VAN002: The New Highway Hymnal Boston + New York record release parties

The best new rock and roll band is not only on my own VANYA RECORDS, but they are also releasing their debut 7-inch this weekend at the Pill in Boston and Public Assembly in Brooklyn. Prepare for liftoff with THE NEW HIGHWAY HYMNAL.

Vanya Records launches in September; VAN001: Bearstronaut "Moniker/Shannon" 7-inch

Been awfully quiet on the Vanyaland front, and for good reason: Things are still fantastic at the "day job," as music editor of the Boston Phoenix, the Pill is still banging out the modern indie dance party every Friday at Great Scott, and lastly, I've decided to start a small boutique record label out of my bedroom, releasing my awesome friends' awesome music digitally and on vinyl.

Ladies and germs, I present to you: Vanya Records.

The first release: "Moniker/Shannon" gold vinyl 7-inch by Boston's post-pop electronic quartet Bearstronaut, a dance-centric group I've long been fond of and no stranger to the Pill (several live appearances, "Wire" release party, The Rapture @ Pill Halloween 2k10). The record -- VAN001 -- drops this September.

Listen to the track here.

the pill ::: Summer of Shitshow 2k11 with Girlfriends (07.29) + THe Hush Now (08.12)

new pill flyers, new shows: Dirty Bombs, Rituals

Oh hai. Once again, here's where I blow my written loads -- The Boston Phoenix and On The Download. And yes, the Pill still happens every Friday night at Great Scott.

Coming up @ le pill...

protokoll 04.01.11

YES.

Feb. 18: Pulp Vs Michael Jackson Nite @ the pill

To mark the 15th anniversary of Jarvis Cocker storming the '96 Brit Awards stage to protest the God complex displayed by a performing Michael Jackson, we at the pill have decided to have our second battle on Feb. 18: Pulp vs Jacko.

It follows last year's heralded Blur Vs Oasis dance floor throwdown, which commemorated the 15th anniversary of the dual release of singles "Country House" and "Roll With It," respectfully. Oasis won that battle, for the record.

Expect a shitfuckton of Pulp, and a fair shake of early Michael Jackson to counter the Britpop razzmatazz. Honestly, this should be an interesting night, and while the pill has never played a Jacko tune before (except on Halloween where we sometimes bust out Thriller), we're willing to open up the playlist in the name of the battle. Here's the flyer, and actual video of the incident follows after the poster jump.

The Pill wins a 2010 Boston Music Award

Named Best DJ/Dance Night in the 2010 BMAs. Love you, Boston xoxox

the pill :: december 2k10

Photo shot by Michael V.
Flyer designed by Michael V.
Peter Saville worship by Michael V.

Boston Music Awards 2010

Hey ho, the pill is nominated for a BMA in the Best DJ/Dance Night category. Public voting runs until Monday. Yeah, I could've posted this a bit earlier. No, there isn't a Facebook event page. Win or lose, I'll be drunk at the Liberty Hotel on Dec. 5.

pill update: Mystery Roar 12.10 and pi'11 NYE

Here's some upcoming events at the pill as we head towards NYE pi'11, including Mystery Roar on Dec. 10 and New Year's Eve with Freezepop and Videodrome Discotheque... Weekly updates are at the pill boston dot come, where you can also sign up for the Thursday night mailer.

(Miss you, Vanyalanders -- in this crazy new world order, my rants, writings and music and dance party ragtime can be found in the pages of the Boston Phoenix each week and online at On The Download at thephoenix.com. xo).