Monday, March 31, 2014

Fefe Dobson - “In Better Hands”


Fefe Dobson released a video for her single “In Better Hands” last week.  The track is the second single from her upcoming album Firebird.  The clip was directed by Aaron A.  Check it out below.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Kitten To Release New Album In June


Kitten will release their new album, simply titled Kitten.  The album is scheduled for a June 24 release.  For a little taste of what’s to come, check out their new song “Why I Wait” below.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Jake Lewis & The Clergy To Play Pete’s Candy Store on 3/27 + Video


Jake Lewis & The Clergy will be in Brooklyn this Thursday, March 27. They’ll be taking the stage at Pete’s Candy Store at 11PM. See below for more details.  Also, they just released a video for their song “Dark Mistakes”.  Footage from the video was taken from their winter tour.  The track is from their album Gossip which was released in October 2013.

Thursday, March 27
709 Lorimer Street
Brooklyn, NY
11PM

Smoke Fairies To Release Album In May + Video


UK Duo Smoke Fairies (Jessica Davies and Katherine Blamire) will release their album Smoke Fairies on May 6 via Full Time Hobby here in the US (April 14 in Europe). This is their fourth album and the follow up to their 2012 release Blood Speaks.  Check out the video for the track “We’ve Seen Birds” and stream the track “Eclipse Them All” below.


Smoke Fairies’ new album, the eponymously titled Smoke Fairies, shows the band in top form, combining their classic approach whilst exploring new forms of musical expression – but it is an album that they nearly didn’t make. There was a moment after the release of Blood Speaks (2012) when Jessica Davies turned to musical partner Katherine Blamire and told her she was no longer sure whether Smoke Fairies should continue. The suggestion of not playing music together would potentially impact more than just their band - theirs was a friendship forged by music, by a shared ambition that had carried them from their schooldays and on to songwriting and performing together.
“We started considering what would we do if we didn’t do music,” recalls Davies, “and it was just a massive void.” Deciding that giving up on the band was “not an option,” Davies wrote a musical apology to Blamire that would become the opening track of the new album. “I just wanted to say sorry to her, " Davies explains, "sorry I scared you like that.”  

Track List

  • We've Seen Birds
  • Eclipse Them All
  • Shadow Inversions
  • Hope Is Religion
  • Waiting for Something to Begin
  • Your Own Silent Movie
  • Misty Versions
  • Drinks and Dancing
  • Koto
  • Want It Forever
  • The Very Last Time
  • Are You Crazy


Friday, March 21, 2014

New Video From The Colourist + Video & Tour


The Colourist have released a new video.  The clip is for their track “We Won’t Go Home”.  I’m really enjoying this tune.  The track is from their upcoming, self-titled, debut full-length album. Check out the video below.  

The Colouristwhich is scheduled for release on March 25 via Republic Records, is available for pre-order HERE.

They’ll be making a couple of stops in NY.  On Tuesday, March 25 they’ll be in Brooklyn at Rough Trade.  See below for more details plus additional tour dates.  The following night, Wednesday, March 26, they will be on the LES at Mercury Lounge which is sold out.

Night Terrors of 1927 / Wind and the Wave
Tuesday, March 25
64 N 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM / Show: 8:30
21+


Tour Dates

  • March 21st – U Street Music Hall – Washington, DC 
  • March 22nd – North Star Bar – Philadelphia, PA 
  • March 24th – Great Scott – Boston, MA 
  • March 25th – Rough Trade – Brooklyn, NY 
  • March 26th – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY 
  • March 28th – The Met – Providence, RI 
  • March 30th – Pike Room – Detroit, MI 
  • March 31st – The Basement – Columbus, OH 
  • April 2nd – Schubas – Chicago, IL 
  • April 4th – 7th St. Entry – Minneapolis, MN
  • April 7th – Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
  • April 8th – Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
  • April 9th – Kilby Court – Salt Lake City, UT
  • April 11th – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
  • April 12th – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR 
  • April 14th – Harlow’s – Sacramento, CA 
  • April 15th – Bottom of the Hill – San Francisco, CA

New Album + Video From Taking Back Sunday


Taking Back Sunday released their new album, Happiness Is, earlier this week.  Check out the video for the single, “Stood A Chance” below.


Adam Lazzara tells us, "Stood A Chance is a song that anyone who has been with the band and grown with us can relate to.  Also for people who may be new to our band there is something special we hope they enjoy. We had fun making a video that came out a little weird." The video for "Stood A Chance" was directed by Evan Brace (Phantogram) and brings a nice bright departure to the twisted lyrics in the track. 
Taking Back Sunday's new album, Happiness Is, was produced by Marc Jacob Hudson and Mike Sapone, and mixed by Claudius Mittendorfer. With the spirit of resilience and innovation dripping all over the band's sixth full-length, the album addresses some heady concepts, but it simultaneously showcases a new musical and conceptual leap for this band of mainstream misfits that's sure to endear them to fans both new and old.

Tour Dates
* Headlining Dates w/Tonight Alive & Sleepwave
  • 3/14             Quiktrip Park - South By So What              Dallas, TX  
  • 3/15             Backstage Live                                        San Antonio, TX
  • 3/16             Bayou Music Centre - HWHAP Fest           Houston, TX
  • 3/18             Marquee Theatre                                       Phoenix, AZ
  • 3/19             Palladium                                                 Los Angeles, CA
  • 3/21             In The Venue                                            Salt Lake City, UT
  • 3/22             In The Venue                                            Salt Lake City, UT
  • 3/23             Knitting Factory                                         Boise, ID
  • 3/25             Warfield                                                    San Francisco, CA
  • 3/27             Palladium                                                  Los Angeles, CA - SOLD OUT
  • 3/28             House of Blues                                          San Diego, CA - SOLD OUT
  • 3/29             Extreme Thing                                           Las Vegas, NV
  • 3/30             Sunshine Theater*                                     Albuquerque, NM
  • 4/1               Ogden Theatre                                          Denver, CO
  • 4/2               Sokol                                                       Omaha, NE
  • 4/4               Eagles Ballroom                                       Milwaukee, WI
  • 4/5               Concord Music Hall                                  Chicago, IL - SOLD OUT
  • 4/6               Fillmore                                                   Detroit, MI - SOLD OUT
  • 4/8               Kool Haus                                                Toronto, ON - SOLD OUT
  • 4/9               The Armory                                              Rochester, NY
  • 4/10             The Chance*                                            Poughkeepsie, NY 
  • 4/11             Webster Theatre                                       Hartford, CT - SOLD OUT
  • 4/12             House of Blues                                         Boston, MA - SOLD OUT
  • 4/13             Tower Theatre                                           Philadelphia, PA - SOLD OUT
  • 4/15             Best Buy Theatre                                      New York, NY - SOLD OUT
  • 4/16             Best Buy Theatre                                      New York, NY - SOLD OUT
  • 4/17             The State Theater*                                    Portland, ME 


Thursday, March 20, 2014

New Video From Neneh Cherry Featuring Robyn


Neneh Cherry released a video for “Out of the Black”.  The clip is for the lead single from her new album, Blank Project, and features Swedish pop singer Robyn.  Check out the video below.

Both artists have been vocal about inspiring each other, with Robyn covering Neneh songs in her live shows. Hearing them harmonise and throw lines back and forth will be a dream come true for some music fans.
 
The video was created by artist Dario Vigorito AKA 241-24-7 and features dissonant cut n’ paste imagery used to unsettling effect. With its ‘no compromise’ style, it stands in the lineage of great Neneh videos like ‘Buffalo Stance’ or ‘Manchild’.

Reigen - “Play It Cool” + NYC Show


Brooklyn based musician Reigen released his new single, “Play It Cool”, last month.  Check out the video at the bottom of the post.  And should you want to show him some love live, he will be at R Bar on Thursday, April 3.  See below for more details.

Thursday, April 3
218 Bowery Street
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM / Show: 8:30PM
Tickets: $5

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

PHOX Set To Play NYC Show


Wisconsin based band PHOX are set to play a show in NY.  They’ll be over in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on April 9 supporting Laura Mvula.  See below for more details and tour dates.

We’ve got our calendars marked to catch them this summer at the Newport Folk Festival on Friday, July 25.  Tickets are still available for the Friday show (Saturday & Sunday are already sold out).  But, you should be quick like a bunny, Friday is sure to sell out soon. 

Wednesday, April 9
66 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM
18+

To whet your appetite check out the handy widget below.  And if that’s not enough for you, they were recently featured on World Cafe which can be heard HERE.

PHOX will release their self-titled debut album in late June 2014 via Partisan Records.



New Video From Nicole Atkins


Nicole Atkins dropped a new video for the masses to enjoy.  The clip is for “Girl You Look Amazing”. The track from her terrific new album Slow Phaser.  If you haven’t had a chance to check out the album, I recommend you do.  Check out the video below.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Alice BrightSky - “Up Up and Away”


Check out “Up Up and Away” from singer-songwriter Alice BrightSky.  The track is from her debut solo album Box of Me which was released independently in April 2013.


The composing and release of the album was a cathartic process for Brightsky, who completed Box of Me after a three-year hiatus from her music.  After walking away from the music business in 2009, feeling “overwhelmed by creative and logistical roadblocks to completing her solo debut”, Brightsky completed the album in 2012 with friend/producer Brandon Wilde who helped her finish “Up Up and Away”, the last track she was struggling with.
 
“The songwriting for this album was a way of pulling out those emotions that I would otherwise have tucked away,” says Brightsky.  “I dove into the box to deal with those things and I’m in a good place right now because of it. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.”

Track List

  • Enter This World
  • Pry Me Away
  • Lover’s Fate
  • I Am
  • Up Up and Away
  • Troubled Upbringing
  • Girl You Hold Onto
  • Tie and Untie
  • Canopy
  • Hold Me Down
  • Dry
  • Box of Me

Monday, March 17, 2014

Mount Carmel To Release New Album On 3/25 + NYC Show


Ohio trio Mount Carmel are scheduled to release their new album, Get Pure, on March 25 via Alive Naturalsound Records.  Get Pure will be available on CD, digital formats and limited edition vinyl

Mount Carmel will be doing shows in support of the new record which will bring them to NYC.  They’ll be at Cake Shop on April 18.  I caught them a few years back and they put on a seriously tight set.

Tour Dates

  • 3/28 Woodlands Tavern ~ Columbus, OH (Hometown Record Release Show!)
  • 4/17 31st Street Pub ~ Pittsburg, PA
  • 4/18 Cake Shop ~ NYC, NY
  • 4/20 Kung Fu Necktie ~ Philadelphia, PA

Amid the current industry of cool, MOUNT CARMEL’s lack of gimmick is a welcome anachronism. The Columbus, OH-based trio’s third album Get Pure is full of swagger, packed with great songs and inspired performances. This is true rock music like you haven’t heard in years. Crank it up!


Track List

  • Gold (listen via GhettoBlaster Magazine)
  • Back On It (listen via PopMatters) 
  • Whisper
  • No Pot To Piss
  • Swallow Me Up
  • Bridge To Nowhere
  • One More Morning
  • Will I
  • Hangin' On
  • Fear Me Now
  • Yeah You Mama

Friday, March 14, 2014

The Milk Carton Kids, Mavis Staples, J Roddy Walston & More Set To Play Newport Folk Festival


The Newport Folk Festival, which takes place July 25 - 27, 2014 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI, announced yesterday that The Milk Carton Kids will be returning to the festival this summer.  They were one of the highlights of the festival for me last year.  Their set is on Saturday, July 26.

The festival is mostly sold out.  Tickets still remain for the Friday show. You should probably hurry if you want tickets for that day as those are sure to sell out soon as well.

The Newport Folk Festival has been rolling out their line-up via social media since the beginning of February.  See below for a list of who has been announced so far.

Update: The festival announced this morning, 3/14, that Dawes and Conor Oberst (w/Dawes as his supporting band) will be returning to the Fort.

The Newport Folk Festival Line-Up (as of March 13)
Listed in the order they were announced from last to first

  • The Milk Carton Kids
  • Caitlin Rose
  • Lucero
  • Robert Hunter
  • Gregory Alan Isakov
  • J Roddy Walston And The Business
  • Phox
  • Trampled By Turtles
  • Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
  • Shakey Graves
  • The Devil Makes Three
  • Band of Horses
  • The Oh Hellos
  • Benjamin Booker
  • Death Vessel
  • Nickel Creek
  • Shovels and Rope
  • Hurray for the Riff Raff
  • Jenny Lewis
  • Houndmouth
  • Mavis Staples

Upcoming: Antoinette Montague at Dorthaan's Place on 3/23

This is happening…

For more information and to buy tickets click HERE.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

New Track From Ida Maria


Check out the new track, “Sick Of You”, from Ida Maria.  This is one of those songs that gets stuck in your head.  You’ll find yourself randomly singing it.

Ida Maria released her new EP, Accidental Happiness, on February 18.

The EP showcases every side of her dynamic songwriting from the swaggering saucy swing of “Boogie With The Devil’s Soul” to the prickly, punk-y pop declaration “I’m Bad News”. Simultaneously, the title track exudes entrancing emotion wrapped up in another unshakable refrain.  In late 2012, the artist overcame an overwhelming alcohol addiction, and the music reflects her journey with its striking clarity and realization of true creative fulfillment. Ida Maria has officially returned.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

New Album From John The Conqueror


John The Conqueror released their new album, The Good Life on February 25.  If you haven’t had a listen to this ridiculously good blues rock effort yet, give it a spin. You’ll dig it. The Good Life, quite simply, is your new favorite album.

Stream the track “Waking Up To You” HERE.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Rich Robinson Set To Release New Album


Guitarist and songwriter Rich Robinson is scheduled to release his upcoming solo album, The Ceaseless Sight on June 3 via The End Records.

Check out the first single, “One Road Hill”, below.  The single will be released on April 8.


“I've always approached writing songs for an album as part of a larger work,” says Robinson. “This album as a whole is one piece and how it fits into my whole body of work is the other. My new record follows the path of my musical journey I've been on for 25 years. I feel a strong connection to where I've been musically, but more importantly where I'm going."

Track List

  • I Know You
  • Down The Road
  • One Road Hill
  • The Giving Key
  • This Unfortunate Show
  • In Comes The Night
  • Inside
  • I Have a Feeling
  • I Remember
  • In You
  • Trial and Faith
  • Obscure The Day

Monday, March 10, 2014

Men of North Country Release New Single


Men of North Country, have released “Magic”, the first single from their upcoming double 7” EP, also titled Magic.  The EP is scheduled to be released on March 21.  I’m enjoying this track a lot.

Check out the stream of “Magic” below as well as the video for the track. Footage for the video was taken from their guitarist’s brother’s 1987 Bar-Mitvah.



Friday, March 7, 2014

The Vernons Release New Video


The Vernons released a video for their track “Shake ‘n’ Roll” earlier this week.  The track is from their debut EP, Volume I.  The clip was directed by Scott Corfield.  Check it out below.


Consisting of Jonny Nyst (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), James Nikiforides (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals), Hugh Tait (Bass Guitar/Backing Vocals), and Elliot Gooch (Drums/Backing Vocals), the Vernons have taken all that was great from the vinyl age to craft a new sound since their conception in mid 2011. From their humble beginnings on Queensland's Gold Coast, the 4-piece rock n' roll band quickly found themselves supporting names like Wolfmother & Seasick Steve. The Vernons then earned a spot at the 2013 Big Day Out local stage, with Nova FM labeling the band with "a sound that invoked ghosts of bygone eras, delivering a set well beyond their years and time slot". Following the release of their debut EP - Volume I, the Vernons recently made the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Blues charts with their single "Standing In Line".
 
With a relentless work ethic, the Vernonshave a dominance of their live performance that has developed a cult crowd following of belligerence and debauchery that has ultimately labeled them as one of Australia's most exciting young blues-rock outfits today. Hit single, "Standing In Line" will catch your attention by the first guitar riff, causing you to dance along with the catchy beat throughout the whole three-minute track. "White Wine" airs more on the relaxed side, which will leave the listener hanging on to each lyric that comes out of Nyst's mouth, showcasing his smooth and irresistible vocals.
 
Sculpting their sound from belligerent nights out, hung-over days in, and their parents old vinyl records, lead-singer Nyst tells us, "Volume I is our first EP, but in just 4 songs it basically tells the story of our lives over the past 2 years. Whether they were written just to have fun and party, or to remember meeting a pretty girl at one of our shows, or something much more deep and meaningful, each song is directly related to our journey, working together every day on the road. Obviously, there are good times and there are bad times, and this EP basically captures all those emotions, and tells the tale of a hard working bunch of rock 'n' rollers."


Run River North Release Album + NY Shows


Los Angeles based folk rock band Run River North released their self-titled debut album at the end of February.  Run River North was produced by Phil Ek. Put it on your list of releases to check out sooner rather than later.

They have a couple of shows in New York coming up.  They’ll be at Brooklyn Night Bazaar as part of Pandora Presents on Saturday, April 5.  They’ll then be at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 on Thursday, April 10 but if you don’t have tickets already, you’re going to have to miss that one as it is sold out!

Saturday, April 5
165 Banker Street
Brooklyn, NY

and

Thursday, April 10
196 Allen Street
New York, NY
Doors: 6:30PM / Show: 7:15PM
Tickets: $10 (Sold Out)
21+

Run River North is Alex Hwang (lead vocals, guitars), Daniel Chae (vocals, strings), Jennifer Rim (strings), Joe Chun (bass, vocals), John Chong (drums, vocals) and Sally Kang (vocals, keyboards).

Upcoming: HITS at Cameo Gallery TOMORROW, 3/8

This is happening

Heymoonshaker / Syvia
Saturday, March 8
93 N 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM
21+


...you should definitely go!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

The Soft White Sixties - “Lemon Squeezer” + New Album


The Soft White Sixties released a video for their track “Lemon Squeezer” last month.  The clip was directed by Frank Door.  Check it out below.  

Appetite whetted?  You're in luck; The Soft White Sixties released their album Get Right earlier this week.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Upcoming: England In 1819 To Play Pianos on, 3/9


Sunday, March 9
158 Ludlow Street
New York, NY
Doors: 7PM
Tickets: $8
21+

England in 1819 released their album, Fireball Electric Tomorrow, in September 2013.


England in 1819 is the collaborative project of brothers Andrew and Dan Callaway. Their unique ‘grandwave’ sound uses smooth vocals and soaring french horn as ethereal counterparts to thick synths and pounding beats. The electronics give the atmosphere an underlying pulse, forming danceable grooves that drive chilled airy textures.  
The pair formed England in 1819 in Baton Rouge, expanded into a sprawling chamber pop ensemble and quickly attracted members until at one point the band numbered nine (including an oboe player and an opera singer). After exploring more orchestral and experimental sounds and recording a pair of albums, the brothers began gravitating toward their more electronic elements and streamlined their membership until they found themselves trimmed to the original pair of fraternal nomads. Sequestered in a North Carolina cabin last summer, the brothers wrote and recorded their third full-length, Fireball Electric Tomorrow, a 14-track album featuring smooth vocals and soaring french horn as ethereal counterparts to thick synths and pounding beats, with danceable grooves building into driving rhythmic surges. The band put the finishing touches on the full-length in a studio in Spartanburg, SC, laying vocals and french horn tracks, and releasing the album in September. England in 1819 hit the road with the completed album last fall, and the warm reception prompted a follow-up eight week tour this winter.

Monday, March 3, 2014

The Minutes - “Cherry Bomb”


Check out “Cherry Bomb”, the first track from The Minutes upcoming album.  Live Well, Change Often is scheduled to be released in May via Model Citizen Records.

Upcoming: Danielia Cotton at The Bowery Electric TOMORROW, 3/4


Runaway Dorothy / Jessica Caplan / The Craft
Tuesday, March 4
327 Bowery
New York, NY
Doors: 6:30PM
No Cover
21+

Danielia Cotton released her album, The Gun In Your Hand, in October 2012.