800-4-Coffee: Why Send Flowers When You Can Send Coffee… and Music

If you are like me, then you know what an important role coffee plays if your life. You anticipate that latte in the morning, and you struggle to make it to your midday shot of espresso. 800-4-coffee is a coffee gift basket business that offers a break from the ordinary gift baskets and holiday treats, and instead fulfills our love and need for caffeine. Founder Jenn London stresses the health conscious side of sending a coffee basket as opposed to a candy and cookie filled one; having battled with weight issues as a child, she identifies with the perks of a break from the holiday food rush. Read more

CMJ Music and Film Festival - 10/21/08 - 10/25/08

Thanks to a friend in the industry, I was given the opportunity to take part in the CMJ ‘08 Music Marathon and Film Festival which took place in NYC from October 21-October 25th.

The CMJ Network works to connect music fans and industry professionals with new bands. Through all forms of media, including live events and print information, CMJ strives to open participants to new resources, talent, and music. The CMJ Music Marathon is the largest and longest running industry event of its kind and it has only flourished in the last few years. The marathon includes films, panel discussions, seminars, and music performances of all shapes and sizes.

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Ra Ra Riot Rocks the Music Hall of Williamsburg - 10/17/08

Last Friday I saw Ra Ra Riot at The Music Hall of Williamsburg. It is a very cool venue, equipped with a large downstairs area, couches, and a big bar. Upstairs is the performance space, and it is about as intimate as they come. Besides the dance floor there is a second level a few more feet up, allowing a view that is close to the band but over the heads of those on the floor. Up a bit more is the third level which has tables and chairs. The doors opened at eight and the first band went on at nine. And The Moneynotes played to an enthusiastic but small crowd, entertaining us with their music as well as their quirky and upbeat stage presence. Read more

Beck with MGMT - United Palace Theater - 10/9/2008

I am a tremendous fan of Beck and I have been for quite a while. I saw him perform at Bonaroo in 2006, at which time he wowed the crowd with tunes off of his album The Information. He accompanied his playing with a group of puppets, each designed to look like a member of the band. Not only was his set clever and entertaining, but his voice sounded pretty damn amazing.

His newest album Modern Guilt was even better than I had expected it to be, and so it was no surprise that I jumped at the chance to see him perform again. This time the venue was indoors and way uptown at the United Palace Theater. Read more

Hop Chip at Terminal 5 - NYC 10/4/08

I saw Hot Chip for the first time this past summer at Coachella. They were one of the few performers that had managed to fill an entire tent to capacity; there was so much audience overflow that we wound up watching them from the grass near the bathrooms. I wasn’t familiar with the British electropop group and so I hadn’t known what to expect from the five nerdy-looking guys that took the stage. But we were blown away once they started singing, and the whole audience began jumping and dancing in a way that is usually only induced by DJs.

My friends and I decided that we would have to see them again when they came to New York. Luck was on our side, and this past Saturday we caught up with them at Terminal 5. Read more

Book Review: Heavier Than Heaven: The Biography of Kurt Cobain

Lately, I have been reading a lot of musician biographies and autobiographies. It has been a rocky road, with downs (Bob Dylan Chronicles Vol. 1 by Bob Dylan) and ups (John by Cynthia Lennon.) Most recently I tackled Heavier than Heaven: A Biography of Kurt Cobain, by Charles R Cross. It was recommended to me by a friend who works in the music industry so I decided to read it; although, I actually didn’t know too much about Cobain, besides the general information that everyone who was alive in the 90’s knows. Still, I decided to give it a go. Read more