Caught My Ear: The Nico Blues

I was going through my email recently as I'm apt to do on a somewhat reasonably regular basis. A lot of cool and kind people send me info and music which I eventually get around to listening to. I just don't get to listen as quickly as I'd like to ... not enough hours in the day with real life, work, etc.

All of that being said, I opened an email with info on a band called The Nico Blues. They're an indie band from the NY/NJ area. Hey, cool, local music! They released an album, Blame the Boredom, Blame the Basements, this past July. So, I listened. It turns out The Nico Blues are an alternative indie band. They're really fuzzy ... their music that is ... they themselves might be too but I've not encountered them personally to know that tidbit. There's a 90's alt appeal to them. I'd say think Smashing Pumpkins but minus the whininess and the annoyance factor. Ooo, did I offend some Billy C. fans? At any rate, I've been digging what I've heard so far. They're going to be playing a show in Brooklyn at Glasslands Gallery on November 23. Check them out. You might find you've come across a new band to show some love to.

Nico Vega Releases Animated Video

We all know I love Cali rockers Nico Vega. Well, if you didn't, you know now. Anyway, I've been meaning to post this video for a while now but, I got busy. Sorry! It's never too late to post good stuff though! Check out "Million Years" below.

In this animated music video Nico Vega go back in time to a "Crucible" inspired Salem Witch Trial. Will the band's message of freedom and individuality save them from their puritanical captors or will they face the gallows?

Shot entirely with an iPhone 3G and all original artwork by Sascha Ciezata. "Million Years" is off Nico Vega's self titled debut album Nico Vega.

Free Download From Killola

Y'all know I'm a Killola fan. They're an amazingly fun and insane (in the good way, not in the I need a restraining order way) band, especially live. Since the beginning the band has been extra cool about hooking their fans up with free stuff. They haven't changed. Check out the handy widget below and add the acoustic version of "Cracks In The Armor" to your Killola collection.

If you haven't already, check out their latest album Let's Get Associated and well, get associated. Should they happen to be playing near you, I recommend you go see them. They guaranteed pleasure and balls out fun.

Junip To Tour North America

Junip is hitting the road this November. They'll be making a stop in our lovely city on November 24 at Irving Plaza. In case you missed them when they were in the city the last time, want to reminisce or to get you warmed up for the upcoming show(s), Baeble Music was kind enough to film them at The Knitting Factory this summer in Brooklyn. You can check that out HERE.

Composed of Elias Araya, José González, and Tobias Winterkorn, the Swedish trio Junip is hitting the road in support of their full-length Fields. Released via Mute last month, the album has had a bevy of positive adjectives attached to it.

In conjunction with their upcoming tour Junip is teaming up with retro-photo iPhone app Hipstamatic for a photo contest themed on the title of the album Fields. Contestants are encouraged to be creative and shoot their own interpretation of FIELDS (i.e. a field of wheat, magnetic fields). The Grand Prize includes a Crosley turntable, Junip merch, Mute vinyl pack, Skullcandy headphones, Hipstamatic prizepak, Stance socks, Neff Headwear, Hard Candy iPhone case and VonZipper sunglasses. For more details and to enter visit: http://community.hipstamatic.com/contests/21

November Tour Dates

• 1 – Philadelphia, PA – World Café Live
• 2 – Boston, MA – Royale
• 4 – Montreal, QC – Belmont
• 5 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s
• 6 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
• 7 – Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center
• 10 – Seattle, WA – Neumo’s
• 11 – Vancouver, BC – Neumo’s
• 12 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir
• 13 – San Francisco, CA – Independent
• 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Music Box
• 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
• 18 – Austin, TX – Mohawk
• 19 – Huston, TX – Fitzgerald’s Downstairs
• 20 – Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon
• 21 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
• 22 – Chapel Hill, NC – Cat’s Cradel
• 23 – Washington, DC – Black Cat
• 24 – New York, NY – Irving Plaza

Abbe May Releases Video For New Single "Mammalian Locomotion"

Australian singer-songwriter Abbe May released the first single from her upcoming album this week. The song, "Mammalian Locomotion" has a fuzzy undertone. It's one of those songs that sounds vaguely familiar yet totally fresh. May's vocals remind you, or at least me, just how sexy rock 'n' roll is. I'm curious to hear the upcoming record which is scheduled for release in May 2011. In the meantime, check out the video for "Mammalian Locomotion" below.

After months in the studio with a new band, Abbe May has emerged with a whole lot of material sporting an even darker rock sound. The first single from her forthcoming album, MAMMALIAN LOCOMOTION begins to chart new musical territory for Abbe through an emotive exploration of human desire at its most fundamental level.

The MAMMALIAN LOCOMOTION film clip is a reflection of the contradictory elements of fierceness and subtle femininity found in the song. Shot in Brooklyn, New York with UK Director Zena Loxton, the clip features the ever under-stated and brooding Abbe and three snake-hipped roller dancing women from Brooklyn with moves that only women from roller-derby groups such as ‘Sisters In Motion’ could possess!

Dar Williams Unleashes Video For "As Cool As I Am"

Dar Williams released her latest record, Many Great Companions, earlier this month. Now, she has released a video for the song "As Cool As I Am" with Gary Louris. Check it out below.

Many Great Companions is a new album of Dar Williams classics recorded acoustically with special guests, with an additional disc of Williams’ most significant songs. Songs span Dar’s impressive career from 1993’s The Honesty Room through 2008’s Promised Land.

MP3 Grab: "If I Wrote You"

Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals Announce Dates

Dates for the 2011 Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival have been set. Festival producer George Wein announced today that the folk festival will take place July 29 - 31 and the jazz festival is set for August 5 - 7. Road-trip to Rhode Island anyone?

“We will announce additional information in the coming months, but we wanted to make sure that music fans throughout the area and around the world have the 2011 dates on their calendars,” said Wein, who has produced the jazz and folk festivals since their inceptions in 1954 and 1959, respectively.

For more information on the festivals, visit www.newportfolkfest.net and www.newportjazzfest.net. To learn more about other events produced by George Wein, log on to www.newfestivalproductions.com.

April Smith and the Great Picture Show Unleashes New Video

The video for the April Smith and the Great Picture Show song "Terrible Things" premiered today on Spinner.com. The song is off of the bands latest album Songs For A Sinking Ship and has been featured in promos for the cable program Weeds. Check out the video below.

Tour Dates

• 11/04: TT The Bears, Cambridge, MA
• 11/05: Maxwells, Hoboken, NJ supporting the Honey Brothers
• 11/06: Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY supporting the Honey Brothers
• 11/07: World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
• 11/08: Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA
• 11/09: The Kennedy Center, Washington, DC
• 11/11: The Milestone, Charlotte, NC
• 11/12: The Basement, Nashville, TN
• 11/13: Star Bar, Atlanta, GA
• 11/14: Circle Bar, New Orleans, LA
• 11/16: Mohawk Inside, Austin TX
• 11/19: Bootleg Theater, Los Angeles, CA supporting Tunng
• 11/21: Hotel Utah, San Francisco, CA
• 11/23: Mississippi Studios, Portland, OR
• 11/24: Sunset Tavern, Seattle, WA
• 11/26: Bing Crosby Theater, Spokane, WA
• 11/27: Filling Station, Bozeman, MT
• 11/29: 400 Bar, Minneapolis, MN
• 11/30: Beat Kitchen, Chicago, IL

My Song Of The Day: A Million Years - Suspicious

New York based rockers A Million Years have invaded my head. Well, their song has. And because I've had this song, "Suspicious," stuck in my head for the last two + hours, I've decided to share it with you and declare it my song of the day. I'd like to thank them personally for the invasion and subsequent takeover of my head. Oh, and in case you've forgotten, the band will be at Spike Hill in Brooklyn this Saturday, October 23 at 5:15. Go check them out.

New Bob Schneider Video - The Bringdown

Bob Schneider has released a video for his song "The Bringdown." Check it out below and enjoy the goodness of that which is BS. It was directed by Joey Boukadakis and Paul Boukadakis.

Bob Schneider - The Bringdown from IdeaShip Productions on Vimeo.