Wednesday, June 30, 2010

MOG iPhone App Coming

Finding reasonable online music services is tough...  To start, there's the whole ownership vs. subscription model, where you either pay for and download (own) the digital music, or you just pay a fee to access a bunch of music (rent).  I'definitely prefer ownership models (a proud eMusic subscriber), though I think some may be a bit pricey (I'm looking at you iTunes).  On the other side, I vehemently oppose subscription services (in lieu of ownership).  I think it's just a way for these labels to separate you from your money, with nothing to show for it.  One day that subscription service will disappear, or some terms will change, and you're left with a bigger monthly bill or nothing.

I say "in lieu of ownership" because subscription services don't have to be *all* bad.  I do think there's a market for them, when the price point is reasonable and can be used in conjunction with ownership.  For example, I really liked the Lala model (before Apple purchased and dissolved them).  Similarly, I like this MOG model, where I can pay $25 for unlimited access to TONS of music for 6 months.  I purchased it as a trial, but realized it's not really that useful unless you have access while on the go.  Sitting at my computer, I'm not often streaming music online, but when I'm out and about, I'd love to have access.  I heard that an App was in the works, now I'm glad to see it's been approved!

mog.jpg

MOG Gets Green Light From Apple For Upcoming iPhone App, Lands Deal With Roku by Jason Kincaid on Jun 29, 2010

Good news, MOG fans. The online music streaming service, which allows users to listen to as many songs as they want for a flat monthly fee, has had its iPhone application approved by Apple after spending well over a month in App Store purgatory. The application isn’t available for the iPhone quite yet (MOG says it will launch in the next few weeks), but it’s been given the green light by Apple, which is important considering that the company was worried it might be blocked. In addition to that news, MOG has also announced a new "

(Continued... MOG Gets Green Light From Apple For Upcoming iPhone App, Lands Deal With Roku)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Video Tuesday (6/29/10)

A nice little mix today. Couldn't resist the new Marina & the Diamonds. This is also the new Uffie track, featuring Pharell, which is fun. Finally, a Frightened Rabbit video, reminding me how fun they could have been in concert.

UFFIE - ADD SUV (feat . Pharrell Williams) HD from Uffie on Vimeo.

Cyndi Lauper Tonight

Going to this show tonight.  Surprised to see it's sold out, especially with her currently touring on a Blues CD.  I guess Clevelander's like their Blues (or they all loved her in Celebrity Apprentice).  I hope the she does a good job of mixing it up though.  The Blues are cool, but this is a Cyndi Lauper show...

Here's a preview of the new album. Not bad actually. She does have some crazy-good guest stars...

Monday, June 28, 2010

Skybox (6/22/10)

I guess this blog post was supposed to have been named "Gold Motel (6/22/10)", since they were the headliners, or so I thought. There were actually 4 bands this evening, which I typically dread.  With Skybox opening for Gold Motel, I was hoping to catch their set, then a bit of Gold Motel before leaving at a reasonable time (I mean early).

Goodmorning Valentine followed Nights (meh).  They were goodasalways.

Good Morning Valentine (6/22/10)

Gold Motel was a lot of fun, but I can imagine their set being much better if they had their missing drummer.  But they get cool points for going on without one.  Maybe that's why Skybox took the final performance of the night, and I'm glad they did.

Gold Motel (6/22/10)

Skybox was awesome.  These guys took the stage with a playful, barefooted ferocity.  Not much like the polished songs I checked out on their MySpace page, but equally, if not not more entertaining.  These guys were genuinely having a good time, despite the crowd lacking enthusiasm (except for our small dedicated bunch up front).  One song after another kept me mesmerized and I didn't even have to think twice about staying for an entire performance that I was earlier hoping to avoid.  SEE THESE GUYS.

Skybox (6/22/10)

(unfortunately the camera was dead, so these are all phone pics)

Music Industry Articles...

Techdirt has some great articles...

Major Labels Begin Major Astroturfing Campaign To Get 3 Strikes In The US | Techdirt

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"Major Labels Begin Major Astroturfing Campaign To Get 3 Strikes In The US from the begin-astroturfing-now... dept A friend just forwarded me an email 'from' the CEO of Universal Music (really from an email marketing campaign system if you look at the headers) that encourages him to push for new laws in the US to kick people offline for file sharing. To date, the RIAA and others in the recording industry have known better than to seriously push for a three strikes-type legislation in the US, knowing that it is a battle that they very well might lose. They had hoped, quite strongly, that various ISPs would come to simply agree to implement a three strikes plan to kick people offline after three accusations (not convictions) of copyright infringement. But it's been nearly a year and a half since the RIAA believed those deals were close, and there's still nothing to show for it. Nothing.

So, it looks like the industry is going to plan B: which is going back to trying to ram through legislation that will require ISPs to take the draconian step of protecting one industry's broken business model. And to get this going, it looks like the industry has set up a neat little set of astroturfing groups and 'consumer' campaigns that try to hide the specifics, but clearly are designed to get similar three strikes legislation (similar to the Digital Economy Act in the UK) put in place in the US. "

(Continued... Major Labels Begin Major Astroturfing Campaign To Get 3 Strikes In The US | Techdirt)

As The RIAA Lobbies For More Royalties For Itself, It's Fighting (And Losing) Over Having To Pay Royalties To Songwriters | Techdirt

riaa2.jpg

For whatever reason, while there is a compulsory license setup for anyone doing a cover song, such that if you cover a song, you don't have to first get permission to do so, but you just have to pay an agreed upon rate, which is usually set by the Copyright Royalty Board (a group of judges who more or less pick a number out of a hat). There are all sorts of problems with having a group of judges trying to randomly set prices on royalties, but it is how the system is set up. What's amusing is that after a recent Copyright Royalty Board ruling on cover songs set the rate higher than the RIAA liked, the RIAA went to court to get those rates changed. A district court turned the RIAA down, and now an appeals court has done the same.""As The RIAA Lobbies For More Royalties For Itself, It's Fighting (And Losing) Over Having To Pay Royalties To Songwriters from the what's-good-for-the-goose...

dept The RIAA is in the middle of a big fight for new royalties (i.e., a performance rights tax) on songs played on the radio, going on and on about how anyone against those fees are 'stealing' from them. Yet, when it comes to the royalties that RIAA members have to pay to others, suddenly those are worth fighting against. As you hopefully know, there are a few different copyrights related to music. There's the copyright on the recording itself, which is usually held by the record label. But there is also the copyright on the song or composition, which can be held by a music publisher or the songwriter.

(Continued... As The RIAA Lobbies For More Royalties For Itself, It's Fighting (And Losing) Over Having To Pay Royalties To Songwriters | Techdirt)

 

Friday, June 25, 2010

Waterloo Arts Festival Tomorrow

Saturday is going to be a busy day in Cleveland...  Click the image for more details.

waterloo.jpg

Robyn is Killing Me

This is brilliant... www.robyn.com/killingme

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Robyn – “Don’t Fucking Tell Me What To Do” Video - Stereogum

"Robyn just announced a video for Body Talk PT 1’s scene setting first track ‘Don’t Fucking Tell Me What To Do’ via Twitter.. A Twitter announcement was appropriate, since the video is interactive: You watch Robyn’s various annoyances (‘My job/boss/drinking’s killing me’) speed toward you, then add in your own via Twitter (tag your Tweets with #killingme). You’ll need 3D glasses to get the full effect, but it’s fun to watch without them too, as you can still clearly see the flow of confessions (‘The smell from my kicks is killing me’) and grievances streaming in the corner (above: ‘BP is killing me’). The ‘Dancing On My Own’ video was entertaining, but it’s cool to see her trying new things with both the album release cycle and her music videos. (Arcade Fire also had a great interactive video for Neon Bible). Watch it at Robyn.com/killingme."

(Continued... Robyn – “Don’t Fucking Tell Me What To Do” Video - Stereogum)

 

Cleveland Pride Music Lineup

large_Pride-flag.jpg

Here's the music line-up for Cleveland's 2010 Pride Festival, which is tomorrow.  Looks like a decent group of Cleveland-area artists.  No headliners this year?

(*Unable to confirm if this is the correct band/link / Pride people, you should link the bands on your website.)

    Wednesday, June 23, 2010

    Summer Solstice (6/19/10)

    A party it was... I had been throwing around the phrase "party of the year" and maybe it was, maybe it wasn't... I do know you couldn't have asked for a better night to be hanging out in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art and having a drink with Rodin's Thinker.  Everyone was there.  Great Lakes was being served...  nearly perfect.  Nearly.

    Summer Solstice Party (6/19/10)

    I was sure to get there as soon as our 10pm tickets allowed, because I didn't want to miss Javelin.  Wow, they were FUN, FUN FUN.  Even better than I expected.  Ultimately a great mix of what I would call "glitch pop" with a great, danceable beat.  What was even better was how they handled the menacing (inebriated?) twin teen boys who they invited on stage - who then later brought up another set of twin ladies and another random person.  I felt like the last 20 mins of the show was on the brink of disaster, which never ended up happening.  I think that being on that brink made the show even better.  Hell, maybe that's how every show is for them.  If so - bravo.

    Javelin (6/19/10)

    I socialized during the Phenomenal Handclap Band, but was ready to dance my ass of with DJ Rupture, who I had been talking up to EVERYBODY.  Unfortunately this was where the night fell a little short.  The music and the mix was great, but it wasn't quite the dance jam I experienced at Pitchfork.  Maybe it was intentional, but I was a little disappointed.

    DJ Rupture (6/19/10)

    Overall - the time flew!  I felt like were only there for about an hour... we barely made it inside to see the art, but I guess that can happen anytime.  Hopefully I'll be getting an earlier ticket for next year.

    BONUS: Javelin is coming to the Grog Shop on Tuesday, August 8th!! Here's a video of what you can expect (but there's so much more)...

    Tuesday, June 22, 2010

    Video Tuesday (6/22/10)

    Some great pop / dance videos this week...  First off is the new Crystal Castles video that is taking the internet by storm today.  Second is a completely whack Mike Snow video.  Third is a video for The Hundreds in the Hand, whom I recently saw (and LOVED).

    Monday, June 21, 2010

    Videos: Black Cab Sessions (Friends Edition)

    These go out to some of my peeps. UPDATE: LAME that embedding doesn't work on 2 of these (all from the same source).  Just click on the link:

    Matthew:

    VV Brown from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

    Larry:

    Band of Horses from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

    Ginnie:

    My Morning Jacket from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

    If you haven't been keeping up with the Black Cab Sessions... you should do so here.

    Friday, June 18, 2010

    CMA's Summer Solstice is TOMORROW!

    Summer Solstice Party is tomorrow! View a video preview of the music...  Hightlights = Javelin & DJ Rupture!  Possibly the party of the year.

    Buy Tix!

    Pittsburgh Pride (6/12 & 6/13)

    I think about this blog a lot, even though it doesn't seem like it sometimes.  I mostly think about what it could be if I had all the time I wanted, but I'm also quite pleased with what it's become.  Somewhere in the middle is what I hope it will be.  One such thought is writing about all music-related experiences, good or bad.  For example... We went to Pittsburgh Pride last weekend with some friends, and who is the Saturday headliner?  Deborah Cox.  Remember her?

    Damn that was a good song, back in the day.  Pride performances are always a little strange to me.  It's not quite a full concert, and people aren't quite there for the live music - but yet people get on stage and perform.  I then found myself wondering why she was here performing... is it her passion for equality and equal rights -- does she just love performing -- or maybe she needs just the $.  I have to say, I tended towards the latter, as her performance was minimal, orchestrated, and kinda insincere.  I can be wrong, and I hope I am.  To be honest, I wasn't paying *that* much attention... there were more interesting things going on.

    Here are some random photos for your viewing pleasure... Deborah Cox is first, not sure who these other performers are, but they weren't bad.

    Pittsburgh Pride (2010)
    Pittsburgh Pride (2010)
    Pittsburgh Pride (2010)

    Stay tuned... Cleveland Pride is next weekend!

    Thursday, June 17, 2010

    The Golden Filter (6/10/10)

    Some might have called it a gamble to skip the (sold-out) She & Him show at the House of Blues for this show at the Grog.  It wasn't for me, and I'm glad my choice was vindicated.  Wow.  I have not see a show like this in a loooong time.  We danced, and danced, and danced.

    I checked out the openers, The Hundred in the Hands, before the show and liked what I heard.  I knew I wanted to get there early enough to catch them, and pushing to be on time was worth it. I think they tied for one of the best opening bands ever.  This Brooklyn duo could really lay down the electro pop/dance beats!  You can listen to them on their MySpace page, but that doesn't even do justice to what they did on stage.  See them!  (here's a little sample):

    So The Golden Filter had pretty big shoes to fill, and I think they did.  They were one of my highlighted shows in my June Spangle article, with a couple great videos posted there, check 'em out.  They proved why they were a highlighted performance!

    Their new album, Voluspa, is out now.  Order it at Insound, or listen to the whole thing at AOL.  Here's a worthy description...

    After a string of widely-circulated singles and remixes, New York duo The Golden Filter is releasing their debut full-length Voluspa this week. The self-produced Voluspa casts glimpses into their unearthly world where goddesses, love, myths and mountains reign.  With drum circles, string sections, field recordings, and lots of microphones, they've gone beyond disco to unveil where their secrets are shared and where their mystery dissolves.

    The Golden Filter (6/10/10)
    The Golden Filter (6/10/10)

    While you're at it, pick up The Hundred in the Hands EP too...

     

    Wednesday, June 16, 2010

    Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (6/9/10)

    I was going into this show thinking I knew what was coming... I mean, I've seen Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros twice before (The Spot / Kent Stage). But this time was different. The House of Blues was actually a great venue for these guys, and I can't believe how many people were there! We unfortunately missed Dawes, who I've been increasingly enjoying.

    I think what made this show even better was that the other female lead (Jade) was present for the first time (finally). They had a great energy on stage, the lead male (Alex) was very enganging with the crowd, probably singing at least 3 songs from within the audience, including a sit-down at the end.

    I also scored a photo pass for this performance, so this might be some of the best photos I've taken in a while (if I do say so myself). I'll let them do the rest of the talkin'

    Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic ZerosEdward Sharpe & the Magnetic ZerosEdward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

    You could almost say it went a little somethin' like this:

    Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

    Oh, and since I missed their performance, I figured I'd still share a FREE live Dawes track you can download:

    Tuesday, June 15, 2010

    Video Tuesday (6/15/10)

    Hope you haven't been waiting up for this Video Tuesday. Still trying to catch up after a great weekend in the 'burgh last weekend. You'll hear more about that later.

    For this week, we're starting with a Beach House video, particularly because they're coming to the Beachland on Thursday. Then we have a couple good videos for completely different reasons. Kylie because it's a fun song (and there's lots of skin). Then Broken Bells because I have a little affinity for Sci Fi.  You should like them both (I'm still "eh" about the first)

    Beach House "Silver Soul" from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

     

    Thursday, June 10, 2010

    Stars (6/8/10)

    This show potentially kicks off a 6 night (7 show) straight marathon of shows here in Cleveland (check the calendar).  But realizing that I also have a full-time job, that probably isn't going to happen and some of these shows will have to be cut from the roster.  That wasn't going to happen on this first night.  Stars is a very popular Canadian band (proudly from Montreal), and seem to have a ton of material out there.  I can't say that I'm a huge fan, but some of their songs are phenomenal.

    I had seen them before which unfortunately wasn't a great performance, but that was for multiple reasons.  I was excited to give them another chance, despite only hearing one song off the new album (The Five Ghosts - June 22).  Their schtick: performing the entire new album first, then performing their "hits" for the second part.  We arrived in the middle of the first album and they sounded great.

    Stars (6/8/10)

    They were high energy and worked their asses off.  The female lead has a phenomenal voice and she makes the band.  What took away from the show for me was their constant reminder that the songs they played were "our" songs because we voted for them.  They were what I'm considering a full-time professional band, workin' hard and trying some new things to keep it fresh - but as soon as a band is trying to keep it fresh, that's when I lose interest.  Not a bad thing, but a kind of personal preference. Again, nothing specific that they did wrong per se.  I just think I've seen them enough.  :-)

    Stars (6/8/10)

    I'm bummed that I missed some of the first half, and I'm still excited to pick up the new album.

    Tuesday, June 8, 2010

    Video Tuesday (6/8/10)... Coming This Week

    This week's videos are representing some of the awesome shows in town this week. The first is the newest video from Stars, performing at the Beachland tonight. Second is The Golden Filter, at the Grog Shop on Thursday. Finally, it's First Aid Kit, also at the Grog Shop on Friday.

    This is only a bit of what's to come for this crazy week of music in Cleveland. Check out my calendar for more...

    The Golden Filter - "Solid Gold" from The Golden Filter on Vimeo.

    Monday, June 7, 2010

    New AT&T Data Limits

    The big news announced this past week for iPhone users. While you may initially be happy with a small savings - this is really AT&T making an early change to bring in more money later on.  Imagine what internet related things you could be doing on your phones/tablets/whatever in 2+ years.  That's when AT&T's small "offering" of $15/mo savings will really start to cost you.

    They may even cost the music industry and it's innovation, even more.

    New AT&T Data Limits Bad News For Music Tech - hypebot

    att.jpg

    "(UPDATED) AT&T is replacing its $29.99 per moth unlimited data plan, popular with iPhone and iPad users, with $15 (200MB) and $25 (2G) plans. While a reported 95% of mobile users do not currently exceed the 2G limit, increased use of new video and music in the cloud applications could lead to additional charges.

    Unlimited mobile data has long been considered an unsustainable model by some analysts, and it is believed that other cell services will also set limits. That's not good news for a growing list of companies delivering data heavy music services like downloads and video or music streaming to smartphones."

    (Continued... New AT&T Data Limits Bad News For Music Tech - hypebot)

     

    Sunday, June 6, 2010

    Tonight! Pains of Being Pure at Heart @ Grog Shop

     

    These guys will be at the Grog Shop on Sunday night.  I like these guys, and this should be a good show.

    Here's a new video for their "plush" new song.

     

    Friday, June 4, 2010

    New Ray LaMontagne Album Announced

    I have some high hopes for this...  Ray LaMontagne's first album just knocked me off my feet.  From that point on, I felt like he of became a workhorse for the major labels, with constant touring and promotion.  This seemed disconnected from the personality I gleaned, when I first saw him.  Not that his music has been bad since them - just the opposite, but something didn't feel right about the glossy promotion of such a rootsy, withdrawn performer.

    Ray LaMontagne: "Ray LaMontagne New Album, Aug. 17th!

    New York, New York – Acclaimed recording artist Ray LaMontagne is set to release his new album, Ray LaMontagne & The Pariah Dogs - God Willin’ & The Creek Don't Rise on August 17th, 2010 on RCA Records. This is his fourth studio record, and the follow-up to his heralded Gossip in the Grain.

    Entirely self produced (for the first time) God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise was recorded in two weeks at LaMontagne’s home in the woods of western Massachusetts. The newly restored historic home served as a homemade recording studio for Ray and his fellow musicians. The setting provided a backdrop for the creation of songs imbued with Ray’s signature poignancy. With Ray’s vocals at the forefront of the songs and a loose, almost live sounding recording, the album stands as a testament to a band at the height of their powers. The newly coined 'Pariah Dogs', consists of Jay Bellarose (drums), Jennifer Condos (bass), Patrick Warren (keyboard), Eric Heywood (guitar) and Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar). Individually, these musicians have contributed to the live work of such heralded musicians including Beck, Joe Henry, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams and Joe Cocker to name a few of their career highlights. Together with Ray, they shared a sense that the sessions for this record were rare and extraordinary."

    Here's where it all started:

    Thursday, June 3, 2010

    Road Trippin' with Ice Cream Man

    I'm rediscovering this Road Trippin' with the Ice Cream Man series.  These are ~6 min. segments of randomness around Ice Cream Man as he tours the country going to festivals, giving out free ice cream and hanging with hip new bands.  This really has to be the best job in the *world*.  Here's one with The Dodo's and Fruit Bats.

    Here's one from the new season, with Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros.  Good stuff.

    OK, just one more from Pitchfork. Damn, I'm going to miss not going this year.

    Trampled by Turtles

    So I was going back through my older, unfinished blog posts and saw I missed posting this before Trampled by Turtles came to town (which I missed). I've seen them before, and was excited to see them again - but it just didn't happen
    However, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't check these guys out anyway


    Here's a Here Ya Album Review

    Wednesday, June 2, 2010

    The Mynabirds (6/1/10)

    My first concert in nearly two weeks.  How odd.  I wasn't even planning on seeing a show last night, but The Mynabirds were a late (and very pleasant) discovery.  When writing my Spangle article, I scour the local venues to make sure I didn't miss any shows, and was pleasantly surprised they were playing the Beachland Tavern.  This was also the same night as the Holy Fuck show at the Grog (how was it Bill?), but I opted for my folky side.

    Opening was Alan Madje Band, who I've seen open several times now... Not bad.

    Next was a recent Cleveland import, Cowboy & Indian.  Something I wasn't quite expecting.  Two members, a guy and a girl.  The girl walked out in skin tight spandex outfit with her belly exposed.  Now you might think that sounds tacky, but she pulled it off pretty well - especially the little belly dancing number she did during one of the jams.  Kind of hard to classify their music, but I wouldn't mind seeing them again.

    Now the Mynabirds...  they are a sweet bunch.  This was the first night of their tour and they were anxious to play, having been in the van since Omaha.  Here's a little bit about them from NPR (listen to the story):

    Laura Burhenn is the voice and driving force behind the soulful band The Mynabirds. Originally one-half of the indie-rock duo Georgie James, Burhenn began to write for The Mynabirds in the spring of 2009. Retreating to the mountains of Oregon with producer Richard Swift, she recorded a bold and powerful debut, What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood. The album conjures images of a night spent dancing to classic soul records.

    Check out their new video from yesterday (below).  Also pick up their new album, What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood!  You won't regret it.

    The Mynabirds (6/1/10)
    The Mynabirds (6/1/10)

     

    Tuesday, June 1, 2010

    Video Tuesday (6/1/10)

    I'm starting this Video Tuesday off with a show that you should be seeing tonight at the Beachland. The Mynabirds are at the Tavern for $10. Then we have the premiere of the new Scissor Sisters track, a crazy MGMT video, and a new track from Male Bonding.

    The Mynabirds - Numbers Don't Lie from Saddle Creek on Vimeo.