Upcoming: The Twees, May 8

New York band The Twees will be playing Mercury Lounge on Sunday, May 8. It's the late show, so doors at 8:45PM and it'll cost you $8. Hey, that's Mother's Day. You should take your mom out for a night of rockin'.

Upcoming: Women That Rock NYC, May 9

The ladies are gonna rock the house on the LES. That's right folks, LRock the Party Booking Presents: Women That Rock NYC. On Monday, May 9, a group of talented rockin' ladies with take the stage at The Bowery Electric. Doors are at 7PM and it will cost you $10 ($8 if you RSVP). One of my favorite rockin' ladies, Lisa Bianco will be there. She's debuting her new band, Lou Petto on drums and Kenny Aaronson on bass! Check out the full details below.

LROCK THE PARTY BOOKING PRESENTS:

WOMEN THAT ROCK NYC

11:00 - Christine Hoberg
10:10 - Casey Henry
9:20 - Lacrymosa
8:30 - Lisa Bianco
7:40 - Julia Weldon
7:00 - Christina LaRocca

at the BOWERY ELECTRIC
327 Bowery @ 2nd Street

RSVP TO THIS EVENT FOR VIP REDUCED ADMISSION TO THIS EVENT
($8 instead of $10 at on the door)

Must be 21 to enter with valid ID

Jump Into The Gospel: Hot, Sweaty, Butt Shakin' Fun

Jump Into The Gospel: April 25, 2011 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY

Monday night I went down to Mercury Lounge to catch the charismatic Jump Into The Gospel do their thing. Each time I see them, the crowd gets a little bigger and a little louder. I wasn't much into the two bands before them and to be honest, I was a little concerned about the overall energy of the room. Maybe that was just me though; I had some lovely Tennessee refreshments so I may have been paying more attention to that more than to those two bands. That being said, any concern however, went away when JITG hit the stage. There was an amazing energy during their set and everyone, audience and band, seemed hellbent on getting their party on. See what a good time I had? I had so much fun I said 'getting their party on.' Curse you skinny, music playing boys for making me use horrid terms like that! Several times during the evening, I glanced over my shoulder and saw massive amounts of dancing.

You should really catch these guys while they're playing intimate venues. With their insanely catchy songs and 'let's have a party up in here' vibe, you'll soon have to stand in line with the masses to get into their shows. I wouldn't want anyone to miss the ass shakin' good time they offer.

Oh, btw, in case you didn't know or it for some bizarre reason slipped your mind, Jump Into The Gospel have EP out. The self-titled release can be found HERE if you're into the digital thing. It's a name your own price deal so technically, you could get it for free. But, if you want to be super cool, you could show them some monetary love. And, if that wasn't enough, and you have a fondness for vinyl, you can click HERE and buy it in that format. Whichever format you choose, you'll fall in lust ... the heavy petting kind of lust, not the slutty bathroom stall kind, that's reserved for their live performances.

More photos HERE

Mary Bragg To Release New Album In June

Singer-songwriter Mary Bragg will release her new album, Tattoos & Bruises on June 7. The record was produced by Lee Alexander. For a taste of what's to come, head down to the bottom of the post and grab the album's first single, "How and Why."

Gig Alert! Bragg will be doing several shows here in New York. On May 21, she'll be at Jalopy in Brooklyn. Then, every Friday in June, she'll have a residency at The Living Room on the LES ... June 3, June 10, June 17 and June 24 to be exact.

Writing for Tattoos and Bruises began in late 2008, continued during a residency at New York City’s great singer-songwriter launching pad, The Living Room, and was completed just moments before the final tracks were recorded. Writing or co-writing all ten of the album’s songs, Bragg invited Alexander to co-write four of them, while three more of her favorite songwriters, Adam Levy (another longtime collaborator of Norah Jones and Amos Lee), Colin McGrath, and her bassist/husband, Jimmy Sullivan, made additional co-writing contributions. The ten tracks that comprise the final album were recorded and mixed over 14 days at Jones’ East Village studio, The Coop, with Tom Schick (Wilco, Rufus Wainwright) engineering and co-mixing.

Backing Bragg on the album is the same accomplished band of players who perform in her live shows, including Rich Hinman, Steve Elliot and Adam Levy (guitars), Jordan Perlson and Brian Wolfe (drums), Jimmy Sullivan (bass), Mike Cassedy (piano, organ) and Marika Hughes (cello).

MP3 Grab: "How and Why"

Beth Jeans Houghton Signs To Mute + MP3

Mute Records has announced the signing of Beth Jeans Houghton. Houghton will release her debut album this fall. She attracted media attention in the UK in 2009 with her EP Hot Toast and kind of disappeared. Now she's back and we have for you a preview of her upcoming album. See the handy widget at the bottom of the post to download the track "Dodecahedron."

The new track “Dodecahedron” showcases Beth’s extraordinary voice and off-kilter lyrics, exploding in cascades of colours and little drummer boy beats.

“The night before I wrote it I had a dream that consisted of me running up to strangers in the street and asking them what a dodecahedron was, but no one knew,” says Beth. “I later found out that the ancient Greeks believed the Dodecahedron is a symbol of the universe and represents an idealized form of divine thought. Take from that what you will.”

(click the arrow on the right to download)

Beth Jeans Houghton - Dodecahedron by Mute UK

Bob Schneider Releases New Record

A QNYC favorite, Bob Schneider released his latest record digitally last week (April 19). A Perfect Day, his 11th solo record was released via Kirtland Records, contains 12 tracks. What to expect? Expect, clever and often witty lyrics. Check out a video for "Honeypot" the album's second track at On-Airstreaming HERE.

Gig Alert! New York, Schneider will be returning to us. He'll take the stage at The Bowery Ballroom on Sunday, May 29. Doors are at 8PM and it'll cost you $23. Ooo, I'd better go get ticket soon!

Track List

• Let the Light In
• Honeypot
• Everything Is Cool
• Peaches
• Yeah, I'll Do That
• Everything You Love
• Penelope Cruz
• Funcake
• Dirtmouth
• Am I Missing Something
• Another Bad Idea
• Hand Me Back My Life

Yael Naim Releases Video + NY Record Release Show

Yael Naim's new record She Was A Boy comes out Tuesday, May 10. Naim will be performing here in New York, the day before, at (le) poisson rouge on May 9, doors at 7PM and it will cost you $20. For a taste of the upcoming release, check out the video "Come Home" at the end of the post.

She Was A Boy collects 13 luminous folk-pop gems each recorded at the singer’s apartment-turned-workshop. You will find upbeat tunes as well as a serious expansion of Naim’s sound, with daring forays into acoustic blues, dreamy soul and raw torch balladry.

Yael Naim & David Donatien
Monday, May 9th
Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street)
7 pm, 18+, $20
TICKETS

Mick Harvey To Release New Record In May

Mick Harvey will release Sketches From The Book Of The Dead on May 3 via Mute Records. Check out the track "Famous Last Words" from the album in the handy widget at the bottom of the post.

Harvey is currently finishing a tour with PJ Harvey which has makes sold out stops here in New York at Terminal 5, tonight and tomorrow.

Sketches From The Book Of The Dead is Mick Harvey's first fully self-penned album; the 11-track album was recorded and mixed with David McCluney at Atlantis Sound, Port Melbourne with additional recording at Harvey's own Grace Lane music room and sees Mick Harvey (playing most of the instruments) joined by Rosie Westbrook on double bass and J.P. Shilo on accordion & violin, with Xanthe Waite contributing occasional ethereal backing vocals.

This is an album containing an extraordinary investigation into a rarely scrutinized area of the human condition. Harvey has excelled himself and made a truly unique work to go alongside so much of what he has already achieved in his 30 years of musical creativity.

Track List

• October Boy
• The Ballad Of Jay Givens
• Two Paintings
• Rhymeless
• Frankie T & Frankie C
• A Place Called Passion
• To Each His Own
• The Bells Never Rang
• That's All, Paul
• How Would I Leave You?
• Famous Last Words

Mick Harvey - Famous Last Words by Mute UK

Doc Wasabassco's Burlesque At City Winery This Friday

Ah, nothing like a good dose of saucy fun! I'm talking burlesque folks! New York fans of burlesque are familiar with Wasabassco Burlesque, right? They have regular shows in Manhattan and Brooklyn. This Friday, April 22, City Winery will once again play host to the fun. Doors are at 11PM and it'll cost you $15.

This week's show will star Peekaboo Pointe, BooBess, Flying Fox, Harvest Moon, Matthew Holtzclaw, Ms Tickle, Nasty Canasta, Nikki Le Villain, Ruby Valentine, Sapphire Jones, and Doc Wasabassco. That's a lotta risqué fun for your buck! Grab a date, or not, and head down for a night of fun!

Doc Wasabassco’s BURLESQUE
City Winery 155 Varick St.
(at the corner of Vandam)
SoHo, NYC
Friday April 22 2011
11:30pm/ 11pm doors Admission $15

Tickets: HERE

Dave Stewart To Release The Blackbird Diaries In June

Dave Stewart (producer/artist/director/Eurythmics co-founder) will release his new album, The Blackbird Diaries via Weapons of Mass Entertainment/Surfdog Records/Razor & Tie, on Tuesday, June 28. The Blackbird Diaries contains all new material, duets with Stevie Nicks (whom he'll perform with as Special Guest at Webster Hall on May 4), Martina McBride, Colbie Caillat and feaures The Secret Sisters as well as a song co-written with Bob Dylan. Check out "Magic In The Blues" at the bottom of the post in our MP3 Grab.

"This was my favorite time ever in the studio, I wrote most of the songs on the spot and recorded all of them in one incredible session lasting 5 days and nights!," explains Dave Stewart. I made an unusual film of the process that not only features all the musicians and performers but also gives away some of my writing secrets which involves both a well known fortune teller and hypnotist who allowed themselves to be filmed in session with me."

Dave Stewart's The Blackbird Diaries is unlike anything he has embarked on during his illustrious 30 year music career both with Eurythmics and as a solo artist. With an American flare and rooted in rock, country, and blues, the album is in the vein of recent releases by Bob Dylan and Neil Young - masterful recordings mixed with rich and detailed lyrics. The Blackbird Diaries showcases a very different type of songwriting for Stewart with more story-driven autobiographical lyrics, which is a departure from the pop/rock sounds which have made him one of the most successful and revered songwriters/collaborators of all time. Tales of loves conquered and loves lost, Dave gets intimate, personal with words while he allows his music to rock free on an album that might just prove to be this artist's second, and perhaps finest, act.

Track List

• So Long Ago
• Beast Called Fame
• Magic In The Blues
• All Messed Up (featuring Martina McBride)
• Stevie Baby
• Cheaper Than Free (featuring Stevie Nicks)
• The Gypsy Girl and Me
• One Way Ticket To The Moon (featuring The Secret Sisters)
• Bulletproof Vest (featuring Colbie Caillat)
• Worth The Waiting For
• The Well
• Country Wine (featuring The Secret Sisters)

MP3 Grab: "Magic In The Blues" (right click, save)

Ian Hunter To Headline Hoboken Arts & Music Festival

Legendary rocker Ian Hunter will be headlining the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival in Hoboken, NJ on Sunday, May 1. Hunter & The Rant Band will take the stage at 4:30PM on the Observer Hwy Stage (btw. Newark & Observer Hwy). The Festival runs from 11AM to 6PM and takes place on Washington St. between Observer Highway to 7th St. It's FREE and will happen rain or shine!

With 3 stages of live music, over 300 artists, arts, crafts, food and more, there's sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. For more information, click HERE.

The On Fires: Rollicking Good Time

The On Fires: April 6, 2011 @ Arlene's Grocery, New York, NY

This past Wednesday, I went down to Arlene's Grocery to catch Australian band The On Fires. For anyone who hasn't had a chance to check this band out, they're a high octane band. After a long day at work, they are the perfect way to rid yourself of any stress you may have been harboring. From the moment they kicked into their set, you couldn't help but bounce around to the music. I'd have to say, they're probably the most high energy band I've seen in a while. If they're playing near you, check them out. There's nothing like a good dose of party punk to wash away a long, hard day.

They have a few more dates left on this tour, their third in the US. For those in the tri-state area, you can still catch them at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ on April 13 at 8PM. It'll cost you $10.

More Photos HERE

Adam Taylor: Man and Poet

Adam Taylor is set to release his upcoming record, No Poet, on April 18. When I first heard Taylor's debut, Play The Piano Drunk, I thought if this is what he's capable of now, what's he going to give us once he has some age and seasoning under his belt? Well, No Poet answers that question.

The seven song record was produced by his older brother Chad Taylor and shows a maturity that comes with making that transition from boy to man and living life in general. The down to Earth, yet quirky Taylor writes sharp-witted songs with a bit of cheek. At times he's a bit dark while at other times he displays pure, happy, upbeat pop.

Having seen Taylor perform several times, I know most of the songs in their acoustic incarnations. In a true testament to his talent as a performer and songwriter, the songs work just as beautifully with a full band as they do in acoustic duet form. Taylor's band Kate Young (vocals/percussion), John Fritchey (guitar), Mike Giblin (bass/vocals) and Jason Hoffheins (drums) provide a tight musical foundation for him to shine.

A wide gambit of sounds are covered on No Poet be it the jazzy vibe of "The Story Of The Sea-Green Sky Part Two" or the rockabilly of "Spaghetti Western," a classic storytelling song, or the skiffle of "Lucy." They all fit and flow together well proving well crafted pop music doesn't come from a cookie cutter, auto-tuned assembly line. The record kicks off with the lust tinged "Oliver" a favorite of mine for a while now. For some bizarre reason, I think of "White Wedding" when I hear this song. Huh? We'll chalk that up as one of my questionable comparisons. Giblin's bass lines are all kinds of funky on this one as well as on the track "Jazzonia (Silver Tree) which is a killer dance tune. If you can't shake your ass to that song, you might have some issues you need to deal with. "Yes / No" harkens back to the days of beach/surf music. The kind of song you turn on and drive around with the top down on your convertible.

The record closes with what has become my favorite track, "New York." It's a sexy and bluesy moving onto the next stage of life song. This song more than any other track on the record, in my opinion, shows his transition from teenager to man.

No Poet is a terrific piece of work. Its only flaw is that it ends too quickly. Seven songs aren't enough!

For your listening pleasure, scroll to the bottom of the post and grab "Jazzonia (Silver Tree)" in the MP3 Grab.

Adam Taylor: March 31, 2011 @ The Living Room, New York, NY

Adam Taylor and his partner-in-crime Kate Young came back to the cozy LES venue The Living Room. On the heels of a successful Kickstarter campaign and weeks before the April 18 release of his new record No Poet, Taylor and Young took the stage. Performing six songs from the upcoming album in their twelve song set the pair showed once again why their fans appreciate and love them so much.

They kicked off the set with Jazzonia (Silver Tree) which until I saw the track list for No Poet, I thought the wording was Silver Dream! For two years I've been trying to figure out what the heck a silver dream was. I'm not only quirky, I'm goofy too! Anyway, this is the first time they've done "Daisy" at a show I attended so that was a pleasant treat. Taylor did a Radiohead song solo. I'm not a Radiohead fan so don't ask me which one but I'm 100% positive Taylor's version was better. I'll probably get stoned by disgruntled Radiohead fans over that one. Live, Taylor dedicates "Yes / No" to all the psychotic women. I'm tearing up; finally someone has written a song about me! I'm just kidding ... maybe.

I always smile at their shows. They make me feel good. What more can you ask for? They closed with the delightful "Cat's Cradle." I would have loved to have seen this on the new record but alas, it wasn't. Oh, and the next time you swing through town, can we add "Coffee" back into the set list for the night? I miss that song.

I've told you before and I'll tell you again, you really should see Taylor live. Full of laid back charm and dripping with an abundance of talent, he'll entice you to his corner and have you cheering him on loudly and proudly.

Check out a couple of clips from the show below and a clip of "Daisy" HERE ... yeah, it's out of focus but sound is good.

More Photos HERE

Setlist

• Jazzonia (Silver Tree)
• 12:51
• Daisy
• Spaghetti Western
• Yes / No
• No Diggity / Come Together
• Story Of The Sea-Green Sky Part Two
• Whiskey
• (Radiohead Song)
• New York
• Lucy
• Cat's Cradle

"Whiskey"


"Yes / No"

MP3 Grab: "Jazzonia (Silver Tree)" (right click, save)

The On Fires To Play Arlene's Grocery 4/6

Australian band The On Fires are making a stop in our lovely city. They'll be on the LES at Arlene's Grocery. Head on down Wednesday, April 6 for some party punk fun. It'll cost you $8 and doors are at 6:30PM.

For a taste of The On Fires, have a listen to "Nobody Wants" below.

Who knew that a chance meeting of two teenagers at a swimming camp on Australia's Gold Coast would lead to an international touring band? Described as “the bastard lovechild of the B52s and the Sex Pistols” references to other bands have included Flaming Lips, Blondie, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, The Clash, Green Day, Stereophonics, Deep Purple, even Elvis Costello.

On The LES Saturday, April 2: The Dreamscapes Project & The Broadcast

The Dreamscapes Project
Arlene's Grocery
95 Stanton Street, NYC
9PM
$10


The Broadcast
Mercury Lounge
217 E Houston Street, NYC
Doors 10:30PM
$10

S.C.U.M. Signs To Mute Records

London based S.C.U.M. have signed on with record label Mute. Their debut album is scheduled to be released late summer. To get you geared up, check out the handy widget below for the new track "Summon The Sound" and click the little down arrow on the right.

If you're in Europe, you can catch S.C.U.M. on tour with The Kills.

S.C.U.M exploded onto the music scene two years ago with the release of their debut single ‘Visions Arise’. The single, together with their exciting and intense live shows, quickly grabbed the imagination of fans and critics alike. Since then the band has toured extensively across the UK and Europe to a growing fan base and released three exclusive digital download tracks entitled SIGNALS (‘PARIS’,‘BERLIN’ and ‘WARSAW’).

S.C.U.M Summon the sound by Mute Artists