If you've been reading Chubby Jones for more than a few posts you'll know my love for the Gossip. Beth Ditto, Hannah Billie and Brace Paine have put out some of the best music (and live shows) in the past ten years. Their latest album, "Music for Men", was released today and while it strays from the all-out sweaty punk rock disco I'm so fond of - it doesn't disappoint.

Legendary music producer Rick Rubin hand picked the band to work with - which is no surprise since he has a bit of a golden ear. It's impossible to deny Beth Ditto's overpowering vocals, stage presence and ability to get the crowd up off their feet, ready to dance to every song and scream back the lyrics of the songs that brought them there in the first place.

What some fans may miss is the gritty garage rock of the previous albums. "Music for Men" is more polished, perhaps leaning more on the disco funk than punk rock. Either way, there's a reason Jim DeRogatis has said, "If she weren't gay and I were single, I'd want to marry Beth Ditto."

Spinner's "Full Album Listening Party" is just about the best shindig in town. I've had some good luck finding musicians I otherwise wouldn't have known about. This week, I've been blowing up the debut LP from Hockey, "Mind Chaos". These guys could totally kick Vampire Weekend's ass.

There are some sexy sexy bass lines mixed with dance rock and funk sensibility. The first track on the album, "Too Fake" is a perfect opener, setting the tone for an all-out raucous party time throughout the rest of the album. Each track is different enough to set it apart and be a standout from the next.

They're currently touring Europe but will be headed stateside next month with Portugal the Man.

Oct 8 2009 8:15P Majestic Theatre w/ Portugal The Man Madison, Wisconsin

Oct 9 2009 8:00P Turner Hall w/ Portugal The Man Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Oct 10 2009 8:00P Schubas Tavern w/ Portugal The Man Chicago, Illinois

Oct 11 2009 8:00P Schubas Tavern w/ Portugal The Man Chicago, Illinois

Oct 13 2009 8:00P The Magic Bag w/ Portugal The Man Fernadale, Michigan

Oct 14 2009 8:00P Horseshoe Tavern w/ Portugal The Man Toronto, Ontario

Oct 16 2009 8:00P Maxwell’s w/ Portugal The Man Hoboken, New Jersey

Oct 18 2009 8:00P Paradise Rock Club w/ Portugal The Man Boston, MA

Oct 19 2009 8:00P ABSOLUT FREE-QX Concert Series- Jillian’s Albany, New York

Oct 20 2009 8:00P Higher Ground w/ Portugal The Man South Burlington, Vermont

Oct 21 2009 8:00P Pearl Street w/ Portugal The Man Northhampton, MA

Oct 30 2009 8:00P EMU Ballroom-U. of Oregon-FREE SHOW w/ Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head Eugene, Oregon

Something to further tempt you to get your booty out to their nearest show:

Last week while I was watching the season premiere of Gossip Girl, I was pleasantly surprised when out of nowhere Miike Snow's "Plastic Jungle" came on. You know you've made it when you're included on a CW soundtrack.

This came just at the right time for me since I'm seeing them Saturday in Chicago at my favorite venue, The Empty Bottle. I better wear my dance pants for this. Download Animal.

Sep 26 2009 7:00P 7th Street Entry Minneapolis, Minnesota

Sep 29 2009 7:00P Venue Vancouver, British Columbia

Sep 30 2009 7:00P Neumos Seattle, Washington

Oct 1 2009 7:00P Doug Fir Lounge Portland, Oregon

Oct 3 2009 7:00P Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, California

Oct 4 2009 7:00P Echo - SOLD OUT Los Angeles, California

Oct 5 2009 7:00P Casbah San Diego, California

Oct 6 2009 7:00P Detroit Bar Costa Mesa, California

Oct 7 2009 7:00P Spaceland Los Angeles, California

If you weren't lucky enough to get a ticket early, you can thank your lucky stars there's another great show happening just around the corner at The Darkroom (which I'll also be hauling ass to). Mayer Hawthorne will no doubt be making jaws drop with his sweet Detroit soul sound. Download Your Easy Lovin' Ain't Pleasin' Nothin'.

Sep 25 2009 9:00P Darkroom Chicago, Illinois

Sep 26 2009 9:00P Blind Pig Ann Arbor, Michigan

Sep 27 2009 9:00P Drake Hotel Toronto, Ontario

Sep 29 2009 9:00P Great Scott Boston, Massachusetts

Sep 30 2009 9:00P Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Oct 1 2009 9:00P The Knitting Factory Brooklyn, New York

Oct 2 2009 9:00P Mercury Lounge New York, New York

Oct 4 2009 9:00P DC9 WASHINGTON, Washington DC

Oct 5 2009 9:00P Local 506 Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Oct 6 2009 9:00P Drunken Unicorn Atlanta, Georgia

Oct 7 2009 9:00P The Social Orlando, Florida

Oct 9 2009 9:00P The Parish at House of Blues New Orleans, Louisiana

Oct 10 2009 9:00P Red 7 Austin, Texas

Oct 13 2009 9:00P The Rock w/ Ghostface Killah Tucson, Arizona

Oct 14 2009 9:00P The Clubhouse w/ Ghostface Killah Tempe, Arizona

Oct 15 2009 9:00P Canes w/ Ghostface Killah San Diego, California

To listen to the music made by super-duo The Raveonettes you'd think for sure they have Detroit Rock City flowing through their veins. But no, Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo are not from the midwest - they're from Denmark.

Instead of feeling the need to choose between rock 'n roll and Motown soul, they combined the two, added some noir and bore a glorious sound of their own (which has been mimicked since their 2002 debut EP, Whip It On).

The 4th studio album from the pair, In and Out of Control is out in less than a month, and has all the makings of a true fall classic. You know what the best thing is about a new album? Promo tour!! Hell yeah, they'll be coming to your town to throw it DOWN!!

To whet your appetite, here's a lil download: The Raveonettes - Suicide. Just a warning, they've got potty mouths.

October
02 Austin, TX @ The Parish tickets
03 Austin, TX @ Zilker Park (Austin City Limits Festival) tickets
14 New York, NY @ Webster Hall* tickets
15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar* tickets
16 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club*tickets
17 Philadelphia, PA @ TLA* tickets
18 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg* tickets
20 Boston, MA @ Paradise* tickets
21 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda* tickets
22 Toronto, ONT @ Phoenix*tickets
23 Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick* tickets
24 Newport, KY @ The Southgate House* tickets
25 Chicago, IL @ Metro tickets
26 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue* tickets
*w/ The Black Angels

November
05 Vancouver, BC @ Venue tickets
06 Seattle, WA @ Neumo's* tickets
07 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir* tickets
09 San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's* tickets
10 Costa Mesa, CA @ Detroit Bar* tickets
12 Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up* tickets
13 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater* tickets
14 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse* tickets
*w/ Crocodiles

The morning before Lollapalooza I was headed into the office and as I was about to get into the turnstyle to give the security guards my daily, "Hey, how's it goin'. Only (x) more days 'til the weekend!" I noticed this tall head of hair moving around in the windows of our morning radio show. Is that? No, it couldn't be....it IS!

Check out and download some of it here:

See him when he comes to your side of the tracks:
Sep 6 2009 8:00P Broken City w/ Datarock Calgary, AB
Sep 7 2009 8:00P The Starlite Room w/ Datarock Edmonton, AB
Sep 9 2009 8:00P The Zoo w/ Datarock Winnipeg, MB
Sep 10 2009 8:00P 7th Street Entry w/ Datarock Minneapolis, MN
Sep 12 2009 8:00P Grog Shop w/ Datarock Cleveland Heights, OH
Sep 14 2009 8:00P Paradise w/ Datarock Boston, MA
Sep 17 2009 8:00P Highline Ballroom w/ Datarock New York, NY
Sep 18 2009 8:00P Johnny Brendas w/ Datarock Philadelphia, PA
Sep 19 2009 8:00P Rock and Roll Hotel w/ Datarock Washington DC
Sep 20 2009 8:00P Local 506 w/ Datarock Chapel Hill, NC
Sep 22 2009 8:00P Masquerade w/ Datarock Atlanta, GA
Sep 23 2009 8:00P The Republic w/ Datarock New Orleans, LA
Sep 24 2009 8:00P Warehouse Live w/ Datarock Houston, TX
Sep 25 2009 8:00P Emos Lounge w/ Datarock Austin, TX
Sep 26 2009 8:00P Granada Theatre w/ Datarock Dallas, TX
Sep 28 2009 8:00P Rhythm Room w/ Datarock Phoenix, AZ
Sep 29 2009 8:00P Brick By Brick w/ Datarock San Diego, CA
Sep 30 2009 8:00P El Rey Theatre w/ Datarock Los Angeles, CA
Oct 1 2009 8:00P Slims w/ Datarock San Francisco, CA
Oct 2 2009 8:00P Holocene w/ Datarock Portland, OR
Oct 3 2009 8:00P Nectar Lounge w/ Datarock Seattle, WA

Not only is the song great in so many ways, but this video for the Wildbirds and Peacedrums single "My Heart" is like a cornucopia of awesomeness for your eyes. This is a true testament to creativity.

Dejha Colantuono is no newbie to the music scene but she seems to be taking her seductive growl to new territory with her solo debut, Tea and Vodka. Much like the soothing punch a cocktail like that can give you, the album is mixed with varying styles.

One of my favorite tracks on the album is the very first song, "Beginning to End". It is filled with an evil power like a woman finally figuring out she doesn't need the dude she's been sleeping with for the last two years. It's reminiscent of 90's acts like Tracy Bonham and Alanis Morrisette, which were big parts of my teenage soundtrack.

"Anxiety" is another standout that pulls no punches. Regardless of the subject matter, she's like that cool older girl you wanted to be like in high school - the one with Kool-Aid dyed hair who listened to Bikini Kill and wore safety pins in her jacket. "Second Sight" hits your ears with a vengeance and "Poolside" is a fantastic closer.



The album loses me a bit when Dejha dips her toes into the warmer side of the pool with songs like "Feel You're Going Nowhere" and "Waltz for Lucy". The rocking guitar riffs turn to more emotional and whimsical arrangements. I can understand wanting to branch out and show versatility but her rock side is so overpowering that there isn't room for her softer side (at least in my ears).

Regardless of some of the small issues I have with the order of songs and finding her softer songs less-needed, Tea and Vodka is a great solo debut for Colantuono.

To see how well Dejha rocks it, here's a video of her with her old band Rotten Apples. It kicks ten thousand asses and it would be unfair of me to not share it with you.

In the same ways that Cat Power, Joan as Policewoman and many other female singer-songwriters have grabbed my attention (and the contents of my wallet), Lia Ices has a voice that takes a hold of you emotionally. It may be the melding of the strained imperfections and sweetness in her voice on top of a brash snare drum that makes her song "Half Life" so powerful to me. Check it out and download it here:

Jenny Owen Youngs and Xian Hawkins both have impressive solo careers but combined forces to create Bell Horses. The collaboration is very much a mixture of organic and inorganic elements. Their debut album, This Loves Last Time, is filled with beautiful string arrangements weaved within electronic elements.

Each song seems to express a hint of yearning, with the vocals being strained regardless of whether Owen Youngs or Alexander Ericson, who lends his vocals, is taking the lead. This might be a stretch but it could be because the duo recorded the album long distance. In a similar fashion as The Kills, Xian and Jenny laid down tracks and then sent them back and forth to each other via email, never actually recording in the same space.

Standout tracks include "Still Life" which is the strongest in piecing together the electronic and string. We seem to be following Owen Youngs on a journey until she reaches her breaking point. "Headmess" stands out for being more delicate than the others. "Small Hours" is the most masculine of the eight songs.

It's a hard album to speak of lyrically since the words almost seem secondary. The instrumentals are so powerful they tend to drown out the voices or blend them into the instruments themselves.



Overall this is a very strong experimental collaboration. Can you dance to it? No, but it will take you outside of your element and bring you on a pleasurable, if not ghostly, world.


The album drops this October.

Their "Hypnotist" video pretty much sums up the vibe of the entire album:

I'm going to do my best to hit up both Chicago shows in my Winnie the Pooh costume. Scary!

10/14/2009 Brattle Theatre, Cambridge

10/15/2009 LPR, New York

10/16/2009 First Unitarian Church Sanctuary, Philadelphia

10/17/2009 Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington

10/19/2009 Le National, Montreal

10/20/2009 The Music Gallery, Toronto

10/21/2009 Schubas Tavern, Chicago early show

10/21/2009 Schubas Tavern, Chicago later show

10/23/2009 The Triple Door, Seattle

10/24/2009 Venue, Vancouver

10/25/2009 Mississippi Studios, Portland

10/27/2009 Swedish American Hall, San Francisco

10/30/2009 The Regent, Los Angeles

If you're a fan of the long whiny drawl of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah front-man Alec Ounsworth, you're in luck! He's made his very own LP under the moniker, Flashy Python and you can stream the whole thing here:

There are definite highs and lows but as a whole, I find it enjoyable. I can't put my finger on it, but it reminds me a bit of my favorite Clinic album, "Internal Wrangler". What do you think? Will you be dropping some dough on it?

What I had needed, and what "By The Throat" ended up giving me, was an instrumental journey through the woods in the middle of the night where you are the boogie man (or woman in my case) and people better not get in your way.

Frost has some heavy hitters lending their talents to this eerily magnificent LP. "Produced in Iceland by Frost and Valgeir Sigurðsson (Björk, Coco Rosie, Bonnie “Prince” Billy), the album also features performances by Amiina, The Arcade Fire’s Jeremy Gara, Swedish metal outfit Crowpath and composer Nico Muhly." With a lineup like that, it's no wonder this album is filled with darkness, dread and passion.

Some standout tracks which you'll be able to enjoy after October 19th (right before Halloween!) are "Peter Venkman Pt.1", "O God Protect Me" and "Through The Glass Of The Roof". I can almost guarantee this is like nothing you've heard before.

It seems as though Danny Chaimson learned the hard way that LA isn't for everyone. Born and raised in Chicago, the singer packed his things and headed out west for the big time. Turns out, the City of Angels was filled (in his experience) with plastic people which left him with the overwhelming desire to get back to the chilly but friendly streets of his hometown.

Chaimson's new album, "Young Blood, Old Soul", is filled with exactly that. As his bio states, "The album’s sound is anchored in its deep grooves and rhythm, but Chaimson’s subject matter vividly captures the zeitgeist of the present moment. His songs dig through the debris of the American Dream, finding dysfunction, anxiety and melancholy, but also a gritty determination and an unquenchable urge to keep moving, no matter what." His voice reminds me a bit of Van Morrison and the grooves are tight. He captures the feelings of moving away, feeling like an outsider and then coming back to the places and people you know and love with ease.

Check out his single, "Cold Night In Chicago" here:

Danny and his band, The 11th Hour, will be headed to the House of Blues this Saturday in the Chi. If you're down for some soul, some funk and some love for Chicago, head out to see him.

Simian Mobile Disco has always been a favorite but their latest collaboration effort is like a marathon of partying for my ears. SMD stands out on their own but they've tacked on the names of Beth Ditto, Gruff Rhys, Chris Keating, Jamie Lidell, Alexis Taylor, Young Fathers and Telepathe. Are you kidding me? This is like if Stan Lee put together a group of musical superheroes.

For your pleasure, here are three tracks to get you ready for the weekend (or life as we know it).

First up: The Audacity of Huge

If you head over to Jamie Liddell's myspace page you can stream Off the Map.

The duo's song "Cruel Intentions" featuring Ditto is almost too much for me. It's a slice of heaven I almost want to be greedy about and keep to myself. I would never do that to you though. Enjoy:

This is semi-shameful but I was ready to dismiss the Mayer Hawthorne album all because I didn't like his sound on one track upon first listen. What a difference a full album stream makes because this 29 year-old kid from Ann Arbor, Michigan is totally legit and damn it if I haven't been listening to "A Strange Arrangement" on repeat for the last seven hours. Literally, it's been seven freaking hours and I just can't get enough.

Apparently my skepticism, was shared by the man who would eventually sign Mayer, Peanut Butter Wolf. "The “retro” tag is added to almost any contemporary work that sounds like it was originally recorded between 1966 and 1974, and Hawthorne, among the newest contributors to the genre, is aware of how trends come and go. After being introduced to Stones Throw label head Peanut Butter Wolf by mutual friend Noelle Scaggs of the Rebirth, even his current boss was skeptical. “He showed me two songs and I didn’t understand what I was listening to,” Wolf recalls. “I asked him if they were old songs that he did re-edits of – I couldn’t believe they were new songs and that he played all the instruments.”

Seriously, the album is kind of ridiculous, it makes me feel the same way I did after listening to Raphael Saadiq's "The Way I See It". It's all heart and soul. Check out his song, "Maybe So, Maybe No" and be prepared to use that iTunes gift card on the entire album.

I'm always hot on the lookout for shows to go to and it appears as though I need to wait until September to catch him here in Chicago but if he comes to your town and kills it, let me know how it went (even if he didn't kill it).

Diane Birch is a bit of a wonder. To look at her, you wouldn't expect the singer-songwriter to have the retro-soul sound that comes from her small frame. The tracks she has put down on her critically-acclaimed debut album, Bible Belt, are filled with wisdom beyond her 26 years and she seems to go between genres and influences seamlessly.

As I listened to her perform, "Nothing But a Miracle" on The Late Show with David Letterman she first reminded me of Beth Orton which quickly turned into Chan Marshall and then Carole King after that. She was like a one-woman Lilith Fair! I'm expecting big things from this performer. Check out her Letterman appearance below.

Check her out when she's in your area:

August 5th - Beat Kitchen, Chicago, IL

August 8th - Waterloo in-store, Austin, TX

August 9th - Stubbs, Austin, TX

August 11th - Duck Room at Blueberry Hill, St. Louis, MO

August 12 - The Mercury Lounge, Nashville, TN

August 18th - Le Poisson Rouge, NY, NY

August 22nd - CBS Early Morning Show

For more tour dates, hit up her official website.

Another weekend in Union Park is gone - where did the time go? The weather was pretty perfect - especially when compared to the heatwaves of the last few years that also seemed to conjure up dust bowls on the softball fields. I have this odd, sinking feeling about the festival that I've known and loved since its inception...I might just be getting too old for the crowd. What was once a place to listen to great bands that were mildly under the radar has now turned into an all out war on fashion with some bands playing in the background. I'm looking at you, dude in the dog costume:

In years past, I was able to look past the skinny hipster boy wearing the fleece-lined hat in 100 degree weather. This year, all I could see around me were young kids looking like they were teaching themselves how to smoke while wearing high-waisted jean shorts with tucked in blouses. Their outfits were so loud it was hard to even hear the music.

Still, all was not lost. I did get to listen to some good music, hang out with some great friends, drink too much good beer and eat the greatest no-meata-fajita in the world.

Sadly, I wasn't present on Friday night to hear the set list request playlists of Jesus Lizard, Yo La Tengo, Built to Spill and Tortoise. Word around the Twitterverse is that fans left mostly happy eventhough the Built to Spill set had some sound issues.

Saturday I made it in time to see F**d Up get crazy on stage. Picture a shirtless hairy fat dude screaming to some punk rock grooves. The bassline was just funky enough to be danceable and therefore made me love it more than I ever thought I would. To sum the experience up, there was a whole lotta butt crack, air drums, air guitar and overall geeked fans in the crowd.

Going from that level of high-intensity energy to the cutesy pop stylings of The Pains of Being Pure at Heart was a bit of a letdown. It's not that the group wasn't good, they just weren't ready for a festival like this one. It was like you were getting ready to go out for a night on the town with Andy Dick (pre-rehab) but ended up staying at home babysitting your teenage cousins.

The evening started picking up as soon as Yeasayer hit the stage. They ended up being a bit more electro than I remembered them being but it was a positive change. It was kind of like a mixture of Brooklyn's Amazing Baby with old school New Order.

Next up to tickle my pickle was Beirut. Wow, that guy can really put on an amazing live show. His voice was just as smooth as on his albums and I fell in love with horns all over again. (No, Mom, I will not pick up the trumpet ever again.)

Before the Beirut set was up I had to sprint over to see Matt and Kim because I kept running into them back by the press area and they constantly had smiles on their faces. By the end of their set, every kid in the crowd had smiles on their faces. Seriously, they put on a great act and got everyone hyped and dancing. Major kudos to them.

To end the night, The National just killed it. While their sounds can be slow and sorrowful, their power and intensity made them not just a great choice for headlining but a great choice to keep the kids pumped to come back the next day.

Sunday was a bit of a daze. There was little sleep the night before and an early family brunch in the morning followed by more of that delicious beer. The Killer Whales were never a top priority on my list of bands to see but they ended up being the perfect way to wake up! The friends I was with didn't seem to enjoy their particular brand of scream rock but I was feelin' it! It's not the type of music I'd generally put in my headphones but for a festival of rock, the band was just perfect.

The Thermals were next on my radar and I hate to say it but I wasn't really all that into them. I know, I know, I should like them. They're a "cool" band, but there's something about Hutch Harris's voice drives me insane. The highlight of their performance was a cover of Green Day's, "Basket Case" which really wasn't too shabby.

My favorite act of the day was without a doubt, The Walkmen. My lord their drummer, Matt Barrick, could kill someone with two flicks of his drumsticks. Hamilton Leithauser's vocals can be a bit whiny at times but in the middle of a park on a sunny Sunday afternoon, with some horns behind it, there was nothing more beautiful.

I'm sure that for many, The Flaming Lips were the be all end all of the festival. Wayne and the boys were certainly a spectacle and I enjoyed watching some of their set (Wayne coming out in a giant bubble at the beginning was a nice touch) but decided to leave early so as to not battle the crowd for a spot on the transit home.

For interviews, photos and hopefully some videos sooner rather than later, check out Pitchfork's coverage of the three day festival. Many thanks to their peeps for pulling it off as smoothly as they did.

Sunday night might be the most anticipated in Pitchfork history. Headlining the event this year is Wayne Coyne and the rest of his Flaming Lips bandmates. Before they take the Aluminum Stage at 8:40, there are a number of really exciting acts leading up to the main event.

The bands I'm most psyched about seeing live starts with Blitzen Trapper at 2:30 on the Aluminum Stage. I haven't gotten as into them as NPR's All Sounds Considered would probably like me to, but I'm excited to see the electro-country boys live. Sub-Pop doesn't fool around when it comes to signing artists so I'll probably walk away from this with a new favorite band.

Next on my list is Women at 3:35 on the B Stage. They've got the same kind of distant dreamy sound that made me fall in love with Grizzly Bear. Plus they play the xylophone, and that's pretty hot. The fact that they're Canadian just adds to their charm.

At 4:15 on the Aluminum Stage, The Thermals will hopefully be proving their worth to me. I am not a fan but have friends who are completely geeked out over their appearance. There's just something about Hutch Harris's voice that I can't stand. I'm sure he's a lovely person though.

At 5:15 I'll be making my way towards the front of the stage for The Walkmen. Now this is a band that I can play on repeat for weeks at a time. While both Hamilton Leithauser and The Thermals' Hutch have a drawn out whine to their voices, Hamilton's is more melodic and possesses an old-school chic that makes me want to sit in a smokey club with a glass of bourbon and branch water. Download In The New Year (thanks Stereogum)

I'm not too jazzed about needing to choose between full sets of Grizzly Bear (C Stage) at 7:25 and Mew (B Stage) at 7:30. Seriously, what's up with that?!! I've seen Grizzly Bear live before and they put on a great show - one I've been looking forward to seeing again. I've never seen Mew and I know they've got a new album coming out which I'm hoping they'll play a few tracks from. I'll just have to see where I'm at in the moment.

Cheerleader - Bear, Grizzly

At 8:40, The Flaming Lips will be making a grand entrance (I'm sure) on the Aluminum Stage. Seeing the Lips in concert is an experience every fan of music should live out at least once. It's kind of like visiting a futuristic circus made of older men. Sometimes there are robots, sometimes there are animals. When Beck was touring with his incredibly depressing Sea Changes album, The Flaming Lips were not just his opening band, but also his cheerleaders, literally trying to rev the crowd up behind the Debbie Downer of a headliner. The thing I remember most from that concert (besides the robots) was seeing Wayne Coyne standing behind the seated Beck, waving his arms for the crowd to clap or stand up.

There's no telling what these guys might do and that's the beauty of their live show.

Can't wait for the weekend to begin, if you're around and see me, make sure to say hello. Full Sunday lineup below:

SUNDAY, JULY 19
8:40 (A) The Flaming Lips
8:30 (B) The Very Best
7:30 (B) Mew
7:25 (C) Grizzly Bear
6:30 (B) Vivian Girls
6:15 (A) M83
5:30 (B) Japandroids
5:15 (C) The Walkmen
4:30 (B) DJ/Rupture
4:15 (A) The Thermals
3:35 (B) Women
3:20 (C) Pharoahe Monch
2:40 (B) The Killer Whales
2:30 (A) Blitzen Trapper
1:45 (C) Frightened Rabbit
1:45 (B) Dianogah
1:00 (A) The Mae Shi
1:00 (B) Michael Columbia

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Patrick Wolf is anything but ordinary. Music has been coursing through his veins since early childhood and has taken over his world ever since. Patrick would settle for nothing less than being a "pop star" but he's done much more for the music community.

At only 26 years of age (and just recently at that) he has collaborated with the likes of Marianne Faithful, Chicks on Speed, The Hidden Cameras and Tilda Swinton (who narrated on his last album, The Bachelor).

I got to sit down and talk to Patrick who was a good enough sport to answer questions eventhough he had been battling the flu for the four days leading up to the interview. He talks about working with Tilda Swinton, checking in with himself before creating the next album and overall, doing anything but being boring.

Full press release below:

PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009 UPDATE: SATURDAY TICKETS SOLD OUT, FRIDAY TICKETS AVAILABLE IN VERY LIMITED QUANTITY, WEBCAST INFO, PMF IN THE COMMUNITY & GREEN INITIATIVES

As predicted, Saturday tickets to the 2009 Pitchfork Music Festival (July 17th - July 19th @ Union Park) have sold out. Tickets for Friday's "Write the Night" portion of the festival are available in very limited quantity, so buy now if you want to attend! Friday's line-up features what are sure to be legendary sets from Tortoise, Yo La Tengo, the Jesus Lizard, and Built to Spill. What better way to spend the eve of the Pitchfork Music Festival weekend than to gear up with some of the heaviest hitters of the last 20 years of indie rock. The best part is the festival-goers have picked the playlist. Want to hear "Car" by Built to Spill or "Seasick" by the Jesus Lizard? If you picked it, they play it. Don't miss out on what may be the mix tape of your dreams. Tickets for Friday can be purchased here: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com.

Pitchfork Music Festival Webcast
Only a few Friday tickets remain, but fear not. Those who are unable to attend the festival can watch the event as it happens via webcast, which will be available on the media page of the festival website: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/media.php.

Pitchfork Music Festival In the Community
Just like any other considerate and conscientious member of the community, The Pitchfork Music Festival realizes that there are countless organizations working tirelessly to better the world we live in, or simply to provide a service that is not conventionally available to those who need it. From national organizations striving to help those who can't help themselves, such as United Way and Saving Shelter Pets, to local organizations that simply make the lives of those they touch a little brighter, such as Rock for Kids and Literacy Works, the Pitchfork Music Festival contributes to the causes that play an important role in our community and provides them with a venue to promote their objectives. Please take a look at the organizations PMF strongly supports and hopes you will, as well: http://pitchforkmusicfestival.com/community.php

Pitchfork Music Festival - Environment/Sustainability
The Pitchfork Music Festival takes our responsibility to the environment seriously, and encourages our audience, performing artists, and PMF vendors to do the same. That's why, to ensure the greenest festival possible, we've brought back the PMF Recycling store, where festival-goers can bring their plastic cups and bottles and exchange them for great festival swag. The Festival has also taken steps to use hybrid vehicles, provided by ZipCar, for PMF operations, and are generating all power for the event from Biodiesel fuel. A brief summary of some steps we're taking to ensure that our environmental "footprint" is as small as possible can be seen here: http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/recycle.php

Pitchfork Music Festival 2009 Schedule

FRIDAY, JULY 17
8:40 (A) Built to Spill
7:20 (C) The Jesus Lizard
6:10 (A) Yo La Tengo
5:00 (C) Tortoise

SATURDAY, JULY 18
8:40 (A) The National
8:30 (B) The Black Lips
7:30 (B) Matt and Kim
7:25 (C) Beirut
6:30 (B) Lindstrøm
6:15 (A) Doom
5:30 (B) Wavves
5:15 (C) Yeasayer
4:30 (B) Ponytail
4:15 (A) Final Fantasy
3:35 (B) Bowerbirds
3:20 (C) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
2:40 (B) The Antlers
2:30 (A) F**ked Up
1:45 (C) Plants and Animals
1:45 (B) The Dutchess & The Duke
1:00 (A) Cymbals Eat Guitars
1:00 (B) Disappears

SUNDAY, JULY 19
8:40 (A) The Flaming Lips
8:30 (B) The Very Best
7:30 (B) Mew
7:25 (C) Grizzly Bear
6:30 (B) Vivian Girls
6:15 (A) M83
5:30 (B) Japandroids
5:15 (C) The Walkmen
4:30 (B) DJ/Rupture
4:15 (A) The Thermals
3:35 (B) Women
3:20 (C) Pharoahe Monch
2:40 (B) The Killer Whales
2:30 (A) Blitzen Trapper
1:45 (C) Frightened Rabbit
1:45 (B) Dianogah
1:00 (A) The Mae Shi
1:00 (B) Michael Columbia

A=Aluminum Stage, B=Balance Stage, C=Connector Stage

Prefix magazine has called rock misfits Mannequin Men "Chicago's best-kept secret" but I've got a feeling Chicago will have to share what might be their new bright star with the rest of the world very soon.

The quartet, composed of Kevin Richards, Seth Bohn, Ethan D'ercole and Miles Raymer (who replaced Rick Berger on bass in 2008), have released their third full length album, Lose Your Illusion, Too and are in the midst of blowing minds on tour.

I'll be checking them out this Friday in Chicago but word on the street is, if you have a chance to see them and you live elsewhere, you need to be there.

Here are some tunes for your troubles:
The Boys from "Fresh Rot"
Grapefruit from "Fresh Rot".

07.10.09 @ Metro | Chicago, IL LOSE YOUR ILLUSION, TOO RELEASE SHOW
w/w/ Thomas Function, Davila 666, and Stranger Waves
07.11.09 @ Beachland Ballroom | Cleveland, OH
w/ Davila 666
07.12.09 @ Bug Jar | Rochester, NY
w/ Davila 666
07.13.09 @ The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern | Toronto, ON
w/ Davila 666
07.14.09 @ Il Motore | Montreal, QC
w/ Davila 666
07.15.09 @ The Church | Boston, MA
w/ Davila 666
07.16.09 @ Johnny Brenda's | Philadelphia, PA
w/ Davila 666
07.17.09 @ Southpaw | Brooklyn, NY
w/ Davila 666
07.18.09 @ Cafe Nine | New Haven, CT
w/ Davila 666
07.19.09 @ Maxwell's | Hoboken, NJ
w/ Davila 666
07.21.09 @ Talking Head | Baltimore, MD
w/ Davila 666
07.23.09 @ Black Cat | Washington, DC BACKSTAGE
w/ Davila 666
07.24.09 @ 31st Street Pub | Pittsburgh, PA
w/ Davila 666
07.25.09 @ Comet Bar | Cincinnati, OH
w/ Davila 666
07.26.09 @ Ravari Room | Columbus, OH
w/ Davila 666

Saturday's lineup at the 2009 PItchfork Music Festival has got me weak in the knees like SWV. The acts I am most interested in catching include (but are not limited to):

Kimberly Morrison and Jesse Lortz have a great Detroit garage rock 'n blues sound. I haven't heard much of them, but what I'm hearing so far, I like a lot. They aren't as polished as The Raveonettes but their sound is somewhat similar.

These power pop kids are too cute. I've got to get at least two dances in with them before rushing off to the next stage.

This trio of Phil Moore, Beth Tacular and Matt Damron have got a great folk-rock sound and incorporate one of my favorite lesser-used instruments, the accordion. You can check out and download their Daytrotter session here.

Ok I'm a bit torn and hoping the schedule is wrong because Beirut (Zach Condon) will be taking his utterly unique musicality to the stage at the same time as Matt and Kim! WTF! If I really do have to choose, I'll be hanging out with Beirut because I just can't keep myself away from a good ukulele session. Matt and Kim are cute but Zach's voice is so different and has accompanied me on so many bus rides through the city, I feel like I owe it to myself to see him live.

The band's "All Hour Cymbols" album was one of my favorites of 2007 and 2008. Their trippy brand of haunting vocals will either be perfect for, or totally weird, on a hot summer day in the middle of a park in Chicago.

Few bands have struck a chord with almost all of my friends like The National. "Boxer" is listened to and referred back to in our conversations repeatedly. That being said, I will also have to go on over to watch The Black Lips perform because it is sure to be a SPECTACLE! You never know what those boys are going to do but it usually contains nudity...which I'm ok with!

Full list of bands taking over Union Park on Saturday:

SATURDAY, JULY 18
8:40 (A) The National
8:30 (B) The Black Lips
7:30 (B) Matt and Kim
7:25 (C) Beirut
6:30 (B) Lindstrøm
6:15 (A) Doom
5:30 (B) Wavves
5:15 (C) Yeasayer
4:30 (B) Ponytail
4:15 (A) Final Fantasy
3:35 (B) Bowerbirds
3:20 (C) The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
2:40 (B) The Antlers
2:30 (A) F**ked Up
1:45 (C) Plants and Animals
1:45 (B) The Dutchess & The Duke
1:00 (A) Cymbals Eat Guitars
1:00 (B) Disappears

Summertime is meant for outdoor music festivals all over the U.S. Some are better than others and some just get more hype than others. Personally, the time I look forward to most is when the Pitchfork Music Festival sets up in Chicago's Union Park. A group of my friends and I have gone every year and grab a spot in the shade now known as "Lazy Town". This is where we can rest between sets, eat various deliciousness from the vendors (shout out to Chicago Diner for their amazing vegan options) and stash our bags filled with extra toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Every year I come away with a list of new bands to love and a greater appreciation for bands I'm already a fan of.

This year I'll have to keep my beer drinking to a minimum in order to bring you some coherent festival coverage. The lineup looks great and there are a few bands I haven't seen yet that I'm really excited to check out live. There are too many amazing bands to put into one small blog entry so I'll bring them to you in stages starting with Friday night's lineup which includes:

At 5:00 the Connector Stage will play host to Tortoise whose new album, "Beacons of Ancestorship" was released June 23rd.

Beautiful Love - Tortoise

Catch The Jesus Lizard 7:20 at the Connector Stage. Check out their hard rocking "Nub" off of their upcoming Goat reissue.

Postcoital Glow - The Jesus Li...

Hoboken's finest, Yo La Tengo will be taking over the Aluminum Stage at 6:10. If anyone tries to get in the way of you getting to the front of the stage, just tell them, "I am not afraid of you and I will beat your ass". If they don't get the reference, they have no use for the front of the stage anyway. Download "Periodically Double or Triple" off of their Popular Songs LP.

From A Motel 6 - Yo La Tengo

Headlining Friday's festivities is the always awesome, sometimes hairy, Built to Spill. They'll be hitting up the Aluminum Stage at 8:40.

Randy Described Eternity - Bui...

Tickets were picked up quickly but some are still available for Friday and Saturday. Sunday, Two-day and Three-day passes are all gone so act quickly.

Usher's got a new protégé and he is absolutely adorable. Justin Bieber is about to take the tweeny bop world by storm and pick up where Zac Efron left off. First of all, he's from Canada (which in my mind, can do no wrong). Secondly, for a 15-year-old, he's awfully cute. No, he won't be replacing V-Factory's Nathaniel for my affection, but if he were about ten years older...

Thirdly, the boy can sing. Like the real kind. He is undoubtedly the next big thing - eventhough his watch is bigger than his head.

I have a close friend who is absolutely obsessed with Bjork. He and I used to take our lunch breaks to walk over to Virgin Megastore (back when those were still around) and it seemed as though every other week there was a "new" album to purchase with the image of the Icelandic sprite on the cover. Between her first-run albums, remixes, remixes of remixes, soundtracks, live performances and box sets (oh the box sets!) there was no money for rent.

He can now add "Voltaic" to his impressive collection but luckily he'll be able to stream it first. The album is a fantastic live performance filled with songs from Homogenic, Post, Vespertine, Medulla and Volta. It just so happens that most of the songs are some of my favorite from her entire repertoire; it's as though I created a mix tape of my favorite Bjork songs.

Tracklist
"Wanderlust"
"Hunter"
"Pleasure is All Mine"
"Innocence"
"I Miss You"
"Earth Intruders"
"All is Full of Love" (one of the best videos ever)
"Pagan Poetry"
"Vertebrae by Vertebrae"
"Army of Me"
"Declare Independence" (which is actually the ring tone I have for when my Mom calls)

In the last year or two, MGMT has taken the world by storm with their music. "Oracular Spectacular" made it onto almost every big Best of 2008 list and rightfully so. I was stoked to finally see that their music video for "Kids" finally made it to the light of day - expecting something similar to "The Youth". Yay more videos of kids dancing! I mean, HELLO, the name of the song is "Kids"!!! But no - the video is basically a terrifying nightmare for children and I can only hope that the baby actor in the video was just a really convincing little person. Maybe someone from the Roloff family. Check it out for yourself and please tell me I won't have nightmares and there are no boogie men under the bed.

If ever there was a musician made for covering The Velvet Underground's "Sunday Morning" it is Beck ("Sea Change" proved that). The artist has taken on a new project entitled, Record Club, for his website, and it has really started off with a bang. Well, a slow-paced bang, but a loud one!

He says, "We've been working on changes to the website for the last few months. We'll be adding new sections as they're ready. The first one to be added is called Record Club, an informal meeting of various people to record an album in a day. An album will be chosen to be reinterpreted and used as a framework. Nothing rehearsed or arranged ahead of time. A track will be uploaded once a week on beck.com as well as through the web sites of those involved with the project.

For this first edition, after lengthy deliberation and coming close to covering Digital Underground's Sex Packets, all present voted in favor of the 'other' Underground's The Velvet Underground & Nico. Participants included this time around are Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker, Brian Lebarton, Bram Inscore, Yo, Giovanni Ribisi, Chris Holmes, and from Iceland, special guest Thorunn Magnusdottir, and myself. Thanks to everyone who helped put this together, and to all of you for indulging in this experiment. More soon."

I'm hoping there will be an opportunity to take requests at some point. I'll go ahead and get mine in there now: Luscious Jackson's "Natural Ingredients".

This is by far one of the sickest, most visually interesting music videos I've ever seen. It doesn't hurt that the song "You Came Out" is a fun electro-disco tune. With lyrics like, "You came out, and you were wasted. You went home, and turkey basted," there's not much to not love.

I can't imagine how much time and energy was put into the making of this. This was the blurb that accompanies the video, "We Have Band - You Came Out (Official Music Video). Directed by David Wilson in very special collaboration with Fabian Berglund and Ida Gronblom from Wieden + Kennedy. Produced by Blinkink. Shot over 2 days and stop frame animated from 4,816 still images without a single moment of video footage! Take a look at our Flickr page to see every single frame uploaded in high res - flickr.com/photos/39167181@N06/. For more info about us come and visit as myspace.com/wehaveband"

What a great year it's been for music so far. A bunch of my old favorites like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Gossip and The Heartless Bastards have put out albums that rival their best works.

Moby has done the same and now thanks to NPR you can stream it in its entirety here:

You may not know the name...yet...but chances are you've heard the voice of Francesca Battistelli while watching TV. To look at her, you may just expect another pretty girl who works in the marketing department at Abercrombie and Fitch, but this girl has chops. In fact, after my little interview with this rising star, my coworker and I watched with mouths gaping wide as she played in our studio.

Francesca's album "My Paper Heart" is in stores and online now.

For those of you wondering, I'll be getting some new jeans with my next paycheck.

These past few years, Chan Marshall (Cat Power) has done an incredible job of turning her career around. Long gone are the days when the painfully shy musician would stand with her back to the audience through some of her shows and sometimes not show up to the stage at all. Girl got herself some rehab and then had a successful tour for (in many opinions including my own) her best album to date "The Greatest".

Now that she's gotten herself clean and back on track (or really, on track for the first time) it's kind of weird to hear she is one of a handful of celebs teaming up with a vodka company to make a short film.

42 Below has recruited Chan along with James Franco, Sean Lennon, David Lynch, Larry Clark (KIDS) and Harmony Korine to direct short films about their dreams (I think). Check out either the trailer or the full short film (I'm not sure which) here:

I haven't always "gotten" the magic of Sonic Youth's music. In fact, I tended to like versions of other bands covering their music more than them playing their tunes themselves. Their latest album "The Eternal" has changed everything for me. Maybe I've just gotten ripe enough to finally appreciate their sound, or maybe this album is just so much better than everything in the past.

Don't take my word for it though, stream it it its entirety now (link only good until June 14, 2009)

Also, check out the L.A. Times album review.

If you go to iTunes you'll notice that they've got some new "essential" mixes to celebrate Gay Pride Month (yes it's June, they're here, they're queer, GET USED TO IT). So, yay for them. The thing is, to the average straight on-looker, it would appear as though lesbians have really bad taste in music. Are they really still listening to those old Melissa Etheridge tunes? Do they really like Katy Perry? Most often, no. If it's not the Lilith Fair crowd it's the saddest music you've ever heard. Forget iTunes, listen to these songs instead:

Perfect for Pride

The madness needs to end. What planet has Joe Jonas been living on that he doesn't know even the easiest lyrics to Beyonce's "Single Ladies"? His parody has got to be the worst thing I've seen on YouTube maybe ever. I've seen a lot of crap - I've even made some of it! He flails about, acting like he was impersonating an elderly woman at a Baptist revival. Do. Not. Want.

Can we please put an end to the "Single Ladies" parodies? The fun died a few parodies ago, let's close the casket and put it into the ground before it turns into a zombie.

There's something fantastically unique about the band Miike Snow. Perhaps that's what happens with you mix Swedish producers with an NYC songwriter. They've taken hold of a subtle weirdness that combines the flamboyance of the Scissor Sisters, a little Motownish throwback (one of my favorite tracks, "Song for No One") and some Sufjan Stevens if his songs were covered by The Boy Least Likely To. So, yes, hard to describe but in a way that makes you curious to listen to more. There's a blending of styles that gels seamlessly throughout the self-titled album's eleven songs.

"Miike Snow" comes out June 9th on Downtown and is well worth putting down your allowance money for. For a little taste, check out the band's song "Animal" which has been getting tons of love on these here internets.

Catch them when they make it to your neck of the woods:

Jun 5 2009 8:00P Supermarket Toronto, Ontario
Jun 6 2009 8:00P Studio B Brooklyn, New York
Jun 7 2009 8:00P Subterranean Chicago, Illinois
Jun 9 2009 8:00P KCRW - Morning Becomes Eclectic Los Angeles, California
Jun 12 2009 8:00P Mississippi Studios Portland, Oregon
Jun 13 2009 8:00P Neumos Seattle, Washington
Jun 15 2009 8:00P Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, British Columbia
Jun 16 2009 8:00P Spaceland Los Angeles, California
Jun 18 2009 8:00P Popscene San Francisco, California
Jun 20 2009 8:00P Music Hall of Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York
Jun 22 2009 8:00P Mercury Lounge New York, New York
Aug 2 2009 8:00P Osheaga Festival Montreal, Quebec
Aug 8 2009 8:00P Lollapalooza Chicago, Illinois

When Ashley Tisdale stopped by our studio I knew I was in the presence of greatness but I had no clue just how great she is. There I was, sitting eerily close (for camera purposes I assure you) to the girl who would win the MTV Movie Award for Breakthrough Female Performance. That's right, she beat out Vanessa Hudgens, Freida Pinto, Miley Cyrus and a couple of other talented broads for this prestigious title. The best part is that when they announced her as the winner, they played Lady Gaga's "Poker Face", which she had been singing here at the studio just before our interview began.

We spoke about painful breakups soothed by a good Kelly Clarkson song, where to eat in Chicago and the release of her upcoming album. Oh, and for a minute I totally had her thinking I am Europe's next Hasselhoff.

Download her hit single, "It's Alright, It's Ok" right here:

The sophomore album from indie dreamers, Great Northern, is just what the doctor ordered on a rainy Chicago day. Rachel Stolte's ethereal lead vocals are nurtured by Solon Bixler's accompaniment.

As was the case with their first album, "Trading Twilight For Daylight", each song has a tinge of sadness that is all-encompassing as a listener - but without going completely overboard thanks to a hopeful guitar riff or mandolin strum.

The band had this to say about their album, "We took a lot more risks by entering uncomfortable territory that wasn't touched on the last record. We dug deeper into the unpleasant, which helped us to find the beauty." Mission accomplished! It's kind of like an enjoyable Todd Solondz film but without the outwardly disturbing imagery.

One of my favorites on this album is the song "Houses" (not to be confused with "Home" from their previous album). If you're looking for a song that reflects the sound of Great Northern, this is it.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to be an older woman surrounded by a group of really good-looking younger guys without being creepy? Oh and to top it all off, they are funny, can sing and dance. The world is cruel - dangling the hottest new boy band in front of me. Truth be told, when I was given the opportunity to interview V Factory, I wasn't exactly expecting to turn into a little school girl. I like to take pride in my music snobbery and being "underground" but damn it if they didn't charm the hell out of me. They're a really fun group of guys whose single, "Lovestruck", has been stuck in my head for the last week. The video for the single dropped today and it is just as hot as they said it would be. Nathaniel, call me.

Part 1

Part 2

There is nothing quite like a co-ed hard rockin' sound to get me through the day (lies, a footlong veggie sub with extra hot peppers from Subway and a pint glass of whiskey plus the hard rockin' sound makes life much better). The UK has brought us Band of Skulls whose "I Know What I Am" should totally be in the background of a Harley Davidson commercial - well, that or a Converse commecial, take your pick. The trio's debut album, Baby Darling Doll Face Honey was released on April 21st and the band itself is just plain rad.

Check out "I Know What I Am":

Before you even think about buying a tiny coffee or a donut this morning, please consider taking your $1.99 over to Amazon to purchase the insanely cheap Heartless Bastards album "The Mountain".

Now, let me tell you a little something about the Heartless Bastards - they are a force to be reckoned with. I had the privilege of interviewing them about three years ago before they blew minds completely to bits at Lollapalooza. If you saw singer/guitarist Erika Wennerstrom on the street, you'd never guess in a million years that her growl could fill a giant space. In fact, just speaking to her off-stage, she's a bit shy and appears meek. Get a guitar in her hands and a mic in front of her mouth and she will own you. Their second album, "All This Time" was my personal anthem of 2007. I picked up "Stairs and Elevators" at one of their live shows and the love just continued to grow.

Long story short, you are a fool if you do not purchase this album for $1.99. You will thank me later - as per usual.

Make way for the S-O-V's new album, Jigsaw, to slip quite nicely into your music collection. It's a bit of a departure from her braggadocios Vertically Challenged EP. Lady Sovereign has grown up a lot in the four years since her last release and she still hits hard while being more reflective. She's a little more electro, which smoothes out some of the roughness of this foul-mouthed talented shorty aka "The biggest midget in the game." It took me a while, but after finally being able to dial outside the country I got to speak to Sov about the album. Keep in mind when you read the transcription she has a much cooler accent than I could transliterate.

Chubby Jones: You were just on the SXSW circuit, what was that like for you?

Lady Sovereign: It was amazing. That's the second time I've done it now and it was good times. I mean I only did two out of four shows in the end - but it was great.

CJ: I got to see you a few years ago at the Pitchfork Music Festival where you headlined and saw you in the crowd. I asked to take my picture with you and afterwards you got swarmed by a bunch of other kids - sorry about that!

LS: That's fine! I don't mind stuff like that, otherwise I wouldn't walk around in crowds.

CJ: You've got the new album out, Jigsaw, how is this different or how has it evolved from Vertically Challenged?

LS: I'm always evolving so that's kind of a hard question to answer. I tried out some singing on this album and this album is a bit less aggressive than my first album. It's more personal but then, everything is personal. This one goes in all directions, but I'm always doing that anyway.

CJ: This album, particularly your single "So Human" resonates with me like a Mike Skinner (The Streets) record with all its storytelling and being a bit more emotional.

LS: (laughs) Oh I'm so emotional! Some of the tracks on there are more light-hearted I guess. The stories all come from experience.

CJ: Was it your idea to sample The Cure's "Close to Me" for that song?

LS: Yeah, I love that song! With the original, there's a good chunk of instrumental at the beginning of it so I was always rapping over it and I figured I really liked it for the new song and then, yeah...you know!

CJ: You started your own record label, Midget Records, have you signed any other artists to it yet?

LS: No, not yet. I'm not going to sign someone just for the sake of signing someone. When I hear something and I really like it, then I will. I haven't heard anything that I'm really in love with. I'm still looking. It's kind of hard to find someone that's a free agent.

CJ: Who have you been listening to these days that have gotten you going?

LS: Geez, I listen to so much, I don't have any favorite artists, I'm not fanatical about anyone, I litrally do listen to everything.

CJ: Has anything been particularly good for your mood?

LS: I really like a band called Metronome. There's a lot going on on my iTunes...yeah.

CJ: Have you seen the show Bad Girls Club that uses your song "Love Me Or Hate Me" as their theme song? What do you think of it?

LS: Yeah, I've seen it a few years ago, I watched a bit of it. I don't mind, it works.

CJ: What else have you got in store for the near future? Are you already thinking about the next album?

LS: Not necessarily, I've been meaning to get back into the studio and do some new stuff but things are getting a bit hectic right now. I can't take too long of a break though.

CJ: I like the video for "So Human", I just caught it the other night.

LS: Oh I reaaaaally hate the jacket I wore in the first scene. I didn't realize how awful it was until after the video was done. I was like, sh*t why did I wear that!

CJ: Well, hindsight is 20/20 so I guess the next video you'll choose something else.

LS: Yeah, I was tired, I was like, eff it, I'll wear this. So it was fine at the time but I kind of regret it now. But, whatever.

And with that, I bring you the hideous jacket, great song and otherwise sweet music video for "So Human":

Despite the fact that Esser's rockabilly neo-Nazi look scares me to no end, the 23-year old from the UK has got some serious talent. After putting together an album Braveface in his bedroom, he was somehow able to get the Kaiser Chiefs' attention and was asked to go on their sold-out tour with them. His song, "Headlock" reminds me of a male Lily Allen. The Alright, Still Lily that made me go bananas and walk everywhere with "LDN" on my headphones for an entire summer. There's something about this video that just makes me smile, hopefully it'll do the same for you:

The newest batch of dopeness from Gossip band members Beth Ditto, Hannah Billie and Brace Payne is "Heavy Cross".

The VHS or Beta remix of My Morning Jacket's "Highly Suspicious" makes for an even more pleasurable listening experience.

This should bring you into the weekend quite nicely. (Thanks Stereogum)

The following music video was filmed in one, yes ONE take and the audio was recorded simultaneously. This is unheard of, especially since it turns out so well. It's a fantastic blend of vocals, horns, strings, and rhythms - the only "blah" aspect is the unnecessary homeboy choir - I'm fairly certain they don't even sing. Homeboy choir aside, it's truly an impressive collaborative project. Skip seeing the Fame remake when it comes to theaters and just watch this video a few times instead.

A friend sent along a link to a video for Playing for Change with a note saying, "This is really cool, I think you'll like it. Something to make you feel good on a Monday" and he was totally right. Creator Mark Johnson uses music to bring people together to spread the word of peace and collaboration across nations. What he and his crew have done is pretty spectacular. They've gone to various locations all around the world, filmed musicians separately and then put their footage together into one beautiful song.

St. Vincent's (Annie Clark) latest album, "Actor", is a tour de force. Her previous release didn't strike a chord with me and I was someone who wanted so badly to get into this fair-skinned beauty because all the cool kids were doing it. Alas, it just didn't happen. The folks at NPR's All Songs Considered kept talking her up on their SXSW recap and made it sound like I should give it another go. Hot damn I am so glad I did. "Actor" is already starting out as one of my favorite albums of 2009 (you can put the Yeah Yeah Yeah's "It's Blitz" on that list as well).

From the very start, Clark's sweet voice is propelled forward with an equally sweet bass drum beat. She sings, "Desperate doesn't look good on you, neither does your virtue. Paint the black hole blacker," and yet somehow its disposition is sunny. At the 2:44 mark it gets raw, gritty and nasty. She told Entertainment Weekly, "I'm happy with how the orchestrated and beautiful parts on the album came out, I'm also happy about how disgusting and gnarly the guitar parts came out." She has crafted a beautifully contradictory album - which you can stream in its entirety on NPR's website.

Ok, so I will be the first to admit I'm not too fond of Chris Cornell's newest solo album, "Scream". He got together with uber-producer Timbaland to work out a mostly poppy-danceable album that sounds as though it were pieced together with lost samples of old Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado songs.

That being said, Cornell brought tears to my eyes when I found out he collaborated with a fan on one of his tracks. Rory De La Rosa just lost his 6-year-old daughter, Ainslee, to cancer. If that wasn't heartbreaking enough, Rory was given the same diagnosis just a short time later. He wrote a poem and got in touch with Cornell, who put the poem to music and the result is beautiful. "I Promise It's Not Goodbye" is available for free download on Cornell's site but there is also a pay pal link to donate money going to Rory's hospital bills. This is when being famous really means something.

Cincinnati has brought us a great group of bands in the last twenty years, you've got Nine Inch Nails, Devo, Filter and The Black Keys to name a few. Soon, you'll be able to add Pomegranates to the list of Cincinnati-folk whose tunes should be on your music player of choice. They've got a great whispy rock sound that will be opening for Wye Oak and a set with Ted Leo at a venue near you sometime soon.

Check out and download their song Corriander(mp3) now.

Apr 15 2009 8:00P
Brillobox w/ Wye Oak Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Apr 16 2009 8:00P
Southgate House w/ Wye Oak Newport, Kentucky

Apr 17 2009 8:00P
The Hideout w/ Wye Oak Chicago, Illinois

Apr 18 2009 8:00P
The Basement w/ Wye Oak Carleton, Minnesota

Apr 19 2009 8:00P
7th Street Entry w/ Wye Oak Minneapolis, Minnesota

Apr 20 2009 8:00P
Public Space One w/ Wye Oak Iowa City, Iowa

Apr 21 2009 8:00P
The Waiting Room w/ Wye Oak Omaha, Nebraska

Apr 22 2009 8:00P
The Hi-Dive w/ Wye Oak Denver, Colorado

Apr 23 2009 8:00P
Kilby Court w/ Wye Oak Salt Lake City, Utah

Apr 24 2009 8:00P
Neurolux w/ Wye Oak Boise, Idaho

Apr 25 2009 8:00P
The Red Room w/ Wye Oak Kennewick, Washington

Apr 26 2009 8:00P
Sunset Tavern w/ Wye Oak Seattle

Apr 27 2009 8:00P
Doug Fir Lounge w/ Wye Oak Portland, Oregon

Apr 29 2009 8:00P
The Rickshaw Stop w/ Wye Oak San Francisco, California

Apr 30 2009 8:00P
Silverlake Lounge w/ Wye Oak Los Angeles, California

May 1 2009 8:00P
Trunk Space w/ Wye Oak Phoenix, Arizona

May 4 2009 8:00P
Opolis w/ Wye Oak Norman, Oklahoma

May 6 2009 8:00P
Mohawk w/ Wye Oak Austin, Texas

May 9 2009 8:00P
The Drunken Unicorn w/ Wye Oak Atlanta, Georgia

May 10 2009 8:00P
Local 506 w/ Wye Oak Chapel Hill, North Carolina

May 11 2009 8:00P
The Black Cat w/ Wye Oak Washington DC, Washington DC

May 12 2009 8:00P
Kung Fu Necktie w/ Wye Oak Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 13 2009 8:00P
Mercury Lounge w/ Wye Oak New York City, New York

May 14 2009 8:00P
TT The Bears w/ Wye Oak Cambridge, Massachusetts

May 15 2009 8:00P
Cafe Nine w/ Wye Oak New Haven, Connecticut

May 16 2009 8:00P
Metro Gallery w/ Wye Oak Baltimore, Maryland

Jun 15 2009 7:30P
The Southgate House w/ Ted Leo

True story: I once named my favorite plant "Karen O" after the lead singer of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Once the plant died, the new bed I purchased took on the name since it would be much easier to take care of. Did I overshare? Perhaps. But seriously, if I could bathe in Karen O, I would.

The band has a new album out called It's Blitz! and it is so majorly hot I want to make out with it and ask it to the prom. Karen, Nick and Brian have put together one hell of a tasty treat.

For those of you who still watch Saturday Night Live you'll be able to experience the group in all its glory this Saturday, April 11th. For those of you, like me, who prefer to just see the best parts of it put together by Monday morning, you can skip the show altogether and just take in the magic that was shown on the Jools Holland show:

As if the semi-recent Gossip Girl ad campaigns didn't put Brit Brit's "Womanizer" in my head too many times, it has increasingly become the go-to cover song for bands across different genres.

We've got Lily Allen's inspired concert performance:

Patrick Stump and Ellen Degeneres (with Pete Wentz as backup dancer)

Ladyhawke

and now Franz Ferdinand

I am officially done with this song. Put a fork in it.

No Doubt is back, FINALLY! I'm down with Gwen Stefani and her solo act but her days with No Doubt were always my favorite. I think maybe I didn't understand the whole Harajuku Girls thing.

Ryan Seacrest has a leaked copy of their Adam and The Ants cover, "Stand and Deliver which is pretty damn good. To add a cherry to the top of my happiness sundae, the band will be performing together on Gossip Girl May 11th! Mmm Chuck Bass and Gwen Stefanie - things couldn't get much better.

Leave it to the French to drop the musical sex bombs. Sébastien Tellier's electro-loungey sound is perfect for drinking wine while subtly seducing the person next to you. Tellier's voice, combined with the down-tempo beats are like a long massage after a rough day - happy ending included.

The 33-year-old Parisian is currently touring with his 2008 album, Sexuality, and spreading the word of bow-chicka-wow across our great nation. You can catch him tonight at The Empty Bottle in Chicago or later in the month at the Coachella festival. Get an extra ticket and bring the Trojan Man.

Apr 9 2009
8:00P
Empty Bottle
Chicago, Illinois

Apr 10 2009
8:00P
Grinnell College Gardner Lounge
Grinnell, Iowa

Apr 13 2009
8:00P
Chop Suey
Seattle, Washington

Apr 14 2009
8:00P
Richards on Richards
British Columbia

Apr 15 2009
8:00P
Doug Fir Lounge
Portland, Oregon

Apr 17 2009
8:00P
The Independent
San Francisco, California

Apr 19 2009
8:00P
COACHELLA FESTIVAL
PALM SPRINGS

Divine - Sebastien Tellier

Have you ever gotten so carried away at a concert that you've ended up having sex on top of the lead singer's bare feet? Me neither. Of course, I haven't had the chance to see Chicago natives, The Locals, perform live before. Yvonne (guitar/vocals), Christy (bass) and Kirk (drums/backup vocals) don't put out typical baby-making-music, but Yvonne's feet have had more action than a movie starring Jackie Chan.

Unfortunately, my computer is still hungover from this weekend and won't allow for the video footage I got of the band to make its way into this post. Last week I was greeted by The Locals in their rehearsal space and got a private two-song concert as well as some quality time on their futon.

Some interesting facts:

- Kirk has run over a glazed ham in his car. It wasn't Thanksgiving or Christmas, just a regular old day and a good ham gave its life for this story.

- Christy can fold her tongue so that it looks like a piece of deli meat. It's not as nasty as it sounds and is purely genetic.

- As was alluded to above, Yvonne's feet were used as a love mattress during one of the band's shows. I forgot to ask if she had just had a pedicure - but either way it's not something I want to picture.

- Kentucky is apparently a great (if not the best) place to play a gig.

If there was only one take-away from this meet-up, it's that this band cares for each other deeply. You can tell just from the looks on their faces that they have a lot of fun spending time in the same room. It's funny how two small women and one tall guy can make such big noise.

They'll be making the rounds across the Midwest this summer but the first stop is this Thursday in Chicago - opening for queer-core faves (and Logo's 2008 winner for Brink of Fame at the New Now Next awards) The Cliks.

As if they didn't have enough going on, they've also started a really interesting project aptly called the "Big Picture Project" which you can contribute to all with the click of your cell phone camera.

Oh, and there's also this little (huge) thing Yvonne started called Sleepy Urbanite which was featured on The Today Show.

If there is any part of you that enjoys rock and pop, it's in your best interest to check out The Locals. As soon as my copy of Final Cut Pro enters a rehab clinic, I'll put the interview up here. Until then, check out the video below.

Some thoughts upon hearing the new release, and second collaborative album from PJ Harvey and John Parish:

Thank the LORD for this album. I was getting worried there for a bit. Polly Jean's last two albums (White Chalk and Uh Huh Her) didn't quite make my hit list. I was afraid that nothing could ever compare to the way Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea or my all-time favorite Is This Desire made me feel. Those albums were life-changing for me, and pulled at my heart-strings like almost no other albums had before.

A Woman a Man Walked By reminds me of that old PJ - bare bones, poetic, growls, whispers, harsh and tender (hate that word, but totally appropriate). The songs that make me smile, laugh (watch out for the title track, it's like Peaches meets Satan meets Polly Jean - maybe not meant for the LOLs but they're there anyway), and close my eyes and cry ("Cracks In the Canvas").

The music video for Black Hearted Love is the epitome of what PJ means to me. Here's this skinny, fragile-looking woman, jumping on a children's bouncy gym, absolutely wailing. Black Hearted Love is my new Angelene. I'm excited to play the hell out of this until I do the inevitable - pull out all of my old albums and live in a PJ Harvey land for an entire month.

The Raphael Saadiq concert was a while ago but it would be a damn shame to not give this man some love on the blog. Let it be known - there is no excuse to miss one of his shows. The man has been killing it for over 20 years and has only gotten more polished and perfected. The man who was a bit soft-spoken in person (with a solid handshake and dressed to the nines) was just the opposite on stage. He noted during our interview that he ate, slept and breathed music and it was evident.

The show was set in a two-level venue with seating and an open space for the brave to stand at the front of the stage. My friend and I made our way equidistant to the bar and stage (genius) and as the lights dimmed the energy of the room was filled with excitement and...sex. Yes, sex. Saadiq has got the baby-making-music down to a science. The man is smooth like whipped butter and cool like a sex popsicle on a hot summer day. Wearing the same golden jacket he sports on the cover of his album and backed up by some equally-smooth looking singers, dancers and musicans, the show was an original act you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else these days.

While Raphael would probably hate for me to equate his performance to anything in the past (50's, 60's Motown-era) as if his music were something that ever went away, it's hard not to. For many of us, Saadiq's music is one of the only links back to the age of Stax Records, Berry Gordy, Tammi Terrell and Marvin Gaye. And man did he throw it down. The entire stage was lit up with energy and the entire ensemble looked like they were having the time of their lives. Couples were holding on to each other singing the lyrics to "Anniversary" right along with Saadiq, jumping up and down with excitement when their jam came up. It was easily one of the best live shows I've seen in a while.

If you haven't picked up one of 2008's best albums, The Way I See It, get it now.

When I first got word of Rhymesayers golden boy P.O.S.'s cover of Pearl Jam's "Why Go Home" all I could think was, "Aw hell no, there's no way that'll work!" But damn me! This is bananas - the kid has a Vedder growl and the beats are delicious. My tail is between my legs but the headphones are on my ears. Enjoy:

Some days are perfect for songs without lyrics - the cold days when your commute seems to come with its own violins and the percussion of raindrops hitting the window beside you. The next time that happens to you (most likely later tonight for myself and other Chicagoans), arm yourself with the gorgeous arrangements brought to us by Loop 4.2.3.

After listening to their title track, "Zodiac Dust", it should come as no surprise that the duo has worked with artists Sufjan Stevens, The Books and Belle Orchestre (to name a few). If it's anything like their title track, I'll be super psyched when the full-length album comes out June 16th.

01. Prologue: Rebirth

02. Dark Matter

03. Underground

04. The Existentialist

05. Zodiac Dust (MP3)

06. Clouds

07. I Remember

08. The Return of Chickchi

09. Epilogue: Ashes to Ashes

Loop 2.4.3 Live

03/27 Cambridge, MA Lily Pad

04/02-04/09 Alma, MI Alma College (Residency)

The weekend totally could not have come soon enough. Last night I got to experience Raphael Saadiq live and I think all of my energy got sucked into watching him in awe. More on that soon. Today is the kind of day where the ears need something perky enough to keep you awake but soft enough so as to not disturb the sleeping gremlin hangover inside your head. Matthew Dear's electro-pop seems to have hit the perfect note. Check out and download these three songs just in time for your weekend.

Matthew Dear
"Don and Sherri" (mp3)
from "Asa Breed"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Matthew Dear
"But for You" (mp3)
from "Leave Luck to Heaven"
(Spectral Sound)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Matthew Dear
"Neighborhoods" (mp3)
from "Asa Breed Black Edition"
(Ghostly International)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

Major news has hit the airwaves regarding Jack White's new band, The Dead Weather. Comprised of White, Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs) and Dean Ferita (Queens of the Stone Age) - this obviously falls into "supergroup" category - but will it fall on its face like so many other before it (*cough* Audioslave)?

The guitars are unmistakably Ferita's - and Mosshart sounds like a female Jack White. I'm totally digging it though. See for yourself:

Well let me warn you that if you were planning on doing anything today you should probably step away from this blog post right now. Someone who knows how bad my attention span is and my love of shiny things has come up with a fun game to play. All you need is spare time, a computer with keyboard, speakers and a love of pressing buttons. Check, check check and check.

iDaft lets you remix the Daft Punk song, "Harder Better Faster Stronger" all from the comfort of your chair. Press "q" and hear "Work It", press "k" and you've got "Never"...oh yes, you can waste hours and hours of your life and enjoy it. Enjoy.

The amazing people over at IODA Promonet have put together a SXSW music sampler to download for free! For anyone living in or traveling to Austin March 18-22, this is a must-do.

Y La Bamba
"Fasting in San Francisco" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




Theresa Andersson
"The Waltz" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




Marching Band
"Don't Go" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




Deastro
"Parallelogram" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album


The Phenomenal Handclap Band
"You'll Disappear" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




Maus Haus
"We Used Technology (But Technology Let Us Down) [Courtesy of Pretty Blue Presents]" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




Blind Pilot
"Go On, Say It" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




We Were Promised Jetpacks
"Ships With Holes Will Sink" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




J. Tillman
"Steel on Steel" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




Deer Tick
"Art Isn't Real (City of Sin) [Courtesy of Partisan Records]" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album




Easy Star All-Stars
"Bed of Rose" (mp3)
from "IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash Sampler 2009"
(ioda)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody
More On This Album

This mashup is blowing me away. Not only is it a music mashup - it was built completely from YouTube clips that are entirely unrelated. Kutiman mixes YouTube is the next step in the incredible things we can do with technology today. Everything you hear is everything you see (look ma, no hands!). Nicely done Kutiman, well played.

You know what gets me out of bed sometimes? Breakfast. Yes, that's right, sometimes the only thing I have to look forward to when I get out of bed in the morning is the fact that I'm going to have a bloody mary (that counts as breakfast right?). It is known for being the most important meal of the day, which is why there are ready-to-go products like Bagelfuls that we can grab on our way out the door. Sometimes though, for some people at least, breakfast is not enough. They've got God to satiate their hunger even if the Lord and Saviour didn't help find them a better (more enthusiastic at least?) singing partner. These two are totally the new Dolly and Kenny.

Is it just me or are these two pushing it with their definition of "breakfast". Sugar and rice? Beef steaks? I need to ask the question too, why the light bread if you're gonna have bacon, sausage, Captain Crunch and Lucky Charms? What's so wrong with Lipton tea? Also - at the 3:26 mark, do they have a picture of Luke Perry and Shannon Doherty up on the wall? I'm going to have this stuck in my head for the rest of the day now, aren't I?

The Swedes have officially taken what is left of my cold black heart and breathed life and blood back into it. You may recall the obsession I had for First Aid Kit's cover of Fleet Foxes last September. They are back, singing in lovely 6-part harmony led by fellow Swede Anna Ternheim. This completely a cappella version of "Summer Rain" makes me want to lay on a blanket by the lake with my eyes closed and nothing else but their voices to concentrate on. Enjoy.

The little red-headed songstress that could, Neko Case, has a new album coming out March 3rd. The follow-up to 2006's incredible Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, the Middle Cyclone is a slight departure from her usual brand of eerie angst. While her unmistakable voice remains the same, she has added some new production arrangements and perhaps even some love.

You can stream the album in its entirety on the NPR website. It's a beautiful album with some incredibly lovely string arrangements.

Who knew India wasn't the best place to take your clothes off and make out with your bandmate on stage? Apparently Hotlanta punk rockers the Black Lips weren't made aware of this ahead of time and their six-city tour of the east was cut a bit short. If you aren't afraid of a little nudity and the like - check out the trailer for their upcoming doc.

When life hands these boys lemons, they make spectacles. Expect to be seeing their brand of naked southern punk stateside as they promote their infectious new album, "200 Million Thousand". This is truly music to get drunk and sweaty to.

If you're ready to party with the boys your mom warned you about - check them out here:

Feb 26 2009 BottleTree Birmingham, Alabama

Feb 27 2009 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, Georgia

Mar 4 2009 Cat’s Cradle Carrboro, North Carolina

Mar 5 2009 Black Cat Washington DC, Washington DC

Mar 6 2009 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Mar 7 2009 Middle East Cambridge, Massachusetts

Mar 9 2009 Bowery Ballroom New York, New York

Mar 10 2009 Music Hall Of Williamsburg Brooklyn, New York

Mar 12 2009 Beachland Ballroom Clevedon, Ohio

Mar 13 2009 Magic Stick Detroit, Michigan

Mar 14 2009 Logan Sqaure Auditorium Chicago, Illinois

Mar 15 2009 Turner Hall Ballroom Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Mar 16 2009 Turf Club St. Paul, Minnesota

Mar 17 2009 Waiting Room Omaha, Nebraska

Mar 18 2009 Bottleneck Lawrence, Kansas

Mar 20 2009 SXSW Austin, Texas

Mar 21 2009 SXSW Austin, Texas

Mar 23 2009 One Eyed Jacks New Orleans, Louisiana

Mar 25 2009 Club Downunder Tallahassee, Florida

Mar 26 2009 Orpheum Tampa, Florida

Mar 27 2009 Churchill’s Miami, Florida

Mar 28 2009 Common Grounds Gainesville, Florida

Mar 29 2009 jack Rabbits Jacksonville, Florida

Mar 30 2009 The Social Orlando, Florida

Apr 15 2009 The Detroit Bar Costa Mesa, California

Apr 16 2009 The Casbah San Diego, California

Apr 17 2009 The Clubhouse Tempe, Arizona

Apr 18 2009 Plush Tuscon, Arizona

Apr 20 2009 The Black Sheep Colorado Springs, Colorado

Apr 21 2009 Bluebird Theater Denver, Colorado

Apr 22 2009 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, Utah

Apr 23 2009 Neurolux Boise, Idaho

Apr 24 2009 Berbati’s Pan Portland, Oregon

Apr 25 2009 Neumos Seattle, Washington

Apr 27 2009 WOW Hall Eugene, Oregon

Apr 28 2009 The Blue Lamp Sacramento, California

Apr 29 2009 The Blue Lagoon Santa Cruz, California

Apr 30 2009 Great American Music Hall San Francisco, California

May 1 2009 El Rey Theater Los Angeles, California

May 2 2009 Glasshouse Pomona, California

This cover is just way too cute to pass up. I think I might L-O-V-E love Julia Nunes.

Zooey Deschanel is too cute for words and Alison Krauss is seducing me through me television screen right now. Robert Plant and Alison's performance of "Rich Woman" with T. Bone Burnett is strong and smoth. Voices like velvet and finally the mics are turned up above the instrumentals.

Ooh they're speeding it up and going into a fun rendition of "Gone Gone Gone". If you ever have a chance to see them live, do it.

Rich Woman - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On) - ROBERT PLANT AND ALISON KRAUSS

Producer of the Year goes to Rick Ruben, which is nice to see.

FINAL AWARD!!!

Album of the Year goes to Raising Sand Robert Plant and Alison Krauss's tour de force. While I would have probably chosen Radiohead on this one, I'm totally happy with this choice, the album is fantastic.

The crowd seems restless and I can't tell if they're booing or what is going on - there's a smell of evil in the air.

Can't dwell on that, it's been a great evening and Robert Plant is getting cut off, so happy day!

Bo Diddley, Keith Urban, John Mayer and Buddy Guy do a nice rendition of "Hummbingbird" and prove even white guys can get the blues.

Lil Wayne is joined by Robin Thicke to perform a tribute to Louisianna and the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe from a few years ago. I've never heard this song but I'm enjoying it. I've been missing out on some Lil Wayne apparently. Also loving the marching band and singers doing a little zydeco march. Nicely done.

will.i.am and T-Pain take the stage and make me want to go hat shopping. will gives a shout out to Obama. Jay-Z has apparently taken sister-in-law Solange as his date tonight. Lil Wayne actually is really little but his teeth look really big. The award for Best Rap Album goes to...Lil Wayne for Tha Carter III. He is the cutest Grammy accepter ever. He needs to pull up those pants but I'm willing to let that slip just because you could see how happy he was about getting this award. The other nominees seemed to agree with this decision as well. Nas got up to give him some respect.

I wonder what a Neil Diamond sings at a booze-fueled karaoke bar? Everyone else sings "Sweet Caroline" - do you think he is a Journey man? He is probably the only person who has ever performed at the Grammys or any other stage where every single person in the audience sang along with him. Great performance, even greater sparkly top and eyebrows.

And yet another awkward transition to celebrating legends. Instead of introducing the montage for those we've lost this year - they just went ahead into the slideshow.

Does anyone else find it weird to hear the President of whatever association this is talk about protecting artists' rights and making sure there is copy-write protection for them as he completely steals "Yes We Can" and completely over-uses it for his own speech. Just sayin.

Smokey Robinson , Ne-Yo, Jamie Foxx and the sole surviving member of The Four Tops, Abdul "Duke" Fakir perform a medley together. They sound great but once again it's the newbies stealing the thunder of the oldies who originally performed the song. It's kind of sad to watch.

Samuel L. Jackson is so smooth, I could listen to him read the phone book. He introduces T.I. and Justin Timberlake performing "Dead and Gone". I can't understand what T.I. is saying, especially since the CBS feed of the program keeps going in and out. Justin does sound pretty good, I'll give him credit where it's due. I also love the use of the orchestra in this song.

T.I. - Dead and Gone - T.I.

Gwyneth Paltrow has as big of a crush on Thom Yorke and Radiohead as I do. He is such a cute little hobbit. The group's performance of "15 Steps" shows why this band has been at the forefront of music and live shows for years. For the first time in probably - ever - the entire school marching band, whoever's this is, is likely to get some action tonight. "Hey what did you do tonight?" "Oh, I played backup for Radiohead at the Grammys,". If that isn't Funky Cold Medina I don't know what is.

Jack Black and Charlie Hayden (his father-in-law) are like a new form of The Blues Brothers. Isn't that cute when you can play dress-up with your wife's dad? The in-laws gave a very quick award to Hayden's friend, Jazz legend...oh what's his name? I don't even know because they blew past it so quickly. Either give a real tribute and award or save it for an honorable mention on your website, k Grammy people? Good. Their second chance to give an award is for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance which goes to John Mayer for "Say" and my TV is so upset about this is decides to turn off for a good five seconds.

Jay Cox Mohr (hahahaha, dork) and the very sexy LL Cool J. uncomfortably introduce Sugarland performing their hit, "Stay" and Adele performing her song, "Chasing Pavements". Sugarland is not my favorite, but they seem sweet like pecan pie. Adele got a little pitchy in parts but for the most part it was a very nice performance and is joined by the fairer half of Sugarland.

Queen Latifah looks wonderful, Jenny Craig is really putting a kick in her step. She awards Dean Martin with the Lifetime Achievement Award. She introduces the incredibly pregnant and lip-synching M.I.A. along with Kanye West, T.I., Lil Wayne and Jay-Z "The Rap Pack". How great would it really be if all of a sudden M.I.A.'s water broke on Kanye West's foot right now. My best friend just texted and said, "Really that's the outfit you pick to wear when you're preggo?" To that I say, "Of course." If my belly was big because I'm preggers and that's the only big part of me, that's exactly what I wear. The ladybug bun in the oven outfit is going to be so hot in '09.

Ok, the performance as a whole...I'll give a 6.5. There was no water-breakage and that was the most exciting part of watching them.

Kate Beckinsdale looks gorgeous and introduces Sir Paul McCartney. Dave Grohl is backing him up on the drums. Sometimes I forget Dave Grohl was the drummer for Nirvana - he is so talented and seems like such a genuine guy. Sir Paul has still got it going on, this was a great performance of "I Saw Her Standing There". If anyone knows what is going on with the stuffed animal wolf going on behind Sir Paul and his band, please let us know.

Morgan Freeman is a really good-looking older man. I had no clue he was such close friends with the next performer, Kenny Chesney. What a sad sad cowboy song he is singing. I don't know much about country music, but my friend is having a nice slow dance with her dog right now - which I take as a good sign for Chesney's performance.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, Herbie Hancock and Natalie Cole take it to the stage. It's hard to believe Natalie Cole is so sick - she looks better than I do on my best day. The Grammy for Record of the Year goes to "Please Read the Letter" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. Fantastic choice by the academy. T-Bone Burnett is probably my favorite weirdo of the night.

Late Late Show host Craig Fergeson looks like he has been hanging with Whitney Houston back in the green room. He introduces Katy Perry for her performance of "I Kissed A Girl". She gets dropped down from a giant elevated banana and is wearing a Chiquita banana-inspired outfit. I'm not gonna lie, her rack looks incredible. her backup dancers are wearing something similar to outfits I've seen Britney Spears and Madonna wear. Oh wait, her Asian dancer just made Miley Cyrus making Asian face eyes. What is the world coming to? I am hoping Katy will actually kiss a girl and even like it tonight. Isn't that the greatest let-down of the song? She hasn't actually kissed a girl in real life. Come on Grammys don't disappoint tonight - Katy get your kiss on. Nope, ok, thumbs down to this performance.

Kanye West with Estelle singing "American Boy" me gusta. Their coordinating outfits are cute and his 80's hair has put a large smile on my face. So far - it's a rather toned-down performance and I'm hoping they kick it into high-gear soon. It's a shame they turned Estelle's backup vocals up so high, she sounded great without any help. The pair gives the award for Best New Artist to Adele - who I LOVE. I was going to throw my computer into the TV screen if The Jonas Brothers won and then you'd have to rely on more reputable sources to get your information. Adele is charming, representing the full-figured ladies with talent, showing that video didn't kill the radio star this year.

The Grammy for Best Rock Album goes to, Coldplay. Who's hand did they have to shake to get these awards? Right now I care more about Blink 182's announcement that they are getting back together. This brings up a good question: Did we miss them together? Did this all start because of Travis Barker's plane injury?

Justin Timberlake gets to perform with Al Green and The Jonas Brothers take the stage getting backed up by Stevie Wonder? What the heck is going on around here? Stevie is singing a Jonas Brothers song. There goes that pig flying over my head.

Maybe Nick, Joe and the other one finally brought their A-game to an awards show performance. This is actually the only performance I've enjoyed by the heartthrobs. Unfortunately I've seen a lot of them to compare it to. Stevie's performance of "Superstitious" is fantastic and the cute Jonas brother has no soul and shouldn't attempt to sing a Stevie Wonder song. Aw but it's so cute, he's growing some chest hair that is sprouting over his pink shirt. The boys are growing up but their pant sizes are staying the same.

While I have a minute, can I just say how much I HATE the Chevy Traverse commercial with the little big girl and Howie Long?

Taylor Swift's song, "15" is super cute and she sings it so sweetly it's a shame she decided to sing it with Miley Cyrus. Cyrus's voice is so shrill whereas Swift's seems smooth and kind of shy. I'm sure the Jonas Brothers ran to the bathroom and did a few shots during this duet.

The teen poptarts announce the winner for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, which Chris Brown and Rihanna are both nominated for. Luckily (and I mean luckily because I worship this album) Robert Plant and Alison Krauss's "Rich Woman" won so there wasn't an awkward, "Chris couldn't make it tonight, he's being held in jail for a battery charge," speech.

Jennifer Hudson makes a triumphant comeback with her performance and with her outfit change. It's hard to ignore what an emotional comeback this is for the singer. The gospel choir behind her is a nice addition - everything is better with a gospel choir. Wow, this was - and I hate to use this term but it fits - a courageous performance. A standing ovation in the crowd and one from us at home is well deserved. She got choked up at the end, and I'm a little choked up myself. Where's Justin Timberlake's "Single Ladies" performance when you need it?

Duffy and Reverend Al Green (with his Jeri Curl sheen shining brightly on his head) get to introduce the Grammy for Song of the Year. Coldplay wins, which is a gigantic let-down. Adele's "Chasing Pavements" and even Estelle's "American Boy" were better contenders. Just as they apologize to Paul McCartney for stealing the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper uniforms, the boys of Coldplay are being sued for copywrite infringement for "Viva La Vida".

Kid Rock gives a nice performance as a picture of one of his mugshots takes over the screen behind the stage. It's fun to think about how Kid Rock got his start as a DJ and now he's a country-rocker. What he lacks in vocal talents, he makes up for in bravado. John Mayer enjoyed the performance very much - either that or he just likes the lyrics to "Rock and Roll Jesus".

Chris Martin gets introduced as being "Coldplay" which I'm sure his bandmates are excited about. He sings a solo to "I Got Lost" and does a nice job while getting a little help from Jay-Z who joins him onstage. "Viva La Vida" gets the rest of the Coldplay boys on stage which is actually better t watch than the AMA performance with the confetti and running around. Have you noticed Chris Martin dances like he has to pee all the time. He is also wearing what appears to be a cut-off tee that shows his midriff. The Coldplay boys get a standing ovation from the rest of the artists in the room including Sean Diddy Combs.

Keith Urban introduces Carrie Underwood who seems to be wearing a Princess Leiea-inspired outfit. I am not a country music fan but I can get down with Carrie Underwood. How hot is her chick guitarist who looks like Taylor Swift doing a Bonnie Raitt impersonation. I swear, even Carrie seems a bit turned on. That woman WILL be written up in major magazines soon. This I guarantee.

Sheryl Crow and Leanne Rimes introduce the award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with Vocals and now I am realizing they've only given one award so far and we are thirty minutes in. It's gonna be a long night. Sugarland wins the award for their performance of "Stay".

Bono, The Edge and the other members who make up U2 open up the show with a great, almost lip-synched, version of their song "Get On Your Boots". These guys seem to have drunk from the fountain of youth. The entire audience gets up for a standing-o.

Omg crack is whack but Whitney Houston is AWESOME (if not under the influence). Her dress is fab even if it is cutting into her left breast. Ok, so tomorrow you're going to be seeing lots of Whitney Houston posts because she has gone way off the deep end. I'm not sure what she's on, but DO NOT WANT. Ms. Houston is announcing the award for Best R&B album which goes to Jennifer Hudson. Sure, Jennifer has gone through a lot this year, but that doesn't mean I won't bust on her for wearing a dress that looks like she's still wearing a napkin from Joe's Crab Shack tucked into her skirt.

Some take-aways from the show so far:

-Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is surprisingly great at delivering his lines. He should probably be in charge of hosting The Oscars this year.

-Katy Perry is really great at crossing her eyes eventhough it is a terrible look for her.

-Justin Timberlake loves Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson about as much as I do. He introduces The Reverend Al Green, who is performing with Keith Urban, Boyz 2 Men, JT and with any luck Whitney Houston who would make anything she touches turn to a line of white tonight. Unfortunately, JT totally outshines The Reverend when it comes to sining, "Let's Stay Together". The tabloids will probably be starting an Etta James/Beyonce fued between these two tomorrow. I'm sorry but this is embarrassing - having Justin singing lead with Al Green basically doing accompaniment and Boyz 2 Men doing backup.

Quincy Jones to Ryan Seacrest, "Get your hands off of me you dillweed. I have more important stuff to do like hang out with T.I." Where is Quincy's gorgeous daughter, Rashida Jones? That's what enquiring minds want to know.

You know what's cool? They keep playing The Veronica's "Untouched" before each commercial break.

The men have been impressing me with their suit choices tonight. Even Jamie Foxx, who I cannot stand, is looking good to me.

Ok, for anyone wondering, the girl T.I. is walking the red carpet with IS NOT my friend from college. I wish I could post a picture of her up right now, she looks like she got her outfit out of Lil Kim's closet back in 1997.

Alright, time for the awards to start!