Saturday, January 30, 2010

Audio Fiction Dazzle At Pianos

Audio Fiction: January 28 @ Pianos, New York, NY


It was a cold Thursday night in NYC and I, your Quirky blogger, decided to take in a show. I made my way down to LES club Pianos to catch New York band Audio Fiction rock out their first show of the new year. Nothing like a good dose of rock 'n' roll to warm you up.

I was introduced to Audio Fiction's music last year when I saw them perform as part of Craic Fest. After that, they became a band I've been keeping my eye on. For those uninitiated, Audio Fiction are a pop rock force de triomphe.

The band, Kristin Wilson Ryan (vocals), Darren Korb (bass), Charles Park (guitar), Mark O'Toole (drums) and special guest Dennis Natal (keyboards) took to the stage and ripped through a spot on set. And, they were cheered on by a bevy of vocal fans.

Ryan looks the part of a cool rock chick and has the vocal power to back it up. The lady has a set of lungs to be reckoned with. She can go from delicate and subtle to sexy and cheeky to an outright classic rock yell without batting an eye. It's as if she has a blend of Ann & Nancy Wilson, Grace Slick and Pat Benatar mixed in with her own dazzling wealth of talent.

The rhythm section of Korb and O'Toole kept a tight pounding beat. They caused me to wiggle about oddly in my attempts at dancing during various points of the show. They work in tandem so well that you got nothing but a flawless dose of tantalizing rhythms. Go on with your bad selves gentleman!

We all know I'm a guitar fan. Holy moly, Park shreds through bit after bit leaving you floored and slightly breathless. The man brings guitar god arena rock playing to the small stage and owns it.

They roared through a solid setlist all of which seemed to be crowd favorites. I was personally tickled to hear "Suffocate," which is my favorite song from their self-titled album, and "Kite High."

It was a terrifically fun show. I was glad to finally get the chance to check out another gig and I look forward to seeing them again!

Minute Tease: "Suffocate"


To hear Audio Fiction for yourselves if you haven't already given them a spin, they're offering a free download. Just visit HERE for some goodies.

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

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Video Paul & The Patients - "Complaint 15"

Brooklyn band Paul & The Patients have debuted their music video for the song "Complaint 15" off their To The Lines EP. The video is kind of trippy! It was directed by Shawn Killebrew. New York, you can catch them live at Union Hall on February 3.



www.myspace.com/paulandthepatients

The Brian Jonestown Massacre MP3 + Tour Dates

The Brian Jonestown Massacre are releasing their tenth album, Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? on February 23. You can check out the track "Let's Go Fucking Mental" below. The band is also embarking on a US tour that'll kick off on May 28. New York, they'll be paying us a visit! They'll be at Webster Hall on June 6.

MP3 Grab: "Let's Go Fucking Mental"

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Tour Dates
  • 5/28: Cabooze, Minneapolis
  • 5/29: Turner Hall, Milwaukee
  • 5/30: Metro, Chicago
  • 5/31: Grog Shop, Cleveland
  • 6/02: Phoenix Concert Hall, Toronto
  • 6/03: La Tulipe, Montreal
  • 6/04: Paradise Rock Club, Boston
  • 6/06: Webster Hall, New York
  • 6/08: TLA, Philadelphia
  • 6/09: 9:30 Club, DC
  • 6/10: Mad Hatter, Cincinnati
  • 6/11: Off Broadway, St Louis
  • 6/13: Bluebird Theater, Denver
  • 6/14: Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City
  • 6/15: Knitting Factory, Boise
  • 6/17: Crystal Ballroom, Portland
  • 6/18: Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver
  • 6/19: Neumos, Seattle
  • 6/21: Fillmore, San Francisco
  • 6/22: Henry Fonda Theater, Los Angeles
www.myspace.com/brianjonestownmassacre
www.brianjonestownmassacre.com

CareFusion Jazz Fest New York Details & Dates For CareFusion Newport Jazz Fest

Last year, New York went without its annual George Wein produced jazz festival for the first time in 37 years. Well, this year, it's back! Today, Wein announced details about the CareFusion Jazz Festival New York and dates for the CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival.

“CareFusion’s continued sponsorship of jazz, including the long-standing event in Newport and now bringing back the festival in New York, is nothing short of a miracle,” said Wein. “Since 1972, fans have been enjoying this celebration of artistic excellence. With CareFusion’s exemplary support for the arts, it reinforces how companies are tying education and community engagement into their business practices.”

The CareFusion Jazz Festival New York will be held June 17 - 26, 2010. Wein, along with his New Festival Productions, LLC, again will produce a 10-day festival that will cover the city with concerts. For the 2010 CareFusion Jazz Festival New York, Wein will be producing concerts in partnership with some of the city’s most unique and culturally significant venues. The venues will include: Carnegie Hall, City Parks Foundation’s Central Park SummerStage, Crotona Park in the Bronx, City Winery, Harlem Stage Gatehouse, The Jazz Gallery, Jazz Standard, (Le) Poisson Rouge, Louis Armstrong House Museum, Music Hall of Williamsburg, Peter Norton Symphony Space, Prospect Park Bandshell: Celebrate Brooklyn, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Studio Museum in Harlem and The Town Hall. Most shows at partner venues will be priced between $15 to $20, making it possible for more music lovers to participate in festival events.

Returning to Rhode Island, the CareFusion Newport Jazz Festival is slated for August 6 - 8, 2010. Last year, the Newport event drew 13,000 attendees.

Updates on artists and venues will be announced at a later date and also found on the festival Web site at www.carefusionjazz.com.

Prepare to get your jazz on folks!

www.carefusionjazz.com

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Corinne Bailey Rae Releases New Album & Announces US Tour Dates

The much anticipated new record from Grammy winning songstress Corinne Bailey Rae was released today, January 26. The Sea, the follow-up to her 2006 self-titled debut, is an intense, emotion filled ride. This is the record you'll put on when you're "goin' through stuff" or "gettin' over stuff." Bailey Rae's vocals are sweet and charming; they're beautiful and skirting the edge of darkness. They're fragile one moment and the next there's a show of inner strength. The highlight of the album for me is "The Blackest Lily."

It has been announced that Bailey Rae will tour North America this Spring. And guess what New Yorkers?! Yep, she's going to pay us a visit. She'll be a Webster Hall on May 3. See below for a list of tour dates.

To promote The Sea, Bailey Rae will be making a number of television appearances. She'll be on Tavis Smiley, January 27; Ellen, January 28 and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on January 29. Also, prior to her just announced tour, she will appear on Late Show with David Letterman, March 1 and Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 8. Check your local listings for appropriate times in your area.

Back in December, I went to see Bailey Rae at Hiro Ballroom. She was doing one of a handful of live previews of The Sea. That show was recorded for PBS' Live From The Artists Den which will air in the Spring. But, in celebration of the record release, four songs from the performance will be featured on the free online video service Hulu beginning today. Check it out below.



Corinne Bailey Rae – Spring 2010 North American Tour

4/9 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
4/11 Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre

4/12 Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre
4/15 San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
4/17 Indio, CA @ Coachella Music and Arts Festival
4/22 Chicago, IL @ Vic Theatre
4/28 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
4/30 Boston, MA @ House of Blues
5/1 Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
5/3 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
5/11 Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
5/13 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club

5/14 Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live

If you haven't already bought The Sea, you can check out what you're missing. Both AOL and MSN are hosting listening parties.

AOL Listening Party:
music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/2


MSN Listening Party:
music.msn.com/music/listeningbooth

Track Listing
  • Are You Here
  • I'd Do It All Again
  • Feels Like The First Time
  • The Blackest Lily
  • Closer
  • Love's On Its Way
  • I Would Like To Call It Beauty
  • Paris Nights/New York Mornings
  • Paper Dolls
  • Diving For Hearts
  • The Sea
www.corinnebaileyrae.net
twitter.com/CorinneBRae

On Sale Dates For The Week of January 24

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

On Sale Wednesday, January 27

March 11 -- Yacht at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com

On Sale Friday, January 29

March 4 -- Cage The Elephant at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
March 29 - 30 -- She & Him at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 3 -- B
ob Schneider (pictured) at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 9 -- F
lorence & The Machine at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
April 17 -- Surprise Me Mr. Davis at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com


April 19 -- The Flaming Lips at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
April 20 -- Sweet Apple at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 27 -- The Reverend Horton Heat / Cracker / Miss Derringer at Highline Ballroom
highlineballroom.com
June 16 -- The National at Radio City Music Hall
www.radiocity.com

On Sale Saturday, January 30

April 3 -- Stereo Skyline at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
June 29 -- Passion Pit at Prospect Park Bandshell
tinyurl.com/yd9m8ue

Video: The Heavy - "How You Like Me Now" & "Sixteen" On Iggy Music

Because I'm still miserably depressed that I was too sick to go see them while they were in town (and looking sadly at the unused ticket taped to my wall); I'm nursing my sadness with a good dose of video. The bad ass UK band known as The Heavy were all over the place while they were in town. One of the stops they made was to Iggy Music. Check out the videos below of "How You Like Me Now?" & "Sixteen" and witness the bad assery of The Heavy.



www.theheavy.co.uk
twitter.com/theheavy
www.myspace.com/theheavy73

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Dawn Landes Kicks Up Her Heels At Mercury Lounge

Dawn Landes and the Hounds: January 22 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY


This past Tuesday, indie folk singer-songwriter Dawn Landes released her new album Sweet Heart Rodeo. That my friends calls for a celebration! What better way for a chick to celebrate her new record than to kick up her heels and rock?!

There was hay, albeit a small amount. Apparently, the good folks over at Mercury Lounge don't like hay all over their floor. There were special guests, Josh Ritter. There were hula hoops and birthdays, Landes friend Erin, sorry if I've gotten your name wrong, but Happy Birthday! There were even giant standing chandeliers. And, in the middle of it all was the smiling, quirky, sweet as sugar Dawn Landes.

Landes took the stage and instantly, things became a party. She rocked her way through a rollicking set charming the enthusiastic crowd the whole time. Landes is one of those performers that you can't help but like. She has this sweet charming quality that beckons you to have fun, smile and cheer her on. Add to that the giant wallop of talent to knock your socks off and Landes makes sure you leave happy. Hers is definitely a show you should check out if you like good music and fun.

"I Don't Need No Man"


"Fox On The Run" w/Josh Ritter


www.dawnlandes.com
www.myspace.com/dawnlandes

All photos © L. R. Adams

Uncle Monk At Mercury Lounge

Uncle Monk: January 22 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Tommy Ramone and Claudia Tienan, better known as Uncle Monk, took to the Mercury Lounge stage. They served up a down home set of bluegrass and folk.

"Name Of The Game"


www.unclemonk.com
www.myspace.com/unclemonk

Friday, January 22, 2010

April Smith To Release Songs For A Sinking Ship, 2/23

Brooklyn based singer-songwriter April Smith is set to release her new record Songs For A Sinking Ship on February 23. I first became familiar with Smith when I came across her EP Live From The Penthouse in 2008 and was instantly hooked on "Wow and Flutter" and "Colors." Those of you who have somehow missed hearing Smith's work, she's a terrifically fun, jazzy, quirky and sassy. For a taste of April Smith and the Great Picture Show, check out the insanely catchy "Colors" below. I look forward to getting my hands on Songs For A Sinking Ship.

Also, Smith is on the road. Alas, there are no current NYC dates. She's one of those artists that every time she plays in town, I manage to miss. It's like some great jinx! Check her website for dates near you. She's doing shows through mid-February with Langhorne Slim and finishing up February on the road with Fanfarlo.

MP3 Grab: "Colors"

www.myspace.com/aprilsmithmusic
www.aprilsmithmusic.com

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Anna Rose To Play The Bitter End Tomorrow, 1/22

Singer, songwriter and guitarist Anna Rose will be rocking out tomorrow night, Friday, January 22. She'll be at the legendary Greenwich Village rock club The Bitter End at 10 PM. For those who are unfamiliar, Rose plays a mix of rock, pop and blues. Check out "Picture" from her self-titled EP that was released this past September and be on the lookout for the spring release of her full-length record, Nomad this spring. Stop by and check her out tomorrow.

MP3 Grab: "Picture"

myspace.com/annarosemusic

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

On Sale Dates For The Week of January 17

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

On Sale Wednesday, January 20

February 17 -- Daniel Lanois' Black Dub at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
March 4 -
- Tally Hall at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
May 1 -- The
Joy Formidable at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

On Sale Friday, January 22

February 6 -- Hot Chip at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.m
usichallofwilliamsburg.com
March 4 -- Mayer Hawthorne & The County at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
May 20 -- Josh Ritter (pictured) at Town Hall
www.the-townhall-nyc.org
June 6 -- Brian Jonestown Massacre at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Seeing Jazz with George Wein + Anat Cohen, Howard Alden & Gene Bertoncini, 1/21

Take a musical journey at SEEING JAZZ with NEA Jazz Master George Wein as he shows images from his extensive historic photo album and shares anecdotes about his life in jazz on Thursday, January 21, at 7:30 pm at Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, in Manhattan. The world-renowned jazz impresario also welcomes clarinetist Anat Cohen and guitarists Howard Alden and Gene Bertoncini, who perform in the intimate setting of this Upper Westside theater.

Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 Day of Show; $20 for Members. For more information and tickets, call (212) 864-5400 or visit www.symphonyspace.org.

Audio Fiction To Play Pianos, Thursday, 1/28

New York rockers Audio Fiction are taking the stage over at Pianos on Thursday, January 28. If you look around, you'll see me there! The show's at 9pm and it'll cost ya 8 bucks ... it's budget friendly folks! If that's not enough for you, the band is offering a complimentary (that's FREE for folks who don't like big words) download. So, click HERE for some goodies.

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

El May Releases Self-Titled Record + MP3

Lara Meyerratken, who performs under the moniker El May, released her self-titled record today, January 19. The Australian native, LA resident has put together a record of life, love and lose. You can check out "Don't You" which features backing vocals from Matthew Caws of Nada Surf and Khaela Maricich of The Blow below. 500 hand screened copies of El May are available through elmayforever.com and CD Baby.

MP3 Grab: "Don't You"

www.elmayforever.com
www.myspace.com/el_may

Dawn Landes To Play Mercury Lounge, Friday, 1/22 + MP3

Dawn Landes will be taking the stage at Mercury Lounge this Friday, January 22. Landes has a new record out, Sweet Heart Rodeo. You can check out "Young Girl" from the record below. Swing on by if you're on the LES this Friday and check her out.

MP3 Grab: "Young Girl"

www.dawnlandes.com
www.myspace.com/dawnlandes

Monday, January 18, 2010

Around New York ... January 18 - January 24, 2010

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

January 18 -- Vagina Panther / Descender / Queen of Quartz / The Earaches at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
January 19 -- Prefuse 73 / Gaslamp Killer / Voices Voices at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
January 19 -- Dave Mason at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com
January 20 -- Little Grey Girlfriend / Ervin Stellar / Maya Solovey at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
January 20 -- Plates of Cake / The Waylons / Desert Stars at Bruar Falls
www.bruarfalls.com
January 21 -- Darlings / Lonnie Walker / Motel Motel / Gunfight! at Union Pool
www.myspace.com/unionpool
January 21 -- Lightspeed Champion / Brahms / Spacecamp at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
January 21 -- Vetiver / Avi Buffalo / Inlets at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com
January 22 -- Clara Lofaro at Blue Note
www.bluenote.net
January 22 -- Alice Smith at Joe's Pub
www.joespub.com
January 23 -- Heloise & The Savoir Faire at Brooklyn Bowl
www.brooklynbowl.com
January 23 -- Charlotte Gainsbourg at Hiro Ballroom
www.hiroballroom.com
January 23 -- Action Painters / New Madrid / Hank and Cupcakes / Old Wives at Cake Shop
cake-shop.com
January 23 -- Nick Oliveri / Goes Cube / Weird Owl at Pianos
www.pianosnyc.com

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Upcoming Releases, Compiled January 13

Swedish band Sambassadeur are scheduled to release their third record, European, on February 23. I've had a chance to check it out. It's a shiny, orchestrated, hook filled, pop extravaganza. I'm enjoying this one right now.

Track Listing
  • Stranded
  • Days
  • I Can Try
  • Forward Is All
  • Albatross
  • High and Low
  • A Remote View
  • Sandy Dunes
  • Small Parade
www.sambassadeur.com
www.myspace.com/sambassadeurtheband




UK indie label Moshi Moshi Records will be making its foray into the US market with two upcoming releases this spring.

The vocally beautiful full length debut Yeah, So from Slow Club will hit these shores. This is certainly one to check out if your listening pleasures lean more towards the more folkier (Is that a word? Probably not if I had to ask!) sounds.


Track Listing
  • When I Go
  • Giving Up On Love
  • I Was Unconscious, It Was A Dream
  • It Doesn't Have To Be Beautiful
  • There Is No good Way To Say I'm Leaving You
  • Trophy Room
  • Because We're Dead
  • Dance Till The Morning Light
  • Sorry About The Doom
  • Come On Youth
  • Apples And Pairs
  • Our Most Brilliant Friends
The other release is a double CD from The Wave Pictures which will be comprised of their two most recent UK releases If You Leave It Alone and Instant Coffee Baby.

myspace.com/slowclub
myspace.com/thewavepictures
www.moshimoshimusic.com



Raleigh, NC group Annuals are making their return with the release of their Sweet Sister EP on March 30. They'll also embark on a tour in support of it this spring. So we have a couple of things to look forward to.

Track Listing
  • Loxtep
  • Turncloaking
  • Sweet Sister
  • Holler and Howl
  • Flesh and Blood
www.annualsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/annuals

On Sale Dates For The Week of January 10

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

On Sale Thursday, January 14


March 15 -- Hockey at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 20 -- The Thermals at Brooklyn Bowl
www.brooklynbowl.com

On Sale Friday, January 15

February 16 -- Trey Anastasio and Classic Tab at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
February 19 --
Wakey! Wakey! / Harper Blynn at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
March 2 --
Cage The Elephant at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
March 11-13, 15-16, 18-20 -- The Allman Brothers Band at United Palace
www.bowerypresents.com/event/4068
March 12 -- The Craic Festival featuring The Tossers / Demolition / The Mighty Stef at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
March 13 -- The Craic Festival featuring Paddy Casey / Mark Geary / Duke Spe
cial / And So I Watched You From Afar at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
March 20 -- The Disco Biscuits at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
March 23 -- Black Lip
s at Brooklyn Bowl
www.brooklynbowl.com
March 24 -- Black Lips at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 10 -- Blue October at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.c
om
April 14 -- The Low Anthem (pictured) at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryb
allroom.com
April 15 -- Kaki King at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musich
allofwilliamsburg.com
April 16 -- Kaki King at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 29 -- Rodrigo Y Gabriela at Radio City Music Hall
www.radiocity.com

On Sale Saturday, January 16

March 26 -- Spoon at Radio City Music Hall
www.radiocity.com

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Around New York ... January 11 - January 17, 2010

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

Januar
y 11 -- Zlam Dunk (pictured) at Pianos
www.pianosnyc.com
January 12 -- Joy Formidable / Morning Fuzz / Locksley at Pianos
www.pianosnyc.com
January 13 -- Still Life Still / Hypernova at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
January 13 -- Jennings / Charlene Kaye / Libbie Schrader / Orion Experience at Pianos
www.pianos
nyc.com
January 14 -- The Hotrats / The Heavy at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
January 14 -- Grant Hart / Oberhofer / Sisters at Cake Shop
cake-shop.com
January 14 - 15 -- Julian Casablancas at Terminal 5
www.termi
nal5nyc.com
January 16 -- The Heavy (pictured) / James Dean Wells at 92Y Tribeca
www.92y.org
January 16 -- Dweezil Zappa at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
January 16 -- Spacehog / Unisex Salon / Sing Orpheus at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
January 16 -- The Dreamscapes Project at National Underground
www.thenationalunderground.com

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Doppelgänger Unleash A Torrant Of Raw Power

Doppelgänger: January 6 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY


New York rock duo Doppelgänger were the third act to take the stage at Mercury Lounge last night. While there were two other bands playing after them, I chose to end my night after their set. And, I couldn't ask for a better closer.

First things first, why am I just now hearing these guys?! Holy cannoli Batman! My mind was on the verge of being completely blown. Doppelgänger, for lack of a better description, tore it up!

How would I describe the band? Doppelgänger are minimal in instruments, guitar and drums, yet colossal in sound. They're full of raw primal goodness that demands you move your body. Going by the incredible amount of blurry photos I took of them, move my body did!

New York, they'll be in Brooklyn on Monday, February 22 at Cameo Gallery. You need to hear Doppelgänger live. When you do, don't be surprised when you find yourself in lust with them.

www.myspace.com/Doppelgangerisyourfriend