Thursday, December 30, 2010

Tom Evanchuck (12/29/10)

A great way to ring out a year of great shows...  Tom Evanchuck was as superb as ever last night.  It was a nearly packed house at the Barking Spider, even as Rebekah Jean opened the evening.  This was my first time seeing her and I was very impressed.  And appropriately so, seeing Jessica Lea Mayfield take the stage with her for a song.  How fun.

Rebecca Jean (12/29/10)

Rebecca Jean (12/29/10)

Tom Evanchuck played a lot of new songs.  I was glad he had such a great crowd, but I have to say I miss those days when it was just 7 of us.  :-)

Tom Evanchuck (12/29/10)

Tom Evanchuck (12/29/10)

(btw, this was my first concert taking photos with my new Nikon D3100... still figuring things out)

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

New Amy Ray Song & Live Album

While i've liked the Indigo Girls for years, Amy Ray is still as relevant as ever for me.  Her voice alone just makes me smile... Props for The New Gay for getting this.

I also just ordered my copy of the new album, MVP:

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Video Tuesday

Going a little low key this week, and with some beautiful videos, particularly the first two.  James Blake shows us the Limit to your Love.  Next up is another jj video for "Let Them".  Finally a video I've been sitting on for a while... Young Man's "Up So Fast."

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Birds Sometimes Dance... Free Holiday Album

An impressive list of performers.  Download it here...

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Tracklist:

Blitzen Trapper – Christmas Is Coming Soon!
Therese Aune – Last Christmas
Parenthetical Girls – Festive Friends (Forever)
Laura Veirs – Through December
Moddi – Nordnorsk Julesalme
Evangelcials – The Last Christmas On Earth
Uno Møller – No Sounds of Snow
Le Loup – Shenandoah
Slow Club – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Sufjan Stevens – That Was the Worst Christmas Ever!

New MEN - Video Preview

So exciting... Don't forget, MEN are coming to the Grog Shop on Sunday, March 13th. Mark your calendars - in bold.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Video Tuesday

Some interesting choices if I do say so myself.  Great songs with a diverse set of videos.  Kathryn Calder - Arrow; Broken Social Scene, a slippery (& sexy?) Texaco Bitches; Banjo or Freakout - 105

Monday, December 20, 2010

New Nico Vega Covers EP - FREE

I'd recommend checking out Nico Vega, especially if  you like something with a little harder edge.  I saw them open for the Von Bondies (2/20/09), and I'm so glad to see them putting out some new stuff.

Nico Vega have announced plans to release a new EP, Nico Vega Covers Nico Vega & Rod Stewart January 4th, 2011.  The EP features a collection of cover versions of the band's previous songs that have been re-imagined in a series of different styles as well as a cover of Rod Stewarts, "Young Turks" - for good measure.

Each week between now and New Years, the band will release a different song from the new EP as a free download.Fans can visit www.nicovega.com for the current available free download, "Million Years."

Sunday, December 19, 2010

A Nellie McKay Christmas / 2 Free Songs

What a holiday treat.

The Giving Tree Band and Nellie McKay spread the holiday cheer with a folksy cover of the classic "Here Comes Santa Claus" and Sinatra's "The Christmas Waltz"

The songs were recorded last Christmas. The Giving Tree Band and Nellie performed at a benefit together for Mercy Animals. After the show, Nellie came out to Crooked Creek studios, The Giving Tree Band's home and recording space. They played all night and recorded these two songs. All done live to tape and mixed in full that very night.

While you're at it, go ahead and download a new track from The Giving Tree Band too. A little piece of folk goodness

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Friday, December 17, 2010

Worried Men (12/16/10)

Last night we caught a friend's band at the ABC Tavern on W. 25th (Ohio City).  Worried Men is a group of talented local musicians covering some good ol' roots / folk / americana songs.  An arrangement of strings including the guitar, bass and violin (peppered with some washboard) always makes for a great live show.  Acoustics weren't great, which you'll hear in the clips below - which is also why I told them to check out the Barking Spider Tavern.  I'd love to see them play there... (or maybe in my living room).

Here are some other photos from last night.

Worried Men (12/16/10)

Worried Men (12/16/10)

Worried Men (12/16/10)

By the way, The ABC Tavern is a great little pub, GREAT food...

Worried Men (12/16/10)

 

The Dirtbombs

Start your Friday night off right... with Detroit's own.  "The Dirtbombs cover classic Detroit Techno tracks on new album, Party Store, due Feb. 2011"

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Beth Ditto Solo EP (Updated)

This should be hot.  Update:  Sample the EP Below.

The Gossip's Beth Ditto is to release a solo EP this January, with help from Simian Mobile Disco. James Ford and Jaz Shaw take production duties on the as yet untitled release, which will feature four new songs and be available via 12 inch and download next month. This isn't the first time Ditto has teamed up with the pair, having guested on the track 'Cruel Intentions' for last year's 'Temporary Pleasures' album. The exact release date of the EP is yet to be confirmed."

(From... Beth Ditto Teams Up With Simian Mobile Disco For Solo EP | News | DIY)

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Video Tuesday

I'm on it today, and this one's a doozy.  First off is the new Scissor Sisters video for Invisible Light. Jake Shears said they made a mistake and this song should have been the lead single from their album - I agree.  Next is the gorgeous new video from Adele.  Finally, a fun new video from a band I don't know, but would like to - The Suzan.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Peter & Paul (12/10/10)

I got a chance to see Peter & Paul again this past Friday, the first time without Mary.  I thought this show would be a little more sad, but was glad to see the guys were upbeat and still putting on a good show.  Though aging doesn't seem to stop, and you could see signs of it in their performance.  Still, you can't fault these folk legends who are still fighting the good fight.

Peter & Paul (12/10/10)

I've known Peter (via my good friend Tim) for over 10 years, and was able to do some early, pro-bono work for Peter's Operation Repect project.  I was honored to help, and thankful to know the wonderful man that is Peter Yarrow.  Here's some footage I got from back stage, as they were finishing.

And of course, the beautiful Playhouse Square - a shot you rarely get to take.  :-)

Peter & Paul (12/10/10)

 

Scotty Dynamo

I'm not sure why I'm posting this.  Not because I necessarily like the video - or the song - though neither are terrible.  I first heard of Scotty Dynamo through Break the Illusion (the over-the-top positivity is alluring).

He is cute.  But this video is the perfect example of what I would call "manufactured hipster."  Glasses, Flannel, PBR's, etc.  Part of me hopes it's mockery - but something is telling me it's not.  Either way - I'm still sharing it.  What say you?

Friday, December 10, 2010

Diamond Rings (12/2/10)

This show was as good as it was disappointing.  The only disappointing part was that we walked in half-way through the Diamond Rings set... Terribly unfortunate because it was only 9:30 and we  thought there were still some openers that would be playing.  SHOCKED.  Mostly because this show was one of my more anticipated shows of the past month.

I've been playing Diamond Rings a lot lately, and you might have seen his stuff on my Video Tuesdays.  Love the throwback electro-pop sound.  I love the deep voice, the lankiness, the torn tights & eye makeup, and that he uses@stayfierce as his twitter name.  He even dons a rainbow unicorn on his keyboard.  All unabashed, just like his music.  The best part - he's touring with his Dad (who I bought his record from afterward).

I was able to capture a couple tracks and really enjoyed what I heard.  This was really just an appetizer, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing him again.

Diamond Rings (12/2/10)

Diamond Rings (12/2/10)
Diamond Rings (12/2/10)

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Video Tuesday (belated)

Lil' late.  This week, you'll get treated to the new British Sea Power from their new album coming soon, Vallhalla Dancehall (Jan 10).  Next is the new Mynabirds video, appropriate for this snowy Wednesday.  Then finally, a disturbing video from Fujiya Miyagi's forthcoming album Ventriloquizzing (Jan 25).  Might be better to just listen than watch.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Cary Ann Hearst & Michael Trent Tomorrow Night!

These fine folks are a new find for me - but I can already tell this is going to be a great show in the (Beachland) Tavern...  See you there??

Cary Ann Hearst & Michael Trent: http://www.myspace.com/cahearstandmichaeltrent

Oh, and an obligitory photo for posting this link on my FaceBook Page!

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The Modern Electric (11/24/10)

The headliner was actually the Floorwalkers, and Tom Evanchuck opened the show, but I really was only able to be catch part of The Modern Electric performance.  I'm happy to see these guys any chance I get... Phenomenal.

They'll be back at the Beachland this month, on December 15th.  Don't miss it!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Small Black (11/17/10)

This was one of the highlighted Spangle shows for last month.  Two good electro-pop acts at the Grog Shop is always a treat.  Opening was Class Actress, a band out of Brooklyn.  With only an EP under their belt, they are already have a well defined and impressive sound.  Take a listen:

Small Black took the stage.  Prior to the show, we were talking with a band member at the bar and I asked if brought the same stage lighting as last time.  He said they actually forgot it.  While it would have been a nice additiion, the show was still excellent.

Also, if you didn't notice, I'm switching YouTube accounts since I'm taking (& posting) more video.  Friend/Follow the new account!