It’s special when you find a gem lodged in the hard, cold dirt of an empty abandoned field littered with chunks of cement and weeds. This was the case four years ago when I discovered Emerson’s commercial free, listener supported radio station WERS 88.9FM. During my time in Boston WERS became a staple in my daily listening habits. I found it funny that as my collection of digital music grew upwards of 16,000 songs I still wanted to listen to the radio! Wasn’t the radio supposed to be dead?! WERS, the self proclaimed “Music for the independent mind”, always delivers with spectacular daytime programming and programs like Rockers, 88.9 @ Night, and The Secret Spot. In addition to their great programming WERS offers an on-air concert calendar of local events and killer in studio performances with some of todays and tomorrows best acts! Speaking of which…my best buddies You can be a Wesley will be performing in studio this Friday at NOON! If you are new to WERS or this is all old news make sure you tune in for a great little lunch time indie pop party with YCBAW! Don’t worry, if you aren’t in Boston you can listen online! Listen online RIGHT NOW!

I know I’m late on this, but Brit-Electro-Pop Hot Chip is making some magic! I’m rather new to their music but I like what they do. The song Wrestlers is especially tickling my fancy at this point in time…ENJOY!

Hot Chip - WrestlersHot Chip - Wrestlers

So Me, the artist who did Justice’s Grammy winning D.A.N.C.E. video done did it again. This time the motion graphics and retro mash-up typography jive to Justice “DVNO”. Somehow So Me has found a perfect balance between cheese-ball pre-set effects and genuinely crafted retro-ish motion graphics. I can’t get enough of the amazing transitions throughout the whole video! Some favorite moments…The Mayhem explosion, Cool type-treatment on the Grid, and DVNO constellation type warp! Its all soooo GOOD!

via Stereogum

The primary reason I ever go to see a show without knowing what I’m getting into is to have the kind of experience I had last night at Johnny Brendas in Philadelphia. I missed the first opener and if it was consistent with the two performances that followed I’m sorry that I chomped down on delicious chicken tacos and mozzarella sticks while they played! Cadence Weapon is Roland and DJ Weezl…Their on stage presence is a bit unique for a hip hop show with only one MC, but Roland holds the stage down and isn’t afraid to get a little funky rolling around on the ground or walking around in the audience. Also, I didn’t have to wave my hands in the air once! RAD! I did throw some mean punches toward the sky, but it felt just right and lasted just long enough. **Thats what she said** Born Ruffians followed with a very high energy set! Their first full album came out yesterday, titled ‘Red, Yellow, and Blue’, and chances are it won’t take long for you to hear a few of the tracks everywhere you go! Have a listen and catch their live show if you can manage. Don’t forget your dancing shoes!

Cadence Weapon - SharksCadence Weapon - Sharks

Born Ruffians - HummingbirdBorn Ruffians - Hummingbird

Music to my ears…White Williams‘ tracks which I’ve heard are awfully catchy! They make me want to get up and just dance around. Drive with the windows open. Smell fresh air. And read a book upon a puffy cloud!

White Williams - ViolatorWhite Williams - Violator

Over 4 years ago I met a kid named Kyle. He lived in a place in Allston, which I eventually ended up living in two years later. At any rate, I met Kyle because we would go to his place to PaRtY! The interesting thing was that it was usually his roommates throwing the parties, and as they raged on Kyle would usually be in his room making music. Not in an anti-social way, but in a inspiring (I need to rage it on this kiddie xylophone right now!) manner. Long story short, I lost touch with Kyle when he moved down to New York. A few months ago I got a random online request for an official friendship bid, and guess who it was!? You guessed it, Keelay. I thought, who the hell is Keelay? I don’t know this person and I haven’t dipped to accepted random friend requests without a nice message to accompany them. Turns out Kyle is Keelay! One thing led to another and before I knew it I was catching up with Keelay and all of his recent projects! Keelay is killin’ it on a number of levels! Music, Video, Poetry, Blogging…you name it! If you didn’t know, now you do >> http://keelaydogs.com/

Keelay - Puppies CD from Keelay (Kyle) on Vimeo.

“Ceremony” by New Order has been my favorite song for quite some time now. So good that I get goosebumps every time I listen to it. It makes me want to create, imagine, and discover!

New Order - Ceremony

This is why events unnerve me,
They find it all, a different story,
Notice whom for wheels are turning,
Turn again and turn towards this time,
All she asks the strength to hold me,
Then again the same old story,
World will travel, oh so quickly,
Travel first and lean towards this time.

Oh, I’ll break them down, no mercy shown,
Heaven knows, its got to be this time,
Watching her, these things she said,
The times she cried,
Too frail to wake this time.

Oh I’ll break them down, no mercy shown
Heaven knows, its got to be this time,
Avenues all lined with trees,
Picture me and then you start watching,
Watching forever, forever,
Watching love grow, forever,
Letting me know, forever.

So I haven’t seen Wes Anderson’s latest film The Darjeeling Limited but I have to say that after every film he makes I’m more and more inspired. Everything from the writing, the acting, the character development, soundtracks, and the branding and identity of the films is on point.

Wes Anderson has a formula and sticks to it. As an artist it seems impossible to pick just one style or medium and keep it interesting but in Anderson’s case, his movie making never gets stale. I’m not saying he doesn’t switch things up or try new things but his movements are consistent. His attention to detail in the sets and the saturation of the film feels perfect. Each moving composition could be frozen and make a wonderful photograph. ‘I’m a fan’ and I’ll try and find a nearby theater playing The Darjeeling Limited as soon as possible.

The Darjeeling Limited soundtrack includes songs by The Kinks and The Rolling Stones but also features some beautiful Indian music. So good that at first listen I purchased some online at emusic.com. You can listen to the soundtrack on the official website so check it out and listen to the clip of Charulata by Satyajit Ray.

BONUS: Search ‘Hotel Chevalier’ on iTunes and you can download a free short film by Anderson.

Yesterday evening De La Soul and Slick Rick played for free at Government Center in Downtown Boston. It was a great time with plenty of funky individuals. I never imagined I’d see Slick Rick live, so I guess thats another tick to my ‘never say never’ count…

Last night was dark and rainy in Boston. A perfect night to stay inside and do something fun and creative! Have a look!



You Can Be A Wesley

I caught a super fun show in Brooklyn last night with Paparazzi, Mics, The Fugue and some band with Dolphins in their name. And in keeping with the theme of this post I snapped pictures too! Only problem is that they are polaroids and I don’t have a scanner available so I guess I’ll just save them for later! Oh yeah, Paparazzi plays NYC again on Monday at the Knitting Factory - Check em out!

Paparazzi - LawlessPaparazzi - Lawless

I don’t think I’ll ever really be capable of reviewing music, I simply just don’t know enough about it - but I know what sounds good to my ears. This week I picked up Dinosaur Jr’s Beyond, their first release with their original group since Bug in 1988. I will admit I was a little afraid to buy this album…it has just been too long since they have put something out for it to sound like I expect but it has lived up to all expectations and beyond. First exposed to Dinosaur Jr. through skateboard videos in the early 90’s I’ve pretty much been listening ever since and will continue too, especially since I’ve got some new stuff!

Amazingly, “Beyond” picks up where 1988’s “Bug” left off, with only slightly more streamlined polish but with the old love of volume and excess still sweetly intact. - Boston Globe

I also bought the new The Sea and Cake album, Everybody - What a great album for lounging in the springtime, open windows, and a cool breeze. Simple, soothing, and dreamy…