Elephant 12 will be making a stop on the LES at Pianos on Monday, March 4. They go on at 10PM and it will cost you $8 that is, unless, you're our lucky winner! Check out the contest details below for a chance to win a pair of tickets and other goodies.
Contest One lucky winner will win a pair of tickets to the show plus an album and t-shirt! For a chance to win, email contest@quirkynychick.com. Please put "Elephant 12"" in the subject line. A winner, 21+ (US only), will be chosen at random on Saturday, March 2.
Hailing from the United Kingdom and Canada, respectively, the band brings their own brand of heavy hitting Rock laced with a tinge of Hip Hop to the mix; truly a brilliant experience. After the success of their first two singles "Holiday" and "Renegade," in the U.S., the band are making a stop in NYC on their way to SXSW. Laced with punchy guitars, smooth beats, and vocalist Jerome Cooke's unique styling, the band creates a perfect blend of Rap with a tinge of Jazz in the background, and a dash of Indie on the side. It doesn't get much better than this!
Savoir Adore are doing a handful of dates in March. They'll be over in Brooklyn at Glasslands Gallery on Saturday, March 9. Doors are at 8PM, it'll cost you $10 advance / $12 dos and you'll need to be 21+.
On a side note, the band announced this week that their album "Our Nature" is no longer available on Spotify or iTunes for a "very exciting reason" that they'll be announcing soon. Hm, label backing perhaps?
The Boston Calling Music Festival will be taking place Memorial Day weekend, May 25 & May 26, at City Hall Plaza in Boston ... rain or shine. Two-day early bird passes go on sale this Friday, March 1 at 10AM. The Early Bird Weekend Pass is $120 and the Early Bird Weekend VIP Pass is $325. Tickets, HERE.
All Single Day Passes will go on sale Friday, March 8 at 10AM. Single Day tickets are $75; Weekend Passes are $130; Single Day VIP tickets are $185 and Weekend VIP Passes are $350. Tickets, HERE.
Vintage Trouble will be taking the stage at Highline Ballroom on Monday, March 4. Doors are at 7PM and the show is at 8PM. It will cost you $15 (tables, first come, first seated $10 minimum per person).
New York, Australian band The Beards will be making astop at Sons of Essex on March 24 as part of The Aussie BBQ festival. For those not in the know (like I was!) they're a group of guys who exclusively perform songs about one subject... beards! Yep, you heard me, BEARDS. They have a new album, Having A Beard Is The New Not Having A Beard, which is scheduled for release in the US on March 5. And since I maybe, probably, have a beard fetish, I had to show them some love. Check out the video for “You Should Consider Having Sex With A Bearded Man” below.
The concept of The Beards is simple: a band of bearded men that exclusively perform songs about just one subject – Beards. Forming in 2005 to perform one show only in their hometown of Adelaide, South Australia, The Beards soon found their truly unique concept in hot demand. Their hardline pro-beard stance, coupled with their passion-fueled live shows and unquestionable musicianship, meant they developed a cult following right across the country, and the advent of social media soon led to a global fan-base. From their bearded lair, Johann Beardraven (vocals, keyboards, and saxophone) speaks of the band’s mission: “I regard us as freedom fighters. We started this band because bearded men in Australia were heavily discriminated against. We provided a voice for the bearded underdog and now everyone in our country has a beard.”
Having A Beard Is The New Not Having A Beard is the band’s third full-length album since its inception, following the self-titled 2007 debut and 2010’s aptly titled Beards, Beards Beards. “It’s our third concept album about the same concept – the only concept of any importance to any of us – beards!” Explains drummer John Beardman Jnr. With other songs of various rock enormities on the album, including the rocksteady-tinged “Bearded Nation,” the L.A. sleaze-rock of “Why Having A Beard Is Better Than Having A Woman,” and the piano ballad “I Think Beards Are Great,” any notion that The Beards may have run out of material is comprehensively quashed. The band—rounded out by Nathaniel Beard (bass guitar/vocals) and Facey McStubblington (guitars/vocals) - proudly point out that this is “definitely our most beard-related album yet”.
The music universe has been a buzz since iconic rocker David Bowie announced the release of his upcoming album, The Next Day, which is scheduled for release on March 12. The first single "Where Are We Now?" got lots of buzz and blew up my social media feeds...you have obviously been missed Mr. Bowie. Now, he has released a new video for the track "The Stars (Are Out Tonight)". Joining Bowie in the Floria Sigismondi directed video is actress Tilda Swinton. The clip is visually beautiful, artsy, a little weird and fantastically Bowie. Check it out below and enjoy.
ZZ Ward will be paying a visit to New York next month. She will be down at Irving Plaza on Tuesday, March 5. Doors are at 7PM and Ward hits the stage at 8:30PM. It'll cost you $16. Also on the bill that night, Delta Rae and Martin Harley.
I first heard Ward without knowing it. I'd heard the bluesy singer/songwriters "Put The Gun Down" and enjoyed it tremendously but had no idea who it was until an email landed in my box. It was one of those "so that's who sings that song I like!" moments. She released her terrific, Til The Casket Drops back in October. Check outthe song below.
ZZ Ward Delta Rae, Martin Harley Tuesday, March 5 Irving Plaza 17 Irving Place New York, NY Doors 7PM / Set 8:30PM Tickets: $16
Sweden based Junip released their video for "Line Of Fire" earlier this week. The song is the first single from their upcoming Junip album which is scheduled for release on April 23 via Mute. The video clip was directed by Swedish filmmaker Mikel Cee Karlsson. Check it out below.
The first installment in a two-part series leading up to the release of Junip’s sophomore self-titled release on April 23rd “Line of Fire” is best explained by Karlsson himself, "The video(s) tell the story of a tormented old man, stuck in a relationship that perhaps was not his choice, or preference to begin with. We see fragments from childhood, the first awkward kiss, the father watching over him. Making sure he follows the right path. The old man, like all of us, a person programmed by the convictions and beliefs of others. In the case of the old man, the unconscious suddenly manifest itself when a young, jeans wearing character appears in their home, forcing him to question who he really is."
San Francisco based artist Violent Vickie is scheduled to release her debut album, Monster Alley, on March 1. Check out the premiere single, "The Wolf", below.
Monster Alley ingeniously disguises Violent Vickie’s feminist political agendas in 11 dance-’til-you-die songs. In the introductory track “Drugs,” she croons “you ain’t got to worry when you got drugs” with a strung-out detachment to a uptempo, diamond-hard beat, while the ironically lascivious “Come and Run” concerns a bad sexual experience, and “The Scientist” takes a critical look at the pharmaceutical industry. Following in the footsteps of the iconic electropop band Le Tigre, Violent Vickie breathes a new punk rock ethos into electronic music.
Accompanied by Tyler Holmes on synth, her live shows are a multisensory experience, featuring electrifying psychedelic images.
Semi Precious Weapons have been out on the other coast writing, being glamorous and doing whatever people do when in Cali. Now, we get to hear a taste of what they've been working on. They have unveiled a new song, "Aviation High", which they're offering up for free. It's a little different than what we're used to hearing from them. It will be interesting to hear what the rest of the music they've been working on sounds like. Check it out and grab it below.
Israeli dream pop duo The Aprons recently released their debut single and video "Sound Stain". The pair, Hava (drums, vocals) and Talia (Bass, vocals) are, according to their bio, "urban nymphs that produce magical miniatures and haunting tunes." I don't know about the urban nymph part or the magical miniatures part but, they did produce a haunting tune which I really like. The "Sound Stain" video took a crew of 40 animators and a year realize. Check it out below and after you've done that, grab the single via the handy widget.
The title track showcases the mystery and windy melodies of their debut album "Sound Stains".
About the music video (From director Liran Goldberg): The concept came from the thought of taking the femininity and gentleness of the female pair and give it a visual interpretation to a world that everything feels organic yet fragile. From this concept I thought to film everything in the forest and wrap it with crystal made animals, where the hunters emphasize the conflict. The making of the video took a year to realize, with a crew of 40 animators that volunteered for the project.
Chicago based band Maps & Atlases have released the second video from their Beware & Be Grateful album. The clip, "Fever", was directed by Erin Elders and stars Barret Walz, Dennis Bisto and Megan Ligeti. Check out the clip below.
Maps & Atlases began a Euorpean tour last week and will begin the US leg in April. So far, no NY dates have been announced.
The clip, which further develops the story of an anonymous man introduced in their album trailer video, was directed by guitarist Erin Elders and produced by drummer Chris Hainey.
Since their formation in 2004, Maps & Atlases have captured the indie imagination with their extraordinarily artful amalgamation of polyrhythmic beats, elaborate melodies, and post-rock ingenuity.
Kacey Underwood and Alice Costelloe, better known as London based duo Big Deal are set to release their new album, June Gloom on June 4. To whet your appetite, check out the track “Terdactol” below.
Fleshing out their delicate, nocturnal tones Kacey and Alice take their sound to deeper, darker and more intoxicating height, courtesy of producer Rory Attwell (Veronica Falls, PAWS, Male Bonding) and a full band featuring bass and drums. As a result, the 11 other tracks here are an exploration of the newfound confidence of ‘teradactol’, with a refinement and bold directness. If Big Deal’s earlier tracks felt emotionally lacerating, this new body of work is noisy, boisterous, with a more than assured melodic hook. This evolution is made defiantly clear in the opener ‘golden light‘, which deliberately unhinges the listener by opening with sweetly strummed chords and interlocking vocals before building to a rousing climax. Similarly, ‘dream machines’ crests on a jagged undertow of pounding drums, and the sinister ‘pillow’ gradually opens up to become something vast, scorched and desolate. The pair infuse the volume with their own inimitable, off-kilter take on angst-ridden emotional terrain; on the aptly titled ‘pristine’, they sing,“darkness wash over me, I let it in, it let me be”, while on the otherwise upbeat ‘call and i’ll come’ Costelloe plaintively asks, “What if no one else compares/ what if no one else cares?”It all reaches a beautiful crescendo with the finale ‘close your eyes’, which explodes from an almost unbearably intimate confessional (“I won’t ask why/ if it was love/ we let it die”) into a coruscating maelstrom that is as indelibly affecting as it is thrilling.
Men Of North Country have been remixed! Their track "People of Tomorrow" has received the Markey Funk treatment. Check out "People of Tomorrow (The Visitor Remix by Markey Funk)" below. I'm not normally a fan of remixes but I like this one...a lot. The original track can be found on their album The North.
Markey's take on POT is a spaced-out psychedelic remix, inspired by The Tomorrow People, a 1970's cult British children's sci-fi TV-series.
And, for those that haven't seen it or want to see it again, here's the original.
Nashville based band Great Peacock, Andrew Nelson and Blount Floyd, are set to release their self-titled debut on March 5 via This Is American Music. The moment I heard "Take Me To The Mountain", I was captivated. Sometimes, a song crawls into your ear, embeds itself in your head and demands that you put it on repeat. This is one of those songs.
"Take Me To The Mountain" is without a doubt, my Song of the Day. Check it out for yourself.
Legendary rockers Whitesnake will be releasing a Live CD/DVD package, Made In Japan, on April 23 here in North America (April 19 in Europe and April 22 in the UK) via Frontiers Records. The performance footage was taken from the co-headlining set vocalist David Coverdale and his Whitesnake, Doug Aldrich (guitars), Reb Beach (guitars), Michael Devin (bass), Brian Tichy (drums) and special guest Brian Ruedy (keyboards) performed at the Loud Park festival in October 2011. The package will be available as a deluxe 2CD/DVD edition, Blu-ray and a stand alone DVD.
We all know I have a soft spot for The Coverdale so, I'm looking forward to this release.
The performance footage is shot in stunning HD in 5.1 and stereo and is taken from Whitesnake’s co-headlining set at the “Loud Park” festival on October 11th, 2011 held at Saitama Super Arena in Japan during their “Forevermore World Tour.” The performance was initially recorded only for Japanese TV and future Loud Park promotions.
MADE IN JAPAN contains songs from Whitesnake’s most recent studio album, FOREVERMORE, as well as classic hits such as “Is This Love,” “Still Of The Night” and “Here I Go Again.” The bonus CD also includes never-before-heard outtakes and acoustic versions of material from the award winning FOREVERMORE album that were recorded during soundchecks on the 2011 Japanese tour. Additional DVD content includes various band photo slideshows and fan-shot videos. Please see below for the full content listing.
Track List CD1:
Best Years
Give Me All Your Love Tonight
Love Ain’t No Stranger
Is This Love
Steal Your Heart Away
Forevermore
Six String Showdown
Love Will Set You Free
Drum Solo
Fool For Your Loving
Here I Go Again
Still Of The Night
Bonus CD 2 – Soundcheck:
Love Will Set You Free
Steal Your Heart Away
Fare Thee Well (Acoustic Version)
One Of These Days (Acoustic Version)
Lay Down Your Love
Evil Ways
Good To Be Bad (Acoustic Version)
Tell Me How (Acoustic Version)
Dvd / Blu-Ray:
Best Years
Give Me All Your Love Tonight
Love Ain’t No Stranger
Is This Love
Steal Your Heart Away
Forevermore
Six String Showdown
Love Will Set You Free
Drum Solo
Fool For Your Loving
Here I Go Again
Still Of The Night
Fan Videos For Forevermore and Steal Your Heart Away
Canadian band Enter The Haggis are set to release their latest album, The Modest Revolution on March 30. Towards the end of last year, the band launched an extremely successful Kickstarter project. Earlier this week backers received a digital pre-release copy of the record while the rest of the world were able to begin pre-ordering the record. If you haven't checkedthis band out, you should. I was introduced to their music about four years ago when I saw them put on a killer live show.
Leafing through a local paper in a small town this past winter, we were struck by the sheer number of interesting story-lines we found. After some discussion, we hit on an unusual idea: why not capture a snapshot of a single day musically? We bounced the idea around and eventually decided we were going to pick a day at random, buy a newspaper and write an entire album inspired by the stories and headlines we found within.
UPDATE!!! New Date -- This show will take place on Monday, March 18 instead of the previously announced, March 13. See full details below.
The The The Thunder My Roaring Twenties, Great Caesar Monday, March 18 Glasslands 289 Kent Ave Brooklyn 8:30pm Tickets $10 21+
The The The Thunder are hitting the road! And, the deity of show booking has them making a stop in our parts. They'll take the stage over in Brooklyn at Glasslands on Wednesday, March 13Monday, March 18at 8:30PM and it'll cost you $10. See below for full show details. These folks came onto my radar last year when I was introduced to their album All At Once. To whet your appetite, scroll down and give a listen to my favorite TTTT track, "Leave Us".
The The The Thunder My Roaring Twenties, Ancient Sky Wednesday, March 13 Monday, March 18
Today, the Newport Folk Festival, which takes place July 26 - 28, announced that Jim James will be returning to the festival this summer. As mentioned previously, the festival has been using the trickle method to announce this year's artists. Over the last several days they've announced Michael Kiwanuka, Jason Isbell, Nicki Bluhm & The Gamblers as well as the return of the Spirit Family Reunion who wowed the crowd last year. I recommend getting tickets nowbefore theysell-out! The line-up so far...
Brooklyn based band Sharkmuffin just released their debut single, "The Lake". When I read there were some Chrissie Hynde comparisons I was a little skeptical. But, I hear it! I also hear a little Patti Smith grit & attitude in there too. It's a lovely piece of dirty pop ... a little fuzz, a little jangle and a lot of good ol' fashioned, unabashed rock 'n' roll. I'm looking forward to hearing their EP which is scheduled for a March release. Check out "The Lake" HERE.
Giveaway Alert!!!
1)Sharkmuffin will be at The Delancey on Monday, February 25 at 9:30PM. We have a pair of tickets to give to one lucky reader...21+! For a chance to win, email contest@quirkynychick.com. Please put "Sharkmuffin Tickets" in the subject line.
2) We also have a copy of the 7" single "The Lake/Big" for one lucky reader. For a chance to win this goodie, email contest@quirkynychick.com. Please put "Sharkmuffin 7"" in the subject line.
A winner (US only) will be chosen for each prize, at random, on Thursday, February 21.
The combination of singer/guitarist Tarra Thiessen, alongside bassist Natalie Kirch with Drew Adler on drums, is deadly. Thiessen delivers gutsy vocals that will send shivers down your very spine. Jumping between gentle moans to rough, forceful screams, her vocals are sweetly complimented by Kirch's lighter, dreamier melodies which make you expect the unexpected. Their admiration for 90s alternative Grrrl group-esque hooks are paired perfectly with heavy 1970s inspired guitar riffs that create a raw sound not to be messed with.
Ken Stringfellow is touring to support his latest record, Danzig in the Moonlight. He'll be making two stops in our parts. Friday, February 15 he will be over in Brooklyn at Union Pool. Doors are at 9PM and it'll cost you $10. The following night, Saturday, February 16, he will be at Mercury Lounge. Doors are at 7:30PM and it will cost you $10 advance / $12 dos. Details for both shows below.
Ken Stringfellow Bird of Youth, Sky White Tiger Friday, February 15 Union Pool 484 Union Avenue Brooklyn Doors 9PM $10
Ken Stringfellow Chris Mills Saturday, February 16 Mercury Lounge 217 E Houston Street NYC Doors 7:30PM / Set 8:30PM $10 advance / $12 day of show 21+
To whet your appetite, check out his video for "Superwise". The track is from latest record, Danzig in the Moonlight.
Seattle based The Torn ACLs have released a new single, "Something About the Sky". The group has decided to release a series of digital singles throughout the year instead of an album. Check it out below.
With four albums already under their belt, the group has decided to take a rather different approach when it comes to releasing new material. The Torn ACLs will be releasing a series of digital singles throughout the year, starting with the propulsive and synthy track, “Something About the Sky.”
Each piece is unique from the next, without a defining thread drawn between them, though there are some similarities that make the collection cohesive. The upcoming singles continue in the band's spirit of polished, energetic pop, which they have been crafting over the years. With a knack for stellar hooks, each song is built up with buoyant arrangements, stacked with bright and crisp melodic ideas, over an insistent and aerobic rhythm section. Ample proficiency and a danceable punch, help create the band's intriguing sound, that recalling indie pop phenom such as Ra Ra Riot, with a scrappy energy evoking Born Ruffians, and the compositional quirks of Islands.
The Torn ACLs are William Cremin (guitar/vocals), Miles Ranisavljevic (bass), Jason Tabert (drums), and Tim McClanahan (multi-instrumentalist).
We have for you today, "Strange Bones" from Denver based band The Outfit. The song is from their album Broken West Wishbone Test. The vintage filled clip was directed by Greg Raih. Check it out below.
The Outfit is a band with their own unique sound that creates a special brand of Rock n' Roll with killer licks and heartfelt melodies that will have you dancing around in no time. Instead of shying away from their garage influences, The Outfit embraces them by sharing straightforward, guitar-based pop songwriting, which is a deadly combination.
With swirling guitars, catchy melodies, and an energetic rhythm section, each and every song will fill you with excitement. The Outfit are Eric Johnston, RJ Powers IV, Mike King, and Mikael Kilates.
Nico Vega released their new EP Fury Oh Fury earlier this week. The record gives us what we love about and have come to expect from Nico Vega, tight musicianship, strong vocals and a boatload of passion. The title track, "Fury Oh Fury" is my "repeat" song...you know the song that you play at least a dozen times in a row because you just can't make yourself let it go. One of my all time favorites and I know a lot of other peoples as well, "Beast", from their debut full-length is also on the EP. It's one of those songs that kicks you in the gut and takes your breath away...and if you've seen them perform it live then you've probably been swept up in the tribal beat and fierce energy that comes with it. Check out the video for "Beast" below. The clip was directed by their very own Dan Epand.
The folks at the Newport Folk Festival,which takes place July 26 - 28, have decided to use the trickle
method to announce this year's artists. Yesterday, they announced The Lumineers
will be among the line-up ... we're looking forward to that. They'll take the stage at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, RI on
Sunday, July 28. I suggest you grab your tickets quick as the festival is well
on its way to selling out!
Hank & Cupcakes announced their Winter/Spring 2013 Tour. The tour kicks off in New York next Tuesday, February 12 at Pianos. Doors are at 7PM, it'll cost you $8 with the whole 21+ stipulation. They will be over in Brooklyn on Wednesday, April 3 at Brooklyn Bowl. It all happens at 8PM / Doors 6PM. It'll cost you $8 and is also 21+. Their shows are super fun (but you already know that, right?) so, I highly recommend going to one or both shows.
Hank & Cupcakes Winter-Spring 2013 Tour Dates: 2/12: Pianos - New York, NY 2/14: The Rattler - Pittston, PA 2/15: Milkboy - Philadelphia, PA (w/ Lucius) 2/16: Jewish Mother - Virginia Beach, VA 2/18: Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC 2/20: The Blind Tiger - Greensboro, NC 2/21: The Earl - Atlanta, GA 2/22: Little Kings - Athens, GA (w/ Moths + Ruby) 2/23: New Brookland Tavern - Columbia, SC 2/24: Radio Room - Greenville, SC 2/26: The Sparrow - Charleston, SC 2/27: Jack Rabbits Live - Jacksonville, FL 2/28: Will's Pub - Orlando, FL 3/01: Bardot - Miami, FL 3/02: Czar - Tampa, FL 3/03: Shamrock Pub - Sarasota, FL 3/05: The End - Nashville, TN 3/06: The Nick - Birmingham, AL 3/07: 1884 Lounge (at Minglewood Hall) - Memphis, TN 3/09: Chelsea's Cafe - Baton Rouge, LA 3/11: Super Happy Fun Land - Houston, TX (w/ Midnight Spin & Cold Fronts) 3/12: The 502 - San Antonio, TX 3/13: SXSW - Austin, TX 3/14: SXSW - Austin, TX 3/15: SXSW - Austin, TX - BMG Showcase at Blackhearts Bar: 12:30 PM - Vulcan Army at Wardenclyffe: 3-4 PM - Belmez Entertainment at Tiniest Bar in Texas: 9 PM 3/16: SXSW - Austin, TX 3/18: The recordBar - Kansas City, MO (w/ Darwin Deez & Caged Animals) 3/21: Melody Inn - Indianapolis, IN 3/22: Double Door - Chicago, IL 3/23: Czar's 505 - St. Joseph, MI 3/24: The Loft - Lansing, MI 3/26: Beachland Tavern: Cleveland, OH 3/27: Howlers - Pittsburgh, PA 3/28: DBGB's - Buffalo, NY 3/29: Bug Jar - Rochester, NY 3/30: Hotel Utica Ballroom - Utica, NY 4/02: The Middle East Upstairs - Boston, MA 4/03: Brooklyn Bowl - New York, NY 4/05: The Bog - Scranton, PA 4/06: HMAC - Harrisburg, PA
Ivan & Alyosha will release their debut album, All The Times We Had, on February 26 via Missing Piece/Dualtone Music Group. The Seattle based band have released a video for the track "Running For Cover" which was directed by Christian Hansen. Check out the clip at the bottom of the post.
GIG ALERT! The band will make a stop in New York on April 18 at Santos Party House. Also on the bill, The Lone Bellow. All of the details are below.
Ivan & Alyosha with The Lone Bellow April 18 Santos Party House (upstairs) Doors @ 7 PM 16+Tickets: $10 ADV/$12 DOS
When Ivan & Alyosha's All The Times We Had is released on February 26th via Missing Piece/Dualtone Music Group it will be a rewarding high point in the Seattle four-piece's long journey so far as a band. They kick off the month of release with the Christian Hansen directed music video for their song "Running For Cover." Hear the album in full starting February 11th when All The Times We Had is featured on NPR's First Listen.
Polly Scattergood has unveiled "Wanderlust" a track from her upcoming studio album Arrows which is scheduled for release this summer via Mute. "Wanderlust" will be digitally available on April 1 with remixes from Charlie XCX and How To Dress Well.
Written during time spent in Berlin and Norfolk, this new track combines Scattergood’s trademark mix of storytelling and soul-searching; but also looks outwards and heavenwards, spinning sonic playfulness around while stretching for new skylines.
Today we have for you "Coke Beat" from The National Rifle. It's the first clip from their new album Almost Endless. The video directed by Brian Carroll. I dig the macro imagery, well except for the eyes ... I don't like close-up eye images; they're creepy. Check out the clip below and enjoy.
The band's fixation on macro photography and a focus on the creepy crawlies create a frenetic and captivating video for their first single "Coke Beat". Keyboardist Lynna explains the video, “Overall I think the concept is seeing things for what the truly are. Although I particularly like how the eyes kind of ‘freak out’ throughout the video because, to me, it represents how we are not always prepared for what we may find out.”
Junip expands the band’s stylistic palette with unexpected juxtapositions. “We’re somewhere between a German jazz band and an African pop band,” González cracks.
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