Song of the Day: The Bright Smoke - "Shakedown"

Today we have for you a track from Brooklyn based duo The Bright Smoke. The track, "Shakedown", is the third single from their upcoming full-length album, Terrible Towns. It's scheduled for release on May 5th. "Shakedown" is part slinky, part blues-twang, part sultry, part soulful folk and 100% good. Check out the track below plus details on some upcoming shows.

The Bright Smoke

Oracle Room

Tuesday, May 19

Cameo Gallery

93 N 6th Street

Brooklyn, NY

8PM

Tickets: $8

21+

and

The Bright Smoke

Dolly Spartans / Tomato Dodgers / Shirt/Pants / Yabadum

Friday, June 19

Pianos

158 Ludlow Street

New York, NY

Doors: 6:30PM

Tickets: $10

21+

Track Listing

• Hard Pander
• Like Video
• On Ten
• August/September
• Exit Door
• Shakedown
• Howl
• City On An Island
• Month Six
• Or

Song of the Day: Great Peacock - "Tennessee" + Tour Dates

Today we have for you "Tennessee" from Great Peacock.  They'll be releasing their full-length debut Making Ghosts on May 12.  Check out the track below plus show details.

Great Peacock

Friday, May 1

Mercury Lounge

217 E Houston Street

New York, NY

Doors: 7:30PM

Tickets: $10 adv / $12 dos

21+

Tour Dates

• 4/30 – Washington, DC @ DC9 w/ Apache Relay
• 5/1 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge w/ Apache Relay
• 5/2 - Westhampton Beach, NY @ Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
• 5/5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's
• 5/7 - Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
• 5/8 - Columbus, GA @ The Loft
• 5/9 – Athens, GA @ The Georgia Theatre
• 5/14 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
• 5/30 – Waverly, AL @ This is American Music Showcase at Standard

Upcoming: James Bay To Play The Slipper Room on 6/18 + "Let It Go"

UK singer/songwriter James Bay will be crossing the water to do some shows here in the US.  He'll be in New York at The Slipper Room on Wednesday, June 18 and the following night, June 19 at Mercury Lounge (sold-out).  See below for more details.

To whet your appetite, check out the track "Let it Go" below.  It's from his recently released EP, Let It Go.

James Bay

Wednesday, June 18

The Slipper Room

167 Orchard Street

New York, NY

Doors: 7PM; Show: 8PM

Tickets: $10

21+

Tour Dates

• 6/9         Los Angeles, CA                School Night @ Bardot
• 6/10       Los Angeles, CA                Hotel Café
• 6/18       New York, NY                   Slipper Room
• 6/19       New York, NY                   Mercury Lounge [supporting Asgeir]

James Bay’s “Let It Go” was produced by Jacquire King (Kings of Leon, Of Monsters and Men) and is a heartfelt bookend to a past relationship, which James admits was “super personal and quite hard to write. It outlines the point in a relationship where you think that you should perhaps put it all to bed. We tried it again, and we tried really hard. Maybe we can just be friends and let it go. It’s really honest, and I got something off my chest.” 

Hailing from Hitchin, Hertfordshire, James Bay is a 23 year old singer/songwriter who has had a quick rise to success after he was discovered in early 2013 and later was selected as an opening act for The Rolling Stones at their Hyde Park show in 2013. The same year he released his The Dark of The Morning EP and also opened for Newman, Kodaline, Tom Odell, Beth Orton and will be going on tour with Hozier this fall.

James Bay - "Running"

Check out the new song from James Bay.  The track is called "Running" and can be heard below.  I really dig this guy.

Eatliz - “Miserable”

Israeli indie band, Eatliz, recently released a video for their single, “Miserable”.  The song is from their upcoming album, All of It, which is scheduled for release in early 2014.  The track is seductively dark and captivating.  Check it out below…it's both song and video of the day.

Tel Aviv's indie  rockers  Eatliz are back. After two years in the making, the anticipated third LP "All of It" marks Eatliz's thunderous, fiery return. With hypnotic front-woman Sivan Abelson joining the band, and New York producer Itamar Ziegler (Balkan Beat Box, Pink Noise) on board, "All of It" presents a twist in their already adventurous journey.  

Sonically futuristic yet organic, first single "Miserable" is filled with explosive textures and fiery layers built on a forceful beat, continuing their trend of haunting melodies. Lyrically, the band explores new territories, and have gone deeper and darker than before.

Mount Moriah - “Miracle Temple Holiness”

Mount Moriah released a video for their song “Miracle Temple Holiness” earlier this month.  The clip was directed by Casey Cook. The track can be found on Mount Moriah’s album Miracle Temple which was released back in February.  I love everything about this song...the soulful vocals, the subtle twangy tinge of blues...dare to say, this may be my favorite song of the year.  Check out the video below and enjoy the goodness.

U.S. Royalty Release New Single

DC area band U.S. Royalty released “Blue Sunshine”, the first single and title track from their upcoming album, yesterday.  

“Blue Sunshine” is a luscious piece of psychedelia infused with a sophisticated mix of rhythm, superbly restrained guitars and lone spirit lyrical imagery. The anticipation level for Blue Sunshine just went up another notch.

Blue Sunshine is scheduled to be released in September 2013.

Song of the Day: John Michael Rouchell - "Holler"

John Michael Rouchell (you know, the guy behind MyNameIsJohnMichael) has a new song, "Holler", and I'm really digging it.  I'm going to have this on repeat for a while.  Check out the new song below.  Oh, and head on over to his website; he's being super cool and giving it to you for free! Now, listen and enjoy!

Great Peacock to Release Debut EP in March + Song of the Day

Nashville based band Great Peacock, Andrew Nelson and Blount Floyd, are set to release their self-titled debut on March 5 via This Is American Music.  The moment I heard "Take Me To The Mountain", I was captivated.  Sometimes, a song crawls into your ear, embeds itself in your head and demands that you put it on repeat.  This is one of those songs.

"Take Me To The Mountain" is without a doubt, my Song of the Day.  Check it out for yourself.




Great Peacock Tracklisting:

• Take Me To The Mountain
• Desert Lark
• Sailing
• Family Home
• Bluebird

Song of the Day: Pravada - "Campfire Song"

Today we have for you, "Campfire Song" from Pravada.  This is the third single from their NO! EP. Check out the song HERE.

Song of the Day: Clementine & The Galaxy - "Heart Shaped Box"

Today we have for you "Heart Shaped Box" from Clementine & The Galaxy.  The duo have put their electro spin on the Nirvana classic.  Check it out at the bottom of the post.

Clementine and the Galaxy is a collaboration between acclaimed vocalist Julie Hardy and producer/guitarist Mike MacAllister. With their unique brand of electro pop, you'll be able to hear influences by artists such as Miike Snow, Chairlift, Florence & the Machine and James Blake.

Lead vocalist Julie Hardy is well on her way to becoming one of most in-demand studio recording artists & performers in New York City. In May 2011, she made her national television debut on Saturday Night Live where she performed live with rising star Ellie Goulding and this past August she sang on David Letterman with indie rock star St. Vincent. She has received rave reviews from the New York Times, Time Out New York, Downbeat and Jazz Times.

Producer Mike MacAllister, when not generating C&G's phat beats, works as a composer for films and TV commercials. His tracks have been featured in ads for XBox, Nike, Levis, and many others. His recent film scores for "Freakonomics: The Movie" and "The Spirt of Laxmi" were premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Mike also plays guitar for other NYC up and comers Wishes and Thieves, Young Unknowns, and the Awakening Orchestra.?

Gig Alert!
09/28 - Arlene's Grocery - New York, NY (w/ Futurist)
10/09 - Flux Studios - New York, NY (Video Release Party!)
10/16 - Alphabet Lounge - New York, NY (CMJ)
10/18 - Rockwood Music Hall - New York, NY (CMJ)

Song of the Day: Pravada - "Someone Else"

Today we have for you, "Someone Else" by Pravada.  Check out and grab the song using the handy widget at the bottom of the post.

It has been quite some time since we have heard from Indianapolis trio, PRAVADA. Rising from the ground of Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, Jesse Lee (vocals, guitar), Casey Tennis (drums, keyboards), and Hubert Glover (horns, bass), take on an epic form all of their own. Seven years ago we saw the release of their debut album, Manus Plere, which created an overwhelming buzz about the group in the Indianapolis music scene. Creative differences saw Lee, Tennis and Glover separating themselves from the eight-member Margot, as the issue within the band took it's toll. The three saw this opportunity as a blessing in disguise and forged ahead once again with PRAVADA.

Over the time span of a year and a half, Tennis and Lee prepared a batch of new songs which blend Tennis's refreshing rhythms and Lee's phenomenal knack for writing shimmering pop riffs. The band enlisted a few former bandmates, Andrew Fry and Tyler Watkins, whom shared engineer duties, as Fry co-produced alongside Tennis. PRAVADA had then laid down the tracks for their newest release, which combines their musical and life experiences. Available now is the poignant and catchy No! EP, which serves as a preview of their upcoming full-length, Dirty Looks, due out Fall 2012.

"We look forward to challenging ourselves musically on every recording," says Tennis

PRAVADA has just released their newest single “Someone Else,” with alternately evokes the Cars and the Faint, masterfully interweaving staccato guitar licks with a danceable beat, spearheaded by Lee's deliciously distorted vocals, which sound as if he might have wrapped his microphone in cotton candy.

   Pravada - "Someone Else" by CityBirdPR

Song of the Day: Karima Francis - "Forgiven"

Today we have for you "Forgiven" by UK artist Karima Francis. I happened upon Francis' work when I stumbled upon the music blog Just Music That I Like. Not only did I find a blog I like but, I found an artist I hadn't been privy to and like as well, so thanks for that. The song can be heard at the bottom of the post via the handy little widget embedded down there.

Francis I've learned released released an album, The Author, in 2009 though it seems it can only be found as an import here in the US. You can however find the title track from the record on iTunes as a part of a compilation album. Anyway, according to her website, her new EP Wherever I Go is scheduled for release on May 14 though I'm not sure if that applies to those of us in the US as well.

I'm looking forward to hearing more from this lady. She definitely one of those "why on Earth am I just now hearing about her" artists that I've put on my recommend you check out list.

Forgiven by Karima Francis

"Wherever I Go"

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"

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.

Song of the Day: Cherry La Voix - "Bad Girl"

Last month, I had a chance to check out a sizzlin' performance by Cherry La Voix. One of the songs she performed that evening was "Bad Girl." I'm really diggin' this song! Check out the song HERE and enjoy!

Gig alert: New Yorker's Cherry will be in town raising temperatures at at Gotham Burlesque on Saturday, August 6 at 9:30PM along with a whole host of talented performers. I suggest you buy your tickets now, you won't want to miss it.

Song of the Day: MyNameIsJohnMichael - "Orphan"

New Orleans band, MyNameIsJohnMichael, is releasing a new album this fall. To whet your appetite they're offering a song, "Orphan," from the upcoming release. Grab it below using the handy widget.

We here at QNYC dig this band and highly recommend you go see them when they pass through your neck of the woods. They're a hot, sweaty mess of fun.

Lelia Broussard To Play Rockwood Music Hall, Thursday, 1/20

This Thursday, January 20, Lelia Broussard will play the third and last of her residency shows at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1. She goes on at 8PM and it'll cost ya zip. Yep, that's right, it's FREE. Swing by, have a beverage or three and hear some good music.

Broussard released her new record, Masquerade, this past November. I'm digging it. Perhaps you should check it out. That's what I would do if I were you. That being said, my song of the day, "Hipster Bitch" from the record. Give it a listen using the handy dandy widget below.

Hipster Bitch by MuseBox

My Song Of The Day: Keeley - "In My Dreams"

UK pop singer Keeley released her debut single "In My Dreams" on November 1. Her upcoming record is expected next year. In the meantime, give the single a listen. If your music tastes tilt towards the pop side of the R&B/club sound, check her out via the handy widget below.

'In My Dreams' is a catchy, clubby R&B tune about distant love and fantasy. It is universal, and easy to identify with, whatever your age – though surprisingly enough, according to Keeley herself it is a song about unfulfilled love between an earthling and an alien, one on earth, the other in space. Such love needs dreams in order to exist, as dreams are the only setting where it would be possible for it to grow. This is Keeley's first attempt at recording an original number, that is after years of performing cover songs in an impressive range of styles. From Alicia Keys & Beyonce to Queen, Keeley delivers great vocals, constantly adapting to different atmospheres and energy levels, marking her versatility as an awe-inspiring asset.

Keeley - in My Dreams by Downtown Artists

My Song Of The Day: Hard Nips - "Release It"

Brooklyn based, by way of Nippon, band Hard Nips nabs my song of the day title. The all-girl Japanese rock band released their four song self-titled EP this week via Mixpak Records. Sadly, I had to miss their record relase party this week but I look forward to checking them out live down the line. Check out "Release It" below.

Hard Nips - Release It by Mixpak

Track List

• Release It
• Sun Stroke
• Picture
• Alligator