According to Talia

Top Ten Reasons Why Turning 31 is Better Than Turning 21!

2011-01-07T16:32:00.003-05:00

Happy 31st Birthday to ME! To Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of my 21st Birthday I have come up with a list of

THE TOP TEN REASONS WHY TURNING 31 IS BETTER THAN TURNING 21:

10. I don't have to sit through an 8am Micro Economics class today

9. I do not feel pressured to do 31 shots of anything named after promiscuous females

8. I will not have to collect empty cans and bottles off my basement floor to get cash for breakfast tomorrow

7. Going to work today does not involve a walkie-talkie, a cash register, or an apron

6. I do not have to spend several hours today renewing my driver's license. (Who remembers the rainbow turtleneck??)

5. College guys still hit on me, only now I don't want em!

4. My peer group consists of Lawyers, Doctors, and Educators, NOT Frat Pigs, Sorostitutes, and Trolls from LCC

3. Fewer keg parties = smaller waistline

2. If I accidentally got knocked up tomorrow it would be nbd

And the #1 Reason why turning 31 is better than turning 21: (drumroll..........) I NEVER HAVE TO TURN 30 AGAIN!!!!!

That Hasn't Happened For The Longest Time...

2010-09-20T08:02:00.000-04:00

My Stream-of-Consciousness Ode to Summer

2010-07-01T11:10:00.007-04:00

As the days grow longer and the lazy sun lingers high in the sky, pelting my city with stench-inducing heat, I stock every purse and bag with a spare stick of deodorant, lest I become one of the olfactory offenders packed tightly among other hurried passengers on the Q. My feet wear a dark, dusty coat of filth, which rises from the city street and clings to my sweaty toes as they grip tightly to the center strap of my flip flops, making a package of baby wipes both on my nightstand (for before-bed wipe downs) and in my bag a necessity if I want to retain one last vestige of cleanliness throughout July. The unemployed and transient litter the sidewalks with their slow-paced strolling and mid-afternoon margarita sipping as I struggle to navigate around them, in a constant battle against time to arrive promptly to work, rehearsal, a concert or performance. An urgency emerges to schedule each waking moment of my life with activities and travels which fully embrace and utilize the feigned “freedom” that summer implies. Freedom? I have not rested since April.

My laundry goes undone, un-emptied suitcases from last week’s trip make an easy transition to next week’s sojourn with the addition of a few clean pairs of underwear- the good ones, you never know who you’ll see. Leave the sports bra at home, you will not go running while you’re away. My evening meals, which used to take a page from Healthy Living, have morphed into beer-drenched, melted cheese affairs which, queued by a growling stomach, don’t begin until tomorrow approaches, reminding me that I’ve got more to do in the next 24 hours than my January self accomplished in a week.

There are kids everywhere- kicking trash down Flatbush Avenue, cutting me off on the sidewalk with razor scooters, and reading Curious George stories on the laps of their mothers, who drop them off at Day Care on the way to work. I watch mother and son closely, from Canal to 14th Street, remarking to myself how closely his tiny nose resembles hers, and wondering if mom, too, had white/ blonde hair as a child. The smells wafting from the street vendors are more pungent, more enticing, and more carnival-esque, evoking memories of my last few trips to Coney Island with people I love immensely, but hardly ever see.

My skin protests the solar attack, by summoning armies of itchy red bumps, that scream their anger more intensely with every minute I remain outdoors exposed and unprotected. My sunglasses slide continuously down the bridge of my slippery wet nose while I circle Madison Square Park, glancing longingly at the Mister Softee truck, trying to justify a vanilla cone with chocolate sprinkles by promises of additional squats that are never actually squatted. I will be wearing a bathing suit this weekend.

The days, while actually longer, feel more compact as I dart across town to make my next appointment. The hot exhaust from the crosstown bus is suffocating. The mounds of nightly trash which line the streets tower over me as I hurry past, making each footstep audible so as to warn any scavenging vermin of my approach and hopefully avoid a run-in. How do those men sleep on the street at night when it is this hot? Would they be offended if I gave them the carrots that no one has claimed in the office refrigerator? Ten minutes late is the new “on-time”, no need to text my delay.

When my alarm goes off at 6:15, the sun is already poking me through the sloppy gap in my dark curtains. Just 10 more minutes of sleep, please. Al says temperatures will reach 95 in the city today. I have a show after work tonight, so I’ll need to bring a change of clothes. I’ll sleep in on Saturday….er…I mean September.

Jeff Buckley, Lover You Should Have Come Over

2010-06-29T17:21:00.002-04:00

Beautiful song. Been listening to it all day...

Looking out the door
I see the rain fall upon the funeral mourners
Parading in a wake of sad relations
As their shoes fill up with water

Maybe I'm too young
To keep good love from going wrong
But tonight, you're on my mind so
You never know

Broken down and hungry for your love
With no way to feed itWhere are you tonight?
Child, you know how much I need it.
Too young to hold on
And too old to just break free and run

Sometimes a man gets carried away,
When he feels like he should be having his fun
Much too blind to see the damage he's done
Sometimes a man must awake to find that, really,
He has no-one...

So I'll wait for you... And I'll burn
Will I ever see your sweet return?
Oh, will I ever learn?
Oh, Lover, you should've come over
Cause it's not too late.

Lonely is the room the bed is made
The open window lets the rain in
Burning in the corner is the only one
Who dreams he had you with him
My body turns and yearns for a sleep
That won't ever come
It's never over,
My kingdom for a kiss upon her shoulder
It's never over,
all my riches for her smiles when I slept so soft against her...
It's never over,
All my blood for the sweetness of her laughter...
It's never over,
She's a tear that hangs inside my soul forever...

But maybe I'm just too young to keep good love
From going wrong
Oh... lover you should've come over...

Yes, and I feel too young to hold on
I'm much too old to break free and run
Too deaf, dumb, and blind
To see the damage I've done
Sweet lover, you should've come over
Oh, love, well I'll wait for you
Lover, you should've come over
'Cause it's not too late.

New York Times Complaint Box

2010-06-18T13:20:00.003-04:00

This guy hits the nail on the head! I have re-posted my comment to this post/ 2 cents below.

From The New York Times:
June 18, 2010, 11:07 am — Updated: 11:07 am -->
Complaint Box Abusive Customers
By JAMIE SMARR

Let’s face it, folks. The customer is not always right. In fact, some are just plain old abusive, cheap and crass. I say this not as a salesman but as a dyed-in-the-wool middle-class consumer.

I’m waiting in line at a fast-food restaurant while a coupon fight goes on in front of me, delaying me from my sweet, sweet weekly communion with a Southern Style Chicken Biscuit. No, the coupon does not say that you are entitled to a free iced latte. You show it to me as if I’m your lawyer, and it states plainly, “A free cup of coffee.” And, no, they are not the same thing...
read more

MY COMMENT TO THE ABOVE ARTICLE:

This post is so painfully accurate, that I cannot help but laugh to circumvent tears of frustration! I pride myself in being one of the single most considerate shoppers, pedestrians, and consumers to ever walk the planet! You see, it is for the greater good of society as a whole, that we complete our daily tasks as efficiently as possible, avoiding undue delay or incident at all costs. I was taught this lesson at a very young age (thank you Mom!).

After moving to New York, however and being suddenly bombarded by not only inconsiderate locals, but flighty, slower-than-molasses tourists, I was rudely awakened to just how agonizing midday transactions in Manhattan can be! Just yesterday I was in line at Old Navy on my lunch break- a trip I could have easily confined to 30 minutes if not for inconsiderate shoppers. I was next in line when the woman at the register ahead of me realized that the coupon she was trying to use was for conditioned upon purchases being OVER $50 (a fact that was clearly printed on said coupon). Her purchase, however, amounted to a mere $49, and with the encouragement of the cashier (who is also now on my sh**list!) proceeded to suspend progress on the line while she perused the surrounding area for an item to purchase for the additional requisite $1.00!

Are you kidding me?! Is the cashier REALLY allowing this to happen? Is the fact that I am clearly dressed in business casual attire, shopping at $1:00 pm on a Thursday afternoon, and glancing frantically and repeatedly at my watch going unnoticed by all offending parties?!
Eventually, another register opened up, and after my transaction was completed (these flip flops better be the best I’ve ever purchased) the coupon-challenged customer was STILL trying to raise her total to the appropriate level for coupon use.

Let me just go on the record as saying: “I WOULD NEVER knowingly and willingly hold up an entire line of lunchtime shoppers as a result of my own short sightedness!” Not only that, but I always have my payment ready IN-HAND before I reach the register so as to further speed up the process, not only for my own benefit, but for the general benefit of a smooth-running commercial environment.

Shame on you Old Navy shopper for robbing me of 5 minutes of my life. I hope you enjoy the sh** out of that $3.00 Old Navy branded Frisbee you didn’t even want but added as an afterthought so you could use your precious coupon.— Talia

My Improv Team, THE BAKERY

2010-06-17T10:30:00.003-04:00

Hey friends, I recently joined a new improv team, called THE BAKERY, choc-full of amazing, talented improvisers! We have shows regularly around NYC, and are already receiving positive BUZZ in the improv community!

Check us out sometime if you are so inclined!

Man falls onto tracks in front of oncoming N Train

2010-06-12T03:23:00.003-04:00

I was just waiting for the downtown N train at 8th Street in Manhattan. I had my eyes closed while I waited and as I heard the train approach, the train horn sounded and one of the people on the platform shouted! I opened my eyes to see the train halt mid-station and a crowd of people rush toward 1 car where they were saying a man was trapped underneath. I did not see him fall/ jump onto the tracks but one bystander said that he just got up and walked off the edge of the platform as the train came. Apparently he was responsive at first and everyone was screaming for him to remain still. Within minutes police arrived and asked the crowd on the platform, which now included all of the passengers who had been on the N train, to exit the station.

I went upstairs and waited to see if the man was going to be alright. Emergency responders- fire trucks and ambulances arrived immediately. Within 5 minutes they came up the stairs with the man on a stretcher, and before I could avert my eyes, or remove myself from the situation, I saw that he had no legs. Presumably the train had severed both legs at the knee. I could not tell if he was alive, but that image of the torn flesh will remain in my brain forever. God help this man.

Freelance Whales @ Bowery Ballroom

2010-04-20T10:59:00.001-04:00

Check out my review of Freelance Whales at Bowery Ballroom last week, on Greenshoelace.com!

Click HERE!

My review of Nada Surf at The Bell House on Friday, March 26

2010-03-30T20:07:00.005-04:00

Check out my review on Greenshoelace.com of the Nada Surf show last Friday at The Bell House in Brooklyn!

CLICK HERE to read it!

Stay tuned for more....

Check me out on Greenshoelace.com!!!

2010-03-29T14:52:00.003-04:00

Hey ya'll! Just popping in to let you know I'm gonna be writing show reviews for Greenshoelace.com from time to time, so come on over and check me out!

My first review for them was Apollo Sunshine, last Thursday at Southpaw. Check out my review here!

Stay tuned to Greenshoelace.com for my upcoming reviews of Nada Surf at The Bellhouse and The Big Pink at Webster Hall!

Keep Rockin!

<3 Talia

Hoarders

2009-12-20T23:22:00.005-05:00

We are just a few weeks into the new season of Hoarders on A&E and I have become so flummoxed by the filth, so moved by the mayhem, and so paranoid by the piles, that I constantly relate every misstep in my own cleanliness back to the show. The problem however, is that A&E has, in my opinion, made a severe mistake in lumping plain old disgusting slobs in with people who genuinely have a Hoarding disorder, which generally involves the accumulation of too much stuff. I am 100% clear on hoarding since my own Grandmother has been a hoarder for my entire life. Her experience with hoarding involves a penchant for patronizing garage sales (then turning around and hosting several of her own) as well as a living situation in which it is necessary to clear a path in the boxes of fake flowers, extra dishes, and clothing that no longer fits ANYONE in our family in order to reach important areas of the home such as the bathroom or the kitchen. It is a very real illness, and I do not intend to make light of it.

Some of the people featured this season of Hoarders, however, are just revolting pigs! It has gone way beyond the need to keep toys and baby clothes well into a child's adulthood. We are talking about rooms packed several feet high with human and animal waste; piles of food refuse layered upon feline and rodent carcasses! Granted, my Grandmother has waaaaay too many possessions and yet continues to race to Kohl's every Wednesday to ensure she takes full advantage of her senior discount, but she has NEVER filled a room with poop! Seriously, who does that?! Because I have a family member with a REAL Hoarding disorder, I'm offended that the people who's homes are literal toxic waste dumps are associated with the average lady who keeps too many of her kids' toys!

This is not to say, however, that I do not find A&E's Hoarders to be good television. I do. I watch as often as my schedule permits, and for very selfish reasons. There is something very satisfying about walking into my kitchen full of dirty dishes and thinking "Jesus, I'm a regular Merry Maid compared to these freaks!" Its the same reason, for example, thta I watch The Biggest Loser- it makes me feel thin (until those bitches get smaller than me in the final weeks or the season in which case I pray for their failure evidenced by humiliating update videos). Reality TV, in general, is geared toward making us, as viewers, feel good about ourselves. Your mom (or therapist) may tell you over and over "Stop complaining ! You've got it alot better than some people!" Now, thanks to TV we can check our local listings and, several times a week, tune in to gawk at people whose homes are messier than ours, who look worse in a bathing suit than we do, and who drink a hell of alot more than we do (Intervention on A&E). Relax, chugging down 5 beers during the game on Saturday is FIIIIIIIIINE! And if you don't get around to cleaning up the empty bottles for a day or two RELAX, at least you don't have any poop or dead animals on your floor. WIN!

Vampires are Stupid

2009-11-18T09:28:00.001-05:00

I am constantly criticized by friends who see my absolute refusal to watch certain TV shows and movies as closed-minded and ridiculous. My all-out ban on fantasy-themed storylines, however, can be easily explained and justified. Are you ready?

I simply have no attention span for shit that can’t happen in real life.That’s it.

I feel like storylines rooted in elements of science fiction and fantasy waste my time. I have an imagination of my own. I do not need to see impossible scenarios portrayed with an ironic air of realism. I can dream very clear images of fantasy on my own, and they’d be far better than what’s on TV because they would star ME achieving all of my wildest dreams- not just glamorized characters that pop culture has decided should be regarded as chic and interesting for the moment. In no version of reality do beings with elongated eye teeth shop openly in grocery stores where they are accepted as functioning yet undead members of society. In my opinion, tales that veer this far from plausible life have no place in live action television. This is not to say that I watch only CNN and NatGeo. I watch ridiculous comedies regularly. I am big fan of both intelligent comedy (30 Rock) as well as imbecilic, borderline offensive humor (poop jokes on SNL). Further, my affinity for LOST may seem even more hypocritical of my above position, but this too I can explain. I allowed myself to become "involved" in the LOST plot line early on, when I believed it was a plausible plane crash/ castaway story. I despise the elements of LOST that make it veer from reality, namely the inexplicable smoke monster. However, I do believe the creators of LOST have done a brilliant job of logically explaining the reasons behind the island’s eccentricities. They are all rooted in science, and the fact that I am not well-versed in the laws of physics or any highly technical scientific theories, I believe it. Time travel possible because of a high magnetic charge in a uniquely polarized part of the Earth? Sure, I’ll buy it. I do know enough about humans to know that drinking blood will not cause the aging process to stop or cause one to live for hundreds of years, however, and even if there were, the rest of us with a finite life span would certainly not embrace these "people" or be cool with sitting next to one while getting our Saturday afternoon pedis.

I also believe there is something to be said for allowing my brain to relax & switch to auto pilot while my eyes glaze over and I sit in a near catatonic state while bright flashing images of Tom and Jerry roll across my TV screen. That is what REAL cartoons (those created to stimulate the growing minds of children) are for. For the record, I also dislike animated sit-coms because they have polluted an innocent genre by being erroneously lumped together with the brilliant art form cultivated by the likes of Walt Disney and Warner Brothers.

So, perhaps my reasoning is flawed, and perhaps I am completely inconsistent in casting my judgment upon televised media, but I don’t think I am. Vampires are stupid.

Magical Morning Show

2009-11-10T10:23:00.003-05:00

If you’ve met me at least once, or if you’ve even caught a whiff of my presence on the internet, you have been made aware of the fact that I am obsessed with music. Not only am I obsessed with music, but I emote to a ridiculous degree when I listen to it. On a daily basis, the sounds that are constantly pumped into my ears cause me to moan, shriek, shout, sing, fist-pump, sway, and generally behave like a mental patient. It’s what I do: my thing.

Anyway, by the grace of God about a year ago, I stumbled upon the kexp morning show, hosted by John Richards. I am not otherwise a morning person. Each day as I set out to a less-than-desirable job in less-than-comfortable business casual attire, my head is filled with evil and malicious thoughts and feelings toward fellow New York City commuters on the subway, resentment toward my failed career aspirations, and a general sense of woe-is-me-ness. Al most nothing can snap me out of this brow-furrowing funk- ALMOST! The kexp morning show has accomplished the most impossible of missions, however. A magical man named John Richards (and occasionally Troy Nelson) has not only managed to make my mornings tolerable, but has given me a reason to (gasp) look forward to the earliest part of my day!

John’s morning show consists of a brilliant mix of independent music, new and old, as well as choice tracks from main stream musical acts spanning multiple musical eras. That bland description, however, does not do justice to the ingeniously crafted combination of music that this man puts together every morning, which, collectively, have had the effect of making me weep on more than one occasion. When John played Otis Redding’s “Ive Been Loving You too Long”, per my e-mailed request, my chest tightened and my throat went into spasm. Just last week I was compelled to send emails to my closest friends begging for their emotional support when I heard Pearl Jam’s “Black”, Dolly Parton’s “In the Ghetto”, and Iron and Wine in the same set.

Co-workers have seen me thrust my rolling desk chair back into the wall, throw my arms up in the air emphatically and bury my face in my hands on multiple occasions from the hours of 9am-12pm. This show is no joke. This radio show possesses the magical power to simultaneously weaken, yet empower me. Although I drink a huge cup of coffee and shit-ton of water when I get to work every morning, I rarely use the bathroom, for fear that I’ll miss one of the gems that John has plucked from the recesses of his collection, and offered up buffed and gleaming for me to adore.

“My God, YES! ‘Touch Me Pt. 2’, by My Morning Jacket was EXACTLY what I needed to hear right now- today in this moment! How did you know?!?!”

“Sweet mother of mercy, I did not realize how deeply and profoundly ‘Playground Love’ by Air would affect me on this Wednesday morning!”

Dear John Richards: I hope you do not think me creepy for loving your show so deeply. Please continue to make my mornings bright, when the rest of the world seems intent upon casting shadows over me.

Dear World: If you have not already, I implore you to visit kexp.org and listen to 91.5 in New York or 90.3 in Seattle. Please also make donations because this station is powered by listener contributions. If this station- this morning- show were to cease to exist, I am certain that a tiny piece of me would also. Good day, Talia

Indefinite Hiatus!

2009-09-01T09:27:00.002-04:00

Hey Everyone,

I'm sure you have noticed that I have not posted in a loooong loooong time! Well, that's because I'm super busy, and I just don't have the time or attention to devote to my beloved blog right now.

I am not saying that this is the end of AccordingtoTalia, BUT I'm just saying I'll prob be taking a break for a little while.

If you miss me, you can always follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/TaliaEsq, which I update pretty regularly still due to the ease and convenience of mobile tweeting! Fear not, dear Internet, you have NOT seen (read) the last of me!

Until we meet again....

Love,
Talia

Back from Bonnaruuuuuuce!

2009-06-16T22:54:00.002-04:00

Hiyo! I'm back from Bonnaroo. I have been in 5 states in the past 24 hours...had lots of travel woes, but as expected, the festival was AMAZING!

I have to pretend to assimilate back into the real world now, but as soon as I get a free minute, I'll tell you all about my adventures in New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Tennessee and Michigan (and we flew!).

Bonnaruuuuuuce!

Pearl Jam Bonus Song on Conan

2009-06-06T00:40:00.002-04:00

Apparently after the cameras stopped rolling on Monday, Pearl Jam treated Conan's studio audience to a bonus performance of Neil Young's Rockin in the Free World. Sick solo, Mikey!

Pearl Jam with Conan and Andy

2009-06-06T00:24:00.004-04:00

The above photo (grabbed from RollingStone.com) shows a glowing Pearl Jam with Conan and Andy after the premier episode of the new Tonight Show this week. Looks like the boys are just as excited as I am about Backspacer (tentatively set to release on September 22)!

2009-06-02T22:10:00.003-04:00

There has been quite a bit of tug-of-war this week regarding Pearl Jam's secret show and early leaks of 1.) Confidential information regarding the Target deal and 2.) New Songs.

One fellow blogger (fuelfriendsblog) has had a very up close and personal head butting with Pearl Jam's people after posting, and subsequently removing a fan-made bootleg from the Showbox/ Target event, and has ultimately kissed and made up with the band (via its stern Representatives).

Read her insightful recount of the entire story here.

I feel you, sister. Thanks for being so open and honest about the situation for the rest of our enlightenment.

2009-06-02T07:16:00.005-04:00

Last night on Conan's first episode as host of The Tonight Show, Pearl Jam debuted another brand new song from their upcoming 9th studio album, "Backspacer". Earlier this week, internet buzz lashed out against PJ for hooking up with Target as a Corporate sponsor for the new album's release this fall, following a secret commercial/ Cameron Crowe video shoot at The Showbox, where the band played Something's Going On, for the first time in front of a live audience of "extras".

Personally, this week's events have made me even more excited about the release of Backspacer, and the upcoming tour dates to support it! I don't heart corporate sponsorship, but at least I am already a loyal Target Shopper. It could be worse. Hey, we're getting a new album! Can I really complain about that?

Eddie's got some, and oh boy, do I need it! :)

Get an audio rip of the Conan performance here before it disappears, via gremmie.net.

Pearl Jam's Relationship with Target Revealed

2009-06-01T20:00:00.004-04:00

Hey there. So here's the real scoop on the whole Pearl Jam/ Showbox/ Target Commercial deal, and what it means for the band and for us!

Repost from Billboard.com
Pearl Jam was indeed recording a Target commercial under the direction of Cameron Crowe last week at Seattle's Showbox theater, Billboard can confirm. But there's more to the story than an exclusive retail relationship.While it has been known that Pearl Jam are no longer under contract after 18 years of recording for Sony-affiliated labels, there has been only speculation about who would release their next album and how. Kelly Curtis, who has managed Pearl Jam since day one, conducted a wide-ranging interview with Billboard on Sunday night, confirming that the band's next release - rumored to be called "Backspacer" and currently scheduled for an early fall release - would come without a U.S. label, but a consortium of partners, including Target as the "big box" retail partner."We'll have a lot of partners," said Curtis, who confirmed that deals were also finished or in the works with an online retailer, a mobile partner, a gaming company and with a network or possibly networks of indie retail stores. "Target ended up allowing us to have other partners. We'll be able to take care of all levels of the Pearl Jam fan...We wish we could tell the whole story right now, but all the deals aren't done. Target was cool enough to realize that little independent record stores are not their competition." Curtis was also quick to note that the album would be for sale via Pearl Jam's fan club, Ten Club.

News of the Target commercial taping first broke last week on antiquiet.com, which is also hosting a bootleg recording from the Target taping of a song that Curtis confirmed was called "The Fixer." While a first single hasn't been definitively chosen from the new album yet, the song is in the running. An official first single will likely be released in July.Curtis said that the Target commercial was only one reason for the Showbox session; with singer Eddie Vedder on tour supporting his solo work for the next month, "we had a narrow window to get some footage," says Curtis. "We shot three or four songs that night." Curtis said that some of the footage may be used for a project that Cameron Crowe is working on in connection to the band's 20th anniversary.

Pearl Jam will play at least one new song tonight on the debut of "The Tonight Show" with Conan O'Brien. "That was booked months ago," said Curtis. "We didn't even know if the album was going to be finished when we booked it. It isn't like we're releasing a single after the show or anything." And while blogs are rampant with speculation that the band will play "The Fixer," Curtis said the band was still kicking around "two or three songs, all of them new" to perform.Curtis also confirmed that the band would tour to support this latest album, and that internationally, the album would be released via Universal Music Group."I make decisions around the band's business that are consistent with their overall philosophy," said Curtis, "which is to sell music in a way that's accessible and affordable to their fans, on every distribution platform that their fans access music, and in a way that takes care of the little guys."Everyone's making assumptions because Target is a big corporation," said Curtis. "Its important to remember we just got out of this 18 year relationship with Sony, and I'm pretty sure they are a bigger corporation than Target. We have the freedom to pick our partners and more control when we've ever had before. We're excited to choose who we're in business with."Curtis says it was important to him and to the band to redefine the notion of an "exclusive" retail partnership. "I appreciate the efforts of bands like AC/DC and Radiohead," says the manager, alluding to two of the bands that have self-released albums recently. "But I wanted our plan to be multi-dimensional to address old and modern ways of fans accessing music. It will allow all of our fans to have the same access."

"This is an ongoing experiment," said Curtis. "Every time we do something it's new for us, and were not trying to tackle the whole world at once. All we've been searching for forever is independence and control over our own stuff. The way of releasing records is changing every day. This is the best way we could do it ourselves in America. Right or wrong, we'll figure that out and make it better the next time."

Pearl Jam's Secret Showbox Show???

2009-05-29T20:14:00.005-04:00

Ok, Ok. I have decided to delete this post. It was removed from the place it originally appeared so I'll follow suit and do the same. Ya can't blame a girl for being excited about Pearl Jam, can you?

2009-05-29T11:40:00.000-04:00

Repost from PearlJam.com

PEARL JAM SCHEDULED AS MUSICAL GUEST FOR JUNE 1ST PREMIERE OF “THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH CONAN O’BRIEN”
05.18.09
Pearl Jam is scheduled to appear as the inaugural musical guest for the June 1, 2009 premiere of “The Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien.” The band will perform songs from their upcoming studio album.
Conan O'Brien, the dominant late-night host at 12:35 a.m. (ET) for the past 14 seasons, will succeed Jay Leno as host of the preeminent series on late-night television, NBC's "The Tonight Show," on June 1, 2009.
Please check local listings for air details.

Sunday Night Pearl Jam Night

2009-05-04T06:43:00.003-04:00

After watching a very special Pearl Jam- infused episode of Cold Case on CBS last night (the band licensed 16 songs to the series for the 2-part season finale), I finished off the night with a sweatty session of Pearl Jam rock band.

Our usual Sunday routine includes a full Ten-inspired set, playing every song on Ten in the order in which they appear on the album's track list. Here's a little taste of Porch with me on guitar.

Pearl Jam to placy ACL 2009!

2009-04-28T10:15:00.003-04:00

Pearl Jam just announced that they will play this year's Austin City Limits Festival. I have always wanted to head down to Austin, so maybe I will this year! Other acts on the bill this year include Dave Mathews Band, Beastie Boys, Lily Allen and Kings of Leon.

It makes me very anxious when they announce their tour dates bit by bit like this. Give me a break fellas! Just tell me everything NOW!

More info from RollingStone.com

Pearl Jam Announces European Tour

2009-04-27T15:32:00.003-04:00

If anything could coax me out of my familiar and comfy United States it would be this, swine flu or no!

Repost from PearlJam.com
Pearl Jam European Tour Dates
04.27.09
Pearl Jam is bringing their music back to Europe and we have all the info you need to get Ten Club tickets. Starting August 13 in Rotterdam and ending August 18 in London, Pearl Jam will grace the stage in the following cities:
PEARL JAM IN EUROPE
Date - City - Venue
13 Aug - Rotterdam - Ahoy
15 Aug - Berlin - Wulheide
17 Aug - Manchester - MEN Arena
18 Aug - London - 02 Arena

TiMER at Tribeca Film Festival

2009-04-27T00:17:00.005-04:00

I just got back from the Tribeca Film Festival premier of TiMER, and as I expected, I absolutely loved it! I was very much surprised to discover that this is the first feature film for writer/ director Jac Schaeffer. Not only was the movie well-written and beautifully executed, but I found so many aspects of the movie totally relatable and that always helps. First of all, the story follows the main character, Oona(played by Emma Caulfield)- a 29-year old successful Orthadontist due to turn 30 in January- on her quest to find out, definitively, whether her soul mate exists, or if she is doomed to live a loveless existance. The twist is that in the universe of the movie, a device has been invented which, if implanted into the wrist of a person, will count down to the exact moment that you will meet your soulmate- that is if your soul mate also has the device implanted into his/her wrist. These devices have become so popular that virtually everyone in the world has them, except of course for old people and skeptics. Once your eyes meet the person that is your "one" your timer zeros out and you are destined to live happily ever after

Oona goes about her daily life with a blank timer on her wrist, searching for potential soul mates in the remaining few eligible bachelors left on the planet who do not have a timer (hoping that once they get one, hers will zero out, and she will have found her life companion). Until one day she meets a disheveled 22-year old grocery clerk/ drummer from Michigan (Played by John Patrick Amedori, a dead ringer for James Franco) who has no effect on her timer, but changes her entire perception of how she should be living her life.

With a topic as cliche as true love and soul mates, and a soggy genre such as the romantic comedy, this film had every opportunity to become generic and predictable, but it absolutely did not! The dialogue was witty and the storyline was clever. Yes, the story taught us a lesson in love but there was no corny moment at the end where the male and female leads ride off together into the sunset. The plot twists surprisingly reflected a harsh reality more than I would have expected for a movie with such a far-fetched premise, and I found that to be refreshing. The movie drove home the fact that love cannot be forced and is often hard to recognize or fit neatly into a little box that you can lock up tight and keep safe for all eternity.

The cherry on top of this spectacular treat, for me, was the use of the song Trapeze Swinger, as performed by Iron and Wine, in the final scene of the movie. I absolutely love this song, and if I wasn't already in love with this movie, I would have been as soon as I heard it played over the credits!

I would give TiMER 2 enthusiastic thumbs up!

My Hot List for TFF 09

2009-04-21T09:36:00.005-04:00

Upon initial review of the films at TFF 09, these are the ones I'd really like to see the most. I usually prefer documentaries and comedies, so it should come as no surprise that those are the films I've chosen for my Hot List. TiMER is the one I am most excited about! It's a chick flick for sure, but comes off (at least in the trailer) as clever and funny in the way it demonstrates female fears and insecurities when it comes to love. If you're interested in P-Star Rising, be aware that there is a special outdoor screening which includes a live performance by the film's 9-year-old rap star! Horray for Tribeca Film Festival 2009!!

A Matter of Size (foreign, comedy)
Cast & Credits
Primary Cast: Itzik Cohen, Irit Kaplan, Dvir Benedek, Alon Dahan, Levana Finkelstein, Togo Igawa Directors: Erez Tadmor, Sharon Maymon Screenwriters: Sharon Maymon, Danny Cohen-Solal Producers: Chilik Michaeli, Avraham Pirchi, Tami Leon, Daniel Bauer, Oliver Simon Co-Producer: Antoine de Clermont-Torrenne Director of Photography: David Gurfinkel Editor: Einat Glaser-Zarhin
Program Notes
Herzl (Itzik Cohen) is an overweight, underemployed chef living at home with his mother in the Israeli city of Ramla. Unable to find a job cooking, he becomes a dishwasher at a Japanese restaurant. One day he notices his coworkers watching sumo wrestling on TV. To Herzl, sumo is a revelation, an escape from the dictatorship of diets espoused by his weight-loss group. With three hefty pals in tow, Herzl decides to pursue the sport where his size is an asset. Codirectors Erez Tadmor (Strangers, TFF '08) and Sharon Maymon (who also cowrote the script) have created a feel-good comedy reminiscent of crowd-pleasers like The Full Monty. The result is a sweet, touching, funny, and relatable story of self-acceptance and determination. Utilizing a talented and versatile group of actors, Tadmor, Maymon, and cowriter Danny Cohen-Solal give us a collection of extremely likable characters who realize that in both life and love, they'll only discover their greatest happiness by paying attention to what's inside and to the power of their individual spirits.--Aaron Dobbs

Timer (comedy)
Cast & Credits ****THIS IS THE ONE I AM MOST EXCITED TO SEE!!!
Primary Cast: Emma Caulfield, Michelle Borth, John Patrick Amedori, Desmond Harrington, JoBeth Williams, Kali Rocha Director: Jac Schaeffer Screenwriter: Jac Schaeffer Producer: Rikki Jarrett, Jac Schaeffer, Jennifer Glynn Director of Photography: Harris Charalambous Production Designer: Maya Sigel Original Music: Andrew Kaiser Editor: Peter Samet Sound Design: Joe Dzuban Associate Producer: Joshua Lee Huber
Program Notes
Finding true love is easier than ever thanks to a revolutionary bio-technological wrist implant called the TiMER, which counts down to the exact moment when people will lay eyes on their soul mates. Heartbreak is a malady of the past. Except that love-starved, pushin'-30 Oona's (Emma Caulfield, TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer) TiMER hasn't even started counting down—her destined "one" hasn't gotten himself hooked in just yet. All the people around her are literally set on their unshakable paths to true love, from her mom (who broke up with Oona's dad because he wasn't the "one"), her younger sister, and even her 13-year-old brother (who has to wait only a day). What's worse, Oona's falling for a barely twentysomething rocker (John Patrick Amedori, Gossip Girl) who is set to meet his true love in only four months. Oona finds that as she navigates the rocky waters of love, the same technology that is supposed to make life easier is the very device that makes it all messier. With heartfelt performances and quirky characters, newcomer Jac Schaeffer's smart and delightful romantic comedy leaves behind the burning question… "would you want to know?"--Roya Rastegar

The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia (documentary)
Cast & Credits
Director: Julien Nitzberg Producer: Storm Taylor Executive Producers: Johnny Knoxville, Jeff Tremaine, Priya Swaminathan, Jeff Yapp
Program Notes
Tucked deeply in the hills of the Appalachian Mountains, the White family lives an existence more like something out of the Wild West than modern-day rural America. The legendary family is known as much for their disturbing and excessive ways as they are for their famous mountain tap dancing legacy, which includes living legend Jesco White (star of the PBS documentary Dancing Outlaw). From MTV Studios and executive producers Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine (Jackass), this edgy and often hilarious look into a dying breed of American outcasts exposes the powerful forces of corruption, poverty, and West Virginia's environmentally and culturally devastating coal mining culture

Transcendent Man (documentary)- (*There was a recent Rolling Stone Article about Kurzweil's ideologies)
Cast & Credits
Director: Barry Ptolemy Producers: Barry Ptolemy, Felicia Ptolemy Executive Producers: Joe DiSanto, John Ramsay, Wren Waters, Doobie White, Drew Dowdle, John Erick Dowdle Composer: Philip Glass Editors: Meg Decker, Doobie White Director of Photography: Shawn Dufraine
Program Notes
Ray Kurzweil is one of the world's foremost inventors. At age 15 he was designing programs that were adapted by IBM and soon after machines that allowed the blind to read. Today he is hailed by some as a modern-day Nostradamus and dismissed by others as a crackpot. The "futurist" and best-selling author is a leading theorist on the "technological singularity"—a time when humans and machines will fuse in the next phase of bio-technological evolution, creating superintelligent, godlike beings that could conceivably live forever. The kicker is, Kurzweil claims that this monumental change is destined to happen in just 30 years. This mind-bending documentary probes the searing questions that have previously only been teased out in science fiction. Kurzweil is as convincing as he is entertaining even when he claims he is drastically extending his own life span and will bring his late father back to life with new technology in the future. First-timer Barry Ptolemy finds a wide range of interview subjects, from evangelists and "brain builders" to William Shatner and Stevie Wonder. Matching the pace of the world it describes, the film moves at breakneck speed, saturating us with ideas and locations and images and theories. Engrossing and at times seemingly absurd, Transcendent Man makes it hard not to wonder if Kurzweil may be splitting a bull's-eye too far away for us to see.

P-Star Rising (documentary/ discovery)
Cast & Credits
Primary Cast: Priscilla Star Diaz, Jesse Diaz, Solsky Diaz Director: Gabriel Noble Producer: Marjan Tehrani Editor: David Abelson Executive Producers: Ryan Harrington, Bob Alexander Director of Photography: Gabriel Noble Composers: Ion Furjanic & B.Satz All-Stars
Program Notes
In the early '80s, Jesse Diaz was a rising star in the hip-hop world. Now he's a broke single father living in a Harlem shelter with two children to support. But Jesse finally finds a shot at redemption in his nine-year-old daughter Priscilla, a precocious and immensely talented rapper. With older daughter Solsky the family's quiet cheerleader, Jesse and Priscilla look to parlay "P-Star's" talent into victory for the whole family. And that means long rehearsals, late nights, and home schooling for the growing girl. But as Priscilla's star really begins to rise, it'll tax all the relationships in her life and test Jesse in ways he never expected. Director Gabriel Noble follows four years of father-daughter ups and downs as they navigate the grit and the glamour of the music biz. From sit-downs with image consultants to the elation of spending that big signing bonus, Priscilla always remains a magnetic figure with a resolve and way of talking that belies her young age. Though Jesse, for better or worse, remains the rock in their lives, an emotional attempt to track down the girls' mother is threaded throughout the film. "She became a crackhead," Priscilla says, blasé. "Things happen, you know." --Sara Nodjoumi

2009 Lollapalooza Lineup Announced

2009-04-21T08:33:00.004-04:00

This year's Lollapalooza lineup is an obvious throw back to my favorite musical era: the 90s! Sure, no 90s-themed lineup is complete without Pearl Jam, but this August, Grant Park will host bands/ artists (some, I am aware, were formed in the 80s, but were also prominent in the 90s) including Depeche Mode, Jane's Addiction, Tool, Beastie Boys, and Snoop Dogg! Other exciting acts on the roster include Gomez, Bon Iver, Santigold, Dan Auerbach, and Glasvegas. I have not made a decision as to whether I will attend this year (still waiting on a Pearl Jam tour announcement) but I know it will be a blast!

Lollapalooza Lineup 2009 from C3 Presents Video on Vimeo

Its Tribeca Film Festival Week!

2009-04-21T08:29:00.002-04:00

Unfortunately, I am not able to volunteer this year since I have a weird/ crazy schedule, but I do intend to see some movies this weekend! Check it out and support my favorite film festival :)

Pearl Jam Playing San Fran in August

2009-04-13T11:30:00.002-04:00

Repost from RollingStone.com:
Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and the Beastie Boys will headline this year’s Outside Lands Festival on August 28-30th at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. M.I.A., Modest Mouse, the Mars Volta, TV on the Radio, the Dead Weather, Mastodon, Ween, Thievery Corporation, Incubus and Jason Mraz round out the fest’s initial lineup. Pre-sale tickets start Wednesday, April 15th.

Barring an unexpected tour announcement, the headlining set will mark Pearl Jam’s first U.S. concert since their July ‘08 show at New York’s Madison Square Garden, and their first major festival appearance since Bonnaroo ‘08. The opposite can be said for the Beastie Boys, who seem to be playing every major summer festival this year, including Bonnaroo, All Points West and, reportedly, Lollapallooza. Dave Matthews Band’s involvement at Outside Lands comes as no surprise, as the group’s August 29th show in San Francisco was listed as “TBA” when his summer tour was announced in mid-February. The headliners were revealed in an advertisement on the San Francisco Gate page, with the rest of the initial lineup expected to be announced later today on the Outside Lands’ official site. No word whether Outside Lands will join their fellow festivals in providing a incremented payment plan for ticket buyers. Last year’s Outside Lands featured headliners Radiohead, Tom Petty and Jack Johnson with an under card of Wilco, Beck, Ben Harper and many more taking the stage at the enormous, wooded Golden Gate Park.
Source

Eddie Vedder Solo Tour Announced

2009-04-08T14:22:00.001-04:00

These are the dates that were just announced on PearJam.com!

Questions can be directed to tickets@tenclub.net or 800-724-8038
Ed Vedder Solo Tour Dates:
* Indicates unconfirmed, possible "rollover" dates.
** No kama'aina discount
Jun 8 - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre
Jun 9* - Albany, NY - Palace Theatre
Jun 11 - Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
Jun 12 - Philadelphia, PA - Tower Theatre
Jun 14 - Baltimore, MD - Lyric Opera House
Jun 15 - Baltimore, MD - Lyric Opera House
Jun 18 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
Jun 20 - Memphis, TN - Orpheum
Jun 21* - Memphis, TN - Orpheum
Jun 23 - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Ctr
Jun 24* - Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Ctr
Jun 29** - Maui, HI - Arts & Cultural Ctr - Castle Theatre
Jul 1** - Honolulu, HI - Hawaii Theatre Ctr
Jul 2** - Honolulu, HI - Hawaii Theatre Ctr

Adam Lambert is pretty amazing

2009-04-08T12:16:00.003-04:00

I love Adam Lambert. He's unique, he's a little nuts, he's androgynous, and he has blue eyes, but best of all, he can sing!

Last night on Idol, Lambert sang Tears for Fears' Mad World, released in 1982, which was the year the contestant was born. The performance, which I thought was executed perfectly, and was super hot, even brought skeptical Simon Cowell to his feet in a standing ovation! Yay Adam Lambert!

More Eddie Vedder Solo Shows

2009-04-08T11:06:00.003-04:00

It's been hinted on the Pearl Jam message board today that more Eddie Vedder solo shows will be announced imminently, and that tickets will go on sale, for fan club members tomorrow.

I doubt he's doing the east coast again, but it would be nice. A spot at Bonnaroo would be glorious!

Repost from the message pit:
"A little birdy few by our window tweeting very timely news. You might want to be hanging around tomorrow because birds like to fly into the wild in single pairs and single pairs only... you know? Be sure your Ten Club memberships are up-to-date as of today or come tomorrow you'll be one blue bird singing a sad song. You can log into your accounts from the main page on www.pearljam.com to make sure your ducks are in a basket and eggs in a row.... errr, meaning your membership is current, address correct, and such."

Getting Old

2009-04-07T13:29:00.002-04:00

Despite my best efforts, I am very sad to report that I am, in fact, aging. I slop numerous creams and potions onto my face and body several times a day, avoid the sun like a vampire, and take vitamins religiously, and yet the tiny lines and grey hairs penetrate my best defenses and rear their ugly heads on my ugly head. Thank God for makeup and hair dye. I'll have to use more of thee.

Another way in which it has become increasingly apparent to me that I am no longer on the good end of "youth" is in my knee-jerk responses to things people say or do. I have developed a maternal concern toward everyone in my friend and family extended network, often urging them to wear a coat, apply sun screen, or stand farther away from the subway platform, even if they have not specifically sought my advice on these matters.

Also, my priorities have shifted from the mundane and superficial musings of my college days to (gasp) political and cultural awareness. For an example, note the following conversation I had today, via text message, with my 20-year-old cousin, who is currently a apple-cheeked, whipper-snapper college student:

20-YEAR-OLD: My roomate is so mad at me because I went to a different house party last night.
ME: That is a stupid thing for her to be mad about. Tell her to direct her unfounded anger at North Korea for test launching nuclear misiles!
20-YEAR-OLD: She is too stupid to know what that means.

What? I thought that was a completely good "burn" for one roomate to use against another who has foolishly misdirected her energy. I guess not so much. Alas, I can no longer jive with the young folk or get jiggy with the cool dudes. I am 29. I am lawyer. Now, to get to work on that time machine.....

LETS GO SPARTANS!!!

2009-04-06T11:25:00.002-04:00

I am so nervous today, I cannot see straight! I need Michigan State to beat UNC tonight for the NCAA Championship. The entire state of Michigan needs this win. The final four games, held at Detroit's Ford Field, are bringing not only commerce into a bruised and broken city, but a much needed sense of pride and celebration. I know it can happen because I've seen it! Izzo is the best coach in basketball (I know, bold statement, but I am confident in my accuracy). If any team can come back to beat a team they lost to by 35 points back in December, it would be the Michigan State Spartans, under the miraculous guidance of Coach Tom Izzo. Don't believe me? Watch the game tonight at 9:21 pm.

BEAT! UNC tonight!

GO GREEN!! GO WHITE!! GO STATE!!

Johnny Depp + Spongebob = Mind Explosion!

2009-04-03T12:58:00.004-04:00

Good morning, boys and girls! This morning I discovered that two of my favorite things (I have many) will be combining to create a small television miracle. In addition to the fact that he is gorgeous, Johnny Depp is, in my opinion, a phenomenal actor who continues to chose challenging roles (Benny & Joon, Edward Scissorhands) that define him as one of the best in his field.

Completely unrelated to my appreciation for Johnny Depp, I also am a huge fan of cartoons. NOT the kind that are made for adults (Simpsons, Family Guy) but the whimsical, nonsensical-yet-clever children's cartoons that are played on Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, and Boomerang. There is something comforting about plopping down on the couch and allowing your eyes and your mind to glaze over as you stare blankly at a screen full of brightly-colored, rapidly-moving images accompanied by a musical score which often would be brilliant on its own. When I watch cartoons, I suddenly revert to the Talia of yore- without looming bills, job anxiety, or cramps. This is a cozy little place in the recess of my mind and anyone who has ever witnessed me watch late night Boomerang can attest to the transformation. It is very real...

Anyway, I digress....What I am trying to tell you is that Johnny Depp is scheduled to make a guest appearance on Spongebob Squarepants this month, and I can hardly contain my excitement! I cannot wait to see how they portray that sexy pout on a fishy avatar! This is further proof of why Johnny Depp does, and always will, hold a special place in my heart! Bravo!

The Ugly Side of Freedom

2009-04-02T23:02:00.002-04:00

Ok, so...one of the side effects of being a self-started entertainment lawyer is that you have a bit of down time. You know, until like, U2 calls and asks me for some trademark advice.

Anyway, I have been on "spring break" this week, which involved the world's best hot stone massage, a mani/ pedi, washing the living room floor, lots of laundry, and of course hanging out in record stores. Whenever I bring home a choice piece of vinyl, I pop that sucker on the turntable and give er a spin. Usually what ensues thereafter is a combination of off-key singing at the top of my lungs, and some dancing that only a mother could be proud of.

For whatever reason I decided to document the first few moments I spent at home with my Marvelettes anthology. I'm a big Motown fan.... Um, enjoy?

Kate Moss singing on new Lemonheads Album?!

2009-03-31T23:19:00.003-04:00

Ok, this is weird. Apparently Kate Moss and Liv Tyler will be contributing vocals to the new album by the Lemonheads, entitled Varshons! Ummm, so not only does Kate strictly date rock stars, but apparently she wants to be one too?! Very weird. I still heart the Lemonheads, so I'm curious to have a listen!

Read more HERE from Nylon Magazine

Songs about me

2009-03-24T23:18:00.004-04:00

Ok, maybe not a song about ME, per se....

Have you heard of the band, Gomez? I can't say that I'm super familiar with their music, especially considering the fact that they've been putting out albums since 1998 and I only just heard of them recently. BUT, what I DO know is the following:
1. They're from the UK
2. They're about to release a brand new album called A New Tide
3. They're slated to perform on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon next Tuesday, March 31
4. They have a song on A New Tide called "Win Park Slope "
5. I LIVE IN PARK SLOPE! (which happens to be the most wonderful place to live on Earth)

Therefore, I now LOVE Gomez! Check em out (esp the Park Slope song):
gomeztheband.com
myspace.com/gomez

FUNNY TIME!

2009-03-22T23:02:00.004-04:00

The time has come, once again, for me to hit the stage at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City. With the help of my improv 301 group, I will be performing a completely improvised Harold (or making a valiant attempt) on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 1:15 pm.

If you would like to laugh at me (either because I am genuinely funny, or because I am bombing on one of the most famed improv stages in the city) please come down and see the show! Either way, the laughter is encouraging for me.

UCB Theater is located at 307 W 26th Street (& 8th Ave), behind Gristedes. Hope to see you there :)

Dead and Gone

2009-03-21T13:12:00.006-04:00

I have a love/ hate relationship with Justin Timberlake. The boy churns out the kind of summertime groove-tastic hits that I sometimes feel are the only device with the power to prevent me from staying in a bad mood for more than 3 hours (love), but noone can deny that his ascott-clad bony ass reeks with over-indulgent ego (hate).

Ok, so maybe he's a highly-accessorized BoBo Cheese, but I am seriously digging his collabo with TI in Dead and Gone. JT's soulful hook provides a song-saving oasis of much needed groove from TI's long-winded, but honest, rhymes. Whatever the recipe, I'm into it, enough so to share it with you:

Rainy Day Music

2009-03-19T14:21:00.002-04:00

It is a grey and gloomy day today in New York City, so I decided to make a list of appropriate music for the day:

Talia's Top 5 Rainy Day Songs
1. Riders on the Storm, The Doors
2. No Rain, Blind Mellon
3. November Rain, Guns N Roses
4. Rain O'er Me, The Who (and subsequently Pearl Jam)
5. High and Dry, Radiohead (ok this one's a stretch)

And because Thom's voice fits perfectly with the sullen mood that drips from the city streets today, here's a video of Radiohead performing High and Dry on The Tonight Show in 1996:

Eddie Vedder to Honor Pete Seeger at MSG!

2009-03-18T16:00:00.003-04:00

Whoa baby! Looks like the love of my life will be in NY two months in a row! I told you I was lucky :) Now....to get INTO the show.....

Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Eddie Vedder to Help Celebrate Pete Seeger’s 90th

Repost from Rollingstone.com

Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, Eddie Vedder, Tom Morello and dozens of other musicians will help Pete Seeger celebrate his 90th birthday May 3rd, during a concert at Madison Square Garden. The concert — which will also feature performances of the folk icon’s songs by Warren Haynes, Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Emmylou Harris and Kris Kristofferson — will benefit the Clearwater organization, organizers announced this morning.
“It’s a huge honor,” Seeger told Rolling Stone. “Normally, I don’t ever go in for big things. Bruce [Springsteen] had to persuade me to go down to Washington; and Clearwater had to persuade me to do Madison Square Garden.” In 2006, Springsteen released We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, a collection of folk songs made famous by Seeger. The pair was also joined by Seeger’s grandson for a performance of “This Land Is Your Land” as part of President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremonies in January. The show will also reunite Seeger with Joan Baez, who also performed with him at the inauguration ceremonies, and sat down for an RS interview earlier this year.
The banjo-slinging activist singer-songwriter founded Hudson River Sloop Clearwater in 1969 to help trigger a cleanup of the Hudson River, which for decades has been polluted by cancer-causing PCBs. Seeger lives in Dutchess County, New York, not far from the river. Ticket prices will range from $19.19 (the year Seeger was born) to $250 with a majority priced at $90 to honor Pete’s milestone. Additional ticket information can be found at the Clearwater Concert Website.

GOOD NEWS!!

2009-03-16T21:30:00.003-04:00

Hi Hi everyone! I have some fantastical music news today:

1.) I have purchased my Bonnaroo ticket, and will most definitely be getting dirt under my toenails in Manchester, TN this June with Bruce, Trent, Ad Rock, and many more!! I heart summertime :)

2.) I am this close to getting an all expense paid FREE trip to Coachella, in Indio CA, courtesy of 101.9RXP in New York. I qualified for the drawing tonight, and we'll know for sure on Friday at 5pm, whether I'm the grand prize winner. Tune in to congratulate me. I AM feeling lucky :-D

Blue Monday

2009-03-16T09:58:00.000-04:00

Why so blue, panda bear? This should cheer you up! Happy Monday!

Okkervil River Calling and Not Calling My Ex (Live at Maps)

2009-03-11T11:28:00.003-04:00

SXSW is on the horizon, and so I feel it appropriate to share a video of my favorite song by Austin, TX indie folk band, Okkervil River. Singer/ Songwriter Will Sheff has an uncanny ability to write songs that, combined with his smooth vocals that beg for head nodding sympathy, hit us all in the collective junk. This song became permanantly lodged in my noggin after gaining heavy rotation on Sirius XMU (like every half hour), so if you're a listener, you're already familiar.
Click here for lyrics

Props to all you lucky SOBs that are heading down to Austin for this month's festivities, but Okkervil River is playing Bonnaroo (and Coachella)this year, so ptttthhhh! Get sweatty for me in the Lone Star State, will ya? We'll link up at 'Roo in Manchester later, yeah?

Gaslight Anthem covers Pearl Jam

2009-03-09T23:38:00.003-04:00

I usually hate when other bands cover Pearl Jam songs, but this one ain't half bad! In fact, I sorta want to make kissing with this Brian Fallon dude!

Here's State of Love and Trust, as covered by dirrty Jerz's own Gaslight Anthem:

Chinese buses, drag queens and time travel!

2009-03-09T22:23:00.007-04:00

We east coast free spirits (without cars) must find creative and affordable ways to travel from point A to point B. Some rent cars, some take trains, and the really really cheap ones (myself included) take creepy buses, driven by Chinese immigrants from Chinatown in lower Manhattan to Chinatown in Boston, Philadelphia, and DC.

I braved the roadways this past weekend, and caught the funny bus to DC. The trip down was rather uneventful. Aside from the cramped quarters and rude passengers who occasionally spoke loudly on cell phones. I listened to music, snoozed, gazed out the window, and soon enough found myself in "The District" ready to party.

My visit would be a short but memorable one, filled with beer, surprise appearances, time machines (sorta literally), more beer, the worlds slowest sushi, and green wigs. While participating in an early St. Patrick's day pub crawl in Old Town Alexandria, a place known for its old fashioned buildings and general quaint appearance, I came face to face with the Delorean- from Back to the Future. For real. It was parked in the middle of a closed street as part of a gimmick, and shone in all its 1985 glory! I must have stepped inside and dialed myself away because the weekend seemed to effortlessly transport me backward in time and space as I looked into faces I had not seen in years and spent time with old friends as if the passing years had been mere minutes instead. Remarkable, actually.

Anyway, my weekend ended on Sunday afternoon, when I boarded the same Chinatown bus back to New York, with an interesting group of teenage, gangsta, drag queens. Believe me, dear reader, I do not exaggerate. These gir- uh, guys(?) were unique to say the least. One of them, the one with the rather attractive blond and black weave, went by the moniker, Vuitton- as in Louis Vuitton, I would presume. Anywhoo, these queens were loud, sometimes funny, but completely undesired by me, as I had not slept well in over a week, was hungover as all hell, and wanted to get the eff back to my beautiful New York City! As if just being in the presence of a group of rowdy queens was not annoying enough, with their constant obnoxious and lude comments spoken very deliberately loudly enough for all passengers to hear, I was in for quite a treat!

Not only did my trusty Chinese bus make an unannounced stopover in Philadelphia, but, halfway through the trip it started to experience some transmission troubles, grinding to an abrupt halt just inside the state limits of New Jersey. Can you imagine what a loud, uninhibited group of drag queens would have to say in the face of adversity such as this?! They took turns making racial slurs against the entire population of China, and marching up and down the aisle, demading answers. The bus became chaos! Another woman, began pounding her fist on the bus window to get the attention of the driver who, unable to speak English, left us all to guess what the hold up was, and stood outside smoking cigarettes. The tall, crazy-haired man sitting in front of her became quickly annoyed and, made matters worse by telling the woman that her knocking was unnecessary and "unprofessional". Other passengers were required to break up the shouting match that ensued, and was punctuated by shouts and cat calls from the queens sitting in the back.

How did I end up here!? What could I do? Laugh! The whole chaotic mess was supremely hilarious- hightened by my dreamy recipe of nostalgic content, sleep deprivation, and increased blood alcohol level. At any rate, I passed the nearly two hours it took us, sitting on the side of the NJ Turnpike waiting for a new bus, by giggling like an asshole and texting the play by play to eager friends. When our new bus arrived, there were conveniently not enough seats for us all, and two of the queens were asked to sit on over-turned buckets in the aisle! Oh boy! They began threatening law suits, and shouting insults at the bus driver, who brushed them off and got us on the road without missing a beat (I believe they stood the entire remainder of the trip instead of sitting on the buckets). Buckets! How perfectly glorious! When we finally arrived in NYC, the queens stormed out of the bus in a flurry of screeches and thrown water bottles. I busted the heck out of there as quickly as possible, still smiling from my experience.

Will I take the Chinese bus again? Damn skippy! Its the cheapest way to get around, and full of unscripted "real" life entertainment. I highly recommend it! Now, where do you suppose I can rent me one of those Deloreans??? ;)

New NKOTB Video!

2009-02-23T17:54:00.002-05:00

Ok, so I am warning you in advance that NKOTB's "2 in the Morning" isn't the best song in the world. Nor is the video a work of cinematic genius, BUT Jordan is hot, and that's all that really matters at the end of the day, right?

Happy Birthday Kurt

2009-02-20T10:33:00.002-05:00

Today would have been Kurt Cobain's 42nd birthday, so to pay tribute to a beautiful, yet tortured mind and soul, we should all put our Nirvana albums on repeat, break out the Unplugged DVDs and throw on our most comfy and worn out flannel shirts after work.

While you're at happy hour tonight, do me a favor and toast one to Kurt. I'll do the same!

Brother New York Radio Debut!

2009-02-17T07:11:00.004-05:00

Hey everyone. Sorry for the late notice (I had to work all weekend) but I would like to implore you all to tune into either 92.3 Krock or 101.9 RXP in New York TODAY at exactly 10am to hear the New York radio debut of Pearl Jam's "Brother". The track, which any REAL Pearl Jam fan is already familiar with, has never been released to the public until now. Pearl Jam has decided to release, "Brother", originally penned before the the 1991 release of Ten, leading up to the 20th anniversary of Ten.

If you're not in New York, don't worry. This is a countr- wide campaign, so your local rock station is likely doing the same thing today. Or, you could always listen online (see links above)!

Happy Brother Day! :)

Eddy Vedder singing karaoke in Arizona

2009-02-06T22:18:00.004-05:00

Apparently Eddie Vedder found himself in the Best Western in Mesa, Arizona, while he was in town to see the Cubs' 2009 Fantasy Camp, and ended up singing a few karaoke tunes with the other patrons in the bar!

This is what we all dream of, right? Can you imagine?! "Hi, I'm Ed. Can I sing too?" *SWOON*

He really IS just Ed in a bar!

2009 Bonnaroo Lineup Announced

2009-02-03T13:53:00.004-05:00

The 2009 Bonnaroo lineup has been announced and I am pleased to see that there are SEVERAL very very VERY good bands playing! See you in Tennessee! (probably)

Eddie Vedder and Paul McCartney to play Radio City

2009-01-25T13:07:00.004-05:00

I, for one, would LOVE to attend!

Click HERE for tickets and more information on the David Lynch Foundation

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.

Pearl Jam Celebrates Obama in Seattle

2009-01-21T17:04:00.003-05:00

I'm not surprised that my liberal rock idols were celebrating the inauguration yesterday!

From RollingStone.com:

Eddie Vedder Joins John Doe and Exene Cervenka’s Knitters to Party for Obama in Seattle

1/21/09, 1:19 pm EST

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.

Ida Maria at Union Hall

2009-01-19T00:03:00.003-05:00

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

Thom Yorke Grammy Poster

2009-01-14T16:34:00.007-05:00

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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! :)

I'm so excited :)

Zep to Tour, Not so much Plant

2009-01-08T09:21:00.003-05:00

Repos from Spin.com :

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!"

Source

Whoa, if Chris Cornell toured with Led Zeppelin, I'd die, come back to life, quit my job, and go on tour!

Heeeeey.....

2009-01-07T09:03:00.000-05:00

My Open Bar in the NY Times!

2009-01-04T12:59:00.003-05:00

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.

By CARA BUCKLEY

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...

MMJ at MSG on NYE!

2009-01-03T13:35:00.004-05:00

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

You've been Facebook Served!

2008-12-25T11:49:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Here's an interesting story for you to read after you're all done opening presents!

Facebook 'Pokes' Can Be Used for Court Notification

By Declan McCullagh, cnet news

Facebook grew to more than 100 million users by providing a way for friends and family to keep in touch with one another. But few, if any, probably expected that their Facebook accounts offer lawyers a handy new way to tell them that they've been sued....

I LOVE The Onion!

2008-12-19T11:22:00.003-05:00

I LOVE THE ONION

Taco Bell Launches New 'Morning After' Burrito
March 12, 1997 Issue 31•09

PURCHASE, NY—Hot on the heels of last week's FDA approval, on Monday PepsiCo subsidiary Taco Bell launched its controversial "morning after" burrito, a zesty, Mexican-style entree that prevents unwanted pregnancies if ingested within 36 hours following intercourse....

READ MORE HERE

Flight of the Conchords Season 2 Web Premier!!!

2008-12-18T15:03:00.004-05:00

Hey y'all! If you've been dying, waiting for Brett and Jermaine to return for a long over due second season of Flight of the Conchords on HBO, your wait is over!! You can watch the season 2 premier episode NOW for FREE on FunnyorDie.com. The full season will begin on HBO early next year, but till then, chew on this:

Season 2 Online Premiere - Flight of the Conchords (US Only) - watch more funny videos

The Cure perform "Perfect Boy" on Leno

2008-12-18T14:44:00.005-05:00

I just saw this clip of The Cure performing "Perfect Boy", from their 2008 album, 4:13 Dream, on Jay Leno a few nights ago. I am happy to hear them sounding like The Cure of decades past, unlike their somewhat scream-y 2004 album. I've said it before and it remains true: The Cure gives me a little nostalgic lump in my throat, cementing their position as my #3 favorite band of all time.

SPIN.com ponders whether Pearl Jam has gained "Cult" status!

2008-12-18T10:39:00.002-05:00

Pearl Jam: Gods or a Cult?
As the flannel-clad rockers rerelease their classic 1991 debut album, SPIN's David Marchese considers the Vedhead legacy.
By David Marchese 12.12.08 3:03 PM

Dig out your flannel, Pearl Jam fans!

Word came this week that the band is readying a deluxe re-release package of their first album, 1991's Ten, which is set to include remixes, demos, vinyl LPs, live material, extended liner notes, and a pair of vintage Eddie Vedder jean shorts....

Read More

In My opinion, (that is why you're here isn't it?) Pearl Jam is a band that was at the forefront of an amazing and innovative musical movement in the 1990s which had the ability to capture the hearts and minds of devoted listeners who have, in turn, remained loyal to the band ever since. This is not to say that our (Pear Jam fans) behavior does not resemble cult behavior at times. We travel in herds, rely on each other for music-related guidance and advice, and are very much over protective of one another and our mutual cause (supporting Pearl Jam to the fullest extent of the concept ad infinitum).

10 Reasons its better NOT to have a date on NYE

2008-12-16T15:35:00.003-05:00

With New Year's Eve fast approaching, I am actually really excited about my plans for the first time in a very very long time. I'll be attending the My Morning Jacket concert at Madison Square Garden with friends, and I couldn't be happier! Every year it's always a big drawn out decision as to what to do, where, and with whom, and 99.9% of the time its a disappointing, expensive BUST! Not this year! My plans are fool proof! I have a feeling this is a strong indication that 2009 is going to be on the upswing for me. I have LOTS of great projects on the horizon for the new year, and I am feeling very positive about 2009 already.

So, in light of the above, I decided to compile a list of
10 reasons why its better to NOT have a "date" on New Year's Eve
10. No one rushing me along in my arduous “getting ready” process.
9. Pre-game consists of a bottle of Raspberry Vodka and soda. No questions. No complaints.
8. 1 less person to witness/ induce a crying fit in me.
7. No awkward pause when the waitress brings the check at dinner. I got this.
6. If I get the sudden urge to bolt from any place/ situation, I got no ‘splainin to do.
5. Bouncers are likely to let a single girl inside a crowded bar while couples are left to shiver in the line outside for hours, ringing in the new year, bum style on the street with a Poland Spring bottle full of clear contraband.
4. I don’t like people. Period.
3. I’ve seen what I look like when I wake up on New Year’s day. No one else needs to see that.
2. Champaign gives me gas.
1. More Totino's Pizza Rolls for me.

Lily Allen Covers Womanizer

2008-12-16T12:16:00.002-05:00

Its hard to believe that I actually hated this song when I first heard it, but as far as canned pop goes, this ditty just grows on you. And since everything sounds better with a British accent, I'm loving Lily Allen's cover of Womanizer, from Britney Spears' latest album, Circus.

Check it out below.

Pearl Jam Ten for Rock Band

2008-12-15T22:25:00.004-05:00

So, um...apparently 2009 is going to be the year of Ten...AGAIN! Rumors are buzzing around the interwebs that in March Rock Band will be coming out with a Pearl Jam, Ten edition!

That's right kids, soon you and your friends can pretend you ARE Pearl Jam, and play Ten from start to finish! It appears that all this merch hype is a way to stall and keep all of us ferocious fans that are foaming at the mouth busy while we wait for Pearl Jam to release it's 9th studio album. The boys are in the studio, and by the time our credit cards are maxed and our homes are filled with stick man hoodies and beautiful box sets, it will be time to buy tour tickets!! AAAhhhhhh!!!

What do normal people get excited about?

Hotness.

"Pearl Jam helped to define grunge, though many current-day gamers were just being born at the time. Now, Pearl Jam is reissuing its classic release, Ten, with the help of Rock Band. The Rock Band Music Store will release day-and-date with a broader reissue on March 24th, according to MTV Games unit Harmonix. Already, Rock Band 2 gamers have access to the track "Alive," though fans will soon be able to broaden their Pearl Jam play-along."
Source

Zach Galifianakis at 92Y Tribeca

2008-12-11T09:34:00.003-05:00

Here's something you learn as a true New Yorker: The ability to walk a mile in the dark rainy night, while simultaneously eating dinner and getting yourself ready to go out for the night!

Last night, after work, I walked from Wall Street to 92Y Tribeca to see comedian, Zach Galifianakis. I was craving falafel, so I stopped off for a pita sandwich on the way, and proceeded to scarf it down in motion, while dodging rain drops and traffic, so I would not be late to see my bearded pal.

After 2 funny opening acts (Lisa something and Kumal something) Zach swaggered out, scruffy and clad in various shades of corduroy, sat at the piano, and began to tell us a series of 1-liners, that even he had trouble delivering without involuntary giggles.

"So, I was walking my friend's dog, and it sucked because I was wearing my baloney shoes..."

He then, graced us with a display of some his infamous "characters" he has been working on such as

"The boy who is calling for his uncle upstairs, but is unaware that 2 minutes ago, his uncle has gone deaf".

"Uncle David?"
"Uncle David."
"Uncle David?"
"UNCLE DAVID!"
"Uncle David....."

After proclaiming about 15 minutes into his set, that he was bored with his material, he then climbed down into the cramped seating area and began nonchalantly interviewing random audience members, taking sips from their drinks, and handing out cash to those he thought needed it. Once he had had his way with the audience, he climbed back onto the stage with his button down shirt, almost completely opened and halfway untucked from his pants, revealing a swollen tummy, and at least half a glance of a nipple!

At one point a man called Bart came out onto the stage, and pulled down a projection screen, so that we could all watch one of Zach's webisodes of "Between Two Ferns" on YouTube. Later in the night, Zach invited Will Arnet out to ask him some questions, which delivered by the cocky actor, complimented ZG's self-depricating humor nicely!

"Besides your personality and your face, what else would you change about yourself?"

At no point in the evening was there any span of 60 consecutive seconds of silence, as audience members erupted in uproarious laughter every time the comedian raised an eyebrow or sighed clumsily into the microphone.

I don't know what it is about the man, but without doing much at all, he's painfully funny, and I love him!

Watch a sample of Zach's comedy (not from last night's performance) below.

Dancing Robot!

2008-12-10T16:19:00.003-05:00

Is this my long lost robot brother?? ;-)

PEARL JAM RE-ISSUES TEN!!!!

2008-12-10T10:31:00.005-05:00

OMG, my heart is racing and my hands can barely calm themselves down long enough to copy and paste this bulletin I just got! Pearl Jam plans to re-issue, their debut album, Ten in 2009!! This list of goodies makes my head spin!! UNPLUGGED and MOMMA-SON??? I'm gonna throw up! Seriously, I NEED AIR..........

PEARL JAM ANNOUNCES THE REISSUE OF BAND'S DEBUT ALBUM, TEN:FOUR SPECIAL EDITION PACKAGES IN STORES MARCH 24, 2009
PRE-SALE OF SUPER DELUXE EDITION BEGINS TODAY AT PEARLJAM.COM

Album extras found across the four editions of Ten include: Remaster of original Ten album + remix by producer Brendan O'Brien
• DVD of previously unreleased 1992 Pearl Jam MTV Unplugged performance with 5.1 surround sound audio remix
• LP of the band's 1992 "Drop in the Park" concert
• Replica of Pearl Jam three-song demo cassette with Eddie Vedder's original vocal dubs
• Recreation of Eddie Vedder composition notebook
• Never before seen memorabilia
• Bonus tracks and more.

SEATTLE – Ten, the debut album that sold 12 million copies and introduced the world to Pearl Jam in 1991, will be reissued in four (4) new and expanded editions. Pre-orders of the Super Deluxe Edition begin today, December 10, 2008, through the band's Ten Club at http://www.pearljam.com/, with all four editions available at retail on March 24, 2009. The reissue of Ten serves as the launch of a planned two-year catalogue re-release campaign leading up to the band's 20th anniversary in 2011.

Each Ten package will include two versions of the album: the remastered version of the original album PLUS an accompanying remixed version done by the band's long-time producer, Brendan O'Brien (Bruce Springsteen, AC/DC, Audioslave). Details on specific extras for each of the four packages are attached.

"The band loved the original mix of Ten, but were also interested in what it would sound like if I were to deconstruct and remix it," says producer Brendan O'Brien. "The original Ten sound is what millions of people bought, dug and loved, so I was initially hesitant to mess around with that. After years of persistent nudging from the band, I was able to wrap my head around the idea of offering it as a companion piece to the original – giving a fresh take on it, a more direct sound."

TEN RE-DESIGNPearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament, who served as the art director for the original Ten packaging, reprised his role for the reissues collaborating with designer, Andy Fischer, of Cameron Crowe's Vinyl Films (Into the Wild soundtrack LP, Vanilla Sky soundtrack LP, Harold and Maude anniversary edition soundtrack LP).
"The goal was to assemble the ultimate fan-piece," explains Fischer. "Something Pearl Jam lovers could pore over as they experience an indelible record all over again, in an entirely new way."

"The original concept was about really being together as a group and entering into the world of music as a true band...a sort of all-for-one deal," says Jeff Ament. "There were some elements of the original Ten artwork that didn't turn out the way we had hoped, due to time constraints. With this reissue, we've been able to take our time and invest resources into making the design the way we had originally intended."

REPLICA OF PEARL JAM THREE-SONG DEMO CASSETTE IN SUPER DELUXE EDITIONIn the process of digging through his archives for this project, Ament came across an old cassette marked "Momma-Son" – the fabled original Pearl Jam demo tape featuring the first recorded versions of "Alive," "Once" and "Footsteps." Ament and guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready had recorded instrumental tracks of these songs to help solicit a singer for their newly formed band. Mutual friend - and then Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer - Jack Irons suggested they send the tape down to San Diego surfer and little-known singer Eddie Vedder. Completely inspired by what he heard from these musicians that he then only knew by name, Vedder quickly wrote lyrics, put these vocals to the music tracks and shipped the tape back to Seattle. Upon hearing how Vedder had transformed the songs, Ament, Gossard and McCready asked him to come up to Seattle so they could meet and have an official "tryout" together. Shortly thereafter, Pearl Jam was born. (A replica of the "Momma-Son" cassette will be included in the Super Deluxe Edition of Ten.)

Jeff Ament describes the experience of re-visiting that tape with singer Eddie Vedder: "I think the first time that Ed or I had opened any of those boxes was a few weeks ago. I knew that the original 'Momma-Son' cassette was somewhere, but I hadn't listened to it in 17, 18, 19 years. It was cool to sit down and play it for the first time with Ed and see his reaction. And to find that 90% of it stayed exactly the same as what ended up on the record. A lot of elements were identical. There was some energy flying around at that point even from 1,300 miles away from Seattle to San Diego."

ABOUT TENPearl Jam released Ten on August 27, 1991. The album reached #2 on the Billboard 200 chart, sold over 12 million copies and became one of the cultural touchstones of the 1990s. Songs such as "Alive," "Black," "Even Flow" and "Jeremy" became staples of rock radio, and still make frequent appearances on the band's ever-changing concert setlists. The album was produced by Rick Parasher. Pearl Jam's 1991 lineup was Jeff Ament (bass), Stone Gossard (guitar), Dave Krusen (drums), Mike McCready (guitar) and Eddie Vedder (vocals).

ORIGINAL TEN TRACKLISTING
OnceEven FlowAliveWhy GoBlack JeremyOceansPorchGardenDeepReleaseMaster/Slave (hidden track) # # #

A detailed breakdown of each of the four Ten re-release packages is attached.
High-resolution jpegs of the Ten album packaging and photos of Pearl Jam from the Ten-era by Lance Mercer are available at: www.pearljam.com/press THE FOUR EDITIONS OF TEN:

ALBUM EXTRAS PER PACKAGE
1. Legacy Edition (2-disc set in mini-LP style slipcase):• Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)• Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O'Brien, plus six bonus tracks: "Brother," "Just a Girl," "State of Love and Trust," "Breath and a Scream," "2,000 Mile Blues" and "Evil Little Goat"• Re-designed packaging
2. Deluxe Edition (2-disc set plus DVD specially designed hardbound package):• Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)• Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O'Brien, plus six bonus tracks: "Brother," "Just a Girl," "State of Love and Trust," "Breath and a Scream," "2,000 Mile Blues" and "Evil Little Goat"• DVD of Pearl Jam's previously unreleased 1992 MTV Unplugged performance including never before seen bonus performance of "Oceans" with 5.1 surround sound audio remix
3. Vinyl Collection (2-LP set)• LP 1: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl• LP 2: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl and remixed by Brendan O'Brien 4. Super Deluxe Edition (2-disc set plus DVD, 4 LPs and replica cassette in linen-covered, slip-cased clamshell box):• Disc 1: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered (original mix)• Disc 2: original Ten tracklisting digitally remastered and remixed by Brendan O'Brien, plus six bonus tracks: "Brother," "Just a Girl," "State of Love and Trust," "Breath and a Scream," "2,000 Mile Blues" and "Evil Little Goat"• DVD of Pearl Jam's previously unreleased 1992 MTV Unplugged performance including never before seen bonus performance of "Oceans" with 5.1 surround sound audio remix • LP 1: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl• LP 2: original Ten tracklisting remastered for vinyl and remixed by Brendan O'Brien• LP 3 & 4: Drop in the Park – Live at Magnuson Park in Seattle on September 20, 1992 (audio mixed by Brendan O'Brien)• Cassette: replica of original "Momma-Son" Pearl Jam demo cassette featuring "Alive," "Once" and "Footsteps"• Package also includes an Eddie Vedder-style composition notebook filled with replica personal notes, images and mementos from the collections of Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament, a vellum envelope with replicated era-specific ephemera from Pearl Jam's early work and a two-sided print commemorating the Drop in the Park concert.

Edgy Folk with Ben Taylor

2008-12-09T10:09:00.002-05:00

The son of Carly Simon and James Taylor has put his own spin on folk music, mixing the soothing voice he inherited from his father, with sexy lyrics inspired by an Outcast Song.

I love this song, Wicked Way, by Ben Taylor!

Nada Surf at Bowery

2008-12-07T23:10:00.004-05:00

Saturday night, after making an appearance at a holiday sweater party in the apartment above mine, I stomped out in the glittery snow and headed to Bowery Ballroom to see Nada Surf, a band that has come to represent #6 on my personal top ten favorite bands list. The show was not as long as the last one I attended in Williamsburg, but bassist Daniel Lorca gave his usual mind boggling performance of chain smoking while playing flawless bass and singing backup vocals! Lead singer, Matthew Caws sweated clear through his shirt by the second song, and proved to us all that the band was indeed glad to be back home in NY to end their tour.

I didn't keep track of the setlist, nor was I able to find one online but I do recall the following songs being played (in no particular order):

Always Love, Blonde on Blonde, Do it Again, Your Legs Grow, See These Bones, Whose Authority, Beautiful Beat, I like What You Say, Ice on the Wing, Inside of Love, Fruit Fly, Neither Heaven Nor Space, Blankest Year

Hey Kermit, Why So Sad?

2008-12-05T11:00:00.002-05:00

Watch the green-est Muppet sing LCD Sound System around NYC. Love it!

Wednesday Night Thoughts

2008-12-03T23:08:00.003-05:00

1. If "Happy Hour" is so "Happy" why is it limited to just an hour? Seriously. During that hypothetical "hour" of drinking on a week night, every word is funnier, every man hotter, every woman (besides me) less attractive, and every morsel tastier. Who's for making "Happy Hour" longer? Huh? Anyone?

2. Why the eff does pizza taste so darn good? No really? Its just bread, sauce and cheese. Why is pizza so often the bain of my existance? Its like...when pizza hits my lips the earth ceases to spin, babies stop crying, and homeless men wear tuxedos that smell of clean linen. Pizza is magic. No crap.

3. What happens if I just go to bed without drying my hair first. (We'll find out in 7 hours)

4. Are Heidi and Spencer for real?

5. Do you ever wish you could just up and move to Nebraska? I don't know what Nebraska has to offer but when I get off a rush hour train with two bags full of coffee cups, gym clothes, and misc. items, I sometimes just wish I could knock my heels together and end up in "Nebraska": The place that represents both all, and nothing at all, that matters. Actually, nevermind. I bet Nebraska has sucky happy hours.

Happy Birthday Britney!

2008-12-03T10:23:00.003-05:00

My favorite recovered starlet celebrated her 27th birthday this morning by performing on Good Morning America and announcing that she will be going on tour in the US starting in March, 2009. I'm sorry, but I love her! Shut up! I love her! I need her new album, Circus, ASAP! Who wants to go to the Britney concert with me??

She looks fabulous and adorable! For more on Brit's visit to GMA read here!

Upcoming concerts!

2008-12-02T22:42:00.003-05:00

Yo, check out My Upcoming Events link on the side bar. I just updated it and I'm super pumped about the show's I've got on the horizon.

OH OH OH, and check out Jim James' (My Morning Jacket) message below regarding their New Year's Eve Show at MSG. Soooo excited!!

hello friends and fans of mmj. i would just like to personally thank each and every one of you who have sent kind words or well wishes my way since i had my accident a few weeks back. it has been one of the hardest and strangest times of my life, but your kind words and support have really meant a lot to me and i can feel their healing power! i have been just letting time do its thing, slowly but surely, as the old adage says, and hopefully i'll be back to normal soon. first off, sorry to all of our friends abroad that we had to cancel our european/uk tour. unfortunately the two times i have sustained major injuries on tour, europe was the next thing on our calendar that had to be canceled in order for me to recuperate. we hope to be back over there at some point in the not so distant future to play some musics. we look forward to seeing you soon. second off, we are really excited about the upcoming shows in chicago, australia, and japan - as well as our big new years eve "blacktie blowout" at madison square garden in new york city! we invite and encourage everyone coming to the new years show to "dress to tha nines," in your finest and classiest party wear: suits/tuxedos, frilly dresses/luxurious ballgowns, top hats and canes, 2009 glasses, etc - as we intend to really "class up the joint" and celebrate the monumental year that 2008 was, whilst gazing forward to the thrills and chills that 2009 will hold. i knew when i took my first breath of the air of 2008 that it would be a monumentally crazy year- and phew! that was no joke. as challenging as the year has been there has been a lot of change and positivity in the air...with the rekindling of hope that now and in 2009 we can keep working together to even out the playing field across the board and make the planet a healthier place to live for all of our brothers and sisters in the us and across the globe. its time for some love. here are some links i have found particularly informative over the past few months: http://www.thehungersite.com [http://www.thehungersite.com] http://www.couragecampaign.org/prop8repeal [http://www.couragecampaign.org/prop8repeal] http://www.sweethomeneworleans.org [http://www.sweethomeneworleans.org] http://louisvilleleopardpercussionists.com/index.htm [http://louisvilleleopardpercussionists.com/index.htm] be thankful 4 what you gots: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx72QvLTXOk&feature=related [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx72QvLTXOk&feature=related] have fun, be safe, and we hope to see you soon. - yim yames and my morning jacket

Sneak Peek at Next Season's LOST!

2008-12-02T22:35:00.003-05:00

Hey, remember that show, LOST that was on ABC like 100 years ago?? Well maybe its just been a few months since it last aired new episodes, but it seems like FOREVER ago, right?

Well the show that makes me scream "wtf!" (pronounced aloud: "double you tee eff") more than any other show, returns with all new episodes on January 21, 2009. I'll actually be a year older when this happens, but whatev. Check out a sneak peek of next season's drama below! Waaahhhh!!

Vicky = Lucifer!

2008-12-02T13:24:00.003-05:00

I've been saying it all along, now the internet is backing me up on this one. This season's Biggest Loser Families includes a contestant by the name of Vicky, who I am fairly certain is a daughter of Satan. She plots against her own team, she lies, and she stabs people in the back (figuratively, but I am sure, also literally in her free time). I love The Biggest Loser, mostly because it makes me feel thin till roughly week 10 when the contestants start to weigh less than me, but also because its a show about helping America lose weight, and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This crazy woman, Vicky, has taken a positive family show and made it a blood sport!

Watch the video below for a revealing summary of her actions so far this season. For more,

Biggest Loser 6: Vicky Gives 'Em Hell @ Yahoo! Video

Jenny talks Britney with Meredith!

2008-11-25T15:22:00.003-05:00

This morning I was making my breakfast and listening to The Today Show, as I always do in the mornings before work, when I heard an unmistakably familiar voice talking about Britney Spears' upcoming interview in Rolling Stone. It only took me half a second to put two and two together to realize it was Jenny Eliscu, RS Reporter and DJ on Sirius XMU (formerly Left of Center). Jenny did the interview with Brit for RS, and was on the show this morning talking with Meredith about how great the singer is doing these days. I am happy all around cuz I love Jenny, and I've always been on Team Britney!

Watch the clip from the Today Show below, before their copyright enforcers take the vid off YouTube

Quote of the Day

2008-11-25T09:30:00.001-05:00

I heard this on CNN just now, and because I am so immature, I giggled and felt the need to share it:

"A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she's in hot water."
~ Nancy Reagan

Happy Tuesday, y'all!

A Change I Can Already See

2008-11-21T17:21:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago, before the election, a very close friend of mine, who holds very conservative values, asked me why I planned to vote for Barack Obama. Because I respected his question, and I knew that he honestly wanted to know what made people favor Obama over McCain, I took the inquiry very seriously and I composed a very heart-felt list of reasons, including specific Obama policies that I feel are going to help me more than McCain's alternatives, as well as a general description of the positive emotional and inspirational effects on our country I feel Obama does and would continue to have as President. Though my friend staunchly disagreed with me, he was able to understand that I was voting based on a sincere belief, as opposed to voting superficially for the popular "black guy".

Anyway, I still believe that President-elect Obama has the capacity to turn negative into positive in an almost magical way, and I have recently witnessed that change first hand. The other day I was walking to the subway in my neighborhood, when I stopped at a crosswalk to allow traffic to pass. Standing with me on the street corner, were two young black men: one around high school age, and one who appeared to be in his mid to late 20s.

I was standing just a few inches away from the two men as we waited for our turn to cross the street, so I could hear their conversation very clearly. The younger man was explaining to the other how a person becomes a member of the "Crips" gang. He said that if you have a family member in the "Crips" you are automatically invited to join the gang, but if not, you have to get beat in- meaning you have to allow existing gang members to beat you up before you can, yourself, be considered for membership. He then explained that potential female gang members had to submit to a gang-rape before they could join.

Disgusted, and a little unnerved, I kept my eyes on the ground and silently prayed that neither of these men would ever hurt or kill another person in the name of gang violence. Almost immediately, however, the older man spoke up and surprised me. "Man, fuck that shit! Stay in school! Be somebody! Don't get messed up in all that! BE SOMEBODY!"

Shocked, relieved, and proud of my neighbors, I decided to look up at the two men that were standing next to me. The older one, who had just advised his younger friend/relative against gang violence, and in turn, encouraged him to do good with his life, was wearing an Obama '08 pin on his jacket!

The younger man, who was just seconds ago proudly reciting the handbook of the Crips, immediately replied "No, I would never get into gangs, I'm just saying...thats what I heard". I was so touched at that moment, and I honestly believed that these young men were somehow influenced in a positive way by the success and hope that Barack Obama represents, not only for young black men, but for our entire country! Gang affiliation is NOT the only way black men can earn respect in our country! It never was, and I know that, but unfortunately not every one always has. But now we know. We all know what is possible. It changes everything.

This, my fellow Americans, most certainly IS a change I can believe in!

UPDATE:
A friend has brought something interesting to my attention. He read this post and said that his initial reaction was that I was the one that had changed, not the guys on the street. He said it was unfair for me to credit the Obama '08 pin on the man's jacket, or the recent election for the men's disapproval of gangs. You know what, he's right! Why should I assume that if John McCain had won, that these guys would be gang bangers? Well, I don't assume that, but I had just been so eager to find evidence of Barack Obama changing the world that I painted the picture that I wanted to see, and I will admit that makes my reaction a bit ignorant. It is entirely possible, and very likely, that those two men I encountered on the street were just good people, with good values, and it was inappropriate for me to imply otherwise subconsciously. That was not my intention. Take the story above as you will, but know that I meant it to be a very positive observation.

Get your Barack Obama Rolling Stone TShirt!

2008-11-20T16:51:00.001-05:00

Is this cheesy or awesome? I dunno...

GirlTalk at Terminal 5

2008-11-20T10:32:00.005-05:00

He brilliantly blends Lil Wayne with Temple of the Dog, makes even the most stubborn wall flowers shake their booties and pump their fists, and thumbs his nose at Copyright law. Greg Gillis (stage name GirlTalk) has become an itunes DJ-god to headband wearing, underage drinking college freshmen from NYU to, hell, everywhere! He's certainly my favorite high-tech DJ. Anyone else who can, in under 6 minutes, play me the exact 25 songs that I absolutely NEEDED to hear, though didn't know it yet till I heard them, is aces in my book.

Not to be outdone by the ultra hip coeds, who could easily jump into a print ad for American Apparel, I spent the entire day planning my "costume". My final wardrobe decision was, by most standards, relatively tame and lacked both day-glo ability and headwear, but I felt I would blend in, so I braved the New York cold and headed out to Terminal 5 with every intention of sweat/dancing my ass off!

After pre-gaming via happy hour at Social, Yael and I (Beth stayed for another round) headed to the venue and were immediately overwhelmed by the hyper crowd. We walked in, checked our coats, and made it to the main floor just in time to catch the beginning of the show, which began with about 150 screaming fans rushing the stage to dance with the DJ. Immediately thereafter the crowd was pummelled with toilet paper, showered into the crowd by leaf blowers. (You know you're old when your first thought is "hey, you're wasting that toilet paper")

And so it began, a sweatty buffet of every song that ever sounded amazing played over a halfway decent sound system in an over stuffed club. Initially, I thought I would try to fight the crowd for a spot on the stage, but after I saw a few kids fall to the ground and almost get trampled, Yael and I retreated to half court where we skirted the perimeter and danced in a slightly less threatening environment. The air was thick with the smell of Redbull, sticky bodies, and farts.

It was brilliant. I fist pumped, I shouted the lyrics to rap songs, early 80s Rick Springfield hits, and Nirvana, and I was told by the drunk girl in front of me (who couldn't have been older than 19) that her friend in the red-hooded sweatshirt and emo glasses (also underage) was "really into" me. I fit in! Woo Hoo! As GT worked the crowd, he became sweattier, and shed more of his modest clothing, ending the show in true faux rock star style standing on top of his DJ table shirtless, and wearing what can only be described as very low slung inside-out sweatpants?! Yes, it was hot.

After spending at least 20 minutes attempting to retrieve my coat from coat check, I hit the freezing cold air outside with ears ringing and feet throbbing. I havn't had a night like that in a looong time! Horray for GirlTalk!

What makes this photo especially hilarious is that Yael thought she would seem out of place in her flannel shirt. Apparently the cool kids wear flannel too (look behind her).

The end of Hiatus is Near!

2008-11-19T19:18:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone. Sorry for my absence. I've been busy getting some stuff worked out...life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness...you know, all that good stuff. Anyway, I promise to make a come back before the end of the week.

Good times are ahead, and I have quite a bit to say since I've been quiet for so long!

Talk soon....PROMISE!

Talia

Pearl Jam Vote for Change Screening at Pianos in NYC

2008-10-30T15:40:00.001-04:00

Come celebrate the election Pearl Jam style!

The Text Relationship!

2008-10-23T13:03:00.001-04:00

Its funny cuz its true!

Absolutely Ridiculous!

2008-10-21T14:39:00.000-04:00

CMJ Music Marathon

2008-10-21T09:31:00.004-04:00

Hello! I thought I should mention that this week is CMJ week in NYC, which means that in addition to working ridic hours, I will also be trying to run around town and catch some of today's best in college and indie rock bands. There are lots of showcases, lots of parties, and LOTS OF BANDS to see, but I've chosen a few flyers to pass on to you, as they were passed on to me by friends.

Also, this Friday is the NYSBA Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Association's fall meeting and CMJ CLE program, which just happens to be my favorite lawyerly event of the year! This year I am not only attending the program, but I've also volunteered, so its even cooler for me (my name is in the program)! Anyway, I don't have time to tell you which are the best buzz bands this year, so you'll just have to check out the full schedule at CMJ.com.

Eddie Vedder Published!

2008-10-18T11:35:00.003-04:00

Eddie Vedder has written the foreword for a new biography entitled "Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend", by Mark Wilkerson. Townshend is one of Eddie's musical idols, so I am not surprised that he chose to express his gratification and pay tribute to The Who guitarist in this way. I can't wait to read it, because I am sure, Eddie's piece is passionate, honest, and beautiful....just like him!

Repost from PearlJam.com

10.13.08
Eddie Vedder has written the foreword to "Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend", an exhaustive, critically acclaimed study of the life and career of the legendary guitarist and composer. Author Mark Wilkerson spent ten years researching and writing the 642-page book, and conducted exclusive interviews with Pete Townshend and several others, including Townshend's friends, family, and other associates. Wilkerson's book explores Townshend's West London roots, reminds us of the excitement he generated with The Who in those early days and brings his story right up to date with many fascinating stops along the way. The book, published by Omnibus Press, includes dozens of photographs and was edited by noted Who scholar and author Andy Neill.

Author Mark Wilkerson is commemorating the U.S. launch of the book this month with a book tour which also coincides with The Who's upcoming U.S. mini-tour. The book tour will begin in Mark's adopted hometown of Louisville, KY before heading to cities which also appear on The Who's upcoming concert itinerary. Mark will talk about Pete Townshend and the book and will sign copies at the following Barnes & Noble Booksellers locations:

Sunday, October 19 - Louisville, KY, noon
Saturday, October 25 - Philadelphia, PA, 7pm
Sunday, October 26 - Boston, MA, 2pm
Sunday, November 2 - Washington, DC, 7pm
Saturday, November 8 - Los Angeles - time and exact location TBD

"Who Are You: The Life of Pete Townshend", published in paperback, lists for $29.95 in the U.S. It is in stock and ready to order at The Who's official online store and is already available in Europe and Asia, and released in the U.S. this month, the book is also available at all major web outlets and bookstores.For more information about Mark's book, and for updates regarding the book tour, visit his website: http://www.townshendbio.com/

ADELE ON THIS WEEK'S SNL!!

2008-10-17T15:05:00.002-04:00

*
*

Hey everyone! Exciting news: My favorite song bird, Adele, will be the musical guest on this week's SNL! I am so proud of her! She posted on her blog about rehearsing with this week's host, Josh Brolin, who plays George Bush in the upcoming film "W" and being very excited for Saturday. I had hoped maybe Adele would be doing a show in NYC this week since she's in town and all but I guess the SNL stuff has kept her pretty busy. Fortunately, however, she has confirmed there will be more US tour dates in the future! Good luck, Adele! XOXOXO

AND he's funny!? Swoon

2008-10-17T10:49:00.003-04:00

I just watched the full speech that Barack Obama gave at last night's Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner in Manhattan. I know he had help writing it, but his delivery is perfect, and seriously...that smile?! *sigh* MY Presidential Candidate, is witty, cool, stoic, AND smart.

Watch!!

Because...

2008-10-14T17:12:00.001-04:00

sometimes you just feel like going home.

Stories in High Fidelity at Highline Ballroom

2008-10-09T12:59:00.002-04:00

If you are or were familiar with the blog Product Shop NYC, then you may know that they have recently remodeled themselves and come out as StoriesInHighFidelity.com. Well, they're throwing a launch party at Highline Ballroom on October 20th, which will feature story telling by some of my favorite rock and roll writers, Chuck Klosterman and Rob Sheffield, as well as a performance by Jaymay, and more! Buy tickets for only $12 HERE. Sounds like a good time to me!

My Visit to Sirius Satellite Radio

2008-10-08T10:47:00.003-04:00

This week I had the opportunity to stop by the Sirius Studio for Left of Center's Left of Sessions with The Kills. Although I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, excited to actually be INSIDE the radio, the international duo of American Alison Mosshart and British Jamie Hince (ex fiance to Kate Moss), were feelin a bit rough. Despite a terrible cold and hangover respectively, The Kills managed to squeeze out a few songs for a studio audience of 8 listeners. Can't wait to hear how they edit it for the general public. I'm guessing they'll cut out all the hacking and spitting that took place. Tune in to Sirius.com/leftofcenter for more on Left of Sessions

Anyway, how cool do I look at Sirius?! Yay me! :)

Stone Gossard: Busy Dude.

2008-10-04T10:11:00.003-04:00

Geez, Stone Gossard has been quite the busy bee lately. Tonght he'll play a show at Warsaw in Brooklyn with Vince Mira and the Hank Khoir to kick-off Timberland's DIG IT with a series of eco-themed concerts. He's also releasing new solo songs. available HERE. Sadly, I will not be seeing my friend Stone tonight, as I will be at The Apollo Theater listening to the sweet sounds of Jenny Lewis tonight!

In honor of Stone, I'm posting this new video of him covering Prince's "1999". Welcome back to NYC, Stoney Pony!

Great Idea to win Florida for Obama!

2008-10-02T09:52:00.003-04:00

Comedian Sarah Silverman (who may or may not be patching things up with Jimmy Kimmel) joined forces with TheGreatSchlep.com to encourage young Jewish Democrats to fly down to Florida and convince their old fashioned grandparents to vote for Obama! Hilarious? Yeah. But it could work!

Brilliance vs. Boredom

2008-10-01T14:31:00.002-04:00

I have stated before that it is my firm yet biased opinion that my friends and I have some of the funniest conversations via instant messenger all day long at work. I also hash out some of my best ideas and schemes while conversing with friends online. Last week I had the following conversation with a friend, and I thought I'd share it with you all now. I obviously havn't had much else to blog about lately (or rather, I'm a bit too tired to actually do it) so in an effort to salvage some of your attention, here ya go!

me: I just had the best idea! I was inspired because I just used the bathroom twice in the past two hours and I'm pretty sure the same pair of feet has been in the last stall the entire time! Poor thing!
me: I want to invent a bathroom device that you install in the very last stall of an office bathroom.
me: its a pair of fake legs & feet, very non-descript in appearance
Yael: Hahah
me: hollow
Yael: Why?
me: and you go in there and you put your real legs and feet INSIDE the hollow dummy pair, so they're disguised and everyone looks the same when they're in there for BM!
me: you can stay till everyone else is gone then leave secretly. You're totally hidden
Yael: But they'll see u use it?
me: no, you dont go in unless you're alone (duh), but once you're in, you're golden! people can come and go and you can be loud and stinky without embarassment
Yael: I need a bezaddled wipes kit
me: and noone will know its you
Yael: Black tie
me: I think my idea is genius! a denim wipes kit for casual Friday! An entire line of chic bathroom accessories.
Yael: For every outfit
me: perhaps with a racing stripe for athletes. Red white and blue...for the olympics.
Yael: Hahah
me: hilarious! I like my idea! Now what to call it?
me: poop shoes? Dootie Decoy?
Yael: No! Nooo
me: Secret Shit?
Yael: B. M.annequin
me: hahhaha I'VE GOT IT:
me: Ssssshhhhhhhhhit!
Yael: No!
me: lol
Yael: No Pearl Jam related titles!
me: hahahaha I didnt even realize that!!
me: but do you get the double meaning? "ssssshhhh" as in quiet
me: sssshhhhhit!

BRILLIANT! Coming to a bathroom stall near you!

wow. just wow.

2008-09-22T10:35:00.001-04:00

seriously?