Zachary Dinerstein

The captivating weirdness of Grizzly Bear’s videos.

From manga-eyed robots discovering religion to a fencing student caught in a twisted Wes Anderson montage, to claymation swamp monsters.

Enjoy!

This week, Vampire Weekend released the first video off their forthcoming album Contra, due out on Jan 12th. The video is for Cousins, a bouncy punk track that’s corresponding visual, shot completely on shaky rails, is fittingly jumpy. The video features one street morphing through minute changes while band members — keeping with abstract video tradition — punctuate lyrics with smart and funny arthouse props and jump-cut body mods. After a single view, there’s at least one stunning visual trick that smacks of MTV’s best 80s experimentalism (you’ll know it when you see it).

With tight, urban compositions that sample a myriad of global musical languages, all while maintaining a sharp sense of humor — especially in their videos — VW are modern heirs to the Talking Heads, shouldering preppy-art-rock into the aught-tens. But don’t take my word for it — ask David Byrne.

Enjoy :-)

Jimmy Kimmel rips off Auto-Tune The News. The former co-host of Win Ben Stein’s Money steps down another rung on the slippery ladder of shame and injustice.

With trumpets blaring I’m proud to announce the brand-new track “Coal Dust” from Brooklyn’s own freak-folk siren Alex Drewchin!

Produced by myself at Williamsburg’s Shabby Road Studio, the song features the superb bowing of cellist Emily Hope Price and Carman Staff’s hauntingly-sweet accordion. A special thank you to Jesse Lauter for his nuanced mastering expertise.

Alex Drewchin “Coal Dust”

For a free download, click on the arrow to the right of the player.

Thanks for listening!

~ZD

There are many You Tube videos pegged with the labels “brilliant” or “genius.” Most of which don’t live up to their lofty titles. These videos, however, do.

I’ve taken to calling them brillius or geniant (though mostly out of earshot of friends). Whatever you might call this series of web videos, Auto-Tune The News — created by Michael Gregory and his CNN consuming crew — are remorselessly silly while concealing a sharp political edge. It’s inspiring what the kids can do these days with a laptop, working knowledge of Protools, a cup of crunk sauce and a dream.

To T-Pain, w/ Love –

Feedback, my new local-music column, is officially launched, now with a sexy new logo (see above)!

The kind people over at Beyond Race Magazine were gracious enough to sponsor this monthly spout off. About three times a season, I’ll choose one budding New-York-City-based band to interview and review, and then share my insights and nuanced brand of cheerleading with all of you.

Hold the phone... it's Pearl and The Beard!

This month’s band is Pearl and The Beard, a folk-inspired Brooklyn three-piece. Crafting polished sonic narratives with quilted vocal harmonies and abounding musicianship, P&TB are the perfect group for those who enjoy a little punch with their usual songwriting fair. With gripping live shows and a dose of heart-warming quirk in all their songs, this band is a sure-footed front runner for any New Yorker’s personal favorites list.

Click Here to read the full article.

Click Here for Episode Podcast.

Thanks for reading and listening!

~ZD

"Where'd we park the van?"

If you live in New York City, or find yourself frequently popping down, The Woes are a band you should hear. Mixing New Orleans brass with whiskey-soaked ballads and a truck-load of rowdy musicians (literally), a Woes show is the most fun you’ll have with most of your clothes on.

Click here to read full article.

Thanks for stopping by. Please send this article to anyone you think will enjoy it.

Till next time!

{Podcast of the article coming soon!}

~ZD