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Picture Book Studio, 1988 - Juvenile Fiction - 29 pages
The adventures of a tiny girl no bigger than a thumb and her many animal friends.
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3 pages matching piece of rotten in this book
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LibraryThing ReviewUser Review - CatherineWillett - LibraryThing
�Thumbeline� was a darker fairytale. What I liked most was the illustrations. They were done in darker colors and looked slightly smeared. It was a nice contrast from the bright colors and crisp sharp ... Read full review
Review: ThumbelineUser Review - Ketti - Goodreads
This is one of my favorite books that is illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger. Can't get enough of it. Read full review
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ANTHEA BELL asked barleycorn beautiful green beautifully best room big burdock leaf big white bird's black velvet fur bright broken pane butterfly called Thumbeline Christian Andersen cold Croak dead bird earth feathers feelers fetch fieldmouse told fieldmouse's floating on top freezing gold crown Goodbye green leaf green wood head hole hopped Illustrated June beetle Ladybird leaf floated Lisbeth Zwerger little birds little girl little lady little Thumbeline live looked loveliest lovely flower lovely little nectar old mother toad PICTURE BOOK STUDIO piece of rotten poor little thing poor swallow poor Thumbeline pretty bird pretty little bed rose petal rotten wood sang sash shines sick swallow sing snow stories stubble summer long sun shone sunshine swallow flew swam sweet thumb Thumbeline lay asleep tiny tree trousseau tucked tulip Tweet ugly mole ugly toad underground velvet fur coat walnut shell warm countries water-lilies wings winter witch woman


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Republican Austerity is Already Failing
It's contrary to every Republican economic talking point, which probably goes a long way toward explaining why I found it on page eleven of my local paper and why no television talking heads have brought it up. An Associated Press piece explains that austerity measures are holding economic recovery back and that Republican governors share a large part of the blame. May "was the seventh consecutive month of public-sector job losses," the piece tells us. "Rather than add to U.S. economic growth, states and cities are subtracting from it."
The Great Recession officially ended two years ago this month. During previous recoveries, state and local governments were engines of growth by this point: In the two years after the 1990-91 recession ended, for example, they had added 430,000 jobs. They had added 249,000 two years after the 2001 recession ended.
This time is different. More than 467,000 state and local government jobs, including 188,000 in schools, have vanished since the recession officially ended in June 2009.
Weird. And here I thought government spending "crowds out" private sector spending. If government — including state and city governments — starts making big, draconian cuts, then in pours all that sweet, sweet private sector cash. Right?
"There's a whole slew of private companies that have to cut back when they don't get the [government] contracts they had been getting," Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors told AP. "You can't balance a budget and say everything's going to be beautiful." And you can't lay off state workers in droves and then wonder why unemployment is so high.
Here in Wisconsin, there's a great example of Republican economic flateartherism. Republicans in the legislature are forcing the University of Wisconsin to return $37 million to the federal government. That money would've paid for broadband internet to tie campuses, schools, and libraries together and to help with distance learning.
"The legislation would also prohibit UW System campuses from supporting WiscNet, a cooperative that brings high-speed Internet to most schools and libraries across the state," the Wisconsin State Journal reports. "Campus leaders say they fear the change could cripple the network."
What's the problem here for Republicans? "Republican lawmakers say the university should not be in the business of providing telecommunications services. Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said he was concerned the new broadband networks would compete with an already existing network called BadgerNet."
Is private industry breaking down the door to do this? Well, no. But that's not the point. Government shouldn't do what businesses can do, say Republicans. Even, apparently, when those businesses have no interest in doing it. By GOP logic, we should all sit around waiting for construction companies to build bridges on their own initiative — even though there's no reason for them to do so and it's never going to happen. This is what the founders intended, because the founders were morons, I guess.
So $37 million-worth of jobs goes out the window, never to return. Schools and the university suffers. Private industry — which would've built the damned thing — now doesn't get the business. Finally, tax money that Wisconsinites paid to the federal government doesn't return to Wisconsin — so it'll go subsidize a project in some other, saner state. This is beyond idiocy and they call it "fiscal sanity."
But what about the media? As I said, the AP piece was buried on page eleven. We have real world proof that austerity measures don't help the economy, that they in fact do the opposite, and we've got Republicans and conservatives on teevee saying, "You know what we need? More austerity!" Meanwhile, talking heads and pundits nod like idiots and tell us — oh so seriously — that this is the wisest thing they've ever heard. The economic plane is crashing again, so the smartest move is to point that nose straight at the ground and gun it.
Austerity isn't headed for failure, it's failing now and that's barely being reported.
Source: griperblade.blogspot.com
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
One of two Georgia banks that failed last week loaned $2.2 million to a company owned by U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, R-Ranger, and state Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock.
The bank was still trying to collect the money, intended to renovate a Calhoun hotel off I-75, when federal regulators shut it down on Friday.
Writes my AJC colleague Scott Trubey:
The banks are the first to fail in Georgia since Feb. 18. The eight-week period was the longest stretch in Georgia without a failure since a nearly two-month lull last summer.
Bartow County Bank reported $330.2 million in assets and $304.1 million in deposits as of December, the FDIC said. Hamilton State bought most of the bank's assets and all its deposits in a loss-share deal with the regulator.
The FDIC said its failure will cost its Deposit Insurance Fund, the backstop that protects customer deposits, an estimated $69.5 million.
Here's the background from a February article by my AJC colleague Jeremy Redmon:
The Bartow County Bank is suing Rogers and Graves, alleging the two owe the bank $2.2 million for a business loan that is now in default. Rogers and Graves, who took the loan out to buy and renovate the Oglethorpe Inn, have denied they owe the money because [John] Edens now owns the inn and the company that originally took out the loan, Tich Hospitality.
An attorney for the Bartow County Bank said Rogers has invoked a provision of state law that allows for lawsuits to be put on hold during a state legislative session.
"The case will not proceed while the General Assembly is in session, but my motion for summary judgment is ready to be filed as soon as the stay expires, " Edward Hine, an attorney for the bank, wrote in an e-mail Monday.
State lawmakers and their staff, by state law, are immune from any civil action in Georgia courts during sessions of the General Assembly, and for three weeks after adjournment. For Rogers, that would be May 6.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter, or connect with me on Facebook.
April 18th, 2011
1:23 pm
Can't wait for Sally Yates and the FDIC to get a hold of these two now. Sally Yates office and the FBI told me that they were going to prosecute everyone involved in these banks that failed in Georgia. All the bankers, the developers, the contractors, ect.. So that includes these two along with the head of the banking committee. Shall the perp walk continue. Won't the Casey's side enjoy this perp walk.
April 18th, 2011
1:29 pm
Why would you want to hold the wealthy, productive people that create jobs accountable for costing the taxpayers $69.5 million?
April 18th, 2011
1:30 pm
defaulting on a loan is not a crime..just a debt. Hate to burst that bubble.
April 18th, 2011
1:32 pm
As much I'd like to think that those comments (ga female) were true, I think this will give them a pass on the debt, unfortunately. Couple of con-men, Graves and Rogers.
April 18th, 2011
1:39 pm
Oh come on, Jimbo. Don't be puttin' on airs over Chip's bad investments. It's a motel… not a hotel. *Mule in horse harness* muttering…
April 18th, 2011
1:41 pm
Could it be that many Teapartiers admire the cunning of taxcheaters and con artists?
April 18th, 2011
2:01 pm
If a failed loan is grounds for proscecution there are not enough jails to hold everyone.
Only a liberal democrat would want to criminalize a failed business venture. For that matter the liberals would like to criminalize sucessful ones too.
If you have evidence of wrongdoing, bring it out. If you don't…
April 18th, 2011
2:06 pm
Very few liberals/progressives even understand the idea of banking as a business or taking risk to build a business, let alone actually do it. They prefer to simply take money from those who do through the force of government.
April 18th, 2011
2:07 pm
yuzeyurbrane…….get the wax outof your ears, remember Bernie Madoff was a super big LIBERAL, in fact gave millions to left wingers and their causes….these 2 are crooks and the Teaparty didn't, doesn't support or protect crooks….talking of Tax Cheats how old Charlie Rangle doing lately!
April 18th, 2011
2:08 pm
It is the ethics of these 2 and our Governor – do you think they are honest businessmen????? We need massive ethics reform and these guys are all against it !!!!
April 18th, 2011
2:10 pm
Brenda…Reagan let the fools of the S$L industry pay and serve jailtime….why can't the same be done to all the bankers who managed to destroy the economy & business environment in the last couple of years!
April 18th, 2011
2:12 pm
"Personal responsibility" is not for everyone, ya know. Some people matter and do not have to pay for their "mistakes." Some people don't, and should starve to death in a puddle of their own feces on the sidewalk for being ten days late on rent, while decent tea bag wearin' Republicans step over their smelly carcasses on their way to a Herman Cain rally and then to stuff their fat jiggly guts at the Cheesecake Factory.
April 18th, 2011
2:13 pm
Geeze, two more republican politicianss involved with failing banks. Owing money that they didn't pay back. The GOP can preach fiscal responsibility all it wants but until its members start personally practicing what they preach they have no right to set policy for the rest of us, make cuts affecting us, and spend our money benefiting their supporters.
April 18th, 2011
2:17 pm
If I were Governor, this would not happen!
April 18th, 2011
2:18 pm
Ha Cobbite! You crack me up… perpetuating the myth that Republicans are better at business than Democrats. If that was the case, then Gov. Deal, and these two chumps would not be in the news for their failures. But you just keep on believing the lies spoonfed to you by FOX News and the like.
April 18th, 2011
2:21 pm
Hey Brenda and Cobbite: We do understand banking and business. They are pretty simple. What makes them complicated is the verbage unscrupulous and dishonest people add to confuse us. That's why the criticism. Banks use one set of people's money to make loans to others. The second set is supposed to pay it back. This is not a speculative business. Good business people who also hold elective office don't just walk off from their responsibilities, especially after they got special consideration due to their positions. Deregulation and not adhering to finite, explicitly defined rules of lending and borrowing, plus personal greed, have lead us to where we are now. Where is your compassion and understanding for those folks who had good jobs and took out appropriate mortgages, then, through no fault of their own, lost their homes. I don't hear your understanding and support for them.
April 18th, 2011
2:21 pm
whats the best way to rob a bank: OWN IT
thats exactly what happened in America; now We the people are "bailing" out the companies that are too big to fail.
Seems Chip and all the others had their hands in the cookie jar also. LOL, this is laughable. They cant even run their own business and we expect them to run the STATE??
April 18th, 2011
2:24 pm
Speaking of failed savings and loans the Bush clan was much involved.Seems to be a pattern.
April 18th, 2011
2:26 pm
Woah, all you axe-grinders and conclusion-jumpers here, who can't wait to pull out your tiny knives and start stabbing! There's not enough info in this article to place blame on anyone.
The only relevant purported facts in this artlcle are : One man says another one owes a debt, the other man denies it and gives a plausible reason why he doesn't.
That's it.
We don't know if anyone has done anything wrong, and it's stupid to jump to accusations until the facts come out.
I don't think either political party has a lock on corruption, either.
April 18th, 2011
2:32 pm
So after a very short bout of Googling here's the street view of the Oglethorpe Inn in Calhoun, GA. Some investment, eh?! http://goo.gl/maps/aCSi
April 18th, 2011
2:33 pm
The taxpayers (us) are left holding the bag…again. If you don't like socialism, you should hate the FDIC, which is forced by law to take over failed banks to protect the depositors. We (the taxpayers) ultimately underwrite all the wheeling and dealing that these mostly crooked folks have done. They claim it is just failed investments. Yes, it is failed BAD, ROTTEN, UNREGULATED, UNSCRUTINIZED, MARGINALLY ILLEGAL investments that led to this huge number of banks failing in GA. Privatize profits, socialize risk: the Republican mantra. Their other mantra is: fleece the sheep and get away with it. In fact, let the sheep pay for your mistakes.
April 18th, 2011
2:35 pm
Two words Graves and Rogers hated to hear…Sine Die!
April 18th, 2011
2:36 pm
I know this is a blog and all, but if liberals actually did their homework, they wouldn't be saying half of what is being said. Also, if you would like to speak about fiscal responsibility and being truthful, then please tell half of Mr. Obama's cabinet members to pay their taxes.
April 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
Does anyone know what Graves and Rogers actually did with the money?
April 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
Defaulting on a loan isn't a criminal offense. You people are morons. Go back to your shanties.
April 18th, 2011
2:39 pm
All I want to see is that if he borrowed the money and signed a note, or guaranteed such a note, that he has to pay it back like anyone else- If he gets to have a non-recourse loans because he is a politician and thus gets special treatment that is wrong- He should be at the same risk you or I are if we borrow money and then are unable to pay it back Just no special rules for " special " people
April 18th, 2011
2:40 pm
Enter your comments here
April 18th, 2011
2:46 pm
Fred would you agree Georgia needs to up date banking laws.
April 18th, 2011
2:47 pm
Most Republican politicians are con artist.
The "Mark-to-Market" bank rule that was designed for the stock market is stupidly required for bank real estate loans and destroys many banks and their stock holders unnecessarily and maliciously.
HUD has destroyed many banks by temporarily destroying the housing market in many areas including Metro Atlanta through mis-using a somewhat similar rule in cutting prices too low and unnecessarily costing taxpayers billions of dollars.
Most of the people that we elect to Congress, except Republican Con Artist, do not have a clue as to how the business world works or how it should work because they are trained in activities that do not relate to managing the biggest business in the world, the U S Government. The voters do not know either. Political Economics education is not allowed in our education system so that voters do not detect mistakes and scams.
Visit http://www.rojego.com you might learn some Political Econmics.
April 18th, 2011
2:53 pm
If Graves and Rogers are guilty of anything then prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. We conservatives have always said to follow the law and we do not defend any criminals actions of our politicians. Same thing with Deal. Where is that prosecution that all of you liberals were saying that was coming in January? Do you really think he would still be in office right now if Holder found any illegal activity?
Until I see indictments and convictions then the rest of this is just Jim's and the AJC's way to try to distract you liberals from what a horrible job your "savior and chief" is doing.
April 18th, 2011
2:54 pm
to Grassroots – April 18th, 2011 2:47 pm
You wrote – "Most Republican politicians are con artist."
I hate to break the news to you – but MOST POLITICIANS are con artists!
the Dems aren't any move honest!
April 18th, 2011
2:56 pm
April 18th, 2011
2:58 pm
The FDIC is just another example of a moral hazard created by government. Here we have a worthless bank that probably should have failed years ago due to its poor financial dealings, questionable loan practices, etc. Without the Federal Reserve lending them money to waste and the FDIC backing up savers money, the smart folks would have pulled their money out a long time ago and allowed the bank to fail, Instead, the grossly bankrupt FDIC will now pass the losses on to the taxpayer while the owners and managers of this failure will take home big paychecks. Thanks again Uncle Sam. Maybe someday americans will wake up and listen to folks like Ron Paul when they talk about sound money and moral hazards created by government. There certainly are no other congressman talking about these critical issues.
April 18th, 2011
3:00 pm
with their powerful connections in the Ga legal system, these crooked politicians will beat the rap and not pay back a dime—book it.
April 18th, 2011
3:03 pm
What ever became of the investigation into the two home loans from Countrywide to former Democrat U S Senator and Chm of the Senate Banking Committee the honorable Christopher Dodd of CT? Hmmmmm, I hear crickets……what about the investigation into the home loan of Democrat U S Senator Byron Dorgan from Countrywide, hmmmm, still hearing crickets. Where you Dems who are so quick to jump on Republicans for 'deals gone bad' when it comes to illegal loans????? Countrywide Mortgage cost the taxpayers a lot more than Bartow Co Bank's collapse, and Dodd was the largest recepient of campaign donations from Countrywide execs, over $600,000, followed closely by the current Pres of the country, Democrat Barack H Obama. The same Obama who worked out that sweetheart deal for property adjoining his home with now convicted and imprisoned Tony Rezko. Graves and Rogers are small time rank amateurs compared to the Big Boys at the Democrat Party who serve our nation in the U S Senate.
April 18th, 2011
3:04 pm
Contrary to what many are saying on this blog, there are many instances where defaulting on a loan can lead to criminal charges.
Also, if a business takes out a loan and then the business is sold, the lender usually needs to review the credit of the buyer and convert/re-issue the loan.
April 18th, 2011
3:05 pm
It is so funny reading these libs talk about everyday how the Republicans are rich and only care about the rich over the poor and middle class Democrats. Do you all realize how stupid you sound? Do you all realize that Warren Buffet and Bill Gates (two riches men in America) are Democrats? Do you realize that Wall street and the huge banks donated 10 to 1 to the Obama compaign in 2008? Do you realize that almost every large law firm in the country supported Obama in 2008?
Where do you think Obama is going to get the $1 billion (yes billion) to run his re election campaign from?
Would you all like to revise and extent your statements or would you all like to still look so stupid?
April 18th, 2011
3:07 pm
Contrary to what many are saying on this blog, there are many instances where defaulting on a loan can lead to criminal charges.
Also, if a business takes out a loan and then the business is sold, the lender usually needs to review the credit of the buyer and convert/re-issue the loan.
I'm waiting.
April 18th, 2011
3:10 pm
Though I read this blog quite a bit and have never responded I must finally break my silence. To those of you who are calling people morons. if they used their political office to gain the loans, which most of the time they do for a favor, then it is illegal! If they stated the money was for remodeling the hotel/motel and they did not remodel it and use it for that purpose then they possibly applied for a loan under false pretenses. If they did it is illegal. Now to state a fact I don't live in a shanty, I understand banking and fraud very well as I investigate these types of crimes. So to all those who can only denegrate others you reap what you sow. Now for puting off the case. Everyday working folks don't have the luxury of putting off a case to save us political humiliation. If anyone else other than a politician or super rich individual was being sued we would not get such a luxury. And that is a fact.
April 18th, 2011
3:11 pm
So, no one else worth mentioning owed this bank money? Just $2.2 million in bad loans caused it to go under? The AJC STILL isn't getting why their subscription rates stink so bad.
April 18th, 2011
3:13 pm
Keep voting R and you'll keep getting this. If they can't manage their own money how can the manage the taxpayers
April 18th, 2011
3:18 pm
The power of political office will corrupt anyone……
April 18th, 2011
3:18 pm
From the article and I quote " Rogers and Graves, who took the loan out to buy and renovate the Oglethorpe Inn, have denied they owe the money because [John] Edens now owns the inn and the company that originally took out the loan, Tich Hospitality."
Lets see here, you buy a home and then sell it 10 years later. The mortgage should be paid off by the sale but then the bank goes under and they come after you for the money…….DO YOU OWE IT or does the person who purchased the property owe it? I think its the person who purchased the property.
Instead of jumping to the results by reading a article, why not just realize that if this were democrates this would not even get a 2 line mention. This is the democratics way to make the republicans look bad and I for one am sick of the double standards. Exactly how many democrates were envolved in the freddie and Fanny and the banking industry that the taxpayers bailed out. Why arent you people so made about this 2.2 million also steamed about the entire mess we are in. The mess that the republicans wanted to fix years before it went bad but Democrates said there was nothing wrong and kept up the farse. Yea yea.
They sold the property and that 2.2 million should have been paid at closing. I have to wonder who this buyer is dont you?
April 18th, 2011
3:19 pm
Still waiting on you libs to debunk my post at 3:05? No answer yet.
April 18th, 2011
3:20 pm
You go, Tracy D. Well put and in all likelihood you totally "hit the nail on the head," as sad as it is. Further, I would wager a paycheck that this will slowly die away…as in yesterday's news.
April 18th, 2011
3:25 pm
I get sick of reading political blogs where the words liberals and republicans are thrown around like a Dr. Seuss book. How about a cheat is a cheat, a liar is a liar, a thief is a thief and your political affiliation has nothing to do with it. How about all of you get your heads out the asses of the democratic and republican parties and stop referring to yourselves as republicans and democrats. How about Wrong is wrong no matter if you are the Pope, president, governor, teacher, preacher, mom, dad, kid. Everybody reaps what they sow and God doesn't care what your political affiliation is.
April 18th, 2011
3:29 pm
The two dominate American political parties are basically the same with shades of ambiguity between them. Both pander to the coroporate oligarchy that runs The United States of America©.
The two political parties aren't Apples to Oranges, they're pan-cakes to flapjacks.
April 18th, 2011
3:31 pm
Well Well, another politically slanted article written by a politically slanted writer for the politically slanted AJC. At least the article holds true to AJC form: throw out a couple of un-verified "facts", insinuate that some Republican broke some law, make a couple of mis-leading statements, and wait for the liberal bloggers to wet their panties with joy while sitting at their computers and calling everyone who doesn't think like them idiots and sheep. You libs are pathetically predictable..
April 18th, 2011
3:31 pm
td demands to know:
"Do you all realize how stupid you sound? Would you all like to revise and extent your statements or would you all like to still look so stupid?"
OMG! Now I know why your words sound SO FAMILIAR! I can't believe it took me this long to put it together! YOU're the guy who wrote the best-selling book "How to Win Friends and Influence People!" Whoa! You are SO AWESOME, man! What an inspiration to us all!
April 18th, 2011
3:32 pm
Nita @ 3:25, Well said!
Red @ 3:29, Agreed!


text:
Globe Trekker
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Vermont transplant and Guster frontman Ryan Miller seeks out far-fetched friends across the state! Available exclusively online.
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Tons of videos and games for children from PBS!
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text:
Rated 4.2 out of 5 by 586 reviewers.
Rated 4 out of 5 by Jimmy77 This hotel had great service but I was very upset that the television channel choice did not include MSNBC! I had a good stay at this hotel. It would have been a great stay if management would offer MSNBC as a channel option on the televisions in the rooms. You had CNN and FOX but not MSNBC. I will not stay at any Sheraton hotel or any hotel owned by the parent company in the future if you don't start offering MSNBC AS A CHOICE ON YOUR TELEVISION SETS. Thank you! November 22, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Dialygal Exceeded my expectations Beautiful hotel. Exquisitely clean, modern rooms exceeded our expectations. Amazing city view. Secured key only elevator access to floor. Warm inviting lobby. Genuinely friendly staff. Cleanest room I have ever seen in a hotel. Looks brand new. Great location, there's a shopping center and movie theatre nearby. Easy access to the interstate. Hate to leave. March 24, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by mlm2 Check In Customer Service When I checked in, the service provided by Carl J Perkins was excellent. He let me know the benefits I was receiving as a gold member for this stay (upgraded room, etc.). In addition, I mentioned to him that I had signed up for the Delta Cross Over Program but wasn't sure how it worked. He explained it very clearly and was extremely friendly and helpful. October 18, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by MomandRah December Sheraton Stay Lots of Bridge players in town. Hard to enjoy the common areas, as they were laying/sleeping all over the furniture. Maj problem paying for parking when charged over $100+ per night for a room. Staff was amazing to include rm service and housekeeping. Found a used bandage next to the bed from a previous guest and that was my only concern w/room. December 10, 2013
Rated 2 out of 5 by cowgirl3949 Gouged with the price The price of this "average" room was way too high. There should be free Wi-Fi in the room. The room didn't even have a shower cap to use. Had to hunt for the hair drier. There was only two pieces of paper to write on. The bell staff and check in staff were very nice and helpful. . March 10, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Barb2632 Attended a conference in the hotel My stay was great. The room was very comfortable. The hotel is close to the airport and downtown activities. The staff was very accomodating and customer service oriented. I would stay here again if I get back to Phoenix. April 1, 2014
Rated 3 out of 5 by DEO2014 Room not clean Unfortunately, there was left over trash from on the credenza. This made me wonder what else got missed by the housekeeping staff. The facility is nice and was a good meeting location. April 7, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by KWTerry Great Hotel but.......!!! I loved my room and the excellent location to the convention center, etc. However, the hotel's restaurant, The District, was very poorly managed. One night our party of three arrived to have dinner and discovered a half-full dining room. Both the hostess and the manager insisted numerous times there were reservations for all the empty tables. After stating we had enjoyed a wonderful dinner the night before the manager offered to seat us in the bar but did not inform us the restaurant menu was not available ordering dinner. From our bar location we noted the empty tables in the restaurant remained over the next hour until we departed. Amazing mismanagement of the restaurant and loss of revenue (approx. $100-150) for the hotel from a Starwood Preferred Guest. Our cocktail waitress was friendly but confided this was not the first time her customers had this unfortunate experience. On a positive note, the rest of the hotel staff were very service oriented which made for an enjoyable guest experience. February 19, 2014
Rated 3 out of 5 by debo70 dissappointed! The pool was small. Meal in restaurant was not liking to 3 out of 5 people and no accomodation was made for this. When third person arrived she was not given a room key even though the desk was notified upon my arrival she would be coming. This stay did not meet my expectations. The exception was the maid service. They were great! May 29, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by GaryC10 Over charged Had reservations for 5 days and at check in We told them we would just need 3 days as plans had changed. At check out they allowed us to check out 2 days early but still charged us for 4 days. We had 3 rooms total and it just didnt seem right. We have been SPG members for several years and that did not help with the issue at hand. December 30, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Carnitas Great Staff and Hotel to stay Hotel and Staff were available and ready at all times to fill the needs at hand for our early and late events The hotel should be very proud of the place and staff that makes the hotel a welcome experience. Always a smile and caring personal doing the very best at their job for the Sheraton. Kudo to you all. Sonya Webber December 9, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Danni2010 Overall Great Stay I stayed at the Sheraton downtown for a work event and was very impressed but the helpfullness of the staff. Everyone was warm and friendly and always helped me in whatever way they could. I also hosted a work even in the Oculus and it was beautiful. LeAnn was a doll to work with. Would stay here again for business or pleasure. September 24, 2012
Rated 4 out of 5 by PBstlrs1 One issue Excellent room, excellent stay/staff/etc....my only issue that would most likely prevent me from staying again is the fact there was not a microwave in the room, yes something so minute would do that, it's the point. Like airlines now charging for a carryon (some do) you charge for a microwave, that is beyond stupid and greedy. December 13, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by NorIdaSpud All around great hotel! This place was amazing. Everything from the time I entered the beautiful lobby to the amazing room and the helpful and courteous staff. 5 stars all the way. In a great part of town with many great restaurants and shops within walking distance. Thank you so much for making my first impression of Phoenix a great one to remember. January 24, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by FlyIntl Super Service and a Great Room I arrived early and Sarah (Front Desk) checked me in, told me about the hotel features and was off to my room to drop my bags and head out to all day meetings. Gym/fitness center is large, has many/variety of aerobic machines, decent weight machines and an outdoor lap pool. Decent sized suite with 2 TV and Bose music system. March 14, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by expectedmore Staff Despite giving feedback that service did not meet expectations, no change was made. My room service was late, cold and portions inedible. When I called to explain, response was let me look into that ... The clerk who checked me out of the hotel was not friendly. Even when I pointed this out, she did not acknowledge statement. September 17, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Colorado19 Excellent stay. Kids really enjoyed the pool We really enjoyed our stay at this hotel. The Club Lounge was great with beautiful views. The staff was friendly and courteous to me and my children and accommodated all our needs. The kids had a great time at the outdoor terrace pool. I just wish that the bar had been open so I could have order some juice while I was there. July 22, 2013
Rated 1 out of 5 by NotaSheratonFan No responsibility? That's the Sheraton way. After each of my calls to security, there was no responsibility for the outrageous noise outside of my room at 3:30 am. "We have a three strikes and you're out policy". So as long as the noise complaints are less than 3 days long, you are good at the Sheraton. Too bad, so sad. Don't expect a good night rest. Fine for prom. March 10, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Sam425 Great Location The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown is a great place to stay when visiting the downtown Phoenix area. Its convenient to the convention center and transportation. Our room was clean and very comfortable and we also enjoyed the restaurant and bar during our stay. We were there for a convention and they were very accomodating. October 30, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by skaterro Recent meeting I was just speaking to my manager and we both agreed that we will definately hold another meeting at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix... April 10, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by Shelbydozer Quality Experience Everything about my stay was excellent ... with the exception of the size of the room. This was supposed to be an SPG Preferred upgrade (maybe the woman at the desk made a mistake), but the room was super small with 2 double beds. Maybe that's all the had left. :-/ Either way, the other aspects of my stay were excellent. January 18, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by saphire27 Needs Improvements My room was not cleaned properly. I asked the front desk on Thursday to please have my room vacuumed. I requested that take place on Friday morning. I expected my room linens to be changed on Friday as well. I left the hotel to attend a meeting at the convention center, when I returned my room was not clean nor vacuumed. I again asked the front desk that evening to have this done on Saturday since i was tired, the linen was changed but the floor was never vacuumed. Housekeeping did picked up 1 piece of paper from the floor, however, they left the M & M candies and the other paper was still there. The piece of paper they picked up was very visible, the other paper & candy were on the side of the chair. When I departed the room had never been vacuumed. I felt I had not been given the quality stay I deserved. I will return to Phoenix, In the future if I am a guest, I will request to view the room to ensure cleanliness. Your brand is credible, make your employees the same. June 4, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Dave Bed mattress needed replacement The mattress needed to be replaced. There was a definite sag on both sides where one would sit on the edge of the bed. This detracted from the general room comfort. On a positive note, I had an outstanding steak dinner at a very fair price in the hotel restaurant. I can highly recommend the New York steak dinner. February 27, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by Traveler22222 Nice Hotel, but Could Improve The hotel itself is very nice. I felt the staff was very rude, and not knowledgeable about what was happening or going on. I was here for a meeting and Mirabell was amazing, as was Joseph from room set-ups. Other staff members could use work. March 6, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by GEE888 Quiet, Safe and Accessible to Everything. I must say the downtown Sheraton met my expectations and more. Since I was travelling alone I was a bit anxious, but this hotel put me at ease immediately with their friendly service, room upgrade, great concierge, and its other many ammenities. Try their wonderful restaurant District-you will have a great meal! August 4, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by JanetW14 This hotel was great Very clean and friendly. In a great location. Staff very helpful and friendly. April 14, 2014
Rated 5 out of 5 by BestMOM This hotel has the most friendly staff and always will to help. All staff spoke in passing. Great service. Food was always fantastic. Room service was delvered quickly and food and service and commincation with the ordering was the best ever. Everyone always willing to help and take the time to be very nice and helpful. Great job to all staff, it was greatly appreciated. September 13, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by RAINC THIS HOTEL IS AWESOME! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED STAYING AT THE HOTEL, I DIDN'T GET TO CHECK OUT THE POOL WHICH I REALLY WANTED TO BUT MY OVERALL STAY WAS EXCELLENT! I HAD A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE WITH MY ROOM ONE NIGHT TO NO FAULT OF THE HOTEL BUT THE STAFF WERE ON TOP OF IT AND MADE MY NIGHT AWESOME! THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXCELLENCE!!! March 29, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by WI2252 Customer service was lacking I have several issues with this hotel. First, my luggage was "delayed" when I arrived and was delivered to the hotel later that night. Although I called several times to request that they notify me when it arrived, they never called or left a message on my room phone like they said they would. I had to call the next morning at 630am only to be told they did not have my bag. Except when I asked them to double check, and oh, they did have it! Also, my roomate and I asked specificially that I pay for the first three nights and she pay for the last night...they split the room rate for each night between us anyway and we had to have this corrected off of our credit cards. On Saturday they did not come to clean our room, and by 4pm we called to request that they please come...finally an hour later they came to clean. On a positive note, the room service people were friendly and efficient and the food was great both in the room and at the restaurant. Another nice thing was the comfy beds. October 31, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5 by Otis9898 Staff and Facilities My interaction with each staff member was exceptional. Each person was polite, respectful and always with a smile. The facilities are great, especially the fitness center. I feel this is the best fitness center in any hotel I have ever stayed in. Keep up the good work! February 3, 2014


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Rediscovering the Blessings of Christian Community in Tough Economic Times
- Tuesday, December 29, 2009
But in America, individualism and materialism have made these practices all too rare. Our level of giving alone - only about 3 or 4 percent even for evangelicals - is a testament to the corrosive effect of these cultural influences have had on the American church. Few churches I have seen are willing to challenge this in any serious way, often for fear of offending people who could and would give far more if they saw "their" possessions as God's rather than their own.
Preparing for the Future
But this will not serve us in the times ahead. Not that we should be generous for purely pragmatic reasons. But selfishness is easier to tolerate in times of wealth than in times of want. American church leaders need to begin purposefully directing American Christians toward better pastures, where we share generously with each other and others to meet upcoming challenges. As I mentioned in an earlier article, a ship pointed at a large wave is more likely to stay afloat than a ship hit broadside by the same wave.
Let me mention here just a few practical suggestions including several recommended by Christian author Dr. Amy L. Sherman* who spoke in our city (Richmond, VA) several months ago. All of these ideas are based on the biblical principle that we are no more than stewards of our resources, all of which are ultimately owned by God and which should be used as He wants. This includes generous giving (1 Tim 6:6-8; Matt. 19:21; Rom. 12:13; Phil 4:15) that is done for the right reasons — not from compulsion or one-upmanship (1 Cor. 13:3) — but rather, in recognition that some of our possessions were given to us by God with the specific purpose of meeting others' needs (2 Cor. 8).
Making large purchases with others: Rather than spending large sums on items we use infrequently (like a riding mower or piece of heavy equipment), we can purchase those things with others.
Time-banking: This is an innovative idea in which people offer set amounts of time for a particular service (baby sitting, lawn care or carpentry), which they then use to "withdraw" time donated by others whose skills they need. For example, a person can offer 10 hours of babysitting time then request 10 hours of handyman or lawn care time from someone else.
Instruction on budgeting and stewardship: Many churches do this already, but one element Amy has suggested is ensuring accountability for our spending. Once we learn biblical principles for budgeting and finance, we need to make ourselves accountable to trusted friends for implementing those principles. This rubs against our individualism but can be a great help in overcoming wasteful financial habits that make poor use of God's resources.
Encouraging socially responsible business practices: Christians who are interested in supporting businesses that use responsible business practices (such as fair lending) can research specific companies and industries, then share that information with others, since research of this kind can be very time consuming. Researching local businesses may be particularly important since good corporate citizens in our area may be experiencing lean times and may be worthy of our support.
Yard sales and swaps: In addition to donating unused items to charities, churches can hold yard sales, clothes and food swaps, to share unused items with church members and others in need.
Hospitality: This is a simple but under-practiced way of reaching out to others without spending large sums on eating out. It is also commanded in scripture, something we may hear too little about in our individualistic culture (including in our churches). (Rom. 12:13).
These are just a few things to consider. But higher tides are coming. It is time for church leaders to make sustained, concerted efforts to encourage these practices for the Church's good and God's glory.
Steve Hall is the Executive Director of Joseph's Way (www.josephsway.org), a ministry designed to prepare Christians for social, economic, and physical challenges that are ahead. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Seminary, and is a licensed attorney. He and his wife live in Richmond, Virginia.
*Dr. Amy L. Sherman is Director of the Center on Faith in Communities (Charlottesville, VA) and is a Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research.
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Who Are MOPS?
Whether you are in the midst of your first pregnancy and are unsure what to expect, or your youngest just started kindergarten, MOPS has something in store for you. MOPS is for all mothers of children ages birth to five years old. MOPS is a place where moms have the opportunity to make new friends, share experiences, learn from each other, laugh together, and learn biblical principals pertaining to womanhood, marriage, and parenting. MOPS provides opportunities for social outings and community missions geared specifically for preschool-aged children and their families.
Why MOPS?
We strive for your MOPS experience to be:
- Relevant, so every mom will know MOPS is for her.
- Relationally Inclusive, so every mom feels welcome and accepted in the community.
- Growth-Oriented, challenging each mom to grow as a woman, mother, and leader.
- Purposeful, teaching how each mom is part of God's bigger purpose, picture and plan.
- Passionately Christian, drawing every mom (and her family) one step closer to Jesus.
What to Expect at MOPS?
Each meeting begins by dropping of your precious little ones at MOPPETS childcare. The following two hours you will enjoy uninterrupted time for brunch, conversation and learning new ways to grow as a mom. Our meetings are designed to equip moms with practical ways to make mothering more effective and our goal is to always point moms back to Christ. MOPS offers the support and encouragement that moms today need to help them center their hearts and homes around Christ.
More About MOPS!
Lake Norman Baptist Church is excited to be hosting a MOPS group for mothers in the community. We provide a welcoming environment for mothers to meet, connect with and encourage one another through this journey of motherhood through the preschool years. Our mentors are on hand at most meetings to provide additional encouragement, advice and prayer for anyone who seeks the wisdom of someone who has already navigated through their journey as a MOP. In our open, accepting community of MOPS, we will learn from great mentors and each other, be equipped with excellent tools for implementing what we learn at home and continue to shape our own personal mothering style. We have exciting speakers, creative solutions and activities planned for this year, so check us out! Invite a friend! MOPS Meetings are held twice a month on Thursdays starting in September continuing through May. MOPS begins with brunch at 9:30AM in the LNBC Fellowship Hall. We have many exciting speakers, creative solutions to take home, and activities planned for this year, so check us out. MOPS just might offer the difference in your life that you've been longing for.
Who Are MOPPETS?
MOPPETS are our children. While moms are enjoying a morning of refreshing, children are being cared for in a loving environment called MOPPETS. They are divided into age-appropriate groups and are involved in planned activities such as games, stories, crafts, music, and physical play. All of our MOPPETS workers have been carefully screened by both LNBC MOPS members and LNBC staff.
Extracurricular Activities
In addition to our regular meetings, we also have fun outings and activities available such as:
- Fun Field Trips
- Date Nights
- Bible Studies about Mothering
- Summer Playgroups
What's the Cost?
For anyone who is new to MOPS, we invite you to attend your 1st MEETING FREE. If you decide to join MOPS, the ministry: $25.00 Annual Registration Fee for MOPS International, our parent organization. Registration is paid one-time annually at the time of registration. In exchange, you will receive a monthly magazine, weekly email, online resources and a free gift directly from MOPS International. $50.00 Fall Semester Chapter Dues. $50.00 Spring Semester Chapter Dues. Chapter Dues* are paid at the 1st meeting of each semester and when paid up-front, GUARANTEE your child's spot in MOPPETS for the ENTIRE semester. Chapter Dues are used to provide all the resources of the ministry that are available during each of the local chapter meetings, including but not limited to: MOPPETS Childcare, Creative Activities & other meeting supplies, Guest Speakers/Mentors, MOPS Scholarship Fund, local community Missions projects, etc. *All fees are subject to change as required to support the ministry.
How to Join?
Does MOPS sound good to you? Here are two ways you can join us:
- Register ONLINE – Here you can give us all the needed information about yourself and your children. You can also pay the meeting fees or request a scholarship, or simply inform us that you are new to MOPS and would like to join us to check it out.
Completing the online registration, it lets up know that you are coming so we can be prepared for you and your children.
- JOIN US at a MEETING – Visit a MOPS meeting and fill out all the necessary information there. If at all possible, please complete the registration online before you attend so that the paperwork does not take time away from enjoying the meeting and getting to know other moms!
We'd love for you to join us! Hope to see you at our next meeting!!! Register for MOPS


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Motorbike by Japanese Toilet Company Runs on Waste
While the seat of the Toilet Bike Neo is a gimmick, the prototype trike is powered by animal poo.
We suspect that the recent introduction of the Toilet Bike Neo to be a little (pardon the pun) tongue in cheek. After all, the 250cc 3-wheeled motorcycle with a porcelain throne for a seat comes from the Japanese toilet maker Toto, but the company claims the prototype trike is powered by poo.
Fortunately, it doesn't require the owner's personal input for power, although it does in fact run on biogas fuel consisting of fertilized, purified and compressed livestock waste, as well as household wastewater provided by the cities of Kobe and Shikaoi.
Potty talk aside, Toto has been developing the poop-cycle since 2009, and the company could be at the forefront of a clean-vehicle initiative in Japan as well as the U.S.
The U.S. Energy Department's Biofuels Initiative is working to make biomass fuels competitive in cost with gasoline and to replace 30 percent of the current level of gasoline consumption with biofuels by 2030. Given the Obama administration mandate announced this week that automakers must achieve a fleetwide average of 54.5 mpg for new cars and trucks by model year 2025, having poo-powered vehicles on the road soon may not seem so full-moon crazy.
[Source: Autoblog]
Standout pickups — from horsepower and torque to mileage and towing.
Cars are cool, and here at MSN Autos we love everything about them, but we also know they're more than simply speed and style: a car is an essential tool, a much-needed accessory to help you get through your day-to-day life. What you drive is also one of the most important investments you can make, so we'll help you navigate your way through the car buying and ownership experiences. We strive to be your daily destination for news, notes, tips and tricks from across the automotive world. So whether it's through original content from our world-class journalists or the latest buzz from the far corners of the Web, Exhaust Notes helps you make sense of your automotive world.
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Entries tagged with: Field Mouse
A Great Big Pile of Leaves, Diamond Youth, Prawn and Field Mouse add dates to Topshelf Records tour, including NYC
by Andrew Sacher
AGBPOL at Brooklyn Night Bazaar in April (more by Amanda Hatfield)
Topshelf Records has put out a handful of excellent releases over the past few years, and this year four of its bands will head out on Topshelf's first-ever label tour. The tour showcases how diverse the label is at the moment, with A Great Big Pile of Leaves who make chilled-out mathy indie pop not unlike Minus the Bear, Diamond Youth who have kind of a QOTSA-meets-Weezer thing going on, Prawn who do justice to Kinsella-style emo, and Field Mouse who mix shoegaze and '90s-style alt-pop. The tour was announced earlier this month, but more dates have since been added including a NYC show happening October 2 at The Studio at Webster Hall. Tickets for that show are on sale now. All dates are listed below.
AGBPOL just played NYC when their tour with Braid hit MHOW (7/26) over the weekend. Prawn play here this weekend when their tour with Foxing and The Hotelier hits The Studio at Webster Hall on Saturday (8/2) (tickets).
All dates are listed, with streams of all four bands, below...
Continue reading "A Great Big Pile of Leaves, Diamond Youth, Prawn and Field Mouse add dates to Topshelf Records tour, including NYC"
Field Mouse detail 'Hold Still Life' LP, share "Two Ships," announce release show (updated dates & stream)
by Andrew Sacher
Field Mouse recently announced that they signed to Topshelf for their new album, Hold Still Life, and have now revealed more details, including a stream of the song "Two Ships." Unlike their 2013 single, "Tomorrow Is Yesterday" (which does appear on the album), Field Mouse have left all traces of shoegaze behind for this new one. It's a polished pop song that sounds more like The Cardigans than My Bloody Valentine, with some of the rhythms of '80s pop and the arpeggiated guitars of Joshua Tree-era U2. You can check it out (via Noisey) below. Album artwork and tracklist below as well.
Field Mouse have also announced a record release show to happen on July 23 at Rough Trade NYC with Frances Cone, Weed Hounds and Lithuania. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (6/13) at noon. Exactly a month before that, they open for The Colourist at Bowery Ballroom (6/23) (tickets), and they also play Gigawatts Fest in July.
New song stream, artwork and tracklist, below...
Continue reading "Field Mouse detail 'Hold Still Life' LP, share "Two Ships," announce release show (updated dates & stream)"
Gigawatts Fest expanding to 4 days, lineup includes Fiasco, Frankie Cosmos, Field Mouse, Tonstartssbandht & more
Fiasco at (the old) Silent Barn in 2010 (more by Leia Jospe)
Free bi-monthly DIY music, art and fashion mag 1.21 Gigawatts will once again put on their Gigawatts Festival this summer in Bushwick. Last year's was two days, but this year's will be four days (July 17-20) and will feature over 50 bands across three venues (Radio Bushwick, Hot 97.4 and a Secret House Show). The initial lineup features a reunion set from the defunct Fiasco, Frankie Cosmos, Infinity Shred, Tonstartssbandht, Chumped, Team Spirit, CHAPPO, Ski Lodge, Slothrust, Field Mouse, Celestial Shore, Vensaire, Heliotropes, Dead Stars and Shark?. More bands TBA and tickets will go on sale soon. Initial flyer below.
Meanwhile, Shark? also open the free BV-presented Orwells show at Shea Stadium tonight (6/9).
As usual, Frankie Cosmos has plenty of dates. As do Dead Stars (including 4Knots), Tonstartssbandht, and Chumped (including Riot Fest and The Fest).
Field Mouse, who recently released an album trailer for their new LP on Topshelf (watch below), open for The Colourist on June 23 at Bowery Ballroom (tickets).
Continue reading "Gigawatts Fest expanding to 4 days, lineup includes Fiasco, Frankie Cosmos, Field Mouse, Tonstartssbandht & more"
tix on sale: Nick Cave, The Kooks, The Horrors, Milosh, Cherry Glazerr, Herzog, Hundred Waters, The Donkeys & more
Tickets for the Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds show at Hammerstein Ballroom go on artist presale today at 10 AM. Tickets for their Prospect Park show are still available.
The Kooks are playing Terminal 5 on July 29. Tickets for that show go on AmEx presale today at noon with a general on-sale starting Friday (5/9) at noon.
Tickets for the The Horrors shows at Stage 48 and MHOW go on AmEx presale today at noon.
Tickets for the Milosh show at Bowery Ballroom go on AmEx presale today at noon.
Tickets for the Cherry Glazerr show at Mercury Lounge go on AmEx presale today at noon. Tickets for their Baby's show are on sale now.
Tickets for the Herzog shows at Glasslands and Bowery Electric are on sale now.
Tickets for the Hundred Waters show at Glasslands are on sale now.
Adult Dude were added to the Field Mouse show at Cameo. Tickets for that show are still available.
The Donkeys are playing Knitting Factory on July 16. Tickets for that show are on sale now.
The Fucked Up show at Irving Plaza goes on BrooklynVegan presale today at 10 AM. Password HERE.
Browse our 'Tickets On Sale' tag for more recently announced NYC shows.
Browse our NYC Concert Calendar for shows happening today and every day - comedy shows, heavy metal concerts (courtesy of our heavy metal blog), and free shows included.
Potty Mouth touring w/ Fleabite, on RSD movie/TV covers comp w/ Sadie of Speedy Ortiz & more (dates, streams)
Potty Mouth at BV-SXSW 2014 (more by Tim Griffin)
Northampton indie rockers Potty Mouth have multiple tour dates coming up this spring, including legs with Waxahatchee, Swearin', Perfect Pussy, and their Mass. neighbors Fleabite. The latter will join them at their NYC show which happens at Silent Barn on June 14. All dates are listed below.
Fleabite will be supporting their new EP, Over It, which came out this week (4/15) digitally and on cassette via Puzzle Pieces Records. Their catchy noise pop should be a good fit with Potty Mouth, and you can check it out for yourself by streaming the new EP below.
Meanwhile, Potty Mouth are one of nine bands, including Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz, Bent Shapes, Levek, Radiator Hospital, Field Mouse and more, contributing movie/TV show fictional band covers to Father/Daughter Records' new Record Store Day compilation, Faux Real. You can stream Potty Mouth's cover of "Take Me Away" from Freaky Friday, Sadie's cover of "Pretend to Be Nice" from Josie and the Pussycats, plus the Bent Shapes and Levek covers, below. Full tracklist below too.
Continue reading "Potty Mouth touring w/ Fleabite, on RSD movie/TV covers comp w/ Sadie of Speedy Ortiz & more (dates, streams)"
Field Mouse at Brooklyn Bowl in 2012 (more by Jessica Amaya)
Brooklyn pop shoegazers Field Mouse, who have been regulars on the local scene for a few years now, have announced that they've signed to Topshelf Records (You Blew It, TWIABP), and will finally release a new full length album via their new label on July 22. The album was produced by the band and mixed by Swearin's Kyle Gilbride (who also produced Upset and Waxahatchee). No word yet on the tracklist, but you can watch a video of the band playing unreleased song "Everyone But You" plus recent singles "Tomorrow Is Yesterday" and "How Do You Know" in their BV Studio Sessions video, below.
As usual, Field Mouse have NYC-area dates coming up, including SUNY Purchase's Culture Shock and a Brooklyn show on May 26 at Cameo with Lithuania and Grassfight. Tickets for the Cameo show are on sale now.
In related news, Richmond rockers Sundials also announced their signing to Topshelf this week, and they'll release a new EP on the label this year. They begin recording it with producer Mike Bardzik (who also did their last LP, When I Couldn't Breathe) this weekend. That album and their 2013 compilation Always Whatever came out on Asian Man.
Field Mouse video below...
Continue reading "Field Mouse signed to Topshelf (Sundials too), releasing a new album, playing shows"
SUNY Purchase Culture Shock 2014 lineup (Lil B, Flatbush Zombies, Kelela, Speedy Ortiz, Modern Baseball & more)
Speedy Ortiz at BV-SXSW 2014 (more by Tim Griffin)
SUNY Purchase's annual Culture Shock festival returns this year from April 25-26. The day 1 lineup includes Brooklyn rap trio Flatbush Zombies, R&B boundary pusher Kelela (who plays NYC this week), footwork wizard Traxman, indie rapper Milo, comedian Neil Hamburger, jazz trio Dawn of Midi, pop shoegazers Field Mouse, the funky Pluto Moons, and the punky Palberta. Montreal beatmaker Kaytranada plays the afterparty.
Day 2 is headlined by Lil B, and also features indie rockers Speedy Ortiz, the eccentric Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, NYC queer rapper Cakes Da Killa, pop/folk punks Modern Baseball, Mass. art punks Guerilla Toss, Wham City Comedy, New Paltz's Breakfast In Fur, Rochester harpist Mikaela Davis and Brooklyn's Hungry March Band. The festival is technically only open to students, alumni, and their guests.
Full day-by-day lineup below...
Continue reading "SUNY Purchase Culture Shock 2014 lineup (Lil B, Flatbush Zombies, Kelela, Speedy Ortiz, Modern Baseball & more)"
Outer Spaces released a 7" on Matador, planning LP & tour, playing DbA tonight w/ Field Mouse & others (dates/streams)
by Andrew Sacher
Athens/Baltimore indie rockers Outer Spaces (not to be confused with Outer Space) are planning a tour for this spring (most of which is TBA), and that tour expects them in NYC this April, but you can see them here much sooner at TONIGHT's (2/5) Death by Audio show with poppy shoegazers Field Mouse, folk pop singer/songwriter Gregory and the Hawk and lo-fi duo Laughing Fingers. $7 at the door. Flyer below.
Outer Spaces evolved out of singer Cara Beth Satalino's solo project, and sees her joined by a revolving lineup that includes Chester Endersby Gwazda (who you may know as the producer of several Dan Deacon and Future Islands albums). Cara used to front the punky indie rock band Witches who had releases on Salinas Records (PS Eliot, Swearin') and Bakery Outlet Records. Following those releases, she put out an EP under her own name, The Good Ones on the same two labels. Not unlike Katie Crutchfield of Cara's former labelmates PS Eliot initially did with Waxahatchee (who Cara has played with), she used the solo project as an opportunity to ditch the distortion-driven songs of her former project in favor of bare, folkier songwriting.
She continued that trend on her February 2013 EP as Outer Spaces, Creature of Nature, but added the full band to expand their sound for their May 2013 7" which came out as part of the Matador Records singles series. The resulting songs, "I Was Divided" and "Eternally Fifteen," are two of the band's best tracks to date, pulling from folk, punk, and indie rock, but never really falling into any of the three.
They're planning on releasing their first full length this year, so stay tuned for more on that. Meanwhile, stream the Matador 7" and the Creature of Nature EP, along with the mostly tentative list of tour dates, below...
Continue reading "Outer Spaces released a 7" on Matador, planning LP & tour, playing DbA tonight w/ Field Mouse & others (dates/streams)"
by Andrew Sacher
Field Mouse at Mercury Lounge in February (more by Dominick Mastrangelo)
Brooklyn's shoegazey Field Mouse are going on a short Northeast tour this December with Minneapolis songwriter Tancred and Toronto's The Box Tiger. That tour kicks off in Field Mouse's hometown of NYC on December 18 at Pianos with local band Mount Sharp opening. Tickets for that show are on sale now. All dates are listed, along with the tour flyer, below.
As they usually do, Field Mouse have other upcoming local shows, including one at Cameo on Saturday (11/23) with Work Drugs and Teen Men (tickets), and another opening the previously discussed Ida Maria show at Rough Trade (12/4), along with MiniBoone (tickets). No openers have been announced yet for Ida Maria's Mercury Lounge show (12/3).
You can also catch Mount Sharp in their hometown at The Rock Shop tonight (11/22) with Eldest Son and Z&A (tickets).
Tancred is the solo project of Jess Abbott, who plays guitar in Now, Now, and who recently released a self-titled LP on Topshelf Records. The record differs a bit from Now, Now's more atmospheric stuff, favoring a rockier edge. You can stream it in full below.
Meanwhile, Now, Now are in NYC tonight (11/22) at Webster Hall opening for Kevin Devine. The bill also includes Brand New side project Shone and Harrison Hudson. Tickets for tonight's show are still available.
Stream Tancred's LP, along with the list of tour dates, and a Field Mouse video from our BV Studio Sessions, below...
Continue reading "Field Mouse touring w/ Tancred, playing other shows including one w/ Ida Maria (dates & streams)"
Tickets to see Fiona Apple at Beacon Theatre go on sale today at 11 AM.
Field Mouse and The Attic Ends are playing a free show at Mercury Lounge on August 10. Free tickets to that show go on sale via Thrillcall mobile app today at 10 AM.
Daryl Hall & John Oates are playing Beacon Theater on September 23. Tickets to that show go on presale today at 10 AM (password: "BEACON"), with a general on-sale starting Monday (8/05) at noon.
Hugh Laurie is playing Town Hall on October 25. Tickets for that show go on sale today at 10 AM.
Beverly (whose lineup includes Frankie Rose on drums) is playing the Guac Rock boat show aboard the Jewel on August 19 with The Fine Machines, Joywave, and "a significant amount of guacamole." Tickets for that show are on sale now.
Browse our 'Tickets On Sale' tag for more recently announced NYC shows.
Browse our NYC Concert Calendar for shows happening today and every day - comedy shows, heavy metal concerts (courtesy of our heavy metal blog), and free shows included.
Owen releasing new LP, playing w/ Laura Stevenson & Field Mouse and other shows (dates, streams, & a chance to win tix)
by Andrew Sacher
Owen (aka Mike Kinsella of American Football, Cap'n Jazz, etc) has been working on new material, which will result in his new album, L'Ami due Peuple, due out on July 2 via Polyvinyl. Usually known for his bare acoustic songs with the occasional extra instrumentation worked in, for his new album he's taking a more full-band approach. You can hear the new sound on the singles "Blues to Black," which you can listen to at Rolling Stone, and "Bad Blood," which you can stream below. The album artwork and tracklist are below too.
As briefly mentioned, Owen will be coming to NYC on Friday (5/24) at Bowery Ballroom for a show with Laura Stevenson and Field Mouse. It's the last date on Laura and Field Mouse's tour together. Tickets for that show are still available and we're also giving away a pair. Details on how to enter to win tickets are below.
Owen has some other upcoming dates after the Bowery Ballroom show. All of them are listed, along with the song stream, album art and tracklist, below...
Continue reading "Owen releasing new LP, playing w/ Laura Stevenson & Field Mouse and other shows (dates, streams, & a chance to win tix)"
video by Jessica Amaya and Bleary Eyed Brooklyn and sound by Albert Amaya; photos by Jessica Amaya
Brooklyn poppy shoegazers Field Mouse are currently on tour with Laura Stevenson and the Cans, and that jaunt will finish on May 24 at Bowery Ballroom. Tickets are still available. All remaining tour dates are below.
The band, who have released a few 7"s so far (like this year's "Tomorrow is Yesterday") but took time out to record the second in our BV Studio Sessions series recorded at Butler Recording in Bushwick. The band plays singles "Tomorrow is Yesterday" and "How Do You Know?" as well as "Everyone But You" which has yet to be released. Big thanks to Jessica Amaya, Albert Amaya and Bleary Eyed Brooklyn for the great video.
If you missed it, Ski Lodge was our first BV Studio Session and there are many more to come. Watch Field Mouse, and check out more pictures from their session, below.
Continue reading "watch Field Mouse play three songs in the second episode of BV Studio Sessions "
tix on sale: Savages, Austra, Dinosaur Jr, Courtney Love, CSS, Bob Saget, Donnie & Joe Emerson, Psychedelic Furs + more
(via @bangzy_)
Tickets to see Dinosaur Jr. at Irving Plaza go on Governors Ball presale today at 10 AM. Live Nation and Music Geeks presales are happening Thursday at 10 AM (Music Geeks password: "music geeks") with the general on sale starting Friday at 10 AM.
Courtney Love has a couple NY-area shows this summer, playing The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester on June 27 and the Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ on June 28. Tickets to the Stone Pony show go on Live Nation and Live Nation Mobile presale today at 10 AM with the regular on-sale happening Friday (5/10) at 10 AM. Tickets to the Cap show go on sale Friday at noon.
Tickets to see Mac Miller with openers Chance the Rapper, Earl Sweatshirt, Action Bronson, The Internet, Vince Staples and Meek Mill at Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ, Manhattan Center Hammerstein in NYC, Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT and Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park, NY go on Citi and VIP Package presale today at 10 AM. Citi/Live Nation/Ticketmaster presales for the Hammerstein show begin Thursday at 10, Live Nation Mobile App presale for the Stone Pony show begin Thursday at 10 and Live Nation/Ticketmaster presale for the Oakdale show begin Thursday at 10 AM. General on sale for the Stone Pony, Hammerstein Ballroom and Upstate Concert Hall shows start Friday at 10 AM and general on sale for the Oakdale Theatre show begins Friday at noon.
Owen was added to the Laura Stevenson and Field Mouse show at Bowery Ballroom. Tickets for that show are still available.
Tickets to see Austra and DIANA at Webster Hall go on AmEx presale today at noon. Tickets to the Music Hall of Williamsburg show are still available.
Tickets to see CSS and Io Echo at Bowery Ballroom go on AmEx presale today at noon. Tickets to the Brooklyn Bowl show go on sale Friday at noon.
Tickets to see Savages at Webster Hall go on AmEx presale today at noon.
Tickets to see Donnie & Joe Emerson at Mercury Lounge go on AmEx presale today at noon.
Tickets to see Gold Panda at Webster Hall go on AmEx presale today at noon.
Tickets to see Bob Saget at Bowery Ballroom and Music Hall of Williamsburg go on AmEx presale today at noon.
Tickets to see Mark Kozelek (of Sun Kil Moon & Red House Painters) at Music Hall of Williamsburg go on AmEx presale today at noon.
The Psychedelic Furs are playing Irving Plaza on August 3. Tickets for that show go on Live Nation/Live Nation Mobile App/Music Geeks presale today at 10 AM (Music Geeks password is "musicgeeks").
Pictureplane was added to the Anamanaguchi show at Irving Plaza. Tickets for that show are still available.
Superhumanoids is playing Mercury Lounge on June 21. Tickets for that show go on AmEx presale today at noon.
San Francisco's Permanent Collection are on tour, including two NYC shows ++ Cake Shop/Loglady showcase during SXSW
by Bill Pearis
San Francisco's Permanent Collection released their debut album, Newly Wed Nearly Dead, last August on Loglady Records. Frontman Jason Hendardy, who runs the label with Lauren loPrete, used to be in Young Prisms and there's more than a little shoegaze in PC's sound but is definitely poppier than Hendardy's old band. You can stream the whole thing below.
Permanent Collection are visiting NYC at the moment, playing Shea Stadium tonight (3/8) with Darlings, Field Mouse, and Honeydrum (info here, that's a good show!); and the previously-mentioned Cake Shop show on Saturday (3/9) with Italy's His Clancyness, Spires and former Get Him Eat Him frontman Matt LeMay.
Meanwhile, Cake Shop and Loglady will be in Austin next week for SXSW, co-presenting a showcase that happens Friday (3/15) at Trailerspace Records. Permanent Collection are playing, as are Part Time, California X, TV Ghost, Grandma's Boyfriend, Waxahatchee, and Dead Angle (ex-Tartans). It's a free show, all ages. More info here, and all Permanent Collection dates are listed, along with the Loglady/Cake Shop flyer, below.
Continue reading "San Francisco's Permanent Collection are on tour, including two NYC shows ++ Cake Shop/Loglady showcase during SXSW"
Laura Stevenson
As mentioned, Laura Stevenson is releasing her new album, Wheel, on April 23 via Don Giovanni, and she's announced that she'll support the album on a full band tour with Field Mouse this spring. That tour culminates in a NYC show on May 24 at Bowery Ballroom. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (3/8) at noon with an AmEx presale starting Wednesday (3/6) at noon. All tour dates are listed below.
As usual, you'll have plenty of chances to catch Field Mouse in NYC before and after that tour, including this Friday (3/8) at Shea Stadium with Darlings, Permanent Collection, and Honeydrum; March 20 at Pianos with Fear of Men, Slander, The Lost Patrol and a DJ set from Silent Drape Runners (tickets); and an Aputumpu Festival show on March 28 at Cameo with Dickpic (aka Pictureplane and DJ Dog Dick), Psychic Twin, Silent Drape Runners, Vensaire, and a DJ set from Chrome Canyon (tickets).
In related news, Field Mouse's friends Allison Weiss and Candy Hearts kicked off a tour together this past Saturday (3/2) in Virgina and after moving across the country through SXSW, it returns to the east coast, ending in a NYC show on April 6 at Shea Stadium with Mal Blum and Banquets.
All dates for both tours are listed, along with Laura Stevenson's new single and Field Mouse's recent shoegazey track "Tomorrow Is Yesterday," below...
Continue reading "Laura Stevenson touring w/ Field Mouse; Allison Weiss touring w/ Candy Hearts (dates)"
photos by Dominick Mastrangelo, words by Bill Pearis
On An On @ Mercury Lounge, 2/6/2013
Chicago's On An On played their first of three NYC shows last night (2/6), an early one at Mercury Lounge with locals Field Mouse on the bill as well. Pictures from that show are in this post. Did you go to this show? If, like, me you missed it, you still have two more opportunities to see them. Tonight (2/7) On An On play Glasslands with Tiny Victories and Young Heel (tickets). And then on Friday (2/8), they'll play Rodrigue's Cafe on the Fordham University campus which is open to "students and guests of students." The Shockwaves and Hattrick are also playing and more info on that show here.
On An On will also play Governors Ball which recently added Guns n' Roses as a headliner. More pictures from Mercury Lounge below...
Continue reading "On An On played Mercury Lounge with Field Mouse (pics)"
On An On released 'Give In' (stream, video), add third NYC show to their visit this week (updated dates)
On An On @ Chicago's Lincoln Hall, 1/23/2013 (more by Zach Pollack)
As you may remember, On An On are in NYC this week, playing shows in support of their enjoyable debut album, Give In, which came out last week. You can stream it below where you'll also find their their new video for "The Hunter" which features youth gone wild and a fair amount of pyrotechnics.
In addition to the previously-announced dates at Mercury Lounge on Wednesday (2/6, tix) with Field Mouse and Glasslands on Thursday (2/6, tix) with Tiny Victories and Young Heel, On An On have added a show on Friday (2/8) at Rodrigue's Coffee House at Fordam University campus in the Bronx with The Shockwaves and Hattrick (info).
If you can't make it to any of their NYC shows this week, On An On will be back this summer at Governors Ball. All tour dates are listed below.
Continue reading "On An On released 'Give In' (stream, video), add third NYC show to their visit this week (updated dates)"
by Bill Pearis
Makers of winsome, jangly pop, Brighton, UK's Fear of Men have released a steady stream of collectible 7" singles since forming two years ago. Those hard-to-find tracks are being compiled for the band's first North American release, Early Fragments, which is out in February 13 on Kanine Records. The marbled vinyl edition is limited to 500 copies and can be pre-ordered now. You can stream a few tracks from it below.
The band are making their first trip across the Atlantic for SXSW and they'll play Festival NRMAL in Montery, Mexico beforehand. After SXSW, Fear of Men will stop in NYC on their way home, playing Pianos on March 20 with Field Mouse. Tickets for that show are on sale now. I would be surprised if they didn't add a second NYC show, but we'll see.
Videos, streams, and a list of all tour dates below...
Continue reading "Fear of Men releasing 'Early Fragments' compilation, playing NYC after SXSW (dates, streams)"
by Bill Pearis
Brooklyn's Darlings are self-releasing their new album, Perfect Trip a couple weeks (January 29) which is loaded with catchy, sneary guitar pop. We've got the premeire of catchy, snotty track "Sit on It!" right here in this post and you can stream it below. I think the Fonz would approve.
The band have a few local shows lined up. Friday night (1/18) they play 285 Kent with Total Slacker, Team Spirit and The Indecents, plus TEEN on DJ duty. $8 at the door and more info is here. Then on February 8 at Death by Audio, Darlings are throwing a Perfect Trip release party with other bands TBA. And on March 8 they'll play Shea Stadium with Permanent Collection, Field Mouse and Honey Drum.
A list of all upcoming dates, album art, and song stream are below.
Continue reading "Darlings releasing 'Perfect Trip,' playing shows (dates, stream)"
upcoming Sandy relief benefits in NYC (Cymbals Eat Guitars, Slowdance, Ski Lodge, Field Mouse, Tanlines & more)
Cymbals Eat Guitars at MHOW in July (more by Chris La Putt)
As you may have noticed in today's What's Going On (11/18), there's a few Hurricane Sandy Relief benefits going on in NYC today.
There's one going down in both rooms at Public Assembly, which started at 1:30 PM and is continuing into the evening. If you head down there now, you can still catch sets by Wojick, Zula, The Veda Rays, Their Planes, Backwords, Pessanger Peru, Cool Serbia, Ski Lodge, and Slowdance. Admission is $10 at the door and all proceeds go to NY Cares. Those who bring three canned food items or one hygiene product will get one free Brooklyn Brewery Beer. The full schedule and more info is below.
Union Pool has one dubbed, "From Brooklyn with Love," starting at 5 PM with sets by Wild Yaks, Free Blood, Ice Balloons, Field Mouse, Sophia Knapp, Desert Stars, Firecracker Firecracker, Jess Williamson, Shenandoah and the Night, and The Monte Vista. Admission is a minimum of $20 and all proceeds goes to World Cares. "Big drink specials come to those who donate." The lineup is below.
There's also a Thanksgiving-themed benefit for Far Rockaway going down tonight at The Dalloway (525 Broome St) with DJ sets by Tanlines and Victor Vasquez (aka Kool AD of Das Racist). That party is hosted by Patricia Field, Erin O'Connor, Alana Zimmer, Jaquelyn Jablonski, Sara Blomqvist, Harry Brant, Scoot McNairy, Jeremy Kost, and Va$htie. It begins at 7 PM. Show flyer below.
Later this month, there will be a Sandy benefit at Pianos on November 29 with Cymbals Eat Guitars, Hooray for Earth, Zambri, Grooms, and DJ sets by Will Shortz between sets. Tickets ($12 minimum) are on sale now and proceeds will benefit the victims of Hurricane Sandy in Red Hook.
Other upcoming Sandy relief benefits include Holly Herndon, Ducktails, and Oneohtrix Point Never at MoMA PS1, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Paul McCartney, Kanye West and more at MSG, EDM for Sandy Relief at Gramercy, and more. The Bell House has a lot of benefits coming up too.
Show flyers, lineups and more, below...
Continue reading "upcoming Sandy relief benefits in NYC (Cymbals Eat Guitars, Slowdance, Ski Lodge, Field Mouse, Tanlines & more)"
'From Brooklyn, With Love' is a collective of businesses, helping North Brooklyn Sandy victims, hosting benefits
Donations at Coney Island (more by Nick Childers)
From Brooklyn, With Love is a "collective of North Brooklyn businesses" who have taken to organizing drives and benefits for those afflicted by Hurricane Sandy. With more than 65 business on board to help, the collective have organized dinners, donation drives (like tonight/Tuesday at Rodeo Bar) and in the case of one business, a pair of music-related Hurricane Sandy relief events.
Union Pool in Williamsburg will host a Hurricane Sandy benefit mixer tonight (11/14), featuring DJ sets from Ryan Sawyer (LoneWolf), Adam Wills (Bear in Heaven) "and perhaps a secret surprise musical performance". A $15 minimum donation gets you in, and the venue will have food, drink specials and much more. Come discuss current future outreach events and stay for the drinks and entertainment.
In addition, Union Pool will also host a live event scheduled for for Sunday (11/18) featuring 10 bands. Kicking off at 5PM, the night will be headlined by Wild Yaks and feature performances from Free Blood, Ice Balloons, Field Mouse, Sophia Knapp, Desert Stars, Firecracker Firecracker, Jess Williamson, Shenandoah & The Night and The Monte Vista. A $20 minimum donation is required at the door, with "big drink specials" coming to those who donate. All proceeds will go to World Cares Center.
Head below for set times and more details on that one and other upcoming events...
Continue reading "'From Brooklyn, With Love' is a collective of businesses, helping North Brooklyn Sandy victims, hosting benefits"
by Bill Pearis
Nedelle Torrisi, who is one half of the Asthmatic Kitty-signed Cryptacize and has sung with Sufjan Stevens, Saturday Looks Good to Me and others, has a new musical project called Paradise and her first single under that name is out this week on Thin Wrist Recordings. Produced by Kenneth Gilmore (Ariel Pink), the record features vocal contributions from Ramona Gonzales and Julia Holter, as well some guitarwork from the ubiquitous Dev Hynes. It's lovely pop on the widescreen side of things and is refreshingly not awash in reverb. You can stream the A-side, "I Love Thousands Every Summer" (which has been floating around the internet for most of the year) below and you can check out the elaborate packaging for the 7" here.
Paradise plays two shows this week: Tuesday (11/13) at Glasslands with Field Mouse and WIM (tickets), and then Thursday (11/15) at Pianos with Andy Burrows, Catharsis and Cookies (tickets). While there is a five-piece band version of Paradise, these NYC shows will be just Nedelle and Ryan Keberle (of Catharsis) on piano.
Single stream is below.
Continue reading "check out Paradise (Nedelle Torrisi of Cryptacize), playing two NYC shows this week"
Murals, Foxygen, Ex Cops and Field Mouse played Pianos (CMJ pics/video) +++ Ex Cops play Glasslands tonight
photos and video by Jessica Amaya
Foxygen / Field Mouse / Ex Cops @ Pianos, 10/19/2012
During CMJ if you find yourself on the Lower East Side with no specific plans, it's usually a safe bet that Pianos will have something interesting. For instance, BV photographer/videographer Jessica Amaya found herself at Pianos on Friday night (10/19) for The Deli's two-floor showcase and caught Foxygen and Murals downstairs (both of whom played our day party early that same day at Public Assembly, and then Field Mouse and Ex Cops upstairs.
Speaking of, Ex Cops play Glasslands tonight (10/23) with Historics and Young Boys ($10 at the door). More pics from Pianos on Friday night (plus video of Murals and Field Mouse) are below.
Continue reading "Murals, Foxygen, Ex Cops and Field Mouse played Pianos (CMJ pics/video) +++ Ex Cops play Glasslands tonight"
Murals are in NYC for CMJ, playing 9 shows including kickoff party at Pianos tonight & BV day party on Friday (dates)
Murals at Pianos, July 2012 (more by Eric Townsend)
Louisville's Murals are visiting NYC this week for CMJ and are certainly contenders for the Most Shows award, playing nine times between now and Saturday, including the BrooklynVegan day party on Friday (10/19) at Public Assembly. Full line-up is still forthcoming but Murals play at 1 PM right before Deap Vally. If you haven't heard Murals's On a Passing Cloud LP, you can stream it below. The band were last here over the summer.
The band's run of shows begins tonight (10/15) with a Oh My Rockness Kickoff Party at Pianos, that also features Scott & Charlene's Wedding, Infinity Shred, Life Size Maps and Noxious Foxes. $8 at the door.
Other shows this week include Aquarium Drunkard's showcase at Mercury Lounge on Tuesday (10/16, 8 PM) with Rafiq Bhatia, Tashaki Miyaki and more, and then Pianos upstairs shortly after (9:30 PM, free) that same night that also features Team Spirit, Slam Donahue and more.
On Thursday (10/18), Murals play two shows: Pianos (1:30 PM, free) for the I Guess I'm Floating day party with Chad Valley, Hundred Waters and more, then the Bird Dog/Golden Ratio party (6:45 PM, being relocated from Deliquency, venue TBD, free) with Ava Luna, Royal Canoe and more.
On Friday (10/19) in addition to our day party, they'll play Pianos/The Deli's official CMJ showcase (9:30) with Young Magic, Mac Demarco and more. Then two shows on Saturday (10/20): the Bowery Presents Day Party at Pianos (3:30, free) with Savages, the Orwells and more; and finally Cake Shop that night (10 PM) with Francisco the Man, Field Mouse and more.
All Murals CMJ week dates are listed below, along with their album stream and show flyers.
Continue reading "Murals are in NYC for CMJ, playing 9 shows including kickoff party at Pianos tonight & BV day party on Friday (dates)"
by Bill Pearis
Field Mouse have a new 7" coming out October 16 as part of Lefse Records' Single Series club. We've got the premiere of the single's A-side, a lovely slab of melodic shoegaze called "How Do You Know?," which you can stream below.
Field Mouse also have some local shows coming up including tonight (9/14) at Pianos with Florida's Beach Day (who also play Cameo on 9/16), Suns and Teepee; then The Rock Shop on September 19 with At Sea and Mansions and Junipers. Field Mouse will also be around for CMJ though the only confirmed date at the moment is the Lefse Records showcase at Pianos on October 16.
Song stream, single art and dates are below.
Continue reading "Field Mouse ready new single, playing NYC shows and CMJ (dates and stream)"


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Devin Ebanks got the start partially because Jordan Hill is out (back spasms) but also because
Devin Ebanks got the start partially because Jordan Hill is out (back spasms) but also because
he played his best game of the year against the Knicks on Thursday night http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-devin-ebanks-first-look-d-antoni-knicks-20121214,0,1719619.story Ebank has an opportunity in this moment to really establish himself. So far throughout his career he's had many of those opportunities but hasn't really ever stepped into it. His best game overall game was against Durant, defending him well - but where was that in the playoffs? Perhaps this is the moment Ebanks needs to break through - otherwise I'm not sure he's a Laker past this season - or even through the year - although he can block any trade.
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Pointless slogans are a waste of time
It started nine years ago. I can remember the actual week when it all began because I was teaching brand management at London Business School to a class of MBA students and we spent the first hour of class discussing it. That morning Unilever announced that it was introducing a new corporate logo featuring a smooth, rounded U made from an amalgam of 24 icons representing all the businesses that it was engaged in. I beamed the new design onto the screen behind me and my class debated its merits.
There was no doubt that the new logo was an improvement on the old square thing that Unilever had previously used. Wolff Olins had done an excellent job. But the bigger question related to the strategy behind the logo. Unilever had not previously existed in the consumer's mind and was now committed to not only changing its logo but also its brand architecture, pumping brand equity into its corporate name for the first time. Perhaps, my class mused, it was an attempt to save money, exert control at corporate level, combat private labels, aid expansion in new markets or build a single CSR platform.
Whatever the rationale, Unilever soon applied its new logo to its packaging and advertising along with a new corporate slogan "Bringing vitality to life".
Think about that message for a second because it's a fascinatingly mundane bit of marketing. Bringing vitality to life is literally meaningless. It's like saying that you are hydrating water or opening the aperture. It's bloody obvious and totally pointless.
You might have expected the combined might of Unilever's marketing teams to come up with something a bit better. But there is a classic marketing explanation behind the bland emptiness of Unilever's corporate approach. Marketers are trained from an early age to go after a tighter target segment and ignore mass marketing.
A tighter target segment gives you a distinct group of consumers who are usually buying a very specific competitor - meaning you can usually position your brand on specific consumer needs and against a very short list of potential rivals. This makes for tight positioning, better execution and superior results.
But when you try to position a corporate brand like Unilever across the world, across more than 40 brands, across its combined target consumers and against competitor brands, you get the opposite result. You get empty, pointless stuff like "bringing vitality to life".
And, of course, it is not alone. As more and more brands have moved from a house of brands to an endorsed approach in which their formerly silent corporate brands have been activated as a consumer entity, we have seen the same empty results each time.
There's no greater fan of Procter & Gamble than yours truly - it literally invented brand management. But its current efforts are a sad echo of its formerly great heritage.
It was impossible not to be moved by Wieden+Kennedy's emotional "Thank you, Mom" ad from 2012 in which mothers are shown coaching their children to greatness at the London Olympics. But step back from the lovely execution and look at the message behind it. P&G spent hundreds of millions of pounds to point out to the world that mums are awesome and you should love yours. Once again, the generality of targeting, combined with the enormous range of competitors that it faces, multiplied by the diaspora of brands being amalgamated produced inanity.
It's the same story at Reckitt Benckiser where the marketing maestros behind the successful brand management of everything from Strepsils to Finish could only manage "the power behind our powerbrands" when challenged to come up with a slogan for its increasingly exposed corporate brand.
And now we have Johnson & Johnson. I thought we'd reached the nadir of inanity but I was wrong. J&J is to spend a fortune in 2013 to promote its corporate brand with pictures of people kissing babies and the message "Love. It's the most powerful thing on the planet". No shit. Love is certainly a lot more powerful than all this corporate branding that's going on.
I despair for the big brands. They've collectively lost the brand building plot. And so I say to small independent FMCG brands that it's your time to go after them. Focus on your consumer brands, target a specific consumer segment and position against your formerly untouchable rivals that are blunted by their corporate brand inanity. Pick up your sling, Goliath has forgotten how to fight.
Readers' comments (7)
Read 'How Brands Grow' by Byron Sharp. You will never be a big brand if you only want to target a small segment. The big players have got it right - go for something with mass appeal. That's how you become a big brand. You get bought in mass. It's mass that counts. You have to do it right, though, and harnessing a universal truth can work. Especially if you make it your own.
If it was so simple, Mr Ritson, particularly in Britain. The FMCG retail sector in your country is a vivid example of the current "socialistic capitalism" underpinned by a lovely relationship between big business and those in power. It's always been like that but recent decades have witnessed the apogee. Only big companies (I do mean big) are supplying a handful of retailers dominating the market. These big boyz are capable to deliver margins per unit that Tesco et al desire and of course, the usual deal sweeteners that put competitors away for good. You wrote about it recently, didn't you? From key stakeholders' point of view it doesn't really matter what happens to SMEs - those joining the army of ~3m unemployed Britons receive generous benefits so that they continue shopping with the good old Tesco et al. Borrowed money will pay it all, at least that had been the thought until recently, hadn't it? And, very cynically to notice, that is kind of the market - adapt or die. Well, is it really?
Thinking about the Unilever slogan, maybe they mean 'life' in the sense of 'daily life' i.e. Unilever products bring a bit of sparkle to the drudgery of everyday existence. That would make "Bringing vitality to life" a pun. If so, someone was being too clever for their own good.
Agreed, put the broad brush away.
Blandness is spreading too! Whilst many smaller competitors should adopt the "David v Goliath" strategy as Mark advocates, my experience is that the adoption of blandness and generic corporate messaging gives the unimaginative smaller guys the excuse to simply follow suit: they've got a slogan so we should have a catch-all one too! And it doesn't stop at the slogan. So many organisations spend hours of otherwise productive time coming up with 'visions and values' that are also similarly bland, meaningless and undifferentiated (and often quite inaccurate versus real organisational culture and politics) that the soul and real passion of the folk in the organisation is lost and worse disillusioned along the way.
Slogans really rind my gears, they never seem to have any thought applied to them. A lot of older executives seem to rattle off slogans every time they conceptualise a brand, its almost second nature to them.
Brands with a small, loyal following, or companies that rely on radio advertising sill revel in slogans. For corporates though, it makes them look horrendously dated.