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The End of Pela :(

Published September 22nd, 2009 by Jason
Pela After The Jump n618207151_1007971_6150
Creative Commons License Photo credit: whatthefunk

Pela, an indie rock band from Brooklyn who were on the verge of releasing a new album, seemed poised to do big things but as of Friday they’ve called it quits. You can read the official post from their blog http://www.pelamusic.com/.

Pela had signed on to play a CMJ show in NY but we’re assuming that won’t be happening now. This is sad news as these guys are a very enjoyable band who didn’t hold anything back when they performed live. They will be missed.

The band recently played an acoustic set of some unreleased songs at NPR’s KEXP studio. Listen and Download the MP3s here: Pela: Brand-New Songs, Unplugged


Pela - Waiting on the Stairs from Matteo Bava on Vimeo.

"Awesome band, amazing first few albums (With Love and Squalor is ridiculous), that last one was pretty ok, best song from it was "Let's see It". Quality stuff"
  Raiyan
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We Are Scientists bring indie-rock sensibility to Brutal Death Metal

Published August 27th, 2009 by Jason

With their super catchy indie rock tunes and funny music videos, the American indie rock group We Are Scientists have managed to attract a bigger following in Britain than they have in North America.

If Billboard® were to start reporting “Guitar Hooks Per Minute” as a statistic and publish monthly charts for GHPM, then maybe then the band would have a better shot at being on said charts. But conjecture aside, the scientists did go on tour with Kings Of Leon last year and that’s not too shabby. They had this to say about it on their official website:

THE KINGS OF LEON TOUR In which we finally, finally, finally tour with a band who is more American than we are.

Oddly enough, the Wikipedia entry for We Are Scientists categorizes the band in the fictional genres of Blackened Death Metal and Brutal Death Metal, which has no Wikipedia entry. We’re sure it would be totally bad ass if it existed but this misclassification looks more like a manifestation of the band’s sense of humor, which according to that same wiki entry:

…is often commented upon, particularly their banter and jokes between songs at gigs and their often surreal and humorous answers to questions in interviews.

That’s referring to interviews like this one wherein front man Keith Murray is sporting his Lego® man hair. (Nice observation there from youTube user xpzombie!)

"[...] Forget Bob Dylan: ’60s Weirdo Folkster, Peter Stampfel, Shines in Brooklyn CONCERT PHOTOS: Yeasayer Glows at Pier 54 CANCELLED: Aerosmith..."
  Marc Ribot Live in NYC: Good Guitar, Bad Vibes | Music Vixen Blog
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Yeasayer Pics from Pier 54

Published August 18th, 2009 by Jason

Yeasayer sounded good at last weeks free show on Pier 54 for those able to make their way towards the front.

Unfortunately the underpowered sound system and poor acoustics made for a muffled muddy sounding mess for those in the back. But Yeasayer was on point as they held off the rain with a mix of familiar songs as well as infectious new tracks from the upcoming sophomore album which is due out on January 19, 2010.

Here are some pics from the August 13 show on the pier.


VIDEO: Yeasayer–”2080″

"I'm not gonna talk about TV and radio because I personally like both, they are just fore different moments. I want comment that youtube video posted here......"
  helene
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Radio Vs Television, which is better? Radio Lab’s AV Smackdown Decides

Published May 7th, 2009 by Jason
TV + Radio + Cassettes
Creative Commons License photo credit: viZZZual.com

Which is the superior medium, Radio or Television? Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich set out to answer that question once and for all in a unique live radio event. The two co hosts of NPR’s RadioLab were pitted against one another in a faux boxing match with Ira Glass, host of This American Life, serving as the referee. With a cast of NPR all-stars, this was like a super bowl for public radio nerds and I was excited to be there. The debate would consist of 5 rounds, each presenting a different criteria on which Jad would defend Radio and Robert would defend Television. The audience would judge each round with applause.

::Spoiler Alert::

Round 1. which is better at showing pictures: TV wins
Round 2. conveying emotion: Radio wins
Round 3. dealing with complexity: Radio wins
Round 4. conveying a sense of past and present: TV wins
Round 5. which is more fun? Continue reading »