The On Fires: Rollicking Good Time

The On Fires: April 6, 2011 @ Arlene's Grocery, New York, NY

This past Wednesday, I went down to Arlene's Grocery to catch Australian band The On Fires. For anyone who hasn't had a chance to check this band out, they're a high octane band. After a long day at work, they are the perfect way to rid yourself of any stress you may have been harboring. From the moment they kicked into their set, you couldn't help but bounce around to the music. I'd have to say, they're probably the most high energy band I've seen in a while. If they're playing near you, check them out. There's nothing like a good dose of party punk to wash away a long, hard day.

They have a few more dates left on this tour, their third in the US. For those in the tri-state area, you can still catch them at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ on April 13 at 8PM. It'll cost you $10.

More Photos HERE

Adam Taylor: Man and Poet

Adam Taylor is set to release his upcoming record, No Poet, on April 18. When I first heard Taylor's debut, Play The Piano Drunk, I thought if this is what he's capable of now, what's he going to give us once he has some age and seasoning under his belt? Well, No Poet answers that question.

The seven song record was produced by his older brother Chad Taylor and shows a maturity that comes with making that transition from boy to man and living life in general. The down to Earth, yet quirky Taylor writes sharp-witted songs with a bit of cheek. At times he's a bit dark while at other times he displays pure, happy, upbeat pop.

Having seen Taylor perform several times, I know most of the songs in their acoustic incarnations. In a true testament to his talent as a performer and songwriter, the songs work just as beautifully with a full band as they do in acoustic duet form. Taylor's band Kate Young (vocals/percussion), John Fritchey (guitar), Mike Giblin (bass/vocals) and Jason Hoffheins (drums) provide a tight musical foundation for him to shine.

A wide gambit of sounds are covered on No Poet be it the jazzy vibe of "The Story Of The Sea-Green Sky Part Two" or the rockabilly of "Spaghetti Western," a classic storytelling song, or the skiffle of "Lucy." They all fit and flow together well proving well crafted pop music doesn't come from a cookie cutter, auto-tuned assembly line. The record kicks off with the lust tinged "Oliver" a favorite of mine for a while now. For some bizarre reason, I think of "White Wedding" when I hear this song. Huh? We'll chalk that up as one of my questionable comparisons. Giblin's bass lines are all kinds of funky on this one as well as on the track "Jazzonia (Silver Tree) which is a killer dance tune. If you can't shake your ass to that song, you might have some issues you need to deal with. "Yes / No" harkens back to the days of beach/surf music. The kind of song you turn on and drive around with the top down on your convertible.

The record closes with what has become my favorite track, "New York." It's a sexy and bluesy moving onto the next stage of life song. This song more than any other track on the record, in my opinion, shows his transition from teenager to man.

No Poet is a terrific piece of work. Its only flaw is that it ends too quickly. Seven songs aren't enough!

For your listening pleasure, scroll to the bottom of the post and grab "Jazzonia (Silver Tree)" in the MP3 Grab.

Adam Taylor: March 31, 2011 @ The Living Room, New York, NY

Adam Taylor and his partner-in-crime Kate Young came back to the cozy LES venue The Living Room. On the heels of a successful Kickstarter campaign and weeks before the April 18 release of his new record No Poet, Taylor and Young took the stage. Performing six songs from the upcoming album in their twelve song set the pair showed once again why their fans appreciate and love them so much.

They kicked off the set with Jazzonia (Silver Tree) which until I saw the track list for No Poet, I thought the wording was Silver Dream! For two years I've been trying to figure out what the heck a silver dream was. I'm not only quirky, I'm goofy too! Anyway, this is the first time they've done "Daisy" at a show I attended so that was a pleasant treat. Taylor did a Radiohead song solo. I'm not a Radiohead fan so don't ask me which one but I'm 100% positive Taylor's version was better. I'll probably get stoned by disgruntled Radiohead fans over that one. Live, Taylor dedicates "Yes / No" to all the psychotic women. I'm tearing up; finally someone has written a song about me! I'm just kidding ... maybe.

I always smile at their shows. They make me feel good. What more can you ask for? They closed with the delightful "Cat's Cradle." I would have loved to have seen this on the new record but alas, it wasn't. Oh, and the next time you swing through town, can we add "Coffee" back into the set list for the night? I miss that song.

I've told you before and I'll tell you again, you really should see Taylor live. Full of laid back charm and dripping with an abundance of talent, he'll entice you to his corner and have you cheering him on loudly and proudly.

Check out a couple of clips from the show below and a clip of "Daisy" HERE ... yeah, it's out of focus but sound is good.

More Photos HERE

Setlist

• Jazzonia (Silver Tree)
• 12:51
• Daisy
• Spaghetti Western
• Yes / No
• No Diggity / Come Together
• Story Of The Sea-Green Sky Part Two
• Whiskey
• (Radiohead Song)
• New York
• Lucy
• Cat's Cradle

"Whiskey"


"Yes / No"

MP3 Grab: "Jazzonia (Silver Tree)" (right click, save)

The On Fires To Play Arlene's Grocery 4/6

Australian band The On Fires are making a stop in our lovely city. They'll be on the LES at Arlene's Grocery. Head on down Wednesday, April 6 for some party punk fun. It'll cost you $8 and doors are at 6:30PM.

For a taste of The On Fires, have a listen to "Nobody Wants" below.

Who knew that a chance meeting of two teenagers at a swimming camp on Australia's Gold Coast would lead to an international touring band? Described as “the bastard lovechild of the B52s and the Sex Pistols” references to other bands have included Flaming Lips, Blondie, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, The Clash, Green Day, Stereophonics, Deep Purple, even Elvis Costello.

On The LES Saturday, April 2: The Dreamscapes Project & The Broadcast

The Dreamscapes Project
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton Street, NYC
9PM
$10


The Broadcast
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston Street, NYC
Doors 10:30PM
$10

S.C.U.M. Signs To Mute Records

London based S.C.U.M. have signed on with record label Mute. Their debut album is scheduled to be released late summer. To get you geared up, check out the handy widget below for the new track "Summon The Sound" and click the little down arrow on the right.

If you're in Europe, you can catch S.C.U.M. on tour with The Kills.

S.C.U.M exploded onto the music scene two years ago with the release of their debut single ‘Visions Arise’. The single, together with their exciting and intense live shows, quickly grabbed the imagination of fans and critics alike. Since then the band has toured extensively across the UK and Europe to a growing fan base and released three exclusive digital download tracks entitled SIGNALS (‘PARIS’,‘BERLIN’ and ‘WARSAW’).

S.C.U.M Summon the sound by Mute Artists

Newport Folk Festival Announces 2011 Line-Up

The Newport Festivals Foundation announced the 2011 Newport Folk Festival line-up today. The festival will take place in Newport, RI on July 30 - 31. They are also welcoming a new partnership with jewelry company Alex and Ani. Ah yes, two of my favorite things, music and jewelry!

Tickets for the festival go on sale Thursday, March 31 at 10AM!

Check out the schedule below.

Tickets for the Newport Folk Festival go on sale Thursday, March 31, at 10:00 am on-line, by phone and by mail. General admission tickets (single-day passes only) also can be purchased in person at the Newport Visitor Information Center, located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue. There will be a festival office in the Newport area where tickets can be purchased in person at a later date. For general information, craft vendor information or to leave a message for festival staff, call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055. For more information, log on to www.newportfolkfest.net.

SATURDAY, JULY 30 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• The Decemberists
• Gillian Welch
• Earl Scruggs
• Gogol Bordello
• Ramblin’ Jack Elliott
• Tegan & Sara
• Mavis Staples
• The Felice Brothers
• Delta Spirit
• Freelance Whales
• Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three
• What Cheer? Brigade
• The Devil Makes Three
• Song Circle with Dar Williams, Ellis Paul, John Gorka & Liz Queler
• The Wailin’ Jennys
• Typhoon
• The Ebony Hillbillies
• River City Extension
• PS22 Chorus

SUNDAY, JULY 31 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Emmylou Harris
• Elvis Costello (Solo Acoustic)
• Amos Lee
• M. Ward
• Wanda Jackson
• Carolina Chocolate Drops
• Middle Brother
• Justin Townes Earle
• The Secret Sisters
• Trampled by Turtles
• The Civil Wars
• The Head and The Heart
• The Cave Singers
• David Wax Museum
• Mountain Man
• The Seeger Clogging All-Stars
• BrownBird

*Artists Subject to change

Benefit Concert For Dan Duggins

Rocker Gerry Perlinski has organized a benefit for New York based drummer Dan Duggins. On April 27, 2010 Duggins suffered a massive stroke, due to a blood clot in his neck, on route to a gig. He, like many other musicians, doesn't have health insurance so Perlinski, a friend and band-mate is helping to raise money for medical costs along with other musicians and friends. The show will take place on April 22 at Clash Bar in Clifton, NJ. Bands taking part in the benefit are, Gerry Perlinski, Lisa Bianco (whom Duggins was playing with when I saw him), Old Wives, Walking Lights plus Special Guests. Full event details are at the bottom of the post.

If you can't make it to the show and would still like to donate, visit www.danduggins.com.

Date: Friday, April 22, 2011

Time: 8PM
Cost: $15
Venue: Clash Bar
39 Harding Avenue
Clifton, NJ
(973) 772-6149
http://www.myspace.com/clashbar

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

Laura Jansen Releases New Record & To Play Joe's Pub Tonight 3/22

Dutch-born singer Laura Jansen released her new album, Bells, via Decca Records today, March 22. Check out the video of the making of Bells at the bottom of the post to learn more about the album.

GIG ALERT! Jansen will be at Joe's Pub TONIGHT, March 22 at 7:30pm. It'll cost you $12.

Track List

• The End
• Bells
• Single Girls
• Wicked World
• Perfect
• Soljah
• Use Somebody
• Come To Me
• Elijah
• Signal

Video: Deep Dark Robot - "Won't You Be My Girl"

Deep Dark Robot have released a video for their single, "Won't You Be My Girl." Check it out below. Their album 8 Songs About A Girl will be available tomorrow, March 22.

GIG ALERT! Deep Dark Robot will be at the Studio at Webster Hall this Friday, March 25. It'll cost you $15 and doors are at 8PM.

Yael Naim Scheduled To Release New Record

Folk/pop singer Yael Naim is scheduled to release her new album, She Was A Boy, on May 10. The upcoming release is a collaboration with percussionist David Donatien. Check out the video as well as the handy widget below for a download of the single, "Go To The River."

Israel-born Paris-raised folk/pop singer Yael Naim returns with a new album, She Was A Boy. You probably remember her from 2008's irresistible song "New Soul," from that lovely Mac Book Air commercial.