I HAVE RETURNED!

I'm pleased to announce that I have returned to the blogging world. My life has changed significantly for the better since I last posted. The new incarnation of Exploding Penguin will focus less on me getting wasted alone in my small Brooklyn apartment and ranting on how much I hate shit. Version 3.0 of EP will now focus on my appreciation of fine beers (and cheap ones, here's lookin at you Rheingold), the comforting pint at an Irish pub, seeing your favorite punk rock band from over a decade ago still put on a hell of a show and the never ending quest for the greatest slice of pizza. So join me again friends, as we await our Flogging Molly tickets to arrive in the mail, enjoy a Guinness on the house at Shillelagh Tavern, measure out how much Cascade hops to add to this new batch of home brewed IPA and scour the streets of northern Queens for a slice.

Nicole Atkins & The East River

Nicole Atkins plays pop music. Really great pop music. Not of the radio variety and not of the super pretentious variety. Just really great pop music taking hints from the greatest of the 60s pop and R&B singers and crafting it into a contemporary sound which isn't quite her own, but who cares because she does it so well. Her new album "Neptune City" on Columbia Records explores her varied influences while showcasing a strong songwriter coming into her own in this world of often vapid and redundant pop music. Catchy, upbeats tunes ("Brooklyn's On Fire") twirl around with torchy ballads ("The Way It Is") on this record with theatrical balance. So with all this knowledge, doesn't she sound like someone you'd like to see perform live? Perhaps even... for FREE? Well New York City, you can. She will be playing a free show at Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens on Tuesday June 17th at 7:30pm. Full details below.

Nicole Atkins (7:30)
Salt & Samovar (6:30)
Socrates Sculpture Park
32-01 Vernon Blvd (intersection of Vernon & Broadway)
Long Island City, NY 11106
N/W train to Broadway (in Queens, dur)