Family Counseling Group Schedules Online Protest of David Lynch's Transcendental Meditation Benefit Concert with McCartney and Ringo

By Mike McHugh on

Kat Gardiner recently reported that on April 4 David Lynch will throw a star-studded shindig at Radio City Music Hall to benefit his foundation for "Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace." With acts ranging from Paul and Ringo to Donovan and Eddie Vedder (picture that lovechild, if you will!), who wouldn’t be pumped about such an exciting affair?

Apparently Knapp Family Counseling in Malone, NY, that’s who! On April 2, Knapp will hold an online protest to teach participants “a side of the Transcendental Meditation story they won't tell you.” (I have no idea who “they” is referring to in that quote.) The site also warns of the “secret agendas” of TM leaders and equates Lynch’s commitment to TM with Tom Cruise’s devotion to the Church of Scientology. Damn son, that’s some straight up dubious claims right there! For as much crazy may be floating around in Knapp and company’s allegations, their assertion that teaching TM in schools violates separation of church and state laws is up for debate.

Still, I think it’s unfair to compare TM to any kind of religious praise. TM isn’t about forging a connection with God or some other divine force. A person meditates to connect with the deepest parts of one’s mind to reach a state of transcendental being. I suppose, though, the facet of TM that challenges people the most is the role of the yogi, which could be construed as a pervasive influence to an organization like Knapp’s (the center appears to specialize in cult recovery).

Anyway, it seems like this event could turn out to be kind of interesting, as long as these folks don’t get too out there with their accusations. The panel Knapp has assembled seems pretty interesting, and, hey, maybe David Lynch will toss his hat in the ring and defend his passion. Stranger things have happened.

The Cool Kids Sue “Teenage Cool Kids” Over Name; Speculation Abounds as to Whether Carl’s Jr.®’s Cool Kids Combos are Next to Go (This Writer Really Hopes Not)

By Papaya on 03-30-2009

Legal representatives of Chicago rap duo The Cool Kids have filed a cease and desist order against Texas indie bros Teenage Cool Kids for infringing on “federally registered trademark rights and dilut[ing] the products and services associated with The Cool Kids mark.” Apparently oblivious to the fact that there were groups named Cool Kids of Death, Cooler Kids and Cool Kidd, formed in 2001, 2002, and 2003, respectively, The Cool Kids have chosen to take the stance that they were the first to combine the words “cool” and “kids” in 2005 and will fight in a court of law to maintain exclusive rights to it.

The order also requests that Teen CK shut down their MySpace, and, more difficultly, “recall all... infringing products and materials relating to [their] goods and services.” So if you’ve ever bought merch from this band, you can just go ahead and mail it back to them. Hope you enjoyed it while it lasted.

Regarding the issue, Teenage Cool Kids member Daniel Ziegler states: “I’m not worried. It’s not the same name. I was also under the impression that musical expression didn’t need a copyright.” Assuming they make it out of this with name intact, they will have a new LP released on Protagonist in the next month and will be touring the U.S. with Fergus and Geronimo in late August.

Brooklyn Moves McCarren Park Pool Venue to Waterfront, Wistful Small Town Residents Gaze Through Rainy Windows

By Kasia Galaxy on 03-30-2009

It's a given that New York City has more shows in a night than, say, the state of Arkansas has had in its existence. One of its most recent summer hot spots McCarren Park Pool -- situated on the border between Greenpoint and Williamsburg -- is being renovated to go back to its pool roots this summer.

The New York Times reports the outdoor venue will move to the Williamsburg waterfront this summer, with space for 6,000. For non-New York residents, that means they'll have a nice view of the skyline. For New York residents who know what the latter half of this sentence means, the new concert area will be on a strip along the East River between North Eighth and North Ninth Streets.

RIP: Maurice Jarre, Composer of Doctor Zhivago Score

By Shane Mack on 03-30-2009

From The Guardian:

The French composer Maurice Jarre, whose work on the films of David Lean won him three Oscars, has died in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer. He was 84.

Jarre won his first Academy Award in 1963 for his grand, sweeping score for Lean's Lawrence of Arabia. He repeated the feat in 1966 with his lush, Russian-balalaika-infused score for Doctor Zhivago and took the gong for the third time in 1985 for A Passage to India. Of his relationship with Lean, Jarre once said, "I owe him everything ... He gave me the best pictures, the opportunity to receive three Oscars for four films – not so bad! – and he gave me his friendship. He was a gentleman. When I lost him, I lost not only a great director, but a great friend."

- Wikipedia entry
- IMDB entry

Antony Announces European Symphony Tour; To Release Single, Play Coachella with Matthew Herbert, and Exhibit at Parisian Art Gallery; Also Toying with Idea of Changing Name to the Slightly More Pretentious and Enigmatic “A”

By David Nadelle on 03-30-2009

Patronizing headlines aside, we should be grateful for folk like Antony and The Johnsons for always throwing a much-needed jolt of wild interest into our mundane music news day. Thanks to Mr. Hegarty and his “wow factor” way of doing things, I haven’t had to pull out my old standby today: “So-and-so to play same shit-hole that every artist plays when they come through whatever town you might be living kinda nearby, yeah.” With Antony, there are certain expectations to his recording and touring announcements, and the same can be said about this one. The Antony and The Johnsons camp have revealed some high-concept 2009 plans, starting with initial details of his summer orchestra-assisted European tour.

The shows will feature 36-52 member orchestras conducted by Rob Moose playing arrangements by Antony and Nico Muhly. For the Manchester shows, Antony will unveil his commissioned “stage environment for The Crying Light (TMT Review) inspired by Bauhaus stage lighting design and considering the dreams of crystals inside mountains.” This probably does not mean you will see the tantalizing combo of Christmas lights plus a stenciled “Antony” on black construction paper pasted over the venue logo at the back of the stage -- but you never know. More concerts should be announced shortly.

Never one to remain static of mind and activity, Antony has other grand schemes for the near future. First up, will be the 7-inch and CD release of stellar single “Epilepsy is Dancing” on April 7 by Secretly Canadian. Be sure to find the accompanying video, which was directed by the Wachowski Brothers (V for Vendetta, The Matrix) and features a film-spliced Antony in a ghost-white villain mask and black fright wig dodging pogs emblazoned with Luis Buñuel’s visage. Okay, maybe not. See for yourself.

Additionally, lucky Coachella-goers will be able to see Antony play a special concert at the festival Sunday (April 19) on the Indio, CA grounds. Hegarty has tapped Matthew Herbert to play minimal electronic renditions of The Crying Light’s songs, which sounds like reason enough to venture to out California in a few weeks time.

And finally, for this news story, gallery owner and designer Agnes B has asked Antony to exhibit at “Six Eyes,” beginning April 11 at the Gallery du Jour in Paris. Other participants include William Basinski and James Elaine, Barbara Cummard, Peter Hujar, Alice O’Mally, and Kiki Smith.

Here is the full list of shows Antony will be playing over the next few months, including the symphony summer shows and many others European dates before them, which are, of course, already long sold out.

His river never will run dry:
03.31.09 - Prato, Italy - Teatro Politeama Pratese
04.01.09 - Milan, Italy - Sala Verdi Conservatorio
04.04.09 - Zurich, Switzerland - Kongresshaus
04.06.09 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
04.09.09 - Paris, France - Le Grand Rex
04.13.09 - Brussels, Belgium - Bozar
04.15.09 - Barcelona, Spain - Palau de la Musica
04.19.09 - Indio Valley, CA - Coachella Festival, Coachella Polo Fields
04.24.09 - Berlin, Germany - Admiralspalast
04.26.09 - Munich, Germany - Circus Krone
04.27.09 - Frankfurt, Germany - Alte Oper
04.29.09 - Warsaw, Poland - National Theatre
05.01.09 - Krems, Austria - Donaufestival, Main Hall
05.03.09 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - MC FritsPhilips
05.05.09 - San Sebastian, Spain - Kursaal Auditorium
05.07.09 - Murcia, Spain - Auditorio de Murcia
05.11.09 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio de Congresos
05.14.09 - Lisbon, Portugal - Coliseum
05.16.09 - Braga, Portugal - Teatro Circo
05.18.09 - Porto, Portugal - Coliseum
05.21.09 - Brighton, England - Brighton Festival, Brighton Dome Concert Hall
05.22.09 - Birmingham, England - Symphony Hall
05.24.09 - Bristol, England - Colston Hall
05.27.09 - London, England - Hammersmith Apollo
05.29.09 - Gateshead, England - The Sage
05.31.09 - Dublin, Rep. of Ireland - Vicar St

06.01.09 - Belfast, Northern Ireland - Waterfront
06.04.09 - Edinburgh, Scotland - Playhouse
06.21.09 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Holland Festival, Royal Theatre Carré #
06.22.09 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Holland Festival, Royal Theatre Carré #
07.03.09 - Manchester, England - The Opera House $
07.04.09 - Manchester, England - The Opera House $
07.21.09 - Lyon, France - Les Nuits de Fourviere %
07.28.09 - Rome, Italy - Cavea, Il Parco della Musica ^
08.09.09 - Oslo, Norway - Oslo Jazz Festival, Opera House open air venue *
08.14.09 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Way Out West Festival +

# Metropole Orchestra

$ Manchester Camerata (Manchester International Festival)

% Opera de Lyon Orchestra

^ Rome Sinfonietta

* Oslo Opera House Orchestra

+ Gothenburg Symphonic Orchestra

RIAA Tries to Force ISPs to Do Naughty Things; ISPs Respond Hesitantly

By Ze Pequeno on 03-27-2009

Just after we published our Year-End Fest last December, including a fine piece of work on copyright by Yours Truly, the RIAA decided to be Santa last year: The organization announced that it would cease new lawsuits against suspected file-sharing pirates (though they would continue current ongoing lawsuits). And there was much cautious rejoicing.

Alas, the organization needed a new tactic to maintain an ardent stand against piracy and to keep the Big 4's shareholders content to a certain degree. And announce one it did: have internet service providers (ISPs) warn users and implement sanctions against them if discovered pirating material. This process, called the "graduated response" program, would include blocking and terminating (i.e. banning) access to users after repeated warnings. A reasonable plan when you think about it. [Glares from the TMT staff] What? The RIAA goes back into the background, nobody is sued for ridiculous amounts of money, everybody wins. Right? [Groans]

Actually, this was all reported at the same announcement. We were going to report on this when we came back from our holiday break, but then the Thnikkaman came by and... well, I'd like to see you stay on task when you're starin' down the barrel of a loaded Thnikkaman. Anyway, the reason why we are reporting on this now is that there have been developments on this front. You see, the problem with the new strategy was that it required cooperation from America's ISPs. At the time of the announcement, neither the RIAA nor any major ISPs commented on who was involved. As it stood, the ISPs had reason to fear the new announcement: Coming off a year of massive flak concerning bandwidth-throttling and net neutrality, the last thing the ISPs needed was to have the burden of blame concerning anti-piracy shifted to them at such a time.

Now, as of the past two days, the picture is clearer: During the Leadership Digital Music Summit in Nashville this week, three of the largest ISPs in the nation, DSL provider AT&T (Ars Technica) and cable providers Comcast and Cox (CNet), have made statements saying they are cooperating with the RIAA on this system. Sounds like a good idea to switch, right?

Not exactly. According to reports, of the three, only Cox has fully implemented the graduated response program. Comcast has implemented the program through letter-sending, but press statements have indicated that they have no interest in terminating service. Finally, AT&T is only doing limited geographical trials at this time and, furthermore, is refusing to sanction users. The problem with the latter point is that it renders the whole program moot, null, and void. AT&T argues that the psychological effect of just sending emails or warnings to users does its intended effect. But there's the problem: All bark, no bite.

On the other hand, one major ISP stands out from the rest in all this: DSL/Fiber provider Verizon, as also reported by Ars Technica, has been the only major ISP so far to proclaim that they will not cooperate with the RIAA. While amazing, this is not unusual: Verizon was also one of the few ISPs to announce in the wake of the Comcast bandwidth-throttling scandal that they will never throttle their bandwidth under any circumstance.

So, what.cd and waffles.fm users, heed this advice if you haven't already: If you use cable, you might want to switch. If you use DSL, keep your head low. If you use Verizon, well, then, you're just awesome.

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