Arctic Monkeys Announce North American Tour

After over a year, the English band Arctic Monkeys will be kicking off a North American tour beginning May 17. They of course will be making a stop in our lovely city. The band will play Central Park's SummerStage on Tuesday, May 24. A full list of dates are below. Pre-sale and ticket info can be found on the bands website, HERE.

Arctic Monkeys - Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders - haven’t performed in North America since criss-crossing the country in the wake of the release of Humbug, their acclaimed third album. Fans can expect to hear some eagerly awaited new material – the band posted a video preview of brand new song “Brick By Brick” on their website late last week.

Tour Dates

• 5/17 -- Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club
• 5/18 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Knitting Factory
• 5/19 -- Boston, MA -- House Of Blues
• 5/21 -- Toronto, ON -- Kool Haus
• 5/22 -- Montreal, QC -- L’Olympia
• 5/24 -- New York, NY -- SummerStage
• 5/26 -- Detroit, MI -- Clutch Cargoes
• 5/27 -- Milwaukee, WI -- The Rave
• 5/28 -- Minneapolis, MN -- First Ave
• 5/30 -- Denver, CO -- The Ogden Theatre
• 5/31 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- In The Venue
• 6/3 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Hollywood Palladium

For more quirky ramblings, drop by Quirky NY Chick.

Surviving the press pit at Marc by Marc Jacobs NY fashion week show

If Mr Marc Jacobs sees fit to ask you to his Marc by Marc Jacobs show, (or at least his lovely PR folk KCD)  with 4 hours notice at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the correct answer is not a) oh bugger i've got no-one to look after the kids or b) but its across town and all my other shows are at the Lincoln Centre. It is in fact c) drop everything, get your kids covered and get your ass over there to snap it from the media riser/press pit where you've been invited.

And so it was that this intrepid blogger stepped foot on the hallowed ground of a Marc by Marc Jacobs show. I met the lovely Nicolette Mason of www.nicolettemason.com in the press line who appraised me of the ' grab a seat where you can' blogger philosophy to which I seem to now be a firm believer.

Once in to The Armoury with all the other battle weary press folk - mostly Asian or Italian to be fair, I squeezed myself in the front row between lovely Nylon snapper and lovely Teen Vogue with the flu snapper (from Australia - who had got out of her sick bed to cover this...see how far people go...)

After a few whispered hints as to who the actual celebs in the frontline were...so kind these press pit dudes...I had spotted Hillary Alexander for myself and also Sarah Rutson but most of the USA celebs still remain beyond my ability to fathom. It was on to the actual show.

We saw autumnal hues, silks and tweeds, patent brogues and a whole kind of mish mash of 70's kind of thinking about 40's vibe. To be fair, had I been concentrating on the clothes as opposed to whether it is indeed possible to snap a pair of shoes coming at you at a pace when your life in the press pit depends on it....(answer...a couple of shots worked...don't give up the day job then.) I would be able to give you a much more verbose rundown. For now let me leave you with the fabbo shots and I'll get back to you on the commentary.

Spring/Summer 11 Trends...Are you Team Ballet or Team Burlesque?

I blame Nathalie Portman and Christina Aguilera for this one... a couple of dance movies and what do you know? Designers turn to tulle and lace with a vengeance. There hasn't been dance inspired clothing like this since The Red Shoes plie'd onto the silver screen back in the day...

I can’t figure out whether to be on Team Ballet or Team Burlesque...

The Joy Formidable Announce Spring Tour Dates

Welsh band The Joy Formidable have announced US tour dates. New York is one of the cities they'll be playing. They're scheduled to be at Webster Hall on Friday, April 29 so mark your calendars. Complete list of dates are at the bottom of the post.

The band will be releasing their self-produced album The Big Roar on March 15 in the US via Canvasback/Atlantic Records. The album was released in the UK on January 24. Check out the video for "Austere" below. The single that is out now.

The Joy Formidable are on the verge of releasing their new album, The Big Roar, on March 15 via Canvasback/Atlantic Records. In the UK, the album will be released on January 24. The Big Roar comes two years after The Joy Formidable released their debut album in February of 2009, the indie-rock explosion of A Balloon Called Moaning, which SPIN magazine named one of the 10 Best Records You Might Have Missed in 2010. The band has since tightened their focus and loosened their sound, allowing for the choruses to be more anthemic and the colossal rush of guitars and melodic hooks to stand out in their jaw-dropping splendor. NME praised the band and album, calling lead-singer Ritzy Bryan "rock's new heroine," and proclaiming The Big Roar "an LP that ultimately delivers on every count on the four years of promise leading up to it-primarily in its gutsy, chest-swelling brilliance."

Tour Dates

• 3/22 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
• 3/24 Durham, NC @ Coffeehouse @ Duke Univ.
• 3/25 Washington DC @ Black Cat
• 3/26 Albany, NY @ Valentines
• 3/28 Providence, RI @ The Met
• 3/29 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
• 3/30 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
• 3/31 Princton, NJ @ Terrace Club @ Princeton Univ.
• 4/1 Harrisburg, PA @ The Abbey
• 4/2 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
• 4/4 Columbus, OH @ The Basement
• 4/5 Chicago , IL @ Lincoln Hall
• 4/6 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
• 4/8 Denver, CO @ Larimier Lounge
• 4/9 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
• 4/11 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studio
• 4/12 Seattle, WA @ Crocodile
• 4/14 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill
• 4/16 Indio, CA @ Coachella
• 4/19 Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
• 4/20 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
• 4/22 St Louis, MO @ Luminary Arts Center
• 4/23 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
• 4/26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
• 4/27 Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose
• 4/29 New York, NY @ Webster Hall

For more quirky ramblings, drop by Quirky NY Chick.

Sneak Preview: DJ Dell’s ‘In The Beginning Mix’ – Feb ’11

Sneak Preview: DJ Dell’s ‘In The Beginning Mix’.MP3 – Feb ’11

Yo! - As we near our first event for HOUSE@MONROE, it’s great that we already have over 30 confirmed on our Facebook Events Page. Please invite your friends and let’s make this an event to remember!

To get in the mood, feel free to stream/download DJ Dell’s ‘In The Beginning‘ mix. A selection of electro, old skool and funky house tunes, perfectly mixed for your pleasure

Take an hour out – stick on your headphones – and relax! Or, head to the gym and work-out to this - it WILL keep you going… Whatever you do – Enjoy!

The Stepford Wife's Workout Essentials...

Coming up to my 3rd year in Stepford you'd think one might grow accustomed to the foibles of the local inhabitants..

Wifus Stepfordicus is a truly strange breed, not to be confused with the aspirational lesser spotted New Jersey House Wifus, or indeed the more brazen, well documented New York House Wifus... The Stepford Wife spends her day preening and primping, toying and tittilating until the hunter gatherer Prep Man returns with his spoils.

As part of the daily ritual the gym/bikram yoga/personal trainer comes only second to the initial hit of caffeine obtained from Starbucks/LPQ/Insert local french pattiserie of choice. But as the winter months draw in, it's the plumage of the Stepford Wife that begins to decree her standing in the community.

A NJ wife might be happy to spend her morning ritual clad in a Juicy Couture track suit, the Stepford Wife however, is mostly seen in Lululemon - the 'wicking friendly' sports attire that ensures this creature does not look like she's actually breaking a sweat during the observance of calorie burning. In addition, as the frigid weather closes in, full fur seems to be the only accessory of choice to transport this fragile species from one heated leisure facility to another.

This reporter also spotted a power walker in full length fur only yesterday striding through the picket fenced neighborhood, complete with fur ear muffs.... only in Stepford!

Year End Review: Paul McCartney & Wings - Band On The Run

November 2, we saw the re-mastered, re-release of Paul McCartney & Wings' classic hit album, Band on the Run. It's the first release from the Paul McCartney Archive Collection. The 2 CD/1 DVD special edition consists of the original album, a disc of bonus tracks plus a disc containing more than an hours worth of video footage all wrapped up in a tidy enhanced package.

Band on the Run, originally released in 1973, came after some hit and miss McCartney albums. There were some gems on those works but overall, they were just nice. Band on the Run however sparkled and shined with the well crafted pop goodies that McCartney was and is known for. It's a record that still holds up well.

I've been spinning this release. In listening to it, the first thing I noticed was, I needed better headphones! Once that was squared away, I plugged in and cranked the sound. The re-master is louder and more clean than previous releases of the record. I hear more little bits and bobs that I never noticed before.

I realized something while listening to the record. All of the songs that I as a child, first associated as being McCartney, came from this album. Yes, as a kid I knew The Beatles music. But that was The Beatles and Beatle Paul and Wings Paul may have been one and the same, but they were separate in my mind. Beatles Paul was in funny movies and was a cartoon, literally ... oh and he wrote some great songs. But, Wings Paul was a rock star that people could actually go and see. He wasn't the larger than life entity his earlier self had become. Hey, nobody ever said kids made sense! Anyway, two of my all time favorite Wings songs come from this record "Let Me Roll It" and "Bluebird." Even though I've heard the song many times over the years, "Mrs. Vandebilt" has jumped out at me. It just pops on this edition and has been getting repeated plays.

I was excited about the One Hand Clapping video footage. But, I have to say, I'm just a wee bit disappointed. Yes, I'm happy to have it but it doesn't look like it has had any work done to it at all. I realize the footage is old but I expected it to be cleaner. As it stands, it feels a bit like watching a second (maybe third) generation bootleg VHS recording.

In a way, you can consider Band on the Run a best of record. It's some of McCartney's best post Fab Four work to date. I can't imagine a McCartney fan who doesn't own the album. But, if you're one of those who has the album in its original release and never got around to buying it on CD or digitally, now's a good time to pick it up (vinyl lovers need not fear, it's available in that format as well), it's a good little package. Listening to this re-master reminded me just how much I like this record.

Since there are plans to release other records as part of the Paul McCartney Archive Collection, I'm hoping the next one will be Wings Over America with a bonus DVD of Rockshow in its entirety. That would make me one seriously happy chick.

Band on the Run (Special Edition)

Remastered Album

• Band on the Run
• Jet
• Bluebird
• Mrs Vandebilt
• Let Me Roll It
• Mamunia
• No Words
• Picasso’s Last Words (Drink to Me)
• Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five

Bonus Audio Tracks

• Helen Wheels
• Country Dreamer
• Bluebird [from One Hand Clapping]
• Jet [from One Hand Clapping]
• Let Me Roll It [from One Hand Clapping]
• Band on the Run [from One Hand Clapping]
• Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five [from One Hand Clapping]
• Country Dreamer [from One Hand Clapping]
• Zoo Gang

DVD

• Band on the Run Music Video
• Mamunia Music Video
• Album Promo Featuring Band on the Run, Mrs Vandebilt, Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five, Bluebird
• Helen Wheels Music Video
• Wings In Lagos
• Osterley Park
• One Hand Clapping

For more quirky ramblings, drop by Quirky NY Chick.

Duran Duran Releases New Single Early + Visit East Village Radio

December 8, the four original members of British pop band Duran Duran, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon, released the lead single from their upcoming record a week early. The song, "All You Need Is Now" is currently being offered exclusively on iTunes for FREE. The 9-track album, also titled All You Need Is Now, will be released digitally on Tuesday, December 21 and was produced by Mark Ronson. For those of you who like to have physical contact with your music, you will have your opportunity in February 2011 when an expanded physical record with additional original new tracks in various format deluxe packages will be made available.

This evening, Friday, December 10, Simon Le Bon and Nick Rhodes will visit East Village Radio. They pair will be on Mark Ronson's show Authentic Sh*t. Tune into EVR (www.eastvillageradio.com) from 8pm - 10pm Eastern time.

I have to tell you, I still have a soft spot for Duran Duran. Early 80's me, little barely teen-aged, quirky chick me, loved them. That was the point in my young life where John was hotness personified in my book and when I wanted to dye my hair that horrid orange color Nick once sported ... yeah, don't ask.

The vibrant video for the title track “All You Need Is Now,” also set for release on iTunes on December 21st, was shot in and around London and was helmed by celebrated director Nick Egan, whose previous work includes Duran Duran’s “White Lines” and “Ordinary World” videos, as well as videos for Alanis Morissette, Sonic Youth, INXS, Oasis and more. Additional footage was provided by Gavin Elder, longtime documentary filmmaker for the band, amongst others.

All You Need Is Now, Duran Duran’s 13th studio album, features a newly announced collaboration with R&B/neo-soul superstar Kelis on “The Man who Stole a Leopard,” just one of the album’s many stand-out tracks. Trading call and response vocals with Simon Le Bon, Kelis’ shimmering vocal contribution puts the golden touch on the track’s already irresistible electro-driven groove.

Track List

• All You Need Is Now
• Blame The Machines
• Being Followed
• Leave a Light on
• Safe (in the heat of the moment) (feat. Ana Matronic)
• Girl Panic !
• The Man who Stole a Leopard (feat. Kelis)
• Runway Runaway
• Before the Rain

For more quirky ramblings, drop by Quirky NY Chick.

Robert Plant Confirms North American Tour Dates

Robert Plant and Band of Joy announced they will be hitting the road early 2011 for a North American tour. New Yorkers, Plant will be at the Beacon Theatre on January 29. Those of you not in the New York area, check below for dates near you.

Rounder Records is excited to announce that Robert Plant has confirmed a 15-date North American tour. Beginning January 18th in Asheville, NC, this will be the first tour on these shores since the triumphant release of his latest album, Band of Joy, which Rolling Stone magazine in its four-star review called "sweet, elegant folk that still swings like Satan's barn door." The touring band will once again be the same that made the record: Patty Griffin, vocals; Darrell Scott, multi instrumentalist/vocals; Byron House, bass/vocals; Marco Giovino, drums and percussion/vocals, and co-producer Buddy Miller, guitar/vocals. North Mississippi Allstars will be supporting on all the dates.

Tour Dates

January

• 18 Asheville, NC Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
• 19 Pittsburgh, PA Peterson Events Center (University of Pittsburgh)
• 21 Ann Arbor, MI Hill Auditorium
• 22 Toronto, ONT Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
• 25 Boston, MA House of Blues
• 26 Upper Darby, PA Tower Theatre
• 28 Mashantucket, CT MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino
• 29 New York, NY Beacon Theatre

February

• 1 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
• 2 Raleigh, NC Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
• 4 North Charleston, SC North Charleston Performing Arts Center
• 5 Atlanta, GA Fox Theatre
• 7 Charlotte, NC Ovens Auditorium
• 8 - 9 Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium

For more quirky ramblings, drop by Quirky NY Chick.

The Shearling trend... the origins

Ever wondered where J.Crew and the like got their basic materials for this season's uber cozy shearling vests? The Welsh mountains of course....

For more Notes from a Stylist take a peek here...