Introducing: Phantogram

Hey Playtonics,

I’d like to introduce you all to a group that soon will need no introduction: Phantogram. I came across Phantogram when I was choosing shows to review for February. Scrolling though the acts at the Bowery Presents’ venues, I saw they are playing at the Mercury Lounge this Friday and I seized the opportunity to see this emerging buzz-band live. According to many music blogs and websites, Phantogram is on the precipice of greatness and their showcase at CMJ in the fall helped make their case. 

What I’m Listening to Today: Enter The Magical Mystery Chambers

Yo Yo Yo Playtonics,

As you may know from my semi-regular segment ¡MASHUP MONDAY!, I am a mashup enthusiast. Something about the idea of redesigning the old to make new really appeals to me. Today I stumbled across a wonderully creative endeavor called Enter The Magical Mystery Chambers, a remix album incorporating Wu Tang acapellas & Beatles songs. The album is produced by Tom Caruana and you can download or stream the album here.

Book Club: The Music Instinct

On freelance science writer Philip Ball’s website, the following is said about his upcoming book The Music Instinct: How Music Works, and Why We Can’Do Without It:

The Music Instinct offers the first comprehensive, accessible survey of what is known – and what remains unknown – about how music works: why we can comprehend it, why we are moved by it, why we make music and what roles it serves in culture and society.

Hot Chip – Music Hall of Williamsburg – February 6, 2010

Hey Playtonics,

Check out my review from Saturday night’s Hot Chip concert at The Bowery Presents The House List:

http://houselist.bowerypresents.com/2010/02/hot-chip-celebrates-new-album-in-brooklyn/

Photo courtesy of Greg Notch | http://photography.notch.org/

Music according to TED

Music journalism is in a state of flux. While the prevailing music news outlets still maintain a stronghold on authority and trendsetting, cultural critics are starting to sound off on the degredation of their field. Notably, last week an article was published by Rachael Maddux in Paste Magazine titled “Is Indie Dead?” The thrust of the article is that the rebellious, independent and avant garde spirit of indie music is deceased. Maddux claims that the term “indie” no longer posses the semantic content of independence from major music labels and mass cultural consumption.

If for nothing else, the article is thought provoking and you should definitely check out some notable music journalists’ replies. However, more upsetting than the articles proposition is that the pure and simple enjoyment of music/ sound has taken a back seat in music journalism. Lost in the endless pursuit of the next big thing, proper genre classification, and eulogies for the music industry is the beautiful realization that music is now more available for our enjoyment. And, with the internet being a gateway to new and exciting sound, we can now open our ears to unimaginable sonic possbilites.

My first article for Tiny Mix Tapes’ Delorean blog!

Hey Playtonics,

I am thrilled to report that my first article for Tiny Mix Tapes’ Delorean blog was posted today! For those of you who don’t know, I, under the moniker “Playtonic J”, am writing for the online music magazine Tiny Mix Tapes’ Delorean blog. Previously, the Delorean section used to solely consist of reviews for older music. However, with TMT’s redesigned website (and ethos?), the ‘Delorean Blog’ will now be a place where I can write about almost anything: track reviews, lists, Beatles conspiracy theories, etc. I am really excited for this opportunity and I plan to keep you all abreast as to what I write for TMT.

You can check out my article here. Hint: It has to do with my favorite existential holiday.

Retribution Gospel Choir – Mercury Lounge – February 1, 2010

Hey Playtonics,

Check out my review and pictures from Monday night’s Retribution Gospel Choir concert at The Bowery Presents The House List:

http://houselist.bowerypresents.com/2010/02/retribution-gospel-choir-came-to-rock/

Additional pictures from the show after the jump:

Here We Go Magic – Music Hall of Williamsburg – January 29, 2010

Hey Playtonics,

Check out my review and pictures from Friday night’s Here We Go Magic concert at The Bowery Presents The House List:

http://houselist.bowerypresents.com/2010/02/julian-temple-doesn%e2%80%99t-go-it-alone/

Additional pictures from the show after the jump:

February Shows

Mornin’ Playtonics,

For those of you who don’t know, in addition to writing semi-daily for Playtonic Dialogues, I am also a contributing photographer and writer for The Bowery Presents The House List. Since moving to New York, I have written reviews for Animal Collective and Battles/!!!/Flying Lotus, as well as many other concerts produced at all New York venues currently booked by The Bowery Presents, including the Mercury Lounge, the Bowery Ballroom, Webster Hall, the Music Hall of Williamsburg, Terminal 5, the Brooklyn Bowl, and more… This month I will be contributing the following shows for The House List:

2/1: Retribution Gospel Choir (with opener Datus), Mercury Lounge,(photography and review)

2/6: Hot Chip, Music Hall of Williamsburg, (review)

2/12: Phantogram, Mercury Lounge (review)

2/20: Crystal Stilts, Music Hall of Williamsburg (photography and review)

2/26: Wild Beasts, Bowery Ballroom (photography and review)

Look out for my reviews and photos which will be on The Bowery Presents The House List as well as this site.

YouMash Again?!

So pumped to see that PlayJ posted that Beach House x Gone With The Wind youtube cocktail.  It’s so dope plus I’m taking it as a YouTunes blank check.  El Guincho, Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson and El Perro del Mar provide soundtracks for a couple videonugs, after the jump