Tagged: music

Boston cops take to Twitter to bust underground indie-rock shows

By Maya Devereaux, Staff Writer
@MayaDevereaux

An example of a house concert, or a concert performed in someone’s home. Boston PD is cracking down on such concerts in Boston by going undercover online on social media sites like Twitter and posing as fans to bust the venues. The goal is to enforce noise and maximum occupancy ordinances, and it is causing quiet a stir./ PHOTO VIA Flickr user Samantha Murphy.

Boston Police Department has a new goal: cracking down on underground music scene.  According to an article on Slate.com, Boston’s underground indie-rock scene, which relies on ‘house shows,’ where the up-and-coming bands play in homes rather than clubs, are the target of the Boston PD’s attention. The structures aren’t licensed for such venues and violate a number of other ordinances.

How might the BPD be going about this? Why they’re going to go undercover as ‘fans’ and take to social media platforms like Twitter of course! Usually we’re used to seeing the police use social media to uncover evidence that solves more, let’s say, heinous crimes rather than using it to pass as hipster indie-rock fans to locate an illegal concert in an Allston basement.

While their goal seems silly at the outset, these concerts are technically violating laws that exist to protect public safety and fair noise levels for other residents in the area. Under the Nuisance Control ordinance, also mentioned in Slate.com, excessive noise is “ health threat” and affects the quality of life for residents. And beyond the threat of noise, the houses the concerts are held in are not licensed to hold that many people.

The situation seems to be not so black and white because there are instances where these house concerts are taking into consideration the surrounding neighbors. Furthermore, the police are also mistakenly cracking down on bands that are merely practicing. What draws the line between practicing and actually holding a concert? And is it infringing on rights of citizens to tell them how, when and where they will practice and perform their music?

Regardless of upped police activity, the bottom line is that these concerts are still going to go on and people are still going to attend them. Unless the police go about finding concert whereabouts on Twitter in a really clever way, I can’t see this operation going to well for them.

Spotify talks plans to stream video

By Maya Devereaux, Staff Writer
@MayaDevereaux

Soon, Spotify might not be just for music/ SCREENSHOT OF SPOTIFY BY Hilary Ribons

Soon, Spotify might not be just for music. / SCREENSHOT via Spotify

I have to admit, Netflix and Hulu Plus are some of my most loyal friends sometimes, especially  on nights when I have no plans except to stay in. Spotify is cool too but only in the musical sense. I can’t quite imagine the privately owned commercial music streaming service crossing over into the video streaming realm. Well, Huffington Post has announced that there has indeed been talk of Spotify introducing streaming video to its service! (Pause for reaction).

The article essentially questions whether or not Spotify would be able to financially support streaming big name TV shows and films, and creating its own series (as Netflix recently did with it’s hit show House of Cards). Existing companies have the funding to offer many options. However, Spotify is currently not as established, and therefore might not be able to remain competitive with other, film-focused streaming services.

Another question to pose: how will Spotify market its new offerings?

By the time Spotify makes clear its video streaming service, and how to use it, it may be too financially burdened to continue offering it. Furthermore, with competition as fierce as it already is among video streaming services, I can’t seem to find a place for Spotify, at least in my mind (and heart!). For one thing, companies like Netflix are streaming a huge variety of shows and movies that seems to expand all the time. Unless Spotify can top what Amazon Instant Play and Hulu Plus already offer to their loyal followers, the company lacks what it takes to survive in terms of video streaming.
Nonetheless, deciding to expand to video seems like a smart move for Spotify as all of these companies are forced to find new ways to keep up with competitors. More competition in this stiff video streaming market is generally a good thing, so only time will tell if Spotify’s expansion pays off!

The Hurricane Sandy Playlist

By Lauren Dezenski, Online Editor

PHOTO COURTESY TODDHALE.COM

With all of this (legitimate) hype over the superstorm Frankenstorm Hurricane Sandy, it’s high time we prepare in every way, shape and form possible. Translation: make a playlist.

You’re welcome, Eastern Seaboard.

Ke$ha’s “Blow” starts things on the right foot–who doesn’t love Ke$ha, or better yet, the visual of that glittery betch getting blown away by the 65+ MPH wind gusts expected in Boston on Monday. Which brings me to the next song…

“Manic Monday” by the Bangles. If classes aren’t cancelled, you bet your bottom dollar shit’s gonna get real manic, especially for those girls’ hairdos undoubtedly mussed by Sandy’s gusts. Monday’s forecast: rainy with a 95 percent chance of topknots. I see you, COM girls.

Not to be forgotten: “Rock You Like a Hurricane.” I personally believe this song’s potential would only be improved by listening to this on the 26th floor of StuVi II as it sways in the wind. BECAUSE APPARENTLY THAT HAPPENS.

Other goodies: “Sandy” by John Travolta (sorry, I had to), “Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)” by the Arcade Fire (I just can’t quit those catchy indie Canadians, plus I live in Allston so my power probably will go out), “Hurricane Drunk” by Florence and the Machine (for those Halloweenies still hung over from this weekend’s festivities–not that I would know, I stayed in and watched The Weather Channel. I’m so cool, right?).

Things end with “The New Jersey Song,” a lil’ gem I encountered by searching “New Jersey” on Spotify, and ode to the Garden State’s position as essentially Sandy’s target as it swings westward and makes landfall on Monday evening. Here’s to hoping this weather event calms hostilities between the Real Housewives of New Jersey … and their implants float.

A man on The Weather Channel told me to put bags full of water in my freezer and now I’m telling you to listen to this playlist. When this randomly shuts off in the middle of you blasting it from the speakers in your apartment, it’ll be an epic way to realize you’ve lost power.

Album review: Dark Dark Dark’s Who Needs Who

By Sydney Moyer, Music Editor
@sydneymoyer

Who Needs Who

Artist: Dark Dark Dark
Album: Who Needs Who
Label: Supply & Demand
Release: Oct. 2

The charm of Minneapolis-based quintet Dark Dark Dark lies in their subtle ability to slip several genres of music seamlessly into their haunting ballads and echoing choruses. Folk, jazz, Euro-folk and Americana all weave themselves throughout the band’s latest release, Who Needs Who, and allow the songs to transcend the slow pace and simple melodies and transform into magnificent tapestries of sound.

Instruments featured on Who Needs Who vary from banjo to accordion to clarinet, all grounded in heartbreaking piano and guitar riffs. Lead singer Nona Marie Invie has a wistfully soulful voice balefully belting out standout tracks like the gorgeous “Patsy Cline.”

If there’s one show to skip your night class for this week, it’s the Dark Dark Dark show with Emily Wells at Great Scott on Tuesday. The band’s vocal strength and vast instrumental lineup along with Emily Wells’ propensity to cover Notorious B.I.G. songs with a violin are sure to guarantee a good time.

Standout Tracks on Who Needs Who:

“Patsy Cline”
“How It Went Down”
“Meet In The Dark”
“The Great Mistake”

Interview: Charmingly Ghetto

By Brandon Kesselly, Staff Writer
@BCKesso

Charmingly GhettoI had the chance to interview Boston rapper Charmingly Ghetto, one of the movers and shakers of Boston’s hip hop scene. As a 25-year-old graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst, CG recently linked up with UK-based producer Cypria for his latest release, Scotland Yahd. Here’s what he had to say.

Brandon Kesselly: What was your inspiration for the EP?

Charmingly Ghetto: My inspiration for the EP was wishing to continue to further the relationship and respect I had for Cypria, who very early on was a huge advocate for my music and pushed me to keep releasing material and stay focused on the progression of what I continued to create. I also wanted to keep on working with international producers to keep with the theme that Study Abroad had helped push forth which was my new-found love and appreciation for art worldwide and recognizing the unilateral respect for hip hop in every corner of the world. People kept informing me that they enjoyed hearing this style of music and listening to the struggle, visions and vividness that I shared, so that inspired me to share more.

BK: How did you connect with Cypria?

CG: I met Cypria through the power of the Internet and through that connection we were just able to develop a better working relationship that blossomed into some real timeless music. This was just a great opportunity for two artists to connect to develop a great project and in the future we hope to create more.

BK: What other projects do you have planned in the near future?

CG: I have a number of projects that are in development. Right now I would continue to say keep your eyes and ears open for this Scotland Yahd project that we have in store and check out the video for “No Light.” This is my heart and soul, and Cypria and I would greatly appreciate people still knocking this.

I have a project that’s dropping with the homies from TheMadBloggers.com in collaboration with Heyday Footwear called “Kicks n Stares.” I am very excited for this project as it is the first that I have done that is sponsored by a clothing brand company, so it just shows me that people are supporting my message and that it is in line with the people at large.

BK: Which was your favorite song on the EP and why?
CG: My favorite song on the EP would have to be “Nat Turner.” I’m really speaking to the race relations in our country from the first point of view of someone who was enslaved in our country, and it is really interesting how the current view and experience of blacks in the U.S.A. is very similar to what would have been going on in the mind of a slave at the time. At least I think so.

Charmingly Ghetto plays Friday, Oct. 5 at BU Central as part of his Good Vibes Tour. Free admission for any BU student plus two guests.

PHOTOS: Best of spring 2012

Compiled by Music Editor Lucien Flores

Even if you missed some of the best concerts this spring, MUSE has always had you covered. As an end of the semester hurrah, Music Editor Lucien Flores collected the best of the best, all for your browsing pleasure. Enjoy!

A Jack of all trades announces new solo album

By Sydney Moyer, Muse editor

This past week, prolific musician and former White Stripes front man Jack White announced the release of a new solo album on April 24.

“Love Interruption,” the first single off of the new album Blunderbuss, sounds stripped down compared to The White Stripes and The Dead Weather’s usual bravado, opting instead for muted howls overlaid with acoustic guitar and Continue reading →