Monday, June 10, 2013

Paper Lions - new video, new album..and tour



Canadian indie rockers Paper Lions are gearing up for a run of U.S. tour dates in support of their forthcoming sophomore LP, My Friends, and have just shared a new performance video for the track
Philadelphia

Not bad eh?

That was filmed in one shot in an historic seaport warehouse in the band’s native PEI and gives a taste of the live show.

Equally influenced by the clear-voiced harmonies of the Beach Boys and the clanging guitars of modern rock, Paper Lions have traveled the world on the strength of their last EP At Long Creek (2012) and debut album, Trophies (2010). New album My Friends was recorded with acclaimed Canadian indie rock producer Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara, The New Pornographers, Mother Mother) in Vancouver and is out August 20th. 

ON TOUR!
6.11.13 Bangor, ME @ The Big Easy
6.12.13 New Haven, CT @ BAR
6.13.13 New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall
6.15.13 Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall (NXNE)
6.16.13 Indianapolis, IN @ Hoosier Dome
6.18.13 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar
6.19.13 Boston, MA @ Middle East Upstairs
6.20.13 New York City, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall
6.22.13 Keenesburg, CO @ Rock into the Wild Festival


Official Page
Facebook
Twitter

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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Greg Friedman - New music..Recommended if you like Pop/Rock!



Recommened if you like early Weezer!

Greg Friedman is the playful jester of the indie world, gleefully tossing bits of heartfelt sentiment, idiosyncratic quirkiness, pop culture and whatever genre strikes his fancy against the wall to see what sticks. His latest release Can't Talk Now finds Friedman dabbling in Scissor Sisters sleaze-funk one moment before launching into a tender anthem about a beloved stray dog named Pancake the next. Sprinkled throughout with lush, Nick Drake-inspired balladry, the record is a bit like being tossed into a pop blender, seeing obvious guideposts and influences along the way, while simultaneously being swept up in Frieidman's own unique vision.

Can't Talk Now is a tribute to Friedman's love of vinyl, and the idea of a cohesive, complete visual and sonic package. For the album's cover, Friedman reached out to the late artist responsible for one of rock's most iconic and enduring images. "I contacted Storm Thorgerson, the artist who did Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album cover (among many others) and asked him if he'd work on mine," says Friedman. "He wrote me back right away and said that he's rarely in the States but happened to be in Los Angeles, and here I was in San Diego and it must be serendipity. So I hopped in the car, drove up to meet him, and the rest is history."

Check out a the single "Melancholy Medley"

Find out more, do that follow and like thing:

Official Site
Facebook
Twitter

We are the City. New album OUT NOW


British Columbia-based progressive rock trio We Are The City's long-awaited and eagerly anticipated sophomore album Violent is available now via Hidden Pony Records.

Recorded by Tom Dobrzanski (Said The Whale, The Zolas, Hey Ocean!) at Monarch studios in Vancouver, We Are The City proves it is unafraid to leave open space, employ a colliding drum fill, or experiment with unlikely sounds and arrangements - only serving to make the musical experience of Violent’s 10 tracks that much more exciting to listen to.
Check out the song "Baptism" (the end is pretty sweet)
 

 

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Brendan James - New album and tour. (Boston 6/28 at Cafe 939)

A Derry, New Hampshire-native, Brendan James has had his songs featured in television shows such as Private Practice, American Idol, Bones, So You Think You Can Dance, Army Wives, and One Tree Hill. He’s made TV appearances on Rachael Ray and CBS Sunday Morning. His first three albums climbed the iTunes Top 10 pop charts—James’ sophomore album, Brendan James, climbed to #1 on the iTunes singer-songwriter charts. He’s toured the country nine times over and played alongside such diverse artists as John Mayer, Paula Cole, Keb Mo, Parachute, and Green River Ordinance.

You can stream the album here!

TOUR DATES:

6/19/2013 Ann Arbor MI The Ark
6/20/2013 Evanston IL SPACE
6/21/2013 Columbus OH Rumba
6/22/2013 Akron OH Musica
6/25/2013 Philadelphia PA World Cafe Live
6/27/2013 New York NY Highline Ballroom
6/28/2013 Boston MA Red Room Cafe 939
6/29/2013 Vienna VA Jammin Java
7/13/2013 Charleston SC Charleston Music Hall
7/19/2013 Durham NC The Casbah
7/20/2013 Augusta SC Downstairs Live
7/25/2013 Decatur GA Eddie's Attic
7/26/2013 Nashville TN The High Watt
8/17/2013 Colorado Springs CO Sky Sox Stadium

His official site is www.brendanjames.com

The Nines. A new music festival to MA


This one is hot off the presses!

August 10th in Devens, MA.  Features Expolsions in the Sky, Shuggie Otis, Delta Spirit, comedy and much more!!

The NINES, New England’s newest music and arts festival, a multi-stage, multi-arts summer festival will present a diverse lineup of nationally touring and emerging artists. The all ages event will also feature comedy, art installations, exhibits, interactive art projects, crafts, tasty food and beverages and more.

Sited on the twenty-acre manicured athletic grounds of Willard Field in Devens, Massachusetts, The NINES is conveniently accessed directly off of Route 2, and under an hour’s drive from Greater Boston and southern New Hampshire. Gates will open at Noon. Music starts at 1:00 PM.

The NINES attendees will enjoy a lineup of mixed musical styles represented by Explosions in the Sky, Delta Spirit, Walk Off The Earth, Shuggie Otis, Kid Koala and many more on two stages with no overlapping sets, while a mix of the region’s best emerging to established comedians will take up residence under the “Stitch” comedy tent, curated by Harvard Square’s The Comedy Studio and hosted by the Comedy Studio’s impresario Rick Jenkins. A 21+beer garden will provide a selection of beer and wine.
 
A limited number of early bird tickets priced at $49.00 and “Patron of the Arts” VIP tickets priced at $109.00 will go on sale Friday, June 7th, at 10:00 AM at the Acton, Mass. Enterprise Bank branch located at 340 Great Road (Route 2A) for in person, cash only purchases.

Tickets may also be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, at all TicketMaster locations or charged by phone by calling 800-653-8000. Children under 10 admitted free if accompanied by parent or guardian.

“Patron of the Arts” (VIP) tickets include premier parking, fast lane entry, access to the private Cloud 9 lounge, arts garden and viewing area, complimentary beverages and hospitality, air conditioned restrooms, the NINES official 2013 poster and more.

Early Bird tickets will be available only as long as supplies last. Ticket prices are subject to change without notice.

The NINES is a presentation of 3Rivers Arts in association with Great Northeast Productions, Inc.

For more information go to the official NINES Festival web site:
 



Thursday, May 23, 2013

New Music - Made in Iceland VI Stream some new music!





This 19-track compilation series is the latest showcase for the next generation of talent coming out of Iceland.

This release is crammed with the cream of contemporary Icelandic talent and, from the captivating world created by Pétur Ben to the mind-boggling brilliance of Ghostigital, the sweetness of Pascal Pinon to the sonic sunshine of Retro Stefson, this collection brims with diversity, proving yet again that there is much more to Icelandic music than you might at first assume...

Check out the full stream here

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The season is done...

The Providence Bruins Calder Cup run came to an end last night.  They fell behind Wilkes Barre Scranton Penguins early and never could get it back.   They'd fall 5-0 in the end and it was just not a good game. 

After being up 3 games to none they struggled to even find the back of the net.  Game 6 had an OT loss where the PBruins unleashed close to 50 shots on net.

Sad end to a great season.  They finished with 105 points and were tops in the league for a lot of categories.  Hopefully stuff to build on!

Bummed its over, but it was a heck of a ride.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

The Foals - The Met Cafe, Patucket RI 5/8/13


Foals
The Met Cafe, Pawtucket RI
Wed, May 8, 2013

I did a review for Ryans Smashing Life, which you can check out here.

If you just wanted the set list?
Prelude
Total Life
Balloons
My Number
Bad Habit
Milk
Sahara
Red Socks Pugie
Late Night
Providence
Bloom
E:
Stepson
Inhaler
Two Step, Twice

I do hope you will stop over though....

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Thursday, May 9, 2013

Johnny Marr - The Paradise, Boston May 4, 2013


Hey!

The review and set list and all that stuff that I did for "Ryans Smashing Life" can be found
here




I really hope you'll stop over, tweet it..whatever.   Just reading it will do..  Thanks!






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Monday, April 15, 2013

Life - An Update.

Haven't posted something like this in a bit...it being a personal blog and all..sometimes it can be semi therapeutic right? Mostly post about music and the like..so mix stuff up some.

First thought I have to mention music. My other blog, “Forgotten Disc Friday” is still going..strong I can't say..but today I posted the 300th “flash back”. When I first started it I had some blog chums help me out. Three of them I don't even think blog anymore. The task has been with me for a few years. Some weeks I have 2 or 3 ideas..and can get rolling, then others I stare at my cd collection and wonder what the heck I am going to do. I always feel like the sun is setting on that blog. It doesn't get much traffic from what I can tell, and very little interaction via comments. Not that comments are the be all end all..but some interaction would be nice.

My youngest wrapped up his first season of Hockey. It was his first organized sport as well. He was placed on the right team (the lowest skill level) and after a few weeks I found myself on the ice helping, and then making my way to the bench to help there too. I loved that part, and, call me crazy, I think I want to head coach come this fall. It is just my personality. Figure if my kid is on the ice at 6am and I need to sit in the bleachers? I'd rather be on the ice.

The season was pretty good, they were just shy of .500 I believe. My son didn't find the back of the net, but had a few assists. There are parts of his game he needs to work on, but he seems to like it, at least he tells me that. In the end I just want him to love the game. Its only going to get faster and even more competitive as he goes along. I gave up on it for a few years around the time hockey was brought to my high school. One major regret of high school for sure. These days I skate at least once a week in a laid back pick up league...I have more laughs than goals and it is exercise after all, so I feel it is a good thing.

Still with hockey the Boston Bruins are doing well enough, although the media and fan boys seem to indicate otherwise, but I'll leave that alone. The Providence Bruins, whom I have a partial season ticket for, have made the playoffs. This is really great news for such a good and fun team. I have one more game to go to before the Calder Cup run starts. The only bummer to those games is you never really know “when” they are until a day or two before. Lots of juggling schedules, but I am excited. I've seen them get in to round 2 with my tenure of tickets, but that has been it. Looking for a deep run.

TV and movies
Bruins games these days. The shortened season means there is a game on every other day. I like this.

Otherwise most stuff goes to the DVR. I have 2 episodes of “Hannibal” waiting. I've heard okay things, and I am a sucker for stuff like that. “Mad Men” started up, the wife and I watch that together, one of the very few things we watch together. She wasn't impressed with the season opener, but it has potential. I am waiting for Dexter (the series final season) and then Breaking Bad (also another conclusion). Walking Dead is a mixed bag for me. I always recorded it, but I could wait until mid week to “get around to it”. Dexter, Homeland, Breaking Bad..those I have to watch asap.

Saw “Zero Dark Thirty” recently on DVD. I thought it was okay. Sitting on the shelf are “Argo” and “Lincoln”. I need to get to these. The issue is the kids are up until after 9, and to start an R rated movie with the wife (who wants to see both) is nearly impossible. Everything seems to be 2+ hours these days. To those looking at “long waits” for these two on Netflix I apologize. ** update** watched Lincoln...have to say..its good..but BOOOOOORING. Whoa. Tread lightly on this one.


Life
The good news is there is no news. Usual stuff. Work, school for the kids and a few activities. We are busy with busy work, nothing too wild. Down time, although rare, is hardly enjoyed. Always feel like I need to be up and doing something.

My 25th High School Reunion is coming up. Its a change this time around. We are the hosts of the annual alumni banquet so “all” classes are invited, including the kids that will graduate this year. Might be a little different from the rowdy drink fests of yore...but its always fun to see people. I know it is not for everyone, but in some odd way I look forward to them. I have nothing to prove to anyone, I just go, say hi, share a laugh and then leave. Its easy. Funny how some people hold on to baggage for 25 years. Then again there are 2 teachers I'd like to tell off...but......

So that is really about it. Cool and rainy here in New England. Lawn needs some help and I am ready to get out there. Blogs are not what they used to be on this level. Whenever I hear a blogger that “makes money” I wonder what I've been doing wrong (well lack of posts don't help, neither does a lack of direction or grammar).

I'll be around...hopefully some hockey playoff posts and more music per the norm.

Thanks for sticking around..leave a comment if you read..I’d love to “follow back” with like minded folks.

Regards
March