British Singer/Songwriter Natasha Kahn releases a new gem under Bat For Lashes. True to form Kahn calls on forces of nature and human emotion to play the lead in each song, and masterfully crafts her music into whimsically unique tracks reminiscent of the ’80s.
“I will rise now, and go about the city…” quietly opens up Two Suns as Kahn sings the lyrics in echoey achapella, the lyrics are quickly found swirling in city sounds and pounding drums. ”Moon and Moon,” the albums third track, calls on the moon to accompany a wife looking for her husband, it features Kahn on the piano and is sure to play right on your soul, don’t be surprised if this track has you closing your eyes in order to get the full effect. “Traveling Woman” offers advice for survival in this wild world and just might have been Kahn’s theme song while writing and recording her second album as the process took place from Big Sur and Joshua Tree in California, to the Welsh Countryside, to London and New York. ”The Big Sleep,” a duet with Scott Walker and Kahn, is a haunty sleepy track almost operatic in vocals that is perfectly appropriate to end Two Suns. My favorite track off Bat For Lashes‘ new album: “Pearl’s Dream.”
Essays from a local New Yorker who has the quirkiest and strangest life experiences to have ever hit a page find themselves collected and bound in I Was Told There’d be Cake. Sloane Crosley has written essays for New York Times, Village Voice, and Salon. Released last April 2008,I Was Told There’d be Cake is a lovable compilation of stories ranging from Sloane’s odd collection of plastic pony’s to baking a cake in the shape of her boss’ face. Her voice in the book is said to feel a little like David Sedaris, Carrie Bradshaw, and Dorothy Parker, but the best part about this little piece of literary brilliance is its Sloane Crosley’s. Keep your eye out for this woman, with a debut book this good I can hardly wait for what the future brings. Grab I was Told there’d be Cake at your nearest bookshop because your collection won’t be complete without it.
A married couple tries to set up their friends, what should have been a harmless deed takes an interesting turn in this witty, romantic story. Gina Gionfriddo is no stranger to the Broadway theater scene. Becky Shaw will be her 3rd play to run in New York. The play began to create buzz at the Humana Festival of New American Plays at the Actors Theater of Louisville back in April, and just 9 months later it is now previewing at The Second Stage Theater. The official opening is set for January 8th, 2009. This is not a ticket you want to wait around to buy, the show is only on until February.
They are twenty-somethings, they are artists, they are three human beings trying to find their way in this place we call world. Let Them Chirp Awhile premiered at the 2007 Woodstock Film Festival in Woodstock, NY. The film by Jonathan Blitstein was praised by audiences and critics alike and now, coming this Friday, December 5th, you will be able to as well.
November 24th, 2008 marked the opening of the New York Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex. The Annex is the little brother of Cleveland’s Hall of Fame. Visitors to the Museum, thanks to the best technology available, will hear, see, and feel the exhibits to create the “full experience.” The 25,000 square feet takes the museum goer approximately 90 minutes to walk through, and is packed with Rock-n-Roll paraphernalia. Temporary Exhibitions in the Annex will be changed twice a year, The Clash “Revolution Rock” is in until this Spring. Tickets cost 28 bucks, student discounts with ID. Tickets are issued for a designated a time slot as the space is limited and they only allow 100 peeps in the museum at a time.
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.
Appearing in the west around the early 1700′s, hundreds of years after its origination in China, screen-printing didn’t become popular until the Andy Warhol phenonmenon in the 1960′s. Almost 50 years later screen-printing is highly recognized in underground subcultures, drawing appeal from it’s “do it yourself” mentality and feel. Unlike other methods of printing such as woodcutting and lithography, a printing press is unnecessary. Screen(s), a squeegee, and ink are your basic essentials. The following are two independent print designers worth checking out.
Avalove, a designer from Los Angeles, takes inspiration from nature’s organic beauty and creates prints out of her poetry. Some designs include lupin flowers, peacock feathers, and hummingbirds. Avalove’s apparel is mostly hand sewn and is not mass produced. She is having a sample sale today, October 25th in NYC on park avenue btw 17th and 23rd street. Avalove will also be open at the Grand Central Holiday Market from November 15th through December 31st.
Kevin John Gomez, a new designer out Rochester, NY, is so fresh he currently has only one design available for purchase. With a graphics background his prints draw attention through an abstract appearance. If you ask Kevin what the meaning of the design is he’ll say it’s up for interpretation. Arms & Legs, his original T, is available online. Keep your eyes open for more of his designs in the near future.
Essays from a local New Yorker who has the quirkiest and strangest life experiences to have ever hit a page find themselves collected and bound in 
A married couple tries to set up their friends, what should have been a harmless deed takes an interesting turn in this witty, romantic story. Gina Gionfriddo is no stranger to the Broadway theater scene. Becky Shaw will be her 3rd play to run in New York. The play began to create buzz at the 
