Music Profile- Vampire Weekend

By now most of you have already heard of Vampire Weekend. The indie pop/rock band composed of four Columbia university alumni first came on the scene in 2006. The band gained major popularity via the Internet and in November of 2007 toured the UK with the Shins. If you have not heard of them yet, they are a definitely a group worthy of your attention.

Their self titled debut album Vampire Weekend is fun & lively, nostalgic to the 80's. Their music has been described as a fusion of Ska, New Wave and Afro-Pop (African Pop), others have categorized it as Indie-Pop of a different cut with their worldly blend. Regardless of what genre you categorize them under, their music is a mixture of various influences and easily appeals to a large audience. Simply put Vampire Weekend is just that simple, witty and addicting, leaving you craving for more good times.

I had the pleasure of seeing Vampire Weekend at the Wiltern Theater. Their final show on Thursday September 18th was SOLD OUT and it's no wonder why. If you have the opportunity to check them out live, I highly recommended doing so. Vampire Weekend is a great live band. Everyone in the audience was on their feet moving to the infectious sound that takes a hold of you. The sound was crisp and clear and Ezra Koenig's voice is classic. I left the concert and immediately put on their album for the ride home....I didn't want the party to stop!

Vampire Weekend: Ezra Koenig (lead vocals, guitar), Rostam Batmanglij (keyboard, guitar, vocals), Chris Tomson (drums) and Chris Baio (bass guitar).

Some of my favorite tracks off the album are "Mansford Roof," "Oxford Comma," "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa," and "I Stand Corrected." For another solid tune not found on their record, check out their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Everywhere", taken from a recent radio session on Australia's Triple J.

Source - Pitchfork

A Preview of tonight's Presidential Debate (and, RIP Neal Hefti 1922-2008)

FoundTrack's favorite NY contributor Gill Bumby just sent us this little preview of tonight's Presidential Debate. Enjoy, and feel free to place Obama and McCain into either the Penguin or Batman roles as you see fit... though the real question is whether Biden or Palin is Robin?:



And in related Bat-news, we're sad to report that composer and jazz trumpeter Neal Hefti, the musician behind the "Nana na na na na na BATMAN!" AND "Odd Couple" theme songs has passed away. In remembrance of him, here's the classic tune:

Woolfy Record Release Party at Little Temple

Woolfy, who's "Odyssey" is featured on our Fall collection, will be performing with Projections at a special record release show at the Little Temple this Wednesday before he tours overseas. I got the pleasure of hearing his set amidst Malibu's sea at Moonshadows a few weeks back and i couldn't stop moving. He started Projections in 2000 with Dan Hastie, who you may know from his work with two of LA's best funk bands, Breakestra and Orgone. Woolfy's deep rooted disco, electro-funk has found a home on quality imprints like NY's Rong Music, Germany's Permanent Vacation and DFA. Here's a new single off of his forthcoming record.

Movie Trailer Monday - "Transporter 3"... wait... really?

So I noticed I've posted "Oscar hopeful" films the past couple weeks on Movie Trailer Mondays, so I decided to switch things up and provide some good ol' wholesome and brainless fun times for all. The new trailer to "Transporter 3" has been released, and it looks like it continues the tradition of insane car chases, and over the top fight scenes the franchise is known for. Dapper tough dude Jason Statham is back as the driver, and this time has to deliver a package so valuable that he's forced to wear a wrist bomb that will go off if he gets too far from his car (the signature Audi is back, but unfortunately it isn't this model). OH, and I forgot to mention one thing- the awesome Robert Knepper who plays the homicidal maniac "T-Bag" on Prison Break (my #1 guilty pleasure on TV) plays the villain in Transporter 3 as well... should be pretty creepy:


Now sit back, turn off your brain and enjoy:



Source

Punch-out! Art by artist Jeff Mcmillan @ Gallery 1988

A few days ago we found out Nintendo is producing a remake of "Punch-out!" for the Wii. Today I stumbled upon this amazing tribute to said retro game franchise by painter Jeff McMillan, entitled "Punchouts." Behold the glory of this work which is available as a print at Gallery 1988:

(click to enlarge)

And here's a little something from the "About Us" section of Gallery 1988. I fully endorse and support their "glorious year of 1988" inspired brand identity- make sure to click the following to enlarge and enjoy:

Weekly Events Calendar : F.I.L.A. (Found in LA) October 13th-19th

Monday October 13th
KCRW Presents Jolie Holland, Herman Dune @ Troubadour
Kenan Bell, Rumspringa, 87 Stick Up Kids, El Ten Eleven @ Spaceland (FREE)
Obama Benefit Show feat. Ben Lee, Brett Dennen, Chris Pierce, HoneyHoney, more
@ Hotel Cafe
Tina Turner @ Staples Center

Tuesday October 14th
KCRW Presents Antony & the Johnsons @ Walt Disney Concert Hall
MySpace Music Presents Ting Tings , Goldrush, Santogold @ Wiltern
Welcome Home DJ AM feat. Dj Sets from Mark Ronson, Cut Chemist, Mix Master Mike, Adam 12, Steve Aoki, more) @ Avalon
Aquarium Drunkard Presents Wire, Muslims @ Echoplex
Weezer, Tokyo Police Club @ Forum
Dublab Presents PacificUV, Melodyguild, Peter Piek, Languis (DJ Set) @ Spaceland
Johnette Napolitano, Dan Dyer @ Hotel Cafe
Janeane Garafolo, Grant Lee Phillips and Friends @ Largo (Little Room)
Radio Free Silver Lake Presents Tigers Can Bite You & Light FM's dual CD release event w/ The French Semester @ Boardner's (Let's Independent!)

Wednesday October 15th
Jay-Z @ Palladium (Special Re-opening event)
Scion House Party Presents Van She Tech, Playgroup (Trevor Jackson), Classixx @ Vanguard (FREE w/RSVP - www.scion.com/houseparty)
The Feel Up feat. Woolfy vs Projections Record Release Party @ Little Temple
Indie 103 Presents The Rumble Strips, Birdmonster @ Spaceland (Club NME)
Kings of Leon, The Stills, We Are Scientists @ Nokia Theatre
Hearts of Palm UK (Record Release), The Sweet Hurt, Obi Best @ El Cid (Fold)
Black Kids, The Virgins, Voxhaul Broadcast @ The Mayan
Army Navy, Henry Clay People @ Echo
KCRW Presents Jackie Greene, Carney @ Troubadour
Ghettogloss Presents Wii Dance Dance Revolution Party @ Griffith Park Clubhouse (Twilight At the Club)

Thursday October 16th
KCRW Presents Buena Vista Social Club @ Egyptian Theatre
KCRW Presents Petra Haden, Woody Jackson, Willoughby @ Largo (Coronet)
Tegan & Sara, City & the Color, Girl in a Coma @ Henry Fonda Theatre
Ghostland Observatory @ The Mayan
Jaguar Love, The Pity Party, The Library @ Silverlake Lounge (Fold)
Filter & KXLU Presents Born Ruffians, Plants & Animals, Nurses @ Spaceland
(CANCELED)Ladyhawke @ Echo (CANCELED)
Chinese Stars, Awesome Brothers, Bad Dudes @ Smell

Friday October 17th
KCRW Presents Yael Naim, Peter Von Poehl, Matt Hires @ Troubadour
The Roots, Gym Class Heroes @ The Palladium
Say Hi (aka Say Hi To Your Mom), Jukebox The Ghost, Princeton @ Echo
Very Be Careful, Mezklah @ El Cid (Fold)
Tegan & Sara, City & the Color, Girl in a Coma @ Henry Fonda Theatre
The Boat People @ Viper Room (Early Show)

Saturday October 18th
KCRW Presents The Boat People @ Spaceland
Tegan & Sara, City & the Color, Girl in a Coma @ Henry Fonda Theatre
Franklin For Short, The Ruby Suns, The Spires, Angela Correa @ Mr. T's Bowl
Patti Smith & Her Band @ Orpheum
Muslims, AM, Mile Approach @ Pehrspace
Polysics, IO Echo, Black Gold @ The Roxy
Hail Citizen @ 2nd St. Jazz Cafe (Cocaine)
Jail Weddings, Wounded Lion, John Webster Johns, Wild Youth @ The Smell
Under the Influence of Giants, War Tapes, Polaris at Noon @ Troubadour

Sunday October 19th
Tegan & Sara, City & the Color, Girl in a Coma @ Henry Fonda Theatre
The High Dials, The Quarter After, The Shore, The Stevenson Ranch Davidians @ Spaceland
Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke @ Gibson Amphitheatre
DJ Cut Chemist, We Are the World @ Echo (Part Time Punks)

Long Running Events
Studio Number One Presents Park Life @ Subliminal Projects Gallery (Oct 10th-31st)
Scion Presents Tokyo Nonsense @ Scion Installation Gallery (Oct 4th-25th)
Ghettogloss Presents New Works by Matt Bilfield @ Ghettogloss Gallery (Oct 18th-28th)

Resources
losangeles.ohmyrockness.com
KCRW Presents
LosAnjealous.com
Upcoming.yahoo.com
Going.com
Metromix.com
theguide.latimes.com

Fashion Vs. Sport Exhibition - V&A Museum

Exploring the creative connection between fashion and sports, this exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum will delve deep into the "complexities and tensions" between these two industries.

Split into 4 areas of DARE, DISPLAY, PLAY and DESIRE, the exhibition looks at both the functionality of sportswear as well as how it is very much a fashion statement of today's youth.

Check out the sneaker workshop online where you can "construct, style and share your own unique hybrid footwear".

The exhibition runs until 4 January 2009.

Source: V&A

crazycult2 - Artwork from the movies

So, are you stuck for some artwork to decorate your walls? Then look no further! Gallery 1988 is the place for you and their crazycult2 blog is where you need to be. The artists have created artwork from cult movies, such as The Goonies, Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, The Big Lebowski and much much more, all available for sale (many have already been sold though, so be quick!). Over 100 artists reinterpreting classic cult films have been on show in the gallery in August, but many pieces are stilll available for sale.

Check out Andrew Wilson's amazing piece below available to buy here:



Source: Empire

Touchscreen BlackBerry Storm - Lookout iPhone...

So RIM finally made the official announcement about their new touchscreen BlackBerry, the "Storm," and it looks pretty wicked. I'm totally an Apple guy when it comes to computers, but I've never been a fan of the iPhone models so far because quite frankly, they suck when it comes to typing on them. Supposedly this new B-Berry is awesome to type on thanks to a new 'tactile feedback' feature (and that's coming from the Engadget guys who tend to be pretty straight forward and cynical). In plain English, this feature not only provides a bit of vibration back to your fingers as you're typing, but the actual screen presses downward so it feels like you're typing on a real keyboard. One bad bit of news though... just like the iPhone being exclusive to AT&T, the Storm is going to be a Verizon exclusive in the US. :( Looks like I'll have to stick to getting the Blackberry Bold?... Checkout the rad video below and decide for yourself!



Source - Engadget