After all of this is all said and done, who would you rather be?

One day last week I was walking to work loving Neko Cases' latest album and had the realisation that thus far 2009 is so the year of the vicious lady-singer. Sorry boys, but it totally is. Think about it. We have new music from all of the following vixens who could toss and trounce you in about two seconds flat: Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Karen O), Ladyhawke, Lily Allen, Neko Case, Bat for Lashes, Lady Sovereign, Emmy the Great and my personal favorite: Metric. Now Metric has a little spitfire as a vocalist that you might happen to recognize the name of, Emily Haines. She only was part of the one and only great, Broken Social Scene that broke off into super group after super group. Maybe that is where Emily gained her superhero powers. This latest Metric album could be the soundtrack for any girl who is going through anything that is even the slightest bit frustrating or disheartening. Plug a little Emily Haines into your Ipod and everything you come across will be a little bit easier to deal with. Which is a feat it it's own right. If you watch the video posted below of Emily touring Argentina she is simultaneously frighteningly fragile yet strong as steel. Admitting to her fears and her deepest desires for her art which she holds closer than a second skin we realize what it is that draws us to her as both a front woman and as a feminine presence. She is the girlfriend you would go to for advice but also hold in your arms if she needed them. Listening to her talk to you just know she is destined for great things. Beyond what she and her bands have already done. Emily Haines is a lady for the history books. You follow her wistful gaze as she looks over Buenos Aries and you feel it in your heart. She has wisdom beyond her years and though she might not feel it strength to last the ages. This new Metric album is stellar. Catchy and spewing with pop it is also classy and brazen. The album will be released on April 7th by the band itself and will be available for digital download on March 31st. If you visit the bands website you will also see a ton of pre-released packages and free gifts for ordering early. Keep an eye out for tour dates sometime late spring and into the summer.

Metric-Collect Call.mp3

Green with EnVy*

I started writing this post a week after the festivities and decided that even this show took place a bit ago it is definitely worthy of a reading...so please forgive timeline and put yourself back in March for a moment...

As a little girl and the youngest of two children i was raised to not ask for too much and always think of others. However human nature sometimes falls into play and you become slightly jealous of others as you grow up. Needless to say i am incredibly jealous of everyone i know who was able to make it to SXSW. Granted I am not a hot weather type of gal. I would have had to drink massive amounts of coffee and mountain dew to muster through seeing all of the shows i would have wanted to check out..and the most difficult of all tasks I would have had to try very hard NOT to be shy. Which i am. Most of the time. That being said I still would have loved to experience the musical haven that is Austin, particularly during SXSW. Last night Jaime and i trucked down to Bowery Ballroom to check out Emmy the Great and The Pigeon Detectives, equally excited for both of these UK exports. It is a ballsy move to name a band with your name and 'great' especially at the age of 24. If anyone can pull it off with grace and sophistication it is Emma Lee Moss and company.

Armed with incredible emotion and depth she sings with angst about relationships and love reaching far beyond her years of experience. Comfortable in front of a room half full with people shuffling closer and closer to hear her words she joked about how the creators of SXSW had a randy sense of humour, picking for her to perform on a bill with her ex-boyfriend out of 600 bands. While most of her songs are girlish confessions about ill-witted and fitted ex's they ring sweetly of youthful love instead of bitter resentment. Like Kate Nash, Lily Allen, Florence and the Machine and Adele, Emmy represents her country and herself with class and intelligence, so boys watch out! I will definitely be checking in with friends to see how she fares amongst the industry beasts.

This photo captures this bands' experience PERFECTLY-thank you: Emile Holba
Recently i received a comment about my overall music taste and how it is well...'pop'ish.' I immediately crinkled my nose in ultimate disgust and was stunned into silence. It is not that i consider myself a music expert, far from it! I am constantly learning about music, old and new and confess openly to not being able to carry a tune or a play an instrument, however i feel that i consider myself knowledgeable enough to recommend something to a friend or co-worker with enough vigour and strength that they will be compelled to enjoy it if not overwhelmingly convinced. Half way through the The Pigeon Detective's set it occurred to me that yes, my taste might indeed be 'popular.' Which might not be such a bad thing. Music trends as of late have taken a turn towards favoring indie and alternative music markets with Vampire Weekend not only taking over SNL but the whole of MTV. Radiohead cleaned up with it's latest release and has already been selling out tour dates left and right. Apple and Zune commercials cleverly arm themselves with songs by CSS, The Shins and The Fratellis in turn saturating radio stations with these otherwise 'little' bands. This past weekend Yeasayer and MGMT were praised with keeping the Brooklyn music scene alive causing sneering bloggers and local hipsters to laugh at The New York Times for their up-to-date reporting on our thriving music scene, something we have all been hip to for a while now, even if we try actively to avoid the hype. The Pigeon Detectives have yet to make a splash within the states. For the most part when i told my friends i was heading out to see their show they responded with a 'who' or a 'damn those indie bands and their names these days!' Yes...yes...it is another odd name but their music is rambunctious and loud, two things I LOVE from my british bands. Swinging, failing, tossing the microphone, stage diving into the audience, their lead singer Matt Bowman has obviously spent a lot of time in front of a mirror playing at being a rock star. Hello Matt, you are well on your way. Oliver Main, Ryan Wilson, Dave Best and drummer Jimmi Naylor back him up with perfection and style. The sold out audience was loving every sweat-soaked second Bowman delivered. So if pop music is just another term for what is popular then yes, i do indeed have popular taste---i am just residing on the incorrect continent to do so.
Emmy The Great-Two Steps Forward(live).mp3
Emmy The Great-MIA.mp3
Emmy The Great-Canopies and Grapes.mp3 (*my favorite*)
Emmy The Great-The Hypnotists Son.mp3 (last one-i LOVE this one as well)
Emmy the Great
Pigeon Detectives

Beastie Boys collaborations...

I read about some interesting Beastie Boys news the other day and am finally getting around to sharing it. Riding on the tails of their instrumental album release, 'Mix Up' and scattered national tour dates it appears the threesome have begun working on a second version of the album-only this time we won't be hearing the familiar voices of Ad Rock, MCA and Mike D. Think M.I.A., Lily Allen (recently collaborated with Common on his most recent album) and Jarvis Cocker. BBoyz and Bgirlz style apparently.
Beastie Boys-Off The Grid.mp3
Beastie Boys-Dramastically Different.mp3
Beastie Boys Tags

Look, all I know is that you're the nicest thing I've ever seen

Sadly this is not from last night-nifty neon signs must not be easy to transport
'Yeah you make me merry, you make me very very happy...so i learnt from you.' Kate Nash is on the verge of captivating your complete attention. Armed with carefully etched lovesick songs that are so sweetly intimate they secretly make you remember precious past melancholy moments. You could compare Kate to Regina Spektor: spirited innocence with feminine musical strength. Or maybe Lily Allen: youthful British salt and lip (yes yes- i know she is sick of these comparisons). Or how about Feist: ladylike and armed with fierce ballads representing the best in love and life backed up by pure musical talent. Kate is a girl who was on the path towards trying to be an actress before she stumbled and broke her foot, and we are the lucky ones for her fate. Instead of cancelling her Luna Lounge show  (visa issues?) she decided the show must go on. Hey, it is New York after all. Ahem, Brooklyn. Kate and her band performed a free show to an audience mixed with people who obviously knew her songs and those curious enough to venture out. Feeling her way through a set stacked with, 'Merry Happy,' 'Foundations,' 'Birds,' 'Nicest Thing' she cleverly crafted a 'story' for those in attendance. Admitting to nerves she slowly thawed away her layers of worry and charmed us with wishes of laying out a blanket and handing out cups of tea for her encore, 'Little Red.' I really enjoyed how she constructed her set as a sort of story time amongst her dearest friends. It was the best way to debut her songs and herself to an American audience. With lyrics that read like secret love letters or conversations between girlfriends Kate is immediately endearing and intimate without losing that unique blend of tenderness and spirit. I overwhelmingly recommend her music and her live performance. It is rather inspiring to experience the amount of feminine talent floating around these days. Bat For Lashes,  Kate Nash, Feist, Amy Winehouse, Cat Power, Grace Potter-gone are the days of complaining about manufactured saccharine sweet pop stars. Thank goodness for that. For those checking out her two shows at Joe's Pub tonight you are in for a real treat. Those of you looking for something to do, come to Bowery and check out Natasha and company!
Kate Nash-Little Red.mp3
Kate Nash-Merry Happy.mp3
Kate Nash-Nicest Thing.mp3
Kate Nash Tags

Because Jews are like *snowflakes*

There were many things i thought to myself over this past week/weekend that i spent on the futon watching MTV and recovering from the cold that wouldn't quit: i should really turn this off and read more from my latest Charles Frazier novel, damn i love that Kayne West sampled Daft Punk, i wonder if the MTV crowd even knows who Daft Punk is, i really hope Lily Allen wins Best New Artist, and my ever favorite question: why does MTV consistanly continue to play the artists i love as BACKGROUND music and intro music to their shows but don't play their videos, or videos at all when it comes down to it! Yet, i am continuously sucked back in. Especially when it comes to their award shows. My list of KEY items i enjoyed during this year's trashfest:

1. Oh watching Britney was just painful. Really- i was hiding behind my hands half the time. Ecks. Just bad. All over. Bad bad bad. Everyone they panned in the audience looked just as uncomfortable as i felt. It was worse than watching a car crash.
2. Love love love the stage this time around.
3. Yes Sarah Silverman, Amy Winehouse IS jewish.
4. Yeah Justin calling out MTV to play more videos!
5. Last year they picked The Raconteurs to be the in house band this year it is Mark Ronson. Maybe it would be nice if they again actually played these artists' music more often.
6. i don't know who this Chris Brown is-but he was definitely can dance. I would throughly enjoy a dance off between him and Justin Timberlake. Can they arrange that for next year?
7. YEah! it is the guys from Superbad!
8. Alright so my friend Jess was right about the Plan White T's. People really do seem to like them.
9. Is that Justice i hear in the background?!
10. Justin asking for more videos AGAIN! i reaaallllly wish i had gone to see him at MSG.
11. Why were they only showing David Grohl on Rhapsody commericals?
12. YES! Shilah. No Strokes T-Shirt this time around? And bringing me news about the new Indiana Jones?! Lose the faux stach. please.
13. Is Linkin Park really a thrown together band like Spice Girls? I feel so much better about my outlandish distaste for their music.
14. WHITE STRIPES WHITE STRIPES win best group....ug. f'in Fall out Boy? Not surprised, just disappointed.
15. At this point i really just don't know what to do about my Justin infatuation (post white suit dancing and collaboration with Nelly Furtado and Timberland)
16. I thought Lily Allen was supposed to perform...

Common and Lily Allen

Last summer my soundtrack was Lily Allen's Alright, Still. It went with me every where i strolled during the hot days of 2006. Early on this season i deemed it 'The Summer of the Robot.' Due to my infatuation with the movie 'Transformers' and my two lucky trips to see Daft Punk it seems everyone is loving themselves some metallic, monotone creatures. Even Flight of The Conchords got into the mix. So the video below makes me incredibly happy on all fronts. My lil' Lily looks and sounds quite lovely against Common's lyrics. (take note of the ROboto t-shirt Common sports) and well, Lil dressing up as an astronaut is almost like dressing up as a robot. ALmost.
Common featuring Lily Allen- Drivin' Me Wild.mp3
Lily Allen Tags

Drivin' Me Wild - Common Ft Lily Allen [OFFICIAL]

This just in-Lily Allen tour is safe-despite Visa Issues

Lily as Amy Winehouse-hmm...
Man oh man has our government been giving the ladies of London a hard time gaining entry into our frantic, paranoid borders. A bit harsh, but seriously- musicians and artists people! Apparently the rumours floating around this morning about body searches and cancelled tour dates have been denied by the Lily Allen camp. All of her tour dates listed below are still on and apparently she has been spending sometime in Las Vegas with Common and Kanye West filming a video for their latest collaboration, 'Finding Forever.'
Lily Allen Tour Dates:
***September***
6 San Diego, CA - House of Blues
7 Las Vegas, NV - The Joint/Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
10 Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
12 San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
14 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
15 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre
Lily Allen Tags

Lily Allen works with Common

You can visit this latest collaboration over at Fader. Thanks guys! As you might have guessed by now, i love everything that this crazy lady does.
Lily Allen-Alfie (CSS Remix).mp3
Lily Allen Tags

And all we'd buy was trainers...

Nifty Trainers, eh?
Really Lil? I would have pegged you for more of an Adidas or Puma girl. I am a loyal Puma girl myself. Although she does sport the Air Max 90's in her video for 'Smile'-so i guess it works. In addition to her world wide jaunce that has her playing dates in Europe, Australia and here along the West Coast it seems Miss. Allen will also be adding 'Speciality Trainers Designer Extrodinaire' to her list of accomplishments. Is it bad that i want a pair? "The limited addition trainer is called Lily Allen Air Max 90, and is red, white and blue with stars on the laces."
**** Lily Allen Tour Dates****
~~JULY~~
7-18 Cornwall, England - Eden Sessions
7-21 St. Petersburg, Russia - Peter and Paul Fortress (UK Flavours Festival)
7-28 Mt. Fuji, Japan - Fuji Rock Festival
7-31 Freemantle, Australia - Metro
~~AUGUST~~
8-02 Melbourne, Australia - Prince of Wales
8-03 Sydney, Australia - Metro
8-04 Bryon Bay, Australia - Splendour in the Grass
8-10 Oslo, Norway - Øyafestival
8-11 Gothenburg, Sweden - Way Out West Festival
8-15 Sagres, Portugal - Surf Festival
8-17 Biddinghuizen, Holland - Lowlands Festival
8-18 Staffordshire, England - V Festival
8-19 Chelmsford, England - V Festival
8-24 Krakow, Poland - Coke Live
8-31 Buenos Aires, Argentina - Luna Park Stadium
~~SEPTEMBER~~
9-01 Santiago, Chile - Santiago Arena
9-06 San Diego, CA - House of Blues *
9-07 Las Vegas, Nevada - The Joint @ Hard Rock Hotel *
9-10 Anaheim, CA - House of Blues *
9-12 San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre *
9-14 Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom *
9-15 Seattle, WA - Paramount Theatre *
*with Kevin Michael
**She also lists them as her top ten favorite things:
Nike Air max 90’s
Records
Sunday roasts
Marc Jacobs Handbags
My shiny new Laptop
Dresses
Sonicare toothbrush
Gold
Stickers
Flowers
Lily Allen-Smile.mp3
Lily Allen-Littlest Things.mp3
Lily Allen Tags

Kate Nash is in nYc!!??

So where are her dates for us, eh? Cover of NME, friends with Beth Ditto and Lily Allen ...come on lady-US TOUR DATES! PLease. You can read the rest of her blog entry on her myspace page, her album hits stores in the UK on August 6th. You can pre-order it here.

Kate Nash-Little Red.mp3
Kate Nash-Dickhead.mp3
Kate Nash Tags

Lily loves him-Amy loves him- Will nYc love him?

Anyone else think he looks a bit like Adam Green here?
Mark Ronson has three engagements planned for New York in July. Thankfully we know he has been here before otherwise one would worry that he would completely find New York City smelly, hot and downright disgusting...for that is what it turns into during the months of July and August. Let's be honest. He has received massive amounts of publicity due to his work with the two ladies of Britian, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. Now he is touring about to promote his own album 'Versions' which is a showcase of re-worked covers and is highly enjoyable summertime music. Check out the dates below:
*Brooklyn, NY McCarren Park Pool - DJ set (July 8)
*New York, NY Highline Ballroom - Live show (July 11)
*New York, NY Love - DJ Set (July 11)
Mark Ronson-Just (Feat. Phantom Planet).mp3
Mark Ronson-Annie Minimix.mp3
Mark Ronson Tags

Lily is living in nYc AND producing songs?!

Craziness. She is even playing fancy people's parties out in the Hamptons. Oh Lily...Anyways, check out her first piece of work as a producer.
Justin and Alan
Justin & Alan-LIDL RBL.mp3
Lily Allen Tags

Glastonbury Festival Wrap-Up

Lily Allen
As previously posted, head over to NME for headlines about almost every band that played. Highlights included Arctic Monkeys, CSS, The Klaxons, Kate Nash, Arcade Fire, Amy Winehouse, Kasabian, Holy Fuck, The Long Blondes, The Kooks, The Kaiser Chiefs, Pigeon Detectives, Lily Allen, Bjork and Babyshambles. It was 'pissing rain' all throughout the festivities but that didn't seem to stop over 170,000 fans from turning out in pure concert fashion. It had been the first time Bjork performed at Glastonbury in 13 years. Jaime Reynolds of The Klaxons had a very emotional experience exclaiming, "I can genuinely say it is the happiest day of my life today playing to that many people. It made me feel happier than I have ever been and I never expected so many people to turn up. I could just see a sea of people as far as my bad eyesight could see."

The Klaxons
While "The Pigeon Detectives were pelted by lingerie during their set at Glastonbury today (June 23). Fans spilled out of the John Peel Stage for their debut performance at the festival. Before playing 'Stop Or Go' - singer Matt Bowman said: "On this next song people get carried away and throw lingerie on stage... Some people can't take a fucking joke and write nasty things about you - the lingerie thing is actually a joke." However, during the song a fan threw a piece of lingerie on stage leading Bowman to comment: "What a result! Is there anything else you want to throw up here other than a pink bra?" During their raucous set the crowd chanted, in reference to the band's home city, "Leeds! Leeds! Leeds!"
The Long Blondes-Once and Never Againmp3
The Editors-All Sparks (Phones Remix).mp3
Kasabian-Shoot The Runner.mp3
Kaiser Chiefs-Heat Dies Down.mp3
Glastonbury Tags

My fingertips are holding onto the cracks in our foundation...

Latest video from Kate Nash. Ladies, this song is highly catchy- you have been warned. Plus, if you are missing Lily Allen Kate is a perfect new love for you with simple, sweet little love songs. I must admit, those Brits have us outwitted when it comes to music videos. Maccabees, Lily Allen, Klaxons, Muse, Pigeon Detectives, Arctic Monkeys ...all with clever, creative little clips. Thank goodness for Feist, oh wait- she's Canadian. Damnit! Guess we have to stick to our rap videos. ICks!

*No worries, the goldfish were not harmed at all during the filming of this video: Director: Kinga Burza: "The goldfish was bought especially for the shoot so at the end, it was adopted by one of the runners."
Foundations.mp3
Foundations (Metronomy remix).mp3
Kate Nash Tags

Midlake Announces Tour Dates

This time last year Midlake and Cold War Kids were my most favorite things. Besides Lily Allen of course. I couldn't get enough of my summer soundtrack and was happy that they toured throughout the US as much as they did. Their album, 'The Trials of Van Occupanther' was on my top 10 list and it appears that Chemical Brothers definitely took note of their musical creativity as well. Midlake appears on the track 'The Pills Won't Help You Now' which appears on the Chemical Brothers upcoming album. Hope everyone snagged their tickets to their fourth of July show with The New Pornographers!
More dates:
New York, NY Battery Park (July 4)
Atlanta, GA The Earl (September 4)
Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle (5)
Washington DC Black Cat (6)
Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts (7)
New York, NY Webster Hall (8)
Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club (9)
Cleveland, OH Grog Shop (11)
Chicago, IL Metro (12)
Austin, TX Austin City Limits (16)
Houston, TX Numbers (20)
Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room (24)
Los Angeles, CA Henry Fonda Theatre (25)
Solana Beach, CA Belly Up Tavern (26)
San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall (27)
Portland, OR Doug Fir (29)
Seattle, WA Crocodile Cafe (30)
Denver, CO Bluebird Theatre (October 2)
Lawrence, KS Jackpot (3)
Young Bride (CWL Remix).mp3
Balloon Maker.mp3

JOrtzzzstarrr* reports in from Bonnarooster

*this isn't from Bonnarooster-but fittin' ain't it?!
Lily Allen quote of the day: "It's fucking hot isn't it?!" Apparently she is sexing it up for the video boys during her private recording session and keeping herself adequately hydrated with swigs from a jaeger bottle. Elisha Cuthbert and Hot Chip are standing on the sides enjoying the scene. Meanwhile Caleb and crew ran into some problems during the Kings of Leon set earlier today. Unfortunately for them and the crowd the PA system cut out. Caleb exited the stage, calmed down and returned with his band and played one hell of a kickin set. Could we expect any less?! Highlights from yesterday included surpised enjoyment during Clutch's set. 'A mix of Widespread Panic and heavy rock. Very good, need to check out' were the orders i received. After scarfing down some food with String Cheese Incident the darkest spot of the day had to be when JOrtzzzstarrr* had her golf cart confiscated. After a few threatening text messages she recieved word over her high tech walkie talkie that sadly, yes, her golf cart had indeed been removed from her charge. Don't feel too too badly for our lady who has scored some free gifts such as sunglasses, headphones, t-shirts and the random run-by patchouli 'perfum' sprayings. YEah-hearing that was enough to make me want to take a shower. ICks sticks! As i wrap this report up texts of the audience loving Lily are lightening up my celly phone. Check back for more exciting tid bits tomorrow!
Kings of Leon-Fans.mp3
Hot Chip-No Fit State.mp3

Have a good weekend!

Give your dad a huge hug, line up for White Stripes tickets, go to the beach, do something fun! Head out to Central Park for Apples in Stereo and Television. Go see Lily Allen on Sunday! After this long grey week we all deserve it!
Kate Nash-Merry Happy.mp3
Junior Senior-Take My Time.mp3
Kate Nash-Foundations (Metronomy remix).mp3
Apples in Stereo-Sun Is Out.mp3

Lily Allen on Sunday @ Warsaw

Tickets are still available?! Come on Billyburg folks...show my lady some lovins!
Friend Of Mine.mp3

Bonnarrooooster 2007

Apparently it is hot, dusty and sunny down in Tennessee right about now. Crowds are crawling out of their hotel beds or their tents in the Walmart parking lot. Plotting out which sets to go see, how much beer to drink...forego food for a mere smoke or not? Whatever your plan is for this year's Bonnaroo for those of us who cannot attend AT&T are providing us with a lovely live stream throughout the festivities. In the meantime my firespark co-worker, JOrtzzzstarrr* be reporting in with interesting tid bits of information such as, 'how many cigs did Miss. Lily Allen smoke backstage' and 'did The Police watch The White Stripes from the side of the stage' and 'what exactly does THE Jack White do before going on stage?' Keep it real JOrtzzzstarrr*
Also tune into Current TV for live footage, interviews, highlights and other snappy bits.