(not so) big boss Louis has a new blog set up to help his niece and her parents get through some tough times. can you help too?

Just drop in here to bring some cheer.

Our good friends down in New Orleans, Preservation Hall have hunkered down like the Saints and exploded to the super bowl of new music as they drop a dope collaboration project where the band plays classic NOLA repertoire with frontmen that range from Tom Waits to Jim James. Proceeds from the sale of the project benefit the Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program. Learn more.  Album streaming here; peep this video here.

Music industry geeks like me were psyched to see o.g. music industry gangsta Tommy Silverman re-jack the original new music seminar last week in LA. Y'all remember those precious Ropeadope days when we jacked the name from Tommy for a bit and put on our own version of what a new music seminar ought to be. Just take a look and see. Back to the future.

You know shit was bad for the ipad the second it came out. Just didn't leave me saying "I must have this!" like most of their i-shit does. But you know it's really band when Pee-wee starts dissing it to the entire playhouse gang.

Brian Healey has been priming us all for his Ropeadope solo debut (he has already graced us with his band's stunning full length, Paradigm's Melodies for Uncertain Robots) by dropping these super dope pod-cast mash-ups. This one might be my personal favorite. This week's remix includes samples by Imogen Heap, Phish, Of Montreal, Fiona Apple, Fine Young Cannibals, and more. Download.

Don't call it a come back, he's been here for years. RJD2 has been peeping and creeping the streets of Philly for so long that he's know earned the status of hometown hero. Been hiding in his West Philly studio laying down his highly anticipated 4th solo album “The Colossus”, which does not disappoint. Listen to the whole jawn here. Dig the new touch mix iphone app here. Visit RJ's space here. Let there be horns here.

Relix Magazine has picked one of our NYC trios as the band on the verge in this months issue. JDT- fronted by young musician Jason Domnarski is definitely on the verge of something "JDT draws heavily on jazz, but never hesitates to call on pop or rock". See them here Saturday. Check them out here and check out their RAD debut Inventing the Wheel here.

For all you industry geeks out there - have to point you towards my major labor hero - Jason Jordan - the last man standing in the biz.

Those of you trying to figure out whether to make it to New Orleans for week one or week two figure that  Ropeadope will be throwing down on the former with a few nifty gigs tba shortly. Check out the Fairgrounds line up - this year's gonna be a good 'un.

My new favorite dj? Mamy Rock - a 69 year old silver haired dj sensation that rocks huge sunglasses and an even bigger smile. She's all the rage in Paris and might be heading over the Atlantic soon. Story here. Video here.

This from the ap wire: San Francisco man claims he was high on a double dose of medical marijuana cookies when he screamed, dropped his pants and attacked crew members on a cross-country flight, forcing its diversion to Pittsburgh, full story here best recipes for pot cookies here.

All over the blogs and frogs is the big story that Paste Magazine claiming that indy is dead, but here at Ropeadope alone we just dropped newbies from Gina Ferrera, La Otrabanda, Greg Hester and Skip Heller. Blues, rock, jazz and beyond. We've got the goods, and we're not going anywhere. Que viva el Ropeadope. Far from dead.

This week Animal Collective unveils its new “visual album” ODDSAC with the help of director Danny Perez. Perez is the mind behind trippy music videos like “Summertime Clothes” and “Who Could Win a Rabbit” (link) also by Animal Collective, and spots for Panda Bear and Black Dice. Click through for the trailer.

Strap an Epson HD ready projector to your front, a PS3 to your back and take gaming to a whole new level. This is need for speed taken to new heights. Check it out here.

Ropeadoper Andrew Silverman tipped me off to this rather dope Blue Note "Droppin Sceince" jawn that takes the label back to the labs and mining some of the most influential and groundbreaking music of their time. They dug deep into the caves to spotlight some of their most treasured works.....as they tip their hat to some of the greatest hip-hop artists and producers ever. Dig.

Can you believe I actually paid itunes to get Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" as a ringtone to indicate when my mom is calling? Don't be dumb like me - make all your ringtones for free. Learn up here.

Reality check - today is February 1 - the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 333 days remaining until the end of the year (334 in leap years). Carpe Diem motherfucker.

Charile Hunter is like the energizer bunny - still going and going and going. His new recording "Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid" is out now and really just shines! The lineup includes Eric Kalb on drums, Curtis Fowlkes and Alan Ferber on trombone, and Eric Biondo on trumpet! Check it out here; get some free mp3s here. Get back to Charle's Ropeadope roots with my favorite Charlie recording - Right Now Move. Get lots of info here.

According to the editors of Amazon.com the list which includes all the usual suspects plus some random choices thrown in for controversy. The debate begins.

In anticipation of his Ropeadope debut, Brian Healey keeps bringing the Brainbheats - Volume 2 is a free mash-up of Outkast, Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails, Marvin Gaye, and more.

Who knew your profile photo on your Facebook, MySpace or even I-A-B said so much about you and your intentions?  Changing my picture asap.

Ryan Daley hipped me to this science that breaks into neurology and proves that which we already know - them out-playin' jazz cats got some mad brain power.

From The Daily Swarm: Ever since the earthquake on January 12th, you’ve heard plenty of media bloviating about Haiti’s poverty, dysfunction and “voodoo”, but precious little about the rich cultural life that made life in this star-crossed country bearable. Despite the grinding reality of life in Haiti even before the earthquake, the music that has existed here since at least the beginning of the 20th century is among the most joyous, melodic dance music to be found anywhere in the world. Get a full history filled with audio and video gems here.

Spinning Leaves dropped Love from above and it golly gee you got the mp3 (and the cd)? But how about the vinyl? True! ropeadope made it just for you -go on and get it now.

Called musicDNA the format will go into beta testing in the spring with an aim to launch proper in the summer. Among it's primary aims is to allow fans to download complete artst packages that inclue music, videos, pictures, the option to buy merch, twitter posts and way more. Full story here.

Ropeadope all-stars New Madrid Faults head to NYC this weekend for a show at Lit Lounge, info here. Don't forget to check out their release from last year Concerning Small Town Abberations.

You guys think you know a lot about music, but do you? Did you check out our girl from around the world (and around the way!) mizzz Gina Ferrera?  Gina is a Philly cat delving into the music of far removed cultures. In addition to researching and performing gyil music, she studies ancient Cuban, Nigerian, Ghanaian and Zimbabwean music, playing bata drums, shekere, congas, Shona mbira (thumb piano) and traditional Ewe drums. This is the brand new flavor in your ear. Get her latest Ropeadope recording here.

Straight from Earplug asked RJD2 to take a look at his own record collection to help lift spirits as temperatures plunge across the nation. While the producer admits that he doesn’t “listen to music in a very seasonal way,” he kindly put himself in the mindset of July and suggested a gamut of singles that will hopefully help cure any case of the winter blues. As he admits, “Definitely, things can feel right in the summer.” Dig it.

From Ropeadope man on the streets Matthuzillla "Check it team dope;) Roxwel.com lot's of videos, concerts, interviews, ect... most take place in Austin, TX I found it looking for Disco Biscuits so I found this all pro-shot/sbd for live stuff = . Hope 2010 is treating you well!! Also my friends The Macpodz will be @Sullivan hall on Jan 29th. Later, team Jeff" Worth a peep.

Just because the holidays are over doesn't mean there is no more gift giving. Our man Dayo was kind enough to whip us up a gift that is extremely delicious and most importantly FREE. Dayo presents: Masholio: Instant Spuds, Volume 1. An album of musical mashups and experiments that will have any music lover craving for another taste. Download the FREE album here: Download Album and check out the rest of Dayo's world here.

Use your mouse to click and drag around the video to change the view. You can also zoom in and out. Pause and explore at any time by pressing the play/pause button under the video to stop and look around. The video below was shot on Monday, January 18, at 9:52 a.m. EST in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

We could not be happier for the city of New Orleans today as The Saints advance to the Super Bowl. Support every music lover's home team by getting your music here. and rep New Orleans with some cool ish from our friends at NOYO.

Crazy but true - Philly girl Gina Ferrera traveled to Ghana to study it's native gyil. To study with the masters she had to first sacrifice a goat so that the townspeople could determine which way the blood flowed. Now studying in the streets of Philly Gina fuses her native instruments with poly-rythmatic BOOM and some guitars that shred! (and oh say, can she sing!). Check out her Ropeadope debut here where you can listen for yourself and or buy. Pick it up at the RAD store here. Check out this video of Gina and her band last week in Philly.

Two very random people in the story that is my life in the music biz. Grover Washington Jr. was my very first major industry connection and Casey Benjamin was one of my earliest raw talent discoveries. Here on this peace they discover themselves in the past tense. Amazing. Made me miss mister magic

Brian Healey of Paradigm drops some beautiful ambient-jazz-elcdtro-chll on his ropeadope solo ep jawn next month. to promote it the man starts marketing on his own. dig this from B-Healey: Hey Andy, to help promote my Ropeadope release in February, I'm doing a series of remixes/mash-ups that people can download for free. I'll be doing a new one each week leading up to the release, starting today. This first one combines Public Enemy, Radiohead, Medeski Martin and Wood, Lou Reed, the Jackson 5, and a whole lot more into a 6-minute dance jam. The link to download it is here, go on and give it away now". Dope. Brian

Not really sure what to make of this, so just gonna post it verbatim as it appeared in the email from their publicist "The Dirty Hippie Jam Band Project, to be presented at Snapple Theater Center, on Thursday, January 28, at 6:30pm. The show follows the journey of a group of modern day hippies as they follow their favorite band across the country. The musical is presented as part of the Theatrical Thursdays series. Visit here for more info. "

So our Ropeadope Soul Man, Greg Hester, gets a review from Soultracks, "People who were into the deep funk that the Hardest Working Man in Showbiz was putting out in the early and mid 1970s will digHKT. The record features thumping bass licks and kicking drums, and a quality that I think often got overlooked in funk music - a lot of high quality jazz improvisation." Dig here. 

Otis Grove bring their blend of high energy jazz funk to the most intimate jazz setting in Cambridge, the Regatta Bar! On the heels of their new album tentatively titled "The Runk" Otis Grove's buzz has been growing around the Northeast Jazz scene, having recently opened for the likes of John Medeski, Charlie Hunter and the Sex Mob to name a few. So come out and see for yourself what everyone has been talking about. Show starts EARLY! 7:30pm! Don't miss out!

In this epic, 11-minute, puppet-filled collaboration b/w Dan Deacon & Showbeast, Dan plays an evil tiger. Just watch! thanx to Pitchfork tv

Wu Tang remixed with Beatles samples. I kinda dig it. What do you think?

Man, things seem to be improving slightly, but nowhere near where it needs to be.  Can't help but feel heartbreak after looking at these images.  Keep doing what you can.

So this is just crazy...check out the video and pictures of this dude who got glasses tattooed to his face -- "It seems like people who get tattoos just want to bring more attention to their personal brand’, but this bro took it a step further. After covering his whole body with tattoos, he needed something more than I.R.L. ppl looking at him like ‘omg.’ He needed to create a lil bit of social media that ‘took the internet by storm."

"THE HUMAN FACE, with its infinite range of expression, is an ever-changing reflection of the story of humanity. Now, from hundreds of photographs, the editors of CORONET have selected a distinguished gallery- to bring you a new interpretation of that ageless story."

So rather than think about how you're off from school or work, try and use this day to do some good or some reflection. Take a peak here, listen to some wise words here, and sit back and watch here.

Here's a few bits of life to get you through your Monday: really dope high speed photography shots; Niagara Falls Frozen; ?uestlove sides with Conan; and The Climate Killers brought to you by Rolling Stone. 

Tuper Tario Tros is the illegitimate child of Super Mario Bros. and Tetris. Control Mario as you create platforms and kill enemies with falling tetrominoes.

Been doing backflips about this band we signed to Ropeadope called La Otrabanda a project originally formed by Venezuelans living in Madison Wisconsin of all places. Maybe it was the cheese, maybe it was the hippies, maybe it was just fate, but somehow they were able to create the perfect blend of rock-world-jazz-folk inspired music that portrays the idiosyncrasy of their vibrant conuntry in a very fresh and optimistic way. Man, it's so totally fresh and dope and exactly what you've been looking for to add some spice to your ipods life. (And they were just nomiated by the Independent Music Awards in the Short Form Music Video Category in the 9th annual Independent Music Awards).

In Philly Teddy Pendergrass could do no wrong. Our beloved Teddy bear was an inspiration who will always be in our hearts and songs.  Close the Door; with Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes on Soul Train;I Don't Love You Anymore; Life is a Song Worth Singing

Man, just can't post a post and act like Haiti didn't happen. Big part of me wants to just drop everything and get down there, but ummmm, I'm broke, and got me some kids of my own and instead I write these words and say a prayer, just doesn't seem right that we be like this and they be like that.  Flags at half mast - gonna be there for a while. My friend Jeff just went there last month and sent me these photos. Click here and here and to donate immediately to Oxfam and Doctors Without Borders. I know for a fact of their efforts in Haiti.

La Otrabanda means "the other band" in spanish but they are far from any other band I know! Recently signed to Ropeadope Pueblo Vivo/Vibrant People does indeed ooze optimism, comfortably embracing everything from merengue to Ben Harper. It achieves that through the ramshackle, communal mingling of bright guitars, cuatro (a small Latin American stringed instrument), percussion, and earthy group vocals, not through utopian studio polish. Check out this post in the Onion's AV club.

Man, Paste Magazine gets all my respect for (i) staying alive, but for thriving! Not only is their magazine amongst the very best music publications around, but their online content is killing. Exhibit A - Live at Moog. A redunkulous video/free mp3 series they did featuring Yo La Tengo, MMW, Jojo Herman and more. Click here to get in the right moog.

Straight from the Flavorwire comes The Flavorpill Mixtape VIII. As they say "Here’s to having your own private listening party with 10 new releases and many a reincarnation to help spur your own “winter awakening" featuring Yeasayer, Fleet Foxes, The XX, and More." Get it right here.

Ropeadope's claimed a piece of the turf at West Philly's shiny new Marbar- a rather dope new music venue that comfortably fits 300 which happens to be booked by....me! That's right they gave me the keys! amazing. Come down and celebrate with us for free all week with some amazing shows including the Philly World Music Collective tonight: our new M*A*S*H (Music*Alcohol*Sex*Hangover) party thursday, Bodega (free!) on Friday and Black Landlord (free!) on Saturday!

Bragster is like Youtube on crack. Some shit that shows the darker side of humanity. yet somehow I spent 12.3 minutes there yesterday. Dare ya.

C'mon Son, check this site out! Ed Lover, known for his VJ days and hip-hop history. Give this man a tv show or at least a segment.  

29 year old dude moves in with his 73 year old dad, starts a twitter account and begins tweeting shit his dad says. Absolutely brilliant.

Kid of Bloop is kind of dope, like Kind of Blue and soap on the rope. Makes me sort of think of Citizen Cope. or Harry singing high hopes. Or a parade of popes. Ropeadope.

We are clearing out the old to make room for the new! All t-shirts here are mostly $8 (!!!!) PLUS a free cd in every order? Super size me - I'll take three! Shop now.

Okay, seriously, I know I am excitable and jump up and down about lots of cool things but honestly, nothing (NOTHING!) has blown me away quite like the sixth sense. Please, please, please someone get me one now?

Two weekend shows in NYC this weekend for our favorite white super hero Mister John Ellis: Export NOLA Showcase @ Sullivan Hall on Friday featuring Ellis and Double-wide and then they back again on Saturday at Nublu. More John Ellis here, more Double-wide here and this video for good measure. Who loves you? (John Ellis does!)

From the jazz bible Downbeat who jumped all over Clay's Ropeadope release with high praise from folks known to be very very picky. Check out the article here.

From our friends at Flavorpill: "Sure, there's something to be said for pushing boundaries, constantly seeking out strange new sounds, and generally compiling the ephemera of the musical universe. But the folks at Pitchfork have a habit of often missing the forest for the trees. So, we weren't all that surprised to see that a lot of our favorite albums of 2009 were omitted from Pitchfork's top 10 albums of the year list. However, the fact that many of them not only also failed to appear in the site's top 50, but even the honorable mentions, was too much to let slide. With that said, we present our list of the top 10 albums of 2009 that didn’t make Pitchfork's list — all of which would have appeared in our own top 50, if not top 10." Read the full list and listen to all 10 albums.

(i) This is truly amazing, the man survived the atomic bomb twice! (ii) Sure you had to have heard about this, but it's still pretty cool. (iii) US Soldiers getting real.

Okay, so I got this "demo" (nowadays simply a myspace link) from this cat. Gonna follow with the message and the link. Tell me what you think b/c I can't stop listening to this guy and want to know if it's just me? Or do you agree? ---"My name is Fumi-hito. I am a guitarist and producer from Hiroshima, Japan (currently live in US). I just released my first solo album "This Goes...". and I really need chance to be in your label. Could you check my album? You will like this one.....if you want to feel of it, Please go to, so that you can get the an idea." So what did you think? Tell me.

Okay, this is either a low low or a high high - you decide, but I warn you before sharing this link - my mom sent it to me using works like "remarkable" and "breathtaking". So I clicked. Wanted to hate it and call it names, but it's really quite dope. It's Kseniya Simonova (24) who won "Ukraine's Got Talent" seriously.  She draws a series of pictures on an illustrated sand table showing how ordinary folks were affected by the German invasion. Remarkable.

Hot off the heels of his Dubstep anthem ‘Ninja We Ninja’, Tel Aviv’s badman of bass Kalbata drops a new 12″ on Botanika Records. ‘Oh Gosh’ is a deep 2-step banger with the B- side ‘Karl Butter’, an 8-bit Electro Bass saga, on the flip. To celebrate this here’s a special mix from our friends at Mad Decent by Kalbata ranging from dubstep to garage, old skool hardcore to Miami bass and reggae, together with forthcoming tunes and remixes by the man. Download.

From Peanut Butter Wolf:Here’s a new podcast by Nite Jewel AKA Ramona. I found out about her through Dam-Funk, who thankfully introduced me to her music and to her as well. They’re now working on an album for Stones Throw, tentatively titled “Nite-Funk”. Turns out, she and her dude Cole (who plays in one of my favorite bands Haunted Graffiti) live down the street from me. I hang out with them from time to time and whenever we do, we nerd out on old records. I asked her to do a podcast of some of her favs, so here you go. Another one to get jealous of. Whaddup to 12ManRambo too.

My boy Twersky hipped me to this insanity - Anthrax the drum circle? Is nothing sacred?

Soooooo, how was your vacation? That's soooooo cool! Oh me? Well, ya know - saw some great concerts including The Word at the TLA that made me wish this band played together more than 5 times a year; didn't see any Phish Miami Shows even though I had tickets and passes and a hotel - but the live downloads are nice. Most random movie that made me laugh was Fat Albert. Watched a whole lot of football and smoked way too much weed (or was it not enough?)? Either way, it's strange to say, but today I am actually psyched to be back at the fake offices getting my new year on. Standing strong. 2010. So far, so good.

Oh, how I love the fact that Ropeadope signing The Spinning Leaves freaked so many people out. I mean - I never got so many emails that first questioned the signing ("what the folk dude?" - Chip Smith, Esq, LA. ) and then praised the addition ("Love changed my life dude....seriously" - Rob Brand, Attorney, Philadelphia). And not only do I (the guy that signed them) continue to love this band and the power duo that lead it. And now that Ropeadope just released the album on vinyl seems like a whole new generation is spinning its' leaves. Love.

Louis runs trademark searches every month to make sure nobody's trying to steal our name. In his pursuits he uncovered a fake Ropeadope Radio (that's actually quite cool). We countered with very real (free) Ropeadope wallpaper.

Vic Chestnutt was a lot of things to a lot of (great) people and there might be no better way of remembering him than this great piece from his hometown paper. My all time favorite Vic album must be Is the Actor Happy?. Gravity of the Situation demonstrates why many call Vic the gretest songwriter of all time. Watch him come alive in this interview. Take Vic West of Rome. I will always think of him Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today.

My boys Cosmo, Ayers, and Eleven keep churning out their redunkulous brand of mixing, blending, sliding and gliding effortlessly through the funk and rhythm. Here's a free copy of the last "It's The Motherf**king Remix Volume 3" for download. Free stuff is good. Get it here.

Not sure if any of y'all caught the Kennedy Center Tribute to Springsteen, but there were moments for sure. Start with Jon Stewart's introduction, it's worth it. Then go the following clip, which starts off with Eddie Vedder's performance and goes into Sting at the 2:20 mark. These clips are data-intensive, which means they can take a very long time to load. But, the benefit is they're of an extremely high quality. If you've got a good connection, click on the HD button and then the icon right next to it to blow the image up full screen. Way more here.

Still plenty of time to try and catch your dreams in 2009, ride it out 'til the end and squeeze every drop of life that you can.me? Done. Like - see ya in the ten. Until then....catch me if you can (you can't). For you you that means no more web daily updates until I get back on Monday January 4th. Wishing everyone (always) the most bestest of all best things as we turn the corner (together) and head into the strangest of all numbers: twenty-ten.  See you on the other side. (Enjoy the ride). Standing strong in the oh-nine (still).

We're cleaning out the warehouse, and we've got a ton of swag that we want to share. Order this mystery box and be assured that you'll get over $ 70.00 worth of stuff with some special surprises from the Ropeadope Archives...oh, and some stuff that's been sitting around the warehouse. Item! $30 for a bag of dope?

Our very own Greg Hester just plain killed it opening for Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings in Virginia. Some people just HAVE that voice, and Greg is one of them. Greg will be touring in the spring, but in the meantime you can catch our shows at the MarBar, and do NOT miss Bodega opening for The Word on December 30th.

Really doesn't get much better than this dusty classic - James Brown's Funky Christmas from top to bottom might be the pound for pound hippest holiday album ever?

From The Boston Globe:Call it what you will, "the noughties", "the two-thousands" or something else, the first decade of the 21st century (2000-2009) is now over. Looking back on the past ten years through news photographs, it becomes clear that it was a dramatic, often brutal decade. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks and wars were by far the most dominant theme. Ten years ago, Bill Clinton was ending his final term in office, very few had ever heard of Osama bin Laden, the Taliban ruled Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein still ruled Iraq - all that and much more has changed in the intervening time. It's really an impossible task to sum up ten years in a handful of photographs, but below is my best attempt at a look back at the last decade - feel free to let me know what I missed in the comments below. (50 photos total)

Last minute Holiday/end of the year present from our friends at Funkwrench. Free Funkwrench Holiday Download. Here's a rundown of Funkwrench: "Their credentials as sidemen are quite impressive but this is ALL about the MUSIC. They've been playing together for 3 years, havenever rehearsed or discussed any aspect of their performances andhave recorded everything. Complete improvisation...a TRUE jamband".  Check it out and don't forget about their Ropeadope self-titled release from last year.

Lookin' to buy yourself a little holiday treat that can't be beat? Get snackin' on Ropeadope's Guava Jelly and Johnny Cakes V.1 - a musical journey through the past, present and future of Ropeadope available now as a mix-tape (download). It's the perfect backdrop to any real holiday season.  Flavors and styles ranging from DJ Logic to The Spinning Leaves to Gina Ferrera and the Philadelphia Gyil Fusion Project, and much more. Added bonus - unreleased tracks including a rarity from DJ Logic remixed by the one and only Bill Laswell. Go on and get some.

This from some Velvet Blog who has been telling us how cool Philly's Blood Feathers for months their debut album Goodness Gracious is now on iTunes so go check it out. Meantime, enjoy this holiday song from the band called "Christmas Will Help You Feel Okay".

The new installment of Six Degrees weekly internet radio broadcast is now up and focuses on "songs with strings". From rock to electronica, the eclectic list of featured artists include Moby, Spiritualized, Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Harry Nilsson, Explosions in the Sky, Johann Johannsson and a host of others.  Check out the full playlist here.

Everyone and their mother keeps asking me about my "top albums of the last oughts (see, ie, my man Ace and his tag) and I keep needin' to remind folks that the whole decade was over by the oh-one when The Word dropped the bomb heard 'round the world.  You hear that? I think the bomb's still blowing! Catch a few extremely rare Word gigs - 12/30 at the TLA in Philly; New Years Eve at Terminal 5 in the Big Snapple; and then one night in FT. Lauderdale before they set sale on Jam Cruise 2010. Oh my word!

The Spinning Leaves write in from Russia: "Hey guys! Sending along a picture of us cold as shit in front of St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square. We're having the time of a life! Playing shows and being introduced around. It's all quite a whirlwind! Last Friday night, we ran straight from the airport toplay for quite a large crowd at a club called MSPRKT. And the Russians we've met are quite happening! They invite us everywhere! It's ridiculously COLD. Like -22 degrees F! Literally, our breath was forming icycles on Barb's hair and my stache! We're playinga small show on Wednesdaytowork on some new stuff (the cold makes inside preferable and we've been working on some new material) and a big show on Friday that has gotten some attention in the big entertainment mag here.  Stefan says it is cleverly written about how American neo-folk can be alot of things these days, but that we are the real deal, in short. Think Friday is gonna be the jam! Our vinyl amazes the eyes and ears here. Whew!!! Much love to you ~"Pick up all that Love here.

JDT was voted must underrated band on Ropeadope in 2009. JDT lets you see what's to see when they bring the game to NYC. Sullivan Hall, December 23rd. Get more info here.

2009 sometimes felt like a clash of the indie-rock titans, with albums from Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective, the Flaming Lips, and Dirty Projectors emerging as consensus picks on critics' best-of lists. And while we were fans of these records, we were sad to see many other great releases fail to get their due. Therefore, we present Flavorpill's picks of the year's ten most underrated albums.

5 bits of information for the day for you to enjoy: (1) The Playlist gives the Top 10 music documentaries of the 2000's-DiG here;(2) ABBA makes the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame; (3) Axel Rose denies denying about hitting a photographer; (4) 10 Emotionally Disturbing Christmas songs; (5) Alot of these are gonna be coming in but Pitchfork's 100 songs of 2009

In Jersey they call me "The Situation".....well, "they" being the Jersey Shore nickname generator. Give it a whirl and I'll call you by your proper name.

Having read our Hanukah musical posts, The Idelsohn Society for Musical Preservation reached out to me with this note and link "In honor of the holiday season, we are proud to offer this little mix of music culled from our various albums, archives and projects. There’s plenty of choice old-school tracks mixed in with new school Idelsohn exclusives like the re-mix of the Yemenite Trio by Soulico’s DJ Sabbo. Songs from Lionel Hampton and Marlena Shaw are just a taste of what’s to come on our next release forthcoming in 2010, Black Sabbath, an homage to the musical history of Blacks and Jews. Of course, there’s also a couple of classic Christmas anthems courtesy of that other tradition’s most beloved holiday crooners, Barbra and Neil". Dig it. 

This week some of we celebrate the festival of lights - aka Hanukkah. In Jew world it's really not that big of a deal as far as holidays go but ya know, we have to represent right? A minor search on Google helped me with the spirit which I share with Jew now: Hanukkah flash mob on the streets of Israel here ;an awful hip hop hanukkah video here; slightly less awful (but still crappy) video called My Menorah; a comical who let the Jews out?; a stupid Neil Diamond doing the hanukkah song (which warns NOT to smoke marijuanaka); the original Adam Sandler jawn; part three; and......while this has nothing to do with the holiday, every time I Google Hanukkah the anti-semites slip in this video of Otis the Toilet Trained Cat. What do Jew got? Send me some fodder.

Hardcore Ropeadopers pay attention to every post, nook and cranny. Right stoney? ("tight" . I get lots of hate (and love) over my album of the week posts (look over to the right side of this site...ya - right there). But ya know it's all just music. Wanted to give special props this week to my man Ben Harper who really just gets nasty with his new partners in crime Relentless 7. The new (ish - was released in May) record White Lies for Dark Times simply rocks. Dig some samples, visit Ben's space, his .com and his videos. Mostly though - if you have the chance to see these cats live do not hesitate for a moment.

Might be a match made in heaven? Sisters and brothers from another daddies and mothers? OMG if you love Sharon as much as I do (doubtful, I've been down since her days as a prison guard) then you too will love Greg Hester one of Ropeadope's recent signings who debuted over the weekend with two redunkulous shows opening up for Ms. Jones. Louis was there and he does swear - it's a match made in heaven. Check out Mr. Hester and Ms. Jones and hope somehow they can reproduce. Greg Hester for president, Sharon Jones for ruler of the universe.

Daily Swarm keeps it coming and coming. It's my daily dose of music biz buzz. And always peepin' into their must see video of the week list - like this one that includes Vevo Platform to view in comfort: Mariah Carey, Kid Cudi ft MGMT, Monsters of Folk, Fang Island and more.

Always entertaining when "real" press covers hippy shows - like this great article from The Voice: documenting Rob Harvilla's experience at his first Phish show. Reminded me of this great piece from the Philadelphia Weekly - Fear and Loathing in Camp Bisco. Must reads on both.

Those of you that don't have the honor of knowing Sir Skip Heller let me share: He's the REAL hardest working man in showbiz. His latest Ropeadope offering The Long Way Home has hints of bluegrass mixed in with rock and twisted the long way home. Pick it up here. Check out this sick Limewire review here.

Celebrating the season of creepy men dressing up so kidssit on their laps: this library of supremely awkward portraits, capturing children crying for dear life, one St. Nick who could easily pass for an upside-down mop, and some grown dude sitting on Kris Kringle's knee in a belly shirt and Speedo while holding a saxophone, which is still less embarrassing than the one of him at The Acropolis with Kenny G. Find 'em all here.

Everybody's finally on board Fela. Our very own Antibalas horns section rising above it all? On Broadway nonetheless? Makes a brother proud. I mean, OMG.  And now they're on the Colbert Nation?

Flavorpill keeps sending me these flavor wires that catch my shit on fire. Dig this mixtape featuring Hot Chip, Grizzly Bear, Beach and more.

Man you know you gettin' old when you can say "I was there in 1999 when The New Deal played their first ever US show. ahhhhh Berkfest may she rest in peace.  But long live The New Deal- a band I knew from the very first note, would always be one of my all-time favorite live shows. From the basement of The Wetlands they rose. And now they exist on their own galaxy. Take some time travel with you as The New Deal drops The Live: Toronto CD next week. Watch a rather dope promo video right here. Start of 2010 the right way with The New Deal at BB King's Late Night on New Year's Eve. More New Deal-ness-ness here.