Got a call from a listener this morning, happy I was spinning the new Winter Hours tribute album, "A Few Uneven Rhymes" featuring Matt Caws of Nada Surf, Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes and a whole bunch of other admirers. He recalled some of their memorable performances at the 8x10.
The band, which formed in Lyndhurst, New Jersey in 1983, had a devoted cult-following, yet never attained the popularity contemporaries such as R.E.M. achieved.
Sadly, their singer Joe Marques, who exuded the slithering sexuality of Jim Morrison, and later, Michael Hutchense, died in 2003.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Oren Lavie's Mattress Choreography
With the deadly elegance of Nick Cave and the mysterious warmth of Nick Drake escaping from his vocal chords, Isreali-born, award-winning playwright Oren Lavie's electic piano and vibe-kissed, Checy-commercial soundtrack, "Her Morning Elegance" captivates exponentially with this video.
I've never tried pedaling in bed before. It looks rather, relaxing.
If you want to know, "how did they do that?," click here. What do you think is the most innovative music video of all time?
I've never tried pedaling in bed before. It looks rather, relaxing.
If you want to know, "how did they do that?," click here. What do you think is the most innovative music video of all time?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
PHISH-Heads lineup for Bonnaroo
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band, PHISH, TV on the Radio, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Beastie Boys, NIN, and Rodrigo Y Gabriella- just to name a few. Tune in @ 720am this morning for complete lineup (so far).
The festival takes place June 11-14 in Manchester, Tennessee.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon via the festival's official website.
The festival takes place June 11-14 in Manchester, Tennessee.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon via the festival's official website.
Monday, February 2, 2009
School of Rock by Sam Roberts
Canadians seem to have a knack for embracing rock stars whose music doesn't necessarily jump out at you as being instant chart-topping material, but wind up doing just that up there- while garnering cult status in the States.
Sam Roberts is one of those types. Now on his third album Love at the End of the World, he bears the torch for classic rock and solid songwriting and wants young people to not get their impression of what's good from American Idol. Not that he's completly sounding like Clint Eastwood in Grand Torino....
...think of it as kind of like The Boss schooling the kids on the field for his halftime show appearance last night.
I guess we can all put down our chicken fingers and learn! Check out Sam Roberts' video for "Them Kids," and join me on New Music/Ticket Tuesday tomorrow morning....I'll spin you my favorite track on the new album, "Lions of the Kalahari."
Sam Roberts is one of those types. Now on his third album Love at the End of the World, he bears the torch for classic rock and solid songwriting and wants young people to not get their impression of what's good from American Idol. Not that he's completly sounding like Clint Eastwood in Grand Torino....
...think of it as kind of like The Boss schooling the kids on the field for his halftime show appearance last night.
I guess we can all put down our chicken fingers and learn! Check out Sam Roberts' video for "Them Kids," and join me on New Music/Ticket Tuesday tomorrow morning....I'll spin you my favorite track on the new album, "Lions of the Kalahari."
Mad-Sweet Pangs perform "D'Artagnan" Live at WTMD
The Newark, Delaware-based jam band visited WTMD (http://www.wtmd.org) for a recent appearance on Baltimore Unsigned, performing the track which originally appeared on the band's debut album "Stumbling Through Blydepoort Canyon."
Mad-Sweet Pangs released the follow-up, "Witness & Wait," in 2008.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A "Case" for Killer Whales
Hopefully, you've had a chance to hear the new Neko Case single, "People Got a Lotta Nerve" from her album due out March 3rd, Middle Cyclone.
Typical Neko song: short, unconventional song structure, she says what she has to say and exits the song quickly- in this case, the "man, man, man, man, man, man, man-eater" refers to cases of humans getting too close to creatures such as tigers and killer whales and losing a limb, or worse, and the unjust fates of those who simply act naturally.
The charity that's benefiting from the sales of the single rescued Michael Vick's dogs.
Animals have shown up subjects/metaphors in Neko's music for awhile and with her recent move to a Vermont farm, that's likely to continue.
Can't wait for the new record, being the Neko nut that I am- in fact, she bought a bunch of old pianos and set them up in an abandoned barn and had friends play simultaneous notes- should create quite a wall of sound.
Neko plays the 930 Club for 2 shows in April (the 8th and 9th.)
Typical Neko song: short, unconventional song structure, she says what she has to say and exits the song quickly- in this case, the "man, man, man, man, man, man, man-eater" refers to cases of humans getting too close to creatures such as tigers and killer whales and losing a limb, or worse, and the unjust fates of those who simply act naturally.
The charity that's benefiting from the sales of the single rescued Michael Vick's dogs.
Animals have shown up subjects/metaphors in Neko's music for awhile and with her recent move to a Vermont farm, that's likely to continue.
Can't wait for the new record, being the Neko nut that I am- in fact, she bought a bunch of old pianos and set them up in an abandoned barn and had friends play simultaneous notes- should create quite a wall of sound.
Neko plays the 930 Club for 2 shows in April (the 8th and 9th.)
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Animal Collective: Pet Sounds on Acid
The Baltimore boys with the strange monikers (Avey Tare, Panda Bear and Geologist) make music worthy of being played.....loud.....at the venue that makes up the title of their eighth album (Merriweather Post Pavilion).
Avant-garde harmonies, psychedelic keyboards, hand-claps- it's a total mind-bend, but with a heart and a point.
I must say: haven't heard anything like these guys in a long time, but they certainly would fit nicely with same Merriweather subscription series (remember them?) that would have included, say, the Moody Blues and Yes.
Animal Collective has THAT kind of spirit, but make no mistake, it's not just some throwback, this is innovative music for 2009.
Avant-garde harmonies, psychedelic keyboards, hand-claps- it's a total mind-bend, but with a heart and a point.
I must say: haven't heard anything like these guys in a long time, but they certainly would fit nicely with same Merriweather subscription series (remember them?) that would have included, say, the Moody Blues and Yes.
Animal Collective has THAT kind of spirit, but make no mistake, it's not just some throwback, this is innovative music for 2009.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tom Principato and Carl Filipiak perform "Too Damn Funky" Live at WTMD
Acclaimed guitarists Tom Principato and Carl Filipiak visited WTMD (http://www.wtmd.org) and performed several songs, including this track from Principato's 2008 release "Raising the Roof!"
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Cheaters perform "Super Fudge" Live at the 8 x 10
Annapolis-based band The Cheaters perform "Super Fudge" during a recent Baltimore Unsigned live taping at the 8 x 10 for WTMD (http://www.wtmd.org).
Friday, January 16, 2009
Pittsburgh: Meet Tracy Turnblad!
They'll meet her and many other Baltimore characters Monday at 1pm, as I broacast on WYEP, an excellent public radio music station in Pittsburgh following the Ravens victory over The Steelers.
If this proves to be more than wishful thinking, I'll spin their audience a little taste of Baltimore!
Like, perhaps, this (I think Tracy is wearing purple)
Alright, per the friendly station to station wager, IF, somehow Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco, LeRon McLain et. al, get lost on the way to Heinz Field and we have to forfiet the game, Mike Sauter, WYEP's midday host, will be on WTMD's air to rub it in Monday at 1pm.
If this proves to be more than wishful thinking, I'll spin their audience a little taste of Baltimore!
Like, perhaps, this (I think Tracy is wearing purple)
Alright, per the friendly station to station wager, IF, somehow Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco, LeRon McLain et. al, get lost on the way to Heinz Field and we have to forfiet the game, Mike Sauter, WYEP's midday host, will be on WTMD's air to rub it in Monday at 1pm.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
June Star performs "Slightly Damaged" Live at the 8 x 10
Alt-country band June Star performs "Slightly Damage" during a recent Baltimore Unsigned live taping at the 8 x 10 for WTMD (http://www.wtmd.org). The song is featured on the band's 2009 release "Honor, Love, and Negotiate."
June Star perform "Highway" Live at the 8 x 10
Alt-country band June Star performed "Highway" during a recent Baltimore Unsigned live taping at the 8 x 10 for WTMD (http://www.wtmd.org). The song is featured on the band's 2009 release "Honor, Love, Negotiate."
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Stars Bar-Rock DC
If you want to find out where you can hang out with Jessica Alba and Citizen Cope or Sting and Denzel Washington this weekend and early next week, just click on this highlighted link.
The forecast calls for painfully cold weather down at the National Mall on Sunday (at around 2pm), when Bruce Springsteen, U2, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and more take the stage in front of the Lincoln Memorial for a 90 minute concert. It's free and open to the public.
Word is, each artist will perform a song each, but keep an eye out for some collaborations.
If you miss that, you can still catch Elvis Costello and Michael Franti (which is cool, because, much to his regret, he was in Canada and NOT Chicago the night Obama was elected- his plane did make a stop in Chi-Town), and more around town, during a star-studded week of history!
Hopefully, Sunday at The Mall will look something like this:
The forecast calls for painfully cold weather down at the National Mall on Sunday (at around 2pm), when Bruce Springsteen, U2, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Wonder and more take the stage in front of the Lincoln Memorial for a 90 minute concert. It's free and open to the public.
Word is, each artist will perform a song each, but keep an eye out for some collaborations.
If you miss that, you can still catch Elvis Costello and Michael Franti (which is cool, because, much to his regret, he was in Canada and NOT Chicago the night Obama was elected- his plane did make a stop in Chi-Town), and more around town, during a star-studded week of history!
Hopefully, Sunday at The Mall will look something like this:
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jenny Lindfors: Shamrock Sublime
While we're on the subject of our new CD of the Week from the Guggenheim Grotto, I wanted to share more of that gorgeous female voice that comes in three quarters of the way through "Fee Da Da Dee."
Her name is Jenny Lindfors, and like Mick and Kevin, she comes from the talented ranks of folk-oriented musicians out of Dublin, who often-times perform in front of each other at clubs like the one in the video.
So, if you think Glen and Marketa, Damien and Lisa, heck even Rodrigo and Gabriella, make Dublin a romantic corner of the world when it comes to beautiful harmonies, instrumental prowess and heartfelt songs, add Jenny's 70's Southern California vibe to the list.
Bewitching!
Check out this live version "Timewarp," which appears on Jenny Lindfors recent album, When the Night Time Comes.
Her name is Jenny Lindfors, and like Mick and Kevin, she comes from the talented ranks of folk-oriented musicians out of Dublin, who often-times perform in front of each other at clubs like the one in the video.
So, if you think Glen and Marketa, Damien and Lisa, heck even Rodrigo and Gabriella, make Dublin a romantic corner of the world when it comes to beautiful harmonies, instrumental prowess and heartfelt songs, add Jenny's 70's Southern California vibe to the list.
Bewitching!
Check out this live version "Timewarp," which appears on Jenny Lindfors recent album, When the Night Time Comes.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Guggenehim Grotto: Melodic Haunting
The duo from the same Dublin scene that spawned Damien Rice and Lisa Hannigan return with their second record, and WTMD's new CD of the Week, Happy the Man.
It's melancholy and relationship wit dressed up in a sunny, New Romantic keyboard bounce- not the kind of concoction you'd expect.
Mick Lynch and Kevin May first got my attention around three years ago with the song "Told You So."
Take a look at The Guggenheim Grotto's imaginative animated video for "Her Beautiful Ideas." How long do you think it took to make it?
It's melancholy and relationship wit dressed up in a sunny, New Romantic keyboard bounce- not the kind of concoction you'd expect.
Mick Lynch and Kevin May first got my attention around three years ago with the song "Told You So."
Take a look at The Guggenheim Grotto's imaginative animated video for "Her Beautiful Ideas." How long do you think it took to make it?
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