Phoenix is a French alternative rock band with a note of electronic in their sound. Forming in 1995, it wasn't until 2000 that the band released their debut United. Despite regular releases throughout the decade, it was 2009's released Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, that exploded Phoenix into the forefront of the music world. Songs like "1901" and "Lisztomania" were featured in a number of shows and movies. The album was nominated and won 'Best Alternative Music Album" at the Grammy's in January of 2010. Soon after "1901" soared to #1 on the music charts.
This past spring Phoenix announced they were entering the studio to record the next release. This time the music world will be anxiously awaiting the byproduct of those sessions. Here's Phoenix performing "1901"!
For updates on Phoenix you can check out their facebook page.
Back in 2007 you may have seen the previews for or even seen the movie Young @ Heart, a documentary following a chorus by the same name as they rehersed in preperation for a show in their hometown of Northampton, MA. This, however, is no ordinary chorus. It's a chorus of senior citizens whose average age dials in at 81 years. They don't resign themselves to singing standards either. Their repetoire ranges from Jimi Hendrix, to Bruce Springsteen, to James Brown, and Sonic Youth.
One of the standout performances of the movie comes courtesy of Fred Knittle. Knittle was forced to leave the chorus five years earlier due to heart problems, but still made appearences from time to time. The song Knittle was set to perform for the show was "Fix You" by Coldplay, and the performance was supposed to be a duet with his good friend Bob Silvini. Unfortunately, Silvini passed away just days prior to the concert. Faced with performing the song without his very good freind was devestating, however, Knittle pulled it off. Knittle's performance, with his deep Johnny Cash-like voice, is outstanding to begin with. Adding the circumstances surrounding the performance brings a completely different layer of feeling and emotion to the song. It's amazing how a song's meaning can change when it's coming from a different perspective.
Here's Young @ Heart led by Fred Knittle performing "Fix You". The video can't be embedded, but it's such a beautiful performance, everyone should check it out. So, here the link to the video on youtube.
You can read so much more about the Young @ Heart Chorus by checking out their website.
It took me a long time to pay attention to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. I had heard about the Indie-Pop duo before, but I figured any consideration they gained was simply from their name, and without listening to them I wrote them off as a passing band. I was wrong. Just as your mom told you not to judge a book by its cover, you shouldn't judge a band by its name. Sure the name is silly, and Joshua Epstein and Daniel Zott have been known to wear NASCAR outfits on stage, but the music is legit. Their music is catchy to say the least, and uses 70's pop as a base. Their debut full length album It's a Corporate World was released in early June of this year.
Perhaps the best showcase of how Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. draws on 1970's pop for inspiration comes in the form of "Simple Girl". Recently the duo recorded this song and others in a session with Rolling Stone. Take a listen to "Simple Girl" by Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.
Ra Ra Riot formed at Syracuse University, just a few hours from my hometown, in 2006. Gaining notoriety throughout campus and throughout upstate New York, the word quickly spread. Soon the band was receiving positive concert reviews from Spin Magazine. Ra Ra Riot has become a stalwart in the Indie Music scene. In January, their latest full length release The Orchard was nominated for best Pop/Rock Album at the Independent Music Awards.
Check out Ra Ra Riot performing "Can You Tell" off 2008's The Rhumb Line.
Ra Ra Riot will be embarking on a US and Canadian tour in August, including a date at Baltimore's Pier Six Pavilion with Guster and Jack's Mannequin on August 7th. Find all your Ra Ra Riot information here!
Kopecky Family Band is a group to get excited about. Forming in their home of Nashville, Tennessee in 2007, the Family Band has won over just about anyone who has stumbled across them. They've already played staple concert events such as Bonorroo and SXSW. While in Austin for SXSW they won over NPR's Bob Boilen, and were asked to play a Tiny Desk Concert. They also recently recorded a live set at Paste Studios.
Kopecky Family Band has recorded three EP's thus far, the latest, Of Epic Proportions was released this past May. According to their website, the band returned to the studio to record yet again in hopes of producing another release.
Here's Kopecky Family band performing "Birds" off their 2010 EP The Disaster.
The Kopecky Family Band is playing the Iota Club in Arlington, VA tonight. Find more from the band by clicking here.
It's not often you come across a story as inspirational as Charles Bradley's. It was at a James Brown concert at the legendary Apollo in 1962, when the 14 year-old Bradley was convinced he was destined for a life of music. Growing up poor in Brooklyn, Bradley had to work hard to make a life for himself. He moved to Bar Harbor, Maine where he learned to cook and put together his first band. Just as things were ramping up, however, his band mates were drafted to fight in the Vietnam war.
After moving back to New York and cooking for nearly a decade, Charles Bradley pursued his dream out west. Hitchhiking across the US and Canada, Bradley finally settled in California. Bradley made a living for himself as a chef, picking up gigs on the side when he could. Just as Bradley was about to settle down, he was laid off his job of 17 years, and he moved back to Brooklyn.
It wasn't until he was 51 when Bradley first got a break in the music field. Bradley began performing his James Brown routine, under the moniker "Black Velvet". Just when Charles Bradley had thought he found his niche, his world was to be rocked again. One morning Bradley woke at his mother's to cops outside. They came to inform them that Bradley's brother was murdered by his nephew. That sad morning was the inspiration behind his song "Heartaches and Pain".
Fortunately, there was good news yet to come for struggling soul singer. One night, while performing as Black Velvet, Gabriel Roth of Daptone records walked into the performance. Taken aback by Charles Bradley's raw talent, Roth took him to record with Sugarman 3 at Daptone records. From there Bradley recorded with the funk band, The Bullets, who eventually became The Budos Band. Bradley began to collaborate with Bullets guitarist Thomas Brenneck, and together they produced a few singles. Finally, in January 2011, at the age of 62 Charles Bradley & Menahan Street Band released their debut album, No Time for Dreaming. Bradley's perseverance and hard work had paid off.
Since the release of No Time for Dreaming the album has received high praise for Bradley's soulful voice that harkens back to the 1960's and 70's. Charles Bradley and his band are currently touring throughout Europe, before returning for a North American tour. It's unbelievable that a dream that started in 1962 has finally been realized.
Here's Charles Bradley performing a song off No Time for Dreaming, "Lovin' You Baby."
Powerful stuff, huh? Find out more about Charles Bradley, including where you can purchase No Time for Dreaming at his website.
For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver's 2008 debut was perhaps the most stunningly beautiful and unexpected freshman release the music industry had seen in some time. Justin Vernon and his haunting falsetto had produced something so unique that listeners had to stop and pay attention. Even more impressive, he's managed to keep their attention.
On June 21st Bon Iver released their highly anticipated eponymous sophomore effort. Despite sky high expectations, Bon Iver may have exceeded even the loftiest of requirements. In my opinion, Bon Iver is the best album of 2011 to this point. There is noticeably more production on Bon Iver than on For Emma, Forever Ago, giving it a much fuller sound. However, the album is still distinctly Bon Iver.
I've been dying to feature a song from this record. While every song is outstanding, I can't stop listening to the opening track, "Perth". Unfortunately, there's not a great video of "Perth" out there yet. But, I couldn't resist writing about Bon Iver, so here's Bon Iver (Justin Vernon) performing "I Can't Make You Love Me" and "Nick of Time" by Bonnie Raitt.
Head over to boniver.org. If you do purchase Bon Iver, and I suggest you do, I think it's best enjoyed with the lights off and a pair of headphones. It's one of those records.
