The Aquarian Weekly

Alyssa Graham: Defying The Industry

Marissa Savino — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:02:00 +0000

After an incident with a bossy label-rep and time spent studying at New England Conservatory, this jazz artist has never been more convinced of her goals. Despite the pressures of the music industry, Alyssa Graham is determined to stay true to herself and her own sound. Her music is far from main stream; it is whimsical, melodic, and infectious. Witness a unique artist’s performance at Joe’s Pub, in New York, on Feb. 14. The concert will celebrate Graham’s newest album, Love, Stock & Soul. It starts at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $15 each.

Wayne Static: The Madness Never Stops

Roz Smith — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:58:51 +0000

Wayne Static is venturing out on the road again for a month long tour making two stops in NY in support of his recent release, Pighammer. The tour, which originated in New Mexico and will end in Arizona is certain to incorporate some of Wayne Static’s new tunes as well some Static-X favorites. For those people in NY, you have two chances to see the evil mastermind at hand. Wayne Static will be stopping at Montage Music Hall in Rochester on Feb. 11 and the Gramercy Theater on Feb. 13.

Darrell Scott: On The Road Again

Joe Calabrese — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:55:31 +0000

Long-time country music star Darrell Scott, son of the famous Wayne Scott, is on the road again, after the October release of his seventh record, Long Ride Home. The album features tracks that span three decades, including two that were written by him at age 16. His travels take him to New York this winter with one performance at Joe’s Pub on Feb. 9 with special guest, folk singer/songwriter Ana Egge. Tickets for the event are $15 advance sales, doors open at 7:00 p.m.

Jack’s Mannequin: Back To It

Marissa Savino — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:50:15 +0000

Something Corporate singer Andrew McMahon started Jack’s Mannequin in an attempt to channel his emotions and try something different. He was then diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia just before the band’s debut album release. Fortunately, he was able to recover; since then, Jack’s Mannequin have created three successful studio albums. The four-piece group is kicking off their 2012 tour at Irving Plaza, in New York, on Feb. 8-9. Both shows start at 6 p.m. Two days passes can be purchased for $65.50; one day passes are $45.50

Tibet House Annual Concert: Keeping Culture Alive

Roz Smith — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:00:20 +0000

The 22nd Annual Tibet House Benefit Concert will be taking place on Feb. 13 at Carnegie Hall. This year’s lineup features esteemed artists such as Philip Glass, James Blake, Laurie Anderson, Rahzel, Antony, Steven Merritt, Lou Reed and Dechen Shak-Dagsay. The Tibet House was founded in order to preserve the Tibetan culture and by purchasing tickets to the event you are doing your part to educate generations to come. Concert-only tickets ($33-$95) are available through Carnegie Charge at 212-247-7800, on carnegiehall.org, or in person at the Carnegie Hall box office (57th St. and Seventh Ave.). Benefit package tickets…

Deleted Scenes: Go See Wanda Sykes!

JJ Koczan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:14:48 +0000

This week, specifically tomorrow, Feb. 9, comedian Wanda Sykes is coming to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. She is fucking hilarious. You should go see her.

I interviewed Wanda Sykes by telephone (it’s amazing how old fashioned that word seems; like I had to crank up the phone first) on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 4 p.m., and I know this, because there’s a file on my desktop called, “BURNED-Wanda Sykes Interview 01.19.12.wma.” All my interviews are recorded for later transcription, and the “BURNED“ refers to the fact that I archive them physically, on CD, as well as digitally,…

MexiCali Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Season

Marissa Savino — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:00:15 +0000

MexiCali Live, in Teaneck, will be hosting the MexiCali Mardi Gras on Feb. 11. The event will feature funky band Johnny Sketch And The Dirty Notes, a group that guarantees a fun night. Formed in 2001, they are known for entertaining audiences with their bizarre costumes, questionable sense of humor, and various oddities. Their antics will be accentuated by the fun atmosphere and delicious, affordable food provided by MexiCali. Doors for the carnival open at 6 p.m.; tickets are $20 each. Menu items range from $7-$9.

Escape Directors: Music Escapism

Alicia Fiorletta — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:11:09 +0000

The independent music scene is drowning in elitism and pseudo-hipster counterculture. Many bands seem like their passion for performing is depleting, but on rare occasion, certain acts come along that will ignite hope for the genre’s future. Bergen County, New Jersey’s own Escape Directors is a shining example of this rare breed. The quartet burst into the scene with their single “Car Crash,” which has been rotated on a number of radio stations, including Q104.3, WDHA, and the late, great WRXP. However, the band has tracks far exceeding the hit; lyrically complex, yet catchy songs concocted from the sounds of…

Joy Askew: Raise Your Glasses

Joe Calabrese — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:47 +0000

Drunk On You is the upcoming fourth studio album from Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Joy Askew, set to release on Feb. 28. From traveling in support of bands like The Who and The Rolling Stones to performing with Sufjan Stevens and Okkervil River, Askew is able to bring together the styling of two completely different generations almost with ease. To celebrate Drunk On You, she’ll be hosting an album release party on Feb. 8 at New York City’s Rockwood Music Hall. Tickets for the event are $5 and the show begins at 9:00 p.m.

Die Antwoord: The Underdogs Rise

Roz Smith — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:06:38 +0000

South Africa’s Die Antwoord is here to take the States by storm with their latest release, Ten$ion, which will be out on Downtown Records, Their own branded “zef” style of music has landed the group hype all over with tales of their out-there live shows. The bizarre hip-hop duo hit NYC on Feb. 11 for a sold-out show at Irving Plaza.