Recap: Reignwolf at the Newport Folk Festival

Newport Folk Festival: Reignwolf, July 25, 2014 @ Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

Jordan Cook brought his Reignwolf to the Newport Folk Festival.  This was one of the most talked about sets all weekend…to think, this is someone who doesn't even have an album out yet.  Reignwolf basically owned and killed the Quad Stage.  This wasn't folk music, no, not even close…well, I guess if you count the fact that it was music and folks listened to it, then yes, it was folk music.  I left the Quad to shoot another set and ran right back to see the rest of the Reignwolf set…not something I generally tend to do.  

It was a bluesy, guitar heavy, sweat and swagger rock show that had Cook making his way into the audience to perform.  At some point during the set, I declared musical lust.  I walked away with that heady euphoric giddiness that only comes about when rock 'n' roll excites me. Yep, I got rock 'n' roll butterfly stomach…words I never thought I'd say while referencing an artist at a folk festival.  

This is what it looked like...

More photos HERE

Bari Koral & Oran Etkin Play Newport Festivals Foundation Annual Family Concert

Newport Festivals Foundation Family Concert: July 30, 2014 @ Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI

The Newport Festivals Foundation held their annual family concert.  Oran Etkin kicked things off with his program Oran Etkin's Timbalooloo: Wake Up, Clarinet! representing the jazz side of things.  The set was educational and incredibly fun introducing Clara and her Mama Tuba.  Etkin assembled/woke up Clara with children from the audience shouting out help before launching into a set that had the kids dancing and parents thoroughly entertained.

The Bari Koral Family Rock Band represented the folk side of things.  Koral and her band had the kids dancing and following song prompts.  The kids happily danced, jumped and performed yoga poses when called for.  

When the Newport Festivals Foundation says "family" they mean it.  This was a program that was easily enjoyed by the children as well as the adults they brought with them.

Oran Etkin's Timbalooloo: Wake Up, Clarinet! (more photos HERE)

Bari Koral Family Rock Band (more photos HERE)

The Audience (more photos HERE)

2014 Newport Jazz Festival Daily Schedule

It's almost time for us to make our trek to the Newport Jazz Festival.  It's a big year for the festival as it's celebrating 60 years!  They've expanded to add a third day, Friday, at The Fort in addition to their evening concert that day at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.  Check out the daily schedule below…lots of good stuff to see so start planning what sets you want to catch!  Click HERE for a print friendly copy.

2014 Newport Folk Festival Schedule

The Newport Folk Festival is growing near…time to figure out your schedule of which sets you want to catch.  I warn you, there will be conflicts…so much to see, so little time!  Check it out below!  Oh, and if you want to print out a copy, click HERE.

Saint Motel Release Video + Upcoming EP

Saint Motel, a fave around the QNYC office, recently released a video for "My Type".  The tune is insanely infectious and the clip is fun with a retro vibe. Scroll down a bit, turn up the volume and get caught up in all of the groovy goodness.

The My Type EP is scheduled for release on July 28 via Parlophone Records. 

Control Group Release New Single + Upcoming Show

Brooklyn based band Control Group released their new single, "You Can Be The Star" yesterday.  The track is from their upcoming debut album, Hot Swap, which is scheduled for release later this summer.  

"You Can Be The Star" reminds me of 90's alternative power pop.  It's a comfortable sound, but one they make all their own.  You can pick up the single HERE.

Control Group will be hitting the stage at Mercury Lounge on Tuesday, July 8.  Tickets go on-sale this Friday, June 13 at 12PM.  See below for more details.

Control Group

Tuesday, July 8

Mercury Lounge

217 E Houston Street

New York, NY

Doors: 6:30PM / Set: 7:30PM

Tickets: $10 advance / $12 dos

21+

NYC Premiere of The Case of the Three Sided Dream, Film on Rahsaan Kirk, TOMORROW, 6/11

Wednesday, June 11, is the New York premiere of, The Case of the Three Sided Dream, a documentary on Rahsaan Roland Kirk.  The Adam Kahan directed film is being held at the IFC Center.  See below for more details and to watch the trailer.

The Case of the Three Sided Dream

Wednesday, June 11

IFC Center

323 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY

(212) 924-7771

8PM

Tickets: $9 - $14

Directed by Adam Kahan, the film tells the story of Kirk, who went from a blind infant, to child prodigy, to adult visionary, political activist, and finally to paralyzed showman who toured and played music until the day he died (December 5, 1977). 

Take part in a post-film discussion with Kahan, Dorthaan Kirk – Rahsaan’s widow and a founding member of WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM – and trombonist Steve Turre, Kirk’s long-time friend and band member. 

For tickets, log on to www.ifccenter.com/films/the-case-of-the-three-sided-dream.

If I Dropped By… with Jared Griffin of Sioux City Kid

Sioux City Kid will be at Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 2 this coming Tuesday, June 10 at 10PM.  So, in anticipation of the show, it seemed like the perfect time to pose my "If I Dropped By…" questions to Sioux City Kid's Jared Griffin.  Now, if you're not familiar, scroll down to the bottom of the post and checkout the band's new single "Heartbreak Shakedown".  I think you'll like it.

Quirky NY Chick (QNYC): ... and brought a friend who didn't know your music, what song of yours would you play for them and why?

Jared Griffin (JG): Ol' Tennessee. It's my most personal song. 

Kan Wakan Release New Album + "Mont Blanc"

Los Angeles based band Kan Wakan released their full-length debut, Moving On, this week.  Check out the track "Mont Blanc" below.

Kan Wakan emerged in early 2012, the musical brainchild of composer/producer/multi-instrumentalist Gueorgui I. Linev.  The Bulgarian-born musician originally set out to create solely instrumental music inspired by his lifelong passion for classical minimalism, but the involvement  of  chanteuse  Kristianne  Bautista  and  producer/guitarist  Peter  Potyondy rapidly saw the project grow in both scope and purpose.

“Initially  the  project  began  as  an  outlet  for  me  to  perform  some  of  my  bedroom instrumental  ideas  with  a  small  chamber  ensemble  comprised  of  strings,  brass  and percussion” Linev says, “At one point it felt natural to me to introduce guitars, keyboard and drums into the mix, and around this time is when I met with Peter and Kristianne. It took a very natural course as we spent the next year or so experimenting together and more like minded musicians came into the mix.”

Love Crushed Velvet - "Lover, Leave The Lights On"

Check out the latest video clip from Love Crushed Velvet.  The track, "Lover, Leave The Lights On" is from the album Delusions.