Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Upcoming: The Jim Jones Revue at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Saturday 9/10


New York, The Jim Jones Revue will be taking the stage over in Brooklyn on Saturday, September 10 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Doors are at 8PM and it'll cost you $15. The band recently released a new album, Burning Your House Down. It's a raw, blusey, punk record that packs one hell of a wallop. You should go check them out. Get there early to catch another band we dig, Des Roar.



The Jim Jones Revue
Saturday, September 10
Music Hall of Williamsburg
66 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM
$15
18+

Monday, August 29, 2011

Video of the Day: Joss Stone - "Karma"


Joss Stone has released a video for "Karma." The funky song is from her newest record, LP1. Check it out below.
Grammy Award winning singer Joss Stone releases her newest music video for her soulful and funky song "Karma." The video was made during the sessions of the recording of the song in Nashville, where Stone recorded her newest record LP1. The video features clips of all the musicians performing those spectacular sessions, with plenty of footage of them all having a great time piecing together this remarkable song.

"Karma" is one of many standout tracks on Stone's newest record, LP1. Stone recently established her own label, Stone'd Records, and has partnered with Surfdog to release LP1. This is the first album Joss has recorded with total creative freedom. She co-wrote and co -produced it with super-producer and Eurythmics co-founder, Dave Stewart. Together they immersed themselves into a rock n' soul musical odyssey in Nashville, Tennessee.






Thursday, August 25, 2011

Video of the Day: Clubfeet - "Broken Hearted"


*Not safe for work*

Today's video of the day comes from Clubfeet. The video is for the song "Broken Hearted" and can be seen below. The song is from their album Gold On Gold. I've labeled this not safe for work, but really, no matter how good it is, should you be sitting around looking at music videos while you're working? Probably not, but watch it at work, then go home and watch it again.

Following the first two videos in the Gold on Gold Video Project "Edge of Extremes" and "Count Your Lovers," Clubfeet share their Alex Goddard directed NSFW video for "Broken Hearted" - a more restrained, melancholic, glitchy and ambient offering from the South African/Australian five-piece. If you don't like mysterious videos with topless models backed by Clubfeet's brand of dreamy synth-led indie, then this video's probably not for you. But if any of these characteristics intrigue you, we recommend giving the video a watch. Be careful if you're at the office though....



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Video of the Day: OK Go and The Muppets - "Muppet Show Theme Song"


Today's video is from OK Go and the Muppets! Do I really need to explain why a video with the Muppets in it rates being video of the day? They're the greatest bits of felt and feathers known to man and I loved them as a kid and I still adore them. OK Go are good too! The video is for their take on the "Muppet Show Theme Song." The song is from the album, Muppets: The Green Album which was released yesterday, August 23. Check it out the bottom of the post. Also below, for your listening pleasure, we have for you in our MP3 Grab, "All Is Not Lost" (Keys N Krates Remix).
The song, written by Jim Henson and Sam Pottle, opened and closed "The Muppet Show" for five seasons in the UK and US, from 1976-1981. The new track was produced by OK Go and mixed by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, MGMT). Says singer Damian Kulash, "I'm so excited about working with the Muppets that I can hardly sleep. Collaborating with your idols is a huge thrill no matter what, but when your idols are fictional characters it seems downright impossible. The 10-year-old me was pretty good at imagining outrageous futures, but this surpasses even his capacities."

Kermit the Frog adds, "The Muppets have performed this song lots of times, but not like this. OK Go never does anything the way you'd expect it. Damian, Tim, Dan and Andy like to mix things up and get a little loopy. I think they were Muppets in a previous lifetime."

The music video was directed by Kirk Thatcher, who previously directed two Webby award-winning videos for the Muppets, "Ode to Joy" (over 15 million YouTube views) and "Muppet Bohemian Rhapsody" (over 21 million YouTube views). It celebrates this year's Muppet extravaganza, which culminates in the November release of the Muppets' seventh full-length feature film, Disney's "The Muppets."




MP3 Grab: "All Is Not Lost" (Keys N Krates Remix)

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Newport Folk Festival: Delta Spirit & Middle Brother


Delta Spirit: July 30 @ Newport Folk Festival, Fort Ada
ms State Park, Newport, RI


Last month, I spent the weekend, camera in hand, taking in this years sold-out Newport Folk Festival. Many of the artists performing over the weekend came with a gaggle of diehard followers in tow. Two of those bands were Delta Spirit and Middle Brother.

On Saturday, Delta Spirit took the stage to a packed crowd and did a bang up job of pleasing an adoring crowd. At the end of the afternoon, I was walking along and ended up chatting with a fellow festival goer about highlights of the day. Mine was Mavis Staples. His was hands down Delta Spirit. While he felt Staples was good, he felt her "comeback" (that may not have been the word he used but it was along those lines) was due to working with Jeff Tweedy whom I like fine and dandy. But, Miss Mavis didn't go anywhere to come back from and a lot of the folks I saw enthusiastically enjoying her set looked to have been enjoying her shows long before Tweedy started making music. At any rate, I'm not really sure how all of that figured into a matter of opinion and personal preference of the days highlight, but it was an interesting bit of chat none the less.

Overall, I'd have to say that Delta Spirit were my second favorite set of Saturday. And, if I didn't already dig their stuff, they would have added me to the ranks of new fans. As it stands, they just re-enforced why I and many others enjoy them.

More Photos HERE


Middle Brother: July 31 @ Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

Sunday, there were several acts that I enjoyed. One of them was, Middle Brother who took to the Quad Stage and set about killing it song after song. I was extremely glad that there was only a five minute overlap between them and Amos Lee who was playing on the Fort Stage.

The crowd around the stage swelled enormously during their set possibly one of the largest crowds that stage received over the weekend. Some of it perhaps due to the fact that it was said that the performance was to be the folky (is that a word?!) supergroup's last... for a while. At some point I had a look around taking in the crowd. As I was doing so, I kept trying to put my finger on what I was feeling. My conclusion, their set didn't feel like part of a festival, it simply felt like a Middle Brother show.

I happened upon a Taylor Goldsmith somewhere between the media tent and the artists area. I had one of those awesome brain challenged moments where you walk away horrified at the fact that you said the brilliantly sophisticated and intellectually superior accolade, "you guys were awesome, you totally rocked it." I might have said some other dumb crap too but, I can't get past the afore mentioned horror. Can we blame the heat on my brain malfunction?

More Photos HERE


Friday, August 19, 2011

Upcoming: Robbers On High Street at Brooklyn Bowl, Monday 8/22 & 8/28


Robbers On High Street continue their residency over in Brooklyn at Brooklyn Bowl, this coming Monday, August 22 and the following Monday, August 29. They go on at 8PM and it'll cost you a mere $5. Catch them now New York because they're heading out West for a string of dates before heading back to the city for a record release party. That will be on Friday, October 7 on the LES at Mercury Lounge. It's the early show so , doors are at 7:30PM and it will cost you $10.

And, if that wasn't enough for you, they'll be releasing their album, Hey There Golden Hair on September 13 via Grecco Records. All I can say it, you're going to like this one!

Robbers On High Street
Monday, August 22 & 29
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
8PM
$5 tix - Free Entry before 7pm!
21+
Produced by front-man Ben Trokan with engineer Matt Shane (Flight of the Concords, Rosanne Cash), Hey There Golden Hair was recorded to Tascam MS-16 1-inch tape and mixed at Tommy Brenneck's (Budos Band, Menahan Street Band) Dunham Studio. Along w/ their newly expanded 6-piece lineup, the band also enlisted the help of a horn section borrowed from Daptone Records.

The new album will be digitally distributed through the conneXtion and released in association with PledgeMusic. Anyone pre-ordering the full-length or making any ‘pledges’ will receive a FREE digital EP, with multiple exclusive items - from autographed limited vinyl to driving around Brooklyn with the band in their van, The Gentleman's Cruiser or even the recording of a cover song of your choice - offered at tiered prices. This EP is ONLY available through PledgeMusic.



Tour Dates
  • Aug 22 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl – w/ Boy Morgan & Hayday
  • Aug 29 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl – w/ Hurricane Bells & The Candles
  • Sept 14 – San Diego, CA – Bar Pink – w/ Allah-Las
  • Sept 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Roxy – w/ Allah-Las, Street & Babe Shadow & DJ Kevin Bronson – LA CD RELEASE PARTY
  • Sept 17 – San Francisco, CA – Hotel Utah – w/ Allah-Las
  • Sept 19 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge – w/ Allah-Las
  • Sept 21 – Seattle, WA – KEXP Live in Studio
  • Sept 21 – Seattle, WA – Fun House – w/ Allah-Las
  • Sept 22 – Vancouver, BC – Waldorf w/ Allah-Las
  • Oct 7 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge – NYC CD RELEASE PARTY
  • Oct 15 – Pensacola, FL – DeLuna Fest – w/ Cold War Kids, Matt & Kim and more

Upcoming: Audio Fiction at Arlene's Grocery, Friday, 9/16


Audio Fiction are back! New York, head on down to Arlene's Grocery on the LES, Friday, September 16 and catch Audio Fiction's first show gig of 2011. They go on at 8:30PM and it'll cost you $10. You know I dig this band so, go to the show, rock out with them and show 'em much love.



Audio Fiction
Friday, September 16
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton Street
New York, NY
8.30PM
$10

Upcoming: Annie Fitzgerald at Rockwood Music Hall TONIGHT, 8/19


New York, got plans tonight? No? Well, even if you do, you can kick your evening off with music! Annie Fitzgerald will be down on the LES at Rockwood Music Hall TONIGHT, Friday, August 19. She'll be playing Stage 1 at 6PM with her band and there's no cover. So go, have some beverages and show her some love.






Annie Fitzgerald Band
Friday, August 19
Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1
196 Allen Street
New York, NY
6PM
No cover

Upcoming: Christina LaRocca at the Sidewalk Cafe, Saturday 8/20


Hey New York, head on down to the Sidewalk Cafe on Avenue A to catch Christina LaRocca. She goes on at 9PM and it'll cost you nada...that's right folks FREE! Go and show her some love. I caught one of her shows a couple of months ago and the lady is good!







Christina LaRocca
Saturday, August 20
Sidewalk Cafe
94 Avenue A at 6th Street
New York, NY
8:30pm - 10:00pm
FREE

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Deer Tick To Release Divine Providence, October 25


Rhode Island band Deer Tick will release their newest release, Divine Providence, on October 25 via Partisan Records. The record was produced by the band along with Adam Landry and Justin Collins. Grab "Miss K." in our MP3 Grab at the bottom of the post to whet your appetite for the upcoming release.

"After so many years of critics praising [and making fun of] us for our 'folk' and 'country' sounds, and hardly ever mentioning the fact that we've also recorded virtually dozens of other kinds of music, we wanted to make a record that was truer to our live set: raw, loud, heartfelt, and completely uninterested in whatever the hell the rest of the music industry is up to," says McCauley. "The results are unlike anything you've heard on a Deer Tick album."

Divine Providence is the Rhode Island quintet's fourth album in just five years, and is the first one the band has recorded in their home state. It's a follow-up to their fantastic Black Dirt Sessions, that New York magazine called "flat-out great," and inspired the Late Show with David Letterman to give the band its network television debut. The new record features for the first time lead vocal turns on a couple of songs by guitarist Ian O'Neil and drummer Dennis Ryan.

Track Listing
  • The Bump
  • Funny Word
  • Let's All Go to the Bar
  • Clownin' Around
  • Main Street
  • Chevy Express
  • Something to Brag About
  • Walkin Out the Door
  • Make Believe
  • Now It's Your Turn
  • Electric
  • Miss K.

MP3 Grab: "Miss K"

Out Now: Cherry La Voix - "Bad Girl"


Last month we featured "Bad Girl" by Cherry La Voix in our song of the day. Well, my fine friends, the song is now available to the world. So, listen to it and buy it using the handy widget below. Then, put it on your music player of choice or what ever you listen to music on, crank it up loud and sing-a-long ... 'but I'll be, so good to you...do whatever you ask me to.' Hm, I feel as if I should a whip or some handcuffs at the ready while listening. Oh Cherry, what have you done to me?!



Foster The People on Baeble


Check out the little clip of Foster The People from Baeblemusic.com then head over to their site to see the entire show. The concert was filmed this past June at Music Hall of Williamsburg.




Watch the full video at Baeblemusic.com

Upcoming: Casey Shea at Bowery Ballroom


New York, looking for a show to hit this coming Friday, August 19? He
ad on over to The Bowery Ballroom and catch Casey Shea. He's on the bill with the always fun April Smith and the Great Picture Show and Tally Hall. Doors are at 8PM and it will cost you $15. Go check him out!

Casey Shea spent a handful of years fronting rock bands in Tallahassee and Nashville before setting out for New York City in January of 2004 to focus on a solo career. A gifted performer with undeniable charm, Casey delivers his songs in a unique way that earns him an audience’s devotion…think Bill Murray meets John Lennon. Melody drives diverse songwriting that is at once quirky and heart wrenching, and the result is a rare treat that is both musically gratifying and raucously entertaining.

The charismatic front man has built a six piece band around his solo material where influences such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Beck and Tom Petty shine through in an original sound with an uncommon familiarity right off the bat.


Craig Wedren To Release New Album


Craig Wedren will release his new album Wand on September 27 via his own Nerveland Recordings. For you listening pleasure, we have for you in our MP3 Grab at the bottom of the post, "Cupid" from the upcoming record.

Craig's first album since 2005's Lapland, Wand is a sparkling collection of songs ranging from Eno-eque ambient sounds to fractured Shudder To Think-influenced alt-punk.

“When I started working on Wand," says Craig, "I was thinking along the lines of really expansive and wildly diverse albums like The White Album or Sandinista! I thought I’d be making a kind of grand, extravagant, somewhat sloppy mess with some diamonds in it. Because of the way it’s evolved over time, Wand is much more concise and pared–down –hopefully the diamonds with not so much mess. I think that’s what we got.”

MP3 Grab: "Cupid"

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The Duke Spirit Release Video For "Surrender"


The Duke Spirit have released a new video for their song "Surrender." Do I really need to say more? Check out the video below.





Video of the Day: Moby - "Lie Down In Darkness"


Moby recently released a video for his latest single, "Lie Down In Darkness." The video was directed by UK filmmakers Institute for Eyes and was shot in London last month. The single, which was released this week, is from Moby's latest album Destroyed. Check out the video at the bottom of the post.

"Lie Down In Darkness" was directed by Luke Seomore and Joseph Bull (Institute for Eyes) and shot in London last month and is influenced by the life of Russian astronaut Yuri Gagarin.

Check out the “Lie Down In Darkness” Behind The Scenes clip for a conversation between Moby and the video’s Directors about making this video.

Moby’s new single “Lie Down In Darkness” is out now! The digital only remix bundle comes with the original album version along with an array of remixes including Paul Van Dyk, Photek, and Michael Mayer, in addition to others. An achingly soulful track of sublime melancholy and symphonic grandeur “Lie Down In Darkness” is taken from Moby’s most recent studio album, Destroyed, out now.

Track Listing:
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Radio Edit)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Arno Cost Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Bassjackers Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Ben Hoo’s Dorian Vibe)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Chris Liebing Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Clouds Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Document One Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Gregor Tresher Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Kasper Bjork Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Michael Mayer Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Paul Van Dyk Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Photek Remix)
  • Lie Down In Darkness (Sei A Remix)




Upcoming: Jones Street Station at Brooklyn Bowl


Hey New York, Jones Street Station will be over in Brooklyn this coming Tuesday, August 23, at Brooklyn Bowl. Doors are at 6PM and it will cost you $8.00 - $10.00. So if you like good music of the Americana flavor, head over and check them out.


Jones Street Station
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Brooklyn Bowl
61 Wythe Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Doors: 6:00 pm / Show: 8:00 pm
$8.00 - $10.00

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Song of the Day: Nik West - "Forbidden Fruit"


A few months ago, a funky lady from Phoenix caught my ear. Nik West is a singer, songwriter and bassist. This woman is crazy talented and let me mention again, funky! She released her record, Just In The Nik Of Time, earlier this year. Have a listen to "Forbidden Fruit" from the album and check out the live video of the song, both below.





Video of the Day: Hank & Cupcakes - "HIT"


What do you do on a rainy (in these parts at least) Sunday? Dance! And, there's none better to make you shake your ass than Hank & Cupcakes! Check out the newest video from the duo. It's for their song "HIT."



Thursday, August 11, 2011

Newport Jazz Festival: A Recap In Pictures


Newport Jazz Festival: August 6 @ Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI


This past Saturday, I spent the day at Fort Adams State Park taking in the Newport Jazz Festival. I missed Sunday, I was sick and it was raining. That's some sort of cosmic double negative, right? So, I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get to check out Angelique Kidjo, catch Trombrone Shorty again and based on the recommendation of friends, the sets of Avishai Cohen and Rudresh Mahanthappa & Bunky Green. But, Saturday provided plenty.

There was, I think, something for everyone be it a more traditional jazz fan or a more adventurous sort. I watched as people flocked to sets by Hiromi who played solo, Esperanza Spalding and Trombone Shorty. All three performed the next day as well. Though I missed his set, I heard more than one person rave about Joey DeFrancesco's performance.

Above: New Black Eagle Jazz Band

The New Eagle Jazz Band kicked off the festival with their traditional New Orleans sound.

Above: Mostly Other People Do The Killing
More Photos HERE

Above: Regina Carter's Reverse Thread
More Photos HERE

Above: Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet
More Photos HERE

Above: Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band
More Photos HERE

Above: Hiromi
More Photos HERE

Above: Wynton Marsalis
More Photos HERE

Above: Esperanza Spalding & Friends
More Photos HERE

The was a huge crowd surrounding the Quad Stage when Grammy winning bassist Esperanza Spalding took the stage. I was actually temporarily pinned to my spot in the photo pit when it seemed like every photographer covering the festival magically appeared. I momentarily wondered if there were any people watching the artists performing on the other two stages. She and her band of friends charmed an adoring crowd.

Above: Grace Kelly

Above: Randy Weston's African Rhythms Trio
More Photos HERE

Above: Guitarist Al Di Meola & Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Newport Jazz Festival: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue


Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue: August 6 @ Newport Jazz Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI


I spent a sunny Saturday by the ocean taking in the sounds of the Newport Jazz Festival on August 6. The photographer side of me was dashing between stages trying not to miss the photo restriction windows of opportunity which were a bit tight. But hey, that's half the fun. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue were supposed to start at 2:20PM but due to some technical difficulties the previous performer playing that stage had, things were a bit behind. That being the case, I had just enough time to make a mad dash over to catch a bit of Wynton Marsalis on the Fort stage before dashing back without missing the beginning of Shorty's set on the Quad stage.

While waiting in the area carved out for photographers, I looked around and noticed that the audience was swelling and doing so with good reason. The minute Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue kicked off their set, the Newport Jazz Festival officially turned into a party. Their funk-rock horn laden brand of music may not be for everyone but those that packed the Quad Stage area danced up a sweat and they were loud in their show of love for the band. Troy (Trombone Shorty) Andrews is an entertainer with rock star flare. He's not your traditional head down, eyes closed type of performer. He works the stage while working up a sweat.

While they blew the roof off the joint, this is the kind of music I personally prefer to hear in a dark club, packed in so tight you're not sure if the sweat dripping down your back while dancing belongs to you or the person behind you. That being said, it was an ass shakin' fun set. My only regret is that I had to miss their set the following day!

More Photos HERE


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Free Downloads From MyNameIsJohnMichael!


A QNYC fave, MyNameIsJohnMichael, are offering a couple of free downloads from their upcoming album. Check out the handy widget below for "Elders" and "Orphan." Grab the goodies and enjoy! Oh, and go see them if they're playing in your general vicinity. Or heck, take a road-trip, they put on a killer show.











Monday, August 8, 2011

Newport Folk Festival Concert Review: The Head and the Heart


The Head and the Heart: July 31 @ Newport Folk Festival, Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

The month of July ended by the ocean, in the sun, with two days of great music at the Newport Folk Festival. With thirty-six (if I counted correctly) bands playing over the course of the weekend, spread out over three stages, plus the infectious What Cheer? Brigade roaming the grounds playing impromptu sets, there was a lot to take in. Luckily, I have some connections and landed myself a guest blogger! So today, we turn things over to Addison Braver Walsh for his take on The Head and the Heart.

Oh, and Addison, if you want to do more next year, (hint, hint) you would make me one very happy camper!

The Head and the Heart
By Addison Brav
er Walsh


For about five years I’ve been attending the Newport Folk Festival and seeing, and learning about, new fantastic music, from Edward Sharpe, to the Decembrists, to She and Him. However, this year there was a really special performance. About four months ago my dad shared a new album with me, by a group called The Head and the Heart. I heard their self-titled record and fell in love with it. I especially liked the catchy melodies and interesting lyrics that approached ideas so much differently than the music I usually listened to. I was thrilled to learn they would be playing at the Newport Folk Festival for their first ever performance in Rhode Island.

The Head and the Heart, hailing from Seattle, released their first album in 2010. It was an instant sensation, apparently selling close to 30,000 copies. This six-piece band is one that loves to play live; they haven’t turned down a single show all year—giving nearly 200 performances during that time. And watching them, I can see why.

They took the stage with full force, bursting right into their song, “Cats and Dogs.” The crowd jumped to its feet, dancing and singing along with every lyric. Most of the vocals were shared between Jonathan Russell, Josiah Johnson, and Charity Rose Thien—each with their own unique style. For nearly an hour, they kept the energy level turned up high, playing all my favorite songs, from “Ghosts” to “Down in the Valley, as well a couple I hadn’t heard before. Without a doubt, the Head and the Heart’s performance lived up to my expectations. I hope this is only the first of many years they will play at the Newport Folk Festival.

More photos HERE


Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Newport Folk Festival: Brown Bird


Brown Bird took the Harbor Stage at the Newport Folk Festival this past Sunday to a joyous crowd. They were shown a lot of love as they played their nearly hour long set. The Providence duo ended the set with a rousing version of "Jackson" much to the delight of those in attendance. I'm sure their performance made fans even more excited about their upcoming album, Salt for Salt, which is scheduled for release on October 18.

Brown Bird at the Newport Folk Festival, July 31, 2011