MSTRKRFT feat John Legend - Heartbreaker

my new summer jam/obsession. thanks alaina!

RIP MJ

As everyone now knows, Michael Jackson died today due to a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles.  Not much can be said that hasn't already been said about this iconic music legend so instead I will let his music do the talking... 

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Michael Jackson - Black Or White

Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

Michael Jackson - P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal

Michael Jackson - Ben

Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror

This group of songs doesn't even do his incredible career and talent justice.  Below is a great New York Times article about Michael.

Michael Jackson, Pop Icon, is Dead at 50

Matt and Kim

Matt and Kim played a fantastic set at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Saturday night. The concert was free, yes absolutely free, thanks to the Bacardi sponsor (and subsequentially Matt and Kim's song Daylight is currently featured in the new Bacardi commercial) . Rock and Roll Hotel provided the perfect size venue for Matt and Kim. It was crowded but not too crowded and everyone was having a nice, sweaty time on the dance floor. Matt and Kim make such fun music that it's impossible not to dance during their live performances. They are also very happy and smiley throughout their whole show, adding to the mood already set by their music. They played a good set including all of their most well known songs and a few of their newer material. I was front and center about 3 rows back from the stage, which provided a great place to experience the music. In between two songs, when it was relatively quiet, I yelled out, "you're the best, never change" to which they replied "thanks" in unison. After the show, Kim decided to jump down from stage and have an impromptu dance party with the patrons of the Rock and Roll Hotel and her fans. I appreciate artists who do not take themselves too seriously and just want to have a good time. Matt and Kim put on a stellar show and I will gladly go see them again the next time they roll through DC. Check out some material by Matt and Kim below:


Matt and Kim on Myspace

METRIC

The past few days have been insanely busy so I was unable to post before the Metric show but will gladly spill everything about their show last night at the 930 Club. After waiting through two sub-par opening acts, Metric took the stage and just blew me away. Lead singer, Emily Haines (formerly of Broken Social Scene), was a lively, enigmatic performer and was the center of attention with good reason. Her vocals were strong and she is the reason people love Metric so much. She engages the audience in a way very few performers do and enjoys dancing around the stage. They primarily played stuff from their new album, Fantasies, but also played some of their older hits. Standing on the second level right above stage, I was also able to watch the audience. Many in the audience knew every word to every song and their upbeat style was perfect to dance around to. If Metric is in your city, I would definitely check them out. You will not be disappointed. Check out some music by Metric below:


Metric on Myspace

Metric - Twilight Galaxy
Metric - Stadium Love
Metric - Help I'm Alive
Metric - Blindness
Metric - The Police And The Private
Metric - Dead Disco

Spotlight Lollapalooza: Lykke Li

While I'm still on my high from viewing the daily lineup for this years Lollapalooza, I decided it has been too long since my last Spotlight Lollapalooza post. Today's artist is Lykke Li. Hailing from Sweden, this young lady has a sound all her own; mixing pop, electronic, and unique vocals. I had the chance to go see her at the 6th and I Synagogue several months ago but blew it big time by not going. Like many from Sweden, her sound is quite unique but definitely Swedish (if that makes sense at all). Think of other Swedish female artists ala Robyn, Those Dancing Days, etc and Lykke Li fits right in there. Her beats are infectious and her vocals are soft yet strong. She is one of the artists who are playing at the same time as another artist I want to see (in this case TV on the Radio). She has collaborated with many top artists including Robyn, NASA ft Santigold and Kanye, Bon Iver, Kleerup, and any array of Swedish musicians. Check out Lykke Li below:


Lykke Li on Myspace

N.A.S.A. Feat. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li - Gifted
Lykke Li vs Kings Of Leon - Knocked Up (DEATH TO THE THRONE REMIX)
Lykke Li - Tonight
Lykke Li - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (vampire weekend cover)

LOLLAPALOOZA DAILY SCHEDULE NOW OUT!

The Lollapalooza daily schedule is now available for all the kiddies to look at and obsess over until the festival starts August 7th. I have already looked it over and have a pretty good idea who I want to see...but its still a toss up on a lot of artists who are playing at the same time! What's a music junkie to do. With 8 tents (plus an autograph tent) there is a lot of music to be seen and a lot of music you're gonna have to miss. A few of the match up I'm a little worried about are Bon Iver and Rye Rye, Bloody Beetroots and Crystal Castles, Kings of Leon and Crookers/Kid Cudi, Santigold and Hercules v. Love Affair, TV on the Radio and Lykke Li, Vampire Weekend and Passion Pit, and last but not least, Janes Addiction v. Deadmau5 v. The Killers...decisions, decisions but I'll be happy either way with this lineup. Even though it is over a month and a half away, I keep getting more and more excited every day. Check out the entire lineup below:

Thursday Lineup

Friday Lineup

Saturday Lineup

PEACHES: 930 Club 6/17

Peaches is performing at the 930 Club on Wednesday June 17. Drums of Death are her opening act and if I wasn't already going to Telekinesis I would definitely go. Peaches is one of the most original artists' around. She's been on the scene for many years and many have started to emulate her sense of fashion and music. Her music is very explicit and hardcore, unlike any other mainstream artist out there. Her electronica sound compounded with lyric themes that include sexuality, gender identity, and political causes. Her newest album, I Feel Cream, has gotten great critical praise. On a completely non-musical note, she used to live with Feist before they both became famous. I wish I could check out her show on Wednesday night, but alas I am already booked. Someone out there needs to check it out and report back to me immediately afterwards. Oh yeah, she also has awesome music videos! Check out a whole bunch of crazy schwag by Peaches below:

Peaches on Myspace

Telekinesis: Black Cat 6/17

Telekinesis is playing a show at Black Cat Wednesday June 17.  Doors open at 9pm and their opening act is An Horse.  Tickets are only $10; well worth it.  I am going to this concert tomorrow with my friend Alaina who is finally back from Australia, even though its only for her semester break.  An Horse is actually from Brisbane, where Alaina lives now.  Should be a great show.  Telekinesis hails from Seattle and their latest album was produced by Chris Walla of Death Cab for Cutie.  Their indie rock sound is upbeat, light, and refreshing.  This is the first of three shows I'm going to this week: Telekinesis, Metric, and Matt and Kim...a great week in shows for me.  Check out Telekinesis below: 

Telekinesis on Myspace

Better than Ezra is performing at the 930 Club Tuesday June 16th. The show costs $25 and doors open at 7pm. Better than Ezra has been around for quite awhile and has been able to maintain a steady base of fans and produce a number of hits many of them reaching the Billboard Hot 100 for an extended period while others climbed into the Top 10 of the Modern Rock category. Some of my favorites include 'Good', 'Desperately Wanting', and ' Circle of Friends' which was on the immensely popular and iconic soundtrack of Empire Records. While they were huge in the mid to late 1990s. They have continued to make good music and keep their fans. I have seen Better than Ezra twice before, including a free show on the steps of the US Capitol. Check out Better than Ezra below:


Better than Ezra on Myspace


Better Than Ezra - Circle Of Friends
Better Than Ezra - Good
Better Than Ezra - DesperatelyWanting
Better Than Ezra - King of New Orleans

Arlington: The Rap

This pretty much sums up Arlington. 100% hood. 100% truth.

OMGodzilla @ the Hirshhorn

Duck and cover during the Hirshhorn's annual SUMMER CAMP when the original beastie boy, Godzilla, returns! Experience this selective "career survey" of the large lizard with back story insights from film scholar David Wilt. Films are free and are screened in the Ring Auditorium.

To request accessibility services, please contact Kristy Maruca at Interpretive Programs with preferably 2 weeks notice: 202-633-2796 or marucak@si.edu

Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah, 1991
Thursday, June 11, 7 pm
The arrival of a UFO corresponds with an awakening of you-know-who from his oceanic lair. He's evolved from Godzillasaurus and revitalized by nuclear power that he sucked out of a 1970s Soviet sub. Don't ask how the winged, three-headed Elvis fits into the story. Skewed time travel, odd national politics, and plot hiccups may be a tad confusing, but the extreme monster-on-monster action is well worth it.

Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster, 1966
Thursday, June 18, 7 pm
Ryota;s search for his lost-at-sea brother lands him washed up on a dangerous island inhabited by a giant crustacean, Ebriah, and a suspicious organization, the Red Bamboo. He enlists the help of Godzilla, who is sleeping of the traumatic battles with King Ghidorah, by awakening him with a lightning rod. Can the sea monster be dashed into subordinate claws? Can 'Zilla lick the 'Boo and make the giant lobster roll?

Godzilla 2000, 1999
Thursday, June 25, 7 pm
The Gangsta Lizard takes on the Godzilla Prediction Network and the Crisis Control Intelligence agency, neither of which, despite over fifty years of attacks have noted that standard artillery is useless. A new adversary joins the action when, inadvertently CCI awakens a long-dormant UFO. You may be able to guess who wins out but you will never guess why, in this dubbed masterpiece.

Santigold: 930 Club 6/10

Santigold is playing a sold out show at the 930 Club tonight, June 10th. Doors open at 7pm and her openers are Amanda Blank and Trouble Andrew. Santigold was one of the breakout artists of 2008 and is keeping herself hot in 2009 with her tour and many appearance during the festival circuit. Santigold started as a music writer and producer before becoming a lead singer of a punk band then branching out on her own. She decided to change her name from Santogold to Santigold after a lawsuit was pending due to a gold jeweler named "Santo Gold" (how fucking lame). Her sound is unique and draws from many different influences. Each song has a different sound but are all uniquely Santigold. Rolling Stone awarded her song L.E.S. Artistes as their #2 best song of 2008 (#1 being Beyonce 'Single Ladies'). Her song, 'Lights Out' was and still is featured on the Bud Light Lime commercials. Upon seeing one of these commercials, an old roommate said, "oh yeah, all these people are sitting at a tailgate drinking Bud Light Lime and listening to Santigold." While I will be unable to attend her show tonight, which I'm sure is going to be awesome, she is playing Lollapalooza so there is always a chance that I may catch her there. Check out all that Santigold has to offer below:


Santigold on Myspace


Way more from Santigold:
Jay-Z & Santogold - Brooklyn Go Hard
Santogold - Lights Out
Santogold - Shove It
Santogold - Say Aha
Santogold - L.E.S Artistes
Santigold - Shawty Is Starstuck (Ft. The Dream)
N.A.S.A. Feat. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li - Gifted

Passion Pit Concert on NPR

Below is a link to NPR's recording of the Passion Pit show last night. Check it out. I'm currently listening to it at work and I am royally pissed I missed it. I am definitely checking them out at Lollapalooza. Enjoy!

Passion Pit on NPR - Click Here!

Passion Pit: Black Cat 6/9

Passion Pit is playing a show at Black Cat on Tuesday May 6th. Doors open at 8pm but tickets sold out at the beginning of last week, and up looking at their myspace, so are many of their shows around the world. I went to go see if maybe I could find some on Craigslist but all I could find were ads from people looking to sell their soul or kidney for just one ticket. Luckily for me, they are playing at Lollapalooza and I will definitely try to catch their show there. Although I'm sure Black Cat would have been a much better venue for their performance. But back to Passion Pit. They are one of my favorite up and coming bands right now and their latest album "Manners" is getting rave reviews. Many music critics are calling them one of the bands to watch for 2009. I was originally turned on to Passion Pit by my friend Alaina who heard about them in Australia, even though they are native Bostonians. I've been listening to them ever since. Another FYI, their opening act, The Harlem Shakes, are another great band worth checking out so get there early to see their set. Check out Passion Pit below:

Passion Pit on Myspace

Check out more from Passion Pit:

Passion Pit - The Reeling (Miike Snow Remix)

Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Neo Tokyo Remix)

Passion Pit - Moth's Wings

Passion Pit - The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix)

Passion Pit - Little Secrets

Wale feat. Lady Gaga - Chillen

DC CHILLLLLLLLLEN!

The Hold Steady: 930 Club 6/7

The Hold Steady are performing a sold out show at the 930 Club this Sunday, June 7th. Doors open at 7pm and its bound to be a great show. The Hold Steady's front man, Craig Finn has a normal albeit unique voice for a new band in this day and age. I only came across this band recently and their lyrics seem almost literary in style. Their hit, 'Stay Positive', has an especially literary bend and was featured on many top song lists for 2008. The band also covered Bob Dylan's song, 'Can you Please Crawl Out Your Window', for the Dylan inspired movie, 'I'm Not There.' Check out The Hold Steady below:



The Hold Steady on Myspace

The Hold Steady - Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?

Spotlight Lollapalooza: Ra Ra Riot

My next Spotlight Lollapalooza band is the up and coming, critically acclaimed band from Syracuse New York, Ra Ra Riot. I just discovered them a few weeks ago on Pandora and subsequently by the suggestion of a friend attending Lollapalooza. Their indie rock vibe has taken them from playing gigs around Syracuse University's campus, to appearances at South by Southwest, Late Night with Dave Letterman, and now Lollapalooza. Back in 2007, their drummer died after a show in Rhode Island but they forged on and found a new drummer. Their newest album, 2008's The Rhumb Line is full of mellow melodies and intense, deep lyrics but the music produces a sound that is very unique. I hope I get to catch their performance at Lollapalooza because I'm pretty sure they've already passed through DC. Check out Ra Ra Riot below:


Ra Ra Riot on Myspace

NEW MGMT VIDEO!

Ch-Ch-Check out the just released video for one of my favorite songs, Kids by MGMT. It's delightfully creepy and surreal like their other videos but a little different; and by different I mean better.


MGMT - Kids (Music Video)


While I'm at it, I might as well put up a few other MGMT jamz...Enjoy

MGMT - Kids (Soulwax Nite Version Remix)
MGMT - The Youth
MGMT - Time To Pretend
MGMT - Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
MGMT - Weekend Wars
MGMT - Electric Feel (Justice Remix)

Doves: 930 Club 6/6

The Doves are playing this Saturday at the 930 Club. Doors open at 9pm but unfortunately the tickets are sold out but I know you can find them on Craigslist since I looked for some for a friend who is returning from Australia this weekend. She is obsessed with the Doves (especially their newest CD) and got me back into their music. After hearing some of their new stuff, I can definitely understand where an obsession could come from. I first heard their song, 'Caught by the River' many years ago on a free CD I came across (after some research it was probably the OC Volume 1 Mix) but have recently gotten into their newer stuff from their recently released album Kingdom of Rust. Their music is a little more upbeat since I first listened but thats what I like about their newer material. Check out some tunes from Doves below:


Doves on Myspace

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head - Liberation Dance Party

Natalie Portman's Shaved head is playing not once, not twice, but THREE times in the month of June at Liberation Dance Party. Liberation is held friday nights at DC Nine and is a killer time. As artists in residence at Liberation for the month of June, NPSH will play Fridays June 5th, 12th, and 19th! Three shows in DC in the same month, wow! NPSH is one of my favorite up and coming artists right now. Their high energy, funky, electronic, sound showcases both their musical uniqueness and youth. Their songs are funky and most have really fun, light, almost silly lyrics. As you can tell NPSH got their name from Natalie Portman after she shaved her head for the movie V for Vendetta. Natalie Portman is on their guestlist for every show they perform but alas she has never showed up. Maybe she will make an appearance at DC Nine during June? Doubtful. I'm definitely going to check out NPSH so let me know if you plan on going to any of the shows. Hell, I'll go to all three if I have to. Check out some of the awesomeness that is Natalie Portman's Shaved Head:


Natalie Portman's Shaved Head on Myspace

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head's Blog