Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Bring “Downtown” to Life; and Get Eric Nally Out of Hiding

macklemore

As many know I’m not a fan of Pop-esque music. It has to strike me pretty hard to attract my attention in any shape or form; and rarely does it ever. I know I am about 10,000 years late to the party that is Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t 110% intrigued by their latest single, “Downtown.” It’s good; I mean really good.

Not only does it feature some of rap’s greatest MCs, but to boot it brought back to life Eric Nally of Foxy Shazam fame (who I had interviewed years ago for Greenshoelace.com ), which up until recently, I could never understand how they never really caught on. They were successful in indie circles, but even then, they never fully received the attention they deserved. Also I kind of love the fact that most people think Eric is in costume, but really, no, that’s his usual attire (for live shows at least). Remember when he used to eat cigarettes on stage? Yes, that.

Getting back to my main point, I love the fact that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are being successful on their own terms, and keeping completely true to themselves. It really brings in another level of artist intimacy because there isn’t that label middleman. Everything that they put out is them, whether you like it or not. “Downtown,” is the perfect example of an artist unleashing their heart and soul into the music. Musically and marketing wise it’s genius; and to be honest, one hell of a song.

 

Advertisement

California Wives Debut New Video, Head On Tour with Diamond Rings


California Wives seem to be everyone’s favorite band this year, and they certainly have even greater things ahead as 2012 comes to a close. Not only did they just premiere their newest video for “Purple,” during this week’s VMA’s (What? MTV playing music? Absurd!), but they have also just announced a batch of lengthy tour dates with Diamond Rings this fall, that kicks off later this month. Two stellar acts on one bill? You would be well advised to jump on those tickets early!

California Wives Tour Dates

9/12 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall (CD Release Show)
9/16 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Tavern
9/17 – Toronto, ON – Parts and Labour
9/18 – Buffalo, NY – Ninth Ward

Tour Dates w/ Stars and Diamond Rings

9/20 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
9/21 – Boston, MA – Paradise
9/22 – New York, NY – Webster Hall
9/23 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
9/25 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
9/26 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
9/27 – Charlotte, NC – Visulite Theatre
9/28 – Atlanta, GA – Variety Playhouse
9/29 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge
10/2 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall
10/3 – Cincinnati, OH – 20th Century Theatre
10/4 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe @ Old National Centre
10/5 – St. Louis, MO – Plush
10/6 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note
10/9 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck
10/10 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
10/11 – Little Rock, AR – Revolution Music Room
10/12 – Houston, TX – Fitzgerald’s Upstairs
10/13 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theatre
10/17 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
10/18 – Los Angeles, CA – Mayan Theater
10/19 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre
10/20 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore

Bat for Lashes Release New Video for ‘Sleep Alone’

Lately I’ve been on a huge Bat for Lashes kick. I just can’t seem to get Natasha Kahn’s infectious songs out of my head. Fresh out of the vault, Bat for Lashes has released the third video from ‘Two Suns’ for ‘Sleep Alone’. Kahn is by far making the greatest videos out there today. The small stories within and the overwhelming color palette that sets the perfect tone makes each song more haunting than it already is.

Bat for Lashes was also nominiated today for an MTV Video Music Award (VMA) for the Breakthrough Video catagory up against Chairlift, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Matt and Kim, Cold War Kids, Passion Pit and more. Wow that is some list.

Watch Bat for Lashes ‘Sleep Alone’