Rapper M.I.A (best loved by indie and urban kids alike for "Paper Planes" and its gunshot hooks) has apparently retired from the biz.
At her Bonnaroo performance last night, M.I.A announced not once, twice, but thrice her decision to stop performing. I first caught the news on Perez Hilton, who linked to a report from The New York Times.
This isn't the first time an artist has falsely announced their retirement from music, but M.I.A's impromptu announcement follows on the heels of a Pitchfork news report from last Wednesday. M.I.A canceled her summer festival dates, citing exhaustion as the cause.
Pitchfork quoted the rapper as saying (in a NyMag.com story) that"I'm canceling because I feel like physically I just have to stop for a second. It's too insane. I was losing a sense of just, like, reality, you know what I mean? I think for an artist like me, it's so important for me to be in the streets and go to the same shop every day and see the same people and, like, communicate. And it's really difficult to do that when you're in the city every day for 24 hours. Like, I love connecting with my band, but I want to actually help them and be a part of peoples' lives. Which is really hard when you're on tour...It takes a lot out of you, physically. I make club music, which means I'm clubbing every night for, like, six months. Know what I mean? So now and again you finally just want to be gardening and get your nails done or something like that."
No confirmation from Interscope on M.I.A's departure. But if you're already feeling nostalgic, check out her "Paper Planes" video below. (Man, just last fall her biggest problem was MTV's banning of the vid!)
[More...]
Sunday, June 15, 2008
M.I.A to be MIA? (Bonnaroo Retirement)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Wednesday's Video: Flight of the Conchords- "Ladies of the World"
New Zealand's fourth most popular digi-folk parody duo produced a music video for "Ladies of the World" in honor of their debut record with Sub Pop Records.
Those familiar with the Conchords' HBO television series will recall this video from episode 10:
It's fairly simple, featuring Bret and Jemaine singing to a roomful of women in a 60's/70's era television studio. There is little comedic value to this version, except that it is a fantasy happening inside the band's heads. (Much like Zach Braff's fantasies as J.D. on NBC's "Scrubs.") The point is, anyone watching the video as a standalone is probably confused and not amused, since they are watching it out of the show's context.
Sub Pop's version:
The decision to put the Conchords on roller skates really gives the viewer the disco-y feel of the song. (Not to mention the hilarious jumpsuits and bellbottoms worn by the band, in addition to Jemaine's glasses.)
The roller skates have many uses (including those mad tricks Bret and Jemaine pull off) and as such, the video is a lot more fun to watch. Also, the hipster douchebag character bragging about backstage passes provides the viewer with context not seen in clips from the show, making it accessible to everyone.
Apparently the Conchords HBO show will be back on the air this January. Hopefully they'll make some more videos to tide us over! (And not working double lives as pastry chefs and snipers.)
[More...]
Sunday, June 1, 2008
To Be Scene: The Delfields at Octopus Studios, 5/30/08
The appeal of a live show is that anything can happen once the band takes the stage. And as many veteran concertgoers know, the event itself can change in a matter of minutes.
Such was the case at Octopus Studios this past Friday in New Brunswick, also known as The Delfields' home turf. There were two other touring bands scheduled to play that evening at Octopus Studios, but their van threw a belt on the Parkway en route to the house, forcing their absence. What is a show house to do?
Rock it out, of course. For the faithful friends and fans who made it out to OS on Friday, The Delfields gave a solid effort. Performing tracks from this year's Ogres and their new EP Sooner Than You Think!, it was clear the band has a tight chemistry. An added bonus was their cover of "Here Comes Your Man" by the Pixies, which is a song I never thought I would hear live.
It was a refreshing New Brunswick basement experience. Octopus has a decent setup; the only improvement might be more room, but that's a pipe dream in this town. Regardless, it was a relaxed and chill atmosphere. Attendees stood and watched, swigging Coors or bottles of white wine. After the band performed (somewhere to the tune of 30 to 45 minutes) the party continued elsewhere in the house, with a congenial and friendly atmosphere. It's the kind of setting lead singer and guitarist Joe Fekete was talking about: a fun and progressive indie rock experience, instead of assembly-line hardcore.
The Delfields are perfoming this Friday at John and Peter's in New Hope, Pa. Show starts at 8 PM. I highly suggest you attend, because I can only imagine The Delfields' performance gets better when they play in better venues.
,
[More...]
Thursday, May 29, 2008
June Show Calendar!
Never fear. New Jersey Hipster is back! June 1st: - Langhorne Slim @ Sound Fix Records, - Screaming Females with Cheeky @ MeatTown - - Wakey!Wakey! @ Mercury Lounge, - The Delfields @ - - The Roadside Need directions or addresses of the venues listed? Want a show added to my list? Email me! lvoytko@newjerseyhipster.com
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
OneRepublic Cancels Rutgersfest Performance
Lead singer Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic injured his Achilles tendon before a show last week at CMU, which has forced the band to cancel their Rutgersfest appearance this Friday.
According to OneRepublic's MySpace blog, Tedder had surgery on the injured tendon and is recovering well. Rutgers University's campus-wide paper The Daily Targum reported the news this morning:With only three days until the show, [the Rutgers University Programming Association, or RUPA] does not have enough time to schedule another band, but Rutgersfest will go on as planned. Instead of replacing OneRepublic in the lineup, Third Eye Blind will go on during their time slot. The show will start at 3:30 p.m. and most likely end at 7:45 p.m. (by Cait Callahan)
Quick! Someone get a cool band to take the OneRepublic slot!
[More...]
Jay Reatard Quits Music?? (Toronto done him in)
After a performance cut short on Apr. 17 at Toronto's Silver Dollar (where he clocked a fan in the face) Memphis punk-rocker Jay Reatard has apparently quit music for, well, ever.
Reatard posted a MySpace message in which he claims obnoxious/over-enthusiastic fans ruined his band's equipment from throwing beer bottles and jumping onstage during the performance. Since then, the whole debacle has degenerated into a he-said/she-said debate with show promoters Against the Grain denouncing Reatard's actions. Silver Dollar booker Dan Burke has also jumped into the fray, fighting against Reatard's MySpace message.
However, a short post by Reatard on his blog early yesterday morning states he is retiring:So after hundreds of message board post and and equal amount of blog post I have decided to quit music !!!! But fear not Stephen Pope is a god amongst men and will not let you dudes bring him down !! Solo gone solo ....
Grammar and spelling mistakes notwithstanding, if this is true then it's a big loss to the indie/punk scene. I was introduced to Reatard's Blood Visions sometime last year and after feeling like I was being hit in the face (much like the Toronto fan) I grew to appreciate the music. I've introduced friends to Jay Reatard who have become bigger fans than me, actually!
Full drama from Pitchfork.
What will happen to the Matador-released singles?
UPDATE: If you check the comments area of the post, Jay said [sic] "this is a joke assholes...My band mates love me ." Save the drama for your mama, Jay!
[More...]
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Cover Song of the Week: Amanda Palmer Performs "I Will Follow You Into The Dark"
Amanda Palmer's cover of Death Cab For Cutie's "I Will Follow You Into The Dark" has been around for over a year. However, upon tonight's YouTube surfing I found a particularly heart-wrenching video of this beautiful song.
The sound of Palmer's cover versus the Gibbard and Co. original is quite a departure, since Palmer plays piano and Death Cab is all about guitar. But Palmer has slowed "I Will Follow You..." down to emphasize the song's emotional lyrics. Backed by a grand piano, it's haunting and heart-wrenching. It makes you wish you loved someone that much, and you think it describes you, even if you never went to Catholic school or visited Calgary.
The cover (disregard production values! live footage!):
The original:
The best part is, you can download Palmer's cover for free via her MySpace profile.
[More...]
Monday, April 28, 2008
Introducing the Nation to the RU Screw
Hello, faithful New Jersey Hipster readers. Are you irritated from our lack of updates? We are too. I wanted to let everyone know that it's finals season at my fair University, which means I have to write papers about science fiction, feminism, and Kate Chopin. I'd rather be writing blog posts about stuff happening in New Brunswick and summer concert events, trust me. (Dan has finals, too.) Expect to see us back at full-force in a week or so!
In other news, we at NJH have been discussing a redesign of our site. You'll get the same content but in a more personalized, unique environment.
Should we redesign?
Feel free to give feedback in our comments area. We want to bring you NJ indie music news in the way that appeals to you, our readers.
[More...]
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wakey!Wakey! Opening for I'm From Barcelona @ Maxwell's 4/25
My favorite NYC piano man Wakey!Wakey! (aka Mike Grubbs) is opening for Swedish pop group I'm From Barcelona this Friday at Maxwell's. It's exciting to witness Wakey!'s rise in the indie circuit, and I can't think of a guy who deserves it more. The show starts at 8:30 PM and tickets are $15. Just don't do what I did last summer, which is park in one of Hoboken's public garages. Stay past midnight and you get charged $25!
Wakey!Wakey!- "New Partner" (Will Oldham cover) mp3
Wakey!Wakey!- "Cokehead" mp3
Wakey!Wakey! website
[More...]
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Eat, Sleep, and Folk at NJ Folk Fest This Saturday
The New Jersey Folk Festival (34th Annual!) is happening this Saturday on Douglass Campus at Rutgers. The festival's theme is German-American heritage and traditions, and it's happening from 10 am- 6 pm on the lawn of the Eagleton Institute. Full details can be found here. It's up the road from me and free, so why not?
[More...]
