pony trash /minneapolis van ghost /chicago tango conspiracy/miami boom said thunder/boston
yonder mountain string band big something | lily and the parlour tricks rhonda vincent
April 1, 2013 | Spring Issue
tomates rocky/santiago, chile elle g /kaunas, lithuania soki green /hamburg, germany mick heslin /dublin, ireland
Justin Jones
44-55
4
photo by: Sam Holden
features:
Lily and the Par lour Tric ks
68-75
BIG Something
88-95
c o lu m ns:
Rhonda Vincent
14-15 76-77
108-113
Vinyl Roots:
118-119
BalconyTV Los Angeles:
Reel Music:
164-165
Last Call:
Forward Progressive: The evolution of bluegrass.
Reliving the Top 10 Scores and Soundtracks of 2012
Interview with Producer Cindi Avnet
Visit The Beehive in Boston, MA
r e vi ew s :
16-25
40-41
82-87 78-79
Coast to Coast 1:
Tango Conspiracy / Miami Peacefield / Austin Pony Trash / Minneapolis Wook / Madison Van Ghost / Chicago Bonerama / New Orleans Shotgun Troubadours / Birmingham Kristen Ward / Seattle
3-Day Pass:
Take a trip to hear live music at: Coachella / Indio, CA Shaky Knees Festival / Atlanta, GA The Governors Music Festival / New York City, NY The Waterfront Blues Festival / Portland, OR
58-65
Coast to Coast 2:
98-105
Coast to Coast 3:
Spin-Off/Seasonal Spin:
Album reviews from our beloved staff
Ode to the Web:
Last.fm and Turntable Lab: The one-stop shop for DJ’s
114-115
special interview with:
Yonder Mountain String Band
6
Big Tree / San Francisco The Growlers / Los Angeles Terry Robb / Portland Rob Drabkin / Denver Voodoo Method / Omaha Beau Charron / Tulsa Snake Oil Medicine Show / Asheville Smile Smile / Dallas
Grass Giraffes / Athens Jason Connelly Band / Atlanta Boom Said Thunder / Boston Forrest Baldwin / Charleston The Archives / D.C. American Drive / Nashville New York Funk Exchange / New York City Humble Tripe / Raleigh
A-Side/B-Side:
Get your iPod ready for our staff-compiled playlists
28-37
photo by: Jay Blakesberg
Soki Green / Hamburg, Germany
141
131
Will and the People / Sunshine Coast, Queensland
147
The Orchard / Edmonton, Canada
124 120-163
Jazz Morley / Totnes, UK
Across the Globe:
154
Featuring 36 international cities and their rising stars Tomates Rocky / Santiago, Chile Gang Taegu / Seoul, Korea Jazz Morley / Totnes, UK Elle G / Kaunas, Lithuania Tully on Tully / Melbourne, Australia Masiva / Istanbul, Turkey Moonshaker Sunnymaker / Vienna, Austria Uju / Johannesburg, South Africa The Cramatics / Brighton, UK Soki Green / Hamburg, Germany Dead Snow Monster / Poznan, Poland Alex Henriksson / Brisbane, Queensland Erica Buettner / Lisboa, Portugal Xochihua / Mexico City, Mexico Lo Dost / Prague, Czech Republic Bosom / Kostroma, Russia Ganesh and Kumaresh / Delhi, India Will and the People / Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Fragil Vida / Modena, Italy
Mick Heslin / Dublin, Ireland Sound from Earth / Sydney, Australia CAI.RO / Toronto, Canada Ronan Kealy / Cork, Ireland Jacob Banks / London, UK The Orchard / Edmonton, Canada Mary Vi & St-64rus / Saratov, Russia Peter J. Birch / Warsaw, Poland And The Kid / Zagreb, Croatia Bal達o De Ferro / Porto, Portugal Fragil Vida / Modena, Italy Aya / Tokyo, Japan Yehu Yaron / Tel Aviv, Israel Chasing Giants / Crimea, Ukraine Gonzalo Arca / Pontevedra, Spain The Green Lives / Aarhus, Denmark Cetus Rex / Buenos Aires, Argentina Cheekbones / St. Petersburg, Russia
FOUND: Music Uncovered
http://www.themusicinitiative.com/730entertainment/found/
Chief Creative/Editor-In-Chief Becca Finley editor@themusicinitiative.com Staff Writers: Thomas Champagne, Carrie Cranford, Becca Finley, Justin Henderson, Tyrell Jenkins, Amanda Muirhead, Grayson Sandford, Zach Stanton, TJ Weaver Editorial Assistant: Brandy Pruitt creativedirector@themusicinitiative.com Creative Director: Joel Travis creativedirector@themusicinitiative.com Director of Media Content: Joe Davies video@themusicinitiative.com Cameramen: Fez Fuller, Kyle Thomas Editors: Owen Wagner, Oliver Wentworth Digital Communications Coordinator: Kara Klein website@themusicinitiative.com Promotions Manager: Carrie Cranford promotions@themusicinitiative.com Promotions Assistant/BalconyTV Host: Amanda Muirhead Director of Sales: Liza Fleury Senior Audio Engineer: Thomas Champagne Production Manager/Beyond BalconyTV Host: Rene Russell Business Development Consultant: Taylor Rains development@themusicinitiative.com Office: 159 Civitas St. Suite 209, Box #11 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-388-7716 Publisher: This Is Noteworthy {tin} Like Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheMusicInitiative Follow Us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MusicIntMAG www.twitter.com/TMIMagEditor
Watch Us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/themusicinitiative.co
FOUND: Music Uncovered is a quarterly, online magazine produced by a group of music enthusiasts yearning to broaden and expand each reader’s music experience. We believe in the power of music to change a mood and enhance a moment; as well as facilitate change and link the past with the present. This is our community– seeped in passion, creativity and cultural awareness. Within the pages of each issue, we will bring you history, interviews, CD reviews, new music outlets around the nation, and so much more. Among other exciting music related features, FOUND: Music Uncovered features fans talking about music. We aim to uncover hidden gems found in up-and-coming bands, and also cover nationally recognized musicians and events.
Joe Davies working hard at Spring Jam Festival in Charleston, SC
Fez Fuller cheesin’ at the Spring Jam Festival in Charleston, SC
Brandy Pruitt, Carrie Cranford & Amanda Muirhead working hard at Spring Jam Festival in Charleston, SC
letter from the editor
Becca Finley (Chief Creative) and Carrie Cranford (Promotions Manager) clearly freezing at the Spring Jam Music Festival in Charleston, SC
S
pring is a time for rejuvenation, rebirth. Our eyes delight to see green peak out from the trees. Black coats and scarves that once donned our bodies begin to be replaced with light weight T’s, flops and spring dresses. The sun warms our faces with the promise of the outdoors. This also is the time when most of us as music fans begin to plan our voyages to hear our favorite musicians. We plan trips around a specific show. We take a two week vacation to follow our favorite band. We meet up with friends from around the world to attend a festival and share in a singular musical memory.
1. Take 3 days off work, travel some where new and celebrate a musical journey.
2. Find a festival you wish you could go to and share it
with everyone you know in that geographical area. Someone will appreciate your words and you will have assisted with a cool experience.
3. Grab your favorite CD/iPod/Pandora station, roll down the windows in your car, drive for an hour with no detractions and sing as loud as you can.
4. Take the time to actually watch and listen to a show
(no pics/no videos/no phone). Remember what it felt like to just be in the moment.
Above all, let music carry your dreams and fuel your rebirth,
-B
www.funklogic.com
www.dynaudio.com/us/
Preamp Tubes Power Tubes
• The first step is a burn-in period which lasts
• This “settles the tubes”, burns off impurities Date Code / Power Rating on the silver base label Month / Date / Year
• All processes and computer programs are p
• High graded tubes have more headroom and less distortion - fine scale is 8 - 10 www.groovetubes.com www.drstrings.com
www.stonesthrow.com
www.subpop.com
www.easystar.com
www.partisanrecords.com
vinyl roots
Forward
Would it surprise you to know that there is a popular genre of music that actually existed for almost 20 years without a name? And we are not talking about some obscure genre like Mathcore or Chiptune (although I do love me some Sabrepulse!) We are, in fact, talking about a genre of music named after the Godfather himself…err at least after his band. That’s right you hillbillies! We are talking about Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys, which, of course, means we are talking about Bluegrass music! Though it is widely known that Bluegrass is honorarily named after Monroe and his Boys, it is not actually known when or by whom the country-folk hybrid genre actually began. This being said, bluegrass as a genre is relatively young and many of the bluegrass legends are actually still alive to fill in historical gaps. Bluegrass, like most American music, finds its roots in the Appalachian region of the country. Much like blues and country music, bluegrass begins as but a few choice ingredients; Ingredients that are brought to this country in the minds and hearts of European immigrants and African slaves that settled the region. The beauty of the melting
pot is in the name itself and, in America; all things melt and blend together eventually. Thus bluegrass is born and so begins the “Golden Age” of the genre ranging from the late ‘40s up until 1960. Legends like Carter Stanley and the Stanley Brothers, Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and the afore-mentioned Bill Monroe take country by storm. The vocals and mandolin of Monroe coupled with the unique banjo picking of Scruggs would keep the Opry houses packed. This phase of bluegrass has come to be known as the First Generation. Just when bluegrass starts to hit a bit of a lull the counterculture movement and the hippies save the day by invoking the folk revival. It is during this time that bluegrass becomes more associated with folk music rather than country-western as it had been in the past. Scores of grass-smoking, college-aged kids begin to devour bluegrass music. In fact, it is during this time that the term “bluegrass” is actually coined and his peers anoint Bill Monroe the father of the genre. (I’m not so sure those hippies didn’t have something to do with calling their new music bluegrass…) Earl Scruggs
Lester Flatts
Newgrass Revival
Dickey Betts
Bluegrass Boys
14
Stanleys
The Avett Brothers
Crooked Still
Yonder Mountain String Band Newgrass Revival
Bella Fleck
Speaking of hippies, none other than the king of the hippies himself, Jerry Garcia even plays in a bluegrass band during this time, which helps bolster the genre even further. Along with Garcia, some other folks you might recognize such as Bella Fleck, Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers), The Kentucky Colonels, Newgrass Revival, and many more ultimately develop what comes to be known as progressive bluegrass.
Since the 80’s, bluegrass continues to experience a growth in popularity. Mainstream country-western artists are making bluegrass albums; one can’t throw a dart at a map without hitting some location that hosts a bluegrass festival. And in case you hadn’t noticed, there is a revival of this genre going on currently. Bands like The Punch Brothers, The Avett Brothers, Old Crow Medicine Show, Crooked Still, and Yonder Mountain String Band are blowing up and this is just the start.
*
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m fixin’ to watch me some Deliverance…err…for the soundtrack, yeah…that’s it,the soundtrack.
: : :
: : :
What may seem inconsequential now was a pretty big deal back in the day; straying from the traditional bluegrass style was widely frowned upon. However, once a few notable rock stars start to take an interest and begin incorporating their own styles, the bluegrass genre is split into two camps; traditional and progressive. The latter takes bluegrass music to all new levels. Instruments become electrified, songs from other genres are bluegrass-ified, chord progressions are all mixed up, and perhaps the best thing the rockers could bring to the genre; fast, tight, rocking jam-bandstyle songs that last three days. (Thank you Crash Davis!) One can only assume Dickey Betts had something to do with that last one… Needless to say, this “progression” of the bluegrass genre, or “Newgrass” as it comes to be known, continues to refine itself throughout the 1970s, and it is fairly safe to say that the Second Generation makes a permanent impression on bluegrass.
By the 1980’s bluegrass traditionalists are more than likely rolling in their graves. The genre has gone through major transitions and even spawned a subgenre. The originally rural music is now worldwide. In the ‘80s, technology is king and bluegrass cannot hide from further progression. Thanks to innovations in sound equipment, now all members get in on the solos and even manage to work in some vocals. Electric bass all but replaces the acoustic standup bass (except for those pesky traditionalists). During this period in bluegrass it becomes popular to take the old traditional hits and re-record them in the newgrass style.
2
NEW ORLEANS BIRMINGHAMLOS MIAMI PO ATLANTA D ATHENS f e a t u r e d: CHARLESTON O /DURHAM/CHAP T ASHEVILLE NASHVILLE DENTON ASHINGTON, D.C.
ARLESTON
APEL HILL
ASHEVILLE
NASHVILLE
GTON, D.C.
YORK CITY
BOSTON
SEATTLE
NEW ORLEANS
SAN FRANCISCO
BIRMINGHAM
LOS ANGELES
MIAMI
PORTLAND
ATLANTA
DENVER
ATHENS
OMAHA
CHARLESTON
TULSA
RALEIGH/DURHAM/CHAPEL HILL
DALLAS/DENTON/FT. WORTH
ASHEVILLE
AUSTIN
NASHVILLE
MINNEAPOLIS
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MADISON
NEW YORK CITY
CHICAGO
BOSTON
2
SEATTLE S ANGELES SAN FRANCISC LOS ANGELES ORTLAND PORTLAND DENVER DENVER OMAHA OMAHA Our staff writers set out on a musical roadtrip, PEL HILL discovering the nation’s hottest local bands. TULSA TULSA DENTON/FT. WO N/FT. WORTH AUSTIN . NASHVILLE
WASHINGTON, D.C. NEW YORK CITY
BOSTON
TA N G O C O N S P I R A C Y E l e c t r o/ D u b / Ta n g o
Miami and New York based
different
Tango Conspiracy offers a
genres and incorporates a
unique mix of Electro Dub
smooth club pulse, having
Tango, inspired by the talented
some of her tracks featured
vocalist, musician, composer
on Dancing With The Stars
and producer, Jimena Fama.
and So You Think You Can
Jimena, after an excursion
Dance. Backed by a talented
back to her native country
list of Miami and New York
of
harnessed
musicians, Jimena Fama and
her roots in the tango and
Tango Conspiracy is sure to
developed a sexy lounge-style
excite any night on the town
funky bossa nova, that holds
or make your lawn mowing
the same groove as Thievery
experience more pleasurable.
Corporation
Groove
Check out any of their four
With a strong
albums, including their latest
understanding of electronic
release “Electro Dub Tango�
music,
online or at a club near you.
Argentina,
Armada.
and
Jimena
maintains
the foundation of several
Jimena Fama, Leo Barbosa , Juan Pablo, Jofre Romarion Anibal Berraute, Maurizio Najt, Jorge Carlos Oviedo Cedric Munch, and Christopher Whitman
18
South
American
MIAMI TMI Hot Picks
MINDLESS SELF INDULGENCE (synthp u n k ) Revolution/ / Sat, Ap r 6 , 7 pm http://www.mindlessselfindulgence.com
T E R A M E LO S (experimental rock) Bardot//Thurs, May 9, 10pm https://www.facebook.com/teramelosmusic
FALL OUT BOY (punk rock) The Fillmore//Wed, Jun 5, 8pm http://www.coheedandcambria.com
PEACEFIELD A l t e r n a t i v e Fo l k
Jeff Glatz, Don Glatz, Marc Utter
AUSTIN
Peacefield, a harmony rich
new home playing frequently in
Texas
based
the Austin / San Antonio area.
alternative folk rock band, was
Their latest album will release
formed years ago in suburban
this Spring, featuring Paul
Pittsburg
songwriting
Manz on guitar, Mark Utter
brothers Jeff and Don Glatz.
on bass and Brent Martin on
With their catchy and uplifting
drums, produced by the Austin
thought provocative lyrics, Jeff
legend Will Sexton. Along with
and Don built a nice following
that release will be two solo
in the Pittsburg area, including
albums, “Country Void” by
song placement for their track
Don Glatz and a new project
“Warmer Side Of The Street”
from Jeff Glatz produced by
TWIN SHADOW
in the cult classic, Kingping.
Steve Tagliere of Gingersol.
Emos//Sat, June 22 http://timeforthepeprally.com
Sticking to their roots of classic
Peacefield
folk rock with sounds like Toad
touring later in the Summer
the Wet Sprocket and Big Head
back to their home town and
Todd, Peacefield has found a
along the East Coast.
TMI Hot Picks
T H E P EO P L E ’S T E M P L E (rock) Mohawk// Fri, Apr 19, 9pm www.facebook.com/peoplestemple
COLD SP EC KS (doom soul) Stubbs/ / Mon, May 6, 7pm http://coldspecks.com
hill
country
by
is
planning
on
PONY TRASH Experimental/Indie Rock
Neil Weir , Nate Nelson , Chris Bierden , Ollie Moltaji
MINNEAPOLIS TMI Hot Picks THE LAST BISON (mountain top chamber) First Avenue/ / Mon, Apr, 8, 6pm http://www.thelastbison.com
YO U T H L AG O O N (dream pop) Fine Line Music Cafe//Fri, May 17, 8pm /www.facebook.com/youthlagoon
JUNIP The Cedar//Sat, June 8 www.junip.net
20
One of the newest acts to come out of Minneapolis is really a colaboration of various members of The Chambermaids, Polica, Vampire Hands and Gospel Gossip, with Neil Weir on guitar and vocals, Nate Nelson on guitar, Chris Bierden on bass and vocals, and Ollie Moltaji on the drums. Pony Trash can best be described by the sound when bright stars in a clear sky blur together and form hallucinogenic shapes. Their self titled five song EP, released
in the fall of 2012, features tracks “Submarine” and “Inner Worlds,” and casts out the feeling of flying along side a flock of seagulls on a cold coastal day. Slowly coasting on an oversized float in a pool of thoughts and imagery, with Chris Isaac guitar bends, fuzz distortion, Mike Mills style bass lines, and open air drums, Pony Trash will take you to a vibrato guitar dream land commanded by Pink Floyd and Sonic Youth.
WOOK
Jam Band/Electronica
MADISON TMI Hot Picks WATSKY (rap) High Noon Saloon//Thurs, Apr 11, 9pm http://georgewatsky.com
B L AC K M OT H S U P E R R A I N B OW (outsider pop) Majestic// Sun, May 12, 7pm www.blackmothsuperrainbow.com
MOUNT MORIAH The Frequency/ / Mon, June, 24 www.mountmoriahband.com
If you ever want to see a live
improvised
band and go to a dance club at
influences, Umphrey’s McGee,
the same time, then Wook is the
Phish, and The Grateful Dead, as
answer to that dilemma. Like
they fuse progressive rock with
a Disc Jockey in the form of a
live electronics using Ableton
live dance hall band, Wook uses
Live. Composed of Jake Stottler
real electric guitar and bass and
on guitar/synth/vocals, Adam
amalgamates them with synth
Lowe on guitar/vocals, Mike
and both real and digital drums.
Kuerschner on bass/laptop and
Their heavy use of guitars lays
Andrew Stark on drums, Woot
out a strong instrumental groove
just released their debut album,
that is periodicaly colored by
Glowstick
vocal inserts, similar to Sound
carving
Tribe Sector Nine, but with
the Midwest with plans for
more emphasis on their guitar
expansion this year.
work. Long drawn out hypnotic Jake Stottler, Adam Lowe, Andrew Stark, Mike Kuerschner
jams
like
Sidewalks, their
way
their
already through
VA N G H O S T B l u e s R o c k /A m e r i c a n a / I n d i e R o c k
Michael
Harrison
Berg
was
really
captures
the
listener,
CHICAGO
raised as a musician but spent
Michael carefully crafted his
the majority of his career after
songs and formed a band with
school in the music industry
some of Chicago’s finest players-
on the other side of the fence,
Jennifer Hartswick on backing
promoting
managing
vocals, Grant Tye on guitar,
professional acts, then suddenly
Greg Marsh on drums, and Klem
he was faced with the collapse
Hayes on bass. Their new release,
of one of his prized bands. This
The Domino Effect (Dustimmoff
unpleasant
jarred
Music) (available online or at a
the musicianship within him
live show near you) is a prime
and spurred his need to write
example of the Chicago Blues
C A R O L I N A C H O CO L AT E D R O P S
and perform unlike anything he
tradition that has morphed with
has done in the past. Using his
age into a delightful, soulful,
City Winery//Tues, June 25 www.carolinachocolatedrops.com
knowledge of what style of music
blue pop rock.
and
experience
TMI Hot Picks
DR FAMEUS (electronic) Abbey Pub/ / Fri, Apr 12, 8:30pm http://www.drfameus.com
PALMA VIOLETS (rock n roll) Schubus//Wed, May 1, 9pm http://www.palmaviolets.co.uk
Michael Harrison Berg , Jennifer Hartswick Grant Tye, Greg Marsh, Klem Hayes
22
BONERAMA B r a s s J a z z Fu n k
Mark Mullins, Craig Klein, Greg Hicks, Bert Cotton, Alvin Ford, Jr., Nori Naraoka
During the 90s, trombonists
accompanied by tuba and a
Mark Mullins and Craig Klein
classic,
toured with the now venerated
hitting drums with that high
Harry Connick’s band. They
snare roll off. What sets them
both decided during their
apart from other brass bands,
supplementary
that
like Rebirth, is that Bonerama
they would do something
adds the electric guitar vary for
THE SMOKING TIME JAZZ CLUB
more open for movement and
casual grooves to sweet lovin,
(jazz) Spotted Cat/ / Tues, Apr 30, 10pm http://www.smokingtimejazzclub.com
less systematic. With the help
heavy rock and roll. Mullins
of a regular Wednesday night
also helps emphasize the rock
at Tipatina’s, Bonerama was
side by playing his trombone
(dance punk) Tipitina’s/ / Fri, May 24, 9pm http://www.chkchkchk.net
created, and for the first time,
through a tube amp and wah-
the vapid, wimpy trombone
wah pedal. Next time you are
youth wins. Consisting of four
on Frenchman Street, pop in
H OT 8 B R AS S BA N D
trombonists, Bonerama brings
and say hello to Bonerama, or
One Eyed Jacks//Sun, June 2 www.hot8brassband.com
a fat wall of sound, filling up
you can pick up one of their
the space around you. This
three albums including their
freight train of trombone is
latest EP, Hard Times.
NEW ORLEANS TMI Hot Picks
!!! (Chk Chk Chk)
shows
gospel-based,
hard
S H OTG U N T R O U BA D O U R S Fo l k / B l u e g r a s s
Chris Ellis, Ford Boswell, Payton Williams, Jason Saylor
Shotgun Troubadours can best be described as a front
their track “Deepwater,” reference the BP oil spills affect
porch with wooden swings, rocking chairs, and an old
on the Gulf Coast. All of the Shotgun Troubadours digital
straw broom lying in the corner. The seasons pass through
releases are now available on line or at a concert near you.
the trees around your peripheral while you hang out with Everett McGill (“O Brother, Where Art Thou”), sipping bootleg whiskey through the night. The Troubs give you acoustic, raw sing-a-longs and stories that create heroes, like their song “Ode to Tucker Blue” that sounds similar to a Robert Earl Keen classic. Rooting back in the 1990s, vocalist and guitarist Chris Ellis and upright bassist Payton Williams began their musical careers together only to part ways for over a decade then come back together in their hometown of Birmingham, AL to form the band. The other members of the group are Ford Boswell on mandolin, guitar, and harmony vocals, and drummer, percussionist and lyricist, Jason Saylor. Singing songs about the hardworking American blue collar worker like
24
BIRMINGHAM TMI Hot Picks
I VA N & A LVO S H A (indie rock) The Bottletree Cafe/ / Thurs, Apr 11, 9pm http://www.ivanandalyosha.com
THE WILDWOOD RUMINATORS (americana) Moonlight on the Mountain//Fri, May 24, 8pm www.reverbnation.com/thewildwoodruminators
S E A M O N K EYS WorkPlay//Sun, June 23 www.workplay.com
K R I S T E N WA R D P o p R o c k /S i n g e r S o n g w r i t e r
Kristen Ward
SEATTLE TMI Hot Picks THE BIG MEDICINE (alt country) Nectar Lounge/ / Fri, Apr 26, 8pm http://thebigmedicine.com
KATE NASH (singer songwriter) The Crocodile/ / Fri, May 15, 8pm http://www.myignorantyouth.com
PA R Q U E T CO U RTS Neumos// Thurs, June 13 www.parquetcourts.wordpress.com
If Sheryl Crow’s mother was a country singer, then you
escaped the music scene for a while, but soon befriended
would have Kristen Ward, a brilliant pop rock vocalist and
producer, Glenn Lorbecki, who helped her complete her
singer songwriter rooting from Eastern Washington State.
new masterpiece, Last Night on Division, and give it the
Ward followed her path as an up-and-coming figure head
Nashville flair it deserved. One of the tracks even features
in the music industry in spite of all of the hurdles she has
the infamous Pearl Jam guitarist, Mike McCready. Her
faced. Her new album’s inception began in 2009 as she
songs speak of love and devotion, like the track, “I Wanna
released an acoustic version of some of the tracks in 2010.
Be,” which talks about finding someone new after years
Ready for the full studio version, she started the project
of heartache. “Last Night on Division,” can be found in
with producer, Terry Date, only for it to be halted before
downloadable format on her website or iTunes.
its completion. Ward then gave birth to a baby girl and
www.fillmoremb.com
www.bardotmiami.com
www.mohawkaustin.com
www.stubbsaustin.com
www.finelinemusic.com
www.thecedar.org
www.majesticmadison.com
www.high-noon.com
www.abbeypub.com
www.citywinery.com/chicago
www.oneeyedjacks.net
www.spottedcatmusicclub.com
www.workplay.com
www.thebottletree.com
www.thecrocodile.com
www.nectarlounge.com
Y o n d e r
MOUNTAIN String
Band
For Yonder Mountain String Band, the goal has always been to create music in the spirit of creativity and camaraderie. Work hard, play hard. Inspire and motivate this around you. Appreciate the love that surrounds you and your music. Cultivate the spirit and respect your musical community. Fifteen years strong, the guys share how they keep the magic alive for themselves and their fans.
Difference between east and west coast bluegrass? The further west you go, the less traditional the sound. David Grisman’s work always epitomized the West Coast sound. There’s more jazz and swing to the sound. This is a total generalization of course. Bluegrass doesn’t really command geographical scenes in the same way as Jazz or Hip Hop; there’s just not enough of it to form a scene, Colorado in the 90s and early 00s being the most recent exception to that rule. People’s influences seem to be based on what they listen to (i.e. from the Internet) and not what they see in their local honky-tonk. So you could be a psychedelic electronic artist primarily influenced by Swedish folk music even though you’ve never left Des Moines.
28
from L to R: Ben Kaufmann, Dave Johnston, Adam Aijala, Jeff Austin, photo by: Joel Travis
Do you agree with the assessment of critics that you are groundbreakers for progressive bluegrass music? I know it wasn’t a conscious decision to do. We all really just wanted to be a bluegrass band when we first started. I don’t know of anyone else that sounds like us, so I don’t know that we’re breaking ground for ourselves or not. I know it wasn’t a conscious decision to do. We all really just wanted to be a bluegrass band when we first started. I would say no. The groundbreaking work was done before us. We replanted, but we didn’t have to do the heavy lifting. We never had our lives threatened like Sam Bush did because he had long hair and plugged in his instrument. That’s a totally different thing, maybe that’s breaking ground. But I think we’re surprising a lot of people with just how big something that looks like us and comes from where we come from can be.
Like most bands with longevity in this business, you attribute your success to hard work and making future goals. Why do you think these future goals have been such a powerful motivator? You have to have something to reach for. We’ve got this ahead of us; we’ve got that. You must have something that will keep you moving.
30
Were the goals substantial in the beginning? No. (laughs) It was just to pay the bills and to make sure I could eat more. That becomes a powerful motivator. Also, watching crowds grow. Like in San Francisco, we’d drive out and play a festival for free in the Bay area and then we’d go and play a little 125 capacity bar that’s sold out and full. Then we go back and play at a little bigger place and there’s 300 people. We went from rickety RVs to a van and now we’ve got a bus. We went from one crew guy and now we’ve got two and a lighting director. You look forward to those things and they can pull you out of low moments and motivate you to get to the next thing. Once you get a streak going, you want to keep it going. It’s so hard to find bands that have been together just shy of 15 years. But doing the math, by the time we’re done we could have played more gigs than the Grateful Dead. We can make a mark that you can only make with decades and decades of playing music for people. We want to be smiling old men on stage playing together for our 10,000th show. Another huge angle is that we play a different show every night. We never play the same set and everyone’s still coming up with new material. We’re all still writing stuff and bringing new covers into the mix, too. We never do the same set list. I think that keeps the crowd interested, but more specifically it keeps it more fun for us. Granted, before we tour, we’ll say, “Well s***, we have played x song three or four times,” but it’s not every night. If we really, really wanted to, we could dig and probably go six or seven shows without repeating a song, but it’s generally around four or five. I think to be able to go a whole week without repeating a song keeps it fresher for us.
from L to R: Ben Kaufmann and Jeff Austin live in Asheville, NC 1.24.13, photo by: Dorothy St. Claire
“You look forward to those things and they can
pull you out of low moments
and motivate you to get to the next thing.�
How do you determine your set lists per night? We rotate on a yearly basis. We have a corresponding packet of papers of the set lists from the last time we were at a specific location/ the area. Certain songs segway into other numbers that will motivate a jam to occur. So, whoever is doing the set list will look at the set lit from last year here and go, “Okay, we did this song and it was a jam vehicle. Let’s not do that this time.” We just want to make sure that people who can really only see us once a year have a new experience to be psyched about.But if you get caught up in it, it can be a head game. You can make a set list and completely forget to see this thing that’s going to set off this big music moment for us and hopefully the audience, and you’ll look at the set list again and your eye will catch it and you’ll go, “S***! We played that at almost the same spot last year here!” And then the cards go up in the air and you’ve gotta kind of start it again. We’re pretty conscious of doing that every night. It’s a group effort. It’s not like one person writes a set list and its dictated; everything can interchange. Our front of house engineer has a great set of eyes and ears and helps as well.
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from L to R: Dave Johnston, Adam Aijala, Ben Kaufmann, Jeff Austin, photo by: Joel Travis
You have said that touring and performing LIVE is your thing, but give us a glimpse into some special times in the studio. Recording with Tom Rothrock for all of us. The first day we went in on the first record with him and played. He gave little direction. We just got tones, played a couple of grooves together, jammed a little bit, and went home. Next day, we came in and he had put together what ended up being the first song on the record. Mind blowing because he had put something together that was better than anything I could have heard, it was like a dream. What a wonderful moment. Next day, we laid down three or four different grooves then went home, had some killer Mexican food and some margaritas. We showed up the next day and he goes, “Check this out.” And we were just like, “When the f*** did we do that?” (laughs) And he goes, “You played it. Y’all write some lyrics and let’s go! You had this idea, I wrote this down, we’ve got this, we’ve got that. We’ve already got a road map. We’re more than halfway there.” When we signed on to work with Tom, he was very specific, he said, “I want you to be open to the idea of drums on tracks (which involved a moment with Pete Thomas from Elvis Costello). And I want you to really come in and just trust me. That’s the only way that this is going to work is if I have an idea, just roll with it. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. But we have to at least walk down that road in order to see if it’s going somewhere.” And he sat down and added these different sequences of tones and textures to a mandolin part I (Jeff) was doing and it is still used today on stage.
Have the new additions to members’ families changed the dynamics? It has helped underscore what is important about touring, writing music, and performing. We tour as much as we ever have. It’s heart-wrenching to have to leave. Way worse than the cat sitting on my suitcase giving the stink eye. There’s a trade off for any work of the heart and spirit. You can only hope that your family can understand and learn the importance of doing what you love and accepting the consequences for as long as it feels important.
What is in the works for the new record? Right now, the new record will actually be a series of EPs. I think they’ll feature one song per band member and hopefully begin to be released twice a year.
Bands you think we should check out? Deadly Gentlemen, Lake Street Dive
Looking forward to the new EP, live show and anything else you can throw at us. Check them out during festival season at Summer Camp Music Festival in Illinois, Dark Star Jubilee in Ohio, Wakarusa in Arkansas, and FloydFest in Virginia.
ve rs
us
N E B
When you perform, do you think of a character, other people or certain imagery to take you to a space? Why is Colorado so important to your music? I suppose I could use this analogy: Colorado is like our parent. It birthed us, named us, nurtured us. It helped teach us who we are and gave us the confidence to go out into the wider world and to believe that we could and would succeed.
Hot Rize: love em? why? They are the sound of Colorado bluegrass for a whole generation of people, myself included. Tim O’Brien possesses one of the great singing voices in the genre. In fact, every member of the band pushed the music in a progressive direction. Hot Rize was the gold standard and if Yonder has achieved new heights it is because we stand on their shoulders.
Any people that influence you that you think would be a shock to your fans? Is anything shocking anymore? I listened to a lot of Mr. Big (and by extension Talas and David Lee Roth’s Skyscraper and Eat ‘Em and Smile) and count Billy Sheehan as a formative influence on the bass. Imagine that, a hair-band shredder influencing a bluegrass bassist. Shocked? I didn’t think so.
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Some songs are story songs and the singing is essentially a narration. For other more personal songs, I try to remember the emotion that inspired them. And then there are songs like Sharecropper’s Son that I sing and admittedly feel somewhat silly about because I have no idea what it’s like to be a sharecropper. And I imagine that my idea of hard work pales in comparison. Still, it’s a great song and people seem to like hearing it. I mean, I’ve never been kicked in the mouth by a mule. A goat ate my mitten once.
Complete the sentence...if i do this, i will have accomplished what is important in life for me. Breathe deeply and consciously in every moment. I’m finding it challenging, I’ll admit.
Sound or tone that really gets under your skin? Ever heard Incredible Banjos? It’s powerful bad. But, the slurred speech of drunk people is probably the worst, now that I think about it.
Best hidden music gem venue you’ve played. The Sheridan Opera House, Telluride, Colorado
DAV E Why is Colorado so important to your music? It represents for us a place where anything is possible while at the same time maintaining a rich environment for tradition as well.
Hot Rize: love em? why? They embody what is great and adaptable about bluegrass music and also have a distinctive sound.
Any people that influence you that you think would be a shock to your fans? Our fans cover a wide spectrum of the imagination, so telling someone you like Black Flag along with Obray Ramsey might not be as big a shock as you think.
Complete the sentence...if i do this, I will have accomplished what is important in life for me If I can help raise two kids with just a banjo and a notebook, I will have accomplished what is important in life for me.
Sound or tone that really gets under your skin? Pick noise, maybe 5k?
Best hidden music gem venue you’ve played. Interlocken in Michigan.
When you perform, do you think of a character, other people or certain imagery to take you to a space? All the time: either people from my past or imaginary characters to whom I might be speaking. L photo: Ben Kaufmann live in Atlanta, GA 1.26.13, photo by: Dorothy St. Claire R photo: Dave Johnston live in St. Petersburg, FL 1.19.13, photo by: Dorothy St. Claire
Ben Kaufmann live in Orlando, FL 1.17.13, photo by: Dorothy St. Claire
Best way you find to communicate with fans now versus 15 years ago or even 7 years ago? Face to face. The once and future king of interaction.
If you could pick an alternate career, what would it be? Stay at home dad, without question. Or the U.S. ambassador to Epcot Center.
Who or what to you is funny? Monty Python’s Flying Circus, and don’t start quoting Holy Grail to me unless you can recite the whole movie from memory.
Any pets? Two cats: Oliver and Finnian. I can tell you that because I don’t use their names as security questions for my online banking.
What guest musician do you want to play with YMSB that hasn’t yet? Neil Innes, Brian Eno, Jack White, Jeff Tweedy.
Best way to disseminate material now? Online or at the show.
Give musicians starting out a piece of advice in building a following.
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I’ll boil it down: Encourage people to record and trade your music with their friends. Try your very best not to be an asshole. And for the love of Buddha, don’t get anyone pregnant.
Dave Johnston live in Asheville, NC 1.25.13, photo by: Dorothy St. Claire
Best way you find to communicate with fans now versus 15 years ago or even 7 years ago? Sometimes a facebook reply can really go a long way.
If you could pick an alternate career, what would it be? Composing for a banjo orchestra.
Who or what to you is funny? David McGimpsey.
Any pets? One dog, Winston.
What guest musician do you want to play with YMSB that hasn’t yet? Robert Plant would be cool.
Best way to disseminate material now? I think touring is a great way to get physical product into people’s hands, but if you want to take advantage of everything, nothing has leveled the playing field like the Internet.
Give musicians starting out a piece of advice in building a following. Start something everyday and remember that if people like you and want to come see you perform, you should do what you can to respect that.
3 Day Pass all fan photos taken at Coachella Festival
WHO WHO:
Buy your 3-day pass on Coachella’s website, reserve your camping spot or hotel room, get your carpool lined up. Wanna save time? Check out travel packages on their website.
HOW: HOW
To hear the music of course. And to dance. Coachella is one of the country’s biggest and best festivals for those who want to hear a lot of Top 10, Top Charts, and Best Hits artists as well as one or two who are on their way to making those lists. Celebs, tourists, roadies and fans gather in Indio, CA to celebrate life and the music.
A festival so good they had to split it into two weekends. Coachella sets the bar for the summer festival season, bringing incredible artists from all over the world and drawing in music lovers from the far reaches of the earth to come together under six nights of musical magic. Hold the fireworks, but bring the dancing shoes, and get prepared for the festival of a lifetime.
WHAT: WHAT:
Anyone and everyone, but also the hipsters (this is not exclusive). This festival has a little bit of everything: a lot of indie up-and-comers on their way to the mainstream scene, a few rappers, some legendary favorites and a few pop idols. Get ready for Bassnectar, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Band of Horses and The xx to name a few.
WHY: WHY
Indio, California
WHERE: WHERE
COACHELLA Festival
So close to LA, you can smell it
APRIL 12-14 and APRIL 19-21, 2013
all photos courtesy of Shaky Knees Music Festival Facebook page
WHERE
WHO WHO: WHY: WHY
may 4-5, 2013 40
Year one of a festival, three stages, and 28 bands along with some food trucks and local artisans. The Shaky Knees Music Festival is in its debut year and it has already created a buzz by bringing in some of today’s favorite folk, funk and southern rock bands from around the country to headline their outdoor venues. Even though its the festival’s first year and such a solid line-up, it’s sure to become a new favorite on the East Coast.
Tickets for the two-day festival start at only $99. There is no camping on-site, but there are tons of hotels downtown and around Atlanta that would love to have you.
HOW: HOW
Shaky Knees is here to bring the boot-stompin’, knee-slappin’, hand-clappin’ rock of the South along with a little folk, funk and blues. The festival’s goal is to give people a chance to hear some of the big names in the music industry, but to also open up the door for the festival-goers to hear and maybe even fall in love with some of the newer artists around the Southeast.
Atlanta, Georgia
WHAT: WHAT:
For those who like crafts, food and award-winning music. Among the 28 bands performing at the two day festival, Grammy Award winners of Best Record of the Year, The Lumineers, will be in attendance.
WHERE:
SHAKY KNEES MUSIC Festival
Historic Fourth Ward Park and The Masquerade Music Park
WHY: WHY
Because why not? Some of the best in the industry come to perform in one of the US’s most popular cities for thousands of people who just want to hear great music—sounds like a dream. For many people it is a dream—to get to see their favorite artists and maybe find new favorites; new artists acquire new fans, and big artists get to keep their legend going.
One of the biggest festivals in the Northeast. This 3-dayer is jam-packed with performances, all kinds of food, a Silent Disco, photo booth, and even some ping pong. With a line-up similar to that of Coachella, this festival is one to attend if you want to start your festival season off with a bang. Regular and VIP tickets are available online, and they’ve even made available three different shuttle services, and for that, we thank them.
HOW: HOW
Pop fans, electronic dance music junkies, folk lovers, and a few old school rock ‘n’ rollers. That’s right—Hall of Famers Guns ‘n’ Roses will be headlining along with Kanye West and Kings of Leon. The fun doesn’t stop there, lots of indie artists and more than a few artists on their way to the mainstream scene will be jamming out all weekend long.
New York City, NY
WHAT: WHAT:
the governors ball Festival
The World’s Biggest Urban Playground
WHERE:
WHO WHO:
all pictures taken at Governors Ball Festival
june 7-9, 2013 all pictures taken by Joe Cantrell at Waterfront Blues Festival
WHO WHO:
A blues festival to end hunger, originally known as the Rose City Blues Festival. 100 percent of the proceeds go to the Oregon Food Bank, but don’t think it’s all about charity. The Waterfront Blues Festival is regarded as one of the biggest and best blues festivals in the nation. They get down.
To end hunger and to listen to some blues. Actually, to be blown away by some blues from some of the country’s best blues artists. From the get-go, this festival has been all about helping others and has raised millions of dollars since its beginning. Beautiful music for a beautiful cause—isn’t that the way life is always supposed to go?
You can sign up to be a sponsor or volunteer for the festival or just buy a ticket--all the proceeds go towards efforts to end hunger and its root causes. Check out the website for information on hotels and after hours activities.
HOW: HOW
july 4-7, 2013
WHAT: WHAT:
The caring individuals at the Oregon Food Share, those with a love for the blues, and a bunch of people who believe that no one should go hungry. Some of the artists attending the festival are the North Mississippi All Stars, Chubby Carrier, and Mavis Staples.
WHY: WHY
Portland, Oregon
WHERE:
waterfront blues festival
The “City of Roses”
LINEUP march/april/may
Intense and energetic, compassionate and a bit dark, Justin Jones has had one hell of a year. Lauded by NPR and The Washington Post, this troubadour continues to take it to the streets with his band, singing of trials, tribulations and triumphs. His heartfelt and honest interpretations of the world and life at large contribute to his loyal and ever growing fan base. Once you are in it with him, you are a fan for life. His raw vocals engage your heart, while his humor energizes your soul. Where does it come from and how did it all begin? In his words...
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“…this 45-year-old woman…thanked me
and i thought,
for my words
maybe this is what I was meant to do.”
46
We’re starting off strong—Barbara Walters, shed a tear style. Back story, spill it. Well, my biological father left my mom when I was really young, I was probably three months old. So, I don’t remember him at all, I never met him. My stepfather was in a band. My mom married him when I was 8, I think. He played harmonica and sang. He had a really rough voice. They had a band called Tough Luck. I played music and played guitar with my stepfather’s band. It was cool; he would take me on the road and stuff in the summertime when I wasn’t in school. It was weird; we were playing in bars and every one would have a pinball machine. His band would let me play two songs. The novelty of a kid on stage was over quickly, and they got back to the real show. So, I would go play pinball, but I just remember all of these drunk women coming up to me and pinching my cheeks. It’s funny, because I have kids now, and I can’t believe that I was just hanging in a bar while they were on stage. Nobody was watching me! So, I learned to play pool and I had all of these skills that other 8 year olds just didn’t have. Like pinball and billiards.
Did you feel more adult than most people your age? Yeah, I think I did. I’ve always had some sort of superiority complex. (laughs) I always hung out with kids that were older. And subsequently later on in life, I made a lot of bad decisions because of it. I tried to impress older kids and what not. But I also just liked to be a kid, too. And my stepfather was a big kid too. Sometimes, I would wake him up pretty early and we would go to the arcade.
What was his favorite game? I feel like I would see him playing Galaga. It was the 80s.
What did you like? I like’d the ones where I was in the afterburner. Like, being the fighter jet plane, but I wasn’t really big enough to hit anything.
So, how long did your stint in the bars last? My parents split up when I was 11 and I went to live with my grandmother in Virginia. I kind of stopped playing music when I moved in with my grandma. I started playing golf. I remember this now, I was obsessed with golf for like a year. (laughs) And then I got really into skateboarding and I did that for 12 years, that was all I did. Then I moved to California and was going around the country skating, and had sponsors. It was really wild. But, I ended up having reconstructive surgery on my ankle and broke my leg shortly after that. So, I moved to the beach in North Carolina and started playing open mics.
So, by your mid-20s, you had had quite a few careers. What were you writing/ singing about? I wrote this song about my dad dying. He died when I was 21. I ended up moving back in with him after high school and then we had a falling out. He was sober for 25 years and then he got back into drugs. He ended up overdosing and dying. I felt really awful about it. It was the first time I wrote a song and I was like, “This is f****** good.” I played it at this bar called the Horny Toad. It’s this local bar at the beach in North Carolina, on the sound side, not on the beach side. I will never forget this 45-year old woman, sitting in front of me at a table, staring out the window, just crying and crying. I didn’t know if her dad had just died or something. So, I talked to her for a bit afterwards. She thanked me for my words and I thought, maybe this is what I was meant to do.
How did seeing that reaction from that woman effect you? After that, I started being a little more honest in my songwriting. Not being so status quo. That was the catalyst for me.
Do you have a recording of that song? I do, I’ve recorded it twice. You can hear a really early version of it on an album called Blue Dreams, it’s on iTunes. The song is called “You Ain’t Around.” Some people responded to it; some people didn’t. The stuff I was writing at that time was very country.
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“After that, I started being a little more honest in my songwriting. Not being so
status quo.”
You seem to have taken a departure from your earlier style. Now, what I write isn’t like that at all. What’s funny is the distance between what I sound like now and what I sounded like then may not be that far, but to me it’s like miles away. So I started with a country band, then played solo for a couple of years. I also did this Van Morrison back up singers thing that was really fun. But I just get sick of s***. You’re certainly not going to hear the same kind of songwriting on Fading Light as you would on an earlier album of mine. It’s just like anything else that you do, you’re constantly progressing. What you did before just seems silly and what you’re doing now seems like the real thing. It’s such a crazy narcissist lifestyle, but you get so wrapped up in yourself and what you’re creating and what you’re doing. You don’t even have time for anything else. I’m sure it sucks to be my wife. I mean, I try to give her every ounce of myself that I can but there are times when I’m just emotionally unavailable, just so wrapped up in what I’m trying to do with my music career. Which ultimately is for their benefit, I probably wouldn’t be trying as hard without them. Before them I didn’t try that hard.
Do you try hard for them in the sense that you feel like you need to provide for them or that you want them to be proud of you? Both. I want to provide for them; that’s the ultimate goal. But I honestly like that they are proud of me sometimes.
How do you balance life on the road and life with your family? When I go home, I’m with them 24 hours a day. I’ve only really in the last two years started touring a lot and this year more than ever. I play over 100 shows a year. But I’ve been really conscious about trying to be home as much as possible. It’s really hard. My wife and I, our relationship and the kids and our lifestyle. She owns a business and it’s crazy. I wrote “Make Me The Moon” about it, comparing our life to the relationship between the sun and the moon and how people often see them in the sky at the same time, but they’re never together throughout the entire time. They’re always in passing, either in the morning or in the evening.
What made you start writing that song? I was just thinking about how when I’m home with kids and all, we don’t ever like hang out or do whatever we want. You can’t do just go anywhere when you have kids because you have to find a place to stay, and you basically pack up the whole house (laughs). She’s really into planning. And I just like throw a t-shirt and some underwear in a bag and go, which I have often regretted. You get to some situations where a t-shirt and underwear are not going to cut it.
Can you see a lot of yourself in your daughters? I can. They certainly both have my temperament. They’re funny. I see a lot of both of us. Also, it evolves and changes. My eldest girl, her name’s Stella, the first year of her life she was exactly like me. But now she’s older and looks just like her mother, lucky for her. It’s funny, my other daughter is starting to look more like me when before she didn’t look like me at all, she actually looked like her mom. I think that happens with most children though.
People compare your low voice to Tom Waits, did it always sound like that? No, not at all. Actually, I can play you some stuff. It’s funny, when I hear stuff that I recorded when my voice was like *really up here*. It sounds like I’m just singing through my nose. My voice has actually gotten a lot rougher. I think it’s because I recorded songs that are all too high for me to sing and I’ve been screaming so much that it’s changed my voice. And now I’m hoarse all the time. I write songs that are in a lower register now. Sometimes I feel like my throat is going to come out of my mouth. It’s funny because I’ll see video of us playing and it doesn’t look like I’m trying that hard, but inside it’s like everything that I can do.
50
“You get in some situations where a t-shirt and underwear
“…sometimes my feelings are hurt and sometimes
I don’t care.” 52
Have you had any problems from the strain? I actually went to a vocal chord specialist because I was losing my voice all of the time. It was scary. I didn’t know if I had like polyps or something. Basically, I would sing one night and then I wouldn’t be able to talk the next day. But then I quit smoking and talked to this specialist and he said his theory was that when I was smoking, my vocal chords were so inflamed and swollen that it was actually easier for me to sing because I was doing less work with them when I was singing. So when I quit smoking, my throat opened back up and my vocal chords had to do a lot more work to produce the same noise. Isn’t that f****** crazy? Smoking almost made my career.
Why did you quit smoking? I don’t know. I mean, I know it’s bad. I have two young kids, for one. I had been saying I wanted to quit since like my first doctors appointment. I’ve been talking about it for a long time. There was no plan. I ran out of cigarettes and I was like, “I’m done with that, I’m not buying anymore of those.” So yeah, I just ran out of cigarettes and decided I was done. I went out and bought like five of those little packs of gum that have like 40 pieces in them. Not the Nicoret, just regular gum. I chewed a lot of gum for a couple of weeks. But, that was the best thing I’ve ever done. So, I’m glad that I can sing a little bit now. Like I said, I still lose my voice. Sometimes, I sound like Chewbacca.
What do you feel like career wise has changed for you in this past year? I’ve gotten some recognition. But it’s still the weirdest thing, we will play a show for six people and then two days later we’ll play for 500.
Does it ever hurt your feelings? I’ve certainly been doing it a long time, so I guess so in some ways. And it’s tricky with publicity. People always want to make it this thing about this “new artist” and I’m not a new artist, I’m an old artist! I just feel like, instead of saying “Hey, check out this new thing,” it should be, “Hey, why the f*** don’t you know about this thing?” So, sometimes my feelings are hurt and sometimes I don’t care. It’s weird, I try not to be an egomaniac about it. One thing I know is that if you don’t keep poking people, they forget about you.
e in we’r that ciety e so “…th now Do you think that your storytelling has evolved in ways that people are resonating more and now they’re coming to shows and getting it more than before? I definitely think that I’m a better writer than I was before. I have no doubt about that. It’s tough to say that the music that I made before wasn’t good. I still think it’s pretty good; it just sucks compared to what I’m doing now. I think the reason that it didn’t resonate with people before is that they didn’t hear it. People are hearing it now more than they were before, it’s more accessible. It also sounds exactly like I want it to sound.
Is there any song that you listen to that strikes a nerve every time? The tunes “As It Turns Out,” “You Saved Me,” and “Christmas Night” are all really emotional songs. It’s hard for me to not be moved by it because you know, I lived it.
54
If you could pick the ultimate location for someone to pop in Fading Light and listen to it, where would it be? I don’t know. You don’t want it to be in bed, because you don’t want them to fall asleep. Long car rides are always good. I think the thing is, the society that we’re in now has just grown so impatient. Start alone on a long drive and then share with friends after that. I think people need to listen to it enough where they can start making up what the songs are about. It also takes so long to build these memories of these nostalgic experiences like, I kissed my girl for the first time listening to that song, so that they can have this positive association with the album. That amount of time hasn’t gone by yet. I really want people to have their own interpretation of the songs. Because otherwise what’s the point? If it’s just for me to tell you what I’m going through, it’s pointless. Hopefully it’s more about this being the soundtrack to some experience of your own or reminding you of some time in your life. I think that’s way cooler.
Buy the album, take a drive, absorb the music, purchase a ticket, see the show. You will become a fan.
n grow just has
atient.” so imp
records www.alphapuprecords.com
Ghostly International Records www.ghostly.com
www.hopelessrecords.com
Vicious Recordings www.viciousrecordings.com
BIG TREE Pop/Indie/Rock
Kaila Mcintyre-Bader, Anna Ghezzi, Dan Pirello, Luke Bace, Matt Schory
Imagine Mars Volta without the super heavy drums and
the rhythm section. Their latest EP, Little Tree, recorded
distorted guitar parts, and two female harmony vocalists
live on 2-inch tape, leaves you wanting to keep it on repeat
instead of Oman Rodriguez-Lopez. Imagine the B52’s
until they release another album to offset your focus. Big
without Fred Schneider and the eighties alternative dance
Tree is a necessity for any music listener’s library.
pop. Throw in some Mamas and Papas and some skillfully placed electric guitar work and you get this awesome laid back sound called Big Tree. Formed in 2008 in Brooklyn, Big Tree would tour off and on cross country until finally, just after they recorded their second full length LP This
SAN FRANCISCO TMI Hot Picks
CELLAR DOORS
and release it on the West Coast which is now where they
(rock n roll) Brick and Mortar Music Hall/ / Thurs, Apr 11, 8pm www.cellardoorsinstereo.com
call home. Electric rock bass lines played by Luke Bace and
IMPERIAL TEEN
New Year, they suddenly decided to move to the Bay Area
indie rock orchestral drummer, Matt Schory, form a strong infrastructure for dual lead vocalists Kaila McIntyreBader and Anna Ghezzi. This then lays down the path for Stratocaster guitarist Dan Pirello, who complements their vocals and adds a blend of soft dreamy delayed surf rock and jazz guitar, padded with classic electric keys to accent
58
(indie pop) Bottom of the Hill//Fri, May 24, 10pm www.imperialteen.com
A H AW K A N D A H AC KSAW Cafe du Nord//Sun, June 2 www.ahawkandahacksaw.net
THE GROWLERS Experimental/Indie Rock
For those of you who have never heard The Growlers,
a classic country song turned into a cosmic shuffle, that
your ears may go into initial shock with the genius
talks about passing up your soul mate. The Growlers
behind their far out sounds, but by the second song
are the cutting edge of analog music.
you are glued to the speakers, wondering what they will pull out of a hat next. A solid musicianship that is both innovative and artistic. The Growlers produce a sound that has 60s surf rock and Punk rock influences without the pushing and shoving. Imagine The Doors’ creepy, analog organ sound and instead of Morrison, you have a spacey, echoed version of Wayne Coyne’s voice from the Flaming Lips. Formed in 2006, The Growlers (Brooks Nielsen, Matt Taylor, Scott Montoya, Anthony Braun Perry, and Kyle Straka) have done their time on the road, touring constantly both at a national and international level.
Their latest album, Hung
at Heart, was recorded live on tape and released in January 2013, with tracks like “Salt on a Slup” that has an evil circus feel similar to Primus’ track “On a Coat Tail of a Dead Man,” and “One Million Lovers,” which is Brooks Nielsen, Matt Taylor, Scott Montoya, Kyle Straka, Anthony Perry,
LOS ANGELES TMI Hot Picks BRONZE RADIO RETURN (indie roots rock) Bootleg Theater/ / Wed, Apr 3, 8pm bronzeradioreturn.com
TOM GRIESGRABER (progressive) The Coach House/ / Thurs, May 2, 6pm http://www.thossounds.com
SHE AND HIM Hollywood Bowl// Sun, June 23 www.sheandhim.com
TERRY ROBB B l u e s /A c o u s t i c / P r i m i t i v i s m
Terry Robb, is not only a brilliant musician, he
licks that only the best can pull off on an electric.
is a historian in a sense that he has been able to
Electric guitar can be way more forgiving at times
reproduce the classic sounds of the early blues and
compared to the raw sound of wood and strings.
primitivism, a style that links country and blues
His slide guitar and use of different open tunings
together evolving around the early 1900s, and has
are sharp and right on the pitch, and takes you
educated the masses on its roots.
Having been
back to the early Robert Johnson years. Most of
featured on over 32 different albums, teaching
his recorded albums are a mix of clean cut solo
at multiple festival workshops, and founding the
acoustic and vocal songs, while some are backed
Northwest School of Acoustic Guitar, Terry Robb
with blues drums, bass and keys. His first electric
is the top acoustic blues artist on the west coast.
guitar album, Muddyvishnu, was just released
All of this because Robb’s finger picking skills
and can be found online, along with as the rest of
are extraordinaire; he’s able to pull off certain
his discography.
PORTLAND TMI Hot Picks ANUHEA (island folk) Doug Fir Lounge/ / Wed, Apr 10, 8pm www.anuheajams.com
YOUR DEMISE (hardcore) Backspace Cafe//Mon, May 27, 7pm www.yourdemiseofficial.tumblr.com
T H E BATS Bunk Bar//Tues, June 11 www.bunkbar.com
Terry Robb
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ROB DRABKIN Acoustic/Pop/Rock
Rob Drabkin
Rob Drabkin has huge energy, a huge voice, and huge hair, and I mean that in a really cool way. Returning to his home town of Denver after finishing his schooling in San Antonio, Drabkin erupted into the music scene of the Rockies and has already played the infamous Red Rocks, as well as several regional festivals. As a solid rhythm acoustic player, Drabkin has a commanding stage presence either solo or with his huge
DENVER TMI Hot Picks
backing band. Most of his songs have a very Paul Simon
THE MEN
percussive Caribbean influence, and have every house he
(post punk) Hi Dive/ / Fri, Apr 26, 9pm wearethemen.blogspot.com
performs at packed and dancing the floor away. His voice has an interesting vibrato with a little Dave Matthews song arranging and full band backing sound, especially in the title track to his latest EP, Little Steps. On the other side is his song “Stay (The Morning Light Fades),” which is a very slow and subtle acoustic track that is accompanied well by strings, pads, organ and that foundational bass. Rob Drabkin’s music can be found online, or catch one of his performances next time you are in the Rockies.
BORIS (experimental rock) Blue Bird Theater/ / Tues, May 14, 8pm http://borisheavyrocks.com
C RYSTA L F I G H T E R S Larimer Lounge// Wed, June 12 www.crystalfighters.com
VO O D O O M E T H O D Soul/Rock
Dale Brink, Dusty Dietrich, Pierre Minor, Scott Sutton, Abram Denzlinger
Omaha based soulful rock band Voodoo Method is
playing local shows and focusing on writing new songs.
taking the Midwest by storm with their smooth vocals
Their most recent release, Put ‘em Up, provides its
and high-energy tunes. Voodoo Method spent their first
listeners with the perfect tune to jam out to.
three years together playing smaller venues around
OMAHA
Omaha and Lincoln. When their tunes reached the ears of the right person, they were invited to open for Dirty Little Rabbits, the other band of Clown from Slipknot. The band was voted Best Rock nomination from the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards in 2011 and
TMI Hot Picks
GY P SY LU M B E RJAC KS
OEA committee and music fans. Out of the 60+ bands
(americana) The Barley Street Tavern/ / Tues, Apr 23, 9pm www.gypsylumberjacks.com
that performed at the OEA Awards Summer Showcase,
MAPS & ATLASES
was ultimately nominated for Best Rock in 2010 by the
Voodoo Method was voted favorite act by audiences. The way in which they brilliantly marry rock tunes with funky, soulful vibes creates a very unique, ear-pleasing sound. The band literally moves audiences during their live shows, getting them up out of their seats and grooving to the funk at every show. Voodoo Method is currently
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(math rock) The Waiting Room Lounge//Thurs, May 9, 9pm mapsandatlases.org
T H EY M I G H T B E G I A N TS Slowdown//Wed, June 5 www.theymightbegiants.com
B E AU C H A R R O N Singer Songwriter
Tulsa grown singer songwriter
the year” while with his band
Beau Charron is doing big
Ultrafix. Beau keeps in close
things with his music. Touring
touch with his fans while
with the greats such as Bob
touring the world through
Dylan, Elton John, BB King,
his blog on his website. His
and The Allman Brothers,
passion for performing for his
Beau is making a giant leap
fans is clear in every sentence
towards becoming a big name
that he writes to them. Songs
in the world of music. His
like Back to Oklahoma and
bluesy voice and lyrics mesh
Don’t Even Know Her Name
perfectly with the simple tones
will literally take you “back to
of his guitar. By no means
Oklahoma” with their simple
is he a newbie of the trade;
bluegrass
he has been playing music
Beau is a member of the Leon
professionally since 1997. In
Russell Band in which he plays
2002 he won Rollingstone
guitar, pedal steel, mandolin,
Magazine “unsigned artist of
and keys.
Beau Charron Photo: Arjan Verm
feel.
Currently
TULSA TMI Hot Picks
SUPERHUMANOIDS (pop) Cain’s Ballroom/ / Tues, Apr 9, 7pm www.superhumanoids.com
THE HOOTEN HALLERS (hillbilly) Mercury Lounge/ / Weds, May 8, 8pm www.facebook.com/thehootenhallers
T H E G R E AT S COT TS The Colony// Sat, June 15 www.thegreatscotts.net
SMILE SMILE P o p / Fo l k
The Dallas based pop-folk
album, Blue Roses, while still
duo Smile Smile is using an
together and planning their
unfortunate breakup to their
future as a married couple.
benefit. The two dated and
After the release of their album
were even engaged at one
Truth on Tape, which details
point but unfortunately had
the heartbreaking end of their
to call it quits, but not from
relationship and emotions to
their musical ties. If you were
which we can all relate to, the
to throw beautiful vocal lines,
duo’s fame really started to
a modern folk sound, and
grow. Audiences and listeners
emotionally
intimate
began to deeply connect with
lyrics into a pot and stir them
the lyrics of each track on
all
the album. There’s no doubt
together,
bare, the
resulting Smile
that songs such as Beg You to
Smile. The duo has shared
Stay and Sad Song will take
the stage with artists such as
listeners right back to that one
Mat Kearney, Loretta Lynn,
devastating
Simple Plan, and Bowling For
Smile is here to give their fans
Soup. They released their first
relatable, beautiful tunes.
mixture
would
be
Jencey Hirunrusme, Ryan Hamilton
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breakup.
Smile
DALLAS TMI Hot Picks THE SEE (indie/ rock) Dan’s Silverleaf/ / Tues, Apr 23, 8pm www.wearethesee.com
ADAM GREEN & BINKI SHAPIRO (folk pop) Granada//Mon, May 6, 7pm www.adamandbinki.com
T H E DA N BA N D House of Blues//Fri, June 7 www.thedanband.com
SNAKE OIL MEDICINE SHOW Bluegrass/Reggae
Caroline Pond, George Pond, Andy Pond, Billy Seawell, Sean Foley and Phil Cheney
ASHEVILLE
Asheville based Snake Oil
band; they create their own
Medicine Show is bringing
mini-festivals
to the music world peace and
they go by including live art
positive ideas through music
with their jams. The intense
and art. While they are very
sense of happiness, love,
passionate
and family that Snake Oil
about
steering
wherever
the future of acoustic music,
portrays
they still love and respect
their beautiful tunes makes
WOV E N H A N D
the tradition of it. Audiences
it hard not to fall in love with
(alt country) Grey Eagle/ / Tues, Apr 16, 9pm www.wovenhand.com
have called them an “eclectic
them at first sight. They have
and fun mix of bluegrass,
had the pleasure of sharing
jazz,
dance
stages with Yonder Mountain
THE FELICE BROTHERS
grooves from all over the
String Band, Bela Fleck, and
(americana) Orange Peel/ / Mon, May 13, 7pm www.godblessyouamigo.com
world.” Originating from a
Sound Tribe Sector 9. Snake
place known for it’s hillbilly
Oil is currently proud to be
music gives the group their
showcasing
defining
whereas
CD, which was recorded at
traveling to various countries
Atlanta’s World Class Tree
has given their music plenty
Sound Studios by Grammy
of variety. Snake Oil is more
award
of a caravan than just a
Robert Hannon.
TMI Hot Picks
L A K E ST R E E T D I V E The Grey Eagle// Thurs, June 27 www.lakestreetdive.com
reggae,
and
sound,
combined
their
winning
with
newest
engineer
www.bottomofthehill.com
www.thesmell.org
www.mezzaninesf.com
www.thecoachhouse.com
backspace www.wonderballroom.com
www.backspace.bz
www.hi-dive.com
www.bluebirdtheater.net
www.barleystreet.com
www.theslowdown.com
GET COLONIZED.
www.thecolonytulsa.com
www.cainsballroom.com
Dallas, TX
www.dadadallas.com
www.granadatheater.com
Asheville, NC
www.theorangepeel.net
www.thegreyeagle.com
LILY & THE
PARLOUR T R I C K S SWAGGER
AND SWAY
define this 6-piece New York band who pays homage to the sounds and styles of the 40s, 50s and 60s. Trying to stuff these tricks into a genre bag would be as much of a musical crime as denying Ray Charles his piano, asking Tammy to not Stand By Her Man, or putting glue on the bottom of the Temptations dancing shoes. Just let Lily and the Parlour Tricks continue to entice a raucous crowd by harmonizing, costuming it up, and enveloping the crowd with their significant stamp.
68
5
4
6
1 MEET
THE
1. MORGANE 2. LILY
3
BAND
2
I’m a singer originally from Paris.
I’m the lead singer from New York City.
3. DARAH
I’m a singer and originally from Connecticut.
4. BRIAN
I play the bass and am from Nashville, Tennessee.
5. TERRY
I play the drums and I’m from Philadelphia, PA
6. ANGELO
I play the guitar and I’m from Pittsburgh, PA
If you had one thing to take with you, to travel with, what would it be?
I have two books in my life, that if we were going to be away for a long time, I would need them to kind of center myself. Hom, his collection of poems, and Leaves of Grass. I’ll be fine on the road with all of y’all if I have those.
I would need an iPod and headphones. If we were on the road for a while, I would need to be able to be alone for a little while if we were in a car all of the time, for sure, and that’s the easiest way to do it.
Song that makes you dance. "Bo Diddley" -Bo Diddley "Let's Twist Again" -Chubby Checker "The Tears of a Clown" Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. "Baby I'm a Star" -Prince "Bossy" - Kelis feat. Too $hort "Hey Ya" - Outkast
A video camera.
Socks!
A bag of pretzels and a jar of Nutella. And fortunately for me, that means I am at home everywhere. Everywhere Nutella is sold, that’s where my home is. Home is where the Nutella is.
I would take a bat. Because there’s been a tendency, as of last night, for a band member to sleep walk and threaten me while he is sleep walking. I woke up last night to him lifting up my blankets and yelling things at me. I just kept asking what he was doing and then he sprinted to the bathroom. Then he sprinted back in to bed, curled up, and said, “Yeah, boy!” ! So I would bring a bat. For protection.
I would probably say my running shoes. I went for a run this morning along the river. I like to work out. I find running is a great way to just zone out for an hour or so. As much as I love all of these people, you need some time just to kind of remove yourself.
70
You are such storytellers: For each of you, what story/ fairy tale resonates with you or are you inspired/ moved by?
"The Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Andersen. I find myself thinking of it a lot lately, whenever people make a fuss over a new band or fad or movie and I just don't get it. Who's fooling who? Otherwise, Truman Capote. Reading "In Cold Blood" changed my life and I'm still not entirely sure why. I have always been partial to the struggle that journey stories illustrate. I loved the The Odyssey growing up and even have a soft spot for stories like The Alchemist for the same reason. Greatness always come from struggle. Throw in a cyclops and some sirens and I am all about it.
“
I think that
a band has a responsibility not only to play their music to the best of their ability, but also
“
My mother read The Alchemist to me as a child. I have read and re-read the book, each time discovering something new and finding a different meaning, depending on what mindset I am in at that moment. The idea that is developed throughout the book of a "Personal Legend" basically what you want to accomplish in your life - really resonates with me. At the end of the day, you strive to attain it because there's nothing else that would be quite as right. Trust it.
really put on a show.
Lily
"Sleeping Beauty". I dressed up as one of the fairies for Halloween when I was 2. Angelo: Philip K Dick's "The Prominent Author" It's about a man that finds a leak in his Jiffy-scuttler (time/space travel machine) and there are these tiny 1-inch people coming from the sparkling grey fog that the machine emits. He gets a visit from them everyday as he is going to work and they begin communicating with him through tiny pieces of paper that have questions on them and the man must enlarge, translate, answer and return them. The man then notices that every time he meets these people they are different because it looks as if generations of them have gone by before his return after work. He eventually realizes that he's communicating with the ancient Hebrews and that his interactions and written responses to them create the Holy Bible. The man is The Prominent Author in an expanding universe... yes. The fairy tale-esque film Once about the intertwining love between two artists and their music. Does this officially make me the sappy one?
So, is it true that the band got together through a break up? Brian
Describe your music. Lily Someone said in a review of the show, that if
The Shangri-Las did the sound track for a David Lynch movie, that would be us. I thought that was nice. Bit really, we are like the Andrews Sisters meets Tom Waits.
True, one day, Lily and I had been friends for a little bit at this point and I got a text message from Lily saying, “I broke up with my boyfriend. Do you want to play bass in my band?” And I was very confused. I didn’t know which role I was filling. And thank God, she only asked me to play bass in her band. (laughter) It’s working out for the better, in retrospect.
What's the story behind it?
Lily
Lily I had just read a collection of true stories,
That’s true, that happened. Like two years ago. It was the four of us playing together for a couple of months but everything that I was writing just required three voices, it sounded really empty without it. Three female voices, I should say. We tried briefly to have them(the guys) sing a little bit.
Brian We did one show. It was
pretty bad.
Lily It led to good things. Brian Yeah, it was growing pains.
We’ll call it growing pains.
72
Pick one song for our readers to listen to. Brian “ Poison Song” from our debut EP Lily
and The Parlour Tricks
news articles and case studies of American murders. One of them focused on the trial of a woman in the 19th century who had convinced her married lover to murder his wife by sending the wife a box of poisoned chocolates. She also poisoned some other people by accident. Needless to say it didn't turn out well. At her trial she claimed that she did it for love and if you've never loved you wouldn't understand where she was coming from. I thought it'd be neat to hear the whole story from her perspective, so I wrote the song. I seem to come up with ideas in the shower a lot; gotta run out dripping to my phone or the nearest thing to record on so i don't forget whatever i've come up with and then hop back in the shower and deal with the rest after I've dried off. Poison was one of those.
Trials seem to be a theme. Tell us about the video concept behind Murder Song.
What is the best thing about the NYC Music Scene?
Lily
Lily There is just so much going on with so many types of music. What’s funny is that all of the clubs, and there are a million music clubs in New York, but they all will have any number of different kinds of music at their club. They’ll have rappers, and soul, and us, and just a million different things in a night, which is awesome. But that way you can really stumble on something. You can walk down the street and hear something coming out of a club and go in and check it out and then the next band after that is totally different. But I think we fit in because of that, there is no real fitting in. There’s not a vibe that you have to submit to.
It was the director, Tim Gregory’s, idea. He sent us a treatment for a video, which read like a movie script. In it he said that the song would serve as the defense attorney's statement. We liked that it allowed the listener to question whether or not the story is true (it is actually a true story, from the same book as the one that inspired Poison Song). And we were delighted by the fact that not only were there actors playing the leading roles, but there would be no "band" moments, no instruments, no visible connection to the song except the courtroom scenes. The video ended up being a short film with a song at its core. It was a barrel of fun to shoot.
Brian The city is based on a couple million
people just doing their own thing so the music scene’s totally the exact same way.
Do you ever feel lost in it because there’s so much?
Lily No. I think living in New York
you learn this skill of tuning out some things. But you also learn the skill to take what you feel like you need from everything. You absorb every little ounce of whatever it is, then process, and then boom! You come out with something like we do which is original but feels normal to us, feels natural to us.
Where is your favorite venue?
Lily The Bell House in Brooklyn is awesome. The space itself, it’s a beautiful room. Everyone dances, it’s a great vibe.
Fashion and Music: tell us about yours? why is it important...how does it define you?
Lily "Going to see a show"
should mean more than just going to hear music. I think that a band has a responsibility not only to play their music to the best of their ability, but also really put on a show. To us, that includes giving the audience what to look at while they listen. Doesn't have to be outrageous, just something. I don't think fashion defines us really, and we don't put remotely as much time into costuming as we do into the music, but it does contribute to who we are. When we get on stage it's not just six people playing songs, it's a performance. The wardrobe helps make that distinction.
74
Other than yourselves, of course, who do you think are the most unique bands gracing the NYC scene right now?
Lily Oh man there are so many.
And we're fortunate enough to call a lot of them good friends of ours: Raccoon Fighter, Rocket & The Ghost, Nat Osborn, Turkuaz. I saw the band Vassals recently and loved them.
What's in store for you for 2013?
Lily Good things. Exciting things.
Don't want to jinx it. But we're busy and about to get busier.
Who do you want to tour with this year?
Lily Wish-list? Nick Cave, The
Black Keys, Dr. Dog, J. Roddy Walston & The Business, Rufus Wainwright.
Should we be looking forward to a new album soon? Lily Yes! We just started recording.
It's different. New Tricks. Big, big sound.
You must see them live. Find a show. Now. www.lilyandtheparlourtricks.com
It's The Good One.
reel music
10 Scores and Soundtracks of
Top
This past year the world experienced the biggest year in box office history raking in an impressive $10.8 billion. Forget the year-to-year inflation of admission prices; the number of tickets sold increased for the first time in three years. Not only was it a great year for movies, it was one hell of a year for cinematic soundtracks. These great composers and musicians scored the scenes that moved, gripped and awakened our inner senses. Often times we forget that in cinema it’s the overlapping of visuals and music that takes us out of this world and into another. Here are ten of the best film scores and soundtracks of 2012:
2012 indicates favorite track
Beasts of the Southern Wild / by Dan Romer & Benh Zeitlin
“The Bathtub”
The pluck of banjo strings, the slow, yet invigorating slide of violin bows, the childlike play of piano keys, the timpani’s tantalizing beats: these are the sounds that stem from little Hushpuppy’s tale and her adventures in Louisiana’s Bathtub, one of America’s most desolate landscapes. After taking one listen, it’s hard to fathom that this masterpiece was music producer Dan Romer’s first cinematic score. Romer discovered that the key to creating one of the most refreshing scores since Amélie lies in its simplicity.
/ Django Unchained
by Various Artists From Pulp Fiction to Inglorious Bastards, Quentin Tarantino has become one of the greatest filmmakers of our generation. He has a reputation for hand-picking the songs used to support his stories’ complex characters and vengeful tactics. Any Tarantino fan can attest to the man’s love of ‘70s & ‘80s music. However, for Django, he approved original songs from John Legend and Rick Ross, and turned down a track from neo-soul artist Frank Ocean. This soundtrack may not be as diegetic in nature as Reservoir Dogs’, nor as independently unified as Kill Bill’s; but the album has the strongest story-to-music relationship we’ve seen all year. “Freedom”
by Anthony Hamilton & Elayna Boynton
The Dark Knight Rises / by Hans Zimmer
The man responsible for the composition of The Lion King, Inception and Gladiator, gave us 2012’s most anticipated score and did so with finesse. Unlike the previous two Batman soundtracks, which combined the artistry of composer James Newton Howard (The Hunger Games, The Village) with that of Zimmer, Zimmer tackled this score alone. Not only did he create symbolic sounds to mirror Bane and Selina Kyle’s personalities, he also cleverly recycled motifs from Batman Begins for a bittersweet conclusion to one of cinema’s best trilogies.
“Why Do We Fall?”
/ Snow White and the Huntsman
by James Newton Howard Something magical occurs when a score transcends both the story and its characters. Composer James Newton Howard created a piece of work that manages to stand leagues above the film. Each track ebbs and flows with an insatiable energy that slowly filters into the next, creating an entire album with its own plot line. Not to mention, any score that includes a track with Florence Welch backed by a full orchestra and choir receives my stamp of approval.
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“White Hart”
/ The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Various Artists The days when mixed-tapes and mixed-CDs ruled the school courtyard have long passed, but in the 90s, this archaic method of socializing became the staple that held together a generation. This soundtrack reminds us what it’s like to be a teenager again; a time when finding that one song to describe and narrate any state of mind or complicated relationship felt like hitting a gold mine in California. With tracks from Nirvana, Sonic Youth, The Smiths, Galexie 500 and Smashing “VapourbyTrail” Ride Pumpkins, it’s hard to forget the special place in music history that ‘90s rock will forever hold.
Cloud Atlas / by Tom Tykwer, Reinhold Heil, & Johnny Klimek
Known to many as Pale 3, longtime composing collaborators Tykwer, Heil & Klimek took on the daunting task of writing music for a story that revolved around the idea of reincarnation. Instead of creating a different sound for the past, present, and future, Pale 3 weaved new musical components into their motifs as the storyline progressed through eras. With 23 tracks, this score “All Boundaries are Conventions” may start slow, but by the end your love for cinematic scores will only strengthen.
/ Frankenweenie
by Danny Elfman 2012 marked Danny Elfman’s busiest year yet; not only did he score Silver Linings Playbook, Men in Black 3, Hitchcock and Promised Land, but he also reunited with Tim Burton for Frankenweenie, a move that had fans jumping with joy. Elfman may be known for his darker themes, but with its fluidity and relentless energy, this score revealed Elfman’s mastery to engage every human emotion with brilliant composition. Those who enjoyed Elfman’s work on The “Reanimation” Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands will absolutely love Frankenweenie.
Man with the Iron Fists / by Various Artists
It’s a mystery how such an amazing soundtrack attached itself to one of the worst wannabe kung-fu cult films of all time. Luckily, with the help of Grammy-winning producer RZA, this collaborative album solidified the ever-growing relationship between new school hip-hop and rock. Diversity is no stranger to RZA. He brings together Kanye West, Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man, The Black Keys and Corinne Bailey Rae for an album that sounds as eclectic and aggressive as its songs’ titles. “The Baddest Man Alive” by RZA & The Black Keys
/ Life of Pi
by Mychael Danna One of the year’s best films deserves a soundtrack as universal as its themes of youth, acceptance and perseverance in the face of fear. Canadian composer Mychael Danna ((500) Days of Summer) creates a compelling score that cleverly blends sounds and instruments of the Eastern and Western Hemisphere as Pi and his Bengal tiger trek the Atlantic Ocean. Flutes, accordions, gamelans, chimes, and sitars take us from India to the UK and Middle East in one grand orchestral sweep.
The Hunger Games / by Various Artists “Take the
Heartland” by Glen Hansard
“God Storm”
Exactly what does it take to become the year’s best-selling soundtrack? For starters: clever marketing, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart, and having only the hottest musicians lend their talents. For the franchise’s first film, fans received a nice mix of bluegrass, folk, indie-rock and country. Genre leaders Arcade Fire, Taylor Swift, and Maroon 5 shared space with the lesser known, but equally talented (if not more so), Glen Hansard, The Secret Sisters, and Carolina Chocolate Drops for one cohesive and exhilarating album.
ode to the web
Customizable playlist on last.fm.com
N
ot a fan of online radio? Sick of delay times,
commercials and advertisements? Me too. I’ve never been a big fan of Pandora or radio stations of the like. That has a lot to do with my love for music, so I am constantly downloading new songs on my iPod while researching other types of music. I do it my way. However, I have recently been turned on to last.fm, and things have changed. I signed up in just two minutes, there are no annoying emails (unless I want them!) and there is a gigantic library of music. The advertisements are no longer than 10 seconds a piece, and they are rarely even played. Basically, like any other online radio, users create stations that play music based on their initial pick of artist. But things are a little buffed up on this website; a biography pops up for every artist that’s currently playing, and you can purchase single tracks, full albums, or anything else that you are currently listening to—right from the website and onto any music player on your computer. Another very handy tool (for people who need to see to believe) is a full list of concerts and tour dates that an artist is currently booked for, which is displayed any time a song of theirs is playing. The more you listen, the more stations are recommended to you. So go now. I’m listening as we speak.
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Home page of turntablelab.com
I
am certainly convinced that this website is the most important thing for any full-time Disk Jockey. It is truly a one stop shop for DJ’s and music lovers alike. DJ production, turntables, stereos, and constantly updated CD and Vinyl collections are just a few things this comprehensive website offers. This isn’t cheap equipment either; top of the line supplies line the borders of this site, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality. Plus, the lab features tons of sales and “free with this purchase” package deals that are definitely worth a look. Just getting into life as a DJ and feeling overwhelmed? This website offers a “Store Picks” section, which has tons of recommended, essential items for the best prices. If you are
already established and are looking to get the style to prove it, they’ve got something for you too. The website comes with a surprisingly huge clothing catalog including all the latest underground brands. Maybe I’m playing favorites, but the Turntable Lab experience is not complete without a comprehensive look at its vinyl record archive. Housing an almost endless supply of records, (mainly dance but a little of everything) this vinyl gathering demands to be looked through. Seriously, DJ or not, if you have free time and want to check out an extremely well put together, trendy website and treat yourself to a fun record, take the time to check this out—you’ll be hooked!
“Shop Picks” section on turntablelab.com
spin-off
1. "My Number"- Foals
8. "Holdin’ On"- Flume
2. "Black Balloons"- Local Natives
9. "Proto Vision"- Kavinsky
3. "Day Dreams" - Les Racquet
10. "Show Me"- TMurray
4. "On a Day"- Atlas Genius
11. "Default" - Atoms for Peace
5. "Mule in a One Horse Town"- Port City Prophets
12. "Holding On To You" - Twenty One Pilots
6. "We Got Used to Us" - Riverside
13. "Know Til Now"- Jim James
7. "Waiting" - Rock Paper Dynamite
14. "Music to Walk Home By" - Tame Impala
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staff selected tracks from The Seasonal Spin
seasonal spin
Foals
/
Holy Fire
This band is one of those true gems that somehow snuck right under my nose for the past 8 years they have been together and are now reaching some commercial success with their third studio album, Holy Fire. Quite possibly the best kept secret in the U.K, these Oxford residents are making music for all the right reasons. Through the eleven tracks that span the distance of this album, Foals consistently delivers a gorgeously dirty prog/indie/rock sound that is all their own. Every song has that unique “thing” that makes this album impossible to skip a track on. “Inhaler” starts with a tribal bounce, only to turn into a ferocious chorus of distorted rock. This song really helps set the tone for the experimental feel of the album; tons of chimes, strings, cowbells and miscellaneous instruments beautifully accent the root structure of swooping guitars and relentlessly funky bass lines. Foals truly feel like a band and each member shares the spotlight at some point or another. “My Number” is the arena worthy dance jam that one can easily get lost in, and “Providence” has such vibrant power and god like drum work by Jack Bevan that it deserves a listen all to itself. I literally can’t say enough about how much I adore this band. Foals make music fun while not losing that beautiful originality. Best album I’ve heard in 2013 so far and must not be missed.
Local Natives / Hummingbird Sometimes in music, a band will do something very unique and it will be hard to pin point exactly what their sound is. A lot of the time when this happens, this band will be thrown into the “indie” or “alternative” category because there doesn’t seem like any other place to put them. Local Natives sit somewhere on this fence, with influences of psychedelic folk, afropop and groovy guitars over catchy three part harmonies and what seems to be an ever evolving drum pattern that moves like magic with the ups and downs of this album. Hailing from Silver Lake, LA, this album definitely has west coast influences, sporting tons of mellowed guitars and falsetto vocals that urge the listener to just take a lazy afternoon to themselves and reflect on this album. Local Natives take a little bit of a softer, airy approach on this sophomore effort, unlike their 2009 debut, Gorilla Manor, which often found them moving around aggressively and sometimes going somewhere completely random. “Breakers” which is the single of the album, has that sharp mandolin groove that partners well with the back and forth vocals. “Heavy Feet” somehow combines light piano chords and poignant hand claps with a beautiful and soaring drum beat that has perfect snare trills layered throughout. “Wooly Mammoth” has some of the best vocal work on the album, with an unforgettable chorus of harmonizing serendipity. With a recent world tour that is mostly sold out, go buy this album and see what all the fuss is about.
Les Racquet / Whale Hail
Brooklyn’s power trio, Les Racquet have been living the musical gypsy lifestyle for the past year, documenting their experiences from the road through their latest album “Whale Hail.” They describe Whale Hail as the “battle cry of the modern crusader.” While listening, you may indeed have sudden screaming jolts of approval. Describing a phenomenon we all share, stand out track “Wasting Time,” showcases their three part harmonies by beautifully matching them with the concept of the song. Lyrically heavy and introspective “Palmetto Tree Night” will have you contemplating the control in your own life with lyrics like “you can change the headlines but you can’t stop the news.” This indie rock band produces great studio work but their live shows are ones to remember. This spring they head out west, so to our friends out there, be sure to catch a show and proclaim Whhaaalllleee Hhhaaaiiillll!
Atlas Genius / When It Was Now
For having only one LP, these South Australian indie rockers sure have a lot of media buzz about them and deservedly so. “When It Was Now” kicks off ecstatically with “Electric,” a shamelessly hypnotic pop tune in the vein of 80’s throwback. The drums pound in conjunction with the lush pulse of the synthesizer as vocalist/guitarist Keith Jeffery sings almost with indifference atop the maddening beats. “Trojans,” a song perhaps too addictive for its own good will have listeners’ iPods on repeat with its catchy chorus and simplistic melody while remaining true to the bands style. Atlas Genius blends so many styles into one neat package, making for a joyous discovery for any pop/indie fan across the board. Songs like “Symptoms” and “Through the Glass” join acoustic rhythm guitar with the aforementioned buzzy synth and electronic drums, making for the perfect crossover of indie, rock and pop music that’s their own creation.
Port City Prophets / Mule
Electric blues mixed with a heavy dose of low country love, Port City Prophets, are making beautiful sound waves in Charleston, SC. Their latest album, Mule, was produced by the boys in sunny Chucktown with the Holy City’s inspiration shinning through. The album as a whole takes you on a rollercoaster ride, alternating fast and slow songs while sticking true to the blues. Title track “Mule in A One Horse Town,” describes the issues faced when trying to be something different in a place where everything seems the same. “Pluff Mud” usually refers to thick mud where oysters grow, but for PCP, this upbeat, dance worthy instrumental track is the perfect song to close out the album. These blues brothers have a long history with the genre and thus produce rocking tunes. PCP may get you high—a musical high that is.
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Riverside / Shrine of New Generation Slaves
Polish progressive rockers Riverside’s fifth studio album, Shrine of New Generation Slaves, gives prog fans exactly what they want: unpredictable song structures, savory musical chops, a litany of synth effects, and a top notch vocal delivery by front man Mariusz Duda. Fans of bands like Open, Pain of Salvation, or Porcupine Tree who haven’t discovered Riverside should rejoice at this opportunity to catch them at their freshest as this album features changeups in the bands direction and style. The dark dystopian album cover may throw listeners off as the material here sounds more positive compared to their previous releases. “The Depth of Self Delusion” showcases the bands ability to construct ominous acoustic melodies that linger long after the song has ended, bringing you back to catch missed nuances upon each additional listen. The album is not without its addictive riffs, however, “Celebrity Touch,” a song about media narcissism, kicks off with a crunchy guitar backed by an organ that pops up in most tracks, giving the album a 70’s prog feel throughout. The most accessible track, “We Got Used to Us,” with its flighty piano driven verses feels like a new height for the bands expanding influence over the prog scene.
Rock Paper Dynamite / R.P.D.
Rock Paper Dynamite from Omaha, Nebraska just released their self-titled fourth EP and it rocks. The four-piece rock band filled the EP with energy and all the means necessary for a boot-stompin’ good time. With influences like Kings of Leon and The Black Keys, R.P.D. fuses southern rock and power pop into a solid selection of five songs that will rock your socks off. First up on the EP is “Drinking Boots,” and it’s first for good reason. As soon as this song hits the stereo, the atmosphere is taken up a notch...or four. Joseph’s unique voice captures the feel of the lyrics as well as the music, while helping to set the band apart as a rock group all of their own. The songs are catchy, relatable and the perfect addition to your party playlist.
Flume / Flume
Flume is not your average DJ. This artist has been producing super chill beats since the young age of 13 when he found a music producing program in a cereal box. His first original album debuted earlier this year and it’s magical. Think R&B fused with electronic dance music for an aural head trip that is the perfect complement to a party with friends or a relaxed night at home. One song has you in the middle of the floor doing the side-to-side bounce just hanging out and the next song you’re whipping out your best moves. However, just listening to the music is an experience all of its own. His songs are layered with stellar beats, instrumentals, and vocals that leave the listener intrigued and musically satisfied. So sit back, relax and let the music take you over or get up and groove. It doesn’t matter, just listen up.
Kavinsky / Outrun On a dark and fateful night in the year 1986, a young man named Kavinsky accidently crashed his Testarossa Ferrari on the way to his girlfriend’s house. Vanished and gone, he reappears in 2006 as a zombie to make electronic music and to find his girlfriend once again who has already moved on with her life. Thus is the story of Vincent Belorgey’s alter ego Kavinsky on his newest 2013 album, Outrun. Brining French house synthpop to the forefront once again, this album immediately transports you back to the 80s and keeps you there. Inspired by all the classic 80s car chase movies and 16-bit video games, Belorgey takes the best sounds and concepts from all this iconic time and fuses the best parts of it into the fourteen track album. Extremely reminiscent of fellow French natives Daft Punk and Justice, Belorgey really delivers his story telling side on this album. “ProtoVision” delivers a dubstep vibe out, but has a bad to the bone guitar solo that literally lasts the entire song and brings forth visions of mullets and flying round house kicks. “Testarossa Autodrive” recalls Kavinsky getting his old wheels back and driving into super speed, and the highlight “Nightcall” is the conversation Kavinsky has with his long lost girlfriend. 80s music was designed to move your feet, and that’s exactly what this album will do.
TMurray
/
Show Me
When I overheard TMurray (Thomas) tell a friend his self-produced EP was to be released soon, my ears peeked immediately. Upon hearing the three songs on Show Me, I became an instant fan and hope you will as well. Track one, “Confused,” a tale of desire and intrigue, sways back and forth, capturing the very essence of having to make confusing choices. Beautiful, genuine and humble describe the title track “Show Me.” Thomas shines here, emotions captivated and floating on a beautiful voice. And what R&B/hip-hop EP or album wouldn't be complete without a shout out to its origin? Well the 843 gets it from T. with the final track “Ruff Riders.” A little busy at times, but time will give T. a chance to work out the kinks. The album has a lot of keys and synthetic beats and original. Bottom line, though, this EP holds the promise of a bright future. He also produced this album. For a chance to listen and help a hungry musician, please contact him at tcmurray8@gmail.com. Remember this is an independent release.
Atoms for Peace /
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Amok
Thom Yorke’s second album away from Radiohead is particularly interesting; the songs seem to be written from completely different directions. It’s as if Yorke started with warped electronic noises and worked his way inward to create a melodic structure. “Before Your Very Eyes…” starts the album off with a groovy guitar melody, tapping drums, and Thom’s swooning vocals, fooling listeners from the get-go. About two minutes into the track, the synths steal the focal point and stay there, more or less, for the remainder of the album. The track “Default” is a perfect example of Atoms for Peace’s use and mastering of combining programming and live drumming. “Default” contains the perfect marriage of programmed beats and kit drumming with live percussion. Although this album is home to a few songs that could fit right in on a Radiohead record, it should still be looked at as the product of a completely different project. Most creations produced by “supergroups” turn out to be disappointments, but this particular album is the exact opposite.
Twenty One Pilots / Vessel
Vessel is everything that the music industry is scared of—a band that can incorporate almost every genre of music and pull it off with an unbeatable, fiery passion. Don’t let the name fool you; the band surely sounds like it could be consisted of 21 members due to its vast sound scope but Twenty One Pilots is actually just two guys, mastermind Tyler Joseph and drumming maniac Josh Dun. Dun’s drumming skills are unparalleled and dynamic, shooting through songs with aggressive patterns and high hat obsession. Only can Joseph’s shear, undeniable talents meet the same level of power as his companion. Joseph does it all; he has a purely perfect pop voice, a crazy and neurotic rap persona and even lets out a hardened scream at just the right moments. What’s most important is that this is a band that isn’t afraid to speak their mind and take chances. So go take a chance on them, I guarantee it will stay in your head for weeks.
Jim James / Regions of Light and Sound of God
With the release of his debut solo album, Jim James, front man of the legendary band My Morning Jacket, proves himself as a true genius at what he does. It takes a few listens to get used to the fact that the tracks are lacking the full MMJ earthy counterweight, but the raspy tenor and trademark bolts of treble in James’ vocals soon make you forget the songs are missing that rock action. “State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)” starts the album off with its long, slow motion intro and eerie saloon-like piano chords. As he sings “I hear the power’s going out…” his voice dodges in and out of static as the power supply for the tube mic that he was using was actually going out—the groove continuously intensifying until the bottom drops out. Although many might argue that James didn’t really need to release a solo record, I personally could not be happier that he did. This philosophical album does precisely what any solo album is intended to do—gives listeners a view of the leader of a great band branching out on his own and showing his true self.
Tame Impala / Lonerism
Kevin Parker, under the name of his brainchild Tame Impala, released his second full-length album in October and it’s definitely worth checking out. Differing from his debut album, Innerspeak, in that it is largely pop-based as opposed to psychedelic rock-based, Lonerism shows its listeners a whole new side to the psychedelic master. “Apocalypse Dreams” is a feel-good, upbeat jam loaded with varying segments that flow with a brilliant, purposeful lack of direction. My favorite track of the album, “Music to Walk Home By,” is a bright, true psychedelic crunch mix perfect for a summer drive with the windows down or a lazy day on the couch. Parker is a master at sound manipulation creating near perfect guitar and synth sounds alongside hyper-psychedelic fits. He wrote and recorded Lonerism entirely by himself—even the album cover is a photo taken by Parker as he stood outside the Jardin Du Luxembourg peering through the iron gates. This album is best enjoyed the way that it was created—in a quiet place where one can escape to any place imaginable.
from L to R: Jesse Hensley, Joshua Kagel, Nick MacDaniels, Ben Vinograd, Douglas Marshall and Casey Cranford photo by: Patrick William Howard taken at the Lincoln Theatre
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BIG Something’s name says it all. They are an alternative rock group with a BIG sound, producing grooves that feature crystalline synths, wailing saxes, and guitars, making for a boisterous, funky mix. All six members’ backgrounds of music genres vary, so singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nick MacDaniels took a break from all of the touring in the Southeast to let us in on how everything comes together.
BIG Something press photo
Ok,
everyone wants to know how did you get the name BIG Something? It started as a joke in the recording studio as we were trying to think of band names while recording our first album. Really we were just making fun of ourselves! But it’s also a reference to our sound as a whole, the spectacle of our show, and the community of our fans. And a reference to the universe and the world that we live in.
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Give us a little inside scoop into the members of BIG Something and how it all began. We all were born with music in our blood. Personally, I remember getting a toy microphone for Christmas one year when I was 5 or 6 years old─it was called “my first microphone.” I think most of us can thank our parents for introducing us to music in a meaningful way. When I was a little kid I remember drawing pictures of “rock” stars (pictures of rocks playing in a band haha) and my mom would hang them on our kitchen cabinets. When Jesse (lead guitar) was a little kid, he remembers pretending to play on a mandolin along with his dad’s bluegrass band when they would practice in their living room. On his 14th birthday his dad gave him his first CD─The Allman Brothers greatest hits. Casey (sax) remembers finding Dark Side of the Moon in his dad’s record collection. We are a diverse group from very different backgrounds, and with ages ranging from 23 to 40. I met each member separately over the span of a five-year period around the time that I was a student at Elon University in North Carolina. Each piece fell in to place at the right time. I’m pretty sure fate had something to do with it. We’re like brothers. Looking back, it just feels like it was meant to be.
So, as a kid, did you think that you would be doing this as a career? Yes, definitely. I think most of us always imagined playing music or being in a band when we were little. It was a childhood dream that slowly became a reality─except it’s a lot different than we expected it to be. But it’s been really cool to watch it grow and take on a life of its own. It’s not always the most stable profession, but it’s really special to be able to pursue something creative that you love for a career.
Name some childhood inspirations. We were all inspired by our parents and families. Musically, I loved Michael Jackson and the Beach Boys. Ben (drummer) used to make up dance routines to Stevie Wonder. Casey said his dad always had James Taylor playing at home when he was little. Doug (bass) grew up listening to Ricky Martin as a young boy. Josh remembers running around with his underwear on his head blasting Ace of Base in his room. He still does this.
So “Pinky” seems to be heavily involved in your work. What’s up with this guy? Pinky is a fictional character featured in several of our songs from our first album and one song on our new upcoming album. He’s basically like Robin Hood and a neighborhood pimp combined. He and his woman plot the ultimate heist and end up running from the law. They travel from DC to LA. His woman leaves him and takes all the money. The law catches up with Pinky and he ends up going to jail. There’s a song on our upcoming album that picks up with the story after Pinky gets out of jail and heads down South to Mexico.
You guys are never boring and always thinking up something new.
Let’s talk outfits.
Every year we like to throw a Halloween Costume Ball where the band dresses up to go along with a surprise musical theme. One year we were “Mad Scientists” and turned the stage in to our laboratory and covered “weird science” by Oingo Boingo and “Frankenstein” by Edgar Winter. This past year we were astronauts and took the audience with us on a journey through the galaxy. We also love doing theme nights at special shows where the audience can participate and get creative with us. That’s a big part of what we do.
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In 2010 you won the Home Grown Music Network’s “New Band of the Year” award. Any surprise on that one? Yes, that was definitely a surprise. That was our debut album and we loved making it, but we were totally overwhelmed with the response that it got from people. I think it turned out way better than we were expecting. We’re actually working on a new album now with the same producer and hoping to release it this summer.
John Custer (Corrosion of Conformity, DAG) was the producer, right? We’ve always said Custer is a musical Jedi. He has a way of getting really pure and magical takes out of each musician while we’re tracking our parts. He’s been able to refine our sound in the studio in a way that we never thought possible too. So it’s awesome to have that kind of direction and leadership. He’s helped us craft and look at our music in a totally new way.
photo by: Jeremy Bell
If you could hang with one artist, who would you choose?
R Kelly
If you could play with one artist, who would it be?
Johnny Corndawg
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Aren’t you currently in the running for a chance to play with Eric Clapton at Madison Square Garden? We are currently in the top 40 out of thousands of other artists. We can thank our fans, friends, and family for this as they have been helping us boost our contest rating. The top 100 artists will qualify for the next round, at which point four judges will choose a winner, so it seems like we actually have a realistic chance.
Other than playing a set with Johnny Corndawg, grabbing a smoothie with R Kelly, and rocking Eric Clapton’s socks off, what do you guys have coming up? We’re working on a new album with John Custer that we hope to release this summer. We’re also hosting our annual summer music festival in North Carolina called TheBIG What? at Possum Holler. Beyond that we’ll also be working on lots of new material and finding cool ways to elevate our music to new heights. I’m excited to see where it goes. We’ve come a long way in a short time and we’ll be playing more shows than ever this year. So we hope to see the something grow bigger and bigger.
BIG Something at FloydFest
You heard it all here. One listen to these tunes and you will have to keep coming back for more and more. Their debut album, Stories From the Middle of Nowhere, and their recently released album Mad Science: Live at the Costume Ball, can be streamed right from their website. Be sure to check BIG Something out and keep your eyes peeled this summer for the release of their new album!
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VINYL www.vinylatlanta.com
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DC www.blackcatdc.com
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GRASS GIRAFFES Experimental/Indie Rock
Data moshing is the art of placing sounds of line noise, odd frequency squeals and other imperfect ear delicacies into a useful melody for commercial and professional listeners. Home recorders, Eddie “the wheel” Whelan and Steven Trimmer have mastered this art during their recording sessions and live on stage with their act, Grass Giraffes.
Beginning in 2011, Eddie and Steven
joined their songwriting skills, along with bassist, Javier Morales, and drummer, Bobby Cass, to produce a unmatched sound that combines elements of different rock generations, 60s rockabilly, 70s experimental acidrock, 80s underground, 90s alternative rock, and modern day indie rock. Layers of washy guitar, explosive cymbals and ambient synthn form their sonic cake that made their latest album, Transportation, Flagpole’s Album of the Year for 2012. Running the spectrum of the Kinks, Psychedelic Furs and Foster the People, with their driving kick overly compressed snare, Grass Giraffes artistically melt rock music into planned mistakes. Robby Casso, Steven Trimmer, Eddie Whelan, Javier Morales
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ATHENS TMI Hot Picks SOL DRIVEN TRAIN (roots rock) Melting Point/ / Tues, Apr 16, 7:30pm www.soldriventrain.com
RANDALL BRAMBLETT BAND (singer songwriter) Georgia Theatre//Fri, May 10, 7pm www.randallbramblett.com
R A L P H R O D D E N B E RY BA N D The Melting Point//Sat, June 1 www.ralphroddenbery.com
T H E J A S O N C O N N E L LY B A N D Americana/Pop
Jason Connelly, Keith Hirsch, Ben Kriff
In 2009 in a small town just outside of Atlanta, called Kennesaw, Jason Connelly began performing solo and feverously comfortable writing with songs of his own original style, which soon caught the ears of percussionist and guitarist Keith Hirsch. Kieth transformed Jason’s ideas laying down solid backing vocals and accenting the bare songs forming the foundation of what is now The Jason Connelly Band. After three years of performing as a duo, New Yorker, Ben Kriff relocated down to the South adding a solid lead guitar role to the combo. Jason’s Songs range from ballads of love and heartbreak to songs that can capture the life of the typical blue collar worker, like their first album’s title track “Leave Your Hat at the Door”. Crispy Acoustic guitars and Jason’s silky soulful voice with characteristics that strongly resemble Adam Levine are joined by Kieth’s spot on harmonies and masterful overall musicianship. You can find their first and second album, “Homemade Wine” on Itunes or at any of there shows as they regularly tour the East Coast.
ATLANTA TMI Hot Picks
W OV E N H A N D (alt country) Grey Eagle/ / Tues, Apr 16, 9pm www.wovenhand.com
THE FELICE BROTHERS (americana) Orange Peel/ / Mon, May 13, 7pm www.godblessyouamigo.com
MIDNIGHT RED The Loft// Sun, June 23 www.midnightred.com
BOOM SAID THUNDER Psychedlic Pop/Experimental
Abby Bickel , John Magnifico, Will Thomas
What started as three friends
After only a year together,
having fun playing loud and
vocalist Abby Bickel, bassist
fuzzed out music together,
John Magnifico and drummer
turned into a train ride through
Will Thomas, have already
psychedelic
and
released their first EP, Boom!
evolutionary punk rock. Loud
and are releasing a full length
and in your face drums fuse
album this Spring entitled
with a hefty cotton ball-like
Exist
bass sounds and fill up a picture
“The Saint,” which is already
frame of sound for powerful
getting air play in their local
SHOUT OUT LOUDS
“Grace Slick” female vocals to
market. Playing primarily in
(indie) Club Paradise//Sat, May 11, 8pm www.shoutoutlouds.com
guide the listener. Just three
New England, New York and
instruments, without any six
Boston, Boom Said Thunder
string guitars or traditional
will energize any stage they
bass line to hold them down,
take and every pit in front of
Boom Said Thunder hits hard
them.
BOSTON TMI Hot Picks H A PA (hawaiian) Passim/ / Mon, Apr 1, 7pm www.hapa.com
LITTLEWOLF Johnnie D’s//Thurs, June 13 www.littlewolfmusic.com
seventies
and doesn’t take any names.
100
featuring
the
single,
FO R R EST BA L DW I N Blues/Pop/Rock
It’s hard to forget a name
passion for finding true love in
like
and
this cloudy world. Comparative
it’s even harder to forget his
to John Mayer midway through
musical magnificence, overly
his
enthusiastic attitude and well
transitioning closer to the blues,
concocted songs. Standing at
Forrest uses Stevie Ray Vaughan
6 foot 5 inches, this former
guitar tones with a delicate use
Native
Berkley
of effects to accent the mood of
student is a wonder to witness
his songs. He even uses a little
on and off stage. As a versatile
orchestrated pitch shifting in
guitarist, vocalist, rapper, and
his recording of “Let Her Down”
improvisationalist,
and spacey hypnotic sounds in
Forrest
Baldwin,
American
Forrest
career
when
he
was
soulfully embraces the ears of
“Heartbreak.”
any crowd he plays off of. He
touring the East Coast the first
talks about the life stories as
half of this year and/or you
a
can find his latest EP, “Let Her
heartbroken
American,
a
hardworking dreamer and a
Down,” online.
Forrest will be
CHARLESTON TMI Hot Picks KALEB HENSLEY (singer songwriter) Awendaw Green/ / Wed, Apr 3, 8pm www.kalebhensley.com
THOMAS RHETT (country) N. Charleston Colliseum/ / Fri, May 17, 7:30 pm
www.thomasrhett.com
LO C A L N AT I V E S The Music Farm// Tue, June 18 www.thelocalnatives.com
N E W YO R K F U N K E X C H A N G E Fu n k /S o u l / D a n c e The New York Funk Exchange is a nine piece original funk and soul group based out of Brooklyn, NY, with super full sounding horns, gospel Hammond keys, and killer Bootsy and Stuart Zender bass lines that take you back to Jamiroquai’s first album, Emergency on the Planet, played by the unstoppable, Christian McBride. Formed in 2007, the New York Funk Exchange is a hardworking group that steadily tours throughout New York and New England. Serena Fortier, the stunning lead vocalist, conquers the sound spectrum with her sultry En Vogue voice and messages of love and lust. Their track, “Get Some,” eludes to its topic instrumentally in the first five seconds (nothing like a well applied wah peddle) only to be coupled by Serena’s voice. With well planned syncopation of drums, horns, bass, keys and guitar, The New York Funk Exchange nails down the groove and takes funk out, NYC style. Just listening to them on your computer at homes makes you want to get off work early, so you can go shop
NYC TMI Hot Picks
E L E P H A N T STO N E (hindie rock) The Bell House/ / Wed, Apr 10, 7:30 pm www.hapa.com
MUDHONEY (alternative rock) Bowery Ballroom//Sun, May 12, 8 pm www.mudhoney.net
RUDDER Rockwood Music Hall//Fri, June 21 www.ruddermusic.com
for some threads to wear at their show that night. Their first full length album, Funkonomic Stimulus Plan (Without You) can be purchased on iTunes, and a new album is currently in the works.
Serena Fortier , Ray Holman , Matt Fox , Jamey Zebrack , Matty G , RJ Avallone, Michael Farrell, Nick Martino , Matt Mailey
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HUMBLE TRIPE A c o u s t i c / I n d i e /C o u n t r y P o p
Shawn Luby, Stud Green, Melissa York Kadji Amin, Jess Shell
Shawn Luby spent his early years
side of pop rock, the percussion
as a classical guitarist aficionado
for Humble Tripe is very light
only to break away from the
and dynamically changes well
scene and emerge into the pop
with the lyrics, especially in the
world with his new act, Humble
song “Rescue Squad,” which
Tripe.
Based out of Durham,
escalates into a well played use
NC, Humble Tripe is an up-and
of toms. While other songs, like
coming-indie act with country-
“Traveled,” that talk about the
like Merle Haggard influences.
art of migrating will only make
Luby has a great falsetto and
you in love more, is more of a
airy voice, and really dances
traditional country pop song
RALEIGH TMI Hot Picks S H A BA Z Z PA L AC E S (hip hop collective) Kings Baracde/ / Tues, Apr 30, 9 pm www.shabazzpalaces.com
BEATS ANTIQUE
in front of the crisp, low end
accented well with the front
(experimental world fusion) Cat’s Cradle/ / Wed, May 1, 8 pm
sounding finger picking rooting
porch harmonica. Humble Tripe
www.beatsantique.com
from his classical training. His
is a very easy listen and can be
C A R O L I N A ST I L L
voice streams really well with
found touring the Carolinas.
The Pour House// Thurs, June 6 www.carolinastill.com
the violin in the song, “Wish
Their new EP, Counting Stars,
you well.” While on the softer
is available online.
THE ARCHIVES Reggae/Roots Music/Dub
Eric Hilton, Darryl Burke Photo: Kimberly Truell
The Archives started as a cover
and “Melodica Funk.”
band project by the suggestion of
of a core instrumental group of
Eric Hilton (Thievery Corporation)
experienced players, Burke is joined
to keyboardist Darryl Burke, who
by Leslie “Black Seed” James Jr. on
ventured back in time to capture the
drums, bassist Justin “Relentless”
original roots pre-reggae sound. In
Parrott, and multi-instrumentalist
doing so Burke began crafting his own
and guitarist, Mateo Monk.
original songs staying within the same
the front are vocalist Ras Puma and
tradition of his research. Landing a
Lenny Kurlou, who resemble Peter
(hindie rock) The Bell House/ / Wed, Apr 10, 7:30 pm www.hapa.com
two year residency at the DC club Patty
Tosh and Damian Marley, preaching
Boom Boom, The Archives slowly
about political problems, corruption
MUDHONEY
built their fan base. Working with
in society, and the collapse of our
producer/engineer,
“Stone”
economy using a strong stance and
B R A N D E E YO U N G E R
Garrett, The Archives released their
a closed fist. For a night of classic
Bohemian Caverns//Sat, June 1 www.brandeeyounger.com
first album, Archive in the summer of
reggae without heading to the island,
2012, featuring authentic roots reggae
The Archives can transport you there.
D.C. TMI Hot Picks
E L E P H A N T STO N E
(alternative rock) Bowery Ballroom//Sun, May 12, 8 pm www.mudhoney.net
Chris
songs like, “Ghetto Gone Uptown”
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Consisting
Taking
AMERICAN DRIVE Bluegrass
American Drive takes you back
on dobro and vocals, Kyle
to the dirt roads of traditional
Perkins on upright bass, and
bluegrass concocting tunes
newly added Josh Hymer on
that embrace the hearts of the
banjo, American Drive just
countryside, like a cold glass of
released their first self titled
lemonade on a hot summer’s
album, and is already seeing
day.
Basing their original
results with their track, “Long
songs on the framework of
Haul Trucking,” hitting #1 on
Kentucky-style
Bluegrass Today. In support
they
have
bluegrass,
mimicked
the
of this project, American
standards that have been
Drive is now touring the
passed on for decades only
US and parts of Canada,
to add to the catalog for the
or you can purchase their
use of the next generation.
album online. Highly skilled,
Featuring
Rickey
eloquent and facile, American
Wasson on guitar and vocals,
Dream will toe tap a smile
Dwight McCall on mandolin
onto any face.
veterans
and vocals, Matt DeSpain Rickey Wasson, Dwight McCall, Matt DeSpain, Kyle Perkins
NASHVILLE TMI Hot Picks T H E S L I D E B R OT H E R S (sacred steel) Exit/In/ / Sat, Apr 13, 8 pm www.slidebrothers.com
BRASS BED (psychedelia) Mercy Lounge/ / Fri, May 10, 8 pm
www.brassbedisbrassbed.tumblr
SHE AND HIM The Ryman//Thurs, June 13 www.sheandhim.com
The Dallas S discover learn play DLP is an online, sequential, and comprehensive music learning program for students of all ages who want to Discover, Learn, and Play Music.
School of Music, Inc. The Kore Course and Jazz Course are each available for 35+ instruments.
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Rhonda Vincent
Deemed the New Queen of Bluegrass, Rhonda Vincent has stormed into the bluegrass world, receiving award after award alongside her band, the Rage. Filling ballrooms to capacity, loyal fans eagerly witness their favorite bluegrass artist in action. But she is no newcomer to this world, the Vincent family has reigned supreme for half a century.
Share a little insight on the Vincent family history please. I grew up in a musical family traced back five generations of The Vincent Family in Northern Missouri. They were playing music long before I was ever thought of. I started singing when I was three years old, and joined my family's band. It was a way of life. My father gave me a snare drum for my sixth birthday. It was probably the only instrument that wasn't being played in my family's group "The Sally Mountain Show." We had a TV show, radio show, and made our first recording when I was five years old. It was my Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and friends. I later started playing mandolin at eight years old and fiddle at 12. Dad would get us started on each of the different instruments.
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Did your family impact your chosen current musical career path? Dad picked me up from school every day. Then Dad, Grandpa, and I would sing till dinner. After dinner, friends came over, and we played till bedtime. It was this incredible life of music that made music as a career the natural choice.
How important is your relationship with your family and making sure that you stay close with them? VERY important. I take every opportunity to talk to them on the phone when I’m away, or to see them, even if it’s just for a quick meal. I love spending time with my family.
Since 1987, your family has hosted The Sally Mountain Bluegrass Festival.. On top of everything else, why did you choose to have your own music festival? My Dad always wanted to host his own festival. He bought 63 acres in Queen City, MO. The festival started and has continued for 27 years now in 2013.
You recorded your first single at the very young age of eight years old. Were you able to grasp its magnitude? I remember the excitement of going to the awards show, because Mom and I got a new dress. There was never extra attention given to awards. It was business as usual. The every night music party, TV show, radio show, and ironically we traveled from the awards show to Harlingen, Texas, where we performed seven days a week.
Who did you look up to as a kid? My family patterned our music after the Osborne Brothers. We love their harmonies and their musical arrangements.
“My family and I had a TV show, radio show, and made our first recording when I was five years old.”
“ I feel like I live my dream each day, playing the music I love.” Rhonda Vincent Press
So bluegrass is in your blood, and gospel is in your soul. Talk to me about your album, Sunday Mornin’ Singin’. I always wanted to create an all gospel project, but being on a label, they choose the type of record that is best for their label. In 2010, I started my own record label, Upper Management Music, and now I am now able to choose the type of albums we make.
Although you have so many to choose from, which album would you recommend for fans? Ragin' Live really sums up everything that we do. It is the perfect display of every musician and style that we present.
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Favorite musician partner through the years? A lady I never dreamed I would meet in my lifetime, let alone, perform and record with, Dolly Parton. In 2005 when I had a life threatening illness and surgery, I came home from the hospital to find her standing in my living room in Missouri. She has become a dear friend. Dolly Parton is the greatest lady.
Most unique show or festival? Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, NASCAR. But one of the most touching, maybe not unique, was performing for a small group in an Oklahoma adult care center. The father of one of our dearest fans lives there. He is unable to come to our shows; so we brought our show to him. However it’s all our dates together that feed our families, and we love and appreciate them all. We also love the diversity of the various venues we play. We go from a boys ranch outside last weekend, to the mother church at the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry, to a gorgeous performing arts center. I love that we greet each day with a new outlook and adventure.
Rhonda Vincent Press
If you’re the “Queen,” who would you say would be the “King”? There are numerous candidates for that title, depending on what area of bluegrass you consider. For today’s touring artist, whose music is prominent and consistently makes a living performing bluegrass music, I would say Doyle Lawson. However, many would immediately say that Jimmy Martin was the King of Bluegrass.
Do you feel bluegrass has changed through the years?
I think every genre of music goes through new interpretations. For bluegrass, no matter how many times it is redefined, in the end you will find that the original traditions are still around, and unchanging. It depends on what geographic location you visit on what style of bluegrass you will hear. But the traditional music will always be around. It’s the core of the music.
TOUR DATES 4.18.13 4.19.13 4.20.13
Morristown, NJ - Mayo Performing Arts Center Dandridge, TN - Dandridge Field of Dreams Huntingdon, TN
Dixie Carter Performing Arts & Academic Enrichment Center
4.21.13 4.25.13 4.26.13
Nelsonville, OH - Stuart's Opera House Wilkesboro, NC - Merlefest Rocky Mount, NC
4.27.13 4.28.13
Aiken, SC - USC Aiken Convocational Center
5.3.13 5.4.13 5.9.13 5.10.13 5.11.13 5.13.13 5.17.13 5.23.13 5.24.13
Lincolnton, GA - Elijah Clark State Park
5.30.13 5.31.13
South Pittsburg, TN - National Cornbread Festival Galax, VA - HoustonFest w/Gene Watson Branson, MO - Silver Dollar City Branson, MO - Silver Dollar City Branson, MO - Silver Dollar City Amelia, VA - Central VA Family Bluegrass Festival Gettysburg, PA - Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival Curryville, MO - Back Forty Bluegrass Park Coeburn, VA
Dr. Ralph Stanley's Memorial Weekend
Bluegrass Festival
Bryant, IN - Bear Creek Farms Luray, VA
6.1.13 6.2.13 6.3.13 6.7.13 6.8.13 6.9.13 6.11.13 6.13.13 6.14.13 6.15.13
Special Veterans Benefit Festival
Auburn, AL - Bluegrass on the Plains Pigeon Forge, TN - Dollywood Bluegrass & BBQ Pigeon Forge, TN - Dollywood Bluegrass & BBQ Minot, ND - Ann Nicole Nelson Hall Bismarck, ND - Belle Mehus Auditorium Williston, ND - Williston High School Billings, MT - Alberta Biar Theater Grass Valley, CA - Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival Grass Valley, CA - Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival Grass Valley, CA - Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival
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Dunn Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets 801-568-2787
You ventured into mainstream country music for a bit, why the return to bluegrass?
Who are some of your favorites that will also be performing there?
After two country albums, some friends and I got together to play a few bluegrass festivals. The response was overwhelming. It was the most natural thing for me. I’d never been happier, and after a few months, everything seemed to fall into place. I was in the right place at the right time, and signed with the largest label in bluegrass, the largest agency, won my first of 7 consecutive IBMA awards, signed with Martha White. A series of incredible events like the Wall Street Journal naming me the New Queen of Bluegrass. About five years later I said, laughing to myself, “I guess this is what I’m going to do with my life.” It was so easy and made me so happy, and it’s what I grew up doing; it just didn’t seem like that was what I should be making as my career. I’m so glad that way of life evolved into this career. I feel like I live my dream each day, playing the music I love. There have been many experiences, and those experiences continue each day. I search each and every day on how to do things better. How to streamline what we do, and make everything as good as it can be. There isn’t one thing that jumps out at me. It’s a continuous process.
We are personal friends with pretty much every band that is performing (Russell Moore & 111rd Tyme Out, Balsam Range, Sierra Hull, Nothin Fancy, Common Ground), so it's going to be an extra fun day. You never know what's going to happen. We all know each other well enough to jump on stage or play a trick on somebody off or on stage. It's going to be interesting!!
Sweet Grass Music Festival is a new music venue for us, and we are always excited to visit a new festival. We can’t wait to bring our music to South Carolina.
Every member of The Rage is at the top of their field for their individual instrument. We work very hard. We love the music, enjoy the passion for the travel, and even signing autographs for hours after each and every show till the last person is ready to leave, and most of all appreciate everyone that comes to our show. Winning an award is the ultimate honor and acknowledgement for a job well done, and we appreciate being recognized for our hard work.
S
This bluegrass ramblin’ lady and her band deserve each and every award. They are one of the hardest working ensembles in ANY genre of music. Folks flock towards their passion for their shows and every song on every album. You should too!
S
Any new festivals that you are you excited to play?
Your band, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, is the most award-winning band in bluegrass. To what do you attribute that?
aside/bside
Grizzly Bear “Yet
Fleet Foxes “Bedouin Dress”
Again”
Tame Impala “Elephant”
Beach House
Twin Sister
“Wild ”
“Meet the Frownies”
Future Islands “Balance”
Youth Lagoon “Daydream”
The Shins “Gone For Good”
Visions of Trees
“Sometimes It Kills”
Local Natives “You and I”
Bambery “Sidewalks”
Wilco
The A-Side
Brandy’s Mix
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Abstract Awesomesauce
“Pot Kettle Black”
Foals
“My Number”
Lazy Saturday
The B-Side
Amanda’s Mix
Alt-J
“Breezeblocks”
Caught A Ghost
Robert Raimon Roy
“Time Go”
The Tallest Man On Earth
“Axela”
“1904”
City and Colour
Alice Russell
“Confessions”
“Heartbreaker”
Ellie Goulding “Halcyon”
Purity Ring “Fineshrine”
C2C
The xx “Our Song”
“Down the Road”
First Aid Kit “The Lion’s Roar”
Trails and Ways “Border Crosser”
YUS
“Nowadays”
balconytv
They call Los Angeles “the city of angels,” and it’s no wonder why with all the local talent I’ve witnessed simply by checking out the city via balconytv.com. Having a chance to speak with producer and talent booker Cindi Avnet and her co-producer Atara Gottschalk opened my eyes to the scene there.
i d n i c T E N AV
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What sets the LA balcony apart from others?
Skipping Girl Vinegar performing
Because we’re a bigger city, we get a lot of high quality acts coming from abroad. This makes us a little bit pickier about who we put on the balcony. Every one of the bands we’ve had on our balcony, I feel, has been incredible. Every show is top notch and we master the audio after each set and all of our cameras are HD. It makes our job easier than other cities because LA is so big and we have so many talented musicians around.
Who are some of your favorite local artists in LA? There are two I can tell you for sure. The first one broke up but we’re trying to get them back together. They’re called King Washington and they’re one of the best live bands I’ve seen and one of the best of 2012. Another band I’m working closely with is called Jamestown Revival. They’re originally from Austin and they have a Mumford and Sons sound to them.
What video has the most hits?
Why should people watch BTV?
Aaron Hendra has had over 22,000 hits. He’s a
A lot of the acts on here you would never hear of
local artist now, his band is American but he’s
otherwise. It’s like discovering Pandora and
from Melbourne originally.
finding bands that way. You get some acts who have a lot of exposure or medium exposure or almost no exposure and you can see what they do
Aerial view of LA
live in this particular format. If you search an unknown band on YouTube, the best you’re going to find is a shoddy live video in some club with people talking over them, but here you get a quality live performance of up-and-coming acts in silence and it’s a great way to get acquainted with a band’s style, considering it’s all original songs and no covers.
MUSIC WITH A VIEW www.balconytv.com/los-angeles
To check out great local LA acts and even acts from around the world performing in LA go to balconytv.com, click on Los Angeles, and find out why this awesome site has garnered over thirty million views.
Across
the
Glob
international spotlig
be
ght series
Tomates Rocky Bursting with life and energy is Santiago! A musical style that has surely cultivated its unique sound into a worldwide mainstream musical mogul in Spanish. It hides in plain sight, sneaking in and out of music that you listen to everyday. When you are at the club, Pitbull’s exotic party mentality will blast over the speakers, and you won’t think anything of it but to dance. The Los Lonely Boys (remember them?) were a huge success when they hit the scene, sending their single “Heaven” to number one on Billboard almost overnight. But it was short lived. One of the biggest guitarists of all time and one of my personal favorites, Santana, is a staple in Spanish music. When it comes to guitarists, however, Santana doesn’t get much credit. My point is, it’s very rare to hear genuine, bare-boned Spanish music that has lasting quality in the music scene today. Santiago has opened my eyes to a music act that made me do a double take, and I would like to share them with you now. They are called Tomates Rocky, and they will make you
María Eugenia Goldenberg
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Nicolás Bowen
(Santiago, Chile)
feel like you’ve traveled straight to Chile if you close your eyes and listen. Their sound is original, upbeat, and while staying true to their roots, skillfully incorporates all kinds of instruments, including a synthesizer and harmonica played by frontman and vocalist, Gonzalo Tugas (the man is insanely talented, playing both instruments simultaneously and singing is not an easy feat). With the steady, heart-pounding percussion of the bongos and staccato guitar strums, you can’t help but want to try and meringue around your living room with a glass of wine. Does the spice stop there? Absolutely not. Tomates Rocky has a full length album, From Molloco To Your Table, available for download on their website. For all you music lovers deep down to your cores, they have released the CD on vinyl. So support international music and go have a listen. You’ll like what you hear.
Sebastián Bielefeldt
“...you can’t help but want to try and meringue around your living room with a glass of wine.”
Gang Taegu
Gang Taegu (Seoul, Korea)
The simplicity of an artist and his guitar is a beautiful thing, yet even beautiful seems to be lacking in its description of Gang Taegu’s musical artistry. His flawless sound intertwines throughout the notes of his guitar—creating a sound mix of romance and sincerity that’s truly captivating. The English title for one of his songs is called “Beautiful Things,” and even if you cannot understand the lyrics, it makes sense. In the song, Gang’s clear and almost somber voice takes you to the scene in a movie when the characters realize they are in love, or to a moonlit walk, or to lounging by the fire. It soothes. Incredibly so, the singer/songwriter began writing music with friend and fellow singer/songwriter, Arle, about a year ago. As if meeting by fate, each
musician’s sound resonated with the other in such a way that they began to write music together to eventually create a dual album, Field. The bigger, alt-rock behind Arle’s voice in one song along with the enchanting sound of Gang and his guitar in the next, results in a beautifully dynamic album.
“Gang’s clear and almost somber voice takes you to the scene in a movie when the characters realize they are in love…” Arle
Jazz Morley
(Totnes, UK)
A woman and her piano is not easily forgotten. In fact, this seems to be a perfect pairing for musical success. There’s something powerful about the emotions a piano can evoke; combine it with an earnestly beautiful voice and captivatingly rich lyrics, and the rest is history—think Adele, Alicia Keys, Norah Jones, the list goes on. It’s time to add a new name to the list of powerhouse female artists and Jazz Morley fits the bill. With a voiced steeped in soul and classical training, this 23-year-old commands attention from the second she sits down at the piano to the awe-filled silence after her last note. That is, before the room is filled with applause and cheers for more. Her latest single “Hurricanes” debuted earlier this year, and the title is more than fitting. The track whispers a resemblance of an upbeat version of Adele’s “Skyfall”—it’s haunting, relatable and moving. Jazz’s songs make you want to sing along, and then quickly return to silence to hear her voice soar along with the music. The maturity of her voice and musicianship is inspiring, which drew attention from BBC Introducing in early 2011. Since attending the BBC Introducing Musician’s Masterclass at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, Jazz has
Jazz Morley
“this lovely little powerhouse is in the midst of musical greatness and we can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Jazz Morley performing at Acoustix, Square Brewery / photo by Justin Parry
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performed at the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, Music Week’s “Breakout” showcase, and even contributed her musical excellence to the making of the documentary titled Our War, marking the 10-year anniversary of the Afghanistan war. While Jazz is familiar with being under quite a bright spotlight—did I mention she performed at the Olympics?—she tours to get to know her fans and build an audience at a much more personal level. With countless festival performance invites and a single fresh off the press, this lovely little powerhouse is in the midst of musical greatness and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
The ladies of Elle G embrace the soundings of soft pop with a hint of neo-soul. They have the kind of voices that’ll surprise anyone who first hears them. But that’s only their voices. By watching just a few of their YouTube videos, these young ladies have an enticing chemistry. Elena Augustinaitė and Giedre Nalivaikaitė are like sisters who were best friends growing up. Hailing from Lithuania, the duo burst onto the scene of BalconyTV Kaunas with their soft voices that commanded my attention in the politest manner. Maybe it was Elena’s ukulele that made them standout. Or perhaps it was Giedre’s unique talent on the kazoo or bells. Either way, the girls are fun-loving performers and it shows in both their music and their performances. The duo is a much newer group and is hardly known in the music scene in Lithuania. Although they’re still up-andcoming in the music world, that’s not their concern. Giedre and Elena enjoy having fun with their music. That’s what makes it worthwhile. Fresh faces that are underground sensations are always on track to be burst into mainstream. That’s the vibe that Elle G gives. When you listen to them, you root for
Elle G (Kaunas, Lithuania)
Giedre Nalivaikaitė
them. Some of their song titles include “Tonight You Belong with Me,” “He Loves Me,” and “Down Among the Sheltering Palms.” Elle G’s music resembles the melodies of Norah Jones, but they have a youthful flare about them. Before their rendition of Santa Baby, Elena and Giedre ice-skated with genuine smiles while in negative 15 degrees Celsius. It’s the same kind of genuine energy that they bring into their music. Elle G has substance but masks it with their smiles and go get ‘em spirit. If you become a fan, you definitely won’t feel guilty about still liking them once the mainstream public becomes a fan as well.
“When you listen to them, you root for them.” Elena Augustinaitė
from L to R: Iain McRae, Frank Lees, Natalie Foster, Peter Corrigan and Greg Rietwyk
Tully on Tully
(Melbourne, Australia)
A true story of school day bands, Tully on Tully was formed by like-minded musicians attending the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE. Lead singer and songwriter Natalie Foster won a songwriting competition at NMIT, and after this confidence boost to dive further into the music world, she enlisted bassist Iain McRae, pianist Peter Corrigan and guitarist Greg Rietwyk, all within about a year. From there the ball was rolling and the single "Harder to Breathe" was released in September 2011, "Naked" was released in 2012, and January 8th of this year was the release of their newest single, "Stay" featuring Australia native Hayden Calnin. Now, Tully on Tully is close to releasing their debut album in what they say will be "early 2013." I was a little surprised when I saw the album was mastered by Greg Calbi, who produces and masters acts such as Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver and Alabama Shakes. I was far less surprised when I heard the angelic and captivating voice that Natalie Foster possesses. She truly has star quality, and from the way she exhibits complete control of her vocals
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“Tully on Tully's release this year is sure to put them on the map.” in tandem with her impeccable song writing, stardom may not be too far down the road. Reminiscent of Adele, Foster has a voice that is chock full of soul. Everything she sings grabs your attention, and by keeping it simple and meaningful, keeps you hooked. It is obvious she has quite a career ahead of her, and that is where she can either be shaped into something that is true to herself or something fabricated. I like her now; she has charm and innocence. She also has a band, and it’s nice to hear a front woman that is very much a part of a band and not trying to go solo the first chance she gets. Tully on Tully’s release this year is sure to put them on the map, and I can’t wait to see what else is in store for them.
Masiva
(Istanbul, Turkey)
If you go to the BalconyTV website and click on Istanbul, you will mostly see videos with a couple guys harmonizing over guitars. I have no qualms about it because it all sounds great, but I do my best to find artists that bring something a little different to the table when I write these reviews. I know nothing about Istanbul, so I did a little research to see if there is any type of odd, off-beat music scene that I couldn’t crack past on the BalconyTV page. Turns out there is a cool indie/alternative music following; you just have to know where to look. I think that’s what struck me most about Masiva; they gave me something very different from the sound I’d come to expect of Istanbul. Dressed like thoroughbred hipsters and rocking wide-stretched chin beards, the boys started to play. Their completely stripped down acoustic set really showcased their personalities, as they seemed very at home with their music. Even though I couldn’t understand a word they sang, I found myself making up words to sing along with the chorus. There was this raw, alternative punk style to their music that, oddly enough, reminded me almost immediately of Green Day. It may sound peculiar, but the guitar line, the lead singer’s voice (which is truly reminiscent of Billie Joe Armstrong), and the fact that there were three of them playing guitar, percussion and bass made me think of a long lost track off Dookie that had been translated and remixed in Turkish. Even if you aren’t a fan of Green Day, there is something to be said about a random band from Istanbul having a similar sound. This is an act I could imagine with a full band; with some electric guitars, big drums and wellproduced studio sound, Masiva could really be a class act. You can check out there Myspace music page for some tracks off their EP. So give Istanbul a chance, you’ll be surprised at what you can find.
“…they gave me something very different from the sound I’d come to expect of Istanbul.”
Ali Akdaş
Emre Arslan
Moonshaker Sunnymaker (Vienna, Austria) Some people love concerts for the atmosphere of the crowd, some want to see the artist live, and some just want to dance. Even though electronic dance music is a relatively new concept on the mainstream side of the music industry, dancing to live music is no novelty. The feeling of moving, jumping, twisting and turning along to the beat adds an intoxicating element to the live music experience that is hard to find anywhere else. Many artists create songs to evoke emotion, to exemplify their musicianship, or to convey a message, but then there are those that just want to make people dance. A six-piece band from Vienna, Austria wants to do just that. As if there could be a better name for a high-energy, dance-inspiring sextet, the band goes by Moonshaker Sunnymaker, and they like to boogie. Even more than liking to get their groove on themselves, they love to create music that gets the dance floor bumping and bodies sweating. They like to think of themselves as revolutionaries, fusing soul, hip-hop, jazz, and their own spicy flair to complement the progressive qualities of a generation steeped in independence and
Miriam Orth-Blau and Christoph Schütz performing at Café Leopold
Paul Malisch performing at Café Leopold
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Ludwig Ascher performing at Café Leopold
“they love to create music that gets the dance floor bumping and bodies sweating.”
Jens Kastenhofer performing at Café Leopold
endless possibilities. What started with Grandma’s guitar has turned into an Austrian, nationally-known group of musicians with a versatility that allows them to perform in larger venues one night, play bar and block party gigs the next, and even jam out at a few house parties. The drums, the bass, trumpet, saxophone, vocals, guitars and the vibes all contribute to the Moonshaker Sunnymaker cause. That is, the cause to provide a positive, open-minded atmosphere to allow for honesty, curiosity and diversity within music and amongst their generation. In 2012, the band captured their experiences from the stage to the studio in their documentary titled Live in the Studio. In the DVD, you get to experience and be inspired by the spirit of Moonshaker Sunnymaker, but it could be dangerous— you’re going to want more and their premiere album is still in the works. Get excited though: three years of incredibly hard work, outrageous dance parties, and a few blasted sound systems perfectly mixed all on one CD? Sounds hard to believe, but it’s true and it’s coming soon, so stay tuned.
Uju
(Johannesburg, South Africa)
Few bands can pull off transcending genres, either by mixing many together into one song or by playing a new genre each time, but when it works, it works. Uju, a four-piece group from Johannesburg, South Africa, looks at genres not as boundaries with which to define their music, but as inspiration for their next fusion of sounds. Pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, dub, punk and rock among just about any other genre you may think of, this band creates each song without any preconceived signature style, and that’s part of their beauty. The other part is that these creations are truly fantastic, prompting the listener to sway, dance or sing along. One of their most popular songs, “Spirit of Freedom,” has been featured in the international dance fitness movement, Zumba, inspiring people all over the world to dance for their own wellness and that of the community. While a core element of their sound is the energy packed into each note, don’t be surprised if you hear an electric guitar, a saxophone, an electronic backbeat, and some soulful vocals all in one song before being sweetly serenaded with a slow jam in the next song. Among the ever-changing music, lead vocalist and poet Ntuthu Ndlovu adds another element to the eclecticity of Uju’s music, singing anything from an earnestly belted-out story to a smoldering ballad to spoken word dripping in soul— Ntuthu is a gem. As their fan base is growing, Uju is racking up nods from underground blogs, journals and magazines while continuing to expand their, as they call it, African-alternative music. Who knows what musical concoction Uju will come up with next, but like they said, it will be “nothing and everything you’ve heard before.”
“One of their most popular songs “Spirit of Freedom” has been featured in the international dance fitness movement, Zumba, inspiring people all over the world to dance for their own wellness and that of the community.” Ntuthu Ndlovu, Mosebetsi Nzimande, Kuven Mudly and Earl Joseph
The Cramatics Who knew I could have this much fun while listening to a song, written and performed by four guys, about the inevitable end of a great relationship? “Like Gold” by The Cramatics, as performed on BalconyTV and in the group’s music video, is more than just a song. It’s a story that you can dance to and then turn around and sing along to without hesitation. Lastly, you would notice what the lyrics were really conveying. “Stars that shine the brightest, are the stars that slowly die. / Too in love that we went blind, couldn’t see all the signs. / I’m crawling not walking but I wish you to stay…(Chorus) Now I feel, like dust on the ground. / Now I feel, like gold, like gold.” It’s their creativity that attracted me. That’s a common theme in guy groups. It’s how they develop a fanbase, and that’s exactly what The Cramatics are doing. The group is comprised of Max, Alex, Chris and Dan. Their instruments include vocals,
“Watch out for us, we’re going to be
big.”
from L to R: Chris Reardon, Alex Reedyboi, Max Blacker, and Dan Cook
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(Brighton, UK)
keys, bass, lead and drums. A boy band with great voices and a knack for making great music about relationships, The Cramatics are the newest incarnation of this age-old trend. Like many of the popular groups, The Cramatics make their songs catchy, but also weave a message that you won’t even notice until the third listening of the track. The group has defined themselves in terms of indie, pop and soul. This becomes an interesting fact once knowing they hail from Bournemouth, UK, but it’s easily comprehendible once I look at their influences, which include John Mayer, Maroon 5, Two Door Cinema and Frank Ocean. Formed a little over a year ago, The Cramatics believe in their music and it’s ability to break into the mainstream world. As they state during their BalconyTV interview, “Watch out for us, we’re going to be big.” With the approach they take when it comes to their music, I’m sure they will be. I hope The Cramatics do as much for you as they have for me. Enjoy.
from L to R: Con Nika and Peter Pázmándi
Soki Green
(Hamburg, Germany)
Soki Green’s debut LP Do Demons Talk echoes the classical roots of Germany’s rich musical history often considered the epitome for classical music in general. You can almost break down the lineage and feel somewhere in the midst of the powerful pianobased foundation—the past reverberating into the present. A powerful influence, when gelled with the soulful originality apparent in their music, makes for a blissful listening experience. A year later, their music is still permeating with classical undertones, courtesy of cellist Richard Colmsee’s contribution. The keys have taken up a multitude of new sounds in conjunction with the more prominent folk direction of their latest EP Lights Off, I’m Off. This album reached new heights at a startlingly exponential level; a clear sign of the band’s creative aspirations. Lead singer Cornelia’s soft croon deviates between a frequent whisper and a strong, hair raising confidence that reels you in and casts you out amidst the warmth of the band's symphonic spell. Her exceptional songwriting ability to weave dreamlike verbal landscapes, as catchy as they are disquieting, proves her greatest ability, truly deserving the title
of an artist elevating the band far above mediocre standards. Lights Off, I’m Off is far less predictable and more experimental than their first album, and is a bold step forward, releasing it after only roughly a year leaves one to ponder what they will be capable of producing years from now at their rate. Multi-instrumentalist Peter Pázmándi significantly contributes to Cornelia’s musical vision and backs her up vocally on most tracks. And seeing the two perform together is pure chemistry. Drummer and guitarist Adrian Lesch’s riffs swim fluidly through the mix, and he occasionally handles lead vocals wonderfully proving that both musicians can handle several responsibilities effortlessly and to their advantage. While still a very young act, Soki Green’s emotional maturity is sure to pull at even the most indifferent of music listeners’ heart strings.
“…seeing the two perform together is pure chemistry.”
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(Poznan, Poland)
Dead Snow Monster Although their name may make you think they are a hardcore death metal band from Canada, this band’s sound is quite the opposite. Very subdued, very laid back, and alluring is what Dead Snow Monster aims for, and from what I could tell from their song, “Two Rusty Bikes,” they hit the mark pretty well. Their sound is stripped down and basic, with a pretty two-chord guitar riff and bass line accompanied by steady maracas and the constancy of a bass drum. At first I wasn’t sure if there was going to be singing due to the long intro of the song, but when the frontman began, the feel and sound of the band really reminded me of Bob Dylan (it helped that the guitarist had on big black shades and scruffy hair). Now, although I am applauding them, this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Then again, neither is Bob Dylan, which is why I feel these guys need some credit. The simplest, most infectious songs that have stood the test of time are, for the most part, very simple to play. It’s why all those fun, Friday night cover bands even exist; every song they play is an American classic that usually consists of four
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“They allow you to sit back and reflect on life and the little things we take for granted.” chords and has the structure of verse-bridge-chorus, and so on. The sound that Dead Snow Monster cultivates is extremely similar in this way. Music has been stylized so much in society today, and although some may view this band as slow or lacking pizzazz, I think that’s what makes them great. They evoke emotion as you listen. They allow you to sit back and reflect on life and the little things we take for granted. Even their song titles ring with simplicity, like “Ting Ting” and “Little Quarrel.” They have two EP’s out and released their debut album, I Wanted to See a Monster, in October of last year, which you can learn more about on their facebook page. Take the time to sit back and enjoy this little gem of a band and I think you’ll really appreciate what these guys are about.
Alex Henriksson (Brisbane, Queensland)
It’s amazing the journey that an artist can take through his music career. What starts out as a close-knit group of friends jamming in a garage grows into a band performing on tour, later moving on to pursue a solo career or another band, and then eventually becoming a legend or fading out with the music. Every artist’s journey is different, but each journey is a powerful component in their music—it brings the meaning for the lyrics, the influences of the notes, even the style of the music. Alex Henriksson is no different—his journey throughout his career in music has made him the influential artist he is today. The singer/ songwriter formed his first band, The Moors Murders, in 2004, and spent a lot of time setting up shows with major touring artists that came to his town. Eventually The Moors Murders made a move to Brisbane, but along with the move came the time to say goodbye to one band and hello to another. Alex soon entered into a lasting friendship with Chris and Aaron from the band Valkere when he worked with them as the guitarist. The friendship between Alex and Chris outlasted Valkere and turned into the makings of a new band called
Bang Bang Boss Kelly with added members Boz, Nate and Robbie. The well-known, Brisbane band BBBK went on to travel around the country, making appearances at festivals and headlining major venues. Two EPs, two albums, and countless shows later, the band is taking a break to travel and accomplish some other life goals that aren’t quite possible while on the road. While on the break, Alex has discovered a love for solo performing, writing songs, playing acoustic sets, and revisiting some of his favorite songs. He draws from his own experiences as well as current global events so that each song is inspiring and relatable. Still on his journey, Alex continues to enjoy the solo singer/songwriter chapter of his music career, yet has plans to return to BBBK after their break.
“…his journey throughout his career in music has made him the influential artist he is today.”
Alex Henriksson perofrming on BalconyTV Brisbane
Erica Buettner (Lisboa, Portugal)
Erica Buettner / www.fabioteixeira.com
Yet again, another beautiful face with a beautiful voice hits the avant-folk scene, except this time, the scene is on the global scale. 27-year old American Erica Buettner traveled to Europe from New York a few short years ago to live and record in France before being swept away by the romance and culture of Portugal, where she has spent the last year. Skilled in songwriting and playing the banjo, guitar, flute and kantele, Erica is living the dream of so many up-and-coming artists in this generation—singing at a young age and eventually taking her art around the world. Imagine living in one of the biggest cities in the United States, moving to the culturally rich and breathtaking city of Paris, and then falling in love with Portugal and relocating there to spend the next few years of your life soaking up the country’s history and beauty—the story in itself is magical. With no small dash of wanderlust, this singer/songwriter records the inspiration she receives from traveling the world, riding a train through Portugal, and finding herself with stylistic inspirations from legends
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such as Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. The experiences are relayed in a sort of “homemade Parisian lyric poetry,” and are complemented by her soothing, crystal-clear voice. Erica’s live acoustic set sends the listener to a peaceful space outside the realm of the daily hustle and bustle. Her recordings, fleshed out with a banjo, keyboard, accordian and some other string instruments, gives her music a fantastical quality. It’s almost haunting. It’s mystical. It’s a hypnofolk version of Norah Jones and will not soon be forgotten. Her first album True Love and Water debuted in 2011 with help from Parisian artist and producer Pierre Faa with Peppermoon Records, but she has since continued to write and perform around Portugal.
“With no small dash of wanderlust, this singer/ songwriter records the inspiration she receives from traveling the world.”
When the music is good, the words won’t matter. The look won’t make a difference and neither will the language of origin. When the music’s good, all that matters is how it makes you feel. I came across Xochihua while scrolling through BalconyTV Mexico City. I couldn't understand a single word that the group spoke or sang because it all was in Spanish. However, I immediately felt the emotion that their music provoked, surely that transcends language barriers. With two guitars, a djembe, a cymbal and a tambourine, the three fellas of Xochihua filled the air from the sunny rooftop of an old Mexican building in the city. While their sound is hard to define or categorize, it has a definite hint of funk, blues, salsa, tango, huapango and just about anything else you could think of. The trio was only formed in the past few years, yet prior to their combining, each member was an established musician in their own right, so each member brings something unique to the table. As mentioned in the group’s bio, “an attitude of openness to the plurality of musical expressions that promotes more than the fusion of different genres… [there’s] an unusual collapse of intonations that seduces and entertains pleasantly.” As Xochihua, the band has won
Xochihua from L to R: Juan Flores, Eratóstenes Flores, Tachi Funk
a few major festival awards in Mexico. In one unplanned evening of playing together on stage, the band went from three separate acts to a collective group that has become one of the newer sensations in their area. The guys released their debut album The Journey and are set to release another soon. They described their own album as “[it’s] an event that eludes you [more] than usual and places you in the great uncertainty of the unknown. A chance to be yourself from a different perspective, an invitation to turn your creativity and improvise—that’s traveling.” From the few songs that I’ve heard from the group, there’s truth to their statement. It’s not exactly an out-of-body experience, but it comes quite close. However, I’m sure that armed with a solid understanding of the lyrics, one could cross the threshold. When the music is good, nothing else matters. That’s the Xochihua feeling.
“When the music’s good, all that matters is how it makes you feel.” (Mexico City, Mexico)
Lo Dost Ian Kelosky
(Prague, Czech Republic) Tony Key
Matt Petrarca
It’s just like their website states in the bio section, “this is a band that avoids being cliché or stale while not forgetting what it means to rock.” What I like most about Prague—based Lo Dost is that they bring back that classic four man band structure: drums, bass, lead guitar and a singer who plays rhythm on acoustic. This is a formula that has been tried and true for many years of music—and what the best rock music ever was based on. Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Beatles, and many more were always a four man project. This translates well with indie/rock band Lo Dost. Singer/ songwriter Ian Kelosky has a unique voice that is flourished with hushed intensity one minute, then hard belt and falsetto the next (think the lead singer from Neon Trees). The Lo Dost song performed on BalconyTV, “Get Me Wrong,” is a beautiful alternative cut with just the right amount of funk to it. The song had a fun, offbeat rhythm to it that was reminiscent of The Strokes. What really shined here were the bits of trickling guitar that peppered the verses. Their live show sounded just like they would sound in a studio, which is always a commemorative point to make about any band. In the Q & A section on their homepage, a fan asked why they live in Prague, seeing as Lo Dost was originally traveling the Pittsburgh circuit in the U.S. The band explains that Prague is inspiring,
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“As for what their name stands for? …Nothing, please stop asking.” and although it may not be a great city for rocking in the music scene, it’s perfect for travel when they tour around their beloved Europe. They are planning on coming back to the states for a tour soon, and with an impressive eleven track album, The Delicate Art of Being Human, open arms are what wait for them here in America. As for what their name stands for? Well, the band puts it simply: “Nothing, please stop asking.” Good guys with a good sense of humor making good music. Don’t miss it.
Bosom
(Kostroma, Russia)
Russian rock music. Not something I had ventured into musically. Kostroma, in fact, opened my eyes to the entire history of rock and roll through the entirety of Russia. When I hear someone say “rock ‘n’ roll” I think of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Stones, Aerosmith, that sort of thing. I was raised on classic rock in America, where tons of mega bands had their start and shot to success in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. So when I started to read about Bosom on the BalconyTV website, it got me interested in what exactly the equivalent to all these bands would be for Russia during the same time period. It was overwhelming to see all the huge bands that sell out in Kostroma and the surrounding areas; bands with names like “Splean” and “Troll Gneot Yel.” As I started to listen and watch videos, I realized it was the same craze that struck America at the same time: tons of expressive bands that had the same type of sound and image as our bands, only with Russian lyrics. So then I went back and took another listen to Bosom, and instantly fell in love. He has a beautiful melody accompanied by a full and uniquely emotional voice. If it wasn’t in Russian, I would have thought it was an 80s love ballad that I simply overlooked in the large archive of American rock songs. It had lasting quality, it came from the heart. I care about a song if the person who wrote it cares about the song, and it’s obvious there is a lot of emotion wrapped in the lyrics of Bosom. On just an acoustic guitar, you can hear the uniqueness and subtle complexities that make the song ring out with proclamations. Bosom is on tour and have been at it for awhile. They are king of the festival, swooping in at around eight last year. So since you may never get to go to Russia to experience this, check him out on balconytv.com.
Bosom performing on BalconyTV Kostroma)
“...I would have thought it was an 80s love ballad that I just overlooked...”
Ganesh and Kumaresh (Delhi, India)
Straight to you from Delhi comes the exquisitely talented violinist duo Ganesh and Kumaresh. The brothers are currently the only violinist duo to have performed together for over three decades. Trained by their father, veteran musician Shri T. S. Rajagopalan, Ganesh and Kumaresh began performing in 1972 when the brothers were five and seven years old, respectively. By the time they hit their teenage years, the duo, dubbed “child violin prodigies” at the time, had already performed over one hundred shows, and has since continued to perform throughout India and all over the world. Renowned as violinist maestros, Ganesh and Kumaresh have taken on numerous roles pertaining to the music industry. While skilled in directing, producing, performing, researching and teaching, the duo highly respects their roles as never-ending students—always learning and soaking up the inspiration of the world around them. Their music is the product of years of redefining the call of the musician--constantly creating and sharing their love of music and the invaluable meaning behind every note. Brimming with creativity and astounding technical skill, Ganesh and Kumaresh revolutionizes
L to R: Ganesh and Kumaresh / photo by Shiv Kumar Pushpakar
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L to R: Ganesh and Kumaresh / photo by C. Ganesan
“…their music is the product of years of redefining the call of the musician…” Indian instrumental music, giving it a place in the world of music that has been previously overlooked. As brothers, their chemistry is undeniable as they play off of each other, looping their notes in, around and along with the others while always keeping the sound pristine. As innovators of music, Ganesh and Kumaresh have taken the instrument so well-versed in orchestra performance and placed it in the spotlight. The classical sound of the violin is transformed into a mesmerizing representation of world music and an homage to the musicianship of those from whom Ganesh and Kumaresh have learned. As their music and their legend continues, Ganesh and Kumaresh continue to acquire fans and followers while working on collaborations with other artists from around the world, setting the bar for musicianship and dedication for years to come.
Willand the
People (Sunshine Coast, Queensland)
Will and the People, an anything and everything kind of band from, as they call it, The Rabbit Hole, had quite the year in 2012. This heavy, chill, reggae, pop band made a name for themselves in 2010 when the five friends Will Rendle, James Keo, Jim Ralphs, Charlie Harman, and Jamie Rendle decided that it was their calling to make music together for the rest of their lives. From the beginning, the band and their fans knew there was something special about their music. They play without set-lists, without genre boundaries, and without worries. The tangible chemistry between the five members flows through their music so strongly that the audience is drawn to the good vibes as well. Maybe that’s why, in only two years, the band has headlined festivals and major venues across the globe, grabbed a Top 10 Chart Hit in the Netherlands, and sold out countless shows. Even though Will and the People have performed at some top-notch events including Prince William and Kate’s wedding in Bath—yes, that happened—and Holland’s biggest free
Will and the People performing at Bondi FM photo by: Vincent Fahey Photography
festival Applepop, and shared the headliner spot with The Black Keys. The band keeps it versatile and down to earth. They can be found in front of thousands at a festival or in front of a few in a living room, barn jam, or house party. It doesn’t matter the setting, the weather, the whatever, Will and the People just want to share their love of feel-good music. Recently, the band captured their sound in their sophomore album titled Friends. After locking themselves in a barn for a week with some hired recording equipment, Will and the People recorded all 12 songs on the album and released it last fall under Baggy Trousers Music. 2012 was a great year for Will and the People, but as their popularity and music continues to grow, 2013 is sure to be even better.
“They play without setlists, without genre boundaries, and without worries…” Will and the People performing at Bondi FM photo by: Vincent Fahey Photography
Mick Heslin
(Dublin, Ireland)
Mick Heslin is what happens when the blues combines itself with American country music and finds its way to Ireland. Born and raised in Dublin, Mick has been sharing his talent in local bars and clubs since he was 16. Now 20, he has come into his own in terms of vocals and the distinct way that he strums the guitar and slide guitar. Even more interesting, like many blues artists, Mick has the sound, talent and boldness of someone well beyond his years. There’s a mindfulness in the way he showcases his talent. But for him, it’s not even a showcase, per say. Mick is telling a story when he sings; he’s evoking emotion for anyone willing to give his music a chance.
Mick Heslin
“…he embodies every man who’s ever played the guitar with a soulful song in his heart.” 142
While Mick primarily writes and plays the blues, he often drifts into folk, country and flamenco. More times than not, these genres mesh pretty well together for Mick. Although he was born and raised in Dublin, when he begins to sing, he embodies every man who’s ever played the guitar with a soulful song in his heart. The No Place Like Dome (NPLD) music festival described Mick on stage: “To warm up the audience begins Mick Heslin, a twenty year old from Dublin but haunting voice still sour that runs on the guitar blues like the real ones.” Angelo Vaggi with Rolling Stone says, “Mick Heslin plays the blues as though he lives for it. We’ve seen him on numerous occasions and have always been blown away by his skill playing guitar and slide guitar. Check out this guy; you will not be disappointed.” Now his skill level is pretty high, but it’s also his choice of topic that makes him great. One of his top YouTube hits is “Good Woman Lost Woman Blues.” Any music fan knows that this song has been written, rewritten and sang throughout nearly every genre. But like most artists, Mick makes the song his own. By the time the song is over, you feel like Mick’s good friend, and you’re just as sad as he is that this woman is no longer in his life. Mick Heslin makes you want to listen to his story.
Sound from Earth (Sydney, Australia)
Sound From Earth, a band with a sound much bigger than just a two-man—well, one woman, one man— collaboration, set out to share their music with the world not even a year ago, but have since made a huge impact with their sound. Friends turned life partners turned band members, Julieanne and Clint Crighton began their friendship at a music festival in their early teens, which grew into playing music together and supporting each other’s music for years before eventually falling in love and getting married. After their marriage in Australia, the couple traveled around the United States in their RV on tour for Clint’s solo work before eventually settling down in Nashville, TN with a band called Sons of Summer. After writing most of the songs and lyrics for Sons of Summer, the Crighton couple decided it was time to move on. Their break with Sons of Summer marked the beginning of their band Sound From Earth. With Julieanne the vocals, synth, and percussion and Clint on vocals and guitar, their sound is categorized as mostly folk rock with L to R: Clint Crighton and Julieanne Crighton a hint of punk and a dash of electronica—an intriguing blend that is both fun and progressive. Sound From Earth’s first self-titled EP includes drummer and producer Matt Sherrod and bassist David LaBruyere. Emotion pours from every lyric and every note, painting a picture of each artist’s past, who they are becoming today, and who they will be tomorrow. For Sound From Earth, tomorrow brings a brighter day and an even more beautiful world. With a love of nature and all of its wonders and gifts it gives those who cherish it, Sound From Earth uses their music and influence to support environmentalist organizations around Australia. The folk couple, with an affinity for drawing the meaning out of the old and the new, and presenting it in such a way that makes you want to sing along, continues to write and sing music and tour around New South Wales sharing the love.
“Emotion pours from every lyric and every note, painting a picture of each artist's past…”
(Toronto, Canada)
CAI.RO Time and time again I’m amazed at the number of bands I chance across in my search who remain unsigned. Groups that have all the making for a hit single to get their foot in the door but not just that; originality and unadulterated talent to back it up. Toronto based five piece CAI.RO is no exception to the rule. While many people maintain the urge to purchase a single song, I, like many others I know, remain a completist in our modern age of digital downloading—and for a good reason. Many of the greatest songs tend to be ones that slowly grow on you for the extended replay value bringing you back and catching new nuances with every listen. Their gleaming track “All These Colours,” an easy contender for any alternative single currently played on every major radio station, hooked me after the first listen. Beyond this obviously great song was something much deeper and layered in the others. CAI.RO is a powerhouse for emotion and they utilize it without ever overindulging; carefully controlled and accessible vocals handled by front man Nate Daniels glide effortlessly atop a densely reverb-laden guitar that unearths a wall of sonic beauty, lulling their listeners into submission. While these types of soundscapes
“CAI.RO is a powerhouse for emotion and they utilize it without ever overindulging…” become increasingly common, that also means more musicians handle them prematurely as well. However, CAI.RO demonstrates their techniques with the utmost professionalism, remaining easily accessible with the additional flair that other bands fail to incorporate, standing head and shoulders above their unsigned peers. Violinist Caitlin Grieve grants an added depth to the emotion of the band in alliance with the ambient style guitarist Dante Berardi Jr., conjuring up a lush partnership between their equally important melodies which make up a great deal of the bands crisp sound. It remains no wonder CAI.RO hasn't gone totally unrecognized as they ranked third at the North American Indie Week 2012, out of three hundred plus bands—possibly the beginning of the end for these musicians’ day jobs.
from L to R: Caitlin Grieve, Nate Daniels, Matt Sullivan, Dante Berardi Jr,. Wooyoung Kim
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Ronan Kealy
(Cork, Ireland)
Ireland is always spewing with talent, and we’ve known that for quite some time. In fact, BalconyTV has videos dating back five years with now mega stars The Script, who were just releasing their first studio album, and Mumford & Sons, who were so unknown at that point that they were playing a song from their original EP. Although both of these videos were taken in Dublin, the neighboring city of Cork always has incredibly talented artists that are eager to get some face time with the BalconyTV crew. This time, an artist really struck me to the core. It had nothing to do with a wacky look, or a huge and interesting band. Just a young man named Ronan Kealy and his guitar was all that was needed to relay his beautiful music to my ears. I usually shy away from this type of act; I’ve never been a fan of the whole “man emoting through an acoustic
Ronan Kealy performing on BalconyTv Cork
“…a young man named Ronan Kealy and his guitar was all that was needed to relay his beautiful music to my ears.”
Ronan Kealy
guitar” spiel. I like a large band capable of large sound that keeps my interest peaked. If you are going to play guitar and sing solo, it really has to impress me. So I was rather skeptical when I listened to the first minute or so of Ronan Kealy’s song, “Winter.” Halfway through, however, something rattled me. Maybe it was the hauntingly forced vocals that ripped through the air, filled with emotion and purity. Maybe it was the playfully jumpy guitar line, breezing over the innovative time signature that Kealy didn’t miss a beat of. Maybe, it was just the lyrics. At 19, Kealy was stringing together lyrical ideas that at once rustled up thoughts of Damien Rice, with his alternative folk sensibilities and wonderfully tortured libretto. Regardless of what exactly it was that hit a chord in me, I was captivated by Kealy’s overall performance. Even though the lyrics might not mean anything to me, they meant something to him, and that’s all I could ask for in an artist. You can listen to his new EP, The Slane is Gone, on ronan-kealy.bandcamp.com.
Jacob Banks
(London, UK)
One of the best aspects of writing about an up-andcoming musician is the opportunity to marvel at the talent that can be unleashed in just a few short months. Perhaps one of the greatest examples is Jacob Banks from Birmingham, England. This singer/ songwriter began teaching himself how to play guitar and write music just a little over twelve months ago after graduating from college with an Engineering degree, but has already won major competitions such as the "Are You In" Adidas competition and the Birmingham leg of the MOBO Unsung competition. Winning these competitions over thousands of others has provided the opportunity for Jacob, with limited musical experience, to work alongside award-winning British artist Plan B and tour with the MOBO Unsung crew: Clement Marfo & The Frontline, Yasmin and Cleo Sol. In addition to touring opportunities, Jacob scored some studio time as the prize of one of the competitions and with it, he recorded his first major EP, The Monologue, which was released in January of Jacob Banks performing on Vimeo
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this year. The sophisticated EP showcases the soulful maturity in Jacob’s sound, something so unique among new artists. Jacob credits his influences to no one person, but pulls flavors, ideas, and styles from a wide variety of artists such as Fela, Nina Simone, Sam Cook, Ben Howard, and John Mayer. His breathy sound, complemented by the talented way he has with his guitar, is the perfect base to carry out the calling he feels with his music—“to tell old stories in new ways.” Jacob is a new singer with an old soul who just happens to have an engineering degree, but I’m willing to bet the only kind of engineering he’ll be doing in the coming years will be engineering studio mixes and tour dates.
“Jacob is a new singer with an old soul…”
from L to R: Mitch Smith and Kasha Anne
The Orchard Kasha Anne and Mitch Smith, the folk duo known as The Orchard, are both immersed in music on a daily basis. Mitch recently finished his master's degree in songwriting and guitar at Berklee College of Music. He and Kasha both studied voice through the college, as well. Kasha is the primary vocalist of the duo while Mitch’s role is almost exclusively writing the lyrics for their tunes. This southern rock duo has full faith in the idea that the music is just as important as the lyrics in helping their listeners connect to and fully understand their music. The two came together to dedicate all of their time to writing original material and performing live for their loyal fans. The duo has received many awards; they were being named Entertainer of the Year by the ambassadors of Global Country, Duo and Vocalist of the Year, and Song of the Year in 2011 at the North American Country Music Associations International Awards Show
(Edmonton, Canada)
“The two came together to dedicate all of their time to writing original material and performing live for their loyal fans.” in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Kasha also received the 2010 Country Star Search honor, and The Orchard was nominated for the 2011 ACMA Duo/Group of the Year award. Their current radio single, "Gotta Let You Go," has received highly positive feedback across the boards. Kasha’s folky, southern voice combined with Mitch’s catchy, relatable lyrics makes for the perfect tune that anyone can enjoy. Their debut album, Southern Ground, was released in 2012 through Royalty Records. This fine duo is already writing a ton of new material for their second album. Be sure to like them on Facebook and give their album a listen—you will not regret it!
International Digital Publisher
Lisboa, Portugal www.n orfest.pt
Modena, Italy w w w.d ig ita lind ex .i t
LITIUM Records
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Capital Media
Warsaw, Poland www. magn etoffon .i nfo
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Charleston, South Carolina w w w.m o rg a ncreekg r ill.co m
Mary Vi & St-64rus (Saratov, Russia)
Apparently Saratov has a strong rap scene. I have watched three different videos of Russian rappers who, as odd as that may sound, are extremely talented. No, I don’t have a clue what they are saying, and yes, I think lyrics are one of the most important parts of rap music, but that’s not what being a rapper is all about. You must hold yourself with a certain level of confidence. You must know your words inside and out so you can convey them with certainty and poise. St-64rus makes this point clear as he starts his verse, with rapid fire wordplay under his strong, deep vocals. He has an insanely fast flow, speeding over words with a nippy staccato that seem very rooted in the language. There is something very important, however, that many rap artists overlook, and that is good collaboration. Sure, any release of a rap album has tons of featured rappers and singers, especially if it is mainstream. But Mary Vi is the perfect companion in this get together. Her progressive Mary Vi
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St-64rus
but laid back vocals bring a truly unique sound to the table, and with fast strumming and steady guitar skills to boot, she herself is a force to be reckoned with. The biggest challenge many artists have is fusing their skills together to make a song that is truly a team effort. That is why I like this duo the best; they seamlessly trade off the verse and chorus without overshadowing each other. As the rap is very well delivered and showcased, Mary Vi’s vocals are the perfect compliment. There doesn’t feel like any competition, and they share the spotlight well. I’ve tried to do a bit of research, but from what I can tell they are definitely friends and work together on a lot of music, while having their own solo careers very much intact. Their songs are about love in Russia, and although you may not be able to relate, you will still love these guys.
“He has an insanely fast flow, speeding over words with a nippy staccato…”
Peter J. Birch
(Warsaw, Poland)
It’s nighttime on a rooftop in Warsaw, Poland, and a young guitarist is humbly singing from his heart. That’s Piotr Jan Brzeziński, or Peter J. Birch as he’s called on stage. He’s the guy with the beard that has a love for American folk and alternative-country music. What’s unique about Birch is that he still writes and composes in his small hometown of Wolów even though he’s a rising Polish star. Although home is the inspiration for many songwriters, not many actually reside there. The fruit of Peter’s decision to live in Wolów is seen in his music and in his stage presence. There’s a modest and unique quality in both his BalconyTV performance and in his YouTube videos. At 22-yearsPeter J. Birch old, Peter is about to release his first LP album, entitled When The Sun’s Risin’ Over The Town, under Locco Records and Borówka Music. He released his first EP In My Island in 2010, which is also the time in which Peter made his debut to the world as he performed at the Imperial Castle in Poznan. As mentioned in his bio, “Peter was observed very quickly as a great young musician [be]cause of his music and distinctive voice, [a] musician who is playing in the comfort of his home, often have no opportunity to present the work a broader audience.” But with his venture into the broader world, Peter J. Birch has landed his name and talent in the national conversation about Polish artists in the music scene. Also mentioned in his bio, “Few of our native Polish artists, with a similar feeling and conviction, can sing their emotions in a foreign language like Peter.” He’s really made a name for himself. Peter’s song selection for his BalconyTV performance was a song entitled “Too Far From the Train.” Peter displays a great understanding of American country music and a strong understanding of his emotions towards the world around him. With his guitar, pen and pad, and soft, yet strong voice, Peter J. Birch has the ability to enthrall his listeners with his stories.
“He's the guy with the beard that has a love for American folk and alternative-country music.”
from L to R: Filip Starcevic, Bruno Starcevic, Ivan Mioc
And The Kid (Zagreb, Croatia) Maybe it was just the charming New Years countdown that came right before And The Kid played that really made me enjoy them but one thing is for sure: this is a talented group of guys. At first the song seemed slow and a little weird, but then the lead singer Bruno started to sing in English, and I was intrigued. It seems that these Croatian natives want to make their music more accessible on a global scale, and that in itself is an admirable quality. After reading up, I learned that Bruno and brother Filip had been writing music specifically in English for two years before even considering forming a band. Many auditions for band members later, they still had not found a good match for a band. Some small acoustic recordings went by, and the boys finally got around some real talent and enlisted them for And The Kid. It sounds like they did a pretty good job of finding their sound, because it is very polished and tight. It reminded of me of the Lumineers; almost folky at times with a real feeling of Americana. The band also seemed very tight as friends, and in turn, was
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“It reminded me of The Lumineers; almost folky at times with a real feeling of Americana.”
very in sync with their music. I liked the simple, every day feel of the song. It spoke to the common man about common problems. The song itself was an unusual three chord diddy that touched lightly on hitting rock bottom before bouncing back. The bass work was remarkable, sliding up and down the fret, complimenting the simplicity of the composition. The vocals were full of tart harshness that seemed to bleed for the everyday man. As unique as his voice is, it doesn’t dissuade you from their sound. Bruno has a strange way of sounding very indie and alternative, but very relatable to you as a person— nothing too radical to distract from the point. And The Kid doesn’t have much media, unfortunately, but you can get all the videos, pictures and info you need from their page on reverbnation.com/andthekid.
Balão De Ferro Although rock n’ roll and Portugal do in fact rhyme, they are not two things I would normally associate with one another. Balão De Ferro has changed that for me; they brought on a rocking sound that truly surprised me. Recently signed to Mobydick Records, Balão De Ferro is a powerhouse trio of insanely talented musicians. On the one hand, we have Nico on drums, and boy, does he do it. He can be pounding the drumset in an aggressive symbolcrashing frenzy, and then jump back into the cool groove of the song by integrating some of the best cowbell technique I’ve seen from a drummer. Better yet, Nico doesn’t miss a beat and this band is the type that will switch time signatures in a second. Tó Barbot sizzles through his bass line like a speeding car, keeping that backbone while effortlessly gaining momentum throughout the song. A lot of the time, a bassist can be overlooked or drowned out by the energy of other instruments, but in a trio, a bass can truly shine. I love that about these guys; you can really tell that each member of the band has his strong suit, and they all mesh perfectly. However, any band has a sure shot if they have a lead singer AND
(Porto, Portugal)
Budda performing at Theatro Circo
lead guitarist like Budda. It’s criminal how fantastic his guitar skills are. His solo in the band's hit single “Rosa” exhibits some extreme shredding techniques that quite honestly took me by surprise. As a fellow musician, it can sometimes be very difficult to coordinate singing and playing an instrument, especially if the song is complex in the ways of key and tempo changes. This is not an issue for Budda, as he cuts through the lead riff while moaning out a fantastic chorus that suits the style of the band well. Seriously, if you are a progressive rock lover who wants to hear some real talent that no one knows about, check this band out.
“...any band has a sure shot if they have a lead singer AND lead guitarist like Budda.” Tó Barbot performing atTheatro Circo
I can honestly say that I have never heard anything like this band. As I watched, I tried with every bone in my body to compare it to something, anything, that might have similarities to a certain type of music. Then I realized that I was wasting my time, because Fragil Vida was giving me something original and alluring and were really owning up to it. A reoccurring incident with these BalconyTV articles I write is the language barrier; lyrics are a big deal to me, but I sometimes have to put aside that notion when the band sings in a foreign language. So, when a band like Fragil Vida comes along and has a narrator for a front man, I get even more flustered. However, I had no need to panic. I was so entranced by the energetic story telling of Gianluca Galletti that I didn’t even need to know what he was talking about. After doing some research, I found out that this band travels around, performing these narrative songs on stages, where they costume themselves and bring minimalistic set pieces made of recyclable materials to construct their story-telling world. What struck me most on their website was that
their live performances give off a clownish, commedia dell’arte feeling, finding humor in pain and sorrow. This art style is based largely around specific movements for specific characters, and narrator Galletti seems very in touch with his movements as he breathes and rocks back and forth. The fact that this band thought up such a unique idea as combining an expressional theatre form like commedia dell’arte with live musical instruments is fantastic enough, and to actually pull it off is another feat all on its own. I strongly feel that artists like this are what music is all about: being an artist. Being different, original, coming up with something that has never been done before; these are the type of things that inspire people and make a true artist, and Fragil Vida are already a couple steps ahead.
“I can honestly say that I have never heard anything like this band.”
from L to R: Andrea, Francesco, Diego, Gianluca, David, Daniele, Federico
Fragil Vida
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(Modena, Italy)
Aya Haruki
Aya
(Tokyo, Japan)
A fundamental key to success for every live musician lies in stage presence. Stage presence can mean anything, but it’s something more than simply moving about and being involved physically with the music. It transcends the corporeal world and enters into the subconscious of the viewers, spreading like a contagion via word of mouth. I felt compelled to write this because upon viewing some inspiring music videos of the 27 year old singer/actress Aya Haruki I was struck by the thought. Having practiced classical ballet for 15 years and performing in several plays by the time she debuted her musical side in 2006, it appears she was more than prepared for her stage life as a musician. I first saw her performing with only one musician, her guitarist, in an unplugged set and was blown away by the way they were capable of producing so much energy with as little as her voice and his instrument. Aya’s confidence shone through the performance brightly. Her voice never wavered and held strongly like a vocal vice grip. Having no knowledge of the Japanese language, I was left to focus solely on her voice and melody,
and didn’t feel the least bit disappointed losing out on the meaning. After viewing the full band I was taken aback—the musical direction of the band was almost entirely different. There’s a plethora of musical styles ranging from pop, classical, funk and rock all tied together, driven by Aya’s presence, as she seamlessly weaves her charismatic swagger with top notch vocal delivery. There’s a sense of longing for something more out of life, and yet the vibrancy of life itself fleshes out in abundance; a contradiction and a blessing for music lovers who are interested in hearing what Japan’s young talent has to offer the world.
“There's a plethora of musical styles ranging from pop, classical, funk and rock all tied together, driven by Aya's presence...”
Yehu Yaron One of the most interesting musicians to make their debut into the Israeli music scene is Yehu Yaron. Yehu Yaron is a jack-of-alltrades: he is a singer/songwriter, composer, highly appreciated bass and double bass player, and record producer. His outstanding voice is very unique, unlike anything the Israeli music scene has heard before. Yehu’s audience is constantly growing. In the beginning, his music and shows were spreading simply by word of mouth. Blogs and broadcast shows on national channels caught wind of his music and now he is playing at some of the most prominent clubs and festivals in Israel. It comes as no surprise that he has received such positive feedback, as his voice and music are an unbelievably great combination. The powerful music experience his listeners receive from his songs is backed up with the total music experience at his live shows. Yehu also takes part as the bass player in the bands of Rona Kenan, Ruth Dolores, Aviv Guedj, and Gilad Kahana. You don’t want to miss out on this Israeli gem, so check him out on Bandcamp and show him some love on Facebook. This guy deserves it!
(Tel Aviv, Israel)
Yehu Yaron
Yehu Yaron
“It comes as no surprise that he has received such positive feedback, as his voice and music are an unbelievably great combination.” 156
Elvin and Andrei of the acoustic indie duo Chasing Giants are all about inspiring people to “dance, prance, love life, and enjoy themselves.” When the two met through mutual friends a few years back, they never thought they would ever be making music together. According to Andrei, Elvin could not play a single song without making it two times slower than they had planned it to be, but the guys have always felt some vibe between them so they just rock on. The duo writes all of their lyrics and songs in English. The first three tunes Elvin and Andrei wrote together were “Your Beautiful Name,” “I Just Wanna Be,” and “I Walk to the Sunrise.” After writing these three songs, the guys took a
break from writing until the summer of 2012, when they were approached by some friends about possibly shooting a music video for one of their songs. They chose their song “After All the Times” and were pleased with the resulting video. The effortless strums of their guitars and smooth, soft vocals present in all of their songs, especially ones like “I Love You” and “Carry Me Away,” make for the perfect tunes to listen to in the park on a sunny day. Elvin and Andrei pour their hearts out through their lyrics, and one cannot help but be emotionally moved by their songs. Give these fine fellows a listen by hitting up their band profile on Facebook—you will not be disappointed!
“...songs like "I Love You" and "Carry Me Away," make for the perfect tunes to listen to in the park on a sunny day.” from L to R: Elvin Kristian, Andrei Yalta
(Crimea, Ukraine)
Chasing Giants
Gonzalo Arca (Pontevedra, Spain)
Pontevedra-based rocker Gonzalo Arca began his career in 2000 as the vocalist of Vado Permanente. The group toured around Galicia and other areas for a while but split in 2005. The following year, Gonzalo partnered with Paul Perez, the guitarist from his former band, and the two became The Preachers of Rock and Roll. The Preachers of Rock and Roll were an acoustic classic rock and blues duo. In 2010, Gonzalo was asked to fill the position of vocalist in the veteran rock band Sugar Mountain. Currently, Gonzalo is pursuing his solo career, performing his own material and covers of songs by artists including Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Chris Robinson. His solo career has a very promising future, due to his smooth vocals, lyrics and the easy strum of his guitar. Check out his tunes on Facebook and be sure to show him some love by hitting "like!"
“His solo career has a very promising future, due to his smooth vocals, lyrics and easy strum of his guitar.� Gonzalo Arca
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The Green Lives (Aarhus, Denmark)
The Green Lives video shoot teaser
“The warm vibrations, vocal harmonies, catchy lyrics and talentedly played strings and drums is one that any listener will appreciate.” The Green Lives video shoot teaser
The Green Lives video shoot teaser
Aarhus pop group The Green Lives is anything but ordinary. The group consists of five members: Mark Christiansen, Jens-Ulrik Kleemeyer, Andreas Mandrup, Johannes Bech, and Kasper Frost. Each of them contribute to the vocal harmonies in their songs, which makes for an unforgettable live show. Their music has been described as “…bright and airy with a timeless sound and an organic expression.” The band has only been together for a few years and has already established themselves as an extremely promising group. The smooth flow of their beautiful tunes has provided these fellows with an ever-growing and very loyal fan base. Their self-titled EP, released in April of last year, has received five stars on all ratings and it is very clear why. "Dancing in the Snow" and "No One Else," two songs from the EP, are perfect examples as to why this fine group of guys has a very promising future. The marriage of the warm vibrations, vocal harmonies, catchy lyrics, and talentedly played strings and drums is one that any listener will appreciate. Be sure to like these guys on Facebook and check out their albums on iTunes!
Buenos Aires born progressive rock group Cetus Rex is taking their music scene by storm. The band is comprised of lead vocalist Elizabeth Alvarado, Micah Gorosito, Juan Vasquez, Wally Santiago, and Emilio Palazzolo. Their main influences include progressive rock groups from Europe and the United States, but their style of music varies across the board from avant-garde, hard rock, jazz, and even to electronica. The polyphonic instrumentals and vocal arrangements bring their sound to life. The rhythm, improvisation, texture, melody and harmony the group uses in their tunes makes for the perfect sound to brighten each of their listener’s days. Cetus Rex fills the stage at their live shows with energy and fun-filled tunes that any audience can enjoy. Their EP Bleed was released in
“Cetus Rex fills the stage at their live shows with energy and fun-filled tunes that any audience can enjoy.”
January of last year and has received great reviews. The eclectic, upbeat nature of the group’s sound is a fun addition to any playlist. Check this amazing group out on Purevolume!
Cetus Rex
(Buenos Aires, Argentina)
from L to R: Elizabeth Palazzolo, Wally Santiago, Emilio Palazzolo, Juan Vasquez, Micah Gorosito
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from L to R: Mila, Aneliya, Gabriel
Cheekbones (St. Petersburg, Russia)
St. Petersburg born indie, power-pop trio Cheekbones is one that you do not want to overlook. The group is made up of Aneliya, Gabriel and Mila. Aneliya’s amazing voice, combined with Gabriel’s guitar arrangements and synths, and Mila’s
“Each electrifying, upbeat tune is different in its own way, making for a brilliantly assembled album.”
drumbeats get listeners up and moving. Hits like “Moon Pills,” “My Bus,” and “Hey Pop” are impossible to listen to without tapping your feet along with the beat. The group has received nothing but positive feedback in reviews from their hometown. In 2010 they performed at the Lunga Art Festival in Iceland. On tour in the summer of 2012, Cheekbones had the pleasure of performing in various cities in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The recent release of their album Eat Sleep Mom Dad has proven very successful, and it is no surprise why. Each electrifying, upbeat tune is different in its own way, making for a brilliantly assembled album. This trio has this music lover wishing she lived around St. Petersburg in order to give these guys a listen live. Don’t miss out on this amazing trio—check out their SoundCloud and MySpace and be sure to tell all of your friends to give them a listen!
Los Angeles, California w w w.balconytv.com/l os-a n gel es
Toronto, Canada www. son i cbi ds.com
St. Petersburg, Russia www.era r ta .com
Nashville, Tennessee w w w.ha rd ro ck .co m
Saratov, Russia w w w.welco m e.sg u.r u/ ? p a g e_id = 53 1 & l an g =e n
Bogota, Colombia w w w.d ir tyk itchen.co
Santiago, Chile www. por ta l di sc.com
Brighton, UK w w w.a lf iesm usic.co m
Dublin, Ireland www.face book.com/Th eMedi a For tress
Brisbane, Australia w w w.ra ceca feo nline.co m . au
London, UK www. stage- el ectri cs.co.u k
Totnes, UK w w w.stea m p a cket inn.co.u k
last call
The Beehive Boston, MA
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e a te ry
bar
l ive m us i c
What is the clientele and atmosphere like at The Beehive? The Beehive is a bohemian restaurant and bar with live music. It’s a creative environment and unique in that there are few places that offer serious food and cocktails along with high level musical performances. And, we never charge for the music. The music is an accoutrement to The Beehive experience. Our clientele are folks looking to be part of something interesting, exciting and of high standards. We’re a welcoming place that attracts a range of people, from doctors to artists, people in their 30s, 40s, 50s and up and down.
The Beehive, Boston, MA
What type of music does The Beehive promote? We generally program jazz, blues, soul and world music, but our focus is on creative, high-level musicians whatever the genre. Musicians that are pushing forward with real, honest music. Music with depth and an edge.
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What’s rocking on your iPod? I use my iPod when jogging, so it’s 70s punk that keeps up my tempo like Buzzcocks, Patti Smith, Jonathan Richmond, The Slits, The Stanglers and Elvis Costello, to name a few.
Band performing at The Beehive, Boston, MA
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Who has been some of the best performers to grace The Beehive stage and why?
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There have been so many excellent musicians that it’s impossible to peg a best: Deva Mahal, Esperanza Spaulding, Now vs Now, Billy Hart, Bob Moses, George Garzone, Varden Ovsepian, Leo Genovese…I can go on and on.
Band performing at The Beehive, Boston, MA
The Beehive, Boston, MA
Tell our readers who is the best emerging band from Boston right now? Jazz vocalist Tammy Scheffer and electro-acoustic singer/songwriter Monica Lionheart are young performers to look out for, although they’re not from Boston. Band performing at The Beehive, Boston, MA
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Any specialty drinks? Please describe. The Beehive has a whole range of specialty cocktails. My personal favorite is the...
06 Queen Bee
vodka fresh grapefruit juice St. Germain Domain Chandon sparkling wine
The Beehive, Boston, MA
541 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02116 / 617-423-0069
Lewis Law Group, LLC Group, LLC Creative Arts and Entertainment Law The Lewis Law Group, LLC was founded in 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina by William Bee Ravenel Lewis - a 16 year lawyer, professional musician and artist. Having a unique understanding of the personal and professional challenges faced by those in the industry, he formed Lewis Law Group to combine his knowledge of, and love for, the creative arts with his many years of legal experience in such other diverse fields as aviation, banking, and general courtroom practice.
www.lewislawgroupllc.com
Lewis Law Group, LLC Lewis Law Group, LLC combines a lifelong passion for entertainment and creative arts with many years experience representing clients in negotiations and, when needed, in the court room. The Lewis Law Group, LLC is well positioned to provide representation and counseling with integrity and passion with respect to a broad range of matters encompassing the creative arts, including: Band Partnership Agreements Agency Agreements Publishing Agreements Production Agreements Management Agreements Record Company Negotiations Film and Television Internet and Wireless Copyright and Trademark Digital Rights Management Royalty Reclamation Trade Secret Protection Visual Arts Business Formation and Advice General Litigation
William Bee Ravenel Lewis, Esq. Entertainment & Sports Industries Forum (Music and Personal Appearances Committee) - American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law American Bar Association Music Initiative Advisory Board
Lewis Law Group, LLC, 1 Wesley Drive, Charleston, SC 29407 (843) 737 6252 (Licensed only in S.C. and legal services are provided in Charleston, S.C.)