I haven't had a genuine, life-altering crush in quite some time, at least not on anybody who I didn't see up on a stage or a television screen . Reading through a journal I kept when I was 17 proves that. There was a boy in that book about whom I wrote almost every day (not to mention dozens of other crushes that were still more significant than anything I've had in the past five years). His name was Josh, and, whether I was gushing about getting to cuddle with him on a couch or [...]
It's been a while since we've a had a band represent Detroit as our Band of the Week. Luckily, all the bands from the Motor City have been completely stellar and this one's no different. I present to you The Hard Lessons. They're an indie-rock duo that also happen to be newlyweds. Augie and Korin Visocchi, along with Ryan Vandeberghe, bring a mixture of indie-rock with alt-garage and a bit of funk's swagger to create a sound that has allowed them to open for bands like Wolfmother and [...]
The Hard Lessons Rise To Remain Burn The Moment
The Icy Shores Hail The Sun The Hard Lessons
This vinyl-only album features eleven new Neil Young covers by Michigan artists. Enter to win a copy of this beautiful package!
My mother is a punk rocker. She went to concerts a lot when I was growing up. She was even in the "Somebody to Shove" music video by Soul Asylum when I was a kid (just an extra, but I still thought it was pretty cool). Instead of listening to children's music in the car, we listened to great late-80's / early-'90s music like EMF, Nirvana, Midnight Oil and Erasure to name a few of the ones I
The best band in Canada once again panders to its non-existent American audience.
From now until the end of November, the Hard Lessons are giving away their new album, Arms Forest for free on their official site in exchange for signing up on their mailing list! "I just like the metaphor of an Arms Forest," explains Augie Visocchi of the band. "The forest in literature is the forbidden place. Its dark and evil, but there is also freedom there. An ability to do whatever you want. That is the freedom we seek in our band." You can [...]
by Dave "Scout" Tafoya Day 4 of my Rothbury excursion , my final day at this strange bubble, was a good one indeed. I met my friend Eric from the Sam Roberts Band for coffee, and we took in The Ragbirds (who played Ren-Fest Folk Jams) and The Hard Lessons (who sounded like a Lita Ford cover band). He took me back and I said hello to the rest of the band and Sam and I got to take in a little of Toots and the Maytals [...]
Even indie rock snobs who hate hippies and their music would have had a good time at Rothbury this year.
So, for those of you who did not manage to score tickets to MGMT's sold out performance at Celebrate Brooklyn, don't despair! Some of my favorite bands are playing at some my favorite Park Slope music venues tomorrow night:Head to Union Hall to bask in the beautiful dramatic melodies of NYC band Ravens & Chimes. Doors at 7:30pm. Cover $8.Mosey on over to Union Hall's sister bar, Bell House, to
I fell in love with The Hard Lessons a few months back, and I've been throwing this disc into my rotation somewhat regularly ever since. And while it doesn't necessarily have the same balls to the wall rock and roll attitude that guitarist/frontman Augie Visocchi brings to the stage, it's still a solid album of pop-rock. There are some great hooks, riffs and lyrical content with some soul thrown in to boot. One big issue for me, though, is that the band is from Michigan (boo), and Detroit specifically. But I'm [...]
Friday night I went out in the ridiculously gross weather to see the last night of The Hard Lessons' residency at Union Hall (disclaimer: this photo isn't mine. I got it off their website, but didn't see a photo credit anywhere). This was also the first time I've seen them perform with their new drummer, Ryan Vee, and since Auggie and Koko got married (that makes me feel old...). They redecorated
This week is an exciting one for one of my favorite bands, The Hard Lessons. Apparently one of their new songs ("Wedding Ring") from their upcoming album, Arms Forest, is going to be featured on Grey's Anatomy this Thursday. I was going to do a Grey's Predictions post for it, but I thought that would be cheating since I read about it ;-) Check out the song and some more of their new stuff on
:: Looks like Mark Ronson is going to save Amy Winehouse 's career . That's like Sebastian from The Little Mermaid saving the Titanic. :: A former police officer will be arraigned April 8 in connection with a January incident at a Metallica concert, where he allegedly peepeed on some people . :: Looks like Morrissey decided to keep his shirt on at Webster Hall this time. Hopefully he'll continue to heed our advice . :: Culture Bully [...]
Ok well technically this was actually day 2 of the music festival, but we were unable to make it down on Wednesday (hopefully next year) so we journeyed down early Thursday morning for our first taste ever of SXSW. I have been basically living in Texas for about 6 years and have never made the trip down for this festival, and there was kind of always an air of secrecy and insiderness to the proceedings so I really had zero idea what to expect. I would say with a few exceptions the festival blew my expectations away and [...]
A couple of people (including GFP's own Lise) are going on road trips soon, so I thought I would make a little road trip mix. I have about 8 driving mixes that I've made in the past few years, despite the fact that I drive about 4 times a year. I find that music really improves the experience though while driving. Here are some songs that are fun to drive to and that will keep you energized when
I have to suspend my hatred for all things Michigan (I am originally a Buckeye, after all) when it involves good bands. And such was the case for the Michigan Bailout Tour stop in Louisville - which included Javelins , The Hard Lessons and My Dear Disco - I couldn't hold their Wolverine nature against them. Javelins - Heavy Meadows The Hard Lessons - See and Be Scene [...]
Yesterday we brought you our list of Best Debut Albums of 2008, so today we thought we'd follow it up with our list of Best Non-Debut Albums of 2008, in no particular order. If you think we left something out, let us know what in the comments section! Or if you just want to add any thoughts on the albums we posted. Oh, but take note - there are still some lists yet to come (so much good music! We
Radio Free Chicago
Rock it Out! Blog
Cover Me
Guilt Free Pleasures
Glorious Noise
Impressionable Youth
Between Love & Like
BUZZGRINDER
DBF Music
The Corner Laughers “Poppy Seeds”
Eating the Animal Kingdom : Enchanted Pork Fist
