Video of the Day: Cold Specks - "Holland"

Today we have you "Holland." It's by Cold Specks, the moniker of singer/songwriter Al Spx. Cold Specks will release their debut album, I Predict A Graceful Expulsion via Mute Records on May 22. The Olivier Groulx directed video can be seen at the bottom of the post.

Describing her sound as ‘Doom Soul’, Cold Specks’ music is steeped in the musical traditions of the Deep South. No wonder then that Al cites the Lomax Field Recordings and James Carr as influences along with Bill Callahan and Tom Waits. With a voice that evokes the ‘spirit feel’ of Mahalia Jackson and the visceral tones of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Cold Specks’ sparse arrangements and chain gang rhythms stop you dead in your tracks.

“My little brother, who was spending his summers with our mother in Toronto, had always told me of this girl he was friends with that had this amazing voice,” recalls Cold Specks’ manager, Jim Anderson. “As a producer I’d heard that so often that I didn't take too much notice. Then I came in one night to find him and a few friends drinking in the flat and playing a CD of her demos. I was completely transfixed and just kept pressing repeat. I knew I had to work with her. I eventually persuaded her to come over. At that point she had never played with another musician and was completely self-taught with her own unique tuning and timings, which we had to decipher.”

“Jim convinced me to fly out and work on the record for a few months,” explains Al Spx. “That was a year and a half ago. I guess I’m permanently based here now. I didn’t know anyone when I moved here. We needed musicians and Jim knew a bunch. Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey’s regular collaborator) has been helping out with some arrangements and percussion and Jim’s old friends Pete Roberts (guitar), Thomas Greene (piano) and Tom Havelock (cello) also play on the record.”

Gig Alert!!!

Cold Specks
(supporting Great Lake Swimmers)
Wednesday, May 30
Bowery Ballroom
6 Delancey St
New York, NY 10002
www.boweryballroom.com
Doors @ 8:00 pm / Show @ 9:00 pm
$15 advance / $17 dos
18+

Video of the Day: The Broadcast - "Hide Yourself Away"

Today, our Video of the Day is, "Hide Yourself Away" by The Broadcast. The song is the first track from their upcoming live album, The Broadcast Live which is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, March 13. The video was directed and edited by the bands very own Caitlin Krisko! Check the video out at the bottom of the post.

They will be hitting the road in support of the new record so check them out when they play near you. New York, show deets are below! If you've ever seen the band live, and you should, then you know you're in for some get up off your seat and shake yo' booty fun.

Gig Alert!!!

The Broadcast
Saturday, April 21
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston St.
New York, NY 10002
www.mercuryloungenyc.com
Doors @ 10:30pm
$12
21+

Talking To Walls Release Single For Charity

Rockers, Talking To Walls have released a new single. "Run" is being offered as a "pay what you can" donation with all, yes, 100% of the proceeds going to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. They've also released a video of the song which you can check out at the bottom of the post. If you wish to donate, visit the page the band has set up, HERE. And, for more information about the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, please click HERE.

Gig Alert!!!

Talking To Walls
(Black Hearts Parade Warm-up Show)
Thursday, March 15
Bar East
1733 1st Avenue @ 90th Street
www.bareast.com
NYC
$10
21+

Video of the Day: The Rassle - "21"

Today we have for you the new video from The Rassle. The clip, which they produced themselves, is for their song "21." Nice work fellas. Check out the video below, I think you'll enjoy it...I do.

Miss Guy's Dumb Blonde Is Smart Fun

Miss Guy kicked off the new year in style with the release of his solo record, Dumb Blonde. For the handful of those not in the know, Miss Guy is the frontman of the delightfully fun, glam punk band Toilet Boys as well as being one insanely talented DJ.

Dumb Blonde starts off with the infectious title track. When I first listened to the record it took me a while to get around to listening to the other four tracks. It's one of those catchy songs that grabs you and forces you to hit repeat many, many times and dance around the room. I finally allowed the second song to play only to realize I wouldn't be sitting down anytime soon. Where the autobiographical "Dumb Blonde" has more of a rock edge to it, "Take It Off" is a dance jam of the electro variety. It reminds me of Peaches which in my book isn't a bad thing 'cause I like Peaches. At any rate, it's one of those songs that makes you wanna get a little nasty on the dance floor at the club. There's something a little cheeky about following those two songs with a couple of songs that are reminiscent of 70's ("Magic") and 80's ("Don't Stop") pop music. The latter kind of made me feel like I should be awkwardly slow dancing at a school dance. The record closes with "Sometimes" which is kind of dreamy sounding. Sadly, it doesn't catch my attention in the same way as other songs on the album do.

Miss Guy has provided a compact and diverse piece of musical fun with Dumb Blonde. I'm enjoying it and that folks, makes it top notch in my book.

The video for "Dumb Blonde" has been released. Check it out below.

Track Listing

• Dumb Blonde
• Take It Off
• Magic
• Don't Stop
• Sometimes

Video of the Day: The Ettes - Teeth

Today we have for you, Teeth by The Ettes. The song is from their Wicked Will album. If you haven't picked up the record, I highly recommend it. I also suggest you go see the band live when they're playing near you. They put on a great show.

In summary, we like The Ettes, we like the video so, check it out below.

Out Today: Prospector - Between 0 & 1

Guess what today is, well, other than Valentine's Day! Today is the day one of our faves, Prospector, releases their full-length record, Between 0 & 1! Ten songs, some of which are re-worked versions of songs from their Get It Over With Already EP. Where that EP was raw and primal, Between 0 & 1 is more polished but, manages to maintain the passion and energy that drew me to the band in the first place.

New York, add to your plans this evening. They're having their album release show TONIGHT, February 14! Show your special person what good taste you have in music by taking them down to Fontana's. It will cost you $5 and doors are at 8:30PM (they're on at 11PM) to dance up a sweat with Prospector, have some drinks and buy them the gift of Between 0 & 1. I guarantee your date will think you're hot and you'll get one helluva show ... okay, maybe I'll only put my guarantee on the latter.

Track Listing

• Back To The Start
• Twilight
• Wait
• Locations
• Breaks My Head
• Untitled
• Black Is The Rose
• Heartbreakin' Man
• Against The Wall
• You Don't Take It Well

Song of the Day: Nabiha - "Deep Sleep"

Today we have for you "Deep Sleep" from Danish-African pop singer-songwriter Nabiha. I'm totally digging this song and wondering why I'm just now hearing about this woman?! I apparently need to listen to more pop music. Her debut album Cracks was "re-edited" and released as More Cracks and will be available stateside soon. Scroll down to the bottom of the post and grab "Deep Sleep" in our MP3 Grab.

Nabiha is currently working on a new record to be released sometime in 2012. She will making her US performance debut later this month. And guess what New York? She'll be on the LES at Rockwood Music Hall on February 21 at 8:30PM.

Nabiha Bensouda, the award-winning, chart-topping Danish-African pop soul-singer, is currently dominating the pop music scene in Scandinavia and is poised and ready to take on the US.

Nabiha, whose family has both Danish and North-West African roots, grew up in Copenhagen, Denmark listening to a wide variety of music ranging from African lullabies to disco, soul, reggae, rock, R&B, and electronica, all of which are present in Nabiha’s style today. “Deep Sleep” her first single includes one of her mother’s favorite African lullabies. “I grew up with a welcoming, loving, strong mother and grandmother who taught me so much about life. I was constantly inspired by the love of people around me. I feel lucky.”

Nabiha is currently writing and recording her next album, due out in 2012, and on February 3, she will perform at an already sold out show in Denmark. In late February Nabiha will be making her US performance debut, first at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC on 2/21/2012 at 8:30pm, and then at Hotel Café in LA on 2/25/2012 at 7pm.

MP3 Grab: "Deep Sleep"

Audio Fiction Working On New Record & Launch Kickstarter Project

New York based band Audio Fiction are working on a new record. That's good news folks! The band has launched a Kickstarter project to help the process along. The upcoming self-released record is being produced by their former bassist Darren (Korb). If you haven't see them perform, you're missing out. They put on a heck of a show. If you wanna show Kristin (Wilson), Charles (Park), Mark (O'Toole) and "new guy" Dean (Perry) some love and support, head on over to their Kickstarter page, learn more about the project and pledge options.

For those who aren't familiar with the band, check out the video below.

Upcoming: Herman Dune at Joe's Pub 1/16 + MP3

Hey New York, got plans Monday, January 16? No? Head down to Joe's Pub and catch Herman Dune! The show is at 7:30PM and it'll cost you $15. The following day, January 17, their new EP, Tell Me Something I Don't Know is scheduled to be released via their own Strange Moosic Records.

To whet your appetite and to get you ready for the show, grab the title track, "Tell Me Something I Don't Know" in our MP3 Grab at the bottom of the post. You can also lay eyes on the video for the song down 'roun' there too. The video features Jon Hamm (info says he's from Mad Men) and a cute, fuzzy blue character...unless the cute, fuzzy blue character is Jon Hamm in which case it's featuring Jon Hamm and some all right looking, non-fuzzy, not blue guy.

More than a decade ago, in 1999, songwriter and vocalist David-Ivar Herman Dune and drummer Cosmic Neman let go of their secular life and created the French band, Herman Dune. John Peel picked the band as one of his favorites and invited them to more than ten of his glorious Peel Sessions that would allow Herman Dune to perform all over the world.

Herman Dune
Joe's Pub
425 Lafayette Street, NYC
7:30PM
$15
www.joespub.com

MP3 Grab - "Tell Me Something I Don't Know"