Hello again, my followers!! ;) I feel like Mister Rogers with my greeting. Anyhoo, as I ended off my last, first, blog, I mentioned that I would explain how I got in a pic with Winona Ryder. Very simple, 1996, a gig by Seattle (actually Bellingham, WA) powerpopgods The Posies, NYC, late lamented club/venue Tramps, on 21st Street in Manhattan. This place was much loved, and all the cool bands played there over the years. One of the best, besides the Posies, was the reunited Big Star (with the recently deceased Alex Chilton)...with head Posies Jon Auer & Ken Stringfellow filling in, and opening acts Superdrag and Yo La Tengo...other key gigs were the Muffs and Aimee Mann, and the wildest was Shane McGowan & The Popes...as the Pogues were on hiatus...the whole place was a moshpit. Tramps was awesome, had great sound, and had so many memories for me over the years and I do miss it...the only downfall about that club, for those who do not know, is that there was this pole in the middle of the room. It was great if you were drunk or tired and needed something to hold on to, but on the other side of the coin was the fact that it got in the way and always blocked your view of the band on stage. However, it was part of the package and added to my memories of Tramps...lots of NYC clubs are closing these days but just as many seem to be opening, so there will always be live gigs by cool bands all over the city, and the scene will always thrive, like a cool cockroach. Anyhoo, back to my Winona story, I get to go backstage after the Posies finish their set...one thing that stood out besides a great, tight, set with lots of energy and even a song sung by one of their roadies in overalls...was that Ken Stringfellow had his hair dyed a pinkish purple and was actually wearing a white dress, really funny and total punkrock...anyhoo, backstage at Tramps was actually downstairs, so I get to go, the band's dressing room was open, so I pop in, and there was Winona and Ken...in that dress...intimate on the room's couch!! Other people were around but I was taken aback, like oops sorry, am I interrupting?? But they were cool about everything, and Winona was very nice and gracious, agreed to a photo with your's truly, and even signed my Posies "Randy Leasure's CD Sampler"...so that disc is signed both by the band AND Winona...I still have it as it has sentimental value.
I've had lots of similar adventures over the years I've been going to gigs.
Upcoming shows are co-ed UK electronic duo La Roux on Monday, alt-country/southern soul/singer-songwriter Tift Merritt on June 17th, and Lady Gaga on July 9th...looking forward to those. Plus that record release party by Jac & Jill on June 29th, and a local gig at the Union Square BestBuy by hotly tipped NYC band Skye Claire & The High Society on June 24th.
Recent CD acquisitions have been: Marina & The Diamonds' "The Family Jewels" (GREAT and highly eccentric Welsh/Greek artist Marina Diamandis and her revolving cast of players...think Kate Bush & Florence & The Machine meet Lady Gaga or Scissor Sisters...and Marina sometimes sounds like a female Robert Smith from the Cure), genreless female artist Janelle Monae...both her debut album "The ArchAndroid" and the preview EP: "Metropolis: The Chase Suite"...the EP from 2008 is Suite #1 and the new album is Suites 2 & 3...I love the way she combines punk, soul, soundtrack scores, new wave, funk, James Bond theme-music including vocals reminiscent of Shirley Bassey, Disney music...Janelle is all over the place but has a singular vision so she is able to seamlessly combine all these disparate elements into a really cool artful whole...she is kind of a genius. Lastly, hotly tipped Brooklyn duo Sleigh Bells...taken under the wing of one M.I.A., this duo is reminiscent of UK duo the Ting Tings but with the guitars and noise levels recorded into the red, cranked into overdrive. You can tell that the album "Treats" was recorded loudly, so even if your volume knob might be on 6, it feels like it's on 20. The songs are cool and catchy and singsongy, but with the noise levels on assault, they are reminiscent of bands like My Bloody Valentine. I hear that Sleigh Bells are an exciting band to see live as well, which is as important as having a cool record, it's equal.
Lastly, with American Idol Season 9 over, Simon Cowell is signed off and free to set up his new US edition of his highly successful talent show "The X-Factor". The next step is almost in place, meaning nabbing one of the judges. In the UK, his main foil was Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole...Girls Aloud are the UK's most successful girlgroup ever, with no lineup changes, 5 albums, 1 hits collection, 8 DVDs, and 20 straight top 10 singles in the UK (out of 21, the 21st, 2009's "Untouchable" just missed the top 10, peaking at #11), not only do they have that wild success, but the group is critically-acclaimed, UK rock bands love em, and they were deemed the "pop group it's alright to like". Anyhoo, GA is on hiatus, and the 5 girls are pursuing solo careers...with Cheryl the most successful of the 5, with her debut 2009 solo album "3 Words", mostly produced by Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas, selling hugely and having 3 big singles, including 2009's best-selling single in the UK, "Fight For This Love". Besides music, Cheryl is a L'Oreal spokesmodel, she was married to soccer star Ashley Cole, who is playing in the upcoming World Cup games in South Africa later this month...they are getting a quickie divorce because Ashley was a serial cheat, he was like the Tiger Woods of the UK...once the divorce is done, Cheryl will be moving to the US and will likely sign up with Simon Cowell as a judge on the new US "X-Factor", in a deal worth millions, and Simon is convinced Cheryl will be a huge star in America. Besides being a fan of her and her music, I can see that because as a person, she is very warm, real, smart, funny, moralistic, has lots of heart, and she is quite beautiful-looking. People will fall for Cheryl, and her solo music is American-sounding, unlike Girls Aloud who's music is very English and would not translate so easily. I hope everything works out for Cheryl & Simon and we will get to really see Cheryl on US television. Who knows?? It could develop into a demand for Girls Aloud music on US shores. I know Cheryl's "3 Words" was supposed to get released here on Interscope, but she's about to start recording her "darker" 2nd solo record, so what gets released here will probably click.
OK, this is Powerpoplarry, signing off, be well and enjoy. ;)
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Blog #1
Blog #1... Powerpoplarry's side of things... May 21, 2010
My introduction:
Hello, people call me Powerpoplarry, I am from Greenlawn, Long Island, NY, and as my friend John DiSimeone at E.Northport store, Long Island Vinyl Exchange calls me, I am a "face", aka a scenester...I go to lots of shows, I frequent different record stores, and people seem to know who I am. I have to tell you people though, these past few weeks have been pretty hectic, life-wise and gig-wise. I have been toying with ideas for years to break into this maze which is the music business, and it's been coming to a head lately...how's this for a conundrum?? I'm not saying I know everything, but my music knowledge is more than the average listener, record company intern, and even many executives, BUT my experience in the business is practically nil, so how could I break in, preferably at an executive level, without not having had a job at a record label or related work in the first place?? I did work for an advertising agency for 10 years as a "side door" to the labels, but that didn't work. I even knew employees at Sony and Virgin, but even THEY could not get me a job in either place because they did not have the power to hire or influence others to hire me. Nor did I have an internship because no one told me while I was in college that that was necessary, nor did I take this career path seriously as I did not think I could make a living at it, nor did my family think I had a future in it either. So what are my options?? I don't want to give up on this dream of being successful in the field I love the most, MUSIC, and take up career training in something like medical billing, and many have told me I shouldn't either. I would LOVE to work for myself, but have never owned my own business before, nor do I have start-up funds, but many have started up their own internet-based companies on little or no money. My choices would be either an independent artist manager/publicist and a writer/blogger, as I've written lots of reviews for magazines and Amazon, but made no money. I know many have become financially successful blogging, and I was asked by Rick Eberle here at PopCore to blog for him, and that could be a start, so here I am. Who knows?? I could end up with a following, we'll see.
Lately, there has been a lot of death going around. Not just great musicians like Ronnie James Dio, Lena Horne, Alex Chilton, and more. But one of my oldest friends just died too young in late April...my friend Jonathan Haley, whom I've known since I was 15 or 16, had an epileptic seizure while in the shower. It could have been fatal, the seizure itself, or he could have hit his head, I don't know, but he died too young, at age 43...he was a good man and I went to my first major paid concert with him, in 1986, Radio City Music Hall, the late Robert Palmer on his "Riptide" tour with opening act, head GoGo Belinda Carlisle on a solo tour with Duran Duran's Andy Taylor on lead guitar...it was a really great show. I've been to LOTS of great gigs, but that one stood out for a variety of reasons, one being it was my first REAL one and it was with my late friend, RIP.
Back to more positive things...recent shows were a-ha's farewell tour that hit NY for only the 3rd time in their 25 year career...killer, like seeing 3 Bryan Ferry's onstage...they are NOT one-hit wonders, but innovators who came up with the intricate and upbeat melancholy sound that lesser (but good) bands like Coldplay & Keane took to the bank...besides that, a-ha had at least FIVE hits in the States...two nights ago I saw the reunited Public Image Limited, Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten's post-Pistol, pioneering dance-punk-avant garde band, their first NY stand in 17 years...and it blew my mind...and my stomach...with their heavy heavy bass, killer set.
Recent CD acquisitions...oh gosh...there were many...Glee Vol. 3 (Deluxe) (yes I am an admitted Gleek, the show is brilliant and the songs are cleverly-arranged covers)...the reissued on CD first Jayhawks record from 1986 (GREAT, like classic Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers), Keane's EP "Night Train" (GREAT), the debut by femme-opera-metal band We Are The Fallen, "Tear The World Down" (former Evanescence members with Irish singer Carly Hennessy/Smithson who was on American Idol Season 7, I am a Carly fan from her New Radicals-produced debut from 2001 "Ultimate High", and this record is good, but not as good as Nightwish or other similar bands of that ilk...on a related note, with AI9, Crystal or Lee??? I'll go with Crystal cuz she reminds me of alt-country/southern soul artist Tift Merritt and Crystal's a great songwriter...see her "Holy Toledo"), UK female singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding, her debut called "Lights"...not out in the US yet (not sure if she has a US deal even), she has a single in the movie "Kick-Ass", her great song "Starry Eyed", and she's like Dido in that she combines acoustic singer/songwriter pop with electronic dancetracks, but vocally, she's closer to Bjork or Cerys Matthews, formerly of Welsh band Catatonia...HIGHLY recommended...and imports are cheap nowadays...just order on Amazon UK and find a seller that ships internationally...another thing about Ellie...she's into running BIGtime...she got to design her own trainers (aka sneakers in the States), and is running different cities around the world...firstly the UK (saw vidclips from Liverpool, Birmingham & Manchester), then continental Europe, then the US...I am keeping track of her running adventures and want to join her when she hits NYC...she's on www.ellieruns.com ...hey, it will be fun...plus this past February (or was it April??), she nabbed the Brit Critics award, which is selected by writers and critics, and previously went to Florence & The Machine in 2009 and Adele in 2008...Ellie got 2010's award...so yes, keep an eye on Ellie Goulding...another UK act I am on is Greek/Welsh band Marina & The Diamonds...really just lead singer Marina Diamandis and her rotating cast of players...her debut album "The Family Jewels" drops in the US on Atantic next week, on the 25th...and don't get me started on Lost either...the finale is Sunday and I am waiting in anticipation.
Now for last night's event...
It was the second in a series of events called "Every 3rd Thursday", at E. Northport's soon-to-be-famed record store Long Island Vinyl Exchange (emphasis on the VINYL, and lots of turntables too), and this event is once a month, as the name implies, every 3rd Thursday, and last night was such a night. There were 4 great new bands, playing acoustically, and more intimately, and filmed & aired live on Rick Eberle's radio show...Rick was the MC and soundguy too...a man of multiple talents that Rick...
First up were Queens/Long Island female duo Jac & Jill (yes really that is their name, and it's true & fun and an instant attention-grabber)...it wasn't only their name that grabbed my attention...it was their music, talent and good-looks. Songwise, they are pure female powerpop, with killer hooks and creamy harmonies, part Bangles, part Sheryl Crow, part Letters To Cleo. The 5 songs performed...just Jac on lead vocals and harmonies (in the full band, she plays keyboards), and Jill on lead vocals, guitar and harmonies...were really good songs, hooky, catchy as hell and memorable, with the songs' popcenteredness was just in and of itself, not for the sake of getting a hit. That's what I love about powerpop and not commerciality...J&J's tunes are just naturally catchy, just the way they are honestly written, not with the intent on getting a hit single...even though it could definitely happen. All 5 songs were great and grabbed my instant attention...two that stand out were "Can't Stop" and "Mm Mm Good", which was featured in a videogame. Their record release party is upcoming on June 29th at W. Babylon's Looney Tunes store...me, I WILL be in attendance...if I'm not, J&J will kill me as I promised them I would be there, haha.
Second up were Long Island band War & Blues...who were interesting, moody, intense, compelling and heartfelt, but not completely my thing. Interesting lineup with 2 acoustic guitars...rhythm and lead, electric bass, and electronic drums. The songs were like poetry, and seemed to be centered on the soldiers who served in Iraq. Me, I don't want to go anywhere near this subject as it's really sensitive and touchy, but the songs were honest and from their hearts, so I respected them. End of story.
Third up were New Haven, Connecticut powerpop band Talking To Walls, who proceeded to grab my attention and blow me away in the process. It was basically half the band, lead singer/guitarist Brian Kelly & lead guitarist/singer Nat Webb, who had killer powerpop tuneage, great harmonies, fun attitude/humour and energy to burn...they treated the small LIVE stage like the biggest arena in the country and played their 5 songs like a headlining set such as Cheap Trick at Budokan. They fit the mold of Butch Walker and are blowing over one new fan at a time...I am an instant friend of these two...as a small coincidence, Brian is the brother of DJ Fingers at LI's institution rock station WBAB...I will not hold that against him though...as I have more of an affinity for WRXP 101.9 and Rick's show "Unlabeled" on WMJC 94.3...anyhoo, check out TTW on their funnily-titled Talking To Malls tour...fun for all, oh yes...these guys WILL win you over, as resistance is futile.
And the headliner was singer/songwriter Jameson, who was recently covered in the Smithtown Press...I had zero expectations, but I was won over. He doesn't look the part of his music either, so it took a little time to piece it all together...he looks like a deathmetal rocker...bald and with gotee...but his music is like a better James Taylor or like Freedy Johnston...so there was a little bit of mental dischord going on, but he won me over. The songs were good...he has at least 3 records out...and was affable with the crowd...he put me on the spot with my a-ha shirt and of all things Nickelodeon...I DO love Spongebob Squarepants. Anyhoo, he felt like he had trouble following Talking To Walls' killer energetic set, so he toned things down and got depressing but ended things on a high note, switching between a beautiful tan acoustic guitar to keyboard and back...Jameson has serious talent indeed...one to watch...he has a new EP out called "South Shore Girls", which he was supporting, good stuff.
This is Powerpoplarry signing off...will I get a following??? We shall see... Anyhoo, contact me on Myspace or Facebook or Twitter under powerpoplarry...the pic is of me and actress Winona Ryder...I shall explain that next time. Cheers!!! ;)
My introduction:
Hello, people call me Powerpoplarry, I am from Greenlawn, Long Island, NY, and as my friend John DiSimeone at E.Northport store, Long Island Vinyl Exchange calls me, I am a "face", aka a scenester...I go to lots of shows, I frequent different record stores, and people seem to know who I am. I have to tell you people though, these past few weeks have been pretty hectic, life-wise and gig-wise. I have been toying with ideas for years to break into this maze which is the music business, and it's been coming to a head lately...how's this for a conundrum?? I'm not saying I know everything, but my music knowledge is more than the average listener, record company intern, and even many executives, BUT my experience in the business is practically nil, so how could I break in, preferably at an executive level, without not having had a job at a record label or related work in the first place?? I did work for an advertising agency for 10 years as a "side door" to the labels, but that didn't work. I even knew employees at Sony and Virgin, but even THEY could not get me a job in either place because they did not have the power to hire or influence others to hire me. Nor did I have an internship because no one told me while I was in college that that was necessary, nor did I take this career path seriously as I did not think I could make a living at it, nor did my family think I had a future in it either. So what are my options?? I don't want to give up on this dream of being successful in the field I love the most, MUSIC, and take up career training in something like medical billing, and many have told me I shouldn't either. I would LOVE to work for myself, but have never owned my own business before, nor do I have start-up funds, but many have started up their own internet-based companies on little or no money. My choices would be either an independent artist manager/publicist and a writer/blogger, as I've written lots of reviews for magazines and Amazon, but made no money. I know many have become financially successful blogging, and I was asked by Rick Eberle here at PopCore to blog for him, and that could be a start, so here I am. Who knows?? I could end up with a following, we'll see.
Lately, there has been a lot of death going around. Not just great musicians like Ronnie James Dio, Lena Horne, Alex Chilton, and more. But one of my oldest friends just died too young in late April...my friend Jonathan Haley, whom I've known since I was 15 or 16, had an epileptic seizure while in the shower. It could have been fatal, the seizure itself, or he could have hit his head, I don't know, but he died too young, at age 43...he was a good man and I went to my first major paid concert with him, in 1986, Radio City Music Hall, the late Robert Palmer on his "Riptide" tour with opening act, head GoGo Belinda Carlisle on a solo tour with Duran Duran's Andy Taylor on lead guitar...it was a really great show. I've been to LOTS of great gigs, but that one stood out for a variety of reasons, one being it was my first REAL one and it was with my late friend, RIP.
Back to more positive things...recent shows were a-ha's farewell tour that hit NY for only the 3rd time in their 25 year career...killer, like seeing 3 Bryan Ferry's onstage...they are NOT one-hit wonders, but innovators who came up with the intricate and upbeat melancholy sound that lesser (but good) bands like Coldplay & Keane took to the bank...besides that, a-ha had at least FIVE hits in the States...two nights ago I saw the reunited Public Image Limited, Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten's post-Pistol, pioneering dance-punk-avant garde band, their first NY stand in 17 years...and it blew my mind...and my stomach...with their heavy heavy bass, killer set.
Recent CD acquisitions...oh gosh...there were many...Glee Vol. 3 (Deluxe) (yes I am an admitted Gleek, the show is brilliant and the songs are cleverly-arranged covers)...the reissued on CD first Jayhawks record from 1986 (GREAT, like classic Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers), Keane's EP "Night Train" (GREAT), the debut by femme-opera-metal band We Are The Fallen, "Tear The World Down" (former Evanescence members with Irish singer Carly Hennessy/Smithson who was on American Idol Season 7, I am a Carly fan from her New Radicals-produced debut from 2001 "Ultimate High", and this record is good, but not as good as Nightwish or other similar bands of that ilk...on a related note, with AI9, Crystal or Lee??? I'll go with Crystal cuz she reminds me of alt-country/southern soul artist Tift Merritt and Crystal's a great songwriter...see her "Holy Toledo"), UK female singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding, her debut called "Lights"...not out in the US yet (not sure if she has a US deal even), she has a single in the movie "Kick-Ass", her great song "Starry Eyed", and she's like Dido in that she combines acoustic singer/songwriter pop with electronic dancetracks, but vocally, she's closer to Bjork or Cerys Matthews, formerly of Welsh band Catatonia...HIGHLY recommended...and imports are cheap nowadays...just order on Amazon UK and find a seller that ships internationally...another thing about Ellie...she's into running BIGtime...she got to design her own trainers (aka sneakers in the States), and is running different cities around the world...firstly the UK (saw vidclips from Liverpool, Birmingham & Manchester), then continental Europe, then the US...I am keeping track of her running adventures and want to join her when she hits NYC...she's on www.ellieruns.com ...hey, it will be fun...plus this past February (or was it April??), she nabbed the Brit Critics award, which is selected by writers and critics, and previously went to Florence & The Machine in 2009 and Adele in 2008...Ellie got 2010's award...so yes, keep an eye on Ellie Goulding...another UK act I am on is Greek/Welsh band Marina & The Diamonds...really just lead singer Marina Diamandis and her rotating cast of players...her debut album "The Family Jewels" drops in the US on Atantic next week, on the 25th...and don't get me started on Lost either...the finale is Sunday and I am waiting in anticipation.
Now for last night's event...
It was the second in a series of events called "Every 3rd Thursday", at E. Northport's soon-to-be-famed record store Long Island Vinyl Exchange (emphasis on the VINYL, and lots of turntables too), and this event is once a month, as the name implies, every 3rd Thursday, and last night was such a night. There were 4 great new bands, playing acoustically, and more intimately, and filmed & aired live on Rick Eberle's radio show...Rick was the MC and soundguy too...a man of multiple talents that Rick...
First up were Queens/Long Island female duo Jac & Jill (yes really that is their name, and it's true & fun and an instant attention-grabber)...it wasn't only their name that grabbed my attention...it was their music, talent and good-looks. Songwise, they are pure female powerpop, with killer hooks and creamy harmonies, part Bangles, part Sheryl Crow, part Letters To Cleo. The 5 songs performed...just Jac on lead vocals and harmonies (in the full band, she plays keyboards), and Jill on lead vocals, guitar and harmonies...were really good songs, hooky, catchy as hell and memorable, with the songs' popcenteredness was just in and of itself, not for the sake of getting a hit. That's what I love about powerpop and not commerciality...J&J's tunes are just naturally catchy, just the way they are honestly written, not with the intent on getting a hit single...even though it could definitely happen. All 5 songs were great and grabbed my instant attention...two that stand out were "Can't Stop" and "Mm Mm Good", which was featured in a videogame. Their record release party is upcoming on June 29th at W. Babylon's Looney Tunes store...me, I WILL be in attendance...if I'm not, J&J will kill me as I promised them I would be there, haha.
Second up were Long Island band War & Blues...who were interesting, moody, intense, compelling and heartfelt, but not completely my thing. Interesting lineup with 2 acoustic guitars...rhythm and lead, electric bass, and electronic drums. The songs were like poetry, and seemed to be centered on the soldiers who served in Iraq. Me, I don't want to go anywhere near this subject as it's really sensitive and touchy, but the songs were honest and from their hearts, so I respected them. End of story.
Third up were New Haven, Connecticut powerpop band Talking To Walls, who proceeded to grab my attention and blow me away in the process. It was basically half the band, lead singer/guitarist Brian Kelly & lead guitarist/singer Nat Webb, who had killer powerpop tuneage, great harmonies, fun attitude/humour and energy to burn...they treated the small LIVE stage like the biggest arena in the country and played their 5 songs like a headlining set such as Cheap Trick at Budokan. They fit the mold of Butch Walker and are blowing over one new fan at a time...I am an instant friend of these two...as a small coincidence, Brian is the brother of DJ Fingers at LI's institution rock station WBAB...I will not hold that against him though...as I have more of an affinity for WRXP 101.9 and Rick's show "Unlabeled" on WMJC 94.3...anyhoo, check out TTW on their funnily-titled Talking To Malls tour...fun for all, oh yes...these guys WILL win you over, as resistance is futile.
And the headliner was singer/songwriter Jameson, who was recently covered in the Smithtown Press...I had zero expectations, but I was won over. He doesn't look the part of his music either, so it took a little time to piece it all together...he looks like a deathmetal rocker...bald and with gotee...but his music is like a better James Taylor or like Freedy Johnston...so there was a little bit of mental dischord going on, but he won me over. The songs were good...he has at least 3 records out...and was affable with the crowd...he put me on the spot with my a-ha shirt and of all things Nickelodeon...I DO love Spongebob Squarepants. Anyhoo, he felt like he had trouble following Talking To Walls' killer energetic set, so he toned things down and got depressing but ended things on a high note, switching between a beautiful tan acoustic guitar to keyboard and back...Jameson has serious talent indeed...one to watch...he has a new EP out called "South Shore Girls", which he was supporting, good stuff.
This is Powerpoplarry signing off...will I get a following??? We shall see... Anyhoo, contact me on Myspace or Facebook or Twitter under powerpoplarry...the pic is of me and actress Winona Ryder...I shall explain that next time. Cheers!!! ;)
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