8tracks: Spooky October Mix

Halloween’s just around the corner and for every good holiday there needs to be a solid holiday mix. This month, I’ve pooled together the most ghastly tracks including songs from Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Blank Dogs, and North American Halloween Prevention Initiative.

This month’s 8tracks is Spooky October Mix! See the full track listing after the jump! (Plus a couple of early Halloween gifts!)

Ps. What are you planning to be for Halloween. I was going for Toegpi but the time in my glass is going by so fast so cop-out costume: Lizzie Borden.

All Points West 2009 + Brooklyn Bowl Pool Party + new 8tracks

Well, it was quite the weekend for everyone who had the pleasure of being in New York City.

In short, all those brave enough to venture into Jersey despite the less than perfect weather enjoyed three days of music marathon madness at All Points West in Liberty Park.

Although I skipped out on day three for the Jelly NYC Pool Party, the first and second days at All Points West were more than anyone could have asked for.

Day one included acts like Fleet Foxes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Vampire Weekend, and Telepathe. Of course, Jay-Z stole the show.

During his set, he had an explosive opening that paid tribute to the Beastie Boys, who weren’t able to make it for medical reasons, with his very own version of “No Sleep Till Brooklyn”. Yeah Yeah Yeahs were also great. Karen O is simply one of the best performers out there.

Day two headlined none other than TOOL but the main attraction for me was My Bloody Valentine . Aware of their reputation of being really ridiculously loud, I avoided the pit to save my ear drums and opted to hide behind a Stella at the nearest beer garden. Yet, that helped little to none. Even the kids in the VIP bleachers were stuffing neon orange plugs into their ears.

Gogol Bordello thrilled and had be up front and center. Although a rowdy dancer might have crushed my foot, their set was completely worth it. Look how excited I am.

Between mud wrestling, buying crafts, eating mediocre vegan food, and holding my breath past the port-o-potties, All Points West was an AMAZING experience. (Next stop: All Tomorrow’s Parties?)

I skipped out on Day Three at All Points West for a chance to see the line-up of a life time: Deerhunter, No Age, and Dan Deacon free of charge! This post is already far too long. Read more on this pool party on my Last.fm. See video of the Pool Party here.

Finally, there’s a new JC&L 8tracks ready to pleasure you and your ear drums called: Circle Head Bangers Jackson 5 (the August Mix). Roughly inspired by this past weekend but not really, see the full track listing after the jump (free tracks may or may not be included)!

Flickr

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Food Network Foodie Making SXSW as Awkward As Ever (Rachel Ray)

Well, it’s happening all over again. Festival season starts in a couple of weeks with SXSW in Austin, TX.

With some of the music scene’s most respected people, companies, and institutions throwing the sickest parties featuring the sickest bands, why does Rachel Ray have to ruin all the fun?

It’s the festival equalvent of going to a house party in high school and realizing that your friend’s parents are still there, serving expensive mixed drinks, and dancing to Busta Rhymes with all the other 16-year-olds. (Maybe that’s just an experience special to my  high school years in Orange County.)

The showcase, Rose’s Mojito and Rachael Ray’s Feedback: The B-Side (what?), features The Hold Steady, the New York Dolls, Bob Schneider, and others.

Interested? The showcase will be on Saturday, March 21 at Maggie Mae’s.

It should be…tasty.

“Killer Parties” – The Hold Steady (2004 French Kiss) Almost Killed Me

Wiretapping Sucks (but Obama is still totally rad)

Less than 24 hours after officially becoming America’s 44th commander and chief, President Barack Obama lifted the limitations formerly imposed on the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), according to an official press release issued by the US Office of the Press Secretary.

The FOIA, which had previously been heavily limited by the Bush administration following 9/11, was signed into law by LBJ in 1966 and allows the disclosure of previously unreleased government documents and information for public use.

President Obama, in his pursuit to make his administration much more open, efficient, and accountable said:

In our democracy, the Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA), which encourages accountability through
transparency, is the most prominent expression of a profound
national commitment to ensuring an open Government.  At the
heart of that commitment is the idea that accountability is in
the interest of the Government and the citizenry alike.

The Bush administration’s suffocating bars on information were more horrendous than any of us could have imagined.

After illegally tapping phone lines of “suspected terrorists and threats to democracy,” it was recently brought to my attension how severely the former administration was intruding.

I guess journalists were among those who “threatened democracy.”

NSA whistleblower Russel Tice said those targeted in wiretapping included many non-terrorist including journalists, according to an interview with MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann.

Well, thank god that’s over.

“Easy/Lucky/Free” – Bright Eyes (2004 Saddle Creek) Digital Ash In A Digital Urn

The Inauguration In Hats

If your inauguration experience was anything like mine, it probably involved being crammed in your college radio station’s spare room with a complete stranger while furiously jotting down notes and laughing at the senile ABC commentator and his audibly uncomfortable side-kick.

If not, I’m sure you didn’t miss much.

Apart from the amazing Rev. Lowery’s badass Benediction, Obama’s straight forward break with the Bush administration, and Yo Yo Ma and company’s killer performance, the hats stole the show.

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin definitely blew all the other hats out of the water.

That hat alone is the reason why I still love America. On the other hand, George Bush Sr.’s hat didn’t match the occasion’s valor and prestige.

Essentially the function was there but the fashion was completely gone. The purple scarf might have saved the entire ensemble but that’s beside the point.

Our beloved Ted Kennedy had a fantastically simple hat. Timeless and simple, the political legend’s hat owned up to the magnitude of Kennedy’s status. The senator had also collapsed early today at the inaugural lunch, according to various news sources. Our best hopes go out to him and his family.

Long live President Obama and hats.

PS. Rick Warren sucks.

“Black Rats & Top Hats” – Blood On The Wall (2004 Social Registry) ST

(title pending) playlist (WTBU)

Well, it was the first show of the semester and it was totally ghetto fabulous (whatever that means).

talking points:

1) Rev. Lowery

2) Guess who’s president (hint: rhymes with oarack bmama)

3) Animal Collective’s new album

4)Girl Talk & Simian Mobile Disco show (Paradise 4/22)

5)Antony & the Johnsons show (2/22)

Playlist after the jump!

Jen Choi & the Life Live on Air (WTBU)

A new semester calls for a new radio show.

Tune into WTBU: the beat of Boston University, between noon and 2pm every Tuesday for (title pending)!

Although, the show might not really have a title yet, it has a great line up of DJs including your very own as well as my fellow DJs Daria and Maya Tee.

Expect the best in disco, dance, and experiental noise and folk.

Like last semester, I’ll keep all those who are unable to catch the live online stream updated here on Jen Choi & the Life with a weekly playlist of tracks played and a couple of talking points.

As always free mp3s will also be included. So–tune in (and check out the station blog)!

“Radio” – Apes & Androids (2008 self-released) Blood Moon

Chilly’s Got Some New Willies (New Chilly Willy Albums)

Eugene, Oregon’s crown jewel, Chilly Willy AKA Willectronica AKA Will Mehigan used the cult success of his hit album,  Chilly Willy Remixes Your Favorite Hits! to lauch two new albums: The Mystical Adventures of Chilly Willy and One Nation Under Chilly Willy.

The Mystical Adventures of Chilly Willy marks a new chapter in the epic of Chilly. Not nearly as rip-wild and raging as Remixes, the album is more of a psychedelic journey to the North Pole.

One Nation Under Chilly Willy is just in time for the new year and the new admisitration. Meant to be listened to as a single continuous dance party, the album echos Remixes without being redunant.

All in all: well-done Chilly.

PS. All of Chilly Willy’s albums are available for full download here.

“Chilly Willy Leaves The North Pole On A Kayak of Clouds” – Chilly Willy (2009 self-released) The Mystical Adventures of Chilly Willy

Jen Choi’s Top 28 Tracks of 2008 (+ top albums)

Happy Christmas everyone! (and for those who don’t celebrate….I’ll see you in hell)

Bed-ridden with a fever and a freak nasty cough, I was suddenly inspired.

It was while listening to The Sword’s latest Gods of the Earth album, I decided to grace my public with one last gift: Jen Choi’s Top 28 Tracks of 2008!

Although I think 2007 was a better year in music, 2008 definitely had its gems. My favorite albums were:

5. Beach House – Devotion
4. Deerhunter – Microcastles
3. Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – Real Emotional Trash
2. Crystal Castles – Crystal Castles
1. Animal Collective – Water Curses EP

Honorable Mentions:
My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges
Lil’ Wayne -The Carter III
MGMT - Oracular Spectacular
No Age -  Nouns
The Dodos - Visiter

Download Jen Choi & the Life’s Top 28 of 2008 (via zShare) and remember, come December 31st, 2008: party ’til you puke!

“In The New Year” – The Walkmen (2008 Gigantic) You & Me

See the full track listing after the jump–