Category: Music

Back at It Again

Catch me on the air next Wednesday, April 27 at 8:00 p.m. as dj Calypso Sally for my one hour show, Broad Strokes, of soulful tunes on Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR). I’ll be doing my thang, digging deep from my mixed bag of music, playing new discoveries and perhaps some well known artists. Learn how to listen HERE.

Also, I’ll be reading from my manuscript, Cancelled Without Prejudice, on Saturday, May 7th for Fractious Press‘s May Fair event:

When: Saturday, May 7th
Where: Ding Dong Lounge, 929 Columbus Avenue between 105 & 106 Streets
Time: 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

In the meantime, here’s what you missed last month: LISTEN HERE.

Playlist

Life Partner – Teams vs. Star Slinger
The Space – Magnetic Island
Come My Sunshine – The Comas
Don’t – Shadow 
From the Grass Dub – Sly & Robbie
Holy Holy – Wye Oak
Tonite is De Nite – Brother Resistance
Supernova – Quilty
Strings of Life – The Dirtbombs
Backyard Betty – Spank Rock
Whop Cocoyea – Shadow
Back to Back – Wolfgang
Puzzled by People – The Streets
Love More – Sharon Van Etten

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting us at info@whfr.org.  DIY forever baby!

Also, if you’re in a band or know someone who is, and would like to be on the show, please email me at roarplanet@gmail.com.

Broad Strokes Wednesday, February 23 @ 8:00 p.m.

 Live Wednesday, February 23 at 8:00 p.m. on Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR)‘s Broad Strokes, Calypso Sally will have special guest, Mindy Abovitz, Editor-in-Chief, and founder of TOM TOM Magazine, a magazine about female drummers.

 

Broad Strokes streams live off the web every last Wednesday of the month at 8:00pm. I, Calypso Sally, that’s me, try to play a broad range of genres, stretching from indie rock, pop, alternative, noise rock, hip hop, reggae, dance hall, metal, calypso, funk etc.  It’s sort of a mixed bag.  I also have live acoustic performances. But this month I have media extraordinaire Mindy Abovitz in the house.

She’s going to talk to me about TOM TOM Magazine, women taking over the drum world, the music scene in NYC versus abroad, and how open the media has been with a woman taking on a  predominantly male environment.  Full throttle, however, she is wiping out the old school mentality!

Mindy Abovitz is a musician and media maker from South Florida currently residing in Brooklyn, NY. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and a Masters in Media Studies from the New School for Social Research. She has been playing drums for 11 years and has taught at Rock Camp for Girls and Vibe Songmakers. Before starting Tom Tom Magazine, Mindy was an engineer at East Village Radio, worked at Main Drag Music, threw music shows at her loft The Woodser, and played drums for Taigaa, More Teeth, The Good Good, and other Brooklyn bands. In 2009 she started Tom Tom Magazine: A Magazine About Female Drummers because there wasn’t one and media representation of female drummers was poor. She has since put out 5 issues of Tom Tom and plans on putting women musicians in the front and center of the media because that is where they belong. She currently drums for Chica Vas.

Broad Strokes this Wednesday, January 26 @ 8:00p.m.

I’ll be doing my radio show, Broad Strokes, this Wednesday, January 26 @ 8:00 p.m. on Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR). This will be my first broadcast for the year so check it out. Learn how to listen HERE.

You can listen to last month’s broadcast HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last month’s playlist

Tell ‘Em by Sleigh Bells
Moving In (Remix) by Pink Noise
Memo to the Man by Zach Hill
Transparency is the New Mystery by Marnie Stern
Trouble! by Turbo Fruits
Just for You by Object
She’s Long Gone by The Black Keys
Next One is Real by Pink Noise
Inspiration Prod. Kev Brown by Epsilon Project
Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) Arcade Fire
Apologetic Shoulder Blades by Baths
I Walked by Sufjan Stevens
Slow by Twin Shadow
My Girls by Animal Collective
You Go, Uno by Kan Kick
What Does Your Soul Look Like (Part 4) by Dj Shadow

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting us at info@whfr.org.  DIY forever baby!

Also, if you’re in a band or know someone who is, and would like to be on the show, please email me at roarplanet@gmail.com.

Broad Strokes to Warm Up Your Holiday Spirit

As we near the close of twenty ten, there is a lot to reflect upon and be thankful for. Twenty ten was not an easy year for me, at the very beginning I felt troubled and lost, displaced would be the best word to describe my state of being. All it took was one phone call to change my gloomy direction. No, I didn’t discover Jesus, nor was it love or a new type of elixir…

I got a call from Magnetic Island (MI), saying that they wanted me to collaborate with them on a music project. I’ve always held MI in the highest of esteem as musicians, so much so I felt a tinge of intimidation after I had agreed to work with them.

They are great musicians, they passionately live and breathe music. I know that for a fact, because I witnessed this passion the morning that we were set to record Subterfuge, the MI single that I sang, played the drum-kit, and also played my steelpan on.

I had spent the night over at MI’s place, and the first thing they did the next morning, after breakfast, was grab their instruments: Lisa was on her guitar running through scales, and Sue was on her keyboards with headphones on. They taught me so much, or better yet they gave me so much hope…

Twenty ten brought me closer to my friends, family and also made me realize how important it is to have a really awesome boss: one who is generous and thoughtful, very rare and special.

At the curtail of this year, I was reconnected to how spiritual I am, thanks to a special lady, who probably doesn’t know how much of an impression she made. I’m so touched to have met her.  

These are all the things I’m thankful for this Christmas: friends, family, new beginnings… On and upwards!

I’d like to dedicate my last radio show for the year to all the peeps that made twenty ten a year full of laughter, growth and endless possibilities.  So prepare yourselves for a winter experience full of surprises on the next Broad Strokes broadcast!

During the intermezzo, you can listen to my show from last month HERE! showcasing most of the bands that played the Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR) fundraiser/my bday party.

Playlist
The Shore by Magnetic Island formerly known as Renminbi
No One Cares by Object
Dr. Who by Telenovela Star
Clumsy by Coyote Eyes
Siren by Magnetic Island
End in Bender by Magnetic Island
Genius by Telenovela Star
Summer Phase by Magnetic Island
Yellow Red by Coyote Eyes
Fight Song by Magnetic Island
Subterfuge by Magnetic Island
Blue Chameleon by Object
BLMHYL by Telenovela Star
Just For You by Object

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting us at info@whfr.org.  DIY forever baby!

Also, if you’re in a band or know someone who is, and would like to be on the show, please email me at roarplanet@gmail.com.

Double Dose of Broad Strokes

Last month I did my radio show, Broad Strokes,  on Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR), and it was a lot of fun.  I spent probably three hours listening to my collection, trying to find the right songs to play. I hope you enjoy what I came up with, listen HERE.

 

 

 

Playlist

 Sun by Caribou
Tightrope by Janelle Monae
Sprawl II Mountains Beyond Mountains by Arcade Fire
Hell’s Bells by Cary Ann Hearst
Maximalist by Baths
Sung (Not Said) by Magnetic Island
Normal by Envy
In the Fall by Future Islands (Featuring Katrina Ford)
Would Know by Mount Kimbie
Sleepless In Silver Lake by Les Savy Fav
Just For You by Object
Natural Selection by UNKLE (Featuring The Black Angels)
Aminals by Baths
Lady Daydream by Twin Sister
Junveniles by The Walkmen 

In August, I invited the experimental noise band The Boy With The Ice Cream Face to play an acoustic set, and they were fantastic. There’s banjo playing involved. You can listen HERE.

I’ll be on the radio again this coming Wednesday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m. with special guest:

She Keeps Bees

Rock duo from Brooklyn. These guys are awesome, I completely recommend tuning in. To listen go HERE.

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting us at info@whfr.org.  DIY forever baby!

Also, if you’re in a band or know someone who is, and would like to be on the show, please email me at roarplanet@gmail.com.

Broad Strokes

Last month I did my radio show, Broad Strokes, on Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR), and it was a blast!  I was so relaxed, and perhaps even funny. 

I really enjoyed the playlist I came up with.  I think it’s probably one of my best. 

Anyway, this show is dedicated to Paul Squires, an amazing poet and friend who passed away recently.  Miss you Paul, you were the lantern in the darkness. 

Read his blog, it’s amazing.  

You can listen to the me, Dj Calypso Sally, here: Broad Strokes.

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting us at info@whfr.org.  DIY forever baby! 

Here’s the Playlist:

Love Me Girl by Yeasayer
Turn It Up Prod. Supa Koopa by Epsilon Project
Ni Una Sol Vez by Spouse
Chase the Tear by Portishead
D.A.N.C.E by Justice
Living in America by Dom
Before Your Birthday Ends by Suckers
Let Love by Res
It Is Not Meant to Be by Tame Impala
Subterfuge by Magnetic Island
Tin Man by Future Islands
Cloudy Shoes by Damien Jurado
Reminiscences by Ariel Pink Haunted Graffiti
Never Gonna Give You Up by The Black Keys
Infatuation by The Rapture

I will be on the air again this coming Wednesday, August 25 at 8:00 p.m. with the band, The Boy With the Ice-Cream Face.  The name of this band reminds me of a William Carlos Williams poem: The Red Wheelbarrow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends
upon

a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water

beside the white
chickens

 

 

 

Boy with the Ice-Cream Face will be playing a live acoustic set, so check it out.

Also, if you’re in a band or know someone who is, and would like to be on the show, please email me at roarplanet@gmail.com.

TSTAR’s Car Song

Car Song, the hit single off of my band’s EP was used for an ad promo.  Check it out:

I wish my friend Paul Squires was here to share in my celebration.  Miss you Paul!

Broad Strokes with Calypso Sally on WHFR

Last month, my radio show, Broad Strokes, streamed live off the web on  Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR).  Despite my obvious nervousness,  the show went well.

For those of you that don’t know,  I have a radio show and it’s called Broad Strokes, and it streams live off the web every last Wednesday of the month at a new time 8:00pm.

I, Calypso Sally, that’s me, try to play a broad range of genres, stretching from indie rock, pop, alternative, noise rock, hip hop, reggae, dance hall, metal, calypso, funk etc.  It’s sort of a mixed bag.  I also have live acoustic performances.

Speaking of live performances, the indie rock trio Coyote Eyes will be playing a live set on Broad Strokes next Wednesday, June 30, at 8:00pm.  Check it out.

Last month’s Playlist, and listen here:

They Built a City In My Country Mind by Pet Ghost Project
I Don’t Love You No More by Kings Go Forth
Tigallo For Dolo by Little Brother
Promises by The Morning Benders
Tales of Stage Fright by Pet Ghost Project
Forced to Love by Broken Social Scene
Do it Again by Galactic
Electric Car, Gas Guitar by Dinowalrus
Chrome Depot Freestyle Blade Mix by Apathy
Medula Oblongata by Buke & Gass
Yellow Red by Coyote Eyes
The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade  by The Joy Formidable
Cataract by White Hinterland
Anyone’s Ghost by The National
See it All by Fink
Peripatetic by Pet Ghost Project

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting them at info@whfr.org.  DIY forever baby!

If you’re in a band or you know a band and or singer/song writer that would like to do a show, contact me at: roarplanet@gmail.com.

Subterfuge

I’ve been working with Magnetic Island, an exprimental, indie rock band based in NYC, on the single Subterfuge.  

This past week the single premiered on Gimme Tinnitus.  You can check it out here: Subterfuge. 

Not only did I play the drums, and the steelpan on the single, I also sang!

It was so great being back in the recording studio, and playing in general.  Even though at times it was a challenge, I learned so much from the experience.  

Working with Magnetic Island was really refreshing as the sound is completely different from my band Telenovela Star. 

I think the difference is that I was more focused on percision rather than power.  Less concerned with trying to prove how fast I can play or how much agility I have, but more concerned with how to bring out the song, make it tell the story that it’s dying to say. 

Working with these guys also gave me the opportunity to break out my steelpan, which has been sitting in my closet for sometime now, and as well as to sing.  Being brought back to my first instruments, my voice and the steelpan, reminded me of why I desired to be a musician.  I was blown away.  I didn’t realize that I was capable of expressing myself through these other mediums, especially singing.  I realized that I can do more than carry a tune.  I have a voice.  I can sing. 

All in all this was an eye opening experience for me, and I’m thankful to have had the chance to work with such talented, and genuinely remarkable musicians.  They brought out a side of me that was starving to be explored.

Here are some shots of us in The Fort recording studio:

 

A week of radness.

This week started off, well, great. I went and saw a show at the Knitting Factory, on the mother of all school nights, Monday.  But, it was an opportunity to listen to Object‘s new works live, catch-up with friends, and then as a cherry on top, reaquaint myself with The Netherlands.

The Netherlands is a power trio out of Brooklyn, NYC.  I saw them maybe about two years ago, when the line-up included a female bass player, now changed to a dude on keys. 

They were on my 2008 list of bands I totally dug.    And I’ve been meaning to see them perform ever since that one show when they had blew my mind, so much so I bought all their cds. 

With their own sort of pyshedelic, punk, soulful grunge rock, you might suffer a head or neck injury from head thrashing to their music.  

Here’s the video I made of the Netherlands using my Flip:

I took a few shots:

Magnetic Island

 

On Wednesday, I had my radio show, Broad Strokes, on WHFR. 

 This month, I invited Magnetic Island, another fave of mine, to play a live acoustic set and they were freaking awesome. 

So gifted, just this week Magnetic Island dropped a demo that you can check out at Cash Music, and you can listen to the Broad Strokes broadcast here. 

Broad Strokes’s March 31st show

Broad Strokes is a radio show on Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR) that streams live off the web every last Wednesday of the month. 

I, Calypso Sally, that’s me, try to play a broad range of genres, stretching from indie rock, pop, alternative, hip hop, reggae, dance hall, metal, calypso, funk, etc.  It’s sort of a mixed bag.  I also have live acoustic performances.

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting them at info@whfr.org.  DIY forever baby!

If you missed last month’s show, you can listen here. 

 Playlist

The Horror by RJD2
In a Strangeland by Talk Normal
Heart Beat by Nneka
New York is Killing Me by Gil Scott-Heron
Sao Paulo by Flying Lotus
Go Outside by Cults
Love More by Sharon Van Etten
Waves by Holly Miranda
Bad Actors by Flying Lotus
Protest Song by Aloha
Best of Times by Strong Arm Steady
Our Loving Mother in A Pink Diamond by Good Shoes
Want Some Mo’ by Turbo Fruits
Dreams of Dreams by Fang Island
Dark Horse by Gold Streets
A Dream by Magnetic Island
Go Then, Bye by Speech Debelle

The next show is on April 28th with a live acoustic set/interview of the band Magnetic Island formerly known as Renminbi.  I’m totally psyched. 

If you’re in a band or you know a band and or singer/song writer that would like to do a show, contact me at: roarplanet@gmail.com.

Object on Broad Strokes

Last month, I invited Object to play live on my radio show, Broad Strokes, and it was pretty awesome to say the least.  They played an acoustic set with all new songs, and as I type, one of these new songs is being mixed for their next album!

What I love about these guys, one of the many things, is that they are so incredibly talented, sincere, and down to earth.  Okay that was three.  They are definitely good people, and great musicians.  

Today, while listening to the acoustic set, I thought if I had never seen them live and I just heard this acoustic recording,  I wouldn’t  expect the all encompassing swell of sounds from their electric live sets.  That’s how adaptable they are.  They can move to any element with ease, and without pretense.  All in all, Object can play some rock and roll.

Anyway, I’ll be hosting another Broad Strokes hour live on Washinton Heights Free Radio(WHFR), this Wednesday, March 31, at 9:00pm.    New tunes to feed the soul!

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting them at info@whfr.org.  DIY forever baby!

To listen to Object’s acoustic set and interview go here.

You can also read the Tom Tom (a magazine about female drummers) interview with Maria here.  She was featured as drummer of the week in February!

And if you haven’t had enough of my obvious obsession with OBJECT, you can read this.  Hey, I like what I like for reals.

Broad Strokes Live Tonight at Nine

Tonight at nine, I will be doing my monthly radio show, Broad Strokes, on Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR).  To listen to the show, go to WHFR and click on Listen listed on top of the menu bar.

It’s been awhile since I have done a show.  So, I’m trying to keep my anxieties at bay.

However, I am excited, because I know this will be fun.  Especially since it is for the first time this year, 2010!

The show is live and direct from WHFR’s home: an apartment in Washington Heights.

I fine this inspiring, that you can do anything once you set your mind to it.  You can have a radio show in your apartment if you can dream, believe, be flexible and most of all endure.

Because I’ve been M.I.A for awhile,  I wanted to include so much on this broadcast.  But there is no time.  What I will do, however, is explain my absence on the air web.

WHFR has been experiencing some technical and financial difficulties, such as needing a new computer, and being a non-profit/grassroots web station they have and are doing most of this out of pocket.

Bringing you stories, live events, and much more, WHFR tries and remains independent of any corporate sponsorship.  So, if you like what WHFR is doing, you can donate by contacting WHFR at joe@kracfive.com.

Playlist

She Moves She by Four Tet
Head Techician by Object
Vertical Rhythm by Gossip
Ambling Alp by Yeasayer
Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division
Down in The Park by Kirb & Chris
Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart by Alicia Keys
You Do You by Bear In Heaven
Surrounded by Your Friends by Hooray for Earth
Silver Trembling Hands by The Flaming Lips
I Quit Girls by Japandroids
Destruction by Willowz
Repetition by ZAZA
Dance Alone by Transmission
Beating St. Louis by Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers

By the way, if you know of a band(s) that I should be listening too, or you are in a band that wants to be on the program, just send me a shout out: roarplanet@gmail.com.

It’s all about the bands

So last week I had my belly full of music.  Starting with this indie rock/alternative band from Paris called The Novels on Thursday night at Trash Bar.

Some photos of The Novels:The Novels

The NovelsThe Novels

And then there was Saturday night when partially, my dream came through (thanks DJ Mojo).  I saw two of my favorite bands play on the same bill at the House of Yes.  It’s been my dream that Renminbi, Object and TSTAR played on the same bill, so imagine my delight when both Reminbi and Object were sharing the stage.  It was freaking awesome, here, check it out, first up is OBJECT:

RENMINBI

Some photos of Renminbi:Renminbi

Renminbi

Renminbi

Point of View

I’ll be on the radio again tonight, streaming live from WHFR at 9:00pm.  The theme for this month is Point of View.  Check it out.

Playlist

Point of View Point by Cornelius Point Album
Wild Indian Band by Andre Tanker Wild Album
You Do You by Bear In Heaven Beast Rest Forth Mouth Album
Crystalised by The xx xx Album
People by Rapper Big Pooh People (Single)
What Does your Soul Look Like (Part 4) by DJ Shadow Endtroducing Album
Whop Cocoyea by Shadow Fully Loaded Album
Easy Answers by These Are Powers All Aboard Future Album
Echoplex by Nine Inch Nails Lights In the Sky…. Album
Tesseract by The Binary Marketing Show Pattern Album
Swimming Field by Memory Tapes Seek Magic Album
Lies by The Black Keys Attack & Release Album
1979 by Smashing Pumpkins Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness Album
Gracia Divina by Orquesta Harlow Hommy, A Latin Opera Album
Mass Transit by Meshell Ndegeocello Devil’s Halo Album
Intro by The xx xx Album
Where will I be by Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball Album

Btw if you’re in a band or know someone in a band and would like to be played on the show send me an email: roarplanet@gmail.com.

Goes Cube

On Friday of last week, I saw one of my favorite rock bands, Goes Cube play for the CMJ 2009 music festival at Trash Bar. And with my trusty Flip I took some footage and made this video. Check it out:

Listen, Listen, Listen

If you missed my show, Broad Strokes, on Washington Heights Free Radio (WHFR), here’s your chance to listen.  I think this was probably one of my best mixes so far.  I’ll be back streaming live off the web on Wednesday, October 28th at 9:00pm.  And if you know a band or you’re in one, send me a shout out at roarplanet@gmail.com.   

Listen here at WHFR or download here Broad Strokes.

 Playlist

Get Up – Washed Out
Die Slow – Health
Elemental (Featuring Sputnik Brown) – DJ Spinna
Plaster Casts of Everything – Liars
Kathmandu Dub – Mad Professor
Che Sara Sara – King Britt
Left Handy Man Handle – Helms Alee
Murder – The Big Sleep
K.I.S. Compatible – Tony Allen
Slugs In the Shrubs – Les Savy Fav
Lock Picker – Proton Proton
The Dirty Dirty – Tapes ‘n Tapes
Gringo Dread – Mad Professor
Go Ghost – Ex Lion Tamer
Stranded Pearl – Giant Sand

 

Broad Strokes tonight at 9:00

I will be doing my radio show, Broad Strokes, tonight at 9:00pm on WHFR.  Check it out.  If you can’t, not to worry, I’ll be posting an mp3 of the show.  Btw if you’re in a band or know someone in a band and would like to be played on the show send me an email: roarplanet@gmail.com.

Playlist

Get Up – Washed Out
Die Slow – Health
Elemental (Featuring Sputnik Brown) – DJ Spinna
Plaster Casts of Everything – Liars
Kathmandu Dub – Mad Professor
Che Sara Sara – King Britt
Left Handy Man Handle – Helms Alee
Murder – The Big Sleep
K.I.S. Compatible – Tony Allen
Slugs In the Shrubs – Les Savy Fav
Lock Picker – Proton Proton
The Dirty Dirty – Tapes ‘n Tapes
Gringo Dread – Mad Professor
Go Ghost – Ex Lion Tamer
Stranded Pearl – Giant Sand

On the Radio

Ahhhh!If you missed my other persona, Calypso Sally, on the radio, you can listen to the broadcast here (it takes awhile to start). The next show is Wednesday, September 30 at 9:00pm. Check it out!

 

 

PLAYLIST

Bombs Onra
Everyone is Guilty Akron/Family
Big Bang Swati
What About Us? Mr. Lif
Dirty Loop Onra
Hey There Girl Yo! Majesty
Song 57 Goes Cube
Part Bloodhound Susu
Your Mouth Telefon Tel Aviv
Hold the Line Featuring Mr. Lex & Santigold Major Lazer
The Under Over Rob Sonic
Talking About Money Wye Oak
Winner Telenovela Star
High Road Deradoorian
Down In The Park Kirb & Chris
Fangela Here We Go Magic
Waiting for the Sun to Rise Lightning Dust

If you’re in a band or know someone in a band, and you’d like to be on the show, just email roarplanet@gmail.com.