The way old friends do

I've done my very best to stay away while the fellas have been running the blog but I can't take it any more, I'm back for good. Or for a week or two at least!

We have a few friends in the music business, or something like that, and it might be nice to share what they're up to.

As you know, Stu is working his radio show on East Village Radio every Saturday. He's also been working his Icelandic connections, and hopefully our blog will be benefiting from that sooner rather than later.

Our friend Andrew Vladeck is, has been, and always will be putting the finishing touches on his next album. I've heard some mixes of it and it sounds really quality, but he's still playing with it. While we wait, he's doing a little Monday night residency thing at Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg. This Monday he's appearing with Caithlin De Marrais from Rainer Maria.

Last year our buddy Marko Djordjevic released an album that I never got a chance to blog because it was right in the run-up to the wedding. I liked it, but there's nothing like watching Marko play, because he's so technically good but attacks the drums like a maniac. Anyway, I was cruising around our blogroll and I noticed that Marko has recorded a few videos in support of his album. I have one up top here, but definitely watch them all. He's playing a gig on March 15 at the National Underground, E. 159 Houston St.

The Rivals are playing their biggest show yet next Friday (as long as Laura doesn't pop first!). We'll have something more next week as a reminder, but no harm in passing it along now: Friday, 8 PM, Union Hall in Brooklyn.

I have resisted the temptation to do any Arsenal blogging (the world really doesn't need it), but I'm still basking in the 2-0 in the San Siro. Today we've already seen Man United blow the FA Cup in hilarious circumstances, and I've got a song ready just in case Liverpool can't keep up their late title charge. Have a good weekend!