The David Lynch Foundation provides funds for in-school “Quiet Time” programs utilizing the stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation technique. In the past year, the Foundation has provided millions of dollars for thousands of students, teachers, and parents to learn to meditate. The Foundation also provides funds for independent research institutions to assess the effects of the program on creativity, intelligence, brain functioning, academic performance, ADHD and other learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
The country’s best inauguration party Tuesday night turned out to be in the other Washington: At Seattle’s tiny Tractor Tavern club, the Knitters (the rootsy side band led by X’s John Doe and Exene Cervenka) played a Americana-soaked barnstormer of a show — complete with a guest appearance by Eddie Vedder. “Whenever anyone’s being a cynic and an asshole, saying it’s just gonna be the same old thing, do me a favor and tell ‘em to fuck off,” Doe told the crowd, in one of the evening’s many happy references to the day’s events. Then he invited Vedder onstage to duet with Cervenka on a gleefully frenzied version of X’s 1983 tune “The New World,” with its sardonic lyrics about another election: “It was better before they voted for what’s his name.”
Vedder, who had managed to blend in to the crowd (which also included his Pearl Jam bandmates Jeff Ament and Mike McCready) with his hair tucked into a big black knit cap, was in a mood to celebrate: He pounded out the beat on Doe’s back with his fists, slow-danced with Cervenka, and played air guitar while the Knitters’ Dave Alvin (formerly of the Blasters) finished the song with a lengthy solo that incorporated both Chuck Berry licks and what sounded like part of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “Thank you, man in the black hat,” Doe said.
Thanks to Brooklyn Vegan on blog radio, I found out that British singer, Ida Maria was in town this week for a few shows. Despite the fact that the shows were already sold out, we were able to sort of weasel our way into Union Hall on Friday night- WIN!
Ida's voice was admittedly a bit worn out, but for some reason, the husky cigarette and whiskey tainted British/ Norwegian accent works for her and the show was killer. Quite the performer, Ida rocked out on guitar with her band, nearly ripped her shirt open, and even poured a bottle of water on top of her head. Badass. Hey, ya think maybe I sound better singing in a different language??
Here's a video of her performing my favorite song, Stella, from her self titled album
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * On my lunch break, I was walking down Broadway, when I noticed Thom Yorke's face on the side of a bus stop. When I got closer, I realized that the poster was for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards which will aire on CBS on Sunday February 8th, 2009. The poster is pretty cool because Thom's face is composed of several song titles. Radiohead is nominated for 7 Grammys this year for In Rainbows- WHOA!
The L.A. Times reported that : Thom Yorke, Stevie Wonder, and Lil Wayne were among the artists asked to participate in the campaign and that "each artist was asked to give the Recording Academy 10-20 songs that influenced or affected their life and career. The lyrics and song titles are then featured in the print and television ads."
Be sure to tune in to see Eddie Vedder win the Grammy for best Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for Rise! My lovie, Adele, is also up for 4 Grammys!: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
OOPS! I almost forgot to mention that My Morning Jacket is nominated for Best Alternative Music Album for Evil Urges! Yorke aint takin home all 7! :)
After months of confirmations, denials, counter-denials, and, uh, Twisted Sister Dee Snider's thoughts, the manager of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has confirmed that the rock titans plan to reform for a new tour and album sans singer Robert Plant.
Peter Mensch spoke to the BBC about the remaining members' plans: "They did the show with Robert Plant; they had a really good time rehearsing, the three of them, before Robert showed up. And they decided that if they could find a singer that they thought would fit their bill…that they'd make a record and go on tour. We just need to find a singer."
However, Mensch remained mum on the potential candidates for the position, which have been rumored to include Soundgarden's Chris Cornell and Myles Kennedy of God-rock Creed-castoffs Alter Bridge. But he assured fans of one thing: "It's gonna be a long and difficult process. And we're not soliciting people! So don't call me about it!"
Not only do I love free drinks, but this happens to be my friend's company, so its double awesome to read about My Open Bar in the New York Times! Web Site Points the Way to Where Drinks Are on the House
Jason Fried, left, and Seva Granik at an event held by Drambuie at the Slipper Room on Orchard Street. Mr. Fried’s and Mr. Granik’s Web site, myopenbar.com, has 30,000 subscribers in New York.
Frank Leone does not just dislike Drambuie, the Scottish liqueur, he hates it. Its sweetness and thickness remind him, he says, of “corn syrup straight from the jar.”
Yet there he was the other night at the Slipper Room, a club with red velvet-lined walls on the Lower East Side, downing one Drambuie and soda and ordering another. Because while Mr. Leone, a 37-year-old personal trainer and musician, insisted that “there’s no amount of free liquor that would help me acquire a taste for Drambuie,” he does have an acquired taste for free drinks...
As you already know, I spent my New Year's Eve at Madison Square Garden for the My Morning Jacket concert.
The band played for over 4 hours, pausing to count down the new year about half way through. The set list included several soulful covers includeing Move on Up, by Curtis Mayfield, You're All I Need (with Nicole Adkins), by Marvin Gaye, and Cold Sweat by James Brown.
I danced so hard up against the seats in the row in front of me, that my thighs are currently covered with bruises. It was a damn good show, but still does not hold a candle to the 4 plus hour rain-choreographed magic show that was Bonnaroo.
Upon leaving the venue, we stopped for drinks at a nearby bar, then headed to another party, when all of a sudden we found ourselves face to face with drummer Patrick Hallahan. I blocked the wind for him, while he lit a cigarette and my friends and I collectively congratulated him on a badass MSG show. We attempted to pass ourselves off as invitees of the after party, but upon initial denial, we decided to walk away without embarassment, and close the night elsewhere.
Such a good night! Here's a video from the night of one of my favorite MMJ songs, Run Thru
There are lots more vids on YouTube, so check em out!
You can stream and/ or dowload the bootlegs from the show HERE. I highly recommend checking it out.
Complete Setlist: Disc 1/Set 1 1. intro music - What Are You Doing New Years Eve 2. Move On Up (Curtis Mayfield) * 3. Evil Urges * 4. Off The Record 5. Gideon 6. The Way That He Sings 7. Thank You Too 8. I'm Amazed 9. Golden ^ 10. Librarian 11. You're All I Need (marvin gaye) * + 12. Express Yourself (charles wright) * 13. Wonderful Man 14. Lay Low 15. Phone Went West 16. Look At You
Disc 2/Set 1(cont): 17. Dondante 18. Smoking from Shootin-> 19. Touch Me Part 2-> 20. Run Thru 21. The Wanderer (Dion) * 22. Dancefloors * 23. Magheeta
Disc 3/Set 2: 1. new years' countdown 2. Celebration (kool & the gang) * 3. Get Down On It (kool & the gang) * 4. Wordless Chorus 5. Highly Suspicious 6. Cobra 7. Islands in the Stream (Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers) + 8. Bring It on Home to Me (Sam Cooke) * 9. Cold Sweat (James Brown)* 10. Anytime 11. One Big Holiday 12. Auld Lang Syne (sung by Jim James over a prerecorded backing track) 13. outro music - We'll Meet Again
Once upon a time there was a funny looking little kid from Detroit who wanted to go to law school and be famous. Fast forward 20 years and here I am, with NY Bar under my belt and ready to take over the world!!
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