KCRW WELCOMES JULIETTE COMMAGERE

KCRW welcomed an artist that I have never heard of, but came to enjoy after seeing her perform. Juliette Commagere was on Morning Becomes Eclectic last week - she's definitely someone you should check out!

And in case you missed em... Little Joy (band consisting of Fabrizo Maretti) also stopped by Morning Becomes Eclectic. Take a listen!

MATISYAHU WISHES YOU A HAPPY CHANUKAH

Here are a few photos from the Festival of Lights show at Webster Hall in NYC (courtesy of Michael Weintrob). The Disco Dreidel...The Rockefeller Center Tree equivalent for Jews.

I had no idea there was such an event. I love it - I LOVE THE DISCO DREIDEL!!!

HAPPY CHANUKAH!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

WE HOPE YOUR HOLIDAYS ARE FILLED WITH JOY!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

I can't believe the Holidays are upon us! I am on my way to see my family in the cold snow filled state of Indiana. I am so excited to spend some time with them, however, I am certainly not looking forward to the 6 degree temps. I wish I was with my friend Esi who is spending x-mas with her family in Hawaii! WTF?? Why can't my family take me on trips to the big islands?!

Anyhoo...I'm just glad to be home with my family. I may not be blogging too much the next few days due to all the time that will be spent at holiday parties, lunches with old friends, dinner with grams, etc.. I will be back in L.A. on the 28th...hopefully free of frost bite!

In the meantime, check out the Nissan Live Sets with Fall Out Boy. FOB performs songs from their latest record, Folie a Deux - OUT NOW!



HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

GAME ON

This little Lily Allen "Escape The Fear" game is fun and helps pass the time if you are bored! I can't seem beat level 2...I HATE GAMES! Play and let me know how far you get.

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - METRO STATION

"Seventeen Forever" from the boys of Metro Station.

ONE HOT YEAR

Hot Chip had an amazing 08 and it looks as if 09 is going to be another HOT YEAR! Hot Chip along with Robert Wyatt and Geese will release an EP on January 27th.

Despite their feverish schedule this year which took in numerous side projects, solo records, countless dancefloor-igniting remixes, production duties and, of course relentless touring (which culminated in their triumphal homecoming shows at Brixton Academy in November) that indefatigable, delightfully off-kilter five-headed electro pop colossus known as Hot Chip have somehow found the time to assemble a lovingly put together little present for their fans. And not only that, but they have managed to rope in the services of none other than the godfather of the experimental psych-prog world, Robert Wyatt and kindred mischievous electronic spirits Geese to help out as well.

Long recognised as one of the pioneers of avant-jazz rock (as recently as this year by Domino Records infact, who have just re released his back catalogue), from his beginnings as a member of Soft Machine and through his collaborations with Scritti Politti and Syd Barrett, Robert Wyatt brings his quietly magical touch to 3 songs personally chosen from Hot Chip's 2008 album "Made in the Dark". The result - as recorded at Gallery Studios earlier this year - are several mutations of songs that are as delicate and whimsical as they are adventurous and distinctive, be it the quixotic cornet and jew's harp on "Made in the Dark", or Wyatt's singular vocals and whistling on "Whistle for Will", or the lush added effects and atypical arrangements on "We're Looking for a Lot of Love".

Meanwhile, Hot Chip's old friends and collaborators Geese (aka Emma and Vince from The Elysian Quartet) also lent a hand, reworking the new, Robert Wyatt- assisted "We're Looking…" while completely overhauling "One Pure Thought" from a straight-ahead floor shaker into something stranger, dreamier, but no less lovely. All in all, a deliciously unpredictable collaboration made in quirk-pop heaven.

The EP will be available January 27 at select indie record shops (visit www.thinkindie.com to find a store near you). Fans can download 2 tracks from the EP on from HotChip.co.uk on December 19, thus providing a stimulus that is musical and financial for us all.

Lastly, congratulation is in order for Hot Chip, as they picked up their first Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording for the track "Ready For The Floor." The Annual Grammy Awards will be announced live on on Feb. 8, 2009 (8 - 11:30 p.m. ET/PT) on CBS.

CD TRACKLISTING: - AVAILABLE FROM INDIE RETAILERS 27th JANUARY

1. Made in the Dark (with Robert Wyatt)
2. Whistle for Will (with Robert Wyatt)
3. We're Looking for a Lot of Love (with Robert Wyatt and Geese)
4. One Pure Thought (remixed by Geese)

"NEPTUNE, IS MY KING AGAIN......."

If you did not get the chance to see the UK's Duke Spirit at the Roxy last Friday, YOU MISSED OUT!!! They put on a STELLAR, STELLAR, STELLAR show!! Performing songs from their debut album Neptune, they definitely went off without a hitch! Their energy, and sound truly proves their passion for what they do! Front lady, Liela Moss, is AMAZING! I knew I was going in for an amazing evening, but they blew me away! Seeing a shorter show at Ameoba Records a few months back, I was thrilled to see that they were headlining, and what a better venue than the Roxy on Sunset! They performed 'Neptune's Call', 'This Ship Was Built to Last', 'Wooden Heart', and their first hit 'Step and the Walk'. I was elated throughout the whole show. Check out the photos and the video! Also, make sure you check them out on iTunes, and GET THEIR ALBUM, you will NOT be disappointed!!










Photos and Story by Cory Radke

WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO - THE BIRD & THE BEE

The Bird & The Bee - Love Letter To Japan


The Bird & The Bee are back with a brand new video! The video was directed by Barney Clay who has worked with Gnarls Barkley, Dirty Pretty Things, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Zero 7, and Bonde Do Role. The single for “Love Letter to Japan” was also released on iTunes on December 9. Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future will be released by Blue Note Records on January 27, 2009.

‘Tis the time of year, so in the spirit of giving the bird and the bee are also offering a free holiday song to their fans. “12 Days of Christmas” is currently available as a free MP3 download through their website: www.thebirdandthebee.com. The song will also be KCRW’s “Today’s Top Tune” on December 25, and will be streamed all day on www.kcrw.org.

2008 was another eventful year for the bird and the bee. The duo’s cover version of The Bee Gee’s “How Deep Is Your Love?” appeared in Sex and the City: The Movie, they made their debut at L.A.’s much buzzed about Coachella festival, and they released Live at the Sands, an exclusive live EP for iTunes. Inara and Greg also kept busy with side projects; Inara released An Invitation — her second solo album and a collaboration with legendary composer and arranger Van Dyke Parks — to wide acclaim, while Greg produced the entirety of singer Lily Allen’s upcoming album It’s Not Me, It’s You.

The band is looking forward to an exciting 2009 with the release of the full-length follow-up to their self-titled debut. Ray Guns Are Not Just The Future is definitely new sonic terrain for the bird and the bee. Every bit as beguiling as their debut, the album retains its predecessor’s lithe melodies and Brazilian influences, but takes its stylish ’60s pop deeper into the psychedelic period of the Tropicalia era. The band will be announcing their 2009 touring plans in the New Year.

VAN MORRISON RETURNS TO EMI

THE LIVE RECORDING OF 'ASTRAL WEEKS' FROM THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL TO BE RELEASED WORLDWIDE BY EMI MUSIC IN EARLY 2009 ON MORRISON'S OWN LISTEN TO THE LION RECORDS

December 18, 2008, New York - Multi-award-winning legendary soul singer and songwriter Van Morrison has returned to EMI Music, with a live recording slated for release in early 2009. The album marks the first record to be issued on Morrison's own label, Listen To The Lion Records, which will be distributed worldwide by EMI. The album captures the widely-acclaimed live performance Morrison gave at the venerable Hollywood Bowl in November, which featured a breathtaking recreation of the "Astral Weeks" album.

"I brought these records to EMI because they seem to have people with vision, who have 'ears' and who understand the significance of the complex arrangements and the classic essence of recordings like 'Astral Weeks,'" said Van Morrison. "They're committed to maintaining the integrity of the records I make. That is what it's all about to me."

"Van Morrison is a true living legend, and he continues to inspire artists and fans that span generations and genres," said Nick Gatfield. "We are delighted he is bringing his label to EMI and are very excited to bring his first release to the world."

In his remarkable career, Morrison has become one of the most influential artists in the modern age. His album "Astral Weeks," originally released 40 years ago, was heralded as a groundbreaking work and today is universally regarded as one of the most important albums in popular music history. Timeless music from the soul, "Astral Weeks" is ranked one of the greatest albums of all time by Mojo, Rolling Stone and Britain's The Times.

"EMI has had the good fortune to work with Van over the years, but I am personally excited about this release because I worked with Van back in 1968 on the release of the original 'Astral Weeks' recording" said Ian Ralfini, Senior Vice President, EMI Music. "This particular show at the Bowl was electrifying. For some of us it was a little bit of nostalgia and for others it was a brand new experience. But for everyone it was a great concert and a piece of musical history. We are honored that Van has returned to EMI."