Mobile
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Videos / News 'It Ain't My Fault' released for Gulf Aid
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Wed, May 26, 2010 at 2:32 PM
Mos Def, Lenny Kravitz, the Preservation Hall Band, Trombone Shorty and Tim Robbins teamed up recently to record "It Ain't My Fault" to benefit Gulf Aid, a nonprofit created in response to the oil spill off the Louisiana Coast.
\
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
News Highlights of Bonnaroo press conference
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, May 25, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Here are highlights from today's press conference with Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon, Dave Matthews and comedian Jeff Ross.
Here are some highlights from Followill's chat -
- Expect new music at Bonnaroo from the band's upcoming album.
- Setlist still being worked on.
- He feels the audience there is a great representation of their fans. It gets more eclectic every year.
- "If you're not nervous when you're getting up there to play, it's obviously not fun anymore."
- Being from Tennessee, it feels like a hometown show for them.
- "We figured we would play there this year, but didn't think we'd be asked to headline it."
- He plans to spend most of his time at the batting cages when he's not hopping from stage to stage.
- He's most excited to see Stevie Wonder and Jay-Z.
- His suggestion - Get out, enjoy the sunshine and check out bands you haven't heard before.
Highlights of Dave Matthews' chat —
- About Bonnaroo - "It's hot."
- No surprise if Jeff Coffin is playing with other bands — but he doesn't have any personal plans. He'll get there on Sunday.
- The band has been on the road consistently for the last 20 years — they're taking 2011 off. The band is in such a great place, it can handle a year off.
- "MTV? What's happening over there these days? Is there just one laptop and a camera guy?"
- I never know when something new will be ready to play, but I should plan on that...
- "I'm actually doing that right now - creative loafing."
- About closing the festival — "Our responsibility would be to have some kind of maniacal energy. I don't think we should linger on the more pondering tunes, but a little bit of that. I have no great plan."
- My plan after 2011, "is to reconvene with these same people after taking time to stare at the stars and stare at our kids."
... Dave Matthews pretending to be Jeff Ross:
"Dave Matthews... taking a year off. Yeah, I'd like to take a year off, too! What the fuck? And why does that guy smile all the time?"
Jeff Ross highlights —
- He will be hosting a roast of Bonnaroo.
- First time at a festival that just isn't a comedy festival.
- "Triumph is a puppet. I'm a person and have to look these people in the face."
- He'll be roasting anyone he sees in the audience and anyone that might show up on stage. "Feel free to wear something outrageous and come on out and I'll roast you for 60 seconds."
(Stay tuned - this will be updated constantly until 4:30 p.m. EST)
Live Reviews / News Live Review: King of the QC, DJ Competition
Posted By Mike McCray on Tue, May 25, 2010 at 3:41 PM
King of the QC DJ Competition
The Forum
May 24, 2010, 8 p.m.
The Deal: Local DJ's come together with Smirnoff and The Sol Kitchen to let the turntables decide who's the King of the Queen City.
The Good: DJ Complete came out with tons of energy, powering through a brief equipment malfunction, he cranked out Biggie, Big L & Big Pun before touching some Baltimore Club and classic Booty Bass tracks, he even managed to mix in some Maze and the theme from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
DJ Gabie The Gift had crazy hands the Brooklyn-born, Charlotte transplant just looked a split second faster than the others, but he lost steam as some songs rocked a little long.
One DJ got my undying respect for asking, "where the ladies at?" then after they screamed, he replied, "that shit was corny!" Too bad his set ended up being a complete meltdown of technology, sad part was the few seconds he actually got to rock with no issues was really good.
DJ Red went from Headbanger's Ball to hip-hop to dancehall. He was actually one of the only contestants to hit the three different genre requirement legitimately but next time, he'll probably save the heavy rock stuff for the end (at least with an audience of hip hop heads).
Had to enjoy the performance by old school hip hop MC and Charlotte transplant, Special Ed, who graced the stage and did two tracks, including his hit, "I Got It Made."
The Bad: DJ Skinner had all the pressure of going first and decided to go all vinyl with (kudos) but he had a rough time winning over crowd with his seemingly Jedi focus on his records instead of the audience. Bright spots? Sure. But no energy otherwise forgettable. Free pass for going first, maybe?
DJ Precise started strong (who doesn't love Chappelle's Show quotes), but that steam disappeared almost immediately. His set was cool but he had to overcome audible repeat track questions (repeating a track meant instant disqualification) and zero crowd participation. Shaky cuts on "Petey Piper" didn't help either.
The Verdict: Cool competition, DJ Complete won by a mile. The technical difficulties and long pauses seemed to stunt momentum every time it started to build.
Judges:
DJ Dummy, Common's DJ
DJ Rowshay from Suite
DJ A-Huf from Butter
DJ Bro-Rabb
Mr. Incognito from Power 98
News / Opinion / Jeff Hahne Santana concert canceled
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, May 25, 2010 at 2:36 PM
So, Santana has canceled the July 28 concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Charlotte due to "scheduling conflicts."
Really? Because the July 27 and July 29 concerts are still going on as planned. I'd guess it's more like poor ticket sales — but did they even give them much of a chance? I've seen comments from quite a few people who are disappointed that the show is not going to happen. I guess it goes to show that you have to get your tickets early or a band just might bail out.
New Releases / News This week's new releases (5/25/2010)
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Tue, May 25, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Here's a quick rundown of what's new this week:
Framing Hanley A Promise to Burn
Smashing Pumpkins Teargarden by Kaleidyscope 1: Songs for a Sailor
Stone Temple Pilots Stone Temple Pilots
Widespread Panic Dirty Side Down
Hank Williams III Rebel Within
Monday, May 24, 2010
Photos / Local Leak / News Live review: FemmeFest 2010
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Mon, May 24, 2010 at 11:11 AM
FemmeFest 2010
NoDa
May 22, 2010
There's no easy way to sum up FemmeFest in short order... there are so many talented bands and artists to see, so many venues that you just have to do the best you can to take it all in.
First, a lot of credit has to be given to Joe and Lea Kuhlmann and everyone involved at the venues for all of the hard work in putting the event together.
My day started out around 5:30 as I caught a bit of the Southern folk style of Ang Medlin who was on stage at the Evening Muse for the NSAI Songwriters showcase. From the looks of it, she, Sara Scott and Liz Howell were performing in a rotating cast with a backup band. I caught a brief bit of Valorie Miller on stage at the Neighborhood Theatre before heading back to the Outdoor Stage by Salvador Deli to see the Jill Dineen Band.
Dineen has a great presence that dominates the stage during her bluesy, soulful songs. Her powerful voice demands attention while sings of the trials and tribulations of heartbreak and heartache.
Opinion / Eric Mullis / News Going through performance withdrawl
Posted By Eric Mullis on Mon, May 24, 2010 at 10:19 AM
I've been on a study-tour with some students in Vietnam for the past two weeks and haven't been able to practice or play any music with my band. Before I left, we were playing almost every weekend and I got used to regularly performing. Indeed, it turns out I'm some kind of addict because I'm having performance withdrawals that have got me thinking...
I first noticed it when we were riding on the tour bus. I was listening to music on my phone and felt energy welling up from deep down. I wanted to express that energy by playing and performing but couldn't. I could only listen to someone else's music while sitting on a hot bus.
I also noticed it the night that I found a jazz club in Hanoi. I could barely sit still as the band worked their way through standards that I play back home at the Double Door with Bill Hanna. I was that annoying guy who clapped too much and was a little too enthusiastic about the music. It was a great show but it was depressing at the same time.
I think that every performer is aware of that expressive energy on some level but it's in my mind since that energy has no where to go.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Local Leak / News Local Leak: Carlitta Durand's Robot Heart
Posted By Mike McCray on Fri, May 21, 2010 at 4:19 PM
Got new music this morning from North Carolina's own Carlitta Durand.
She's been a busy woman. Working on her own projects but still making time to do features with Skyzoo and Little Brother, among others. This latest track is called "Robot Heart" and manages to be spacey and soulful WITHOUT auto-tune. Ahh, it's heavenly.
Enjoy.
Photos / Live Reviews / News Live review: Jeff Coffin Mu'Tet
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, May 21, 2010 at 3:32 PM
Jeff Coffin Mu'Tet w/ Incognito Mosquito
Double Door Inn
May 20, 2010
The Deal: Dave Matthews Band/Flecktones horn player Jeff Coffin brings some high-octane talent along with his solo project, Mu'Tet, for jaw-dropping gig at the Double Door.
-
Live review: Fiona Apple, The Fillmore (9/26/2012) 16
Fans ate it up, but it was a trainwreck of tragic and frustrating proportions.
-
Frank Ocean tops Village Voice Pazz & Jop poll
Annual critics list creates requisite buzz
-
Rain doesn't dampen the party with Kesha and Macklemore
Both sets cut short as storms roll through Charlotte, N.C.
