The London Souls: February 9 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY
The London Souls took to the Mercury Lounge stage for the final night of their residency.
I caught two of the three residency shows and I'm officially hooked. These cats rock hard. They aren't some bullshit band of pretenders. They're straight up, all up in your face, real deal rock 'n' roll.It may be winter out but you'd never know it from the confines of the Mercury Lounge with The London Souls busy burning up the stage! When you walk away from a show a hot sweaty mess, you know it's been a good one. The place was packed full of enthusiastic fans ... some more enthusiastic than others. There was a whole lotta booty shakin' goin' on. There was flying hair ... still trying to figure out how the girl behind me managed to whip her hair in my mouth. Yeah, lets not think about that! There was the overly energetic guy flailing about ... my poor toes will never be the same. And through it all, The London Souls blazed through a tight set.Kiyoshi (bass/vocals) and Chris (drums/vocals) are one of the tightest rhythm sections I've witnessed at a rock show in a good while. And Tash (guitar/vocals), good gosh almighty, the man is just one of th
ose special guitarist that you need to hear live. Think a cross between Son Seals, Clapton, Hendrix & Page ... yeah, that kind of special. All, three displayed their solid rock 'n' soul vocals in fine form. The London Souls had already won me over. Heck, they did that way back when, when I came across their MySpace page and experienced their music. Seeing them live just cemented it. Last week they gave a wicked cover of "Stay With Me" that rivaled the original. And then, last night, they gave us an encore where they proceeded to rocked the hell out of "Lucille" like nobody's business. Between that and their own songs, it was one heck of a ride! Game, set, match, ladies and gentleman, The London Souls have moved to official favorite local band status. 
www.myspace.com/thelondonsouls
www.thelondonsouls.com
Tickets go on sale this week for upcoming shows in the New York Area.
On Sale Wednesday, February 10
March 2 -- Locksley at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
On Sale Thursday, February 11
March 10 -- 
April Smith & The Great Picture Show (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
On Sale Friday, February 12
March 24 -- Groove Armada at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
April 9 -- Ben Folds at Wellmont Theatre
www.wellmonttheatre.com
April 21 -- Bad Lieutenant at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
May 8 - 9 -- Jonsi at Terminal 5
www.terminal5nyc.com
May 19 -- Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band at Town Hall
www.the-townhall-nyc.org
June 3 - 5 -- Galactic at Brooklyn Bowl
www.brooklynbowl.com
On Sale Saturday, February 13
March 31 -- The Whigs / Band Of Skulls at Bowery Ballroom
www.boweryballroom.com
April 1 -- The Whigs / Band Of Skulls at Music Hall of Williamsburg
www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com
May 3 -- Corinne Bailey Rae (pictured) at Webster Hall
www.websterhall.com
Citizen Cope has a new record out. The RainWater LP, is now available digitally. It will physically be available starting March 2. This release marks Citizen Cope's first new record in nearly 4 years and it is also the first release via his own label RainWater Recordings.You can stream the The RainWater LP in its entirety HERE.
MP3 Grab: "Healing Hands"
www.CitizenCope.com
www.facebook.com/citizencope
www.myspace.com/citizencope
www.twitter.com/citizencope
Connecticut rockers Talking To Walls will be unleashing their new record, We Were Not So Tall soon! It'll be released on March 30 to the world at large. But, if you pre-order the record directly from the bands website, www.talkingtowalls.com, before Tuesday, February 16, you get to be among those that experience the records early release. Plus, you'll get a little extra something. Say wha? Good music and goodies?! Well dang wow!I've had the chance to hear most of the songs from the record live. The songs are good and you're gonna enjoy the record. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead order it. Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Imagine your sweethearts surprise when you say, "honey, I ordered you the new Talking To Walls record" ... guaranteed lovin'! Okay, maybe not, but you'll have the bands appreciation.
www.talkingtowalls.com
www.myspace.com/talkingtowalls
www.facebook.com/talkingtowalls
www.twitter.com/talkingtowalls
Artists have been announced for the 2010 Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. The four day music festival will be held June 10 - 13 in Manchester, TN, 60 miles south of Nashville. Tickets are on sale now exclusively at www.bonnaroo.com.
Confirmed Artists:
- Dave Matthews Band
- Kings of Leon
- Stevie Wonder
- Jay-Z
- Tenacious D
- Weezer
- The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform "Dark Side of the Moon"
- The Dead Weather
- Damian Marley & Nas
- Phoenix
- Norah Jones
- Michael Franti & Spearhead
- John Fogerty
- Regina Spektor
- Jimmy Cliff
- LCD Soundsystem
- The Avett Brothers
- Thievery Corporation
- Rise Against
- Tori Amos
- The National
- Zac Brown Band
- Les Claypool
- John Prine
- The Black Keys
- Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
- Jeff Beck
- Dropkick Murphys
- She & Him
- Against Me!
- The Disco Biscuits
- Daryl Hall & Chromeo
- Jamey Johnson
- Clutch
- Bassnectar
- Kid Cudi
- Baaba Maal
- Kris Kristofferson
- Medeski Martin & Wood
- The xx
- GWAR
- Dan Deacon Ensemble
- Tinariwen
- Wale
- Deadmau5
- The Melvins
- Gaslight Anthem
- Miike Snow
- Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Dr. Dog
- They Might Be Giants
- Punch Brothers
- Isis
- Blitzen Trapper
- Blues Traveler
- Miranda Lambert
- Calexico
- OK Go
- Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
- Martin Sexton
- Lotus
- Baroness
- Dave Rawlings Machine
- Mayer Hawthorne and the County
- Japandroids
- Jay Electronica
- Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
- Ingrid Michaelson
- The Dodos
- Manchester Orchestra
- The Temper Trap
- Cross Canadian Ragweed
- Big Sam's Funky Nation
- Carolina Chocolate Drops
- Tokyo Police Club
- The Entrance Band
- Local Natives
- Brandi Carlile
- Mumford & Sons
- Rebelution
- Diane Birch
- Monte Montgomery
- Julia Nunes
- The Postelles
- Lucero
- Here We Go Magic
- Hot Rize
- Neon Indian
- B.O.B
- Needtobreathe
www.bonnaroo.com
New York based theatre group Studio Six will take their performance of ...the itsy bitsy spider... to Bridgeport's The AmFab Art + Design Center. For two weekends, the group will transform Easton artist Paul Kaiser's studio into an intimate setting for shows. The dates are Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6; they end their run the following weekend, Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 12. All shows begin at 7 pm, doors at 6 pm. ...the itsy bitsy spider... is based on an original adaptation of Dostoevsky's "Demons." Studio Six premiered the play this fall in New York at The Baryshnikov Arts Center. Created specifically for Studio Six, ...the itsy bitsy spider... will be directed by Alexandre Marine, a nationally recognized "Distinguished Artist of Russia."The play revolves around a controversial chapter of Dostoevsky's novel that was censored for decades in Russia. The events of this repressed chapter permeate the action and events of the entire novel - and has been the springboard for this production.
1069 Connecticut Ave, Building 4, 4th Floor
Bridgeport, CT Free Parking For more information or ticket purchases, call 800-838-3006, or purchase online HERE
www.studiosixnyc.org
Norwegian songstress Hanne Hukkelberg is gearing up for shows here in New York this week. Fans are in for a treat as she's doing two shows here. She'll be at The Bell House in Brooklyn on Friday, February 12. The following night, Saturday, February 13, she'll be on the LES at Mercury Lounge. Swing 'round to one or both of the shows and check her out.
Hukkelberg, released her third album, Blood From A Stone, last year. She co-produced the effort with her long-term collaborator Kåre Vestrheim. Check out the title track from the album below.
hannehukkelberg.com
www.myspace.com/hannehukkelberg
The first set of Fela Kuti reissues are now available via Knitting Factory Records. The "Chop 'N Quench" batch contains a total of 9 albums, all re-mastered and re-released in digi-packs with their original artwork. These works represent the earliest period of the late Nigerian, Afrobeat legend's work from 1969 - 1974. The releases are available in digital, physical and deluxe versions HERE. Check out the handy widget below to stream a four song sampler.
6 digi-pack CDs featuring original artwork, including:
- Koola Lobitos/The '69 L.A. Sessions
- Live With Ginger Baker
- London Scene/Shakara
- Roforofo Fight (+2 Singles)
- Open & Close/Afrodisiac
- Gentleman/Confusion
New Yorkers, it's time to get your party on! There's going to be a record re-release party on Wednesday, February 17 at the Knitting Factory. Y'all know where that is, that's over in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. So, head on over to celebrate the re-release of Kuti's first 9 albums.
www.fela.net
www.hymnsband.com
I caught two of the three residency shows and I'm officially hooked. These cats rock hard. They aren't some bullshit band of pretenders. They're straight up, all up in your face, real deal rock 'n' roll.
ose special guitarist that you need to hear live. Think a cross between Son Seals, Clapton, Hendrix & Page ... yeah, that kind of special. All, three displayed their solid rock 'n' soul vocals in fine form.
April Smith & The Great Picture Show (pictured) at Mercury Lounge
Citizen Cope has a new record out. The RainWater LP, is now available digitally. It will physically be available starting March 2. This release marks Citizen Cope's first new record in nearly 4 years and it is also the first release via his own label RainWater Recordings.
Connecticut rockers Talking To Walls will be unleashing their new record, We Were Not So Tall soon! It'll be released on March 30 to the world at large. But, if you pre-order the record directly from the bands website, www.talkingtowalls.com, before Tuesday, February 16, you get to be among those that experience the records early release. Plus, you'll get a little extra something. Say wha? Good music and goodies?! Well dang wow!
New York based theatre group Studio Six will take their performance of ...the itsy bitsy spider... to Bridgeport's The AmFab Art + Design Center. For two weekends, the group will transform Easton artist Paul Kaiser's studio into an intimate setting for shows. The dates are Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6; they end their run the following weekend, Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 12. All shows begin at 7 pm, doors at 6 pm. 
Norwegian songstress Hanne Hukkelberg is gearing up for shows here in New York this week. Fans are in for a treat as she's doing two shows here. She'll be at The Bell House in Brooklyn on Friday, February 12. The following night, Saturday, February 13, she'll be on the LES at Mercury Lounge. Swing 'round to one or both of the shows and check her out.
The first set of Fela Kuti reissues are now available via Knitting Factory Records. The "Chop 'N Quench" batch contains a total of 9 albums, all re-mastered and re-released in digi-packs with their original artwork. These works represent the earliest period of the late Nigerian, Afrobeat legend's work from 1969 - 1974. The releases are available in digital, physical and deluxe versions HERE. Check out the handy widget below to stream a four song sampler.
www.fela.net
9 -- The London Souls (pictured) / Hymns at Mercury Lounge
The Watson Twins / Hanne Hukkelberg / La Strada at Bell House