KBlog » Music

Music you should be listening to

Kimberly — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 02:24:45 +0000

Oh yes, it’s another list! I’ve been listening to a lot of great music lately, and there’s been lots of music news to report, so here goes!

My friend, Chris Connelly, has a new album out — this one dedicated to his beloved Scotland. Pentland Firth Howl is available on CD and limited edition vinyl; it’s something you don’t want to miss.
Once a month, I visit Julian Cope’s Head Heritage, and lo and behold, this month I met a site redesign! As always, there is plenty of new music in Unsung and W.S.Y.M., as well as a new album for Spring 2009. (Side bonus: Julian’s wife, Dorian, has an awesome new blog, On this Deity — highly recommended!)
Shoegazing is making a comeback and one of its original darlings, Mark Gardener of RIDE, is back with a lovely (and standards-compliant) website. He was recently interviewed about this genre’s resurgence by Drowned in Sound and the Times Online. Be sure to get the shoegazing retrospective Sci-Fi Lo-Fi Vol. 3: Shoegazing 1985-2009.
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, the documentary, is finally being released on DVD in the US on June 16, and it’s going to have extra content (so I’m going to have to buy another copy!). Pre-order it now. Also check out music inspired by the film — I can’t decide which track I love the most!
Duran Duran has been recording with Mark Ronson and, apparently, the new album sounds like Rio and Planet Earth! While waiting for that to arrive (next year?) Duranies can enjoy (finally) a double-CD or vinyl set of Rio, featuring both the UK and US album mixes (the CDs also have studio demos, b-sides, and other mixes). Also generating excitement amongst fans is the DVD/CD/download release of the band’s 1982 performance at Hammersmith Odeon! Full details

Plus NME has been reporting about forthcoming new releases from Yoko Ono and Sigur Ros, as well as North American tours in the fall by The Charlatans (UK) and Blur! Woo hoo!

Rhythm is the Power

Kimberly — Thu, 08 May 2008 23:59:30 +0000

I’m sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to Las Vegas. Am I on my way to a conference or convention? Nope. I am on my way to see Duran Duran on their Red Carpet Massacre tour!

They’re playing two shows in Vegas, which will be my fourth and fifth on the tour. So far, I’ve seen them in Concord (where I had a front-row view, a woman made it on stage and grabbed Simon’s butt, and I got backstage to meet Simon, John, Nick, and Roger), Santa Barbara (to which I brought a different camera and also got to hang out backstage), and Los Angeles (where I got to do some celeb sightseeing and took some video).

I realize I say this a lot, but it seems that few people listen to me — if the Durans are performing near you, go see them! This show incorporates the costumes and electronica set from their Broadway run, both of which were great. The set and lighting is all new. The band is well-rehearsed and they’re clearly having fun every night — you will too! Just go already! (I’m tired of hearing that you wish that’d you’d gone!)

And for yet another teaser, here’s the U.S. tour promotion video:

Photos and videos from Friday and Saturday nights in Vegas now online, too!

The Music Between Us

Kimberly — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 15:35:23 +0000

The large majority of people were not able to attend the best Duran Duran show ever (as determined by the 1,000 fans in attendance at their Broadway “Red Carpet Massacre” show on Friday, November 9, 2007) but, thanks to my friend Kelly, I got great tickets and, with my new Nikon D80, I got some great shots. Check them out!

Also, be sure to check out the band’s new album, Red Carpet Massacre. It’s got some very funky tunes that are sure to get your feet moving. I’m about to head to the store to pick up a copy right now!

Also check out these great front-row photos by my friend Carsten!

Yes, I was a band geek

Kimberly — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 18:48:44 +0000

And I’m damn proud of it. Why do I mention this now? Because on October 13, members of the Ridley Raider Marching Band are reuning to celebrate our long-time leader, Rick Swallow. Be there!

In the meanwhile, check out this video from my freshman year in high school — the Ridley Raider Marching Band performing Scheherazade…

I just love that post-concert feeling

Kimberly — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 08:39:47 +0000

You know… you can’t hear anything, so you shout when you talk… your throat’s so sore from screaming that not even a box of luden’s and some milk can help… the sense that if you can stay at the venue just a few minutes longer, the moment will last just a little longer…

Man, I hate living in the middle of nowhere, and not going to shows often enough to feel like this.

Thanks to Jason Falkner and his band for making me feel this way again! Photos will be up in the gallery on this site (or on Flickr — or both!) soon.

A small story from the days of punk

Kimberly — Thu, 03 Feb 2005 19:55:44 +0000

The story of the early 80’s Philly-area punk band, Narthex, really could be the story of any
Philly area punk/ska/altrock band from the 80’s or 90’s. Or at least those that I knew. It has all of the elements that typified my experience: kids that worked together on the local school district TV station, liked Monty Python, built their own synthesizers (only in some cases), listened to WXPN (back when XPN was good), and ate at IHOP after shows. OK, most of the bands I knew didn’t play shows in venues that were open late enough to warrant trips to IHOP, but they tried.

Those were the days…