Charlie Belle Get Remixed and Scheduled To Play SXSW Opening Party

Charlie Belle (L-R): Gyasi Bonds, Jendayi Bonds. Photo Credit: Barclay Ice & Coal.

Teen brother/sister duo Jendayi Bonds (guitar, vocals) and Gyasi Bonds (drums, vocals) known under their band moniker Charlie Belle are scheduled to play the official SXSW opening party on March 15 at Maggie Mae's. Their song "You Don't Know Me" was remixed by Dan Milrood. The original track is on their EP I Don't Want To Be Alone. Check out the remix below.

It’s been just over a year since the release of the first Charlie Belle EP “Get To Know,” which introduced 17-year-old Jendayi’s songwriting to a national audience.  Since then, Charlie Belle has gone on to release another five-song collection, “I Don’t Want To Be Alone,” which showcased a maturing take on the Brit-flavored pop sound that Jendayi is influenced by, but with more of an R&B overtone. 

“It’s pretty R&B inspired,” she says of the latest EP.  “I’ve really been feeling the groove and trying to figure out a way to put that into Charlie Belle without taking away from who we are.”

Charlie Belle at South By Southwest

• 03/09 Austin, TX @ Bungalow (92 Rainey St.) 830PM, SXSW
• 03/14 Austin, TX @ Austin-Bergstrom International Airport 3PM, SXSW
• 03/15 Austin, TX @ Maggie Mae’s 9:20PM, Official SXSW Music Opening Night Party
• 03/17 Austin, TX @ 100 Pizzitas (900 E 7th St.) 6PM, SXSW
• 03/20 Austin, TX @ Threadgill’s 1:20PM, SXSW, Mad Tiger Fest

Juke Jaxon - "Memory Man"

Check out the debut single, "Memory Man", from Juke Jaxon. It was released February 26. Stream it below; buy it HERE.

Meeting on the London underground in summer of 2014, Jack Moore and Ben Hawthorne discovered a mutual interest for classic British sounds and the 60’s Motown greats. Then, like many others before, took to bedroom songwriting before emerging as Juke Jaxon, now ready to demonstrate their re-imagining of this elusive genre. 

Musically the band’s début single ‘Memory Man’ wears its influences clearly on its sleeve, evoking classic elements with an electrifying crunch and soulful swagger. Think Alex Turner a la Last Shadow Puppets with vocal spice from James Blake thrown in and an added touch of Jamie Woon - you’ll see what sort of ballpark we are in here. 

‘Memory Man' has the sound that lashes out whilst masking tears. Melodically aggressive; Lyrically sensitive. The song tries to embrace you with one arm, but punches you, winding you, with the other.

Eerie Wanda Release New Album

Eerie Wanda released their new album, Hum, on February 26 via Beyond Beyond Is Beyond Records.  Check out the track "There Aren't Many Things" from the album, below. 

Eerie Wanda began as the music project of Croatian/Dutch singer-songwriter Marina Tadic. After graduating art school in 2011 she joined the Amsterdam group Earth Mk. II on guitar. Finding inspiration in bands like The Velvet Underground, Young Marble Giants, Beat Happening & Daniel Johnston, Marina decided to try her hand at writing her own songs. After a collection of her bedroom demos began circulating among friends in the Amsterdam music scene they eventually made their way to veteran producer/bassist Jasper Verhulst (formerly of Lola Kite/Moss, currently in Jacco Gardner) who encouraged her to put a band together and record a proper album. After adding Bram Vervaet (formerly of Lola Kite) on lead guitar and Nic Niggebrugge (also currently in Jacco Gardner) on drums, tracking began for the debut Eerie Wanda album Hum in an old Cold War-era bunker in Vondelpark, Amsterdam. Their first live shows were met with much enthusiasm and a slot supporting L.A. band the Allah Las for several dates on a European tour was quickly secured. 

Eerie Wanda is marked by Marina’s sepia-toned songs, sung in a dreamy tenor and based around timeless melodies and arrangements. The songs stick to a classic formula, evoking a warm summery nostalgia and drawing comparisons to Angel Olsen, Broadcast, & the tuneful dynamics of Buddy Holly. Her voice is as central as anything else to the album’s success; it’s a two-toned, barely-accented gem of sweetness and melancholy, a distant cousin (somehow) to both Hope Sandoval and “I Am the Cosmos”-era Chris Bell. Tadic’s voice is compelling and consistent throughout the album, both sturdy and sympathetic, the ideal vehicle to carry the band’s often-ornate brocades of sound. 

Hum undoubtedly benefits from the musical contributions delivered by a positively note-perfect backing band, parts of which has provided similarly shimmering sound enhancement for Jacco Gardner. Here, the band plays almost indescribably well, as tight and together as anything you’re likely to hear this year. The title-track, in particular, boasts a “Wrecking Crew”-worthy accompaniment, with a walking bass-line and leisurely, graceful guitar giving the song a brightness unmatched.

Tour Dates

• Tuesday 3/8 - BSP - Kingston, NY 
• Wednesday 3/9 - The Record Company - Boston, MA 
• Thursday 3/10 - Fringe Theater - Washington, DC 
• Saturday 3/12 - Caledonia Lounge - Athens, GA 
• Tuesday 3/15 - SX Foreplay Fest @ The Crown & Harp - Dallas, TX 
• Wednesday 3/16 - Dutch Impact SXSW Showcase @ Cedar Street Courtyard - Austin, TX 
• Friday 3/18 - Panache SXSW Official Showcase @ Hotel Vegas - Austin, TX 
• Tuesday 3/22 - Yucca Tap Room - Tempe, AZ 
• Thursday 3/24 - Soda Bar - San Diego, CA 
• Saturday 3/26 - Benefit Concert (w/ Allah La's) - Los Angeles, CA

Video: The Singer and The Songwriter - "Nights and Weekends"

Today we have for you, "Nights and Weekend" from Los Angeles based duo, The Singer and The Songwriter.  The track is from their upcoming EP, Ballads For Trying Times which is scheduled for release on March 25.  The video was directed by Matt Enlow. Check it out below.

Andrew Bird To Release New Album + Tour Dates

Andrew Bird is scheduled to release his latest album, Are You Serious on April 1. The second single from the album, "Left Handed Kisses", was recently released and can be picked up HERE. The track features Fiona Apple. You can pre-order deluxe versions of Are You Serious, HERE, and digitally, HERE. 

Andrew Bird is hitting the road. A list of tour dates can be seen below. New York, he'll make a stop in Brooklyn at Kings Theatre on April 7. Doors are at 8PM and tickets are $41 - $46. The following night, April 8, he'll be at Terminal 5. Doors are at 7PM and tickets are $41 adv / $46 dos.

Tour Dates

• Feb 26 -  Amsterdam, NL - Muziekgebouw aan't IJ
• Feb 27 -  Rotterdam, NL - De Doelen 
• Feb 28 -  Groningen, NL - De Oosterpoort
• Mar 29 - Savannah, GA - Savannah Music Festival
• Mar 30 -  Nashville, TN - The Ryman
• April 1 -  Knoxville, TN - Big Ears Festival
• April 2 -  Atlanta, GA - The Tabernacle   
• April 4 -  Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory 
• April 5 -  Washington, DC - 9:30 Club 
• April 7 -  Brooklyn, NY - Kings Theatre 
• April 8 -  New York, NY - Terminal 5 
• April 9 -  Boston, MA - Citi Wang Theatre 
• April 11 -  Montreal, QC - Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre
• April 13 -  Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall   
• April 14 -  Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre 
• April 15 -  Columbus, OH - The LC Pavillion 
• April 16 -  Cleveland, OH - House of Blues 
• April 18 -  Milwaukee, WI - The Riverside Theater 
• April 19 -  Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
• April 21 -  Kansas City, MO - Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
• April 22 -  St. Louis, MO - The The Pageant
• April 30 -  Dublin, IRE - Vicar Street  
• May 2 -  Edinburgh, UK - Queen's Hall
• May 3 -  Manchester, UK - Cathedral 
• May 4 - London, UK - Roundhouse 
• May 6 -  Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso 
• May 8 -  Brussels, BE - Cirque Royale
• May 9 -  Paris, FR - Trianon
• May 13 San Diego, CA - The Observatory North Park
• May 14 Los Angeles, CA - Ace Theatre
• May 15 Los Angeles, CA - Ace Theatre
• May 16 San Francisco, CA - The Masonic
• May 18 Portland, OR - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
• May 19 Seattle, WA - The Showbox
• May 21 Vancouver, BC - Orpheum Theatre
• May 23 Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
• May 24 Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre

The Kills To Release New Album, June 3 + Video

Last week, The Kills announced their upcoming album, Ash & Ice. The new record is scheduled to be released, June 3.  You can pre-order the deluxe edition HERE or the digital version HERE.

They also, unveiled a new video. The clip is for the song "Doing It To Death" from the upcoming release. Check out the Wendy Morgan directed clip below.

The Kills are hitting the road. New York, I hope you already have tickets as those shows are sold out!  A list of tour dates are below.

Tour Dates

• March 16 Mexico City, MX - House of Vans 50th Anniversary
• March 17 Austin, TX - Culture Collide/StubHub Showcase (SXSW)
• March 18 Austin, TX - Spotify House (SXSW)
• April 7 Nashville, TN - Exit/In (Sold Out)
• April 8 Louisville, KY - Headliner’s Music Hall
• April 9 Columbus, OH - CD 102.5 Day (Sold Out)
• April 11 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer
• April 12 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw (Sold Out)
• April 13 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw (Sold Out)
• April 15 Indio, CA – Coachella (Sold Out)
• April 18 Los Angeles, CA - Mayan Theatre
• April 19 Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
• April 22 Indio, CA - Coachella (Sold Out)
• May 1 Amsterdam, NL - Melkweg
• May 3 Paris, FR - La Cigale
• May 4 London, UK - Village Underground
• May 13 Atlanta, GA - Shaky Knees Festival
• May 14 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
• May 19 Boston, MA - Paradise Rock Club
• May 21 Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall
• May 22 Detroit, MI - St Andrew’s Hall
• May 23 Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
• May 25 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
• May 26 Kansas City, KS - Midland Theatre
• May 27 Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
• May 28 Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
• May 31 Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
• June 1 Seattle, WA - Showbox SoDo
• June 2 Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
• June 4 San Francisco, CA - Fox Theater
• June 9 - 12 Newport, UK - Isle of Wight Festival
• July 6 Kiev, Ukraine - U-Park Festival
• July 9 Moscow, Russia - Park Live Festival
• August 6 Katowice, Poland - Off Festival

Upcoming: Delta Rae at Bowery Ballroom, 5/2

Delta Rae are hitting the road and will be making a stop in New York at Bowery Ballroom on May, 2. See below for details.

They released their latest album, After It All, April 2015.

Delta Rae

Liz Longley

Monday, May 2

The Bowery Ballroom

6 Delancey Street

New York, NY

Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM

Tickets: $20

18+

Liam McClair - "Honest"

As a person that blogs about music, when going through my inbox, there are a variety of things that catch my eye and end up here on my little corner of the internet. Last week while reading various messages, a name jumped out at me. As a result, we have for you today, "Honest" from UK singer-songwriter Liam McClair. I don't know this young man personally but, I know a lot of McClairs. So, it seemed fitting that I share one of his songs; check it out below. It's from his EP, also titled Honest, released September 2015. It's a splendid record.

If you're in the UK, you have some opportunities to catch him live. See below for a list of tour dates.

Tour Dates

• May 7th Manchester, Deaf Institute
• May 9th Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
• May 11th Liverpool, Leaf
• May 12th London, The Slaughtered Lamb
• May 28th Ramsbottom, Irwell Works Brewery
• May 28th Glasgow, 13th Note

New Single From KIT

Check out the track "How Hard" from KIT. The song, her second single, was released February 26 via Marshmallow Pavement Records. I'm really digging this tune. Listen to the steam below and buy it HERE.

“The track originated from a drunken night with a best mate, and her experiences of never-ending heartbreak with an on- again-off-again partner. I wanted so badly to tell her to walk away, but I could see how much she loved this person. I used the words of a poem she shared with me to fuel the song. It was almost finished, when I found myself experiencing something similar with someone close to me. You love someone so much that you can't seem to break away, even though it's destroying every part of you. I used the last part of writing to get my own pain out and in front of me. It is now so personal for me as it holds a memory of so many people I love in it.” - KIT 

Frank Turner Releases Mittens EP + Tour Dates

Frank Turner released his Mittens EP yesterday, March 4. The EP features a new mix of the title track, "Mittens". The original version, is from his current album Positive Songs For Negative People. Check out the slow-motion, Ben Morse directed video for "Mittens" below.

Frank Turner will be in New York on Tuesday, March 15 at the NY Society For Ethical Culture. He'll take part in "An Evening of Conversation and Song" to celebrate his book, The Road Beneath My Feet. There will be an interview, Q&A with the audience and acoustic performance. See below for more details.

“’Mittens’ is a song about taking a risk for someone and letting your guard down,” Turner says. “It's based on a real experience I had where I was bothered about not getting a reply from someone, so I got obsessed with used postcards on a visit to a thrift store in New York. In the end she never did write back, but I like to think the risk was worth it, and I learned from the experience. With that in mind, I thought it would be cool to set up a website where people can send (virtual) postcards to each other, and use the opportunity to say something meaningful, to take a risk, and see what comes back. The video ties in with all of this — and my Elvis obsession — sometimes it's still worth it, even if you lose.”

Frank Turner

Tuesday, March 15

  Concert Hall @ NY Society For Ethical Culture

2 W 64th Street

New York, NY

Doors 6:45 PM / Show: 7:45 PM

Tickets: $35 - $40

All Ages

Tour Dates

• 03/27   Hinckley, MN - Grand Casino
• 03/14   New Haven, CT - College Street Music Hall
• 03/15   New York, NY - NY Society for Ethical Culture
• 03/17   Gainesville, FL - High Dive
• 03/18   Miami, FL - Salty Dog Cruise with Flogging Molly
• 05/05   Brooklyn, NY - The Grid Music Festival @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Solo Acoustic)
• 05/06   New York, NY - The Grid Music Festival @ Webster Hall (Solo Acoustic)
• 05/21   Dallas, TX - Elm Street Music & Tattoo Festival