Ropeadope Design Collective Round 2

Ropeadope Records' "Ropeadope Design Collective" returns with a brand new lineup of 8 new T-shirts~!!!!

T-shirts include designs from:

wotto (a personal favorite)
Mike Friedrich
Yema Yema
Jamie Marshall
Qetza
Harry Gordon
SEIBEI
Haiti


Check out a few of my favorites below:




Catch the rest of the Ropeadope goodness HERE and HERE

LS MGMT TaLkiNG hEaD AnnouncemenT

This memo was recently released, I figured I'd post it due to its dire importance.

LS Talking Head Announcement #1 by LaserSex

School? HA!

A lot of my college friends have gone back to school this week and the last few weeks.

Kind of weird that I'm not going back, but I can't say that I'm too upset about it. I WILL miss my friends and those wild first weekend parties though and I DO plan on making a few trips back in the not too distant future.

Majaaaahhhh

7/20/2010

Aw Thanks Lotus!

Philly/Denver based Electro, Post-Rock, Jamband, Lotus was nice enough to put up some 2010 Live Selections for free! How nice!

Check em out

Major Lazer + La Roux Present : "LAZERPROOF"

This came out a little while ago but I forgot about it. Check it.

Dutch Record Release Show (Stoupe of JMT)

If you are in Philly this Tuesday night check out Stoupe of Jedi Mind Tricks' side project with singer Liz Fullerton entitled "Dutch"

They are having a record release show at the Kung Fu Necktie (a sweet place if you've never been there).

Here's the low down:

Tue, June 8, 2010
8:00 pm
$10.00
BUY TICKETS HERE

Vinnie Paz: Before The Assassin

The Pazmanian Devil drops a little mixtape before his solo album comes out in June.

Download here

(thanks SpeakerBoxxx)

Dope Vinnie Paz Shirt

This Vinnie Paz shirt from Jedi Mind Tricks is DOPE.

JMT, always holdin' it down for Philly.

Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah Interview

One of my favorite hip hop group's, Philly's own Jedi Mind Tricks. Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah interviewed in the Netherlands. Really good stuff, check it out if you've got the time.




Thanks Nah Right

I Love Spinning Cabinets!

So for a while I was really into indie, folky, country, singer songwriter stuff. Stuff like Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, A.A Bondy, Monsters of Folk type stuff.

Also for a while (like a 7 year while) I have be extremely into Ropeadoope Records. They have always been a great label that I've looked at for putting out great music. (like Charlie Hunter's "Right Now Move", Medeski Martin and Wood's "Uninvisble", the fantastic Philadelphia Experiment, and newer releases like Greg Hester's "Hustlers, Killers, and Thieves," and Drive If You Must's "Circles". All of these albums share the quality jazzy,funky, or experimental type music that I've Ropeadope to put out. Surprisingly though, a few newer releases have strayed out in quite a different direction.

Releases from the band Cabinet and more recently The Spinning Leaves have captured that folky country sound I had gotten so found of. Cabinet's self titled release is an upbeat country joyride containing some great danceable, fun, and beautifully written bluegrass tunes. I can't say I dislike any song on the entire album although Elizabeth, The Tower, and The One are a few of my favorites.

The Spinning Leaves' release "Love" is, as Bruce Warren WXPN's Executive Producer has said:

acoustic music with air and warmth and vibrancy. This ain't your old folk. It's new folk steeped in tradition for the modern world.

This is really some great music from both bands, and you don't have to listen to me ramble on about them to figure it out. Just give them a listen below.

Get to it!





Cabinet Live from the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg, PA on November 28, 2009.

Philly Bell Ringers Cap

Now that I'm on the subject of hats, this is awesome.

This Weekend: R5 Productions' Punk Rock Flea Market

This weekend (December 19th and 20th) Philadelphia's R5 Productions will be hosting their bi-annual PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET at The Starlight Ballroom (right below 9th & Spring Garden Sts)

Sadly I keep ending up missing this every year but that doesn't mean you have to!!!
Check it out if you are in the area, it's for a good cause.


(From the R5 Productions Newsletter)

All proceeds raised will go towards the purchase of necessary equipment and supplies to ensure that all ages shows continue to remain a reality at The First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia - mainly an annual payment for their liability insurance policy. The left over funds will go to purchasing additional PA equipment and lights for The First Unitarian Church. Do not let the "name of the event" lead you to believe that it's just punk records, clothes etc. - it's a full on flea market with everything from furniture, to laptops / computers , to stereo equipment, to handmade apparel, to vegan treats, information from various non profit groups, book stores, artists selling their work, bicycles & skateboards and whatever else they can fit onto the ballroom floor at The Starlight Ballroom

In addition to the normal flea market stuff there will also be a full bar and food service kitchen to make the day go by a little faster as well as a rotating shift of WKDU DJs!

TAKE A LOOK AT THE SELLERS LIST

Once again:

:: Saturday December 19th and Sunday December 20th 10:00am to 5:00pm
At The Starlight Ballroom (460 N 9th Street - 9th & Spring Garden-ish)
All Ages / 21+ To Drink / $3 Entry Donation /



THE PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET HOLIDAY EDITION
(130+ tables of vendors selling old records, clothes, art, music, food, junk, bicycles, stereo equipment, instruments, automobiles, tools, posters, furniture, computers, skateboards and lots of other stuff ! all proceeds go to making sure that all ages shows remain a reality at the First Unitarian Church !)

RIP Jack Rose February 16, 1971 – December 5, 2009

(photo/courtesy North East Indie Records)

Just over a week ago, Philadelphia guitar virtuoso Jack Rose passed away. Rose began his career in the 90s with the band Pelt but he was best known for his beautiful solo acoustic work on both 6 and 12 string guitar.

I can't do him justice here, so I'm sending you over to the DailySwarm for a really nicely written tribute to him. Check it out

Rest in Peace, Jack

U Still Rap? New Sock The Rapper Mixtape

With the help of Black Cloud Clothing,Philadelphia rapper (and Largo, Maryland native) Sock The Rapper recently dropped his new mixtape "U Still Rap?"

Stripped down beats so you can actually listen to what the dude is saying. It's a bit hard to describe but like Sock says on the track Be Easy, "What type of music do you make? Is it club shit, thug shit, hot shit, pop shit, rock shit, hood shit,...nah man it's good shit"

Check it out mayne, you won't be disappointed.

Cop his earlier "The Purple Tape" right here
Check out the video for "Guillotine" here.

You Still Rap? from Konnoisseur Creative Group on Vimeo.

Philadelphia Concert Schedule December-February

12/01/09 :: Tuesday
Imogen Heap
Back Ted N-Ted
Tim Exile
Theatre of Living Arts

12/02/09 :: Wednesday
Twisted Sister
Keswick Theatre

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
First Unitarian Church

The Queers
The Barbary

Josh Ritter
The Low Anthem
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

12/03/09 :: Thursday
Kid Cudi
Semi Precious Weapons
(but Lady GaGa is the headliner)
Susquehanna Bank Center

Bowerbirds
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
First Unitarian Church

12/04/09 :: Friday
Hot Tuna
Loudon Wainwright III
Keswick Theatre

Rob Zombie
Nekromantix
Electric Factory

The Indobox
Psychedelphia
The M Room

Ghostland Observatory
Slapping Purses
JAYO
The Trocadero

12/08/09 :: Tuesday
The Duke & The King
First Unitarian Church

12/09/09 :: Wednesday
(for all you pop fans)
Jordin Sparks
Justin Bieber
Owl City
Cobra Starship
The Fray
Jay Sean
Pitbull
Wonder Girls
Susquehanna Bank Center

12/10/09 :: Thursday
Weezer
Jack's Mannequin
Motion City Soundtrack
Susquehanna Bank Center

Splintered Sunlight
Brownie's 23 East

Fanfarlo
Johnny Brenda's

12/11/09 :: Friday
Get The Led Out
Electric Factory

12/12/09 :: Saturday
GWAR
Job For A Cowboy
The Red Chord
Electric Factory

Think Pink Floyd
Sweeney's Saloon

DJ Mark Farina
The Barbary

Railroad Earth
The Infamous Stringdusters
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

Ryan Montbleau Band
World Cafe Live

Preservation Hall Jazz Band
Zellerbach Theater

12/18/09 :: Friday
Badfish: A Tribute to Sublime
Electric Factory

Toubab Krewe
North Star

12/20/09 :: Sunday
Garage A Trois
Skerik
Mike Dillon
Marco Benevento
Stanton Moore
North Star

The Greyboy Allstars
World Cafe Live

12/27/09 :: Sunday
Swift Technique
Heylady
Upstairs Live @ World Cafe Live

12/29/09 :: Tuesday
Ourafter
Doc Watson's

12/30/09 :: Wednesday
Rebirth Brass Band
Joseph Arthur
Johnny Brenda's

The Word
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

12/31/09 :: Thursday
MSTRKRFT
Lotus
Electric Factory

Brothers Past
Orchard Lounge
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

01/02/10 :: Saturday
Little Feat
Keswick Theatre

01/15/10 :: Friday
Average White Band
Freddy V
War
Keswick Theatre

01/16/10 :: Saturday
Gene Ween Band
World Cafe Live

01/28/10 :: Thursday
Charlie Hunter
Sellersville Theater 1894

01/29/10 :: Friday
Charlie Hunter
World Cafe Live

01/30/10 :: Saturday
State Radio
Electric Factory

02/04/10 :: Thursday
RAIN - A Beatles Experience
The Academy of Music

Galactic
Tea Leaf Green
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

02/05/10 :: Friday
Kansas
Keswick Theatre

RAIN - A Beatles Experience
The Academy of Music

02/06/10 :: Saturday
John Brown's Body
North Star

RAIN - A Beatles Experience
The Academy of Music

02/13/10 :: Saturday
Slayer
Megadeth
Testament
Susquehanna Bank Center

Rebelution
Zion I
SOJA
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

Get The Led Out
Sellersville Theater 1894

02/14/10 :: Sunday
Get The Led Out
Sellersville Theater 1894

02/16/10 :: Tuesday
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
World Cafe Live

Tegan & Sara
Tower Theater

02/18/10 :: Thursday
Citizen Cope
Theatre of Living Arts (TLA)

02/21/10 :: Sunday
John Mayer
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Wachovia Center

02/23/10 :: Tuesday
The Pink Floyd Experience
Merriam Theater

02/25/10 :: Thursday
St. Vincent
Wildbirds & Peacedrums
First Unitarian Church

Still Life Still
Wild Beasts
Johnny Brenda's

North Mississippi Allstars
World Cafe Live

02/26/10 :: Friday
Flogging Molly
Frank Turner
Electric Factory

RJD2's Sweet Digs

Check out RJD2's sweet and "homie" home studio in West Philly and learn how to make some apple cobbler.



Thanks ElectricIndependance

Bob Dylan Philadelphia 11/09/09

I just got back from seeing the legendary Bob Dylan in concert for the first time (IN THE SECOND ROW!!!!). I hear his concerts are hit or miss but I have to say, I was completely satisfied. The guy has still got it! To me his aged and rugged voice sounded great. It has this character to it and it matches the "grizzled veteran" that is Bob Dylan. And he can still play! He stuck behind the keys for most of the night and wasn't turned up all that loud in the mix, but when he ventured out to play some guitar or harmonica, his musical ability shown through. I've never considered him a "great" guitar player but he impressed me with some pretty nice licks here and there and his harmonica playing was solid.

I can't call myself a HUGE Dylan fan, simply because I don't know enough of his (extremely vast) catalog. But I do have a pretty solid collection of his albums and I'm getting more and more into him as time goes on. Despite that, I have the utmost respect for him and ALL that he has done for music and culture in general. A few setlist high points for me were: the "Stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" opener, "Desolation Row", "Highway 61", "Workingman's Blues #2", "Ballad of a Thin Man", and the Encore "Like a Rolling Stone", and "Watchtower".

Overall, as I said above, I was (and am) completely satisfied with both Dylan and his backing band, who were extremely tight (highlights were guitarist Charlie Sexton and the drummer who's name escapes me). Although I'm pretty easy to please and have no other performance to compare it to (other than other concerts I've been to) I really have no complaints. I just feel honored to have been able to see the great and legendary Bob Dylan.

I still really can't believe it.


Entire Setlist

1.	Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again (Bob on keyboard)
2.	Man In The Long Black Coat (Bob on guitar)
3.	I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Bob on guitar)
4.	Beyond Here Lies Nothin' (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on trumpet)
5.	Spirit On The Water (Bob on keyboard)
6.	High Water (For Charley Patton) (Bob center stage on harmonica, Donnie on banjo)
7.	Tryin' To Get To Heaven (Bob on keyboard and harmonica)
8.	Cold Irons Bound (Bob center stage on harmonica)
9.	Desolation Row (Bob on keyboard , Donnie on electric mandolin)
10.	Po' Boy (Bob on keyboard and harmonica)
11.	Highway 61 Revisited (Bob on keyboard, Donnie on lap steel)
12.	Workingman's Blues #2 (Bob on keyboard then center stage on harmonica)
13.	Thunder On The Mountain (Bob on keyboard)
14.	Ballad Of A Thin Man (Bob center stage on harmonica)
	(encore)
15.	Like A Rolling Stone (Bob on keyboard)
16.	Jolene (Bob on keyboard, Tony on standup bass)
17.	All Along The Watchtower (Bob on keyboard)

The Wiz Kid

I went to see Wiz Khalifa the other night. Online it said he would be on at 9:00, I showed up around 11:00...dude still never come on but had (at least) two openers before him. I ended up leaving and was (and still am) pretty disappointed I missed him. Anyway, dude dropped his new Mixtape. B.A.R (Burn After Rolling) yesterday. Check it out.

iLL State of Mind

Just found this on DailySwarm and had to put it up. Pretty cool.



(Thanks DailySwarm)