Friday, March 11, 2011

Video: Electra - "Coming To Get You!" + Tour Dates


Israeli trio Electra released a video for their song "Coming To Get You!" this week. And, I'm totally digging the song. The video was directed by Roy Raz. Check it out below.

GIG ALERT! They'll be in New York for three shows. On Monday, March 21, they'll be over in Brooklyn at Bruar Falls. Wednesday, March 23, they will be on the Lower East Side at Pianos. The following night, Thursday, March 24, they'll be back in Brooklyn at Bar Matchless.



Tour Dates
  • 03/16 SXSW @ Spiderhouse
  • 03/16 SXSW showcase @ Easy Tiger
  • 03/19 SXSW @ Spiderhouse
  • 03/19 SXSW @ East Village
  • 03/21 Brooklyn, NY @ Bruar Falls
  • 03/23 New York City @ Pianos
  • 03/24 Brooklyn, NY @ Bar Matchless
  • 03/26 Washington DC @ Kennedy Center, Millennium stage



Talking To Walls Release New Song + Tour Dates


Our friends and crackin' good band, Talking To Walls are hitting the road for a mini-tour. They've put together a song, "Black Hearts Parade" (backed with an acoustic version of "Song For Megan") to celebrate, Irish punk style! Nothing says St. Patrick's Day like Irish punk songs. You can get a download HERE ... it's a pay what you want deal but, it's always nice to support indie folks. And for your visual pleasure, check out the video below directed by their very own Brian Kelly.

GIG ALERT! Talking To Walls will be here in NYC down at The Delancey on Friday, March 18 and it'll cost you $10.

Tour Dates
  • Sunday, March 13th-- Anna Liffey's, New Haven, CT
  • Thursday, March 17th-- Annual St. Patrick's Day Show at Acoustic Cafe, Bridgeport, CT
  • Friday, March 18th-- The Delancey, NYC
  • Saturday, March 19th-- Boston, MA POSTPONED
  • Sunday, March 20th-- Seaside Tavern, Stamford, CT



Monday, March 7, 2011

Arctic Monkeys Announce North American Tour


After over a year, the English band Arctic Monkeys will be kicking off a North American tour beginning May 17. They of course will be making a stop in our lovely city. The band will play Central Park's SummerStage on Tuesday, May 24. A full list of dates are below. Pre-sale and ticket info can be found on the bands website, HERE.

Arctic Monkeys - Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders - haven’t performed in North America since criss-crossing the country in the wake of the release of Humbug, their acclaimed third album. Fans can expect to hear some eagerly awaited new material – the band posted a video preview of brand new song “Brick By Brick” on their website late last week.

Tour Dates
  • 5/17 -- Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club
  • 5/18 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Knitting Factory
  • 5/19 -- Boston, MA -- House Of Blues
  • 5/21 -- Toronto, ON -- Kool Haus
  • 5/22 -- Montreal, QC -- L’Olympia
  • 5/24 -- New York, NY -- SummerStage
  • 5/26 -- Detroit, MI -- Clutch Cargoes
  • 5/27 -- Milwaukee, WI -- The Rave
  • 5/28 -- Minneapolis, MN -- First Ave
  • 5/30 -- Denver, CO -- The Ogden Theatre
  • 5/31 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- In The Venue
  • 6/3 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Hollywood Palladium

Hank & Cupcakes Streaming New Song on YouTube



Funky duo Hank & Cupcakes are streaming a new song on YouTube. Check it out below.

Gig Alert! For a live fix, they'll be at the Studio @ Webster Hall on Saturday, April 9. Go show them some love.


Annie Fitzgerald To Play Rockwood Music Hall, 3/27



Singer/songwriter Annie Fitzgerald will be taking the stage at Rockwood Music Hall on Sunday, March 27; it's going to be a full band show. Head down, check out the set and show her some love. Full show deets are below.

March 27, 2011
5:00 pm
Rockwood Music Hall

196 Allen Street

New York, NY 10002-1418


In Good Time by AnnieFitzgeraldMusic

Photo Review: Yuna At Mercury Lounge


Yuna: February 22, 2011 @ Mercury Lounge,
New York, NY


Malaysian singer/songwriter Yuna made her New York City debut at Mercury Lounge last month, joined by session musicians Ben and Brent. She's insanely talented. She put on a beautiful, understated set that showcased the purity of her voice. If you haven't checked her out yet, put her on you're list. Watch the video at the bottom for a small snippet of what was heard that night.

More photos HERE.

Monday, February 28, 2011

Revolver: Harmonies Douces et Amusant Énergique


Revolver: February 26, 2011 @ Mercury
Lounge, New York, NY


While my grasp on the French language may be a little rusty, that doesn't detour me from liking music from French artists. One such band is Revolver who were at Mercury Lounge Saturday night. Granted, most of what they did was in English but it really wouldn't have mattered if it hadn't been. The band is in the mist of their debut U.S. tour and judging by the audience response, it won't be their last.

Having only really heard their more acoustic songs, I was pleasantly surprised by their genre hopping show. I'd have to say there was pretty much something for almost everybody. When bands switch between genres live, it doesn't generally work so well. But, Revolver managed to seamlessly slip from indie dance pop to rockabilly to feel good 60's pop to what they called chamber pop, rather effortlessly.

I had been expecting their harmonies, but I was impressed with just how tight they were. In the middle of the set, they did three chamber pop/acoustic songs. It was here where their harmonies really shined. When they finished, I was torn between wanting more of the sweet harmonized acoustic sound or wanting more of the upbeat numbers. Things were a little loud right up front (I don't know what the rest of the room sounded like so that may not have been an issue for others) and that took a little bit away from their sound for me.

Catch them while they're over here. They put on a high energy show that had the audience dancing and singing along.

More photos HERE.

Good Times With JITG


Jump Into The Gospel: February 26, 2011 @ M
ercury Lounge, New York, NY


Saturday night, a dark club, the LES and rock 'n' roll. Yep, sounds about perfect for a romp with my favorite musical prophets, Jump Into The Gospel.

While the night saw a bit of instrument malfunction, difficulties be damned, they still put on a fun show. There were two things I noticed during the set. Frontman Louis Epstein has become a much more animated performer now then he was when I first saw them around this time last year. The other thing I noticed, drummer Chris Stein seemed to have a heavier sound. At one point, the penultimate song I think (I'm old, senile and was too busy having a drummer brain fuck moment to remember), he went hardcore. I'm not one to complain about my mind being molested by enjoyable music.

To enjoy the goodness that is JITG, head on over to Brooklyn Bowl on March 21, where they'll be supporting The London Souls ... that's who they were on the bill with when I first saw them. It's a guaranteed night of bad ass music. It'll cost you $5 and you'll have no regrets.

More photos HERE.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Red Wanting Blue Documented On Film


Ohio rock band, Red Wanting Blue have been around for more than fourteen years. With talent to spare and an amazing drive; they've released eight albums and have built up a loyal fan base. They are quite simply one of those amazing unsigned bands that hasn't let lack of a record deal stop them from doing what they do so well. It has been a long haul and you've got to give mad props to them for not calling it quits. Many bands get tired of chasing the dream after a few years and settle down to a stationary life or they disband and the members move onto other bands.

Director and producer Ken Davenport followed the tenacious band while they made their eighth self-produced album and took to the road. What resulted was These Magnificent Miles: On The Long Road With Red Wanting Blue. Through interviews and never-before-seen concert footage, we get to see the reality of a hard-working indie band. Anyone who has seen the band perform is gifted with a terrific and passionate show. If you've ever had the pleasure to speak with them, even if for just a few moments, you realize instantly that they're down-to-Earth, dedicated and appreciative of their fans. Anyone interested in experiencing the life of a grassroots indie band will surely want to check this documentary out. And if by chance you haven't seen Red Wanting Blue live, do yourself a favor and go see them. You won't regret it.

Check out the trailer below.




Friday, February 25, 2011

Ari Hest Releases New Video


Singer/songwriter Ari Hest is set to release his new album, Sunset Over Hope Street o
n March 1 via Downtown/Mercer Street Records. This is his first full-length album of new material in four years. To whet your appetite, Hest has released a video for the song "How Would I Know" from the record. It was directed by Josh Franer. Check it out.

Hest is hitting the road. Check below for dates near you.




Tour Dates
  • February 26, 2011 -- House Show - Hamden, CT
  • February 27, 2011 -- Jammin' Jules - Woolwhich Township, NJ
  • March 1, 2011 -- Apple Store on 14th St - New York, NY
  • March 2, 2011 -- Club Café - Pittsburgh, PA
  • March 3, 2011 -- The Kent Stage - Kent, OH
  • March 4, 2011 -- The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI
  • March 5, 2011 -- Rumba Cafe - Columbus, OH
  • March 6, 2011 -- Garfield House - Northville, MI
  • March 8, 2011 -- Radio Radio - Indianapolis, IN
  • March 9, 2011 -- Intersection, The Lounge - Grand Rapids, MI
  • March 11, 2011 -- Schubas - Chicago, IL (Two shows)
  • March 12, 2011 -- Ginos Place - Danville, IL
  • March 13, 2011 -- House Show - Monticello, MN
  • March 14, 2011 -- Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA
  • March 15, 2011 -- The Mill - Iowa City, IA
  • March 16, 2011 -- Cedar Valley House Concerts - Cedar Fall, IA
  • March 17, 2011 -- House Show - St Louis, MO
  • March 19, 2011 -- The Walnut Room - Denver, CO
  • March 23, 2011 -- Railway Club - Vancouver, BC
  • March 24, 2011 -- Green Frog Acoustic Tavern - Bellingham, WA
  • March 25, 2011 -- Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA
  • March 26, 2011 -- The Alberta Rose Theatre - Portland, OR
  • March 27, 2011 -- Tsunami Books - Eugene, OR
  • March 29, 2011 -- Don Quixote - Felton, CA
  • March 30, 2011 - Café DuNord - San Francisco, CA
  • March 31, 2011 -- Hotel Café - Los Angeles, CA
  • April 1, 2011 -- Lestat’s - San Diego, CA
  • April 2, 2011 -- Rancho Manana Golf Course - Cave Creek, AZ
  • April 5, 2011 -- The Blue Door - Oklahoma City, OK
  • April 6, 2011 -- Swank Presents @ Rock House Films - Dallas, TX
  • April 7, 2011 -- Saxon Pub - Austin, TX
  • April 10, 2011 -- WorkPlay Theatre - Birmingham, AL
  • April 12, 2011 -- 12th & Porter - Nashville, TN
  • April 13, 2011 -- Eddie’s Attic - Decatur, GA
  • April 14, 2011 -- The Pour House - Raleigh, NC
  • April 15, 2011 -- Downstairs Live - North Augusta, SC
  • April 16, 2011 -- Evening Muse - Charlotte, NC
  • April 20, 2011 -- Jammin’ Java - Vienna, VA
  • April 21, 2011 -- Ashland Coffee and Tea - Ashland, VA
  • April 22, 2011 -- Kennett Flash - Kennett Square, PA
  • April 23, 2011 -- World Café Live – Upstairs - Philadelphia, PA
  • April 27, 2011 -- The Rivoli - Toronto, ON
  • May 1, 2011 -- The Carleton - Halifax, Nova Scotia/Canada
  • May 5, 2011 -- Hiro Ballroom - New York, NY
  • May 6, 2011 -- Club Passim - Cambridge, MA (Two shows)
  • May 7, 2011 -- New Hope Winery - New Hope, PA
  • May 20, 2011 -- Brennan Coffehouse Series - Jersey City, NJ
  • June 2, 2011 -- Mountain Jam Festival - Hunter, TX



Track List
  • Until Next Time
  • How Would I Know
  • A Way Back Home
  • Business Of America
  • One Track Mind
  • If I Knew You'd Say Yes
  • Sunset OVer Hope Street
  • Down The Mountain
  • Give It Time
  • Swan Song
  • A Good Look Around