The Dreamscapes Project Rocked Arlene's

The Dreamscapes Project: October 17 @ Arlene's Grocery, New York, NY

12-strings, cellos, buckets, spoons and questionable art books, oh my! What? That doesn't make sense to you? Then you weren't at Arlene's on Saturday watching The Dreamscapes Project.

This was the first time I had the opportunity to catch the band, Keith Center (Lead Vocals / 12-String Acoustic Guitar), Ben Guy (Cello / Vocals), Jeremy Rodgers (Electric Bass), Gordon Shankman (Drums) and Eric Sanford (Percussion). For those who haven't had the experience, they're a revved up folk rock band.

The Dreamscapes Project have made my list of bands to see live. Sure, they're good on record, but, you really have to see them live to get the full picture. They kind of take a no holds barred approach which leaves the audience smiling and dancing. Yes, dancing. You can dance to a folk band folks. One of my favorite songs of the night was a little tune called "Bluegrass." It was indeed a bluegrass song and where Sanford's bucket and spoon playing came in. Only in New York (or maybe it's just only when The Dreamscapes Project are in New York) can you find a folk band, in a rock club, playing bluegrass while a couple of guys have a little hoedown in the audience.

I have to mention "Why Do I Always Feel Like The Sound A Chair Makes As It's Dragged Across The Floor?" if for no other reason then for the amazingly long title it carries. Did I get the full title right?! So, they played Chair Song (sorry Keith!) which, by the way, is a really good song, after Center expressed his chagrin, amid good natured ribbing from his band mates, over the song title being whacked down to just Chair Song.

One of the things that first intrigued me when this band was brought to my attention was the fact that they have a cello player. When I first heard this, my first thought was, 'oh he probably just plays it on a few songs.' But, that's not the case. Guy wields his cello the entire show and quite frankly, rocks out with it. Center, an unassuming frontman, has some soul in his vocals. He has a good voice and the sound person did a bang up job in making sure it was heard properly.

I bet you're wondering where the questionable art book part comes into play, huh? Well, set a band loose in NYC with some time to kill and they'll happen upon a crackhead (or some sort of questionable person) selling self-drawn art books which led to a bit of a show and tell. Their version of support the arts?

They closed the show with a rousing cover of Dirty Vegas' "Days Go By." It's a perfect song to end with yet, it's also a bad song to end with. Perfect in the fact that it leaves you pumped up full of rock show adrenalin. Bad because that same rock show adrenalin it leaves you with, makes you want a few more songs! But all good things must come to an end. I had a good time and look forward to seeing them again. Go check them out when they play near you. You'll have fun ... might even yell yee-haw!

"Days Go By"

"Fragile"

"Still Love"

Set List

• Still Love
• Why Do I Always Feel Like The Sound A Chair Makes As It's Dragged Across The Floor?
• Bluegrass
• Titanic
• Fragile
• Days Go By

www.theScapes.com

R.E.M. Live At The Olympia

I've been spinning R.E.M.'s upcoming release, R.E.M. Live At The Olympia, for a little while now. In case you didn't know, the 2-disc, 39 song record, which was recorded in Dublin, is scheduled for release October 27. The special edition version of the release will contain a DVD film of concert and backstage footage from the Dublin shows.

So, I'm sitting here with my tie-dyed, peace sign painted mug in hand, sipping Orange Crush (unintentionally, but seriously), corny, I know, trying to figure out what to write. Really, what do you write about R.E.M. that hasn't already been written after so many years? We know I'm an R.E.M. fan. We've also touched on my geek girl love fest issues in a previous post. I wore out several of their cassettes back in the day. Oh yeah, I said cassettes! Am I showing my age? What do I say? They're good? Yep. They're good live? Yep.

Clocking in at just over two and a half hours, it took me a couple of days to listen to all 39 songs. Hey, that's a whole lotta Michael, Mike and Peter for a chick to listen to, not that I'm complaining! Rolling it out, my first thought was, this could be a bit daunting for the casual R.E.M. fan. But, I doubt this is intended for the casual fan. However, I'd suggest diving in head first and enjoying the swim.

The live tracks culled for this release are a nice representation of the band live. They have spark to them. I say this because there have been a few recordings in recent years that I felt lacked energy and fire. For a while it seemed like they were just going through the motions.

R.E.M. Live At The Olympia contains many old favorites ... they can never go wrong with those in my opinion. Two of my favorites find a place on this effort, "Driver 8" and "Gardening At Night." Even after all these years, it's great to hear those songs. Even better it's great to hear them played with the vigor I remember from my, ahem, younger days. Listening to the songs on this double disc opus, it sounds like they were having fun performing. This is a terrific thing. With so many live presentations, after the powers that be fiddle around making things all spit spot, everything sounds like it has been sucked dry of personality. Thankfully, R.E.M. has managed to avoid the vampire knob twiddlers allowing the fun, their personalities and their charm to shine through.

R.E.M. fans will no doubt find great joy in this effort. Casual listeners who appreciate good music played live will enjoy it too.

There are going to be limited sneak preview screenings of This Is Not A Show: Live at the Olympia in Dublin. These sneak previews are one night only in select cities. New York will have a chance to check out the approximately sixty minute un-concert documentary. It will be screened at Cinema Purgatorio at the Kraine Theatre down on East 4th Street, October 27.

Living Well Is The Best Revenge

R.E.M. | MySpace Music Videos

Track Listing
Disc 1

• Living Well Is The Best Revenge
• Second Guessing
• Letter Never Sent
• Staring Down The Barrel Of The
• Disturbance At The Heron House
• Mr. Richards
• Houston
• New Test Leper
• Cuyahoga
• Electrolite
• Man-Sized Wreath
• So. Central Rain
• On The Fly
• Maps And Legends
• Sitting Still
• Driver 8
• Horse To Water
• I'm Gonna DJ
• Circus Envy
• These Days

Disc 2

• Drive
• Feeling Gravity's Pull
• Until The Day Is Done
• Accelerate
• Auctioneer
• Little America
• 1,000,000
• Disguised
• The Worst Joke Ever
• Welcome To The Occupation
• Carnival Of Sorts (Boxcar)
• Harborcoat
• Wolves, Lower
• I've Been High
• Kohoutek
• West Of The Fields
• Pretty Persuasion
• Romance
• Gardening At Night

www.remdublin.com
www.remhq.com

Happy Birthday Quirky NY Chick!

At 12:31 AM on this day, October 15, QuirkyNYChick.com was born.

When I started this blog, I dived in head first on a bit of a whim. I like to write and I like music. It made perfect sense for me to combine the two so I did. Thankfully, the water wasn't shallow and I didn't hit bottom and knock my quirky self out!

I claimed my little corner of the Internet and ran with it. I gave the blog a logo, a logo that has had more than one person say, 'the one with the big purple L' when I mention my blog name while out and about. So, I guess I chose something memorable. A good thing, right? I've learned a lot about putting together a blog and I'm still learning. With an enormous amount of anxiety and feeling completely out of my depth, I accomplished my very first Q & A. Thanks to James Love of Hot Seconds for helping me learn to swim in those waters. I guess that makes him my human equivalent of water wings. Also, thanks to those friends who talked me through the anxiety! My camera and I found ourselves crouched down in Irving Plaza at an Arc Angels show for my first official photo pit experience. As someone who has always loved concert photography it was exhilarating and terrifying and I couldn't wait to do it again. I headed to Newport, RI for QNYC's first official road trip to take in the 50th anniversary of the Newport Folk Festival. It was exciting, surreal and a wee bit daunting but an awesomely fun experience.

Here I am, a year later, continuing to dish out info and talking music in my oddball, or I suppose I should say, quirky way. I still like to write and I still like music. What's different? A year ago, I thought only my friends and my Mom would stop by once in a while to read. Imagine my surprise when I discovered otherwise! I've been challenged, overwhelmed and proud ... often all at the same time. I've tried to keep it interesting. I've tried to keep it fun. But, most of all, I've tried to keep it me.

It has all been a tremendous amount of fun and I often ask myself why I didn't do this sooner. I've met a lot of interesting people and I've seen a lot of great live music. Thanks to all of the artists whose work allows me to do what I do. Thanks to all of you who have dropped by to visit. To make my first anniversary a little more special, I discovered that QuirkyNYChick.com has been listed on ClickitTicket.com's "Top 20 Music Review Blogs on the Web" ... flattering and especially so for a blog that was a complete unknown just a year ago.

With one year under my belt, I say, "Cheers! Here's to many more years of discussing music in my own delightfully quirky way!"

L. R. Adams
October 15, 2009

Upcoming Releases

You can pick up the first single from Ash in their A - Z Series. The single, "True Love 1980," is available starting today, October 12. The Ash Store on their official website is open for pre-orders and subscriptions. Yep, I said subscriptions. There are, after all, twenty-five more songs in the series and there are several packages to choose from. Check out the teaser video below.

www.ash-official.com
www.myspace.com/ash

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The Summer Set are releasing their new album, Love Like This, tomorrow, October 13. For those in the New York area, you'll have a chance to catch The Summer Set live. They'll be at The Gramercy Theatre with Cartel and This Providence on October 27.

"Love In This Club"

www.myspace.com/thesummerset
www.facebook.com/thesummerset

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Kristina Train is releasing her debut album, Spilt Milk on October 20. For those unfamiliar with her, she's reminiscent of Dusty Springfield. You can stream the album HERE to check her out for yourself. She's also on the road. New York, you can catch Train on October 21 at Nokia Theatre supporting Keb' Mo'.

www.kristinatrain.com
www.myspace.com/kristinatrain
www.facebook.com/kristinatrainmusic

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October 27 marks the day The Mule, Gov't Mule that is, releases their latest record, By A Thread. It's their first studio album in three years! I'm looking forward to giving this one a spin. The Mule are a must see live band. If you haven't seen Warren Haynes play live, then well, you're missing out! New York, you know where The Mule will be on December 30 & 31. They'll be at the Beacon Theatre.

www.mule.net

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Norah Jones has a new record coming out on November 17. The Fall is Jones' forth studio effort. Stream the single, "Chasing Pirates," HERE. The single will be available digitally on October 13.

www.norahjones.com
www.facebook.com/norahjones
www.myspace.com/norahjones

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Medeski Martin & Wood are releasing the boxed set of their The Radiolarians Series on November 24. The set is titled Radiolarians: The Evolutionary Set.

• The box set will include Radiolarians I, II, and III complete with bonus tracks, a 10 track disc of remixed music (remixes by Dan The Automator, DJ Spooky, DJ Logic, DJ Olive, Scott Harding, and more), a previously unreleased 70-minute live album, a double vinyl LP set consisting of highlights from the three Radiolarians albums, plus a DVD feature film entitled Fly In A Bottle directed by Billy Martin. All of the material contained in the box was written and performed by MMW specifically for The Radiolarians Series.

Yep, that's a whole lottta MMW! For those in New York, they'll be at Nokia Theatre on November 14.

www.medeskimartinandwood.com
www.myspace.com/medeskimartinandwood

The Dreamscapes Project To Play NYC, 10/17

The Dreamscapes Project are coming back to New York next Saturday, October 17. They'll be over at Arlene's Grocery on the LES. Swing by and check them out!

www.theScapes.com

In The Living Room With Bob Schneider

Bob Schneider: October 7 @ The Living Room, New York, NY

Last night I headed to the LES to catch Bob Schneider do one of his solo shows. If you haven't seen a Bob show, solo or otherwise, you should! I had no plans on writing anything about the show but, one Mr. Schneider was in peak form and that needed to be mentioned.

The Living Room is a great little venue to catch Schneider do his solo thing. The show was sold out and the audience was enthusiastic.

Since I wasn't planning on writing anything, I've decided to do an abbreviated write up. So, here's the Sally, Dick & Jane edition of my adventures in Schneider-land.

This is Bob.

Bob writes songs.

He plays guitar and sings too.

Sometimes he does those things in New York.

He did last night.

I like to go see Bob.

Bob is entertaining.

He joked and smiled.

I laughed and smiled.

Bob isn't Oompa-Loompa orange.

I like to take pictures.

I use the natural lighting setting and fantasize that I have photography skills.

Bob isn't black and white either.

Bob played a lot of songs.

I was happy.

Bob was happy we all came to see him.

He makes records too.

Bob has a new record.

The record is called Lovely Creatures.

This is what it looks like.

It's a good record.

Bob is good on the record.

But, he is addictive live.

I had great fun.

I look forward to seeing Bob again.

The end.

Schneider has other shows coming up. If you're in New York, he's doing another solo show tonight, October 8, at City Winery.

On a side note, the rain curse has been broken! The last three times I went to see Schneider, it rained. Last night, it didn't.

bobschneider.com

Talking To Walls Rocked A MEAN(Y) Set

Talking To Walls: October 1 @ The Delancey, New York, NY

Talking To Walls made another trip to NY. This time, it was for M.E.A.N.Y. Fest 2009. The last time I saw the band, it was in acoustic duo form. This past Thursday they were electric and the other two walls were in place creating a four-walled Talking To Walls rock 'n' roll extravaganza.

The band, Brian Kelly (vocals/guitar), Nat Webb (guitar/vocals), Matt Krupa (drums) and Matt Miklos (bass) took to the stage to play a shortened but high spirited and engaging set. Since my only live Talking To Walls experience had been acoustic, I was looking forward to seeing the full on, smack you around, plugged in show.

Prior to starting, the band's set had been cut down to four songs. Say wha?! Don't the M.E.A.N.Y. Fest people know old quirky broads need longer Talking To Walls fixes than that? Humph! The show kicked off with "Came To You" and it was clear right away that the band came to have some good old fashioned rock 'n' roll fun.

Y'all know I'm a guitar fan. Well, I got my chance to witness Webb (or "Ace" as they've decided he should be known as to break free from the "at" syndrome that has crept into the band ... can we vote on another name? I'm just askin'!) in all his electric glory. He plays like a bottle of fiery lava ... molten and bubbly. You just know that at any given moment he's going to erupt into a dazzling display of brilliance.

It was my first time having the Krupa experience. I've been paying attention to drummers of late and I'm glad I did Thursday. Krupa is a delightfully charismatic performer and a hell of a drummer. He's all laid back, unassuming and cool looking but when you give a listen you hear all of these fascinating bits and bobs. His rhythm section partner-in-crime, Miklos, who was playing his first official show with the band, provided a solid bottom line that I will henceforth refer to as bassist bad-assery.

Kelly is a personable front man. He has a laid back charm that just makes you wanna bake cookies for him. Okay, perhaps we don't want me personally baking cookies as my culinary skills are a bit rusty and questionable at best on a good day. I discovered at this show that electric, Kelly lets loose. He's a good performer both acoustic and electric but it's like watching two different Brian's. That's not a bad thing, it just offers we the audience diversity. But, me thinks there may well be some rock star wings under the shirt of Electric Brian.

We all know I'm a fan of "Song For Megan." The band was joined by two Irish step dancers for the song which was being filmed for a video they're putting together. I've gotta say, the step dancing solo rocked. That was to be the last song but they got word they could do two more songs. Wicked! This gave us "Cut Out" from their Naked album; a song I was tickled to hear. If you haven't heard it, check it out. They ended the night with a let's party rendition of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" which was perfect because that's exactly what it felt like, a party.

Talking To Walls are a fun live band and they made me smile a lot. The only thing that could have made it better was if it had been a longer set. I enjoyed them just as much electric as I did acoustic and, I look forward to seeing them again. You should pop around to see them too if they should happen to venture to a venue near you. You'll have fun!

Oh, and my vote for Webb's new name, Hunt Knightly. Is that name already taken? Think about it. I'm just suggestin'!

Set List

• Came To You
• Pretty Little Thing
• Crossed My Mind
• Song for Megan
• Cut Out
• Every Rose Has Its Thorn

www.talkingtowalls.com
www.myspace.com/talkingtowalls
www.facebook.com/talkingtowalls
www.twitter.com/talkingtowalls

Hot Chelle Rae To Release Debut Album

Hot Chelle Rae, the band consisting of Ryan Keith Follese (guitar/lead vocals), Nash Overstreet (lead guitar/vocals), Ian Keaggy (bass/vocals) and Jamie Follese (drums) are releasing their debut album, Lovesick Electric, October 27. The group is taking to the road for a spell with Third Eye Blind. Alas NYC, they aren't playing here yet but those of you interested in where they'll be, check their various online homes for dates and locations.

I'll admit that when I first saw their picture, I thought they looked a bit boy band'ish or dare I say Disney friendly. But I thought, well, they can't be either of those if they're going to be out with Third Eye Blind. So, I gave "I Like To Dance" a listen. If you haven't already checked them out, now is your chance. Grab the song HERE. I'm curious to hear what the rest of the record sounds like.

www.myspace.com/hotchellerae
www.hotchellerae.com
www.twitter.com/hotChellerae

Port O'Brien To Play Two NY Shows

New York, Port O'Brien have two dates coming up. They'll be on the LES at Mercury Lounge on October 14 and across the bridge in Brooklyn on October 16 at Union Hall. For both of these dates they'll be with Sea Wolf.

While you're waiting for those shows and this Tuesday's (October 6) release of their new record threadbare, grab the BodegaGirls remix of "My Will is Good" HERE and enjoy.

www.myspace.com/portobrien
www.portobrien.com

The Crazies To Hit Theaters February 2010

I don't generally write about movies, because well, music is my preferred choice of entertainment and this is a music blog. But, I like the movie poster so I'll mention the movie.

The Crazies stars Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Danielle Panabaker and Joe Anderson. It'll hit theatres February 26, 2010.

The plot ... a small, safe, happy, all is right with the world town is suddenly plagued with insanity and violence after some funky mysterious toxin contaminates the water supply. The funky water turns the towns normally law-abiding citizens into crazy ass killers. Alrighty then ... sounds like adventures in sci-fi land to me. The central characters, four friends along with a few others who remain sane, end up trapped in the town. Why are they trapped? The government decides the best way to contain things is to not let anyone in or out of the town whether they're infected or not.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, check it out when it opens.