Blonde Redhead was started by Kazu Makino, Maki Takahashi and twin brothers Simone Pace and Amedeo Pace in 1993. Shortly after the band released their first album Maki Takahashi left the band, and then there were three. I had the privilege of seeing Blonde Redhead two summers ago at Randall’s Island. Their set was by far one of the best of the night. These three know how to rock. Half way through a song Kazu Makino will put down her guitar and take over the drums all while continuing to provide the sickest of vocals.
Their music has been compared to that of Sonic Youth, but in my opinion they are one of a kind. Kazu Makino’s eerily high pitched voice creates a sound like none other, and I like it. Blonde Redhead’s 7th and most recent album, “23″ came out in 2007 and is still creating buzz. They are scheduled to play a New Years eve show at the Terminal 5. If you enjoy a great performance, incredibly beautiful music, and a rocking good time then a ticket to see Blonde Redhead is an excellent choice to ring in the New Year.
Magnolia Pictures presents Zoe Cassevettes’ 2007 film debut Broken English, the delicate and absorbing, raw and honest story of a New York woman in her thirties stuck in a job she lacks heart for and tristful over the pursuit of love. The viewer empathizes with the harsh realities of a career oriented world where lovelessness remains a common theme. Parker Posey was incredibly casted in the leading role of Nora Wilder. We see a different side to her, one other than the dry humored comedic gal. She embodies this character and portrays it with frankness and genuine morality. At a co-workers party Nora meets Julien (Melvil Poupand), a frenchman who spends a weekend with her.
The title, Broken English, describes not only the slight language barrier between the two but also the being of Nora herself as a discontented American. I loved it in a I “hope I’m not completely alone at 35, but what if I am alone at 35, then I’m not alone being the only one alone, and maybe I’ll meet a sexy french man, but most likely I won’t meet a sexy french man, and so I’m just going to take a spontaneous trip to Paris” kind of way.
Patrick Wolf mixes electronic samples with viola, keyboards, and the ukelele. The combination creates a jazzy, folkish, electro sound.
After going back to school at the Trinity College Music Conservatoire, 2 albums, and picking up a pretty sweet mentor, Capitol K, Patrick Wolf released The Magic Position in 2007. The album is an eclectic bunch of beautifully written songs.Listen to his tunes and be prepared, his music is seductive.
The School of Seven Bells is said to have been a South American academy of pick pockets back in the 80s. PBS aired a special one late night on this mythical academy of thieves, which inspired a certain Alejandra to embark on an artistic journey under the cognomen School of Seven Bells.
Two years later, in 2006 this idea came to fruition and so the band School of Seven Bells was born. The core of this band is made up of twin sisters Alejandra and Claudia Deheza, and the former Secret Machines member Benjamin Curtis. The band toured with Blonde Redhead in September 2007 and on October 23rd released their debut album, Alpinisms. Filled with dreamy electronics and vocals that take wing, the psychedelic group won themselves the rating of “America’s shoegaze revival at its most meticulously refined” by SPIN Magazine.
The School of Seven Bells is opening up for M83 tonight at Webster Hall. Both bands on stage in one night? This show should not disappoint, go check it out!
Born in a real log cabin (yes log cabin) it is no wonder Meiko has the gift of bringing her listeners smokey, melancholy folk songs. Her self titled album was released last September, 2007, to a hungry fan base. She quickly became one of the top selling female folk singers on the Itunes Folk Album Chart.
Meiko’s story reads like a fairy tale, she worked as a waitress in the Hotel Cafe where she would be moved to the core by musical artists like Sia and Patty Griffin . Slowly, instead of the listening to the acts she became one, and soon enough “the whole town was talking.”
Combine The Police, Prince and Roxy Music and you have Tigercity. Formed in the Fall of 2004, Tigercity has quickly become a hot ticket. Their distinct sound has been known to “move even the spazziest of rock nerds to shake their booties(Rolling Stones).”
Bill Gillman, lead vocals, and Joel Ford, bassist, met during their college experience in Massachusetts in the fall. By winter of 2005 they had created their first demo. Pretend Not to Love was released in 2007 and is an incredible sensation of smooth electro synthesizer beats bringing back that 80s sound we all embrace.
On October 21st The Studio, in Webster Hall, opened up its first night with a free show from Tigercity. After several minutes of mic checks and equipment set up the band was ready and so were we. Squeezing in a handful of songs off the 2007 EP and two freshly recorded songs from their not yet named album, Tigercity filled up the small Studio underneath Webster Hall with music induced flailing, head knods, and lots of tapping feet. Great show, good band, my only complaint: no time for Tigercity to play “Are You Sensation?”
I had the privilege of seeing Blonde Redhead two summers ago at Randall’s Island. Their set was by far one of the best of the night. These three know how to rock. Half way through a song Kazu Makino will put down her guitar and take over the drums all while continuing to provide the sickest of vocals. 
