THE ITHACAN

Reznor Shines at Oscars

By Jared Dionne • March 1, 2011

Just one month after snagging a Golden Globe for Best Original Score for his soundtrack to The Social Network, Trent Reznor picked up some more hardware last night at the Oscars. The Nine Inch Nails frontman continued to capitalize on his chilling masterpiece and collected the Oscar for the same category. If you really want…

Blown Away

By Jared Dionne • February 26, 2011

I got some pretty cool news this week. I get to interview local band BLOW! before they head to the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, TX in March. Their music is a heavenly interchange of drum loops and synthesizers that results in the fabrication of soundtracks to dreams. Yes, a band from Ithaca that’s not…

What’s Your “Teenage Dream?”

By Jared Dionne • February 25, 2011

I started out the day not having Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” and I ended the day by blasting it through my headphones after acquisition. Yes, it is true that I am not a pop fanatic, but KP is one of the few, if not only, pop stars I can actually get into and accept. Her…

Working for the Weekend: Interpol

By Jared Dionne • February 21, 2011

Saturday night I made one of my famous pilgrimages back to Boston for a concert. Most of my friends think I’m insane for driving 6 hours to see a band, but I see that as a justifiable excuse to visit my favorite city. The show featured gloom and doom gods Interpol as well as a…

Can Your Grandma Do This?

By Jared Dionne • February 17, 2011

The web has been abuzz lately with the hottest new DJ to hit the airwaves, Mamy Rock. Who is she? She’s a 69-year-old grandmother from England. Mamy Rock (real name Ruth Flowers) first became inspired to delve into the DJ business after she was invited by her grandson to a disco in London for his…

Grammy Goodness

By Jared Dionne • February 15, 2011

Well, here it is. My take on last night’s 53rd Grammy Awards Ceremony. Let’s jump right in! Aretha Franklin tribute: Great performance, ladies! The nation sat glued to their TVs hoping Christina Aguilera could redeem herself after the Super Bowl anthem debacle. Naturally, she did…and with all the grunting and, at times, overzealous riffing that…

Rock’s Prodigal Sons Return

By Jared Dionne • February 11, 2011

With all these breakups going down, there needs to be some silver lining. The Strokes will play the part. NYC’s ferocious five have officially ended their extended hiatus with the release of their new album’s first single, “Under the Cover of Darkness.” While on their break, many band members pursued side projects and lead singer…

LCD Soundsystem Fans Lash Out At StubHub, Scalpers

By Jared Dionne • February 11, 2011

There is no fury that matches a hipster scorned. Last week I wrote about dance party titans LCD Soundsystem’s last show ever at Madison Square Garden. This week, the tickets went on sale and, much to the consternation of actual fans (including myself), almost nobody who deserved tickets got them. Early in the week the…

Lollapalooza Lineup Buzz

By Jared Dionne • February 10, 2011

A little less than two months to go and the Lollapalooza lineup rumor mills are already firing up. Today, the “Chicago Tribune” announced that a reliable source confirmed the booking of Eminem, Muse and Foo Fighters for this year’s Lollapalooza festival. The festival, founded and presided over by Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, is held annually…

LCD Pulls the Plug After MSG Bash

By Jared Dionne • February 5, 2011

The day hipsters have long been dreading is finally upon us. James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem has confirmed that the band will be closing out their career with a bang. Just mere hours ago, the band took to Facebook and announced a last hurrah at NYC’s Madison Square Garden on April 2nd: “For just one…

In Memoriam: The White Stripes

By Jared Dionne • February 4, 2011

Wednesday was not the happiest of days in the rock world. The White Stripes announced the end of their prolonged hiatus in a way no one expected—with a breakup. Rock god Jack White and his ex-wife, Meg White, broke the news to their fans over their website: “The White Stripes do not belong to Meg…

State of the Union: Gaga Edition

By Jared Dionne • February 2, 2011

I will readily admit that I was a frequent passenger on the Lady Gaga train back in the days of “The Fame.” Actually, you would probably find me shoveling coal in the burner instead of idly sitting and enjoying the ride. However, my attitude towards her music has changed since that first day I heard…