Album of the Moment. 06.17.09

Chester French - Love The Future

A relatively new band on Star Trak records, Chester French has become one of my favorite new bands to keep an eye on. Having started the band during their freshman year at Harvard, D.A. Wallach and Maxwell Drummey are steadily rising to music greatness. They recently toured with Lady GaGa on her "Fame Ball Tour" and this summer, they will be touring with Blink-182. Their debut album was released on April 21, 2009 and has been all over the place!

They're a great band and are very fan-centric. As soon as I heard their single, She Loves Everybody, I checked out their website and signed up to be a "Chester French VIP". Shortly after, I received a few emails from the band which were actually written by D.A. and Max themselves (as far as I could tell). When I ordered my album through their site, there was a significant delay in the delivery so I sent an email to check on it and D.A. personally wrote me back to apologize and assure me that it was on its way. Who does that anymore?! I'll tell you who, Chester French. I have a feeling that as long as they can, they'll continue this great contact with their supporters.

The first time I heard their music, I immediately though "electronic-Beatles-fun". That was literally exactly what went through my mind. Smart lyrics, great beats, not to mention, the guys have great style. Just check out D.A.'s tux on their album cover above..how awesome is that??!! My fave songs off "Love The Future" are: Bebe Buell, Time to Unwind, and Sleep.

Just a couple of weeks before the release of this debut album, the band gifted fans with a mixtape, "Jacques Jams, Vol. 1"", which is still available for free on their website, featuring collaborations with so many other great artists. Among my faves from the mixtape: Ciroc Star feat. Diddy and Jadakiss, What a World with Common and Nerd Girl with Janelle Monae.

Chester French is definitely worth checking out. They are bringing something new and fresh to the mix and I'm sure to be a supporter for years to come. Check them out on tour this summer and/or buy their album.

Follow the link to buy the album, download their free mixtape and find out more about the band, including tour dates, blog, and lyrics.

Chester French HomePage

-Farzad

farzad@themensfashionblog.com

Before The Music Ends. 06.11.09

I've missed a few days, but no worries... I'm back! Starting your own business is hard work, but hey, it's gotta be done! I usually look forward to summer because its the season of music. Well, okay, every season is the season of music, but summer tends to be when more artists and bands tour, come together for festivals, and all around,the industry wakes up. I live for these festivals because it's always a great deal to pay a set price for a few days of nonstop music, and usually that includes plenty of the bands you've been wanting to see play together in the same festival. Some of them are pricey, but there are other ones that can be pretty fairly priced, and even sometimes free! So, if you've been thinking of attending a festival, here's your quick guide to the best music festivals around:

Technically still Spring, Coachella tends to be what kicks off my summer. Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival is a three day indie music festival that generally has acts from the rock, hip hop and electronic. One of the key things of this festival is that they like to bring bands to reunite here. Previous years have seen a Jane's Addiction, Rage Against The Machine, Souxie and the Banshees reunions, as well as Roger Waters of Pink Floyd and Paul McCartney this year. Tickets for the three day festival run $269, or $99/day. It does get pretty pricey when you consider where you'll stay (I camped for $50 all three days!), food and water, which in the 110 degree whether is absolutely necessary and can run at about $8 a bottle! As pricey as it is, it is definitely worth it. Where else can you catch over 150 bands play throughout the day, catch some great art sculptures and interact with 160,000 people? It's definitely something NOT to be missed. www.coachella.com

The Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival is one that I haven't yet attended but am DYING to go (and no, not only because my love Bruce Springsteen is headlining) and was called by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2008 as the "best over the top summer festival". This festival ranges from 4 to 5 days, and the genre of the acts is broader with acts in indie rock, rock, hip hop, bluegrass, american and many more styles. This festival takes place on a 500 + acre farm in Tennessee and includes a crafts fair, as well as free activities for the attendees to do like silent karaoke, comedy clubs, and independent film screenings. This year, the festival is four days and tickets are reasonably priced at $275.00 with campsites and RV parking sites available. This one for the price is sure the be the big bang for your buck, and if any of you can make it out tomorrow, I guarantee you'll have a great time! www.bonnaroo.com

Another of my favorites is the Mile High Music Festival is located outside of Denver, Colorado. Its a two days festival that is priced at $162 for 2 day passes, or $90 per day, or even the great Carpool deal which at $650 includes 4 2-day passes and special carpool parking, which saves you A LOT on parking alone! This year's headliners are Widespread Panic, The Fray, and Tool with other artists include 3OH!3, Matt Nathanson, India.Arie, The Black Keys, Thievery Corporation and many more. This show takes place on July 17 and 18, and I think its one thats definitely worth checking out. www.milehighmusicfestival.com

Since I cannot unfortunately take up the entire page to tell you wonderful readers about all the festivals, I'm going to leave you with the websites of others that I strongly suggest you look at, at the bottom of the page... you will most likely catch me at some of these! For now, the current music obsession HAS to be Placebo's "For What It's Worth" off their new album Battle of the Sun on Vagrant Records. Just like only Placebo can do, the song has the goth-glam-rock with lyrics that steer away from the rainbows and flowers, "For What It's Worth, I Nearly Died. I Have a Slow Disease That Sucked Me Dry". Check out the video to the song... and love it! Placebo- "For What It's Worth"

Dalit's crazy playlist: today it's very jumbled up, but i can tell you that its exactly what played in that order on my ride to the gas station!

1. California Uber Allies- Dead Kennedys

2. Wishing Well- The Airborne Toxic Event

3. Knocked Up- Kings of Leon

4. In Love With Myself- David Guetta

5. It's Alright- 311

Other Festivals:

www.lollapalooza.com www.allpointswest.com www.austincitylimits.com www.bumbershoot.com www.bamboozle.com www.stagecoach.com www.outsidelands.com www. pitchforkmusicfestival.com www.street-scene.com www.summerfest.com www.burningman.com www.warpedtour.com

Stay Rockin'!

-Dalit

dalit@themensfashionblog.com

Before the Music Ends. 06.08.09

Dalit @ N.A.R.M.

Yesterday marked the kickoff the annual National Association of Recording Merchandisers, and I just had to be there. Let me just clear this up that it was not just a convention to bring together all members of the industry, but rather it was a convention featuring labels, artists, distributors and retailers to discuss music content delivery. What this means is with the industry changing dramatically now, music distribution has also changed, and as we turn into a more digital society, the industry is working hard to see just how we can monetize off it. This convention runs through Wednesday June 10, but seeing as how I am not an established industry professional (yet), I was unable to attend to rest of the convention, but was able to go to the Crash Course yesterday.

If there is anybody out there that is interested in getting into this business, this was the place to be, but if you couldn’t make it, I am more than happy to share what I learned. Rick Bengloff of A2IM and Ted Cohen of TAG did an amazing job of moderating the panelists consisting of major distributors, label execs, retailers, etc. and the attendees were engaged and interactive. I am the kind of person who researches EVERYTHING to make sure I know what is going on, and I walked in thinking that I knew enough of the basics of the industry and that this would only serve as a refresher and a way to network and promote myself and my company. I was wrong!!! There is so much to this industry that one crash course could never be enough to even begin to describe what’s going on.

Here’s my crash course as to what I learned yesterday:

1. Every artist, label, or company no matter what size needs to register with SoundExchange because they make sure that the artists and labels get the money from the royalties that would normally just be lost.

2. 98% of what record labels release fail

3. In order to effectively promote your music, embracing ALL channels of promotion is key to success… Using old school methods like direct mail handouts is actually more effective than email because a physical mail requires you to look at it before throwing it away; email can easily be discarded or gets lost in Spam Folders

5. Face to face contact is important between an artist and customers to sell music because it has a 16 second window of opportunity for impression. Those 16 seconds with one person has the ability to travel to 100 people around them.

6. Social Networking Sites are complimentary to artists’ presence. They should not be the sole or the most important aspect of artist communication.

The WEA/Rhino hosted Welcome Reception was excellent. On the terrace of the San Diego Marriot overlooking the harbor and Coronado Island, it was the perfect place to enjoy cocktails (on the house!) and amazing food, while networking and meeting new people. The theme was the 40^th anniversary of Woodstock, “Love The One You’re With”, and I took an amazing photo with a new friend in 60s outfits… unfortunately that picture will have to wait until I pick it up from where I left it yesterday. The industry showcase featured performances from Sugar Ray (you’re allowed to chuckle…), Filter (awesome show), The Pink Spiders, State of Man, and a few other people I totally missed. All in all, for a newbie in the business this was a CRITICAL thing to attend, and if there is anybody out there looking for where to start, get online and find these panels and conventions and get out there and make yourself known. I promise you one thing, if you don’t go out and look for it, no one will come looking for you.

The Current Obession of the Week is a local band called The Getdown, my first band as an independent manager! They are awesome and fun and can totally rock the house! No link this week as we are BRAND NEW and getting ready to take over the world! As we prepare to promote and record new stuff, we’ll be posting videos online. For now check out www.myspace.com/thegetdown.

Stay Rockin’!

-Dalit Troyce, Music Editor

dalit@themensfashionblog.com

Before The Music Ends. 06.06.09

-Gettin' To Know You

Welcome to the new music section of the newly founded Men’s Fashion Blog. One of the things I find most important when reading articles regarding music is establishing some sort of relationship with the writer (shout out to hypebot’s Eliot Van Buskirk). Knowing who is behind the comments and opinions helps the reader understand what the writer is saying, whether they agree or not. So before I begin my new post as the music columnist, I want you to know who I am, just as Johnny Mathis sang once, I too, am “Gettin’ to know you”.

For starters, I eat, drink, breathe, and all around live music. I am not nearly as passionate about anything else in my life (ok, maybe my dog), and because of this, I am very opinionated when it comes to music. Call me, if you will, a music snob, and I will accept it wholeheartedly because I make it a point to understand every aspect of what I love before making any sort of opinions, so that when I do, I am ready to back up what I say. I am not a fan of the modern pop artists (sorry, Kelly Clarkson) and I’m not a fan of the Madonnas and Britneys of the world. I can respect the Katy Perrys who at least have a more well rounded approach to what they do (hello, she writes her own stuff at least), but I do have my guilty pleasures here and there (CHER! Shhhh…). I know one particular musician who wants to nearly kill me every time I say I cannot stand Nirvana, The Beastie Boys, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but I also get laughed at for being a supporter of the English Indie bands like Bloc Party. Face it, I like what I like…

I fell into the music “industry” by accident. Moving to a new city 700 miles away from the place I had lived my entire life wasn’t exactly easy. I literally sat for the first week in California at my empty desk listening to The Ataris’ So Long, Astoria because all their songs were about remembering the awesome times they had back home, and I was unbelievably homesick… until I saw that The Ataris were playing the following week and realized that bands like that would never come to El Paso, Texas…. And that’s where it all began. I have spent the last four years bouncing from internship to internship in record labels, management companies, and music publishing companies trying to make my way into the big girl world, so….

I am going to do my best to write daily (except for weekends, sorry people), and I will also do my best to keep my articles unbiased. I will inform you guys of current music news, I will review shows and albums, and I will leave you all with my daily playlist. I will also let you in on my weekly music obsession of a band or artist that I feel that you HAVE to check out… sounds fair, right?

To get this column started, I am going to leave you something to listen and fall in love with over the weekend until I sign back in on Monday and begin enlightening you all with my awesomeness. This week’s obsession is a new band called Empire of the Sun, and the song is “Walking on a Dream”, the title track off their debut album. If you like MGMT, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, or even the Pet Shop Boys, you’ll love these guys!

Click HERE to watch the video

[sorry but until i learn to upload videos,

the link will have to do]

- Dalit Troyce, Music Editor

dalit@themensfashionblog.com