Thursday, May 5, 2011

Hello Vegas Offer New Song


I was browsing my inbox and I see an email with the subject line "Hey Quirky Chick." Well, heck, that caught my eye so I opened it! It was from LA, Cali band Hello Vegas, Jason to be exact. Hey Jason, what's up?! They've got a new song called "No One Knows" and they're giving it away, cool, we like free stuff.

I checked out the song which was described as music you can swim to. Okay, that works for me! I dig it and I have to say, soon everyone will know. Have a listen for yourselves. The song can be downloaded using the handy widget below. If you like it, they're on Facebook and Twitter, head over, say hi, tell them you dig it and say thanks for hooking you up with free goodies.

(click the arrow on the right to download)
HELLO VEGAS - No One Knows by hellovegas


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Jolly Boys Release New Record


The Jolly Boys released their latest record Great Expectation this week. The Jamaican mento group reinterprets songs by The Clash, The Stooges, The Stranglers, New Order, Amy Winehouse, and more. The highlights for me are Winehouse's "Rehab," The Stranglers "Golden Brown" and Steely Dan's "Do It Again." I'm still on the fence with the bonus track, a cover of The Human League's "Don't You Want Me." It's not that I don't like it. It's just one of those songs from back in the day that I used to dance around my room to while trying to imitate the dry monotone of the female lead. So, it's more of a memories thing. Check the album out for yourselves. You can stream Great Expectation in its entirety on AOL Music.

The album has all the makings of a fun summer record. It's likely to be well played at backyard and rooftop parties this year.

Grab "Emmanuel Road" from the handy widget at the bottom of the post.
You certainly won't be the first to have The Jolly Boys playing amongst friends. The band has been integral to the fabric of Jamaica's musical landscape and cultural heritage for nearly sixty years. They were even the house band for the Rat Pack's Jamaica chapter, chaired by the swashbuckling enfant terrible, Errol Flynn. Singing songs of double entendre and ribaldry to those in search of escape and excess, the group served as Port Antonio's go-to band for thirty years. Being "discovered" by a new generation of world music aficionados in the late 1980s meant The Jolly Boys could take their musical party on the road. Several albums, dozens of countries, and thirty years since, The Jolly Boys have become the most recognized mento band in the world.

Tracklist (Deluxe Edition)
  • Passenger
  • Perfect Day
  • Rehab
  • Should I Stay or Should I Go
  • Nightclubbing
  • Hanging On The Telephone
  • Do It Again
  • Riders On The Storm
  • Golden Brown
  • I Fought The Law
  • Ring Of Fire
  • Blue Monday
  • You Can't Always Get What You Want
  • Don't You Want Me (Bonus Track)
(click the arrow on the right to download)
Emmanuel Road - The Jolly Boys by geejamstudios


Butcher The Bar Announces First Release In Three Years


Butcher The Bar, also known as Manchester-based Joel Nicholson, has announced his first record of new material in three years. His sophomore album For Each A Future Tethered will be released on June 21 via Morr Music. Check out the first single, "Bobby" in the MP3 Grab at the bottom of the post.

In For Each A Future Tethered he shares his personal story with wispy serene vocals and creative arrangements. There is a wider range of musical accompaniment, with the inclusion of trumpets, clarinets, harmoniums and pianos, resulting in a richer, more developed sound. Some songs - like the confident lullaby "Cradle Song" and "Blood For The Breeze" could be folk standards, while others set new standards for folk music. The music is somewhat reminiscent of label mates Seabear, but his earnest songwriting is true to the tradition of great songwriters like Nick Drake, Paul Simon and Elliott Smith.

Track List
  • Sign Your Name
  • Bobby
  • Cradle Song
  • Giant
  • Alpha Street West
  • Blood For The Breeze
  • Silk Tilts
  • Sin So Sweet
  • X
  • Cornered To The Cusp
  • Lullaby

MP3 Grab: "Bobby"

Twin Atlantic Releases Free


Glasgow's Twin Atlantic released Free, Tuesday, May 3 via Red Bull Records. Check out the video for the current single and title track "Free" below.

Free was recorded at Red Bull Studios in Santa Monica, CA with legendary producer Gil Norton (Foo Fighters, Pixies, Jimmy Eat World). The album continues to expand upon the band’s signature sound, melding angular riffs with energetic choruses. Explosive and hard charging, yet melodic and thoughtful, the tracks cut deep and ring true to the listener, leaving a lasting impression.

In describing the new batch of songs, frontman Sam McTrusty explains, “We wanted there to be a brutal honesty in the lyrics. There are love songs and relationship songs, there are some with a party vibe, and there are some that are weird, heavy and grungy pop songs.” Guitarist Barry McKenna adds, “Personally the only thing I wanted to achieve from this whole process is an album the four of us could stand by and invest ourselves in. We have done that.”





Nat Baldwin To Release New Record


Double bassist/singer-songwriter Nat Baldwin will release his upcoming record People Changes on Tuesday, May 24 via Western Vinyl.

People Changes was recorded by Matt Walsh at Florida Keys Studio in New York City in May/June 2010, mixed by Scott Solter, and mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering. Guests include Matt Bauder (clarinets), Caley Monahon-Ward (violin), Brett Deschenes (trumpet), Will Glass (drums), Al Mead (guitar) and Jeremy Leclair (alto saxophone). The album follows A Split EP with Extra Life (2008, Shatter Your Leaves) on which earlier versions of “Weights” and “Lifted” appear, Most Valuable Player (2008), Enter the Winter (2006) and Lights Out EP (2005) on Broken Sparrow Records, and his experimental free jazz debut Solo Contrabass (2003, Peacock Recordings). In addition to Dirty Projectors, Nat Baldwin has performed on Vampire Weekend’s Contra and Department of Eagles' In Ear Park. He will tour behind the album’s release this spring.


Jim Greer Releases New Album


Producer/Songwriter/Musician Jim Greer released his new record on March 14. The record Ginger Vision was released via Rondo Brothers/ War Chant Records.

As a songwriter Greer crafts impressionistic, melodic songs that beget comparisons to contemporaries such as Sean Lennon, The Flaming Lips, etc., and classic artists like Syd Barrett or Nick Drake. Greer is joined on the album primarily by Oakland drummer/musician Tim Carter, who contributed guitar and percussion to the multi-platinum UK band Kasabian's latest album, and who has been performing live around the bay area with Greer since 1994.

Ginger Vision deals largely with the painful life circumstance of Greer's 20-month old son, Teddy, being diagnosed with a rare pediatric cancer, called neuroblastoma, last year. Ginger Vision will take you through the experience Jim and his family has been enduring in 2010 till today. It is a beautiful representation of the hardships Greer is currently going through, all dedicated to his son, Teddy. Make sure to pick up a copy of Ginger today, all proceeds from sales of the album will go to Teddy's fund and assist Jim and his family in handling the costs of Teddy's treatment.



The Submarines On Baeble


Check out
The Submarines on Baeble Music.



Watch the full video at Baeblemusic.com

Friday, April 29, 2011

Upcoming: The Twees, May 8


New York band The Twees will be playing Mercury Lounge on Sunday, May 8. It's the late show, so doors at 8:45PM and it'll cost you $8. Hey, that's Mother's Day. You should take your mom out for a night of rockin'.



Upcoming: Women That Rock NYC, May 9


The ladies are gonna rock the house on the LES. That's right folks, LRock the Party Bookin
g Presents: Women That Rock NYC. On Monday, May 9, a group of talented rockin' ladies with take the stage at The Bowery Electric. Doors are at 7PM and it will cost you $10 ($8 if you RSVP). One of my favorite rockin' ladies, Lisa Bianco will be there. She's debuting her new band, Lou Petto on drums and Kenny Aaronson on bass! Check out the full details below.








LROCK THE PARTY BOOKING PRESENTS:

WOMEN THAT ROCK NYC

11:00 - Christine Hoberg
10:10 - Casey Henry
9:20 - Lacrymosa
8:30 - Lisa Bianco
7:40 - Julia Weldon
7:00 - Christina LaRocca

at the BOWERY ELECTRIC
327 Bowery @ 2nd Street

RSVP TO THIS EVENT FOR VIP REDUCED ADMISSION TO THIS EVENT
($8 instead of $10 at on the door)

Must be 21 to enter with valid ID


Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Jump Into The Gospel: Hot, Sweaty, Butt Shakin' Fun


Jump Into The Gospel: April 25, 2011 @ Me
rcury Lounge, New York, NY


Monday night I went down to Mercury Lounge to catch the charismatic Jump Into The Gospel do their thing. Each time I see them, the crowd gets a little bigger and a little louder. I wasn't much into the two bands before them and to be honest, I was a little concerned about the overall energy of the room. Maybe that was just me though; I had some lovely Tennessee refreshments so I may have been paying more attention to that more than to those two bands. That being said, any concern however, went away when JITG hit the stage. There was an amazing energy during their set and everyone, audience and band, seemed hellbent on getting their party on. See what a good time I had? I had so much fun I said 'getting their party on.' Curse you skinny, music playing boys for making me use horrid terms like that! Several times during the evening, I glanced over my shoulder and saw massive amounts of dancing.

You should really catch these guys while they're playing intimate venues. With their insanely catchy songs and 'let's have a party up in here' vibe, you'll soon have to stand in line with the masses to get into their shows. I wouldn't want anyone to miss the ass shakin' good time they offer.

Oh, btw, in case you didn't know or it for some bizarre reason slipped your mind, Jump Into The Gospel have EP out. The self-titled release can be found HERE if you're into the digital thing. It's a name your own price deal so technically, you could get it for free. But, if you want to be super cool, you could show them some monetary love. And, if that wasn't enough, and you have a fondness for vinyl, you can click HERE and buy it in that format. Whichever format you choose, you'll fall in lust ... the heavy petting kind of lust, not the slutty bathroom stall kind, that's reserved for their live performances.




More photos HERE