For a good party, it’s really kind of impossible to beat New Orleans, and that’s not just the Mardi Gras parade. Although that’s where the city gets most of its press, good and bad, that particular blow-out event is popular because it illustrates what goes on here all year long. Of course, the rest of the year things happen on a much smaller scale. No human being could withstand that kind of intensity every day, and even the buildings themselves would crumble under the weight of too much fun. For the rest of the year, the choices are multiple, and there are always good times to be had by all.

For New Orleans’ Club life , there are plenty of things to choose from. Some of the coolest places in town happen to be Goth Clubs, and that’s not always because they’ve set out to do it consciously. In New Orleans, with the legacies of so many famously haunted and haunting people, things tend to get a bit goth on their own, and it can’t really be helped. There’s something about the history of the place, and the atmosphere at night that brings out the best in people.

Lower Decatur Street is perhaps one of the most interesting neighborhoods. It’s great for Mardi Gras, and it’s also a fabulous place during the Halloween season. With the French Quarter Festival and marathons, it’s happening all the time, and every evening, there are clubs like the Whirling Dervish. This is one of the famous places where it’s possible to sit and enjoy a relatively quiet evening watching the spectacle that is a nightly event in New Orleans. It’s also possible to get into some new dance moves with the one you newly love, and enjoy watching the hours go by.

The Dragon’s Den is another New Orleans club where there’s a great mix of the goth and the hippie element coming together to make a culture happen right before one’s eyes. There’s live music here most every night, even Sundays and Mondays. Some evenings are sleepier than others, but it’s always in motion. Shadow Gallery on Frenchmen street also offers up an eclectic variety of music, and the djs are splendidly orchestrating their moves with the beats to match the look of the place, which is as funky as it gets in the city. Even the latest nights here won’t outlast the people at the desk of the local hotels , so you can feel free to party until the wee hours, the concierge has seen it all.

There is a Club in New Orleans is a post from: TND West

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By many accounts, Mexico City, DF, is the largest city in the world, in terms of both numbers and density of population, and by any account, it’s a furiously fascinating place. It has what New York City has multiplied many times, with an unmistakable energy that overpowers everything. In Mexican political history, it’s seen many major turning points, with beginnings and endings of world revolutions, assassinations and deals gone sour, along with so many moments of spectacular hope. For anyone from here, it holds a special place in the heart, and for anyone who visits, it has a way of imprinting itself on the consciousness.

Like any city that has the best of everything, including food from a multitude of culinary traditions, stunning hotels that offer the best of local and international hospitality, and a music scene that is absolutely breathtaking and breathless at the same moment. On any given night, one can hear music from many decades and many styles, and the best of the rock bands take in the history of Mexican music and create new forms that speak to a population that creates new identities as fast as they create new words. Music and language are married in rocanrol, and it’s as harmonious and as discordant as the best marriages can be.

The term “rocanrol” came into Mexican music in the 1970s, and probably with Alex Lora and El Tri. That band started in 1968, one of the most tumultuous times in a city that’s seen its share, and they began a method of making music that became a pattern for the bands that followed. However, it could be argued that their ability to take older Mexican forms and remix them with contemporary European and U.S. music is part of a long tradition in Mexican music in general.

That they’ve been playing for 40 plus years speaks to the tenacity of the musicians, and also to the chilangos who boosted them in the city and into the world. Maldita Vecindad picked up the cue in the 80s, combining old forms, El Tri’s reinventions, and added ska and punk to the mix. This paved the way for Cafe Tacuba at the end of the 80s, and they’ve become something of a major voice in Mexico City music , but also enjoy a huge fan base all over the world. Here, the fans cross linguistic barriers to listen to a music that is simultaneously very traditional and very post-modern, and is always reinventing itself, in the tradition of the city.

Mexico City and Rocanrol Music is a post from: TND West

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Copenhagen has always enjoyed a stellar reputation as a leading spot for world culture. There is a very savvy and receptive population, where innovation and tradition both have places. The audiences are very discerning, too, which makes it a wonderful place for top acts to find their perfect audiences. This also makes it particularly attractive for upcoming acts, both local and international, to make their first big appearance on the world stage. People around the world do listen to what the locals think here, because the opinions are very deeply-informed, and reflect a global resonance that extends all over the world.

This is the place where such groups as Smashing Pumpkins got their first major credentials for live performance, and it’s a highly-regarded spot for big names such as Prince, Bjork, Snoop Dog, and Bob Dylan, among many others. For the tourists, this means that there is plenty to hear when it comes to live music. Chances are very good that within a block or two of any Copenhagen hotel , there will be some live music playing any night of the week.

There are many spots that are celebrated for their wide appeal to music lovers, and there are also many more spaces, contemporary urban, or deep underground, where one can see new acts testing out their latest musical inventions. It’s a good idea to stay open, and be receptive. It’s certainly fine to leave if the music is too bizarre or too staid for one’s tastes, but always a good idea to watch the locals and see what they do. When in Rome…

Copenhagen Jazz House, Huset, and La Fontaine are favorite listening spots for Jazz, which is one of Copenhagen’s trademarks. There are also plenty of exciting and hidden places to check out the music scene in Copenhagen , and if electronic and experimental music are on the wish list, then the city is an answer that’s as splendid as it can get. Komponent is one of the most exciting places to hear new music in Copenhagen , where there are always interesting things going on. There are plenty of local acts coming to try out the things they’ve been discovering while working at home on their macs, and there are also lots of big names that come through. Seeing something unknown or unusual is one of the great things about travel. Spending a little time in a place that feels like another world, where video projections line the walls and the crowd is restlessly waiting for a beat to dance to, can be a doorway into a new future in music.

The Copenhagen Music Scene is a post from: TND West

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On the tail end the life of Malcolm McClaren, one of the more complex godfathers of London Punk, it seems appropriate to find that the city is more alive than ever in terms of music and culture. There are some who will say that punk rock here is dead, but the purists will understand the irony of the statement, because it was never really alive.

That might be something that needs unpacking, and to do so means looking at a kind of history, or pre-history of punk in London . Right now, visitors to the city can find plenty of memorabilia, and some traces of what appear to be the makings of another wave of punk rock, and there are many ways to take history tours of the city to see the places made famous by bands like the Sex Pistols, to name an obvious face for the music. Even here, looking at the ephemera, there are philosophical traces that reflect its origins.

One could argue that it started in 1976-1977, with the Pistols here, the Ramones in the U.S., and the Saints in Australia. That’s a fairly standard version, and also fairly contested, because there are many who will argue the point to the wee hours of the morning. There are plenty of worse ways of spending time in a pub in London, however, and it’s a fine way to meet people. The time spent mulling over these conversations in the charming hotel later will also be time well spent.

The ones who argue most for the U.K. origins will want to trace it back to the Who and the Kinks , and similar bands who were expressing a similar energy. The energy here is really the key to the music. That sentiment expressed in Pete Townshend’s guitar-smashes was characteristic of the generation. It demonstrates a destructiveness and a frustration that borders on art, and it seemed to be a rare moment that captured something elemental. However, Townshend himself would remind interviewers that he was always quoting in his performance, and his live work has always been a masterful study on how to move a crowd.

The origins, artistically, to punk actually belong to Paris, because it was the Dadaists who seemed to animate the teenage impulse toward active ennui. That desire to undermine meaning and stop making sense didn’t start here either, but it certainly became codified, and then dismantled immediately. Visitors to London looking for its origins are promised a brilliant time of it, and might want to look into Paris as the next destination.

London Music Origins is a post from: TND West

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Anyone coming close to Miami’s radius might find themselves locked in some kind of peculiar spell, where life seems to be suddenly sweeter and more elemental. The draw of the sea and the strength of the city have an unusual force, and the force has a rhythm, or better, polyrhythm, and that’s the product of its lively music scene. The music scene here is, of course, a reflection of the cultures that mix in the city. Latin rhythms dominate, brought by the Cuban community migrating to these shores, who in turn adopted their rhythms to a particularly West African pantheon of tones, sounds, and beats, that are as old as human civilizations on the planet.

Most travelers here, enchanted by the pull of these sounds whenever they leave their luxurious hotels , might not recognize the African influence, and are usually stepping out with their hearts set on dancing the night away. This is certainly the city to do it. The clubs are open very late, and staying out until dawn is not unusual. There’s not much more than simple common sense to lure someone into enjoying a night on the town, but there are some general guidelines to keep in mind when enjoying Miami’s amazing music scene .

First, a brief reiteration. The clubs are open very late. This means that things often won’t get started until 11pm, or even midnight, reflecting Latin American, as well as European, standards of partying. Most last calls happen at 5am, and some places even have 24-hour licenses. The weekend begins on Thursday, and be aware that the locals here do know how to make a party. Getting into some clubs can be difficult, so it’s important to follow protocols, and getting on the guest list always helps. Connections are as important here for clubs as anything else.

Also, as far as djs, electro-techno, hiphop, and anything Latin goes, there’s plenty to choose from. Local music is sometimes hard to come by, because the tastes run toward getting large crowds to dance and drink. There are some meccas for indie rock here, and Churchill’s in particular has a reputation for being this part of the world’s CBGB’s. One of the reasons local bands have a tough time in Miami is because it’s location is far from other major cities, making touring difficult. But that scene is also picking up steam, and anyone visiting here will find something in the rhythm to surrender to.

Music Scene in Miami is a post from: TND West

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From California Dreamin’ to Hotel California, and beyond, this state is one of the most commemorated in song. It’s probably a very close rival to New York in terms of music that’s been written about it, some of these surely written on commission, but some written from sheer inspiration. It’s pretty easy to see why. With gorgeous weather, lovely beaches, wharves, forests, deserts, and its enormous continuing contributions to global culture, California has always had a lot to offer. It’s a spectacular place to visit, and travelers can always find lovely accommodations to make for lovely resting in between the fun and adventures.

California is not just a place to which people like to dedicate songs, it’s also been one of the more instrumental places in the world in terms of generating music. This is due to the intense creativity of the population, some who are native, and others who are drawn to the cities to make their mark in the world, and find a like-minded community of artists and thinkers. The 60s saw its share of rock, and made great contributions to the world with surf rock and psychedelic music. The legacies of the Beach Boys and the good ol’ Grateful Dead can’t be underestimated.

The 80s brought new changes to music, and California contributed in at least two very remarkable ways: punk and hiphop. For many of today’s listeners, the genres seem to be different branches of very different trees, but in their roots, they came from similar impulses and at the same time. The fierce do-it-yourself attitude and aesthetic runs strong in both of these kinds of music, and in the beginning the artists worked together much more than their successors do. The 80s saw the true Old School of hiphop, with venerated elders such as Ice-T, NWA, and Dr. Dre, and on the punk side there was Minor Threat, Bad Religion, and the Dead Kennedy’s, among others. Today, with 80s retro fever running high, travelers can visit clubs in Los Angeles and other cities to revisit this time, as well as catch the next wave.

California Music is a post from: TND West

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It’s hard to be a cowboy in New York City.  The problem as I see, in a singularly important way, is that you got to be careful not to get the heel of your boot stuck somewhere but I mean good, when there’s a train or what have you coming along.  It’s a dangerous thing, but it’s a dangerous city, and lots of people wear shoes with heels here.  But I don’t necessarily want to imply that we’re all in this mess together, because I for one am not in this together with anyone.  Not in this city.  I come here to make a go at putting a new product out on the market, and once it’s out, I’m done, and going back home.

I did get to book one of those boutique hotels, and New York has a good sense of class, and if you want to talk about hospitality, I never seen the likes of it ever before.  I wake up feeling like a million bucks, and usually I wake up feeling like I’ve been stomped on all night by a fat bull on trucker speed.  This is an irregular experience for sure, and one I would likely repeat, if this was all I had to do while I was here.  But there’s more work to be done.  I love Patsy Cline, see, and she had perfect pitch.

Now my partner and I have some ideas on what people want in the world, and for kids, a good ear is essential in developing a musical sense.  We have to instate these things when they’re young and impressionable, so they can thrive in the world as they grow.  Patsy Cline had a secret, of course.  Her perfect pitch came about from eating beef, and her support of the cattle industry caused a wave of what can only be called grace, on the part of the cows who wanted to be eaten, to send her the gift of song.  And as long as I’m here, I’m convincing people left and right that the cattle industry is not just a good idea, it’s come from divine providence.

Walking the Cow After Midnight is a post from: TND West

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Do you enjoy singing with your family by a nice cozy Napoleon Stove? It is a perfect way to enjoy time with your loved ones. Maybe you have a list of songs or a song book that you already like to play together. Well now that you can already play the guitar or piano and sing together, how about creating your own songs to sing together. It would add even more pride to your family time. So what does it take to make your own song? Well, there are a few key things that would help.

If you can already play an instrument then you have already learned a few musical chords. It also helps if you can read a bit of music and know some of the theory of music. But let’s just say you want to make a song with the knowledge of the few chords you do know from learning other songs. That is doable. So take three or four chords and start some sort of progression with them. Which means put them in and order. Then add a rhythm to it. This would come with how you strum your guitar or play on the piano in a certain time. Then listen to the combination of rhythm and chord progression on its own for a few rounds. Do you hear any melodies in your head? Just listen and let any melodies come to your mind. Then start to sing. Even if it is just La la la la. Just get an idea of where you melody wants to go.

Now it is time to pick a topic. To get an idea of what to write about just soak up your moment. Who you are with, what you are talking about, where you are, maybe the fire itself can all become apart of your special song. You can rhyme your words if you want to but it is not necessary. Let everyone add a line or two so that everyone feels included. Top it off with some fun harmonies and Wa La you have created a song together as a family.

Fire Side Songs is a post from: TND West

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When Guns N Roses new album Chinese Democracy came out on November 23, 2009 everyone thought it was a sure thing for the number 1 position in the pop charts.  However Kanye West and Taylor Swift put paid to that!

Kanye’s album shifted 450,100 units while Guns N Roses sold 261, 200 in its first week after release.  Fans had been waiting 17 years for the record…but it seems like many fans have lost interest.

Country singer Taylor Swift ranked at number two with  sales of 267,400 of Fearless her latest album.

SwiftRank Higher Than Guns N Roses? is a post from: TND West

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Deciding to create a backyard kitchen will not only open up your life to new opportunities for entertaining, but this decision may end up taking you places.  At home, out door grilling and food preparation may seem a bit of a hassle, but with the outdoor kitchen this will not be an issue.  An outdoor sink, refrigerator and grill will cut down the time you spend going back and forth, from indoor kitchen to outdoor grill.  Your time will be spent perfecting your own recipes, in a convenient setting and in a beautiful setting.

Depending on the design, guests may be able to sit at the bar, and talk with you while you are preparing the night’s dishes.  Once you have done this enough times, you may be tempted to take your recipes to strangers, to festivals and competitions across the country.  Barbecue and Blues.  These are two things I personally remember about my years living in Chicago, Illinois.  I did not gain these memories through the myriad of BBQ and Blues joints in Chicago, but from my next door neighbor Catherine.  Each weekend I would awake to the music of the legendary musicians and to the scents that Catherine filled the neighborhood with, on her tiny backyard grill.

Now I look to recreate that experience in the festivals that happen around the country.  One such festival happens in Arkansas.  The “Bikes, Blues & BBQ Rally” has been going on for the past ten years.  The rally is a moving one, through the cities of Northwestern Arkansas, all the proceeds are donated to local charities, and the motorcycles, the music and the BBQ draws crowds.  Many teams of chefs travel each year to compete with their own recipes, with accompaniment provided by such Blues legends as Big Bad Bubba, Steve Pryor, and Oreo Blue.  The best of sauces and spices are to be found during the taste sampling hours, and the best of the Blues is found throughout the day.  What a better way to take your recipes on the road?

Preparing for BBQ Rallies in Your Backyard Kitchen is a post from: TND West

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