thanks stevie.

To Create, You Must Destroy

November.
Word on the street is that there might be issues with a couple of the CDs. Let me know if you have problems, and I'll get you another.

Colt McCoy: Hot or Not?

The biggest question on everyone's minds is not, when will Hugo or Johanna send out their CDs, but is Colt McCoy, quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, hot or not?

This is most certainly the most important question facing Dan C., who asked it repeatedly at a recent spotting at Loki Lounge, which was formerly thought of as entirely B&T but now thought of as THE GREATEST PLACE TO WATCH FOOTBALL EVER.











Donne and Dan specifically requested that they get a post to themselves, but I thought I would sneak in a mention that Adam's CD went out as bit ago and everyone should have it now. However, they get a picture, and no one else does.

Addition questions for inquiring minds:
From Brian F. in Brooklyn, NY:
"Is the new Dallas PAC amazing?"















And from John K. also in Brooklyn:
"Does Cheyenne Jackson look handsome, or just mean?"

Fait Accompli. You shall have your Musics anon. For those coming to Steve's Crisis, it will be yours tonight.

Sorry about the delay; my technology sucks. I had to make the whole thing on Chris Cerasi's computer.

Adam, Hugo, and Johanna Updates

Adam is in jail.




















Hugo is under water.





















Johanna is playing with fire.

















Come on guys, a pregnant woman needs new music!!!!

NEEDS

I am thrilled to peaches that I have seen all of you recently, or almost all of you.
It fills me with warmth like happy sunshine rainbows and unicorns.

First, a reminder. You can all post comments! And you can all post! The emails you get are just to remind you someone posted, but curiously I think they actually make you less inclined to visit the blog, as you know what is on it...?


Now, I thought I might relay some information to everyone....



LYNN AND KENDRA: As Brian wrote in the comments, and several people have said to me, your CD is a HIT!!!! I think it took a couple weeks to take hold, but now the people of the world just can't get enough of you. You are like the Lady Gaga of the CD club. Soon you will be photographed by David Lachapelle for Rolling Stone!!!!

ADAM: Please make and send your CDs!!! People, Adam would like to know how to get around the itunes issues...my 2 cents is to simply buy the song twice (at 99 cents a pop not the worst thing in the world) or to burn the CD you just made back onto your computer and use that track which is no longer the itunes track. Paul W. hated this method because he said it gave you inferior sound quality but we are all old now and probably have all lost our hearing.

HUGO: Where are you?!?!?! How is California!?!?!? We need your new address!!!! Also - your CD is now late as well!!! Please make one in all that spare time West Coasters have. Thanks.

JOHANNA: YOUR TURN. You are September. I say, go for it. Lord knows when Adam and Hugo will get around to making their CDs. It is up to you whether to send to them as they are in violation of codes 1-4 of Steve's CD Club.

CHRISTIAN: Totally forgot about your tattoo fund!!! Sorry. I was in bad shape on your birthday.

BRIAN: What do you think of the new skyscrapers planned for NYC, all over 1,000 ft...? Is the Empire State Building's time in the limelight over? like...well...Limelight?!!??!

CARA: I still vote Declan.

My Name Is Earl

Hurricane Earl threatens the US Open.
My fantasy football team lacks strong runners.
And Adam R. hasn't sent his CD for the month of JULY.
Could things get any worse?!!?!?

Now let's look on the bright side.
Adam R., while drunk, told me the CD was ready, it just needed to be made, and then you know, sent.
Hurricane Earl is looking a bit more like it is angry at Boston than at New York. Which is fine, and proof that god is not a Red Sox fan.

Reality???
Hugo has moved to Cali. And I need his new address.
Adam needs to send the CD soon or the whole notion of "months" and "schedule" will have been proven a total joke once and for all and I might as well just say "hey guys let's you know send CDs to each other sometimes, when we feel like it, if we feel like it, because you know, that's cool."

And while I am being ranty, SOMEONE said to me recently, "you need to update the blog more often." Okay guys reality check:
1. everyone can post on the blog, not just me. yes, you can all do it as well.
2. even if you don't post, you can comment!!!
3. Comments are a good way of telling the people who make the CDs what you think. Like, Lynn and Kendra, your CD was great! or, Lynn and Kendra, your cover art was lame! or, Lynn and Kendra, thanks for joining the club, you have been a good addition!!!! I bet reading that made their day! Like a little warm fuzzy. Like the movie Love Actually!!!!
4. you know what else comments do? they say that you are reading the blog. they say you care. This is why Donnie and Brian are the best and most wonderful people ever. And when they go to Heaven they will be given doner kebabs from that awesome place in Berlin John and I went to which was like Brigadoon and will never be found again. Except by Donnie, who will definitely get to Heaven, because sometimes it REALLY looks like god is a Yankees fan.

Froth

Much to relate....

Frantic emails from Lynn's no-nonsense other half Kendra about how to put track names on CDS. WHY CAN WE NOT REMEMBER/FIGURE THIS OUT??!!??! anyone have advice?!??

But this means they are actually in process of getting CD together to send out..!!!!

This weekend marked the end of an era. Adam's wine bar has closed. RIP Total Wine Bar.
I look forward to Adam's next place, Total Beer and Fried Pickles All For Steve Bar.

I will be in Boston for part of this week to see this:

























And this weekend I will be in the land of Cara D.'s historical past land happy burrito times:


And finally, Hugo departs very soon. New York will be without our favorite midwestern Brit.

Hot town, summer in the city

John is currently listening to Celia Cruz and it is hot out. Still. Again. Always.

Couple updates...
First, club newbie Lynn has decided to take advantage of what I like to think of as the "Adam-Robertson-Delayed-Debut Clause." A CD is coming, she promises, it just ain't here yet.
Let's take a moment to discuss: who IS Lynn?

Lynn Fairy-uh
Status: Hot
Career: Awesome things like helping homeless people,
gay people, and I assume gay homeless people
Style: She is able to rock V-necks, vests, and cop
glasses. I am not sure I have ever seen her in a dress
or a skirt?
Trivia: For whatever reason, the person who
introduced me to Lynn liked to call her Beau.

All this to say: her CD will be awesome, when it comes.


Think number of people are attending Rufus Wainwright at Prospect Park on Tuesday July 20. Tickets are still on sale.

Myself, I am duty-bound to attending the Varese concerts at Lincoln Center Festival. Varese, for everyone who is not John Andress, was one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, despite only writing like 15 pieces. Though I am sad to not be joining Rufus in my backyard, these concerts are pretty f-ing amazing and though this is part of my job, I will be enjoying myself. In a very different way than watching Rufus croon though Judy's Songbook...



One last note - Hugo will be leaving NYC in August because he is a punk who places new experiences and new terrain above my friendship. Oh and also because he wants a Californian boy. Hopefully we will all get to say goodbye before he leaves us for this -------------->

Boys of Summer

I have it on good authority that John A. is coming to NYC in the next couple weeks and will bring additional copies of his CDs with him for me to give to the people who did not receive them in the mail. He DID have the right address...

Gossip report: Caramania and Matt the Giraffe will have their CDs ready this weekend. And they are both fighting over the SAME MAN!!!!

Meanwhile I think Brian and Christian are moving soon? John and I had a great time in L.A., I haven't seen Lynn in ages, and Hugo is moving away from us at the end of the summer.








CUTE FIGHT!!!



VS.

Shows!!!

Tonight John K. and I and Hugo and others?!?!? are going to see Janelle Monae, who if possible, is fiercer than Christian.


















Which reminded me of other shows I have seen recently. All of them of the non rock and pop variety.


Such as the musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, which actually sort of rocked. Literally.
And Andrew Jackson was sort of hot, in his tight pants.
Hoping you all took the time to see it.

And I have been seeing a lot of dance. So much dance! Johanna you would not believe how much dance I am seeing!!!





I am quite looking forward to a dance by this bloke:
Um...that's all. Really.

Brian Findley Made Me Do It

This weekend I saw Brian. And he said, "sometimes, when I am done looking at my favorite blogs, like cute overload and gawker and hotparkslopedads, i take a gander at steve's music club, which hasn't been updated in a long time, and has lost a bunch of pictures." (John K. - I blame you)

While one can take many things away from this, what I took away from this is that - someone still looks at the blog!!! So I WILL update it!!! if only for Brian.

CDs!!!
We are SO CLOSE to being all caught up. John A's CDs went out - and um...once again Donnie did NOT get them!!! John A, please come down to NYC, bring some CDs along, meet Donnie (who thinks you hate him) and let's rectify this weirdness.

Christian started his official CD launch, so everyone should have theirs soon if not already - lemme know lemme know if you need these as well!!!

And that means...Matt and Cara are next!!! yeah Matt and Cara!! Not to be confused with Matt and Kim!!!

Shows

Remember when Hugo desperately wanted to use this as a platform for saying what shows people are going to? Well, I am bringing that back. Sort of. This week, about 100 people have talked to me about going to Magnetic Fields, The National, or the neglected plays of Tennesee Williams. Which is not really about music, but whatevs.

Anyway - I wanted to let everyone know that SUNDAY John is thinking about going to see Darren Hanlon from the Lucksmiths at Bruar Falls.

And I see a heap of Classical shows. And dance. But really, I only want to watch LOST.

February Comes Late this Year

Poor February.


Plugged




Unplugged



It has come to my attention that the track listings didn't come through on the CD. My computer is a liar! So click through the images above for the track listings.

This year, it's gonna be


xoxo
....
john

Livin' On The Edge

Some explanation may be in order here.
Many of you have probably now received Hugo's 2009 CD (actually double CD). It was necessary that he make this (despite the Hugota CD sent in his absence by Jen, his neighbors, someone bored, etc) in order to be in the 2010 club.
So, there are some 2009ers who are not in the 2010 club that got these CDs, and some 2010ers who did not get them - because it is the last CD from 2009. Eh, if Adam can send out July in September or whatever, then Hugo can send out...actually I think Hugo's month kept changing a

Let's compare the faux-Hugo CD Hugota and the proper Hugo CDs, Livin' on the Edge and small figures in a vast expanse, shall we?Hugo's CD have great cover art, including pictures of penguins, mountains, waterfalls, and a guy with a really nice back. Hugota's cover art is maybe too clever?
Hugo's CD has a vast assortment of styles and genres and eras. Hugota has a vast assortment of styles and genres and eras. And also has the song Patron Tequila which is sort of hard to argue with. But ultimately Hugo's real CDs are actually made BY Hugo, so I guess they win on a technicality.

A side note - Ushuaia is the southern but of Argentina, sort of like the Yukon of South America. There is a music festival down there, and the wanted to use the Brooklyn Phil. I spent a few weeks of my life trying to come up with a budget for this, only to find out they really had no money to give us. Ho to the HUM.

Okay - the first CD of 2010 is coming soon! John is finalizing it RIGHT NOW!!!!!

2010 CD Club Has Begun!!!!!!!

Friends, Romans, Dan and Donnie -

It is a new year and with it new people have joined the club!!!
This year Christian S. (officially) joins the club, and I also excited to introduce Lynn F. to the group. I know none of you know who Lynn is...she is a quiet wallflower of a dainty princess, who listens I believe to a lot of Wilson Phillips. Please, everyone, be nice to her.

A few people have also left the club. Paul Wag2itz, one of the original members, felt it was time to move on. And Signe B., the only one of us with a child (Cara, having Matt as a roommate is NOT like having a child, despite your complaints) , has decided that time constraints don't allow her to spend the time necessary on this blog.

Finally, Hugo is IN, pending the arrival of his 2009 CD sometime soon - he is insistent this will happen, and I am hoping to resolve the situation. I am under the impression that Jen is out though Hugo was also the official mouthpiece for the two of them so I really have no idea....

John and I had a great time in Hong Kong. Pictures on facebook.
I have returned to work. When do working people do things like laundry???

Below, please find YOUR MONTH!!!
(if you need to change, or whatever, please let me know soon).

February: John K.
March: John A.

April: Christian S.

May: Matt T. and Cara D.
June: Lynn F. (and Kendra? or no Kendra?)
July: Adam R.
August: Hugo S.
September: Johanna T.
October: Donnie R. and Dan C.
November: Steven L.
December: Brian F.

December is for TaunTauns, January is for Slackers

Hi folks!

[John and I leave for Hong Kong this weekend.]

Time to think about CD Club 2010!!!!!

Enough people have said sure that I can definitely do another year.

Please let me know if you are IN or OUT as soon as possible (though John and I will be in Hong Kong next week it will still be good to know so I can plan around it before February).

We're taking January off - if you HAVE NOT made a CD, now is the time to do that and send it out. I am looking your way Hugo and Jen.

For 2010 - I am hoping to institute a new rule...you have a grace period of 15 days into the next month for your CD to be sent...this allows for postmarking in your month but getting to people in the next month, as well as something unexpected like gall bladder surgery (not like anyone would do that sort of crazy thing). This also gives enough time for the person in the next month to still feel like they have control over their month.

BUT - if you don't send out your CD in the 45 DAYS you have been given - you are gone. out. finished. You'll never work in this town again. Look, I get it, I was late with my CD. But I announce the months at the beginning of the year. It isn't a surprise when you are to go. If you are too busy, switch your month. Make the CD in advance. We are are adults here (except for Adam).

[Did you know that Hong Kong has the world's longest system of escalators?]

Johanna (whose CD, which is all covers, includes a rather creepy section near the end, right? right?) was saying it would be awesome to have some...encyclopedia of the songs which have been done in previous years so that we don't start overlapping. I do agree...those of you who posted your CD covers on here - that is a great start. John and Johanna thought they might be able to compile a list of some sort which they would put on the blog...which could be awesome?

[Hong Kong also has the world's largest outdoor bronze Buddha.]

In conclusion - let me know if you are IN. And if you are in, let me know if there is some really really bad month for you - otherwise you are going to be held to the month you are given! And I will send out the new month list soon...depending on responses, there might be room for a couple new people? Maybe? We'll see.

John has volunteered to be February.

[He will pick up lots of new music in the crazy Hong Kong markets.]

Year End Greetings and My Best List!!!!

The end of the year is upon us, and as a present we have received the December CDs, an ode to Cara's gall bladder and the TaunTaun. Why these things, those of you who don't know Cara and Matt might ask?

Well, as Cara's CD illuminates, she and her internal organs have a complicated relationship.

And Matt is...maybe called TaunTaun by Paul, tauntaun being a play on his last name as well as, we all remember, the awesome riding animal from Empire Strikes Back.

You maybe also remember that when it gets super cold, one of them dies, and Han Solo slices it open and puts Luke Skywalker inside it for safety. A little like this:
So, it has been a very odd CD club year. Half the CDs were late. Two were from anonymous sources (and have not yet been solved!?!?!?!?!?!?). One is still due to us - Johanna.... It is possible Hugo and/or Jen might actually put together a CD as well? Does Hugota count in place of Hugo!?!?!?!

For completeness, PLEASE let everyone know here if you didn't receive one of the months. Several people have told me they did not get the CD from John in Boston - it can be arranged so that you receive it.

Okay. My best list, sort of!!!

I don't want to pit anyone get anyone else, so I am not going to say anything about a CD of the year, but I thought it might be fun to round out the year with a few thoughts...

Just look how excited Hugo is!!!

(taken from his facebook page and I believe the picture used to create his Hugota likeness. But my sleuthing ends there.)

Song of the Year - Phoenix's Lisztomania

It made it on to three different CDs, Matt having the sense to at least provide a remix.

Video of the Year -

(s)he wolf or party in the USA? you decide.

Mystery of the Year -

I pick Mystery Lady CD over Hugota, because - um WHAT?!?!!??!

Discoveries of the Year -

Patron Tequila from the non-Hugo CD

"I'm In the World" by Moondog from Adam's CD

They Might Be Giants "Shoehorn With Teeth" from Brian's CDs. How did I not know this song?

The Flogging Molly song from Signe's CD - I have always avoided the band because I hate their name.

Elle and Stevie singing "You Are the Sunshine of My Life." Thanks Donnie!!!!

"Female of the Species" from Johnny K's CD. I played that song to death, RIP.

And last - somewhere in the middle of the summer when CDs were two months late I was totally thinking this would be the last year I do this...but then a couple people again said they would still be interested, as long as people who miss their month or whatever are promptly kicked out. So...I am open to suggestions.

Happy New Year!!!!!

Could it be another mystery?

Um, so what's the deal now?

Got this email from Hugo, and now I think we've got another mystery:





Hugo, here's what I'm talking about:

Playlist, please...

Dearest Hugo,

I know you are a busy man; one who makes smart documentaries and then trots around the globe. I want you to ask for your help. You see, I simply cannot add music files to my computer without their names in place. Maybe it's just me who is a little OCD about this, but maybe not. Can you help?

Sincerely,
Donnie