"The kids are gone but the souls remain"

Last weekend my friend Suzy was in town, one of the few hip people at my staight-laced corporate day job.  Like me, she began her career in the music industry. The last time she was in New York, we went to the Brooklyn Soul Festival and discovered The Sweet Divines (see post).  I knew live music was on the agenda for the weekend, but I didn't expect that it would be Suzanne Vega or that I would get a chance to meet her.  I also didn't expect that, like the warmth of good friendship, Vega's music would be so relevant and familiar today.  Despite knowing her first two albums by heart, the songs felt more mature than I remembered; the meanings of the lyrics clearer than ever. I connected to them more now than when I was younger. 

Teenage Torture?

I first read about Shilpa Ray and Her Happy Hookers where I discover a lot of new music, Bust magazine. It’s a hip, art, crafts, and beauty magazine for those of us who still think feminism has value, but also like to wear lipstick and cute outfits. The last issue had a review of Ray’s new album Teenage and Torture which was released earlier this month.  When I went to check out their website and buy the album, I discovered that not only were they from Brooklyn, but also that they were playing that Friday at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg.  But who could I drag to a concert on short notice to see a relatively obscure indie band?  And Shilpa Ray? She’s raw, edgy, and loud rock ‘n roll. I must admit, it’s not what most of my thirty and forty-something pals listen to these days.

SWIK Summer Concerts 2010

It’s that time of year again. Summer has arrived (at least the steamy temperatures last weekend made me feel like it’s here) so I’m planning my summer concert schedule. Last year when I posted The SWIKest Summer Tours, my good friend Sadie was amused by the fact that I planned my summer concerts the same way some people plan a vacation. Yes, it may seem pathetic. But it’s so easy to miss a good show if you don’t plan ahead, at least a little. I’m generally not much of a planner. I’m more a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants kinda girl, particularly when it comes to vacations or social activities. But I’ve missed several great shows this year, finding out that someone is coming to town after a show has sold out or missing the show by just a day or two. For example, I already missed Melody Gardot with The New York Pops at Summer Stage in Central Park last week. Ugh!! So frustrating. Therefore, I’m taking time to check out who’s around this summer and mark the dates in my calendar.

A SWIK Connection

I had planned to post my SWIK Summer Tours list this week, but last Tuesday I went to see Imogen Heap at the Hammerstein Ballroom and decided she needed her own post. I wrote about Heap for the SWIKs I Missed post in December, but she deserves a bit more space here. Not only does Heap remind me of Annie Lennox, but she is probably the Annie Lennox of the 21st century. Or maybe the Kate Bush of the 21st century? Yet Heap is uniquely herself and her talent is only more evident in her live show. Dare I admit? She blew me away.

A List From Dad

A few weeks ago I read an article about a new album from Rosanne Cash, the daughter of country legend Johnny Cash. The album, simply titled The List, is a selection of cover tunes. They originate from a list of 100 essential country songs that her father created for her in 1973, when she was just out of high school. He was liberal with the term ‘country’ as the list includes many folk and other traditional American songs. I’ve never been a huge fan of country music, but am making an effort to expand my musical horizons. I like the album, it's full of emotion and depth. The songs are sad, but comforting. I discovered that she was performing in Brooklyn on Saturday so headed over to see the show.

Falling In Love Again

I’ve wanted to write about Imelda May for a few months. This past weekend while looking for some live music, I discovered that she was opening for Chuck Berry. Unfortunately, tickets were about $100. Not the amount that I, and my friends visiting from out of town, wanted to spend. Luckily she was in NYC for a few days. I checked out a show on Tuesday at Piano’s, a small club on the Lower East Side. A perfect excuse to write about her. Plus a chance to see her live and find out if she was as good as she sounds on her album. Would I fall in love with the music again?

In The Background and In High Heels

Last week was a bit of a whirlwind. In a highly unusual case of social activity, I found myself out every night long past my regular bedtime. From tapas with my cousin to a work-related roof deck party as well as a Wine Library TV event, the weekend couldn’t come soon enough. Yet, I knew the weekend wouldn’t be any slower and that live music would be part of it. My friend Suzy T. was in town. We work together at a large, conservative, multi-national organization, but we both started our careers in the music industry. With a fellow music-lover in town, a live show was on the agenda. While there’s plenty of live music on any given weekend in NYC, it’s easy to make a bad choice and hear something awful. Fortunately for us, we got it exactly right and found what was probably the best show in town. We headed to the Bell House on Saturday for the second night of the Brooklyn Soul Festival.

The Church of Birch

A few months ago I heard an interview with Diane Birch on NPR. I was intrigued. It wasn’t until her song “Fire Escape” showed up on a sampler from my music-pusher (see Summer Tours) that I sought out her full album. Once I started listening to it, I couldn’t stop. Her gospel-infused retro soul music had me hooked. When I saw that she was playing at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC, I had to check out her live show and see if she was the real deal. Last Tuesday I attended what can only be called the Church of Birch.

Call Us Invincible

Thursday night I ventured out to the very edge of Brooklyn to see the Call Me Invincible tour with Pat Benatar and Blondie. I returned home with a few thoughts. First, it’s true what a man once told me, “rock ‘n roll is not an aesthetic or even a sound, but a spirit. And you can't kill a spirit.” Second, while the crowd is critical to the experience of live music, it’s possible to enjoy a show in spite of a lame audience. Finally, despite the focus on youth in today’s media, older women are cool. We will inevitably bring more to the table than our teen and twenty-something sisters. It’s not that we don’t love our younger sisters. We remember what it was like being young but, honestly, it’s WAY better now. Plus, generally we’re just better at whatever it is that we do because of all those years of experience. Thanks Patricia and Debbie for reminding me.

Pine Trees and Peyroux

I love outdoor concerts. Central Park, Prospect Park, and Battery Park in NYC have all provided wonderful evnings of entertainment. Other favorite locations include large outdoor concert halls, such as SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in upstate NY or Great Woods (now Comcast Center) in MA. I've even been to shows at the Allentown Fair in PA. But on the grass, next to the L.L. Bean store in Freeport, ME? I wasn't so sure. I was eager to see Madeleine Peyroux, but her bluesy jazz seemed more appropriate for a smokey bar and berets, not pine trees and plaids. Yet there we were on Saturday night, surrounded by fleece pullovers, and it felt like a Paris cafe.

The SWIKest Summer Tours

Summer in the city means roof deck parties, picnics in the park, and, most importantly, live music!  After the great find last weekend (see Lovewhip), I realized that I needed to update my calendar, buy some tickets, and make some plans for the next few months before I miss all the good shows. I picked up Time Out New York's "Summer Concerts" issue and Billboard's "Summer Preview Issue" to get myself sorted. So, who's on tour and who's worth seeing? Too many for me to mention, but here are a few of the SWIKest summer tours.

Lovewhip

To leave or not to leave NYC for the weekend?  That is the question. Every New Yorker faces it, particularly on the holiday weekends. After some bouts of indecision, I chose to visit a good friend and grab a little beach time in CT.  But I also wanted to hear some live music this weekend. There was plenty in NYC, but what would we find in New Haven?  We found Wild Women of Radio's 15th Anniversary Celebration at Cafe Nine featuring Lovewhip and their energetic and booty-shaking tunes.