Two weeks ago, I spent the bulk of Labor Day weekend in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As much as I poke fun at Billyburg, I really do enjoy it. In fact, given a choice, I would spend my occasional NYC visits milling about the streets of the noted hipster haven and avoiding the hustle — and expense — of Manhattan. In terms of people watching, you really can’t beat it.... Read more

Summer is like a rubber band. In the muddy months leading to our shortest season, we pull back on it, steadily increasing the tension as our anticipation of hazy hot-weather folly mounts. Then, just when it seems like we can’t wait any longer, said rubber band is released, and the season speeds past in the blink of an eye. Usually.... Read more

This is why I love my job. (Déja vu, anyone?)

Before we get into the pressing issues of the day, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on a rather unusual confluence of events that led to a rather unusual occurrence in this week’s music section.... Read more

This is why I love my job.... Read more

I really didn’t want to do this.... Read more

Do you hear that? Shhh. Just shut up for a second and take it in … yeah, that’s it. Nothing. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

After months and months of prattling on about this huge singer or that wild festival, we have officially reached the dog days of summer, and an entire week virtually devoid of headline-grabbing music. Exhale.... Read more

It’s hard to believe, but we’re actually nearing the end of the glorious — and obnoxiously wet — four months I’ve lazily dubbed the “Summer of (Blank).” What’s even harder to believe is that by month’s end, I’ll have to invent another crutch on which to base this column. The Fall of (TBD)? The Autumn of Awesome? Scary days lie ahead, my friends.... Read more

Have you ever seen the Oscar-winning 2002 Eminem biopic 8 Mile? If you haven’t, I would highly recommend it. It is a surprisingly gripping and gritty exposition of the Detroit rapper’s rise from the Motor City underground to pop superstardom. Plus, Brittany Murphy costars. We like Brittany Murphy. Moving on…... Read more

You know, I was all set to start this column with some really cool news about some really cool music-y stuff going down this week. But someone — not naming names (mostly cuz we don’t have any names yet) — had to go and rain on my friggin’ parade. What, like we haven’t seen enough rain already this summer? Don’t make me sic Tom Messner on your ass. Thanks to my weekly WPTZ cameos (Thursday nights at 11!), I actually know the dude. So don’t think I can’t make that happen.... Read more

Aaaaand we’re spent. And not a moment too soon, since I’m officially out of Quad-related puns.... Read more