Company of Thieves - Oscar Wilde

I am loving the Rushmore-inspired video from Company of Thieves. Watch this video and enjoy.

I didn't want to be at SXSW anyway....

Okay, so that's a total lie. I definitely want to be there. So many new artists to listen to surrounded by lots of music nuts like myself? That's the closest thing to heaven right there.

And this year was great because I kept getting invitations from publicists and artists to come to their shows and hang out with them at SXSW (although I didn't know who these bands were but that's besides the point).

However, thanks to certain people who are in charge of my work life, I am unable to take time off to head to Austin. Apparently, mundane workloads are more important than listening to new, awesome bands.

Someone needs to check their priorities. Just saying.

Black20 hosts become musicians

Searider Falcon is a New York based indie/pop band, formed by Mike O'Gorman and Jessie Cantrell of the popular internet video website, Black20.com.

Honestly, when I first heard this, I was afraid this was going down the route of comedians turned musicians (a la Andy Samberg) and that almost never goes well. But it looks like Searider Falcon is an attempt to make legitimate music. I for one hope this does well.

Everybody's Scared
Gloves
The Blacksmith

Toad's Place now closed?

Apparently Richmond venue Toad's Place is now closed. Details are sketchy at best, but the article mentions late rent payments. Hopefully, this will clear itself up. There are a good number of shows I'd like to see there in the coming weeks.

Yesterday, legal notices posted around the live-music venue at 140 Virginia St. on the Canal Walk stated that because of "serious default in rental payment and other obligations . . . " the venue was closed.

Read the rest of the story here

Catching the next flight to Owl City

The music from synth pop makers Owl City has taken hold of my brain and lulled me into a fine state of bliss...

Designer Skyline from Of June (buy)

Landon Gadoci sings to you

I've been listening to Landon Gadoci all day. His amazing voice is sending shivers down my spine and his talent on the piano is beyond amazing. He's all over YouTube with his simple setup - him singing into a webcam while he plays.

Most of the songs he covers are pop and R&B songs, but there's the occasional random rock song thrown in as well. His rendition of Lady Gaga's pop song "Poker Face" is absolutely stunning.

Here are a few of his videos:







Lots more videos on his YouTube page

At the Stars, Parms, Park Ranger at the Pour House, 3/4/09

Richmond rockers At the Stars played their first show in months and of course I was there eagerly waiting to see them perform.

The band played as a trio instead of its usual foursome because their lead guitarist was unable to make the show that night. Also, Mike O'Connor joined as the band's new bassist a few months back, making this show his first live with the band. They played a nice collection of old favorites and new material from their upcoming album (coming in mid-April).

At the Stars - This Is The Way from October/November/December (buy)

Parms came all the way from Japan and they definitely brought their energy with them. High kicks left and right and with great music to match. My favorite was the bassist, who after every song threw his hands up in the air triumphantly. The band even bowed to the audience after their set.

NYC band Park Ranger rounded off the night. Their ecclectic mix of indie rock and ambient energy was a nice welcome.

Park Ranger - NY Trees from Safe Without Sound (buy)

Thank you snow, you can go away now

So Richmond has seen its first real snow in ages. The city has been blanketed in about 10 inches and that means everything has shut down and everyone has forgotten how to drive.

Everyone I know has been cheering that schools and businesses were cancelled and everyone had a snow day. Not me. No sir, I still had to brave the weather and go into work. Not so bad aside from taking 30 minutes to drive what's usually a 10 minute drive almost crashing my car three times.

But it's wet and cold and I'm tired of being cooped up in my apartment. Ready for winter to leave now.

+/- (Plus Minus) - Trapped Under Ice Floes (Redux) from You Are Here (buy)
Ra Ra Riot - Winter '05 from The Rhumb Line (buy)