The Memphis Scene

I knew there was some reason I was poking around MGMT's MySpace the other day: the super-hot duo -- one half of which is Memphis native Andrew VanWyngarden -- is playing in Memphis on Wednesday, June 11. Kumora and Hi-Electric also will be on the bill. It should be a very coveted $10 ticket. Get yours in advance here.

Also coming up at the Hi-Tone: A ripping Music Fest weekend three-fer with Jay Reatard on Thursday, May 1; ? and the Mysterians and new Memphis supergroup Snake Eyes on Friday, May 2; and American Music Club with Harlan T. Bobo on Saturday, May 3.

After saving this image from one of the band's MySpace page, I'm finally able to post it for you. For some reason, it wasn't posting properly after I downloaded it from the initial e-mail I got. Enjoy -- it's an attractive flier, isn't it?

Ryan Jones, the man behind the My Midtown Memphis blog, is back on the job with extensive posting. He was away for a few days, being between Internet connections and dealing with (*gulp*) a kidney stone.

Deejay Jay Bee focuses his hip-hop spotlight on the year 1993 during his long-running Friday night gig at Sekisui Pacific Rim. Think about where you were and what you were doing 15 years ago ...

Also, Buck Wilders and The Hook Up are back in action Saturday night, providing a peek into their rare vinyl archives with a benefit show at the DeCleyre Music Ranch, 787 Ellsworth.

I'm throwing a little shindig/deejay appearance of my own Saturday, April 5, at Quetzal. The place has a brand-new, state-of-the art sound system that I'll be breaking in, an HD-DVD video projection apparatus, a nice premium bar selection, and, on this night, the best music selection anywhere in town.

Music-wise, I'll be all over the place -- some stuff you'll know, some you won't know but will like -- all mixed to perfection. (Did I mention this place has a brand-new boomin' system?!)

I especially recommend this night to those of you, like the commenters on this old post, seeking a more adult-oriented nightlife destination (and I don't mean "adult-oriented" in this sense).

P.S. I should include this on the flier image, but Quetzal is at 664 Union, across from The Commercial Appeal building and next door to Sun Studio. Park in back along Marshall.

The pictures from the Christmas-night "3 French Hens" party at Itta Bena are posted for all to see on the Cocks N Hens page. Once again it was Chicagoland deejay/producer/remixer Million Dollar Mano on the decks, with support from Memphis mainstay DJ Flip.

And a happy holiday season, and a Happy New Year ahead!

My friend and Memphis Feel-Harmonic DJ Symphony Orchestra partner Carlos Moore has posted a selection of pictures on his Web site from the trip we took to this past spring's Winter Music Conference in Miami. Check out the whole site while you're at it.

* Following up on the Bright Eyes show this past Tuesday, Mark Jordan has a full review here.

* Following up on the other day's mention of Ross Johnson here, that particular garage rock poobah has a lot going on lately. The Baron of Love has a new career retrospective on the shelves, and he'll be on WEVL this Saturday at 4 to talk about it. Mark your holiday weekend calendars: Johnson will stage a release party at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, at Goner Records in Cooper-Young.

If your plans for next weekend were to include weeping and being sad at the Bright Eyes show at The Orpheum, be advised that the Tuesday night engagement has moved down the street to the Gibson Beale Street Showcase lounge (Please note the flier image above). For a variety of reasons, I think everyone will have a better time at the Gibson.

This show provides another opportunity to see Maria Taylor, whose own show a few weeks back was canceled. Like Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst, she hails from the hot Omaha, Neb., indie label Saddle Creek Records.

For more about opening act The Felice Brothers, check out today's Playbook piece by the esteemed Andria Lisle. Any band that dresses up like, well, The Band must be worth something, I say.

Incidentally, while looking over the Web site for this show's promoter, TCB Concerts, I discovered that the great They Might Be Giants (yay!) is performing Sunday night (yay!) at Newby's (ehhh ... ). Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 at the door. The show is all-ages for 14 and up. No 13-year-olds better even think of trying to get in.