Posts filed under ‘Uncategorized’
Real Estate Tells Us “It’s Real.” Makes a Cute Video with a Bunch of Dogs.
We freakin’ love this band, Real Estate. Who doesn’t? Days is one of our favorites of the year and the band has finally released a video for the epic single “It’s Real,” featuring a ton of cute doggies. What’s not to love here? Triple threat! “It’s Real.” Watch it. Now. With your dog.
November 11, 2011 at 12:49 pm Melissa Nastasi Leave a comment
My Name is Jimmy Lloyd and I Have a TV Show!
We’ve been discovering some great little gems at Modern Mystery lately, and we wanted to share one of our favorites with you. “The Jimmy Lloyd Songwriter Showcase,” which is starting to pick up momentum on TVS around the country, airs interviews and live performances on indie greats such as Jeffrey Lewis, Hank and the Cupcakes, and tons of others.
Since its premiere on NBC’s digital channel NY NonStop in January 2010, “The Jimmy Lloyd Songwriter Showcase” has rapidly achieved widespread success. Now available in the 9 biggest US TV markets, the show’s rapid ascendancy clearly demonstrates not only the quality of the programming, production and concept but also the confidence and excitement host and curator Jimmy Lloyd has inspired in NBC. “The Jimmy Lloyd Songwriter Showcase” is featured on NBC’s digital channels in NYC, Chicago, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas and Miami.
The series is the creation of Lloyd and co-executive producer Ashish Naik and resembles “Inside the Actor’s Studio” for up-and-coming songwriters. The program’s mission is to identify the best undiscovered songwriting talent and bring it directly to a mass audience complete with high quality live performances, artist interviews and an existential monologue about songwriting done by Lloyd himself in each episode. The show, which originally began in NYC was introduced by NBC into 3 additional markets late last year and has recently started airing in 5 additional markets, is curated solely by Lloyd, a NYC-based singer-songwriter who is plugged directly into the local music scene. Guests for the program are selected organically through word of mouth, personal referrals, or via the email submissions he invites viewers to submit at the end of each episode.
Audiences and musical guests alike have been incredibly receptive to Jimmy’s straightforward charisma and charm. Brooklyn-based band and musical guests Hank and Cupcakes even went so far as to write a song about Jimmy after their very first encounter with him, titled “My Name is Jimmy (and I Have a TV Show)”, which gives a good idea of just how much excitement and passion Jimmy brings to the table with every interaction.
“Jimmy Lloyd totally ‘gets’ the truth about music – that it is the one thing which truly unites everyone around the world,” says E! True Hollywood Story producer Michael Lynn. “Thanks to his dedication and passion, promising singer-songwriters are able to receive the attention they deserve without having to compromise their artistic integrity.”
The show has continued to evolve throughout its run, first being filmed at New York’s Gibson Guitar Showroom and recently expanding to include shooting at live venue settings in New York and Los Angeles with both up-and-coming and more established names. Recent guests have included Ari Hest and Jonatha Brooke. In addition to continuing to grow into new markets, there are near term plans to combine the TV series with Jimmy Lloyd Songwriter Showcase-sponsored live concert events which will begin this Fall along with the inclusion of a new Title Sponsor that the producers are currently in discussions with.
Lloyd is also pitching a reality show that is getting some traction about songwriters in NYC called “The Scene…L.E.S. (a trailer for which can be seen online at: thesceneles.com)
To watch “The Jimmy Lloyd Songwriter Showcase”, check your local listings for broadcast times or catch episodes online at: http://jimmylloyd.com
Current Air Times by Market:
New York City: Mondays at 4:00 am and 9:30 pm
Washington, D.C.: Saturdays at 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm
Philadelphia: Saturdays at 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm
Chicago: Saturdays at 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm
Los Angeles: Saturdays at 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm
San Francisco: Saturdays at 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm
San Diego: Saturdays at 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm
Dallas/Ft. Worth: Saturdays at 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm
Miami: Saturdays at 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm
Check local listings for channel information.
Friendo Debuts New LP And Announces Tour Dates
Friendo is not typically known for their conventional ways and generic sound. Instead, this band enjoys pushing the envelope and seeking out new ways to expand their musical horizons. With their recent release, entitled Cold Toads, band members Michael, Nicole and Henry decided to swap instruments allowing them to embark on new creative territory.
Heavily influenced by the sounds of ‘90s experimental rock, ‘70s punk and ‘60s pop, Friendo has recorded a unique masterpiece within the confines of their home and has self-released the album in a retro and smart format, the cassette tape. The album has now been picked up by the St Ives label which is run by Secretly Canadian and the band is releasing 200 limited edition, hand crafted vinyl albums to run alongside the digital iTunes release in addition to the previously released cassette tape format.
Friendo just made their way through the UK and Europe on a two week tour playing with bands like BRAIDS and Future Islands. For more information about Cold Toad and Friendo, visit the band’s site here.
ALLISON’S INVENTION Release Show on July 27th @ Sullivan Hall, NYC
She’s quickly become a Modern Mystery Blog favorite, and we’re loving every bit. Allison’s Invention is bringing us all to Wonderland on Wednesday, July 27th in New York City. The show will take place at Sullivan Hall, and this will be a special release show for her new record titled Sweet and Vicious, which we just can’t wait to hear live.
She mixes up jazz, chamber pop, and folk to go above and beyond your typical singer songwriter. She also plays piano and guitar. Threatened fellas? You should be. Come out for an awesome night of music that you will be glad you experienced. See you there!
Pygmalion Festival Announces Dates and Initial Lineup
The Pygmalion Festival (located in the idyllic Midwestern town of Champaign-Urbana, Ill.) recently announced their band lineup for this year’s music extravaganza. Currently the September 21-24 festival will include Japandroids, Toro y Moi, Deerhoof, Viva Voce, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Hood Internet, Mansions on the Moon, Ava Luna, Brass Bed, Adam Arcuragi, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Ivan and Alyosha, The Parsons Red Heads and more with Explosions in the Sky headlining. This year the festival will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the indie label Polyvinyl Records. The all-day outdoor Polyvinyl showcase will feature the artists from the label’s roster including Deerhoof, Japandroids, Xiu Xiu, STRFKR, Owen, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, and Asobi Seksu as well as the long awaited reunion of local heroes Braid. Early Bird Festival passes go on sale Friday May 6, 2011 at 12 p.m. CST and cost $60. The price will be increased to $65 and $70 at later dates. The festival pass guarantees admission into every show at the festival, depending on capacity limitations. Single tickets for every show will be available as well.
Single show tickets for Explosions in the Sky will cost $20 in advance. The Polyvinyl 15 Year Anniversary Party will cost $25 in advance. Both of those shows will go on sale Friday May 13, 2011 at 12 p.m. online and at local Champaign-Urbana outlets.
The Heavenly States Release Single with Britt Daniel
Bay Area’s The Heavenly States are crazy busy right now with releasing EPs, touring with indie (and My So-Called Life cameo) veterans Buffalo Tom, and a member judging the 2011 US Air Guitar Championships.
Their new single, “Berlin Wall” has Spoon leader Britt Daniel as a guest vocalist singing echoed and muffled wishes of living by the Berlin Wall along with prominent and pounding piano, hand claps and other percussion that together create a beautiful and triumphant composition. As if the music wasn’t charming enough, the video is an animated Humpty Dumpty interpretation with cartoon characters clapping with the song, complete with a Humpty electric guitar solo. Certainly a day-brightener.
“Berlin Wall” can be found on The Heavenly States’ Oui Camera Oui EP out now on Hippies Are Dead Records. The band will be touring the West Coast with Buffalo Tom May 17-20th, and don’t forget to stop by the Air Guitar Championships in San Francisco on June 24th where The States’ front man Ted Nesseth will be judging.
The Drums Release “A Whole New World” For Japan
The Drums recently released the song “The New World” to benefit the Japan disaster efforts. It seems when you are donating all the proceeds of your earnings to charity you are no longer are required to write good music. The song is, in short, awful. I mean, we get it hold on, hold on, hold on. These people are holding on and no thanks to this song. I don’t understand benefit tracks. Generally speaking they are awful. Just because you aren’t making a profit, your talent shrivels up and dies, apparently. In my opinion, donate straight to the Japanese relief funds and skip the song. Unless you want the phrase ‘hold on’ stuck in your head for the next three hours.
Meet Painted Palms
Painted Palms, who is Secretly Canadian’s newest member of the family, are causing quite the storm on the indie scene. The duo of cousins Reese Donohue and Christopher Prudhomme, have just released their debut EP, Canopy, that came out digitally on April 26th. Indie fans have been hopping on board to get a glimpse and a listen of these up and comers, so if you know what is good for you, check them out.
The EP will also drop June 21st on 12″ vinyl and it is infectious to say the least. Each song really brings something different to the table. Creating their own special brand of pyschadelic pop music that will have you dancing your ass off and craving more, you can currently catch the band on tour with of Montreal that just kicked off this week.
Check out the listings below as well as free track!
Canopy Tracklisting
1. All of Us 2. Water Hymn
3. Falling Asleep
4. Great White
5. Canopy
Painted Palms Tour Dates
Apr. 28 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club*
Apr. 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts*
Apr. 30 – New York, NY – Webster Hall*
May 01 – Boston, MA – Paradise*
May 02 – Montreal, QE – Metropolis*#
May 03 – Toronto, ON – The Phoenix*#
May 04 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues*
May 05 – Chicago, IL – The Vic*
May 06 – Omaha, NE – The Slowdown*
May 07 – Lawrence, KS – Liberty Hall*
May 08- Denver, CO – Bluebird*
May 09 – Salt Lake City, UT – In The Venue*
May 11 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market*^
May 12 – Portland, OR – Roseland*
May 13 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore*^^
May 14 – Los Angeles, CA – Avalon*##
May 15 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre*
May 17 – Austin, TX – Mohawk*
May 18 – Dallas, TX – South Side Music Hall*
May 19 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall*
May 20 – Atlanta, GA – The Buckhead Theatre*!
* with of Montreal
^ with Beat Connection
! with Modern Skirts
^^ with Hunx & His Punx
# with Braids
## with Nite Jewel
French Horn Rebellion Releases ‘The Infinite Music Of The French Horn Rebellion’
This Milwaukee duo’s debut album is not something to miss. This album explores a wide breadth of genres sonically. It ranges from 70’s and 80’s oriented dance to progressive synth lines and electronic funk. Wavering vocals, punchy bass lines and crisp synth lines pervade this album, linking it. While at times reminiscent of Phoenix, Daft Punk, and MGMT, the unique combination of crowd-friendly, catchy songs and those that are more introspective and nostalgic creates an album unlike any other.
The album opens with an upbeat, feel-good song, “Up All Night,” which rivets the listener with catchy melodies and synth lines. This dance-floor mentality is scattered throughout the album; tracks like “The Body Electric” and “What I Want” are riddled with guitar riffs, bass lines and vocals that stick. “This Moment” is a testament to the marriage of an 70’s or 80’s like riff with punchy electronic moments and a healthy dose of synth action, at the same time, snippets of French horn mingle with the other sounds in the track. “Running Through the Wild” opens with a cool symphony of electronic musings and melodies before taking off with lyrics like “running through the wilderness hunting for love.” This track is easy and fun to listen to, while at the same time it pushes the listener. It would seem they’ve struck the balance between the two perfectly. The seventh track, “What I Want,” is arguably the centerpiece of this album. This seven minute long track is anthemic and not unlike a rollercoaster. With fun and attractive synths and a wavering bass line, this song does not fail to please. With lines like “We can tell it’s not enough, just bring it back to what I want” and the tin of a melody in the higher register, this track provokes more than just the urge to dance.
As this album moves towards its second half, tracks like “The Cantor Meets the Alien,” “Mawson’s Peak,” and “Antarctica/ The Decision” show off the album’s more introspective side. These songs highlight the innovation between the two brothers, who seem fond of pushing the boundary between catchy and pensive. At the same time, “Broken Heart” is an electronic continuation of the same emotional tone of “Last Summer,” whose sentimental and mellow vocals ruminate on events past. “Broken Heart” merges the upbeat qualities of earlier tracks like “Up All Night” with lyrics a touch more introspective: “I’m so sick of it but I can’t help myself . . . and it breaks my heart.”
French Horn Rebellion has done a great thing with their debut album; their unique sound is both progressive and nostalgic, moreover, it’s superb. While at times it can seem a bit saccharine, usually it’s just plain cool. French Horn Rebellion has successfully married 70’s and 80’s-esque chord progressions and brass instruments with electronic funk. Through this, the pair of brothers has managed to create a sound and style completely their own.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. Plan Race Around America
Detroit indie-pop duo Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. are gearing up for a headlining national tour in May to support their full-length debut, It’s A Corporate World, which will be released on June 7th through Quite Scientific Records. In celebration of the release, they are even offering up the first single off the album, “Morning Thought” as a free download on their website! Get it HERE.
And because good news never come alone, the bad has announced that in select cities during the tour, fans will get to rock out with the band – yes, you read correctly – by coming on stage to sing with them in skeleton costumes. Also, double EPs on vinyl will be made available for the first time and sold on tour. All these tantalizing prospects should make you want to check out if they are coming anywhere near you below!
Here are their upcoming tour dates:
May 10 -Brighton Music Hall- Allston, MA
May 11 – Mercury Lounge – New York, NY
May 12 – The Rock Shop – Brooklyn, NY
May 13 – The Red Palace – Washington, DC
May 14 – Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
May 17 – IOTA Club & Cafe – Arlington, VA
May 18 – The Camel – Richmond, VA
May 19 – Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC
May 20 – The Earl – Atlanta, GA
May 21 – The Basement – Nashville, TN
May 24 – Bottletree – Birmingham, AL
May 25 – Proud Larry’s – Oxford, MI
May 26 – Fitzgerald’s – Houston, TX
May 27 – Club DaDa – Dallas, TX
May 28 – Emo’s Alternative Lounge – Austin, TX
May 31 – Santa Fe Brewing Company – Santa Fe, NM
Jun 01 – Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
Jun 02 – The Casbah – San Diego, CA
Jun 03 - The Echo – Echo Park, CA
Jun 04 – Rickshaw Stop – San Francisco, CA
Jun 06 – Mississippi Studios – Portland, OR
Jun 07 – The Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
Jun 09 – The Neurolux – Boise, ID
Jun 10 – Kilby Court Gallery – Salt Lake City, UT
Jun 11 – Hi-Dive – Denver, CO
Jun 13 – The Waiting room – Omaha, NE
Jun 14 – The Mill – Iowa City, IA
Jun 15 – 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN
Jun 17- White Rabbit Cabaret – Indianapolis, IN
April 13, 2011 at 2:03 pm Sedera Ranaivoarinosy Leave a comment
The Strokes @ Madison Square Garden, NYC – April 1, 2011
Photo by the lovely Chelsea Franklin
Like fish to a bait, thousands of Strokes fans piled into New York City’s Madison Square Garden on Friday night. This has been nearly five years too long since the guys took the stage together in the Big Apple.
Openers The Grogs and Devendra Banhart (Who went on way too early), barely gained any attention. Elvis Costello, also known as our “April Fools,” joke, came out and played about three songs as a surprise opener as well. No one really seemed to care unless he was about to take off a mask and reveal he was Julian Casablancas.
We were there to see The Strokes.
A band that brought Rock and Roll alive for many of us in the crowd, you could look around and see the ripped jeans, converse sneakers and unkempt, but perfectly placed hair. It was easy to believe that everything was back in place. Just how we left it five years ago. It was interesting that the band was playing a stadium in NYC, the biggest headlining show that they have ever done in the city. Being about my 6th Strokes show in NYC, I wasn’t sure how they would carry out a big, sold out venue. The answer is nothing more than “brilliant.”
Cue the 9:30 curtain call and on walks the five familar faces. The crowd gave them one of the biggest welcomes I’ve ever seen and The Strokes seemed to be more than thankful. They wasted no time before launching into “Is This It,” a clever first song. Right away we knew every word, so much that Julian commented on it.
The chemistry of the band seemed to be back. They were tight, and not sloppy by any means, even when Casablancas messed up on a couple of lines. Hey, it happens. If you didn’t tell me they were on a hiatus, I would have thought they were playing together every night for the past year together. It was that great. Bands rarely play so perfectly, then again, no band is The Strokes.
From “Reptilia,” to “Under Cover of Darkness, the band delivered. Mixing classics like “Last Nite,” seemed to be flawless amongst the new tracks on Angles, (BMG) which were even better live than anticipated. Casablancas was chatty that night making comments and talking to the band. They seem to be healing with each other and that makes an arena of 25,000 happy Strokes fans. Highlights of the nights included “New York City Cops,” “Life is Simple in the Moonlight,” and “What Ever Happened?,” but honestly, EVERY song was a highlight
Elvis Costello appeared onstage in the midst of “Taken for a Fool,” which seemed to be magical for some or killed it for others. It takes a lot to impress Strokes fans. A lot.
Nick Valensi’s and Albert Hammond Jr.’s guitars intertwined with every single strum and pluck as they held the songs together. Nikolai Fraiture’s bass was smooth and emphasized every note perfectly. Fab Moretti provided brillian percussion bringing up the backbone of the band, even with the occasional use of the drum machine. Casablancas’ voice was dead on with every note and the crowd was right there with him. Jumping into the audience pit a few times, he weaved his way through the crowd and never stopped for a minute. This is always something amazing about the band. They don’t make the fans feel like outsiders, but part of what’s going on.
Climbing on speakers and upper levels, Casablancas was determined to get your attention at any cost. What was that line that Jason Lee said in “Almost Famous”? …”You know what I do? I connect. I get people off. I look for the guy who isn’t getting off and I MAKE him get off.” This my friends is Julian Casablancas. A man who will bend over backwards to make sure you are having a good time and look cool as hell doing it.
A whopping hour and a half later and a short encore, the band closed with “Take It or Leave It.” Just how we remembered it. Ful of energy, an explosion of sound, a jump in the crowd and smooth but raw vocals. As the band left the stage for the night, you could see 25,000 smiling faces.
The Strokes are back.
SETLIST
1.Is This It
2.Reptilia
3.Under Cover of Darkness
4.Hard To Explain
5.Last Nite
6.Life Is Simple in the Moonlight
7.Juicebox
8.Someday
9.You’re So Right
10.Under Control
11.You Only Live Once
12.New York City Cops
13.Games
14.What Ever Happened?
15.Taken for a Fool (with Elvis Costello)
Encore:
16.Ask Me Anything
17.The Modern Age
18.Gratisfaction
19.I Can’t Win
20.Take It Or Leave It
VIDEOS
Damon and Naomi Partner with Chris Marker on New Track
Damon & Naomi with Chris Marker – And You Are There from The Wire Magazine on Vimeo.
Damon and Naomi, two artists who have worked collaboratively and independently since the 80′s including the band Galaxie 500 are releasing another album together, False Beats and True Hearts coming out March 17th on their own label, 20/20/20. For a single off the album, “And You Are There,” they enlisted artist and filmmaker Chris Marker to provide the visual accompaniment to the track. You can’t really call it a video because it is a single still image and a pretty literal interpretation of the song’s concept as articulated by Naomi in Wired Magazine, the host that premiered the audio/visual partnership. That idea being losing oneself in and being consumed by a memory. That notion is close to Marker’s creative mind as his film La Jatee was the inspiration and catalyst for Terry Gilliam’s 12 Monkeys and likewise for Damon and Naomi’s new musical work of art.
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