This is Transcendental on Another Level

March 31, 2011 By Josh Leave a Comment

As I’ve mentioned before, I am a huge Billboard nerd. And quite possibly the only thing that could surpass my music chart g33kdom is my unashamed and dedicated obsession with pop music. Don’t throw your judgment stones just yet…I do listen to a lot more than just what’s on the Top 40, but I refuse to shun and do anything other than fully embrace the fun and infectious world of pop music. Sometimes it’s just the boost you need and I feel that it can often get written off without actually being appreciated for what it is.

And that’s why, with my two aforementioned musical addictions noted, I am on cloud nine today after hearing the news that Katy Perry’s latest single “E.T.” has topped the Billboard Hot 100, logging her FOURTH #1 single from her latest Grammy-nominated album ‘Teenage Dream.’ FOUR #1s from ONE album?! Wowza. It got me wondering what other albums have had similar single chart success…

…and it’s only a handful! Whitney Houston, George Michael, Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson & Usher each scored four #1s from one singular album, as well as the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever.

However the king of this record is also known as the King of Pop. Michael Jackson’s album ‘Bad’ is the only album in history to clock FIVE chart-topping singles! Could Katy release another single from ‘Teenage Dream’ and tie MJ’s record? Who knows…only time will tell! I know I am waiting with baited breath!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: #1s, billboard, katy perry

The Case of The Empty Box/Plate of Treats

March 30, 2011 By Chris Brudzinski Leave a Comment

The staff of Shore Fire have a thing for sweet treats. We also like to share our treats. Most days of the week there is a plate of cookies, or donuts, or some other kind of sweet on our kitchen table. And by the end of the day, all that’s left of this plate of treats will be half of a cookie, piece of donut, etc. Why do people leave such a small bit? Why not just eat the whole thing, even if it is the last cookie/donut? Is it because you are so considerate of your co-worker who may not have had one of these treats? Or is it because if you ate the entire last treat, you would have to clean off the table, and wash the plate or throw away the empty box?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: crumbs, kitchen etiquette, sweets

c00l: Mountain Goats and Craig Finn of Hold Steady sing “This Year” at Bowery Ballroom

March 29, 2011 By Andy Leave a Comment

Check out The Mountain Goats performing “This Year” with special guest Craig Finn of The Hold Steady at last night’s sold out Bowery Ballroom show!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Bowery Ballroom, Cool, hold steady, mountain goats

Go To Tuesday

March 29, 2011 By Elizabeth Lutz Leave a Comment

Wide mix of shows this week from Elvis Costello’s surprise NYC show at Gramercy and The Mountain Goats’ Bowery sell-out Bowery run to Shore Fire’s own Anthony D’Amato and Chris Taillie taking the stage. We’ll be out and about – come say hi.

Tuesday, March 29
The Mountain Goats- Bowery Ballroom
Heidi Spencer- Living Room
Sallie Ford- Mercury Lounge

Wednesday, March 30
The Mountain Goats- Bowery Ballroom

Thursday, March 31
Tim Reynolds- The Iridium
Anthony D’Amato (SFM Staffer) w/ The Beauties & Broken Social Scene’s Kevin Drew- Pianos

Friday April 1
Elvis Costello (& The Imposters)- Gramercy Theatre
Ghost Bunny (SFM’s Chris Taillie)- Rock Shop
Charles Tolliver Big Band- The Iridium

Saturday, April 2
Charles Tolliver Big Band- The Iridium

Sunday, April 3
Charles Tolliver Big Band- The Iridium

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Bowery Ballroom, elvis costello, Go to Tues, Heidi Spencer, Sallie Ford, The Iridium, the mountain goats

Awesome New Spin on SXSW Photo Coverage

March 25, 2011 By Tyler Cannon Leave a Comment

It seems like just about every national music outlet was at SXSW this year. With so much coverage out there, many journalists struggled to find a new angle to present the festival to their readers. My friend Ben Sklar, a photojournalist from Austin, managed to put a really unique spin on a pretty straight forward street fashion assignment for the NY Times, using only two huge pieces of white paper.

Click here to check out the interactive feature: http://nyti.ms/fZS3oC

Check out Ben’s blog here to find out how he did it: http://bit.ly/hR0aaX

By BEN SKLAR and JOSH VERDUZCO for The New York Times

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Austin, Ben Sklar, ny times, Photography, sxsw

How to…how to succeeeeeeeed!

March 25, 2011 By Josh Leave a Comment

As is the case with many New Yorkers, I have a special place in my heart for the wonderful world of Broadway. That’s why I try and get myself over to a musical/play every few months. There’s something just incredibly invigorating about seeing a story come to life right before your eyes on stage. And I have to say, seeing the legendary Frank Loesser’s How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying was definitely the adrenaline boost I needed to get myself out of this cold weather rut I’ve felt stuck in lately!

I assume that nearly every high school in the world has put on a production of this show, so most theater audiences are well aware of the story and the music. But let’s just say that my high school’s version of the show (though noble) didn’t come close to holding a candle to the real Broadway deal. The acting was phenomenal (it starred Harry Potter Daniel Radcliffe in the lead role as a wannabe business upstart who climbs his way up the proverbial success ladder) and the production is unparalleled by anything else I’ve seen on the “big stage.” The sets were ever-changing and incredibly in-depth, the dancing was expertly choreographed/executed and the punch lines hit with all the force of a freight train.

Like the theater? Then you definitely need to check out this brilliant interpretation of a modern day classic. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: broadway, Daniel Radcliffe, frank loesser, how to succeed in business without really trying

Tropical Treats and Triumphs in Travel to Tampa

March 24, 2011 By Marilyn Leave a Comment

Wow, what a treat it was being on hand at the first stadium show on Kenny Chesney’s 2011 Goin’ Coastal Tour. The day began with an early morning expedition in a caravan of golf carts to the very last seat in the last row at the top of Raymond James Stadium, where Chesney viewed the stage from the vantage point of his fans and psyched himself for the show. Here’s the view from the very last seat:

And a shot of the gigantic pirate ship that adorns the Buccaneers’ stadium and is so appropriate given Mr. Chesney’s affinity for pirates:

Joining us at the top of the stadium were Sony/BNA execs CEO Gary Overton (in profile), Director of National Promotion Buffy Cooper and Vice President of Media Wes Vause:

Later I got to hang out backstage and hear photographer Danny Clinch and Kenny’s tour manager Robin Majors jam on their harmonicas a bit before lunch:

The tour catering was terrific (yum, Mexican food) but I’m sorry I ate so much because I didn’t have my typically robust appetite when I sauntered over to the Eat and Greet sponsored by Zac Brown Band for their fan club. Zac Brown Band are the featured guests on Kenny’s 2011 Goin’ Coastal tour, and I got to hang out with their team a bit while viewing their incredible new facility for feeding their fans, a gleaming bus-turned-kitchen that’s aptly named Cookie. Pictured here: Lynn Oliver of Zac’s label Southern Ground Artists, Southern Ground recording artist Sonia Leigh, me (Marilyn Laverty)  and ROAR’s Director of Communications Liz Norris:

Many superstar athletes are fans of Kenny, and as a life-long Phillies fanatic I was grateful for the chance to meet and talk to Chase Utley and Cliff Lee (both photo’d here with me, Marilyn Laverty) while they gathered at Kenny’s tour bus to say ‘hi’ before the show:

What nice guys they were and they assured me that the Phils will dominate this year.

The day’s music started with Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington, then featured artists Zac Brown Band, and finally Kenny Chesney and his powerful band in a great set punctuated with a terrific encore in which they were joined by Zac Brown Band. The ’super moon’ illuminated Raymond James Stadium, adding a fairytale glow to a really fun day.

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Tagged With: chase utley, cliff lee, goin coastal tour, Kenny Chesney, sonia leigh, tampa bay, zav brown band

R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor

March 23, 2011 By Caleb Shively Leave a Comment

Very sad to hear about the passing of Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor today at the age of 79. Being a 25 year old, I didn’t experience the magic first hand nor am I well versed in her filmography. My generation is familiar with her many marriages, Michael Jackson’s kind-of strange relationship with her, huge diamonds, and her refusal to appear on the Krusty the Clown Comeback special (also Simpsons trivia: she voiced Maggie Simpson’s first word). HOWEVER- being a 25 year old who loves film in the age of technology, I have had my gut-wrenched by the powerhouse of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”; I have called people ‘Maggie the Cat’ and ‘Big Daddy’ thanks to “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”; and I generally don’t care if it is really Elizabeth singing in “A Little Night Music”, that’s just a good movie.

Upon hearing the news, one of the first things to come to my mind, and one of my first memories of her, was Elizabeth Taylor at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert for AIDS awareness. I remember watching this and about to fast forward her speech on AIDS prevention, when someone in the crowd yelled out- “GET OFF THE STAGE”, to which Taylor responded “I’ll get off- I’LL GET OFF IN A MINUTE. I have something to say.” That bit of serendipity led to me seeking out more of her movies. Here is that speech:

“I promise I won’t sing.” – Elizabeth Taylor (R.I.P.)

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Elizabeth Taylor, Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert

Go To Tuesday

March 22, 2011 By Elizabeth Lutz Leave a Comment

Here’s what’s going on in our world this week — come say Hi.

Celebrating her US debut album 'Bells' (Decca), Laura Jansen brings her dreamy piano-driven alt-pop to Joe's Pub tonight.

Tuesday, March 22
Laura Jansen- Joe’s Pub
Warren Haynes w/ The Allman Brothers- Beacon Theatre
Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata- Highline Ballroom

Wednesday, March 23
The Poison Tree- Joe’s Pub

Thursday, March 24
Warren Haynes w/ The Allman Brothers- Beacon Theatre

Friday, March 25
Col. Bruce Hampton and Pharoah Gummitt (featuring Duane Trucks)- The Iridium
Warren Haynes w/ The Allman Brothers- Beacon Theatre

Saturday, March 26
Hubert Sumlin Band- The Iridium
Warren Haynes w/ The Allman Brothers- Beacon Theatre

Sunday, March 27
Mavis Staples- Tarrytown Music Hall
Hubert Sumlin Band- The Iridium

Monday, March 28
The Mountain Goats- Bowery Ballroom
Ron Sexsmith- Highline Ballroom
David Lindley w/ Les Paul Trio- The Iridium

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestrata, client events, elizabeth lutz, Laura Jansen, Mavis Staples, NYC, ron sexsmith, The Iridium, the mountain goats, the poison tree, warren haynes

Time to dance!

March 22, 2011 By Josh Leave a Comment

Since we here at Shore Fire first started working with the innovative and star-packed traveling dance workshop, The PULSE on Tour, I’ve had dance on the brain.

Maybe it’s because The PULSE on Tour boasts some of the top choreographers in the pop culture world, or because I not-so-secretly want to attend one of the weekend workshops, but I can not stop thinking about it! To try and quell this obsession, I thought I’d post some tunage below from artists who also seemed to have dancing on the brain:

Whitney Houston‘ “I Wanna Dance With Somebody“:

Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing In the Dark“:

Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own“:

…and last but definitely not least…

Paula Abdul’s “Dance Like There’s No Tomorrow“:

When you hear the word DANCE, what songs immediately jump into your head?

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: dance, the PULSE on Tour
« Older Posts