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Crush This: Hello CMJ, Goodbye ‘Mad Men’
Welcome to Crush This, your weekly guide to what’s new in movies, music and TV. This week, we’re getting jazzed for the start of the annual CMJ Festival in New York. For those of you outside the city, we’ll be interviewing bands and highlighting some of our favorite shows throughout the week. And also, we’re not really prepared for the season finale of Mad Men, but that doesn’t mean it won’t still be happening this Sunday night. More »
London Calling: Gearing Up For Fashion Week Across the Pond
While New York is mired in its Fashion Week activities, the Brits still have a couple days to prepare. Our London correspondent Ria Tesia gives us a taste of what the English are looking forward to in clothes and culture.
London is a hot-bed of activity in the fall. With a thriving music scene and uber cool fashion landscape to boot, London is one of my favorite places to be. London Fashion Week is five days away (OK, I’m counting). In the run-up to this hotly anticipated annual event that has been in the diary of any self-respecting fashion aficionado since last year, London will be highlighting a plethora of sartorially focused design talent. The eyes of all and sundry, from buyers, to journalists, to individuals with a passion for fashion will be glued to the fabulous affair from Friday. I love watching these fashion shows, where models sashay down the catwalk and flit from one hip after-party to another in a range of delectable designs. For three whole days, myself, along with the fashion populace forget the words ‘recession’ and ‘austerity measures.’ More »
Top 25 Albums of 2009
2009 is almost over and boy was it a big one for music: Michael Jackson died, The Beatles became Rock Band legends, and dozens of bands reunited, including Blur, Blink-182, and The Jesus Lizard. It’s that time of year: to list my Top 25 Albums of 2009. Click through the gallery below to see my picks!
Images: Amazon… More »
YES, Rogue Wave, Air, Yeasayer, Eric Clapton, Muse, and More On Sale
On sale now:
The XX (DJ set) and VHS or Beta (DJ set) at (le) Poisson Rouge on January 2. Tickets
The Drums and Surfer Blood at Bowery Ballroom on January 13. Tickets
Julian Casablancas at Terminal Five on January 14. Tickets
Prefuse 73 at Music Hall of Williamsburg on January 19. Tickets
Lightspeed Champion at Bowery Ballroom on January 21. Tickets
Dawn Landes and the Hounds at Mercury Lounge on January 22. Tickets
Earl Greyhound at Brooklyn Bowl on January 30. Tickets
YES at Town Hall on… More »
Hot Chip, Magnetic Fields, Vampire Weekend, Yeasayer, Jay-Z and More On Sale Now
Two of my favorite bands both have tickets going on sale this week: Hot Chip and Magnetic Fields. They also both have new albums coming out next year. Hurrah! Those tickets and more on sale now:
The Cribs at Irving Plaza on January 17. Tickets
Vampire Weekend has three dates at three venues: January 17 at United, Palace, January 18 at Webster Hall , and January 19 at Bowery Ballroom. Tickets
Lady Gaga has added two more shows with Kid Cudi at Radio… More »
Cheap Trick, Magnetic Fields, and Hot Chip Albums and Tours
Cheap Trick are playing Irving Plaza on January 25 and tickets are on presale now (password = record) until Friday at 10 pm. They go on regular sale on Saturday at 10 am.
Magnetic Fields have a new album called Realism, coming out on January 26. They will be going on tour next year in support of the record and will be at BAM on February 13 and Town Hall on March 10 and 11. A limited number of tickets are… More »
Six New Bands You Should Hear
There is always a glut of new music to hear around CMJ time and from that glut certain bands and musicians stand out. Here’s a list of some of my favorite new bands (in no particular order):
Image: Amazon
Neon Indian is the latest project from producer Alan Palomo of VEGA. His tunes are poppy and joyful, but not cheesy. While the stuff sounds professional, he did it in his bedroom so it doesn’t suffer from over-production and you’re left with fun… More »
Music Store CMJ Shows
In addition to all the CMJ shows going on at clubs around town, record stores Sound Fix and Other Music and the Apple store in Soho also have quite a few musicians playing free shows there. Here is the schedule:
Sound Fix
Wed, 10/21, 6pm, the Antlers
Thu, 10/22, 6pm, Cymbals Eat Guitars
Other Music
Tue, 10/20, 8pm, El Perro Del Mar
Thu, 10/22, Noon, The Very Best CANCELED
Apple Store Soho
Thu, 10/22 7pm, The xx
Fri, 10/23 7pm, Portugal. The Man… More »
CMJ Shows and Parties
CMJ, the awesome New York City festival a la Austin’s South by Southwest, is coming up next week, from Tuesday, October 20 to Saturday, October 24! Hundreds of bands are playing at hundreds of venues around the city. You can buy a badge that should get you in to most shows, or you can buy individual tickets to shows, or for some shows you can buy tickets at the door. I’ve posted lots of tickets for CMJ shows when they… More »