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Download “Wheelpusher” by Anni Rossi | Everyone seems to love the Ting Tings, but it’s opener Anni Rossi I’ve my eyes on while the two acts are in town for a date at Bowery Ballroom and Southpaw this week – though unfortunately for latecomers like me, both shows are sold out. Regina Spektor and Joanna Newsom comparisons are afloat, and to the extent that these comparisons are useful, they are true for violist/singer/songwriter Rossi, if only owing to the tradition of a stringed instrument (when the arrangement is viola-based), the temperament of some songs I’ve heard so far, and a singing style that can be considered whimsical. The degree of similarities are insignificant, however, but the description on Rossi’s myspace applies: “Great music for Family and Friends! Gather around the table.”
Photo by Shake it like a…
Bowery Ballroom – June 17 (tonight)
Southpaw – June 20 (Friday)
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Download “Rapture (Sweet Rapture)” by AA Bondy | Download “Vice Rag” by AA Bondy | It was an easy-listening night at Bowery Ballroom on Tuesday, and how wonderful AA Bondy must’ve been with that dreamy, rustic voice of his. I wasn’t there, but Kashish was, and he tells me the performance was mesmerizing. I believe him. A pure crystal of human experience is sheltered in the lyrics, “I don’t want to talk about Jesus / I just want to see his face / The trees are swinging like hanging men / and I just want to see his face”. When a song opens quietly with those words and sweeps you up into the endlessly sweet chorus of “Rapture (Sweet Rapture)”, you can be sure there will be goose bumps. View full post to see all pictures and learn who was suffering from a cold.
All pictures by Kashish.
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Download Doubt / Hope” | Sweden’s Wildbirds & Peacedrums proceeds its stage activities by unclothing its music of whatever coat, and letting it dance in its bare glory with tortured singing over telling drums. If the percussion is the peace drums, the singing here is the wild bird without a doubt. Except, the percussion here has nothing to do with peace – it goes right into rolling the drama out of each calamity. The blues in the band’s music is how the blues must’ve been in its beginnings: a metaphysical crisis sprung not just from any heartache, but the acceptance of living and its myriad of gems, despite the inevitable downfalls it must put you through, which by the way is what they mean by “selling the soul to the devil”. Unfortunately, “I Can’t Tell in His Eyes” (posted above) isn’t the best example, despite the great lyrics, but that’s what’s available for free right now.
More photos, and the amazing Sharon Van Etten, after the jump.
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The book jacket of his newest, The Enchantress of Florence, describes Salman Rushdie as “one of the world’s most important living writers”. When these words were used to introduce him yesterday, the grinning author shook with the whole of his laughing belly. Though known to be “arrogant”, a word often used interchangeably with “outspoken”, he’s had a jovial air about him every time I’ve seen him (having just finished reading Mikhail Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, I’m reminded of Behemoth the cat). I’ve also heard the phrase “show off” when his work is spoken of unfavorably, but I really think he writes glorious books only because he can hardly contain himself.
Continued, and photos after the jump.
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Obama, Clinton and What Has Been Achieved
The longest, most demographically-difficult and highest-turnout campaign ever for the presidential nomination of an American political party was settled Tuesday night when Barack Obama — the son of an African immigrant and a daughter of rural Kansas — secured sufficient delegate support to assure that he will be selected as the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.
Carter tells Barack Obama not to pick Hillary Clinton
“I think it would be the worst mistake that could be made,” said Carter. “That would just accumulate the negative aspects of both candidates.”
Barack Obama claims the Democratic nomination, but Hillary Clinton has not yet conceded
Strangely, Mrs Clinton said she would make no decision on Tuesday. It is anyway out of her hands. As the polls closed in the two western states, superdelegates announced their support for Mr Obama in droves, giving him well over a majority of all delegates.
