CMJ in New York - another video!

So.. a little rewind for a moment. Back in New York on week 21, my pal Tayo also came along for the ride - and helped me get some cool footage of the city to show you all. Tayo also shot a load of his own stuff too - and I now have the video to show you. Check it out:

New York Subway Performers

Check out these cool chaps I video on the New York Subway...

The Xcerts interview at CMJ

The Xcerts are a super UK band who I have written about in the past - and it was great to catch up with them in New York at CMJ and chat about how they found the festival, and their new album Scatterbrain. Check out my street-cam chat with Murray below.

CMJ in New York - all the photos

Check out all the photos from my few days at CMJ in New York city by CLICKING HERE!

Week 21 Video Report - CMJ in New York

Hey all.. check out my video report from CMJ Music Marathon in New York city - including chats with local New Yorkers and some of the cool bands playing around the city.

Cab stories

Another can story coming up now... Traveling back to the hotel late last night, I hailed a cab and was unable to open the side door, so went and sat up front with the driver. The guy had long grey hair and love heavy metal (a running theme it seems in america).

We chatted about his life and daily routine and he ended up telling me about the mad things he has seen as a driver in NYC over the years. These include:
- picking up John Lennon and Yoko Ono ("how the hell would I know what to say to them?")
- having policemen "commandeer" his car on more than one occasion and take part in high speed chases ("ya know, follow that car!")
- having gun shots fly past him through his window ("oh yeah, a few times")
- seeing a small plane land in the road in front of him at night ("the pilot taking a failed u-turn off the Hudson river")
- interpreting the living and breathing flow of the city and it's traffic lights.

This has all happened while he has simultaneously taught himself stocks and shares in his down-time (and "getting stoned" at the weekend).

Shame he wouldn't let me take a photo. He was awesome.

New york cooking

On the way to the airport this morning, my cab driver was chatting to me all about his life and loves. Let's start with the fact he loves heavy metal, and is the president of a biker gang... And goes by the name The Regulator. What a winner. Now let's add in the fact the guy is a keen cook, and thinks I should go visit Southern USA for some proper "rich" food. He chatted to me all about the etiquette of cooking and particular food ideas and expectations. And then passed on this; his own recipe for Corn bread.

Regulator Bread

Get some: Cornmeal, Baking powder and Rectangular baking tin.
Take the Cornmeal and mix in two table spoons of flour, baking soda, pinch of salt, tablespoon of sugar, one egg and then mix with milk and stir till "not gloopy". Grease your pan till hot and bubbling and then pour grease into your mixture, stir well, then pour into pan. Stick it in the oven and bake till edges brown or till cooked through (test with a knife). Use oven at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes. For a twist, you can also put in vanilla or cinnamon. Tasty.

Thanks Regulator!

Last nights CMJ mission...

Oh Lordy.. There's something I didnt tell you last night. On arriving at the venue (Crash Mansion on Bowery, see map) I found I has lost my drivers licence. Not a prob you'd think, as I look way over 21 years old, but law here stipulates that everyone must have ID if going into a place that serves booze. I can't even drink right now (antibiotics) but they still wouldn't let me in. I had to travel back to the hotel at the other end of town, travel back down to the venue downtown in just 30 mins before the band came on. Needless to say, I missed a few songs and was f-ing and blinding and super stressed rushing across the city - but it was totally worth it, and to be able to hear familiar songs and see familiar faces after having been back and forth travelling since May, was wonderful. Phew.

The xcerts at cmj

Uk band The Xcerts are playing at CMJ right now at Crash Mansion on Bowery. It may be the fact that I'm insanely tired, but I feel quite emotional watching Brit pals impressing the yanks on the other side of the pond. They're doing a great job. Very proud x

Vegan treats

I had been recommended to visit Atlas - a little vegan cafe - in Manhattan. It's very tasty indeed. Chocolate vegan cheesecake?! Hooray! It's on 2nd Avenue between 4th and 5th street.

New york breakfast.

I'm sure we'd all agree that Americans know how to eat. Whether you believe that takes the form of fast food and fried chicken, or the vast amount of health food stores and innovating diets - food plays a lot on the mind of the people of this fair continent. As such, I've chosen a range of food while here.. Attempting to act in the spirit of America. Freedom (of choice).
Yesterday I had granola and fruit.. Today is pancakes, bacon and syrup. Yum!

Wise words... Kinda.

There is a store here that sells bras. One of the styles of bras is called Katie. The shop assistant liked this coincidence and gave me this promotional ribbon.
"Be pretty, always be you... Love Katie"

Hmmm..

CMJ begins

So.. CMJ is like an international music and arts showcase across NY. Interested punters and music bizz boffins buy a pass, that then allows access into the hundreds and hundreds of events going on around the city. The booklet listing the gigs in super thick and a bit daunting.. So I decided last night to kick things off with a gig at the Highline Ballroom in manhattan to watch bands Title Fight, Bayside and Senses Fail. It was good to be back in a rowdy rock environment for a bit - and I even bumped into some friends from london who are out here to check out new music. Video to come x

Week 21 winners!

Here is a mildly blurred photo of this week's winners Carol and Colan getting their passes for CMJ in New York! Welcome to the big apple!

Post no Bills

Friends of mine will recognise this rant.. So bear with be while I explain why this simple sign, sprayed all across New York, drives me so irrationally mental.
Post No Bills. We know what it's trying to say right? It means, you are not allowed to put up fly-posters/adverts; bills being the word here for those large bits of paper or flyers. Post no bills. What bothers me, and always has - is the fact it says Post No Bills, not Don't Post Bills. By starting with an action word - "post" - its commanding you to do the action, and what action is that? To put up "no bills". To actually put up "a nothing". The sign commands you to almost go up to the wall and mime putting up a bill - not a real one.
Yes, I know I don't make sense. But nor does the sign. And it's everywhere. Who decided to use such bad grammar??

Hi from Times Square from Kp and @djtayo

Hi from Times Square!

The city is already buzzing and the tourists and locals have flocked to Times Square for a spot of shopping and sight-seeing. You like my bobble hat?

New york new york!

Good morning from New York! I woke early, ate breakfast and have headed out into the city - to spot many of the usual awesome cliches! Here's a classic yellow cab.... "taxi!!!!" x

... And I'm off again!

One night at home and im back in an airport and heading to... NEW YORK! Woo hoo! I'm meeting up with winners Carol and Colan and we are going to explore CMJ and the Big Apple :) Cannot wait x
(very tired however and on antibiotics, sleeping pills and malaria tablets.. Eek!)