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

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

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.musichallofwilliamsburg.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

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

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

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

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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

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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 Special / 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 Lips 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.com
April 14 -- The Low Anthem (pictured) at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 15 -- Kaki King at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.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