Song of the Day: The Strokes - What Ever Happened?

The Strokes - What Ever Happened?
from the album Room on Fire

I remember when The Strokes first got hot, and reviewers were comparing them to older bands, saying stuff like "they were the next Velvet Underground" and such nonsense. I was annoyed, and went out of my way to avoid listening to them, determined to avoid hopping on the musical bandwagon that seems to be more the norm these days when people veer towards music selection. I referred to them as the "Beat-offs" because I had forced them out of my brain to such an extent that I couldn't remember their name when they came up in conversation.

I remember the first time I heard this album, I was working at B&N, early in the morning, shelving books; someone had put this on and I thought it was totally awesome. I asked someone, "Who the hell is this? I have to get this album!"

When I was told it was The Strokes, I choked on my coffee - and my words. So much for being a proud music listener. I had to admit that maybe - just maybe - these cats were really fucking great. And although I'll never agree that they are the next Velvets, I will say that their music deserves a lot of acclaim. Even though me and musician pals bitch about the fact that they're all hipsters with rich parents - nowadays, who isn't?

But that's a whole other rant for a whole other day.

Song of the Day: Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science

Photo: Dominik Fusina

Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science
from the album The Golden Age of Wireless

This is a song that always inspires three things in me: fond memories of The 80's and the music that came out of that decade, a desire to get up and dance, and a delight in all things techno and electronic.

One great moment this song had for me growing up was when my family would take me and my brother Michael up to our country house near Woodstock, NY. Up there, we had no television; so Mike and I would play tunes from the radio and dance our asses off. I remember this song specifically as one where he really showed me a lot of the dance moves that I use when I go to clubs now and boogie...it was one of our bonding moments for me growing up as a child and pre-teen because we lived in separate homes (shared the same father, but were half-siblings) so these weekends or weeks up in the summer house were such a treat for me to be around Big Brother Michael.

The song itself is awesome to me on other levels, too; it's sexy as all hell; even within it's 80's/Dolby synthesized self is a funky grooviness that makes one's hips want to move - either on the dance floor or in bed. The whole "science" thing is great, too; Dolby championed that throughout his career, being a tech geek who had a good ear for music. This has continued; it was only a year ago that Gizmodo.com made mention of his music-gear geekiness that was so ultimately awesome.

A stop-over at Dolby's site shows that he is currently on tour - he's coming to NY in September - and will be at BB King's. I have tickets to many shows already, so I doubt I will go, but I'm sure that it will be a great gig...

If anyone goes, let me know how it is!

Song of the Day: The Velvet Underground AND Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane

The Velvet Underground - Sweet Jane

from the album Loaded

Photo: Susan King

Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane

from the album The Trinity Session

Yeah, so I decided to give you a two-for-one today; I was watching an episode of CSI the other night and they had both versions of this song on the show...and it reminded me how amazing both were. They've been stuck in my head (well, let's face it, I'm always walking around with a soundtrack going on for my own movie of life) so I thought I'd put them both out there for y'all to groove on.

Lou Reed's hypnotic lyrics combined with the amazing performance styles of both bands lends to music that will be around for a long time to come; something to withstand the test of time and the nearly ADD-like attitude of the general population who set their iPods to shuffle and use music to block out the noise around them and don't necessarily take the time to indulge.

Song of the Day: Lenny Kravitz - Butterfly

Lenny Kravitz - Butterfly
from the album Mama Said

One of the few songs that makes me cry every time I hear it, no matter what mood I'm in - and they can be happy tears as well as sad. Today, they are sad. I stroke a silver necklace around my neck and think of a certain butterfly that I know.

Truly one of the most beautiful love songs written - brevity can be a gift, both in song and in life. It's appreciating the quality of these things that is the greatest gift we can take, and hopefully, give.

Song of the Day: Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up to Boston

Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up to Boston
from the album The Warrior's Code
another great album this song is on is the The Departed soundtrack

These guys are a GREAT Irish band - and they totally kick some ass with their songs. There's a reason why Scorsese decided to use this song in The Departed; it stayed with me after the film was over - and I had to go out and get it.

The Dropkick Murphys are on tour and will be playing New York on Saturday, September 15, at Roseland Ballroom. I have tickets already... SO GO GET YOURS!!!!

Ernie Martin Studio Theatre: The Resurrection

That's right, folks, check out the image up there. That's what's coming out in Backstage next week (hell, is it this week?) - an ad for The Ernie Martin Studio Theatre as it used to be when Dad has his school in the 80's: a school of teachers with Dad (Ernie) as the Master Teacher. Kind of like how Lee Strasberg used to run his school...he would have his class, and then have his disciples teaching under him as well for the beginner and intermediate classes.

So, who do we have on the bill? Dad, a.k.a. Ernie Martin, of course, of whom I have expounded upon in depth (if you are a new reader to this blog, then please go through the archives) who has taught actors such as Sean Penn and Harvey Keitel - who has been around teaching acting for over 35 years. Lee Strasberg had some disciples who then went on to do their own thing and establish a name for themselves - and Dad is one of those people. Dad is one of the most respected acting teachers to have been handed the torch, so to speak, by Lee. He has then taken the acting craft and combined the teachings of Sandy Meisner and his own interpretations to become one of the best acting teachers since Lee and Sandy and Stella. That's all there is to it. Go to his website to see a little history about him. He will of course be teaching a Master Class, for advanced students, only.

Next, we have my buddy David Robinette, who is teaching for NYFA, and who got me MY gig at NYFA. Let me just say that David is an amazing actor to work with and I know for a fact he's an amazing teacher - he's got a great eye. I've sat in on his classes and had the opportunity to see him work. Of course I'm inspired by my father, but David has been a greater inspiration to me than I could ever give him credit for - because as a fellow student he has shown me how a knowledge of the work that we have learned from Dad and wherever else mixed with a desire to teach (when we ourselves aren't doing an acting gig! lol) can lead to becoming a teacher of acting. David never ceases to amaze me with his desire to learn more about acting so he can use it as an acting craft and as a teacher. He will be teaching beginning and intermediate classes.

Michael Hajek is also a former student of Dad's, and has years and years of acting, performing, opera, and Shakespearian technique under his belt. He has become a revered Shakespearian actor in his field and brings to his work the theories that Ernie Martin has for acting - which is why his work is so well done. Michael is a fabulous teacher and will be starting in January.

And then, there is lil' ol' me. I'm going to be teaching teens on Saturdays from 11a-1pm. I'm eternally stoked, because I have a niche with the kids. It keeps me from getting more pets at home...what can I say? I love kids - and if I can help shape a young actor at an early stage, then rock on! Jack Black, eat your heart out.

So...if you are interested in acting classes - please check out the flyer above - and call the number for an appointment.

In other news...classes at NYFA are going well. I have great kids and although they think I'm an alien, they like me. Kind of like most people I know.

Stay tuned...

Fare Thee Well, Sweet Yah Supreme

Friday night was Yah Supreme's last show, his "Retirement Party Gig". The sweet dude that I have known since college (yes, some of you on here who went to school with us at Washington University - THAT Ya Ya!) has decided to hang up his microphone and become a "member of the audience" as he so put it. It was amazing (as his shows always are) and we danced that night away to the smooth sounds of his voice backed by his band Brohemian, and with musical breaks by D.J. Concerned.

Let me start out by saying (too late, I've already started) that YaYa Jefferies-El (a.k.a. Yah Supreme) is one of the most talented individuals on the planet - and definitely one of the most unique and amazing people that I have had the privilege of knowing personally as a friend. This Dude is not just an amazing Hip-Hop artist, musician, singer, maestro (because that is what he does with his band, Brohemian, he conducts those brilliant bastards) and performer; oh, no. He's also an amazing actor.



I introduced him to Dale and Dale's new woman at the show (Dale was all pimped out in his suit from the Beastie Boys concert we hand just come from, but that's a whole other tale) and Yah was introducing us to this guy he'd known since High School, Daniel (I think that's dude's name). It was cool because when Daniel and I met, we were both coming from a place of having known Yah for over a decade - and formative years, at that. So we both drunkenly stroked our chins and smiled as Yah was talking about his plans. We were laughing about how Yah was SUCH a "people-person" and then telling him he was an asshole so that we wouldn't all start crying from getting too mushy.

Then I mentioned that Yah and I had been in a play together - and Yah cut me off "D, what are you talking about, we were in like NINE shows together - remember the movie, remember this...that...?" and all of the sudden I was transported back to college again, and remembered all the things that Yah has accomplished, and some of which I was a part of.

He's written and directed both plays and films (some of which I had the pleasure of being in - although Yah, I'll never forgive you for the costume I had to wear in one play you wrote/directed, I looked like Ms. Piggy; but getting to play a drunken stoner in the film made up for it). He's an amazing performer that can improv on the spot with the best of them. With his ability to think on his feet, his dashing charm, and his warmth that extends beyond the stage - as well as a great imagination that is always in overdrive working on the next project to conquer, Yah Supreme is that: Supreme.

One of the most fun times I ever had in college was staying up late with Yah the night before the Senior Party and making the music tape for the party - and we sat around and talked about life, where we were going, what were were doing, acting, getting wasted, and making sure that James Brown's Sex Machine was on the tape so everyone would drop from exhaustion from dancing at the party the next day.

Yah has decided to retire, for personal reasons - mainly, because he feels he doesn't have time to enjoy family and friends, and has always been on the go. Whatever his need to leave the music scene, if that is what makes him happy and what he feels he needs to do for his health and sanity, then God bless him. I wish him continued success in whatever he wants to do - I just hope that he doesn't stay away from the creative arts for too long - because the world needs more creative people like Yah like we need air to breathe.



LOVE YOU, YAH. GOOD LUCK TO YOU, SWEETHEART.

XO
D

Thursday, 8/16 - Music, Spoken Word, Naked People

Okay, well, I don't know about the Naked People bit - I threw that in to get your attention, but there is a fantastic music, performance art and spoken word show being put together by Ushshi, so please get your asses over there!!!

NYFA, MIA, OMG: Any More Acronyms I Can Fit in Here?

Howdy.

Sorry to have been gone all week, I meant to post something about that fact that I GOT HIRED BY NYFA TO TEACH ACTING AGAIN THIS SUMMER!!!! last week, and then the week was upon me and all I've had time for was working with these kids and then coming home and drooling on myself. I had two separate groups of teenagers, so 36 kids; and I taught three different classes that met several times each per week: Acting Technique, Monologue, and Acting for Film and TV.

Needless to say, I was eternally stoked at being able to do something and make some bread - and have it be something I love love love.

I had to work at B&N on Saturday, though, so today was my only day off; and I was exhausted. I just hung out, with cramps, and my brain was turned off.

In other news, I saw The Police concert on Friday night and it was amazing. Perhaps Stewart Copeland was correct in his assessment of their tour on the first leg of it in his blog, which I mentioned a few weeks ago - but on Friday, at Madison Square Garden - they played like they were on the top of their game. I was flipping out, crying like a Beatles/Elvis groupie like you see from 50's/60's footage. I can't tell you what the first song was on the set list because I was in such shock at seeing them on stage for the first time. I think it was Synchronicity, either I or II, I'm not sure.

One would think that a music blogger would have her shit together a little better - but not when her icons are on stage whom she has waited to see 25 years...I felt like I had an outer-body experience, for Chrissake.

Anyway, I'll go into more detail soon - including a few half-ass shots I got off with my cell phone, but I have to get some sleep. What else is going on? I am seeing Beastie Boys this week, Willie Nelson at the end of the month; Dropkick Murphys and Lucinda Williams in September; Drive-By Truckers in October.

I will be teaching at NYFA for the next two weeks, so the gig was a three-week deal, but the next two weeks will be more like last year - I will be the scene study instructor for one group.

The kids I had this past week were wonderful, and I will expound more on that later - but I'll leave you with the fact that I had a Japanese girl in my class who couldn't hardly speak or understand English, and I wrote a scene for her to do with another student (that focused on language barrier) as well as a monologue. She was so thrilled! They all seemed to dig on what I had to say...

Jah, I rock. Heh.