• Music
• Entertainment
• Books
• Technology
• Help/Environment
• Wellness
• Life Banter

Okay, it's not Flickr, but it does use the Flickr sharing service to import related photos to the music you are streaming. But it's not just photographs, it's images artists that are linked to their music! It streams music of the people you choose. Very cool, it's like getting free music that goes beyond the indie artists. Yes, that means you can get a stream of even people like Fergie. Oh gracious. I can already tell I'm going to have a lot of fun with this little application. Spread the word!

This one is for Yellowcard, compiling the photos with music like a slide show. It's bloody brilliant! Free music and a show, very entertaining while also being legal and allowing artists to promote their music in a new way!




Disclosure:
This post is sponsored.

Labels: music, playlist

And really, just don't come back...I don't know why the rhyme says to come again another day. Haha.

Some rain related songs for you on this blue Monday morning.

OurAfter - "Rain" (mp3)

Jane Olivor - "Come In From the Rain" (mp3)

Club 8 - "Spring Came, Rain Fell" (mp3)

Labels: music

Frisbie.

Who knew when I started playing their music, it would sound like rock from decades ago? It does, to me it's like Cheap Trick modernized with a little Wolf Parade or The Posies.

Their New Debut album is releasing on Appendix Records, July 17, 2007. I don't like the cover art, it freaks me out, it's like that little boy from the movie "Omen." Yes, that black and white baby face is their cover art...but I shall not judge the record by it's sleeve... =o)

Gerald - Drums, Grinning, Liam - Guitar, Singing, Marcin - Keyboards, Thumbless Snapping, Matt - Bass, Espresso and Steve - Singing, Guitar. (As taken from their MySpace page...some one is a clever smart@ss. I love it!)

So with the grinning and the thumbless snapping, sit back, sip your espresso and enjoy Frisbie.

Listen:
Frisbie - "New Debut" (mp3)
Frisbie - "S.F.B." (mp3)

You can buy their upcoming album and some of their older material on their MySpace page via Snocap. Or you can hop on over to CD Baby.

Labels: Frisbies, music

Because you said you had never heard of "Straylight Run" and it made me sad.

"Straylight Run" is a favorite of mine. I have seen them live, seems like ages ago since then, but they were perfect. Perfect.

Brother and sister talents extraordinaire, John Nolan (previously from "Taking Back Sunday") and Michelle Nolan both play the piano, guitar and share vocals, Shaun Cooper is the bassist and Will Noon is on the drums. Their older materials is far calmer and brooding than their new material, but both sides of Straylight Run are fantastic.

Their new album The Needles The Space will be in stores on June 19th!! They are currently on tour with Sparta and Love Drug.

Listen:
Straylight Run - "The Miracle That Never Came" (mp3)

The Needles The Space Track listing
"The Words We Say"
"The Miracle That Never Came"
"Soon We'll be Living in the Future"
"How Do I Fix My Head"
"Who Will Save Us Now"
"Cover Your Eyes"
"We'll Never Leave Again"
"Take It To Manhattan"
"Still Alone"
"This is the End"
"Buttoned Down"
"Track #12"
"The First of This Century"

Labels: advanced, music, Straylight Run

In case you didn't see yesterday, The Goo Goo Dolls have posted their track "Fiction (Before It's Too Late)" from "The Transformers soundtrack" on their MySpace page. Seems that some people aren't too thrilled with it, but I really like it.

Secondly, it is finally Friday and boy what a week it has been.

And I am exhausted!

So here are some sleepy-themed songs for you.

Something For Kate - "Song For A Sleepwalker" (mp3)
The Cardigans - "03.45: No Sleep" (mp3)
I'm From Barcelona - "Oversleeping" (mp3)

And the adorable sleepy time image is from a brilliant digital illustrator shiii-kun.

Labels: music, music news

Jeepers, I can't remember New Music Tuesday and now I'm forgetting Advanced Music Wednesday.

Coming up:

Datarock - "The New Song" (mp3)
Their new album is releasing on June 12th

Matt Pond PA - "Magic Boyfriend" (mp3)
Matt Pond PA - "If You Want Blood" (mp3)
They are releasing a new limited-edition EP on June 19th. Interested parties...matt pond PA will release Last Light on September 25th.

Art Brut - "People In Love" (mp3)
His new album comes on out July 19th, if you pre-order you get a snazzy poster.

The White Stripes new album will release in the US on June 19th. The track originally up here is apparently so special they don't want me to share it, so it has been removed as requested. You can visit their website to stream new music.

Labels: advanced, music

"Jets Overhead" is a band I just got turned onto which makes me sad, because I have been missing out. So you've got to give them a listen; deprivation is not cool.

The group consisting of Adam Kittredge - Vocals/Guitar, Jocelyn Greenwood - Bass/Guitar, Piers Henwood - Guitar/Keyboards, Antonia Freybe-Smith - Vocals and Luke Renshaw - Drums, are from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Late last month, "Jets Overhead" were featured in the L.A. Times. You can get their music at eMusic. You can also grab some snippets from their website.

Their music reminds me a little bit of "The Dandy Warhols" but I really, really don't like doing comparisons. Their album Bridges is just brilliant. So you should absolutely grab some tracks.

Take a listen:
Jets Overhead - "Life's A Song" (mp3)
Jets Overhead - "Killing Time" (mp3)

Labels: Jets Overhead, music

Alright so the pun was totally intended. I'm definitely easily amused, so laugh at that. =o)

I've noticed there are a million bands named JUSTICE. Maybe not a million, but definitely several. WHY!? Piggy backing on a band name is just so silly and frustrating.

There is a Christian rock band named JUSTICE.
JUSTICE - "Let There Be Light" (mp3)

And then there is this funky trip hop group named J.U.S.T.I.C.E
J.U.S.T.I.C.E - "Dance- mstrkrft remix" (mp3)

Labels: Justice, music

I've been hearing a lot about Architecture in Helsinki, but there has been so much going on in the entertainment world that I have been slacking on listening to their music.

They put out a new EP Heart of Races on June 5th and their full-length comes out in August, it will be titled Places Like This. Polyvinyl Records says the EP "paves the way for a much bigger and brighter picture on their new album."

Anyway, in support of their new albums they are touring parts of the US, with one show in Canada. Of the 10 states they plan on visiting, Philly is one of them WOOHOO! and they'll be at the Starlight Ballroom on June 9th.

Take a listen:
Architecture in Helsinki - "Heart it Races" (mp3)

Tour dates:
6/07 Boston, MA @ Middle East
6/08 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
6/09 Philadelphia, PA @ Starlight Ballroom
6/10 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
6/11 Chicago, IL @ Logan Square Auditorium
6/13 Seattle, WA @ Neumo's
6/14 Vancouver, CAN @ Richards on Richards
6/15 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
6/16 San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo's 365 Club
6/18 Pomona, CA @ Glasshouse
6/19 Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre

Labels: Architecture in Helsinki, music

Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo producedd and co-arranged a record for James Jackson Toth and Jessica Toth of "Wooden Wand." And with the help of Jarvis Taveniere, DM Seidel, Jeremy Earl, Steve Shelley and Ranaldo himself, "Wooden Wand" will be releasing a remarkable album, James & the Quiet on June 12, 2007.It's dark, it's heavy and there's an old-fashioned rock to the music with a mingling of an electric guitar, piano and Toth's voice steering country.

Listen here:
Wooden Wand - "The Pushers (Morning Version)" (mp3)
Wooden Wand - "Portrait in the Clouds" (mp3)

Labels: music, Wooden Wand

I just heard one of my favorite songs shuffling through my iTunes mix. It brings me such happy thoughts when I hear "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police. The song is on disc two of the new Police CD, which is a compilation of some of their greatest and most timeless hits.

This song was written in 1976, but not released until 1981, which just happens to be the year I was born. ;o) And like all music The Police release, it's just incredible! This song originally was a track on Strontium 90: Police Academy. The crystal chiming of the piano in this song is what makes it so catchy. It also has quite a reggae influence if you listen both in the "e-oh-oh" string and the written lyrics:

Every little thing she does is magic
Everything she do just turns me on
Even though my life before was tragic
Now I know my love for her goes on

You can hear cross influences between The Police, Phil Collins, U2 and The Moody Blues who are all known for their classic music. The Police raised the bar for pop artists and British artists with their enlivened and robust music that is truly an instrumental workout! You'll hear it on the latest Police CD.

Labels: magic, music, the police

Well it will be part of the afternoon and into the evening...and a late night.
We're heading up to North Philly for two super fun reasons.

1. The Art Star Gallery is having a craft fair type thing and I'm covering the piece for VENUS. If y'all head up that way you should stop by this weekend at some point. They are open until 7 p.m. today.

2. The National is playing at Johnny Brenda's and we've got four tickets! Fun times, I am super psyched. I hope they play "Green Gloves" but anything will be awesome!

Grab the "Green Gloves" mp3 above...

And here are some other fun tracks for ya!

Chemistry - "About You" (mp3)

Spoon - "Chips and Dip" (mp3)

Labels: Chemistry, music, The National

It's indie, alternative, rock from shoegaze "People Noise."

And their album is Ordinary Ghosts.

But there is nothing ordinary about their melancholy music and trifling riffs.

Zeke Buck and Matt Johnson are the core foundation. On stage they add Rahman McGinnis, Mike Dufresne and Woody Woodmansee.

Listen:
People Noise - "A Million Lives" (mp3)
People Noise - "The Killing Fields" (mp3)
People Noise - "Pretty Things" (mp3)

And you can buy more of their music on their MySpace page.

Labels: music, People Noise

My rock star in the making is three years old.

His name is Braeden, I call him Brae when he is being good. ;o)

So while sifting through new music he often pipes up and mentions whether he likes something or not. He has a good ear; I like to think he takes after his mama.

"Bullets Can't Kill Danny" from Livermore, California...Brae likes your music. I've been listening to your song "Tornadoes" and at one point I turned it down a bit, but when I did Brae asked me to turn it back up. Consider this a standing ovation.

Don't be fooled by the cuteness of this post. "Tornadoes" is not childlike in any way, shape or form. I'm guessing it will never make it to the Disney channel (sorry guys).

Read more at Indie Music Xposed!

Labels: Bullets Can't Kill Danny, music, rock

Tonight I started sifting through the files and files of new music that is in my inbox, on my flash drives and on my desk...

And that voice enchanted me.

Nina Gordon.

I wish I could sound like her; if I could I would sing all weekend long.

Anyway Nina Gordon is not a newbie. She co-founded Veruca Salt and then left them in 1998. Afterwards she began her solo career and has released three albums on her own. In 2004 she was working on an album Even the Sunbeams, but she never released the record. WHY!

The only song that leaked was "Lighter on the Moon." Fortunately another couple songs have surfaced, one of which is "The Bright Side" and it's got this airy, blues sound; it is almost seductive in the beginning and then about 1 minute and 30 seconds into the track it hits a heavier rocky sound that totally pulls the rug out from under your feet so put down the wine, this is not a love song anymore! It goes up and down from then on out, reminds me a lot of Tina Dico (who I absolutely adore).

I think you'll like her.

Take a listen.

Nina Gordon - "Lighter on the Moon" (mp3)
Nina Gordon - "The Bright Side" (mp3)

And buy the music!

Labels: music, Nina Gordon

Or is it?

New?

Well, maybe new to you.

Because we all dream of being a little bit rock.

Sufjan Stevens - "In The Words Of The Governor" (mp3)

Sufjan Stevens - "Waste of What Your Kids Won't Have" (mp3)

Labels: music, new

Today is the last day of May.

We're quickly heading into summer and out of spring.

So here's a song for you while it still complies.

Apples in Stereo - "Avril en Mai" (mp3)

Buy Apples in Stereo music!

You've heard about 65daysofstatic, right? I hope so, but if not lemme tell you just a little bit. This is their 6th year out and they reside in Sheffield, England. They have three full length albums and their most recent work is The Destruction of Small Ideas which was released on May 1, 2007 in the US.

And though I can totally picture the song "When We Were Younger & Better" on the soundtrack of a horror flick thanks to the haunting bells; I still absolutely love the song.

65daysofstatic - "When We Were Younger & Better" (mp3)

Gemma Hayes, I love you. It's true. I do. Thank you for saying everything I can't seem to articulate.

Gemma Hayes - "Perfect Day" (mp3)

Labels: music

It's only an EP and I'm completely enthralled.

Plushgun is essentially one person; Dan Ingala. He's brilliant! You can tell that he lives and breathes this music. From New York, New York he kind of just popped up on the scene and quite frankly he made an instant fan of me.

A select few will know why I love one of their songs in particular, but all of the tracks on this EP are excellent. It's soft, it's catchy, it's got the synthesizers and the keyboards. I love it! I am all about the whole progressive feeling their music projects. It has rock and pop components mingled in with amazingly produced electric mixes that make you want to dance.

Listen:

Plushgun - "An Aria" (mp3)

Plushgun - "The Dark in You" (mp3)

Plushgun - "How We Roll" (mp3)

You can buy more tracks on his MySpace page and you so should!

Labels: music

Brett's album has been burning a hole in my pocket for weeks now. Hmm. No. Not my pocket, but it's been waiting for me to write something about it for weeks now.

Brett Ryan Stewart is a talented and under appreciated artist originally from Delaware. And there isn't a better time to start the hype about him since he just launched a new music video. In addition, one of his songs is #144 out of 1,855 "Songs of the Times" on Neil Young's website. How wicked cool is that?

We have his older brother and his uncle to thank for his passion of good music. His brother left him a plethora of vinyl records when they were younger. Brett spent many a night by his turntable, building a dream about making his own records while listening to Harvest, Who's Next, Bridge Over Troubled Water... Thanks to his uncle, his music style also reflects a deep respect for the likes of Johnny Cash and Leonard Cohen.

Brett Ryan Stewart moves to Nashville in 2006 and his career is unfolding beautifully. Necessary Lies is Brett's first full length album and it is more than just the potential for success. Most singer/songwriters put out a first album in a rush due to their excitement and impatience; not Brett. The album brings with it everything he has to offer as a person. Brett says, "I think it's evident that it comes from many places. For me, this album culminates my experiences of heartache and loneliness, my disgust with the current political landscape, and all the human deception that makes life so damn fragile."

His love for childhood vinyls is evident; and brilliantly so for that matter. This music is good, old-fashioned folk rock with well-timed modern twists and exhilarating rifts.

Take a listen:
Brett Ryan Stewart - "Face to Face" (mp3)
Brett Ryan Stewart - "Don't You Ever" (mp3)

Buy his album!

Labels: music

Yes, I know, yesterday was new music Tuesday. But didn't I promise you Wednesday advances? Because advanced is way cooler than day of...? Right?

Harrisons - "Dear Constable" (mp3)
(buy the album Dear Constables it will be out on June 4th!)

Ryan Adams - "Everybody Knows" (mp3)
(buy the album Easy Tiger it will be out on June 5th!)

Amestory - "The Love, The Ocean Floor" (mp3)
(buy the album They Can Sing, They Can Sing, They Can Sing Underwater it will be out on June 12th!)

Misha - "Weatherbees" (mp3)
(buy the album Teardrop Sweetheart it will be out on June 19th!)

Labels: advanced, music, new releases

Someone teach me the dance to this song.

I want to learn how to dance to "Thriller." It's such a fun song and an even cooler dance. Especially since I love the movie "13 Going On 30" and they do a wicked rendition of the dance in that movie!

Ben Gibbard - "Thriller" (mp3)

And for something new and um uncovered...? (Yeah, I'm tired, I told you)

The New Pornographers - "My Rights Versus Yours" (mp3)

Peel - "In The City" (mp3)

Labels: music

Oh you know her, don't act like you don't.

Pea soup puke ALL over the place.

Linda Blair is the little girl who was in the Exorcist. A movie I absolutely loathe and will never own. I was SO UPSET by that movie when I saw it in the theater after they put back in the awful cut footage. I wish I had walked out of the theater.

Anyway.

The Mountain Goats wrote a song about her.

The Mountain Goats - "Linda Blair Was Born Innocent" (mp3)

The band is on four, count them..FOUR different labels. 4AD Records, Shrimper Records, Emperor Jones Records and 3 Beads of Sweat Records. John Darnielle and Peter Hughes are the primary members, but others have helped out along the way including Jon Wurster and former member Rachel Ware. They have over 15 full length albums which span nearly two decades.

Mmmm...that's really all I know and I'm tired so that's all you're getting tonight. =o)

Labels: music

The Police are touring and of course this means a lot of fans spanning generations are scurrying around trying to find tickets to sold out concerts. I'm trying. I've been trying and so far the search has been futile.

Perhaps this is why The Police are giving away 100 copies of their latest CD. I must have this album. It's a double disc and the track listing is all of my favorites, because it is all of their classics. Not that The Police ever put out a bad song, that's just absurd.

Track Listings

Disc: 1 1. Fallout 2. Can't Stand Losing You 3. Next to You 4. Roxanne 5. Truth Hits Everybody 6. Hole in My Life 7. So Lonely 8. Message in a Bottle 9. Reggatta de Blanc 10. Bring on the Night 11. Walking on the Moon 12. Don't Stand So Close to Me 13. Driven to Tears 14. Canary in a Coalmine

Disc: 2 1. Do Do Do de da da Da 2. Voices Inside My Head 3. Invisible Sun 4. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic 5. Spirits in the Material World 6. Demolition Man 7. Every Breath You Take 8. Synchronicity I 9. Wrapped Around Your Finger 10. Walking in Your Footsteps 11. Synchronicity II 12. King of Pain 13. Murder by Numbers 14. Tea in the Sahara

So I'm hoping to win one of these Police CDs but we all know even if I don't win, I'll find some way to scoop it up, it's a MUST HAVE. Especially for those of us who haven't gotten their hands on tickets for one of the worldwide tour shows.

Growing up one of the things my Dad and I always had in common is our love for music. The Police were one of the first bands he got me into along with Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Queen, Boston and Journey. These bands cannot be matched by any modern day band. Not by a long shot. And for me The Police are even more special because one of my all time favorites songs is "Everything Little Thing She Does is Magic." That track is definitely a classics and it is on disc 2 of this new album. You just don't even understand how much I love that song. Along with "Tiny Dance" by Elton John, those songs would be on the soundtrack of my life. Seriously. They bring me to a happy place with wonderful memories.

Do I even have to mention Sting? I mean all three members of the band Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland are absolutely brilliant muscians. So when they reunited for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards it was unmissable. THEN TO ANNOUNCE A WORLD-WIDE TOUR! Holy mackenzie! It's a dream come true. So keep trying to get tickets and definitely make sure to get the new Police CD.


Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by The Police.

Labels: music, new releases, the police

We went to see the third and fabulous Pirates movie.

I so heart Johnny Depp.

I so heart pirates!

Music for you!

The A-Sides - "Jump Back Jack" (mp3)

Billy Joel - "Captain Jack" (mp3)

Alela Diane - "Something's Gone Awry" (mp3 from her Pirate's Gospel album)

Barefoot Truth - "The Ocean" (mp3)

Labels: music

The MTV Movie Awards are Sunday, June 3, 2007 at 8 p.m. I do love my movies, but movie awards normally let me down. This year though I may need to watch because of only TWO performers picked up to sing, Amy Winehouse is one of them. This will be the British singer's first live performance in the U.S. I guess it is safe to say her single "Rehab" is now internationally acclaimed.

Amy Winehouse is the highest debuting British female artist in the history of the coveted U.S. albums Billboard chart standing at an impressive #7.

Amy Winehouse - "You Know I'm No Good" (mp3)

Labels: Amy Winehouse, MTV, music

Sorry this isn't hitting Bring Me Up until right now, but I did get the interview yesterday afternoon and I did get it published at Indie Music Xposed before this dreaded stomach flu hit me.

And so now I have crawled to my PC to update the blog.

Here's an excerpt from the interview write-up.
Please head on over to Indie Music Xposed for the full article!

It's not often you get to talk with an awesome band only a few weeks before their new album is going to be released by Mint Records. "Immaculate Machine" made time to talk with me so I could let you know more about who they are and what's going on in their world.

I could hear the cars passing by in Victoria, British Columbia while we were talking on the phone. "Immaculate Machine" has been causing quite a stir not only on music blogs, but also with the music community as a whole. Their new album Fables comes out on June 12th and then they will begin a summer tour traveling all of North America and then heading over to Europe.

Get the scoop at Indie Music Xposed!

Labels: Immaculate Machine, Indie, interview, music

And if you know me than you know this has been an especially difficult week.
Very long, very tiring and well, just tense.

Thank God for music, right?

I'm going to post some tracks for your listening pleasure.
This afternoon I'm talking with "Immaculate Machine" so an interview/article will be in the making and I'm hoping to post that tonight. Be sure to check back.

Embrace - "Gravity" (mp3)

Emiliana Torrini - "Sunny Road" (mp3)

Immaculate Machine - "Broken Ship" (mp3)

Labels: Immaculate Machine, Indie, music

It's lunch time. So I thought I'd include some music fun on my break.

Two new articles up on Spacelab for you to check out.

This is about the new Okkervil album:
Okkervil River Brings Us The Stage Names

And this is kind of "a big deal" piece for me:
Amazon.com Makes Bold DRM-free Move

So that is exciting news.

You can also head over to Indie Music Xposed to read up on Mach Schau and White Rabbits while also perusing other news and listening to emerging new artists music.

I've been listening to "Boys Like Girls" a lot lately. Their self-titled album came out on August 22, 2006 and clearly I missed it then, but am so up to speed now.

Their song "Thunder" is my current favorite. Specifically for these lyrics:

I dont wanna ever love another
Youll always be my thunder
So bring on the rain

But also because the whole vibe from the song is perfect.

Martin Johnson, John Keefe, Bryan Donahue and Paul DiGiovanni are from Boston, MA. They kind of sound like Dashboard Confessionals or Saves the Day; both of which I love so this is a compliment I assure you.

They are currently on tour with "Hellogoodbye" and then they will be on the road for the Vans Warped Tour all the way through the end of August.

Take a listen:
Boys Like Girls - "Thunder" (mp3)

Labels: music, music news

Wednesday mornings require catchy, peppy, funky and all around exciting music, don't you think?

Think something eerie and yet whimsical...think Tim Burton.

Mike Acreman, Brian Bauer, Graham Norwood, David Ostrem and Bryan Scary of "Bryan Scary and The Shredding Tears" can take care of all that in one swoop with their new album The Shredding Tears. Scary's music is contagious, you'll find yourself pressing repeat once the song ends. Comparable to the experimental sounds of "The Foundry Field Recordings" I am highly impressed that the album comes to us having been completely produced by Bryan Scary himself. It was mixed close to home by Brian McTear at Miner Street Studios, Philadelphia, PA. The band is one of four groups on the Black and Green Record label.

Beginning on Memorial Day in New York they will be touring the country. On June 24th you'll be able to see them live in Philly at the Manhattan Room.

Take a listen:
Bryan Scary and The Shredding Tears - "Misery Loves Company" (mp3)
Bryan Scary and The Shredding Tears - "Desdemona's Leaving Town" (mp3)

And of course BUY IT!

Labels: music

Why has Matt Nathanson never been hyped like other artists? He's been around for a good ten years so maybe I just missed all the fuss, but I feel like we should pretend he is new just so people start talking again!

When I have iTunes on at work and it's shuffling through the massive collection there is never a time when one of his songs comes on and I don't immediately stop and think to myself how great that song sounds. It doesn't matter which song. Right away I know it is Matt Nathanson and right away I feel happy to be listening to it.

Matt Nathanson - "Curve of the Earth" (mp3)

And buy his albums!

Labels: music

As if you needed another reason to love the movie "Stranger Than Fiction" starring Will Ferrel. There is a Spoon track in the movie and it RAWKS!

Spoon - "The Book to Write" (mp3)

Yesterday was a horrible day. Sorry for not posting, but I couldn't find the will in me to make the effort. It was a very bad day. But it's got to get better and I would appreciate any prayers or positive thoughts you can send this way.

Actual Tigers - "Bad Day" (mp3)

Labels: music

This Tuesday, May 22nd, Kate Voegele will be releasing her new album Don't Look Away. She is currently being featured on MySpace which is how I stumbled onto her music. For looking as young as she does, I really think she is amazing.

She has a rock/pop sound. She is more rock than Hillary Duff for sure, but the stories in her lyrics are Duff-like. The best thing is that Voegele is a great guitarist. So she adds a whole new level to her sound. She's singing pop-esque music but with a rocker's heart and voice.

If I could compare her to anything current it would be Aly & AJ or The Wreckers. But then you hear her sing "It's Only Life" and she takes on a whole new sound. Seriously, I'm listening right now and I have chills. If Avril Lavigne sang a love song this would be it. This song is excellent! There is nothing more she could do with it. It starts off slow and then explodes into a passionate, fun and inspiring track that could easily be my favorite on her album.

So if you feel like stepping into a different direction and opening your ears up to something new. Listen to and then buy Kate Voegele's album coming out this coming Tuesday. I'm already looking forward to her next release.

Take a listen:
Kate Voegele - "It's Only Life" (mp3)

Labels: music, new releases

Everything you have ever heard about Andrew Bird as a live performer has probably been underestimated. I find myself unable to accurately describe to you just how phenomenal the show was last night.

So. I was momentarily rendered speechless. But clearly I got over it. Haha.

Brian and I went to see Andrew Bird at the TLA in Philly (now known as the Filmore). Joan as Police Woman opened for him. I am a fan of both acts and was thrilled to have the chance to see them. When we got up there at 7:30 p.m. there was already a pretty hefty line and doors didn't open until 8 p.m. for a 9 p.m. show. Clearly, the venue had sold out and as we were crammed like sardines that was even more evident once we were inside. Even though we were early enough to sit instead of have to stand, we still found our view completely obscured most of the time.

Joan as Police Woman has a haunting voice that belts out so loudly she probably wouldn't even need a mic. Unfortunately, the crowd was rude and loud and I felt really bad for her. She is a fantastic pianist and guitarist in addition to her voice, but people were completely disrespectful to her. Even so, she played through her set and thanked us for being there. In addition to thanking "Mary" which is who the crowd named the figmented presence that Joan told us was staring the stage with her last night. She is a very strange bird that is for damn sure.

Onto Andrew Bird.

Hmm how can I describe the stage. There was a siamese, spinning gramophone. Yep. And this zebra striped bigger gramophone... All very cool, I've not seen anything quite like that before. It was interesting to see him play all the different parts to the songs, because on the tracks most of what you hear is him. It's all his samplings meshed together into perfection. So seeing him on the violin, switching to guitar, changing mics to do his hand claps and then whistling. It was just awesome!

I think his voice is very unique though I would compare it to Sting and Gary Lightbody. He has such an amazing range both vocally and instrumentally; to see it in person was incredible! If you ever get a chance to see him, do it. Even if you don't know his music, it will be a show that will not disappoint.

And I have to give major kudos to the awesome guy who put the "verified age" band aroud my wrist. After telling him I get anxious in big crowds he kindly told me that he would make sure we were taken care of. =o)

Listen!
Andrew Bird - "Imitosis" (mp3)
Joan as Police Woman - "The Ride" (mp3)

Labels: concert, music

I don't know if it is possible for me to believe in something called a simple life. At least I didn't think it could be, but then when I heard Brandon Schott singing to me through these computer speakers. Well, perhaps there can be something simpler than I previously thought. =o)

"You're day will dawn my friend,
until then..."

So here's what we've got Brandon Schott and his multi-talented self is the Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Wurlitzer AND Baritone Ukulale; Jason Wormer on Pedal Steel, Baritone Guitar, Guitar, Banjitar; Tim Schoenhals on Bass, Keyboards, Glockenspiel; and last but not least Billy Hawn as the percussion.

I hear a little bit of Sufjan Stevens in the music especially in "Carousel," not as much in the vocals. There is also a little bit of an island sound, I can see hula dancers waving their hips along to "Good to Me." Heck, I want to put on a straw skirt myself!

"Of this you can be sure of, I'll love you through this life before I go."

I just love it. Their album Golden State was digitally released on iTunes on May 15th, but you just have to buy this album in real physical form which will be out on July 31st.

The entire album is incredible. Where did these guys come from? I am just in awe right now.

Take a listen:
Brandon Schott - "Afterglow (acoustic)" (mp3)
Brandon Schott - "Simple Life" (mp3)

And if you are interested in grabbing up a pre-order of the upcoming album, please feel free to contact Brandon, you can find him on MySpace! He has told me that he will make sure y'all are taken care of. =o)

Labels: music

The guys of City-State were kind enough to e-mail yesterday and let me know they are coming to Philly on June 2nd to play at the Khyber. I'm hoping I can swing stopping in, but I don't know as I already have buko events scheduled for that day and night.

They are supporting their newly released album Monument, which came out on May 15th. It's the first full length album for the band, who released and EP in 2006 'Wolves' + 4. The main crew responsible for City-State are Jim Anderson, Matthew Kalinowski, Daryl Marco, and Joao Malhinha. Although after recording Monument, Matthew left the band and in came Forrest Yingling. Some of the tracks have extra hands in the mix including phenomenal strings from violinist, Winston Yu and cellist, Jenny Petrow.

The EP didn't come out too long ago, but the band has already matured and Monuments is an awesome album. Liberty Fuse Records is clearly a newer label that needs to be watched. =o)

Take a listen:
City-State - "Great Lakes" (mp3)
City-State - "Idea" (mp3)

Buy it!

Labels: music, new releases

No, really, I do.

I live in a basement apartment.

But anywho.

The Basement are a four-member band from Ireland. They have an alt. country kind of sound. Excellent music. They recently rocked out at the Tin Angel in Philly and are in Nashville this week.

The Basement - "I Just Caught a Face" (mp3)

:::::

And then we have the whole ladybug issue. Why? Why are there so many ladybugs?

Because they're cool.

And so is The Ladybug Transistor. The group was lucky enough to grab the attention of Merge Records after releasing their debut album Marlborough Farms in 1995. After being signed by Merge their fan base and talent blossomed at a light speed pace. Things haven't slowed down in over ten years, that is until the tragic loss of drummer San Fadyl. In the midst of their loss, the band moved forward with their latest album. Can't Wait Another Day will be released June 7th, and the band plans to finish out the scheduled shows of their tour.

The Ladybug Transistor - "Three Days From Now" (mp3)

Plan on buying it! You can find fun must-buy items here.

Labels: music, new releases

Good Lord!

If you know me, you know Halloween is my FAVORITE day of the year...mmm other than my 3-year-old son's birthday.

But I love Ryan Adams and oh my gosh I love this song.

Listen:

Ryan Adams - "Halloween Head" (mp3)

Pre-order!

Hmmm....and I'm going to throw in a Black Lips song, because their band name reminds me of Halloween since I'm not in the spooky spirit.

Black Lips - "Not a Problem" (mp3)

Labels: music