NYC is extraordinary and out of the ordinary.
Need further proof?
These are two things I randomnly run into today within minutes and within 14 blocks.
No idea what either of them try to accomplish and whose idea they were, but I think they qualify for an “only in NY” kinda moment. No?

Amazingly creative! I hadn’t walked down this block in a long time and was glad to see ABC No Rio was still around and making music (and art!). This bike is completely covered in yard and not just wrapped around but knitted around every part of the bike! Amazing!

Amazingly creative! I hadn’t walked down this block in a long time and was glad to see ABC No Rio was still around and making music (and art!). This bike is completely covered in yard and not just wrapped around but knitted around every part of the bike! Amazing!

After a few days in sunny LA for a benefit gig at the Red Cat with Laurie Anderson, I’m off to (hopefully) sunny Austin for 4 days of music and networking craziness and an interview on South By’s own SX Studio radio station.
It’s gonna be wild!

Unless you have lived under a rock for the past week you have heard about the terrible earthquake in Haiti and how it killed more than 200′000 people. The numbers are staggering and hard to comprehend. The poorest island of the Carribean sea, flattened beyond what I’m afriad we can’t even begins to comprehend.

The easiest and most immediate way for you to help is to text the word HAITI to the phone number 90999 and let’s hope that the Red Cross bureocracy won’t delay the arrival of this money to the people who need it the most!

My friend Bridget O’Neill has always been a comedian but as far as I know this was the first time she took the stage (the Moth at the Bitter End in NYC) for more people to appreciate her hilariousness… This is the PG rated version and it’s funny already, but I hear she’s got a rated R version that she performs privately for friends… I’ll have to ask her next time I see her.

P.S.: She’s funny and nutty alright, but did I mention she is single? I guess if you look like a firefighter and you think like an artsy person you stand a good chance with her ;-)

Smile Kid :)

“Smile Kid :)”, the second full length album by youg Florida-native band WE the Kings just came out in December. I did some engineering work on it at EastSide Sound and could tell these guys were really talented and had their shit together. The tracks sounded great and their playing was right on. I just heard the record and it’s as powerful, catchy, melodic and good sounding as you’d expect… If you are into radio-friendly power-pop definitely give this a listen, they are great!

Look out for the new Manorexia record by Foetus mastermind Jim Thirlwell, out sometimes this year on the amazing Tzadik label. We’re mixing it these days and it sounds really great!

Just got back to the beautiful skyline of NYC after an amazing trip that took me to three countries and seven cities in a little over 10 days. I did so much in 10 days that I feel like I need a vacation to recover from this vacation ;-)
The best of all is that I did it with miles accrued from flying around on tours and other trips. Sweet!

South East Asia is a truly incredible place, full of excitment, nice people, culture, traditions, heritage, music… Of course I couldn’t resist coming back with some new instruments and field recordings of local musicians performing traditional tunes. If I could attach one from my iPhone for you all I would but I’ll just attach some pictures of Thailad, Cambodia and New Year’s Eve in Japan.

Speaking of, I would like to wish all of you ALL the best for a successfull, painless, healthy, recession-free new year, sincerely. I hope it brings you all what you need and deserve!

Just saw this beautiful van parked on Mott St. Very original, very beautiful, covered in B/W portraits… I had to go or I’d be looking at it a while longer to se if I recognize anyone.