News

  • Tomorrow & This Week's Photo Contest

    We continue our residency at Skinny's Ballroom tomorrow THURSDAY night.
                   The Please Please Me, Showtime, 9pm.
                    San Jacinto at 2nd St. http://skinnysballroom.com/
                     It appears there's no band on at 8pm, so come early & we will be modeling our new Pls Pls Me panties & tees.


    We admit... last week's contest was way too easy.

    If you said this shot was taken right outside of Marfa, you are correct!
             Leave it to a Texan to put a Prada store in the middle of the desert.
                   Congrats to Tanene Allison &Nichole Wagner for being quickest on the draw.


    Now, for free entry +1 into this week's show or new panties.... tell me WHERE WAS THIS TAKEN?


    xoxo
    ~ alissa  agustin   & jessie
    T H E   P L  E A S E  ,  P L E A S E     M E


    PS-- my good friend Jess Klein's new album was featured on Noise Trade this week. You can download it for free HERE. i think it's her best yet. and was made with Austin whizkid Mark Addison. Rock on jk!
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  • Photo Diary: the Pls Pls Me Heads West

    Days 1 through 3 of our marathon trip to the West Coast.
         A few highlights of West Texas & Arizona.


    Damn, those drives are looooong and breath taking! Some from the desert heartland....


    All photos by cellist extraordinaire Alissa Schram.
        1. the loaf goes high style at the Prada store
        2. i display the new please, please me fashion line at Pridefest
        3. spring has sprung
        4. agustin gets his chillax on







    In Phoenix, we played Pridefest, donned our thigh highs, and meditated by the cacti.


    Pic 5. the stage at Plush in Tucson
          6. backstage at the Sail Inn in Tempe AZ
         7. desert flower
         8. staring out the window
         9. seguro!













  • Mae West & Sex

    I heard the most amazing story on public radio this morning.


    In 1928, on this very day, Mae West (a personal film hero of mine), was just launching her career by writing, directing and starring in a Broadway play called SEX.


    In her words, the play was about “a woman who gets a reputation and doesn’t mind at all.” You’ve got to love a woman who’s willing to take it so far out in 1928!


    The play was panned by the critics, drew large audiences anyway. But the reason this is NEWS is because midway through the run, the entire cast and crew was arrested. Mae herself spent 10 days in jail. The rest were released.


    You’d think she’d have gone on to have a career as a porn star, or none at all.


    But instead, she ended up in Hollywood. In the now famous scene, a woman compliments Mae West’s diamond jewelry, saying, “My goodness. How beautiful.”


    And West replies, “My dear, goodness has nothing to do with it.”
    the ever sexy ever attitudinal Mae West


    She was an instant sensation. Soon, she was starring opposite Cary Grant. One year, she was the SECOND HIGHEST PAID PERSON IN AMERICA, right after William Randolph Hearst.


    It's funny because, just two nights ago, I was trying to sing a part in the studio, and the thing that finally got me over the hump -- of summoning enough attitude & technical prowess -- was pretending I was a drunken Mae West.


    As an artist & entertainer, this is the lesson I got from this story.


    1. Never be afraid to be yourself. We gravitate towards people who go their own way, who stand out from the pack.


    2. Go all the way! Even if you need to tame it down later, it’s way better to know who you are then never to have discovered it. If you can’t find the essence of what makes you you, why would others be interested?


    3. Sometimes you just need to hold on ‘til the curve catches up with you.


    4. Etiquette is overrated. We’ve always been a little hungry for the bad girls. And someone who’ll tell it like it is.


    Leaving for the West Coast tour tonight. If you know anyone in Phoenix, Tucson, Tempe, San Diego, San Francisco, or LA, please spread the word.


    Mae West’s story will be my inspiration to turn the heat up a few notches, let the provocateur within me out to play.


    Who’s your favorite bad girl in Hollywood or rock ‘n roll?
    ~Jessie


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  • HOLY SOUTHBY: 2012 ROUNDUP

    Some of us round here have just caught up on sleep... since 10 days have passed & I find myself compulsively buying music from artists I caught during SxSW this year, thought it would be a good time to pass on recs.


    My good friend J. Tom Hnatow (of These United States fame, of used to crash on my couch in Brooklyn & will most def appear on the 1st official Pls Pls Me album fame) has a new project - the Mynabirds.

    I always hoped a sensitive soul as he would do a stint with a girl band. But I could not have imagined it would be two so velvety-voiced-you-wanna-die singers, a female drummer, cool synth & bass effects, and Tom.
              MYNABIRDS' SINGLE HERE

    I caught this band a year ago opening up for Josh Ritter at Antone's, but damn, they have totally reinvented themselves since then -- and definitely for the better.

    Just the right amount of electronics and earthiness. I look forward to seeing the stomp boxes in action next time.

    I breathlessly pushed my way to the front of the stage, only to realize I was shoulder to shoulder with Sarah Law, killer rock photographer, Suzanna Choffel and Dawn Landes right behind me. All people that know how to find the good music.

    Watch out: Florence & the Machine -- you got heat! Their new album is due is May.


    I'm one of Amy Cook's biggest fans in Austin. I like the rawness of her voice, and the "I could give a shit" attitude. She played South by San Jose, curated by the famous Liz Lambert who erected quite a stage between the ab fab San Jose Hotel & Jo's Coffee (one must stay caffeinated to survive southby).

     










    She played all the new songs off her coming record -- Summer Skin -- with the studio band. And I'm not usually a name dropper, but I will NEVER turn down a chance to see Me'shell Ndege Ocello on bass.... David Garza in the house too, for all you cult followers.

    I sort of wish the band took a few more chances. But sometimes, it's best not to mess with a good thing.

    Amy, when are we writing a song together?


    The Saturday headliner of South by San Jose. I know many of you are not, but I am a new Ben Kweller fan. And seeing was being converted. All that triumphant energy and rowdy boy poetry -- with hooks that are so catchy, they almost make you mad.


    Get outta my head "Jealous Girl." No, wait... don't.


    What the hell is in the water in Los Angeles? By time I finished the Hotel Cafe showcase at St. David's Church Saturday night, I could not stand to hear any more great music. And was seriously contemplating jumping on the first plane, if only to complete with so many completely authentic voices.

    Madi's one of those few singer/songwriters who's writing style is really hers -- love those suspended melodies and the way her lyrics are so simple, but still say exactly what needs to be said.

    10 days later, I still can't stop listening to LOVE ME NOW.
    But if you don't know her, you should also check out LET'S GO.
    And her startling cover of Paul Abdul's STRAIGHT UP.  (Someone hit me up if they can find a version online.)

    Extra props to the whole band for keeping their cool when the show couldn't start on time because of a keyboard malfunction. They still nailed the first song with perfect poise & total emotion.




    I've been singing her praises forever, or since she almost came to WNYC's Soundcheck to do a segment with her first debut.

    I like to think of her as Mexico City's answer to Fiona Apple. My friend tweeted in response to this video, "The Adele of Argentina?"   Yes, nice try, except she's not Argentinian. She comes from a famous film family in Mexico, yet perhaps my favorite thing about her is she's so shy and cute and, well innocent onstage, so much so that you are simply not prepared for this voice to come out.


    I've been disappointed with her English language songs... maybe co-writing with Jason Mraz ruins the angst & emotion I love so much in her first album. But that's okay, because I have a feeling I'll never get tired of this track.



    Three guys and a girl from Austin who claim to have eight hands, but they must have way more to be making all that amazing noise. Instrumental music as it ought to be. Full of vintage gear, killer beats, pulsing melodies, a constantly changing cast of instruments -- some of which I can't even identify.

    The Thurman solos are unforgettable. When this band walks offstage sweaty, they sure as hell have earned it.

    Hope those of you who came to SxSW this year walked away tired and with your ears full of magic.

    There's never enough great music in this world. So please & always, send me your recs too.





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  • Thursday Trailer Park Show Canceled!

    Hey Southby'ers--


    The storm has begun. We're dancing in the rain....


    Unfortunately, our show at the East Side Trailer Park Thursday is canceled. Someone forgot to get a sound permit & they are really cracking down this year.


    Apologies!  If you'd like to see us play, we will be closing out SxSW at LeeAnn's famous barn dance.
       SUNDAY at 9pm; 3600 S. 2nd St ATX 78704; www.fullmoonbarndance.com


    In the meantime, more time for us to see great music & catch up with our rockin' rollin' friends.
       Don't forget to drop a line if you're in town!


    xoxo
    ~jessie


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