Newport Folk Festival Announces 2011 Line-Up

The Newport Festivals Foundation announced the 2011 Newport Folk Festival line-up today. The festival will take place in Newport, RI on July 30 - 31. They are also welcoming a new partnership with jewelry company Alex and Ani. Ah yes, two of my favorite things, music and jewelry!

Tickets for the festival go on sale Thursday, March 31 at 10AM!

Check out the schedule below.

Tickets for the Newport Folk Festival go on sale Thursday, March 31, at 10:00 am on-line, by phone and by mail. General admission tickets (single-day passes only) also can be purchased in person at the Newport Visitor Information Center, located at 23 America’s Cup Avenue. There will be a festival office in the Newport area where tickets can be purchased in person at a later date. For general information, craft vendor information or to leave a message for festival staff, call the festival hotline at (401) 848-5055. For more information, log on to www.newportfolkfest.net.

SATURDAY, JULY 30 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• The Decemberists
• Gillian Welch
• Earl Scruggs
• Gogol Bordello
• Ramblin’ Jack Elliott
• Tegan & Sara
• Mavis Staples
• The Felice Brothers
• Delta Spirit
• Freelance Whales
• Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three
• What Cheer? Brigade
• The Devil Makes Three
• Song Circle with Dar Williams, Ellis Paul, John Gorka & Liz Queler
• The Wailin’ Jennys
• Typhoon
• The Ebony Hillbillies
• River City Extension
• PS22 Chorus

SUNDAY, JULY 31 ~ 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Fort Adams State Park, Harrison Avenue

• Emmylou Harris
• Elvis Costello (Solo Acoustic)
• Amos Lee
• M. Ward
• Wanda Jackson
• Carolina Chocolate Drops
• Middle Brother
• Justin Townes Earle
• The Secret Sisters
• Trampled by Turtles
• The Civil Wars
• The Head and The Heart
• The Cave Singers
• David Wax Museum
• Mountain Man
• The Seeger Clogging All-Stars
• BrownBird

*Artists Subject to change

Benefit Concert For Dan Duggins

Rocker Gerry Perlinski has organized a benefit for New York based drummer Dan Duggins. On April 27, 2010 Duggins suffered a massive stroke, due to a blood clot in his neck, on route to a gig. He, like many other musicians, doesn't have health insurance so Perlinski, a friend and band-mate is helping to raise money for medical costs along with other musicians and friends. The show will take place on April 22 at Clash Bar in Clifton, NJ. Bands taking part in the benefit are, Gerry Perlinski, Lisa Bianco (whom Duggins was playing with when I saw him), Old Wives, Walking Lights plus Special Guests. Full event details are at the bottom of the post.

If you can't make it to the show and would still like to donate, visit www.danduggins.com.

Date: Friday, April 22, 2011

Time: 8PM
Cost: $15
Venue: Clash Bar
39 Harding Avenue
Clifton, NJ
(973) 772-6149
http://www.myspace.com/clashbar

RSVP on Facebook HERE.

Laura Jansen Releases New Record & To Play Joe's Pub Tonight 3/22

Dutch-born singer Laura Jansen released her new album, Bells, via Decca Records today, March 22. Check out the video of the making of Bells at the bottom of the post to learn more about the album.

GIG ALERT! Jansen will be at Joe's Pub TONIGHT, March 22 at 7:30pm. It'll cost you $12.

Track List

• The End
• Bells
• Single Girls
• Wicked World
• Perfect
• Soljah
• Use Somebody
• Come To Me
• Elijah
• Signal

Video: Deep Dark Robot - "Won't You Be My Girl"

Deep Dark Robot have released a video for their single, "Won't You Be My Girl." Check it out below. Their album 8 Songs About A Girl will be available tomorrow, March 22.

GIG ALERT! Deep Dark Robot will be at the Studio at Webster Hall this Friday, March 25. It'll cost you $15 and doors are at 8PM.

Yael Naim Scheduled To Release New Record

Folk/pop singer Yael Naim is scheduled to release her new album, She Was A Boy, on May 10. The upcoming release is a collaboration with percussionist David Donatien. Check out the video as well as the handy widget below for a download of the single, "Go To The River."

Israel-born Paris-raised folk/pop singer Yael Naim returns with a new album, She Was A Boy. You probably remember her from 2008's irresistible song "New Soul," from that lovely Mac Book Air commercial.

Tracy Bonham and Ben Sollee To Play Cameo Gallery

Friday, April 1, head on over to Brooklyn's Cameo Gallery for An Evening with Tracy Bonham and Ben Sollee. See below for full details.

What: An Evening with Tracy Bonham and Ben Sollee
When: April 1st
Doors: 7pm
Where: Cameo Gallery
93 N 6th Street
(enter through the Lovin' Cup Cafe)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Cover: $10 in advance, $12 at door
Tickets: www.cameony.com

Photo Review: Milagres At Mercury Lounge

Milagres: February 22, 2011 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Brooklyn based Milagres took the Mercury Lounge stage last month. Check out some photos from their set.

GIG ALERT! They'll be at The Rock Shop on Thursday, April 21.

More photos HERE.

Video: Electra - "Coming To Get You!" + Tour Dates

Israeli trio Electra released a video for their song "Coming To Get You!" this week. And, I'm totally digging the song. The video was directed by Roy Raz. Check it out below.

GIG ALERT! They'll be in New York for three shows. On Monday, March 21, they'll be over in Brooklyn at Bruar Falls. Wednesday, March 23, they will be on the Lower East Side at Pianos. The following night, Thursday, March 24, they'll be back in Brooklyn at Bar Matchless.

Tour Dates

• 03/16 SXSW @ Spiderhouse
• 03/16 SXSW showcase @ Easy Tiger
• 03/19 SXSW @ Spiderhouse
• 03/19 SXSW @ East Village
• 03/21 Brooklyn, NY @ Bruar Falls
• 03/23 New York City @ Pianos
• 03/24 Brooklyn, NY @ Bar Matchless
• 03/26 Washington DC @ Kennedy Center, Millennium stage

Talking To Walls Release New Song + Tour Dates

Our friends and crackin' good band, Talking To Walls are hitting the road for a mini-tour. They've put together a song, "Black Hearts Parade" (backed with an acoustic version of "Song For Megan") to celebrate, Irish punk style! Nothing says St. Patrick's Day like Irish punk songs. You can get a download HERE ... it's a pay what you want deal but, it's always nice to support indie folks. And for your visual pleasure, check out the video below directed by their very own Brian Kelly.

GIG ALERT! Talking To Walls will be here in NYC down at The Delancey on Friday, March 18 and it'll cost you $10.

Tour Dates

• Sunday, March 13th-- Anna Liffey's, New Haven, CT
• Thursday, March 17th-- Annual St. Patrick's Day Show at Acoustic Cafe, Bridgeport, CT
• Friday, March 18th-- The Delancey, NYC
• Saturday, March 19th-- Boston, MA POSTPONED
• Sunday, March 20th-- Seaside Tavern, Stamford, CT

Arctic Monkeys Announce North American Tour

After over a year, the English band Arctic Monkeys will be kicking off a North American tour beginning May 17. They of course will be making a stop in our lovely city. The band will play Central Park's SummerStage on Tuesday, May 24. A full list of dates are below. Pre-sale and ticket info can be found on the bands website, HERE.

Arctic Monkeys - Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Nick O'Malley and Matt Helders - haven’t performed in North America since criss-crossing the country in the wake of the release of Humbug, their acclaimed third album. Fans can expect to hear some eagerly awaited new material – the band posted a video preview of brand new song “Brick By Brick” on their website late last week.

Tour Dates

• 5/17 -- Washington, DC -- 9:30 Club
• 5/18 -- Philadelphia, PA -- Knitting Factory
• 5/19 -- Boston, MA -- House Of Blues
• 5/21 -- Toronto, ON -- Kool Haus
• 5/22 -- Montreal, QC -- L’Olympia
• 5/24 -- New York, NY -- SummerStage
• 5/26 -- Detroit, MI -- Clutch Cargoes
• 5/27 -- Milwaukee, WI -- The Rave
• 5/28 -- Minneapolis, MN -- First Ave
• 5/30 -- Denver, CO -- The Ogden Theatre
• 5/31 -- Salt Lake City, UT -- In The Venue
• 6/3 -- Los Angeles, CA -- Hollywood Palladium

Hank & Cupcakes Streaming New Song on YouTube

Funky duo Hank & Cupcakes are streaming a new song on YouTube. Check it out below.

Gig Alert! For a live fix, they'll be at the Studio @ Webster Hall on Saturday, April 9. Go show them some love.

Annie Fitzgerald To Play Rockwood Music Hall, 3/27

Singer/songwriter Annie Fitzgerald will be taking the stage at Rockwood Music Hall on Sunday, March 27; it's going to be a full band show. Head down, check out the set and show her some love. Full show deets are below.

March 27, 2011
5:00 pm
Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street
New York, NY 10002-1418

In Good Time by AnnieFitzgeraldMusic

Photo Review: Yuna At Mercury Lounge

Yuna: February 22, 2011 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Malaysian singer/songwriter Yuna made her New York City debut at Mercury Lounge last month, joined by session musicians Ben and Brent. She's insanely talented. She put on a beautiful, understated set that showcased the purity of her voice. If you haven't checked her out yet, put her on you're list. Watch the video at the bottom for a small snippet of what was heard that night.

More photos HERE.