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.