World's Fair

…Well, at least if you’re in New York and looking for some sweet shows. We got you covered, don’t worry. Here are five for the dog days.

First up is Chin Chin, the disco funk band from Brooklyn, who are playing a special gig at the very excellent Joe’s Pub this Thursday, July 10, at 9:30.
 
Here’s what Wax Poetics has to say:

“Contemporary funk never sounded so retro. Their versatile tracks are influenced by a myriad of genres, which creates uniquely danceable and joyful jams. Chin Chin’s self-titled album is a much-needed breath of fresh, soulful air. Listen to Chin Chin now.”

www.worlds-fair.net/chin_chin/
www.myspace.com/chinchinnyc

 
And just 8 days later (that’s July 18 for those mathematically challenged), Daptone’s very own Budos Band will be heating up the evening as part of the Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing series. Budos goes on at 7:30 (in Damrosch Park, part of the Lincoln Center complex), followed by Chico Mann at 9.

www.worlds-fair.net/budos_band/
www.myspace.com/budosband

 
 
Next, on August 5, Apollo Sunshine take the East River by storm (well, hopefully not literally…), playing as part of the Rocks Off Concert Cruise with Sam Champion and Drug Rug for what should be a rollicking good time. The vessel, the Jewel, leaves at 8pm sharp from Skyport Marina (23rd & FDR Drive), and swimming to catch up with your friends is not exactly an advised strategy…

 
 
www.worlds-fair.net/apollo_sunshine/
www.myspace.com/apollosunshine

 
The following day, Wednesday, August 6, Tiny Masters of Today will close out the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s Music at the Bridge Series with a special show at Tobacco Warehouse, part of the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, alongside Headlights and the French Kicks.
 
And it’s free! Show starts at 6.
 
 
www.worlds-fair.net/tiny_masters_of_today/
www.myspace.com/tinymasters

 
 
Finally, on August 17, Sharon Jones, along with labelmates Menahan Street Band and Naomi Shelton, will be performing on the last day of the venerable Central Park SummerStage, old-school style, as part of the Daptone Revue. This marks the debut show for Menahan Street Band, a citywide introduction to Naomi Shelton (who’s been making her presence known in the Village for years now), and of course, another sure-to-be smokin’ performance by Ms. Jones.
 
Show starts at 3. Don’t miss it.

www.daptonerecords.com/
www.myspace.com/daptonerecords

Beginning June 20, Def Jux’s Junk Science will be hitting parking lots, amphitheaters, and fairgrounds across the country as part of the Vans Warped Tour, balancing the punk guitars of bands like Against Me!, Reel Big Fish, and Be Your Own Pet with their seamless and energetic rhymes and beats. Recognizing the gap in hip-hop after Hangar 18 had to cancel their own Warped Tour dates, Junk Science jumped at the chance to join what is otherwise affectionately referred to as “punk rock summer camp.”

Baje One and Snafu, the MC/DJ duo that comprise Junk Science, have known each other since they were both kids growing up in Brooklyn, and now, as part of the celebrated Nuclear Family, they’ve brought their music to the rest of the world, most recently on their second LP, Gran’Dad’s Nerve Tonic — out on Definitive Jux last October — and through extensive touring with the tireless Del the Funky Homosapien. Warped Tour gives them yet another opportunity to show off their stuff, the perfect mix of cool and swagger, complementing and enhancing the line-up and winning over plenty of fans in the meantime.
 
Get ready for show with a sweet remix of “Hey!” with The Boys & Girls Club.
Junk Science - “Hey! Boys & Girls Club Remix” [DOWNLOAD]
 

And the tour dates…
June 20 - Pomona, CA @ Fairplex Park
June 21 - San Francisco, CA @ Pier 30/32
June 22 - Ventura, CA @ Seaside Park
June 25 - Phoenix, AZ @ Cricket Wireless Pavilion
June 26 - Las Cruces, NM @ New Mexico State University-Intramural Field
June 28 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Utah State Fair
June 29 - Denver, CO @ Invesco Field At Mile High
July 1 - Maryland Heights, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater St Louis
July 2 - Bonner Springs, KS @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 3 - Dallas, TX @ Superpages.com Center (form. Smirnoff Music Center)
July 5 - Selma, TX @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 6 - Houston, TX @ Sam Houston Race Park
July 9 - Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Exhibition Center
July 10 - Orlando, FL @ Central Florida Fairgrounds
July 11 - Petersburg, FL @ Vinoy Park
July 12 - Miami, FL @ Bicentennial Park
July 13 - Elkton, FL @ St Johns County Fairgrounds
July 14 - Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 15 - Virginia Beach, VA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 16 - Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 17 - Cleveland, OH @ Time Warner Cable Amphitheater at Tower City

Artist: Junk Science
Album: Gran’ Dad’s Nerve Tonic
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: October 23rd, 2007
Formats: vinyl, CD, mp3

CONNECT: Definitive Jux | Junk Science | Myspace

Chin Chin, the latest band on Def Jux to tear up the stage, has just a couple of shows left this tour before a much deserved rest. Tonight, Angelinos can check out the band at 10pm at The Mint or on the 10th at Cinespace (with Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Tuesdays), while the OC gets ‘em on Saturday, June 7 at The Continental Room. New Yorkers have to wait a little longer to see Chin Chin, but it’ll be worth it: they’re playing a June 14 show at The Yard at the first annual Scumstravaganza alongside Tone Tank and Peelander-Z.

Chin Chin’s self-titled album, which came out April 29, has been getting a lot of great press, too, including this review from Stereo Subversion:

“Their complex twist on funk and disco is like a really good eggs las migas - the ingredients are familiar enough, but spiced just unusually enough so that surprises lurk in every other bite. Chin Chin has created an intricate, weird, and occasionally excellent album whose only major shortcoming lies in the fact that it is actually an album and not, in fact, a party filled with other sweaty, dancing people.”

The DJ Eli remix of “Toot D’Amore” has also been getting a lot of coverage, including from XLR8R.

You can also download it here.

Artist: Chin Chin
Album:Chin Chin
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3

CONNECT: Website | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair

Still cursing yourself for not going to the Dizzee Rascal show last month? Don’t worry, our favorite British rapper (sorry Mr. Skinner) will be back in the US (and Canada!) for the second leg of his tour, beginning with a July 18th show in NYC and ending in San Francisco on July 25.

People who know what’s up have been praising Dizzee for a while now. Pitchfork posted the dates on their site, and the LA Weekly wrote about his show at the El Rey on May 22, calling it “better than 99.999999 % of your average American rapper’s set.” (Prefix also took some sweet pics.)

Last week, Monsieur Rascal was featured on HipHopDX’s homepage in an interview that has him crediting um, Korn as inspiration and TOMORROW, JUNE 4, he’s performing on FUEL TV “The Daily Habit” (9pm EST/6pm PST, then re-airing later in the evening at 12am EST/9pm PST and the following weekday at 2:30pm/11:30am and 5:30pm/2:30pm…whoo).

Dizzee Rascal Summer Tour Dates
July 18 - New York, NY @ Highline Ballroom
July 19 - Chicago, IL @ Pitchfork Music Festival
July 20 - Toronto, ONT @ Rogers Picnic
July 21 - Austin, TX @ Emo’s
July 22 - Denver, CO @ Cervante’s
July 24 - Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
July 25 - San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine

Check out the Dan Carey remix of Dizzee’s biggest UK hit, Flex, in preparation. [DOWNLOAD]

In other Def Jux news: New Website! New Music! New Shoes!

Artist: Dizzee Rascal
Album: Maths + English (U.S. Edition)
Label: Definitive Jux / World’s Fair
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3

CONNECT: Definitive Jux | Dizzee Rascal | Myspace | YouTube

Summer’s almost here, and there’s no better way to celebrate — at least for those near the BK — than with a couple of outdoor shows with Def Jux. Herald in this Memorial Day Weekend (May 24th to be exact) with avant hip-hop producer Mike Ladd at the Brooklyn Shuffle, or with the always fantastic Chin Chin and hardcore band Activator at the Scumstravaganza 2008 Summer Release Party on the 14th of June. Both shows are at The Yard, and judging by the way these artists all perform, both are not-to-miss.

This is the second annual Brooklyn Shuffle, and this year’s show is dedicated to artists who are pushing genre boundaries, especially those associated with mainstream “black music.” With Mike Ladd — playing with his new band — on the bill, alongside guitarist Grey Reverend, electro-afropunk outfit No Surrender, and DJ Myles and DJ Lindsey (of The Hump), it’s sure to be a very good time.

Brooklyn Shuffle
@ THE YARD (400 Carroll Street, Brooklyn)
Saturday, May 24, 4pm - 9pm
Tickets $10 adv/ $12 door, all ages
Advanced tickets available @ www.TheYard.ws

Here’s a track from Mike’s latest, the excellent Nostalgialator, which came to the States courtesy of Def Jux this past January.
Mike Ladd - “Trouble Shot” [DOWNLOAD]

Or find out more about Mike Ladd here: myspace.com/mikeladd

Chin Chin and Activator are playing at Scumlife’s 2008 Summer Release Party, Scumstravaganza, Saturday, June 14, another event with a killer line-up, with performances also by Tone Tank, Peelander-Z, and the Nuclear Family, among others.

Scumstravaganza 2008 Summer Release Party
@ THE YARD (400 Carroll Street, Brooklyn)
Saturday, June 14, Doors @ 2pm
Tickets $10 adv, 18+

CHIN CHIN - “APPETITE” [DOWNLOAD]

Artist: Chin Chin
Album:Chin Chin
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3

CONNECT: Website | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair

If you’re looking for something fun to do over the weekend in New York, check out the 5th Avenue Street Fair in Park Slope. This is a perfect place to do some daytime outdoor drinking, and make lots of unnecessary purchases! But, most importantly you can catch CHIN CHIN for FREE! They’ll be playing out in front of Southpaw at 4pm. Come through!

… and if you’re looking for some pre-street fair/party warm up tunes, check out the super fun remix that DJ Eli did of Chin Chin’s funk-tastic “Toot D’Amore.”

Chin Chin - “Toot D’Amore” remix by DJ Eli [DOWNLOAD]

Sun, May 18 — Brooklyn @ 5th Ave Street Fair (125 Fifth Ave.) 4pm

West Coast dates!
Wed, May 28 — Seattle @ Nectar
Thu, May 29 – Portland @ Rotture
Fri, May 30 — Vancouver Island @ Waverly Hotel
Wed, June 4 — San Francisco @ Mojito’s
Fri, June 6 — Los Angeles @ The Mint
Sat, June 7 — Orange County @ Continental Room

Artist: Chin Chin
Album:Chin Chin
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3

CONNECT: Website | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair

Still basking in the success of his most recent album, Eleventh Hour, Del the Funky Homosapien is setting off a yet another tour, this time hitting much of the festival circuit, with stops at Monolith, Bumbershoot, Austin City Limits and plenty of others.

Del was recently featured in Pitchfork’s guest list column, where he talked about his favorite record stores, Rock of Love, and his own love of Parliament-Funkadelic:

“I was watching a Parliament show. It was in 1972. And of course, that was off the hook… George Clinton was changing costumes throughout the set. He come out as Starchild, Dr. Funklestein…it’s a trip. You know what? I kind of liked Bootsy [Collins]’s show a little better. He got a little more continuity to his stage goings-on. Like it was a little more unified and goofy. Parliament’s all over the place.”

Del’s set may not feature all the over-the-top theatrics of a P-Funk production, but he certainly knows how to put on a fantastic live show. And this summer there are plenty of chances to see that in action.

Can’t wait that long for new Del music? Check out the exclusive C7 remix of “Foot Down” here. [DOWNLOAD]

Del the Funky Homosapien Summer Tour Dates

May 20 - Spokane, WA @ The Boulevard
May 21 - Missoula, MT @ The Other Side
May 22 - Bozeman, MT @ Zebra Cocktail Lounge
May 23 - Palladium @ Salt Lake City, CA
May 24 - Moab, UT @ Desert Rocks Music Fest
June 06 - Lawrence, KS @ Wakarusa Music Fest
Sept 01 - Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot Fest
Sept 04 - Portland, OR @ Musicfest MW at Roseland Theater
Sept 13 - Morrison, CO @ Monolith Fest at Red Rocks
Sept 26 - Austin, TX @ Austin City Limits Festival

Artist: Del The Funky Homosapien
Album:Eleventh Hour
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: March 11th, 2008
Formats: CD, vinyl, mp3

Del The Funky Homosapien - “Bubble Pop (Promo)” [DOWNLOAD]

Mr. Dibbs Presents “Del The Funky Megamix” [LISTEN]

CONNECT: Delspace | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair

You may have been hearing about the spectacular Mercury-Prize winning Dizzee Rascal for a while, but now is finally the time for stateside hip-hop fans or fans-to-be to check out the garage rap master in action, celebrating the 4/29 US release (courtesy of Def Jux) of Maths + English, a record that EW has called “an eclectic, break-dance-worthy Slick Rick reincarnation,” while The Observer Music Monthly declared it “essential” and “his strongest, most ambitious and mature…to date.”

Dizzee already tore it up at SXSW and the MTV Australia Awards 2008, now he’s primed for cross-country American domination. Oh yeah, and if the thought of ridiculously grimy beats and spit-fire rhymes from Britain’s favorite MC isn’t enough, he’s touring with none other than El-P, who really has to be seen to be believed.

Dizzee Rascal - MegaMaster 1.0 (Mixed by El-P) [DOWNLOAD]

Clear your calenders, dates start tomorrow!

May 8 - 9:30 Club, D.C.
May 9 - First Unitarian Church, Philly
May 10 - Webster Hall, NYC
May 11 - The Middle East, Boston
May 12 - New Capital Music Hall, Ottawa
May 13 - Crofoot Ballroom, Detroit
May 14 - The Abbey Pub, Chicago
May 16 - Triple Rock Club, Minneapolis
May 19 - Neumos, Seattle
May 20 - Berbatis Pan, Portland
May 21 - 1015, San Francisco
May 22 - El Rey, Los Angeles

Artist: Dizzee Rascal
Album: Maths + English (U.S. Edition)
Label: Definitive Jux / World’s Fair
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3

Dizzee Rascal feat. U.G.K. - “Where’s Da G’s?” [DOWNLOAD]

CONNECT: Definitive Jux | Dizzee Rascal | Myspace | YouTube

Ladies and Gentleman, get those dancin’ shoes on! Chin Chin’s self-titled debut is about to drop on Def Jux (April 29). The sound is a collision of disco beats, Latin rhythms, soul-jazz grooves and funk. In other words, they’re bringing plenty of new flavor to the Def Jux stable. Speaking of new flavor, Def Jux has also signed the punk outfit Activator, and they have a show tomorrow night, April 24 @ Southpaw in Brooklyn (details below).

Chin Chin’s album release party is on Tuesday, May 6th @ Union Pool in Brooklyn, and in May they’ll head out to the West Coast (details below). Every show the band plays becomes one giant celebration, with up to 10, 12 musicians packed on stage, replete with a horns section. The spry, fuzzed-out jams on their new album well capture this feeling of unbridled revelry. Torbitt Schwartz (drums, vocals), Jeremy Wilms (guitar, vocals), and Wilder Zoby (vocals, keyboard) are the core trio of musicians that make up the Chin Chin. Stirring together elements of funk, jazz, disco, rock and R&B, the band has created an alchemical brew. In the words of El-P, Chin Chin is “… like the worlds greatest wedding band on acid.”

TUE, MAY 6
CHIN CHIN album release party!! @ Union Pool
w/ special guest Bing Ji Ling
484 Union Ave. at Meeker
Brooklyn, NY 11211
http://www.myspace.com/unionpool
doors 8:30pm, set 10pm, door $10

more Chin Chin live dates….

Sun, May 18 — NYC @ 5th Ave Street Fair
Wed, May 28 — Seattle @ Nectar
Fri, May 30 — Vancouver Island
Sat, May 31 — Vancouver Island
Wed, June 4 — San Francisco @ Mojito’s
Fri, June 6 — Orange County @ Continental Room

“Check out the infectious track “Appetite” off their record and fall in love.” @ Analog Giant

“Tighter than your boss with a raise” – Time Out NY

“…Outkast meets the Dap-Kings” -Black Book

“… a party in it’s own right (Chin Chin) is a hairy, funky dance band, that sprawls like a Wookie passed out on your couch. A must see!” - Chicago Reader

“…Prince on speed. The live show is outstanding” - Herald Times

in other Def Jux show news….

Thursday, April 24
ACTIVATOR @ SOUTHPAW
…Brooklyn Tattoo presents: There Goes The Neighborhood!
Welcoming themselves to their new location at 99 Smith street with a
celebration of music and art featuring:
Activator + Pagoda + Grande + DJ Kayo + The World Famous Pontani Sisters
125 Fifth Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11217
$10
8 pm doors/ 8:30pm show
+ Art curated & sponsered by Urban Folk Art (c)Studios
+ Giveaways from local businesses
+ All proceeds benefitting “Studios In Schools” an afterschool art program
at P.S. 15 in Red Hook.

Artist: Chin Chin
Album:Chin Chin
Label: Definitive Jux
Street Date: April 29th, 2008
Formats: CD, mp3 [PRE-ORDER @ DEFINITIVE JUX]

CHIN CHIN - “APPETITE” [DOWNLOAD]

CONNECT: Website | Definitive Jux | World’s Fair

As previously shared, Billy McCarthy from Pela suffered a serious injury while on tour in March, which resulted in the unfortunate cancellation of the remainder of the dates. We want to share this note from the band, and information on how you can help out via donation…

Hey all. So we’ve got an update of sorts. Billy’s on the path to recovery. He’s got physical therapy over the course of the next 6 weeks. Now that the dust has settled it brings to light the reality of medical and life expenses. It also outlines the healthcare system and how it’s unforgiving.

Billy’s had help from a great organization called MusiCares. While they are helping out there’s a great amount of bills that they can not help with. And the fact that only one arm is fully functioning means that Billy has no way to go to work and pay any of these bills that are adding up to thousands and thousands of dollars.

So we’ve decided to set up a PayPal account for donations. You can go to our website or directly to Paypal to make that happen.
Sincerely, Pela

good news is the tour has been rescheduled!

May 19 Washington DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel
May 20 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland
May 21 Chicago, IL @ Schubas
May 26 George, WA @ Sasquatch Music Fest
May 27 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of The Hill
May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland
May 31 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
June 02 St. Louis, MO @ The Bluebird
June 07 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East

more dates TBA!!

CONNECT: Website | World’s Fair News | Myspace