Gonzales @ Joe's Pub

Chilly Gonzales is Gonzales. Gonzales is a multi-talented musician and Grammy-nominated producer from Canada, now residing in Paris, whose main weapon of choice is the piano. Classically-trained as a child alongside his older brother, Gonzales has been a student of music for almost his entire life. Creating everything from electro to rap, Gonzales is most well-known for his solo piano performances; his most critical success was given on his release Solo Piano, which, as the title says, is all piano performances. Finding success in the European market, it had been years since Gonzales last made a visit to the States and this trip would prove special. Not only was he to play two shows at Joe's Pub but the midnight show was to showcase a piano battle between Gonzales and the exuberant Andrew WK. Both artists are heralded for their piano skills and was hyped up to be a heavyweight fight. After speaking with Gonzales prior to the performance, he was very excited about the battle and very respectful of his opponent; my full interview with Gonzales will be posted as soon as it is edited.

Before the battle began, Gonzales took the stage and treated the crowd to his solo set, usually known as a piano talk show. The set, consisting of improvisational playing to casual banter with the crowd, was intimate and refreshing. Gonzales is quite the talent, he never missed a beat (or key actually) and wowed the crowd with his precise piano performance. Singing on occasion, most notably to his 'hard thump' "Take Me to Broadway", Gonzales was very engaged and humorous throughout his entire set. Before ending his solo performance, Gonzales was joined onstage by Jamie Lidell who performed "What Is It This Time"; Lidell's voice soared over the modestly-sized venue and was welcomed contrast. At that point, the stage was set. The battle was judged by Akira the Don, the mastermind that setup the spectacle, and points were to be given on performance, crowd reaction and persona. Both artists emerged onstage, Andrew testing both pianos before picking the grand on the left. Andrew had won the coin toss and was to play first. The show was exciting and very funny, here is what took place:

Footage of Gonzales's solo act and interview will be posted ASAP.

enjoy.

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Interview with Big Star's Jody Stephens

In the last forty years of music there have been a number of bands that have made a lasting mark on the musical time line. Big Star deserves to mentioned as one of those bands. Formed in 1971, the power pop group hailing from Memphis, Tennessee gained critical success on their first three albums (#1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers) but due to failed handling by their label and little interest in their early works, they never gained the commercial success their music garnered. Years of turmoil and tragedy spoiled one of the most promising bands this side of the Beatles; the band broke up in 1974 followed by the untimely death of former band mate Chris Bell. Despite the band's abrupt end, their music was ever-present. Inspiring artists such as REM and Jeff Buckley, Big Star's music not only left a mark on fellow artists but also left a hefty indention on Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of All Time, claiming three spots on the coveted list: #403 Radio City, #438 #1 Record and #456 Third/Sister Lovers.

Reforming in the early 1990's by two of its original members, vocalist/guitarist Alex Chilton and vocalist/drummer Jody Stephens, Big Star has continued perform their influential music around the world to a new generation of listeners. Last week, Rhino Records released Keep An Eye On the Sky, a collection of unreleased material and rarities from the band's early days; the box set includes nearly a hundred recordings from Big Star, as well as solo work from Bell and Chilton, spanning from 1968 to 1975. In lieu of Big Star's performance at the Masonic Temple in Brooklyn, NY, I had the chance to ask Big Star drummer and founding member, Jody Stephens, a few questions about his time with the band.

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MTC: After nearly forty years in the music industry, what has been the most gratifying thing about making music?

JS: Being a part of the creative process. Whether I am directly involved as in Big Star, or indirectly involved as in Star & Micey our new band on Ardent Music. There is nothing like it.

MTC: Aside from the box set, does Big Star have any plans on releasing any new material?

JS: Not at the moment. You never know though.

MTC: Having made three albums ranked in Rolling Stone's Top 500 Albums of All Time, would you consider that your biggest accomplishment as a musician?

JS: Very grateful for that but, for me as a musician, it is always the last show.

MTC: Those three albums (#1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers) were all recorded at Ardent Studios, what does it feel like being on the other side of the table, now working for Ardent Music?

JS: I am now a part of the process of figuring out how the band and the label can make a career out of producing music.

MTC: Despite not being known as a touring band, would do you like most about performing live?

JS: It is pretty daring...it's live, no safety net. The four of us depend on each other to pull it off. The big rush is the energy from the audience when we do pull it off.

MTC: Looking back, do you wish you would have performed more shows?

JS: Yes. I love playing. There just weren't that many opportunities for us in the '70s and now that we actually have an audience 30 years later, we all have our own personal pursuits.

MTC: You will be performing at the Masonic Temple in Brooklyn on November 18th, what can the crowd expect from Big Star’s performance?

JS: I always expect to have a good time and have never been disappointed.

MTC: When Big Star finally decides to hang up the towel, what's the one thing you want people to remember about the band and its legacy?

JS: It is always about the songs and the emotional connection. It either happens or it doesn't.

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I would like to thank Jody for participating in my interview and would like to extend nothing but the best for him and Big Star. Tickets are still available for Big Star's performance at the Masonic Temple on November 18th; tickets can be purchased here. Keep An Eye On the Sky is available now via Rhino Records and other music retailers.

enjoy.

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Muse @ Walter Kerr Theatre

Last night was filled with excitement, sympathy and disappointment. First off, I left my apartment around 4:30 to get to Walter Kerr by 5:15, expecting a line already formed; I did not expect the amount of people already lined up. Knowing the capacity of the venue, I was fairly certain that I would get in; sheer numbers. What I didn't know was that the original capacity wasn't being used and that half of the altered capacity was promised to VIP's. As they were finishing handing out wristbands, I was one of the last ten or so to receive one...so the drama begins. There were nearly another 1,000+ fans waiting to get in; not a good sight. I was sure that I was getting in regardless of the circumstances since I had wristband, not the case for some. I was the fourth to last person let in, leaving about six to eight people who received wristbands being turned away. Lame, I know. This is where the sympathy and disappointment come in.

Now the for excitement part; Muse played a FULL set. I was afraid that a 'full set' by MTV's terms was a handful of songs. It was also awesome in how small the venue was; despite being in the back corner, they were no more than forty or fifty feet away. But with the size of the venue, they could not provide their usual over-the-top production but with the energy they perform with, it didn't matter. The set was as so:

Unnatural Selection

Map of the Problematique

Interlude + Hysteria

Resistance

New Born

United States of Eurasia

Starlight

Undisclosed Desires

Time Is Running Out|

Uprising (TV Edit + Riff)

Supermassive Black Hole

Plug In Baby

Knights of Cydonia (Man With Harmonica Intro)

Though not as full as their previous paid gigs, I was more than satisfied since it was a free show. MTV recorded the entire set and will release it sometime in the future. For my US comrades, you can watch three songs from The Resistance from last night's gig below (including "Resistance", "Uprising" and "United States of Eurasia"); for my international comrades, you can download the videos for "Resistance" and "United States of Eurasia" here.

enjoy.

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