Posted by
Jermaine Dupri, Atlanta, GA, at 7:41 pm EST on Thursday, August 30th, 2007
What’s up, everybody!? Last night I opened my club, Studio 72, in ATL. The party was an invite-only jump off with all my friends — Usher; Nelly; Monica; of course Janet; Lil Jon was on the mic; Chris Webber; and so many others.
The best thing about Studio 72 is that it stays open till 5 a.m. and we can drink till 4. When all the other clubs are closed, we still goin’. It’s not just a club, it’s an experience. Every night is a different theme.
Opening night is Krush Groove Friday, hosted by Frank Ski and myself. It’s gonna be crazy as hell!!!!!
So that’s what’s up. If you ever in the ATL, make sure you come by STUDIO 72!!!!!!
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EmptyVitamin (from yourhere.mtv.com), New York, NY, at 2:13 pm EST on Thursday, August 30th, 2007
In just a few short months, Late Night at Rockwood Music Hall has become something of a phenomenon.
In a city full of recalcitrant talent bookers and apathetic sound men, Ken Rockwood’s Lower East Side venue has been the most artist-friendly venue since opening in 2005. The stage occupies nearly one-fourth of this intimate, brick-walled, candle-strewn space, signaling the engaging and enthusiastic staff’s committed to the music.
The recent addition of Matt Basile and Andy Fitzpatrick’s themed after-hours, artist-centric late-night jam sessions have been packing the city’s singer/songwriter community into the tiny, sweaty space since kicking off earlier this summer.
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Tbrown1976 (from yourhere.mtv.com), Santa Monica, CA, at 3:17 pm EST on Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
I had never seen Gogol Bordello before, but after last night’s show at the Music Box @ Fonda in Hollywood, I can’t wait to see them again. For the people out there who have not heard of Gogol Bordello, they are a gypsy punk band from New York City’s Lower East Side. Many of the members are immigrants from Eastern Europe, but their sound is out of this world, like a Klezmer band on acid. They mix traditional gypsy folk with punk, ska, flamenco and rock. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.
Gogol came onstage at 9:15 led by frontman Eugene Hutz. Hutz is spastic, full of energy and sports a beautifully thick Ukrainian accent and mustache. The crowd loved him. Imagine a band that plays every song as if it’s the encore. That is Gogol Bordello.
Eugene ran around the stage, dancing wildly, masterfully strumming his acoustic guitar and belting out punk rock lyrics, meanwhile his band featured an accordion player and violin player, among others, delivering gypsy-inspired music at a frenetic pace. Gogol performed for an hour and 45 minutes including two encore sets.
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MattgomeryBurns (from yourhere.mtv.com), Santa Monica, CA, at 1:04 pm EST on Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
Last night amidst the Hollywood hipsters at Cinespace, I caught my favorite you-might not-have-heard-of-but-will-soon band, Office. The Chicago quintet made its first Los Angeles appearance, and I couldn’t have been any happier. If you have a chance to catch them on their current (and first) U.S. tour, do it now so you can say, “I saw Office way back when.”
Office are a mix of catchy indie pop with infectious rhythms and pulsating beats. To steal a description from the band’s MySpace page (because it’s poetry I couldn’t muster on my own): “A broken Xerox machine spitting out love letters to a cocktail party in reverse slow motion.”
They’re one of those bands that tickle your heart and rock your head at the same time. Every member brings their own unique element to the band that, together, makes for an incredible (and fun) live show. And you have not seen a tambourine rock until you see Jessica Gonyea onstage, not to mention her cowbell-playing skills.
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troysfinest007 (from yourhere.mtv.com), Queens, NY, at 12:42 pm EST on Wednesday, August 29th, 2007
MTV News’ Shaheem Reid reports:
Welcome to the G.O.O.D. life, where being recognized as one of the world’s biggest rap stars is just a stepping stone to planetary domination and everything you do is a movie. Kanye West hosted a listening session for his upcoming album Graduation on Monday night at Manhattan’s New World Stages, and if you know anything about how ‘Ye does at his events, he’s going to give you something to talk about — especially with the tastemakers of the music industry in attendance. …
Read more about Kanye’s listening party at MTVNews.com…
See all of troysfinest007’s uploads at yourhere.mtv.com…
Posted by
Shaheem Reid (MTV News), New York, NY, at 6:49 pm EST on Monday, August 27th, 2007
“Step onstage, girls scream like I’m Keith.” — Craig Mack, “Flava in Ya Ear,” 1994
Lesson learned. When Keith Sweat says he’s starting a show at 8 p.m., he’s starting a show at 8 p.m. I was horrified when I walked into Manhattan’s B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on Friday around 8:24 p.m. and saw Keith onstage rocking. He wasn’t playing, huh?
“You say no, I say yes, girl I can make you sweat.” LOL. He had them lyrics, huh? A lot of people will be surprised that yeah, I can tell you every rap song that’s out right now (some before they even come out), but I have an adamant love for the New Jack Swing era R&B. The best of Keith Sweat, aptly titled Make You Sweat, stays on heavy rotation on my iTunes.
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JoyAllanson (from yourhere.mtv.com), Sherman Oaks, CA, at 2:24 pm EST on Monday, August 27th, 2007
On Saturday I made my way to the Home Depot Center near Los Angeles, along with thousands of other kids, to check out the last stop of the 2007 Vans Warped Tour. There were tons of amazing bands on the bill (the Starting Line, Bad Religion, Boys Like Girls, Avenged Sevenfold, Circa Survive, etc.) but the one that caught my eye, and my boyfriend’s camera, was Seattle-based Amber Pacific.
Around 2 p.m. they played a 30-minute set on the Hurley stage in front of about 150 fans, and it was awesome. These guys really know how to get the crowd excited and definitely set the tone for my long day at Warped Tour. If you haven’t had a chance to hear them play, I suggest you quit wasting time and check ‘em out!! You may recognize one of their newest songs, “Fall Back Into My Life,” from the recent blockbuster “TMNT.”
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robotdanceparty (from yourhere.mtv.com), Los Angeles, CA, at 12:30 pm EST on Monday, August 27th, 2007
The Flaming Lips headlined the free Southern Comfort Music Experience in San Diego on Saturday, taking the stage after sets by DJ Z-Trip, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Galactic and others. The Oklahoma rock group played its “hits” and some new material, plus mixed in political commentary and plenty of the requisite weirdness found at all FLips shows.
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EmptyVitamin (from yourhere.mtv.com), New York, NY, at 9:13 am EST on Monday, August 27th, 2007
To characterize 826NYC’s Revenge of the Bookeaters benefit at New York City’s Beacon Theater Sunday night as “understated” would be, well, an understatement.
Of course, any evening hosted by the nearly catatonic (though culturally prescient, completely unflappable and totally hilarious) Demetri Martin is bound to be low-key. Whether riffing on break dancing, goatees or engagement rings, the “Daily Show” correspondent rarely deviated from his steady, somber baritone. As master of ceremonies, Martin’s muted enthusiasm set the bar for the evening’s performances.
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Posted by
Girls Gone Punk, on the road, at 5:10 am EST on Friday, August 24th, 2007
OH Fresno - what a Warped Tour you were! Although one of the least populated dates of the tour, there was nothing (but the 98-degree temperature!) to complain about! First of all, we were just SO thrilled to be back on the road!! Driving into the Selland Arena parking lot, all we could do was smile and say, “Look! We’re home!” It’s true, we really feel at HOME at Warped! So in celebration, we hooked up with some of our favorite acts of the tour, saw some incredible sets from the newest editions to Warped’s lineup (two words: The Matches) and then partied the night away!!
Sitting in bright orange chairs inside the main arena, we talked with pop-punk’s musical wonder Bryce Avery of The Rocket Summer. His new album “Do You Feel,” which he gave us copies of (Thanks again, Bryce!), is his BEST yet! Giant hooks and instrumental originality keep each track new and exciting. Roll down the windows, let the sunshine in and “Do You Feel” will make you feel like summer never ends!
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