Get dirty! (Gif © MAXMILLIONAIRE 2012)

This city can put oneself into a tailspin of negativity. It is a fight to get into the city and to get some gluten free organic pancakes - am I right, ladies??? Seriously, though. Put down the all-natural cruelty-free honey-soaked Wonderbread and get dirty like a child in the sandbox. This city is reaching top levels in all categories and genres of music! From Friday to Sunday, we have your life planned out so you can just press play. Hint: It includes the Redbull Music Academy, the Downtown Festival, and a lot going on in the ‘hood.

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Spring is in the air, which means fewer clothes and more shows. A couple of weeks ago was just about that, as we were on hand to witness The So So Glos’ much-anticipated self-released album on Shea Stadium Records titled “Blowout,” now on iTunes and Amazon. They paired it with a blowout of a party – arguably the best ever seen in Bushwick – on Monday April 22nd, at Shea Stadium, The So So Glos headquarters. We are totally crushing on The So So Glos!!

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The Hallows album “Neverending Story” out NOW (Photo via  The Hallows Bandcamp site)

Hot off a highly successful tour snaking them from BK to SXSW and back, Brooklyn Bowl hosted the album release party of the talented band of Brooklyn boys, The Hollows, on Tuesday, April 23rd. This show proved to be a celebration of not just their new live LP, “The Neverending Show,” but also a very long prosperous career ahead of them. Much like other great folk rock and bluegrass appealing bands, like Mumford and Sons and The Lumineers.

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Last Friday April 26th, marked a milestone many bands practice in their heads and in front of a mirror as much as their own instrument. Well, Bushwick crushes So So Glos can stop doing all of that as they made their National TV show debut on none other than The Late Show with David Letterman. To grasp the magnitude of this achievement, they are amongst bands like The Black Keys, Fleet Foxes, The Joy Formidable  as well heavyweights like Coldplay and Peter Gabriel to grace the stage.

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Fan-Tan’s debut album “A Strange Game” out now at all digital retailers – photo courtesy of SelectNY.com. Who else thinks this photo was taken at DuckDuck in East Willyburg?

There is no doubt that Fan-Tan deserves all that is coming to them. Out now is their debut album A Strange Game via the good people over at Goodnight Records. The LP can be previewed and scooped up from digital retailers Amazon, Itunes, and Spotify, and is streaming below. Black crack vinyl junkies can place their pre-orders in at the Goodnight Records website for next month. Read on for an exclusive interview from Break Through Radio.

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Kodaline is the next level of Irish lads – pic courtesy of www.guardian.co.uk

Guess who is still alive and still going in 2013? I am celebrating my second anniversary of living in Bushwick, so you should celebrate with me! Let’s put on our Champion shoes and dance!

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Everyone likes to think they know how to party. Especially on New Year’s Eve. You still hurting? Just getting out of the slammer cause your mom posted bail? Then you are not a CHAMPION like myself. You need to leave NYE to the amateurs and wait till this weekend to really pull a bender. Here are my top 5 bands to rectify your situation, my fellow ‘Wicks.

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I got into this band by accident – A happy, lovely accident. I was searching for new music and these 3 lovelies reached out.  I love Bushwick’s Moon Furies. I love them because they have no ego- they don’t care about how their hair looks or who is in the audience. They are in your face at shows. They get out in the crowd. They are knocking down their gear, bleeding, they are in their own mosh pit. They are honing in on their sound and their look, because they have successfully nailed their vibe.

Before Hurricane Sandy, I caught up with Andy of the group for a quick chat. I am really interested in this band and can’t wait to see how they progress in the studio when they lay down more tracks this year. So not to deter from the tragedy, I am releasing it now. Hold your hats….

How does one get back to life after displacement due to a natural disaster and bad misfortune? By doing the next honest thing. My background in finance and fury says stimulate the economy, and your body. I have scoped out bands and shows that have piqued my interest in Bushwick. So I am throwing someone by the name of “Abraham Lincoln” on it. That’s right, it is my Top 5 Bushwick music picks for the weekend.

#1 Vassals CD Release Show W/ T.H.E.M, Blank Paper, I/O , Jungles @ The Paperbox (Friday doors at 7pm)

Yes to Vassals. Their sound is full with the hot British Invasion sound. Blank Paper is providing Little Dragon vibes but her name is Ling Ling. Hi Ling Ling! The Paperbox is where it is at on Friday!

Vassals CD release is this Friday

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Ryan Lee performing “Window” the second single off their upcoming EP release “A Strange Game” on Goodnight Records. (all photos by Sam Williamson)

When I moved to Bushwick from Los Angeles, I knew this scene was a force to be reckoned with. I mean, the amount of facial hair alone is pretty intimidating… It has taken me just about a year to navigate this ‘hood true LA Chola style-drunk and disorderly with my music blasting!’ I checked out this show last week at  Glasslands gallery in Williamsburg. I have been to this spot over 20 times since moving. I am that girl in the shadows sipping on Vodka head-bopping. I have put in my time, and $1, 000s of bucks at the bar.

The line up for that Tuesday was of a hodgepodge of local bands and visitors. I did a solid walk around the room to throw my vibe out, and hit the bar. Hard. I just didn’t know what to expect, and was by myself. With no band, no friends, I feel like it’s no Dice unless I am sucking down at least 4 Vodka Tonics. Plus a sistah’ is trying to get holler’d at up in the ‘Burg., Wasn’t too sauced to see that a little band called Fan-Tan was up first. Bushwick’s finest. I had seen them six months ago sandwiched between two horrible bands at a festival. So I made my way to the dancefloor to give them a whirl. Then this song, Window happened.

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