Oh, you are my family tree...be good to me

Anyone need a Nascar Toothbrush? Anyone? Anyone!
'Sha Sha' day at Southpaw goes something like this: exuberant fans, red toothbrush give aways, commemorative songbooks, and one grinning Ben Kweller. His fans showed up early, crammed into the steamy venue during a hot July summer night. Celebrating the album that started it all for the rocker orginially from Texas. As Ben strolled onto stage, making his enterance to the Violent Femmes, 'Blister in the Sun' a huge smile spread across his face greeting us in the same hat and long sleeved polka dotted shirt that he wore in the photograph and used as his album artwork. (He lost the black t-shirt apparently). It was stories like this that were the extra treat beyond hearing one of my favorite albums all the way through. He gently explained to us that during all of his other shows and tours he tries to build a certain momentum that is different than the album, so that this was a bit odd for him to be performing 'Sha Sha' and 'Wasted & Ready' back to back. He explained the story behind 'Commerce, TX' and the lyrics: "i got a strange neighbor who doesn't have curtains on her windows" and how it wasn't a sexy story as people had guessed but really a crazy old lady neighbor who covered her windows in paper bags.

The stories were endearing and better than thank-you liner notes. It was as if the whole room was sitting down with him asking, 'what were you thinking when you wrote this song'...'what were you listening to'...real questions fans want to ask and have answered. Dedicating the song, 'Lizzy' to 'grey shirt', or more formally known as his wife made the set feel even more personalized. Listening to everyone singing along-honest happy fans of his music-i never wanted the set to end. A bit of insight came to me as i was listening to the albums' progression live how much this album reminds me of early Weezer in an incredibly grand way. It also made me very excited for tonights' show. 'On My Way' is my favorite Ben Kweller album and i am crossing my fingers very tightly that him and Adam join forces for an encore of Kokomo!
*Set List: well...go check out the album if you don't know it!!*
Ben Kweller-Sha Sha.mp3
Ben Kweller-Commerce, TX.mp3
Ben Kweller-Sundress.mp3
Ben Kweller Tags

But tonight I'm On My Way, tonight I'm On My Way...

Ben Kweller's second night at Southpaw-a showcase of growth
I grew into loving Ben Kweller. It was a gentle, gradual process. 'On My Way' was the first of his albums that i went out and purchased. It was right after i had moved to the city, technically Brooklyn. I was residing in a tiny studio with a fireplace and a tub with claws. I was incredibly niave to the ways of the city and worked daily as a waitress on the Upper East Side serving tourists over priced organic baguettes, cafe lattes and pain chocolats. 'On My Way' was my soundtrack and my theme song. It was so beautifully painful yet full of love and light, like most of my early days in our lovely city. 'My Apartment' was my cheerup song for my train ride home, staring out the windows looking back into Manhattan. It was my 'wake-up' album that let me know i was actually living here, in this amazing city. Last night singing along to every single word i loved the album more than i ever had. It was if Ben too remembered his time surrounding the creation of his second effort, at one point pausing to say, 'i knew i liked this album.' Hearing my favorite verse off of the complete work gave me goosebumps:

"There's this kid you gotta meet. He lives across the street.
He's got spirit and heart. We're ten years apart.
He is up for anything. He can hang with anyone.
He still likes the things we used to think were fun.

Aw, mom, I never thought that I could have a friend
But tonight I'm on my way."

so beautifully written it filled up Southpaw and was the highlight of my night. Added enjoyment came from seeing 'On My Way' directly after 'Sha Sha' because i feel like i am only now discovering and loving Sha Sha completely. Tonight is his last album and his last show at Southpaw. I really have enjoyed seeing Ben perform in such a small space to true and loyal fans. Familar faces eagerly awaited his prescence on the stage and i am sure hearing his latest effort would be incredible. This most recent album showcases his progression and growth into a more mature sound stricken with blues influences and gritty guitar. Ben's lyrics have become more complex and long gone are the punk undertones and youthful lyrics off of 'Sha Sha.' Ben is an incredibly gifted lyricist and musician and i only hope that some more artists start to play these same kinds of showcases in the future. He encored with 'Until I Die', 'Harriet's Got A Song', and 'Red Eye.'

*On a sad note the audience was AWFUL to Adam Green. Whereas I understand that Adam is a special breed and not to be enjoyed by everyone, I was shocked at how overtly rude the crowd was to him. It is one thing to chat during an artist but the room was so loud that Adam had to ask for people to quiet down. It ended up being a performance that disintegrated into a frustrated Green, forgetting lyrics and making vulgar comments... It was not at all how i had hoped to see one of my favorite local artists received...or anyone performing for that matter. I never quite understood how audiences here haven't caught onto his albums, for he has always been one of my favorites. I hope he was able to enjoy singing his songs. His new material sounded fantastic and i am excited for a new album hopefully sometime soon. Sadly, there was no Kokomo match up which i have been waiting for since i downloaded their spicy version! LOVE IT!

Ben Kweller-On My Way.mp3
Ben Kweller-My Apartment.mp3
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Adam Green opening for Ben Kweller! YEAHHHhh!

YeahhhH! As if i was not excited for back to back nights of Ben Kweller with specific engagements for each of his very lovely albums one of my favorite New Yorkers of all time will be opening up for him on Tuesday night! Again, if you have not seen Adam- what are you waiting for? Tickets are still available for July 31st.
Adam Green-White Women.mp3
Adam Green-I Wanna Die.mp3
Adam Green Tags
Ben Kweller Tags

Ben Kweller News-3 days at Southpaw-one night for each album!!!

So excited for THREE DAYS of Ben Kweller. Love all of his albums...
*it seems tickets are all sold out already through Ben Kweller Fansite
Sha Sha-Wasted and Ready.mp3
I Need You Back.mp3
Penny On the Train Track.mp3
***TICKETS ON SALE ON FRIDAY VIA TICKETWEB!******

Ben Kweller- Last night at Southpaw

I had to go to the Mercury Lounge to see the band The Frequency perform at their first ever New York show, opening for the 1990's. I was very impressed by their trippy, psych rock sound-even if it isn't exactly the type of music i usually listen to. Similar to the Album Leaf, Air and Stereolab it was dreamy music that could easily fit into a movie soundtrack such as 'Lost in Translation.' Those who had turned up early seemed pleasantly surprised by a band that is sure to be moving onto larger tours sometime soon. I was sad not to be able to make it out to the last night of the Ben Kweller album performances at Southpaw. Did anyone go? I am curious what he encored with as well...
The Frequency-Jim Gordon Part ii.mp3
Ben Kweller @ WoXy studio.mp3***I LOVE, great interview and excellent live tracks!***

'Morning after Midnight'~new Adam Green Single! GO GET IT!

I try not to be a snobby music person who hates it when their artists blow up but i am still a bit shocked by the Kimya Dawson/Adam Green/Juno madness that has been happening as of late. I have been a Moldy Peaches fan for years. Loved the days of Adam dressing up in his weird costumes and colorful Kimya singing their special blend of cute little melodic songs with lyrics sprinkled with vulgarity and obscenity. They were like NOFX for the indie crowd. Maybe that is a bit of a stretch, but they were fantastic. I was estatic when i read that Kimya was going to be such a huge prescence on the soundtrack and knew that audiences would fall in love with her and Adam just as i have. Hopefully fans of the movie will do some homework and check out all that Kimya and Adam as solo artists have to offer. In addition hopefully record stores will now re-stock and sell Moldy Peaches albums! Now that would make me really happy! It has been highly enjoyable watching Adam grow as a singer-songwriter. With each album his voice becomes even stronger with a classical edge and fludity that not only showcases his maturity and ability but leaves his New York audience wishing he would play here more and stop going to Germany! (or maybe that is just me!) So today is not only new album release day, it is also "Morning After Midnight" day- Adam's latest single which you can now find on iTunes and his myspace page. Very exciting. Hopefully we will have some new dates for him soon, it has been way too long since his performance at Southpaw opening for Ben Kweller. We love you ADAM!!! Adam's latest and FIFTH solo record, Sixes and Sevens will be released via Rough Trade Records in Europe on March 7th and March 10th state side. March is looking pretty sweet...

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Kimya Dawson Tags
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More Ben Kweller News

Free Ben Kweller Show ToRontO!

My Apartment.mp3

Former rollerskating champ

-- And fuzzy haired-Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond, Jr. will spend the next two months gearing up for his second solo release which will taunt Strokes fans everywhere on July 8th via RCA Records. Albie's first album, Yours To Keep was a beautiful throw back to the Beach Boys and satisfied those who were tempted to question his songwriting ability. One also had to love that Albert started over from scratch- or as close to it as he could come playing small rooms across the country and touring tirelessly. ¿Cómo Te Llama?, (Tell me your name?- i took French...) finds fellow band mates: Matt Romano, Marc Philippe Eskenazi,and Josh Lattanzi (also tours with Ben Kweller) receiving more of Albert's spotlight. "Hammond says that, this time around, his band was much more involved in the "creative process," and promises that other collaborators on this new album include a string quartet and pal Sean Lennon, who plays piano on "Spooky Couch." -(CMJ)
Tracklist For ¿Cómo Te Llama?:
Bargain Of A Century,In My Room,Lisa,GfC, The Boss Americana, Rocket, Victory At Monterey, You Won't Be Fooled By This, Spooky Couch, Borrowed Time, G Up, Miss Myrtle, Feed Me Jack Or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Peter Sellers
Albert Hammond, Jr. Tags

The Final Chapter-SPOILERS- Don't read if you aren't Finished PLEASE!

So last night i finished my beloved Harry Potter series. Most of my friends have seen me devotedly lugging the book about to concerts during the last two weeks. It could not have come out at a worst time for i have had a show to go to almost every night for the last two weeks. I could be found hungrily reading about Harry, Ron and Hermione waiting for my train in the mornings, venturing out to see Ben Kweller, waiting for friends-anywhere and anytime i could find a free second. Last night i ran home from the Mercury Lounge to pack for Lollapalooza which i will be attending this weekend. Climbing into bed i made the decision to stay up and finish the book in private rather than in a crowded airport with my co-workers. I am very emotional when it comes to these books and almost always end up in tears during the last final pages. It started off as a magical world where wizards and witches learned about spells and magic yet slowly transforms into a sad story about a boy who loses all of his family as well as his most valued protector-everything yet his loyal friends. It was easy to become attached to the morality and lessons throughout each edition. J.K. cleverly leaves hints if you read carefully and closely. This book was no different and i couldnt stop crying for nearly the last four chapters. I am incredibly satisfied with the ending. J.K. Rowling is madly brilliant.
SPOILERS: All along i had assumed that Harry was one of the Horocrux's- since you never learn what the seventh one is and after you find out that both Harry and Lord Voldemort must die for Lord Voldemort to be defeated once and for all.

Some of the most enjoyable aspects of the final story was the character completion of Neville and Luna who became two of my favorite characters throughout the last few novels. You quickly learn not to under estimate Neville, even though he is clumsy with his spells and seems to be the wizard that everyone questions for his magical abilities. Neville truly proves himself as a hero as Harry storms out of the castle at the end to face Voldemort in the Forbidden Forest. Catching onto what Harry is up to Neville states, 'We're all going to keep fighting, Harry. You know that?"

Luna is introduced to us in the fifth book as a looney girl who sees imaginary creatures and marches to her own tune. She never questions helping Harry and is always willing to put her life on the line. Wildly fearless she is kidnapped from Hogwarts by the Death Eaters and tortured for information on Dumbledores Army, yet never gives in. She is a strong female character who added a valuable feature to the stories.

You learn how Snape was madly in love with Harry's mom Lily and how he has gone above and beyond to protect Harry out of this love. Throughout the stories you question Snape and his goals. Is he still a Death Eater, did he kill Dumbledore? Did he give away Harry's whereabouts in the opening of the book? I think some of J.K. Rowlings strongest storytelling comes about after Severus is killed by Voldemort and gives Harry his thoughts to read so that Harry can truly understand how to defeat the Dark Lord. You learn Dumbeldore was flawed and not the perfect Headmaster and Protector that Harry had always believed. He made mistakes and sought ever lasting life through the treasures of the Deathly Hallows, which is where the book gains its' name.

Just like Star Wars it is a battle of good vs. evil, but with a happy ending-which might upset most people. How she weaves such a story full of such compassionate, clever and colorful characters is still amazing to me. The thing that is most refreshing about these books that are supposedly 'childrens books' is that they center on important lessons such as loyalty, compassion, forgiveness, and most importantly love. Dumbledore explains to Harry how he is TRULY a better man due to his love and loyalty to his friends by continuing his search for the Horocruxs and not the Hallows. The defeat of Voldemort is satisfying as we see his madness crippled by his ignorance and complete lack of understanding of humanity. "That which Voldemort does not value, he takes no trouble to comprehend. Of house-elves and children's tales, of love, loyalty and innocence, Voldemort knows and understands nothing. Nothing. That they all have a power beyond his own, a power beyond the reach of any magic, is a truth that he has never grasped." I hope everyone who is reading the books enjoys the ending. I thought it was perfect. "Do not pitty the dead, Harry. Pitty the living, and above all, those who live without love. By returning, you may ensure that fewer souls are maimed, fewer families are torn apart. If that seems to you a worthy goal, then we say good-bye for the present."


Brooklynvegan also seems to like himself a little Harry Potter and goes through how Daniel Radcliff is a fan of the following tracks/artists.
Sigur Ros-Starálfur.mp3
Art Brut-Nag Nag Nag Nag.mp3
The Hold Steady-Your Little Hoodrat Friend.mp3
Harry Potter Tags

Strokes website, Albert on Conan O'Brien

I can't write about one of my favorite bands without writing about the other, that just would't be fair. So while you are missing The Strokes you can check out Albert Hammond Jr.'s first solo album. It is such a good album from start to finish and if you had any feelings of hesitation about the idea of Albert being without the rest of the gang, this should put your worries to rest. The best bit about this album is the obvious support surrounding his desire to venture out on his own and share his songs in a seperate arena with various tracks displaying guest spots by Julian Casablancas, Ben Kweller, Sean Lennon, Ryan Gentles and many more of his closest friends. If you aren't able to catch his show opening for Bloc Party this weekend or in April at Bowery Ballroom you can tune into Conan O'Brien on April 6th. In the meantime, get your fill of the ole' Strokes website while you can. Apparently they have decided to ditch the dear tele and will have a new format up sometime soon.