Tonight!: Big Easy Express Movie

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

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)!

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.

 

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

"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)

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

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.

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! 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!