Last year one of my favorite bars in London, The East Room, tragically burned down. (Luckily, I was able to have one last awesome night there two days before the fire; was one of the best nights I’ve ever had in this wonderful, wonderful city.) The East Room is part of a group of members only bars which include: Milk & Honey (London and New York), The Player (London) and The Clubhouse (Chamonix, French Alps); I’ve been to Milk & Honey a bunch but had yet to give The Player a try (or The Clubhouse… which I doubt I’ll be hitting up anytime soon unless I randomly get a surprise trip the the French Alps, which I would most definitely not be opposed to).
Author Archives: Amanda Boyd
Gallery Music Let’s Dance: Latin Alternative Music Conference
Last week, the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) took New York City by storm with a slew of exhilarating performances featuring some of the top acts in the world of Latin music.
Despite my complete love for music, aside from the occasional spin on the ol’ salsa dance floor, Latin music isn’t something I’m all that familiar with or find myself listening to very often, so I was eager to check out just what LAMC had in store.
Whilst I enjoyed pretty much every show I checked out, Wednesday night’s acoustic showcase at S.O.B.’s was by far the highlight of the week.
Bars/Clubs Purl Bar London: A Diamond in the Ruff
It was love at first sight for me and Purl (so much so that I went there twice in one night – drinks before dinner than again after); it’s easily one of the coolest bars I’ve ever been to. You walk inside and it feels as though you’ve stepped into this hidden, underground cave with all these small nooks and secret alleyways one can’t help but want to explore. A piano adorned with candles and old photographs sits in one room; there’s a fire place with a Chesterfield sofa, antique table and two gorgeous leather arm chairs sat around it; semi-private booths lit up by antique chandeliers and lamps give the illusion of mini caves within the cavernous room; small tables are situated in various corners with old, leather bound books sprawled about as jazz floats quietly through the air. It really is, as I’m fond of saying, magical.
Music Mandy’s Music Mail 4/29/11
Yesterday Chidera Anamege aka “Chiddy” of Chiddy Bang, broke the world record for longest freestyle as he rapped for over 9 hours straight…!! The previous record was held by M-Eighty at 8 hours, fifteen minutes and 15 seconds. I don’t think I could even talk for 9 hours straight, much less rap. Good thing he had wings. Be sure to check back to www.redbullusa.com for a free download of Chiddy Bang’s newest single “Mind Your Manners”!
Music Mandy’s Music Mail 4/22/11
I didn’t think it was possible, but I’ve fallen even more in love with the Kings of Leon. Last night I went to the premier screening of Talhina Sky: The Story Of Kings Of Leon at Tribeca Film Festival with my brother El and friend Billy, aka Drummer Boy, (guess what he does?) whose band, The Postelles, opened for KOL last summer at the infamous pigeon fiasco concert. I went in excited to see the film but not expecting the band to be there as it was just a screening. However who should walk right by me as I’m walking in? None other than ¾ of the Followill clan, brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared. Naturally I put on my best “jaded New Yorker” and acted nonplussed as the (ridiculously good looking) boys in my favorite band walked right next to me, however inside I was screaming like a teenage girl whose just seen Justin Bieber. The film, directed by Stephen C Mitchell, a close friend of theirs, was an unapologetic, intimate look into their lives that was simultaneously humorous (particularly Caleb’s drunken monologue about living), absurd and at times, quite sad. After the film the band and Mitchell came up for a brief Q&A; the boys were wonderfully sarcastic yet genuine. They were raised very religious and when asked how they intend to raise their children, Caleb brilliantly replied “Scientology of course! We’re celebrities!” Hero.
Music DJs Hit the Decks at Red Bull’s Thre3Style Workshop
Tuesday night, Red Bull held a DJ Workshop at the Scratch DJ Academy in New York City’s West Village in preparation of unique DJ competition Red Bull Thre3Style at Music Hall of Williamsburg this Friday night. The event was hosted by DJ Yamez with special guests DJ Rob Swift of the X-Ecutioners, DJ Synapse and DJ Cobra Krames.
Music Mandy’s Music Mail 4/15/11
When it comes to a collaboration between Sade and Jay Z, it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong or disappoint (according to the ever reliable and trust worthy pandabook). “The Moon and the Sky” (Remix) actually surfaced last Friday (after my glorious post was published), so if you’ve already heard this track, well, here’s a chance to bask in it once (or multiple times) more!
Music Mandy’s Music Mail 4/8/11
The soundtrack for the film “Hanna” (side note: really want to see it), scored by the Chemical Brothers, was released exclusively through iTunes last month, but I only got around to checking it out this week (and it subsequently became my unofficial soundtrack; listened to it constantly). If you haven’t given it a listen / downloaded it yet, I highly recommend doing so because it’s awesome. Favorite tracks are: “Hanna’s Theme”; “Container Park” and “Escape 700”. Grab it here and / or watch the trailer after the jump.
Music Mandy’s Music Mail 4/1/11
NKOTBSB?! Mind. Blown. So NKOTB were a bit before my time, well I mean I knew girls who were obsessed with them, but at the time I was more of a Green Day girl (Dookie was one of my first albums, totes had the poster hanging up over my bed and everything; man I was a cool 8 year old…), however I was all about BSB (“I Want It That Way”, “Quit Playing Games With My Heart”?! Oh I could die. Such tunes!) so part of me is totally excited about this collaboration of ex-boyband heartthrobs. And their first single is undeniably catchy. This insanity drops May 24th.
Music Mandy’s Music Mail 3/25/11
Apologies to all you gorgeous party people, I’m afraid this week’s post is going to be a bit on the short side; was one of those highly infuriating weeks where there just wasn’t that much to write about and very few new tracks that I actually enjoyed. Although Sade (who doesn’t love a little Sade action?) announced the release of a second greatest hits album (no released date yet) and she finally agreed to collaborate with my future BFF Jay Z on a track for it. So that’s rather magical.











