Broke-Ass Stuart and I met {briefly} at a party at D-Structure in San Francisco once. I guarantee he doesn't remember it, as there was free all-you-can-drink-til-it-runs-out beer at this party. But I remember. I was serving the abovementioned cerveza gratis and when Stuart came to the counter, I gave him beer and he gave me a sticker that read "You Are Young Broke and Beautiful." I thought it was pretty awesome {and accurate}. To make the long story short, I visited the website printed on the bottom of the sticker, brokeassstuart.com, and by the time I got to the bottom of the homepage, Broke-Ass Stuart was my new hero. Since then, I've visited the site tons of times, and, I don't usually do website reviews, but I felt this one was well-deserved. So this is officially the first in my new "Sometimes I Like Other People's Websites Too" series.
Broke-Ass Stuart is a recession-busting connoisseur of the [affordable} good life. His site consists of articles, reviews and listings related to getting the most out of life on a budget. Its like a CitySearch/Yelp/Magazine with all of the irrelevant/boring/expensive sections filtered out. Its catered to the young adult crowd - still in or not too long out of college...too old to rely on our parents for financial support, yet still working out the kinks in our "savings" plans. Stuart has also written 2 books: "Broke-Ass Stuart's Guide to Living Cheaply in New York City" and "Broke Ass Stuart's Guide to Living Cheaply in San Francisco" (Sierra Says: Wish I would have known about that one a long time ago!). You can also get "Young, Broke and Beautiful" t-shirts (I WILL GET ONE OF THESE BEFORE I LEAVE SF!) and stickers on the official Broke-Ass Stuart website. Yes, we ARE young, broke and beautiful and we just want to have a good time.....man, it's like Stuart knows us. :)
Check out the site...you'll be glad you did: Broke-Ass Stuart . For all you interweb enthusiasts, you can also follow Broke-Ass Stuart on Twitter or find him on Facebook.
Hybrid Theory was Linkin Park's best album. That is my opinion and this is my website, so it shall stand...lol. But seriously, I found a copy of Hybrid Theory at Amoeba a few months back and its become a part of my regular rotation again. It reminds me of good times in high school...brings back lots of memories. Here's "Crawling." Admit it, you'd still listen to your copy of Hybrid Theory if you could find it too :)
This may come as somewhat of a shock {ha!}, but I have seen my fair share of bands play. I've heard some that I've enjoyed and I've also heard some that made me wish I could switch my hearing on and off at will. Every now and then, I hear a band that's teeming with such indisputably raw and audacious talent, that its effect on me is both inspiring and humbling and it reminds me why I have chosen to document music as I do. On a Wednesday night in 2009, shortly after I moved to San Francisco, I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting a band called The Park. Though you can frequently find them rocking a stage in front of a packed arena, or backing up an artist on tour, on this night, The Park played in a tiny bar called Royale in San Francisco's North Beach Neighborhood. Long before entering Royale, I was greeted by intoxicating musical libations being offered up into the atmosphere. As I got closer to the door, the sound became more distinct and it seemed to weave itself in and around me, drawing me in like only music can. I entered to find The Park's jam session in full swing...it was absolutely amazing. The whole night I was on the edge of my seat...I mean these guys had to be a superhuman mutant band or something....they were that good...I was that entertained. I knew from the moment I walked in that this was no ordinary night and this absolutely was not an ordinary band. These guys were PROFESSIONALS in every sense of the word. This was The Park and this music was rock-you-down-to-your-soul REAL. Known for their versatility and ability to make everything they touch turn to musical gold, The Park has backed everyone from freestyle rappers who sit in on the Wednesday night sessions to Bay Area legends such as Darondo to British soulstress Alice Russell, with whom the band regularly tours. They are respected musicians, in the Bay Area and beyond. I'm {very} proud to bring you this interview with one of the hardest working and crit-diculously gifted bands I've ever heard. Ladies and gentlemen....The Park!
WANLS: Introduce me to the band members and whether they play/sing/etc.
THE PARK: The Core - Josh Lippi {bass}; Ben Schwier {keys}; Derek Taylor {drums} The Special Sauce - Anthony Coleman II {trumpet}; Brian Switzer {trumpet}; Wiatt Grant {sax}; Steve Wyreman {guitar}; Ross Grant {guitar}; Nate Mercereau {guitar}; DJs/MCs: Johnny Venetti, Whooligan, Gedeon, Wonway
WANLS: Throw your sets up! Where do you live and why do you love it?
THE PARK: We love living in San Francisco, because of the food!
WANLS: What are your musical influences?
THE PARK: Life.
WANLS: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
THE PARK: soulfunkjazzcountrycritrock
WANLS: Do you have or are you signed to a record label?
THE PARK: We are independent artists. We have been signed with projects in the past but now we only deal with the labels of the artists we are working with. There isn't much need for a label right now with the kind of thing we are doing. We have label interest and when the time comes with a deal that makes sense we would consider it.
WANLS: What are some of your most memorable shows?
THE PARK: The PST closing. {Sierra Says: PST was a loooong running party/club night in San Francisco that featured TONS of amazing live shows and some of the best DJ's from the Bay Area and beyond.} We got a chance to back up some of our favorite Bay artists like Martin Luther, Zion I, Res, Boots Riley, Trackademicks, Jesse Boykins III, Silk E...great family event.
Also, selling out the Troubador in LA with Alice Russell, the first show with Darondo...worrying if he was even going to make it down the staircase to the stage (because he was frail and a little buzzed), and then watching him do the splits on stage with the ease of James Brown in his twenties. WANLS: Who writes your music?
THE PARK: Most of our work is a collaboration. Josh and I have our own writing style and usually provide most of the harmonic framework and D is equally involved in creating the feel and arranging. Our strengths as writers/arrangers/producers lie in taking an idea or motif and then building and expanding on it as a group. It's kind of a telepathy we share from the years of playing together. All of our individual strengths play off of each other. Derek adds: "Like whales."
WANLS: What direction do you see the band going in 2010? Any specific plans?
THE PARK: Taking over the world one gig, studio session, and tour at a time...
WANLS: Your fantasy show or tour line up?
THE PARK: The Park Presents Tour (similar to La Pena shows/all our fam/circa Okayplayer '99 Maritime Hall San Francisco). Ben adds: The Park at Staples Center backing MJ. Derek adds: D'angelo backed by The Park.
WANLS: Describe what its like to experience your live shows.
THE PARK: Love bursts.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: If it hadn't been for ___, we would have ___.
THE PARK: If it hadn't been for Papalote's, we would have been hungry.
WANLS: What's the #1 priority for your band right now? (Ben)
THE PARK: Keep working. Keep moving. Keep loving.
WANLS: Where can we find you on the web?
THE PARK: theparkmusic.com
WANLS: Fill in the blank: People would never guess that ___.
THE PARK: People would never guess that our drugs of choice are dark chocolate and health drinks.
WANLS: Best thing about being in your band?
THE PARK: We have/do experience the craziest spectrum of life. We have played dog shows as well as festivals with 20,000 people and room service. One day we are drinking goose and champagne in New York; the next day we are squeezing into one car with all of our gear on the way to hold down our local session in North Beach. It's part of the process and we just try and enjoy the ride.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: One day they're probably gonna name a ___ after our band.
THE PARK: One day they're probably gonna name a burrito after our band.
WANLS: Last and most importantly, if you were stranded on a desert island with your bandmates, who would go cannibal first?
THE PARK: We were stuck on an island in Vancouver once. Derek will eat anything.
Now park yourself in front of the computer and crit The Park on the interweb:
Check out the brand new video from A Dream Asleep! Its the first video release from the band's latest, "We Are the Juggernauts." The track is called "Horus -vs- The Juggernauts." The band kills it and the video is airtight....very well done, gentlemen. {Sierra Says: They most definitely make me proud :)}
WARNING: This will most definitely rock your face all the way off. Now quit being a punk and hit play already!
OK....catch your breath and then make a note of these upcoming A Dream Asleep show dates:
February 6th they're playing at Shadowplay Lounge in The Woodlands, TX...show starts at 7pm.
February 13th its Trash Bar Texas in Humble, TX...show starts at 8pm.
March 3rd, the boys are back at Trash Bar Texas with another 8pm show.
Wanna know more? Stay tuned right here...I'll keep you posted on the latest ADA happenings. You can also stalk them on the interweb:
Let me preface this with a statement: I LOVE 311! They are, in fact, my favorite band. Period. Deal with that however you choose :) 311 is on the road allllll the time, and that's how its been for years now. For nearly ten years now, on 3/11 (that's March 11th for all you special ones), the band plays a special show (usually in New Orleans, LA) with a longer set than usual and an expanded set list....which thrills the ride-or-die 311 fans. (The 2006 311 Day show was 5 hours long and featured a 66-song set list!!!) This year, the show will take place in America's grown-up playground, LAS VEGAS!!! The 2010 festivities include a fan party, 2 shows on 3/11 (daytime and evening) and a beach party featuring their tour guests, The Wailers.
Tickets may be hard to come by this late in the game, but go to 311's official website for more info.
2. SXSW
For anyone who has ever attended the mecca of a music festival in Austin, TX, the name says it all. Invaluable networking, exclusive and intimate performances and inspiration to keep creating for the next 11 months until it's time to do it all again! I remember South By Southwest back in the 90's, when most of the attendees and performers were from Texas. Today, more than twenty years since their first production, SXSW is internationally recognized as a must-attend event for industry folks and music lovers alike.
The festival features live music, industry networking events, film screenings and much much MUCH more. I will be in attendance at this year's festival, which runs from March 12-21. Hope to see you guys there!
Info, including how to purchase registration bands and local hotel listings, is available here. The full 2010 lineup has not been announced, but you can check out a list of the bands that have been confirmed so far here.
3. Coachella
Only hours ago the 2010 Coachella lineup was announced. Among the 130 acts that will grace the stage in Indio, CA this year are Devo, Tiësto, Grizzly Bear, De La Soul, Faith No More, Gil Scott-Heron, Them Crooked Vultures, Jay Z, The Raveonettes, Public Image Limited, Wale, MGMT, Sly and the Family Stone, Bassnectar, Pavement, MUTEMATH and Corinne Bailey Rae (I LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).
As if Coachella's lineup wasn't reason enough to attend, the festival's powers that be offer LAYAWAY TICKETS! What do you say boys and girls???? Altogether now: THANK YOU COACHELLA! This year's festival is April 16, 17 and 18. All information (including info on camping and car camping for all you hardcore music fest fans) is available on Coachella's official website.
*The Coachella 2010 lineup page is awesome! Very well put together. Ever single performer is listed and you simply click on the respective icons next to their names to find them on Twitter/Facebook/MySpace/YouTube. Very cool. Check it out.
4. Austin City Limits
This year's ACL will be held at Zilker Park in Austin (duh) October 8-10. While the 2010 lineup won't be announced until later this year, ACL's past leave us thirsty for more and waiting with baited breath to find out who will rock the stage this year.
Mos Def, Kings of Leon, Eek-A-Mouse and Yeah Yeah Yeahs were among the numerous 2009 acts...this makes me very hopeful for 2010:)
The best way to stay in the know on all things ACL is to get connected online in one of the 7, yes 7, convenient ways offered: find ACL on Facebook, Twitter or MySpace; sign up for email or mobile alerts; keep up with the official ACL message board or the official ACL blog.
I love love love Mos Def and I love love love his 2009 release, The Ecstatic, which I'm sure will comprise much of his set list at ACL this year (at least I'm hoping it will). I really wanted to post my favorite track from the album for you guys....its called "Life in Marvelous Times," but there's no official video for it. So please excuse the lameness of the fan-made video that I found on YouTube and enjoy the track:)
5. VANS Warped Tour
For the love of Punk! This year the Warped Tour turns sweet 16...well, as sweet as a punks can get:) Warped Tour will forever remind me of good times in the summer as a teenager. My friends and I were faithful attendees of Warped Tour back in those days. We'd plan for it for months and then in the few days before, we'd get our parents to drop us at the mall so that we could find the PERFECT t-shirt to wear...lol. So much fun. Well, my friends and I are pushing 30 now, but Warped Tour still makes me smile. Not only is there no shortage of music to make you move (or mosh...whatever you like), but Warped Tour has plenty of other things happening to keep you entertained. When you're not watching the bands perform, you can watch skaters or BMXers do their thing on the ever present Warped Tour ramps.
This year's lineup doesn't dissapoint, featuring acts such as Agent Orange, We the Kings, The Fabulous Rudies, Of Mice and Men and (this is not a joke) Sum 41....we'll see how that last one works out...I was actually a fan when they debuted, not so sure now...lol. Warped Tour runs June 24th through August 15th. That's alot of dates, which is cool because you can bet the show is coming to your city or one near by. All the info is available here. (Sierra Says: Dear Warped Tour Folks, I love the show you put on, but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE upgrade your website...it kind of sucks.) Here's a look back at last year's Warped Tour 15th Anniversary Celebration:
6. Lollapalooza - http://www.lollapalooza.com/
August 6-8, Grant Park Chicago. Beats, rhymes, guitars and moshing. Lollapalooza was founded in 1991 by Jane's Addiction singer, Perry Farrell. Since then, with a brief hiatus between 1997 and 2003, Lollapalooza has provided the stage for some of the best live musical performances of the past 2 decades. From Archie Bell to Alice in Chains to A Tribe Called Quest and many more, the festival's gargantuan lineup always includes a little something for everyone. Check out this list of Lollapalooza lineups past!
The interweb is abuzz with rumors, but this year's official lineup is yet to be announced. Early Bird passes to the festival have been sold out since August '09, so be sure to stay tuned to the latest happenings on the official Lollapalooza website to be in the know when regular tickets go on sale. Bonus: a portion of the proceeds from Lollapalooza ticket sales are donated to the Parkways Foundation. Music on a mission....now that's good stuff.
7. New Interpol Album Release
In 2002, Interpol exploded onto the national scene and sonically illuminated the world with their debut studio release "Turn on the Bright Lights." 3 albums and 6 EP's later, Interpol announced in 2009 that they were working on a brand new album to be released at some point this year.
While fans have never turned their back on the NYC four-piece, it's no secret that there are high hopes for a return to the Interpol of the "Turn on the Bright Lights" days. We shall see... The band's official website is quite cryptic, at the moment, but I would imagine this will change as the album release date approaches.
8. Lilith Fair
Contrary to what many believe, Lilith Fair is not some sort of over-the-top-hardcore-feminist-man-hating-go-girl rally. It is a celebration of women and our {amazing} creative energy. Founded by Sheryl Crow in 1996, Lilith Fair was one of the highest grossing touring festivals in the world from 1997 to 1999. Past Lilith lineups have included a wide range of notables spanning multiple genres, including the Dixie Chicks, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Fiona Apple, Tracy Chapman and, of course, the show's creator, Sarah McLachlan.
2010 marks the return of Lilith Fair after just over a decade-long hiatus! The entire lineup has not been announced, but a few of the already confirmed acts have me way excited: Corinne Bailey Rae, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott....those three alone are reason enough for me to want to attend!!! 33 cities have been announced so far and there's more to come, so stay tuned to the official Lilith Fair website for details on show dates, lineup announcements and ticket sales.
9. Outkast!?!?
Of all the announcements in this post, this is by far my favorite. Andre 3000 and Big Boi are each releasing solo albums in 2010. According to news sources, if the solo projects are well received, a new Outkast album can be expected. I almost peed in my pants when I heard this. Although I hope in my heart of hearts that this will come to pass, this is not {yet} an official announcement that the album is in the works.
If this is true, then this album will be a long awaited answered prayer for legions of die-hard fans who have dreamed about this day for years now. The level of originality and raw talent the duo possesses have yet to be matched by any others. Their chemistry is magical...their delivery is absolutely incredible. Outkast, I wish you all the best for your solo albums and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the group release...because the whole world loves it when you make that sound;)
Until we know something more, you can satisfy your Outkast cravings by visiting their official website. You can check out the entire collection of every video the duo has ever made {hallelujah} and you can also sign up for the email list to stay in the know....I recommend it.
10. LCD Soundsystem Tour
Producer/musician extraordinaire/really funny and creative dude who makes music that makes me want to dance, James Murphy AKA LCD Soundsystem is packing up his live show supporting band types and going on tour! I could say some things about it, but LCD can say it even better. The refreshingly straight forward latest update on the official LCD Soundsystem website is titled "basically we're announcing a tour." Check it out:
"i can’t imagine this comes as a shock to everyone, since we’re making a record, which is well documented, and i’ve talked pretty openly about going on tour, but we’re going on tour. there’s a button at the top here that says “gigs” that you can click on, as well as a section to the left called “standing in front of people doing things loudly”. they’re the same thing, really. that has gig information. before you get mad and ask why there’s no gig in your town or house, please realize (realise, for you uk people) that we’re going on tour for a long time, in a lot of places, around the planet, for longer in support of this one record than the beatles ever toured in total, and we’ll likely be close to you at some point. i hope that clears some of that up?
we’re excited, and want this to be the best tour ever. hope we see some of you out."
There you have it, folks. For once, I have nothing more to say:)
Honorable Mention: New Massive Attack Album
We waited and waited and waited, then we waited some more...and it's finally paid off! Trip-hop lovers, hold your heads up. Massive Attack's "Heligoland" will be released February 9th in the U.S. (and one day earlier in the UK)!!!
BONUS: Dave Chappelle's Block Party, Part 2!!!!
Nah, I'm just kidding....but wouldn't that be sick??!! Dave...if you're out listening....I'm just sayin'.....
For those of you who, like myself, were quite distressed about the bleak outlook for hip-hop's future, take note. I have found the knight in shining armor who has come to ease our fears: Trackademicks. Been craving originality? He's got it. Been missing the finesse and personality (not a bad attitude) from a true entertainer? He's got that too. What about professionalism, a strong work ethic and consistency? Yep....he's your dude. Thanks to Trackademicks and his Honor Roll crew, hip-hop is back and it's better than ever! From flawless lyricism and making crowds go crazy, to producing bangers that make 'em go dumb and remixes that make you wonder why the original track even bothered, Trackademicks is ahead of the class! I'm so pleased to bring you this interview with the Bay Area tastemaker. Students, take your seats......class is in session!
WANLS: Tell me who you are and what you do in 3 sentences.
TRACKADEMICKS: My name is Trackademicks aka The Cool Collar Scholar, representing the Bay Area's Honor Roll Crew. In a Nutshell, I create lush, breezy synthphonic-soulectronic-neo-funk-infused sophisti-slapadelick-soundscapes enriched with socially relevant ramblings about the human experience in celebration of the culturally diverse world we are blessed to be a part of! Though, some may simply refer to me as an artist/producer...
WANLS: What's the last song you listened to?
TRACKADEMICKS: Todd Rundgren "Love is the Answer"
WANLS: What gets you started in the morning?
TRACKADEMICKS: Promise of a better tomorrow gets me in gear to tackle the tasks of today.
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: If it hadn’t been for ___, I would have ___.
TRACKADEMICKS: If it hadn't been for meeting the core members of the Honor Roll in high school, I would have never developed such a broad, idealistic yet realistic view of the artist I could potentially become.
WANLS: What's #1 on your priority list right now?
TRACKADEMICKS: Getting the right look/reception for all of the first round Honor Roll projects dropping this year. When we put our best foot forward, everything else will fall into place. Going 100% is the only way to meet God half way in getting were you're supposed to be!
WANLS: Tell me one song that everybody should listen to and why.
TRACKADEMICKS: Everybody should listen to "Blue" by Wham!, because if you have ever been or have the experience of knowing someone at the brink of falling apart at the mercy of someone else, this song will perfectly articulate the passion in the pain of that moment. Just saying...
WANLS: What’s one thing people would never guess about you?
TRACKADEMICKS: People would never guess that I usually can careless about the small details. I'm big picture all the way.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: Ten years ago, I just knew I ___.
TRACKADEMICKS: Ten years ago, I just knew I could never be a musician, because "what 'normal' dude from Alameda can really make a decent living doing hip-hop?!?" Joke's on who? Hmmmm...
WANLS: Fill in the blanks: But as long as I can listen to ___’s music, I know everything will be alright.
TRACKADEMICKS: But as long as I can listen to Sade and Tears for Fears' music, I know everything will be alright.
WANLS: Throw your sets up! Where do you live and why do you love it?
TRACKADEMICKS: I love living in Trackademia because everything here, in my own headspace, everything is of my own volition.
WANLS: Fill in the blank: One day they’re probably gonna name a ___ after me.
TRACKADEMICKS: One day they're probably gonna name a Chill Pill after me.
WANLS: Favorite tour or show so far?
TRACKADEMICKS: N.E.R.D Live At Fillmore in San Francisco June 14, 2002. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=korlItQ0Yy0 This show was magical. So magical in fact that they threw it on the re-released enhanced CD of In Search Of... This show was the epitome of what I have been enlisted to do as an artist. It’s all about bridge building and cultural connection. There were so many truly different people in the room that night. People create Art. Art is Life. Life is Good. It was achieved that night. You can see me in the front row if you look hard enough.
WANLS: Fantasy tour lineup/show location?
TRACKADEMICKS: Sade and Tears for Fears somewhere in the UK, circa 1985-86.
