Jay-Z ended July ‘09 by rapping and rocking out at All Points West in Jersey City.

He represented Brooklyn by covering Beastie Boys No Sleep Till Brooklyn and followed it up with HOVA Brooklyn (We Go Hard). Were you there for it?

History repeats itself, that’s for sure. Music is a perfect example. Ever notice why a new song is so easily catchy? Maybe it’s because you’ve already heard it in the past. Who would have thought worldwide classics could be so ripped off. Are these songs “influenced” or just flat out plagiarized?

With nearly two million views to her YouTube page, Kina Grannis is scurrying up the ladder of musical success. There’s not much to it, Kina, her guitar and the lens of a Mac. But then there’s the amazing voice, original songs, and before you know it it’s been an hour since you started watching her videos. Maybe it’s the hypnotizing quality of her music or her eternally youthful face but either way you can’t ignore Kina’s talent dubbed the 32nd most subscribed to musician on YouTube.

Below are some of our favorites.

Can’t get enough? Check out Kina’s site

Do you remember our friend Matt Miller and the lovely band Graydon. We interviewed him way back here.

We remember them; their tunes make our hearts pitter patter as our frowns transform to smiles.

Anyway, they’re rolling through town tonight and tomorrow and you should probably go. Check the flyers:
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Brought to you by 99 Dollar Music Videos, Cut & Sewn has made their debut in the background of Neil Halstead’s (of Slowdive and Mojave 3) new music video – Elevenses.

Watch our West Coast Reps in their custom cuts!
“I Heart Music,” Sol, White, Medium
“Puta Please,” Sol, Yellow, Medium
Create your own Custom Cut now!

See the exclusive interview with Emma Allison and Makenzie Lynd!

See Neil Halstead’s world premier and featured spotlight video!

These album covers have been voted some of the worst. I beg to differ.

All I see is sweet.

The Rock wasn’t available. Neither was the Dogg.

If they can – what can’t they?

They forgot to budget for tie dye.

This past weekend, Less Than Drake threw on their gear and got ready to rock their first show as the premier Less Than Jake cover band. As part of my attendance to this madness, I took some time to talk to their leader, Jason Wall.

Cut & Sewn: Why did you decide to start a Less Than Jake cover band?
Jason Wall: When I was younger, when it was actually popular in the late 90’s, I was a big fan of ska music. Reel Big Fish, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and Goldfinger; I enjoyed it all. At some point, my friend Jon showed me Hello Rockview and changed my whole opinion on playing music. I started watching Less Than Jake videos, reading interviews, basically imitating everything they did in my junior high and high school bands.

One of the biggest things I respect about the band, however, is their live show.

Confetti, dancing, interactions with the crowd, jokes, costumes…every show was different, fun and done to ENTERTAIN. There are too many bands that record a CD, try to just play their songs and try to create a sort of “ambiance” for the crowd. That sucks.
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This week’s playlist is provided by Goldie Jawn, an up and coming rapper out of Philadelphia. With her name growing every week in Philly, we’re were lucky to get her to talk to us for just a minute.

C&S: Pick 10 musicians that influence your music.
Goldie Jawn: JDilla, Carmen McCrae, Black Milk, Beyonce, Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill, Jay Z, Little Brother, Ella Fitzgerald, Jill Scott.

What’s your worst gig?
My absolutely worst gig was the first time I performed. It was at this community center here in Philly. OMG, it was the summer time and it felt like I was in the middle of the Sahara Desert rocking a leather jumpsuit with 3 pairs of socks and a big wig without water. So hot. My throat was soooo mad at me cuz i did 5 songs! The water provided didnt help but I guess thats what you call paying your dues.

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After living in Columbus, New York City and Cincinnati in the last several years, Reena Samaan is now making her home – and hopefully for some time – in rock and roll capital of the world: Cleveland, Ohio, where she works in the communications department at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

In our department, we handle public and media relations for the Museum and of course, all of the great events, educational and public programs, and this year, the 24^th Annual Induction Ceremony! Every day brings new challenges and of course, it’s always a lot of fun working in and being surrounded by music. It’s an especially exciting time around here and I feel really lucky to be able to work at a special place like the Rock Hall. I thought I’d be somewhat misplaced in a city like Cleveland. I always had fun visiting, but where do you go after living in a place like NYC? I’m definitely learning Cleveland does rock – in its own way. There’s always a band playing somewhere, great independent restaurants and record stores, and of course the Lake Erie beaches in the summer. It’s a big city but with a more intimate feel…I’m into it!

There is no rhyme or reason to my playlist. Here is just a sample of what I’ve been listening to lately. Enjoy!

Leave it up to the folks at Uncle to uncover something like this. A rum-drinking, whore-mongering old man who calls himself Tony Baritone. And they’re proud to call him their de facto DJ. Here’s what he gave us.

Uncle Presents… Tony Baritone Plays The Hits
We met Tony Baritone in a record store in Miami. He wore a gold pinky ring, drank rum out of a paper bag, and kept telling us stories about hookers he’d fallen in love with. It was incredible. Weird and kind of creepy, but incredible. As we were leaving the store, he said he liked us and wanted to send us some records. Against better judgment, we gave our address. Whatever strange possibilities he represented, we wanted to find out.

When we got back to New York, there was a package waiting for us. A beat-up Havana Club Rum box, full of dusty old records. Havana Club isn’t even legal in the states. But of course Tony would have a box of it. Probably more where that came from.

And that was shipment one. We didn’t know what to expect, and it blew our minds. A few months later, a second box came. Shipment Two. A note said “I surprised you,” in chicken scratch. He was probably drunk when he wrote it, and definitely drunk when he paid for the shipping.

But Tony Baritone is the man, so who the fuck cares. (more…)

Today’s guest playlist comes from Erica of FIPS. She describes it much better than I ever could.

I have a blog whose title is so racy, I can only refer to it by an acronym here: FIPS, i.e. [blanked] in Park Slope. I write it with my bff Benjamin and we  mostly make fun of all people, places and things Park Slope-ish (especially  ourselves).  It’s a love/hate thing we have going on, though, truth be told  (when no one else is looking), its mostly love.  But there *are* a lot  of crazy/sexy/cool things going on in our nabe, and we kinda just let all of our  observations and analyses simmer into they bubbled up into a tasty little blog.

We def speak our minds. Some people hate us for it and some people love us  for it, but it’s fun to bust out with our bad selves.

That’s kinda how I feel about all the artists on this list (except for  maybe PM Dawn…they never really busted out.  But still…you get my drift).  Everyone else is pretty much a groundbreaker…or a “do it my way-er”…or and  “I’ve got something to say, so listen UP-er.”  And I really dig that.

So, listen up…and go on which yo bad self!