Thursday, November 29, 2012

New EP from New Jersey's House Of Essex


Tim Welch-Lead Vocals, Songwriter, Keyboards
Gregory M. Jones- Bass, Harmony Vocals
Courtney Sappington-Guitar
David Longworth-Drums
Lora McFarlane-Harmony Vocals, Featured Soloist


Maplewood New Jersey's House Of Essex. Individually they have arms lengths of cred that reads like a colloquium of conservatory alumni, collectively they bring it all together for some exceptional original takes on a Rock and Roll, Soul, Jazz fusion. Their new EP released on iTunes features six songs that seem to be gathered from the elusive sounds of the folds between decades where the influences of the last weave into the next but are only briefly glimpsed.
Here is an excellent in depth interview on Technorati



Tim Welch-Songwriter, Lead Singer, Keyboards.
Tim is a versatile songwriter, performer and musician who has worked professionally as an opera singer, musical theater performer and a piano bar player. Tim received his Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Illinois and in addition to his own performing runs a thriving private voice studio of over 40 regular clients each week in Maplewood New Jersey. In addition to this project, Tim is currently writing for other musical projects including a Musical Theatre Cabaret he will perform with his wife Elizabeth Welch a member of the Broadway Company of The Phantom of the Opera.
www.TimWelchMusic.com

Gregory Jones-Bass, Vocals
Gregory M. Jones has been playing acoustic and electric bass professionally in the New York City area since 1988.
He has toured with Ray Anderson, Marc Ribot, Jon Lucien, Chico Hamilton, Ben E. King, Andy Narell, Astrud Gilberto, Savion Glover, Ute Lemper, Eileen Ivers, and many others. Adept in Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, jazz, pop, and funk. He studied at New England Conservatory of Music with Miroslav Vitous, Bob Moses, and Jaki Byard. He was on the faculty of the Bass Collective from 1997-2001.
http://www.myspace.com/gregorymjones

David Longworth-Percussion
From CBGB’s to Carnegie Hall, David has over 35 years of professional drumming experience.
He’s toured internationally with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Juke, Ben E. King and Phoebe Snow. He’s worked with Bruce Springsteen, The Shirelles, and countless R&B groups. David is a member of La Bamba and the Hubcaps featuring the horn players from the Conan O’Brien Show. He has appeared Off-Broadway with the Tony award-winning “Red Clay Ramblers.” www.DavidLongworthdrums.com

Courtney Sappington-Guitar
Courtney Sappington is a highly versatile guitarist, who can be found in bands, accompanying singers, playing for Broadway orchestras, and playing solo guitar. He has done extensive touring both in the U.S and internationally with several artists including Bobby Womack, Alphonse Mouzon, Garland Jeffries, Ben. E. King. His Broadway work includes “Smokey Joe’s Cafe”, “Footloose”, “Swing”, "Saturday Night Fever”, “Good Vibrations”, and "Hairspray”. Courtney’s guitar playing can be heard on recordings, theme songs and TV commercials.

Lora Mcfarlane- Harmony vocals and featured soloist.
Lora’s expressive and passionate vocal style is deeply influenced by R&B, jazz, gospel, reggae, and classical music. In 1982 Lora recorded "Till the Morning Comes," a reggae version of a Roberta Flack tune for Aqua Gem Records; an independent Caribbean label.
She has made a debut appearance with VP Records this year singing a soulful and sultry reggae version of Adele’s, "Make You Feel My Love," on track #16 on Covers for Reggae Lovers, Volume 3. Covers for Reggae Lovers features 16 reggae versions of classic and new romantic songs from top American Billboard hits sung by reputable reggae artists in the field.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving! Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant

A Thanksgiving tradition in our household is listening to Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant.
This was originally released in 1967 off of the album "Alices Restaurant". It was used in the movie "Alices Restaurant" in 1969.



This rendition of it was done by Arlo in the 90's.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Turn Off Your Television 'Wasted Time'

Vocals, guitar and other stuff: Jon Rinneby 
Bass: Stellan Lofberg 
Drums and vocals: Erik Willman 


Turn off your television is a three man band from Sweden with influences in the 60s, 70s and the 90s
Their catalog is a dreamy escape into melodic folk rock with a sweet taste of psychedelic, strong vocal harmonies and great guitar riffs and hooks it's groovy baby and I dig it.

With two new releases 'Wasted Time' released November 4th, and 'Humble Waves' released October 8th, these lads have an abundance of creativity to share. Name your price, stick it in your External Auditory Meatus and enjoy.




 There have always been something bittersweet about Turn off your television’s music. Much thanks to the Swedish weather and the over all sometimes lonely moderate way of living. To put it simple: It’s a strange and ambivalent flavor of love and displeasure that is the foundation of the band – A kind of happy feeling, but still in a way, sad. It’s delicious rockmusic that grabs hold of your guts – never willing to let go.
Sure you want more, check out these other releases from 2011


The album would be a steal at any price, but you can go and download it for free. And, seeing as how it’s a shoo-in for our Best of 2011 list, we’d highly recommend you do so.” – Owl & Bear – Music blog 





Kill Country 'Dust In The Wire' Kickstarter


Nebraska’s Kill Country has a kickstarter for their new album ‘Dust In The Wire’ (see widget below) Known for their distinct alt-country echoes of the big wide spaces lamentations and gut wrenching slow burners seeped in the existential human condition, they describe the new album…..
This record represents both an evolution and commitment to Kill County’s genuine, whiskey soaked country/folk music. Dust In Wire is oft times stoic and brooding, deliberate and contemplative, interspersed with reckless choruses and surging instrumentation. Ten songs of madness, drink, redemption, love, loss, black top and black night. This record is the boldest and most dynamic record to date for Kill County.
Have a listen to the ballad “I805AM”


If you’re not familiar with them rectify that and get their 2007 Album ‘State Line’ free download, listen and kick in for the new one, you get goodies like shirts, test pressings, actual LPs/CDs, posters, handwritten liner notes, unique wooden USB drives and a chance for your very own song by Kill County for your support.

Crooked Cowboy and the Freshwater Indians

Photo by Allen Barnes

Frequent readers of this blog will know that this is right up my wheel house, Crooked Cowboy & The Freshwater Indians focus on Intercontinental Western Music from the 50's, 60's & 70's with a distinctly noir-ish dark menacing tilt.
The Crooked Cowboy, leader of the project has shared sessions and stages with the likes of Jimmy Cliff, Willie Nelson, John Lee Hooker, Beck, and Stereolab, to name a few. An ensemble which ranges from 6-12 while playing live, in September ’12  released ‘Annalog And Her Hopeful Diaries’on Neurotic Yell Records it features Crooked Cowboy >>> vocals, bass, guitar, keys/Brendan Willard >>> bass/Eben Stuart >>> vocals, percussion/Michael Morgan >>> drums, percussion /Amanda Movlai >>> moog, vocals/Marianne Williams >>> vocals, celesta.


They now have an IndieGoGo campaign to fund their Sophomore effort, see widget below.


Crooked Cowboy 'Gypsies & Thieves' @ The Overpass, November 3rd 2012 from Bokeh Monster on Vimeo.










Saturday, November 17, 2012

Kickstart Skeletons in the Piano New Album


One of this bloggers favorite bands Skeletons in the Piano featured on Popakazooza Vol 2 and previously blogged about here have been in the studio working on a new album for release in March 2013, coincidentally? the same week as CXCW 2013. They have a kickstarter going via Magnetic Eye Records deets below, the price put on you is up to you.
Skeletons In The Piano - The Price Put On You


Members:
Elijah Hargrave – Vocals and Guitar
Dustin Alexander – Bass and Vocals
Jeff Ayers – Violin and Keys
Eric Donovan – Drums
Brad Thibodeau – Guitar
Tatianna Morales – Dance/provoke
Katarra Peterson – Dance/invoke

Gypsy rockers Skeletons in the Piano deliver a full length debut on 180g Gatefold Vinyl complete with custom packaging.
Skeletons in the Piano [SITP] entered Overit Media November 3, 2012 and began recording their debut record for Magnetic Eye Records. Over the next week the band will be recording and mixing the record with OStudio staff engineer John Delehanti. Once completed we will have the record mastered for vinyl and then it's off to Pirates Press for a custom packaging job which we will be keeping under wraps for now.


Friday, November 16, 2012

Philly's Cold Fronts Free Catalog



With two major Indie accomplishments under their belt, played at Austin's "South By Southwest," and a Daytrotter session, Philly's young raw no frills garage rockers Cold Fronts, have made their catalog available for free download. Catchy rhythmic tunes distinctly their own even on covers they play tight danceable rock with a touch of pop that keeps the songs in your head.











Hey Sandy, We're Still Here. (A Hurricane Benefit)



Tuckerton New Jersey's The Everymen have created this excellent 52 song 52 artists compilation, to help out the victims of Hurricane Sandy. All money will be donated directly to the American Red Cross.


Among its dozens of tracks, Hey Sandy features a new song from Shark River Hill's Nicole Atkins, a b-side from Ridgewood's Real Estate, a never-before-heard track by Jersey City's American Watercolor Movement, a song from La Sera (aka Kickball Katy), an early interview of a young Neil Hamburger by a pre-Best Show (and one of Jersey's favorite sons) Tom Scharpling, a brand new song from Tuckerton's The Everymen, a new track from Bayonne's Cold Fur which boasts former members of Rye Coalition, a tune from Long Island's Nude Beach, songs from Those Mockingbirds, Cinema Cinema, pow wow!, Holy City Zoo and I Am The Heat, along with contributions from bands and artists from all across New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. We even went bi-coastal and scored a track from Los Angeles indie rockers NO.

For a minimum donation of $5 (after $5, it's pay what you want with absolutely no maximum) you can get all the songs on this compilation, with your donation going straight to the American Red Cross.




Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Bloody Lovely Audrey - Four Dark Eyes

Photography by Zoe Weber


Sinead Curry - Vocals Rob Cleary - Guitars Andy Cavenagh - Bass Seb Guajardo - Drums

I don’t know how I missed Bloody Lovely Audrey’s 2nd release Four Dark Eyes in July, after hearing their gloriously primal debut ‘Animal,’ I became obsessed with their wild abandonment and wanted more immediately. Well it was a long wait but well worth it. BLA fronted by banshee Sinead Curry deliver another wickedly wild sweat drenched explosion of evil sex rock and roll.

Recorded at BigJesusBurger with Evan McHugh (Freelance industry professional / mad cunt) and Wade Keighran (of The Scare and Wolf and Cub)

Their 2010 debut EP is still available as a free download

New Release: Fort Lean - Change your Name


Brooklyn-based rockers Fort Lean released a new EP, Change Your Name, on Nov. 13. 
A mix of 50’s crooner vocals and hip swaying beats with big anthem rock riffs ‘Do You Remember?’ starts the EP off on a nostalgic note, from there the EP rock and rolls right along through four songs with lead singer Keenan Mitchell and the boys exercising their musical range with an ease that must come from muscle memory.  A most enjoyable, danceable record that will have you whispering sweet nothings in your girlfriend’s ears. 

The EP was produced by Patrick Wimberly of Chairlift and mixed by Michael Brauer, best known for his work with The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, My Morning Jacket, and Wilco.

Previous releases: 

Debut 7" Single available on Neon Gold Records and Black Bell Records 2/28/12
Produced by Fort Lean and Ayad Al Adhamy
Mixed by Jake Aron
Mastered by Chris Gehringer


Produced by Fort Lean and Yale Yng-Wong
Mixed by Yale Yng-Wong
Mastered by Joe Jambert at Joe Lambert Mastering
released 13 April 2011


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Blossom in Portland - Fruition

Mimi Naja - Mandolin/Vocals, Kellen Asebroek - Acoustic Guitar/Vocals, Jay Cobb Anderson - Electric Guitar/Harmonica/Vocals , Keith Simon - Upright Bass, Tyler Thompson - Drums

Fruition the accidental bluegrass rising stars of the Portland music scene. When formed in '08 Kellen says none of Fruition's members was well-versed in bluegrass or folk. A chance meeting between Kellen and Georgia transplant Mimi soon had the two playing on the streets and small bars, and soon after Jay Cobb Anderson and bassist Keith Simon, both transplants from Lewiston, Idaho we're drawn into Mimi's magnetic force and together the sound that came out was old-time folk and bluegrass. With two excellent releases under their belt the band is set to begin production of their next recording, their first full-length album with drums. Asebroek expects the group to test their wings outside the folk/bluegrass realm. Pay attention to these young musicians fate seems to be guiding them. Fruition's NEW ALBUM Kickstarter Campaign









Monday, November 12, 2012

Tin Horn Prayer - 'Grapple the Rails'

Mike Herrera, Andy Thomas, Scooter James, Ethan Steenson, Dan Gilbert, Eric Epling

Tin Horn Prayer sophomore album 'Grapple the Rails' is a raunchous, rollicking, kick arse excursion with lots of punkitude. Filled with whiskey fueled emotion, and murderous wantonness these six Denver diablos wander down a dark passage of folk roots. By far one my favorite releases of 2012

Available at Paper + Plastic

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Atomic Honey - Operation: Moondust

Artwork by the Cosmic Garden Gate Keeper @ravenval

From the cosmic cranium ooze of love and light and blasted to the multitudes by an atomic blast traveling at the speed of light and sound, warping time and space picking up pieces of 60's peace, love and groovy and heavy doses of 70's stardust, Kev Atomic, Vertigo, and Princess Mydnite of Atomic Honey arrive in this Millenium on a futuristic Hot Rod releasing their debut LP, Operation: Moondust.  An adventurous journey of ROCKeteering fusion of mythical proportions. Listen, get lost, but fear not your guide is never far away.

Looking from afar they remind us of all of what being a member of humanity is all about, peace, otherhood, love of one another and that music is the Universal force that binds us all together on this blue marble we call home.
Available now on CDBaby After the release date, the album will be available almost everywhere worldwide, both online and at your local retailers. CD only-there will be no downloads.
Listen to three tracks from the album

  Atomic Honey - Operation: Moondust


Track Listing
1. Jupiters Shadow
2. The Visit
3. Where I Belong
4. Main Reactor
5. Sandbox On Mars
6. Shelbytron
7. Foolish Fracture
8. Hell Is Just a Word
9. Color of Mydnite
10. Passionsick
11. Staring At the Sun
12. Embrace the Heartshine
13. Ravenspeak
14. Music Heals Love Rock Prevails
15. Koufuku the Surrender






Thursday, November 8, 2012

Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside - They Told Me


Sallie Ford has an amazing voice, instantly recognizable and yet channeling Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson with the attitude of Patti Smith. Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside have a unique sound and I love it, mixing Jazz, Blues, Rock, Folk and Swing into a modern incarnation, it sounds old but is completely new and delicious.
"Sometimes there's a lot of down time when we are recording. I like to take advantage of that time and I often feel very creative--I ended up writing most of ["They Told Me"} in the studio." 
Follow the linky poo to Nylon Mag Soundcloud page listen and hey hit that download button
Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside - They Told Me


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Video Premiere! Atom and the Volumes 'To The Beat'


Toronto based psych/indie fusion band Atom and the Volumes get playful in their new video for 'To the Beat'  off their excellent self titled debut EP. Mixing stop motion dancing super heroes with live performance, Ray Harryhausen it's not but it got me dancing around the room in my boxers and towel cape with my inflatable Wonder Woman..
If you're in Toronto catch them at The Boat in Kensington Market 158 Augusta Avenue November 29th with Deuce Springsteen and The Queen St. Band for Marc Atom Borins birthday bash.

Marc Borins - Directer of Photography
Lauryn Elan Zuk - Producer/Editor
Dave Borins - Videographer at Lee's Palace
Marko Krsic - Videographer at Czehoski


Give a listen and get the EP