BU Central

Tokyo Police Club Cancels BU Central Performance

2008-04-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

April 25, 2008—Canadian indie-rock band, Tokyo Police Club, cancelled tonight’s BU Central performance after singer/bassist David Monks lost his voice singing at last night’s Paradise Rock Club show. The band was scheduled to play at Boston University’s venue this evening for the first time, exciting the campus’ many indie rock enthusiast students given their recent global success.

The band’s spokesperson explained that Monks’ vocal issue has been ongoing, and did not result from last night’s performance alone. They plan to consult a vocal specialist doctor before allowing Monks to continue straining his voice, which could lead to permanent vocal damage if continued.

Tokyo Police Club apologized for the inconvenience, but confirmed that they will reschedule a show at BU Central to perform next semester—in the fall—for many eager Boston University fans.

“It’s really unfortunate that they had to cancel, but obviously we would not want Dave Monks to harm his voice in any way. We wish them well, and are thrilled that they agreed to reschedule their show here at BU Central,” said BU Central student coordinator, sophomore Rachel Richmond.

Inquiries about further information can be sent directly to BU Central at bucentrl@bu.edu.

Battle of the Bands Winners

2008-04-25T08:29:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the Novel Ideas for winning BU Centrals first annual Battle of the Bands.
They won a $1,000 Guitar Center Prize Pack, a headlining show at BU Central next semester, free studio time at a Boston-area recording studio, and various music gift certificates.

For those who missed the covers, here the are. Enjoy!
Never Gonna Give You Up cover by The Novel Ideas

No Diggity cover by Forest Henderson

Barbie Girl cover by Pray for Polanski

Thank you for coming out and supporting these amazing student-based bands.
Battle of the Bands photo album

Battle of the Bands Finalists

2008-04-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to:
Forest Henderson
Pray for Polanski
The Novel Ideas

These three student bands will battle it out in the final round for a headlining show at BU Central, Guitar Center prizes, gift certificates to music stores and more.

Thank you to all the bands who participated and a huge thank you to the audience as well. You all made this first annual BU Battle of the Bands event extremely exciting and full of energy.

So come on down to BU Central on April 24, 2008 to see which band is left standing!

(Plus they'll be performing a cover song that was selected at random. Trust me, you don't want to miss this)

Finalists of the Battle of the Lyricists

2008-04-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

Paul Yi
Konsept
Greg Daggett
Dorian

Congratulations to all of the finalists and thank you to everyone who participated! You made this a defining event in BU Central's tenure.

The finals will be held on April 17th in BU Central.

Guitar Center Prizes for Battle of the Bands

2008-03-29T14:38:00.000-07:00

BU Central's 2nd annual Battle of the Bands just got better, and perhaps even more worth competing for: our local Guitar Center has agreed to supply finalists with fabulous prizes from their store. This long overdue relationship was finalized this week, with the store on Commonwealth Avenue, across the street from BU Central's own performance space.

What the prizes are, we cannot say, but those considering signing up to perform can rest assured that the prizes will be useful and appreciated by any passionate, starving musician. Guitar Center never fails.

Round One of the Battle begins on April 12th, only two weeks away, but bands and individual performers can still sign up by emailing BU Central at bucentrl@bu.edu. Performers should email the name under which they perform, and while we encourage Boston University bands to participate, bands based in Boston with at least one member attending BU are contenders as well.

Furthermore, for anyone considering attending but not performing, just remember YOU make the decision about what bands make it to Round Two; Who will survive? We encourage you to attend to support your musical friends or at least Boston's upcoming bands you might regret missing a few years from now...

Hope to see you all there
--Cait xxoxx

April Preview!

2008-03-27T11:52:00.000-07:00

*Rap and Freestyle Competition

*Battle of the BU Bands

*LIVE Concert Series: Tokyo Police Club w/ The Meligrove Band and Eagle Seagull

*WTBU Day w/ Film School, King Left, and Spitzer Space Telescope

News Release this week

2008-03-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

CONTACT INFORMATION

CLIENT CONTACT:
BU Central
Boston University
E-mail: bucentrl@bu.edu
URL: www.bu.edu/sao/bucentral

SPOKESPERSON CONTACT:
Caitlin Sullivan
Phone: (831) 331-7684
E-mail: cjd3644@bu.edu

A WEEKEND of TEA, JESSE, and LIBERTY

Tea Tai Chi
Date: Thursday, March 27, 2008
Time: Doors 8:30 PM/ Show begins at 9 PM
What: Calming martial arts and soothing teas!
How: Our instructor will teach the basics, all levels welcome!
Price: FREE! (or "priceless"...)

Acoustic Cafe with Jesse Schwartz

Date: Friday, March 28, 2008
Time: Sign up to play at 8:30 PM/ Show at 9 PM
What: Open mic-style performance of students' talents
Who: Student singer-songwriter, Jesse Schwartz, headlines
How: Come early to sign up if you want to perform--all performers welcome, but spots fill fast! We only have so much time...
Price: FREE!!!!

Sons of Liberty Improv

Date: Saturday, March 29, 2008
Time: Show begins 8:30 PM
What: Boston U's only long form Improv and Sketch Comedy group, similar to performance style of New York's Upright Citizens' Brigade Theater
Price: FREE! As always!

*Email or comment for more information, and del.icio.us link coming soon!

Our Attempt at a Social Media News Release...(reference to Shift's SMPR)

2008-03-11T14:16:00.001-07:00

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Client Contact
bucentrl@bu.edu
www.bu.edu/sao/bucentral
www.myspace.com/bucentral

Spokesperson
Caitlin Sullivan
cjd3644@bu.edu
(831) 331-7684

BU Central March Madness
Guitar Hero, Rock Paper Scissors, and FIFA Tournaments

THE FACTS
Guitar Hero
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Doors open at 8:30 PM, contest begins at 9:00 PM
First ever BU Central Guitar Hero competition
Additional points given to performers for great style and quality of performance
Prizes rewarded to winners, including gift certificates
Competitors sign up by emailing BU Central, on the Facebook event, or at BU Central's table in the George Sherman Union
Bring your own Guitar Hero set if you have one
Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

Friday, March 21, 2008
Doors open 8:30 PM, show begins 9:00 PM
Competitors go fist to fist for title of Rock Paper Scissors Master!
Prizes for the winner will be announced at event
Sign up to compete by emailing BU Central, through Facebook event, or at BU Central's George Sherman Union table
FIFA Tournament

Saturday, March 22, 2008
Doors open at 8:30 PM, show begins 9:00 PM
Virtual soccer competition in FIFA 2008 game!
Gifts and prizes will be rewarded to winners
Sign up by emailing BU Central, through Facebook event, or by coming to the George Sherman Union BU Central table

CFA Rocks My Socks

2008-02-22T16:28:00.000-08:00

Today I discovered the power of mass emailing. I sent an email to the College of Fine Arts' office to send to the visual arts students, and they apparently sent it to the whole student body. I repeat, the WHOLE student body. Yeah.

So within...maybe a few hours (I was out, I swear I don't spend all day blogging and nonsense like that) I received more responses than I have just by trying to network through people I know for the last month. Which is interesting, because they say word-of-mouth marketing is the new way to go, but I believe that sometimes, the old-skool way of email actually takes the cake.

Anyway, with all the great response I am getting, we should have some amazing posters to look forward to in the coming month. Simultaneously, we've got PRLab students working on our end-of-the-semester events, to make sure we get an absurd number of people in that little basement we like to call our "venue". And what are these amazing end-of-semester events? Well there's the battle of the bands (rounds one and two) and then there's....oh wait! You don't get to know about that yet. Too bad.

So that's the news at BU Central, and hopefully there will be more...

xxx Cait

WOOOO BUUUU! Here's what's up kids

2008-02-19T18:47:00.000-08:00

One day we knew it would finally happen. ONE of us would actually update the blog. And today, that's me! Yaaayyy, the world at BU Central is back in order.

So here's the deal: This weekend is pretty great, I must say, because we are running the Adult Spelling Bee for the second year. "What's an 'Adult' spelling bee," you ask? Well, the explanation itself could get a little risque, but in essence, it's a test of your ability to spell some really bizarre, wonderfully indecent words. Things like.....well I don't even wanna go there, this isn't a porn site, but basically, it's gonna be some really dirty stuff. Which is ALWAYS fun.

AND WAIT, there are prizes! Yes, you read correctly...we will actually reward you for being able to spell filthy things, which probably means we are condoning the use of/familiarity with disgusting actions, names, and body parts...you get the picture. See, we really are kinda fun. I swear.

But that's not all, because we have 3 nights to cover, folks. The Adult Spelling Bee is on Friday, but Thursday night we will attempt to hold the Freak Show/Talent Show--a display of strange abilities and body warping, hopefully. This will occur on Thursday night at 8 PM in BU Central, and anyone can sign up to compete by sending a message to the facebook club, the facebook fan club, or by contacting me at cjd3644@bu.edu. All weird skills welcome.

Furthermore, the weekend continues on Saturday night with a performance by Steven Fiore and The Good People, with support from Run Dan Run. Now, if you have never heard of Steven Fiore before, that's a real shame, 'cause he's quite possibly the next....oh I don't know....Badly Drawn Boy, perhaps? He's acoustically fabulous, is the main idea. And we at BU Central are assuming, with full faith, that in months or years to come, his name will be one known across vast oceans of folk and indie-ness. Indeed.

So check all of our fabulous, perverted, and exciting debauchery this weekend at BU Central all three weekend nights!

xxx Cait

Pictures Galore

2008-01-20T21:34:00.001-08:00

Hi!

Chances are you've probably seen me with a camera attached to my hand down in BU Central during concerts. If you're curious as to what I do with those pictures after the shows, then I'll tell you; they're up in a flickr.com account.

Click below to be directed to the BU Central folder flickr account.

I gladly accept any and all feedback.
xo.
lety
headrush photography

Psst!

2008-01-17T16:47:00.001-08:00

The NEW spring calendar is available to download on BU Central's website (www.bu.edu/sao/bucentral) and you can also pick one up at SAO, BU Central, or at one of your dorms.

Welcome Back!

2008-01-16T18:14:00.001-08:00

Hello, hello!

There's a lot about the spring semester that I want to gush about. First off, we have some AMAZING student performers for our Acoustic Cafe series. We have Steph Barrak, Angelica Allen, Nick Werber, and Jesse Schwartz - all of which are amazing!

And then, we have a whole host of homegrown events. There's a Rock, Paper, Scissors competition, a Battle of the Sexes, a Guitar Hero tournament, and my pride and joy...The Battle of the BU Bands.

As for our concerts and comedians....well, we're not going to brag but...they are pretty much the best of the best! We've spent the past couple of months doing research on who the movers and shakers are and we think we've got a really good lineup going.

So come on down to BU Central starting this Thursday and see what we have to offer. We'd love to see you down there!

Where Does Music Come From?

2007-12-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

Boys. Girls. Sit down, please. It is now that time. I know you've had some questions about the changes you've been going through. Your ears have matured, and you're ready for something new. I think you're old enough, and it's better you hear this from me, and not from the kids on the playground. Or health class.

I am going to tell you where music comes from.

First, and foremost are MUSIC BLOGS.
Just about everyone has a music blog these days: punks, hipsters, Germans, old folks with their 45s, everyone except Mennonites it seems. So far. Some of the top are I Guess I'm Floating (2 college lads, lots of indie music), 3Hive (loads of free music, and sort of everywhere), Stereogum (classic), Music For Kids Who Can't Read Good (1 college student, indie music), and Brooklyn Vegan (another classic).

Then, there's the HYPE MACHINE.
Brace yourself. Cause this is sort of amazing. The Hype Machine searches music blogs... so you don't have to. That's right. Search by Artist, or by Track, and chances are, if someone's wrote about that band, or that song, it's going to show up here. You can go a little crazy, and check out the most popular tracks, music blogs, or artists... or not. Just an option.

There's LALA.
LaLa is sort of like that hippy guy who lives down the hall and talks a lot about socialism, but never really commits to the communes. Create an account, list all those CDs you don't really want anymore (NOW! That's What I Call Music, anyone? Anyone?), and make a list of the CDs you do want. LaLa sends you the envelopes, and sets up the trades. It costs nothing to send away CDs, and each CD costs only a dollar. Not only that, but the artists get a portion of that dollar, so you're still supporting those bands that you love. Plus, LaLa will make recommendations off your wants lists. Sometimes it might be a little weird (Van Morrison = Damien Jurado and Rock Plaza Central?) but they haven't directed me towards anyone I haven't enjoyed yet.

There's PODCASTS.
I'm a big believer in Tim Young's Contrast Podcast, because you feel as if you actually get to know the bloggers, and it's always fun to hear someone explain themselves for choosing that deep dark secret mp3. Plus, it's updated weekly, and it's great to put on when you're studying.

Definitely, definitely, KEXP's Song of the Day and KCRW's Top Tune. Hell, anything these sites turn their fingers too is solid gold.

Also worth mentioning is WOXY.com, with special consideration to Lounge Acts. I don't know how they get so many bands to Cincinnati, but they do. And it's always worth a listen. Along that vein is Daytrotter, based out of the eponymous Rock Island.

Anything I forgot?

BU Central Photos

2007-11-14T07:30:00.001-08:00

Greetings and salutations,
It's Rachel here telling all y'all that you should go check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/headrushhhh/ for exclusive BU Central photos of Johnathan Rice, Bang Camaro, Eclectic Collective, and more!

Obviously, these were taken by the lovely, the amazing, the absolutely fabulous Lety Flores.

Also, go check out this acoustic set by Luke Temple. Shot in Washington Square by OurStage.com (hey!), Luke strips his music down to the bare essentials. Personally, this is one of my favorite videos on the site.

Until Thursday,
Rachel

Luke Temple

2007-11-13T20:24:00.000-08:00

Pre Show:
I'm kind of excited for this show. I'm also the master of playing it cool. Seriously though, any one declared by Suj(the m)an Stevens to have to best voice in pop music is definitely worth checking out.
In preparation for the show, I've been inhaling whatever the Hype Machine puts forth, and selecting my softest T Shirt. I might cry. Maybe.

Out of jealousy.
Cause let's be honest, if I had Mr. Temple's voice... well, you'd hear me coming down Comm Ave, that's for freaking sure. Or at least, you'd hear me in the GSU. All the time. With a hat in front of me so you could pay for the joy of hearing me sing.

Aren't you lucky that BU Central shows are free?

The Breakdown

2007-11-12T17:44:00.001-08:00

Who: BU Central

What: BU Central is Boston University's premiere venue for up and coming bands, hilarious comedians, and a variety of late-night programming including an Adult Spelling Bee, a Bad Movie Lock In, and more!

When: every Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the school year.

Where: BU Central, located at the basement of the George Sherman Union.

Why: Because we can. Because 17,000 students can't be wrong.

Who We've Featured: Silversun Pickups, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, Willy Mason, Greg Fitzsimmons, Chris Thile, Eclectic Collective, Rhymefest, Augustana, Asobi Seksu, Aberdeen City, The Slip, We Are Scientists, Jenny Owen Young, Matt Pond PA, Kevin Devine, Hotel Cafe Tour, Johnathan Rice, Joey Gay, Illinois, Viva Voce, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Bang Camaro, and many, many more....