Los Angeles buzzband DEAD SARA, featuring dynamic duo Emily Armstrong on vocals/guitar and Siouxsie Medley on lead guitar, kicks off their end-of-summer tour with The Offspring, tonight at the On The Waterfront Festival in Rockford, IL. Neon Trees will join up on Sept 6 as the triple-pronged rock attack blazes the U.S. before resurrecting the West once again with a tour-ending stop at the Palladium in Hollywood on October 5! These three paired together are an absolute 3 "X's" in a row! You DO NOT want to miss this rock 'n roll tic-tac-toe!!!
Em, Siouxsie and the boys are also on tap to play Epicenter Fest in Orange County, CA with Deftones, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, Scars on Broadway, and Chevelle as well as the DC101 Kerfuffle with The Offspring, Sublime with Rome, Garbage, Anberlin, and Foxy Shazam. They then head across the pond to play Warped Tour's first visit to the UK in 13 years before leaping from the pond to the open sea on the ShipRocked Cruise from Nov 27 - Dec 1 with Godsmack, Korn, P.O.D., Sevendust, Filter, Five Finger Death Punch, Fuel, Black Stone Cherry, Pop Evil, Lit, Helmet, In This Moment, Geoff Tate, The Halo Method, Gilby Clarke, Write This Down and Andy Wood & The Amalgam. The boat departs from Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, pit-stops in Key West, hits Nassau, Bahamas and circles back.
Dead Sara's self-titled debut album featuring "Lemon Scent," "Sorry For It All" and the massive boom of "Weatherman" is available now.
Be sure to catch the band Rolling Stone declared the "L.A. quartet poised to breakout nationally."
DEAD SARA TOUR DATES
08/30 - Rockford, IL @ On The Waterfront Fest (w/ The Offspring)
08/31 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore (w/ The Offspring)
09/02 - Toronto, ON @ Echo Beach (MCA) (w/ The Offspring)
09/03 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis (w/ The Offspring)
09/05 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis (w/ The Offspring)
09/06 - Boston, MA @ House of Blues (w/ Offspring, Neon Trees)
09/08 - Bethlehem, PA @ Sands Center (w/ Offspring, Neon Trees)
09/09 - Ashbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony (w/ Offspring, Neon Trees)
09/11 - Providence, RI @ Lupo's (w/ The Offspring, Neon Trees)
09/12 - Poughkeepsie, NY @ Mid Hudson (w/ Offspring, Neon Trees)
09/14 - Chicago, IL @ Congress Theatre (Riot Fest)
09/15 - Bristow, VA @ DC101 Kerfuffle (w/ The Offspring, Sublime with Rome, Garbage, Anberlin, and Foxy Shazam)
09/15 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore (WEND show)
09/17 - Charleston, SC @ The Music Farm (WYBB show)
09/19 - New York, NY @ Terminal 5 (w/ The Offspring, Neon Trees)
09/20 - Huntington, NY @ Paramount (w/ The Offspring, Neon Trees)
09/22 - Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless (Epicenter w/ Deftones, Bush, Stone Temple Pilots, Scars on Broadway, Chevelle)
09/27 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore (w/ The Offspring, Neon Trees)
09/29 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Gallivan Center (X96 show)
10/02 - San Jose, CA @ Civic Auditorium (w/ Offspring, Neon Trees)
10/03 - Avila Beach, CA @ Beach Resort (w/ Offspring, Neon Trees)
10/05 - Hollywood, CA @ Palladium (w/ The Offspring, Neon Trees)
10/06 - Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pav. (Buzzfest)
10/07 - Dallas, TX @ Trees (KDGE show)
11/10 - London, UK @ Alexandra Palace (Vans Warped Tour)
11/27 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ ShipRocked Concert Cruise
One of my SXSW highlights this year happened over the din over hipsters clanking and clamoring for coffee, egg tacos, sausage, bacon, crispy diced potatoes and more coffee at the annual BMI Acoustic Brunch on the back lawn of the Four Seasons adorning the waterway for Lady Bird Lake. It's a must do every year because it usually provides the opportunity to say Hello to a lot of movers and shakers all at once. And, occasionally, discover a great new artist.
In this case, I had been told to arrive late morning so I could catch a set by a new Wind-Up Records signing, Ms Jillette Johnson. Tacos in my belly and caffeine coursing through my weary veins, a young girl in a wide-brimmed black hat soon sat at a Kurzweil and began pouring out her Pauvre Coeur.
Some people were paying attention. Most were preoccupied by sleep-deprived oblivion but there was one constant. That voice! A moment etched in time. When the fame game ignites a flame, my recollection won't change. I knew what I was hearing. A prelude to transcendent ascendency.
Jillette was playing an important showcase but she wasn't supporting a debut album and this wasn't the beginning of a national tour. That was all to come. For now, life went on. New releases came and went but in the back of my mind, I continued to wonder when.
And, then came word of a 5-shot serving entitled Whiskey & Frosting. While, that exact combination didn't occur to me on the back lawn, it, actually, was completely apropos. So, she's already created the perfect analogy for her music. When I'm asked again...anything new you're listening to? I'll say Jillette Johnson. When asked what does she sound like...
Like a glorious swig of Jim Beam with a heavenly Betty Crocker chaser. You can't have one without the other.
Whiskey & Frosting was served up on a silver platter on Aug 14. Whether Jillette is mellifluously tickling the ivories on the sweeping majestic message of "Cameron," helping our heart beat with the anthemic "I will fight this war" chorus of "Torpedo," searing our senses with the soaring octaves buoying "When The Ship Goes Down" or raising our consciousness with the hauntingly naked "Pauvre Coeur," one realizes that we're on the precipice of greatness. Watch the video for Pauvre Coeur (French for "Poor Heart"):
So, Regina Spektor, Amy Lee, Sarah McLachlin, Tori Amos, Fiona Apple, Sara Bareilles, and the like, there's a new chanteuse at the front door of the proverbial Palais...she's whipped up a furious fifth of frosting and is ready to pour a potent batch of handcrafted bourbon.
Introducing the World's First Headphones for Cats... Designed for electro-house music maker Deadmau5′s cat, Professor Meowingtons pHD, the Meowingtons headphones are the world’s first headphones for cats.
Founded on the belief that if music sounds better, it feels better, SOL REPUBLIC is on a mission to create incredible music experiences for humans and felines alike. Of course, cat headphones would not be worth their weight in catnip without the input of world-renowned cat, Professor Meowingtons pHd. Previously known for his work with music producer Deadmau5, Meowingtons helped to create the headphones and bring great sound and style to felines around the world.
Designed by famed digital artist Joshua Davis, a frequent collaborator of Deadmau5 and fan of Professor Meowingtons, these headphones look good on the ears or even around the neck. Engineered for durability and easy to adjust, cats of almost all shapes and sizes will be able to feel the music.
Only 10 of these exclusive cat headphones have been created making them highly sought after by felines the world over. They are perfect for furry music lovers who want to block out the annoying sound of dogs and humans, while looking like the stylish cat in town. Selling at a retail price of $999, the limited supply is sure to sell out faster than a catnap. Sol Republic may produce more based on demand and will donate proceeds to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).
Davis styled the headphones after Sol Republic’s Tracks on-ear headphones. They’re infused with tech found in their Amps in-ear headphones. Sol Republic CMO Seth Combs told tech-siteMashable,“We had to change the housing to accommodate the unique shape of cat ears and to reduce output for sensitivity. They also have a mic and remote, but I don’t envision many cats using that functionality.” We do. It'll be a CATaclysmic CATastrophe for Dogs the world over...
Meowingtons Cat Headphones Features: Dog Isolating Technology I4 Sound Engines delivering deep bass and high clarity Detachable sound engines Durable headband Three-button remote and ClearTalk™ microphone Certificate of authenticity Branded cat headphone display stand
It's been three LONG years since FLYLEAF unveiled their sophomore masterpiece Memento Mori.
In the ensuing 1000 days, I've been especially mindful of death, and now, thankfully, am mindful of a New Horizon on the horizon and the subsequent chapter entailed on the blank page of book number three which concludes the initial infinite trilogy of soliloquy emanating from a tempestuous Temple in Texas.
Digame that three times fast. Andele! Andele!
Amidst the passage of time, guitarist Sameer Bhattacharya traveled, in between writing stints, bassist Pat Seals eradicated his rock star mane and the coolest Fu Manchu beard East of China while singer Lacey Sturm penned and delivered the messianic 'Heavy Prey,' a searing collaboration with former Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo that appeared on the Underworld: Awakening soundtrack.
And awaken we did.
Prey stands as one of her greatest songs and definitive performances, replete with her trademark screamo growl detonating the word "Blood" as Heavy reaches its triumphant conclusion.
Ms Sturm and her husband Joshua (guitarist for the band Kairos, a Greek word meaning "the supreme moment") also welcomed their first child, Joshua "Jack" Lewis Sturm on April 10, 2011.
New Horizons and new hairlines abound. All fodder for exploring creative ground.
Flyleaf majestically returned to our ears this week with a powerful introduction to their upcoming album by premiering its title track "New Horizons" (available for purchase on August 21).
Horizons is taut musically, in true Flyleaf fashion, and hits right in the sweet spot with a well-paced vocal meter through the verses before soaring on the wings of a bold catchy chorus that sticks with you long after the volume has subsided.
It's one of the strongest songs to date by a band with an arsenal of 'em.
The guitar work by Bhattacharya and rhythm guitarist James Culpepper shines throughout, exhibiting a modern-rock pilgrimage dotted by shades of expansive 90s alt rock. Think Breaking Benjamin meets U2 meets R.E.M. meets Live.
And then think again...
Soon to be a staple of every Flyleaf show, "New Horizons" made its live debut at the Palladium Ballroom in Dallas, TX in May at a benefit for the dearly departed Rich Caldwell, whom was the band's longtime soundman. Caldwell was involved in a fatal car crash in April and is survived by his wife Katy and their two-year old son Kirby. Donations to his Memorial Fund can be madehere.
New Horizons will arrive this fall. In the meantime, exude your voice and sing along because there is no better time to be sublime!
FLYLEAF NEW HORIZONS
So you’re tired but you’re alive
So open up your eyes and
you can get your sleep when you are dead
Kill the clock inside your head
Bring your normalcy to the edge and watch it drown in new horizons
New horizons
You said I’d only have to wait until I die but that’s in no time
How did we come to thinking this was funny?
Jeering and laughing at the dying,
while we’re riding the light in You.
Wait. You said I’d only have to wait until i die, new horizons
There is no such thing as time inside this moment, no sun rising
Wait until I fly, new horizon
Wait until I fly, new horizon
Sin with a conquest, lifeless
In with a new quest
Here’s a voice for the voiceless,
and a song for the soulless life of sin
Wait. You said I’d only have to wait until I die, new horizon
There is no such thing as time inside this moment, no sun rising
Wait until I fly, new horizon
Wait until I fly, new horizon
When the times keep going wrong and we go right
When the times keep going wrong and we go right
Wait. You said I’d only have to wait until I die, new horizon
There is no such thing as time inside this moment, no sun rising
Wait until I fly, new horizon
Wait until I fly, new horizon
Wait until I fly, new horizon
There is no such thing as time inside this moment, no sun rising
Wait until I fly
When the times keep going wrong and we go right
We go right
BIRDS OF CHICAGO, a collective based around singer-songwriters/instrumentalists JT Nero and Allison Russell, are set to release their eponymous debut album on October 2, 2012.
Comprising twelve original songs, Birds of Chicago immediately soars into flight with the protracted leap of its lead track, “Trampoline,” an infectious bass-driven bastion of communal joy being shared for free.
From there, the journey fluidly glides throughout the canon of American music, from the gospel-infused harmonies levitating “Cannonball,” to the simmering soul of “Before She Goes,” to the Cajun-spiced polka of “Sans Souci,” to the sparse, yet sprawling, “rock & roll is dead and in its grave” soliloquy encircling “Old Calcutta” to the rustic waltz of “Galaxy Ballroom” through to the deep burning sojourn of “The Moonglow The Tapeworm”.
Its destination of migration has been an organic one.
On 2011’s Mountains/Forests, released under the JT Nero banner, the two singers struck a definitive chord, tapping into the true, bewitching power of their voices together on an entire record. Featuring a full cast of characters that would round out the “Birds of Chicago” ensemble -- the Clouds and Michelle McGrath, a luminous singer and picker from the hidden hills of Southeast Ohio, the collective amassed a cavalcade of praise on both sides of the Atlantic.
Separately, Russell notched further acclaim, collaborating with Dom Flemons of Carolina Chocolate Drops on a “modern string band” project called Sankofa with singer Ndidi Onukwulu and percussionist Sule Greg Wilson. The resulting album The Uptown Strut showcased Allison’s elegant sunset, “If Wishes Were Gold”.
Parallel golden roads positing an evolutionary flight path.
At the beginning of 2012, JT and Allison took to Kickstarter to raise funds, which poured in, allowing them to set up shop in Chicago’s Humboldt Park with engineer Zach Goheen, whom previously produced records by Russell and Nero’s respective bands, Po' Girl (Vancouver, BC) and JT and the Clouds (Chicago, IL).
Arresting cresting soon bore fruit.
ETown co-hosts Nick and Helen Forster have dubbed them “the dynamic duo” as Nero’s fractured country-soul wraps Russell’s silver and gold tones with a warm embrace. Imagine a youthful Van Morrison taking a delightful vocal stroll with Emmylou Harris or the intermingled majesty of Richard & Linda Thompson on their 1974 debut or Peter Yarrow and Mary Travers taking turns blowing in the wind and the proper frame of mind arrives in due time.
A frame of mind invigorated by a sublime intertwine of subtle scents of pine.
Not too perfect, not at all saccharine, echoes of mountain gospel, street corner doo-wop, and classic soul seamlessly dangle from the vine. Accompanied by just a banjo and a guitar, it’s chilling. Fired by a full band, it’s a full tilt revival appealing to Jamband land as well as fans of Raising Sand (by Robert Plant and Allison Krauss), Mumford & Sons, Fleet Foxes and Grateful Dead.
The Birds’ “Sugar Dumplin’” glistens with the glaze of “Sugar Magnolia,” announcing its grace as a fresh-faced American beauty!
Much like Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir’s Uptown Jug Champions, Nero and Russell are most at home on the road - pick almost any night in the next thousand days and you can bet they will be at some theater, pub, winery, VFW hall, roller rink (they wish), living room or historical landmark under a moonlit sky dovetailing their voices, singing their songs of hope, despair, love...and electric seahorses.
And honey bee apocalypses. And coconut ice cream. It's familiar and strange - the everyday and the magical.
Whether touring as a duo or with the full family band, Nero and Russell have emerged as “two of the most compelling new voices in American Roots music” as noted by the Chicago Sun-Times. The duo is gearing up for a run of dates from August 21 to November 8, with eight weeks of shows with acclaimed “dirt-road” folkster Sean Hayes.
Select festival dates include Pickamania, Strawberry Music Fest, The American River Music Fest, The Roots Music Fest at Joshua Tree as well as several shows with Matt The Electrician and a hometown album celebration on November 10 at Old Town School of Folk Music.
BIRDS OF CHICAGO: JT Nero: songs, vocals, guitar, percussion
Allison Russell: songs, vocals, clarinet, banjo, ukulele, guitar
QUOTES “Dynamic duo”eTown “This year’s biggest roots surprise.”L.A. Times “Songwriting genius.” Five star review;Maverick-UK “Slinky, vulnerable and reverent of the Memphis soul of yore.”Chicago Tribune “Two of the most compelling new voices in Americana roots music.”Chicago Sun-Times
Birds of Chicago Birds of Chicago 1. Trampoline
2. Cannonball
3. Before She Goes
4. The Moonglow The Tapeworm
5. Sans Souci
6. Flying Dreams
7. Galaxy Ballroom
8. Come Morning
9. Sugar Dumplin'
10. Old Calcutta
11. Humboldt Crows
12. The Wide Sea
BIRDS OF CHICAGO
Tour Dates
Aug 21 - Cincinnati, OH @ American Roots Series (Fountain Sq)
Aug 23 - Ridgefield, CT @ C.H.I.R.P. (Ballard Park)
Aug 24 - New York NY @ The Living Room
Aug 30 - Yosemite, CA @ Strawberry Music Fest (Camp Mather)
Aug 31 - Yosemite, CA @ Strawberry Music Fest (Camp Mather)
Sep 01 - Yosemite, CA @ Strawberry Music Fest (Camp Mather)
Sep 02 - Yosemite, CA @ Strawberry Music Fest (Camp Mather)
Sep 09 - Silver City, NM @ Pickamania (Gough Park) [2:15pm]
Sep 14 - Lotus, CA @ American River Music Fest
Sep 15 - Lotus, CA @ American River Music Fest [11:00am]
Sep 16 - Lotus, CA @ American River Music Fest [7:30pm]
Sep 18 - Arcata, CA @ The Playhouse (w/ Matt The Electrician)
Sep 22 - Chico, CA @ Origami (w/ Sean Hayes)
Sep 24 - Petaluma, CA @ Lagunitas Taproom (w/ Sean Hayes)
Sep 28 - Berkeley, CA @ Poplar House Concert
Sep 29 - Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 02 - Ashland, OR @ Unitarian Church (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 03 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 04 - Seattle, WA @ Tractor Tavern (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 05 - Bellingham, WA @ Wild Buffalo (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 06 - Vancouver, BC @ The Biltmore (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 07 - Bend, OR @ Mandala (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 11 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 12 - Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 13 - Santa Ana, CA @ OC Constellation Ctr (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 14 - Joshua Tree, CA @ Roots Music Fest
Oct 15 - Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 16 - Flagstaff, AZ @ Coconino Center (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 17 - Santa Fe, NM @ Santa Fe Sol (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 19 - Austin, TX @ Lambert’s (w/ Matt The Electrician, Sean Hayes)
Oct 20 - Austin, TX @ New Belgium Tour de Fat (Fiesta Gardens)
Oct 20 - Austin, TX @ Lambert’s (w/ Matt The Electrician, Sean Hayes)
Oct 21 - Houston, TX @ Mucky Duck (Matt The Electrician Sean Hayes)
Oct 24 - Birmingham, AL @ Moonlight On The Mtn (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 25 - Louisville, KY @ Uncle Slayton’s (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 26 - Asheville, NC @ The LAB (w/ Sean Hayes) Oct 27 - Greensboro, NC @ The Blind Tiger (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 29 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s (w/ Sean Hayes)
Oct 30 - New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 01 - Pawtucket, RI @ The Met (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 02 - Cambridge, MA @ Lizard Lounge (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 03 - Plainfield, VT @ Haybarn Theatre [Goddard] (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 04 - Ithaca, NY @ Unhaunted Mansion (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 05 - Buffalo, NY @ The Ninth Ward (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 07 - Toledo, OH @ The Village Idiot (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 08 - Spring Lake, MI @ Seven Steps Up (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 10 - Chicago, IL @ Old Town School of Folk (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 14 - Denver, CO @ The Oriental Theater (w/ Sean Hayes)
Nov 16 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room (w/ Awna Teixeira)
Nov 30 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (w/ Sean Hayes)
Dec 01 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent (w/ Sean Hayes)
Dec 05 - Gaithersburg, MD @ Theatre at the Arts Barn
Dec 16 - Fort Atkinson, WI @ Café Carpe (w/ Peter Mulvey)
Jan 11 - Morro Bay, CA @ Coalesce Bookstore
Jan 12 - Templeton, CA @ Castoro Wine Cellars
Be sure to catch the band Rolling Stone declared the "L.A. quartet poised to breakout nationally."
