Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Video Tuesday

 I somehow stumbled across this video for AlunaGeorge's Your Drums, Your Love and I'm so glad I did. Next up, Diamond Rings loses control with his new video for Runaway Love. Finally, Wild Nothing's little piece of Paradise feat. Michelle Williams.

 

Alicia Keys' Girl on Fire quite the anthem.  Well done.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Marta Pacek (10/22/12)

This was one of most beautiful Fall evenings in recent memory.  I couldn't think of any better want to spend it than listening to live music at The Barking Spider Tavern.  I rounded up some friends and we hit the Marta Pacek show…  All investigations pointed to her being a perfect match for this location/weather.  It looked like I wasn't the only one who thought so, because there were people there than I was expecting.  As we all sat and watched, the gorgeous weather pouring through the open doors behind me, eventually drew me to the outside picnic table.  One by one we discreetly slipped out and had an amazing time.

Marta Pacek (10/22/12)

Marta?  Well, she was OK.  Her voice (at least on this night) wasn't quite worth full attention in a small venue, but it did compliment a gorgeous Fall evening outside the Barking Spider Tavern with great friends.  Probably what was meant to happen anyway.

Nouvelle Vague (10/21/12)

I didn't know much about Nouvelle Vague, except that they were French and could craft a pretty sweet pop song.  Just coming off a work trip and a cold, I wasn't really in the mood for a show on this night, but a friend had a free ticket and I was itching to get out to a show.  I wasn't planning on staying late, but these guys didn't make it hard to leave.  That sounded harsher than it probably should have.  Essentially Nouvelle Vague is definitely interesting to watch, half performance art and half cover band. Not my ideal mix.

Nouvelle Vague (10/21/12)

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Video Tuesday-ish

Heartless Bastards take on the Wizard of Oz on Marathon.  I have mentioned how much I love these guys? Next is the fancy-pants  video for Cloud Nothings' Fall In.  Finally it's Lord Huron's Time to Run.

 Bonus, a surprisingly NSFW video for Magic Chords by Sharon Van Etten.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Tomorrow: Marta Pacek @ Barking Spider Tavern

So as exciting as the Hey Rosetta! / 1,2,3 show looks tomorrow night at the Beachland Tavern, a few of us will be going to see Marta Pacek at the Barking Spider (8pm).  Having missed the previous Jenn Rawlings & Basho Parks show there last Monday (heard it was GREAT), I don't want to miss another chance for a great show there.  Marta Pacek is Australian with a folksy, singer/songwriter sound.  Check her out:

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Tomorrow: Hey Rosetta! & 1,2,3 @ Beachland Tavern

This show is really tempting.  I randomly discovered Pittsburgh's 1,2,3 and have seen them open for Yellow Ostrich at the Beachland (they were also at Ingenuity if you caught them there).  A great sound… I love this song.

So their return pushed me to check out the band they're opening for, Hey Rosetta! which seem to have quite a successful music career (at least in Canada).  They're supposed to have a great live show too.  In other words, for $8/1$10, this show in the Tavern will totally be worth it.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Articles: Pandora - Good for Music?

I first read this piece from Pandora on the payment out to artists listened to on Pandora.  Seems nice… until I read the Lefsetz Letter follow up.  What do you think?

Pandora: Pandora and Artist Payments

"It's hard to look at these numbers and not see that internet radio presents an incredible opportunity to build a better future for artists. Not only is it bringing tens of millions of listeners back to music, across hundreds of genres, but it is also enabling musicians to earn a living. It's also hard to look at these numbers, knowing Pandora accounts for just 6.5% of radio listening in the U.S., and not come away thinking something is wrong.

Pandora was founded on the principle of supporting artists and we're proud to pay performance fees. We think artists could and should ultimately earn even more. But all of this revenue is coming from a single company. A predatory licensing fee orchestrated over ten years ago by the RIAA and their lobbyists in Washington has devastated internet radio. Few now deem it worthy of major investment, including most notably, virtually every major broadcaster. After spending years building an audience, the original three largest webcasters (AOL, Yahoo! LaunchCast and MSN) fled the business after the last rate hike 

Pandora avatar gplus

was imposed. This is not a recipe for a sustainable industry. It is a destructive stranglehold that is putting at risk a much larger reward for musicians everywhere."

(Continued... Pandora: Pandora and Artist Payments)

Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » More Pandora

"Tim Westergren is not running a music service, but a religion. He expects his flock to follow him blindly, leaving their minds behind, all with the goal of lining his pockets.

He owns stock worth double digit millions, yet he’s complaining the company’s getting screwed. Who does this resonate with? Certainly not artists or listeners.

And now in this latest blog post he raves about how much obscure artists are making on his service so he can rationalize paying them less. Huh?

What he’s saying is if you let me pay less, the sphere will grow and you’ll make tons more money! Never mind that this is anathema to Pandora’s shareholders. You can only listen to one radio station at one time, whether terrestrial, satellite or Internet, people only have so many hours in a day, where are all these listening hours gonna come from? It’s kind of like the Internet. If I’m surfing all night, I can’t watch television. Hell, I oftentimes can’t even listen to music! Market share is everything, and Tim Westergren seems to be saying here that he’s willing to give up some of his. This is like Lucian Grainge giving away Parlophone if the European Commission would just approve the EMI merger… How duplicitous can you get?"

(Continued... Lefsetz Letter » Blog Archive » More Pandora)

Video Tuesday-ish

Getting over a cold.  :-(  Diamond Rugs NSFW video for Blue Mountains… great track.  Next up is Pojke (a Sin Fang pseudonym) with a video for She Moves Through the Air.  Finally a captivating video by Panama for It's Not Over.

And the bonus this week is a disturbing video by Grizzly Bear (who's new album is pretty good!).

Thursday, October 18, 2012

New Release: Meshell Ndegeocello's Pour Une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone

Meshell's last album was so stunning and gorgeous, I was very excited to see what she could do with Nina Simone's work.  She's carried that same smokey & sexy treatment to this album as well.  Check it out!  eMusic.com review below…

Meshell ndegeocello dedication to nina simone

Meshell Ndegeocello, Pour Une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone

Meshell Ndegeocello paying tribute to the late Nina Simone makes perfect sense. Both battled to establish themselves on their own inconvenient terms: A pair of iconoclastic black female musicians, strong-willed but sensitive, disdainful of genre boundaries, and soulful to the core. It also makes sense that one of the ways Pour Une Âme Souveraine (translated as ‘For A Sovereign Soul’) would honor Simone is by often confounding expectations in its song choices and treatments. The hallowed Leonard Cohen ballad, ‘Suzanne’ becomes a brisk shuffle. With guest artist Toshi Reagon on board, the somber standard, ‘House of the Rising Sun’ is transformed into a blistering rock rave-up. Simone’s own memorable versions were more conventional, but she’d hardly be one to argue the adventure."

(Continued... Meshell Ndegeocello, Pour Une Âme Souveraine: A Dedication to Nina Simone | eMusic News & Features)

Monday, October 15, 2012

Stream the new Diamond Rings Album

Diamond Rings' Free Dimensional will be out on Oct. 22nd.  Listen to it here first.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Tomorrow: Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks @ Barking Spider Tavern

Feels good to be promoting what I bet would be an *amazing* show for the Barking Spider!  It's been way too long since I've been there… and unfortunately I can't make this night either.  Please check go and see Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks tomorrow night at 8pm, and then let me know how it is - because these guys were made for that place.

Jennandbasho pressshot2

In Music We Trust PR - Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks

"Pacific Northwest indie-folk duo Jenn Rawling & Basho Parks will celebrate the release of their debut full-length, Take the Air (Waterbug Records), before setting out on a West and Midwest States spring tour to promote the album nationwide.

Jenn Rawling, songwriter/guitarist and vintage American folk and old-time country singer, joins masterful string player & harmony singer Basho Parks in a partnership of formidable musical talent and palpable sympathy. Rawling's playful, poetic lyrics are enhanced by her sophisticated sense of phrasing and pace. Parks' violin and viola support her message with compelling musical figures that echo and elaborate the meaning of each song. The duo's debut CD, Take the Air, is an emotionally rich recording which unfolds more gifts with each listen. Recorded and co-produced with Skyler Norwood (Blind Pilot, Horse Feathers) at Miracle Lake Studios, Take the Air, features talented Portland musicians William Joersz and Mub Fractal on upright bass, Matt Berger on percussion (Laura Gibson), Skyler Norwood on Wurlitzer, Joel Ricci on horns (March Fourth Marching Band), and Brendan Phillips on banjo. Using both stripped down and lush instrumentation, Take the Air rejuvenates the listener with its delicate subtlety and glowing warmth."

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Video Tuesday

This is a Video Tuesday to remember.  First off is this new video for Solange's Losing You.  This was out of left field, and a home run at the same time.  I just can't get enough of this pop gem.  Next up darken things a bit with Perfume Genius's Take Me Home - my favorite track from one of my favorite albums of the past year.  Great video.  Last up is dark as dark gets - and leave that to Crystal Castles.  I should have saved this one for Halloween. 

Our bonus is a track by Pojke, also known as Sin Fan / Sin Fang Bous / Seabear.  If he touches it, I like it.

Tilly & the Wall (10/8/12)

After splitting from Neil Young, we made our way to the Grog Shop to catch most of the Tilly & the Wall show.  I haven't seen these guys since 2008 (impetus for getting my old blog back online), and they were still tons-o-fun.  I remembered classifying the as the love children of ABBA and the Mamas and Papas, which still somewhat held, though they've matured a bit.  Their new album as a darker slant, but the more I listen the more I like.

Tilly & the Wall (10/9/12)

Tilly & the Wall (10/9/12)

Still, I captured some older tracks.  Check them out.

Neil Young (10/8/12)

Got to see Neil Young at the Wolstein Center last night.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to stay for the whole thing because Tilly & the Wall were also performing at the Grog Shop.  Some may say I'm crazy for leaving this show early… and I can appreciate that.  I have mad respect for this man and his music.  It's just these large venues don't resonate with me like a small club show anymore.  I mean c'mon, look at this photo:

Neil Young (10/9/12)

Still thought he sounded great.  Not like some old school artists that I think they just wheel out on stage to make a profit.  Here's a Cleveland.com review: 

Neil Young and Crazy Horse rock Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center: Review | cleveland.com

"The Wolstein Center was at near-capacity and the general admission crowd on the floor stood at delirious attention hanging on every ear-splitting note. The place looked like old-hippie heaven. As he proved Monday night, Neil Young contains multitudes. He is a singer/songwriter. He is a rock star. He is a proud Canadian as evidenced by his new song 'Born in Ontario.' He is an artist and trickster who never stops seeking the muse and who continues to find joy doing it. The feeling is contagious. The seven-piece East Los Angeles Latino rockers, Los Lobos, opened the program with a tight and sweat-drenched 40-minute set including hits, 'Will the Wolf Survive?' the blues number 'That Train Don't Stop Here' and the Cajun boogie classic 'Marie, Marie.'"

(Continued... Neil Young and Crazy Horse rock Cleveland State University's Wolstein Center: Review | cleveland.com)

Friends (10/7/12)

Since finding out about Friends headlining show at the Beachland Tavern, I've been spending a lot of time with their (first and only) album, Manifest!  It's really pretty amazing, with each song able to stand alone as worthy and enjoyable.  They have this sort of gritty, 60's, Pop vibe, but with the air of Edward Sharpe meets MEN.  Great stuff.  But first…   Me opened.  I feel like I've seen these guys before (and liked them) but won't even bother doing any searching for them (Me? Seriously?).  But maybe that's part of their ethos.  Either way - I like their rock/blues sound and would definitely see them again.  

Me (10/7/12)

Next was The Very Knees.  A bonus for this night, since watching their electric performance opening for Oberhofer.  Once again their dance/rock/rap sound was thoroughly enjoyable (below is my camera's interpretation of them in low light conditions).

The Very Knees (10/7/12)

Finally Friends took the stage, to which a friend commented that they looked like gypsy hipsters.  Please take that as a term of endearment, because I did.  These guys were  a lot of fun.  I often don't hold bands to the quality of their records, but my only complain about this show was that the vocals could have been a lot louder.  But their presence was joyful and so was their music.

Friends (10/7/12)

Tonight!: Big Easy Express Movie

 Should have posted this sooner… you still have 2 hours!

Sunday, October 7, 2012

rogerzmusic.com is Back!

Pardon me while I geek out on you for a second.  As you may or may not know, this blog has gone through 3 iterations.  The first was created using an old program called iBlogger which basically generated a blog and posted it on your iDisk - which served as a personal web host from Apple.  Earlier this year they discontinued MobileMe and hence their iDisk hosting, meaning I lost my first blog (www.rogerzmusic.com) and my entries from 2005-2008.  Knowing that I would never be able to retain all the deep linking I've created over the years - and that's it's not a high traffic site - I just got it back up and running and put it on Amazon's S3 service (where I pay by data through-put).  I unfortunately also lost some formatting, but having the content back up and on line is exciting (… to me)!

Rogerzmusic

Tomorrow: Tilly & the Wall @ Grog Shop

 So tomorrow night will be a double-header.  Had gotten tickets to see the venerable Neil Young over at CSU, then found out that Tilly & the Wall have a new album and will be at the Grog Shop.  A dilemma, but will try to catch both.  But if you're not already doing something - you should totally check out Tilly & the Wall.  Video and details below.

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First Watch: Tilly And The Wall, 'Defenders' : All Songs Considered Blog : NPR

"Once based in Omaha, Tilly and the Wall's members have since scattered to the four winds: They live in different cities, and their busy lives led to a lengthy hiatus following the 2008 release of O. Still, even after a long absence, the band's music embodies unity, togetherness and empowerment.

Known for employing a tap dancer in lieu of a drummer, the group crafts sunnily clattering dance parties with a bawdy edge and a flair for affirmation. The first single from the band's forthcoming, inaccurately titled Heavy Mood, 'Defenders' revolves around a characteristically raging chorus — 'We're not afraid to live / No, we're not afraid to die' — and persistent reminders to rail against bullies and naysayers. ('No matter what they take, remember who you are.')"

(Continued... First Watch: Tilly And The Wall, 'Defenders' : All Songs Considered Blog : NPR)

Tilly & The Wall Lighten the 'Heavy Mood' on First Album in Four Years | Billboard

"'Heavy Mood' is an all-encompassing title for the four-year period since Tilly & The Wall's last album, 'O.' After the Omaha indie-poppers experience their biggest success to date from 2008 to 2009 -- playing record crowds with a headlining tour, scoring major synchs with single 'Pot Kettle Black' (the films 'Whip It!' and 'Observe And Report' as well as the pilot episode of the CW's '90210') and even an appearance on 'Sesame Street' -- the band took a break to start families, pursue side projects and, in the case of lead singer Kianna Alarid, some serious soul searching.  

The resulting musical reunion is a 10-track collection helmed by producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, The Faint) that adds layers to the dance-punk direction of 'O' on the stomping 'Love Riot' and the party-starting title track, with nods to their tap dance-driven roots on 'Static Expressions' ('We cannot stay this way forever') with passionate anthems to friends and relationships ('All Kinds of Guns,' 'Thicker Than Thieves') and a pair of anthemic calls to arms for the next generation ('Youth,' 'Defenders.')"

(Continued... Tilly & The Wall Lighten the 'Heavy Mood' on First Album in Four Years | Billboard)

Article: The End Of The New Music Industry Transformation

Whatta piece over on Hypebot.  Great summation, this is an excerpt from the near-end.

Ex-TuneCore CEO Jeff Price: The End Of The New Music Industry Transformation - hypebot

Hypebot500x125

"THE END RESULT

Artists no longer need labels to record, manufacture, distribute, or gain access to media outlets.  The traditional music industry based on the concept of 'exploitation' of the artist is being replaced by an industry that serves the artist.  These new service entities provide value at fair prices while being innovative, transparent, accurate and fast.  Due to the fierce competition between these new music companies, it is the artist who now has the power as they get to determine which ones will survive. The culture gatekeepers from labels and media outlets no longer get to decide which artists and music the general population gets to listen to.  Instead, crowd sourcing is the new A&R.  All artists now have a shot. The only thing not changing is the hardest task of all: the creative challenge for the artist to create music that makes a personal and meaningful connection with the listener.

Music fans no longer need labels, retail stores and media outlets to pre-filter what pre-recorded music they get to hear and buy.  Instead, the general population has access to all music, makes it owns decisions as to what is 'good' and can buy individual songs.  In addition, fans no longer need to tether themselves to one device designed solely to play pre-recorded music.  Instead, they can buy a smart phone, tablet, etc that not only makes phone calls, takes pictures, texts and shows movies, but also includes on-demand access to an almost unlimited supply of music via ubiquitous cellular and WiFi networks.  There are now more people engaging and listening to music, and it will be available through all their devices, everywhere, at all times.

Despite these undeniable realities, the traditional labels are still attempting to prolong their control and revenue by operating as if the CD music industry world of 1995 still applied. The labels:

Sue music fans for copyright infringement . Create more onerous agreements between labels and artists requiring them to give up even more of their copyrights, not fewer (the infamous '360 deals') while providing less value. Use antiquated royalty accounting systems and provisions to slow down or reduce royalty payments owed. Stifle innovation under the guise of 'protecting' copyright (As one example, the majors made it a condition that they must own a piece of Spotify in order for Spotify to have access to their music). Killed artist development and long term careers in a mad dash attempt to make money as quickly as possible. Feed the media as much false information as possible (i.e. the entire music industry is dying) in an attempt to discredit, slow down and delegitimize the new emerging industry."

(Continued... Ex-TuneCore CEO Jeff Price: The End Of The New Music Industry Transformation - hypebot)

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Neil Young Journeys Documentary Trailer

Seeing Neil Young on Monday night at the Wolstein Center!  Being the legend he is, he even has his own movie now - though I'm sure it's not the first - or the last.  Mark this one off my bucket list.

Tomorrow: Friends @ Beachland Tavern

Friends

I was so bummed I missed Friends opening for Neon Indian at the Grog Shop in April.  You can imagine my excitement to see they're coming back to headline a show at the Beachland Tavern tomorrow night ($10)!  I've been listening to Manifest! a lot lately (buy it on Insound) and it's really a great album.  Every track stands out.  Check out two of them, with videos below.  The more I hear 'I'm His Girl' - the more I love it.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Ani DiFranco (9/29/12)

I didn't make much noise about this show before it happened, mostly because anything after the show at her home venue in Buffalo, NY is a let down.  Not really, but you know… I've seen Ani plenty, and besides, this was a sold-out show.  This also got me thinking, when was the last time she played Cleveland??  Eh, who cares, I think Kent is the place for her anyway.

Opening was Katie Herzig.  After a great performance at Missy Higgins, I was really excited to see her again.  This time she was played a much more stripped down and acoustic set.  Both ways, I found her warm and charming.  I might even be smitten.

Unfortunately, photography also wasn't an option.   I did sneak this *terrible* iPhone shot, and grabbed some bad video - but I was excited to see what my new iPhone 5 could do. We were too far away for any good visual, but the audio on the videos is pretty good actually! 

Ani DiFranco (9/29/`12)

I didn't mean to catch only the old-school favorites, but I only bothered recording at the end.  Catch the other one over on my YouTube channel.  Both Hands was probably my first favorite song by Ani.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

New & Free Lucy Wainwright Roche!

It's a Lucy Wainwright Roche Bonanza!  I'd been sitting on this free Sampler download for a couple days, but just found out she's releasing a new album - and has some great pre-order options!  Here's what she says:

Big News!

Image 13459017698451345901754

I hope you're having a wonderful tail end of summer!  I wanted to write with some exciting news - this summer I made a new album!   I recorded in Nashville with my excellent friend Jordan Brooke Hamlin and we put our heads together to make this record and get it done in time for the fall.   The album won't be officially released until early 2013 BUT you can get it much earlier if you pre-order the record now.  

Why Pre-Order?

Pre-ordering this record helps me to pay for the cost of mixing, mastering and printing the album.  Basically, pre-ordering makes it possible for me to get this music out into the world.  So..., if you are a fan and would like to get your hands on a copy of this new album, please pre-order!  Pre-order for yourself!  Pre-order as gifts!  (you will get your orders by November- before the holiday season!)

here is the link to pre-order http://lucywainwrightroche.bigcartel.com/

And here's the free download:

Video Tuesday

Here's some stuff to pick up your week.  Oh Marina… She's teaching us How to be Hearbreaker.  Beat Connection's getting heavy with their video for Further Out. Dragonette's living it up with their Live In This City video.  Of course you might have already caught some of these videos if you've see my "TZA Upbeat" playlist of YouTube.

Bonus is Cat Power's futuristic zombie romp with Cherokee.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Guilty Pleasure: Melissa Etheridge

So I've only done one other Guilty Pleasure post, but Melissa Etheridge and her new album deserves one.  Not because I'm even liking the album all that much, but I do like her as a person.  I think she's genuine and level-headed (minus the what, 3 divorces)  :-)  Anyway - Melissa was my transition from Hair Metal to Lesbian Folk as I transitioned from High School to College.  We go way back and she's easily earned a place in my guilty pleasure book.

Eth final

Melissa Etheridge Takes A Look Back In 12th Album | Pollstar

"Have you found yourself becoming more or less political lately? I have found that I’m just political just by being who I am. Being a gay person, being a person who chooses to partake in cannabis, being a breast cancer survivor – these are all very political situations that I didn’t choose, that are naturally who I am. So just by answering the questions, I become political. I’m considered an activist, but I do not spend any more time doing those things than anyone else. It’s just that I choose to stand and be truthful about it. I think it’s interesting that I live in a country where being truthful about who you are is courageous and political. What does that say about us?"

(Continued... Melissa Etheridge Takes A Look Back In 12th Album | Pollstar)

Rock on Melissa.

I might even get this for my niece!