Henry Miller Library

The Henry Miller Library in Big Sur is building a new stage for their outdoor amphitheater, and they're asking for your help.
They are trying to raise $6,250 to complete construction. The new stage is planned to be unveiled during the sold-out April 14 Animal Collective concert.
They have started a pledge drive at Kickstarter.com. You can view the page here. Full press release after the jump.


The Henry Miller Library is building a new stage for our outdoor amphitheater here in lovely Big Sur, California!
Situated within a redwood canyon, the stage will serve as a functional and sustainable structure, as well as a beautiful artistic statement integrated into its natural surroundings.
The stage will complement our dizzying array of events across 2011, which will include Animal Collective, our Vinyl in the Woods record fair, a tribute to Allen Ginsberg, Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes, S. Cary of Bon Iver, Bill Callahan (aka Smog) and of course, the world-famous "Big" Big Sur Fashion Show.
And that's just through the end of May - more amazing events are announced weekly!!
Throw in our annual short film screening series, children’s art shows, book readings, writing workshops, and open mics, and you can see why we're so excited.
With the new stage (that's the old one above) we hope to continue to put on amazing events...forever!
And with your help, you can be a part of it.
Your kind donation will be used to offset the construction costs and also help pay for ongoing maintenance, staging area supplies, and production-related expenses.
And we're a 501(c)3 organization, so your donation is tax-deductible.
Local builders have already begun construction. We'll unveil the new stage for the first event of our 2011 summer concert series: an intimate evening with Animal Collective on April 14th!!
Check out our blog and Facebook page for daily updates, and then come visit and see what you made happen!
Thanks!
Your friends at the Henry Miller Library
www.henrymiller.org
Project location: Big Sur, CA

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R.I.P. Nate Dogg

A West Coast original, singer Nate Dogg, who helped define West Coast hip-hop with his signature monotone singing style on numerous song hooks, passed away at age 41. He had been in poor health after suffering several strokes beginning sometime between 2007 and 2008.

I interviewed Warren G in 2009, and one of the first questions I asked was about Nate's health. Warren said his longtime friend was progressing, and they were hoping for a quick recovery, but the tone in his voice was not very convincing. Nate had been suffering for a while, and now he is finally at peace.

I plan on posting a mini-retrospective soon. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts on Nate or any of your favorite records. R.I.P. Nate Dogg.

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Video: qiensave? "La Dama de las Caguamas" y "Bella Ciudad"

Salinas band qiensave?, led by Los Angeles transplant Carlos Cortez, performs at 9 p.m. Saturday at Carbone's, 214 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. Spin Farm and Christian Slater (the band, not the actor) are on the bill. Free for 21 and over.
Above and below are two video's by qiensave?, which is Cortez's moniker. You can check out more music at his Facebook fan page, www.facebook.com/qiensave.

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Video: Mike Mills "Beach Front Property"

Young Mike Mills of Seaside keeps it official with his music video, "Beach Front Property." The clip was directed by Taylor Morgan, a Monterey resident and film maker. You can view his work on YouTube @ www.youtube.com/taylormorgan410.

This one gets the official Alex Lee seal of approval, so you know it's dope. Mills' album is available for download @ TheRealMikeMills.bandcamp.com.

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Video: Honeymoon "New Song Sneak Peak"

The lovely ladies of Honeymoon unveiled a new song for the masses last week during a pair of shows with Truth & Salvage Co. Here's a video sneak peak of said song, followed by their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" live @ The Mystic Theater in Petaluma.

Honeymoon and Truth & Salvage Co. perform Tuesday night, March 15 @ Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz. They also have a big show opening up for Akron Family April 4 at The Indepenednt in San Francisco. All the info is available at www.honeymoonismusic.com.

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Video: Project SEER live @ Casa Sorrento

Project SEER performing March 3 @ Casa Sorrento in Salinas. I caught a quick glimpse of the show, and it was great to see folks coming out on a weeknight for some live hip-hop in Salinas. Nice work guys.

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Video: Oneself DaVinci live @ "Schoolyard Antics 3"

SF emcee Oneself DaVINCI represents at "SA3." Great to see out of town emcees coming through to Salas and showing love. Shout out to all the SA3 organizers for making it happen. Salute!

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Video: Solis Cin live @ "Schoolyard Antics 3"

San Jose/BX bi-product Solis Cin performing live @ the "Schoolyard Antics 3" showcase.

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Video: Eme 7 performs "Semillas" @ "Schoolyard Antics 3"

Lots of video coming out from last weekend's "Schoolyard Antics" showcase in Salinas. Here's a quick shot of the homie Eme 7 performing "Semillas" live. More videos to come.

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School Yard Antics 3 Friday, March 4 @ SOMOS Media & La Fogata Restaurant in Salinas

What: “Schoolyard Antics 3” art and music showcase.
Where: Art show opening will be held at SOMOS Media, 430 Salinas St., Salinas; MC showcase will follow at La Fogata Mexican Restaurant, 232 South Main St., Salinas
When: Art opening from 7-8:30 p.m.; MC showcase begins at 9 p.m. Friday, March 4.
Info: Friday becomes a school night, as “Schoolyard Antics” features double bill of art and entertainment. First at Somos Media, artists Elijah Pfotenhauer, Basic Lee and Marc Mike Gonzales show off their latest work. Patrons can then walk a short distance to La Fogata Restaurant to catch a thick lineup of MC's, including Projekt SEER, Solis Cin, Oneself Davinci, Eme 7 & Lombris and more. Free. 422-9200, www.somosmedia.net.

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Video: The Silent Comedy in "Tour Prep"

A pretty funny video produced by So-Cal folk rockers The Silent Comedy. Founding members and brothers Jeremiah and Joshua Zimmerman started performing at a young age, when their preacher father sold their possessions and took the family on a worldwide adventure. As The Silent Comedy, the brothers lead hard spirited, soaring indie and folk rock numbers.
Also performing are The Special Effect and Alex Ramirez. This show is 21 and over. $5 cover. Visit www.thesilentcomedy.com.
What: The Silent Comedy in concert.
Where: Carbones, Monterey.
When: 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 9.

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Video: "No Star" by The Velvet Teen

In their video for "No Star," Northern Cali rockers The Velvet Teen creatively transform their cramped rehearsal space into, among other settings, a starry night sky and a palm tree-lined horizon. The Velvet Teen and Oregon post-punkers Themes perform at 7:45 p.m. Thursday at Planet Gemini, 2110 N. Fremont St. in Monterey. $10 cover. Call 333-6855 for info.

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Video: Alex Ramirez - "Riding The Rails"

One of my favorite performers from my time at The Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam, Alex Ramirez performs this little ditty on his patio. Alex will open for The Silent Comedy Wednesday, March 9 at Carbone's on Lighthouse in Monterey. For information, check out his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/alexrammusic.

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"Methadone Mambo" by Zodiac Death Valley

Here's some new music for you. Zodiac Death Valley are a San Francisco rock/trance band who sound like stoned gypsy garage rockers. They play Carbone's Saturday, March 5 with Weapons of the Future and Mike Brandon of Big Black Eyes. No cover. 21 & over.

Find more artists like ZODIAC DEATH VALLEY at Myspace Music

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Saul Williams coming to CSUMB Feb. 1

America's most famous slam poet, Saul Williams will perform Feb. 1 @ the University Ballroom on the CSU Monterey Bay campus.

More info is available after the jump.

GRAND SLAM

Spoken word artist Saul Williams performs at CSUMB Feb. 1

In celebration of Black History Month, spoken-word artist Saul Williams will perform at CSU Monterey at 7 p.m., Feb. 1, in the University Center ballroom.

Williams has been called a “new-age hip-hop renaissance man” by the Fresno Bee. Esquire magazine called him the “Bob Marley of American poets.”

He’s a slam poet, author, actor and a musician who raps and plays guitar. To young people across the country, he has defined poetry as an accessible, living art form; many view him as the catalyst for the spoken word movement and the advent of poetry slams.

After graduating from Morehouse College with a bachelor’s degree in acting and philosophy, Williams moved to New York City to earn a master's degree in acting at New York University. There, he found himself at the center of the New York cafe poetry scene.

He landed the lead role in the 1998 film Slam. Williams served as both a writer and actor on the film, which won the Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize and the Camera D'Or prize at Cannes and introduced him to international audiences.

He’s written three collections of poetry and has been published in the New York Times, Esquire and African Voices. His newest book, “The Dead Emcee Scrolls: The Lost Teachings of Hip-Hop,” recounts the history of that genre. As a poet and musician, Williams has toured and lectured around the world, appearing at many universities and colleges.

Admission is $5 and tickets can be purchased at the door. A $2 parking pass must be purchased as well. Driving directions and a campus map are available at csumb.edu/map.

For more information or disability accommodations, contact Ajamu Lamumba at 582-3698 or alamumba@csumb.edu

The concert is sponsored by the Associated Students and the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Development.

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Slaughterhouse announces new E.P., XXL cover

More Slaughterhouse news, as the fearsome foursome announced the release of its latest E.P. on Feb. 8, which is the release date for the XXL Magazine cover featuring the group with Eminem and Yelawolf.

Full press release after the jump.

HIP HOP SUPERGROUP SLAUGHTERHOUSE
(JOELL ORTIZ, JOE BUDDEN, CROOKED I AND ROYCE DA 5’9”) TO RELEASE BRAND NEW E.P. ON FEBRUARY 8, 2011

(New York, NY) –, Entertainment One Music announces the release of The Slaughterhouse E.P., the new E.P. from Slaughterhouse-- the hip hop super-group featuring four of the most lyrical MCs in the game -- Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5’9”, Joe Budden and Crooked I.

The incomparable talents, prolific lyrics and fan base of Slaughterhouse have created a new excitement within hip-hop which ignited a whirlwind buzz. Rap icon Eminem caught wind of Slaughterhouse and signed them to his label Shady Records. Slaughterhouse and Eminem will appear on the March 2011 cover of XXL which will be on stands nationwide the same day as the release of The Slaughterhouse E.P., February 8, 2011.

To pre-order the Slaughterhouse EP now via iTunes, please visit: http://bit.ly/goKYSZ

The first single, “Back on the Scene” featuring Dres is being serviced to college and mixshow radio and can be heard here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=60e7zhY7294

The E.P. features Sheek Louch, Jadakiss, Styles P, Dres, and Iffy, with production by Frequency, Black Milk, Mr. Porter and more.

The group came together only 2 years ago when Joe Budden was working on a song for his Halfway House album and enlisted the services of Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5’9” for a song called “Slaughterhouse.” Inspired by the vibe of track and the immediate chemistry of the four rappers, a plan was immediately made to form the super-group. The group released the self-titled Slaughterhouse album last year on eOne Music to incredible critical acclaim.

Kicking off the year with this E.P., Royce Da 5’9” says, “2011 is ours!!!!”

Slaughterhouse is currently planning and gearing up for a tour that will criss-cross the U.S., giving fans and supporters alike the opportunity to see the super-group deliver ground-breaking performances.

For more information, please visit:
www.slaughterhouseweb.com
Joe Budden Twitter.com/joebudden
Joell Ortiz Twitter.com/joellortiz
Crooked I Twitter.com/theRealCrookedi
Royce Da 5’9 Twitter.com/RoyceDafive9

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Jan. 29: Sarah McCoy live @ The Alternative Cafe in Seaside

Easily one of the most talented musicians/singers I've seen come through the Rubber Chicken Poetry Slam/Open Mic, Sarah McCoy is as gifted as they come. I've written in the past that she has Janis Joplin living insider her mouth, but that's too easy. What she has is a buoyant device that erupts before the audience, delivered with passion and desire. Show details and press release below.

What: Live Music with Sarah McCoy
Where: The Gallery at the Alternative Cafe. 1230 Fremont Blvd, Seaside, CA
When: Saturday, January 29th from 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Why: The bayou and the bluesy south collide!.
Ticket Price: $5

Sarah McCoy:
The vagrant sounds of Sarah McCoy have hitch-hiked from the East out to the West
and to each ear canal in between. This quasi-local gal has fused her classical piano
training with Bohemian-swamp-folk adding a teaspoon of kindergarten style fable.
With lyrics sewn tight like a strand of DNA and the melodies of a bayou ghost,
McCoy delivers her strong felt messages of hope with a dark wink of reality.

---
Show starts at 8pm, and we will begin seating at 7:30pm.
Tickets are $5 for all ages at the door.
Beer & Wine, as well as coffee and snacks will be available.

Further questions:
The Gallery @ The Alternative Cafe
1230 Fremont Blvd.
Seaside, CA 93955
(831) 583-0913
cafe@thealternativecafe.com
www.thealternativecafe.com

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Travis Barker announces details for solo album "Give The Drummer Some"

Travis Barker looks to continue his assault on pop culture with the impending release of his solo album "Give The Drummer Some, " which is scheduled for release March 15.

Details were released today about the album (read the full press release after the jump). You can view the video above for the album single "Carry It," featuring RZA, Raekwon, and Tom Morello.

Barker parlayed his initial success as drummer for pop-punk band Blink 182 into a successful side project, the trip-hop/thrash band The Transplants. His brand has expanded into fashion with his Famous Stars n Straps clothing/lifestyle line, as well as remix production for numerous hip-hop stars.

"Give The Drummer Some" will feature Ludacris, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Corey of Slipknot, Tom Morello, Rick Ross, The Clipse and more.


Travis Barker Announces Details About Upcoming Solo Debut, GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME, Due From Interscope Records on March 15, 2011


ALBUM FEATURES SPECIAL GUESTS LUDACRIS, LIL WAYNE, KID CUDI, SLIPKNOT'S COREY TAYLOR, TOM MORELLO, RICK ROSS, THE CLIPSE, AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED


FIRST SINGLE, 'CAN A DRUMMER GET SOME,' FEATURES THE GAME, SWIZZ BEATS, LIL WAYNE, AND RICK ROSS

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After unleashing two tracks, "Jump Down" and "Carry It," from his upcoming solo album on iTunes, and tantalizing his Twitter followers with tidbits of news, Blink-182 drummer and hip-hop producer Travis Barker has confirmed more details about the album, GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME, which will be released March 15, 2011 by Interscope Records.

The first single will be "Can A Drummer Get Some," featuring The Game, Swizz Beats, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross. "Jump Down," featuring The Cool Kids, and "Carry It," featuring RZA, Raekwon, and Tom Morello, are currently available on iTunes.

Other confirmed tracks include "Devil's Got A Hold of Me," featuring hip-hop supergroup Slaughterhouse, "Misfits," featuring Steve Aoki, "Cool Head," featuring Kid Cudi, "Don't F*** With Me," featuring Paul Wall, Kurupt, and J Roc, "City of Dreams," featuring The Clipse and Kobe, and "On My Own," featuring Slipknot's Corey Taylor. More very special guests are in the works with details to be announced soon.

In addition to the list of musical artists that Barker worked with on "GIVE THE DRUMMER SOME," he has enlisted his favorite artists from the art world to come up with a visual representation of each track on the album. The who's-who list includes seminal artists from the street, tattoo, graffiti, fashion and music world: Slick, David Choe, Mr. Brainwash, Mike Giant, Haze, Munk One, Nate Dino, Skinhead Rob, Cool Head - Jeff Soto, Richard Sanchez, Risk One, Chase Tafoya, Chris Peters, Dire One, Mr. Cartoon, Maxx242 and Usugro. Each song's accompanying art will be rolled out in the coming weeks on Barker's website (http://www.travisbarker.com). Additionally, CTDGS's cover art was created by legendary rock & roll cover artist Pushead. Pushead has collaborated on revered classic album covers with such recording artists as Metallica and Dr. Octagon.

As Barker announced on Twitter, the album will include 12 tracks with 16 tracks to be included on the deluxe version.

In addition, Barker continues to be actively involved with his clothing and accessory company Famous Stars and Straps, his label LaSalle Records, and his band The Transplants (with Tim Armstrong and Skinhead Rob), are gearing up to record their third album. Barker, has also been in the studio with the re-formed Blink-182, who will release a new album in 2011.

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“H*A*M” — new single by Kanye West and Jay-Z

I heard some new music released today from Kanye West & Jay-Z.

“H*A*M” is the latest single from the pair's upcoming release, “Watch The Throne.”

On the rhyming end, there's lots of boasting and posturing about money and, according to Forbes.com blooger Zack O'Malley Greenburg, a little inside jab at Lil Wayne and Baby of Cash Money (You can read Greenburg's post HERE).

The track was produced by Lex Luger, and is adorned with stuttering synthesizers, 808 drums and operatic vocals. Overall, it comes off as haunting and atmospheric, which is an interesting turn for this project.

The track is available now for download on iTunes.

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Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf sign to Shady Records

Underground super group Slaughterhouse and Alabama emcee Yelawolf have signed with Eminem's Shady Records, it was announced today.

The move marks a new direction of sorts for Em's label, which in the past has achieved large success with acts closely affiliated to the Detroit rapper, including his crew D-12 and fellow Detroit native Obie Trice, who has since left the label.

The signing of Slaughterhouse had been speculated for months, buoyed by Em's long-standing relationship with group member Royce Da 5'9".

Yelawolf emerged as a breakout mixtape MC in 2009, on the strength of his “Trunk Music” release. His established following could see a boost with the Shady Records affiliation.

Full press release after the jump.

It's Shady 2.0: Eminem Announces the Signings of Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse to Shady Records Roster

SLAUGHTERHOUSE JOINS SHADY RECORDS & INTERSCOPE RECORDS, YELAWOLF ADDS SHADY RECORDS TO THE TEAM

Complete Story Told Exclusively In The March 2011 XXL Magazine On Stands Nationally February 8th

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 12, 2011 — Rap supergroup Slaughterhouse and budding superstar Yelawolf have been signed to Eminem's Shady Records, it was announced today.

"Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse, it's kinda phase two of Shady," says Eminem. "It's the new generation of Shady Records and as we're trying to rebuild our label, it's exciting for hip-hop and with all of these forces coming together and with what everybody's capable of on the mic, it's gonna be fun."

Bringing together the East Coast, West Coast and Detroit in the middle, Slaughterhouse consists of Crooked I, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5'9". Most recently, Slaughterhouse was featured on "Session One," a bonus track on Eminem's 2010 blockbuster Recovery album. Eminem is expected to be personally involved in Slaughterhouse's sophomore album scheduled for release in 2011.

Said Royce Da 5'9": "It's very exciting for me to reunite with Eminem years after our Bad Meets Evil project together. Slaughterhouse on Shady Records will be a force to reckon with."

Late last year, Yelawolf released Trunk Muzik 0-60, a compilation of select tracks from his critically acclaimed 2010 mixtape Trunk Muzik, along with six previously unavailable songs. The Alabama native is currently in the studio recording his full length major label debut.

Said Yelawolf: "Considering where I'm from and the shit I've been through, it's hard to put into words what partnering with Shady means to me, my team at Ghet-O-Vision, and my state of Alabama. I can tell you that when you're willing to give your life up to see a dream through, the reward is great. And now that I've become an apprentice to one of the greatest artists in the world, my potential reaches beyond anything I ever imagined. Let's kill this shit."

Shady Records was founded in 1999 by Eminem and his manager Paul Rosenberg. D12, the label's first signing, were also Shady's first breakout stars, selling more than four million albums in the U.S. In 2002, the label released the quadruple platinum 8 Mile soundtrack, with its hit single "Lose Yourself" -- the first hip-hop song to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Shady Records then partnered with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment to ink 50 Cent, who subsequently has sold more than 23 million albums worldwide. Of Shady's 11 albums to date, four have earned U.S. multiplatinum certification, three others platinum (including the compilation Eminem Presents: The Re-Up) and two gold. The label has sold over 40 million albums worldwide.

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