Now, Now Every Children Live

Now, Now Every Children: May 4 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Now, Now Every Children made their NYC debut at Mercury Lounge last night. Here are some photos from their set.www.myspace.com/nownoweverychildren

Illinois At Mercury Lounge Tomorrow!

Those men known as Illinois will be tearing it up at Mercury Lounge tomorrow, May 5. Yep, that's right, celebrate Mexican holiday Cinco De Mayo, in NYC with a band from Pennsylvania that carries the name of a Midwestern state. It's the great American melting pot! The show will also serve as a record release party for the deluxe edition of their record The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe. I caught Illinois last November, they're a good band so if you get the chance, go check them out.

And for those who can't get enough of Illinois, they've done a new Daytrotter Session.

www.illinoistheband.com
www.myspace.com/illinois
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
www.daytrotter.com

George Wein's Folk Festival 50

50 years of folk music will be celebrated in Newport, RI, August 1 - 2. Legendary producer George Wein has once again put together a stellar line-up for the festival that has provided music history with many memorable moments. The infamous moment when Bob Dylan plugged in springs to many a mind when you mention folk festivals and Newport. While Dylan won't be in attendance, many other great artists will, including festival co-founder and legendary folk beacon Pete Seeger who will take the stage both nights of the festival. Folk luminary Joan Baez, who was on board for the first festival in 1959, will once again take the stage this year. For all of the hipster indie lovers out there, there's a bevy of "new kids" on the bill carrying the torch and representing the future of folk music. The tradition of bringing many musical styles (gospel, blues, bluegrass, alt-country and Cajun) continues as well. Tickets for George Wein's Folk Festival 50 go on sale this Wednesday.

The Line Up ...

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Pete Seeger
• The Decemberists
• Fleet Foxes
• Gillian Welch
• The Avett Brothers
• Billy Bragg
• Iron & Wine
• Mavis Staples
• Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
• Ramblin’ Jack Elliott
• Ben Kweller
• The Low Anthem
• Tift Merritt
• Brett Dennen
• Tao Rodriguez Seeger
• Langhorne Slim

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Pete Seeger with special guest Judy Collins
• Joan Baez
• Arlo Guthrie
• Neko Case
• The Campbell Brothers
• Josh Ritter
• Elvis Perkins in Dearland
• Tim Eriksen & Shape Note Singers
• The Del McCoury Band
• Guy Clark
• David Rawlings Machine
• Balfa Toujours
• Dala Girls
• Deer Tick
• Joe Pug

www.folkfestival50.com

Around New York ... May 4 - May 10, 2009

Upcoming shows in the New York area ...

May 4 -- Gliss (pictured) / The Takeover UK at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 4 -- The Dears / Great Northern / Eulogies at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
May 5 -- Illinois at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

May 5 -- Gavin Rossdale at Blender Theatre at Gramercy
www.blendertheater.com
May 5 -- Lady Sovereign / Chester French at Highline Ballroom
www.highlineballroom.com
May 5 -- Adele at Roseland Ballroom
www.roselandballroom.com
May 6 -- Gliss / The Takeover UK at Union Hall
www.unionhallny.com
May 6 -- Lady Sovereign / Chester French at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
May 6 -- Harlem Shakes / The Cringe / Sean Bones at Pianos
www.pianosnyc.com
May 6 -- John Doe & Sadies at City Winery
www.citywinery.com
May 7 -- Vetiver / Papercuts / These United States at The Bell House
www.thebellhouseny.com
May 7 -- Franz Ferdinand at Roseland Ballroom
www.roselandballroom.com
May 8 -- Arc Angels at Irving Plaza
www.irvingplaza.com
May 8 -- Chin Chin at Union Pool
www.myspace.com/unionpool
May 9 -- Hot Seconds (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 9 -- The BellRays at The Delancey
www.thedelancey.com
May 9 -- Patti LaBelle at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
May 9 -- Crystal Method / Danger at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
May 9 -- Fastball at City Winery
www.citywinery.com

May 10 -- En Vogue at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
www.bbkingblues.com

Prabir and the Substitutes Plays Spike Hill Tonight

Quick like a bunny, head on over to Spike Hill (Williamsburg Brooklyn) TONIGHT to catch Richmond, VA band Prabir and the Substitutes. They go on around 10pm.

www.myspace.com/prabirandthesubstitutes
www.prabirandthesubstitutes.com
www.spikehill.com

Tori Amos Set To Release New Record

Fans already know this I'm sure, but for those who don't know, singer/songwriter Tori Amos is releasing her 10th studio album. The album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, is set to arrive on May 19. The deluxe version of Abnormally Attracted to Sin will come with a DVD of videos that correspond with each track on the album. The footage was filmed over the past year on HD and Super 8.

In honor of Mother's and Mother's Day, Amos is giving a free MP3 and video download for her song "Maybe California" from the upcoming Abnormally Attracted to Sin. We all like free, so go download "Maybe California."

Click on the image to watch the video.

Track Listing

• Give
• Welcome to England
• Strong Black Vine
• Flavor
• Not Dying Today
• Maybe California
• Curtain Call
• Fire to Your Plain
• Police Me
• That Guy
• Abnormally Attracted to Sin
• 500 Miles
• Mary Jane
• Starling
• Fast Horse
• Ophelia
• Lady in Blue

www.toriamos.com
www.myspace.com/toriamos
www.facebook.com/toriamos

Hot Seconds At Brooklyn Fire Proof Tomorrow!

Look who has a show tomorrow night, May 1. That's right, those local lads Hot Seconds are getting up to some late night fun. They'll be at Brooklyn Fire Proof, The Nut Roaster Studios. Go see 'em!

Stalk 'em all over the place, um, I mean check 'em out in all of the convenient social networking arenas ...

www.hotseconds.net
www.twitter.com/hotseconds
www.myspace.com/hotseconds
www.facebook.com/pages/Hot-Seconds/6225253266

Joan Jett Vinyl Release

Joan Jett and Blackheart Records are releasing her classic record, I Love Rock N' Roll, on vinyl, in May. For those of you who don't already own the vinyl version from back in the day or the grooves are so worn on your copy that you need a new one, now's your chance to get it! They're offering a package deal that lands you the album, baseball jersey (women)/tee shirt (men) and a tote bag. Hey, do men carry tote bags? I'm being serious. Do they? I don't know ... my curious mind begs me to ask such silly questions. At any rate, tote bags are handy accessories, the album rocks and Joan Jett is friggin' bad ass cool. What more can you ask for?

www.blackheart.com
www.myspace.com/joanjettntheblackhearts

On Sale Dates For The Week of April 26

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

On Sale Wednesday, April 29, 2009

June 12 -- The Tallest Man On Earth / John Vanderslice at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 13 -- The Tallest Man On Earth / John Vanderslice at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
July 10 -- The Orb at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
July 11 -- The Orb at Bowery Ball Room
www.boweryballroom.com

On Sale Thursday, April 30, 2009

May 26 -- Those Dancing Days (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
May 31 -- Zee Avi / Amy LaVere at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com


June 18 -- Plus/Minus at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
July 18 -- The Datsuns at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com

On Sale Friday, May 1, 2009

June 5 -- Love Is All at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
June 10 -- Deastro at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
June 25 -- The Lemonheads at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
June 25 -- The Slip at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
July 7 -- Handsome Furs at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
July 21 -- Paolo Nutini (pictured) at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
July 30 -- Destroyer at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
August 6 -- Eagles of Death Metal at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com


September 18 -- Aretha Franklin at Radio City Music Hall
www.radiocity.com

On Sale Saturday, May 2, 2009

June 11 -- Fleetwood Mac at Madison Square Garden
www.thegarden.com
July 3 -- Sonic Youth at United Palace Theatre
www.theunitedpalace.com
July 26 -- Torche / Harvey Milk at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
August 2 -- Kid Rock / Lynyrd Skynyrd at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
www.jonesbeach.com

Blimp: Vertical Hold

Vertical Hold, the new record by Blimp, was brought to my attention a few days ago. So, I gave it listen. This is one of those records I put in my Sunday listening category ... fairly mellow. There's a California alt-country, Gram Parsons vibe going on. This is most evident on the tracks "In Front of Me" and "Jack and Bonneville." "Tiny Tiny" dips its toe into laid back funky waters complete with bluesy slide work. "Sweetheart" is a retro folk jazz number that brings images of dancing barefoot around your screened in back porch with your sweetie, after an evening of watching fireworks and sipping on some sweet tea.

While "Tiny Tiny" initially drew my attention, it's the albums closing track, "Don't Tell Me," that has ended up catching my ear the most. Check it out for yourselves.

"Don't Tell Me"

Track Listing

• Sweetheart
• Tiny Tiny
• Jack & Bonneville
• Taco Taco (or Taco X 2)
• The Saint
• In Front of Me
• Don't Tell Me

www.blimpmusic.com
www.myspace.com/blimpmusic