Friday, March 30, 2012

The Duke Spirit Announce US Headline Dates


The Duke Spirit announced their US headline tour. And yes New York, they'll be making a stop in our lovely city. They'll be at Highline Ballroom on June 16. Doors are at 6PM and it'll cost you $16 advance / $20 dos. Check out the list of dates below. You should probably get your tickets early as I'm sure it will sell out!

  • JUNE 1 SAN DIEGO - CASBAH
  • JUNE 3 LOS ANGELES - ECHOPLEX
  • JUNE 4 SAN FRANCISCO - SLIM'S
  • JUNE 6 PORTLAND - STAR THEATER
  • JUNE 7 SEATTLE - NEUMO'S
  • JUNE 11 CHICAGO - LINCOLN HALL
  • JUNE 12 DETROIT - THE CROFOOT
  • JUNE 13 CLEVELAND - GROG SHOP
  • JUNE 15 BOSTON - BRIGHTON MUSIC HALL
  • JUNE 16 NEW YORK CITY - HIGHLINE BALLROOM


Thursday, March 29, 2012

New Song From Heathers


Ireland's the Heathers, twin sisters Ellie and Louise Macnamara have a new song. The song, "Forget Me Knots," is from their upcoming second album. Check out the clip at the bottom of the post and for a limited time, enter your email into the widget and get the song for free.

Following the success of their debut album - Here, Not There – one of Ireland’s most unique talents Heathers, return with a brand new track Forget Me Knots taken from their upcoming second album.

Also known as twin sisters Ellie and Louise Macnamara, the album was recorded with White Lies’ producer Max Dingel. Having recently signed to Universal Music Publishing, Heathers are now gearing up for an official release of the first single before summer.

Their debut album 'Here, Not There' achieved Gold sales status in Ireland and received a further boost when they had one of their songs placed on a major Discover Ireland tourism ad campaign. The girls have toured the length and breadth of the USA over consecutive summers and have built up a strong following there. They have also toured extensively in Ireland and the UK – and have played numerous European and US festivals over the last few years including CMJ, Eurosonic, Canadian Music Week, The Great Escape, London Music Week, Electric Picnic, Oxygen, Belsonic, Camden Crawl amongst others. They were also invited to perform as part of HMV Next Big Thing in London February 2012.













Gary Clark Jr. On Baeble


Baeble Music has put up a clip of Gary Clark Jr. performing for a hometown crowd at The Mohawk. I'm looking forward to seeing him at the Newport Folk Festival this year where he's scheduled to play on Sunday, July 29. In the meantime I'll just enjoy this clip.




Watch the full video at Baeblemusic.com

NJPAC & WBGO announce The James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival


The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and WBGO Jazz 88.3FM the inaugural James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival. It's a celebration of jazz and the legacy of jazz musician James Moody. The festival will take place October 15 - 21, 2012 at NJPAC and other community-based venues. Bassist/composer Christian McBride serves as the Artistic Adviser of the festival.

Tickets for the Festival, available now, may be purchased by telephone at 1-888-GO-NJPAC (1-888-466-5722), at the NJPAC Box Office at One Center Street in downtown Newark (open Tuesday-Saturday, noon to 6pm, and Sunday, noon to 5pm), or online at www.njpac.org.

The James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival:

Mainstage Concerts
Two all-star concerts in NJPAC's Prudential Hall will be the headline events for The James Moody Democracy of Jazz Festival - the first, on Friday, October 19, 2012 at 8pm is titled For Love of Moody: A Jazz Celebration. Moody's legacy will be celebrated with a night featuring his favorite musicians and friends including George Benson, The Manhattan Transfer and David Sanborn, plus special guests Kenny Barron, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, John Lee, Paquito D'Rivera, Christian McBride, Paul Lieberman, and Todd Coolman, Adam Nussbaum and Renee Rosnes (long time members of Moody's group).

On Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 8pm, the Festival will feature Miles Davis and Gil Evans: Still Ahead, an all-star recreation of the landmark original Gil Evans arrangements of the classic Miles Davis recordings of Porgy and Bess, Sketches of Spain, and Miles Ahead. The Prudential Hall concert will feature a unique cast of jazz greats including Terence Blanchard on trumpet, bassist Christian McBride, drummer Peter Erskine, tuba master Howard Johnson (a member of the original recording sessions with Davis and Evans), trumpeter Sean Jones and a jazz orchestra under the direction of Vince Mendoza.

The Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition
From Sarah to Whitney, Newark has been the birthplace and proving ground for great jazz vocalists. As homage to a master, NJPAC will introduce its inaugural Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. An international talent search will culminate in a special concert on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 3pm in NJPAC's Victoria Theater by the finalists, with rare concert footage of Sarah Vaughan. Presented as part of NJPAC's Jazz Roots Series with consulting producer Larry Rosen. Details on contest entrance rules and regulations will be announced in May.

Magic Tree House: A Night in New Orleans
The Moody Festival will also feature the world premiere of a new jazz musical, Magic Tree House: A Night in New Orleans, based on A Good Night for Ghosts, book #42 in the phenomenally popular Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne.

Magic Tree House: A Night in New Orleans will play a series of free performances in the Newark Public Schools for all 4,300 of the City's fourth grade students. Two additional performances for the public will be featured in NJPAC's Victoria Theater on Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 1pm and 4pm.

Jazz House Kids Gala
On Wednesday, October 17, 2012 the Arts Center will host Hitting the High Notes, the 10th anniversary gala event benefiting Jazz House Kids, an acclaimed community-based arts organization with a mission to provide year-round musical, educational, and cultural programs to students in grades K-12, teachers, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds.

Information on the comprehensive Festival lineup will be announced as part of NJPAC's 2012-13 season lineup in May.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Upcoming: Lexie Roth at Rockwood Music Hall, 4/14


Singer/songwriter/guitarist Lexie Roth will be taking the stage at Rockwood Music Hall on April 14 at 10PM and it'll cost you nada, yep, that's right FREE. The gig happens to be the album release show for her self-title record which will available the same day. Check out the handy widget below and listen to "I Wanna Run." Roth also has a Kickstarter project; if you like what you hear and want to show your support, visit the project page HERE.


Flashback: Kasabian - "Vlad The Impaler" at Terminal 5


In case you missed it, Kasabian took over Terminal 5 last Thursday. The Bowery Presents streamed it live on their YouTube channel and have posted parts of it. Because I like Kasabian, because I find "Vlad The Impaler" insanely irresistible and because The Bowery Presents Live provided this nifty clip, I make this my video of the day.





Cowboy Junkies New Album, The Wilderness, Out Now + MP3


The Cowboy Junkies have a new album out, The Wilderness. It's Volume 4 of The Nomad Seri
es. The full album can be streamed on AOL Music, HERE. We also have for you at the bottom of the post in our MP3 Grab, "Damaged From The Start" from the album and if that wasn't enough for you to feast on, grab "Angels In The Wilderness" using the handy widget.

The group’s Michael Timmin says of the new CD, “The title, The Wilderness, in some odd way seemed to define what these songs were actually “about”: fragility, emptiness, loneliness, beauty, chance, loss, desperation - the delicate balancing act that makes up a life. They are about being lost in the wilderness of age, the wilderness of parenthood, in the wilderness of just trying to find meaning and substance, happiness and truth in ones day to day life. They are about standing alone in middle of it all, breathing in the cold still air and wondering.”

The preceding album, Sing In My Meadow, a collection of songs recorded over a four day period that evokes the psychedelic, blues-inspired forays the band is fond of exploring on stage was hailed by Metromix as “showing yet another side of one of the most versatile, underrated bands of the last 25 years.”

The first volume of the series, Renmin Park, released in 2010, was inspired by Michael Timmins’ two-month stay in China with his family in ‘08 and was called “their most ambitious yet” by The Boston Herald. Demons (2011), the second in the series, is a collection of songs by the late Vic Chesnutt which Canada’s National Post called “…a celebration of both the Junkies and Chesnutt and one of the year's best albums.”




MP3 Grab:
"Damaged From The Start"


Sunday, March 25, 2012

Around New York ... March 25 - April 1


Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

March 25 -- The Vandelles / Electric Eel Shock / Hard Nips /Hot Cha Cha at Cake Shop

March 25 -- L'Arc-En-Ciel at Madison Square Garden
March 25 --
Paper Robots at Mercury Lounge
March 26
-- James Moody Scholarship Benefit Concert at Blue Note
March 26 -- Teeth and Tongue / Paula Carino / Jett Brando at Pianos
March 27 --
Toots and the Maytals / Fear Nuttin' Band at Brooklyn Bowl
March 27 -- Pink Room David Lynch Burlesque at Parkside Lounge
March 27 - 28 -- Joan Osborne at City Winery
March 28 -- Simone Felice at Mercury Lounge
March 28 --
Hank & Cupcakes (pictured) at Santos Party House
March 28 -- Shaken & Stirred Burlesque at The Delancey
March 28 -- The Joy Formidable / A Place To Bury Strangers / Violens at Terminal 5
March 28 -- First Aid Kit at Webster Hall
March 28 -- A Million Years (pictured) / Napoleon / Chasing Bear at The Studio at Webster Hall
Mar
ch 29 -- The Pierces / Spirit Family Reunion at Bowery Ballroom
March 29 -- What Cheer? Brigade / Apocalypse Five / Dime at Public Assembly
March 29 -- The Highway / Reckless Sons at Spike Hill
March 29 -- Corruption at Tammany Hall
March 29 -- Delta Spirit / Waters at Webster Hall
March 30 -- Burlesque Affaire at Affaire
March 30
-- The Shivers / Sons of an Illustrious Father / Uncles at Littlefield
March 30 - 31 -- Of Montreal at Webster Hall
March 31 -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. / Ms. Mr. at Brooklyn Bowl
March 31 -- Wolf + Lamp / Soul Clap at Music Hall of Williamsburg
March 31 -- Wild Deer / Emery Jane at The Rockshop
April 1 -- Johnny Flynn / Peggy Sue at Glasslands Gallery
April 1 - 5 -- Citizen Cope at City Winery

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Is New York Still The Cultural Capital Of America?


A question has been posed. New York has long been considered the cultural capital of America. Is it still? If not, where? This question has led to pondering on my part.

My first thought was, it's a place that is often taken for granted by those who live there. Visitors come from far and wide to experience the cities cultural delights. But, ask a New Yorker about certain things...certain places and you're likely to get a rant on too many tourists frequenting the location or, I can see that anytime. You become jaded by having so much at your fingertips. I've been known to be guilty of this myself. But, as much as I'm cranky, or complaining or just simply taking the city and it's offerings for granted, I spend just as much time, camera in hand in some dark venue capturing and enjoying all that she has to offer.

We have an unbelievable amount of cultural happenings at our disposal. There's something for everybody on any given night, in every price range, pretty much around the clock. This is something that is often not thought about until you're away from New York for a hot minute. You realize that you can't just hop on the subway and go from the theatre or the ballet to a late show at a club followed by an even later DJ set. You might not normally do any of those things but the minute you're away, you suddenly find yourself wanting to do, see and experience EVERYTHING! You notice when you only have a half a dozen or less options on a given night whereas in New York, it's a matter of what you want to do or see most on any given night. At some point, the inevitable happens; the words, if I was at home... comes out of your mouth.

But, it's not just the sheer volume of happenings in New York that makes it a special place; it's the quality. Now, don't get your knickers in a bunch. I'm not saying no other place has quality culture. I just think the amount of quality that's so easily available made New York the 'cultural capital of America,' a title I think it still holds.

2012 Great Arts Blogger Challenge


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

WBGO Kicks Off Kids Jazz Concert Series March 31


New Jersey public radio station WBGO announced that it's award-winning free Kids Jazz Concert Series is returning this Spring! The four free interactive programs geared towards young people feature harpist Brandee Younger, saxophonist Donald Harrison, drummer Will Calhoun and saxophonist Claire Daly. If you have children, it's the perfect opportunity for them to listen to, learn and in some cases discover jazz.

The series will be held at New Jersey venues on four Saturdays at 12:30PM. Check out the schedule below.

These interactive, hour-long programs give young people opportunities to learn about the distinct qualities of jazz, and why it is a reflection of our community, nation, and world. Top jazz and blues artists produce programs tailor-made for young people, leaving time for further exploration of the music through Q&A sessions with the artists. In addition to the music, the event includes door prizes, a gift for each child and a fun-filled afternoon with other young jazz lovers.

“The Kids Jazz Series is one of several WBGO youth initiatives that build upon the legacy of jazz and help set the stage for the next generation of jazz audiences and artists,” said Cephas Bowles, WBGO President and CEO. “We’re extremely pleased and proud to have been cited by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with its MySource Community Impact Award for Engagement in 2009 for this series as well as for our live broadcasts of student jazz ensembles, which also take place in April.”

March 31, 12:30pm
Brandee Younger
Jazz: The Art of Creation
Montclair Art Museum
3 South Mountain Avenue
Montclair, NJ 07042

April 14, 12:30pm
Donald Harrison
Big Easy to Big Apple
Cicely Tyson School Performing Arts Center
35 Winans Street
East Orange, NJ 07017

Co-Sponsored by The High School Music Department of The Cicely L. Tyson Community School of Performing and Fine Arts

April 21, 12:30pm
Will Calhoun
Jazz in the Digital Age
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
Victoria Theater
One Center Street
Newark, NJ 07102

April 28, 12:30 pm
Claire Daly
How Important Is the Melody?
Newark Museum
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ 07102

All concerts are handicapped accessible. Adults must be accompanied by a child.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Song of the Day: Cowgill - "Plans"


We have for you in today's Song of the Day, "Plans," by Boston's Cowgill. I'm really digging this one and as a result, it has already repeated a few times on my media player of choice. The song is from their Side One of Planted album which is scheduled for release on May 17. Cowgill formed in June of 2011 and based on this song, we'll be hearing a lot from them. Scroll down to the bottom of the post and grab it from our MP3 Grab.

“Plans” showcases the band’s impressive range, opening with a gorgeous piano line closely followed by a rocking string section groove, slowly building to seriously thumping drums in the outro. Lead singer Paul Cowgill’s vocals are sublime, blending indie and folk influences with a touch of pop sensibility.

COWGILL is Paul Cowgill (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Mike Truskowski (Piano, Backup Vocals, Trombone), Dan Weissman (Mandolin, Backup Vocals, Trumpet), Leeann Hackett (Violin), Ryan Rivers (Bass Guitar) and a temporarily rotating cast on drums.)


MP3 Grab: "Plans"


Madi Diaz on BreakThru Radio


The folks over at BreakThru Radio had Madi Diaz, who released her Plastic Moon album earlier this year, in their studios recently. You can check out a clip of her performing "Love You Now" and an interview segment in the BTR studio. The complete radio broadcast and playlist can be heard and downloaded HERE.

Reminder: New York, Diaz will be in town for a couple of shows. She'll be supporting Rachael Yamagata at Highline Ballroom on April 2 (doors at 6PM / $25) and April 4, over in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (doors at 8PM / $25 / 18+).



Brandi Carlile To Release New Album In June


Brandi Carlile will be releasing her fourth album, Bear Creek, on June 5. The first single from the upcoming album will be "That Wasn't Me" which will hit radio airways in early April. Carlile will also be hitting the road. New York, at the moment there are no dates in our lovely city yet. But, she has a number of dates with Dave Matthews Band, one of which take her to Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, NJ on June 26. Check her website for more tour dates.

"That Wasn't Me," the first single from Bear Creek, will go to radio in early April. The soulful piano-based track showcases the warmth and subtle power of Carlile's vocals. It is the cornerstone of an earthy collection that embraces all of her musical influences - folk, pop, country, rock, gospel and blues. From the spirited "Hard Way Home" and chilling country blues of "Raise Hell" to the poignant "Rise Again" and ethereal "Just Kids," Carlile manages to be at once plainspoken and poetic. The rich imagery of "Keep Your Heart Young" evokes childhood dreams with such unerring accuracy it is apt to elicit renewed vows to never grow up while "Save Part Of Yourself" and "100" wistfully underscore the lifetime impact of a lost love.

Named for the studio where most of the album was recorded - Bear Creek Studios, which is housed in a converted early 20th century barn near Carlile's hometown of Seattle - it features her longtime band mates: Tim and Phil Hanseroth ("The Twins," who co-wrote many of the songs with Carlile and play guitar and bass respectively), drummer/percussionist Allison Miller and cellist Josh Neumann plus Dave Palmer on keyboards and Jeb Bows on violin and mandolin. Drummer Matt Chamberlain guests on several tracks.

Track Listing
  • Hard Way Home
  • Raise Hell
  • Save Part Of Yourself
  • That Wasn't Me
  • Keep Your Heart Young
  • 100
  • A Promise To Keep
  • I'll Still Be There
  • What Did I Ever Come Here For
  • Heart's Content
  • Rise Again
  • In The Morrow
  • Just Kids

Monday, March 19, 2012

Garbage Unveils Debut Single From Upcoming Album


Garbage has released the first single from their upcoming album, Not Your Kind Of People which is scheduled for release on May 15th via their own Stunvolume label. This is their first new album in 7 years. "Blood For Poppies" can be downloaded for FREE, on their website or using the handy widget at the bottom of the post for a limited time so grab it quick folks.

On Record Store Day, April 21, the band will release the single on a limited edition white vinyl 7-inch that will feature the track plus and exclusive remix by drummer Butch Vig.

They will be on the road this spring to support the albums. Yes, they'll be in New York, but their Webster Hall show on 5/22 is already sold out! But you could take a little road trip to Atlantic City where they will be at the House of Blues on 5/25 (follow @Garbage on Twitter for ticket sale info).

Garbage unveiled "Blood For Poppies," on www.garbage.com as a free download. "We decided to give the track to our fans first," said the members of Garbage. "We've always had the most amazingly loyal fans, and we wanted to show them just how much they mean to us by setting it free to them first." "Blood For Poppies" is the first single from the bands highly anticipated album Not Your Kind Of People, which is due out on May 15th on the bands very own STUNVOLUME record label. On April 21st for Record Store Day, Garbage will release "Blood For Poppies" on a limited edition, white vinyl 7-inch that will feature the track and an exclusive remix by drummer Butch Vig.

Garbage front-woman Shirley Manson said, "'Blood For Poppies' is meant to feel sort of like an abstract dream. The inspiration came from a story I had read in The Los Angeles Times about the opium trade and also from watching the documentary Restrepo. It's not literal in any sense whatsoever but it's a song about disorientation and delusion and the human struggle to stay sane in the face of insanity."












Sunday, March 18, 2012

Around New York ... March 18 - March 24


Upcoming shows in the New York area ...


March 19 -- Ladysmith Black Mambazo at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
March 19 -- Ric
h Robinson / Amy LaVere at The Bowery Ballroom
March 19 -- Capsula / Briana & The Boys / Zoe Sundra at Cake Shop
March 19 -- Ra
Ra Riot at The Rock Shop
March 19 - 20 -- Gomez at Brooklyn Bowl
March 20 -- Norman Vladimir at Stage 2 Rockwood Music Hall
March 20 -- NY School of Burlesque Showcase at Parkside Lounge
March 21 -- Ayo (pictured) at Highline Ballroom
March 21 -- Radical Something / Kinetics & One Love / Big Red at The Studio at Webster Hall

March 21 -- Black Forest / The High Irons / The Interest / Alex Mallett at Union Hall
March 22 -- Open Ocean / Boveda / Tyburn Saints / Browns at Glasslands Gallery
March 22 -- Danielia Cotton at Stage 2 Rockwood Music Hall
March 22 -- Band of Skulls / We Are Augustines at Webster Hall
March 23 -- Wasabassco Burlesque
at Affaire
March 2
3 -- Wet Willie at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
March 23 -- The Bernie Worrell Orchestra
at Brooklyn Bowl

March 2
3 -- Rhett Miller / Salim Nourallah at City Winery
March 23 -- Julia Weldon (pictured) at The Living Room
March 23 -- Dr. Dog / Purling Hiss at Terminal 5
March 23 -- Your 33 Black Angels / The Above / Gringo Star / Organs at Union Pool
March 24 -- JuiceBox at Blue Note
March 24 -
- Kill The Alarm / Jessica Long at Mercury Lounge
March 24 -- Nat Baldw
in / Glass Ghost / Sam Mickens at Union Pool

Friday, March 16, 2012

Flashback: The Wild Deer at Mercury Lounge


The Wild Deer: October 7, 2011 @ Mercury Lounge, N
ew York, NY


Back in October I was down at Mercury Lounge to see a band (Robbers On High Street) and happened upon New York based The Wild Deer. I wasn't familiar with them but they had a sort of blues rock, punk laced rock 'n' roll thing going on and since I like rock 'n' roll, I watched, listened and took photos. Their frontman had me thinking if Mick Jagger and Scott Weiland produced a love child after having an orgy with Iggy Pop, it would be him. At any rate, they were fun. And, for your viewing pleasure, here's a little photographic flashback of their set.

More Photos HERE

Skipping Girl Vinegar Launch Monkey Into Space


Today we have for you a video from Australian band Skipping Girl Vinegar. The band r
ecently released this fun and beautiful clip of their single "Chase The Sun." The song is off their album Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey. The video features Baker The Monkey who was attached to a low budget "spaceship" and a weather balloon with an on-board camera. Baker reached 110,000 feet before crashing back to earth. Watch the video at the bottom of the post, it'll give you a smile.

On the morning of Sat 27th Nov 2011, attached to a giant weather balloon, Baker and the onboard camera soared to 110,000 feet (5 times higher than Mt Everest) capturing the rolling image that is now part of this new film clip.

Reaching speeds of over 200kmh and experiencing temperatures as low as -50 degrees Baker carried an Mp3 player beaming out the new single and messages to the Universe from the people of Earth.

Monkey in Space was directed & dreamed up by Mark Lang & Chris Lansell, along with a team of cowboy artists and scientists including Leigh Ryan, Cobie Orger, Jody Muston, Michael Sacks, Emerald Buller, Grant Willis, Annika Fleur, Neil Thomas, Sare Lang, Amanthi Lynch, Chris Helm, Kelly Lane & The Project Horus Launch crew: Terry Baume, Matthew Cook, Graham Holman, Mark Jessop, Alan Kovacs, Joshua Morgan, Scott Testi, Carol Van Der Meer and Grant Willis.

Special guests contributing to Baker's mission included Dr Karl, Lawrence Leung & Lindsay 'The Dr' McDougall from Triple J.




Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Video of the Day: Some Velvet Morning - "How To Start A Revolution"


UK rockers Some Velvet Morning have released a new video for their song "H
ow To Start A Revolution." You can pre-order the single, which will be released on April 15, HERE. I like the song and you know I really dig these guys. Check out the video below.







Lisa Redford Releases New Video


Singer/Songwriter Lisa Redford has released a new video. It's for "New York Song" which is from her album Clouds With Silver. It was filmed this past January. Check it out at the bottom of the post.

If the video wasn't enough for you, we have word that Redford will be releasing a new EP soon. We'll keep you posted on that.






Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Newport Jazz Festival Line-Up Announced


The 2012 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management line-up was announced today. The festival will take place August 3 - 5 in Newport, RI at Fort Adams State Park. George Wein, producer/founder of the Newport Jazz Festival® and Chairman of Newport Festivals Foundation also announced that Natixis Global Asset Management (NGAM), who launched their global musical initiative with the 2011 Newport Jazz Festival, will return as presenting sponsor for three additional years.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 15, at 10:00 am at www.newportjazzfest.net. For more information, call (401) 848-5055.

Saturday, August 4, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park

  • Pat Metheny Unity Band with Chris Potter, Antonio Sanchez and Ben Williams
  • Dianne Reeves
  • Jack DeJohnette’s 70th Birthday Celebration featuring his Quintet and an All-Star group performing two sets
  • Bill Frisell – John Lennon Songbook
  • Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas Quintet: Sound Prints
  • The Bad Plus with Bill Frisell
  • James Carter Organ Trio with Special Guests Rodney Jones and Miche Braden
  • Dafnis Prieto Sextet
  • 3 Clarinets: Ken Peplowski, Evan Christopher, Anat Cohen
  • Christian McBride’s Inside Straight
  • John Ellis & Double-Wide
  • Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
  • Pedrito Martinez Group

Sunday, August 5, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park

  • Tedeschi Trucks Band
  • Maria Schneider Orchestra
  • Jason Moran and the Bandwagon
  • Kurt Elling
  • Miguel Zenón’s Rayuela
  • Jenny Scheinman & Bill Frisell
  • Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet
  • Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Samdhi
  • Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke with special guest Becca Stevens
  • John Hollenbeck’s Claudia Quintet + 1 featuring Theo Bleckmann
  • 3 Cohens: Yuval, Anat and Avishai Cohen
  • Vince Giordano & the Nighthawks
  • Lewis Nash Quintet featuring Jeremy Pelt and Jimmy Greene
  • Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Centennial Project
  • Berklee Global Jazz Institute Sextet

Monday, March 12, 2012

New Song From U.S. Royalty


Fellow quirky people and music lovers, U.S. Royalty have a new song, "Sleepy Eyes," up on their Soundcloud page. And, nice fellas that they are, they're offering it up for free. Their exact words ... Go stream/download new song "Sleepy Eyes" from our soundcloud. Share it with a friend. So, we're sharing it here with you, my friends. Enjoy and remember, they're cool to you so be cool to them ... support them live and otherwise. Check out the handy widget below to download the song.



Chains of Love Release Debut EP


Vancouver-based Chains of Love release their debut EP, Strange Grey Days, tomorrow, Tuesday, March 13 via Manimal Vinyl Records. The band blends girl group vocals with dirty lo-fi garage rock. I caught a performance by the band this past June. Their set felt like an electric shock that generated some tingly excitement and all out fun.

With an intoxicating energy, Chains of Love's sun-soaked romantic pop is injected with the stomp of vintage 60s soul, the wild abandon of 70s garage, and the guitar grime of The Cramps and early JAMC. Initially inspired by the “memory of that girl group sound” when forming the band, Chains started by referencing certain artists such as Gail Harris, Ike & Tina, The Ronnettes, and The Shangri-la's by using their lo-fi recording styles as a blueprint for the sound they wanted to create but their debut EP Strange Grey Days signals that their sound expanding yet maintains rare urgency of that sets Chains of Love apart from their throwback-y, reverb-drenched contemporaries.

In a recent interview, singer Nathalia Pizzaro says “I don’t wanna just say that we sound retro or Motown—that we’ve got a kitschy, candy shop vibe to us—I feel like there’s a raw element to our sound, too.” guitarist/vocalist Rebecca Marie Law Gray adds "We have so much fun when we’re recording. I think it translates in what you hear.” The band all would agree that Chains of Love is truly a passion project, putting every bit of energy and emotion into it. Uninitiated audiences who have been lucky enough to stumble across seeing them live often come away witnessing the best show they never expected to see.

Tour Dates
  • February 16, 2012 -- Vancouver @ The Biltmore
  • February 21, 2012 -- Seattle @ The Funhouse
  • February 23, 2012 -- San Francisco @ Brick and Mortar
  • February 24, 2012 -- San Diego @ Soda Bar
  • February 25, 2012 -- Los Angeles @ Echo
  • February 27, 2012 -- Los Angeles Live on KXLU
  • March 1, 2012 -- Portland @ Mississippi Bar
  • March 14-17 -- Austin - SXSW

Friday, March 9, 2012

Hank & Cupcakes To Play Santos + Releases New Video


Hank & Cupcakes released the video for "Liquid Mercury," the first single from their upcoming album. You can view it at the bottom of the post.

New York, Hank & Cupcakes will be killin' it down at Santos Party House on Wednesday, March 28. Doors are at 7PM. It's an 18+ show and it will cost you $13 advance/$15 dos. You can buy tickets HERE.




Video Details

Creative Director & Stylist: Melanie Willey
Cinematography: Uri Shwartz, Matt Bockelman
Assistant Cinematography: Dimitri Saintvill
Editor: Matt Bockelman
Actors & Crew: Sasha the fire gypsy, Viet Nguyen, Jacqueline Patchen, Scott Darda, Laurabeth Lima, Sarah Ganley, Sterling, Ian Sternthal

Corruption At Tammany Hall, 3/15


Corruption happens every Thursday...



Video of the Day: Air Bag One - "Whatever You Want"


Electro-pop/indie-rock band Air Bag One released their debut EP Summer Killed Us at the end of February. I'm really digging this four-song EP. If you haven't had the experience, you should check these guys out. They've released a video for the records closing track, "Whatever You Want." You can watch the Koya Kamura & Matthias Jenny directed video below.





Wasabassco Burlesque @ Union Hall & City Winery Tomorrow, 3/10


Two shows, two boroughs, one night ... that's what Wasabassco Burlesque is offering tomorrow, Saturday, March 10.

Tickets for the Union Hall show can be bought HERE. You can get tickets for the City Winery show HERE.


Thursday, March 8, 2012

Metallica Announces Director For 3D Film Project


Rockers Metallica have announced a director for the upcoming Metallica 3D feature film project. They've tapped award-winning director Nimród Antal for the Charlotte Huggins produced project.

Um, Dear Metallica, I'm not really a fan of anything 3D though the thought of James Hetfield growling and looking menacing in 3D is frightening yet disturbingly thrilling to me. As long as I don't have to wear 3D glasses, we'll remain on good musician/fan terms. Moving on...

The film, a mix of narrative and concert, will star the members of Metallica and the fans. It will begin filming in August and is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2013.

"I've been a fan of Nimróds since his first Hungarian film, Kontroll, showed up at Cannes in 2004 and blew everybody away, said Metallica's Lars Ulrich. "I've watched with excitement his career in Hollywood blossom over the last few years. Within five minutes of meeting him I was addicted to his enthusiasm, his take on the creative process and his "thinking outside of the box" personality. Let's get on with it!!!"

"Metallica has always been a huge part of my life, and it's an incredible opportunity when we get to work with our heroes," said Antal. "We are going to harness the powerful and almighty energy of Metallica's live shows, inject a narrative into it, and shoot it in 3D to elevate the entire experience."


Edward Rogers' Porcelain To Be Released In The UK + MP3


New York based Brit, Edward Rogers will be releasing his latest album, Porcelain, in the UK & Europe on April 2 via Bucketfull of Brains. The record was released this past November here in the US via Zip Records. Scroll down to the bottom of the post and check out the video for the title track which features footage from Bond film Moonraker. You can also grab the song in our MP3 Grab at the bottom of the post.

“The title of the album,” explains Rogers, “directly reflects the emotions represented in the songs and my mood during the writing process – rage, love, broken friendships, good days, bad days…fun days.”

Rogers explains the track in his own words: "I once met a very young, very sick girl who was put in foster care because her family couldn't afford to take care of her. I couldn't get her off my mind. She made me think of the fact that life is so delicate, so vulnerable and breakable... like porcelain. That young girl and the challenges she was going to face was the inspiration for 'Porcelain.'"




MP3 Grab: "Porcelain"


Madi Diaz To Perform Two NY Shows & Releases Video + MP3


Madi Diaz recently released a video for her single "Gimme A Kiss." The video was directed by Erich Weiss and can be seen if you scroll down. Also, you can grab the song in our MP3 Grab at the bottom of the post. The song is the lead song on her Plastic Moon record which was released in January.

New York, Diaz will be in town for a couple of shows. She'll be supporting Rachael Yamagata at Highline Ballroom on April 2 (doors at 6PM / $25) and April 4, over in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (doors at 8PM / $25 / 18+).




MP3 Grab:
"Gimme A Kiss"

Monday, March 5, 2012

Upcoming: Nikka Costa At Highline Ballroom, 5/24


New York, Nikka Costa is coming back to the Big Apple! Y'all know I dig this lady. If you haven't seen her live, you're missing out. You will dance, you will sweat and you will damn sure have fun.

Costa will be at the Highline Ballroom on Thursday, May 24. Doors are at 6:00PM, showtime is 8:00PM and it will cost you $18 in advance. If you wait until day of show, it'll cost you $20. You should seriously consider going if you haven't already made plans to.

Back in 2008 when I first started my blog, I wrote this about Costa ... I got hooked on Nikka's music when I fell asleep with the television on one night. I woke up in the wee hours to the video for "Like A Feather" from her then current release Everybody Got Their Something. There on my screen with a shock of fiery hair, decked out in vibrant blue and on very good terms with double-sided tape, was one funky lady with "NIKKA" flashing behind her in lights and swirling colors. I scribbled her name on the box of tissue by my bed and went back to sleep. Later that morning, I went to the store and bought the album. A Nikka fan was born.

Some years later, in stark contrast to the vibrant "Like A Feather" video, she released one for her song, "Nylons In A Rip" a while back. The song is from her most recent record, PRO*WHOA. It's done in beautiful black and white and will rock your face off. Check it out below.