What You May Have Missed: Laura Warshauer at The Bowery Ballroom

Laura Warshauer: May 1, 2012 @ The Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY 

This past Tuesday, singer/songwriter Laura Warshauer took the stage at The Bowery Ballroom.  Warshauer, a tiny, effervescent lady breezed through a six-song set that left those in attendance charmed and wanting more.  Three songs in, she played "Wishing Well" which was, judging by audience response, a crowd favorite; my personal favorite was "Will You Remember Me".  With a slightly scratchy voice that gave her a bit of an edgy sound, there were moments in the set where it seemed like she was on the edge of tumbling into full-on rock chick.  

Warshauer was joined onstage by Kiara Ana Perico (violin), whom I could barely see from my vantage point thanks to the keyboard apparatus of the nights headliner Bob Schneider, and Calle Lehmann (guitar).  As someone seeing Warshauer perform for the first time, I was happy that she's the kind of performer that made you feel like you've known her all along.  Check out a clip of her closing number "Rockstar" at the bottom of the post.

More photos HERE.

Set List

• Who I Am
• Sweet Seventeen
• Wishing Well
• Will You Remember Me
• Black Crow
• Rockstar 

Upcoming: Antony Bitar at Rockwood Music Hall, May 5

New York, Antony Bitar will be taking the stage at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 1, on Saturday, May 5. It's an early show!  He goes on at 5PM.  Hear tell he will be celebrating his 24th birthday, so swing by, hear some music and show him some birthday love.

A self-taught pianist, Antony Bitar had been writing songs ever since he was a teenager. Upon graduating college, Antony decided to collect some of the songs that he had written over the years and embark on the incredible journey of recording an album. After collaborating with producers, Eshy Gazit and Jason Cummings, Antony Bitar released his debut self-titled full length album on September 13, 2011.

Upcoming: My Goodness at Pianos, May 16

New York, Seattle rockers My Goodness will be taking the stage at Pianos on Wednesday, May 16.  They go on at 8PM and it'll cost you $8.  The duo will release their debut single "C'mon Doll," digitally on May 21.  A video for the track recently premiered on NME.  Check it out at the bottom of the post.

My Goodness keep their blues-infused bluster simple. Economical. They pare it back to the bare bones with use of just one guitar and a drum kit. Vocals cutting through the middle. In their world, less is more. It’s all about the power of two. The strength of the duo. Synchronicity and simplicity. It’s about liberation too – and the unreconstructed idea of having fun. Just plugging in and letting rip. It’s about amplified, electrified music. Stroppy, wired and armed with tunes a-plenty. Just as it should be.

The band was born when Joel Schneider and Ethan Jacobsen closed a bar one night in January 2010 and went for a drunken jam in a nearby practice space. Both were working in iconic/historic Seattle venue Neumos and already in other bands but the two needed to bust loose. At the time Joel hadn’t even picked up a six-string guitar for five years and the sheer liberating power of writing three songs – all in open string tuning to keep it ultra-simple - in that one initial session was overwhelming.

Their debut single ‘CMon Doll’ and b-side track ‘Lost in the Soul’ was recorded in Red Room Studios, Seattle with producer Chris Common from These Arms Are Snakes. Everything was recorded to tape – no Pro-Tools, no digital enhancing. This live and raw approach carries over into My Goodness’ live shows too.

NY Pin Up Club Burlesque, TONIGHT, May 3

The Alchemist

New York, the NY Pin Up Club is having their monthly show tonight, Thursday, May 3. The shows are always a helluva lot of fun. Join host Brandon Herman as a lovely group of ladies shake and shimmy the night away. The theme, Black and White Burlesque ... the ladies will be performing to songs by the Black Keys and the White Stripes. Scheduled to perform, Baby Blue, Vada James, Little Motown, go-go by The Alchemist and stage kitten Ivory Askew. So, head on down to the Bowery Poetry Club and be extra loud when hoot, holler, applaud and in general enjoy yourself! Doors are at 7PM, show is 8PM and it'll cost you $15.

The Broadcast Launch Kickstarter Project

If you've visited this little corner of the Internet world, then you may have seen The Broadcast mentioned.  In case you haven't, they used to be New Yorkers but now they're down in North Carolina doing the rock 'n' roll thing full-time.  Full-time means, touring and making new music.  Speaking of new music,  they're working on a new record and have launched a Kickstarter Project to help get things finished and in the hands of the masses.  Check out the project details HERE.  If you dig them, show them some love.  They're a fun band.  And if they happen to be playing near you, go and shake your booty!

Check out the project video.

George Harrison Documentary & Unreleased Music

Earlier this week, Martin Scorecese's documentary was released on DVD and Blue-ray.  George Harrison: Living in the Material World takes you on a journey through George Harrison's life.  A lot of it is told in his own words and of course through the those that knew him.  Also, available is a companion music collection containing unreleased works by Harrison.  The collection, Early Takes Volume 1 offers up demo versions and other unreleased material.

Martin Scorsese’s GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD, which premiered on HBO last October, is getting a proper release on May 1st. Universal Music Enterprises will be releasing the film on DVD, Blu-ray, and a Deluxe Edition that will include the DVD, Blu-ray, special packaging and a 96-page book of photography to accompany the film. 

The film focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema’s most pre-eminent filmmakers on one of the world’s most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was Harrison’s life, much of it told in his own words. The result is deeply moving and touches each viewer in unique and individual ways.

There is also an exclusive 10-track album called EARLY TAKES VOLUME 1 on CD and LP featuring previously unreleased music from George Harrison coming on May 1st. The album is a pivotal companion piece to the documentary and features previously unreleased recordings from Harrison

Tracklist

• My Sweet Lord (demo)
• Run Of The Mill (demo)
• I'd Have You Any Time (early take)
• Mama You've Been On My Mind (demo)
• Let It Be Me (demo)
• Woman Don't You Cry For Me (early take)
• Awaiting On You All (early take)
• Behind That Locked Door (demo)
• All Things Must Pass (demo)
• The Light That Has Lighted The World (demo)

Trailer: George Harrison: Living in the Material World

ResidentBand Episode 035: Jules Larson - "You Know It's True"

Our friends over at ResidentBand have put Episode 035 online!  You can check it out below.  The clip features Jules Larson performing "You Know It's True."  The studio version of the song can be found on her EP A Lot Like You.  Check out the video below and enjoy.

Upcoming: Crazy Mary at The Delancey, Friday 4/27

New York based band Crazy Mary will be taking the stage at The Delancey on Friday, April 27.  They go on at 8:45PM and it'll cost you $5.  They're celebrating the release of their record, Dreaming In Brilliant Color.  The band has a classic sound, check out one of their tunes below.  Head on down to The Delancey and show them some love.

Formed by veteran Lower East Side guitarist and songwriter Charles Kibel and drummer Nick Raisz, Crazy Mary has been conjuring its refreshingly oddball avant-garage rock since 1998. A bubbling cauldron of chiming and scraping guitars, creepy organ, spacey, experimental sounds, Dada-ish pranksterism, and absurdly danceable rhythms, the band distills it all into a surreal cocktail of post-punk/psychedelic weirdness. And now, with the recent additions of legendary underground violinist Walter Steding and expatriate Australian vocalist Em Z, things have gotten even weirder. In a good way, of course.

 

Miss Guy Releases "Sometimes"

Miss Guy has released a video for his song "Sometimes."  The video was directed by Nicole Brending.

The clip features a cast of dolls.  Normally, I find dolls to be a bit creepy.  But, I ended up fascinated by the sad junkie doll with its vacant eyes.  Did I just see a doll orgy?  Wow.  In the end, it hit me that I know some people who closely resemble that doll.

The song didn't catch my ear as much as other songs on Miss Guy's Dumb Blonde EP when I first heard it.  But, the video just ties things together into this sad, but beautiful package.  It has you feeling sorry for the heartbroken doll who's trying to cover his pain in all the wrong ways.  It has given me a new appreciation of the song.

Check out "Sometimes" below.

Yuna Releases Self-Titled Album

Malaysian singer/songwriter Yuna released her self-titled album this week!  Those of us in the States, we can find it on sale HERE.  Now, for those of you not in the know, Yuna has one of those pure voices that just captures your ear.  Check out the album and enjoy.  Also, if you get the opportunity to see her live, don't walk, run to the show.  You will without a doubt enjoy yourself.

GIG ALERT!!!  Yuna will be at (le) poisson rouge on Thursday, June 7.  It'll cost you $14.  Doors are at 6:30PM.