All stories about "Music"

LP stores in Berlin are a dime a dozen, but being a former New Yorker, I am admittedly one of the few people in Berlin who clutches an iPod as if life depends on it, even in my own apartment. So I enlisted the proven expertise of two local DJs who spin together as Tanzpartner (dance partner) to give you a rundown of the best plattenläden in town. All these stores also stock CDs, so don't sweat it if you don't have two turntables and a microphone. Whether you crave dub reggae, drum n' bass, or that catchy whistling intro from Peter, Björn, and John, you can find it here. Or, if you just want to immerse yourself in Berliner kultur and sample all kinds of techno, from minimal to trance, then there's a record store and a music scene in Berlin for you. Rock on dear reader.

If you're a generally enthusiastic and/or often drunk New Yorker, you likely already have several favorite karaoke bars. They're not hard to find, as the Japanese import (karaoke means "empty orchestra") has gained considerable local traction over the past several decades. It's found in abundance in bars, and increasingly, "karaoke boxes" where you can rent out a private room to serenade your unfortunate friends and colleagues with throwback hits from your youth. For the real skinny on karaoke, you might consider a fascinating afternoon on Karaokeforever.com, where you can learn about characters like Tonya, who boasts, "I sing 'Love Shack' everytime I go to the bar (2-3 x's a wk)." Or just sample our suggestions for the choicer locations to impress potential mates, win friends, and influence people -- particularly if you are "in a band."

Between now and mid-July, there are more than 40 great indie pop/rock concerts coming to town. That's good news for music lovers who are living or traveling in Paris this summer. To help you map out your evenings (and buy tickets in advance) we've tagged the 40 best shows on this Google calendar. After the jump, we present videos for our favorite 25, and name the Top Ten concerts of the summer. (photo)

Most of what one needs to know about Finland is easily summed up in just a few lines:
Wintersun: From August to May, the Finnish night lasts twenty-five hours.
Vodka: It's kept on ice in the freezer, and the traditional Finnish breakfast is a half liter of it accompanied by a piece of smoked fish.
Reindeer: They're quick to bite, have a greasy coat, and the whole country is rotten with them.
Linus Torvalds: This king of Linuxland keeps a harem of "virtual" wives and commands a geek army.
Saunas: The Finns sweat out their vodka-and-fish breakfasts at lunchtime saunas with the boss.
Sexy: Finnish law requires all citizens to be lanky sexpots, with shimmering hair and perfect teeth.
Suicide: Finland has Europe's highest suicide rate -- but after death Finns transmigrate into even newer, sexier bodies.

In warm spring weather, Austin feels like the best place in the world for Tex-Mex as well as food. South by Southwest won't be coming again until next March, so the city isn't completely overwhelmed by bands, but there's still no shortage of shows. When you're heading out, you probably don't want to spend dinner anxiously checking your watch against set times. Luckily there are lots of places you can eat cheaply and quickly (not just tacos) near popular Austin music venues. Think sushi before Alejandro Escovedo at the Continental Club, or brisket during Spoon at Stubb's. True, no Austin native ever seems to be in a hurry. But if you're a type-A visitor, or simply prefer lazing and listening rather to running from restaurant to club, these spots will be just the (not-sold-out) ticket. (photos: Matt Clark)

Helen Schneider may not have immediate name recognition, but this stage siren is nothing short of a legend, especially in Berlin. She was the first American to perform behind the Iron Curtain in the now-defunct Palast der Republik. She was the original Sally Bowles in the first-ever production of Cabaret in Berlin. And she had a hit single in the early 80s off her record Rock 'n Roll Gypsy. Currently she's performing a one-woman show in the west, which will close next Tuesday. Although her resume is impressive in and of itself, the charm of her current stage production, A Voice and a Piano, has as much to do with her powerful renditions of classic songs from musicals like The Threepenny Opera and Evita as it does with her intermittent anecdotes about life on the road early in her career, including narrow escapes from the Mafia in New York, the Hell's Angels in Vermont, and showgirl pimps in Vegas, not necessarily in that order.

NY Times' City Room published an inspiring interview with Vladmir Laksin, 57, a Polish immigrant-turned-street performer, today. After losing "all his teeth, his woman and -- worst of all -- his apartment" a few years ago, Laksin began playing the blues on the corner of 23rd Street and 7th Avenue and has been churning out his take on everything from Clapton and Hendrix to B.B. King ever since. For video of Laksin performing and more, follow the link. [NY Times]

Most subway performers in New York City are completely sucktastic. The guy in this video might not be the greatest musician, but he's comedy gold. This may very well be the funniest (intentionally) funny underground performance I've ever seen. It involves Kool-Aid, a hilarious remix of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," and a request for free weed. The sound quality isn't the best, but if you have trouble following along, the enterprising Youtuber who posted this clip also provided a full transcript. The clip's after the jump, because just as subway singers needs your spare change and extra drugs, I need your pageviews (or extra drugs). kthnxbai.

Who's that lucky lady rubbing oil all over former Beatle Paul McCartney's chest? It's McCartney's latest girlfriend, New York "socialite" Nancy Shevell! Nancy's an heiress whose family runs a Jersey trucking company with alleged ties to organized crime. She also works for the MTA. Sir Paul sure knows how to pick 'em!

It's a big month for scanty electro-rock, with both Peaches and Goldfrapp making the Paris rounds. But guitar lovers have nothing to complain about in April. Along with plenty of Brit rock, the coming weeks will bring the Bellrays and our pick of the month - the Hives with Gogol Bordello. For those shows that are already sold out, fans can try eBay, the local message boards, or just show up at the venue with a sign reading "cherche billet." That mess can be avoiding by checking our calendar of what's Coming Soon. That list, plus videos and a radio player await you after the jump.

New Orleans is largely known for two things: music and food. Starting on April 25, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has a killer lineup that includes Stevie Wonder, Santana, Ozomatli, Al Green, and The Roots. So next month might just be the best time to enjoy both of the city's specialties. In this month's issue, Bon Appetit magazine provides festivalgoers with a list of the best restaurants in the Big Easy. Their picks prove that neither the food nor the music scene in New Orleans was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The Federal Government may have forgotten about the Crescent City, but foodies and music lovers never will, so I've mapped some of Bon Appetit's favorite spots for New Orleans cuisine for your binge-eating and rocking out convenience.

D.C.'s punk-rock heyday may have come and gone, but the music scene still thrives, thanks to the work of local musicians like the following. Like their music? Then you might like their choice in delectable dishes as well. Read on to see where the District's local rock celebrities like to chow down and why, and maybe stalk them there before they get too famous. (photo)