Hot Seconds Set A Sweltering Night On Fire

Hot Seconds: June 5 @ Ace Of Clubs, New York, NY

It's June, it's hot and as such, I'm cranky. What better way to make a hot, cranky chick less cranky? Give her some good music! Saturday night I made my way down to Ace of Clubs, for the 1st Annual BritFest NYC, for a night of merriment. Headlining the evenings events were none other than those charming gents known as Hot Seconds.

Yes folks, they're baaack! It's been nearly a year since I last saw the boys play and I missed them. In that time, they've trimmed down to a lean, mean, four piece fighting machine. The band, James Love (vocals/guitar), Eran Westwood (guitar/vocals), Marcel Simoneau (bass) and Ian Hudgins (drums/vocals) took the stage and blazed through a ten song set.

I was curious to hear what they would sound like in this configuration. Were they going to have a new sound? For the most part, they're still the same Hot Seconds we know and love. Now, they're just heavier and funkier. They kicked off the show with the first of three new songs, "Helicopter." When I took a gander at the set list prior to the show I wasn't sure about starting the show with a new song but, it proved to be a good choice. Guitar fangirl alert, there are some killer licks in this one. The riff is beyond catchy. Like the previous new songs they've rolled out since releasing their debut record, these are lyrically and musically darker, grittier. The new song highlight for me was, "Die Like A Dog." The rhythm on that one is just all kinds of dirty. The third new song, "Apathy," was good as well. I need to hear that one again though.

Missing from the set was a song that has become a favorite of mine, "Pink Caesar" ... logistics? On the plus side, they played "Excuse Me," a song I haven't heard live since October 2008! The five songs they played from their debut have even taken on a bit of a heavier sound. Seeing as I'm a fan of the harder rock sounds, this was something I didn't mind at all.

Simoneau looked to be a bit nervous at the beginning of the set but after a couple of songs he seemed to relax in his role as bassist. I look forward to seeing him a few shows down the line when he completely lets go. It was nice seeing him up front rockin' out, for more than one song, and not hidden behind the keyboards. Love looked a little tired though it didn't show too much in his vocals or playing. He seemed edgier all around. I like edgy. The bands harder sound suited Westwood well. When I first saw the band, he was a much more reserved player. Now, he's turning into quite the beast. I also like beasts. For some reason it felt like Hudgins was holding back, being a little conservative. It wasn't until "When I Go" that I felt he totally let go and made me remember exactly why it was him that made me a drum fan ... okay, an Ian fan, as we've already determined the whole drum thing doesn't really carry over to other drummers.

It was overall a good show and I had fun. I'm glad to see them back and rockin'. They're at work on their second record and hearing these new songs live has whetted my appetite for what's to come.

www.hotseconds.net

A Night Of Music & Comedy At BritFest

BritFest NYC: LIVE! (Music & Comedy): June 5 @ Ace Of Clubs, New York, NY

In celebration of British culture, Big Apple Brits are hosting the 1st Annual BritFest NYC which runs from June 4 - June 10. This past Saturday, they hosted a concert at Ace of Clubs. I like Brits, I like British stuff and I like music. It was a match made in heaven. What better way to spend a hot Saturday night then rocking out in celebration of British culture?

Comedian Stephen Frost was the evenings MC. For those of you unfamiliar, he's from Whose Line Is It Anyway? and a number of other top notch programs. He milled around the room, introduced the bands and offered a bit of wit to keep us entertained. I might have a wee crush on him but that's a story for another time.

Kicking off the night of music was Gaz Ellis, a charming guy with an acoustic guitar and a pleasant voice. If like your folk of the English variety, he's certainly one to check out. Have a look at the video at the bottom of the post for a taste of what he's about.

The second act on the bill was Dave Rave. I've gotta admit, I've never heard of Rave. But, he brought out a cadre of loyal fans who sang and dance along to every song. He and his band put on a high energy set of power pop that ended with Rave bringing fans on the stage to dance.

The evening ended with Hot Seconds taking the stage and rocking out one hell of a set. More about their set HERE.

I had a great time. One thing's for sure, you lot sure know how to throw a party.

www.myspace.com/gazellis
www.myspace.com/daverave
www.myspace.com/hotseconds

Delightful Danielia Cotton Dazzled

Danielia Cotton: June 3 @ Rockwood Music Hall, New York, NY

Rockin' soul lady Danielia Cotton took the stage at Rockwood Music Hall Thursday night and song by song tore the roof off the joint. If you've never seen her live, you're missing a hell of a show. I became familiar with Cotton's music, in what I like to call a happy accident, when I stumbled upon some information about her online. That was about a week before her last album, Rare Child came out. A week later I owned the record. I've been a fan since. So, it was with great joy that I paid a visit to the LES to catch her set.

Cotton kicked things off with "Devil In Disguise" from her Small White Town album. Her fans were out in full force providing deafening applause and giving her a standing ovation. The tiny lady with the big voice was one part sweet girl next door, one part feisty rock chick and 100% electrifying. She and her band delighted the audience with a twelve song set that ended in a fiery version of "Purple Rain" before leaving the stage. Cotton returned on her own to end the night with an A Capella rendition of "Nature Boy." I left a happy camper.

Check out some photos and video from her set.

More photos HERE.

"Rare Child"


"Nature Boy"

Set List

• Devil In Disguise
• Bang My Drum
• Testify
• Righteous People
• Shame
• It's Only Life
• Try
• Pride
• Rare Child
• Make You Move
• Bound
• Purple Rain
• Nature Boy

www.danielia.com
www.myspace.com/danieliacotton

Adam Taylor To Play Rockwood Music Hall, Tuesday, June 8

Delightful folk-rock singer/song-writer Adam Taylor will be gracing the Rockwood Music Hall stage this coming Tuesday, June 8. I love this young man's work. He has old school charm and showmanship and he's insightful without being pretentious. I highly recommend checking out this show. There's no cover so you can't say you're too broke to afford it! It's also an early show, 6:00 PM, so you can't bag off because, "I have to be up early the next morning." So, no excuses!

adamtaylormusic.com
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Megan McCormick To Release Debut Album In August + MP3

Nashville-based singer, songwriter & guitarist Megan McCormick is set to release her debut record. Honest Words, which was Dave O’Donnell (John Mayer, Joss Stone, James Taylor), will be released on Ryko, August 17. Check out "Do Right" from the upcoming record in the MP3 Grab at the bottom of the post.

At 23, McCormick has more insight into the human condition than many people twice her age – and her guitar playing has a deep-in-the-blues groove-grounding that adds credence to songs about addiction, obsession, romance, sorting life out and trying to make one’s way in the world. Whether it’s the taut Stevie Ray Vaughan-evoking “Shiver,” the lacerating lost souls’ recognition in “Drifting” or the torchy foreboding of meltdown that is “Pick Up The Phone,” her heart on her sleeve and her truth in your face seems to be this singer’s natural stance.

“I don’t identify with a lot of things other people do,” she confesses. “It’s not about age or education… man or woman… straight or gay… wrecked or sober… I’m just a plain human on my journey, and that makes me more like most people than different. That’s the thing: people like to magnify the differentiation when really there are so many more similarities.

“Even when you’re looking at relationships and different perspectives, what happens between people is pretty much the same. What could be about a lover, could be about a father in a different context – or a friend. Once you get too specific on whatever descriptors you’re using, the more you minimize the people you can reach, the ones who see themselves in the songs… because everyone’s got trouble.”

Pausing, she weighs her words. “When you start looking at it like that, you’d be amazed. There are a lot more fragile people than there are emotionally healthy Buddhists.”

McCormick’s trade is certainly in the darker places, the crevices where life falls in on itself, where urges get a momentum destined to pull the unsuspecting off the tracks and that which saves can suck you under. With a wistful yearning, the young woman who attended East Tennessee State University’s acclaimed bluegrass program reflects on what is lost in the descent on “Wasted” and finds the soul undulations to pick up the pieces on “Things Change” on what can only be considered an eclectically lean rock & roll record.

McCormick's masterful guitar playing adds to the emotional heft, giving a musical weight to each track on the album. Whether tearing through a blazing outro solo on "Shiver" or elegantly finger picking on the album's title track, McCormick's guitar skill helps set her and her songs apart. It also helps to drop jaws at her live shows.

MP3 Grab: "Do Right"

www.myspace.com/meganmccormicksmusic

Tom Petty Releases More Videos From The Upcoming Album Mojo

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are releasing their upcoming album Mojo on June 15. To whet your appetite, they've been releasing videos. Over the last couple of weeks, videos for "Jefferson Jericho Blues" and "Something Good Coming" have been unveiled. You can check both out below.

I've been enjoying what I've been hearing from Mojo. I'm foreseeing it becoming a part of my ever growing music collection.

"Something Good Coming"


"Jefferson Jericho Blues"

www.tompetty.com
www.myspace.com/tompetty
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Hot Seconds To Play BritFest 2010, Saturday, June 5

After nearly a year, those adorable lads known as Hot Seconds will be gracing the stage this Saturday, June 5 at NYC venue Ace Of Clubs as part of the 1st Annual BritFest. It's $10 bucks ... live music and comedy. What more could you ask for? You should go!

www.hotseconds.net
www.facebook.com/hotseconds

Jackson Harris Releases Video For "Empire State of Mind"

New Yorker Jackson Harris has a record coming out this fall. Well, he's done a cover of Jay Z's "Empire State of Mind." I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about it. One, I'm not that big into the rap/hip-hop thing and two, I'm even less into it being covered. But guess what, I actually found myself liking this acoustic take on the song. Check out the video, which was shot around New York, below.

www.thejacksonharris.com
www.facebook.com/jacksonharrisnyc
twitter.com/jackson_harris

Metric Releases "Stadium Love" Video

Metric have released the fifth official video from their terrific Fantasies album. The video is for "Stadium Love" and you can check it out below. Also, go peep some behind the scenes moments over on Spinner.

www.ilovemetric.com
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www.myspace.com/metric

The Dig To Play NYC's Mercury Lounge, 6/5 + MP3

Rock band The Dig, David Baldwin (guitar/vocals), Erick Eiser (keyboards/guitar), Emile Mosseri (bass/vocals) and Jamie Alegre (drums), are releasing their new record, Electric Toys on June 8. And, you can't put out a new record without a little celebration. Seriously, you can't; it's a law carved in stone ... "Thou shalt party when unleashing that which is rock 'n' roll to the masses in recorded form." So, that's exactly what The Dig will be doing. On Saturday, June 5, they'll be having a wing ding (a record release party for the non-quirky peeps) down at Mercury Lounge. Y'all know you want to get your party on with them! To get you ready for the party and the record, check out the video for "Sad Sick Morning" and head down to the bottom of the post and download "Two Sisters In Love" in the MP3 Grab.

I've been listening to Electric Toys for a little while now and I am diggin' The Dig. It's a devilishly clever record that everyone should know about.

"Sick Sad Morning" by The Dig @ Mercury Lounge NYC from VVUSIC on Vimeo.

Tour Dates

• June 5 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge (Record Release Show)

with Thrice / Bad Veins

• June 11 - St. Paul, MN - Station 4
• June 15 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
• June 16 - Montreal, QC - Le National
• June 17 - Boston, MA - House Of Blues
• June 18 - New Haven, CT - Toad’s Place
• June 19 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon
• June 21 - Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights
• June 22 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock Café
• June 23 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
• June 24 - New York, NY - Fillmore At Irving Plaza
• June 25 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
• June 26 - Towson, MD - The Recher Theatre
• June 28 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
• June 29 - Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle
• June 30 - Charleston, SC - The Music Farm
• July 1 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues
• July 2 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
• July 3 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
• July 6 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
• July 7 - Austin, TX - Emo’s
• July 8 - Dallas, TX - The Palladium Ballroom
• July 9 - Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom
• July 10 - Kansas City, MO - Midland Theatre
• July 11 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
• July 13 - Salt Lake City, UT - In The Venue
• July 15 - Tempe, AZ - The Marquee
• July 16 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
• July 17 - Pomona, CA - Fox Theater
• July 18 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues

MP3 Grab: "Two Sisters In Love"

www.myspace.com/thedigisup
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