Friday, December 30, 2016

They May Be Gone...But The Music Lives On...

We lost a lot of performers in 2016 but the music lives on. Here, for your listening pleasure...


Alan Rickman
 Bernie Worrell

Carrie Fisher
David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie
Debbie Reynolds
Ed Harsch (The Black Crowes)
Florence Henderson
Gene Wilder
George Irving (Heat Miser)
George Michael
Glenn Frey (Eagles)
Glenn Frey
Keith Emerson and Greg Lake
(Emerson, Lake and Palmer)

Guy Clark
Leon Russell
Leonard Cohen
Maurice White
Natalie Cole
Patty Duke
Pete Burns (Dead or Alive)

Prince 


Prince 

Sharon Jones
Sharon Jones & Prince
Sharon Jones

Vanity 

Zsa Zsa Gabor

Farewell 2016!


It's that time once again...time to say goodbye to another year. 

My year...

I didn't really get out to see any live music. The only thing I made it out to was Newport Jazz and Folk. 

I didn't really buy much new music. Off the top of my head I bought David Bowie's Blackstar and The Heavy's Hurt & The Merciless. Both good albums. In both cases, I still find myself going back to their older works. I also picked up SATE's RedBlack&Blue and The Broadcast's From The Horizon. I'm sure there were a few more but that's off the top of my head.

That's not to say I didn't buy music. Most of it was used vinyl or shiny reissues. Notable reissues...Led Zeppelin - The Complete BBC Sessions box set. David Bowie's Bowie At The Beeb: The Best Of The BBC Radio Sessions '68-'72 box set, Hunky Dory, The Man Who Sold The World, Space Oddity and Pinups...yeah I listened to a lot of Bowie. Temple Of The Dog - Temple Of The Dog...still love this album. Metallica - Kill 'Em All...some will frown, but this has always been my favorite of theirs. There were a few others I can't think of off the top of my head.

I streamed a lot of movies and television...spent a lot of time streaming shows on the Acorn channel. I only made it out to the theatre once and that was to see Captain America Civil War...I streamed a lot of comic book movies this year.

I barely touched my camera this year. I've just not felt the inspiration. It will hit again one day, I suppose.

My little corner of the blog world turned eight this year. I didn't think I posted much to the blog but looking at my archives I posted more in 2016 than I ever have...who knew! Overall, I felt more than a bit of apathy this year.

Enough already 2016...stop being obnoxious 2016...just be over already 2016...I'm done with you 2016...I hate you 2016. Various forms of this have been seen all over social media. Some in regards to politics. Some in regards to death. For all of the people who felt the need to chastise folks for telling 2016 enough already...we all know that 2016 didn't pick up an implement of destruction and go on some rampant killing spree. It's just a common thread expression in response to sadness, disappointment, frustration and anger.

Being a presidential election year, I couldn't turn on the news or visit social media without some sort of political experience. I would say that this has been the most angry, hate filled election our country has had as far as I can remember. It was sad watching people I know, reasonably intelligent, normally reasonably sane people, turn vicious and at times childish. It will be a memorable election and I'm sure the coming four years will see more of each side at their worst.

There were a lot of celebrity deaths this year. Yes, I know, there are every year. But this year saw the loss of a lot of people who crossed genres, cultures and generations. Below are just a few of the losses. 


  • Alan Rickman (who stole my heart as Hans Gruber and kept it (Always) as Professor Snape and many other characters)
  • Alan Thicke
  • Anton Yelchin
  • Bernie Worrell
  • Carrie Fisher
  • David Bowie (so many hours of listening pleasure)
  • Debbie Reynolds
  • Ed Harsch (the Black Crowes were a big part of my music listening...my concert going life and his playing with them was a big part of countless listening sessions)
  • Florence Henderson 
  • Gene Wilder
  • George Irving voice of the Heat Miser (not a Christmas goes by without singing along with the Miser Brothers)
  • George Martin
  • George Michael (Careless Whisper is still my jam...anyone remember Wham Rap?)
  • Glenn Frey (I know more Eagles songs that I care to admit!)
  • Greg Lake
  • Guy Clark
  • Gwen Ifill
  • Harper Lee (I don't know how many times I've read To Kill A Mockingbird over the years)
  • Keith Emerson
  • Leon Russell
  • Leonard Cohen
  • Maurice White (one of the first live shows I ever remember seeing was Earth Wind & Fire)
  • Miss Cleo
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Natalie Cole (a childhood favorite...yes mom, I still sing a long in my outside voice)
  • Patty Duke (I can probably still sing the theme to The Patty Duke Show...watched those repeats endless times as a kid)
  • Pete Burns (You Spin Me Round is still my jam)
  • Prince (this loss, I think, made me the saddest)
  • Ron Glass
  • Sharon Jones 
  • Vanity
  • Zsa Zsa Gabor



Peace to these folks who entertained me in some way and to the many others not listed.

To all of you who have stopped by my little corner of the internet, thank you!

Cheers,
LaNita

Friday, December 2, 2016

Fences In Theatres, December 25

Denzel Washington and Viola Davis star in Fences...in theaters December 25 © Paramount Pictures 2016

Opening on Christmas Day, Fences (Paramount Pictures), the film adaption of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize winning play. The film is directed by and stars Denzel Washington. Joining him is Viola Davis reprising their roles from the 2010 Broadway revival. Check out the trailer below.

I saw the play when it was on Broadway starring James Earl Jones and Mary Alice. My mother and I have a bit of a tradition going to see August Wilson plays. I foresee us upholding our tradition with the film!

Synopsis:
Fences is the story of Troy Maxson, a mid-century Pittsburgh sanitation worker who once dreamed of a baseball career, but was too old when the major leagues began admitting black players. He tries to be a good husband and father, but his lost dream of glory eats at him, and causes him to make a decision that threatens to tear his family apart.

FENCES is directed by Denzel Washington from a screenplay by August Wilson, adapted from Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. The film stars Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Jovan Adepo, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, and Saniyya Sydney. The film is produced by Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington and Todd Black.

Futurebirds To Play Rough Trade NYC + Video


Futurebirds are set to take the stage at Rough Trade NYC on Tuesday, December 6. See below for more details.

Loamlands
Tuesday, December 6
64 N 9th Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
21+

Futurebirds released Portico I in November 2016 and you can pick it up HERE. Check out the video for the track "Only Here For Your Love" from the record below. Portico II will be released in early 2017.

Aly Tadros Releases New Record


Aly Tadros is releasing her new album Hungry Ghost today, December 2. Check out "This Is How You Lose Her" from the album below.


Hungry Ghost is void of tongue-and-cheek communication, with songs inspired by overcoming alcoholism, the death of her father, relationships and more. Produced by Kevin Salem (Rachael Yamagata, Yo la Tengo, Mike Doughty) and Tadros herself, the album follows debut Things Worth Keeping (2009), 2013's The Fits and a whopping ten U.S. and four European tours.

The title Hungry Ghost, is borrowed from Buddhism. A "hungry ghost" is an insatiable creature, with a bowling ball-sized belly and pin-sized mouth; and though they are hollow, transparent beings they have a crippling appetites.


Hungry Ghost can be picked up HERE.


Nikki Lane To Release New Album + NY Show

Photo credit: Jessica Lehrman

Nikki Lane is set to release her latest album, Highway Queen, on February 17. Check out the video for the title track, "Highway Queen" below. 

Highway Queen can be pre-ordered HERE.

New York, Nikki Lane will be in Brooklyn at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 2. Tickets go on-sale today at 10AM. See below for more details.

Brent Cobb / Jonathan Tyler
Thursday, March 2
66 North 6th Street
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM
18+


Saturday, November 12, 2016

The Dig To Release New Album In February + Video


The Dig are set to release their new album, Bloodshot Tokyo, via Roll Call Records in February. They recently shared the video from their new single, "Simple Love". Check it out below.

“In the past I think we’ve tried to create a mindset of writing ‘for The Dig’”, says guitarist/keyboard playing Erick Eiser, “So as to create something cohesive. This time I think we really freed ourselves from that, and just wrote.” They made the most of their interconnectedness as a way to push themselves forward, writing what singer and bassist Emile Mosseri describes as “elaborate demos” for most of the songs. Arrangements were fully worked out, ideas were explored and re-explored before they sat down to record. Emile continues, “It’s not hard to write songs separately, but there’s a thing that happens where I’ll sometimes have the other guys in my head, even when I’m writing by myself. So in a way, we’re kind of always writing together even when we’re writing alone. We all grew up playing in different bands together since we were little kids, and have toured with and were inspired by all kinds of different bands for years. We did all this together, and I feel like writing this record was the sum of all those years. It’s the most wide spanning stylistically and colorful of our records, and also sounds the most like us.”


The Falling Birds Release New Song


Check out "Anything Worse" from The Falling Birds. The song is from their upcoming EP, What Is There To Talk About which is set for release in early 2017.


Friday, November 11, 2016

Squirrel Nut Zippers To Play Highline Ballroom, January 7


Davina & The Vagabonds
Saturday, January 7
431 W 16th Street
New York, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 8PM

Squirrel Nut Zippers released the 20th Anniversary remastered edition of Hot in July 2016. You can pick it up HERE.

Jess Williamson Releases New Video and Album

Photo credit: Mikaylah Bowman

Check out "See You In A Dream" from Jess Williamson.  The track is from her recently released album Heart Song.

Heart Song was released on November 4. You can pick it up HERE.

Thursday, November 10, 2016

The Secret Sisters Announce Christmas Tour


The Secret Sisters are hitting the road to perform original and Christmas classics. They'll be making a stop in New York at City Winery on Monday, December 5. See below for more details and dates.


Monday, December 5
155 Varick Street
New York, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 7PM


You can pre-order their upcoming album HERE.

Tour Dates

  • Wednesday, November 30   -   City Winery Atlanta   -   Atlanta, GA
  • Thursday, December 1   -   Lindsley Avenue Church of Christ   -   Nashville, TN 
  • Friday, December 2   -   Christmas Tree Lighting   -   Montgomery, AL
  • Saturday, December 3   -   Shoals Community Theater   -   Florence, AL
  • Monday, December 5   -   New York City Winery   -   New York, NY
  • Tuesday, December 6   -    189 Public House   -   East Aurora, NY 
  • Thursday, December 8   -   World Cafe Live   -   Wilmington, DE
  • Monday, December 12   -   Schubas Tavern   -   Chicago, IL
  • Wednesday, December 14   -   The Foundry   -   Athens, GA
  • Thursday, December 15   -   Neighborhood Theatre   -   Charlotte, NC
  • Sunday, December 18   -   The Grey Eagle   -   Asheville, NC 

Yale Naim To Play Highline Ballroom, December 8


Jesse Ruben
Thursday, December 8
431 W 16th Street
New York, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 8PM

Yale Naim released Older in September 2016. You can pick it up HERE.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

New Single and Video From ADLT VDEO

Photo credit: Hussein Katz

ADLT VDEO released a video for their new single "Break"; you can pick up the single HERE. Check out the Ryan Browne directed clip below.

Bettye LaVette To Play City Winery, January 29


Sunday, January 29
155 Varick Street
New York, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 8PM

Bettye LaVette released Worthy in January 2015. You can pick it up HERE.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Radclyffe Hall - "The Throne"


Check out "The Throne" from Radcliffe Hall.  The track features Kiran Gandhi.


Radcliffe Hall released Ghosts in June 2016. You can pick it up HERE.

CRX To Play The Bowery Ballroom, November 18

Photo credit: Amanda de Cadenet

Friday, November 18
6 Delancey Street
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
18+

CRX released New Skin in October 2016. You can pick it up HERE.

Streets of Laredo released their album Wild in October 2016. You can pick it up HERE.


Saturday, November 5, 2016

Friday, November 4, 2016

Bonnie Whitmore Releases New Album And Video


Austin based Bonnie Whitmore released her new album, Fuck With Sad Girls, last week, October 28.  Check out the video for the Curtis Wayne Millard directed video for the title track below.


Austin,TX-based Americana-rock group, Bonnie Whitmore and Her Band, drop the title track/video from their upcoming album, F*ck with Sad Girls, due out October 28th. Recorded at Austin's Ramble Creek by Britton Beisenherz (The Swindle Boys, The Fox and the Bird, Matt Powell), the ten tracks tell a story and, in one way or another, boldly address the stigma placed on "imperfect" women.

You can pick up Fuck With Sad Girls HERE.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Japandroids To Release New Album In January + New Single

Photo credit: Leigh Righton

Japandroids are set to release their new album, Near To The Wild Heart Of Life on January 27. Check out the title track from the upcoming album below. You can pre-order the album HERE.

Near To The Wild Heart Of Life, was written clandestinely throughout 2014 and 2015 in Vancouver, Toronto, New Orleans, and Mexico City. It was (mostly) recorded by Jesse Gander (who had previously recorded both Post-Nothing and Celebration Rock) at Rain City Recorders in Vancouver, BC (September-November, 2015). One song, "True Love And A Free Life Of Free Will," was recorded by Damian Taylor during an exploratory recording session at Golden Ratio in Montreal, QC (February, 2015). The album was mixed by Peter Katis at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport, CT (May, 2016) and mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound in New York, NY (July, 2016).


Track List
  • Near To The Wild Heart Of Life
  • North East South West
  • True Love And A Free Life Of Free Will
  • I'm Sorry (For Not Finding You Sooner)
  • Arc Of Bar
  • Midnight To Morning
  • No Known Drink Or Drug
  • In A Body Like A Grave

June Divided To Play The Bell House, November 10


June Divided will be in Brooklyn at The Bell House on Thursday, November 10 supporting Lydia.  See below for more details.

Thursday, November 10
149 7th Street 
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM
All Ages


Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Video: Alpha Pi - "Think About Me"


Check out "Think About Me" from Brisbane band Alpha Pi.

Vaudevileins To Release New Album + Upcoming Show


Chicago's Vaudevileins are set to release their upcoming album, Magician, on November 18. You can check out the first single, "Sea Anemone", below.

NYC, they will be at Cake Shop on Monday, November 7. See below for more details.


Monday, November 7
152 Ludlow Street
New York, NY
Doors: 8PM
21+

Pre-order Magician HERE.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Upcoming: Samantha Fish at Highline Ballroom, November 5


Samantha Fish will be taking the stage at the Highline Ballroom on Saturday, November 5. See below for more details and tour dates. 

Lighting Malcolm
Saturday, November 5
431 W 16th Street (btw 9th & 10th Ave)
New York, NY
Doors: 6PM / Show: 7PM

Samantha Fish released Wild Heart in July 2015. You can pick it up HERE.

Samantha Fish "Lay It Down" from Mark Bergeron on Vimeo.


Tour Dates

11/03/16 
Pawling, NY
Daryl’s House Club

11/04/16 
Bay Shore, NY
Boulton Center for the Performing Arts

11/05/16 
New York, NY
Highline Ballroom

11/06/16 
Sellersville, PA
Sellersville Theater

11/09/16 
Fall River, MA
Narrows Center For The Arts

11/10/16 
Shirley, MA
Bull Run Restaurant

11/11/16 
Blairstown, NJ
Roy’s Hall

11/12/16 
Wyomissing, PA
Building 24

11/15/16 
Washington, DC
The Hamilton

11/16/16 
Harrisonburg, VA
Clementine Cafe

11/17/16 
Durham, NC
The Blue Note

11/18/16 
Blacksburg, VA
The Lyric Theatre

11/19/16 
Charlotte, NC
Neighborhood Theatre

Friday, October 28, 2016

Upcoming: Shonen Knife at Knitting Factory on 10/31


Narc Twain / Human People
Monday, October 31
361 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 8PM / Show: 9PM
All Ages

Shone Knife released Adventure in April 2016. You can pick it up HERE. Check out the video for "Jump Into The New World" from the album below.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Video: The Last Shadow Puppets - "Is This What You Wanted"


The Last Shadow Puppets are set to release a new record The Dream Synopsis EP. The EP includes new versions of two songs from their album Everything You've Come To Expect plus four cover songs. They recently released a video for their cover of Leonard Cohen's "Is This What You Wanted". Check out the Ben Chappell and Aaron Brown directed clip below.

The Dream Synopsis EP is set to be released on December 2.  You can pick it up HERE.

Track List

  • Aviation 
  • Les Cactus - original by Jacques Dutronc 
  • Totally Wired – original by The Fall 
  • This Is Your Life – original by Glaxo Babies 
  • Is This What You Wanted – original by Leonard Cohen
  • The Dream Synopsis


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

TONIGHT: Seratones at Knitting Factory - Brooklyn

Photo Credit : Chad Kamenshine

The Seratones will be in Brooklyn tonight. See below for details.

Alexander F
Wednesday, October 19
361 Metropolitan Avenue
Brooklyn, NY
Doors: 7PM / Show: 8PM
All Ages

The Seratones released their album Get Gone in May 2016. You can pick it up HERE.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

The Pretty Reckless To Release New Album + NY Show Details


The Pretty Reckless are set to release their third studio album, Who You Selling For, on October 21. They will be hitting the road in support of the record, making a stop in New York at Terminal 5. See below for more details and tour dates.

Holy White Hounds / Them Evils
Wednesday, November 16
610 W 56th Street
New York, NY
All Ages

The Pretty Reckless's extraordinary third studio album Who You Selling For is set for release on October 21. Produced by longtime collaborator Kato Khandwala, Who You Selling For expands the band's sound to encompass soul, blues and rock and roll. The songs were written by front woman Taylor Momsen and guitarist Ben Phillips. Momsen's dark lyrics and raw, charismatic vocals are on full display and the band delivers at full intensity with a level of musicianship that raises the bar.

The Pretty Reckless recently released a video for the single "Take Me Down" from the upcoming release...you can pre-order the album HERE. The clip was directed by Meiert Avis. Check it out.


Tour Dates: 
  • October 20 Tulsa, OK                        Brady Theater (Wizard World)
  • October 22 Elverta, CA             Discover Park (Aftershock Festival)
  • October 23 Las Vegas, NV             House of Blues
  • October 24 Scottsdale, AZ             Livewire
  • October 26 Lubbock, TX             Wild West
  • October 27 Dallas, TX                         Gas Monkey Live!
  • October 29 New Orleans, LA              City Park (Voodoo Festival)
  • October 30 Houston, TX              House of Blues
  • November 1 Atlanta, GA              The Buckhead Theatre
  • November 3 Ft. Lauderdale, FL   Revolution Live
  • November 4 Orlando, FL              House of Blues
  • November 5 Destin, FL                          Club LA
  • November 7 Nashville, TN               Cannery Ballroom
  • November 10 Detroit, MI                   St. Andrews Hall
  • November 11 Chicago, IL           House of Blues
  • November 12 Cleveland, OH           House of Blues
  • November 13 Toronto, ON           The Phoenix Concert Theater
  • November 15 Boston, MA           Paradise Rock Club
  • November 16 New York, NY           Terminal 5
  • November 18 Baltimore, MD           Rams Head Live!
  • November 19 Niagara Falls, NY   The Rapids Theater
  • November 21 Omaha, NE           Sokol Auditorium
  • November 22 Clive, IA                   7 Flags Event Center
  • November 23 Minneapolis, MN           Myth Live Event Center
  • November 25 Green Bay, WI           The Sandlot Entertainment Complex
  • November 26 Sioux City, IA           Anthem @ Hard Rock
  • November 28 Denver, CO           The Ogden Theatre
  • November 30 Salt Lake City, UT   The Depot
  • December 1 Boise, ID                   Knitting Factory
  • December 2 Seattle, WA           The Showbox
  • December 3 Portland, OR           The Roseland Theater
  • December 6 Los Angeles, CA           Mayan Theatre