Sheena Beaston

Win Tickets to See Freelance Whales at NYC's Webster Hall on December 15

Maybe it's the fact that Freelance Whales hail from Queens (Beaston borough representin'!), or even that they have that one song which they probably created in homage to our birth-given nomenclature, right? Most likely it's due to the notion that their songs are intrinsically unique and catchy, but yeah, here in the land a la the Beast, we simply can't get enough of 'em. And we'd like you to be obsessed with this troupe as well, so we're making it super easy for you and a pal to catch their live show this week. 

 

 

The band hits Webster Hall's grand ballroom this Wednesday, and if you want to jump there on the free tip, here's your chance. Tickets come courtesy of our pals at Green Label Sound, where you can download a no-cost mp3 of FW's Enzymes. Sweet. But on to the tix...

 

 

To enter, simply copy and paste this lovely tweet (make sure to follow us so we can DM you not if, but WHEN you win), and hit send to be automatically entered.

 

yo @sheenabeaston and @dew_gls, those tickets to see @freelancewhales this wednesday december 15 need to be mine, so hook it up!

 

Contest will remain open until Tuesday, December 16 at 5pm ET. Winner will be selected at random and notified via direct message.

 

 

mp3: Freelance Whales - Hannah

 

 

Watch Sleigh Bells Live, In NYC, Tonight on MTV.com (also, New Video for Infinity Guitars!)

Simple as that...much like MTV did with Neon Indian last month, it's another live streaming show you can watch online in the event you missed out on the chance to snag tickets to see Sleigh Bells performing at NYC's The Studio at Webster Hall tonight. Hooray for technology!

 

 

 

Get your dial-up Internet locked and loaded just before 10pm ET tonight, and you can watch Alexis and Derek shred the stage, as the show happens live here in NYC.

 

Get your friends in on this...and Tell 'Em whats up!

 

 

 

 

 

Additionally, NME just debuted the video for Sleigh Bells' Infinity Guitars. Schoolgirls, axes on fire and the strutting sidewalk stomping power of the duo are in full on rad mode. Check it out here!

 

 

mp3: Jay-Z vs Sleigh Bells - Dirt On Your Crown (DJ O-Face Mix)

 

 

Marina & the Diamonds Make US Television Debut on Craig Ferguson

The Mickey/Minnie Mouse jumpsuit is back! Last night, Marina & the Diamonds made a debut, of the US television variety, on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Performing the hit single, I Am Not a Robot, Marina remains the picture of beauty and grace.

 

 

Marina also recently made her US radio debut on KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. You can listen to the stream of the broadcast here. 

 

Reminder: tickets for Marina & the Diamonds' September 2 show at Webster Hall go on sale today at noon. Get 'em here!

 

 

 

mp3: Marina And The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Lovers And Gamblers Precious Little Diamond Remix)

 

 

Win 2 Tickets to See Grum at Webster Hall!

Hey, do you have any plans for next Friday, July 23? If the answer is no, then let me change that straight away for ya. Disco'lectro DJ extraordinaire, Grum, is coming to the city, and he's prepping his tables for a night of awesome music and wildin' out dancing. And I want to send a lucky lil' beast (and a friend) to the show!

 

 

The young spinner released his awesome debut album, Heartbeats, back in May, and it's a disc we can toss on at any moment and it always brings a smile and toe-tappin' two-step into our life. Catching the gent live is another story. Picture it: me, dancing like a fool, sweating up a storm. So worth it.

 

If you want to get in on the Grumaction (yes one word that I made up but sounds pretty spot on), enter the contest below for a chance to be part of the fun.

Simply copy, paste and send me the below message via twitter and you're entered. I'm dishing out one pair of tickets so get tweeting! Contest will remain open until 5pm Wednesday, July 21, so you hit me with those tweets! 

 

yo @sheenabeaston i wanna grum up on ya, but only if you hit me wit dem tickys for july 23!

 

(hint: you have to be following me on the birdaliciously rad social app, so I can Direct Message winner with all the pertinent info) 

 

  

mp3: Grum - Cant Shake This Feeling (DCUP Remix)

 

 

Robyn - Dancing On My Own (Live Video from Sommarkrysset 2010)

At this point in the year, Robyn's Dancing On My Own quite nears the top of my most played songs (on repeat or otherwise) list. And really, you can give me any bit of info on the Swedish star, and I'll find any excuse to post up some radness on her. For instance, last week she tweeted at me, and I subsequently had a coronary. Today, our heart is full again, especially after getting this new video in our grasp.

 

  

With this being her first live performance of the song (but not on the program...she hit the stage in 2007 with Kleerup for a stunning showing of With Every Heartbeat), Robyn showed off her choreographed dance punches and prances, raging so hard during that hi-hat breakdown that the mic takes a bit of abuse and falls to the ground.

 

No worries. This lady can do no damn wrong. Ever. Including selling out Webster Hall in a matter of minutes for her August 5 show with Kelis, Dan Black and Far East Movement. Never fear...a second date was added on the night prior. Tickets here.

  

Now watch this, and then go hug someone. 

   

 

 

mp3: Robyn - Dancing On My Own (Rex The Dog Radio Edit)

 

Jessica 6 to Open for Kele on July/August Tour

Sure I just posted about Kele earlier this morning. But then radness flowed in like a bolt of beastliness and there's more of the cool from Camp Okereke...along with the super chicness of NYC's own Jessica 6 in the form of tour dates together throughout the mid-summer months.

 

  

In support of Kele's upcoming album The Boxer, due out June 21, the lad will take his solo live show to North America with a number of stops which include the Brooklyn freestyle pop and dance-house trio serving as openers.

 

I'm still legitimately obsessed with their song Fun Girl, and only one question remains: "yo, when are we gonna hear new tunes?" Hopefully, the answer is soon.

 

In the meantime, check out the list of dates below.

 

July 23 - Metro, Chicago IL
July 24 - Varsity, Minneapolis MN
July 25 - Turner Hall, Milwaukee WI
July 27 - Crofoot, Pontiac MI
July 29 - The Mod Club Theatre, Toronto ON
July 30 - Capital Music Hall, Ottawa ON, CA 
August 2 - Royale, Boston MA 
August 3 - Webster Hall, New York NY
August 6 - Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
August 7 - 9:30 Club, Washington DC

  

   

mp3: Jessica 6 - Fun Girl (Worldwarwalter Remix)

 

Dominique Young Unique Playing Webster Hall Next Month (June 11)

Sure this is a bit early of a push to get you to come out and see why we've been hyping on Dominique Young Unique for quite some a while...but there's no time like right now, and so here we have it. The Tampa-bred rapstress is making her NYC debut next month, and if you're not there next to me, there will be hella hell to pay.

 

 

With quite the lineup including Switch, Viking and David Berrie, DYU jumps on board a June 11 bill that already has me sweating it out. Seriously...I should take a picture of my pits right now. Light brown shirt, you are not my friend.

 

What is super cool though, is that if you're unfamilli with the rules of Webster Hall, then just chuck yourself here to get $1 admission (before midnight) with your RSVP info.

 

Now get ready to show ya ass...uhhhhnnn!

  

mp3: Dominique Young Unique - Show My Ass (MA5T3RBA55 Remix)

 

Sleigh Bells Show Off Their Treats at Webster Hall

No bones about it, I'm pretty psyched for Sleigh Bells' debut album, Treats, to see it's proper release on May 11. In anticipation of next week's freshman output, the band is on a tour-de-force through the East coast, which includes 3 stops here in New York City, the first of which was last night's showcase at Webster Hall, which turned out to be a sweaty and raucous display of their most face-meltingly-rad repertoire.

 

  

Letting loose a new track from the upcoming album last week, Sleigh Bells heightened a blog-fueled love and anticipation for the Brooklyn duo's forthcoming release. Fitting then, that they entered the stage to the familiar riffs of Tell 'Em, the free song that more often than not fires up a deserving fist pump or two. In standard Sleigh-fashion, Alexis and Derek tore through their pocket of familiar songs, made famous thanks to a number of the demos which have made their way 'round the Internet more often than not.

 

One thing I've always loved about this pair is their unwavering confidence. Having seen them play for a small lot of twenty watchers up through last night's sell out crowd, the passion and performance-ship that these two display never ceases to impress. They shred and sing and stomp all over the stage as if their final strums might result in an apocalyptic meltdown. 

 

Let the Armageddon begin.

  

Full set of pictures from last night's show can be found here.

 

 

 

 

  

mp3: Sleigh Bells x Rye Rye - Tell Em Rye Rye Said Bang! (Mover Shaker Mix)

    

  

Class Actress Played the Studio at Webster Hall

Last night, Brooklyn duo, Class Actress, jumped into the East Village with a tight set of their best tunes. Sharing a bill supported by Your Vegas and Keepaway, along with NME Radio DJ James Theaker, the local act showcased their talents and left me a bigger fan after finally having caught their live performance.

 

  

Class Actress is, essentially, the embodiment of Elizabeth Harper: quirky and enigmatic with a splash of subdued showmanship that make her songs both easily accessible and equally digestible. Running through a number of songs you can find on her debut EP, Journal of Ardency, Harper and her accompanying keyer/guitarist gave a simple yet effective set of pop and new wave tunes.

 

You can buy Class Actress' EP here, or catch them live tonight at Bowery Ballroom, when they open for VV Brown. You can still grab a ticket here.

 

More pics here, and yes this is a short review, because I'll be at their show tonight as well. So hooray for more words tomorrow!

  

   

 

mp3: Dr. Dre x Class Actress - Nuthin But A Journal Thang (The Hood Internet Mash)

mp3: Class Actress - Someone Real