Sorry we've been gone so long, things have been a little crazy. I started my new job yesterday, so there's that. Plus, after a bit of a hiatus, we're out and about again. Last Wednesday I caught Andrew Bird at the Bowery Ballroom. It's always hard to see a show chock-full of new songs when you haven't heard the album yet, but the new stuff seemed to go over well with the crowd, even if I found it a bit drone-y and bordering on (really, I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here) jam band business. (We have a sneaking suspicion this is due to collaborative efforts with his new drummer (and Antikon mainstay) Dosh.) Anyway please, please don't get us started on the dreadful opening act, John Southworth, whose songs are an unlistenable melange of Nilsson + Dylan with the dippiest lyrics ever. Appropriately, Mr. Southworth (don't confuse him with the uh, saint of the same name) has a residency at Piano's upstairs starting this week and running through February (*cough*), should you be interested in checking out the auditory torture. Mr. Bird is playing around the world currently; Armchair Apocrypha is out March 31.

Pinkie's gonna check in later and tell you all about her experience seeing My Brightest Diamond, some dudes who played the shit out of some Charles Ives, and a guy with a Sondheim-esque Craigslist song cycle. I caught the tail end of this show, and was completely blown away by the My Brightest Diamond experience. Ms. Worden is also currently out and about internationally (see site for dates), but will be back stateside opening for The Decemberists this spring.

Hopefully, Pinkie will also speak to the grand time we had checking out German chanteuse Micaela Leon at Don't Tell Mama before we slogged back downtown to catch Blacklist and The Bellmer Dolls at the skeeve-tastic Crash Mansion last Friday.

Also, you may have noticed, to your right, a little tip jar that's part of the previously mentioned Rich Girls Are Weeping Capital Campaign 2007. Give generously and often! Seriously, thanks for your support over the past year -- we love bringing you this site and have some changes in the works that will be implemented over the next few months or so.

A little digression, completely unrelated: I enjoy watching people listen to their iPods (or other digital music players) on my commute into town. Today, the soundtrack to my early morning was Loose Joints, Herb Alpert, MIA, The Hourly Radio, and Serge Gainsbourg. (I love the shuffle function!) Do you commute via pubtrans? What was on your headphones today? Alternatively, what's on your car stereo?

Here's some items for your enjoyment that have been moldering on the server for like, a month:

Sally Shapiro -- I'll Be By Your Side (MarfloW Version) [myspace] [remixer]

Spektrum -- Don't Be Shy (Speakerjunk Remix) [myspace] [remixer]

M.Craft -- You Are The Music (Playgroup Remix) [myspace] [remixer]

Freezepop -- Get Ready 2 Rokk (For Those About 2 Rokk Mix) [myspace]