How Vinyl Is Made

Fascinating article from our friends at CNET about the physical processes of making vinyl records.

Look at this Stuff. Isn't It Neat.

In the last two weeks I’ve come to realize just how little I know about summer fun in New York. Were it not for Mark Satlof’s vintage Mermaid Parade shirt, I still wouldn’t know how great hotdogs and mermaid-fins go together. On his recommendation, my friend and I took the F train down to Coney Island for the annual Mermaid Parade.

By the time we got there, the vintage car portion of the parade had started. As much as I love the ’62 Ford Thunderbird, I was there to see costumes and peculiar people channeling Disney’s favorite mermaid princess. Luckily we were able to catch the tail (or shall I say, fin) end of the mermaid march. I enjoyed the geisha mermaids and the gigantic seahorse.

Here's my friend Sarah with the parade right behind her.

The weather was great, the Cyclone stood tall, and the water was picturesque. If your only exposure to Coney Island is scenes from The Warriors, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to know that I did not encounter a single shard of glass in the sand (thanks to the huge renovation that’s set to begin on the island this year).

Honestly, I couldn’t have come up with a better way to start my summer. The Mermaid Parade is just one of many fun summer events on Coney Island so be sure to check out what else is going on and get over there before the construction begins!

Me and Sarah on the beach.

Real As An Animal

Shore Fire Online Marketing client Alejandro Escovedo is in NYC to celebrate the release of his 9th studio album, 'Real Animal' (out 6/24). He stopped by Conan O'Brien on Friday, The Today Show this morning and Sirius on Saturday. Monday night he performed at a private WFUV event at The Cutting Room, playing some old tunes along with several from the new album. Alejandro and his band (which includes a cello and violin) brought the house down with his ode to Iggy Pop, "Real As An Animal."

Here's Nancie, Alejandro and myself after the performance (below):










Here's Jan Stabile from Jon Landau Management, Evan Adler from Blue Note/Manhattan/Back Porch and myself (below):

Get Even Smarter

The movie version of Get Smart is out today, and while from the trailer it doesn't seem nearly as funny as the TV series written by two of the world's greatest comic geniuses, Mel Brooks and Buck Henry, it will probably become one of those movie remakes I go to primarily because of the theme song, a list that has included The Jetsons, Mission: Impossible and Life of Brian. (The last is in its own way a remake of King of Kings, isn't it? And don't you find yourself whistling "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life" right about now?)

The "Get Smart" TV theme was written by Irving Szathmary, who doesn't seem to have written much else. The movie music is credited to Trevor Rabin (yes, of Yes), and what I've heard of the theme arrangement makes me suspicious (too many strings, not enough brass). But I will sit with my popcorn and see if anything in the film can equal this classic opening sequence:

Nick LE's Vegan Delight Birthday

We all got to munch on a delicious vegan strawberry birthday cake this afternoon in honor of Nick Loss-Eaton's big day. Here's Nick caught in action, with Elizabeth Lutz looking on from the sidelines. Remember kids, though not every day's a party day at Shore Fire, many are!

Guitar Hero Support Groups?

Working with and around talented musicians nearly every day has led me to live out my inner Rockstar like millions of other people. The ones whose parents never made them take a music lesson or who just weren't inclined to be musical in their younger years... yes, I'm a Guitar Hero addict.


I first played during halftime of Superbowl Sunday in February. Been sold ever since. If you can relate in any way, you might recognize some of these people from this Guitar Hero 3 Launch Party video clip. I'm clearly behind on this phenomenon. Even real Rockstars and major celebs are seriously into Guitar Hero. Glad to know I'm in good company.

Diana's Grappling Competition

On June 1st I competed in my fourth Challenge of The Champions Tournament. I've been studying Mixed Martial Arts for 2 and half years and my skills at kickboxing have always been better than grappling but this time around I surprised myself taking first place in my grappling division.

Watch the final round below (I'm the one in the pants.) Check out the lovely duck under to the body lock and take down from behind.


Here's a sample of what I was listen to before I hit the mat:
Timbaland featuring 50 Cent & Tony Yayo "Come Get Me"
Metalica "Enter Sandman"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs "Phenomena"
Busta Rhymes "Don't Touch Me (Throw Da Water On Em)"

Souled Out at Blender Theater

James Hunter took the Blender Theater by storm last night. After a lovely set by Tift Merritt, Hunter and his 5-piece band played rhythm and blues grooves alternating with melodic ballads. These guys are tight and so hip! Then, New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint came out to sing and play a little electric piano. They did a rendition of Lee Dorsey's "Get Out Of My Life, Woman" followed by two Hunter originals off the new album 'The Hard Way,' which came out Tuesday.


Here's James spinning a yarn for Shore Fire's Matt Hanks and soul/jazz journalist Ashley Kahn.
















Whoa! James and indulge our zombie sides together!





It's been a busy week for James; Monday, he appeared on Conan O'Brien; Tuesday, he headlined World Cafe Live in Philly, Wednesday in NYC. This morning, James, GO Records' Steve Erdman, James' lovely mother Daphne, and I made our bleary-eyed way over to the CW11 Morning News, where James performed. Here he with CW11 entertainment anchor Emily Frances.

Eli "Paperboy" Reed's Gallery Debut

This week the New Yorker and Campari teamed up to present an art exhibition in Soho featuring 25 promising New York artists. To celebrate, they threw a party complete with live entertainment provided by Eli "Paperboy" Reed and The True Loves.

Reed and band's red hot soul music made sure to distract the the crowd from the hot sticky weather as NYC was experiencing its first heat wave of 2008.

Performing on the middle level of the three floor exhibition space, the whole building seemed to be shaking along with the party goers as a thunderstorm rolled through.

Below: Carrie Tolles and Lauretta Charlton of Shore Fire were at the party and keepin' cool.

The Great Great House Of Guitars

I was visiting my hometown of Rochester, NY this past weekend and paid my routine visit to a true American institution, The House Of Guitars. It's known around the world for it's guitars and famous for it's constant state of disrepair (ie for years the "t-shirt" section was literally a pile of t-shirts in a corner), it's commercials, and it's owner, Armand Schaubroeck. Armand spent time in prison, recorded several albums, released several more on his own Mirror Records and pulled stunts like this (clip is from Scholastic Scope Magazine, 1968). The HOG oozes punk rock and rock n roll, a far cry from the sterilized music store chains.



Guitar-heads make pilgrimages from all over to visit. The case in the center houses rare and signed guitars. Hundreds of Strats, Teles, Les Pauls and every other guitar you can imagine fill the other cases.



The wall of amps is, well, a wall of amps. But these are all vintage tube amps, from Fender Princetons to Marshalls from the early 60s.

And here's just a segment of the newly refurbed wall of fame, followed by a close-up of a young Ozzy Osbourne at a HOG in-store.





Photo I regret not taking: A vinyl copy of 'Imagine' signed by John and Yoko that is housed in the end cap of a guitar display case.

Hammers Of The Gods

Last night I was witness to an amazing thunderstorm in Central Park. It was flashy and loud, and my dog, who as a Southern California-raised girl is used to such qualities, but not in weather, didn't like it one bit.

Lightning forks lit up the sky, so powerful and clearly etched that it looked like Zeus and Thor were having a throwing contest, and it made me think of songs about thunder and lightning, including:

• "Thunder Road," by Bruce Springsteen;
• "Knock on Wood," by Sam and Dave ('It's like thunder, lightning - the way you love me is frightening");
• "You Love The Thunder" by Jackson Browne;
• "Riders on the Storm" by The Doors (if that's playing on classic rock radio, you know it's raining);
• "Chain Lightning," by Steely Dan

And a list like this wouldn't be complete with the thunderously heartbreaking Johnny Thunders:

Rockin' W.H.Y. Dinner, Costello Gets Ascap Honor

I was very (extremely even) fortunate to be able to attend last night's World Hunger Year/WHY-Chapin Awards benefit dinner, which honored Elvis Costello, Senator John Edwards, the National Farm Worker Ministry and WCBS Newsradio 880. Through a private foundation that I'm involved in, I got a table and invited a few people who I thought would enjoy the evening but more importantly who I'd be into spending the evening with.

Senator Edward's speech was electrifying, topped only by Costello's heartfelt address. But all of it was trumped by Elvis' thrilling 3-song set - Costello on his signature Gibson guitar with Allen Toussaint on stand up piano - of songs from the River in Reverse: the title track, Nearer To You, and a rollicking Who's Gonna Help Brother. Me, maybe ten feet from the stage.

Here's the table sans Shore Fire president Marilyn Laverty who snapped the shot, clockwise, the seated Elyssa Gardner, Nell Mulderry, Bill Zuckerman, Rob Santos, me, Peter Himberger, Bill Bragin and Bill Flanagan.




Here's VH1's Bill Flanagan with Marilyn Laverty during the cocktail hour.


Guests at play: Bill Flanagan, Elyssa Gardner and Nell Mulderry.



Here's a quick on the fly shot of me with Elvis and my old college friend and bandmate Bill Zuckerman. You can just spot the back of Allen's head behind us.


So how do you make an exciting, great night even better? Answer: Get Rob Santos to introduce you to totally cool songwriter and producer Richard Gottehrer (you could start with his songs My Boyfriend's Back and I Want Candy and just go from there...)



All in all, I'll be putting last night into the "pinch me moment" category.

A Sugar Sweet Sunshine Birthday

Earlier this week we gathered 'round the table for cake in honor of Nora Lyons' birthday. We spend many a night on or around Ludlow Street, where our clients often play at clubs like Arlene's Grocery and the Living Room. So we're well acquainted with the L.E.S. cult baker Sugar Sweet Sunshine. Well at least Nora is, because she chose a dense and not-too-sweet Red Velvet cake for her blow-the-candle-out moment. Happy Birthday Nora!

Free In NYC

Strapped for cash but dying to see some live music?

Brooklyn Vegan has stepped up to the plate with their Free NYC Concert calendar. Sonic Youth! Free on July 4th in Battery Park!

In other cool live music news - The Wordless Music Series has announced some summer concerts at The Whitney Museum. They also teamed up with WNYC to air (and stream) 4 separate 1-hour long programs that feature a "best of" from past Wordless Music Series events, including performances by Beirut, Do Make Say Think and Jonny Greenwood.

Ferdinand Ries & The Roller Coaster

This video promotion for the Zurich Chamber Orchestra is too cool not to share.

You've probably never thought that classical music and amusement park rides would go together like peas and carrots, but check out the elegant, captivating, and insanely fun 1-minute video below and become a believer.

Chip Taylor and Lenny Kaye Rock "Wild Thing"

Chip Taylor's performances of songs from his upcoming album New Songs Of Freedom were the highlight of his all-to-brief set last week at NYC's Living Room. But that said, I won't complain that Taylor ended the set with a raucous version of his own famous song, Wild Thing joined by none other than another NY rock legend, Lenny Kaye, who jumped in on the backup singing. That encore got me to thinking how Wild Thing has got to be one of the greatest songs ever written...it's completely indestructible. Try as you might, you just can't ruin it (believe me, I tried. But that's another story entirely. Have you ever played it yourself on an instrument and /or in a band? Believe me too, it's a blast).

Talk about completing the circle. Kaye, among other achievements, is lauded for his 1971 garage-rock defining compilation Nuggets. Nuggets didn't include Wild Thing, but it was the start of the canonizing of such 65-68 era guitar rock hits.



Above: Chip Taylor, the man in black, with Kaye , the man in white.


I've met Lenny Kaye every two or three years since I first ran into him in 1983 or 4 at a record store in Greenwich Village. My friend recognized him and we introduced ourselves, complimenting him on how great Nuggets was. A sweetheart then and a stand up guy now too.

Anchors Aweigh Rob Krauser...A Toast

We gathered recently to offer a toast to Shore Fire's Rob Krauser on the occasion of his marriage. That's Krauser, mimosa in hand, grinning in anticipation of his wedding and honeymoon (in Thailand). Congrats Rob.

Blues In Brooklyn

Went out to Ruthie's in Fort Greene last night for some excellent soul food with American Routes producer Scott McCraw, followed by a performance by Greenville, Mississippi's own T-Model Ford at Frank's Cocktail Lounge in Brooklyn. He did some blues standards like "44 Blues" and "Big Boss Man" and some original grooves and punctuated with shouts of "It's Jack Daniels time!" Terry "Harmonica" Bean played some excellent harp and took the lead on "Bright Lights Big City" and something that sounded like a Slim Harpo number. Appropriately, the venue was unventilated and everyone was packed in and dancing and sweating all over the place. Spotted in the crowd were folk-rocker Langhorne Slim, Ponderosa Stomp photographer Joseph Rosen, and Shore Fire's own Eli "Paperboy" Reed. There are more events for Brooklyn residents this week. Both Ruthie's and T-Model are the good stuff.

Here's some T-Model to drive the blues away this morning:

Put Me In The Zoo

If you get that headline reference then chances are you can identify with this post too.


I took another step towards officially becoming an old-timer last week when I chaperoned my first field trip! My daughter Emma's kindergarten class (that's her second from right in the above photo) went to the Prospect Park Zoo.

It was one of those picture perfect days you wait all year for in Brooklyn, and we had a blast. Escorting nine boys to the bathroom for a mass potty break made me glad I don't have nonuplets, but aside from that and I felt more like a kid myself than "the man."


The sea lions were a big hit


As was this turtle shell contraption