Carter Hulsey To Play Free Show @ Arlene's Grocery 3/8

Singer-songwriter Carter Hulsey will be taking the stage at Arlene's Grocery, Monday, March 8. The Joplin, MO based Hulsey has been signed to Loveway Records and recently completed an album produced by Ed Rose. The first single from the record will be released late spring. Swing by and check him out. You can't say you're too broke for the cover charge so that will be no excuse for not showing up!

Who: Carter Hulsey
When: March 8 @ 7pm
Where: Arlene's Grocery, 95 Stanton Street, NYC
FREE

www.myspace.com/carterhulsey

Album Review: April Smith And The Great Picture Show - Songs For A Sinking Ship

Retro, sassy, fun and quirky, those are the words that spring to mind when listening to the new record by April Smith and the Great Picture Show. Songs For A Sinking Ship, for all of it's whimsical fun is a sophisticated work piece of work.

Smith has all of the ingredients to make a top notch album and that's just what she did. There is good songwriting, good musicians and killer vocals. One minute Smith is swinging, the next she's doing a torch song, the next she's pulling off a 40's style "girl" singer song. There are a wealth of instruments and good old fashioned hand claps on the record to the create the delightfully retro sound. There's organ, horns, accordion, Mellotron, suitcases, ukulele and did I hear a kazoo? Did I?

Wakey!Wakey! Album Release Party, 2/20

New York band Wakey!Wakey! are having an album release party this Saturday, February 20 at Mercury Lounge. The album, Almost Everything I Wish I'd Said The Last Time I Saw You, was released on Family Records. You can stream the album below so you'll be ready to sing-a-long when you get to the show.

Wakey!Wakey! Album Release
Saturday 2/20, 8pm @ Mercury Lounge
Tickets: HERE
21+, $14 w/ Harper Blynn

www.wakeywakeymusic.com
www.myspace.com/wakeywakeymusic
twitter.com/WakeyWakey
thefamilyrecords.com/wakeywakey

Lawrence Arabia Set To Release New Record + MP3

The new record from New Zealand’s Lawrence Arabia is scheduled to be released March 9. The record, Chant Darling, is being released on Bell Union Records via the Yep Rock Label Group. The first single from the record, "Apple Pie Bed" received the Silver Scroll award, New Zealand's highest songwriting honor, this past September. Check out the video for the single below.

about Lawrence Arabia:

A former member of bands like The Ruby Suns (Sub Pop), The Brunettes and The Reduction Agents as well as a touring member of Okkervil River, Lawrence Arabia – the savant-like songwriting alter ego of James Milne -- is shedding his sideman status and stepping alone into the bright light of the U.S. music scene with Chant Darling. The album is his first full-length on Bella Union, the UK-based label credited with discovering hallmark influencers Fleet Foxes, Midlake, Beach House and Explosions in the Sky among others.

"Apple Pie Bed"

Track Listing

• Like a Fool
• The Undesirables
• Apple Pie Bed
• Auckland CBD Part Two
• The Beautiful Young Crew
• Eye A
• The Crew of the Commodore
• Fine Old Friends
• I've Smoked Too Much
• Dream Teacher

MP3 Grab: "Apple Pie Bed"

www.myspace.com/lawrencearabia
twitter.com/lawrencearabia

Video: Corinne Bailey Rae Premieres "Paris Nights/New York Mornings"

Corinne Bailey Rae released a video for her song "Paris Nights/New York Mornings" today. It's the second video from her recently released record The Sea. Check out the video below.

Oh, and New Yorkers, don't forget she's going to pay us a visit. She'll be at Webster Hall on May 3.

The Sea entered The Billboard 200 at No. 7, selling upwards of 53,000 copies in its first week of release. The album was also #2 on the R&B album chart, #3 on the digital album chart and #6 on the internet album chart. Corinne will return to the States for appearances on “Late Show with David Letterman” (March 1st), “Jimmy Kimmel Live” (March 8th) and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” (April 4th).

www.corinnebaileyrae.net
twitter.com/CorinneBRae

The White White Lights To Release Debut EP

Austin band The White White Lights are releasing their debut EP, Medium Head Boy, on February 27 via Indierect Records with a full-length record available in April. For some reason, the lead song on the EP reminds me of the B-52's if they were a bit harder rockin'. The album should certainly satisfy those of us who have dance rock needs. Vocalist Jenny Gacy leads us through a lyrical whirlwind with more than capable vocals.

The White White Lights have become known for tearing down the house during their intense live shows. The haunting vocals and raw, introspective lyrics of Jenny Gacy collide with Deluxe Peroux's masterful production and intoxicating swirls of guitar build-ups to create half whispered and half screamed walls of sound. The precision and potency provided by the band's core, Daxter McGarnigle on bass and Davy Hamrick on drums, brings a firm foundation to let the sound expand continuously throughout their sets.

Just as they rarely repeat a set list, experimentation and diversity are a foundation of their writing, yielding an uncommonly large catalog from their weekly recording sessions that assemble a mountain of sound from raw beauty and musicianship rather than overdubs.

www.myspace.com/thewhitewhitelights
www.facebook.com/thewhitewhitelights

Video: The Phenomenal Handclap Band - "Baby"

The Phenomenal Handclap Band have released a new video for their song "Baby," a smooth back in the day sounding groove. The video was directed by Steven Agnew. I feel like I've taken a trip in the Wayback Machine and witnessing a movie trailer for a 70's horror flick. Check it out below.

Band member Sean Marquand said about the filming of the video, "we went upstate to our friend Paddy's house, which was incredible, but the surreal serial killer aspect colored everyone's mood. Even when we weren't filming, there seemed to be someone sneaking up on us in the forest. The video reflects some of the highs and lows of our weekend. There's kinship and celebration there but there's also an underlying paranoia attached to being at such a remote location."

New York, The Phenomenal Handclap Band are doing a free show over at Brooklyn Bowl on February 21. They put on a fun show. What more can you ask for? A fun show, for free at a bowling ally!

Tour Dates:

• 2/21 Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bowl (FREE SHOW)
• 3/03 Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute
• 3/04 Leeds, UK - A Nation of Shopkeepers
• 3/05 Glasgow, SCOTLAND - Captain's Rest
• 3/06 Liverpool, UK - Kazimier
• 3/07 Nottingham, UK - Bodega Social Club
• 3/09 London, UK - Cargo
• 3/11 Bristol, UK - Start the Bus
• 3/12 Brighton, UK - Coalition

www.myspace.com/phenomenalhandclap
twitter.com/PhenomHandclap

Kate Miller-Heidke To Release US Debut Record + MP3

Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke is set to release her US debut record, Curiouser, on March 16. For those of us who like to check out live shows, she's also hitting the road. She'll show New York some love when she plays Joe's Pub on March 15. If you miss her then, you'll still have the opportunity to see her as she'll be back in town with Ben Folds. They will be playing Town Hall on April 12 & 13. Check out the MP3 "Politics In Space" below as well as the video for "Caught In The Crowd."

“We had no songs," she said. "What we had was a huge burst of inspiration. We went into this album with a vision. We mapped out how we wanted it to sound; the aesthetic, the spirit of it. Experimental, hooky, unashamedly pop . . . we wanted to exploit everything that's unique about my music.”

“We” includes Kate’s partner in life and music, husband/guitarist/collaborator Keir Nuttall.

Recording with Los Angeles producer Mickey Petralia (Beck, Peaches, eels, Dandy Warhols), who had the right mix of humor, enthusiasm and weird old electronic stuff to offer the new tunes, Miller-Heidke, Nuttall, bassist Ben McCarthy and drummer Steve Pope spent two months crafting Curiouser. With his strict 4pm to 4am shifts (with no days off), Petralia's studio wizardry turned out to be the perfect galvanising force for Miller-Heidke’s and and Nuttall’s carefully detailed home demos.

“To me,” she said, “it sounds like a modern album, a forward-looking album.” To everyone else, however, it sounds like one of the best Australian records in recent memory – a set embraced by an enthusiastic audience and one lauded with critical acclaim.

"Caught in the Crowd"

Tour Dates

• March 15 - New York, NY - Joe's Pub

SXSW - Austin, TX

• March 17 - Dakota Lounge - Manic Fest Destiny Party (afternoon)
• March 18 - Antone’s - SIN Sony Music International party
• March 18 - Hotel Café at The Parish - official SXSW showcase (evening)
• March 19 - Troubadour Saloon - All Together Now Showcase
• March 20 - Maggie Mae’s - Aussie BBQ/official SXSW showcase

Opening for Ben Folds

• April 6 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
• April 7 - Bridgeport, CT - The Klein
• April 9 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
• April 10 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Theatre
• April 12 - New York, NY - Town Hall
• April 13 - New York, NY - Town Hall
• April 16 - Indio, CA - Coachella
• April 18 - Dayton OH - University of Dayton
• April 19 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
• April 20 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
• April 21 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre

MP3 Grab: "Politics In Space"

www.katemillerheidke.com
www.myspace.com/katemillerheidke
www.facebook.com/katemillerheidke
twitter.com/KMillerHeidke

Red Pens Release New Album & Set To Play NYC

Minneapolis duo Red Pens released their debut record, Reasons, today, February 16 via Grain Belt Records. The band consists of guitarist and lead vocalist Howard W. Hamilton III and artist-turned-drummer Laura Bennett. The pair dish up an album full of fuzzy, somewhat low-fi songs, filled with distorted guitars. I'm in lust with "Children And The Kids" personally. The album is certainly worth checking out.

New York, Red Pens will be in town next week. They'll be on the LES over at Pianos on Friday, February 26. Swing by and check them out.

Track List

• Hung Out
• Baby Alligator
• Cave Something
• Children And The Kids
• Blue Lighters
• Weekdays
• Reasons
• Street Issue
• Kick Me
• Don't Be Sane
• Stay Small
• Phase You Out

www.myspace.com/redpensband

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Add 2nd NYC Show

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings have added a second show at New York's famed Apollo Theatre. In addition to the show on April 30 (tickets HERE), an additional show has been scheduled for May 1. Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, February 26. The tour is in support of their upcoming album I Learned The Hard Way, due April 6th.

2nd Show Added!

Saturday, May 1st @ The Apollo Theatre
253 West 125th Street, New York, NY
TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26th

Tour Dates:

• March 26 - Rutland, VT - Snoe Down Festival
• April 10 - Berlin, Germany - Astra
• April 13 - Paris, France - Trabendo
• April 14 - London, UK - Koko’s
• April 15 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso
• April 17 - Live Oak, FL - Wanee Music Festival
• April 22 - Lafayette, LA - Festival International de Louisiane
• April 23 - New Orleans, LA - The Howlin’ Wolf
• April 24 - Oxford, MS - Double Decker Festival
• April 30 - NYC RELEASE PARTY @ The Apollo Theater
• May 1st - New York, NY - The Apollo Theatre
• May 6 - Richmond, VA - Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
• May 7 - Annapolis, MD - Ram’s Head Onstage
• May 8 - Charlottesville, VA - Jefferson Theater
• May 9 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
• May 11 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
• May 12 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
• May 13 - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage Atlanta
• May 14 - Nashville, TN - Cannery Ballroom
• May 15 - Nelsonville, OH - Nelsonville Music Festival
• May 17 - Newport, KY - The Southgate House
• May 18 - Detroit, MI - Majestic Theatre
• May 21 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
• May 22 - Milwaukee, WI - Pabst Theater
• May 23 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
• May 25 - Toronto, ON - The Sound Academy
• May 26 - Montreal, QC - Le National
• May 27 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
• May 28 - Hartfod, CT - New England Dodge Music Center
• May 29 - Hartford, CT - New England Dodge Music Center
• June 20 - Vancouver, BC - The Commodore Ballroom
• June 21 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Sodo
• June 22 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
• June 25 - San Francisco, CA - Warfield Theatre
• June 26 - Los Angeles, CA - The Wiltern
• June 27 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern

www.facebook.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings
twitter.com/DaptoneRecords