Music To My Ears

Living in the Bay Area for nine years, I went to my fair share of shows. In fact, I probably only survived 2001 because of the 20+ concerts, both big (U2 at the Anaheim Pond) and small (Dealership at the Stork Club), that I went to that year. That's when I really found music. Fast forward four years, and I find myself living in one of the biggest pitstops for any traveling act, New York City. And yet, in my first four months there, I saw a total of zero shows. Amazing bands came and went, and I didn't even try. Money, night classes, and indecision marred any attempts to revel in the vast musical landscape of New York.

My goal from here on out? See more shows. Check out new artists. Go to Todd P events. But first things first. Time to revisit some old friends on the touring circuit. Here are 3 acts that I'm going to see in the next few months, and I'm very very excited.

1. Jenny Lewis: The lead singer of Rilo Kiley, Lewis has recorded a solo album of beautiful, sad songs. Click on the links to hear either the band's music via their website or her solo songs on myspace.com. And for another track off her upcoming album, go here. She's a little bit country, she's a little bit rock. Oh, if you've ever seen the movie Troop Beverly Hills, she played Shelly Long's daughter Hannah. Indie-rock queen and child actress, all rolled up in one.

2. Stars: Members of a Canadian supergroup, Broken Social Scene, Stars blends lush sounds with wondrous melodies, delivered harmoniously by the male-female duo of Torq Campbell and Amy Millan, sometimes simultaneously, sometimes as call-and-response, but always beautifully. This is heartfelt music, probably what emo was intended to sound like, but instead we get whining from Dashboard.

3. The New Pornographers: Another Canadian supergroup (God Bless Canada for giving us The Arcade Fire, Elisha Cuthbert, Kristin Kreuk, and Avril Lavigne), the Pornographers got together in 2001 and cut an album for fun that ended up turning them into cult heroes. Two more albums later, and they're coming back to New York to tour with Belle and Sebastian. I had many chances to see them last year, and I blew it everytime. So, I'm not gonna screw this one up. Hopefully, all of the members will be there, especially Neko Case, one of several vocalists in the group, whose country-tinged voice is unmistakably recognizable and absolutely amazing. Ultimate creators of the pop sound, and yet they're so much more. Check out "Mass Romantic", their classic debut, especially the track "Letter From an Occupant". Hell, I'll email you the track if you ask.