Blog: Who Needs Radio

Our bandwidth has been reset for the new month... aaaand we've found an additional host for our mp3 files! So don't forget to check in with us on Monday when we will be back on track. There is a lot of new stuff that has come in during our outage of space, and I hope to get it all posted up this week. But for now, let's enjoy this weekend. ... or at least let me enjoy it before I'm thrown into juggling my day job, updating this [...]

Unfortunately at this time, we're nearly passing our 100GB bandwidth quota for the month and I've just found out that the shit's expensive to upgrade... so we're going to have to take a few or more days off from posting. I know, it sucks, but we don't make a dime off the site to put back into the site. If you'd like to help us get more bandwidth, either use that "donations" button at the bottom of the sidebar or give us a good clue as to where there's safe and functional advertising. [...]

Before there was the freedom of hearing and downloading music from sites like this, I depended on what CMJ compilations I could get my hands on to find out what was good and new. Feeling nostalgic today, I decided to pull out a few of the comps that I held onto and resurrect some of these gems from 1995-1997. Only partial commentary on some of these. I ate some leftovers earlier that I think were well past expiration, and my stomach isn't in agreeance with being upright for very long. But... enjoy! [...]

First off, I just want to give a heads up to the NYC'ers that Manifesto is tonight. Drop in for a drink and a song with me if you can. Okay, done with the blatant self promotion... now on with the music. I'd really like to take a moment to thank my friend Lisa for introducing me to DIY musician and fellow hometown sharer - Devin Davis . While I usually find myself more fond of different buildups and breakdowns [...]

They've opened up for their fellow Glaswegians Franz Ferdinand, but don't mistake the 1990s as the next Ferdinand. Sure, singer John McKeown was once in a band with Alex Kapranos and Paul Thomson called The Yummy Fur , but the sound of 1990s packs a little more force and fun. I can't help but think of Jim Carroll when I listen to these songs. From the 7" You Made Me Like It available at Rough Trade : You Made Me Like It [...]

Ok, so some would say you've singlehandedly resurrected Kate Bush's career with that song. So what do you do for a follow up? You release a one off single that charts and then you release album number two which also charts. That's exactly what The Futureheads have done and they haven't really slowed down since they exploded on the scene back in 2003. Sure they did that song, but they also recorded some of the coolest singles of 2004-2005. Decent Days and Nights, Meantime [...]

It's been posted everywhere else, but I wanted to write about it anyway. It is Thom Yorke's new solo effort, The Eraser *. I honestly lost interest in all things Radiohead long ago (especially after the release of Hail To The Theif ), but after hearing this... I think my love for Thom Yorke has returned. I don't think the sound really needs an introduction, but I'll let Thom describe it in his own words: " It was fun and quick to do. Inevitably it is more beats and electronics. [...]

It's that time again. A time that comes around every four years when the only one thing that matters to the REST OF THE WORLD , outside of America, is football. In other words, it's World Cup time!!!!!! It's a time when national pride is on the line, a time when the pressure is on, stars are made and dreams are broken. An event so huge that something like 50 billion people will be watching every day. Of course here in the States...game two of the NBA Finals is more important...woo hoo. [...]

Though they reside in San Francisco, Scissors For Lefty are signed to Rough Trade UK. It's an odd move, but hey... it's probably a smart one. Just look what it did for The Killers. Now wait, I'm not saying that Scissors For Lefty are as un crafty or even on the same wavelength as the above mentioned, but I remember that before the Killers blew up, they were signed with a UK label and some thought they were from the UK. They did a few UK gigs and boom... the rest is history. [...]

It's been a while since I've provided you with some relatively new music, primarily because once I get stuck looking through all the old stuff that I've got it's sometimes hard to pull me away. But I've managed to stop looking and listening just long enough to post some relatively newish stuff from across the pond that I quite fancy. So, what are you waiting for get clicking? Ambershades - Just Get Over It [...]

I decided that today was a good day to showcase a few bands from one of my favorite labels that make me wish I was born with blonde hair, Labrador . With strong comparisons to Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura, Acid House Kings are not a band to be judged by their name alone. "Combining the aesthetics of Kraftwerk with Motown girl groups from the 60s and musical influences from Burt Bucharach to The Smiths, Acid House Kings [...]

It's been a while since I've provided you with some relatively new music, primarily because once I get stuck looking through all the old stuff that I've got it's sometimes hard to pull me away. But I've managed to stop looking and listening just long enough to post some relatively newish stuff from across the pond that I quite fancy. So, what are you waiting for get clicking. Ambershades - Just Get Over It [...]

I believe that iTunes has turned into the Devil he 'self. As I was putting together my Mark of the Beast themed mix last night, I purchased a few of the tracks on iTunes and quickly noticed that the old burn-n-import trick wasn't working anymore to bypass those pesky protected files. Sure, it'll say it's converting the files to mp3, but nooooooooo... silence. But do not fear, fellow music loving and sharing readers! I have found a decent way to get around this greedy devil. Say hello to Tunebite . It records [...]

Karina U of Young and Restless is Australia's answer to Karen O. They've got that old YYY's sound before the super producers came in and mainstreamed the sound, but some of their stuff also reminds me a bit of the old Hot Hot Heat circa Scenes One Through Thirteen (minus the organs). Although I'm recycling names, Young and Restless are a dance/punk/hardcore band all their own. Produced by Chris Colonna (Bumblebeez81) and mixed by James Ford (Simian Mobile Disco), it's an energetic and refreshing new addition to my playlist. [...]

While some of you might think that the current "disco punk" explosion is the first time that dance music and indie have crossed paths... it isn't. For a brief period of time, roughly 1989-92, dance kids and indie kids shared a love of all things groovy. Just after the second Summer of Love, just after every one got Luv'd Up, after the first Stone Roses album, and while the Happy Mondays were taking more pills than possible, a movement was afoot that took the best elements of early piano house and melded them with indie guitars, vocals, and maybe [...]

I remember how I felt the first time I heard Garbage back in '95 on a CMJ compilation. I got that same feeling after giving New York's The Ropes a first listen. The Blondie influence is just as apparent here, and Sharon Shy's vocals are similiar in that tauntingly sexy kind of way. They've sparked my interest, so I plan on checking out their June 8th show out at Sin-e . You can purchase the EP, "Kill Her Off", at Amazon.com . It costs less than a Chipotle burrito... [...]

Sorry for the lack in updating, kids. We're a bit busy... and it is a holiday weekend after all. Expect more consistent updates starting tomorrow. Hope you're all enjoying this wonderful Memorial day outdoors.

I've slacked again on updating ( ahem, Paul, you were supposed to have my back ), but that's only because I'm conserving my musical appetite for tonight's Mark Kozelek show at Bowery Ballroom. The beautiful voice and talent of Red House Painters and Sun Kil Moon , I have been eagerly awaiting tonight's show for the past month and some days since I bought the tickets. I first fell in love with Red House Painters around age 15. My then crush made me a mixtape [...]

Congratulations to Kurt Stahl of Frederick, MD for winning the Bloody Contest! You'll be getting your signed Brakes album along with your Brakes and British Sea Power buttons next week. For anyone who didn't get to participate, we'll be announcing another contest shortly. I'm still feeling a little ill today, but thanks to Farhad bringing me multiple magical potions last night, my health is picking up. At this rate, I should be good enough to DJ tonight. Enough about me already. [...]

I've been to a fair amount of shows in my day. I've seen everyone from Morbid Angel to Tex Beneke and then some. I have a simple philosophy when it comes to seeing bands live...Entertain me. That's it. Do something to make it worth my while. So many bands just have no stage presence at all. They just stand their and strum their guitars and to be honest that's frickin boring. Jump, move, dance, trash the stage, do something so that I'm not forced to stand and wonder if the building is structurally sound. [...]