NEON2NOIR

?

2009-01-21T14:07:00.004-05:00

oops. didnt mean to make a post. will not let me delete... wtf.

Reena never updates this & neither do I...

2009-01-20T08:29:00.008-05:00

...but I have a drinking problem. Surprise.

http://lastnightstrainwreck.blogspot.com/

Choo-choo,
Taylor Tower

CLEVELAND ROCKS!

2008-08-13T19:49:00.005-04:00

When I lived outside of Ohio in NYC, I'd hear the same thing any time I told someone what was my state of origin: "Go Bucks!" and "The Rock Hall is in Ohio!" Working in the music industry, I was certainly proud of my home state. It literally rocked, and every one knew it.

Thirteen years after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum opened its doors in Cleveland, the Museum announced today that it will open the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in New York City this November!

The Annex, which will be located at 76 Mercer Street in SoHo, plans to feature seven exhibits in its 15,000 square feet of exhibit space (the Museum is 150,000 square feet). This will be the Museum’s first expansion outside Cleveland and will include exhibitions on Hall of Fame inductees, the history of rock in New York, and a special exhibit titled Cleveland Rocks that will give visitors a taste of what the Museum has to offer.

Despite the underlying worry of Clevelanders, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum is not leaving Cleveland! Like the Guggenheim, Tate, and Louvre, it's time to extend its reach -- and spread the message of rock and roll.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Ohio has been on to something.

For more information, click here.

Photo c/o Neon2Noir

AAAAND WE'RE BACK!

2008-08-12T13:55:00.001-04:00

Hello, folks!
So sorry for the delay in updating N2N! Since you last heard from me, I've moved from Cincinnati to Cleveland and somewhere along the way I jetted off to Chicago for some Lalapalooza insanity. What a blast! I was going to post some incriminating snapshots but my camera was stolen at an after party... Danny Masterson's party nonetheless. Maybe that was the problem (DJ Mom Jeans?!). If anyone finds my photo of me and Greg Dulli, know that the huge ass grin on his face was for real! Whoever said he was an asshole is a liar.

Anyhow, with the hiatus I feel more inspired than ever. I'm in a new city yet again and desperate to crack it open! Tomorrow, August 13th, we are going to announce some cool news that will be officially released to the rest of the world too. Be sure to check here tomorrow afternoon - especially you New Yorkers!

Without further adieu, my sincere apologies for the lack of updates. Have no fear kids, we be back!

Photo c/o Coolest-Gadgets.com

POP CULTURE AND FILM VULTURES

2008-07-23T20:51:00.005-04:00

Listen up, Cincinnati! From July 25-27, the Southgate House gets lit with the Lite Brite Indie Pop and Film Test. Enjoy experimental music in this "collision between two frontiers." Also be sure to check out an appearance by actor, writer, and director John Waters on the final night of the test.

The stellar list of musicians to perform is as follows: Film School, Extra Golden, Light Pollution on Friday; White Girls on Saturday.

Ticket Price prices for the weekend $10 Friday-Saturday; $25 Sunday; $30 weekend pass.

For more information, visit www.litebritetest.com.

SO HIP IT HURTS

2008-07-21T20:12:00.001-04:00

There's nothing better than getting to savor your favorite thing...nothing better except for savoring two of your favorite things. Macaroni...and cheese. Sex...on the beach. But my personal favorite: Music...and fashion.

In celebration of its 100th anniversary, Converse has teamed with Pharrell Williams, Santogold, and Julian Casablancas (of The Strokes) to bring to you quite the summer jam.

The track is called "My Drive Thru" and you can check out the video on YouTube. It was directed by Psyop's Marie Hyon and Marco Spier and features a great 3-D black and white paper-doll treatment.

If you dig the song, you can download it for free at the Converse website - which we suggest you go to regardless of your auditory preference. (The site is really freaking cool.)

Enjoy!

Photo c/o Stereogum.

MIDPOINT MUSIC FESTIVAL: LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

2008-07-17T19:32:00.004-04:00

The official line-up for Cincinnati's Midpoint Music Festival is shaping up quite well! The weekend event is scheduled to take place September 25-27 in Over-The-Rhine, Southgate House, and Downtown. So if you can't make it to Austin City Limits, pretend that it's 110 degrees and hit up MMPF.

Here is a who's-who list of confirmed performers, announced today:

21st Century Hip Hop
500 miles to memphis
Al Hidalgo
Ali Edwards
Alyse Black
ATHENS
Bamboo Needle
BLACK OWLS
Buckra
Captain of Industry
Cari Clara
CHETT
Chick Pimp, Coke Dealer at a Bar
Cinema, Cinema
Cipes and the People
Coltrane Motion
CONIL
da muttss
Death of Jason Brody, The
Diet Audio
Dj Sid-the Apocalypze
Eclipse
ELMS, THE
entheos
Excitement, The
Fairmount Girls
Flow
Flux Capacitors, The
Frankl Project, The
Girls Guns and Glory
God Made Me Funky
Goose
HEY MISTER
Host, The
ISWHAT?!
Jake Speed & The Freddies
Jared Mahone Band
Jeff Scott Roberson
John Doe/1200 Hobos feat. CJ the Cynic
Johnnytwentythree
Jon Justice
Kadro
Kim taylor
Kink Ador
Lonely China Day
Look Mexico
Love in October
Mack West
mallory
Matt Truman Ego Trip, The
Megan King
Mike Reeb
Mocks, The
Newbees, The
noctaluca
Oddknock
Otter Petter
Pale Hollow
Purrs, The
Rebel Red
Rockwells, The
Rosella
Ruckus Roboticus
Ryan Adcock
SCRIMSHAW
Seedy Seeds, The
Seth
Smokin Eldorados
Sohio
Sonny Moorman Group, the
SOUSE
Spookfloaters
Stanley Maxwell
Sudden Death
Swarthy Band, The
Taina Asili
Temposhark
The Hiders
The Sailing
Tillers, The
Turnbull AC's, The
Tyler Traband
Wake the Bear
Weightlifters, The
Winter Sounds, the
Yoshi

Performer list and image c/o MPMF.com

THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI AT WEXNER CENTER THIS WEEK

2008-07-14T23:53:00.004-04:00

Ah summer... where outdoors is always the key to the fun! This Thursday, July 17th, The Lady from Shanghai will play at the Wexner Center Plaza at 8pm, outside of the new museum.

The film showcases the gorgeous Elsa Bannister (Rita Hayworth) who lures seaman Mike O’Hara (Welles) into an intricate web of intrigue, betrayal, and murder. (The two were married but estranged during the filming.) The unforgettable finale in a funhouse hall of mirrors is an amazing demonstration of Charles Lawton, Jr.’s brilliant camerawork and Welles’s flamboyant direction. [Film synopsis from WexArts,org]

In the event of rain, the screening will move inside the center and start at 9 PM.

OOOH LA LA NEW MUSIC RELEASES

2008-07-08T13:08:00.009-04:00

Beck has nothing to feel guilty about; Billy Joel releases an oldie but a goodie; New music from Bad Religion to cool off Warped Tour fever; More Van Morrison?!; Kerli is creepy; Who the heck still listens to the Mighty Mighty Bosstones?

The following albums are available online and in stores today.

Beck, "Modern Guilt" (Interscope)
Ratatat, "Lp3" (Beggars Xl)
Billy Joel, "The Stranger: 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition" (Sony)
Bad Religion, "New Maps of Hell" (Epitaph)
Willie Nelson/Wynton Marsalis, "Two Men With the Blues" (Blue Note)
The Melvins, "Nude with Boots" (Ipecac)
Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band, "Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band Live 2006" (Koch)
The Baseball Project, "Volume 1: Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails" (Yep Roc)
Donna the Buffalo, "Silverlined" (Sugar Hill)
Gaelic Storm, "What's the Rumpus?" (MRI)
Jean Grae, "Jeanius" (Blacksmith)
Great Big Sea, "Fortune's Favour" (Suma)
Kerli, "Love Is Dead" (Island)
Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Medium Rare" (Bosstones Music)
Van Morrison, "Common One" (Polydor)
Van Morrison, "Inarticulate Speech of the Heart" (Polydor)
Scar Symmetry, "Holographic Universe" (Nuclear Blast)
UFO, "Obsession" (Caroline)

Beck album mini c/o Amazon.com.

HAPPY FOURTH!

2008-07-04T13:30:00.004-04:00

Oh, America. You so crazy.

Remember, don't drink and drive!

E-cards from Someecards.com

SOMEONE'S LOST CONTROL!

2008-07-03T14:59:00.007-04:00

The gravestone of Joy Division singer, Ian Curtis, has been stolen! According to the B.B.C., it became missing some time between yesterday afternoon and this morning from the Macclesfield Cemetery in Cheshire, England. The gravestone has never been thieved before and police are certainly baffled. Who the hell does that? Super fan? Super obsessed? Super crazy? Let's hope it gets returned! I'm sure his family, friends - er, well, everyone - aren't too happy about this.

In May of 1980, 23 year old Curtis hung himself in his kitchen after suffering from depression and epilepsy. The rest of the band went on to later form New Order, but Joy Division may be as popular as ever. Control, a critically acclaimed biopic about Curtis, was released in 2007 and a film documentary, called Joy Division, was released earlier in 2008.

STARBUCKS: WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN

2008-07-03T00:20:00.003-04:00

Starbucks is making Sir Isaac Newton proud: the Seattle coffee chain announced on the first of the month that this year and next, it will be closing 600 of its 2300 U.S. stores that opened since 2006.

The closing stores are ones that are considered 'under-performers' and 12,000 employees are said to be notified of their lay off. The company is going to try to help their freshly unemployed baristi find work at neighboring stores.

Wow. And we thought the entertainment industry was the one suffering. However, economically everyone seems to be...how should we say...not doing so well. For Starbucks, it sure doesn't help that McDonald's has joined the coffee biz too. But hey, maybe this means we'll have some good independent stores popping up again. Remember the Buzz in Cincinnati or Insomnia in Columbus? Ah yes.

At least nobody is accusing Starbucks of terrorism!

Photo by NEON2NOIR in Amman, Jordan 2005.

OOOH LA LA NEW MUSIC RELEASES

2008-07-01T12:16:00.007-04:00

Another John Mayer CD; My Chemical Romance re-do death; Alkaline Trio releases first album of new material in three years; Van Morrison apparently couldn't decide on what to release so they released it all!

These albums are currently on sale as of today:

My Chemical Romance, "The Black Parade is Dead" (Reprise)
John Mayer, "Where the Light Is: John Mayer Live in Los Angeles" (Columbia)
Alkaline Trio, "Agony & Irony" (Epic)
Los Lonely Boys, "Forgiven" (Sony)
Vanessa Hudgens, "Identified" (Hollywood)
Deltron 3030, "Deltron 3030" (Traffic)
G-Unit, "T.O.S.: Terminate on Sight" (G-Unit)
Van Morrison, "Enlightenment" (Polydor)
Van Morrison, "Live at the Grand Opera House Belfast" (Polydor)
Van Morrison, "A Night in San Francisco" (Polydor)
Van Morrison, "No Guru, No Method, No Teacher" (Polydor)
Van Morrison, "Veedon Fleece" (Polydor)
Night Ranger, "Hole in the Sun" (VH1)
Relient K, "The Bird and the Bee Sides" (Warner Bros.)
Tech N9ne, "Killer" (Strange Music)

Alkaline Trio photo c/o My Space.

OPA! IZ GREEK TO ME!

2008-06-28T13:25:00.005-04:00

This weekend marks the 35th annual Panegyri Festival at the Holy Trinity St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Winton Road. Every year, the festival draws about 100,000 people to celebrate Greek culture, Orthodoxy, good food and lots of alcohol.

The gourmet food and beverage menu includes items such as Saganaki, Pastitio, Moussaka, Dolmades, and Tiropites, Gyro, Souvlaki, Loukaniko and Greek Pizza, Baklava, Pasta Flora, Loukoumades, Greek white and red wine, beers, ouzo and so much more. Lots of fantastic music, dancing, and rides for kids... although I'm not going to lie, I rode the Starship 2000. Not such a good idea after diving into Greek pizza and wine [just an fyi].

The festival also features a unique group of artisans and vendors offering imported jewelry, leather goods, fine linens, home goods, classical Greek art/statuary and more items all imported from Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean. I purchased a lovely 'evil eye' bracelet from a Turkish vendor who even struck a slight deal with me. (It was like I really was in the Mediterranean. Prices are just suggestions, right?)

If you want a break from being indoors and get your food, drink, and fun in one place, the Panegyri Festival shall not disappoint.

Festival hours are Saturday from 3 PM to midnight and Sunday from 1 PM to 9 PM. Admission tickets are $2 or two non-perishable food items. These food items will be donated to Cincinnati FreeStore-FoodBank. Holy Trinity St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is located at 7000 Winton Road in Cincinnati.

Illustration c/o Let's Go Greek.
Starship 2000 photo by Kyle Cannon, c/o NEON2NOIR.

RESTAURANT REVIEW: LA DOLCE VITA

2008-06-25T16:50:00.005-04:00

There are many things I miss about New York City, and one of those things is the food. Chinese in Chinatown. Polish in Greenpoint. Indian in Little India. Thai in Williamsburg. Italian in Little Italy. In Ohio, such delicacies are much more spread out. But there is a Little Italy in Cleveland...and it's pretty awesome.

I stopped into La Dolce Vita Bistro with a friend on a Monday night. It sits on a corner on Mayfield Road in the heart of the Little Italy district. Surrounded by seating all along the sides of the building, the restaurant was packed with 20 and 30somethings chattering almost as loud as the glass clinking behind the bar. La Dolce Vita was built in 1915; before the 1960 Federico Fellini film, which is looped and projected on a brick wall inside.

We were greeted by our quiet but bubbly Italian waitress and an extensive wine list. Only about 15-20 of the white and red wines are available by the glass, otherwise you must order a bottle (and by the looks of the tables around us, a bottle - or three - was the way to go). The wine list is certainly impressive, though liquor and beer is available, as well.

Unlike the wine, however, the menu at La Dolce Vita is not as expansive. You have your appetizers (salads, calamari, antipasti), pastas (seafood, pesto, chicken), soups (lentil, wedding) specials (bruschetta, eggplant, chicken, steaks, seafood), pizzas (sausage, cheese, tomato, vegetable) and desserts (cakes, coffees, fruit). Sounds like quite a lot of food, but if you're a vegetarian you may have to make your own changes to the order, which the staff is more than willing to accommodate.

I ordered the 'Eggplant Special' (lightly breaded eggplant with a touch of ricotta cheese, thick tomato sauce and pasta on the side) and some Syrah - it was amazing, I tell you! My friend had the pizza, which was small (but it was actually "large") - slight complaint but delicious nonetheless. Liqueur soaked fruit comes out complimentary at the end of each meal, which was definitely a fantastic finishing touch.

As far as the prices go, I wouldn't call the restaurant expensive but it isn't cheap either. A three course meal for two could easily cost you well over $100, but nevertheless you certainly get your money's worth. Along with the simple decor (candles, white tablecloths, hardwood floors, exposed brick walls - and that's it) with the cool breeze from the open front door, the restaurant is really a lovely place to dine.

Positives:
-Location (heart of Little Italy, 12 minutes from downtown Cleveland)
-Atmosphere (charming, calm but not quiet, beautifully lit, Fellini film to distract you in case your date sucks, outdoor seating available so you can people watch)
-Food (portions are decent, taste is great and authentic)
-Service (well mannered staff, not pretentious despite appearances, personal attention)
-Fruit dessert on the house
-Amazing wine selection
-Independent restaurant
-Vegetarian friendly

Negatives:
-Parking can be tricky.
-The complimentary bread and butter appetizer is so unexciting.
-Prices can get a bit high.

Overall, quite an awesome experience!

La Dolce Vita is located at 12112 Mayfield Rd in Cleveland. For reservations or more information, call 216-721-8155.

SHOW PREVIEW: THE GAY BLADES

2008-06-22T19:19:00.009-04:00

I've got to hand it to The Gay Blades. The dynamic duo from the New York City area have taken my ears hostage, and that's not very easy to do. It's clear to understand, therefore, the anticipation of the band taking its show on the road this Thursday in Cleveland at the Agora Ballroom in support of its debut LP, "Ghosts." Albeit minimally staffed (consisting of just two band members: Clark Westfield and Puppy Mills) the The Gay Blades sound anything but minimal.

I first judged the band's music based on their remixes; the "O Shot Person Remix" and the "CCK2008 Mike Haik Remix" are, dare I label, total indie rock dance gems, a la The Rapture. But to up their coolness factor even more (as if they needed to), I was pleasantly surprised to hear the original tracks to be just as important to the group's overall sound. Translation: take the fabulous remixes and strip them down to their intentional state - just a guitar, drums, and that almost pleading voice - and you've still got killer songs...perfect for the new summer season (occasionally a little on the lazy side, but always dancing on the wild side).

CMJ couldn't have summed up The Gay Blades better: "If Freddie Mercury sang for Death From Above 1979, these guys would open the show." How could you not be intrigued?

To hear The Gay Blades for yourself, check out the band's My Space page.

Visit the Agora Ballroom website to purchase tickets to The Gay Blades show in Cleveland on Thursday, June 26. Other bands performing include Damiera, Drmanhattan, and The Taller We Grow.

Photo by Justin Borucki.

"CHOP SHOP" PREMIERES IN CLEVELAND

2008-06-19T21:57:00.015-04:00

Writer/director Ramin Bahrani's acclaimed film, Chop Shop, is being shown in Cleveland this weekend. The movie, a New York Times Critics Pick in 2007, follows the life of ambitious 12 year old street orphan Alejandro who works at an auto body shop in a junkyard in Queens, New York. Between side jobs, purse snatching, and begging for money on the subways, he and his 16 year old sister, Isamar, try to save up enough money to purchase their own meals-on-wheels truck and live that American Dream. However, in the midst of distrust, thievery, and adolescence, living the dream is nowhere as easy as expected.

Check out the official movie trailer, c/o IMDB.

See Chop Shop this Friday June 20 (7pm) and Saturday June 21 (9pm) at Cleveland Cinematheque. Ticket prices are $6 and $8.

FASHION + ART x FUN

2008-06-18T13:20:00.001-04:00

From 5:30-8:30pm tonight, the Cincinnati Art Museum will be hosting its Creative Breaks Fashion show.

The evening will begin with a live performance by Cincinnati band Grupo Son, followed by a very fashionable night said to be full of surprises. Summer Skrzelowski, owner of local boutique Suki in Hyde Park, is one of the event's special guests. "Suki," Japanese for "I like," is one of Cincinnati's most popular boutiques thanks to clothes and designers not usually found in the city, such as Dries Van Noten, Vanessa Bruno, Rogan, Prudence, and Vivienne Westwood.

A 'fashion challenge' presented by the Art Museum's Teen Advisory Board will round out the evening, along with bar and café specials. The gallery and Creative Breaks Studio will also be available to the attendees.

The cost of this event is free free free! Call (513) 721-ARTS for details.

Suki photo by Scott Beseler c/o Soapbox Media.

OOOH LA LA NEW MUSIC RELEASES

2008-06-17T17:31:00.009-04:00

Available online and in stores today!
Coldplay, "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends" (Capitol)
Rihanna, "Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded" (Def Jam)
Judas Priest, "Nostradamus" (Sony)
The Offspring, "Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace" (Sony)
Wolf Parade, "At Mount Zoomer" (Sub Pop)
Chicago, "Stone of Sisyphus (XXXII)" (Rhino)
Kathy Griffin, "For Your Consideration" (Red Ink)
Mick Hucknall, "Tribute to Bobby" (Rhino)
The Notwist, "The Devil, You + Me" (Domino)
Katy Perry, "One of the Boys" (Capitol)
The Pogues, "Just Look Them Straight in the Eye and Say...Pogue Mahone" (Warner Bros.)
Silver Jews, "Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea" (Drag City)

Hmmm. I wonder who will be #1 next week?!
(Seriously. Who doesn't like Coldplay?!)

ARTIST FEATURE: GRETCHEN KING OF PHANTODS

2008-06-13T18:15:00.009-04:00

I can't get enough of Gretchen King. The Massillon native who now resides in Columbus has never ceased to impress my eyes and ears as an artist. Not only is she lead singer and keyboardist for Phantods, but she's also quite a photographer. She cites such vast influences as Mike Patton, Bjork, Portishead, and the country night sky. And in her signiture photos, King's subject matter can sometimes be described as almost gruesome, but undoubtedly and always beautifully executed. Along with that haunting voice of hers, I felt like Gretchen King was the perfect person to feature here on Friday the 13th!

Thanks to the lovely lady who took some time out of her busy schedule for a Q&A with NEON2NOIR...

N2N: How and when did you and the members of Phantods meet?
GK: Daniel Hagquist and I met thru a mutual friend at a Tomahawk concert. We started playing music together that night after the show and found that we clicked really well. I believe that was the summer of 2003? Phantods was created and we went through a period of a year or two playing with different people until Nate Jacobs joined and then later Kenan Edler. Once the four of us were working on music together it felt very evident that this was the line-up which made me very happy!

You released a record last month. How long did it take you to record this album?
We spent about four months recording in Dan's basement. We tried to think of a title for the album but nothing really stuck out. The other album was more of a demo with only a few songs on it so that we had something for those who had asked us for a cd long before we had a full-length.

In your photography and art, you seem to have quite a love with things both horrific and beautiful. Where does that stem from?
I'm interested in things that seem like opposites or extremes. But I am even more interested when it seems as though while so different they are the same or that they work well together. There are visual things that can be so beautiful but are in a horrific setting, or a horrific thing in a beautiful setting. I think it opens the doors to conversation about the photograph. I have also always enjoyed it when people make assumptions about something and then realize it is something else. With a lot of my photographs they might initially find it beautiful or horrific but then when they take a closer look they might find and appreciate that it is more of the other to them. I think that is something I have always been interested in even since I was very little, musically and visually.

How are you inspired to portray these different scenes you create?
My inspiration comes from all different areas. Music, stories, movies, experiences, the list goes on.I have always been an anxious person with thoughts that never seem to turn off, so I am constantly thinking about different things. I think very visually and most of my work stems from those moments when my mind is wandering.

Besides photography and music, any other art forms you involve yourself in?
I occasionally do some painting and drawing, but I can never seem to finish those projects! I think I'm still burned out from all the work I did at CCAD. I've helped a bit with some film projects recently though and I really enjoyed that. I'd love to do some acting but I'm pretty terrible at it so maybe it is best I stick to music and photography!

Do you plan to play solo shows again?
I'm not really sure! I imagine it is something I will do again in the future. I love to write and record which I do quite a bit on my own, but it is a lot scarier performing on stage by yourself than with your friends. When I first started writing, my songs were all vocal and keyboard based which made it easy to play out. But now my work has gone in a more complex direction (with lots of different tracks) and I haven't exactly figured out the best way to do this live yet. I'll probably start playing solo shows again once I have that figured out.

What are the future plans for the band at this time?
I hope to travel and it would be amazing to have the opportunity to make a living doing what I love. So we're trying to get together our press kit to send to some labels with the hopes that someone will want to help us live out these goals of ours. But in the meantime we will be playing shows around here and enjoying summer.

Phantods will be performing live in Columbus on the following dates:
June 20 at Carabar w/ Michael Vallera
June 25 at Otani - Special Acoustic Performance
Jul 19 at Skully’s w/ Razorbliss

Check out Gretchen King's My Space page.
Check out Phantods on My Space, too!

WHY WAIT FOR HALLOWEEN?

2008-06-11T14:05:00.006-04:00

Upon checking out photos and hearing about Zombie Walk Columbus, I couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic.

I believe it was October of 2006. I was safe and sound in bed after a night of something I'm sure...9am rolls around and my neighbor from downstairs starts banging on my door. "It's William! Open up!" So I do, thinking that there's a fire or deadly fume that I was about to be heroically saved from. There was no smoke nor a single flame at my door. It was a zombie, inviting me to join the ZombieCon celebration that afternoon. Although I didn't attend, I slightly regretted it...UNTIL NOW!

Downtown Columbus will host its own Zombie-fest this Saturday, June 14th, and everybody's invited! Now you can look the way you feel after a long night of drinking!

The walk will begin at 3pm at Goodale Park and end at the Convention Center, rain or shine. (The walk will be re-routed if weather conditions aren't so favorable.)

If you do decide to go, donate non-perishable food items as there will be a truck and it needs to be filled - if not with food, then with your souls.

Happy Haunting!

OOH LA LA NEW MUSIC RELEASES

2008-06-10T17:11:00.005-04:00

My Morning Jacket,"Evil Urges" (ATO)
The Fratellis, "Here We Stand" (Interscope)
N.E.R.D. "Seeing Sounds" (Interscope)
Supergrass, "Diamond Hoo Ha" (Parlophone)
Lil Wayne, "Tha Carter III" (Cash Money)
Alanis Morissette "Flavors of Entanglement" (Warner Bros.)
Emmylou Harris "All I Intended to Be" (Nonesuch)
Gene Clark, "Silverado '75-Live & Unreleased" (Collector's Choice)
DJ Tiësto, "In Search of Sunrise, Vol. 7" (Black Hole)
Jakob Dylan, "Seeing Things" (Sony)
Jethro Tull, "This Was" (Capitol)
Plies, "Definition of Real" (Atlantic)
Martha Wainwright, "I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too" (Zoe)
Cassandra Wilson, "Loverly" (Blue Note)

Check out a free download of the title track from My Morning Jacket's release, "Evil Urges," care of ATO Records.

SUMMER SHOE SERIES: PART 1

2008-06-09T14:35:00.015-04:00

I love summer. I equate the season with freedom, vacations, and happy hour. And although it isn't quite summer yet (two more weeks!), it sure as hell feels like it.

My last two summers I lived in New York City, where central A/C was a luxury and makeup never stayed on for longer than an hour. The subways were hotter and smellier than usual. Central Park was a complete circus. I'm sure you get the point. Nevertheless, despite the heat, I wore boots (of the shorter variety) for as long as humanly possible. To some it may sound crazy, but hey I wasn't the only one. We just all have unhealthy obsessions.

Now, back in Ohio, I find myself stared at when walking into, let's say, a Starbucks. I know what everyone is thinking: "It's 90freakingdegrees out. This chick must be crazy." I suddenly felt like that one random dude in January who's still wearing khaki shorts...you know who I'm talking about.

Not one to EVER change my style for anyone (especially for the audience at Starbucks), I have to admit it's really hot. And it's only going to get worse. Like I said, I love summer...but I will be the first to admit I'm not such a fan of summer fashion. Sandals, flip flops...just not my style! I feel totally underdressed and there's not even a beach in sight. But let's face it - sweaty feet are just not pleasant. Therefore, I made it my mission to find Appropriate Summer Footwear for ladies like myself. So, if your favorite season is fall and floral footwear just doesn't jive with you, you may want to check these out:

Luichiny Mandy Sandal

I love these! They look absolutely painful (4 1/2" inch heel) but they can certainly toughen up a summer dress.

Diesel Melody Peep Toe Flat

And on the other end of the spectrum...comfortable! Slightly sporty and breathable, and what girl can resist a peep toe?

C2 Elements Sandal

These gladiator sandals remind me of a stegosaurus, but there's something about them that appeal to me. I think it's cos they look a little like ankle boots - yes!!

Urban Outfitters Leather Ruched Bootie

These mini boots would go great with a high wasted skirt, don't you think? The ivory color makes them a bit more easy going for summer. No black soles after a day of window shopping, here.

Type Z Daydream Sandal

Ok, I kind of cringe when I think of "strappy sandals." But these are not your bridesmaids' strappy sandals. Quite rad!

More to come! Feel free to forward your suggestions!

CINCY COOL BAR ALERT: BAR 950

2008-06-08T18:48:00.011-04:00

A Saturday night in Mt. Adams for someone like me is kind of a nightmare. I find myself always wondering how can a place so beautiful be so ugly in the same instance?

For those not familiar with Mt. Adams, the only thing I can really equate it to is Greenwich Village in New York City: quaint, cobble stoned, and cute. Except that Mt. Adams sits on top of a glorious hill (or mountain?), overlooking downtown Cincinnati. Yet, instead of crowded super cute cafes and well dressed 30somethings, the streets of Mt. Adams on a late night are mostly filled with unimpressive SUVS and party busses... the sidewalks decorated in fun times gone awry from the likes of your popped collared peers... and bachelorette party-goers overtly flirting with local police.

So not kidding.

I was dragged to Mt. Adams again recently for what I thought would be for a short while in the evening. We arrived at a place called The Blind Lemon. A friend who took our Party of Six there happened to know a gentlemen at the bar, so we got a pretty great spot outside complete with a comfortable set of tables, chairs, and a decent view of the Ryan Adams cover star that night. The inside of the bar was quite lovely too...very earthy and romantic, like you were having a drink inside the trunk of an ancient oak tree. And despite the mostly uninteresting crowd, I was liking The Blind Lemon, until we were greeted by our bitchy waitress. We're talking like threatened to "put your friend's bill on your tab if he doesn't come back and pay his bill before you all leave" kind of bitchy waitress. Wow. Who would have thought your bathroom break would cost your friends mucho dinero? I guess it's not who you know, after all.

I was once again convinced that Mt. Adams was just not the place to be for me. However, another friend promised "just one more spot I want to take you to!" I obliged, as the ridiculous heels I was wearing were not going to cooperate for much longer.

Entering: BAR 950.

Located directly across the street from The Pavilion, BAR 950 may be considered a hole in the wall, but I'd like to label it more as a diamond in the rough. We were greeted by a nice young dredlocked bartender and Kings of Leon on the iPod speakers juxtaposed to the bottles of whiskey behind him. It was 1:15am when we arrived, and there were only about 15 people including ourselves in the bar. Actually, I feel kind of awkward calling it a bar, because it really felt more like an apartment that happened to have a very well stocked designated drinking area. As a wine drinker, this felt like the most perfect of places to lounge back and have a glass; however, they only had one kind of red wine, and it was called, er, Red Truck. Nervous about my decision, I went ahead and ordered it...and by golly, it actually wasn't bad. So if you're looking for an impressive wine selection, this isn't quite the place. But if you are looking for some delicious shots of Ouzo (yes, freaking Ouzo!) look no further. Plopped outside behind the bar under a tree was where the rest of the night was spent. Frat boy free. BAR 950 is our our new favorite and appreciated spot.

BAR 950 is located at 950 Pavilion Street in Mt. Adams, Cincinnati.

Photo credit (view of Cincinnati from Mt. Adams): J. Stephen.
Design credit: Neon2Noir.

GALLERY HOP 2NITE

2008-06-07T16:24:00.010-04:00

As is every first Saturday of the month, tonight is the Short North's Gallery Hop in Columbus.

Opening today and running through the end of the month is "Welcome to Retropolis," an exhibit at Rivet (1200 N. High St) featuring paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, and custom toys by Doktor A. The artist's work highlights such themes as urban pop culture clashes, classic children's stories, and neo-Victorian industrial neverlands. A mouth full, but sure to be quite awesome. I'm particularly stoked about the octopus in a top hat...

Also showcased until the end of June is the Sherrie Gallerie's exhibition featuring an interesting print series by artist Sid Chafetz. The subject matter explores politics, portraiture, the university community, personal biography and the holocaust, according to the Gallerie.

If you find yourself hopping around the Short North this evening, it would be a great time to check out, what we consider, some amazing exhibits.

Image credits, respectively:
"Welcome to Retropolis" (Doktor A) photo c/o ShortNorth.org.
"Get Over It" (Sid Chafetz) photo c/o Sherrie Gallery, 694 N. High Street

\M/ETAL...YESSSS

2008-06-05T16:01:00.017-04:00

How rad is this?

Cleveland Scene's very own D.X. Ferris released Reign In Blood this week as part of Continuum's 33 1/3 series. Based on SLAYER's 1986 album, Reign In Blood, the book details what has been labeled one of the most important albums in metal and "the heaviest album of all time" by Kerrang! magazine.

Check out the impressive list of people Ferris interviewed to put the work together....
All members of SLAYER
Producer Rick Rubin
Engineer Andy Wallace
Cover artist Larry Carroll
Russell Simmons
MC Serch
Tori Amos
Phil Anselmo (PANTERA)
Rob Arnold (CHIMAIRA)
Matt Bachand (SHADOWS FALL)
Kurt Ballou (CONVERGE)
Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX, S.O.D.)
Brann Dailor (MASTODON)
Glenn Danzig (MISFITS, SAMHAIN, DANZIG)
Jack Endino (producer of NIRVANA, HIGH OF FIRE, SOUNDGARDEN)
Page Hamilton (HELMET)
Gary Holt (EXODUS)
Eugene Hütz (GOGOL BORDELLO)
Bill Kelliher (MASTODON)
Tim "Ripper" Owens (BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST)
Bill Peters (host of WJCU's "Metal on Metal" since 1982)
Henry Rollins (ROLLINS BAND, BLACK FLAG)
Kat Von D (tattoo artist, star of "L.A. Ink")
Andy Williams (EVERY TIME I DIE)
Sean Yseult (WHITE ZOMBIE, ROCK CITY MORGUE)
...and many, many more.

Wow.

Speaking of metal, you should probably click here.

GET YOUR MUSIC HISTORY ON

2008-06-04T14:42:00.006-04:00

"There's nothing remarkable about it. All one has to do is hit the right keys at the right time and the instrument plays itself."
-Johann Sebastian Bach

Showing this weekend at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus is Spanish director Pere Portabella's latest cinematic showpiece, The Silence Before Bach. Filmed in Spanish and presented with English subtitles, the movie follows the life of the 17th century German composer and his influence during his lifetime to the present day. It is showcased as a series of vignettes in declaration of Bach's clout in European civilization - and arguably, the rest of the developed world.

The film has received rave reviews and even classified as a New York Times Critics' Pick in January when the film opened in Manhattan.

The Silence Before Bach will show only at the Wexner Center this Friday June 6 and Saturday June 7 at 7PM. Tickets are $5 for museum members, senior citizens, and students, and $7 for the general public.

Purchase Tickets Online.

Photo courtesy of Film Forward.

OOOH LA LA NEW MUSIC RELEASES

2008-06-03T16:33:00.025-04:00

Today is Tuesday, and these releases are now available online and in stores!
The Ladytron record is quite awesome, I must say. But what did we expect?
Here's a list of other artists you may or may not be interested in.
Enjoy.

^Ladytron, "Velocifero" (Nettwerk)
Weezer, "Weezer" (Geffen)
Aimee Mann, "@#%&*! Smilers" (Superego)
Radiohead, "The Best of Radiohead" DVD (Capitol)
^Gavin Rossdale, "Wanderlust" (Interscope)
Bret Michaels, "Rock My World" (VH1 Classics)
Ashanti, "The Declaration" (Universal)
Chris Brown, "Exclusive: The Forever Edition" (Jive)
Disturbed, "Indestructible" (Warner Bros.)
Jewel, "Perfectly Clear" (Valory Music)
The Byrds, "Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971" (Sundazed)
Brendan James, "The Day is Brave" (Decca)
Opeth, "Watershed" (Roadrunner)
Sam Phillips, "Don't Do Anything" (Nonesuch)
Various Artists, "Now That's What I Call Music, Vol. 28" (Capitol)
Amy Winehouse, "Frank: Deluxe Edition" (Universal)

^pictured

iLOVE CINCINNATI

2008-06-02T11:37:00.007-04:00

Gotta love the summer time and gotta love these festivals! Beginning last week and running through this weekend, the Cincinnati Fringe Festival has been showcasing many of the wonderful artsy thing this city has to offer. The Innter:City iPod tour particularly stands out to us. Check it out!

Inner:City Tours
Bring your iPod and see Cincinnati.
"Inner:City is a guided walking tour through the spaces between the Fringe venues and a comic exploration of the theater inside all of our heads. Participants will download a podcast onto their own iPods which will lead them on a multimedia odyssey through a neighborhood rich in theater history. This site-specific audio installation will invite its audience into the stories of this neighborhood in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that is one part video-game-without-the-screen and one part performance art installation, with just a dash of 'The daVinci Code.'
The engaging interactive genre makes use of iPod technology to tamper with the audiences’ inner monologues one person at a time and blurs the edges of theater and art installation in order to challenge the nature of art itself whether at the fringes or in the mainstream."
Thanks to CityBeat.com for this swell description.

The last Inner:City iPod tour runs Saturday, June 7th. Tours begin at 1:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm and expected to last 90-120 minutes each.

Photo credit: unknown

YSL: YOU'RE SO LOVED

2008-06-02T00:26:00.008-04:00

Legendary French designer, Yves Saint-Laurent, died this evening at his home in Paris at the age of 71 after battling a long-term illness.

Where there are supermodels there must be superdesigners, and YSL is just that. He was considered just about the last of the run of the most influential and elite designers in the same era including Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. Whether or not you own a piece of YSL, chances are he has certainly influenced something in your closet from tight pants to thigh high boots to androgynous themes and so much more: including high contrast bright colors against black (NEON2NOIR, perhaps?!).

His legacy will certainly live on.

Rest in Peace...

WAKE UP TO A FRESH CUP OF HATE COUTURE!

2008-05-30T11:33:00.013-04:00

If you haven't heard, Dunkin' Donuts has pulled its online iced coffee ads with celebrity chef Rachael Ray due to poor reactions from the public. It has become somehow apparent to critics (whoever they are), that Rachael Ray is a terrorist. A bubbly, famous, culinary sell-out of a terrorist. And maybe even a wannabe hipster.

Clearly nobody at the commercial shoot, especially the stylist, thought twice about the "hate couture" [keffiyeh scarf] that Ray displays around her neck. It could have been a political statement, but let's get real. Take a walk in Brooklyn or heck, even Urban Outfitters and you can see the scarf everywhere. Even chain stores such as H&M have been selling knock-offs of the traditional Arab (not Muslim) garb since last year.

According to MSNBC.com, "Critics who fueled online complaints about the ad in blogs say such scarves have come to symbolize Muslim extremism and terrorism." Dunkin' Donuts denied any terrorist support or symbolic undertone. The commercial was recently pulled after a 3 week run.

Everyone is entitled to their own interpretations, but give me a break here. It's not like Rachael Ray was wearing swastika bling around her neck! If these "critics" actually did some research (or even asked an Arab like ME!) they would understand that a keffiyeh is almost no different than a baseball team hat. It has its purpose (to cover your head if you're balding; keep the sun off your head; keep you warm in the winter) and its prideful appeal (root for your team, in this case your country - depending on the color). Moreover, it has absolutely nothing to do with religion. If you were to be walking down any street in the Middle East, chances are you'd only see the scarves on the sweaty heads of a bunch of old, harmless men.

Oh general public, let's not be so narrow minded here. If Bin Laden was to wear a Yankees hat, then what? Would you ban those?

Well, maybe if you were a Mets fan...

Rachael Ray wants to be hip! Let her have her coffee and drink it, too!

Read more about the ohmygosh scandal here.
Photo c/o Gothamist.com

WIN THE NEW DRESDEN DOLLS CD!

2008-05-29T16:51:00.009-04:00

The new Dresden Dolls record, No, Virginia... has finally been released!
The band toured the world for almost two straight years in support of the hit song "Yes, Virginia" and in 2008 the Dresden Dolls felt it was the time to release to their devoted fan base the remainder of songs from that era, while adding some new songs they were passionate about.

EMAIL NEON2NOIR@GMAIL.COM + INCLUDE YOUR FULL NAME, AGE, AND MAILING ADDRESS! One lucky person will be chosen as the winner and will be notified via email!

You do not have to be a resident of Ohio to win.

Check out The Dresden Dolls on tour:
May 30 2008 8:00P / Warehouse Live / Houston, Texas
May 31 2008 8:00P /Palladium Ballroom /Dallas, Texas
Jun 1 2008 8:00P / Stubb’s BBQ / Austin, Texas
Jun 19 2008 8:00P / Symphony Hall / Boston, Massachusetts (Amanda Palmer solo w/ The Boston Pops)
Jun 20 2008 8:00P / Symphony Hall / Boston, Massachusetts (Amanda Palmer solo w/ The Boston Pops)
Jul 3 2008 8:00P / The Rothbury Festival / Rothbury, Michigan
Aug 6 2008 7:00P / Great American Music Hall / San Francisco, California (Amanda Palmer solo)

The Dresden Dolls> official page
The Dresden Dolls> My Space page

THE DRESS IS DEAD?

2008-05-16T15:03:00.001-04:00

According to the New York Times and "top designers," come end of August, the dress will be dead. Women will be craving a different kind of look - one that's supposedly more androgynous, as the article states. Sounds pretty intriguing to me. However, I think it takes a lot more than a pair of pants to all of a sudden make you hip and cutting edge. And what's so wrong with being a little girly?

From kindergarten until the end of the 8th grade, I was a total tomboy. Baggy jeans, beat up chucks, dog collars, and huge band shirts. My poor mother begged me to change. I never went near a dress (unless for a formal affair) until the of end high school / beginning of college, but there was always something enlightening about wearing one. However, never going too girly, a la Shirley Manson. I remember once thinking in New York while walking to the subway "I've worn a dress or skirt every day to work for the last two weeks." Thought nothing of it except that I really needed to drop off my dry cleaning soon. Regardless of trends, to wear a dress has become quite typical of me, so much so that I rarely ever get asked anymore, "why are you dressed up?"

Dresses are so easy. Forgiving. Easy to manipulate. Obviously feminine. Flattering. Secretly put together without much effort. Practical for summer and ironic in the winter.

I just don't see how you can give a deadline on when to stop wearing something as important as a dress. Harem pants? Uggs? Trucker hats? Midriffs? Ok. I get it. But in my opinion, the dress isn't going anywhere...unless it's slutty, tie dyed, or made of jersey. Then I would have to concur, of course.

TURKISH DELIGHT

2008-05-07T14:52:00.003-04:00

LOOK AT HER! UGH! Madonna is turning 50 years old this year and still super hot. Whenever my mom complains that she is getting old or feeling old, I always tell her to check out Madonna. (My mother just turned 48.) And in my face she throws back to me "if I had a personal trainer, chef, life coach, etc, I would look like Madonna too." Yeah yeah, whatever.

I first got into Madonna when I was about nine years old. I actually first took notice of her when I saw a very lovely picture of her in some magazine...I cut it out and put it on my floral printed bedroom wall cos a.) I thought she was pretty and b.) her birthday was in August like me. From there I would hear her songs on the school bus and I finally got Bedtime Stories on cassette. I've loved her since then, but not always...American Life: what the heck was that?

So last week her eleventh studio album, Hard Candy came out. The critics have been saying this is Madonna's best record since Ray of Light came out in 1997. A great CD indeed, but I happened to like Confessions on a Dance Floor a lot. I've been listening to the new one on and off - it hasn't quite grabbed me entirely...and truth be told I expected a few more 'hits' considering the producers. In fact, I'm not a huge fan of the single - I just can't get over how calculated it seems, but that might just be thanks to another Timbaland beat. Some of the songs, like "Heartbeat" date to her sound in the 80s. Yes, the xylophone is BACK ("Lucky Star" anyone?). I have to admit, after seeing Madonna perform "La Isla Bonita" with Gogol Bordello at Live Earth, I was really hoping she would dabble a bit more in the gypsy route, but she went back into the dance/disco/80s - which is just fine. This album is certainly growing on me. I would suggest spending the extra couple dollars on iTunes and invest in the Deluxe Version - the remixes are alright...a little too many echos and synthesizers for my taste, but great for a party or something fun. And isn't that kind of what Madonna is all about?

BIENVENUE!

2008-05-04T14:46:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Neon2Noir! My name is Reena* and I'll be reporting to you from Cincinnati, Ohio.
A little bit about me: I'm 24, grew up in Cincinnati, moved to Columbus for college (Journalism, mind you!), moved to NYC to live it up and pursue my career in the music industry... Somehow I ended up back in Cincinnati for the first time in six years, and I'm desperate to crack it open and figure out what's going on. I'll be documenting and presenting to you some of the great things this city and the rest of Ohio has to offer (or not), from restaurants to parties to local bands. And - because let's face it, Ohio may not really be the heart of all things exciting - we've got some other stuff coming your way. Stay tuned!