In 2010, Eric Stroud, shark enthusiast, bought a church in the small town of Canajoharie, NY in order to take advantage of the immaculate organ that it houses. In the summer of 2011, he opened its doors for a weekend to let 13 bands stay, play and record.
Bands, Brick Mower, Etiquette, Gypsy Wig, Hides a Well, Keith Kenny, Les Trois Chaud, Melissa and Paul, Patrick Llewellyn, Please Exist, The Painters, Young American Artists.
The story of that weekend and the people involved is now completed and posted for veiwing.
Download free full Bandcamp sets here: Bedside Mannor Collective
The Stan Laurels are the indie psych-pop/rock musical creation of Sound Scientist John Lathrop, one mere human based in Austin, TX who has created an indie psych-pop/rock "band" that that seamlessly blends the super-melodic pop/rock sensibilities of the mid/late 60s with the fantastical (and sometimes absurd) themes and non-standard song structures of early 70s progressive rock, then adds a sizable helping of psychedelia, and throws in a twist of classical for good measure. All of this comes together to create lush, rich, multi-layered pop stereophonic sounds.
Per John's Facebook page: "The debut album, "Death of the Sun," streaming & downloaded FO' FREE"
But hey, tip your server generously.........
Brimming with overflowing instruments, and intertwined with influence's of Beatlesque and ELO orchestration, and with an abundance of piano you can picture The Stan Laurels as the lounge act at Timothy Leary's Harvard Psychedelic Club.
New Release Coming:
"Billi & Theodore: Music from the Motion Picture," the long-awaited second album from The Stan Laurels, a.k.a. John Lathrop, will be released online worldwide on February 5, 2013!
This long-playing record will contain the entire film score as well as 10 original songs featured in Ronald Short's full-length independent film "Billi & Theodore." The album releases the same week as the Austin premiere of the film, which will take place on February 9, 2013.
Formed in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 2010, Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra are steaming up the UK's bustling Americana scene like a Mississippi River Boat with it's boiler in full fire and the mighty muddy river current at it's aft. Their debut album, ‘Money Isn't Everything’ an eclectic mix of Western Swing, Gypsy Jazz, Hokum Blues, Ragtime, Cajun, and Country, all with similar themes of debauchery, disasters, drink and debt caused a sensation when it was released in 2012, winning a host of rave reviews – many of them 5-star. Buy
They have shared stages with bands such as, Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, The Water Tower Bucket Boys, The Sweetback Sisters, Martin Harley Band, Old Sledge (Feat. Chance McCoy of Old Crow Medicine Show), The Black Twig Pickers, and more.
Lugging the sound of Appalachian around like a travel worn tattered old suitcase plastered with travel stickers, containing the basic necessities a traveler needs to keep thier roots close, and ample space for things collected through weary wanderings, Jonathan Warren and The Billy Goats build on those roots of mountian music with a cross section of influences for a sound they rightly call “progressive psychobilly folk grass” with a bit of Gypsy and Vaudevillian stylings, you know my dear readers this gets right in my Boxcar for the long haul.
Now Boise, Idaho-based Jonathan Warren and The Billy Goats released A Little Something Stronger Than Wine (Amazon MP3 & Spotify) in 2011, their second album give a listen to the Reverbnation widget below the videos, and get it!
They recently released two videos that feature two songs off of their forthcoming album, look to the vast western skies for it's arrival this Spring! UPDATE: JW and the Billy Goats are Couch Bound, look for them at Couch By Couchwest!
Not since the vibrant Greenwich Village folk scene of the late 50's early ’60′s, has so much good folk music come from the city that never sleeps, these days Brooklyn is taking the lead in a Folk revival with a slew of folksters assembling around the legendary Jalopy Theatre. High atop and in the thick of it are Dubl Handi, Named after the Washboard company from the 1800's. Dubl Handi is banjo player/vocalist Hilary Hawke and multi-instrumental percussionist Brian Geltner that bring old-time Appalachian music to the eager ears of Urbanites. Adding thier distinct arrangements, Hilary's beautiful lamenting vocals, and Brian's frolicsome percussion to the likes of Roscoe Holcomb, Rufus Crisp, and Gid Tanner standards, they are reintroducing the roots of folk to new generations while devoloping new standards with their own original material. Thier debut album 'Up Like the Clouds' is truly a delight for those with thier hearts in Appalachia and an ear intent on what's Blowin' in the Wind.
Debut Album 'Up Like the Clouds' available on Bandcamp
Bill Graham is rolling over in his grave wishing he'd put this show on. NYC's premiere Rock and Roll bad asses, Brothers, The Dead Exs and Daddy Long Legs on the same bill, guaranteed to be a night of Rockin' Roll debauchery, guitar shredding carnage, and howling harmonica.
Monday February 11th at Mercury Lounge, NYC Tickets
Get your boogie shoes on...Blogger favorites and good friend's David Pattillo and Wylie Werth aka 'The Dead Exs' LIVE at Arlene's Grocery January 22nd Filmed by Jeff Smith
1) All over You 2) Come Down Easy 3) More Stuff 4) Shut Up & Love Me 5) Don't Mess With The Girl from Texas 6) Get Right Time 7) White Collar Crime/Medley 8) Trouble In Kind *note More Stuff is in the playlist twice.
If all your records were on a Lazy Susan and you wanted a tasty stew of all the best ones, you could spin the tray stopping and pulling out choice albums from the decades of your collection, throw them all into a mixer and hope the result would be as delicious as the debut album from Sylvana Joyce and The Moment.
Mixing rock, blues, classical, funk and a little gypsy influence and fronted by the virtuoso vocals of Sylvana Joyce, 'For You, Comrade' is a mountain of magical moments piled high on the solid foundation of adaptable talented musicians.
Biography
Sylvana Joyce and her band, the Moment, were founded in the summer of 2010 when Sylvana put out a craigslist ad looking for musicians to bring life to her music. But don't let their status of ingenue fool you: Six months after the band's inception, they had already received recognition from the industry, with a full week feature by MTV and Ourstage as a "Needle in the Haystack" Artist. Sylvana's band has already graced the stage over 70 times, including festivals, showcases and live performances in NYC, New Jersey and Boston. They have also garnered a following through their musical features at The Inspired Word, a spoken word series which have featured a slew of industry talent including Golden Globe Award winners, Grammy nominated singers, American Idol finalists, and HBO Def Poetry stars. They've been nominated for "Best Band" and "Outstanding Music Video" at the 2010-2011 Hoboken Music Awards and are the WINNERS of the 2012 No Contracts Needed Battle of The Bands competition hosted by UnRegular Radio, a popular online indie station based in Boston, MA. Sylvana, a classically trained pianist and professional actress, leads a showstopping performance with her powerhouse voice and natural star quality. Sylvana Joyce and The Moment's music is the perfect mix of gypsy rock, blues and cabaret that has drawn comparisons to Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, Gogol Bordello and The Dresden Dolls.
Following up on their fantastic 2011 debut full-length album "Along the Gallows" Philly's Gothic Mustician's of Cemetery Blues 'The Bailey Hounds' for the last two months have been laboring over a collection of new songs at Retro City Studios in Germantown, Pennsylvania with the talented engineer & producer Joe Boldizar.
"Although we still have many weeks of mixing, mastering, and post-production work to do, we're anxious for our fans (new & old) to hear what we have been up to and revel in all the grit & guts we've poured into this project. We appreciate all the support and hope to have a new tune out for everyone before that epoch of spring comes and pulls us from those jagged jaws of winter we hold so bloody dear." - The Bailey Hounds
On a cold wintery day not long ago and they did a "Bands in the Backyard" Session with Kyle Costill in South Jersey. "The Murder Song" & "Dead & Gone"—acoustic versions from their upcoming six-song album.
The XPoNential Music Festival coverage from Out of Town Films The Bailey Hounds performing the song “Oh My Demons, How They Wander.” The Out of Town guys are quite adept at finding unusual locations for their shoots, and this one is no exception, with the gothic Americana band performing on the empty lawn of the Susquehanna Bank Center. Check out the video below.
After a whirlwind year, winners of Couch By Couch West 2012 "Most Rocking Band" award, touring Europe, amassing a slew of gigs and fans and building a fellowship of like minded bohemian troubadour's, New Youk Citys premier rock-noir gypsy's and hardest working band, Matthew Hendershot and
Livia Ranalli Aka The End Men are starting the new one with a bang! They have released the cover art (above) and title of their new album "Play With Your Toys" slated for release February 14th, 2013 Valentines Day candy for our ears!
"Run Away' from the new album premiered at Couch By Couchwest
Thomas Bryan Eaton drops a couple new tunes in advance of his forthcoming full length record “We All Want To Be Love.” due out April 2013 on HCVS Records, old timey, honky tonking, take yer shoe laces out, foot stomping, hang yer hat on the hook, jug swilling, howl at the moon til it shines like lightin' ruckus rousing good time.
Days Will Come:
Thomas Bryan Eaton - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Pedal Steel, Drum Programming
Miss Tess - Harmony Vocals
Adam Moss - Fiddle
John Pahmer - Piano, Background Vocals
Jeff Malinowski - Bass, Harmony Vocals
Ryan Cady - Drums, Background Vocals
Six Days on the Road:
*written by Dave Dudley
***an exclusive non-album bonus track!
Thomas Bryan Eaton - Lead Vocals, Guitars
Miss Tess - Harmony Vocals
Adam Moss - Fiddle
John Pahmer - Piano
Jeff Malinowski - Bass
Ryan Cady - Drums
Biography
Thomas Bryan Eaton was born under a full moon on the first day of Spring. Shortly there after, he sat down at a piano for the first time and fell in head over heels. A true lover of music in all its forms, Thomas can play pretty much anything that makes noise, but likes to spend his time wandering around the frets of a guitar and singing songs with nice melodies.
His talents first took him to Ithaca, NY, a legendary hot spot of music and culture in upstate New York. There he helped form Cletus and the Barnburners, a renegade bluegrass band that toured internationally for 5 years. Searching for a more varied musical existence, Thomas picked up and moved to New York City. Taking the opportunity to soak in the creative hub of the city and develop as an artist, he began playing solo shows and performing original material. He also gathered some close friends and formed Hobson's Choice, a rock 'n' roll band reminiscent of The Rolling Stones, Dylan, and the best parts of The Grateful Dead. The band has been known to get the normally stoic city crowds dancing at such venues as; Zebulon, Mercury Lounge, Union Pool, Pianos and Rockwood Music Hall.
Now finding that even New York City is getting too small, Thomas is taking his ever-evolving show on the road, both with a full band and solo. Look for him and his guitar at your local juke joint, honky tonk or street corner.
Aside from working on his own material, Thomas has also proven to be a valuable side man and studio musician. He has performed in bands with styles including honky-tonk, zydeco, swing, blues, and indie rock. You can find him on stage or on record with these bands: Basement Band, Miss Tess, Your 33 Black Angels, The Breedings, Ginny Hawker and Tracy Schwartz, Minerva Lions, Serena Jean, JP Harris and the Tough Choices, The Crooners, Vancans, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Miller, Yvette Landry, Preston Frank, Kelley and the Cowboys, Yonder Mountain String Band, Elephant Revival, Rachel Platten, Steve Waitt, and many, many more.
Upcoming Shows
Jan 23 - Cleveland, OH
- Beachland Ballroom
*opening for JP Harris
Jan 24 - Buffalo, NY
- Sportsmen’s Tavern
*opening for JP Harris
Jan 25 - Wrightsville, PA
- Burning Bridge Tavern
*opening for JP Harris
Jan 26 - Boston, MA
- House Concert
Jan 27 - Brattleboro, VT
- Rocky Top
*opening for JP Harris
Live at Bohemocracy, London. Photo: Nathan Sam Long
Sian Chandler
Ray Hughes
Based out of Gloucester's eclectic music scene, The Black Feathers, Sian and Ray have blended their talents together since '04 when they formed "Just to Annoy Ray" with Trevor Short, Rupert Irving, and Matthew Aldis a band with quite a unique sound, fusing elements of folk music from around the world with rock and funk. Moving on in '08 the duo kicked around the UK playing cover songs in clubs and pubs, looking to spread their feathers, Sian put pen to paper and started writing vocal melodies and words and Ray laid down some guitar rhythm's and harmonies, the result is a powerful, dynamic duo tapping a mix of Americana, old English folk with beautiful crafted lyrics and mesmerizing vocalization's. "I find writing vocal melodies and words a very personal thing", says Sian. Indeed, Indeed Sian they are and I thank you for sharing them.
Feel the Earth underneath you, The ground where you lay,
feel the sun overhead, burning down everyday,
feel the warmth of your love as you lie in your bed.
Their EP Demos was released in September 2012 and they are currently working on their debut 5 track EP, which will be released in early 2013.
Three song Malmesbury Acoustic Sessions from September 2012
Following up on their static electricity producing foot shuffling on the carpet debut EP, Montclair, New Jersey's Boxed Wine are back with a new EP appropriately titled Cheap, Fun. A preview of their upcoming debut full length it features three rambunctious, infectious Indie popkers that can start a spontaneous dance party on the first beat.
Also available, they put out a collection of 70's covers for free
Dancing in the Moonlight (King Harvest cover)
Stuck In the Middle With You (Stealers Wheel cover)
Like dipping into Owsley's punch bowl with an over-sized ladle and taking a big swig, Surly Gates reveal a space in time like a 60's flashback. The Ten Years After reference is not a mistake, reminiscent of that seminal TYA album, this Austin band's debut leaves trails for others to take notice of.
Get it free from Noisetrade for an addy.
Patrick Glynn: keys, mandolin, melodica, glockenspiel
Daniel Blum: drums
Tumbleweed Wanderers started out busking the streets of Oakland, with a soulful howl of distant winds, they picked up a steady stream of eager ears, leading to performances at small bars and cafes, to becoming a major local headliner, selling out shows at the Bay Area’s best venues such as Great American Music Hall and Bottom of the Hill and recording their debut full-length album 'So Long' in July of 2012. Combining soul, folk, and rock and roll at times with sudden blasts of horns, ripping riffs, breezy keys and gospel backing vocals, to calm before the storm harmonies, bellowing harps, guitars and banjo, their debut highlights the range of these wandering, gather no moss musicians. Keep your eyes on the horizon, The Tumbleweed Wanderers are a gathering force.
Two highlight's from the album 'So Long Blues' and 'Roll With The Times' are available for free download.
Alex Culbreth & The Dead Country Stars are an alt-country/americana band from Fredericksburg, VA. Guaranteed to get some toes tapping and hips shaking. Likely to break a few hearts and strings.
Victoria Patchen, vocals, Kendall Jackson, guitar and vocals, Sean Lally, lead guitar, Drake Sorey, drums, and Michael Barrientos, bass.
"Songs about hard-drinking, crime, sex, heartache and the seamier side of life comprise the core of The Highballers’ music. The band’s sweet savory harmonies meld flawlessly with the twang of Fender telecasters. The Highballers’ brand of country can’t be pigeon-holed into one type of sound; their music is rough and tumble and at the same time can be evocative and haunting."–Lizzy Sherman/Peelpost
Bio:
Known for the marble facades, majestic domes and white mansions comprising its landmarks, Washington, DC is nonetheless a gritty, hardscrabble city built on a hot marshland and swamped in confrontational politics.
Like their home turf, the Highballers are as sharp dressed as any modern country act -- but go down more like Jim Beam than the Diet Pepsi flowing through today’s tame, corporate country scene. In the tradition of outlaws like Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, not to mention mystics like Gram Parsons and the Knitters, the Highballers spin a web of country gold rooted the in the diverse backgrounds of their members and the free-spirited abandon of the fiercest gunslinger in the Wild West.
The Highballers were born on the rock of guitarist/vocalist Kendall Jackson and vocalist Hope Hudson in 2007, forging a hard-edged, rockin’ country sound built on the duo’s male-female vocal harmonies. After several personnel shifts, myriad gigs and more than a few empty whiskey bottles, the band arrived at its current lineup of Jackson, vocalist Victoria Patchen, guitarist Sean Lally, bassist Michael Barrientos and drummer Drake Sorey.
Hailing from New Orleans, where he discovered the outlaw country sounds and swamp funk that inspire him to this day, Jackson moved to Cleveland in the early 1990s and eventually formed his first band, the Dirty Bottom Boys -- raging garage rockers not unlike the background of Lally, who hails from the rival (if you’re into football, anyway) city of Pittsburgh. With bands like the Frampton Brothers and the Breakup Society, Lally opened for the Ramones and cowrote a song recorded by REM's Scott McCaughey -- tuning up his sparkling Fender Telecaster just enough to blow the doors off any club he played.
Barrientos is no stranger to loud rock ’n’ roll, either, what with his roots in the high-energy, bloodstained Southern California punk scene in various teen band ventures before his next calling -- professional photography -- took him on an exotic 15-year odyssey too detailed to go into here. But he’s back in music, as is Sorey -- who also took a photographic hiatus from music before getting behind a kit again six years ago; now, Sorey pounds proudly behind an array of fine ’60s vintage Slingerland, Rogers and Ludwig kits.
Those drum sets are as polished as Patchen, another veteran whose pipes have been honored in Billboard and hailed as “cool and ethereal” by Joe Heim of The Washington Post. The Jackson-Patchen pairing produces harmonies reminiscent of Gram Parsons/ Emmylou Harris and Exene Cervenka/John Doe, pouring out their souls like bourbon and mixing it with harmonies as sweet as cola. Combine that with the pulsating rhythms of Barrientos and Sorey and the twanging twin Telecasters of Lally and Jackson -- and you have the reasons the band has expanded its bookings beyond DC and earned acclaim in national publications like The Huffington Post.
Having recently completed their first album, Soft Music and Hard Liquor, the Highballers are poised to climb to the next level. Spit out that modern country diet soda and pour yourself some Highballers. Bottoms up!
Caufield Schnug and Lira Mondal can not be contained in one band, the Austin duo have duo. Both of which are innovative and refreshing garage rock experimental excursions. Silkies
Caufield Schnug and Lira Mondal founded Silkies by accident on an especially hot summer day in Austin, Texas. They had played in bands together before, but they were frustrated with their creative outcomes. A week before the pair endeavored to move to Boston for their respective careers (Caufield pursues a Ph.D at Harvard and Lira works to become a chef), Caufield handed Lira his guitar and instructed her to play whatever came to mind while he sat at the drum kit. Five or ten minutes later, they wrote Like One, and Silkies was born. "Like One" has already received praise from a few (primarily UK based) blogs with MFM and CITR
Mini Dresses
Lira Mondal and Caufield Schnug other endeavor is Austin's Mini Dresses
Their three-song release, the Hot Sun 7”, is available through Manic Pop! Records and on Bandcamp for any price you care to name
Mini Dresses made music all summer with really cheap recording equipment in various apartments and bedrooms throughout Austin. We were basically trying to learn what our music could be. Lira was a classically trained singer, Alex was obsessed with making his own pedals (his guitar was like a vacuum, doubling back on itself through layers of reverb), Jessica played toy casio keyboards, and I recorded everything from behind the kit. “Hot Sun” was written by Lira and I one night while watching Peter Weir’s ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock‘ on repeat - Caulfield from Mini Dresses
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair, this is a magical trip back to sounds of the heyday of 60's grooviness.
Bio: Hailing from New York City via Austin Texas, Ash Gray and the Girls with their vibrant stage presence and emphasis on vocals and harmony bring back the days of pop vocal groups with a modern twist. Somewhere between the Mamas and the Papas,The Stones and the White Stripes, the band features punchy two and three minute songs that use simple percussion,acoustic guitar and vocal harmony.
The band are on their 2nd release! "Born In The Summer", Available NOW on I-tunes and at CD baby
Sometimes you need to get a new dog if it don't bark when there's a ruckus in your backyard, how I missed this staple of the Asbury Park music scene until now has me scratching my head with my hind leg. With 30 years of guitar playing, Tony didn't start writing and singing songs until he was 40, when he started play with Gorgo "it was instantly magic" he says. Gravely, whiskey soaked and aged like gnarly tree bark, Gorgo and Tony sing and spin yarns like Hemingway and Hunter S. Thompson trading shots and tabs.
Two tours of Fallujah hardened me like sea glass in the sand by the end of the third the only friend I trusted was the trigger itchin for my right handridin tail gun on them airport runs back and forth down Hwy 5 didn't take too long till we started taking bets over under counts on limbs and lives
Audrey's voice intertwines with the strings and reeds like a siren tempting Odysseus to a murky demise. Gathering an ensemble of talented musicians they hit the studio to record their debut album, the abundant instruments work together like railroad men laying tracks across the plains. My words can do no justice for this fantastic album that had I discovered earlier would have vied for my #1 Americana album of 2012. One word GET IT, oh that's two words, here's one word NOW!
Released December 19th 2012
Tony Tedesco & Full Fathom 5 are:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gorgo Beach - Mandolin, Backup Vocals
Sean David Cunningham - Violin
Audrey-Kate Geiger - Vocals
Matthew Lott - Accordion, Tenor Sax, Toy Piano
Mike Noordzy - Upright, Conta Alto Clarinet
Michael Scotto - Drums
Tony Tedesco - Guitar, Vocals
Full Fathom Auxillary:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ben Clapp - Trombone on Shoes
Brian DeMello - Beer and Bandana
Pete Jager - Backup Vocals on These Days, Dear Old Dad, and Diesel
Jerzy Jung - Piano on Tecato Gusano and In the Shadow of Achilles
LXNNNIE - Vocals on Shoes
Kurt Thum - Piano on These Days, Shoes, and Diesel B3 on Shoes
Xylophone of Wrench - Wrench Xylophone on SALT
SALT Chior:
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jordan Taylor, Jeff "Mudd" Mahajan, Beach,
DeMello, Jager, Jung, Jager, and Lott
Recorded at Studio E
Engineered/Mixed by Tom Camuso
Produced by Tedesco, Beach, and Camuso
BIO: A staple of the Asbury Park music scene, Tony has honed his craft through many different projects. From spoken word to Whiskey fueled barrel-house rock to solo acoustic, he has explored writing honest yet accessible material culminating in his first release Full Fathom 5.
Along with Grammy winning engineer Tom Camuso (Steve Earle's Washington Square Serenade) and his musical partner Gorgo Beach have produced a 40 minute, 10 song release that explores the human condition. The lyrics are layered with deep cut references to Shakespeare,Plath, Dickenson, Dunn, the bible and many others yet still maintains an accessibility with universal concepts and simple truths. This release has enlisted the services of the Asbury scene's most talented players. A band that's not afraid to take a chance while keeping it's ear to the pulse of the lyrics.. Not brewed for local consumption.Best listened to from dark corners with nary a clue of whence we came.
____________________________________________
Omer Leibovitz of The Courtesy Tier has a side project, under the moniker Dan Abraham a tribute to two people who have influenced his life greatly but passed away before he had the chance to meet them. His grandfather and girlfriends father, Abraham and Dan.
A man and his guitar tackling heartfelt reflections, with sonorous vocals at time's bothsentimental and hopeful Omer venture's into new territories as a singer/songwriter with ease.
Produced by Jeff Berner, Jenny Luczak and Omer Leibovitz.
All songs recorded and mixed by Jeff Berner at Galuminumfoil Studios Brooklyn, New York.
released 01 January 2013
Written, Recorded, and Mixed by Omer Leibovitz. Produced By Omer Leibovitz and Jen Luczak
released 04 July 2012
Tour Dates
WED 16 JANUARY
The Double Door Inn Charlotte, NC, US
FRI 18 JANUARY
The Casbah Durham, NC, US
SAT 19 JANUARY
Motorco Music Hall Durham, NC, US
WED 23 JANUARY
Awendaw Green Awendaw, SC, US
SAT 26 JANUARY
The Nick Birmingham, AL, US
SUN 27 JANUARY
The Shed Gulfport, MS, US
FRI 1 FEBRUARY
Neutral Ground Coffee House New Orleans, LA, US
I don't know about you but I spend a lot of time on a recliner or a couch, but for two weeks a year it becomes something special and you need to be creative to get your Couch By Couchwest venue comfy and gadget ready. With less than two months to go it's time to prepare to be a couch survivalist, stockpile snacks, gather extra coolers for ice, know the hours of operation of all liquor store's in your area, get extra batteries, exercise beer muscles and gather and check the operation of the electronic gear you will need to make your two week cushion excursion go as effortlessly as possible. With some strategic planning you too can be a Couch Spud ensconced in slack-assery, and enjoy the CXCW festivities.
Foxygen is Sam France, Jonathan Rado and whoever the fuck else they think is glamorous.
Legend has it while the two lads Sam and Jonathan grooved in a bedroom surrounded by instruments and rinky dink recording devices honing their skills, George Harrison descended on a cloud playing the sitar and Jim Morrison rode in upon a great snake and bestowed upon them the mystical powers to channel every psychedelic, funk, blues, garage, and rock riff and vocal style both known and unknown in the mellifluous cosmos and stir them into a magical elixir. They set forth on a cosmic journey ensuing an album trail of “Electric Sun Machine,” “Cat Food, Dog Food, Motor Oil,” “The Jurrassic Exxplosion Phillipic,” “Ghettoplastikk” and then “Kill Art.”
In May 2011, Foxygen's Sam France and Jonathan Rado nervously handed off a CD-R of their homemade mini-opus Take the Kids Off Broadway to producer and visionary Richard Swift after his performance in a Lower East Side club. The duo, who had just mixed and burned the disc that very night, had been devotees of Swift's outsider-pop oeuvre since high school, when they first began recording their own pubescent forays into oddball rock n' roll (At least a dozen records were finished before they graduated high school). Foxygen left the venue that night unsure whether Swift would truly listen or sling the disc into a dumpster on his way out. You're reading this right now because he did listen. In fact, Swift fucking flipped for Foxygen's bugged out, esoteric majesty and called upon them immediately to say as much.
Eight months later, Foxygen was holed up for a week-long recording session at Swift's neo-legendary National Freedom studio, creating what has become We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic, a precocious and cocksure joyride across California psychedelia with a burning, bursting punk rock engine. The songs were written in an inspired fury just after Take the Kids... was complete, pouring from their hands and mouths. Foxygen believes each song was a message of peace delivered from cosmic beings who used France and Rado as their messenger vessels.
Their new album is due to drop from the sky like rainbows and shooting stars January 22 pre-order here (it comes on groovy vinyl too!) you can get it in your ears right now this is one hellva an album! It is Streaming on Pitchfork Advance Foxygen debut LP, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic.
They also released two new videos in the last few days...
Have a Listen to July's release which is now available on vinyl
In 2011 they released “EP 2011” recorded on a mono 8-track
cassette stay up to date on Facebook and Twitter
Most people are busy working a few jobs in the current economic climate. This is especially true for recently graduated college students. For one SUNY New Paltz alumni, busyness is an afterthought. Lara Hope is more concerned with entertaining, while also helping people along the way.
Lara Hope, 25, a 2006 SUNY New Paltz graduate with a Bachelors in communications and media, now a Rosendale resident, is constantly on the move. Of all the things she does, perhaps it is her day job that is the least interesting. By day, Lara Hope is an entertainer at the Rocking Horse Ranch in New Paltz where she is known as Lara Hope-A-Long. But by night she is the front woman for two bands, the host of several different open-mic nights in the area, a children’s guitar instructor, the organizer of the Zombie festival in Rosendale, the music-booking agent for Cab’s in New Paltz, and can even be found on the pages of this month’s Ulster magazine. It’s a long list of responsibilities, but as Hope puts it, “I don’t like to be bored.”
One other thing that she does is probably the most important, and meaningful. A few years ago, after starring in the SUNY New Paltz production of The Vagina Monologues, Hope decided that she wanted to direct the play herself. It wasn’t long before the bar formerly known as The Basement in Kingston allowed her to stage her play in 2010. Two years later, in February, Hope was at it again, and this time it was for a better cause. In two consecutive weekends, Hope and her crew raised $5,700 for the Family of Woodstock Domestic Violence Services and Vagina Day.
Because of Hope’s great aversion to boredom, her other endeavors are equally as consuming. Her two bands, Tigriss, and Lara Hope and the Champtones are beginning to receive a lot of attention. Tigriss, formerly known as Tiger Piss, is her rock band that was started in New Paltz five years ago and has done 10 national tours. They have released three albums, which consist of two EP’s and one full-length record. The band members went into “hiding” for a few months, but are now gearing up for a tour with the Coney Island Rock ‘n Roll Show, which isn’t a band really, but as Lara put’s it, “they’re more of a troupe.”
Lara Hope and the Champtones are her pride and joy. Although the rockabilly band has only been in existence for half of the life of Tigriss, she refers to her experience with the Champtones as “the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.” She blames the sentiment on how well they have been received. Dressing up, making money and music videos help, too, but who can tell what is next for her? After being asked if she was only in two bands she responded, “maybe three or four in the next few minutes. I’m kind of serious about that.”
Theater isn’t out of the picture just yet, either. In a few weeks Hope is bringing The Vagina Monologues to Oneonta for some more fundraising and entertainment. She also plans on putting on a production of Cry-Baby the musical in the next nine months to a year.
Whether she is singing on stage to fill the silence of an empty bar on open-mic night, or singing in front of a crowd of hundreds – Lara Hope is a performer at heart. It’s great to know that her passion can also provide thousands of dollars to community organizations that need it.
Stripped down upbeat Folk, Country, Blues and a pinch of Rockabilly, The Gold Hope Duo is a joint effort between front-persons Lara Hope and Matt "The Knife" Goldpaugh. Lara strums the guitar while Matt slaps the Upright Bass or picks the 5 String Banjo. They share percussion duties with their fast feet and live by the motto "If you can't do it, kazoo it!" Their powerful voices intertwine, harmonize and amaze.
A duo sure to make you dance, laugh, drink and grab your partner's behind. They're made of fun!
Since forming in 2007, New Paltz, NY's Tigeriss (formerly Tiger Piss) have become an exemplary band to hold up for those seeking fun sing-a-long rock n' roll that still matters. Bourne from a true DIY asthetic, Tigeriss has self promoted their way into many hearts over the course of seven national tours.
With music that is not only playful but meaningful, the Tigeriss experience promises a complex, catchy, and chaotic reprieve for the everyman.
Sexy without the sleaze, but still nastier than mama permits, Lara's bluesy belting and rolling bass lines merge with Danny's angular and memorable guitar riffs. Completing this trio is Rev Kev's powerful and always danceable drum beats. Combined this power trio brings you raw rock n' roll....the way it should be.
The Champtones emerged from guitar player Jeff Kadlic’s vision and love for the authentic early Rock-N-Roll born out of the recordings from the heyday era of Sun Records and the legendary echo of Scotty Moore’s guitar. After teaming up with bassist Josef Pelletier on an earlier project, Jeff knew that he had found the anchor for one bad-ass, rocking rhythm section. Shortly after, front woman and songstress Lara Hope came into the fold, giving The Champtones they key ingredient to their winning formula. Drummer Johnny Watson was the next piece of this intricate puzzle to fall into to place and, like that, Lara Hope & The Champtones were born!
Lara’s vocal stylings take the music of The Champtones into the outer limits, while Jeff and his Telecaster put the TONE in Champtones. Josef’s string slapping and rocking antics transport the band not only to another level, but another time – when Rock was fresh and young, and music was damn good fun. As the Heartbeat of The Champtones, Johnny evokes the spirit of DJ Fontana and John Bonham as he shakes, rattles and rolls, song after song, beat after beat.
For two years running Knoxville's most hospitable couple Tim and Susan of Tim Lee 3 have shared their music, home, wit and culinary skills with the worldwide Couch By Couchwest audience.
They've a unique brand of southern rock, slow cooked and slathered hot and spicy and highly combustible.
Pssst... subscribe to their newsletter on the web site, they often send love and kisses. Give them a follow on Twitter and a Like on Facebook
In the two years since the Tim Lee 3 released the sprawling two-CD collection, Raucous Americanus, they've been busy playing shows, writing songs, recording, and sniffing out new barbecue joints in their Knoxville, Tennessee, base and writing new songs for Devil’s Rope, the follow-up to Raucous scheduled for February 28 release on CD and vinyl. The tunes run the gamut from the upbeat power-pop of opening track, “Signal,” to the creepy blues rock of the title track, with stops along the way for all the garage rock, psychedelia, punk rock, and roots rock that comprise our sonic definition of rock n’ roll.
Oh my! that sounds exciting dont'cha think? I'm excited. So do yourself a favor and go ahead and pre-order what will most definitely be one of the highlights of 2013! Coming out the end of Feburary
Friday FreeLoad the TimLee3 version of “I Thought You Knew” that appears on next week’s labor-of-love release “Skrang: Sounds Like Bobby Sutliff.”
