When it comes to cultural diversity, Japan has always been a borrower. Their entire writing system, known as kanji, is made up of Chinese characters; the country’s most popular sport is baseball, America’s pastime; and South Korean television dramas get all the top ratings. Japan’s music scene is no … [Read more...]
Brian Wilson Takes Manhattan
As part of the Blue Note Jazz festival, Beach Boys co-founder Brian Wilson performed at New York City's Highline Ballroom before a sea of gray-haired fans enthusiastic about doing the hippy hippy shake to classic hits like "California Girls," "Help Me Rhonda," and "Heroes and Villains." The first … [Read more...]
Summer Jam Kicks Off the Season
"We're gonna party like it's my last show!" said a blonde Chris Brown as Busta Rhymes joined him on stage at the "New" Meadowlands stadium for the 2011 edition of Hot 97's Summer Jam Hip Hop showcase. Artists on the bill this year included Wiz Khalifa, Waka Flaka, Fabolous, Swizz Beatz, Rick Ross, … [Read more...]
It’s Not How You Start, It’s How You Finish
Every once in a while an album comes along that gives you the confidence to withstand any adversity the world throws your way. Whether its being unemployed, ending a relationship, or losing a loved one this album has the power to make you feel better, and The Hours' newest album, It's Not How You … [Read more...]
How I Met Happythankyoumoreplease
Love is hard to find in the concrete jungle, but if you look the right places it might just creep up and bite you in the ass. HAPPYTHANKYOUMROEPLEASE is Josh Radnor's (How I Met Your Mother), feature writing and directorial debut about a struggling writer named Sam (played by Josh Radnor) who takes … [Read more...]
Soul Mining: A Musical Life
Living in New York City it is not uncommon to randomly come across celebrities while you're doing something relatively normal. I've bumped into movie star Dustin Hoffman on my way to lunch, spoke to The Daily Show's Jon Stewart outside of starbucks, and met legendary music producer Daniel Lanois at … [Read more...]