Athens (Georgia) band Dead Confederate are going on the road. They have a slew of dates in September with Meat Puppets. Then in October, they'll be out with A Place To Bury Strangers. For those of us in the New York area, they'll be at Bowery Ballroom on October 30. Check out their MySpace page for dates elsewhere. They've been busy. They're compiling live material from shows in 2008 - 2009 for digital and possible limited edition vinyl release that in addition to the band's original material will include rarely performed covers.In the meantime, you can grab the acoustic "It Was A Rose" recorded during the Wrecking Ball sessions HERE (save as). And, you can watch the video for "The Rat" from their 2008 full-length debut release Wrecking Ball HERE.
www.myspace.com/deadconfederate
A Fine Frenzy have passed a million followers on Twitter and in celebration? of that, they're giving away a song. Hey, I'm all for any excuse to celebrate, especially when there's free stuff to be had. Visit their website HERE to get "Blow Away" which was recorded live at WKRQ in Cincinnati. "Blow Away" is the new single from their upcoming record A Bomb In A Bird Cage which is scheduled to drop on September 8.
www.afinefrenzy.com
New York based Sean Bones released Rings today, July 21. For those unfamiliar with Sean Bones, they play reggae based indie pop. I'm not normally into anything reggae aside from a few old school things so, it may come as a shock to anyone who knows me that I would like this band. But, I saw them perform at the end of May and they put on a hell of a show and thus the reason I decided to check out the record. Rings is full of laid back summertime listening. The highlights for me are "Dancehall" and "Sugar In My Spoon" the latter of which is a must see live. Live the song is one of those combo "say wha ... well damn" things. That aside, the studio version is just as enjoyable. I'd say if you like your indie pop firmly ensconced in reggae beats, you'll like this record. It'll be the record you throw on late into the barbecue and dance with your friends, drink firmly in hand.If you're in NY, then you have a few chances to catch the band. They're having a record release party at Glasslands in Brooklyn tomorrow, July 22. If you can't make that, they'll be tearing up the LES at Pianos on July 30 and at Mercury Lounge on August 7. So, go check them out. The initiated already know they'll get a good show. Those not in the know, go, you just might find yourself like me, wowed by a killer show.
Track Listing
- Easy Street
- Cry Cry Cry
- Coco
- Act So Casual
- Sugar In My Spoon
- Instigator
- Smoke Rings
- Visions
- Dancehall
- Captain Tying Knots
- Turn Them
www.seanbones.com
www.myspace.com/seanbones
www.tinyurl.com/seanbonesfacebook
The schedule blocks for George Wein's Folk Festival 50 have been announced. Now you can find out when your favorite artists will be performing and on what stage. The iconic granddaddy of festivals takes place on Saturday, August 1 & Sunday, August 2 in Newport, RI.
www.folkfestival50.com/music-cubes.html
Broken Side Of Time, the album from rock band Alberta Cross is due out September 22. But, you can get a taste of the upcoming record now. Check out/stream "Leave Us And Forgive Us" HERE. Nice guys that they are, they're giving it away for FREE too. You can download it from their website or by using the handy little widget below that they so kindly set up.
www.albertacross.net
www.myspace.com/albertacross
Funny People - The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is due to be released on July 28. The movie, Funny People, stars Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience and what happens when the other side isn’t at all what you expect. Eric Bana, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman co-star. The movie will be in theaters July 31.The soundtrack features a stellar line-up of classic pop artists. That being said, I'm not sure why they felt the need to toss in not one, but two songs from the film's star Adam Sandler. To make matters worse, one of the songs he's allowed to "sing" is John Lennon's "Real Love." Granted, the song sounds better than I expected it to but still, it didn't really need to be here. He is definitely the weak link among the tracks. On the other hand co-star Jason Schwartzman's band Coconut Records, whose work I actually like, fairs much better with their two songs especially the catchy "Wires."There's Beatles presence other than that Sandler misstep. Paul McCartney's "Great Day" from my favorite modern day McCartney album Flaming Pie, is the opening track. And in the end ... the album closes out with back to back Beatles. Ringo Starr's "Photograph" a song he co-wrote with George Harrison for his 1973 record Ringo which is followed by an acoustic demo version of John Lennon's "Watching The Wheels."The soundtrack also boast two new live tracks. The first, James Taylor's live on-camera performance of "Carolina In My Mind" in the film and "Jesus, Etc." by Wilco featuring Andrew Bird on violin.Listen to "Jesus, Etc." by Wilco featuring Andrew Bird Here.Listen to "Watching The Wheels" by John Lennon Here.Watch the official Funny People Trailer Here.
Track Listing
- Great Day - Paul McCartney
- Wires - Coconut Records
- All The King's Horses - Robert Plant And The Strange Sensation
- Carolina In My Mind - James Taylor
- Keep Me In Your Heart - Warren Zevon
- Real Love - Adam Sandler
- We - Neil Diamond
- Jesus, Etc. - Wilco featuring Andrew Bird
- George Simmons Soon Will Be Gone - Adam Sandler
- I Am Young - Coconut Records
- Memory - Larry Goldings featuring Maude Apatow
- Numb As A Statue - Warren Zevon
- Photograph - Ringo Starr
- Watching The Wheels - John Lennon
Good news, those CT lads known as Talking To Walls are going on the road again! They've even got a tour name and everything. The Half & Half Tour, snazzy. There's a reason for that particular title though. This tour isn't going to be the full on Talking To Walls assault. These shows will feature half of the band, singer/guitarist Brian Kelly and guitarist Nat Webb, the bands two primary songwriters. The duo are going it alone this time to give fans a stripped down acoustic show. I like acoustic stuff! Does this mean I'll be hearing a rousing acoustic version of "Song For Megan" when I see them? Y'all know I like that song ... a lot! And as luck would have it, or as booking would have it, they're going to swing through NY again! They'll be at Desmond's Tavern on August 15. Here's a list of their dates. Go check them out if they're playing near you. I have it on good authority you'll enjoy yourselves.
Talking to Walls "Half & Half Tour: 2009"
Thursday, July 23
SoNo Caffeine
133 Washington Avenue, Norwalk, CT
203-857-4224
Free, All ages
8pm
Saturday, July 25
33 A Chester Center
Chester, CT
All Ages
9pm
Thursday, July 30
Cafe Nine
250 State Street, New Haven, CT
203-789-8281
9pm
21+
Friday, July 31
Midway Cafe
3496 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
617-524-9038
9pm
21+
Saturday, August 1
TBA
Thursday, August 13
Seaside Tavern
891 Cove Road, Stamford, CT 06902
(203) 964-9225
21+
9:30
Saturday, August 15
Desmond's Tavern
433 Park Avenue South, Manhattan, NY
212-725-9864
21+
9pm
Sunday, August 16
TBA
Monday, August 17
Fire
Philadelphia, PA
267-671-9298
Tuesday, August 18
Asylum
2471 18th Street NW, Washington, DC
202.319.9353
9:30
Wednesday, August 19
Cafe Arabica
164 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07960
201-880-1080
Thursday, August 20
TBA
www.talkingtowalls.com
www.facebook.com/talkingtowalls
twitter.com/talkingtowalls
www.desmondstavern.com
So, I was catching up on my email today and came across one recommending a band to me. That's not an unusual thing. Well, I opened up one sent to me by a street team member about a New York based band called The Ropes. See folks, street teams really do spread the word.
www.theropesonline.com
www.myspace.com/theropes
The schedule blocks for George Wein's CareFusion Jazz Festival 55 have been posted. Now you can find out when your favorite artists will be performing and on what stage. You can start mapping out your day(s)! The festival takes place in Newport, RI and kicks off Friday, August 7 with Chaka Khan and the George Duke Trio, Harold Alden/Anat Cohen Quartet and then kicks into two days (Saturday, August 8 & Sunday, August 9) of jazzy festival goodness.
