Video of the Day: Melanie Fiona - "I Tried"

Today we have for you, "I Tried" from Melanie Fiona.  The video is a heart-rending statement on violence. Check out the clip below. Drop a buck twenty-nine and buy it HERE.

Video of the Day: Cordelia & The Buffalo - "Free"

Today we have for you, "Free" from Cordelia & The Buffalo. The track has a tribal feel to it and the video is filled with striking colors against a black background with simple, effective, dramatic movements.  The song is from their self-titled debut EP that can be found HERE. Check out the video below. 

Cordelia & The Buffalo is the brainchild of Mexican-American musician, Cordelia, who brought the band together in 2011 with the goal of creating a fresh and unique new sound. Based in Boston, Cordelia & The Buffalo consists of Cordelia Vizcaino on vocals/synths, Yusuke Sato (guitar), Rodrigo Gramitto (guitar), Diego Diaz (drums), Dan McCallum (bass) and Dag Hanken (percussion/synths). Their 6-track debut EP was released in January 2015 and each single represents the stories of the band members’ journey to personal freedom. 

New Song and Video from Deap Vally

Rock duo Deap Vally have released a new track called "Royal Jelly".  This effort sounds more polished than their previous work, but it still has that raw, seductive blues rock sound that got us hooked on them in the first place.  The track was produced by Nick Zinner.  Check out the Jess Holzworth directed video featuring Georgia May Jagger below.  Drop a buck and buy it HERE.

Video of the Day: Six Black Cordelias - "Ostrich Blues (Love Refugee)"

Today we have for you a clip from Six Black Cordelias. The video is for their track "Ostrich Blues (Love Refugee)". Check it out below.

Their previous track "You Burn Under My Skin" has caught my ear too.  I'm digging these guys and look forward to hearing more from them. 

Upcoming: Makar at Lovecraft Bar, 11/14

Need plans for this coming Saturday night? Makar will be taking the stage at Lovecraft Bar, Room 2 on Saturday, November 14. See below for more details.

Makar

Saturday, November 14

Lovecraft Bar

50 Avenue B

New York, NY

Doors: 8:00pm / Show: 8:30pm

Tickets: $5 adv / $10 door

21+

Makar is Andrea DeAngelis and Mark Purnell. With her ethereal beauty and angelic voice, Andrea DeAngelis, who is also an accomplished poet and writer, has a magnetic presence that makes her a joy to see and hear.  With his deep, haunting vocals, Mark Purnell calls to mind a young John Cale. Their latest effort shows the true depth of their range as they draw on their influences from Bjork to Bowie to Blondie.

The Broadcast To Release New Album + Preorder Info

Asheville, NC based band The Broadcast are gearing up to release their latest album, From The Horizon. The Jim Scott produced album is scheduled to be released in the Spring, 2016. The band launched a Kickstarter project to preorder the album. There are still a couple of weeks left on the campaign and some nice perks available. Get all of the details HERE. If you dig what they're doing, show your support. 

For your viewing pleasure, have a look and listen to the clip below of The Broadcast's vocalist Caitlin Krisko and guitarist Aaron Austin performing a cover of Grace Potter's "Empty Heart".

New Album and Video from Cut Out Club

A few months ago, we featured a video from Tel Aviv band Cut Out Club. We're happy to say, they've released another video which can be seen below. The clip was directed by Asaf Billet. And, the track is from their self-titled album that was released last month.  

Cut Out Club is a fun album. There are moments that it's reminiscent of 70's glam rock while at other moments it reminds you of early 80's nu-wave punk. There are even some moments I hear some Chic influence. It does all of this while sounding fresh and at times had me wanting to hit the dance floor. QNYC's pick for standout tracks: "Tears Like A Storm", "Teen Operator", "Colorized" and my personal favorite the infectiously funky, "Out of My World". Check the album out using the handy widget below.

Newport Jazz Festival: Day 3

Sunday, August 2, 2015 -- Newport, RI

All good things must come to an end. After a two days of hot jazz, I found myself at Fort Adams for the final day of the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival. It was a nice day spent enjoying music and festival "madness" with fellow photographers. This is what it looked like.

After back to back weekends of music festivals, I determined my brain might be broken. But, have camera, will shoot. My first stop of the day was the Quad Stage where I caught a bit of Jon Faddis: Triumph of Trumpets before heading over to the Fort Stage to Michel Camilo/Hiromi Piano Duets.

I then made my way over to the Harbor Stage catch some of the Bill Frisell Trio before taking a bit of a break.

Next up was Dr. John and The Nite Trippers and a bite to eat before heading over to the Quad for Jason Lindner Now vs. Now.

It was then back to the Fort Stage to see Arturo Sandoval where it was determined by some ladies standing at the barrier behind the photo pit, that he had some nice moves and a declaration of perceived sexiness from one. Those are the kind of things I normally hear at folk fest, not jazz fest!

My favorite set of the day was the Mike Stern/Bill Evans Band over on the Quad stage because well, Mike Stern is pretty bad ass.

Jamie Cullum closed out the festival on the Fort Stage who had the URI Big Band join him for his set.

See you next year Newport Jazz! Check out more photos in the slideshow below or see the photo album HERE.

Newport Jazz Festival: Day 2

Saturday, August 1, 2015 -- Newport, RI

Day two of the Newport Jazz Festival kicked off with a performance by the Navy Band Northeast playing some tunes for the crowd at the gates as they awaited entry.  Those Navy fellas were some funky dudes! I was expecting some jazz or something. Nope, they got their groove on. Go Navy!

My first stop of the day was at the Quad Stage where I caught a little bit of Conrad Herwig's Latin Side of Horace Silver. I than headed to the Fort Stage to take in a bit of Jack DeJohnette's Made in Chicago.

I took my first break of the day and then headed back to the Quad to see Cecile McLorin Salvant with the Aaron Diehl Trio.  I than popped over to the Fort Stage for a bit of the Maria Schneider Orchestra.

Up next was a trip to the Harbor Stage to take in a bit of Wycliffe Gordon & Friends before heading over to hear a bit of Jose James.  

Wow, that's a lot of music and the day wasn't over. I made it around to catch Jon Batiste and Stay Human. Having seen them the previous week at folk fest, I was happy to see they changed things up a bit having some different folks on stage. With the exception of Batiste, drummer Joe Saylor and saxophonist Eddie Barbash everyone else appeared to be different from the previous week.

My next stop was over to the Quad to catch some of Hiromi: The Trio Project before heading to the main stage to Cassandra Wilson who was celebrating Billie Holiday. After that, I took a bit of a break and than headed to the Quad. Joey Alexander who had performed earlier on the Storyville Stage in the museum (yeah, I didn't make it to any of those sets, at all, the entire weekend) and was playing a short encore set.

I ended my day at the Quad Stage where Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton killed it. I sadly missed her version of "Wild Horses" as I had to leave a bit early but everyone raved about it!

Check out more photos in the slideshow below or see the photo album HERE.

Newport Jazz Festival: Day 1

Friday, July 31, 2015 -- Newport, RI

Summer's here and that means music...outdoors. My camera and I headed out for another weekend at the scenic Fort Adams State Park.  This time it was to take in the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management.  It was a bit humid out, it rained the night before so it wasn't as dusty as the previous week was where I came home coated in a layer of dust. My only hope for the weekend was that I could manage a few decent photos with my bum wrist while enjoying a weekend full of great music.  This is what it looked like.

I started my day at the Quad Stage to catch the Ambrose Akinmusire Quartet. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a trumpet fan but, I dig some of his stuff so I hung out there for a bit. 

My next stop was at the Harbor Stage to see what Matana Roberts' Coin Coin was all about. Um, well, while the rest of the audience was into it, I however couldn't get into it at all. Seriously, that was some weird ass shh…stuff and upon deciding I probably needed substances to "get it", I made my exit.

I walked around a bit and then made my way to the Fort Stage to catch some of the Johnathan Blake Quartet before taking a break.

I went back over to the Harbor Stage and caught a bit of Bria Skonberg & The Jazz Compatriots before heading back to the Fort Stage to catch the Gerald Clayton Quintet and then headed towards the food.

Food in hand, I realize I've not been paying attention to the time and heard Lucky Peterson starting up. Oh crap! So, I stashed my food in a safe location, grabbed my camera and ran over to the Quad Stage to grab a few photos. Making my way back to my food, I sat near the Quad and listened to the rest of Lucky's killer set. 

Next up at the Quad was Kneebody followed by the Christian McBride Trio.

The day closed out with Snarky Puppy on the Fort Stage who had the crowd on their feet.  And, it was nice to see some kids right up front enjoying the set like they were at a rock concert, props to them. I know I certainly wouldn't have been hanging front row at a jazz festival at that age.

Check out more photos in the slideshow below or see the photo album HERE.