Tonight (9/6), the stylish and the lovers of free booze and music will be out in force on the streets of Soho, the Meatpacking District and other parts of NYC for Fashion's Night Out.

We posted a giant list of FNO music happenings yesterday and turns out there's way more including: Yoko Ono reveals her new collection at Swarovski Crystallized; A$AP Rocky at Adidas Originals SoHo Store (see below); St. Vincent performing at at a speakeasy themed (and Boardwalk Empire-sponsored) party at Rag & Bone; Sonlange Knowles and Ed Droste of Grizzly Bear at The Ace Hotel; Theophilus London will be at The Rose Bar; Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. performs at Bloomingdale's Soho; Wild Belle at Mulberry (update: this is a DJ set); Frankie Rose and Alex Winston at Theory and more.

Basic info on these additional FNO performances/parties is below. Our previous post is here. All events are free and open-to-the-public unless otherwise noted. You can check the FNO website for more info. Some flyers below too.

What else?

Continue reading "more Fashion's Night Out free shows happening today all over NYC (St. Vincent, Alex Winston & more)"

by Andrew Sacher

Alex Winston at Santos in June (more by David Andrako)

Alex Winston has been doing a good deal of touring behind her debut album, King Con, this year. She's kept pretty quiet since her last tour wrapped up earlier this summer, but has just squeezed in a NYC show which happens this week. It's part of the 'School Night!' monthly shows at The Bowery Hotel (335 Bowery) and goes down at the Manhattan venue this Friday (8/24) with Angela McCluskey, Bandana Splits (Dawn Landes' band), and DJ sets by Mat Devine and Computer Magic. Admission is totally free with RSVP. Doors are at 9 PM and you must be 21+ to enter. The flier for the show is below.

If you haven't heard King Con, it's a really solid album that operates in a similar realm of indie/pop crossover to Feist and the more anthemic Arcade Fire songs, and also throws in a bit of sugary Passion Pit falsettos and Joanna Newsom quirk. I've caught her live a few times too, and the show doesn't disappoint -- Alex is a totally confident, fun, and charismatic performer. You can stream King Con in full over at SPIN, and watch a couple live videos below.

Continue reading "Alex Winston playing free show at Bowery Hotel w/ Angela McCluskey & the Bandana Splits"

photos by David Andrako words by Andrew Sacher

The Cribs at Santos Party House - 6/6/12

The Cribs' North American tour kicked off this week and brought them to NYC for a show at Santos Party House last night (6/6) with Devin and Alex Winston. Devin, who ditched the retro slicked-back hair in favor of a mop top, and is now down to a 3-piece band, kicked off the night with a set of choice cuts from his debut LP, Romancing, which is out now on Frenchkiss. He's definitely toned down the Iggy Pop/David Johansen crazed frontman stuff, instead delivering a tamer set from behind his guitar and mic stand. The band threw some fun cuts like "Too Soon" and "I Don't Think I" into their opening set which was solid, if not a bit calculated.

Up next was Alex Winston, who the crowd really packed in for. Backed by a fairly large band, Alex began her set with King Con album opener "Fire Ant" and immediately proved her live show's come a long way since I first saw her at CMJ 2010. She was just as charismatic back then, but now she's way more consistent and the band is louder and tighter. Alex took total control of the stage, covering all corners of it as she sang, and walking into the crowd at one point too. The highlight of her set (and album) was the Arcade Fire-ish stomp of "Locomotive," but other songs shined as well, like the one slow-burner she included ("Guts") and the super upbeat "Rum Rumspringa." Alex mentioned that she'll return to Santos Party House on July 13 for a show with Mr. Little Jeans and Lovelife. TIckets for that show are on sale now.

When The Cribs finally walked on stage, guitarist Ryan Jarman hunched over his intentionally low mic stand and banged out the chords and first lyric of "Come On, Be A No One" off their recently released In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, before being joined by his brothers on the song's crashing refrain. (Also a non Jarman second guitarist -- David Jones of Nine Black Alps.) Unlike some of The Cribs' fellow UK garage rock revivalists of the early-mid aughts, they never fully took off in America (the show was moved from Irving to the smaller Santos) but right about now, they're probably rocking harder than the lot of them. Ryan jumps around on stage, whether he's doing pogos or split kicks, and if he's singing, he's dragging that awkwardly positioned mic stand wherever he goes. The crowd returns the favor as well, jumping around a bit themselves during arms-raised singalongs and push pits -- which Ryan thanked them for: "Everytime we come to New York, we get a mosh pit! I don't know if that means we rule or you rule... either way, someone rules."

After the first song, the band went into a string of older cuts which the crowd responded to most positively. The new album is one of the band's best in years, though maybe it needs some time to settle in. And by the looks of the crowd last night, it definitely will. Every song, whether it was from their self titled debut, or 2009's Ignore the Ignorant, was met by a singing-along crowd who didn't miss a beat or a word. The enthusiasm was especially high for the cuts from their first album, which Ryan acknowledged. One group of guys in the crowd kept singing the intro guitar riff to "Another Number," until the band finally got to it in their set. Afterwards he expressed appreciation for those fans that support the old school stuff, and took requests from their first album which led to an impromptu performance of "The Watch Trick," which he cut off about halfway through, saying he didn't remember it. Instead, they went into another track from that album, "Direction."

Like they've done in the past, the band played "Be Safe" off 2007's Men's Needs, Women's Needs, Whatever, which includes spoken word verses from Sonic Youth's Lee Ranaldo, with video footage of Lee delivering his parts projected on the screen behind them. They followed this with two of Brazen Bull's most fun tracks, "Chi-Town" and "Glitters Like Gold," before "Men's Needs" and then "City of Bugs" which ended -- like most Cribs shows -- with Ryan scratching his guitar neck against his amp, Gary sliding a drum stick on his bass neck a la Sonic Youth, and Ross kicking over his drum kit.

More pictures and setlists from the show are below.

Continue reading "The Cribs played Santos w/ Alex Winston, Devin (pics, review)"

by Bill Pearis

The Cribs at Music Hall of Williamsburg (more by Guy Eppel)

The Cribs' North American tour starts this week and a bit of news that may be a good or bad thing depending on who you are: their NYC show this Wednesday (6/6) with Alex Winston and Devin has been moved from Irving Plaza to Santos Party House. Tickets are still available. If you haven't heard the band's new Steve Albini-"engineered" and Dave Fridmann-produced album, In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, it's probably their best since 2005's The New Fellas. You can stream it at the bottom of this post.

The Cribs just released a video for Brazen Bull track "Glitters Like Gold" and you can watch that below, along with a stream of the whole album and a list of all Cribs tour dates...

Continue reading "The Cribs start their US tour, NYC show moved to Santos; listen to their album + new video"

Tickets are still on sale for the official BV Northside showcase at Music Hall of Williamsburg (6/15) with Caveman, Frankie Rose, and two more TBA.

Tickets for the King Khan & the Shrines show at Bowery Ballroom go on sale today at noon.

Tickets for Sebadoh's Bowery Ballroom show go on sale today at noon.

Joining Jay-Z, Rush, and Leonard Cohen, Justin Bieber is the newest addition to the artists playing Brooklyn's new Barclays Center this year. Tickets for his 11/12 show at the venue go on sale June 2 at 10 AM. He also plays Izod Center and MSG (not like it matters) but how could we not mention the day that the streets of Brooklyn will be flooded with Beliebers?

Field Mouse, who were added as openers to I Break Horses' Mercury Lounge show on Wednesday (5/30) and UMO/Doldrums' Glasslands show in June, will play Mercury Lounge on July 21. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (5/25) at noon.

Pomegranates and Kitten play Mercury Lounge on July 27. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday (5/25) at noon.

Tickets for the Gaslight Anthem's Webster Hall show go on sale Friday, June 1 at noon.

TIckets for the El-P, Killer Mike, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire and Despot show at Irving Plaza go on sale Friday (5/25) at 10 AM. Killer Mike also plays a free Brooklyn Bowl show TONIGHT (5/24) with DIIV, The High Highs, and Beat Culture.

The 2-day Dylan Fest begins at irving Plaza tonight (5/24) with Adam Green, Fabrizio Moretti of The Strokes, Nicole Atkins, Christoher Chu of POP ETC, and more. Tickets are still available and we're also giving away three pairs for each night. Contest details below.

Speaking of Adam Green, he plays the free Lowbrow Reader Variety Hour at Housing Works on May 29 with Wyatt Cenac, Supercute, and more.

Psychic Ills were added to The Dandy Warhol's Irving Plaza show (6/5). Tickets for that show are still available.

Alex Winston and Devin (who was just added to 4Knots) were added to The Cribs' Irving Plaza show (6/6). Tickets for that show are still on sale.

The Azealia Banks show at Bowery Ballroom is also on sale at noon.

Dylan Fest contest details below...

Continue reading "Sebadoh, Frankie Rose, Caveman, Field Mouse, Gaslight Anthem, Dylan Fest, Justin Bieber & other tickets"

photos by Chris La Putt

Alex Winston @ Knitting Factory - 4/23/2012

After an opening set by Diedre & the Dark, the Frenchkiss-signed 1,2,3 played, and then came a headlining set by Alex Winston at Knitting Factory on Tuesday (4/23). The Brooklyn show was in support of "King Con", Alex's album that is out now via V2/Cooperative Music. Here are some pictures from the Brooklyn show. More of them below...

Continue reading "Alex Winston played Knitting Factory with 1,2,3 (pics)"

DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Waiting Round To Die (Townes Van Zandt) (MP3)

Alex Winston @ BV-SXSW 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

Alex Winston's debut album, King Con, has been out for a bit, but as of this week you can also get it on CD via V2/Cooperative Music (it's also streaming it at SPIN). Not available on the CD is Alex's take on Townes Van Zandt's "Waiting 'Round to Die." Download above, Stream below.

Alex has a few shows coming up, one in DC, one in PA, and one on April 24 at Knitting Factory in Brooklyn. All dates are listed, along with two videos and the cover stream, below...

Continue reading "Alex Winston 'King Con' CD released, dates scheduled; here's a Townes Van Zandt cover (MP3 debut)"

today in NYC
* Whiplash @ UCB
* moe @ Hiro Ballroom
* Liam Finn @ The Rock Shop
* Laura Gibson @ Other Music
* Cosmic BB's, Hoist @ Zebulon
* New Music Observatory @ The Stone
* Chairlift, Violens, Dive @ Bowery Ballroom
* Reverend Vince Presents: Meah Pace @ Union Pool
* Comedy Central Corporate Retreat @ UCB East
* Stew and the Negro Problem @ Joe's Pub
* Smoke Dza & Spaceghostpurrp @ Highline Ballroom
* right Light Bright Light, Nova Social @ Cake Shop
* Steve Earle, Allison Moorer, Mike Doughty @ City Winery
* White Suns, The Dreebs, Platinum Vision, Rapstar @ Death By Audio
* Hot Tub w/ Rob Cantrell, Sara Schaefer, surprise guests & more @ Littlefield
* Dan Neustadt plays Wolf Parade's "Apologies to the Queen Mary" @ Knitting Factory
* Remembering Master Storyteller, Jean Shepherd: With Jerry Seinfeld and Keith Olbermann @ Paley Center
* Tony Scherr Trio w/ Anton Fier & Rob Jost, Highspace w/ Jim Campilongo, Tony Mason, Erik Deutsch & Jeff Hill @ Living Room

Jerry Seinfeld is taking part in an event at the Paley Center and tickets are still on sale.

Like Arcade Fire before them, Joanna Newsom (taped in August) and Fleet Foxes (taped in October) apppeared on an episode of Austin City Limits which you can now watch in full online. Check out the video below...

Alex Winston released a video for the song "Choice Notes" off her upcoming debut album (King Con is due 3/6 via V2/Cooperative). Check it out below...

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Monday? (Chinese New Year)"

photos by Chris La Putt

""If I don't see y'all clapping, I'm going to go down there and make you clap!" Thus spoke Alex Winston singing "Medicine," her final song at Mercury Lounge. Despite the tune's infectious nature, there were, in fact, some people not clapping in the audience, and Miss Winston did not approve. Following up on her threat, she jumped into the crowd to sing, instantly upping the energy level even as her show was winding down. It's this type of "devil may care, just have a good time" attitude that personifies Winston's live show. Blazing through a short-but-sweet, 40-minute set, she jumped around, did a rock power slide, played a song almost entirely by herself and generally made sure that, if anything, people would remember her having fun on stage." [CMJ]

Alex Winston headlined the show at Mercury Lounge last night (4/5). Dirty Gold, Two Lights and Warm Ghost were also on the bill. A set of pictures, and a video from the show, below...

Continue reading "Alex Winston, Warm Ghost, Dirty Gold & Two Lights played Mercury Lounge (pics & a video)"

DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Sister Wife (Star Slinger remix) (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Dirty Gold - California Sunrise (MP3)

Dirty Gold

Though they have a limited amount of songs streaming at their MySpace, and on their Bandcamp, there's no denying that the young (they're in high school) San Diego band Dirty Gold make instantly enjoyable tunes that make me want summer to get here faster. Five of those tunes will be the focus of an EP coming via Autumn Tone Records on April 12th, and one of them has a beach-scene-filled video that you can watch below. "California Sunrise" MP3 above.

You can also catch the trio live in NYC now. They played Cake Shop last night, continue with a 21+ show at Mercury Lounge tonight, April 5th (their published set time is 7pm which probably means 7:30), and then they finish their NYC vacation Wednesday at Union Hall. Their next show after that is back in California on April 16th at The Loft at UCSD in La Jolla (their EP release show).

Tonight's Mercury Lounge show is especially interesting, and a show we've mentioned in the past thanks to its headliner Alex Winston, who earlier today performed with no shoes (info on why HERE), and who has no other upcoming dates but this one at the moment. She just played a BV party at SXSW and before that Maxwell's. Her song "Sister Wife" now has a Star Slinger remix which you can download above.

Alex Winston @ BVSXSW 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

The Mercury Lounge bill is rounded out by Two Lights and Warm Ghost (who also played a BV SXSW show). Want to go for free? I have two pairs of tickets for tonight's show that you can win right now. Details and other stuff below...

Continue reading "Dirty Gold are here from CA, playing Mercury Lounge w/ Warm Ghost & Alex Winston & other dates (WIN TIX) ++ MP3s "

photos by Amanda Hatfield and Timothy Griffin

Menomena (by Tim)

After 14 hours of BrooklynVegan shows on Wednesday with barely a break (Emo's and then Swan Dive), and while BBG was holding down a stage at Emo's again, we returned to Swan Dive on Thursday, but this time with the addition of the two connecting stages at Barbarella for another full day BrooklynVegan Day Party. The 3-stage affair featured 19 bands, DJ Anika, and comedian Brody Stevens as host.

The day couldn't have started better, as we had one of the artists I was most excited to see playing live on the Swan Dive stage right at noon, and that was the tall, well-dressed and significantly bearded Josh T Pearson. I only wish I wasn't still hecticly dealing with issues after the doors opened so I could have been one of the people sitting down and enjoying his solo set of songs taken from his new album Last of the Country Gentlemen which is out on Mute on March 29. What I did hear sounded great.

Meanwhile, Savoir Adore kicked things off on the outside stage while Shannon & the Clams got things going inside Barbarella. Navigating the three stages and not getting lost was definitely one of the challenges we gave attendees at the venues we camped out at for day shows all week.

After Shannon came Hunx & His Punx who Shannon also plays with. As Andrew pointed out, "Hunx seemed pretty annoyed about the five-show day ahead of him. "Come see the last one," suggested Hunx, saving the goods for that final push. The Punx band showed off admirable chops though, with the drummer pounding away and girl-group-style backups by the bassist." Andrew continues:

"Out at the venue's back stage, Dominique Unique Young had a two-man band providing soulful hooks for her club bangers, which were just fine in the brutal sunlight. And then at Swan Dive, Rural Alberta Advantage made a push for anyone, like me, who hasn't checked out their new disc, Departing, yet to do so soon (live, drummer Paul Banwat easily does the work of two guys)."

Before Dominique came Alex Winston, complete with full band three backing singers. Dominique ended her set early, giving Brody lots of time to talk before late-addition Beans went on. Beans was great and is the coolest guy I met in Austin. That's around when Bill got there:

"...arriving just in time to catch the end of Fergus & Geronimo and Beans' sets. Trying to navigate between the two connected clubs -- blazing sunshine at the patio stage, pitch black for the Barbarella inside stage -- was a bit tough.

I watched most of Yuck's set and thought they sounded great. Not the most exciting band to watch, but that's okay, not everyone can bounce around the stage like Superchunk to whom they owe more than a little sonic dept. Speaking of, Mac McCaughan was their for their whole set which I thought was kind of awesome. I asked him if he was there to collect royalties from Yuck. He laughed and said, "No way, I love these guys!"

From there it was out to the Patio for Obits' set. There's something about their pedal-to-the-metal rock that sounds a little better in Texas. Plus they played the two songs I really wanted to hear: "You Gotta Lose" from the new album Moody, Standard and Poor, and their first-ever single "One Cross Apiece."

After scarfing down some tacos (courtesy of the El Diablo truck in Barbarella's backyard, yes a sister truck to the one here at Union Pool), I caught a little of Screaming Females, rip-roaring as usual, and Menomena."

Menomena went on to a packed Swan Dive after Damien Jurado and one of Sub Pop's newest signings Memoryhouse played (both of whom I pretty much missed while dealing with technical difficulties on other stages). Gentleman Jesse & His Men and Pete & The Pirates (a UK band who many I know consider one of their favorites, and their set this day definitely didn't disappoint) also played the inside stage.

Mellowhype (by Tim)

But the main attraction of the day goes to... Mellowhype who were playing their second-ever show as Mellowhype (their first was a day earlier at their new label Fat Possum's party at Club DeVille), and who brought the whole Odd Future crew with them (anyone who was in Austin anyway), Tyler included. It was a beyond-packed house full of excitement...

"The assembled crowd of hipsters, blipsters, and media types went nuts when the beats dropped, as this still-teenaged hip-hop collective has been drawing favorable comparisons to early Wu-Tang, especially in terms of production aesthetic and overall energy." [Houston Calling]

You can watch some of the action in videos below.

Thanks to Izzoz, Line 6 (the mics), Korg (keyboard), Vox (amps), Blackstar (and amps), Sensible Portions, Honest Tea, ASCAP, NadaMoo, Raw Revolution, Sailor Jerry, SPARKS, all the bands, Zach, Nevona, our bartenders, sound guys, Ramone, everyone who stopped by and anyone else I'm forgetting.

Lots more pictures and videos from the whole day, below...

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan Thurs Austin day party pics (Mellowhype, Yuck, Menomena, Obits, Beans, Rural Alberta Advantage & more)"

We've lost our mind and are doing nine BrooklynVegan shows at SXSW this year. It all starts Wednesday during the day on two stages at Emo's, and continues Wednesday night at Swan Dive where we might as well stay overnight because Thursday at noon is when we start the first of three day parties in a row at the same place (Swan Dive) and Barbarella (they connect).

And the FREE Thursday lineup is:

STAGE 1 (Swan Dive)
12:00 PM Josh T. Pearson
1:00 PM Pujol
2:00 PM The Rural Alberta Advantage
3:00 PM Damien Jurado
4:00 PM Memoryhouse
5:00 PM Menomena

STAGE 2 (Barbarella Patio)
12:00 PM Savoir Adore
1:00 PM Alex Winston
2:00 PM Dominique Young Unique
3:00 PM Beans
4:00 PM Obits
5:00 PM Mellowhype (Odd Future)
HOSTING & JOKES BY: Brody Stevens

STAGE 3 (Barbarella Inside)
12:00 PM Shannon & The Clams
12:30 PM Hunx & His Punx
1:15 PM Gentleman Jesse & His Men
2:00 PM Pete & The Pirates
3:00 PM Fergus & Geronimo
4:00 PM Yuck
5:00 PM Screaming Females

And that's just Thursday! Check out Friday on the same three stages! Saturday still TBA.

Some notes: Mellowhype (aka Hodgy Beats and Left Brain of Billboard cover stars Odd Future - and whatever other Odd Future members decide to come along) are only playing one other show - their label's showcase at Club DeVille. Listen to David Fricke and get to Swan Dive in time to see Josh T Pearson. Shannon & the Clams and Hunx & His Punx share members, and have even been known to show their members. There are lots of bands with "and" in their name playing the Barbarella Inside Stage. Brody Stevens is funny! Anika will be spinning vinyl between sets during the second half of the day. I am super excited to be hosting Screaming Females for a second time.

This party will also have:

• FREE vegan Izzoz breakfast tacos while supplies last!
• lots of FREE snacks courtesy of Sensible Portions!
• a lot of FREE Honest Tea!
• FREE Raw Revolution bars to eat.
• FREE vegan ice cream from NadaMoo
• FREE Sailor Jerry cocktails while supplies last.
• more FREE DRINKS TBA.

AND THANKS TO:

• Our official microphone sponsor Line 6.
• and our backline sponsors Korg, Vox & Blackstar.
• and to ASCAP for sponsoring too.

and of course to Zach Jaeger of Tonally Dude for creating the racy flyer you see below....

Continue reading "BrooklynVegan Free Thursday Austin Day Party lineup ----------- (3 stages @ Barbarella & Swan Dive)"

photos by Chris La Putt

Alex Winston played a show at Maxwell's on 3/9, and will soon be off to SXSW where she'll play a BrooklynVegan Day Party at Barbarella at 1pm on Thursday, March 17th, and other shows. All dates and more pictures from the NJ show, below...

Continue reading "Alex Winston played Maxwell's (pics), headed to SXSW"

Alex Winston added more tour dates to her schedule since we last spoke. Tickets are still on sale for March 9th at Maxwell's, and tickets go on sale at noon today (2/4) for an April 5th NYC show at Mercury Lounge. All dates and a new video for "Locomotive", below...

Continue reading "Alex Winston has a new video, adds NYC show (dates)"

Laura Marling & Mumford & Sons (radio1interactive)

*CANCELLED* LM'S SLOT AT NEW YORK COMMUNION

Seems wherever LM goes lately, something somewhere decides 'uh-uh, don't think so' and sends some kind of illness or injury or, more often than not, snow. Maybe it's a sign saying 'LM... LM... time to head to the studio'...

But anyway, New Yorkers - you have no idea how sorry we are to inform you that due to adverse weather conditions, flight cancellations and scheduling conflicts, LM has been forced to cancel her slot at Communion in Brooklyn on Sunday night (meaning no birthday in NY either ).

However Communion itself will all still be going ahead so do not to be dissuaded by LM's non-appearance. We would strongly urge you to go a) to catch the wholly awesome line up (Royal Bands, Ambassador, Dawn Landes and more) and b) to support this lovely little club night, still in its New York infancy. If it's anything akin to its sister London version it'll be like a secret society of good times and great new music.

So go follow the snow to Brooklyn and hopefully LM will head back soon.

Have one for us - and we'll be thinking of you!

LM HQ x

Bummer!

As it says above, "Communion" is still in its infancy. This Sunday will be just the second party in the series. The first included a set by Alex Winston who now has another show coming up at Maxwell's on March 9th and tickets are on sale.

Meanwhile Alex is heading to Laura's homeland, England, to play some shows in February. In March she'll also be at SXSW and has a few other dates scheduled which are listed, along with two videos from Laura's set opening for Iron & Wine in LA the other night, below...

Continue reading "Laura Marling cancels Brooklyn show, Alex Winston adds NJ"

photos by Kimberly Huebner

DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Sister Wife (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Medicine (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Choice Notes (Tomb Crew Remix) (MP3)

Alex Winston @ Communion

Communion, the party co-founded by Mumford & Sons' Ben Lovett, held its first U.S. event on Jan 9th at Public Assembly in Brooklyn. The night included sets by Alex Winston, Emil & Friends, Marques Toliver, Pearl and The Beard, Bobby Long, & Simone Felice, with DJs Neon Gold, Sean Glass and The Knocks. A set of pictures from that show are in this post.

The party continues on January 30th at Public Assembly. On that date Communion will host Royal Bangs, Ambassadors, Sarah Jarosz, David Mayfield Parade, Dawn Landes,and .... Laura Marling whose only other show is opening for Iron & Wine on 1/25 at the Wiltern in LA. Advanced tickets are on sale (and note: this will probably sell out).

Of all of the participants in the 1/30 show, only one is advertising other upcoming NYC dates and that's Austin's Sarah Jarosz...

"Sarah Jarosz is a bluegrass multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter whose first CD, Song Up in Her Head, was released by Sugar Hill Records on June 16, 2009. She was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Country Instrumental Performance for the track "Mansinneedof" from that album. Sarah was born in Austin, Texas on May 23, 1991..." [Wikipedia]

Sarah will play Rockwood Music Hall one night before Public Assembly, as well as on February 26th and April 16th. All of her dates, and a bunch of other Royal Bangs dates, and more pictures and some videos from the first Communion, below...

Continue reading "Laura Marling is playing Communion (Sarah Jarosz too), Alex Winston played the last one -- pics & tix"

by Andrew Sacher

DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Sister Wife (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Medicine (MP3)
DOWNLOAD: Alex Winston - Choice Notes (Tomb Crew Remix) (MP3)

Alex Winston

Detroit singer-songwriter Alex Winston is starting the new year with a few shows before heading out to Europe in February. She'll be in Brooklyn tonight, January 9th, at Public Assembly for the Communion launch party with Emil & Friends, Marques Toliver, Pearl and The Beard, Bobby Long, and Simone Felice. Alex is the headliner, and there will be DJ sets by The Knocks, Neon Gold and Sean Glass.

Communion (not to be confused with the old Tuesday night party at Limelight) is a music community in London founded by Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons), Kevin Jones (Cherbourg) and producer Ian Grimble and has been responsible for showcasing emerging and established British music. The Public Assembly show on January 9 is Communion's debut showcase in New York. It's fitting that Alex Winston is performing at the first showcase, considering she covered Mumford & Sons' "The Cave" for her Covers EP.

Winston was also at Public Assembly for the Neon Gold/Chess Club Showcase this past CMJ. I caught her at that show. Winston takes strong inspiration from Motown girl groups and crafts nostalgic pop songsm but she sets herself apart from her predecessors, by using the pop song formula to showcase more thought provoking lyrics. Her stage persona shifted from dramatic to funny multiple times and she never fails to deliver as a vocalist or performer. Winston has yet to release an album, but that will change on March 8th when her debut, "Sister Wife" is released by HeavyRoc. The Mini LP was produced by The Knocks and Charlie Hugall. Download two tracks from that album (one remixed) above.

All dates and the Communion flyer below...

Continue reading "Alex Winston releasing 'Sister Wife' (MP3), playing Communion (Ben Lovett's new series of showcases in Brooklyn)"

Phos @ the High Violet Annex in May (more by David Andrako)

Tickets are now on sale for two NYC shows that Akron/Famiily will be playing in 2011, one at Knitting Factory ane at Bowery Ballroom in support of their new album coming soon on Dead Oceans.

Their Dead Oceans label-mate Phosphorescent headlines Bowery Ballroom in NYC tonight (12/10). Man Forever (members of Oneida) and Alex Winston are both opening the show and tickets are still on sale. Phosphorescent brought the full band and then some to David Letterman last night. Video of that horn-filled performance below...

Continue reading "Phosphorescent played Letterman (plays Bowery tonight!) ++ Akron/Family tickets on sale"

by Andrew Sacher

CMJ (pic by thewildhoneypie)

The 2010 CMJ Music Marathon took place in NYC from Tuesday, 10/19 through Saturday, 10/23. Here's what I did, broken down by day...

Tuesday

I started day one of CMJ, my first-ever CMJ, at the 'Future of the Music Business, Really?' panel. It was really interesting and I learned a lot. The panelists discussed potential ways to keep the industry of recorded music alive, and from what I gathered, most of them agreed that if there was some way to pay a fee for unlimited music downloading, it would probably result in the most positive reception.

From there I hit the 'American Hardcore and the Rise of Modern Rock' panel. This was probably the most interesting panel I went to all week. It was moderated by American Hardcore: A Tribal History author Steven Blush and the panelists talked about how so many aspects of modern rock really are directly influenced from the early '80s hardcore scene, especially regarding the relevance of indie record labels, street teams, and samplers.

They also discussed how the American hardcore movement really is an art movement, not just a style of music. Among the panelists were Vic Bondi from Articles of Faith and Jack Rabid from the magazine, The Big Takeover. It was great to hear things about the movement from people who had really been there when it was prevalent. The event was one of many recent promotional appearances for Steven Blush. You can catch him again in NYC at The Strand at 7pm on 12/15.

Then I made my way over to the Ground Control showcase at Irving Plaza which was headlined by Jenny and Johnny (who I couldn't stay for). I really enjoyed Times New Viking - my first time seeing them. The drummer has the band move from one song to the next so quickly. I also enjoyed Wild Nothing's set a lot, especially now that I knew their album. I had actually seen them over the summer open for The Morning Benders but wasn't really familiar with them at the time.

continued below...

Continue reading "a college student @ CMJ (a College Music Jounal journal)"