A bevy of noteworthy information surfaced in the music world today regarding 2010. None long enough to really write a full post about on their own, but I know I'd regret not providing the information in case you haven't heard it. So, here goes: - Bonnaroo is slated for June 10-13 and ticket holiday pre-sales begin Friday, November 27 at 12 pm (ET). The official lineup will be announced sometime in late January / early February. - Miracle Fortress , whom I briefly discussed here , is releasing a new record in [...]
Elliot Smith always sounded like November to me, God rest his soul. Just something about the bitter-sweetness of his voice that seemed to jive so well with this time of year in Ohio. The reason I bring this up at all, is that the weird irony glitch in the Itunes shuffle mode seemed to kick in again this evening. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, returning a few emails when these two songs came on....back to back. Each one reminding me a lot of Mr. Smith...and thus, that November-esque sound. Had to pass them along... [...]
Photo: Davey Wilson Download podcast: Courtney Smith's review of Champagne in Seashells Download MP3: Liam Finn "Plane Crash" Liam Finn is a musical legacy. His is the son of Neil Finn, who is famous in his own right, but more so for bands Crowded House and Split Enz. The latter band was started by his brother Tim Finn, Liam's uncle, who also joined in to record and tour with Crowded House for one of their later albums, Woodface . [...]
To be honest, I am not a music journalist; I am not even a writer. What I am is a teacher who loves music and has been lucky enough to talk to musicians sometimes. Like today, I had the opportunity to talk to one of my favorite musicians, Jason Lytle . Remember Grandaddy ? I sure as hell do! They were on heavy rotation during many road trips driving through these great states. Grandaddy has a sound that has always reminded me of a kid in a classroom, gazing out the window, wanting [...]
To be honest, I am not a music journalist; I am not even a writer. What I am is a teacher who loves music and has been lucky enough to talk to musicians sometimes. Like today, I had the opportunity to talk to one of my favorite musicians, Jason Lytle . Remember Grandaddy ? I sure as hell do! They were on heavy rotation during many road trips driving through these great states. Grandaddy has a sound that has always reminded me of a kid in a classroom, gazing out the window, wanting [...]
Liam Finn live @ Dante's Portland, Oregon New Zealand's Liam Finn and Eliza Jane performed last month here in Portland. We weren't sure exactly what to expect from this musical duo. We had read a few reviews on Liam's debt album, I'll Be Lightning , as well as listened to a few of his new tracks off his latest EP, Champagne in Seashells, and were excited to see him perform live. Some background on Liam: He was born in Melbourne, Australia but calls New Zealand his home as [...]
Buraka Som Sistema @ Bowery Ballroom ( more by Tim Griffin ) tonight in NYC * Shad @ Pianos * John Medeski @ The Stone * The Invisible @ Brooklyn Bowl * Gil Scott-Heron @ BB King's * The Answering Machine @ Coco66 * Zombie Nation @ Santos Party House * The Fiery Furnaces, Cryptacize @ Maxwell's * [...]
Recommended Show: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009 NOAH AND THE WHALE @ MERCURY LOUNGE 217 East Houston Street Manhattan, NY 10002 $15, 7:30PM We've been holding off recommending Noah and the Whale as they played three nights at Mercury Lounge. This is the last of their three nights with Robert Francis at the Lower East Side venue. Though tonight also joining the bill will be Sharon Van Etten , which totally makes this show worth the $15 cover price. The Mary Onettes @ Union Hall The Invisible @ Brooklyn Bowl She Keeps [...]
Now, I don't know if I'd call myself a Finn brothers groupie or not, but I'll tell you, ever since the day that I first heard "Poor Boy," off of the Split Enz True Colours album, I've picked up just about everything that Neil or Tim or Neil and Tim have ever done. And truth be told, rarely have the Finn brothers ever let me down. With an uncanny knack for a melody, and golden-soaked voices, the New Zealand brothers really know their way around a pop song. Imagine my delight [...]
While you were trying to have as much fun on Halloween as these guys clearly did, Knox Road was busily writing about all the new music last week. We don't get out much (that's just a lie). But in case you are Mr. Top Hat, Blue Hair or Alien Guy and in case you happen to find yourself in a seizure-inducing space room from the future, dancing undoubtedly some crazed Klezmeric space pop while drinking goblets full of space wine, this is what you missed on Knox Road. Sunday: Knox Road Radio [...]
We got all spooky and Halloweeny on everyone, mixing in a bit of a creepfest (read: a Liars song) with the usual, expected tunes from Knox Road Radio. Lots of inside jokes (I wasn't privy either don't worry,) lots of Sporcle, and lots of affection from Jon for Los Campesinos!. Check out the full show (starts 25 seconds in) and playlist below. Knox Road Radio 10.25.09 [MP3] (available until next Sunday's show) 01| DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince – "Nightmare on My Street" 02| Los Campesinos! – "The Sea Is A [...]
With Mike and Sophia away for the weekend and me gearing up for my big rock show(!) tonight , we've hardly had time to blog. But there's plenty happening that you should know about so let's catch up: Tonight (in addition to countless other Halloween shows ): Local supergroup BrownBoot takes the Toad stage at midnight performing covers of Jeff Beck, The Faces & Rod Stewart. Featuring Rod Van Stoli, Jordan Valentine, Jimmy (Jax) Zavadoski and more, they've shared with us (and now you) some mp3 sneak previews! Right click to download: Spanish [...]
Apparently Halloween Weekend means every band in the area is appearing as another band, could be entertaining or just confusing I guess we'll have to check them out to find the answer. On Thursday you can go to TTs and see the Talking Heads, Robert Palmer x 2, The Replacements and The Who. Or you could go to the Plough for the surf band The Trabants and the Middle East has King Khan & the BBQ Show and Downbeat 5. On Friday the Armory in Somerville has a spooky event with the screening of Phantom of the Opera and music [...]
WATCH THE NEW VIDEO FROM LIAM FINN "LONG WAY TO GO" ***WARNING :: PLEASE DO NOT WATCH IF YOU SUFFER FROM EPILEPSY*** http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =xmpSATkGG34&feature=channel_p age Watch Liam flickering on and off in his new video for "Long Way To Go" If you want to see him in the flesh he will be performing at Bush Hall in London on the 9th & 10th November Live Dates:
D.C., we got a grand one coming our way, and it is NOT sold out yet, so get your inner motors going and purchase a ticket to see Liam Finn & Eliza Jane perform November 3 at the Rock N Roll Hotel along with one of my favorites, Miracle Fortress (the project of Graham Van Pelt, from Montreal.) The "children of" wunderkids (Finn and Jane) are sure to put some groove in your step and Miracle Fortress will provide the complementary ethereal moments. Van Pelt's high-pitched, raspy vocals go hand-in-hand with the [...]
One of my favorite albums of the whole wide decade is Liam Finn's debut, I'll Be Lightning (at left). I first saw the New Zealander (whose dad is Crowded House's Neil Finn) at CMJ a few years ago where he and his back-up singer, Eliza Jane, performed as a duo and he took on all instruments by himself. And totally pulled it off. It was amazing stuff! This Sunday night, Liam brings his act to town (including Eliza Jane), playing the Middle East downstairs with support from Montreal's Miracle Fortress and locals Forest [...]
Well, first off let me just say that this EP was totally different from what I expected. Actually, I don't know what I expected from the son of Neil Finn (Split Enz & Crowded House) but this wasn't it. I guess I thought it would be more mellow/folkish but it is far from that. It is five songs that have pop stylings that are far better than what the term "pop" implies. In fact there is an awful lot to like about these songs, they are well-written (lyrically interesting without being pretentious or abstract), nicely produced [...]
A busy night in Portland sees Blitzen Trapper, Wye Oak, The Gossip, Times New Viking, Norfolk & Western, Liam Finn and Jason Lytle, among others, on stages. Plus, no new in-studio session tonight, but plenty of new music from the likes of Thao, Loch Lomond, El Perro del Mar, Le Loup, Alec Ounsworth, and more. We're back with regular in-studio sessions continuing on tomorrow night's show with a visit from Deer Tick , and the coming week (and on next Saturday night's show) with Langhorne Slim . In the meantime, don't miss our recent [...]
Tonight is the first of two nights to catch Those Darlins [ download ] in town when they play the Silverlake Lounge with The Grates and Leslie and the Badgers . ... You know Brakesbrakesbrakes has got it goin' on when their singer quits British Sea Power (Eamon Hamilton moonlighted as keyboardist in the fellow Brighton band) to keep the touring going. They bring their high energy, Pixies-inspired Britishness to Spaceland with Chicago's Ezra Furman & the Harpoons and Rachel Goodrich . ... Thee Oh Sees (pictured), who [...]
So what's happening this weekend? I think there are still tix available for Bill Maher at the Wilbur on Thursday (and they now have a liquor license so cheers!). Also on Thursday you have a chance to check out the new project the Port Charles Quintet at the Plough which sounds fun or you could go to the Brattle for the Califone show. But if these don't appeal to you, don't worry, there are many other great choices on Thursday. On Friday, the show at the Cantab looks strong with the Brooklyns, but then there's also Dennis [...]
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