Back-to-back Nirvana posts but Wow... Robert Glasper really blows me away with this jazzy, hip hop fusion cover of Nirvana's "Smells like Teen Spirit". It makes me wish the day was already here when robots control the world and we all talk using vocoders.
The Robert Glasper Experiment - Smells Like Teen Spirit.
This is a no fail test to confirm whether or not a child is awesome. If said child does not have the following reaction, it does not preclude them from being awesome, only from being this awesome.
Here's a post from one of our newest contributors, THE BASED DOG.
Kitty Pryde is a white teenager* from Florida who takes her name from an X-Men character and raps. When I say she raps I mean she raps well. On her latest single “Okay Cupid” she spits about some of the traditional problems with internet dating. This particular boy kinda sucks and may or may not like her back. Her rhymes float softly over snares and cosmic instrumentals as she talks about looking forward to 3 am drunk dials from her boo.
If you care who the subject of the song may be, here's a little hint from the video.
In this day and age, she is likely to draw comparisons to Kreayshawn because they’re both white and female and people will hate for those two reasons alone. Internet haters may complain that there’s no room for white girls in rap talking about liking boys but they’re missing the point. You can not like it but you can’t say her words not authentic to her and many others. She’s doing her and doing her well. The last thing this game needs is more actor rapper chattering about supposed crimes and jail times, or even worse... more actor rappers complaining about actor rappers.
Kitty Pryde - OK Cupid
*Reports vary as to her actual age, some say 13, 17 or 19. I think she might be 73 and have that Benjamin Button disease.
I just came across this elegantly raucous bunch called The Dø. In it's simplest form, the group consists of Olivia Merilahti and Dan Levy, a finnish/french duo that puts a dark and powerful Gypsy feel behind some dangerously sexy vocals. They are crossing the atlantic for a US Tour later this summer with NYC dates at Mercury Lounge and the Knitting Factory.
Here they are with a booming live rendition of their newest single 'Slippery Slope."
On this day four years ago, I met the toughest lil' S.O.B. I've ever known. Happy Anthropomorphic Birthday to my littlest and spiciest Buddy, Tia. #EDAS favorite , Way Yes helps us celebrate with her official theme-song.
Levon Helm, one of the most outstanding touring musicians every to share his sounds with this, or any country, just passed away today. One of the last remaining members of The Band, I was fortunate enough to see Levon play on several occasions. Limited by health but not spirit, his dedication to music was evident in every beat he ever hit and word he ever sang. He will be hugely missed.
I looked to my friend Ben, a talented drummer, huge Fan of The Band, and proud EDAS contributor. He and I saw Levon together at the Beacon Theater in 2008, and both went on to see him subsequent times. Like many true music fans, he was saddened to hear the news but was ripe with words. He had this to say:
Almost a year ago to the day, on my birthday, I had the pleasure of seeing Levon at one of his Rambles at his home in Woodstock, NY. Sitting in the intimate audience, a mere 20 ft from Levon himself, I had trouble choking back the tears of joy that now, as tears of sorrow, flow more freely. I was struck not only by his drumming and passion for the music, but also by the incredible respect and adoration the other musicians (all of whom were great in their own right) clearly displayed for the late Mr. Helm. With his drum kit off to the side, it seemed as if he wished only to participate in the concert - to be a part of the music - but not to dominate it. It didn't work. Granted it was Levon's home and Levon's band, but still. The constant grinning glances he received from his regular band mates as well as his famed guests (John Sebastian and Natalie Merchant, when I was there) told a consistent story: Levon Helm was not only an incredible player and titan of 20th century rock, but an inspiration to all. His love and passion will live on through his music for generations to come. He will be dearly missed. Here's to you, Levon. It doesn't matter if you knew him or not, take my word for it: a hero is dead. Whatever you do, make sure you pour one out for the Ramblin' Boy from Arkansas.
At that Beacon concert in 2008, Levon's special guests included Clarence Clemmons and Phoebe Snow. Three great talents that gave their souls to this world and passed on from it within the last year. I guess it's beginning to be a difficult time to be a fan of the classics.
In honor of the only American member of the "quintessential American Rock Group," I've got prepared two songs. The first one was from the beginning of his largely successful solo career, where he teamed up with some of the best players in the game and earned their respect and friendship. My favorite is You Got Me, from the album he did with the RCO All Stars, which included Dr. John, Booker T., Paul Butterfield and some of the foremost studio musicians of the era.
The finale is chosen from the posthumously ironic Last Waltz, where he sings quite possibly the best ballad of all time. Rest In Peace Levon, congratulations on a job incredibly well done.
As we speak, Filligar is bringing American Rock N' Roll back to those who need it, one show at a time. One of my truly favorite bands touring today, I have had the privilege of seeing them crush a sold-out Bowery Ballroom and turn an intimate CMJ show into a modern day Juke Joint. Wise way beyond their years, these guys are soaking in the lessons of this great country and carrying the rich traditions of Chicago Blues with them.
Jook Joint
Filligar's sonic chemistry runs deep, in fact it's in their blood. The band is made up of the Brothers Mathias, twins Teddy and Pete (bass & drums) and younger bro Johnny (lead singer/guitar) and lifelong friend, Casey (keyboards). Even though they are all first generation musicians, that's a DNA compatibility of over 99.9%*. They get their time-tested style by reaching into the Ethnomusicological archives, taking hints from diverse greats ranging from Little Feat to Little Walter, Brahms to The Band. The result is a sound that touches on every human impulse to let go and rock out. No wonder they have dominated my headphones since I first heard them just about a year ago.
Filligar 8/4/11 @ Bowery Ballroom
I have put off writing about them because I feel like my words can barely their insane talent any justice. Thankfully, the Independent Music Awards has taken notice and nominated their latest LP, The Nerve, for Best Rock(/Hard Rock) Album. To celebrate this honor, Filligar is letting you pay whatever you want to download it by simply clicking that big button below. Would I be the biggest music snob if I said I was not surprised about their nomination. With amazing songs like Gray Area, Health, Robbery, Guilty Good Intentions and Not Gonna Settle, I suggest you pay them the maximum of $25. In fact, I guarantee your money back AND a free banana it will be the best money you spend all year** (read the fine print below). If you think that's a little steep, give them the equivalent of a couple of dranks or throw down on some road grub. Either way, grab the album right now and #FollowFilligar on every type of social media possible (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Spotify) to make sure you see them next time they come to your town. Even though these songs are officially some of the best rock songs of the year, they are nothing until you hear them live. After they've blown you away, tell them #EDAS sent you.
Despite all the classics I have named above, today's song is my favorite off the B-Side of The Nerve. Tucked all the way three songs from the bottom, is a track I am just infinitely drawn to from start to finish. Enjoy Wild Nature and prepare yourself because my sources tell me that these guys are getting ready to release more material later this year.
Filligar - Wild Nature
Fine Print
*This figure was estimated by an amateur Musico-Scientist***
** Guarantee Not Guaranteed, except for the banana part... Maybe.
Guess who was just named Fire Warden at the office?
Yes... Yours truly. Now I'm not sure exactly what the responsibilities are, but I know what they ain't thanks to George Costanza.
Seriously you tell everybody to run. Obviously take the stairs, unless there's fire in the stairs, then take the other stairs. Now that that's off my chest, I want to congratulate my Ohio State Basketball team on reaching the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournement. Tomorrow/Today (depending on when you read this) The Buckeyes take on the Syracuse Orange (no longer 'Men') in a showdown that pits my alma mater against my mother and brother's. OSU, or as I call them, The Ohio Players, are gonna light it up and torch those chumps. Coach Thad Matta has ignited a flame deep within the team and they are going to incinerate their foes and blaze a trail to glory. See what I did there? No, but seriously the Syracuse colors are supposedly Orange and Burnt Orange.
Today is March 14th, which can also be written as 3/14 or 3.14. This gets nerds all uppity because 3.14 are the first digits of the Mathematical constant Pi or π. Back in my High School days, at New York's finest Science and Math institution, this was more of a holiday to us than Columbus Day or even Festivus.
Today's song is definitely the most sensual recitation of a stream of numbers that I have ever heard. The video has been spliced it up with scenes from the movie, Pi (some of which was shot on the block where I grew up) which is a pretty interesting film if you ever want to check it out. Just listening to the sounds of the pretty weird & weirdly pretty singer Kate Bush sing pure numbers really shows her dynamite range. Not a bad start if you want to further explore her catalog.
Blind Benny is one of my favorite up-and-coming bands working the New York City scene right now. The brainchild of the gorgeous and talented Jade<3 and the equally gorgeous and talented Jonathan Carmelli. Tomorrow, March 13th, the duo brings their celestial melodies to the Bowery Electric (Click here for tickets), where they will add to their sonic artistry by playing with a full band. This weekend I was able to speak with Guitarist/Composer/Arranger/Producer/Grassroots Every-Man
Jonathan Carmelli and ask him a few questions about where Blind Benny comes from and where they think its going.
Jonathan Carmelli and Jade<3
EDAS: Last time we spoke, you guys were performing as Jade<3. Nowadays, you guys are known as Blind Benny. Other than your moniker, what has changed over the last year? BB: A lot has changed actually, and its evident on our new EP. With "No Honor" we have basically gone organic. No electronic instruments were used on the whole project, so as a result the new EP is warm and kind of timeless.
EDAS: That seems to be a sensible process considering many bands spend hours synthesizing in post production to get that "wall of sound," reverb-heavy, ambient thang that is so prevalent these days.
BB: Well, with our last EP we started a sound that we would like to continue and hone. Its like half electronic half organic. Ideally, we would love to marry the two and take it to the next level. With this record our primary focus was to make it scalable. We really wanted the songs to feel the same when we play live regardless if there are 2 of us or a whole band like there will be on Tuesday. Every song on this EP started with just a bare bones vocal and acoustic guitar track and grew from there.
EDAS: Being a twosome, how does the creative process go down?
BB: We are both coming at music from two different angles: I am coming from an alternative, rock, pop perspective and Jade<3 comes from the urban, pop, r&b world. We just write it up and whatever happens, happens. I may come up with an idea that is mostly rock, but when Jade<3 takes it she spins in the total opposite direction. The only place that we really meet creatively is with Pop. Jade<3 melodies and lyrics are always catchy and have great hooks and I tend to want to make the production tell that story simultaneously.
Finally I asked Jonathan, a fellow student of the world of music who emphasizes his versatile guitar playing, what he is able to contribute specifically. “My goal as a musician, producer, and band member is always, ‘How do I make this better?’ not ‘How to I inject myself into this?” and since Jade<3 already has her own unique sound, its easy to achieve."
Directly below you can expierence for yourself the magic of Blind Benny. Come on through to the Bowery Electric tomorrow and see this great band play "No Honor" and just plain tear it up on the Lower East Side. If you can't make it, get their music and follow them on twitter to find out where and when they play next. Hope to see you guys there tomorrow night, I'll be there fo sho. Word is they go on at 9pm.
Don Robinson, sometimes known as the Rapping Bum, was a fixture of the, THE Ohio State Campus, walking up and down High Street amongst the studious ebb and raucous flow of young Buckeyes. Some say he had been rapping up and those streets for over 20 years. That's so long, I actually wonder whether his mind began to process in rhyme. After he obtained enough money to buy food, I wonder if he ordered like that. It would probably prove difficult after a while, I mean what rhymes with Burrito?
It turned out he definitely wasn't a bum, technically he was a busker; and he had a home and from what I hear, a family. You could call him an independent artist who brought his music directly to the consumer on an intimate and high volume basis. Basically he walked up and down the street rhyming until you gave him money. He wasn't half bad either... Maybe in terms of true rapping, his flow lacked a little versatility; but in some ways, his throwback style of heroic couplets was a nod to Shakespeare.
The last time I saw Don Rob was at the day of my graduation. I knew I was coming back to New York City long-term so I just stood there, basking in his near-endless stream of street poetry. He touched on such varied and intellectual topics as sports, the economy, local cuisine, weather, politics, science, chivalry and Michigan Sucking. After what might have actually been 4 or 5 minutes, I slapped the few bills I had in my pocket into his hand and said, "Thanks." Regardless of what mood you were in, if you just failed a test, or got rejected at a raging kegger, somehow... just hearing his signature line, "Help is on the way" seemed to make it all better.
Word comes from C-bus that Don Robinson passed away this week, coincidentally during the same week of Biggie's Death 15 years ago. After scouring the internet I was able to find a youtube video of someone claiming to have bought one of his CD's. Obviously this song is called "Help is on the Way." Feels great to hear it one last time.
RIP Don, your help was always appreciated.
Don "The Rapping Bum" Robinson - Help Is On The Way
