The Christmas Lights Shine on Baltimore Unsigned

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday as Baltimore Unsigned welcomes back The Christmas Lights. The Frostburg-based band started as a solo project by vocalist and guitarist Kenny Tompkins. "The band was formed to play those songs [from the debut Walk Like a Human], and just see how it went," he recalls. "People reacted fairly strongly to the sound of the band playing the songs, maybe even in some cases, even more than the record." 

On the forthcoming album, tentatively titled Getting Born, the group is exploring new opportunities bridge the gap between its indie rock and electronic influences. “If you’re holding an instrument that you’re familiar with, like a guitar or bass guitar, you so easily fall into rock and roll clichés," Tompkins says. "We’ve written a lot of songs and been like, ‘That’s pretty good,’ and then listen to it a week later and been like, ‘But it’s just the same old rock and roll that has existed for a long time.” And that’s not exactly what our band is about."

The Christmas Lights perform at Dante’s in Frostburg on Saturday, September 18.

Fanfarlo on Morning Sessions

Tune in a 9 a.m. Friday for an encore edition of Morning Sessions with Fanfarlo. The London-based band visited WTMD earlier this year to perform selections from their debut, Reservoir. The album showcased a charming blend of orchestral-flavored art rock that extended to their live shows.  

"We take our own sort-of bunting with flags and lighting," said bassist Justin Finch. "And the first thing we do when we get to a venue is set up, decorate and make it our own. And yeah, we're into our own dust bowl carnival sort-of thing."

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.

Baltimore Unsigned Encore Edition with Paul Masson

Tune in at 8 p.m. Tuesday (and 9 a.m. Saturday) for an encore edition of Baltimore Unsigned, featuring Paul Masson.

After spending some time in New York, the singer-songwriter returned to the Baltimore area and fell back in love with writing music. Masson's spent much of 2010 on the road, making a name for himself throughout the northeast. His vocal stylings and intensity have garnered comparisons to Ray LaMontagne. And his work harkens back to a classic era of songwriters from 1970's.

When he spoke with Sam Sessa in October, 2009, he described his appreciation for the retro sound. “I have so many favorite records, like John Lennon’s The Plastic Ono Band and Neil Young’s Harvest and pretty much everything Hank Williams ever recorded," he said. "When I listen to music, there’s a sound that I love and you know, the modern sound, just didn’t fit with the kind of stuff I’m doing.”

Paul Masson plays WTMD's First Thursday Concert, with Joshua James, at 5:30 p.m. July 1st in West Mt. Vernon Park.

First Thursday Concert with Joshua James and Paul Masson

Kick off the Fourth of July weekend by joining thousands of music lovers for the next installment in WTMD's free First Thursday Concert Series at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1st, in West Mt. Vernon Park.

Joshua James is a rising star on the Americana scene. His 2009 album, Build Me This, landed on numerous year-end, best-of lists on the strength of standout tracks like "Coal War" and "Magazine." James has developed a captivating live show while touring with artists such as John Mayer, David Gray and Ani Difranco, and he's coming to perform for you on July 1st.

Baltimore's own Paul Masson kicks off the show at 5:30 p.m. The singer-songwriter has spent much of 2010 on the road, making a name for himself throughout the northeast. His vocal stylings and intensity have garnered comparisons to Ray LaMontagne. And his songwriting harkens back to the era of Neil Young's Harvest.

Masson shared the bill with Joshua James during a memorable show at the 8 x 10 in October 2009.

Joshua James - "Weeds" from Townhall on Vimeo.

Julian Velard Does It Alone

First Thursday alum Julian Velard returns to WTMD for a special in-studio performance on Morning Sessions at 9 a.m. Friday.  

Velard's piano pop single "Do It Alone" celebrates the freedom of getting out of a failed romance. But it can also be read as his musical mantra.

"If I were to describe my music to anybody, it's kind of like a birthday party for one," he says. "I'm like that sad kid in the corner with his birthday hat and his cake; he's having a good time, but he's lonely!"

Last year Velard ducked out of the major label party early, leaving EMI without releasing an album. His independent "major label" debut, The Planeteer, arrived a few months later on his own terms.

The album's self-effacing piano pop garnered a CD of the Week feature earlier this year--and proved that Velard can certainly do it alone. Brass sections add a bit of showy flair to some tracks. And a a toe-tapping rhythm invokes the pizzazz of contemporaries, such as Jamie Cullum or Harry Connick Jr., while adding a New York state of mind. 


Julian Velard opens for Marc Broussard at Rams Head Tavern on June 16 and 17.

Countdown To Bruce --Born to Run

Most would agree that Bruce Springsteen is one of the most important storytellers and artists of our time. Coupling his history and ability to tap into our collective mind sets is certainly a gift. But the side that makes Bruce so endearing is his ability to reduce that collective Gestalt into something individually important to each of us.

Much is being made of Bruce and E Streeters playing full albums at the last shows of the tour. I've been to more shows than I can count but the there is a special moment when Born To Run explodes onto the stage. Goosebumps, tears and introspection collide and carry those of us old enough to remember the Stone Pony into a state of middle aged well being.

I'll post one Piece of Bruce a Day between now and the show here in Baltimore. Please feel free to share your Bruce Stories. I'm staring here at my tickets and the station has been so busy that I really haven't had the time to focus on my pre Bruce anticipation. It hit me this morning that I'm seeing Bruce IN the the Town I Live In! That hasn't happened in quite a while (DC not withstanding). I've flown to Tampa, driven to Richmond twice and left at noon to make an Asbury Park Rehearsal Show and returned home at 3 the next morning--But here in Baltimore--that's gonna rock!

How far have you gone for a Bruce Show?

This one is from the 2002 Video Music Awards taped in NYC.

To steal a line--ARE YOU READY!?

Led Zeppelin Tops WTMD Staff Picks for Greatest Artists

The WTMD staff is a small, but highly opinionated group of music lovers, and when asked to identify the 10 Greatest Artists of All Time, responses spanned from 311 to U2, Diana Ross to The Boss.

But the popular consensus is that Led Zeppelin is The Greatest Artist of All Time . . . at least as determined by 13 people in May 2009.

Be sure to rock the vote by submitting your 15 Greatest Artists by 12 p.m. Saturday, May 23rd.

We'll start counting down the 897 Greatest Artists of All Time on June 1st!



Erik Deatherage, Morning Show Host

Bob Marley;
John Lennon;
The Clash;
U2;
Joni Mitchell;
James Brown;
Neko Case;
Peter Gabriel;
Thomas Dolby;
Van Morrison


Tyler Laporte, Mid-Day Host; Music Director

The Band
Led Zeppelin
311
The Beastie Boys
The Beatles (George is my boy)
Eric Clapton
Miles Davis
Pink Floyd
Jimi Hendrix

John Mathews, Afternoon Host; TMD Roadhouse Host

Jimi Hendrix
Mahavishnu John McLaughlin
Junior Wells
Bob Dylan
Pete Droge
B.B. King
The Clash
Tom Petty
Peter Frampton
Death Cab For Cutie

Billy Zero, Program Director, All-Request Lunch Host

Beatles
Pink Floyd
Bob Dylan
Led Zeppelin
Elton John
Fleetwood Mac
Bob Marley
Eric Clapton
Michael Jackson
Nirvana

Ryan "Bug" Glaeser, Operations Manager; Stuck in the Jam Host

Led Zeppelin
The Rolling Stones
EPMD
FFHH (Full Disclosure: Bug's in the band)
YES
Phish
311
Buddy Guy
James Brown
Thursday

Don Rogers, Weekend Host

Oasis
Led Zeppelin
Pink Floyd
Black Sabbath
The Ramones
AC/DC (Bonn Scott only)
Metallica
Kasabian
Ryan Adams
The Beach Boys

Nick Jackson, Videographer; Baltimore Unsigned Producer

The Beatles
Bob Dylan
Led Zeppelin
Bob Marley
Eric Clapton
The Clash
Louis Armstrong
The Rolling Stones
Pink Floyd
Simon and Garfunkel

Steve Yasko, General Manager

Bruce Springsteen
Elton John
Electric Light Orchestra
The Mamas and the Papas
Diana Ross and The Supremes
Mahalia Jackson
The Who
Elvis Presley
George Jones
Billie Holiday

Andrew Lovett, Producer

Foo Fighters
Dave Matthews Band
Incubus
The Temptations
Traffic
The Supremes
Sublime
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Stevie Wonder
Little Richard


Melissa Lauren,Weekend Host

The Beatles
Jimi Hendrix
Led Zeppelin
The Clash
Talking Heads
U2
Radiohead
Beck
Bjork
The White Stripes

Sam Gallant

The Faces
Paul Simon
Al Green
Beck
Rolling Stones
The Specials
Jimi Hendrix
Toots and the Maytals
Them and Van Morrison
Fela Kuti

Amy Wielunski, Membership Director

Alison Krauss & Union Station
The Beatles
Johnny Mercer
Van Morrison
Queen
Gene Ammons
The Rolling Stones
James Taylor
Chris Thile
Joni Mitchell

Kristin Bachran, Membership Coordinator

Eric Clapton
The Beatles
Led Zeppelin
The Band
Bob Dylan
Miles Davis
Bill Withers
Sam Cooke
Prince
Jeff Buckley

WTMD on MSNBC.com

Contributing writer Tony Sclafani provides an overview of music sites in his article "Listen up! Music is everywhere on the Web," including WTMD:

"The problem is that for music buffs, terrestrial radio usually doesn’t offer much, unless you happen to be lucky enough to live near cool stations like eclectic indie mainstays KEXP in Seattle or WTMD in Maryland. Then again, you could just click on those links no matter where you are and hear everything from the Black Kids to the Gourds to the new Kings of Leon, served up by knowledgeable DJs. For free."

Check out the rest of the article while you're listening live at wtmd.org.

Kaki King on Dave Grohl's "Rock Star Moves"

So Kaki has been touring with the Foo recently and at the Outside Lands Festival she spoke with Rolling Stone about his cheesy rock n roll moves. Link to the Rolling Stone Article to See Video

Now the two have also been joining the stage together for Ballad of the Beaconsfield Miners...an instrumental Dave Grohl wrote for the miners involved in the Beaconsfield Mine in Australia Colapse. He learned one of them was a Foo Fan and wrote the song prior to a meeting with the miner. The song is on their latest album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace, Kaki King appears on the album version as well.Just a tid bit of knowledge for those who are curious.

Anyways, watch the two of them perform at O2 Arena in London on November 18, 2007

One Fantastic Performer

With 3 names. That's David Andrew Smith who plays on Baltimore Unsigned tonight at 8pm. The Ellicott City native usually features a full band, but he goes solo this evening with excellent results! Check it out for yourself on this track called "Wit's End".

Covering the New River

Okkervil River, that is. As they get ready to release their new album The Stand Ins the band got all creative. Or rather they made their friends get creative and cover all the tracks from the album that will be out on September 9th.
Rather than making a whole new album of the covers these songs are available on Okkervil Rivers YouTube Channel.
Lead singer Will Sheff pairs up with A.C. Newman of the New Pornographers for this version of "Lost Coastlines."



So tell me what you think, I mean, is this a cool way for the band to share their upcoming songs or do you think they should be sharing the original versions first?

Saxophonist LeRoi Moore 1961-2008

Dave Matthews Band Saxophonist LeRoi Moore passed away yesterday afternoon suddenly of unknown complications. LeRoi was injured in an ATV Accident on June 30th while taking a break in between shows at his farm, his last show was June 28, 2008 at Nissan Pavilion. For those who were there, it will be one to remember. This message was posted on the Dave Matthews Website last night:

"We are deeply saddened that LeRoi Moore, saxophonist and founding member of Dave Matthews Band, died unexpectedly Tuesday afternoon, August 19, 2008, at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in Los Angeles from sudden complications stemming from his June ATV accident on his farm near Charlottesville, Virginia. LeRoi had recently returned to his Los Angeles home to begin an intensive physical rehabilitation program."

Jeff Coffin, Saxophonist for Bela Fleck has been filling in since July with the band and LeRoi was expected to make a full recovery. Despite the loss, the show went on last night in Los Angeles and will go on for the remaining tour playing again tonight in Los Angeles at the Staple Center. During the show Dave Matthews Band and Fans expressed their love for LeRoi:

"We all had some bad news today," Matthews told the sell-out crowd. "Our good friend LeRoi Moore passed on and gave his ghost up today and we will miss him forever." Fans then shouted Moore's name in tribute.

I had a chance to see Jeff Coffin on sax for the band at the Mile High Music Festival in Colorado and he brings a new sound and energy to the band. Most notably playing two sax's at once and frequently running around on stage. However I already began to miss LeRoi, who often stood still with his sunglasses on due to stage fright. Although in recent tours he had begun removing his sunglasses.

I invite you to share your memories of LeRoi, if you have pictures I'll post them on here for you e-mail them to alovett@towson.edu

RIP LeRoi, September 7, 1961 - August 19, 2008.

A Fan Tribute Video

Members Only Showcase: Joan Osborne, Monday, July 14th at the Recher Theatre

WTMD members are invited to join us on Monday, July 14, at the Recher Theatre for a Members Only Showcase featuring Joan Osborne performing songs from her career and previewing new material from her forthcoming album Little Wild One.

Each WTMD Member is invited to bring one guest to the event.

RSVP (or become a member and reserve a pair of tickets) by calling 410-704-8970 by 6 p.m. Monday, July 7th. Thanks to everyone who called to reserve tickets. Registration is now closed. We look forward to seeing you on the 14th!

7 p.m. Doors; 8 p.m. Show

The Recher Theatre is located on 512 York Road in Towson, MD.

Missy Higgins Joins The Crash Test Dummies

Well, no, not the band...but, you'll see what I mean in a few seconds.

The Aussie songwriter is back with her sophomore release ON A CLEAR NIGHT- and it packs a punch, both in lyrical and vocal authenticity and melodies you'll be hard-pressed to purge.

Recorded virtually live to tape with producer Mitchell Froom (Crowded House, Ron Sexsmith, Suzanne Vega, Los Lobos) and featuring a guest turn by Neil Finn, Missy's crystalline, confessional voice draws the curtains on her diary- several breakup songs punctuate the record.

Check the wonderful strum and Missy being put through the wringer on STEER.



and a very, very catchy song, whose lyrics, I think, we all have related to at one time or another- PEACHY.

The Lunatics Are On the (Infield) Grass?

Word just came out today that Pink Floyd mastermind Roger Waters will co-headline this year's Coachella Festival in Cali along with Jack Johnson. Wow!

I saw Roger at the, now demolished Cap Center in 1987 for one of the most memorable shows of my life.

He was touring in support of his RADIO K.A.O.S album, and only around 5,000 people were at the arena (it held around 20,000).

So, I felt like I was holding the world's best kept secret when the man who wrote just about all the lyrics and certainly conceptualized DARK SIDE and THE WALL, and said he would NOT play any Floyd tunes, suddenly broke out the cash register effects and launched into MONEY- by far, one of the great concert moments in my life!

Now that Roger is hip to the festival circuit, here's a thought: Roger at V Fest 2008! The giant, inflatable pig, the light show and all the necessary Floyd ingredients would work quite well at Pimlico. Keep your hammers crossed!

Put the Lime in the Coconut For Harry

It's no wonder the Beatles loved him. His gift for melody, his high register voice (which, unfortunately, he later blew out) and his maverick rejection of any one style or commercial pressures endeared him to so many people; his influence, profound in songwriters such as Ron Sexsmith. He found kindred spirits in Randy Newman, Mickey Dolenz and especially John Lennon- with whom he infamously tore it up with drink and drug and heckled the Smothers Brothers.

Harry Nilsson died on January 15, 1994. He would be 65 years old today. Watch and listen to his most famous song and a cover from the artist who brought us GRACE KELLY last year.

Red Carpet Moments From The Wire

I had the honor of covering the Red Carpet (ok, it was a small red carpet, but hey, Baltimore is more small town than Hollywood and that's what we love about it, right?) for the season 5 premiere of THE WIRE at the Senator over the weekend.

Not only was it a thrill to see and and talk to some of my favorite characters (Bubbles, Bunk and Proposition Joe), but also, to see surreal moments, from Mayor Sheila Dixon attending the screening (there's a City Councilwoman who, despite David Simon's direct reassurances that the character was not modeled after her, at least bears a passing similarity) to the protesters carrying signs that say, "Cut The Wire" written in dripping blood red.

One thing that stuck out for me came from one of the actors, who said, despite the series shining the light on the War on Drugs, institutional corruption, education, media and the plight of urbanity in America, THE WIRE was David Simon's valentine to Baltimore.

The show also had a wicked sense of humor. Check out the "prequel" to the character of Proposition Joe!




and visit this link to hear clips from some of the actors who attended the screening.

A Kiwi Musical Dynasty In the Making?

Close your eyes, and you'd swear you're hearing an old Split Enz song, but one could forgive Tim's nephew and Neil's son Liam, for drawing on his musical genes a little on his solo debut I'LL BE LIGHTENING.

He used to front popular, quirky New Zealand band BECTHADUPA, now Liam Finn is a one-man-band, of sorts. He plays most of the instruments on the record AND live. He recorded it entirely in Analog at his father's studio. Like Dad and Uncle, Liam has an ear for melody, but his deeply heartfelt romantic lyrics, set to drum loops and other effects, makes Liam Finn a new voice and one to watch in 2008. Check out GATHER TO THE CHAPEL.

Dab Your Eyes For Godley and Creme

Melissa just played "Cry" by Dan Wilson, and it immediately triggered instant recall for a video that was groundbreaking at the time. Kevin Godley and Lol Creme came to fame in the 70's with 10cc ("I'm Not In Love"). But, it wasn't until they split and became a duo that they truly made their mark on music.

They got into directing videos in the early 80's that were artful, alluring and innovative (The Police "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger," Duran Duran "Girls On Film," Herbie Hancock's "Rockit").

But what later became a music video staple (or cliche', depending on how you look at it), was their own 1985 video for "Cry." The video featured faces blending into each other using "analog cross-fading"- that later evolved into a digital effect known as "morphing." Michael Jackson used it for his "Black and White" video and you can see the technique pretty much all the time in ads or even corporate presentations.

In addition to all that, the song was pretty groovy too. See if this video doesn't make you, umm...cry? And be on the lookout for Gonzo and see if you can spy any other celebs!