THE PRETTY RECKLESS, fronted by Gossip Girl's TAYLOR MOMSEN, will hit the road in support of their full length debut LIGHT ME UP available digitally on February 8 on Interscope Records.
LIGHT ME UP is an unflinchingly honest chronicle of MOMSEN's experiences, filtered through her unique point of view.
''The record is about life'', says Taylor. ''It covers everything: love, death, and music itself. It's Rock 'n' Roll. It's sex. It's drugs. It's religion. It's politics. Each song tells a story about the trials and tribulations and emotional struggles that I've experienced or observed.
THE PRETTY RECKLESS LIGHT ME UP 1. My Medicine 2. Since You're Gone 3. Make Me Wanna Die 4. Light Me Up 5. Zombie 6. Just Tonight 7. Miss Nothing 8. Goin' Down 9. Nothing Left To Lose 10. You 11. Factory Girl
The songs are all written by MOMSEN, her producer Kato Khandwala (Paramore, Breaking Benjamin, All Time Low) and guitarist Ben Phillips.
Rollingstone.com picked TPR as one of the five breakout bands to watch and Spin.com called MOMSEN's songs "pretty kickass." "The girl can really wail, singing with a remarkably raspy, world-weary howl that's worth taking seriously."
Having performed at last year's Bamboozle Festival and on the entire nationwide run of the Warped Twenty Ten Tour, THE PRETTY RECKLESS will soon be lighting up raucous crowds with their power-packed personas. OC pop-punkers Runner Runner and A Thousand Horses featuring Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson will open.
THE PRETTY RECKLESS (w/ Runner Runner) Tour Dates: February 11 Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre February 12 San Diego, CA Soma Sidestage February 14 Scottsdale, AZ Martini Ranch February 17 Austin, TX Stubb’s February 18 Houston, TX HOB Bronze Peacock February 19 Dallas, TX House of Blues Cambridge February 20 Oklahoma City, OK The Conservatory February 22 St. Louis, MO Firebird February 23 Indianapolis, IN Earth House February 24 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room February 25 Niagara Falls, NY Hard Rock Café February 26 Toronto, ON Tattoo Rock Parlour February 27 Montreal, QC La Tulipe March 02 New York, NY Santo’s Party House March 03 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall March 04 Philadelphia, PA World Café Live March 10 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen March 11 Columbus, OH The Basement March 12 Cleveland, OH Grog Shop March 13 Pittsburgh, PA Club AE March 16 Baltimore, MD Ottobar March 17 Vienna VA Jammin Java March 18 Asbury Park, NJ Wonder Bar March 20 Hartford, CT Webster Underground
SHIROCK (pronounced SHY-ROCK) is: Chuck Shirock - lead vocals, guitar Pap Shirock - lead vocals, keys Adam Gatchel – drums Kevin Whitsett – bass Evan Weatherford - lead guitar
Out today at all digital outlets is a three-track single for NEW SOLUTION, the debut single/video from SHIROCK's forthcoming EVERYTHING BURNS (Deluxe) to be released on February 22 via The Movement Group with distribution through RED and specialized marketing efforts via CEN-Creative Entertainment Network.
Check out the official music video for NEW SOLUTION which was filmed at Thompson High School in Birmingham, AL:
SHIROCK NEW SOLUTION (C. Shirock / Pap)
I was looking here when I went down I found a new solution I was looking for years, but I've been found You cure heart pollution I won't pretend, I've been waiting for a sign I won't pretend this time
How long will I run Until the morning comes I'll hold on for a new solution I'll hold on for a revolution
I was looking for peace, just some peace & rest When she found me on my knees I feel I'm home, and I believe You can teach these eyes to see I won't pretend that I can make this on my own, I won't pretend You can reach me love
How long will I run Until the morning comes I'll hold on for a new solution I'll hold on for a revolution
We need a new solution
1. New Solution (Single Version) 3:31 2. New Solution 3:43 3. New Solution (KCORIHS Dance Remix) 4:24
Founded in 1901, the NAMM Show is one of the largest music product trade shows in the world. Held every January, it's a massive congregation of Music Product Exhibitors unveiling thousands of new products. Last year saw nearly 1,400 exhibitors and 88,000 attendees (though the Show is not open to the public).
I drove down to the Anaheim Convention Center (Near Archbishop Mickey Mouse) for three continuous days of cacophonous crescendos of caterwauling guitars.
Jumping in the badge line to pick up my credentials, I randomly found myself between my friend Jim McGorman (guitarist for Avril Lavigne and a member of the RockStar TV show band) and Steve Stevens & his wife Josie (of Married To Rock on E!). These random occurances are par for the course at NAMM as time and time again, some of the biggest and most famous musicians in the world are in one's periphery.
(Custom ESP Guitar)
The majority of Thursday was spent walking the massive floor, checking out the latest gear, making acquaintances, meeting Artist Relations reps, picking up party passes and plotting out my Show schedule for Friday and Saturday; all interspersed with visits to the COFFIN CASE booth to ogle the vivacious Coffin Case Girls.
After the convention floor doors closed at 6PM, dinner was on tap followed by a trip to the Convention Center truck loading dock where a guy named Arlan parks his hollowed-out tour bus every year. In place of seats are a PA, monitors, guitars, basses, a full drum kit, an electric keyboard and a Hammond B3. Late night freeform jams with a rotating cast of impromptu players sonically painted the crisp scented air (a discussion during a reprieve for a "beer-run" that centered on Bob Weir's appearance at the Meyer Sound booth that afternoon seemed apropos).
Friday began with a trip to the Fender room on the 3rd floor for a Phil Collen (of Def Leppard) meet 'n greet and solo performance on one of his new signature Jackson PC-1 guitars. It's definitely cool to see someone that's played arenas all around the world give a intimate demonstration...and this, in essence, is what makes an annual visit to NAMM a must.
Next up was a star-studded PRS Guitars press conference hosted by owner Paul Reed Smith and Guitar Player Editor Tom Wheeler. Special guests included Orianthi (Michael Jackson), Dweezil Zappa, Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule), Brad Whitford (Aerosmith), Zach Myers (Shinedown), Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge), Ricky Skaggs, Cody Kilby (Ricky Skagg's band Kentucky Thunder), Tim Mahoney (311), Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers), David Grissom, Martin Simpson, Tony McManus, Davy Knowles and Howard Leese (Heart/Bad Company).
(Orianthi & Zach Myers)
From there, it was up to the Gibson Showroom on the 3rd floor to meet Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction who was pimping his Epiphone Signature acoustic guitar. As suspected, there was a line all the way down the long hallway which was becoming a continual sight within the Convention Center. Lines wrapping, weaving and snaking throughout, as primordial Paparazzi awaited their prey like hungry Condors.
(Dave Navarro)
Sundown approached and it was time for a frosty cold Asahi paired with some seared Ahi over Risotto and steamed Cabbage before catching a taxi over to The Grove of Anaheim for the 2nd Annual NAMM Jam featuring Megadeth, Hellyeah, Michael Schenker, Leslie West (of Mountain) and Michael Angelo Batio.
This monstrous event was being staged by DEAN Guitars and co-presented by ddrum, SoftLayer, Marshall Amps, Aurora Strings, Monster Energy, NewTek, RAO Entertainment, Celestion, Revolver Magazine, Cube Passes, Aphex, Rock-and-Roll Gang Star, Zoom and Evans Drumheads and featured one more titillating dose of the COFFIN CASE GIRLS, this time under the beguilement of a Fashion Show.
Arriving at 9PM, The Grove had already reached capacity (free mega-shows with mega-bands have a tendency to do that) so I was relegated to an eternally dormant line as the event overlords began to exercise somewhat of a "twenty-out / ten-in" policy. Curious math indeed.
Over the course of the next two hours, I, unfortunately, missed the Coffin Case Fashion Show & Hellyeah (though I did hear reverberations of Vinnie Paul's kick drums pounding away). I did, however, stand right next to the infamous Derek Smalls (of Spinal Tap fame) who was smoking a cigar and provided ample amusement until he bolted to a hotel party.
Also seen in line was Ash Costello, singer for Orange-County based New Years Day, a Warped Twenty Ten alum that likes to "GET DEAD".
I was finally granted entrance to a 3/4 filled room (as I suspected) just before the start of Megadeth who played a loose, freewheeling "Greatest Hits" set which lead singer Dave Mustaine referred to as being similar to "band rehearsal". While the hellacious standstill had been a tremendous buzzkill, singing voraciously along with "Wake Up Dead" and "Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?" one more time during my concert life was worth the tedium and a perfect nightcap to the evening.
MEGADETH NAMM JAM THE GROVE ANAHEIM, CA JAN 14, 2011 SET LIST: 1) Holy Wars...The Punishment Due 2) Hangar 18 3) Wake Up Dead 4) In My Darkest Hour 5) She-Wolf 5) How The Story Ends 6) Head Crusher 7) Symphony of Destruction 8) Peace Sells...But Who's Buying? / Holy Wars Reprise
Saturday morning arrived too soon and while procuring a much-needed latte, I bumped in to Queensrÿche guitarist Michael Wilton at the Hilton (Wilton...Hilton). "Whip" (as he's known) has a new ESP signature guitar, the LTD MW-Demon, and was on his way to make an appearance at the Krank Amps booth.
Black liquid caffeine in my veins, I went to the Ampeg booth to meet AC/DC bassist Cliff Williams who when I told him about seeing the band in concert with Bon Scott asked if I was "only three" at the time.
Truth be told, it was my first ever concert and I was, indeed, a wee little lad. AC/DC was one of the openers at an Aerosmith stadium show with Foreigner and Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush. It was a life-changing experience for sure. Meeting the affable Mr. Williams brought the genesis of my music career full circle.
(Cliff Williams of AC/DC)
Next up, it was over to the Schecter Guitars booth to meet Sean Yseult of White Zombie and Robin Zander of Cheap Trick (who delighted the invite-only Schecter party at The Grove with a killer 75-minute, 17-song set). Along the way, I passed by the Dean Guitars booth where Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler was holding court signing autographs.
(Robin Zander of Cheap Trick)
While waiting for Zander and Yseult to arrive at the Schecter booth, I headed downstairs to Hall E to check out the Vinnie Vincent Guitars booth and was stopped by a guy who wanted his picture taken with, none other than, Corey Taylor (Slipknot / Stone Sour). I happily obliged. And so the randomness of NAMM reared its vulturous nammtastic head once again. Caw! Caw!
I made one last trip to the Gibson room to meet Buckethead and Bootsy Collins before having to head back to Hollywood to catch the Lissie show (read my review).
(Buckethead & Bootsy Collins)
A three-day sensory bender had soaked my soul but it was time to put a nail in the coffin case of winter NAMM.
RIP (for now) Mickey Mouse...we'll be back in black next year.
(Special thanks to James Zahn @KikAxeEnt, Jonny Coffin & Lynda Kay @CoffinCase, Rebecca Eaddy @PRSGuitars and Jeff Albright @RockStarPR)
Dead.net Packs Replica Steamer Trunk With Over 60 Discs Capturing Every Note Recorded From The Dead’s First European Tour, Produced From The Original 16-Track Tapes
The First 3,000 Orders Will Receive A Personalized Copy
Individually Numbered, Limited Edition Collection Is Available Exclusively At Dead.net And Will Ship In September
GRATEFUL DEAD slipped the shores of America and crossed the pond for its first-ever major European tour in April 1972. The legendary 22-show run spawned Europe ’72, a live triple album that remains one of the band’s best-selling and most beloved releases. A tour this momentous deserves a boxed set of historic proportions and Dead.net has stamped your passport to relive every note from the European tour with EUROPE ’72: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS—an individually numbered, limited edition collection that includes more than 60 discs with over 70 hours of music featuring every show from what is arguably the GRATEFUL DEAD’s greatest tour.
EUROPE ’72: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS is housed in a replica steamer trunk reminiscent of the ones prevalently used at the time. Along with the music, a vast majority of which is previously unreleased, the travel chest contains tour memorabilia, a coffee-table book with never-before-seen photos, and a comprehensive essay by noted Dead author Blair Jackson. Each performance will also be accompanied by an essay specific to the show written by top Dead scholars including David Gans, Gary Lambert, Nicholas Meriwether, and Steve Silberman.
Jeffrey Norman, the primary mixer of the Dead’s archival multi-track material for the past 15 years, is mixing each show from the original 16-track recordings, with the high-tech Plangent Processes transfer and restoration tools used to bring the master tapes back to life. Two-time Grammy®-winning engineer David Glasser is mastering the music to HDCD specs. While many of the recordings heard on Europe ’72 were sweetened in the studio after the tour, those tracks will be included in this collection without overdubs, where possible.
Due to ship in September, the boxed set is available exclusively from Dead.net, which will take orders beginning on January 19. The price of the collection is $450, which works out to the remarkably low price of about $20 for each show, or roughly the cost of a transatlantic flight from New York City to London in 1972 (price of time machine not included).
EUROPE ’72: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS will truly be a labor of love and might “need a miracle” to happen. Due to the manufacturing costs of this ambitious project, if 3,000 orders are not received by April 1, the collection will unfortunately be cancelled. This isn’t a gun-to-your-head sales pitch but is simply the reality behind making an ambitious release of this magnitude happen.
As a thank you to all the Dead Heads who help make this collection happen, the first 3,000 fans to order will have their copy personalized with a name requested by the purchaser. Once the 3,000 order goal is reached by April 1, Dead.net will continue to take orders through the summer but will limit production of the collection to a maximum of 7,200 pieces, all of which will be individually numbered. Orders will no longer be taken at some date (to be determined) later in the summer. Once the order window ends, this collection will never be available for sale again and will be manufactured specifically to total orders, up to 7,200 maximum. Additionally, to reward those loyal fans who have to wait until September to get their bounty, Dead.net will periodically provide exclusive content (music, photos, and more) in the coming months to all those who have placed an order.
While its sheer size is formidable, what makes EUROPE ’72: THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS such a landmark set is that it captures a defining moment in Grateful Dead history filled with its share of firsts and lasts. The tour offers a snapshot of a band at the top of its game, still ascending in the wake of three straight hit albums—Workingman’s Dead, American Beauty, and the live Grateful Dead (“Skull & Roses”). It had been a year since the lineup had gone to its single-drummer configuration, six months since Keith Godchaux had been broken in as the group’s exceptional pianist, and this marked the first tour to feature Donna Godchaux as a member of the touring band.
There was a ton of new, unreleased material that came into the repertoire in the fall of ’71 and during the spring of ’72, including “Tennessee Jed,” “Jack Straw,” “Mexicali Blues,” “Comes A Time,” “Ramble On Rose,” “One More Saturday Night,” “Black-Throated Wind,” “Looks Like Rain” and Pigpen’s “Chinatown Shuffle,” “The Stranger (Two Souls In Communion)” and “Mr. Charlie.” (Sadly, this was Pigpen’s final tour.) All those future classics were interspersed with songs from the aforementioned “hit” albums—such as “Uncle John’s Band,” “Casey Jones,” “Sugar Magnolia,” “Bertha,” and “Not Fade Away”—and then were topped off by loads of big jamming numbers—the Europe ’72 tour produced spectacular versions of “Dark Star,” “The Other One,” “Playing in the Band,” “Truckin’,” “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider,” “Good Lovin’,” “Lovelight,” and even the early Pig chestnut “Caution.”
GRATEFUL DEAD EUROPE 1972 TOUR DATES (All shows included in their entirety)
April 07 Wembley Empire Pool, Wembley April 08 Wembley Empire Pool, Wembley April 11 Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle April 14 Tivoli Koncertsal, Copenhagen April 16 Aarhus University, Aarhus April 17 Tivoli Koncertsal, Copenhagen April 21 Beat Club, Bremen April 24 Rheinhalle, Dusseldorf April 26 Jahrhundert Halle, Frankfurt April 29 Musikhalle, Hamburg May 03 Olympia Theatre, Paris May 04 Olympia Theatre, Paris May 07 Bickershaw Festival, Wigan May 10 Concertgebouw, Amsterdam May 11 Rotterdam Civic Hall, Rotterdam May 13 Lille Fairgrounds, Lille May 16 Theatre Hall, Luxembourg May 18 Kongressaal - Deutsches Museum, Munich May 23 Strand Lyceum, London May 24 Strand Lyceum, London May 25 Strand Lyceum, London May 26 Strand Lyceum, London
With over a million and a half albums sold and sold out concerts around the globe, keyboardist KEIKO MATSUI is a citizen of the world and one of the brightest stars in instrumental music. On January 25th, Shanachie Entertainment will release THE ROAD…, KEIKO MATSUI’s first new recording in four years and a follow-up to her acclaimed 2007 South African inspired Moyo.
This new self-produced opus (and 22nd album released in the U.S.) exhibits MATSUI’s profound affinity for melody while effortlessly transcending boundaries; borrowing from such diverse idioms as jazz, classical, rock, blues, traditional music of the world and beyond.
From the elegant opener “Secret Pond” to the impressionistic “Falcon’s Wing,” which shines light on the pianist’s classical influences, to KEIKO's co-writing collaborations with revered Cameroonian bassist/guitarist, vocalist/producer Richard Bona (Pat Metheny, Bobby McFerrin, Zawinul Syndicate) on both the spirited dance-inducing “Nguea Wonja” (which means to ‘take pride in the road you are traveling on your journey’) and the divine ballad “Touching Peace,” THE ROAD… is artfully sublime.
Over the course of nine heartfelt songs, MATSUI majestically creates a distinct listening enlightenment that permeates one’s consciousness. Augmenting the intimate journey are veteran drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (Frank Zappa, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock) and saxophonist Kirk Whalum on the deeply moving “Awakening” with Whalum also contributing sax to the album’s lead single “Affirmation”:
THE ROAD… stands tall as another exquisite achievement in KEIKO’s masterful career. Over the course of three decades, her free spirit and creative genius have afforded her the luxury to share the stage with everyone from Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis to Hugh Masakela and Bob James.
Aside from performing worldwide, KEIKO (pronounced Kay-Koe means ‘happy celebratory child’ in Japanese) is an activist by nature, using her music to speak to the world while also lending her voice to causes championed by organizations like The United Nations World Food Programme, Be The Match Marrow Registry and The National Donor Program and Marrow Foundation.
“Simply breathtaking.” Jazz Review
“Keiko is a brilliant performer, arranger and composer.” Bob James
“Her road, is laced with melodies and imagination that make for quite the splendid journey.” The Smooth Jazz Ride
KEIKO MATSUI TOUR DATES Feb 11 Boston, MA – Scullers Jazz Club Feb 12 Boston, MA – Scullers Jazz Club Feb 13 Londonberry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall Feb 14 Warren, MI - Andiamo Celebrity Showroom Feb 17 Orlando, FL – The Plaza Theatre Feb 18 Largo, FL – Largo Cultural Center Feb 19 Austin, TX – One World Theatre Feb 20 The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe Feb 24 Agoura Hills, CA – The Canyon Club Feb 25 San Juan Capistrano, CA – The Coach House Feb 26 San Diego, CA - Anthology Feb 27 San Diego, CA - Anthology Mar 10 San Diego, CA – Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards Mar 11 San Diego, CA – Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards Mar 12 San Diego, CA – Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards Mar 13 San Diego, CA – Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards May 05 Seattle, WA - Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley May 06 Seattle, WA - Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley May 07 Seattle, WA - Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley May 08 Seattle, WA - Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley May 12 Washington D.C. – Blues Alley May 13 Washington D.C. – Blues Alley May 14 Washington D.C. – Blues Alley May 15 Washington D.C. – Blues Alley May 20 Harrisburg, PA – Whitaker Center May 21 Bay Shore, NY – Boulton Center
Circa 2004, a young singer-songwriter named Elisabeth Maurus packed up and headed west to Hollywood, CA (as thousands do each year) to follow one of the quintessential American dreams.
Over the subsequent years, in between her day gig at Urban Outfitters on the eternally trendy portion of Melrose Avenue, LISSIE played many, many gigs at Hollywood hubs such as Crane's Tavern (which she nicknamed "Beachwood Rockers’ Society") and The Hotel Cafe where her powerful voice and deeply earnest lyrics helped her amass a devout following.
Fast forward to the 2010 summer release of her debut album CATCHING A TIGER which has been deservedly heaped upon with an avalanche of glowing praise. It's an auspicious debut that immediately draws you in with its emotional vibrancy. Paste Magazine hailed LISSIE as the BEST new solo artist of 2010 while ITunes UK declared her single "When I'm Alone" as their Editor’s Choice Song Of The Year.
With L.A. as her home base for several years (she now resides in Ojai, CA), it came as no surprise last October that her Troubadour show sold out almost immediately. Many of her friends and supporters came to celebrate her debut album release but many more were not able to get in so a subsequent date at The Music Box was scheduled.
Before an energetic capacity crowd at The Music Box on Saturday night, longtime LISSIE supporters found themselves united amongst celebrities such as Katy Perry, Perez Hilton, Marina & The Diamonds and director David Lynch (it was rather appropriate that the intro music to kick off the show was the theme from Twin Peaks).
This particular show was the opening date of her winter U.S. tour that will see her on the road with Shreveport singer-songwriter Dylan LeBlanc.
Fresh from the Holiday break, LISSIE and her bandmates, guitarist Eric Sullivan and bassist Lewis Keller, welcomed the addition of drummer Stuart 'Baxter' Wilkinson (Keller previously played both bass and percussion simultaneously) as they played a fairly similar set to the one at The Troubadour a few months prior. The reaction was rambunctiously similar as infectious hooting and hollas of "I Love You Lissie" washed over the room.
Highlights included "Worried About," "When I'm Alone," "Little Lovin" with pristine backing vocals by openers The Pierces (aka Catherine and Allison Pierce), the Fleetwood Mac-inspired tour-du-force "In Sleep," the tequila shot-inducing cover of Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" and the acappella prayer "Watch Over Me" (which was the first song LISSIE wrote upon her arrival to the City of Angels).
(Catherine Pierce)
Actually, truth be told, the entire concert was a sustained highlight as LISSIE shows are akin to gospel-fueled revivals. Her passionate lay-it-all-on-the-line performances are fervently echoed back at her through boisterous sing-alongs, syncopated clapping attacks and timed shoe shuffling. It's a cathartic experience for both the artist and the audiences.
LISSIE THE MUSIC BOX HOLLYWOOD, CA JAN 15, 2011 SET LIST: (Twin Peaks Theme intro) 1) Wedding Bells 2) Worried About 3) Here Before 4) When I'm Alone (w/ The Pierces) 5) Bully 6) Loosen The Knot 7) Record Collector 8) Cuckoo 9) Everywhere I Go 10) In Sleep 11) Little Lovin' (w/ The Pierces) ENCORE 12) Oh Mississippi 13) Pursuit of Happiness (Kid Cudi cover) 14) Watch Over Me LISSIE TOUR DATES 1-15 Los Angeles, CA – The Music Box 1-17 Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater 1-19 Davenport, IA – Redstone Room 1-20 Minneapolis, MN – Cedar Cultural Center 1-22 Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall 1-24 Toronto, Ontario – The Opera House 1-26 Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church-Sanctuary 1-28 New York, NY – Webster Hall 1-29 Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club 1-30 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club 2-01 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle 2-02 Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel 2-03 Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge 2-05 Atlanta, GA – The Loft 2-07 Birmingham, AL – The Bottletree 2-08 New Orleans, LA – The Parish at the House of Blues 2-10 Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub 3-16 Amsterdam, Germany - Melkweg 3-18 Paris, France - La Maroquinerie 3-19 Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - Den Atelier 3-26 Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene 6-11 Newport, UK - Isle of Wight Festival (Main Stage)
If you get the chance to hear LISSIE perform in a church (as she did at St. David's Episcopal Church at SXSW in Austin last year), it's an opportunity you musn't pass up as its a spine-chilling experience. Here's a clip:
(Special thanks to Anna @ Nettwerk and photographer Debi Del Grande for the Lissie/Catherine Pierce live pics)
Nashville rock band SHIROCK kick off the New Year with the February 22 release of Everything Burns (Deluxe), a 20-track release that includes eight new or unreleased tracks and the music video for the debut single “New Solution”.
The 3-track NEW SOLUTION single will include the single version, LP version and a dance remix produced by KCORIHS and will be available on all digital outlets on January 25.
SHIROCK is: Chuck Shirock - lead vocals, guitar, Pap Shirock - lead vocals, keys, Adam Gatchel – drums, Kevin Whitsett – bass, Evan Weatherford - lead guitar
Already making quite a buzz with their DIY efforts, SHIROCK makes music that capitalizes on the transformative power of rock and roll and its ability to move and inspire people. EVERYTHING BURNS (Deluxe) is filled with bold, anthemic songs that bristle with restless urgency and passionate optimism. You can hear it not only in the sonics — the sweeping melodies, the textured layers of gritty guitars and plaintive keyboards, and Chuck’s fervent wailing vocals — but also in the lyrics, which are rooted in the personal, the political, and the spiritual.
Produced by Jay Ruston, who has worked with The Donnas, Everclear, Matisyahu, and Cold War Kids, EVERYTHING BURNS (Deluxe) may sound grand and expansive, but underneath the soaring arrangements is a singer/songwriter album at heart, creating an interesting tension that allows the songs to feel both personal and universal.
“Literally, the complete package. Quality songs, vocals, and instrumentation. Imagine a filled-out rock band going after Jack's Mannequin hooks.” HM Magazine
“A sound that's a unique blend of U2 with a smidgen of The Cure.” The Birmingham News
“Like Muse does, SHIROCK goes for a massive, arena pop-rock sound that ebbs and flows with emotion, pulls the listener in and explodes with passion.” The Punk Site Vocalists Chuck and Pap recently partnered with the band’s manager to launch a company called The Movement Group which houses everything SHIROCK does. In turn, The Movement Group partnered with Sony, RED Distribution and Creative Entertainment Network (CEN) to launch the record label division of the company in order to take the songs on Everything Burns to the next level. “We think being independent keeps the art of our music genuine. We form partnerships and friendships that wisely keep us moving forward,” Chuck says. Everything Burns (Deluxe) marks the inaugural release on The Movement Group with distribution through RED and specialized marketing efforts via CEN-Creative Entertainment Network.
The quintet has toured constantly over the past few years including performances at over 100 high schools and will soon take its arena-rock presence on the road once again. Chuck reflects, “Historically, young people ignite cultural revolutions. We want to meet our fans as soon as we can in their life journey, and be the soundtrack for them as they seek to impact the world around them.” SHIROCK EVERYTHING BURNS (Deluxe) Track Listing 01 New Solution 02 Time Goes By 03 Still Young 04 I'll Take Rain 05 Say It Out 06 Drag You Down 07 Man Inside 08 Calm Inside The Storm 09 Silver 10 Everything Burns Intro 11 Everything Burns 12 I Have Been Redeemed (Reprise) 01 To Those Who See 02 You Keep Me Singing 03 No Regrets 04 Man Inside (Acoustic) 05 New Solution (Single Version) 06 Time Goes By (Single Version) 07 Still Young (KCORIHS Dance Remix) 08 New Solution (KCORIHS Dance Remix)
On February 8th, THE O's return with their sophomore release BETWEEN THE TWO (Idol Records), the follow-up to their 2009 debut We Are The O’s, a critically acclaimed release that prompted Alternative Press to include the Texas indie-folk duo of Taylor Young and John Pedigo on their prestigious list; “100 Bands You Need To Know”.
Lovingly produced by Grammy Award winner Stuart Sikes (Loretta Lynn, The White Stripes, Cat Power, Modest Mouse), Between The Two is an exacting reflection of the wanton passion that fuels THE O's raucous live performances. From the soggy-bottom ramble of the first single/video “We’ll Go Walkin” to the Led Zep “Gallows Pole” aura of “In Numbers We Survive” to the exquisite green-grass harmonies of “Sunshine” to the dueling banjos flair of “Everything’s Alright,” the perpetually sun-soaked vibe that shines upon a mélange of banjo, Lowebro lap steel, xylophone, tambourine and harmonica paves the musical way; wheels-off, full speed ahead.
Wheels in perpetual motion, THE O's have played over 300 shows across the US, UK and Europe over a two-year span that saw these road warrior comrades sharing stages with Old 97's, Dave Alvin, Ben Kweller, Justin Townes Earle, Mark Olsen and Gary Louris (of The Jayhawks), Joe Ely, Billy Joe Shaver, David Allen Coe, Slobberbone, John Dee Graham, Split Lip Rayfield, Guy Forsyth & Lukas Nelson (Willie Nelson’s son).
In addition to the brotherhood of THE O's, both guys continue to enrich their impressive Texas scene pedigrees with Young an active member of The Polyphonic Spree (drums) and Boys Named Sue (drums) as well as previous stints with The Backsliders, Hi-Fi Drowning, Young Heart Attack and P.W. Long. Pedigo is also an active member of Boys Named Sue (vocals & guitar) and a former member of Rose County Fair.
With such accomplished eclectic resumes, the pair is often asked what “kind” of music they play.
Young pontificates “Well, we sweat too much for a folk band, drink too much for a pop band, and rock too much for a country band. Our music lies somewhere in between. Like the feeling of standing on a rooftop and singing an old Louvin Brothers tune at 4AM...or shifting from buzz to beep. THE O's will always be about the song. We'll always be about the party. Our music hangs somewhere "Between The Two."
BETWEEN THE TWO will be issued in a variety of formats; digital download (with a special iTunes pre-release on January 18), CD, vinyl and even as a super limited edition 8-track (only eight copies are being manufactured and will be sold via auction in conjunction with The Eight Track Museum in Denton, TX).
PRESS "It's not difficult to fall in love with the richness and authenticity of the perfectly blended vocals of The O's. The band's debut effort, We Are The O's, truly gets to the heart of human existence.” Alternative Press
“We Are The O's" [is] a stripped-down country-rock album that is gritty and raw like a Texas sunburn." AM New York
“Stark and remote in some places and complex when it's called for, their songs run the gambit from traditional country/folk to an interesting Americana-tinged slacker rock.” Dallas Observer
"No-frills, sparsely arranged gems call to mind Rhett Miller and his knack for broken-down, introspective story songs and the raw and witty folk of the Mountain Goats." Riverfront Times
RIYL: The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, The Jayhawks, Gram Parsons, Led Zep III, The Everly Brothers
THE O’S BETWEEN THE TWO Track List 1. We'll Go Walkin’ 2. Wrecking Ball 3. In Numbers We Survive 4. Tryin To Have a Good Time (Free MP3) 5. We Are Young 6. Time For a Change 7. Sunshine 8. Pushin Along 9. Tennessee Coalminer 10. Remember You 11. Everything's Alright 12. No Troubles Left at All
Taylor Young: Vocals, Guitar, Kick Drum, Xylophone John Pedigo: Vocals, Banjo, Lowebro, Tambo, Harmonica
TOUR DATES 01.12.11 – Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater (residency) 01.19.11 - Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater (residency) 01.21.11 - Ft. Worth, TX - The Moon (w/ Calhoun) 01.22.11 - Dallas, TX - Double Wide 01.26.11 – Dallas, TX – Kessler Theater (residency) 02.08.11 - Dallas, TX - Good Records (In-store Performance) 02.11.11 - Dallas, TX - Club DaDa (CD Release show) 02.14.11 - Dallas, TX - 8-Track Museum (w/ Tom Tom Club) 02.16.11 - Newcastle, UK - The Cluny 02.17.11 - Edinburgh, UK - Nobles 02.18.11 - Glasgow, UK - King Tut’s 02.19.11 - Glasgow, UK - TBA 02.20.11 - Bathgate, UK - The Attic 02.21.11 - London, UK - Monto Water Rats (w/ Sean Russell) 02.22.11 - London, UK - The Wheelbarrow (ex-Flowerpot) 02.23.11 - London, UK - 12 Bar Club 02.24.11 - Snowdonia UK - The Friscan 02.25.11 - Bolton, UK - Railway Venue 02.26.11 - Skelmersdale - The Old Toby 02.27.11 - Oxford, UK - Holly Bush Inn 03.17.11 – Austin, TX – SXSW (TBD) 03.18.11 – Austin, TX – SXSW (TBD) 03.19.11 – Austin, TX – SXSW (TBD)
Estonian singer KERLI has released ARMY OF LOVE, the first single from her forthcoming sophomore album.
The ARMY OF LOVE video, which was filmed in her native Estonia and directed by Kaimar Kukk (Caviar Productions) ends with the tag line "To Be Continued“.
With Ms Koiv's predeliction for being in front of the camera (she has her own KERLI TV channel) and visionary visual imagination, AOL could, perhaps, be the first sensory chapter of a complete visual album.
Watch the official ARMY OF LOVE music video and the behind-the-scenes footage:
Dubbing her music as "Bubble Goth" and her passionate fan base as "Moon Children," KERLI continues to be true to herself while blazing trails as a trendsetter...
THE PRETTY RECKLESS, fronted by Gossip Girl's TAYLOR MOMSEN, will hit the road in support of their full length debut LIGHT ME UP available digitally on February 8 on Interscope Records.
LIGHT ME UP is an unflinchingly honest chronicle of MOMSEN's experiences, filtered through her unique point of view.
THE PRETTY RECKLESS
THE PRETTY RECKLESS
