Video of the Week: Frances - "Cold Water"

This video of Cold Water from Frances was produced on a budget of $99. This video was released in the summer of 2009.

Who we're in love with this week: Rachel Flotard

She may not be a New Yorker, but if we had our way here at The Paddywhack Machine we would certainly claim her as one of our own. Rachel Flotard of Visqueen.

Best of Brooklyn: Oneida - The Adversary

In this ongoing feature we select and post a video from one of our favorite NYC bands each Monday. This is "The Adversary" by Oneida.

Oneida - The Adversary from Gerard Duffy on Vimeo.

Free Friday: There's nothing like free.

In our first edition of Free Friday, we have selected 4 free albums to keep your heart warm on this cold December day.

* Free Holiday music from iTunes: iTunes Holiday Sampler

* Free Mountain Goats live album: The Mountain Goats - live at Bell House, 12.2.09

* Free Compilation of Fugazi Stage Banter: Fugazi, the Musical

* Free Ghost Ghost album download: Time is Gravity EP

Music to Catch this Weekend.

You can't see it all, and there's countless shows everyday in this great city. Here's our short list of recommended shows to check out if you get the chance.

Thursday
12/10 - Arctic Monkeys - Terminal 5
12/10 - Matisyahu - Webster Hall
12/10 - Holly Golightly & The Broke-Offs - Mercury Lounge

Friday
12/11 - Dr. Dog - Brooklyn Bowl
12/11 - Ghost Ghost - Lit Lounge
12/11 - The Fiery Furnaces - Music Hall of Williamsburg

Saturday:
12/12 - The Fiery Furnaces - Bowery Ballroom
12/12 - A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Union Hall
12/12 - Matisyahu - Webster Hall

Video of the Week: The Organ Beats - Sleep When We are Dead

Here's the latest music video from independent film maker Ben Fee. And the new single from The Organ Beats. Check it out. We dig it.

The Organ Beats - Sleep When We Are Dead

The Organ Beats - Sleep When We Are Dead from Ben Fee on Vimeo.

All You Need is Love

John Lennon was gunned down in front of his home 29 years ago today. On that day the world was robbed of one of the greatest musical talents we have ever known. As an adopted New Yorker he left us a legacy of brilliant music and a vision for peace. Sadly that vision of peace seems no nearer to actuality than it did in December 1980. But the dream and the music remain. Rest in Peace John Lennon. And thank you for all you gave us when you were here.

NYC Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex to Close

The news was announced this week that the NYC Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Annex in SoHo was closing. We have mixed feelings at the Paddywhack Machine about the closing of this short-lived institution. On the one hand, a Hall of Fame is kind of un-rock at its heart and we question the value of any memorabilia collection that juxtaposes Jimi Hendrix and the Whitestripes in the same display. On the other hand, there are many reasons to mourn the passing of an institution whose sole purpose was to remind the rest of the world and ourselves just how much NY has given to the world of music.

If you haven't visited the annex yet and even if you have reservations about the prospect, you should make time to see it. There's only a few places in the world where you'll have the chance to get that close to a guitar played by Jimi Hendrix. Was Jimi Hendrix a New Yorker? Not really, but he recorded some of his best tracks in a building that is now a bank on Second Avenue. You might also get a kick out of the CBGBs display. A unique bit of New York history that only New Yorkers and punk devotees from the 80s and 90s will truly appreciate.

The jewel of all the current exhibits is the special John Lennon: The New York Years collection curated by Yoko Ono. The Lennon exhibit is rich with multimedia content and if you're anything like us you'll spend as much time there as in all of the other exhibits combined. There's Lennon sketches, handwritten lyrics, home movies, and even the unopened bag of John's clothes that he was wearing the day he was shot. If that seems pretty morbid, it is. But it's also a moving reminder of what beauty and genius was stolen from the world and from NY in a senseless handgun death in 1980 (precicelsy 29 years ago today). A handwritten note from Ono also asks us to remember how many innocent people have been killed in the US by handguns since that fateful day December 8, 1980.

Book your visit at a discount rate here: http://bit.ly/4BtyBz

The Best of Brooklyn: Ghost Ghost

• In this recurring spot, we'll post live footage from our favorite Brooklyn Shows. Here's NYC based Ghost Ghost at Trash Bar in Williamsburg.

LIfe is worth living, still.

In case you missed the Mountain Goats in NYC last week, the folks at nyctaper have found a way for you to regain your dignity. Follow the lovely link below to download what you missed.

http://www.nyctaper.com/?p=2085

Day 1: A Blog is Born

This is the first entry for better or for worse for the Paddywhack Machine. While it is clear that the world and NYC don't need another music blog, it is equally clear that they have no choice. Look out web, The Paddywhack machine has finally caught up with the 1990s.... yep we're slow to warm up. But we're persistent. And we're traveling at the speed of time.

See you in the future,
- Paddywhack Mack