Not only is Tune Yards selling Bell House out these days, Merrill Garbus’ adoring fans knew all the words and sang along without being asked. The performance was superb; there were a few new songs.
This being her first headlining show in New York, she noted the newness of knowing that everyone present was there to specifically see her; and it was great to see the recent addition of a bass guitarist to what had previously been a solo stage act—not that she needed the extra help.
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Look out for Ana Lola Roman! She’s like the punk-rock*, real life version of Uma Thurman’s character in Pulp Fiction. She even dances like her. It was a little difficult to get a good sense of the overall aesthetic from her set at Don Pedro’s last night (presented by Impose Magazine’s Test Patterns series); lots of texture was coming from pre-recorded sound bytes off her laptop, she was playing her synth, and she had a drummer. Noticeable right away, though, is that she’s very much a performer, doesn’t care too much about her tight pants hanging too low, and has an incredible voice. Being the simpleton that I am, I’d really like her to sing with just a good old piano at some point; her voice shouldn’t have to hide underneath all that other noise, but then she’s the real life version of Uma Thurman’s character in Pulp Fiction, so I’m sure she enjoys the chaos.
*I use this term to loosely define a lifestyle.
Download Untitled, Track 2 (off Naturally More Molatov)
by Ana Lola Roman (via Impose, with permission)
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As soon as I read Development As Freedom, I decided Amartya Sen was one of my heroes. And since the chances of me getting more stupid every year is extremely high, I’ve taken to the idea of re-reading it each year as a way to provide much-needed nourishment to my brain; but most of all, to continue to make sense. Its vision is so complete, simple, free of controversy and politics, appealing to the best of human nature, and rational without compromising on ethics that if it ever replaced the bible (it’s my bible), I’d expect the world to explode of over-perfection. Needless to say, I cannot wait to get to his new book, The Idea of Justice, which Sylvia Nasar introduced as a lifetime’s work (she modestly introduced herself as a “journalist” but she’s also the author of John Forbes Nash’s biography, A Beautiful Mind).
The talk took place at Old St. Patrick’s Youth Center and moved back to McNally Jackson book store for signing. It was filmed for C-SPAN so hopefully the video will be available soon. Lots of photos included here.
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Kristian Matsson / The Tallest Man on Earth. Photo: Sarahana
The Tallest Man on Earth’s next album will be The Wild Hunt, and he’s switched labels to Dead Oceans. The album is set for an April 13 release in the US. Everyone’s live favorite “King of Spain” (below) is the first listen we’re getting from it; as you might’ve expected, it’s pretty true to the live version. He also played a song called “The Wild Hunt” at the last few New York shows. Can’t wait to hear the rest!
Download “King of Spain” (album version)
Download lots of other Tallest Man goodies< on this site.
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The Tallest Man on Earth, The Wild Hunt album artwork
The creators of MP3 have come up with a new file format called MusicDNA. The objective was to create a format that gives listeners an incentive to buy music legally. It intends to do so by being not just a music file, but something that brings together artist information like blogs, tweets, tour dates, recent concert footage, artwork, sleeve notes, and so on.
I know, it sounds like a joke.
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A very high percentage of blogging encourages the purchase of something. Makes you think the “Buy Nothing Day” sentiment is out of place; the new sentiment is definitely buy something, but buy it from the right people. Slavoj Zizek’s website tells you to buy his books. So does Naomi Klein’s. And they’re both anti-capitalism. Going by the trends of a very young 2010, people are gonna have to start paying for New York Times online, to watch “Modern Family” on Hulu, for the music they listen to (for real), and so on, because people spend their lives creating meaningful or beautiful things and the only way to reward them is to purchase their work. Sigh. So shop this weekend heartily with an open wallet while this philosophical quandary remains unresolved:
Lomography Gallery Store NYC’s 1 Year Anniversary Sample Sale
Over the year we’ve accumulated some stock from press samples, returns where the packaging is slightly imperfect, or a few floating cameras or accessories that seem to have lost their packages all together. So for 2 DAYS ONLY we’re offering them to you at insane discounts! Save a whopping 15% to 50% off on that camera, lens, bag, t-shirt, book, or accessory you’ve been coveting! Get a Diana F+ for as low as $47.50, or a Horizon Perfekt for $75 off! This is the sale of year, folks, we’re not kidding!
Housing Works Bookstore kicks off an all-day geek sale that runs through Jan 29.
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe kicks off the new year in a nerdy way with our Geektacular Sale January 23-29. For seven full days, score with huge discounts on our already-low prices. Peruse our fantastic selection of records and comic books, which are 5 for $1. Science fiction books and CDs are geektacular too, and marked down 30% for the sale.
Lena Erysheva’s personal photography
(via YASLY) Some great photos in Belarusian photographer Lena Erysheva’s “Personal” collection.
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@rpecknold has long retired from tweeting, but I will keep the category name in his homage and post this recent gem:
@1000TimesYes is Chris Weingarten.
Other than the novelty of having Charlotte Gainsbourg sing for you in a modest place like the Bell House, there wasn’t much to this show. If she sang a few tunes at your dinner party, her soft voice, likable personality, unpretentious approach would provide endless delight, but put a price tag of $30 at a sold out show, and the whole thing falls apart a little. I started to think about the Regina Spektor show at McCarren Pool and how that single woman was able to captivate a whole field of people totally soaked in rain—I have my issues with Regina, but it’s evident that she breathes and lives her music; with Charlotte, adorable and likable as she is, it’s hard to believe that she’s moved by these songs, most of which she didn’t write. The only exception was “Just Like a Woman”, where I felt the connection between performer and music — but then that’s a Bob Dylan song in all its poignancy.
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I wasn’t excited about a single designer last season, but the show returns to New York this time (no more crappy Los Angeles), and I was immediately inspired by several designers. Here’s an introduction to my favorite four.
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