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The Secret Life of Sofia @ Cake Shop

2009-07-09T12:34:00Z

I would have posted this yesterday, but I spent most of the day away from the computer, enjoying the beautiful weather. I also find it quite an interesting challenge to write about a band I like so much. This night was particularly fun for me because I recently became an assistant organizer of a rock meetup group. Since I am always going to shows and 1/2 the time I am by myself I thought it would be fun to invite other people who are into the NYC music scene to join me. My new friend Godfrey joined me for this show and despite being into much heavier rock, he really liked The Secret Life of Sofia. He even bought their CD after the show.

This was my 3rd time seeing The Secret Life of Sofia and they played at Cake Shop, on the Lower East Side. They played a couple of new songs and some from their CD "Seven Summits" and EP "Empty Sleeves" which was great because I know those so well it's really cool hearing the live versions. Of the new songs, there's one about a childhood crush that I really like.

I also really enjoyed the show since I wasn't taking pictures and could just focus on the music. (Godfrey took the pic above.) After, we chatted with Kyle a bit and I have to say aside from being a fantastic band they are just so nice. They seem to genuinely appreciate their fans. Unfortunately this will be the last show for awhile as the guys are all taking vacations.

If you would like to check out one of the best CDs of 2008, which is not just my opinion but that of several music bloggers, you can order "Seven Summits" from their myspace page or I think it's still available from Insound. More info on the band at:

http://www.thesecretlifeofsofia.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Secret-Life-of-Sofia/9828384462
http://twitter.com/secretlifesofia
http://myspace.com/thesecretlifeofsofia
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Secret+Life+Of+Sofia

New Music Tuesday - Discovery

2009-07-07T11:43:00Z

It seems like the thing to do if you're in a band these days is to create a side project, which is what Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and Wes Miles (Ra Ra Riot) have done in Discovery. Their new album "LP" was released today and take a listen to see if you like it. It's also on sale at Amazon mp3 for $3.99.
http://dscvry.net

Jill Sobule + Cyndi Lauper - Mexican Wrestler

2009-07-05T11:19:00Z

Jill posted this track to her facebook page. It is my favorite song of hers and this is a rare live version with Cyndi Lauper. Buy Jill's latest CD "California Years" from http://jillsobule.com
http://c.ilike.com/d/0000/534/0000534838.mp3?fn=Jill+Sobule-Mexican+Wrestler+%28Live+with+Cyndi+Lauper%29.mp3

The Secret Life of Sofia - playing Cake Shop 7/7

2009-07-04T07:29:00Z

The Secret Life of Sofia are playing at Cake Shop on 7/7 at 10 p.m. They gave this song to some of the music blogs and I ended up buying their CD "Seven Summits" which I still listen to often. They also gave away a free EP Empty Sleeves to their fans. They are one of my favorite bands and I have seen them twice and really love their live shows.

http://thesecretlifeofsofia.com
http://myspace.com/thesecretlifeofsofia
http://twitter.com/secretlifesofia

Flashback Friday Film Clip - Some Kind of Wonderful

2009-07-03T14:40:00Z

For today's flashback video I present you with my favorite scene in "Some Kind of Wonderful." It's one of John Hughes' films that wasn't as popular as Pretty in Pink but actually had a much more satisfying ending. I love this movie. I can totally relate to Watts' crush on Keith and this scene always gets to me. Also the soundtrack to the scene (and the film in general) is so great. First bit of trivia: Amanda Jones was a Rolling Stones song and Keith and Watts were named after the respective members of the band.
Second bit of trivia: Not only did Mary Stuart Masterson graduate from my high school but we took piano lessons from the same teacher when I was in elementary school. She was an excellent pianist.

I took percussion in the 7th grade and I have always regretted joining the yearbook committee the next year instead of continuing with drums. I have played piano & guitar, but really I always wanted to be a drummer. Last Monday I had the unique opportunity to be onstage and play percussion with Fountains of Wayne at Maxwell's during "Hey Julie." I tried really hard to find someone who had a pic of me onstage but it's a dead end. It was fantastic though! Unforgettable - words cannot describe it.

Indie Video Thursday - Jenny Owen Youngs - Fuck Was I

2009-07-02T11:37:00Z

Jenny Owen Youngs recently recorded a Daytrotter session and this is my favorite of her songs. It's very fitting as I recently met this boy and I thought we had hit it off and I gave him my number. He called me the next day & asked me out for Wednesday. I never heard from him again. I can't believe I let myself get my hopes up over some complete stranger and I felt kind of depressed all day yesterday. I eventually ended the self-pity and took myself out to the Canada Day celebration at Joe's Pub. I'm not Canadian but I spent a summer in Ontario in 1996 and well people who aren't Irish celebrate St. Patrick's Day, so what's the difference? Enjoy the video and thanks to Daytrotter for the song.
http://media.daytrotter.com/audio/dt/jenny-owen-youngs-fuck-was-i.mp3

Jill Sobule & John Doe - Spiderman

2009-07-01T04:01:00Z

Jill Sobule teaches John Doe how to play her song "Spiderman" from her new completely fan-funded CD California Years.

The 88 - Love is the Thing

2009-06-30T17:53:00Z

I first heard of The 88 when I watched The O.C. - you know you watched the first season too. Besides being a fun show, the music was really great. It's really when I started getting into indie bands, so thank you Josh Schwartz for that and for putting Ben McKenzie into my TV. I also watch Gossip Girl - and it plays some great songs too, like last year when Kings of Leon were everywhere. The 88 were featured on GG also.
Now they are on a major label, but I still consider their sound as indie music and this is my blog so well I can feature anyone I want. Anyway, they recorded their latest song out on iTunes today by using an app called Four Track on their iPhone. I'm kind of geeky so I appreciate that. You can read all about how they recorded "Love is the Thing" at http://www.the88.net/love.htm
Download it from iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=321285228&s=143441
More info:
http://www.the88.net
http://twitter.com/the88

Haunted

2009-06-30T13:29:00Z

http://earbuds.popdose.com/kelly/Shane%20MacGowan%20and%20Sinead%20OConnor%20-%20Haunted.mp3

This is a really nice song from last weekend's Soundtrack Saturday by Kelly Stitzel at popdose.com. It's from the film "The Matchmaker" starring Janeane Garofalo, which was filmed in Ireland. I've always wanted to go there but never have. American girls always find cute guys there in the movies.

Shiver Shiver

2009-06-29T11:09:00Z

Last night I dreamt about my ex-boyfriend who lives in Lincoln, Nebraska. I have this recurring dream where we reunite and it's never very satisfying. He was in a band called "The Boys" and now is married with several kids. He was very sweet & I hope he's happy. I actually loved living in Nebraska back in the mid-90's and there is a music scene there, which leads me to Shiver Shiver. They are Chase Thornburg and Jordan Elsberry, from Omaha. They have a new CD called Soulless Sex Appeal (available from CD Baby.) For a short time you can download "November Song".
http://www.shivershiver.com/epk/mp3/06%20November%20Song.zip

For more info, check out:
http://shivershiver.com
http://myspace.com/shivershiver

Lisztomania - Phoenix on Jimmy Kimmel

2009-06-28T08:57:00Z

Yes this song is still stuck in my head. They were on Jimmy Kimmel Friday night. Despite being from Paris, they look and sound like an American Indie Rock band. I finally gave in and bought the song from iTunes. I've listened to it over and over and love it.

The Smyrk - acoustic "Without You"

2009-06-28T04:46:00Z

Nice ballad from the Smyrk. They are playing Crash Mansion July 9th. Long live the pop-up video.

http://myspace.com/thesmyrk

The Cringe at the Living Room 6/26

2009-06-27T13:53:00Z

http://www.thecringe.com/mp3s/tp_california.mp3
http://www.thecringe.com/mp3s/tp_andthenimgone.mp3

Last night I saw The Cringe at The Living Room. They are a great indie rock band. The Cringe are John Cusimano, James Rotondi, Jonny Matias, and Shawn Pelton. The crowd was really into the set, and the band really thrived on the energy. Cusimano is a great lead singer - extremely charismatic and had a nice rapport with the band members and the audience. They have an upcoming CD "Plaything" and have released two previous CDs. Their next show is on August 27 at Europa Club in Brooklyn.

http://thecringe.com
http://myspace.com/thecringe

Phoenix - "Lisztomania"

2009-06-27T13:26:00Z

This song has been stuck in my head for days. Phoenix are from Paris, France and are playing in NYC at Rumsey Playfield

in Central Park on 9/26. They have a new CD called "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" available everywhere. This song is

very addictive, so play at your own risk.

Flashback Friday Film Clip - Veruca Salt "I Want it Now"

2009-06-26T18:57:00Z

Today begins a new feature: Flashback Friday Film Clip featuring Veruca Salt's love of
materialism & immediate gratification from "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." I wonder
if the band Veruca Salt has ever covered this song. Anyway, enjoy & sing along!

Land a Gig - Jet Blue presents live from T5

2009-06-25T20:03:00Z

Land a Gig | JetBlue Presents 'Live From T5'

Take your music to new heights. JetBlue, the Bowery Presents and Superfly Productions have partnered to create "Live from T5," a concert series and an online competition to find the best in emerging music.

This national competition gives musical artists from across the country the chance for an opportunity to perform live in JetBlue's new Terminal 5 at JFK and also at the Bowery Presents' Terminal 5 venue in New York City. Enter now through July 22 for your chance to land a gig at T5.

Here's how it works:
Artist submits original music. Click here http://www.ourstage.com/promo/rules/jetblue#submission
for submission requirements.
Fans will vote on artist submissions starting July 1
Out of the top ten artists, JetBlue will select one Grand Prize winner and four First Place winners, to perform at JetBlue's Terminal 5
Additionally, the Grand Prize winner will win:
- A performance at Bowery Presents' Terminal 5 (or another Bowery Presents' venue)
- Two roundtrip flights on JetBlue
Fans who register and vote on the competition will be automatically entered for a chance to win two roundtrip flights on JetBlue
Official rules for Artists http://www.ourstage.com/promo/rules/jetblue and Fans http://www.ourstage.com/promo/rules/jetbluefans

Mathieu Persan - new music from Paris

2009-06-25T12:10:00Z

Melodramatic music is not limited to Brooklyn, and in this blog I hope to showcase great indie international artists.
Mathieu Persan just relesed a new LP "There's a Monster in Every Head" which you can download from his website
http://mathieupersan.com

Free song here:
http://www.mathieupersan.com/mathieu%20persan%20-%20You%20vs%20You.mp3

http://myspace.com/mathieupersan

Indie Video Thursday - Phoenix - Lisztomania "Brat Pack Mashup"

2009-06-25T11:50:00Z

Happiness is No Fun

2009-06-25T11:03:00Z

Last night I was at Grasslands Gallery in Brooklyn for the Happiness
is no Fun night. It was described in the invite as "a deeply contrarian
mix of pop, art and disco with bands playing sad songs jauntily, and
jaunty songs miserably--in between, guest DJs will play only the finest
tracks concerned with heartache, depression and general alienation."

First, Grasslands is a great venue. The best place to hang out is the
balcony, where I sat and enjoyed music by cheer!, The Dossier & The
Secret History. I didn't stay to see The City and Horses because as
it was I got home at 1 a.m.

First up were cheer!, which played songs reminiscent of Ben Folds in
their quirkiness.

Next was The Dossier, the band who sent the invite to the show. They are a duo who are a retro throwback
to synthesizer new wave pop of the 80's. They also were dressed very cool and had a really good stage
presence.

After The Dossier came The Secret History, the curators of the evening. Another totally different sound of
melodramatic pop from the 7-member band.

More info on the bands at:
http://myspace.com/cheermusics
http://myspace.com/thedossierofficial
http://myspace.com/friendsofthesecrethistory
Here's a song from The Dossier
http://www.ledossier.net/downloads/Another%20Night%20Another%20Day%20Clockrock%20Remix.mp3

It Must be Summer

2009-06-24T10:34:00Z

http://earbuds.popdose.com/pykorry/Fountains%20of%20Wayne-It%20Must%20Be%20Summer.mp3

Summer started on Sunday, but today is supposed to be quite warm
and appropriately Popdose posted a summertime mix. This song
by Fountains of Wayne is a typical song from the power-pop band,
but it's an excuse to share a story.

I was in Brooklyn at Grasslands Gallery working the door for the
Northside Festival. The regular door person was Leah, this tall, skinny
blonde who had been in a band once and went to Smith and seemed to
know everyone. She mentioned at one point that she had dated one of the
members of Fountains of Wayne but I didn't think much of it.

So in walks this very ordinary-looking guy who she introduces to one of her
friends as "Adam." I wasn't really connecting the dots, but about a few minutes
later he walked by & I decided to talk to him.

"Are you in a band?" I asked.

"I'm in a lot of bands," he replied, seeming bored.

"Are you Adam Schlesinger?" I asked.

And he perked up a bit and said he was and asked me for my name and I told him I
was a fan and he shook my hand & that was pretty much it.

I'm from NY and have seen many celebrities, but I actually really am a fan of his.
I love some good power-pop and Fountains of Wayne is a great band. I also like his
new project Tinted Windows. He's also done a bunch of movie soundtracks and even
did the music for the Broadway musical Cry-Baby. So I was pretty psyched to meet him.
I'm sure he never gets recognized either and I tried to be cool about it, cause it's NY
and you're not supposed to make a big deal out of anyone. Just wanted to share that
and of course, thanks to Popdose.com for the song.

P.S. This whole entry became blue and underlined when I tried to link the song
which is so annoying but I don't feel like making a new entry so oh well.