Altered Freebies: Cut Copy; Ra Ra Riot; !!!; Jenny and Johnny; Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Cut Copy, "Where I'm Going"

The first single from the Australian dance rock band's fourth album channels New Order and The Beach Boys in equal measure.

Ra Ra Riot, "Boy"

Ra Ra Riot's first album was made shortly after the death of their original drummer, John Ryan Pyke. The band's mournful mood has lifted on "Boy," coming from their sophomore release, The Orchard.

!!!, "AM/FM"

!!! get in touch with the spirit of '80s radio culture with this danceable number from their new album, Strange Weather, Isn't It?

Jenny and Johnny, "Scissor Runner"

Is it the British Invasion? No, it's Jenny Lewis and her boytoy Jonathan Rice making adorable music together.

Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, "Sink/Let It Sway"

They apparently still love you early '70s power pop. Dig those handclaps!
(via Stereogum)

Roadhouse Special: The Homemade Jamz Blues Band

In an era when teenage family bands are marketed like Happy Meals, The Homemade Jamz Blues Band stands apart for its commitment to focusing on the music. The trio, featuring Ryan Perry, 18, on guitar and vocals; Kyle Perry, 16, on bass; and Taya Perry, 11, on drums, plays hard-driving, modern Delta blues for a new generation.

Tune in at 7 p.m. Friday as John Mathews opens this week's TMD Roadhouse with a special showcase of the family affair from Tupelo, Mississippi. Plus, he'll provide one lucky listener with an opportunity to win tickets to the band's show this weekend.  

The Homemade Jamz Blues Band performs an all ages matinee show at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 24th, at Rams Head Tavern. 

Download a free copy of the title track "I Got Blues For You" on Amazon.com. 

Rogue Wave's Incredible Story on Morning Sessions

Rogue Wave drummer Pat Spurgeon counts his blessings because of someone's decision to become an organ donor. Born with one failing kidney, Spurgeon's quest for a suitable match ended 13 years ago when he underwent his first kidney transplant. When that organ began to fail, however, it looked like it might have been the end for a musician who was just starting to hit his stride--and for a band that was poised for success.

Undeterred by the difficulties and risks associated with the process, Spurgeon made the decision to perform self-dialysis on the road. Meanwhile, Spurgeon's friend Jim Granato chronicled the mechanics of self-dialysis, the search for a new kidney, and the support system created by family and bands such as Death Cab for Cutie and Nada Surf that helped to raise money for health care costs.

Granato's resulting documentary, D tour, is a must-see rock doc--regardless of your position on organ donation. And Pat Spurgeon's personal story is a must-hear interview on Morning Sessions at 9:20 a.m. Friday.
Rogue Wave performs at the Ottobar on Thursday, July 29.

The Water Rises on Baltimore Unsigned

The instrumental rock group The Water can be traced back to a natural source. "James [Klink] and I have known each other since kindergarten," says Dan Cohan. "We used to go down to [the park] to light fires, build rafts and do other things that ten-year-olds do. We referred to that activity as 'going down to the water.' We thought it was a good nod to our past. It's also kind of a ballsy name because it's impossible to Google."

Although the band is hard to divine--especially since their 2009 and 2010 E.P.s are both self-titled--their elaborate soundscapes are worth seeking out. "We started with guitars, drums and keyboards," says Cohan. "We kept adding to it and saying 'One more thing.' I think we're at a good level now . . . . and we can't fit any more in the car."


Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (with an encore edition at 9 a.m. Saturday) to catch The Water on Baltimore Unsigned.

The Water performs at the Monument City Scavenger Hunt Party at Sonar on Saturday, July 24th.

CD of the Week: Truth and Salvage Co.

Amid this year's California country rock renaissance (see Dawes, Band of Horses, et. al), Truth and Salvage Co. stand out on the collective strength of their soaring harmonies and four principal singer-songwriters.

The Black Crowes' Chris Robinson produced the band's self-titled debut album, which boasts the irresistible "Call Back," some gorgeous lap steel work on "Old Piano" and an appearance by North Mississippi Allstars' Luther Dickinson.

Truth and Salvage Co. are on tour with Big Head Todd and the Monsters and they'll hit the road again with The Black Crowes this fall.

Altered Freebies: Jaill; Kid Cudi; Menomena

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.


Jaill, "Everyone's Hip"
"Everyone's Hip" is the first single from Jaill's sophomore album, This is How We Burn, which comes out on later this month. You can catch them opening for The Hold Steady this summer.


Kid Cudi, Rostam Batmanglij and Bethany Cosentino, "All Summer"
Alternative rapper Kid Cudi, Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend and Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast combine their hipster powers for this song, brought to you by the good people of Converse Shoes.


Menomena, "Five Little Rooms"
After sweating it out on the beach with Cudi, Batmanglij and Cosentino, cool off in "Five Little Rooms," from Menomena's upcoming album, Mines.

WTMD Heads to Artscape

WTMD is a proud media sponsor of Artscape, America's largest free arts festival. From Friday to Sunday, July 16-18, our staff and volunteers will be manning the giant WTMD membership tent on Cathedral Street.

We'll be directly across from the Wachovia Stage so you can't miss us. It's a great opportunity to meet some of your favorite hosts, chat with other music lovers, and pick up a bumper sticker or beach ball.  Plus, our hosts are handling stage announcements for great live acts throughout the weekend.


Festival Stage, Friday

4:30 p.m.	Marcell and the Truth	Erik Deatherage
6 p.m.	Old Man Brown	Erik Deatherage
7:30 p.m.	Angel Band	Bug
9 p.m.	The Crawdaddies	Bug

Festival Stage, Saturday

12 p.m.	Sick Sick Birds	John Mathews
1:30 p.m.	Groove Stu	John Mathews
3 p.m.	The Robert Frahm Band	John Mathews
4:30 p.m.	Jah Works	John Mathews
6 p.m.	Wes Tucker and The Skillets	Tyler Laporte
7:30 p.m.	Shook	Tyler Laporte
9 p.m.	Mambo Combo	Tyler Laporte

Wachovia Stage, Saturday

5 p.m.	Jackie Greene	Erik Deatherage
6:30 p.m.	Cold War Kids	Tyler Laporte
8 p.m.	Gov't Mule	John Mathews

Festival Stage, Sunday

12 p.m.	OrchKids	Tyler Laporte
1:30 p.m.	Bitter Sweet	Tyler Laporte
3 p.m.	Janine Wilson	Nick Jackson
4:30 p.m.	Sweet Leda	Nick Jackson
6 p.m.	Fools and Horses	Nick Jackson

Rogue Wave on Morning Sessions, Part 1

Over the past thirty years, Kool and the Gang’s "Celebration" has commemorated countless sports victories--and inspired at least one indie rocker. After an injury kept guitarist/vocalist Zach Rogue bedridden for months, he picked up his Sears Silvertone guitar and recalled some sunny, summer days at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.


"I went back to my happiest moment and I remembered when I was a little boy and I’d see the Oakland A's play," he says. "When they won, at the end of the game, they’d play 'Celebration' and it was the best feeling! Everyone was celebrating and cheering and life was that simple and happy. I felt excited again, in a way I haven’t in a long time. I wanted to write a song that made me feel like that."


The resulting song, the title track to Rogue Wave's Brushfire Records release Permalight, is a joyful affair. With its programmed dance beats and keyboard blips, the band sounds like they're in a happy place, even though they laid down tracks in the home of the blues Oxford, Mississippi--and you couldn't fault them for feeling blue.

During the past few years, the band has endured two career-threatening medical crises and the death of a close friend. It's one of the most moving and triumphant stories you'll hear in rock and roll. And it's documented in the award-winning film D-Tour, which aired recently on PBS.

In fact, their story is so big, that Erik is taking two Morning Sessions to share it. Tune in at 9:20 a.m. Friday for Zach Rogue's personal story. 

Rogue Wave performs at The Ottobar on Thursday, July 29th.

CD of the Week: Jack Johnson's "To the Sea"

Baltimore has suffered through a major heatwave recently, and Jack Johnson's breezy brand of island jam pop is the perfect antidote. Johnson's fifth studio album, To The Sea, is his most accessible record yet, with layers of jangling guitars and simple melodies. The video for the first single, "You and Your Heart" perfectly encapsulates Johnson's surfer sensibility. 


Jack Johnson and his labelmates, friends, backing band ALO perform a sold out show at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday, July 17th. Don't forget the sunblock.

Secret Mountains Revealed on Baltimore Unsigned

The psychedelic rock band Secret Mountains formed in the wake of The Owls Go, a duo featuring guitarist Jeffrey Lewis Silverstein and vocalist Kelly Laughlin. "There were some conveniences to being in a duo, but I think we were getting bored," Silverstein says. "We had these nice songs that people liked, but we wanted more rhythm."

In their quest, Silverstein and Laughlin rounded out the ensemble to include bass, percussion and keyboards. The additional personnel built a fuller sound--and a shift in the songwriting. "Our songs have gotten a lot less linear," says Laughlin. "We have to have everyone else because they all are an integral part of our music."

The resulting five-song E.P., Kaddish, garnered raves from the local music press, including City Paper and Aural States. Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (with an encore edition at 9 a.m. Saturday) and discover Secret Mountains for yourself.

Secret Mountains performs at The Hexagon on August 23rd.



Secret Mountains - Dead Sea from Secret Mountains on Vimeo.

Altered Freebies: Blonde Redhead; Jukebox The Ghost; Best Coast

What's better than music? Free music. Producer Nick Jackson has scoured the Interwebs to bring you the best free downloads featured on this week's Altered Fridays, 4-7 p.m.

Blonde Redhead, "Here Sometimes"

Blonde Redhead returns with a new song off their upcoming album Penny Sparkle, set for release in September. By the sound of it, this album will be a nice lead-in to fall.


Jukebox The Ghost, "Empire"

WTMD favorites Jukebox The Ghost have finished their sophomore LP, Everything Under The Sun and are treating us to the first single off it. It's fun, quirky, and it's sure to please.

You may remember them performing this song when they were on Morning Sessions last year...

Best Coast, "Boyfriend"

Best Coast creates a fun little jingle for those summer crushes that you'll find during these hot days down at the beach. More will be available on their Crazy For You release, due out July 27th.

Hot August Blues Preview on the Roadhouse

Host John Mathews opens the TMD Roadhouse to everyone promptly at 7 p.m. Friday. But this week he'll keep a special eye out for Brad Selko, the force behind the annual Hot August Blues Festval at Oregon Ridge Park.

During the second half of the hour, John and Brad will adjourn to the Roadhouse back porch to partake in some cornbread and sweet tea and discuss all things HAB. 

In addition to featuring artists from this year's lineup, including Jackie Scott and the Housewreckers, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, and Keb' Mo', John and Brad will share some breaking festival news and give one listener an opportunity to win a festival prize pack.

The WTMD Roadhouse airs from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays.

Hot August Blues takes place 12 to 10 p.m. Saturday, August 21st at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville, MD.

Good Old War Returns to Morning Sessions

In a summer full of great acoustic music, Good Old War's "My Own Sinking Ship" stands out. Although the band has been described as Americana, their sound is closer to the folk rock of Crosby Stills and Nash. Like CSN, the band's three-part harmony forms the nucleus of the music. And their upbeat arrangements wrap around the vocals, creating a very laidback listening experience.


Good Old War formed from the ashes of the progressive emo outfit Days Away. Guitarists Tim Arnold and Keith Goodwin hooked up with Dan Schwartz of Unlikely Cowboy and released their debut album in 2008. The band's self-titled sophomore release marks a turning point for the band according to Schwartz.


"When we were making our first record, we were about six months old as a band and we were escaping a lot of situations that we were in musically," he said. "That one was an experiment and we found out what we sounded like. And this one, we felt like we had become a band; that we knew who we were and we wanted to represent that."


The band has toured with The Gaslight Anthem and is currently on the road with Brandi Carlile. Tune in a 9 a.m. Friday as Good Old War drops by the WTMD studios for Morning Sessions.

Kenny Liner on Stuck in the Jam

Tune in at 9 p.m. Wednesday as Bug counts down to the All Good Music Festival in Masontown, WV, with an encore broadcast of The Bridge co-founder Kenny Liner's Stuck in the Jam takeover. Liner showcases some of his influences with tracks from Townes Van Zandt, My Morning Jacket, The Avett Brothers and Larry Williams.

Plus, in the second hour, Bug's Phresh Phish segment features selections from Phish's second night at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sunday, June 27th. 

The Bridge kicks off the first full day of All Good at 1 p.m. Friday on the Dragon Stage. 

Victoria Vox Brings Exact Change to Baltimore Unsigned

In September 2009, singer/songwriter Victoria Vox found herself at a career crossroads. She just finished paying off her last album, Chameleon, and she couldn't afford to record a new one. When her fanbase kept clamoring for new music, she appealed to them through her website.


"I set a goal for about $4,000 and told the fans 'If you guys help me raise $4,000, I'll be able to put something out,'" she says. "We reached the goal at the end of the day and by the end of the week, we had over $8,000. So I doubled the goal to $16,000. Within a month, I'd raised over $21,000. It felt like the fans were telling me that I wasn't done yet. It was like a bolt of energy."

She rewarded her supporters with the new album, Exact Change, contained in some limited-edition cover art. "The designer . . . came to me with a shadowbox made of clear plastic that you could look in and see the back of [a washing] machine," she says. "At first I thought about putting in some socks that you could tumble around, or maybe an old school ball game. Then he was like, 'What about water?'" 

The resulting design features a fish skeleton swirling around Victoria's visage. And the final recording combines Vox's accomplished ukulele playing with elements of jazz, folk and traditional French pop.

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (with an encore at 9 a.m. Saturday) to hear Victoria perform selections from Exact Change and speak with host Sam Sessa about the recording process.