Live Review - Siren Fest

This summer has been a scorcher in New York City and to pack 1000+ hipsters to Coney Island for a long hot Saturday brings out the best, worst and most creative in people. As a slew of New Yorkers ascended to Coney Island on Saturday for the 10th Annual Village Voice Siren Music & Arts Festival, the heat just got heavier and no one seemed to mind. The bands and refreshments kept the crowd going and the legendary park came alive with adventure and excitement as indie rock's finest came to beat to the heat and enjoy the festival.

Through the years the Siren Festival has been a major platform for indie acts like Scissor Sisters, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, VHS or Beta, Mates of State and a slew of others, this year's proved no different. Arriving as early as I could, I got to the festival just in time to see the band that was one of my main reasons for coming out - New Brunswick, New Jersey's Screaming Females. Seeing this band before when they opened for Arctic Monkey's at Terminal 5 last December, I was blown away then and just as impressed yesterday. The best band of the day hands down, even successors of Scream Females gave them praise all day long. The trio which is a punk/garage rock band just know how to shred and get the crowd going. Singer Marissa Paternoster sounds like a British Joan Jett, but is so adorable on stage, acting very timid and shy when she would speak to the crowd, but as soon as she would start strumming she meant business. Screaming Females are going places and start getting into them now!

After that was West Palm Beach's Surfer Blood, a band who's debut, Astro Coast, is one of my favorite's of the year. Surfer Blood sounded just as they do on the record, psychodelic surf rock and Coney Island provided the perfect atmosphere and backdrop for this fun in the sun band. The bands Pavement meets Vampire Weekend style was perfect for the day, yet as they do not have much of a stage presants multi-instrumentalist Marcos Marchesani leaped into the crowd toward the end of the band's set with a floor tom-tom drum and let the crowd bang away as he ran back to the stage to do work.

From Surfer Blood's psychedelic beach odyssey it was Ponytail that we caught next. Ponytail proved one thing to me, anyone with no talent can be in a band these days. I am not a fan of the Animal Collective influenced bands and this was one of them, they sounded like a bunch of rapid animals screaming over old school Nintendo beats. As I could not enjoy their music, the crowd was the highlight. As kids would stage dive, crowd surf and mosh on the hot pavement, it made this bands awful set something to stick around and view.

Once Ponytail finished, it was Early Greyhound who took the stage. Now this was a band worth watching, the trio was a southern rock meets 70's soul outfit that looked like Iggy Pop with a guitar fronting Jimi Hendrix on bass and James Brown on drums. Something to witness and experience, as their classic rock influence brought a new aspect to the avant-gaurde festival. Leaving Early Greyhound a bit early to catch Brooklyn rocker's Pains of Being Pure at Heart was a difficult task but worth it. The Brooklyn band has been gaining all sorts of buzz since last summer and I finally had a chance to catch them. As it was later in the day, it would be expected that more people would arrive and Pains played to a packed crowd. Very early REM influenced, Pains proved they could live up to the buzz and are a band that we will be hearing a lot more of come the next few years.

As Pains would finish out their set more and more people ascended to Coney for the final acts. One of those would be Siren Fest vets Ted Leo & the Pharmacists. The indie hero was certainly the oldest guy at the festival, but he showed the kids how it should be done. Taking his garage sound and kicking it up a notch, Ted Leo and Co. can play any venue to any crowd, hell, the last time I saw these guys was summer 2008 as they opened for Pearl Jam at MSG, now as they were in the great outdoors, Ted just showed off his skills and had a great time doing it.

As the sun began to set, the crowd grew larger and larger and more packed together waiting for headliners Matt & Kim. The Brooklyn duo who have grown large through the years in New York playing everything from house parties to boardwalks to big stages are now headliners in their own backyard. Making the crowd sweat it out and wait, the music of Big Pun's "Lean Back" remix featuring the famous "Where Brooklyn At?!!?" freestyle from Biggie Smalls came on the speakers. As Matt & Kim ran out and jumped on their keyboards and drums respectively, they got the crowd hopping from the first note. In between songs they would play favorites like R. Kelly's "Ignition" and 70's disco classics. They are a quirky duo and represent everything Brooklyn in this day and age is about - creativity, happiness and helping nerds get laid since the renaissance of Park Slope last decade. As they heated up so did the crowd and as their set finished, every hipster ran into the ocean with the band to cool off.

While Matt & Kim broke out into a dance party, those just looking to decline from the day watching ambient electro rockers Holy Fuck. I had to catch their set, or some of it for the fact that I have heard nothing but great things about this band, in fact Rachel Ray is a huge fan. As I stood in awe of the sounds coming from their gear, they were a great way to end the great day. As the sun set over Coney Island, the Cyclone slowed down and the Wonder Wheel would illuminate, Siren Fest came to a close and Holy Fuck gave the soundtrack.

Holy Fuck

Matt & Kim

Ted Leo & the Pharmacists

Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Earl Greyhound

Ponytail

Surfer Blood

Screaming Females

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Live Review - The Flaming Lips @ House of Blues (A.C.)

The Flaming Lips - 7/4/10 at House of Blues Atlantic City
By Jessica Rionero*

I took a last minute trip to Atlantic City with no real intentions. Between trying to escape Diddy's white party and gambling my youth away I stumbled upon The House of Blues at The Showboat casino. In search of the bar I spotted the marquee exclaiming “ The Flaming Lips 7/4”. There was no ‘Sold Out’ sign preceding it. It was certainly meant to be. Now here comes the disclaimer--- I am not a die-hard fan. Not because I hate them, on contrary- I just have not paid the respect they deserve despite their entire discography that I own thanks to online torrent sites. Nevertheless, a voice from freshman year involving dorm room banter chimed in my head. I recalled a conversation with a trustworthy source that noted that The Flaming Lips in concert has changed his life. Who does not want to change their life? I am ready for some life altering experiences. So three margaritas and 30 dollars later, I attend a pack floor venue right on time at the House of Blues; people sport American Flags and the scent of marijuana, I was ready.

The show commenced with psychedelic visuals following a naked hippie girl spreading her legs for the entire venue to see. I always felt pressured sometimes in standing concerts. I judge, who is really a fan, who is drunk or who is grabbing my ass right now. In this case, the colors and explosions marveled me before my eyes and the flying confetti with the contraptions that the band members were coming out of. Giant assortments of balloon balls surfaced. The band and the audience were one, experiencing together making this show and interactive one. Not just a conventional set that can be seen anywhere. This could not be repeated. Just when there was, no more oxygen left, "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song’s" opening notes hypnotized everyone. Now it is truly rare in my opinion to see a band transcend their record, to sound better in a large hall with unperfected acoustics not to mention a crowd who sings off key blurring out any quality. On that note it was the complete opposite, I felt like I was in my first real rock concert. We just danced to the beat letting singer Wayne Coyne, guild our moves.

There was a point where I felt like I could not rock no more along with the rest of the audience when we were serenaded with Yoshimi Battles the Pink robots Part 1. It made me think of years ago of how I learned the song from someone’s myspace page. I could have melted. I think a few people did. My nostalgic sweat did not stop me then, the set ended with the ever so famous “Do you Realize?” Now some consider this a sad song. And yes, it is but so is life. I think that is the point of the song—Do you realize, that life is a crazy sad bittersweet thing that is indefinable. I mean, do you? I admit it is hard for me to do a proper music review, not my profession but boy do I know experience. The same fellow who suggested this concert to me years ago used to remark we never know what can happen: where life is going to take you. Did I wake up knowing I was going to the concert? God no! Total whim and surprisingly I have been low on spontaneity. Then to see a concert that had that whole “go with it” attitude. If you get a chance revaluate reality with an out of body experience, The Flaming Lips will point you in the right direction.

**Jessica Rionero is a contributing writer to With This I Think I'm Officially A Yuppie. She is a filmmaker and comedian, please be sure to check out Jessica and her team, Pink Axe

July 31st 7:30 PM at Parkside Lounge (LES). For more info go to www.pinkaxe.com.

Marina & the Diamonds on Ferguson

Marina and the Diamonds made her American TV debut this week performing "I am Not a Robot," on Craig Ferguson. The Scotsman had a bit of fun poking fun at the Welsh singer, take a look!

Quick News

Amy Winehouse has revealed that her new album will "be out in six months, at most," she told UK magazine METRO this week. Winehouse discussed that it will be a jukebox album, very much like her explosive Back to Black record. We hope you stick to your word Amy!

As REM guitarist Peter Buck readies his new act, Tired Pony with Snow Patrol's Gary Lightbody, he tells Rolling Stone that REM have finished their new disc in Berlin. The band's 14th studio album will be out next year and was produced by Jacknife Lee, the genious mind behind the bands stellar 2008 release, Accelerate.

As mentioned before, Arcade Fire are set to release their latest, The Suburbs with eight different covers. Take a look at all eight below:

UK synth duo Hurts have released the track listing to their debut, Happiness, which will be out in September. Take a look at the track listing below:

'Silver Lining'

'Wonderful Life'
'Blood, Tears & Gold'
'Sunday'
'Stay'
'Illuminated'
'Evelyn'
'Better Than Love'
'Devotion'
'Unspoken'
'The Water'

Quick Spins

Addie Brownlee – East of Leaving EP
It is part country, it is part folk but it is all heart. Pouring everything she has into a nice succinct EP with some heavy hitters such as Martha Wainright and Doveman as guests, Addie Brownlee is a name that you will have to remember. After blowing me away at a recent performance at The Living Room, Addie’s EP is a nice way to get to know her and become obsessed.
FINAL GRADE: A-

Sting – Symphonicities
The master of Zen returns with an album of orchestral arraignments of his biggest hits from The Police and his solo career as well as under the radar songs from his catalogue. Backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sting’s brilliance is in the rearrangements of his tunes, yet it would have been great for a few originals with this record.
FINAL GRADE: B+

Scissor Sisters – Night Work
New York City’s favorite flamboyant dance-rock troop is back and still going strong. Much like other American acts that hit it big in Europe before really cultivating a fan base throughout all of the US, Scissor Sisters are ready for commercial glory after already getting critical acclaim since their major label arrival in 2004. Night Work is a fun effort with no surprises to most Scissor fans; they just keep the adrenaline and sex up all night.
FINAL GRADE: B

Devo – Something forEverybody
They were weird 20 years ago and still bizarre today, however, just as ahead of the musical curve they were back in the day they still are right now on their triumphant return. Everyone’s favorite Toppleheaded band is back and still having fun and cranking out beats that leave most contemporary favorites such as Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem and Hercules and Love Affair in awe. Something for Everybody is just that!
FINAL GRADE: B

The Rescues – Let Loose the Horses
This is a band I have introduced you to and have grown to enjoy. The Rescues arrive gracefully on their major label debut, Let Loose the Horses. A band comprised of solo artists from the LA area have come to make beautiful music together. This is a band and album not to sleep on.
FINAL GRADE: B-


We Are Scientists – Barbara
Another band that can fit into the Kings of Leon, Scissor Sisters mold – an American act bigger in the UK and Europe than their native country, on We Are Scientists third album not much has changed in their sound and style. The California via Brooklyn duo now have former Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows making the beats and cultivated themselves as a trio, with Barbara the quirky garage rock band is hoping to finally crack it on their native shores.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Chatham County Line – Wildwood
North Carolina is not really known for any particular music scene and not really known for many acts to break out of that state. So when you are a band kicking around for 10 years like the men in Chatham County Line have, making your art and doing your thing, the biggest risk is risking it all. On the band’s fifth release, Wildwood, they poured everything they had into the creation of this record; money, pride, passion and the result shows. Self producing Wildwood, the acoustic / alt-country quartet are bound to get noticed once you give a listen.
FINAL GRADE: B-

Kele – The Boxer
The anticipated solo debut from Bloc Party’s front man Kele Okereke finds him venturing into bizarre and very new territory. It does take a much, how would you say it – balls to do what Kele is doing. Adopting a new sound and persona, if you look at the man he is nowhere near a shadow of his former self. Kele has transformed himself both physically and musically with The Boxer, an electric escapade of futuristic and wild sounds. Gone are his trademark dreds and skinny frame, now he has bulked up and cut his hair to show he is shedding from his cocoon. This is a record that may take fans a while to wrap their head around or just loathe from first listen. The Boxer is not for everyone, but certainly worth a listen to see and hear where Kele wants to go.
FINAL GRADE: C

MIA - /\/\/\Y/\
MIA will always be a singles artist for me. It was great to see her have a hit with “Paper Planes,” and cross over into the mainstream and become a household name. However, her records as a whole I never really fully digested. Now with her latest, /\/\/\Y/\ she is weird for the sake of being weird. It is a unlistenable pop record with no hooks and no idea what it or she wants to do. Much like MGMT throwing as much shit on the wall to see what sticks with Congratulations, MIA does the same thing. Do yourself a favor and hit skip on this.
FINAL GRADE: D

Quick News

Pearl Jam told a crowd in Portugal that they have played their last gig "for a long time." Eddie Vedder spoke to the audience at Optimus Alive Festival in Lisbon "Thank you for coming to our last show, not our last ever, but our last in a long time." The band has been non stop recording and touring since 2006, these road dogs need a bit of a break doing their thing on stage three hours a night.

Speaking to NME at T in the Park festival in Scotland, Muse bassist Chris Wolstenhome told the magazine that "We'll definatly start working on a new album next year." Wolstenhome went onto say "I think we'll definitely take some time off after this touring period because it's something we've never done. I think the most time we've had off is about six weeks in the last 12 years, so we're due a break." Muse's latest The Resistance was released last Fall to global acclaim.

U2 have rescheduled their North American tour after this years was postponed due to Bono having to have emergency back surgery. The dates for the 2011 U2 360 Tour can be found HERE.

MIA on Letterman

MIA hit up Letterman last night to plug her new record. In typical MIA fashion, it was anything but typical showing up with a series of doppelgangers and members of Suicide to perform "Born Free." Take a look.

Screaming Females & Gang of Four Tracklistings

Fine New Jersey punks Screaming Females just announced the release date and track listing to their latest record. The band will release Castle Talk on September 14 via Don Giovanni records. Take a look at my interview with the band from this past Spring HERE. Here is the track listing to Castle Talk:
Laura + Marty
I Don't Mind It
Boss Normal
A New Kid
Fall Asleep
Wild
Nothing at All
Sheep
Deluxe
Ghost Solo

For the first time in 15 years, iconic British punk band Gang of Four will release a new record. Funded by their fans, Gang of Four will unleash Content on October 4 in the UK. Take a look at the track listing below:

'She Said 'You Made A Thing Of Me''
'You Don't Have To Be Mad'
'Who Am I?'
'I Can't Forget Your Lonely Face'
'You'll Never Pay For The Farm'
'I Party All The Time'
'A Fruit Fly In The Beehive'
'It Was Never Going To Turn Out Too Good'
'Do As I Say'
'I Can See From Far Away'
'Second Life'

EXCLUSIVE! The Whip INTV!

Manchester, England and its surrounding area's have given the world so much great music. From The Stone Roses, The Smiths, Happy Monday's, Joy Division, Oasis, The Buzzcocks, The Verve and countless others to the rising bands of today such as Hurts, Delphic, Starsailor and The Whip. The Whip take the psychedelic sounds of early 90's Manchester and add a strong beat to it, something you can dance to and rock out to at the same time. Since their creation in 2006, The Whip have gained fast attention through all of the UK and Europe. Aside from being in a band the band, like many these days, DJ gigs on the side and have developed a cult like following and report for their after parties. As they finish working on their new album, slated for a release later this year, they hope to and probably will explode across both sides of the Atlantic. Take a look at my interview with Whip member Bruce Carter as we discuss being from Manchester, the band's latest creation and their rise.

How is the new album shaping up? You guys have been hard at work on it, what is it going to be like?

Yeah, we've been working non stop on it. I've written and recorded about 30 songs in varying stages of completion, we're working through them at the moment trying to make the songs as good as possible. Initially I wanted to make the second record really quickly and put it out about a year ago but as the vibe is getting better given time I’m glad I was forced to wait. We’ll be going in the studio really soon to put the nail in the coffin and finish it off. I'm really proud of how it's shaping up, there is more depth to the songs and parts of it are pretty dreamy but filled with enough nightmares too. We've been playing a few songs at recent shows and they are going down well with people for a first listen, some nice moves and shapes have been thrown by the crowd.

Honestly though I can't wait to finish it and get back on the old open road that we call home for a couple of years. We enjoyed touring the first album so much and had so many random parties meeting new friends that we can't wait to go do it again.

As a band from Manchester, a city with deep music roots and history. Do you feel any pressure to ensure the quality of your music due to where you come from?

Yeah and it's great to have that pressure and even better to try and push the sound of the city forwards. All those great bands from the past made amazing music but it's best to create things new and that’s what we're really trying to do now.

We don't feel a conscious musical link to our city across all our tunes just something that happens subliminally a little.

How does The Whip stand apart from other Manchester bands and its history?

A lot of our influences are from other places, this is the same for a lot of Manchester bands past and present, everyone’s got their own vibe. We listen to a lot of electro house, a lot of French music, Italia disco, the soulwax remixes we're a bit influence when I was putting together 'trash' and we're finding our feet and getting a sound for the band on the first album.

It seems that you have become, or always have been close friends with the lads from Late of the Pier. Describe your relationship with them as friends and as colleagues.

Yeah, it's funny how music can bring bands together wherever you are from. We love to play shows with those guys, they are a good laugh. We always get a little crazy when we're out on tour together, not just the obvious party madness but just having a bit of a crazy time together. They have a bonkers side to them that we share, it's a pretty specialist kind of humor, musically we are in to their vibe too.

We had a good time touring around the states with them last year; we met them really early on a couple of years ago. We both supported 'hadouken' on a UK tour and got on since then. We’re supposed to be planning a camping trip with them but it's yet to happen.

You have gained much attention here in the States due to your remixes of everyone from The Editors to Haduken. What is it like re imaging a bands song and making it your own?

I love making remixes, it's great to take someone's song and find parts that you can loop up and take in to another world, it's really exciting. I wouldn't see the point it doing a really similar version to the original, it's good to listen to bits and then try and look at it like solving a puzzle, things start to leap out to you when you let yourself get sucked it. I'm really looking forward to doing more mixes once the 2nd album if finished.

DJing seems to be a big thing for the band when on the road or when you have downtime. Why is this?

It's just part of where we are from, fee and I have always liked to DJ so if we can find a DJ set at an after show we're well up for it. We DJ’d on our UK tour before the whole band played and it was great to set the right mood with some tunes before we whipped it up as a band.

You are playing Glastonbury last year. Describe the experience with all of those fans and new ears in front of you at the world's biggest and best festival.

We played it last year for the 4th year in a row and it was my favourite show there yet. We were on the other stage and it's the biggest crowd we have ever played to. It was strange to play in the daylight cos there was no major lights or strobes to hide behind. It was great though. I didn't go to bed for a couple days after it as it was such a buzz to play that stage.

Coming from the UK, is making it in the US still a big deal for a British musician?

It's just great to have your music recognized wherever you go but it's great to tour the states. I had such a fun time on the last trip. We toured for 5 weeks and did a big horseshoe of a journey, we saw so much, it was a real privilege to see. We played shows on hotel roofs in Miami, random TV shows in LA. Clubs and festivals all over the place and camped out in the desert near Coachella. Fun times, we are really lucky to be able to do it.

Burning Question: Man City or Man U?

Ahh, I'm a hardcore Wolverhampton wanderers fan because of my dad, I love the wolves. I watched them play a big game in a bar in New York when we were last over. I couldn't believe it when all these random wolves fans appeared.

Going back to your question, I'm not liking the way City have had a load of cash thrown their way, all of a sudden they are a different team. It’s like a microwave meal; it gets cooked too fast and tastes a bit fake.

When can the US expect to see The Whip again?

We'll be back over with the new album as soon as it's out over there, we can't wait. I love it over there, we'll be ripping it up again soon.

Rising Artist Spotlight - Julia Ilowiecki

Since the dawn of Facebook and the explosion of social networking just about six years ago, we have all managed to connect with lost friends, found new ones and showed off our own sense of narcissism at 140 characters or less in the process. However, the power of social networking in this day and age cannot be challenged and disputed, when people act on these sites, it works. Just look at how Betty White made one the biggest career comebacks in history, after a Facebook campaign was launched to get her to host SNL. Then there was a couple in England challenging Simon Cowell and his show, X-Factor and launched a campaign to have Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name of,” an 18 year old song be the most requested song in the UK to beat Cowell’s X-Factor winner from hitting the top of the Christmas charts eight years in a row. Once the people heard, it happened - Betty White hosted SNL, Rage beat Cowell.

Social networking is not just to beat out the corporate system or have some random celebrity do some random act, it is a tool most have learned that is the best free advertising one could ask for. I myself, an independent blogger use Facebook and Twitter to promote my site (“Like” and “Follow” me). As the work of an independent blogger goes noticed as will the work of an independent artist; whether it’s a filmmaker, actor, or musician. Social networking has become the new DIY, unlike in the past where bands would hustle flyers around or pass out promo CDs, as they did in punk, hardcore and hip-hop’s prime, everything is uploaded to a social network for exposure. It is cost efficient, quick and simple. Case in point, rising New York songstress Julia Ilowiecki.

Julia began her singing career as far back as she could remember, singing the choruses of classic rock songs, Gloria Estefan and Moody Blues in the back of her father’s car. She says singing has been “ingrained” in her and “has always been apart of me.” Though as most kids would just take this as something they do for fun, Julia took it serious. A University of Miami graduate with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Julia moved to New York City after school to pursue the career she just studied and along the way she noticed something. That something was her passion, the desire of making music. Leaving her job and focusing on her music, Julia would and will stop at nothing to chase her dream. She is a singer whose lyrics unfold as a poetic story, for Julia’s music is not overtly complex, it is simple, however, she has something to say. “I concentrate on the lyrics, it’s always lyrics first and never the production of a song,” she told me as we sat down over tea in her apartment. “I went to school to be a journalist and tell stories, once I realized I could tell stories in my music, there was no looking back.” In her lyrics a world of emotion, hope and intrigue develop and hooks the listener from start to finish.

For inspiration she drew from her own experiences but mainly she wrote and observed the fast paced New York City life around her, “New York is the only place for me. Just looking out my balcony I can get a story just from people watching.” When not writing, she would lock herself away and work non-stop at booking her own shows in the city and e-mailing venues around the country to play in. Without the aid of a manager or assistant, Julia learned more about life and the music business in just a few short years than some learn in a lifetime. “The more I did it, the more I wanted to do more and there were no regrets, I just had to keep playing” she says of the rough patches and bumps in the road she has endured. Self financing her own tour, Julia hit the road in 2009 and began a trek across the country to get her name out, how word got out about her would be through social networking. Before she would leave for tour or as she was in the process of booking gigs, she would e-mail local acts in each city and tell them to check her out. Each band and venue would use Myspace and Facebook to listen to her material. The plan worked and landed her the opening slot of local acts in LA, Boston, DC, Cleveland and Chicago. “I love to tour,” she says, “I love playing in front of a room full of people and just letting it happen.” Though like most artists find out early on, New York is not an easy place to start off, “I love playing around the country and New York is one of the scariest places to start off, but once you begin to network and make connections all new doors open.” She is now a regular at the legendary village venue The Bitter End.

As Julia lets it happen, her music has found some great company, falling into the hands of Good Morning America host Chris Cuomo. Granted Cuomo may not be Clive Davis or Quincy Jones, but he enjoyed her music after hearing it on the web, he wanted to do a segment based around her and have her play on the show. As this may have been Julia’s first appearance of national exposure, it sure would not be her last. As she is currently working on her new EP (due in the fall) and playing gigs all summer, Julia will be a busy girl and in the end, the pay off will be worth it.