Miss Hipstah Says...

Love it...

2006-09-16T13:22:00.000-04:00

From Banksy's show "Barely Legal" in LA:

Tai, a 38-year-old Asian elephant, which was painted by British underground artist Banksy is displayed at the 'Barely Legal' exhibition at a warehouse near downtown Los Angeles September 15, 2006. REUTERS/Fred Prouser

Read more about it here

Celebrate One Of DC's Best 'Hoods

2006-09-08T16:09:00.000-04:00

This Sunday, go check out all the food and fun at the Adams Morgan Day Festival. It's gonna be a blast.

Like A Walking Tour With Cell Phones

2006-09-06T10:35:00.000-04:00

I have been a fan of Yellow Arrow for a while. For those of you who don't know, Yellow Arrow is a form of electronic graffiti. Basically, you have these yellow arrow stickers that have serial numbers on them. If you are posting one (anywhere), you text the serial number to Yellow Arrow and add your own little message. Then, when someone stops by your yellow arrow, they can text that same serial number and Yellow Arrow will text back your message.

So now, they have taken it one step further. They have created a walking tour of DC's Punk Scene. The website has short documentaries for each stop on the tour. The docs feature Ian Mackaye (Fugazi), Dante Ferrando (Owner of the Black Cat), Marion Barry, Ian Svenonius (Nation of Ulysses) and many other people who all witnessed the changes in DC during the late 70's and early to late 80's. The films also stress how much the city has changed over the years and without saying it explicitly, talk about DC's urban gentrification. As Ian Mackaye says at one point: "Punk rockers are the Storm Troopers for gentrification."

This is possibly one of the coolest things I have ever seen. If y'all are into punk or the DC music scene period, you should check this out.

Don't Forget To Wear White! It's LABOR DAY Weekend!

2006-09-02T09:45:00.000-04:00

First, this photo is from this article.

Second, here's some things goin down tonight and tomorrow...

Saturday September 2nd:

The Rock and Roll Hotel is hosting DC UNITED! a 2Tuff Productions jawn. It's gonna feature the "fresh underground sounds of DC DJs" including Fort Knox Five, Juan Zapata of East Coast Boogiemen, DJ Slant and BJOO. Tickets: $5 before 11 PM/$10 after.

Bands Enemy of Three and The Blackout District will be playing Red and Black Bar Tickets: $8

The Mose Allsion Trio is performing at Blues Alley through tomorrow (Sept. 3rd). Tickets: $24

Sunday September 3rd

I post because I love...and I love these parties so much. Please do not forget DJ Dredd's Prince VS. Madonna Party at Black Cat. If there is one party I would stress you go to, it's this one. Tickets: $10

Also on this night, Jus BCus is throwing a party on SUNDAY to celebrate their Pre-Labor Day "Virgo" Bash at Bohemian Caverns. Tickets: $10

That's it for now...Hopefully y'all won't get rained out this weekend. I'm gonna be at a Nationals game on Monday...what are y'all doin?

Black Cat
1811 14th St. NW
Washington DC 20009
Tel: 202.667.7960

Blues Alley
1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007
Tel: 202.337.4141

Bohemian Caverns
2001 Eleventh Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001
Tel: 202.299.0801

The Red & The Black
1212 H Street NE,
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: 202.399.3201

Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H Street, NE,
Washington, DC 20002

I Can't Believe This Shi...

2006-09-01T14:57:00.000-04:00

...this is just getting ridiculous.

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes have yet to show their baby daughter off in public, but eager fans were given an unusual preview with the chance to see a bronze cast depicting her first solid stool.

The scatological sculpture -- more doodoo than Dada -- is purportedly cast from 19-week old Suri's first bowel movement and will be shown at the Capla Kesting gallery in Brooklyn, New York, before being auctioned off for charity.

Now, the guy who made this is none other than Daniel Edwards, the same guy who made the sculpture of Britney Spears giving birth

If you ask me, that poop looks a bit too big for a small baby to have made. I don't know...thoughts?

Big Name Rappers At Club Love? Go On...

2006-08-30T10:53:00.000-04:00

So this Friday, Love has Lupe Fiasco and Method Man performing in order to celebrate Labor Day Weeked. Wear white!! I don't know how much tickets are or even if there are any left. I'm gonna guess $20

LOVE
1350 Okie St. NE
Washington DC 20002
TEL: 202.636.9030

How Did I Not Know About This??

2006-08-29T14:58:00.000-04:00

So last week, Justin Timberlake performed at the 9:30 Club? And he did a Go-Go version of "SexyBack"? WHAT? And why did I have to hear about it from The Fader?

If anyone knows where there is a recording of said track, I would greatly appreciate it.

You can read a review of the show at Metro Distortion

I'm Back From Traveling!

2006-08-29T08:46:00.000-04:00

And I still have a bit more time before I leave again for school in the fall. So here are some events that are up and coming in the DC/Bmore urr-ea.

First off, don't forget about DJ Dredd's Prince Vs. Madonna Party this Sunday. Should be off the hook.

DC's new Red And Black Bar has been holding down some hot concerts. It's part of the rising Atlas District on H St., NE. Tonight, super cool klezmer punk band Golem will be performing along with DJ Anaan AKA one of the guys from JDub Records. If you are into gypsy punk and yiddish rock, you should definitely go check these guys out. If I'm not super exhausted from jet lag, you may catch me there. Tickets: $8

Tomorrow night at Red And Black, Miss Hipstah fave Indigo Son will be performing with The Sunday Mail and The Wakes. Tickets: $7

Also check out the finally completed Rock & Roll Hotel. I can't wait to go check out a show here. I've already heard it's FAB-U-LOUS!

Black Cat
1811 14th St. NW
Washington DC 20009
Tel: 202.667.7960

The Red & The Black
1212 H Street NE,
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: 202.399.3201

Rock & Roll Hotel
1353 H Street, NE,
Washington, DC 20002

Moment of Zen (Not To Rip Off Jon Stewert)

2006-08-25T15:29:00.000-04:00

From Reuters:

"Off to lunch : A worker heads off to lunch passing by an advertisement of an under-construction apartment block in Jakarta. (AFP/Jewel Samad)"

I've already posted this a couple places...

2006-08-24T14:45:00.000-04:00

But what's one more post gonna hurt?

Last month, I got my wisdom teeth out. It was horrible. Immediately after the operation, I looked like a squirrel on crack. For serious.

But as I started healing, I realized I bore a strange resemblence to something else entirely. Tell me what you think:

Me, post-operation

A Cabbage Patch Doll.

It's UNCANNY

Terry Gilliam Wants to Shock In Tideland

2006-08-11T03:41:00.000-04:00

There is something that makes many uncomfortable when confronted with a child who thinks and acts like an adult. Especially when acting like an adult entails adult things like sex and drungs. Just take Vladimir Nabukov's startling novel Lolita where the title character is a 13 year old who seduces a much older man.

When we see young children, we envision them as beings without a sexual identity, so when one is presented, it makes us squirm.

This is exactly the reaction director Terry Gilliam (of Brazil and 12 Monkeys fame) wants when watching his new movie Tideland.

The story follows Jeliza-Rose (played by new comer Jodelle Ferland...that creepy girl from the movie Silent Hill) who moves to an abondoned farm house with her heroin addict father (Jeff Bridges). When she is not preparing her dad's needles, she is letting her imagination run wild. Her only other companions being three dolls heads for which she eeriely and almost schizophrenically provides voices. She meets a 20-something young man, Dickens and decides she wants to have a baby with him.

Basically, Gilliam is exploring all the horrors that could happen to a young child and showing how, sometimes, a child's resilience is stronger than we may give credit. The special effects of the film look phenomenal, as the audience is permitted entrance into Jeliza-Rose's head and imagination and guided through her healing process as she herself is going through it.

Any way you look at it, the film is bound to cross some boundaries. And if you are a Terry Gilliam fan, you will love every minute of it.

Explanation for the Lack of Events

2006-08-08T01:50:00.000-04:00

As many of you may have noticed, I haven't really been posting on here. For that, I apologize. I've been really busy with this crazy thing...I can't quite put my finger on the name of it...wait...wait...LIFE...that's it.

At any rate, I am going to be going on a family vacation (which isn't exactly a vacation) and will be gone most of August. I can't really blog about stuff in DC because I won't even be in the same continent.

What I will try and do is post interesting stuff that is just going on period, i.e. music you should be listening to, places you might consider seeing, movies that are worth checking out, etc. This is so you can never say that Miss Hipstah didn't try to broaden your horizons.

But so you can stay on top of things going on in this disgustingly hot city of ours, I am linking a few websites you should check out for upcoming events.

Fusicology

Going Out Gurus

Washington City Paper

Consumption Junction Along with reviews, these guys also have DC/Baltimore events.

Eavesdrop DC (not an events page. It's like Overheard in New York but in DC...HILARIOUS. Thanks Stone at The Couch Sessions for the link)

So peace out y'all and have a good August!

Tonight @ DC9: DC GRIOTS!

2006-08-02T14:15:00.000-04:00

DC Griots, the monthly event at DC9 is coming back to help rapper Storm the Unpredictable with his CD release party.

There will be appearances and performances by Priest Da Nomad, the Poem-Cees, Unison Collective, Beattactics and DJ Dave Nada.

Show starts around 9:30 and Cover: $2

So get out and show your DC pride!

Sure, He Can Spray Paint...But Can He Throw A Good Party?

2006-07-28T17:14:00.000-04:00

Everyone's favorite (or not so favorite) DC graffiti "artist"/trouble maker Borf is throwing a party this Saturday (July 29th). It's a street party and it'll be taking place on 11th and O St., N.W.

As the flyer says, the party starts at 9:30 PM and it's to celebrate the release of a video communique...and to be honest, I have NO IDEA what that means. Anyone want to help me out? And would anyone be interested in going?

Thanks to Marcus over at FauxMarc for the update.

11th & O St., N.W.
Washington, DC
Map It!

Also on Saturday: Eric Roberson @ 9:30 Club

2006-07-28T12:29:00.000-04:00

MN8 Productions presentsEric Roberson at the 9:30 Club tomorrow evening (Saturday, July 29th) along with Carol Riddick and DJ YZO.

Roberson, I've been told, puts on an amazing show...so if you want a night of soul music you should seriously check this out.

Tickets: $15

9:30 Club
815 V St. NW
Washington, DC
www.930.com

Tickets.com Tel:800-955-5566

More Upcoming Shows You Should Know About!

2006-07-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

I'm not going to be here most of August, but that does not mean that I can't at least tell y'all what's going on! So, here ya go...some more shows:

Black Cat:

August 15th: Cutlery, The Second Sunrise and The Drugstore Cowboys. This is Cultery's CD release party and I know for a fact that these guys have been working really hard. Show them some good ole' DC love and come out for the show. Tickets:$8

August 24th: Dr. Octagon (aka Kool Keith). I remember when I worked at a CD store and someone asked me to find a copy of Dr. Octagon's "Dr. Octagonecologyst". It took me a good twenty minutes before I could even figure out how to SAY the title, let alone find it. This show should be a good one. Tickets: $16 in advance/$18 at the door (I recommend getting the tix now).

September 3rd: DJ Dredd Presents: Prince VS Madonna Dance Party. DJ Dredd is, in of himself, a DC establishment. He has been giving DC hip hop lovers music to dance to for years at "Uncle Q's Living Room" party (which incidentally, has moved from Blue Room to Liv...just above Bohemian Caverns). He has also opened up a vegetarian restaurant in DC called Vegetate where he also spins. But one of the best things DJ Dredd does is throw a Prince party. His last Prince party was a combination of Prince and Outkast and it was phenomenal. Now you can join him for an evening of Prince and Madonna, both of whom go together like peas in an uber cool pod. So show up dressed to kill and get ready to dance the night away.

Black Cat
1811 14th St. NW
Washington DC 20009
Tel: 202.667.7960

Movie Rental Choice: Green Street Hooligans

2006-07-24T20:59:00.000-04:00

Green Street Hooligans, the first full length directorial effort by Lexi Alexander, takes a look into the explosive world of British football hooliganism and how it not only impacts the game, but the lives of those who get involved. It also sheds light on how far some hooligans will go in order to protect their gang’s honor.

The movie begins with the a fight between two “firms,” essentially the groups of hooligans for two different teams. The leader of the Green Street Elite is Pete Dunham (Charlie Hunnam), a cocky youngster who has no problem smashing a rival’s face through a glass window. As the fight ensues, the scene flashes to a prestigious building at Harvard. Here we see Matt Buckner (Elijah Wood) packing his things. While he is packing, his roommate, Jeremy Van Holden, hands him a packet of money. As the film goes on, it is revealed that Van Holden hid his cocaine stash in Matt’s closet and when the school raided, it was Matt who was expelled. Van Holden paid Matt off for his silence as he explained he had a reputation to uphold. Matt takes the money and gets on a flight to London, where his sister Shannon (Claire Forlani) has been living for the past few years with her husband, Steve (Mark Warren) and child. Matt hasn’t been in London a day before he is cast off to Steve’s younger brother, who, it is revealed, is none other than the aforementioned Pete Dunham. Pete begrudgingly takes Matt to his “place of business” (the local pub) before dragging him to a football match. During this time, the rest of Pete’s “crew” is introduced. To make a long story short, Matt becomes part of the crew, helping them in their wild fights and escapades. The climax of the film is as bloody as it is heartbreaking.

After seeing how French favorite Zidane acted in the final game of the World Cup, it’s no wonder that fans would act even worse. This film clearly shows how deep the hatred between two teams can run. For a first time director, Alexander does a good job with the keeping the viewer visually connected. The fight scenes are graphic and the usage of camera angles and stop motion create a jarring sense of reality, where the viewers have to question whether or not they themselves are fighting in a drunken stupor.

But the script and characters leave little to be desired. While I love his acting in other films, I will say this: Elijah Wood will annoy you, whether it is because of his horrible Bostonian accent or because of his character’s inflexible sense of entitlement. He is, in many ways, an “ugly American” who is searching for his identity by appropriating someone else’s (in this case, the identity is that of a British street thug). The moral lesson of the film (that if you want something, you should stand your ground…I’m guessing) is lost amid the British slang and the gratuitous violence.

But there is a moral. Really…there is. You just have to find it. And while the acting and script may not be completely Oscar caliber, the visual beauty of the film is well worth watching.

Goapele TONIGHT!

2006-07-24T14:58:00.000-04:00

So, I would have blogged about this earlier, but Blogger seemed to be having issues. So y'all are just gonna have to hear about it now.

Neo-Soul Songstress Goapele is performing tonight at the Birchmere Music Hall along with Noel. The show starts at 7:30. Tickets: $29.50

If you haven't gone to any other show this month, then go to this one. I've heard Goapele gives amazing performances. So treat yourself and/or someone you like to a night out!

Birchemere Music Hall
3701 Mt. Vernon Ave
Alexandria, VA 22305
Tel: 703.549.7500

Weekend Update: July 21st-23rd

2006-07-21T13:20:00.000-04:00

Ok, so some of this might just be a repeat from the "upcoming shows you might want to look out for" post, but I've tried to add a few extra things that I didn't mention then.

Friday July 21st:

Konono No. 1 and Chopteeth Afrofunk Band at Black Cat. This actually was written up in the Washington City Paper as a show not to miss. It sounds really cool too.

The last ever Tru Skool Presents Beat Grinderz (at least at Capital City Records) is tonight. The popular producer/dj battle will feature some performances by Asheru, Noyeek the Grizzly, DJ Damu and more. Capital City Records is closing it's doors for good at the end of the month. They are taking everything and going online. This is a sad day, as Cap City Records was one of the last places in DC where DJs could meet, greet and buy records.

At Camelot of Upper Marlboro, singer Amel Larrieux will be performing with a live band. Also performing is Baltimore's Brian Cook. You can check out more about him at Aivilo Records (the website is pretty hot, so just check it out anyway). The concert is from 8-10:30, cover is $38.50 and it's 21+. For more information call: Tel.: 301.809.3120

At Carter Barron Ampitheater tonight, India.Arie will be performing along with Chrisette Michele and Bilal Salaam. Show goes from 7:30 till 10:30 and tickets are $20. This is an all ages show.

Saturday July 22nd:

DJ Tittsworth will be playing at Wonderland. Stop by and show him some love.

Another goodbye party for Capital City Records, Storm The Unpredictable is having a release party for his new CD. It's not only a party but a music marathon with a huge list of DC's finest musical acts. I'm not going to list them all but so you can see who is coming out, here's a link to a flyer.

DC's own Exit Clov will be playing at DC9 along with Bellfluer and The Metrosexuals. Tickets: $8

The ever amazing Jamaican Legend Sister Nancy will be performing at Five followed by DJ Rob Paine from Philly. It's an early show so doors open at 8 PM. It's $10 all night and 21+

Sunday July 23rd:

Diplo, CSS and Bonde Do Role will be at Black Cat for a night of baile funk (you know...Brazilian style). Tickets: $13 in advance/$15 at the door. I'm gonna be there, so drop me a line if you're gonna go.

Psychic Twin, The Chance and The Mirror Script will be playing at DC9. Tickets: $7

Black Cat
1811 14th St. NW
Washington DC 20009
Tel: 202.667.7960

Camelot of Upper Marlboro
13901 Central Avenue
Upper Marlboro, MD
Tel.: 301.809.3120

Capital City Records
1020 U Street, NW,
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202.518.2444

Carter Barron DC
16th Street & Colorado Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

DC9
1940 9th St, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Tel: 202.483.5000

Five
1214 B 18th Street NW
Washington DC, 20036
Tel: 202.331.7123
Metro: Dupont Circle (Red Line)

Wonderland Ballroom
1101 Kenyon St. NW, Washington, DC 20010
Tel: 202-232-5263
Metro: Columbia Heights (Green Line)

CD Review: Gnarls Barkley St. Elsewhere

2006-07-21T11:18:00.000-04:00

Who or what is Gnarls Barkley?

If you look at the Gnarls Barkley website, you’ll get a fantastical story about a guy dressed like H.R. Pufnstuf. If you look at the MySpace page, you’ll see that it’s DJ Dangermouse (Brian Burton) and Cee-Lo Green (Thomas Calloway). Dangermouse received recognition for The Grey Album, his mash mix of The Beatles’ White Album and Jay-Z’s Black Album. He also worked with rapper MF Doom and Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim to release last year’s DangerDoom one of 2005’s best albums (in my opinion). He also produced Gorillaz’s Demon Days.

Cee-Lo has had a long career, not only as part of rap group Goodie Mob but as a solo artist as well. He’s worked with OutKast, Carlos Santana, Timbaland, Common (to name a few) and was also the songwriter and producer of the Pussycat Dolls hit single “Don’t Cha.”

Together, Dangermouse and Cee-Lo bring an eclectic mix of funk, pop, rock and hip hop, creating a style of music unique as it is reminiscent. Their first single “Crazy” has already made history by having a number one hit based entirely on downloads. It's also already been covered by blues singer Ray LaMontagne. Gnarls Barkley preformed recently at Cochella and has had a huge online following. Now the debut album St. Elsewhere is being released (May 9th).

The album is like R&B on acid. It’s trippy and fun but has its serious moments as well. Aside from “Crazy” (still one of the best tracks), there are various songs that will make the listener want to get up and shake what their momma gave them. For example, “Go-Go Gadget Gospel” opens the album with a trumpet blast. The song sounds like what would happen if you put a church choir in the same room with a high school marching band and told them to duke it out. “Gone Daddy Gone,” a cover of the Violent Femmes song, while not the strongest track overall, has a head bop/pop sound that is hard to resist (unless you’re maybe a die hard Femmes fan). “St. Elsewhere” is a mellow and melodramatic love song that recalls the sound of old school R&B. “The Boogie Monster,” a dark tune both musically and lyrically, tells a story of someone suffering from paranoia or someone who has a lot of dark secrets. It sounds very similar to what Dangermouse did on the Gorillaz album. With a line like “It’s deep how you can be so shallow…” it is hard not to like “Who Cares?,” a sort of a baby-you-missed-out kind of song. And of course, no album is complete with out a song about necrophilia…i.e. “Necromancer.”

St. Elsewhere in its entirety is actually a very dark album. Looking past the pop sound, there are sinister lyrics and morbid overtones, leaving the interpretations of their meanings up to the listener.

It’s clear from their music that Dangermouse and Cee-Lo work well together. And after so much hype over “Crazy” (before it was even released no less), it’s good to see that their hard work is paying off. They’ve made a mark that says “Get ready! Gnarls Barkley is here to stay.”

CD Review: Corinne Bailey Rae Corinne Bailey Rae

2006-07-21T09:25:00.000-04:00

Dubbed by BBC Radio as one of the top artists to watch in 2006, Corinne Bailey Rae’s made anything but a quiet debut. Her album, which was released in the UK on the 27th of February and is being released in the States tomorrow, has already been given four stars from Q Magazine and London’s Times. Her single “Put Your Records On” has already been nominated for a “BETJ Cool Like That Award” which will be given at the BET Awards on June 27th.

The 26-year old chanteuse was born in Leeds, UK to a West Indian father and Yorkshire mother. Growing up, Rae, like many soul singers, got her start in Church:

"I started off singing in church, I suppose, but people think it must have been a gospel church because of the whole, you know, black assumption," she says in reference to her mixed-race background. "But it wasn't gospel at all, it was just your regular brethren church, very middle-class, where we would sing these harmonies every Sunday. It was always my favourite part of the service, the singing."

At the age of 15, Rae and some friends started an all girl punk band called Helen, which gained some attention among the London indie punk scene, but was ill-fated and did not last very long. While attending Leeds University, she worked at a jazz nightclub as a hatcheck girl. On occasion, she was allowed to sing with the band. This would lead to her being signed by EMI Records last year.

Because of this eclectic background in music, Corinne Bailey Rae’s talent goes beyond her singing voice. She has successfully managed to create a sound that appeals to a wide audience. She has more than enough soul to appeal to Jazz fans while at the same time being cute and quirky enough to make Massive Attack listeners take pause. Surely the neo-soul movement of Erykah Badu and Jill Scott will want to claim her as their own as well. Her sound is definitely reminiscent of classic songstresses like Holiday or Scott or Beth Orton or Lauryn Hill.

She combines soul and pop, adds a dash of church music and creates a style uniquely her own. With Britain’s “Urban” R&B and Soul scene on the rise, Rae finds herself in an interesting situation. While she can fit into the Soul genre, she can also separate herself into her own category.

Her single “Put Your Records On” is a good example of this. While it has the R&B/Pop quality that is so popular today, it hails a sound from a different era. It is definitely a summer song that will lift you up and make you want to go out. It is no wonder that Blender Magazine rated it one of their top 20 songs to download.

Some of her other songs are softer, sadder even. “Till It Happens To You” and “Choux Pastry Heart” are painful songs about heart ache and love where Rae voice contradicts itself by being strong and soft at the same time. On her other single off “Just Like A Star”, Rae’s voice has a childlike quality, filled with wonder and awe and reflected in the lyrics of this sweet love song. This is completely contrasted by the funky, sexy, horn-blasting track “I’d Like To”. Her song “Butterfly” is a jazzy dedication to her mother, describing the happy childhood from which she blossomed into who she is today.

Even though her album has not come out yet, Corinne Bailey Rae is already making a huge impression on many in the United States. She was a guest on today’s “Good Morning America” and will be on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” on June 27th. She will also have featured appearances on PBS’ “The Tavis Smiley Show” and A&E’s “Breakfast With The Arts.” On June 21st, Rae will be performing in NYC’s Bowery Ballroom, just one of her (soon to be) many North American tour dates. Corinne Bailey Rae is definitely not a singer to be slept on as she is one of the rising stars of 2006.

So, here's what I'm thinking...

2006-07-20T23:15:00.000-04:00

Because there are only so many events I can post about (and I can post about a lot of them), I've decided that I am going to add some reviews as well. Some CD reviews here. Some concert reviews there. You know...just to spice things up a bit. In fact, I think it's such a great idea, that I'm gonna post some up now just so y'all have something to read while I work on a weekend post.

Bet y'all didn't know I could write reviews, huh? Well at least those of you who didn't read my stuff at The Couch Sessions...

And no. The poodle has NOTHING to do with this post. I just really like Pink Poodles.

CD Review: Jose Gonzalez Veneer

2006-07-20T22:29:00.000-04:00

Amid the mountains of musical garbage, it is difficult to find a new sound that is worth listening to. For this reason, Jose Gonzalez shines. His music is a rare gem, one that should appeal to young urban hipsters as well as ageing baby boomers. As someone told me, it’s the kind of music you would listen to in the tub after lighting some candles and incense. With its Spanish guitar influences and his soft, gentle voice, it easy to see that the beauty of Gonzalez’s music is in its intimacy. His presence is as unassuming in his character as it is in his songs. You could be listening to his album Veneer in a room full of people and still feel like he is singing just for you.

For example, the song “Heartbeats” (a cover of The Knife’s electro, New Wave-ish song and a personal favorite of mine) rings of early Simon and Garfunkel, with a beautiful guitar medley and vocal harmonies. But, unlike Simon and Garfunkel whose music was made for two parts, Gonzalez puts the piece together as a solo artist while creating a sound of more than one person. Songs like “Slow Moves” or “Deadweight on Velveteen” are lyrically poetic and musically sound. “Lovestain” takes bitter and dark lyrics and sets them against an upbeat guitar picked tune that includes hand claps and will make your head nod.

In his song “Crosses,” Gonzalez makes an obvious religious connection (“Crosses all over, heavy on your shoulders”) but the entire song plays like a lullaby, one that could be sung to a sleeping child or a heartbroken lover. This song is also featured on the Zero 7’s “The Garden,” an album on which Gonzalez also worked.

The songs on “Veneer” are short vignettes, the longest song being less than four minutes, which makes the entire album just about thirty minutes long. Short, but sweet. And it will make you want to play it over and over again.

It's Summer...Go To The Beach and Get in Pharrell's "Mind"

2006-07-20T08:47:00.000-04:00

I really meant to blog about this yesterday, but totally spaced out because of certain world events.

At any rate, if you feel like going on an adventure or you are already down in that area, then head down to Norfolk, VA tonight for a special Commonwealth/Cmonwealth.com Presents: "In My Mind" listening party. Jerome from over at Better Than Yours is gonna be spinning along with a bunch of other people.

Doors open at 9:30 PM, party starts at 10. Ladies can be 18+ but fellas...y'all gotta be 21+ to get in. And ladies, y'all are free before 11 PM after which the cost is $5.

So jump in your car and head down there!

Club Premiere/Granby Theater
421 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
Tel: 757.961.7208
(Mapquest Here)

Listening Party Tonight (07/19)

2006-07-19T15:09:00.000-04:00

Want a place to relax a little after work? Then check out Mad Power Unit's "Flirt Wednesday" at 1223 (MCCXXIII)/Spank. Tonight is the official listening party for Letoya Luckett's new self-titled album.

Some of you may remember Letoya from when she was part of Destiny's Child...you know...when Destiny's Child was a quartet. At any rate, she's come back with a vengence and is definitely trying to give Miss Beyonce a run for her money.

There's gonna be an open bar from 6-8 and a dinner buffet at 7. There will also be some CD giveaways. Afterwards there will be dancing and more drinking if you want...A great way to end a long day.

MCCXXIII/Spank
1223 Connecticut Ave
Washington DC 20036
Tel: 202.822.1800