Monthly Archives: December 2011

TVD Ticket Giveaway: Fatback Time Travelers Ball, New Year’s Eve!

By Olivia | Published: December 21, 2011

Do you have plans to ring in 2012 yet? Never fear, we’ve got your back. One Love Massive and Smirnoff present Fatback Time Travelers Ball, and we’ve got your tickets.

The Time Travelers Ball is your window into the past, the present and the future. One Love Massive & Fatback want you to have a great night with us filled with positive vibes that you can take with you for the New Year and beyond.

The celebration kicks off at 8pm on Saturday, December 31st, at Slaviya (2424 18th Street NW) in Adams Morgan, and the Fatback DJ collective, known for their “vintage R&B, gritty soul, and funky-yet-smooth disco that urges you to move your feet,” will be providing your NYE soundtrack till a historical 4am!

Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory, and prizes will be awarded from Grindstone Universal.

“You can be anyone or anything you want to be.”

$100 Best Costume
$300 Best Group Costume

Posted in TVD Washington, DC | 4 Comments

Vinyl Vision at
The Vinyl District

By Special to TVD | Published: December 21, 2011

Vinyl Vision is an original weekly series at TVD produced by AmusicChannel.tv.

Which came first: the label, or the store? In Goner Records’ case, it was the label. Starting as a label only in 1993, Goner decided to open up shop, creating the physical Goner Records in 2004. In another episode of Vinyl Vision from Memphis, Tennessee, co-owner Zac Ives talks the business of the record industry – both signing and selling.

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The Best of 2011:
New Orleans’ Top
Ten Live Shows

By Jay Mazza | Published: December 21, 2011

I used to do these lists every year when I worked for the Louisiana Weekly. It was always tough to pick a mere ten shows. I never bother to count how many live performances I see each year, but my notes for 2011 cover 45 pages. Here’s a look back at my favorites in chronological order.

1. The chitlin circuit legend Bobby Rush played for a friend’s wedding reception on February 12.

Despite the fact that the opulent backyard setting in Gretna could not have been further from a Mississippi juke joint, he just killed the set when he could have phoned it in. The band was on fire and we were right up front catching all the action.

Posted in TVD New Orleans | 3 Comments

TVD Recommends: Margot MacDonald & Friends Holiday Party
at IOTA, 12/22

By Jon Meyers | Published: December 21, 2011

Last October TVD spent a week with Margot MacDonald where we featured four prerecorded live performances and one filmed especially for us which we were honored to debut. If there was one recurring theme during that week from the readership, either within the comments or to me personally, it was “Whoa – what a voice she has…”

To which I’d say, “Of course.” We don’t hand over the keys to TVD for a week without a level of exceptionalism,” which Margot typifies with ease.

But don’t take my word for it. Margot MacDonald’s annual Holiday Party slinks down the chimney at IOTA Club & Cafe tomorrow night (12/22) and you’d certainly be remiss if you weren’t present—spiked eggnog and all.

Posted in TVD Washington, DC | 1 Comment

TVD’s Best of 2011:
The Best of the Left

By John Lichtefeld | Published: December 21, 2011

Contributing writer John Lichtefeld breaks down The Best of the Left, highlights from a banner year for experimental pop, dance, and recordings from left field.

(In no particular order.)

Oneohtrix Point Never – Replica (Software)

Replica is a fantastic step forward for the prolific Daniel Lopatin. It manages to nail a sound somewhere between downbeat and ambient without ever really sounding like either.

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The Best of The Idelic Hour with Jon Sidel

By Jon Sidel | Published: December 21, 2011

We’ve long said that Jon Sidel’s weekly freeform radio podcasts at TVD, The Idelic Hour, are a highlight every week. So we thought we’d highlight a few ourselves this week from this past year to illustrate what we’re all so high on. (Legally.) —Ed.

Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

This clear and sunny day here in the City of Angels makes me want to croon, “Lord have mercy!” No school this coming Monday. It’s Martin Luther King Day, a holiday always noted and respected at the various record labels I’ve worked at.

King was assassinated on April 4th, 1968 and his last words, “Play it sweet” were directed to his church organ player. Actually, it’s the anniversary of Dr. King’s birthday we celebrate, and it ain’t no surprise there have been many a “cracker” who try to ignore this day. If Dr. King were alive he would have been a fine 92 years old tomorrow.

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TVD Sets Sail with Bruise Cruise Records!

By Special to TVD | Published: December 21, 2011

So sure, you’ve heard of the Bruise Cruise if you weren’t on it earlier this year, and you’ve read about the rock and roll vacation at one million media outlets—but did you know they embrace vinyl just as much as the land-locked writers over here at TVD?

The festival has its own record label, Bruise Cruise Records, which will bestow on every cruise-goer one 7” in their complimentary gift bags. The Cruise will be premiering the unreleased Fucked Up track, “I Hate Summer.” The single with be part of a split 7” with The Dirtbombs with cover artwork by Rob Corradetti. The 7” is part of a limited edition vinyl collection featuring artists from the 2012’s lineup.

Today we’ve cornered Bruise Cruise 2012 performer Shannon Shaw of Shannon & The Clams and The Togas for a chat—on records.

What record did you lose your virginity to?
Um, it was on CD’s back then, plus I was at a a friend’s house and I believe it was Portishead. Great.

If I got to choose I’m sure it would have been Nine Inch Nails or Ween or They Might Be Giants or something. I wonder if you were expecting me to say something rare and awesome…nope. In fact, HELL NO. I am just really not cool.

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TVD Live: The Yellow Dubmarine with See-I at the State Theater, 12/17

By Dulani Wallace | Published: December 20, 2011

The Yellow Dubmarine is no gimmick. The band is a fusion reggae troupe that covers Beatles songs. They started out as a jam band, so they have a deft approach at making each arrangement work.

This past Saturday night, at the State Theater in Falls Church, Virginia, the Yellow Dubmarine bridged generations with their hip approach to reggae music (or approach to Beatles pop, depending on how you see it). With the release of their album Abbey Dub, the hearsay was evident. The band of eight prefaced their show with a fearless, calypso-driven rendition of “Taxman.” The groove, originally written by George Harrison, set the tone for the evening. Spectators got up from their seats in the raised table seating area and moved to the music.

Watching the young men of the Dubmarine brought to mind the days when John, Paul, George, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Pete Best cultivated their performance skills in Hamburg in the early ’60s. The Dubmariners’ youthful energy is so well-harnessed, they hardly ever miss their mark. Their shyness in between songs is excusable, since their M.O. is to get out there and delight people with the music.

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TVD Live: WOODS with Purling Hiss at the Rock and Roll Hotel, 12/17

By Kelly Kettering | Published: December 20, 2011

Despite the low-fi label that has been attached to the musical descriptions of both WOODS and Purling Hiss, neither band had anything but high energy and a lively rock ‘n roll spirit emanating from them last Saturday when they performed at the Rock & Roll Hotel on H Street.

WOODS created their rock ‘n roll ambience with more of a classic ’60s vibe. Long, delicate tracks created a trance-like state that seemed to borrow from both the sitar days of The Beatles and the “Soul Meets Body” era of Death Cab For Cutie. The communal hippie mentality also extended to their instrumentation as the drummer, bassist, and tape effects technician all rotated instruments and stage locations for nearly every song. Lead singer Jeremy Earl did maintain his position on guitar and firmly held his position stage left, however.

WOODS – Christmas Time is Here

Towards the end of WOODS’ set, I thought I was imagining it, but no—they were even burning incense on stage! The smell wafted through the audience as they played their last few vibrating tracks, the guitars creating a gentle reverb that echoed through the audience.

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TVD Live: Black Cobra with Zoroaster at the Black Cat, 12/15

By Kelly Kettering | Published: December 20, 2011

I wasn’t fortunate enough to be able to catch the first opening act of this show, but as soon as I walked in to the back room of the Black Cat on Thursday night, I was overtaken with low end bass and bright green lazers as the sludge metal band Zoroaster overtook the tiny stage and enthusiastic crowd that was present.

The slow drone of the music formed dissonant echoes, and the front row of eager fans started to headbang in near-unison as if they were worshipping the band on-stage. It wasn’t clear just how rhythmic all of this was until the power abruptly went out mid-song, and each audience member shook their head and looked around as if they had just awoken from a trance. The situation was quickly resolved, however, and as the band lept back into their song, the crowd cheered and threw up devil horns, swiftly resuming their worship of the underworld.

Once Zoroaster finished their set and a small break/beer re-fill had taken place, Black Cobra began to play. As I mentioned in my preview for this show, it is hard to believe that this band only comprises two members, as they filled the room with the vibrations of pummeling doom metal.

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TVD’s Best of 2011

By Tim | Published: December 20, 2011

TVD NYC’s Tim B. counts down his top, er…eleven for 2011.

1. The Vinyl District Record Store Locator app (The Vinyl District/Shoutem)

2. Tom Waits – Bad As Me (Anti)

3. Brian Olive – Two of Everything (Alive)

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Christmas concerts conclude at Cathedral

By Jay Mazza | Published: December 20, 2011

If you haven’t taken advantage of the free evening performances in historic St. Louis Cathedral, you have two more nights to take in the spectacle in Jackson Square.

Every year the magic of Christmas lights up the Vieux Carre and nowhere looks better than the old square at the heart of the French Quarter. The concerts, which begin at 6 PM, have been going on all month.

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TVD’s Best of 2011

By Mike Newman | Published: December 20, 2011

Yea, I know. I’m not much of a fan of the annual look-back-over-the-shoulder at the previous year either. Although to be fair, the more music I hear during the year, the more I realize there was plenty that I didn’t hear.

So, before we close the books on 2011, we’ve asked the writers and editors from across the many TVD locales to rummage through not just their records, but ruminate on the shows, books, and movies that informed their 2011.

First up, TVD NYC’s Mike Newman and his Long and Winding Album List. —Ed.

Well, it’s certainly that time of year (the end of it, that is) where everyone who has anything to do with music (including Eddie No-Ears, who just feels the music) finds it necessary to rank their favorite musical things that came out in the past year. So if you happen to be EXACTLY like me, you will undoubtedly agree with everything on this list.

But, the fact of the matter is, as much as I dislike rating, ranking and reviewing music until all the magic is sucked out of it, I do find other people’s lists helpful to remind me of some of the great things (perhaps from January 2011 or maybe that I heard whilst partying at that one party at that one guy’s place), which I might’ve already forgotten about. And other’s lists are a reminder that we all have very different tastes, but it’s cool to see where those tastes overlap (kinda like hot fudge over peppermint ice cream).

Posted in TVD New York City | 1 Comment

The Best of The Idelic Hour with Jon Sidel

By Jon Sidel | Published: December 20, 2011

Greetings from Laurel Canyon!

If you even remotely follow The Idelic Hour, you would know I do my fair share of “seasonal” playlists. This week’s Idelic “Summer’s Gone” playlist marks the 4th time since June I’ve saluted the weather. How could I resist? After spending a few days on the east coast I found myself day dreaming of late Summer days gone by.

There is something about the sunsets, even the smell of the flowers and plants, that makes me feel… well, “emotional” for lack of a better word.

Without question the one band the comes to mind for an end of Summer playlist is The Doors. Let’s face it—these dudes from the beach came out after sunbathers were long gone. Morrison’s classic “Summer’s Almost Gone” was not only the muse for this playlist but my muse for all September listening since I bought a cassette of “Live at the Matrix” from a bootlegger in the Tower Records parking lot in the summer of 1979.

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Belgium duo The Black Box Revelation channel BRMC, Oasis, and The Kinks into garage rock ecstasy

By Jason Miller | Published: December 20, 2011

Critically acclaimed in their home country of Belgium and now garnering rave reviews here in the states, singer and guitarist Jan Paternoster alongside drummer Dries Van Dijck are The Black Box Revelation. They make a lot of noise for a duo as they churn out a unique brand of groove oriented garage rock and a wall of sound that would make Phil Spector envious.

They’ve spent more than half of 2011 in the states touring with the likes of Beady Eye, The Meat Puppets, along with stops at Bonnarroo and SXSW. They are priming US audiences for their first full length record, My Perception, which they spent six weeks recording in Hollywood with producer Alain Johannes (Queens of the Stone Age).

Not having a bass player would be a challenge for most bands but not for this adventurous duo. Drummer Dries Van Dijck explains, “We have it covered. Jan (Paternoster) uses more amps and I use big floor drums.”