Thursday, April 30, 2009

Prabir and the Substitutes Plays Spike Hill Tonight

Quick like a bunny, head on over to Spike Hill (Williamsburg Brooklyn) TONIGHT to catch Richmond, VA band Prabir and the Substitutes. They go on around 10pm.



www.myspace.com/prabirandthesubstitutes
www.prabirandthesubstitutes.com
www.spikehill.com

Tori Amos Set To Release New Record

Fans already know this I'm sure, but for those who don't know, singer/songwriter Tori Amos is releasing her 10th studio album. The album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, is set to arrive on May 19. The deluxe version of Abnormally Attracted to Sin will come with a DVD of videos that correspond with each track on the album. The footage was filmed over the past year on HD and Super 8.

In honor of Mother's and Mother's Day, Amos is giving a free MP3 and video download for her song "Maybe California" from the upcoming Abnormally Attracted to Sin. We all like free, so go download "Maybe California."

Click on the image to watch the video.
ToriAmosAATS_Cover

Track Listing
  • Give
  • Welcome to England
  • Strong Black Vine
  • Flavor
  • Not Dying Today
  • Maybe California
  • Curtain Call
  • Fire to Your Plain
  • Police Me
  • That Guy
  • Abnormally Attracted to Sin
  • 500 Miles
  • Mary Jane
  • Starling
  • Fast Horse
  • Ophelia
  • Lady in Blue
www.toriamos.com
www.myspace.com/toriamos
www.facebook.com/toriamos

Hot Seconds At Brooklyn Fire Proof Tomorrow!

Look who has a show tomorrow night, May 1. That's right, those local lads Hot Seconds are getting up to some late night fun. They'll be at Brooklyn Fire Proof, The Nut Roaster Studios. Go see 'em!

Stalk 'em all over the place, um, I mean check 'em out in all of the convenient social networking arenas ...

www.hotseconds.net
www.twitter.com/hotseconds
www.myspace.com/hotseconds
www.facebook.com/pages/Hot-Seconds/6225253266

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Joan Jett Vinyl Release

Joan Jett and Blackheart Records are releasing her classic record, I Love Rock N' Roll, on vinyl, in May. For those of you who don't already own the vinyl version from back in the day or the grooves are so worn on your copy that you need a new one, now's your chance to get it! They're offering a package deal that lands you the album, baseball jersey (women)/tee shirt (men) and a tote bag. Hey, do men carry tote bags? I'm being serious. Do they? I don't know ... my curious mind begs me to ask such silly questions. At any rate, tote bags are handy accessories, the album rocks and Joan Jett is friggin' bad ass cool. What more can you ask for?

www.blackheart.com
www.myspace.com/joanjettntheblackhearts

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

On Sale Dates For The Week of April 26

Tickets go on sale this week for upcoming shows in the New York Area.

On Sale Wednesday, April 29, 2009

June 12 -- The Tallest Man On Earth / John Vanderslice at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 13 -- The Tallest Man On Earth / John Vanderslice at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
July 10 -- The Orb at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
July 11 -- The Orb at Bowery Ball Room
www.boweryballroom.com

On Sale Thursday, April 30, 2009


May 26 -- Those Dancing Days (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
www.mercurylo
ungenyc.com
May 31 -- Zee Avi / Amy LaVere at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com


June 18 -- Plus/Minus at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
July 18 -- The Datsuns at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

On Sale Friday, May 1, 2009

June 5 -- Love Is All at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 10 -- Deastro at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
June 25 -- The L
emonheads at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
June 25 -- The Slip at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
July 7 -- Handsome Furs at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
July 21 -- Paolo Nutin
i (pictured) at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
July 30 -- Destroyer at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
August 6 -- Eagles of Death Metal at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com


September 18 -- Aretha Franklin at Radio City Music Hall
www.radiocity.com

On Sale Saturday, May 2, 2009

June 11 -- Fleetwood Mac at Madison Square Garden
www.thegarden.com
July 3 -- Sonic Youth at United Palace Theatre
www.theunitedpalace.com
July 26 -- Torche / Harvey Milk at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
August 2 -- Kid Rock / Lynyrd Skynyrd at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
www.jonesbeach.com

Monday, April 27, 2009

Blimp: Vertical Hold

Vertical Hold, the new record by Blimp, was brought to my attention a few days ago. So, I gave it listen. This is one of those records I put in my Sunday listening category ... fairly mellow. There's a California alt-country, Gram Parsons vibe going on. This is most evident on the tracks "In Front of Me" and "Jack and Bonneville." "Tiny Tiny" dips its toe into laid back funky waters complete with bluesy slide work. "Sweetheart" is a retro folk jazz number that brings images of dancing barefoot around your screened in back porch with your sweetie, after an evening of watching fireworks and sipping on some sweet tea.

While "Tiny Tiny" initially drew my attention, it's the albums closing track, "Don't Tell Me," that has ended up catching my ear the most. Check it out for yourselves.

"Don't Tell Me"

BlimpVerticalHoldCover

Track Listing
  • Sweetheart
  • Tiny Tiny
  • Jack & Bonneville
  • Taco Taco (or Taco X 2)
  • The Saint
  • In Front of Me
  • Don't Tell Me
www.blimpmusic.com
www.myspace.com/blimpmusic

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Pimps of Joytime

Pimps of Joytime, Brian J (guitar/keyboards/vocals), Hagar Ben Ari (bass/vocals), Mayteana Morales (samples/percussion/vocals) and Chauncey Yearwood (percussion/vocals), were recommended to me. I had a listen because well, I'm game for checking out something at least once. The first thing I discover is Pimps of Joytime are full of flavor. They have a wicked blend Afro-Latin, funky, soul with some jazz thrown in to season the pot even further. Think Sly & The Family Stone or The Meters. This is old school funky stuff that you can dance and get sweaty to but, at the same time it's modern sounding.

Check them out for yourselves.
"Bonita"

"Joytime Radio"


www.myspace.com/pimpsofjoytime

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Around New York ... April 27 - May 3, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

April 27 -- The Hard Lessons / The Whore Moans at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
April 28 -- Melody Gardot at City Winery
www.citywinery.com
April 28 -- BĂ©la Fleck, Zakir Hussain and Edgar Meyer at Carnegie Hall
www.carnegiehall.org
April 30 -- Jeannine Hebb Band / Matt Macaulay / Modern Art (pictured) at Ace of Clubs
www.aceofclubsnyc.com

April 30 -- Amel Larrieux at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

www.bbkingblues.com
April 30 -- Bryan Dunn / Wakey!
Wakey! / Casey Shea at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 1 -- The
Get Up Kids at Blender Theatre at Gramercy
www.blendertheater.com
May 1 -- Tesla at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmo
nttheatre.com
May 1 -- The
Dears / Great Northern / Eulogies at The Bell House
www.thebellhousen
y.com
May 2 -- Poogie Bell Band at Blue Note
www.bluenote.net

May 2 -- The Kills (pictured) at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
May 2 -- Paula Cole / Laila Biali at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com

Friday, April 24, 2009

Gliss: Devotion Implosion

Los Angeles band Gliss released their record Devotion Implosion a couple of weeks ago. Devotion Implosion is full of feedback fuzzy fun with jangly guitars. It's trippy with lots of delicious noise.

If you're in the New York area, Gliss will be at Mercury Lounge on May 4 in Manhattan and at Union Hall in Brooklyn on May 6.

Download "Morning Light" and "Beauty"

GlissDevotionImplosion

Track Listing

  • Morning Light
  • 29 Acts Of Love
  • Sleep
  • Beauty
  • Anybody Inside
  • Lovers In The Bathroom
  • Sad Eyes
  • The Patrol
  • Love Songs
  • Sister Sister
Watch the video for "Morning Light"

www.myspace.com/gliss
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
www.unionhallny.com

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Greycoats: Setting Fire To The Great Unknown

I got around to picking up Setting Fire to the Great Unknown the newish (September '08) full-length debut by Greycoats. Having heard comparisons to Radiohead (casual listener) and Coldplay (to date, can barely tolerate) I was a bit leery of picking up this release. But I'd heard a couple of songs and decided to give the record a chance.

The first words that come to mind while listening to Setting Fire to the Great Unknown are epic and sweeping. One moment you're swept up in a melodic moment with crisp dreamy vocals. The next moment you're caught up in dramatic feedback filled intensity.

I was instantly taken with the strikingly beautiful "Watchman, What Is Left Of The Night?" This song is followed by the one, two punch of "Make Me Like The Moon" and "Spiritual." "Make Me Like The Moon" is filled with feedback and surging rhythms. "Spiritual" on the other hand has a low-key gospel appeal that builds up to a feedback ringing finish. There's a delicate soulfulness in the vocals. You can imagine sitting in a candle lit room, on the floor, on overstuffed pillows while listening.

Setting Fire to the Great Unknown is a beautiful record. It's definitely worth a listen if you're into melodic melodramatic indie music.


Track Listing

  • Learning To Remain
  • Revenge
  • Goodbye, Sweet Youth, Goodbye
  • An Echo In The Dark
  • La RĂ©sistance
  • That Great And Terrible Day
  • Monarch Wings
  • Watchman, What Is Left Of The Night?
  • Make Me Like The Moon
  • Spiritual
  • Not Afraid
www.greycoats.net
www.myspace.com/greycoats

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

More Artists Announced For Jazz Festival 55

It was announced today that more artists have been announced for George Wein’s JAZZ FESTIVAL 55. The festival takes place, August 7 - 9 in Newport, RI.

Mos Def and Ernest Ranglin have been added to the stellar line-up of artists. Other additions to the 2009 line-up are Vandermark 5, Branford-Joey Duo, Claudia Acuña, North Carolina Central University Big Band, Millennial Territory Orchestra, Rashied Ali-Charles Gayle-William Parker’s “By Any Means” and Alfredo Rodriguez.

JazzFestival55Logo

The Line Up
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 ~ 8:00 pm
International Tennis Hall of Fame, 194 Bellevue Avenue
  • Etta James and The Roots Band
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
  • Mos Def
  • Branford Marsalis Quartet
  • Joshua Redman Double Trio
  • Esperanza Spalding
  • Cedar Walton All-Stars with Lew Tabackin & Curtis Fuller
  • Hiromi’s SonicBloom
  • Ernest Ranglin
  • Vandermark 5
  • Christian McBride
  • Vijay Iyer Trio
  • Marsalis Music Presents Miguel ZenĂłn
  • North Carolina Central Big Band
  • Branford-Joey Duo
  • Claudia Acuña
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue
  • Tony Bennett
  • Dave Brubeck Quartet
  • Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band
  • Michel Camilo
  • Joe Lovano UsFive
  • The Bad Plus with Wendy Lewis
  • Conversation with Christian McBride
  • Millennial Territory Orchestra
  • Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
  • Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Indo-Pak Coalition
  • Rashied Ali-Charles Gayle-William Parker’s “By Any Means”
  • Alfredo Rodriguez
  • The Rodriguez Brothers
www.jazzfestival55.com

2009 Playboy Jazz Festival

For all of you left coast groovies or those planning on being out that way, the 31st Annual Playboy Jazz Festival will take place this year on June 13 and 14 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

They've got renowned trumpeter Jon Faddis with his quartet scheduled. Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings are on the bill too. I like them! Bill Cosby will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

PlayboyJazzFestival
The Line Up
Saturday
  • The Neville Brothers
  • Kind of Blue @ 50: ~Remembering the Miles Davis Classic ~Jimmy Cobb's So What Band featuring Wallace Roney, Vincent Herring, Javon Jackson, Larry Willis and Buster Williams
  • Summer Storm starring Norman Brown, Wayman Tisdale, Eric Darius, featuring Gail Johnson
  • Jon Faddis Quartet
  • The Jack Sheldon Orchestra
  • Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings
  • Pete Escovedo Orchestra featuring Sheila E., Peter Michael and Juan Escovedo
  • Esperanza Spalding
  • Cos of Good Music featuring Dwayne Burno, Ndugu Chancler, Anat Cohen, Luis Conte, Tanya Darby and Geoffrey Keezer
  • Direct from New Orleans, New Birth Brass Band
  • Los Angeles County High School for the Arts Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jason Goldman
Sunday
  • Wayne Shorter Quartet featuring Brian Blade, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez
  • Kenny G
  • Patti Austin
  • King Sunny Ade
  • Dave Holland Big Band
  • Monty Alexander's Jazz & Roots
  • Oscar Hernandez and the L.A. Salsa All Stars
  • Anat Cohen Quartet
  • Quincy Jones presents, Alfredo Rodriguez
  • North Hollywood High School Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jonathan Kenion
www.playboyjazzfestival.com

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

On Sale Dates For The Week of April 19

Tickets go on sale this week for upcoming shows in the New York Area.

On Sale Wednesday, April 22, 2009

May 20 -- Will Dailey / April Smith & The Great Picture Show at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

On Sale Thursday, April 23, 2009

May 27 -- Hill Country Revue (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

On Sale Friday, April 24, 2009

June 9 -- PJ Harvey & John Parish at Beacon Theatre

www.beacontheatre.com
June 18 -- Phoenix at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musi
challofwilliamsburg.com
June 20 -- The Juan Maclean at Webster Hall
www.we
bsterhall.com
June 23 -- Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichall
ofwilliamsburg.com
June 24 -- Patterson Hood & The Screwtopians at Bowery Ballroom

www.boweryballroom.com
June 24 -- H
ank III & Assjack at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.mus
ichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 26 -
- Aerosmith / ZZ Top at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
www.jonesbeach.com
July 1 -- Har
lem Shakes (pictured) at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com


On Sale Saturday, April 25, 2009

June 22 -- The Enemy UK at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com

Chester French: Love The Future

I picked up Love The Future, the debut full-length release from D.A. Wallach and Max Drummey, better known as the duo Chester French. It should be noted that I have a soft spot for Chester French. How could I not? I look at them and think, 'they look like my somewhat nerdy, younger brothers who happen to make music, are smart and damn good at marketing.' Well, that is if I had younger brothers! At any rate you just wanna hug 'em and give 'em ice cream. But, I digress.

Love The Future lets the world in on what fans already knew, Chester French doesn't really fit into a predefined category. The Tejano? styling's of their "Introduction" kicks things off. If you didn't already know, then you were pretty much clued in at that point that you were in for some sort of musical diversity. "C'mon (On My Own)" is up next and it's a solid pop rock bit. It's what comes after that, that's worth the price of the album on it's own. "Bebe Buell," is hands down my favorite song on the album. This addictive number mixes dirty guitar work some serious clap along keyboard driven pop music. If I weren't already hooked on Chester French, this song would have hooked me.

"Fingers," another favorite of mine, is like a cross between The Beatles and Tony Orlando. What? Am I the only one who thinks that? Well, this wouldn't be the first time that I've made questionable comparisons. Something about the song reminds me of 70's TV variety shows. They've managed to create imagery in my head that can only be found in those old variety shows. I can just see them now, fully costumed, dancing around a sound stage in some delightfully cheesy choreographed musical skit that has nothing to do with the song. One would reckon I'm going to say that's a bad thing but, I'm not! I have very fond memories of watching all 750 different music/comedy variety shows that aired in the 70's during my formative years. Hold up, that makes me sound really old! At any rate, it's a bang up orchestrated pop song.

Where the brilliant "String Interlude" is a brief but dramatic string filled break, the equally brilliant "Country Interlude" is anything but country with it's various effects and instrumentation's. Musically, it's rather creepy sounding going from mad guitar to what sounds like a xylophone (vibraphone?) that beckons you to soft shoe, back to the mad buzzing guitar. Yeah, there's a trip that's just waiting to happen with this song and a good pair of headphones.

"Beneath The Veil" has a rockabilly vibe. At the same time, it has a bit of a retro "these boots are made for walking" dance beat to it. I'm not sure I've ever heard a tap dance solo in a song that didn't involve a Broadway show and $150 tickets. But there's one in this song. This is where that somewhat nerdy part comes in. People go to shows and yell out guitar/bass/drum solo but NOBODY ever yells out tap dance solo! Are D.A. and Max trying to start a trend? If anyone can inspire people to go to a show and start yelling out for someone to bust a mad tap dance solo, it's Chester French. I do like the song, by the way.

"Beneath The Veil" is followed by two other goodies, "Neal," with it's sax and piano bits and "Not Over You." Everyone knows the catchy "The Jimmy Choos" and "She Loves Everybody." They're both here and just as catchy as ever.

Love The Future is a enjoyable piece of work. It embraces many styles, mixes them all together and does so without sounding like a train wreck.

Track Listing
  • Introduction
  • C'mon (On My Own)
  • Bebe Buell
  • String Interlude
  • The Jimmy Choos
  • Time To Unwind
  • Fingers
  • Country Interlude
  • Beneath The Veil
  • Neal
  • Not Over You
  • She Loves Everybody
  • Sleep
www.chesterfrench.com
www.myspace.com/chesterfrench

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Around New York ... April 20 - April 26, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

April 20 -- The Bronx / Trash Talk at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 20 -- Brookeville / Tinted Windows at Mercury Lounge (sold out)
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
April 20 -- Lily Allen at Roseland Ballroom
www.roselandb
allroom.com

April 21 -- Tall Black Girls (pictured) at The Annex
www.theannexn
yc.com
April 21 -- Larune at The Living Room
www.livingroomny.com


April 22 -- Starfucker / Guidance Counselor / Mancino at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
Aprill 22 -- Ratatat at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
April 22 -- Jack's Mannequin at Irving Plaza
www.irvingplaza.com
April 22 -- Quintron & Miss Pussycat / Psychedelic Horseshit / Drink Up Buttercup at Santos Party House
www.santospartyhouse.com
April 23 -- An Evening with Issa, Amy Ziff & Peter Jöback at City Winery
www.citywinery
.com
April 23 -- Shiny Toy Guns (pictured) / Semi Precious Weapons at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
April 23 - 24 -- Lou Reed's Metal Machine Trio at Blender Theatre At Gramercy
www.blendertheater.com
April 24 -- Adam Taylor at Roots Cafe
www.myspace.com/rootscafebrooklyn
April 24 -- Talking To Walls at Red Star
www.redstarny.com
April 25 -- The Dead at Madison Square Garden
www.thegarden.com
April 25 -- Handsome Family / Marissa Nadler at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Friday, April 17, 2009

Lou Reed's Metal Machine Trio To Play NYC

Back in July of 1975, Lou Reed released the double album Metal Machine Music. Reed is now revisiting the concept of that work with his Metal Machine Trio. On Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 at Blender Theater at Gramercy, Reed (guitar/electronics), along with Ulrich Krieger (tenor sax/live-electronics) and Sarth Calhoun (live processing/Fingerboard Continuum) will be performing A Deep Night of Noise. You're not going to get the typical "Sweet Jane," "Walk On The Wild Side," "White Light/White Heat" or other legendary songs that made him a music icon. These will be improvised non-vocal shows. Fans of Lou Reed and avant-garde works should enjoy these gigs.

Tickets for both shows can be purchased HERE and it should be noted that they're half-price with a valid student ID when purchased at Blender Theater at Gramercy or Irving Plaza.
Metal Machine Trio

Download samples of "Night 1" and "Night 2" from The Creation of the Universe for an idea of what you'll be hearing at these gigs if you're not already in the know!

www.loureed.com

On Sale Dates For George Wein's FOLK FESTIVAL 50 & George Wein's JAZZ FESTIVAL 55

I mentioned in an earlier post that dates for folk and jazz festivals in Newport had been announced by music impresario George Wein. Today, ticket sale dates have been announced for George Wein's FOLK FESTIVAL 50, which will take place July 31 – August 2, and George Wein's JAZZ FESTIVAL 55, which will take place August 7 – 9, in Newport, RI.

Tickets for FOLK FESTIVAL 50 go on sale Wednesday, May 6, at 10:00 am at www.folkfestival50.com.

Confirmed artists for FOLK FESTIVAL 50 are festival co-founder Pete Seeger, The Decemberists, Arlo Guthrie, Fleet Foxes, Joan Baez, Neko Case, Judy Collins, Campbell Brothers, The Avett Brothers, Josh Ritter, Gillian Welch, Del McCoury, Iron & Wine, Tao Rodriguez Seeger, Balfa Toujours, Elvis Perkins in Dearland, Tim Eriksen & Shape Note Singers, Langhorne Slim, Ben Kweller and Low Anthem.

Tickets for JAZZ FESTIVAL 55 will go on sale Thursday, April 23, at 10:00 am at www.jazzfestival55.com.

Confirmed artist for JAZZ FESTIVAL 55 include Tony Bennett, Branford Marsalis, Etta James, Esperanza Spalding, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Vijay Iyer Trio, Cedar Walton with Lew Tabackin & Curtis Fuller, Christian McBride Group, Roy Haynes Quintet, Joshua Redman Double Trio, Hiromi, The Bad Plus joined by Wendy Lewis, Michel Camilo, Joe Lovano, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Miguel Zenon, Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band and the Rodriguez Brothers.

www.folkfestival50.com
www.jazzfestival55.com

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Hill Country Revue To Release Make A Move

Southern blues rock band Hill Country Revue, Cody Dickinson (guitar/drums/piano/washboard), Chris Chew (bass/vocals), Ed "Hot" Cleveland (drums), Daniel Coburn (vocals/harp) and Kirk Smithhart (guitar/vocals) will release their debut studio album, Make A Move on May 12.

Download "Alice Mae" from the upcoming album.
Hill Country Revue - Make A Move

Track Listing
  • Alice Mae
  • Hill Country Revue
  • Dirty Shirt
  • You Can Make
  • Let Me Love You
  • Let’s Talk About Me And You
  • Georgia Women
  • Highway Blues
  • Ramblin’
  • Growing Up In Mississippi
www.hillcountryrevue.com
www.myspace.com/hillcountryrevue

Better Than Ezra Set To Release Paper Empire

Fans of Better Than Ezra have new music to look forward to. The band, Kevin Griffin (vocals, guitar), Tom Drummond (bass) and Michael Jerome (drums) will release their new album Paper Empire on May 12.

For those in the New York area, Better Than Ezra will be at Irving Plaza on June 19.

Download the single "Absolutely Still" from the upcoming album.
Better Than Ezra - Paper Empire
www.betterthanezra.com
www.myspace.com/betterthanezra

Metric Releases Fantasies

Toronto based band Metric released their forth studio album, Fantasies, on March 14. Check out the album stream below.

Download "Help I'm Alive (The Twelves Remix)".

Metric is also on the road and will be making a stop in the New York area on June 17 at Terminal 5.








www.ilovemetric.com
www.myspace.com/metric

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Audio Fiction To Play Pianos, April 18

www.audiofictionband.com
www.myspace.com/audiofictionband

www.pianosnyc.com

On Sale Dates For The Week of April 12

Tickets go on sale this week for upcoming shows in the New York Area.

On Sale Wednesday, April 15, 2009


June 25 -- Dinosaur Jr. at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.MusicHallofWilliamsburg.com
July 2 -- Jay Reatard at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.MusicHallofWilliamsburg.com

On Sale Thursday, April 16, 2009

May 30 -- Mercury Landing / Caitlin Krisko at Mercury Lounge
www.MercuryLoungeNYC.com
June 14 -- Telekinesis at Mercury Lounge
www.MercuryLoungeNYC.com

On Sale Friday, April 17, 2009

May 11 -- The Thermals (pictured) at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.MusicHallofW
illiamsburg.com
June 25 -- 311 and Ziggy Marley at Central Park SummerStage
www.summerstage.org
June 27 -- Pansy Division at Mercury Lounge
www.MercuryLoungeNYC.com
July 9 -- Matisyahu / Umphrey's McGee at Central Park SummerStage
www.summerstage.org
July 29 -- Yes with Special Guest Asia at Wellmont Theatre
www.WellmontTheatre.com
August 5 -- Gov't Mule at Wellmont Theatre
www.WellmontTheatre.com
September 24 -- Marianne Faithful at Town Hall
www.the-townhall-nyc.org

On Sale Saturday, April 18, 2009

June 19 -- Better Than Ezra at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza
www.irvingplaza.com

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Record Store Day

This Saturday, April 18, is Record Store Day! Once a year, independently owned record stores and artists join together to celebrate the art known as music. There are hundreds of artists making appearances and or performing, DJ's spinning tunes, meet and greets, special releases and all kinds of stuff.

Real record stores are sadly a dying breed so it's important to support your local indie shops. These are the places where the staff knows and loves music. A good deal of these shops you can still get your hands on vinyl. You try going to Best Buy to dig through vinyl while sitting on the floor. What's that? They don't have vinyl? How about non-bestselling CD's older than five years old? No? Oh yeah, silly me what am I thinking?! Go ask your local indie store. If they don't have it, they'll order it if it's in print and if all else fails someone in that store can likely tell you where to find it.

Record Store Day

Here's a list of shops in the NYC area that are participating. For additional participants, shops in other states and more information, visit www.recordstoreday.com.

Academy Record Annex (Brooklyn, NY)
www.academyannex.com/

Basement Mix Records (Brooklyn, NY)
www.basementmixx.com/

Black Star Music & Video (New York, NY)
www.blackstarvideo.com/

Bleecker Street Records (New York, NY)
www.bleeckerstreetrecords.com/store/bleecker.html

Downtown Music Gallery (New York, NY)
downtownmusicgallery.com/

Earwax Records (Brooklyn, NY)

Etherea (New York, NY)
www.ethereanyc.blogspot.com

Fat Beats (New York, NY)
www.fatbeats.com/

Generation Records (New York, NY)

Halcyon The Shop (Brooklyn, NY)
www.halcyonline.com/

Hall of Fame Music (Jamaica, NY)
www.hfmstores.com/

Harmony Records (Bronx, NY)
www.myspace.com/harmonyrecords

J&R Music World (New York, NY)
www.jr.com/

Kim's Video & Music (New York, NY)

Majors Records & Video (Staten Island, NY)

Other Music (New York, NY)
www.othermusic.com/

Rebel Rebel (New York, NY)

Record Express (Brooklyn, NY)

Rock and Soul (New York, NY)

Sound Fix (Brooklyn, NY)
www.soundfixrecords.com

ResidentBand Features Overnight Lows "The Breaks"

The good folks over at ResidentBand have a new episode out. It features the band Overnight Lows performing "The Breaks." Check it out!

ResidentBand - Episode 018 - Overnight Lows

www.residentband.tv
www.myspace.com/residentbandtv
www.overnightlows.com
www.myspace.com/overnightlows

Monday, April 13, 2009

Around New York ... April 13 - April 19, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

April 13 -- The Cliks / Plushgun at Mercury Lounge
www.merc
uryloungenyc.com
April 16 --
Middle Distance Runner (pictured) / The Stationary Set At The Annex
www.theannexnyc.com
April 16 -- Findlay Brown / Mia Riddle at Union Hall
www.highlineballroom.com
April 16 -- Shawn Mullins at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineba
llroom.com

April 17 -- Plain White T's at Blender Theatre
www.blendertheater.com
April 17 -- Young Love / Jump Into The Gospel at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
April 18 -- Puppetbox / Hadron the Collider at Red Star Bar
www.redstarny.com
April 18 -- The Appleseed Cast / An Horse at Mercury Lounge
www.mercury
loungenyc.com
April 18 --
Audio Fiction (pictured) / A.L.X. / Blip Blip Bleep at Pianos
www.pian
osnyc.com
April 18 -- Lucinda Black Bear / Kaiser Cartel / Winterpills at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Friday, April 10, 2009

Chester French & Clinton Sparks Unleash Jacques Jams, Vol. 1: Endurance

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned Chester French were hooking fans up with free stuff. Well, they unleashed Jacques Jams, Vol. 1: Endurance this past Wednesday. Did you get it? No? Why not, it's FREE!



There's the link chesterfrench.com/mixtape ... go get yourself some free goodies and get familiar!

Paper Route On Tour & Set To Release Absence

Nashville band Paper Route, Chad Howat (bass, piano, programming), JT Daly (vocals, keyboards, percussion), Andy Smith (vocals, guitars, harmonica) and Gavin McDonald (drums), are set to release their full-length debut Absence on April 28.

They are also touring in support of the upcoming release of Absence. There are plenty of opportunities to catch them in the New York area. They'll be with Copeland at Southpaw in Brooklyn on April 20 and at The Crazy Donkey in Long Island on April 22. Then, they'll be back in the area on June 2 with Young Love at Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan.

Have a listen to "Carousel" from Absence.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

On Sale Dates For The Week of April 5

Tickets go on sale this week for upcoming shows in the New York Area.

On Sale Wednesday, April 8, 2009


April 14 -- The Dead Weather at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
August 15 -- Animal Collective at Prospect Park Bandshell
www.bowerypresents.com/event/2937; www.briconline.org/celebrate/benefits.asp

On Sale Friday, April 10, 2009

May 21 -- The Shins at Terminal 5
www.terminal5n
yc.com
May 27 -- Unwigged & Unplugged at Beacon Theatre
www.beacontheatre.com
June 13 -- Asobi Seksu (pictured) at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 13 -- The Detroit Cobras at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
June 19 -- Phoenix at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com

On Sale Saturday, April 11, 2009

July 31 -- AC/DC at Giants Stadium
www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/406675
November 14 -- Metallica at Madison Square Garden
www.thegarden.com