Archive for category Music
on tour: JD Eicher
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on February 16, 2017
Youngstown, Ohio native JD Eicher is on tour in support of his most recent album, The Middle Distance, which was released in May 2016. Eicher’s sound is arnest and assured, comforting and bluesy. Last year, the singer/songwriter collaborated with best-selling author Nicholas Sparks to celebrate Sparks’ 20 years of publishing books. Eicher produced an original song [“Two by Two”] as well as additional music to accompany Sparks’ novel, Two By Two [published in October 2016]. The EP included a re-recorded version of “Not Afraid” from The Middle Distance, as well as two remasters of previously released songs — “Love Is Gonna Find You” and “The Last Love Song.”
TOUR DATES:
March 3, 2017 | Madison, WI – Crescendo Music Bar & Café**
March 4, 2017 | Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall**
March 5, 2017 | Berwyn, IL – The Wire**
March 6, 2017 | Indianapolis, IN – Fountain Square Brewery**
March 9, 2017 | Spring Lakes, MI – Seven Steps Up**
March 10, 2017 | Cleveland, OH – The Beachland Tavern**
March 11, 2017 | Pittsburgh, PA – Club Café**
March 16, 2017 | Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3 – New York, NY
March 19, 2017 | Boston, MA – Atwoods Tavern**
**denotes dates with Ruby Rose Fox
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show preview: Drunken Sufis at UnchARTed, Lowell, Mass. tonight January 21.
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on January 21, 2017
It’s always an impressive feat to exude plenty of feeling without words. Ranging from dark to upbeat to slightly rebellious, Drunken Sufis create meditative, expansive, engulfing, eclcectic experimental instrumental with impressive guitar licks, funky drum beats and a tapestry of melodies. It’s a passionate escape as music should always be. The Brooklyn band’s latest album Pala Pala [Bad Friend Records] is out now.
Drunken Sufis is:
John Thayer (drums, electronics)
Aaron Leeder (guitar)
Tommy Siegel (guitar, bass)
Dave Cohen (keyboards)
$5, Saturday, January 21, UnchARTed art studio, 99 Market Street, Lowell, 978-323-9040, unchARTed facebook page.
additional tour dates:
January 22–Rhizome–Washington, DC
January 26–Muchmore’s– Brooklyn
January 28–My Life in the Bush of Ghosts– New Paltz, New York
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new music: Wiscon
Posted by Amy Steele in Music, Women/ feminism on January 17, 2017
“My First Day,” Wiscon
Here’s an edgy song with garage rock fervency and potent vocals from pop-punk Seattle band Wiscon to add to your anti-Trump inauguration day playlist. The band wrote the new single in response to the growing hatred and intolerance in the United States. Proceeds will be donated to Southern Poverty Law Center –an organization focused on fighting hate groups.
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music news: Petty Morals headline ACLU benefit show on Saturday, January 21
Posted by Amy Steele in Music, Women/ feminism on January 16, 2017
After attending the Boston Women’s March For America during the day, head over to Allston to continue the party that night to support the ACLU!
Petty Morals 11pm
Carissa Johnson 10pm
Stars Like Ours 9pm
Leah Mcfly (DJ LeahV) opening up the night 7-9pm
Doors at 7pm
$10 (More if you’ve got it! All donated to the ACLU!)
21+
Band curated playlist will end the night and there will be a raffle for a prize package. (including goodies from do617, Winter Hill BC, Mad Oak Studios, Tres Gatos, and more!) so bring cash!
All bands are featured on the We Are Not Trump Compilation and this will be an official #want live event. #fightforfreedom #wewontgoback
$10 donation, Saturday, January 21, 7 p.m., O’Brien’s Pub, 3 Harvard Ave, Allston, obrienspubboston.com.
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on tour: Cracker and Camper van Beethoven
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on January 3, 2017
Led by singer/songwriter Dave Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman, Cracker is best known for the hit songs “Low” and “Euro-Trash Girl” and “Teen Angst.” The alt-rock band fuses southern rock and post-punk for a twangy eclectic sound. Lowery formed punk/ska band Camper van Beethoven in California in the 80s. That band had a massive hit with “Take the Skinheads Bowling.” Cracker’s most recent double-album Berkeley to Bakersfield and CVB’s last two studio efforts, La Costa Perdida from 2013 and El Camino Real from 2014 stand as personal odes to California.
This double-bill is a fantastic live experience not to be missed.
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STEELE PICKS: Best Albums of 2016
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on December 17, 2016
here’s the music in heavy rotation or that intrigued me or moved me in 2016. we need music and the arts now more than ever. music heals.
Chairlift, Moth [Columbia]
–the duo aptly describes its music as “25th-century folktronica.” infectious beats, sweet vocals. the Brooklyn band just announced its break-up on Twitter.
Bat for Lashes, The Bride [Parlophone]
— concept album. all the songs on this album= perfection. dark humor, dark melodies with gorgeous arrangements, provocative lyrics and lilting, rich vocals.
Warpaint, Heads Up [Rough Trade]
–the all-female Los Angeles indie band plays soothing, swirling, pretty, contemplative, dreamy, free-spirited music. Warpaint is Emily Kokal (guitar, vocals), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass, vocals), Stella Mozgawa (drums, vocals) and Theresa Wayman (guitar, vocals). The new album sounds a bit more pop, a bit more loud and loose without departing from the loveliness that makes up Warpaint’s current musical catalogue.
Daughter, Not to Disappear [4AD]
–haunting vocals, swirly moodiness and thoughtful lyrics
Tindersticks, The Waiting Room [City Slang]
–sexy, dark music. Singer Stuart Staples oozes romance with that brooding baritone and the varied instrumentation of violin, keyboards, percussion and guitar leads to gorgeous layered arrangements.
Band of Horses, Why Are You OK [Interscope]
–this band makes me feel slightly warm and fuzzy. also one of the best shows this year.
Julianna Barwick, Will [Dead Oceans]
–this album soothes and calms. I often listen to it while I’m at acupuncture. my review.
The Julie Ruin, Hit Reset [Hardly Art]
–edgy brilliance. The spectacular album bursts with a tangible emotiveness, unapologetic lyrics and a collective embrace for individual truth and identity.
Basia Bulat, Good Advice [Secret City]
–there’s an earthy loveliness in the Canadian folk singer-songwriter’s vocals. her captivating and honest lyrics get buoyed by layered melodies.
James, Girl at the End of the World [BMG]
–one of my favorite 90s Britpop bands. this electronica/ indie-rock album does not disappoint. my review.
Suede, Night Thoughts [Warner Bros.]
–another one of my favorite British bands from the 90s still at it.
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music news: The Candles on tour now with Norah Jones and new album due out December 16, 2016
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on November 30, 2016
The third album Matter + Spirit [The End Records] from New York rootsy band The Candles will be released on December 16, 2016. Blending 60s troubadour with twangy guitar Americana, the new songs evoke freedom and hopefulness like a cross-country road trip with wide open spaces and big sky, sunshine and open windows. The band is currently opening for Norah Jones ending the tour in Boston on December 10, 2016.
‘Matter + Spirit’ Tracklisting:
- Back To The City
- Move Along (Feat. Norah Jones)
- Blues Skies And Sun
- Followed
- Lost My Driving Wheel
- Something Good
- Sunburned
- Til It’s Gone
- You Won’t Remember Me
tour dates opening for Norah Jones:
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show preview: Jaw Gems at House of Blues on December 31, 2016
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on November 30, 2016
Looking for a cool way to close out the year? This might be the perfectly chill vibe to bid farewell to 2016. Get lost in the hypnotic mellow beats of Portland, Maine-based Jaw Gems. The electronic collective of experimental producers brings beat-music to a live band setting. Jaw Gems recently released their second album, HEATWEAVER [1320 Records].
JAW GEMS w/ Lettuce featuring Antuwan Stanley (as seen with Vulfpeck)
& TAUK on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 8pm
venue info:
HOUSE OF BLUES BOSTON
15 Lansdowne St
Boston, MA 02215
(888) 693-2583
TOUR DATES:
Sat. Dec. 17 – Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY *
Fri. Dec. 30 – State Theatre – Portland, ME **
Sat. Dec. 31 – House of Blues – Boston, MA **
Sun. Jan. 8 – The National – Richmond, VA **
Tues. Jan. 10 – The Throne Theater – Wilmington, NC **
Weds. Jan. 11 – Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC **
Thurs. Jan. 12 – Marathon Music Works – Nashville, TN **
Fri. Jan. 13 – Georgia Theater – Athens, GA **
Sun. Jan. 15 – Music Farm – Charleston, SC **
Tues. Jan. 17 – Republic – New Orleans, LA **
Weds. Jan. 18 – Soul Kitchen – Mobile, AL **
Thurs. Jan. 19 – Jannus Landing – St. Petersburg, FL **
Weds. Feb. 1 – Low End Theory – Los Angeles, CA
Fri. Feb. 3 – Gem & Jam Festival – Tucson, AZ
* w/ Break Science Live Band
** w/ Lettuce
More Dates To Be Announced Soon
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show preview: CRX at Brighton Music Hall on Sunday, November 20, 2016
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on November 17, 2016
Fronted by The Strokes’ Nick Valensi, CRX melds impressive guitar riffs and power pop elements for high energy songs. Valensi’s vocals sound clear, self-assured and relaxed. On creating CRX, Valensi explained: “The Strokes don’t play that often anymore, and when we do it’s awesome, but it got to the point where I needed to balance that out with a project I could take on tour whenever I wanted to. And the idea of playing clubs again was really exciting to me.”
CRX is: Nick Valensi [guitar and vocals]; bassist Jon Safley; keyboardist/vocalist Richie Follin; drummer Ralph Alexander and guitarist Darian Zahedi.
The band’s debut album New Skin [Columbia Records] – produced by Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme – is out now.
CRX at Brighton Music Hall in Boston, MA on November 20, 2016 with Streets of Laredo.
venue info:
158 Brighton Ave.
Allston, Mass. 02134
617-779-0140
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show preview: Skinny Lister at Middle East Downstairs on Monday, November 7, 2016
Posted by Amy Steele in Music on November 5, 2016
Need a distraction before Election Day? Go see Skinny Lister at Middle East Downstairs. Skinny Lister is a six piece British folk band based in London. Formed in 2009, the band puts on a spectacular live show with its upbeat contemplative songs [combo of originals and traditional Irish songs] and solid audience connection. It’s clear that this band loves touring and performing. Skinny Lister recently released its third album The Devil, The Heart & The Fight [Xtra Mile Recordings] on 30th September 2016. the band released Forge & Flagon in 2012 and Down on Deptford Broadway in 2014.
Skinny Lister is: Dan Heptinstall [lead vocals/guitar/stomp box]; Max Thomas [melodeon/mandolin/vox]; Lorna Thomas [vocals]; Michael Camino [double bass/vocals]; Thom Mills [drums]’ Sam Brace [guitar/ concertina/ mandolin/vocals]
venue info:
Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub
472-480 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, Mass. 02139
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About Me
covering mostly music and books. focus on alternative/indie and women in music, literature and the arts. feminist. vegan. mostly alternative, a bit bohemian. Masters in journalism from Boston University. BA from Simmons College.
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