Yael Naim Releases Video + NY Record Release Show

Yael Naim's new record She Was A Boy comes out Tuesday, May 10. Naim will be performing here in New York, the day before, at (le) poisson rouge on May 9, doors at 7PM and it will cost you $20. For a taste of the upcoming release, check out the video "Come Home" at the end of the post.

She Was A Boy collects 13 luminous folk-pop gems each recorded at the singer’s apartment-turned-workshop. You will find upbeat tunes as well as a serious expansion of Naim’s sound, with daring forays into acoustic blues, dreamy soul and raw torch balladry.

Yael Naim & David Donatien
Monday, May 9th
Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street)
7 pm, 18+, $20
TICKETS

Mick Harvey To Release New Record In May

Mick Harvey will release Sketches From The Book Of The Dead on May 3 via Mute Records. Check out the track "Famous Last Words" from the album in the handy widget at the bottom of the post.

Harvey is currently finishing a tour with PJ Harvey which has makes sold out stops here in New York at Terminal 5, tonight and tomorrow.

Sketches From The Book Of The Dead is Mick Harvey's first fully self-penned album; the 11-track album was recorded and mixed with David McCluney at Atlantis Sound, Port Melbourne with additional recording at Harvey's own Grace Lane music room and sees Mick Harvey (playing most of the instruments) joined by Rosie Westbrook on double bass and J.P. Shilo on accordion & violin, with Xanthe Waite contributing occasional ethereal backing vocals.

This is an album containing an extraordinary investigation into a rarely scrutinized area of the human condition. Harvey has excelled himself and made a truly unique work to go alongside so much of what he has already achieved in his 30 years of musical creativity.

Track List

• October Boy
• The Ballad Of Jay Givens
• Two Paintings
• Rhymeless
• Frankie T & Frankie C
• A Place Called Passion
• To Each His Own
• The Bells Never Rang
• That's All, Paul
• How Would I Leave You?
• Famous Last Words

Mick Harvey - Famous Last Words by Mute UK

Doc Wasabassco's Burlesque At City Winery This Friday

Ah, nothing like a good dose of saucy fun! I'm talking burlesque folks! New York fans of burlesque are familiar with Wasabassco Burlesque, right? They have regular shows in Manhattan and Brooklyn. This Friday, April 22, City Winery will once again play host to the fun. Doors are at 11PM and it'll cost you $15.

This week's show will star Peekaboo Pointe, BooBess, Flying Fox, Harvest Moon, Matthew Holtzclaw, Ms Tickle, Nasty Canasta, Nikki Le Villain, Ruby Valentine, Sapphire Jones, and Doc Wasabassco. That's a lotta risqué fun for your buck! Grab a date, or not, and head down for a night of fun!

Doc Wasabassco’s BURLESQUE
City Winery 155 Varick St.
(at the corner of Vandam)
SoHo, NYC
Friday April 22 2011
11:30pm/ 11pm doors Admission $15

Tickets: HERE

Dave Stewart To Release The Blackbird Diaries In June

Dave Stewart (producer/artist/director/Eurythmics co-founder) will release his new album, The Blackbird Diaries via Weapons of Mass Entertainment/Surfdog Records/Razor & Tie, on Tuesday, June 28. The Blackbird Diaries contains all new material, duets with Stevie Nicks (whom he'll perform with as Special Guest at Webster Hall on May 4), Martina McBride, Colbie Caillat and feaures The Secret Sisters as well as a song co-written with Bob Dylan. Check out "Magic In The Blues" at the bottom of the post in our MP3 Grab.

"This was my favorite time ever in the studio, I wrote most of the songs on the spot and recorded all of them in one incredible session lasting 5 days and nights!," explains Dave Stewart. I made an unusual film of the process that not only features all the musicians and performers but also gives away some of my writing secrets which involves both a well known fortune teller and hypnotist who allowed themselves to be filmed in session with me."

Dave Stewart's The Blackbird Diaries is unlike anything he has embarked on during his illustrious 30 year music career both with Eurythmics and as a solo artist. With an American flare and rooted in rock, country, and blues, the album is in the vein of recent releases by Bob Dylan and Neil Young - masterful recordings mixed with rich and detailed lyrics. The Blackbird Diaries showcases a very different type of songwriting for Stewart with more story-driven autobiographical lyrics, which is a departure from the pop/rock sounds which have made him one of the most successful and revered songwriters/collaborators of all time. Tales of loves conquered and loves lost, Dave gets intimate, personal with words while he allows his music to rock free on an album that might just prove to be this artist's second, and perhaps finest, act.

Track List

• So Long Ago
• Beast Called Fame
• Magic In The Blues
• All Messed Up (featuring Martina McBride)
• Stevie Baby
• Cheaper Than Free (featuring Stevie Nicks)
• The Gypsy Girl and Me
• One Way Ticket To The Moon (featuring The Secret Sisters)
• Bulletproof Vest (featuring Colbie Caillat)
• Worth The Waiting For
• The Well
• Country Wine (featuring The Secret Sisters)

MP3 Grab: "Magic In The Blues" (right click, save)

Ian Hunter To Headline Hoboken Arts & Music Festival

Legendary rocker Ian Hunter will be headlining the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival in Hoboken, NJ on Sunday, May 1. Hunter & The Rant Band will take the stage at 4:30PM on the Observer Hwy Stage (btw. Newark & Observer Hwy). The Festival runs from 11AM to 6PM and takes place on Washington St. between Observer Highway to 7th St. It's FREE and will happen rain or shine!

With 3 stages of live music, over 300 artists, arts, crafts, food and more, there's sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. For more information, click HERE.

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