge? Some possible answers:
1. Was told the secret ingredient was going to be pigeon.
2. Man cannot live on BBQ and beer alone.
3. Two word: flavor saver.
While Mandy was decked out in a futuristic-looking hot pink one-shoulder dress, Ry Ry chose to go casual with his standard checked shirt + jeans ensemble.
I gotta say, these two look so happy together. They look like such a great couple.
On the “awww” mushy note, take a listen to this rendition of Ryan and Mandy doing a “Oh My Sweet Carolina” duet during a rehearsal for a 826LA benefit from last month hosted by Judd Apatow. Adorable!
