The Legend of the Sweater Girls

By Diana Barraza

So I’ve been asked quite a few times why I am no longer dj’ing Thursday nights.  One good reason why?  Well, I joined a band.

We’re called the Sweater Girls–although there are two boys in it.  We’re funny like that and we’re a bit indie pop, but mostly promising.  There are rough demos up on the Myspace page www.myspace.com/sweatergirls

You can befriend us on Myspace if you still dabble with that, but soon we will branch out to other social networks. It has to start somewhere right? In the meantime, we’re getting lyrical, writing more tunes, lifting weights, hitting minor chords and maybe even a glockenspiel.

When are we playing our first show you ask?  Well, my guess is sometime in January 2010, live and in technicolor.

For those of you wanting to catch my DJ sets, I spin every Friday at the Echo in Los Angeles at Club Underground who has co-presented shows for the likes of Spiritualized, Art Brut, Passion Pit, Thom Yorke, Lady Sovereign, and much more.

Sultry Nights At The Echo: Passion Pit & King Khan

By Diana B. Goode

You could smell the hype in the air.  Without hardly any room to walk, the Echoplex was salivating for the headlining group.  I was on the decks, the only person lit up in the suitably dark warehouse space.

I’d heard of Passion Pit a few weeks earlier–a friend had sent me some tracks off their earlier release “Chunk of Change” and I was left duly impressed.  I was even happy to be smashed in between passing hipsters while we waited for the Boston electro act.  For an opening act–especially one consisting of a single singer/percussionist–Cale Parks left the crowd wanting more.
I did my thing, opening acts did theirs and finally Passion Pit took the stage.  From the moment the band started playing it was obvious that singer/keyboardist Michael Angelakos was the center of attention.  His little fro bounced with excitement from song to song.  While the songs weren’t terribly varied, the energy remained consistent.  Hey, I even got a free Passion Pit pin and the album “Manners” in the end.

Leaving Passion Pit and heading upstairs to the Echo, I walked into psychedelic, soul-shaking mayhem: a beyond-belief packed crowd, swaying to the sounds of King Khan and the Shrines.  Touting an obscenely large drum major hat, King Khan put on quite a show.  Maybe some would call it a revival.  Money was on fire (literally).  It was just another night at the Echo.  Testify!

Food For Thought (Of The Indie Variety): Lady Gaga Part Deux

By Diana B. Goode

Sometimes when I’m driving home in the wee hours of the morning, I play something suitably obnoxious to keep myself alert.  Scanning local radio stations the other night, I came across something akin to the sound of a CD skipping (my most hated noise): another song by Lady Gaga.

She has two songs?

I assumed that apart from “Let’s Dance”–Gaga’s song about losing one’s pants and feeling the urge to…uhh…dance–the rest of her album was filled with the sounds of meowing cats.

This new-to-me song is called “Poker Face” which has something to do with the game perhaps.  Frankly, I’m surprised that she has a song with “poker” in the lyrics since it’s harder to rhyme than say “dance” and “pants.”

When I think of Lady Gaga, Darth Vader comes to mind.

First is the obvious comparison: she must be evil.  Second, I picture her as a shell; I imagine a blonde, fringed exterior, but within is a cat–a scarred cat–meowing to the beat of a CD scratching.

In Search of the Greatest CD-R

By Diana B. Goode

Since the beginning of time, the search for the greatest CD-R prevailed.

Well, it wasn’t really that long, but it sometimes feels like I am constantly trying out new brands to find a CD-R that is both affordable and dependable.  If you’re a deejay or if you really enjoy music, the worst sound in the world is the sound of a skipping CD.  My heart skips a million beats when I hear that noise (for those of you who may not know what I am talking about, it sounds like Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs when he says “I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti…f-f-f-f-f-f-”).

Ok, back to the topic.  What CD-R is the best?  Is it just me or were CD-Rs better years ago?  I have some CDs that I burned circa 2003 and they are still playing perfectly; however, I have some Sonys (the pack offers various colors) and Memorex CD-Rs that I would like to toss out the window.  I’ve tried the Apple brand, but that was way too expensive–good, but expensive.  Office Depot also seems sort of decent by today’s standards.

Is there anyone out there who is pleased with a particular CD brand?  I would love to know.

Melancholy and the Infinite Hilarious: Why, Bill Corgan?

By Diana B. Goode

I tell you, these things write themselves.  One part 8 Mile, two parts wrong, Smashing Pumpkins whiner Billy Corgan recently appeared on TNT Wrestling performing a tear-jerking rendition of “Bullet With Butterfly Wings.”

The best part are the flames that shoot around the cage before he sings “rat in a cage.”

Yikes.

(The video can be viewed at the above link)

Crystal Complainers: Alice Glass and Co. Dissapoint Fans On US Tour

By Diana B. Goode

I always thought Canadians were so easy going; however, electro-duo Crystal Castles have proven otherwise.

Dear Alice Glass and Ethan Kath:

Are you too cool for school?

Apparently bad blood between Crystal Castles and supporting act Vega contributed to a Dallas, TX show being cancelled.  Other reports reveal that the Crystal Castles were disappointed with the venue’s sound system (or perhaps the Granada Theater’s unwillingness to blow out the ear drums of all attendees).  In the end, the Castles displayed poor showmanship and dissapointed many fans.  Maybe their song “Untrust Us” is more telling than one would typically assume.  It could very well be safer to watch them on Youtube.

JUSTICE REPORT: PHIL SPECTOR FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER

By Diana B. Goode

Today what felt like a never-ending trial has finally come to an end: Phil Spector, famed “Wall of Sound” music producer, was found guilty of second-degree murder.

The Los Angeles jury decided Spector lost that loving feeling when the producer’s gun play went a bit too far, fatally killing aspiring actress and House of Blues hostess Lana Clarkson in the producer’s Alhambra mansion in 2003.  The jury deliberated around 30 hours for eight days.

Sentencing has yet to be determined.  Possible movie?  Who knows…

Excuse Me, Pete(r) Doherty

By Diana B. Goode

Call yourself what you will; however, when you add parenthesis to your name, we are going to have some problems.  I did a doubletake when I was going through an upcoming list of shows in the UK and I came across the name Pete(r) Doherty.

“No, surely that is not Pete Doherty, the infamous UK trouble-case,” I thought.

Then I looked harder (actually, I kept reading) and I discovered that it was in fact Babyshambles frontman Pete or Peter (not Petey, nor Pedro) Doherty.  Doherty is out promoting his new solo release, but really, shall the world respect you more if you go by Peter?  Or maybe, Pete(r), did you think we wouldn’t recognize the name “Pete Doherty”?

“Oh, did he mean Peter Doherty?” the world will ask.

Frankly, it’s silly.  Just focus on your music and your BFF status with Gra(h)m Co(x)on.  You may play your name games in the UK, Pete(r), but don’t try that in the United States.  You’ve been warned.

M.I.A.’s Baby Boy’s Name Leaked, Ikhyd-Huh?

By Diana B. Goode

Cue creepy music from freecreditreport.com: apparently not even a birth certificate is safe nowadays.  Somehow, somewhere, M.I.A.’s child’s name has apparently been revealed.

Ikhyd Edgar Arular Bronfman is said to be the child’s name.  Now, some might grimace at the choice and one would wish M.I.A.’s child will be happy with his moniker, but really, who wouldn’t mind being called anything unconventional in exchange for having a mom like M.I. A.?  Seriously.

My guess is that there will be no complaints from little Ikhyd.  How do you pronounce that?  I’m sure we’ll hear the name said all over the place soon.

Operation Amy Winehouse Drop

By Diana B. Goode

It’s no surprise that UK trouble-case Amy Winehouse has dropped out of Coachella this year in light of the singer’s potpourri of legal and personal issues.  Facing difficulties obtaining a visa, Winehouse is forced back to black–or back to the UK or quite possibly a Dr. No-style Carribbean island where she will dwell until Sean Connery tracks her down ala James Bond.  Ok, that’s a bit extreme.

Not to disappoint Coachella goers, newbie mama M.I.A. is confirmed to take the singer’s Saturday slot.

Now, there had been a glimmer of hope for a Winehouse comeback this year.  There was talk of the singer putting out a new effort in 2009–even word that Winehouse was starting up her own label.  This recent visa fumble is highly disappointing; however, there are still some alternatives for the tattooed pop star.

Amy Winehouse, we know you are not allowed in the United States.  Your mission if you choose to accept it?  To infiltrate Coachella and reclaim your set time.  M.I.A. has a great deal going for her at the moment and her baby is probably recording his first album, so she surely won’t mind.  Here is what you should do:

#1 Try the classic disguise–it’s fool proof.  If someone asks you who you are, say you are a British academic.  That explains the glasses.  Also, give your tattoo girl on your arm glasses as well.

#2 Another approach: pretend to be a more amiable performer.

“Hi, I’m Duffy!”

Bonus points if you can actually acquire Duffy’s hair for extra authenticity.

#3 The hands down winner: go as M.I.A.

Bring a baby doll just in case they suspect you are not the real deal.  Fling your disguise off when you reach the stage and bust into “Rehab.”  Try the following look.

Amy, if any of these plans work for you, please write in and possibly send any monetary compensation for this consulting service.