NME Awards Pick Up Where The Brits Left Off

Um, it kind of seems like we did this whole celebration of UK music at The Brit Awards just over a week ago. Ah well, I suppose there's no such thing as being honoured too much.

The Shockwaves NME Awards do purport to be edgier than the industry-favoured Brits (as was marked by the distinct lack of Take That and Mika at the precedings) though they did manage to bestow pop princess Kylie with the award for Sexiest Female. Still, not nearly as eyebrow-raising as giving the Best New Band award to suspiciously-named trio The Enemy (think about it).

Much like The Brits, the big winners of the night were Arctic Monkeys who managed to score three wins (Best British Band, Best Video and Best Track) from their seven nominations. Other winners included Klaxons (Best Album), The Mighty Boosh (Best TV Show - TMB member Noel Fielding also picked up awards for Best Dressed and Sexiest Male) and Manic Street Preachers (Godlike Genius). Full list of winners are here.






Manic Street Preachers



The Mighty Boosh



Arctic Monkeys




Dizzee Rascal, Billy Bragg & Richard Hawley

The Return Of The Verve

The Verve are playing a concert in Toronto on May 1.

There, just wanted to get that out of the way right off the top.

The recently reunited band from Wigan, Northern England have yet to firm up a release date for there as-yet-untitled fourth album but, in the meantime, they'll be hitting the road for a handful of gigs in North America this spring to preview the new material. The Verve have already played several well received shows in the UK this past December.

Tickets for the concert at the Ricoh Coliseum are available now via an online pre-sale or wait until March 8 for the general ticket sales to begin.

Thanks to Duncan for the heads up.

On Your Own

The Spice Stops Here

The Spice Girls reunion world tour came to an end in Toronto last night (February 26), a few months and several countries ahead of schedule. Reasons for the rather abrupt halt were varied and included rumours of group in-fighting and the official Spice statement that they were all tired and just wanted to get back to their families and regular routines.

I'm going with the slightly more plausible story that ticket sales just weren't as good as had been expected. Even for the final concert, good seats were still available up to 2-hours before showtime. I know because I checked. I was tempted to get a ticket myself but decided that my obsession with Posh Spice and knowledge of about 3 of the group's songs didn't quite justify the approximately $140 price tag. Besides, I'm holding out (hope) for the announcement of a Kylie concert in Toronto which will, no doubt, come with an even heftier price tag.

Still, it seems that a good time was had by the many that did attend. By all accounts, it was an emotional experience for the ladies and their fans but everyone seemed satisfied with the result. Below is a bit of video from the Spice Girls farewell show.





Sporty Spice does a backflip.




Cruz Beckham shows off more of his breakdancing skills.

Sweet Jane

Singer/actress/muse Jane Birkin made her first ever appearance in Toronto last night (February 25), playing an almost 2-hour concert in front of an adoring audience at The Music Hall. Birkin performed a wide range of selections from her impressive repetoire, including songs from her most recent release Fictions (which features compsitions written specifically for her by contemporary artists such as Beth Gibbons and Rufus Wainwright) as well as covers of songs by other artists and, of course, renditions of classics from Serge Gainsbourg, Birkin's former lover and the man she refers to as her "auteur".

I can't believe I almost chose not to go to this show. My reasons were varied and stupid but, fortunately, good sense won out in the end and I couldn't have been happier. I found myself feeling quite emotional throughout the entire concert, no doubt in large part due to the iconic pop culture dynasty to which Birkin belongs. I mean, I was now mere feet away from the Johnny Jane.

Really though, Birkin was just a lovely performer. The range of her voice has improved over the years and, though she must have sung many of these songs countless times, she performed each with a passion you don't really witness often these days. Plus, as the show got going a bit, she became increasingly chatty, sharing personal stories and tales about the creation of some of the pieces. She also shook hands, kissed cheeks and generally managed to endear herself even further to her devoted followers.


Le sigh.


Here's Jane performing a song from Fictions entitled Home (written for her by Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy) on the French musical variety program Taratata in 2006. She performed this song last night as well.




Birkin also performed the classic Didooda, which she does as well in the performance below, once again on Taratata (earlier this year) this time with French singer/songwriter Zazie.





I almost died from happiness when Jane performed one of my favourite songs, Laetitia. I can't find any footage of her singing it so I guess we'll just have to make due of a performance by the song's composer, Serge Gainsbourg.





Finally, and with no explanation required, Je t'aime...moi non plus.

To Help You Get Through Your Monday

Simultaneous proof that sometimes the little guys do get recognized for their efforts and that Jon Stewart is, indeed, da muthafucking shit.










Daniel Radcliffe gets honoured in more ways than one at the Whatsonstage 2008 Theatre Awards which were held yesterday (February 24) in London, England. (The love starts at about the 3 minute mark.)


Note: I have no idea why the sound gives out mid-clip.

Late Night TV Preview: February 24 - March 1, 2008

Here are some of the musical artitsts scheduled to appear on late night TV in the coming week. Note: * indicates an encore episode.


SUNDAY

• Mary J. Blige - Jimmy Kimmel Live: Post Oscar Special (approx. 12:00am - ABC, CityTV)

MONDAY

• The Helio Sequence - Kimmel
  
• Super Furry Animals - Late Night with Conan O'Brien (12:35am - NBC, A-Channel)
• Lupe Fiasco - Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35am - NBC)

The Helio Sequence Everyone Knows Everyone



TUESDAY

• Lupe Fiasco - Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35pm - NBC, A-Channel)
• Chingy w/ Ludacris - Late Show with David Letterman (11:35pm - CBS, OMNI)
• Mary J. Blige - Kimmel
  
• Fat Joe - Carson

WEDNESDAY

• Kenna - Letterman
• Georgie James - Conan
  
• Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - Carson*

Kenna Say Goodbye To Love


Glen Hansard & Martina Irglova Falling Slowly (from the film Once)



THURSDAY

• Cat Power - Leno
• Liam Finn - Letterman

Cat Power Lived In Bars



FRIDAY

• The Punch Brothers - Leno
• Shooter Jennings - Conan
• Dweezil Zappa - Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:35am - CBS, E!)
  
• Regina Spektor - Carson*

SATURDAY

• Wilco - Saturday Night Live (11:30pm - NBC, GlobalTV)

More With Ricky Gervais On The Hour

Our Tax Dollars At Work

Please enjoy these two clips from episodes of the special London (UK) editions of The Hour that aired earlier this week.




Kylie Minogue


Ricky Gervais

Breaking Down The Brits

The 2008 Brit Awards were handed out last night (February 20) at Earls Court Arena in London. The Brits, being the booze-soaked spectacle that it is, doesn't really lend well to review in standard, essay style so I'll just give you a brief, point form rundown of the precedings. You can catch the entire broadcast tonight on CBC beginning at 8pm (EST).

• Reformed boy band Take That get an early jump on the hardware, winning the award for Best Live Act and triumphing over the likes of Muse, Kaiser Chiefs and common sense. They also won the award for Best Single.


• Teeny-tiny Kylie Minogue must travel from the very back of venue all the way to the stage in order to collect her award for International Female Solo Artist. She and current Dr. Who David Tennant, who presented her award, do the most adorable victory dance ever. I will now officially start the rumour that they are a couple.





• Amy Winehouse's attempt at sustained sobriety seems to be on hiatus. She showed up to the awards pissed as a rat but still managed to pull-off a reasonable performance of The Zutons' song Valerie with producer/pal Mark Ronson.


• Speaking of Ronson, he won the award for Best Bristish Male Solo Artist. No small feat considering he didn't do any of the singing on his current, wildly popular release Version. The album features covers of songs performed by other artists, again, none of which are Ronson himself.


• Rihanna teams up with The Klaxons to perform a version of The Song That Just Won't Die. Actually, better than you might think.

• The Osbournes defy all expectations and don't completely cock up their hosting duties.


• Kate Nash uses her annoying mockney accent to take the award for Best British Solo Female. OK, Pumpkin Soup was cute but that's no excuse to deny Bat For Lashes her due.


• Kanye West wins the award for Best International Solo Male. So, um, yeah, no drama there.


• Heather Mills shows heretofore unseen tact by not making good on her rumoured threat to appear at the event and disrupt the performance of her soon-to-be ex-husband and winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Music award, Paul McCartney.


• Arctic Monkeys make their first in person appearance at the Brits despite having won multiple awards in each of the previous two years. They are dressed as bit players in a remake of Newsies but still manage to come off kind of loveable, especially when they accept the award for Best British Album (their second of the night) completely soused and have a go at The Brit School. Best British Solo Male nominee and AM collaborator Richard Hawley rounds out the Represent Sheffield contingent.





• No love for Canucks at the Brits. Neither Feist, Arcade Fire, Rufus Wainwright nor Michael Bublé were able to make good on their nominations.


• There was Girls Aloud drama aplenty as the reality show-constructed group not only walk away from the Brits empty-handed but must also deal with a no-show member whose "stranded in L.A. because of a missing passport" excuse may simply be temporary damage control for a potential breakup. Yeah, I didn't really care either.
• Not a bad effort, all told, but could have done with a lot more M.I.A..
  

You can get a list of all the winners and more info from the event via the official Brits website.

Billy Idol Would Be Chuffed

As we here in The Big Smoke attempt to recover from the big smoke (and shooting flames) that engulfed our beloved Queen St W this morning, I thought it might be nice to divert our attention with a bit of bawdy frivolity.

Many of you are probably familiar with the recent series of Diet Pepsi: Forever Young commercials that feature a 30(ish)-year old man who can't quite shake his 80s obsession. I think they're all kind of cute in a "Yes, I get the pop culture reference" kind of way, but there's one that always has me busting a gut every time I see it.






I'm actually kind of surprised this ad made to air. Sure the profanity is muted but I think we all know what's being said. Strikes me as being pretty raunchy for a soda ad but I'm certainly not complaining.

Cruz Busts A Move

Cruz Beckham, the youngest son of David and Victoria Beckham, proved he may just be the next superstar to emerge from the jetset clan.

Little Cruz, who turns 3 tomorrow (February 20), was onstage with his older brothers Romeo and Brooklyn and the rest of the Spice Spawn at the Spice Girls sold out Madison Square Garden show yesterday (February 18) in New York City. The group were in the process of singing the song Mama and, as has often been customary on the current reunion tour, brought out their children during the performance. Cruz took the opportunity to show off his breakdancing skills, popping and locking with some flips and head-spinning thrown in for good measure.


The crowd went nuts and the song was briefly interrupted as proud Mama Beckham and the rest of the group succumbed to giggles.




Dance break starts at about the 2:50 mark.



From another angle.

Happy Family Day!

Feist It's Cool to Love Your Family

Late Night TV Preview: February 18 - 23, 2008

Here are some of the musical artists scheduled to appear on late night TV in the coming week. Praise Jebus, the WGA strike ended earlier this week so, not only are all the writers back at work but all the programs are also once again back to promoting their upcoming guests. Note: * indicates an encore episode.



MONDAY

• Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings - Late Show with David Letterman (11:35pm - CBS, OMNI)
• Wyclef - Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:35am - CBS, E!)

Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings 100 Days, 100 Nights




TUESDAY

• The Hives - Tonight Show with Jay Leno (11:35pm - NBC, A- Channel)
• Ray Davies - Letterman

WEDNESDAY

• Foo Fighters - Letterman
• The Whigs - Late Night with Conan O'Brien (12:353am - NBC, A-Channel)
• Ziggy Marley - Ferguson
  

THURSDAY

• Taylor Dayne - Jimmy Kimmel Live (12:05am - ABC, CityTV)
  
• Black Mountain - Conan
• Fat Joe - Last Call with Carson Daly (1:35am - NBC)

Black Mountain Druganaut



FRIDAY

• Norah Jones - Austin City Limits (11:30pm - WNED)
  
• Herbie Hancock - Leno
• Shooter Jennings - Carson

SATURDAY

• Chris Cornell - Henry Rollins Show (9pm & 3:50am - IFC Canada)

I'm Beginning To Think It Isn't An Elaborate Hoax

After 11 years, it seems that Bristol band Portishead have finally grown weary of their extended "hiatus" and have gotten it in gear to release their third album, appropriately titled Third. Due out April 28 in the UK, it will be the first collection of new material since their 1997 self-titled full length. There's even a tracklisting to whet our appetites.



Silence
Hunter
Nylon Smile
The Rip
Plastic
We Carry On
Deep Water
Machine Gun
Small
Magic Doors
Threads


Here's footage of the band performing the track Machine Gun live at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in December 2007.





Portishead begin a tour of the UK and Europe at the end of March.

Duffy In MySpace

Judging from her five award win at last Sunday's (February 9) Grammy ceremony and, so far, successful attempt to break free of her substance abuse, Amy Winehouse isn't going anywhere.

Even so, those whose job it is to make such predictions have pegged Welsh neo-soul singer Duffy as to one to remove the bee-hived wonder from her wobbly throne. Apparently, she of the single name is also the new(est) Dusty Springfield but that could be just because of her hair. Here are the first two singles from Duffy's soon to be released (March 3 in the UK) debut album entitled Rockferry.




Rockferry





Mercy


Duffy is about to embark on an extensive tour that will take her throughout the UK and North America over the next few months, including a March 18 gig at the Mod Club in Toronto (tickets are on sale now).


Just for fun, let's have a bit of Dusty too.

You Don't Have To Say You Love Me

Happy Hallmark Day

I keed, I keed.

Though I dislike the commercialism of Valentine's Day, I still hold true to the it's origins. In fact, I'm really quite fond of this crazy little thing call LOVE - and I think my iPod knows it. I always have my little musical companion on shuffle mode and here - no word of a lie - are the first song that came up as I left my home this morning and the last one I heard as I stepped back across my threshold mere moments ago.




Bryan Ferry Slave to Love



Aaliyah More Than A Woman

All Hail The Duke Spirit

One of my favourite bands, The Duke Spirit, are back with their latest full-length album, Neptune, released February 4 in the UK (no North American release date as of yet). Here are videos for the first two singles from the album.

Lassoo


The Step and the Walk


TDS are also fantastic live so don't miss their headling Canadian Music Week showcase gig on March 8 at Lee's Palace.

Musical Regurgitation

The release this week of Thriller 25 by Michael Jackson (and friends) brings to light a rather disturbing trend: artists remaking their own songs.

I'm going to give MJ a pass this time around because, despite what we might think of Wacko Jacko now, the original Thriller was a significant contribution to music history and, arguably, marked Jackson's best work before or since.

However, it's these "one hit wonder" types who keep trying to squeeze the last drop of fame and noteriety out of the half-assed novelty songs with which they cursed an unsuspecting public 20-plus years ago. Damn it people - enough already!

First up: Dead or Alive You Spin Me Round


1985


1996


2003



Yes, that's right, this particular gem has had, not one but, two reworkings by the DOA crew. I'll admit that I really did (and still do) love this song but I just can't get behind the remakes. Not because they're so bad but because I feel that with every new version of the song, lead singer Pete Burns (and, yes, that's him in all three videos) seems that much less...real.

Next up: Samantha Fox Touch Me



1986


2004 (with Swedish artist Gunther) NSFW


Again, I admit, I actually like the original version of this song. The newer version is, in my opinion, unnecessarily Euro-trashy (and not in a good way). Funny, too, how in both videos the main male characters seem to be trying so hard to come off butch and just fail miserably.


Last and most heinously: Right Said Fred I'm Too Sexy




1992


2007

Sigh. I really don't even have the energy to go into the number of ways that this endeavour is just all kinds of wrong. I mean, if someone was to time travel back to 1992 and "kindly dissuade" RSF from releasing the original I think it could be seen as an act benefitting the future of humanity. I will just point at that there is, yet again, another attempt at being butch. Nice try guys. You may have ditched the mesh tops but you're still gayer than Christmas. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

The Venga Plane Is Coming!

You remember the Vengaboys, don't you? Come on, yes you do. Yes you do!

Alright then, you want to play like that.




We Like to Party!


Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!



You made me do that.

Now, from a group of individuals with such undeniable talent, one would expect nothing less than a long and successful career in the entertainment industry.

Yeah, not so much.

While the Vengaboys are still listed as active, at least one former member has had to abandon his dream of fame and fortune for a slightly more practical career choice.






That's Roy Olivero-Den Burger (aka the Cowboy), totally working that emergency procedures demonstration as an airline steward on a flight from Amsterdam to London (Heathrow) back in September 2005. Y'know, I think I find Roy that much more endearing for giving his all to his current profession.

You go girl! Get that paper however you can!

Late Night TV Preview: February 11 - 16, 2008

Here are some of the musical artists scheduled to appear on late night TV in the coming week. Note: * indicates an encore episode.


MONDAY

• OK Go - Late Show with David Letterman (11:35pm - CBS, OMNI)
• Sia - Jimmy Kimmel Live* (12:05am - ABC, CityTV)
• Natasha Bedingfield - Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS, E!)

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• Bebel Gilberto - Ferguson

Bebel Gilberto Momento



FRIDAY

• Etta James - Austin City Limits (11:30pm - WNED)

SATURDAY

• Iggy Pop (panel guest and musical performer with The Stooges) - Henry Rollins Show (9pm, 1:45 & 4:40am - IFC Canada)

Just Pretend The Snow Has Already Gone

I know that a good many of us are still recovering from the latest blast of winter weather but I think I may have found just the thing to buoy our optimism for the pleasanter seasons to come.

A spring clothing shopping spree!

Yes, nothing makes you more eager for the approach of the vernal equinox quite like that colourful skirt or flirty blouse that you're dying to show off to your friends and coworkers. Here to help you with that endeavour is the Spring 2008 collection from Greenbaum Clothing Company, headed by the lovely and multi-talented Lisa Greenbaum.

Tulip Tee & Willow Short

Fabric:
Top - Bamboo Jersey: bamboo, cotton, spandex blend
Colours - White (shown), Moss, Slate
Skirt - Stretch Sateen: cotton, poly, spandex blend.
Colours - Silver or Slate (shown)

Notes:
Top: fitted and cut long with double v-neck in front and back (but not too low) small peek-a-boo slit at sleeve
Short: knee length shorts with double invisible zipper at front - similar to Willow Pant. The perfect patio outfit!!

[Photo and item description source]

Marked by an earthy yet rich colour palette and (as always) flattering silouettes, the pieces are perfect to go from the office to an after work or weekend get together and even to take with you on that March break trip to Cancun. I mean, let's be real - that snow isn't going to be completely melted until sometime towards the end of April (if we're lucky).

Lisa is taking pre-orders right now for GCC Spring 2008 - deadline is February 13 for expected delivery the week of March 15. She will also have a booth at the Spring One of a Kind Show, March 20 - 24, 2008.

As well, GCC is offering discounts of 30 - 80% on the most recent Fall/Winter collection. I picked up a few pieces myself this past weekend and I'm so happy with them. Now, I just have to narrow down which of the new pieces I want.

Emma On Her Own

It's almost impossible for me to think of Emma Pollack going it alone without her fellow Glaswegian cohorts from The Delgados. Not that she doesn't have the musical chops to make her own name in the industry but -. Oh, I just still miss The Delgados. OK, moving on.

Emma released her solo debut, Watch the Fireworks, in August of 2007 and, from the singles I've heard, it's pretty much the perfect way to simultaneously ease Delgados fans out of their heartbreak and establish herself in her own right.

Hopefully, she'll stage a proper headlining tour of North America this year. She came through Toronto as the opener for the New Pornographers in the fall of 2007 - which I found out about just after tickets for the gig sold out. Boo.

Here's the video for Paper and Glue, the third single from Watch the Fireworks.

Just Peter - No Bjorn, No John

If you missed the wildly sold out Peter, Bjorn & John concert at the Phoenix last month, you may yet have reason to take heart. Peter Moren, the P in PB&J (hmm, now I'm hungry) is about to embark on a tour to promote his upcoming solo debut entitled The Last Tycoon (due out April 8). A Toronto date has been announced for April 28 at the Mod Club - tickets are on sale now.




Twisted Peter Moren

So Close And Yet...

The pint-sized poptastic-ness known as Robyn is currently staging her first (mini) trek of North America in more than 10 years. Unfortunately, none of these showcases include a stop in Toronto, but through the magic of YouTube we're able to experience just a little of what the crowds at the Highline Ballroom in NYC (February 5) were priveleged enough to witness first-hand. We'll have to remain optimistic that Robyn will eventually make it to our fair city sometime in the near futute. Seriously, if the Spice Girls can do it than so can she.



Konichiwa Bitches



With Every Heartbeat

A Reminder

No doubt, it's an understatement to say that things are going well career-wise for Feist.

She recently received four Grammy nominations (the awards are handed out this weekend) and one nod from the Brit Awards. If that wasn't enough, just this morning she was declared the winner of the Shortlist Music Prize and was handed another 5 nominattions courtesy of the Junos. All this adulation and recognition sprung from her third solo album, The Reminder, and the little (iPod-friendly) single that could, 1234.

So, now seems as good a time as any to take a quick and selected look back on the career of our favourite Calgary-raised, Toronto-based, international indie chanteuse.

Back in the late 90s when Feist still had a first name (Leslie) she was playing with the Canadian band By Divine Right. Also around that time she collaborated with then-roommate Peaches on the album The Teaches of Peaches. While touring for the album Feist went by the charming moniker of Bitch Lap Lap.



Peaches Lovertits (Feist is the dark-haired girl on the banana-seat bicycle)




In 1999, Feist released her first proper solo album entitled Monarch (Lay Your Jewelled Head Down). Initially sold only at gigs, the album is now out of print and is considered a valuable rarity due to Feist's current success.

Feist It's Cool To Love Your Family



Into the new millenium, Feist joined forces with a cabal of Toronto musicians to form the seminal (overused word alert!) musical collective Broken Social Scene. If you've gotten this far in the post and you don't know who BSS are, well, there's really nothing more I can do for you. I keed, I keed.

Broken Social Scene Almost Crimes




Then came 2004 and the release of Let It Die that included an insanely catchy single accompanied by a video with an iconic red scarf.

Mushaboom


There's another (in my opinion, lesser) version of this video which features her pal Peaches.


In 2006, Feist contributed two songs to the Paris Je T'aime soundtrack, La Meme Histoire and We're All in the Dance.

We're All in the Dance



Which brings us to 2007 and the release of Feist's most successful release to date, The Reminder. Now, I like that 1234 video just as much as everyone else but I really don't think we need to see it again. Instead, let's have a look at the equally charming video for My Moon My Man.

Quick sidenote: my friend Stephanie and I attempted to "recreate" this video at Pearson Airport (where it was originally filmed) as we made our way to our flight to the UK last year.

Congrats to Feist for all her success - she's certainly put in the time and hard work to get where she is now.

We Heart You Jools

Mary J. Blige, Cat Power, Feist and Robyn Hitchcock were just some of the artists who helped musician/presenter Jools Holland celebrate the 200th episode of his show Later...

While you're enjoying the videos below, try not to be too depressed by the fact that we in North America still haven't managed to master this type of musical variety program that the British seem to pull off so effortlessly.



Robyn Hitchcock Sounds Great When You're Dead





Mary J. Blige Just Fine


Cat Power Lost Someone


Feist My Moon My Man

Late Night TV Preview: February 4 - 9, 2008

Here are some of the musical artists scheduled to appear on late night TV in the coming week. Note:* indicates an encore episode.



MONDAY

• Jill Scott - Jimmy Kimmel Live* (12:05am - ABC, CityTV)

Jill Scott Hate On Me



TUESDAY

• Stars: Live at the Rehearsal Hall (10pm - Bravo Canada) - repeats Saturday (February 9) @ 8pm
  
• Sheryl Crow - Late Show with David Letterman (11:35pm - CBS, OMNI)

Stars The Night Starts Here




WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

• Shelby Lynne - Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson (12:35am - CBS, E!)

FRIDAY

• Jann Arden: Live at Revival (11:30pm - WNED)

SATURDAY

• The Mars Volta - Henry Rollins Show (9pm & 2:50am - IFC Canada)
• Feist - Saturday Night Live* (11:30pm - NBC, Global)
  

Family Beauty Secrets

Ah, the magical powers of cosmetics.

Previously, we learned that the right shade of Lip Gloss could make you popular beyond your wildest dreams.

Now, according to Kid Sister, it seems that regularly sporting Pro Nails results in Kanye West dropping rhymes on your track.

From Whence They Came

If you're still trying to figure out what a Vampire Weekend is, the video below may help you sort things out. Apparently, it reveals the origins of the current Great White Hype.

Actually, that wasn't very helpful at all. However, keep the reference in your back pocket to whip out and up your indie cred at the next hipster-infested gathering.



And, I've just been informed that Vampire Weekend are officially "out". Tune in to Pitchfork for more details.