In 1996 I visited New Orleans for the first time, in order to experience the Jazz and Heritage Festival. I saw Dr. John and the Neville Brothers perform. I saw George Porter, Jr, and the Funky Meters. Saw some hip-hop, saw some gospel, saw some rock. Ate a ton of food, washed it down with chicory coffee, Abita and copious hurricanes. Must’ve had a good time because somehow I’ve been returning every year since. The picks for my 14th year are admittedly a l’il slim: I’m volunteering for Habitat much of Saturday (5/3) per recent tradition, and frankly, I’m getting older. Still, hoping to catch the following acts the next few days, all logistics permitting:
»continue reading New Orleans Jazzfest Picks – Ryan’s 14th Year

Full photo gallery below.

»continue reading Ladytron, Henry Fonda Theater, April 27, 2009

As an Oklahoma transplant here in Los Angeles last fall I took it upon myself to instigate what may, with hindsight, ultimately be considered a brutal email harrassment campaign of my friends and family from Oklahoma — those who grew up there, and those that live there still — urging them to vote for their favorite State Rock Song in an online poll. (“Vote Alice in Chains! Vote ‘Cocaine’ by Clapton, that one really screams Oklahoma! – ohshitnowaitjesus vote Jackson Browne! … ” etc ad infinitum) Following said inbox pummelling, the Flaming Lips eventually and somewhat predictably appeared victorious in the poll, their nominated 2002 hit “Do You Realize” now slated to become the first and possibly only official state rock song of Oklahoma. All ten finalists sans Jackson Browne can be found here. Where was I going with this? Oh, right:

Fuck Yeah Motherfuckers Oklahoma Has A State Rock Song. One Rodgers-and-Hammerstein-penned state song in this day and age simply doesn’t cut it. Call me selfish, but as a former resident I’d also like to see a State Country Song, State Punk Song, State Movie, State ABC Television Series, State Fast Food Chain (obvs Sonic [nasdaq: SONC]), State Domesticated Housepet, State OU-Fan-Driving-A-White-Dualie, and State Gravy. Hell, why not.

»continue reading Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize” To Become Official Rock Song of Oklahoma In Less Than Two Minutes

» Michael Jackson Auction: My Favorite Items (Paul Scheer; Flickr)
» Paulscheer.com
» We tried to buy Neverland last year

Lately I’ve been passively experimenting with the Blip.fm website which is, from what I can tell, sort of an amalgam of twitter and seeqpod. You set up a Blip playlist, which people can subscribe to if they so choose. You are then urged to ‘blip’ (aka tweet) some sage words at the time you ‘blip’ (aka play) your song as a part of your playlist. Got all that? Interesting idea; user library could of course use some work but there are creative files and filenames to be found out there just the same (eg., “Besourus” = “Beatles”).

As of press time since 13 April 2009 the Losanjealous Blip has accumulated and/or doled out:

• 6 props
• 4 listeners
• 22 credits
• 34 Blips

That’s fine, just fine. So who’s a power blipper out there? Anyone? What the hell do I do with all these stats and credits, and how might I maximize my enjoyment of their website (and/or my own vis a vis their tool)? Please feel free to remit all tips, encouragement, C&Ds and hate mail to the official Losanjealous Blip account and/or ryan@losanjealous.com. Right now I’m the sole LJ broadcaster boasting a whopping 2.4 songs’ average output per day, but who’s to say you don’t end up with an hour from Victor, Sung or one of the gang, one of these days Yes La Verne I Am Staring Directly At You.

Give it a go and see what I’m doing right…or wrong. I’m off to research getting my own Sirius and Li’l Radio Shows, pronto.

» Blip.fm/losanjealous

PICK OF THE WEEK

Castledoor,
Princeton,
& The Parson Red Heads
Tues 4/28
The Echo
Info
 

Aziz Ansari
& Friends
Largo
at the Coronet Theater
Tues 4/28
Info | [ENTER TO WIN]
 

The Black Lips 2 Shows! Fri 5/1 @ El Rey Theater [ENTER TO WIN FRI] Sat 5/2 @ Glass House [ENTER TO WIN SAT]

Manic Hispanic
w/ Los Creepers & CH3
Sun 5/3
El Rey Theater
*Show canceled–Refunds at point of purchase.
 
 

Kristeen Young @ The Roxy Fri 5/22
Chain and the Gang w/ The Hive Dwellers & Shark Toys @ The Smell Fri 5/22
Steve Martin’s Big Bad Banjo and Conversation with Dave Barry @ Club Nokia Mon 5/11
The Kills @ Glass House Thu 5/21
The Kills @ El Rey Fri 5/22
The Juan MacLean @ Glass House Thu 6/4
Clues @ The Echo (ex-Unicorns) Fri 6/5
Telepathe w/ Abe Vigoda @ The Smell Sat 6/13
Mika Miko w/ The Strange Boys @ The Smell Mon 6/29
Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head @ Spaceland Wed 6/3
Jay Reatard w/ The Oh Sees & Earthman & Strangers @ The Echo Fri 6/12
Chairlift @ The Echo Thu 6/18
Shellac w/ Arcwelder @ Echoplex Sun 6/21
Shellac w/ Arcwelder @ Echoplex Sat 6/20
Ear Pwr @ pehrspace Mon 6/15
Lucybell @ Knitting Factory Fri 6/5
The Orb @ Henry Fonda Fri 6/12
Neko Case w/ Jason Lytle @ Greek Theatre Fri 6/12
Wilco @ The Wiltern Tue 6/23
Wilco @ The Wiltern Mon 6/22
The Zombies, The Yardbirds & The Spencer Davis Group @ The Wiltern Sat 6/27
The Coathangers w/ Bipolar Bear & Goldiggers @ The Smell Sun 7/5
The Hold Steady @ El Rey Tue 7/7
Bedouin Soundclash @ The Roxy Wed 7/29
Bowerbirds w/ Megafun @ The Echo Tue 8/4
AC/DC @ Honda Center Tue 9/8
 

TUESDAY
Aziz Ansari & Friends @ Largo
Castledoor, Princeton & The Parson Red Heads @ The Echo
Milk and Honey @ Bar Lubitsch
Poncho Sanchez @ The Mint (KPFK 50th Anniversary)
Remembering Charles Mingus @ Barnsdall (Zocalo panel & wine reception–free w/ RSVP)

»continue reading Losanjealous Concert Picks: April 27 – May 3

»continue reading Dan Deacon, Troubadour, April 22, 2009

Full photo gallery below.

»continue reading Coachella 2009 Photo Gallery: Franz Ferdinand

»continue reading Coachella 2009 Festival Photo Gallery: Leonard Cohen

Full photo gallery below.

»continue reading Coachella 2009 Photo Gallery: Antony and the Johnsons

Noah and the Whale, Paul Weller, Peter Bjorn & John, Sebastien Tellier, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Black Keys, The Bug featuring Warrior Queen, The Courteeners, The Hold Steady, The Kills, The Presets, The Ting Tings, Thenewno2, Thievery Corporation, Turbonegro and Vivian Girls.

Full photo gallery below.

»continue reading Coachella 2009 Festival Photo Gallery: Franz Ferdinand

Amanda Palmer, Atmosphere, Bajofondo, Band of Horses, Beirut, Blitzen Trapper, Calexico, Conor Oberst, Dr. Dog, Drive By Truckers, Friendly Fires, Fucked Up, Gang Gang Dance, Ida Maria, K’naan, Liars, Los Campesinos!, Lupe Fiasco, M. Ward, Mastodon & No Age

Bob Dylan to tour minor league ballparks this summer with John Mellencamp and Willie Nelson. Closest dates we have to LA at present are Fresno, Vegas and Stockton, mid-August; plan accordingly.

The Bob Dylan Show Announces All-Star Roster
For The 2009 Ballpark Tour

BOB DYLAN & HIS BAND
JOHN MELLENCAMP
WILLIE NELSON

Bob Dylan has just announced an ambitious line-up for this year’s summer concert tour. Along with fellow troubadour Willie Nelson, this summer The Bob Dylan Show will also feature John Mellencamp, marking just the second time in the past 24 years that these three performers have shared the concert stage.

»continue reading Bob Dylan to Embark on Ballpark Tour With John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson

»continue reading Coachella 2009 Festival Photo Gallery: Okkervil River

»continue reading Coachella 2009 Festival Photo Gallery: We Are Scientists