Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Bonnaroo, Buffalo Bill, Editor's Picks, Jimmy Fallon, Kings of Convenience, Neon Indian, Questo, Shazaam, The Roots, Twitter
PREVIEW: Neon Indian’s MySpace
Norwegian boys, Kings of Convenience, were originally slated to play Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night, but Neon Indian slipped in because of a last minute cancellation. Not that anyone was upset since Neon Indian rolled in like a champ and put on the moves for the mainstream spotlight. You could tell Alan Palomo brought his A-game with his Buffalo Bill dance moves on stage (thanks, Carly). Who knew Jimmy Fallon was such a hipster? Apparently he found out about Neon Indian through Shazaam on his iPhone.
With this stellar performance and their slated appearance at Bonnaroo recently announced, Neon Indian is blowing up faster than most expected. Even Questo of the Roots was impressed via Twitter. Can’t wait to see what they’ve got in store for their Buffalo show at Big Orbit Soundlab Space on March 12.
–Jett Wells
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Chris Kattan, Editor's Picks, Horatio Sanz, Jimmy Fallon, Julian Casablancas, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, SNL, The Roots, Tracy Morgan
On Monday night’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Strokes’ frontman Julian Casablancas covered the Saturday Night Live classic “I Wish it Was Christmas Today.” Originally performed on SNL by Fallon, Chris Kattan, Tracy Morgan and Horatio Sanz, Casablancas received help from both Fallon and Sanz, as well as the Roots. While it may seem like Casablancas is taking the silliness out of the song with his uber serious shades and characteristic fierceness, once the two funnymen join him on stage, the rockstar cracks a smile and all is merry again. The song is available for purchase via iTunes, except today actually is Christmas…so there’s no need to wish.
— Carly Wolkoff, Front of Book Editor
Filed under: News of Note | Tags: Axl Rose, Chinese Democracy, Christopher Cross, Devendra Banhart, Guns n Roses, James Mercer, Lil Wayne, Michael McDonal, News of Note, Phish, Rivers Cuomo, The Roots, Ulrich Schnauss, Weezer
Ulrich Schnauss, a German electro-gaze composer, is suing Axl Rose for plagiarism
PREVIEW: WATCH Ulrich Schnauss’s “Clear Day” Video
Stereogum reports on Axl Rose‘s latest shenanigans. German electronic musician Ulrich Schnauss has decided to sue him for ripping off two songs. The electro-gaze artist has been making music since the mid-’90s while Rose had been putting Chinese Democracy off for release for Schnauss’s entire career. The tracks in question are Guns n’ Roses’ “Riad N’ The Bedouins” against Ulrich Schnauss’s “Wherever You Are” and “A Strangely Isolated Place.” Axl denies any and all allegations of plagiarism. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Chinese Democracy Fizzles on Opening Day]
Stereogum also reported on Michael McDonald and Christopher Cross‘s performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon yesterday. Joining them were The Roots dressed in captain’s hats along with the studio audience. Stereogum ironically notes that none of the guys imitated on Yacht Rock ever actually owned a yacht. They sang the classic “Ride Like the Wind.” [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Grizzly Bear Collaborate with Michael McDonald]
Devendra Banhart has announced the dates for his upcoming North American tour, Pitchfork reports. The tour begins after his album, What Will We Be drops on October 27. If you’re in NYC around Thanksgiving time, check out his November 22 show at Town Hall. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Editor’s Pick #179: Devendra Banhart’s “Shabop Shalom” and Collaborations]
Pitchfork interviews Weezer‘s Rivers Cuomo, and sheds light on the band’s upcoming album, Raditutde. If, like us, you are wondering how Lil Wayne ended up on a Weezer track, this is your answer. [Previous 20 Watts Coverage: Lil Wayne: Rock Star]
— 20 Watts Staff
Filed under: Editor Picks | Tags: Black Thought, Def Jam Records, Game Theory, How I Got Over, Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Rising Down, The Roots
The Roots' new album "How I Got Over" will be released in October
PREVIEW: The Roots – “How I Got Over” live on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Say what you will about The Roots‘ decision to become Jimmy Fallon‘s house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, but a new album from the Philadelphia septet will always be welcome news. So, naturally, with the announcement of an October 20 release date for the group’s new album, How I Got Over, comes much excitement — especially after the success of last year’s Rising Down.
The Roots debuted the title track, set to be the album’s first single, on Late Night at the end of June. The song has a bit of a different sound than we’re used to, especially considering the group’s recent output. The studio version boasts a vintage-soul sort of feel, but the band performed a faster, much jazzier version live — featuring a four-piece brass section.
“How I Got Over” is noticeably more positive than anything on Rising Down — or even that album’s predecessor, Game Theory – which should come as little surprise; band members have said that the album will be a political offering, focused primarily on the jubilation the group felt over the transition from the country’s Bush years into the Obama administration. MC Black Thought‘s delivery is as rapid and vicious as ever, but it almost takes a backseat to the new musical direction the band explores on the track. Continue reading
Filed under: Music Videos | Tags: ?uestlove, flippy floppies, inflatable dolphin, Jimmy Fallon, Lonely Island, T-Pain, The Roots
A thougroughly badass take on our favorite nautically-themed club jam since…well…ever.
20 Watts 