If you haven’t listened to their EP, Take The Kids Off Broadway, make sure you do that asap and while your at it, you can listen to the below, “Shuggie” (download for free by liking their Facebook page) which has me super excited for their upcoming debut LP, We Are the 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace & Magic to drop on January 23.
Wow, what a crazy week in the best way possible! This week’s Five For Friday is extra special.
This past week, I had the opportunity to meet and interview a bunch of tomorrow’s big music acts as part of Sunset Sessions. Arriving in Las Vegas for the first time, Sunset Sessions events are essentially a “convention” that brings together music supervisors and radio programmers from all over the country and expose them to up-and-coming talent as well as music legends.
Working with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ entertainment team, the stage was set and over the course of three days we conducted over a dozen interviews. I can honestly say this was an amazing group of individuals on both a personal level and of course a musical level. I’ll get the videos of the interviews up as soon as they are ready but who I interviewed and who you’ll want to check out:
JJAMZ | Courrier | Beware of Darkness | Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown| Joel Piper | Angels Landing | Doris| Michael Bernard Fitzgerald | Faulkner| Olivia Olson | Clay Priskorn | SLATER | Cheating Daylight | Feral Vinca
Some artists who have appeared at Sunset Sessions include: Stevie Nicks, k.d. lang, Vanessa Carlton, Jack Johnson, Melissa Etheridge, James Blunt, Chris Isaak, Colbie Caillat, Joss Stone, Sia, Jason Mraz, Third Eye Blind, Five For Fighting, Crystal Bowersox, Jewel, The Black Keys, Ziggy Marley, Rick Springfield, Pete Yorn, John Waite, Ryan Adams, Roseanne Cash, One EskimO, The Zac Brown Band, Stephen Stills, Unwritten Law, Jim Lindberg (formerly of Pennywise), AWOLNATION, Mike Mills of R.E.M., NeedToBreathe, Art Alexasakis (Everclear) Nicole Atkins, Francis Dunnery, John Butler Trio, Tift Merrit, Missy Higgins, Jon Foreman (Switchfoot), Bob Schneider, Tyler Hilton, Emerson Hart (Tonic), Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Toots and the Maytals, Dishwalla, Scars on 45, Augustana, Jonatha Brooke, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, The Jayhawks, Jill Sobule, Edwin McCain, Donavon Frankenreiter, Alpha Rev, Nikki & Rich, Robert Francis, John Butler Trio, Alpha Rev, GIVERS, Eric Hutchinson, Sara Watkins (Nickelcreek), Green River Ordinance, Carolina Liar, Jack Tempchin, Bushwalla, Serena Ryder, Ozomatli, John Eddie, Incan Abraham, Salvador Santana, Susan Tedeschi, Dave Barnes & so many more.
Oh man, already seven days into Movember and all I can think about is Thanksgiving, UNLV Runnin’ Rebel Basketball and a whole lot of good music to keep every day rocking and rolling. So here we are, the final installment of the Jump Into Fall playlists! Hope you like this one, definitely some new bands for you to check out and some new songs from well established musicians.
If you are a friend of mine or read this blog you know I am a big fan of Youngblood Hawke so as these kids keep blowing up, the posts will continue. Check out the below, new video for “Stars (Hold On)” of their self titled EP and follow-up to the contagious “We Come Running.”
Cool other YBH item, they are part of an insane FIFA ’13 soundtrack.
I’m a Bruno Mars fan, I really am. If you’ve seen him live you know what kind of entertainer he is and how talented his band is as well. I’m looking forward to his new album dropping this winter and digging his first single “Locked Out Of Heaven” but a couple observations. When I listen I hear two distinct things besides his vocals; the first that he had to have gotten inspiration for the beat from The Police and second is that he took a sample from Foster The People’s own remix/updated intro for “Pumped Up Kicks” (if you don’t believe me, listen here and fast forward to the 1:40 mark). I’ll still listen to the track and it’s most likely going to make it onto the next playlist. And if you haven’t heard the song yet, check it out below.
A name with a suffix: Gary Clark Jr.
Who? C’mon you all know this guitar wiz from Austin, Texas.
What? The MUCH anticipated first major studio album, Blak & Blu has finally arrived.
Why you should listen? Because this is just an incredible album of rock and soul music with sweet guitar licks, moving vocals and a sound that the music biz has been longing for.
A reason you’ll be excited? If you are a music fan I’m finding it hard for you to not be excited about this album.
Why I’m excited: Having seen him a couple times live I can say this dude can flat out play and wow crowds. There’s a reason why Eric Clapton asked him to play his Crossroads Tour a few years back and why Jay-Z had him as the only artist to perform both days of the Made In America Festival and why he was invited to the White House to play alongside BB King, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy, Derrick Trucks, Warren Haynes…ok you get the point.
If you like: Rock and roll!
Final thoughts: “When My Train Pulls In,” “Travis County” and “Please Come Home” just listen to these three songs please.
This weekend up in San Francisco marks the sixth installment of the Treasure Island Music Festival. The festival which not only is in a kick ass city, also has a knack for grabbing top talent and acting as a springboard for younger bands before they break it big (I urge you to take a look at past lineups). This year features headliners Girl Talk and The xx. As for the complete line-up:
Saturday: Girl Talk, The Presets, Porter Robinson, Public Enemy, SBTRKT, Tycho, AraabMuzik, Matthew Dear, Toro y Moi, Grimes, The Coup, K.Flay, Dirty Ghosts.
Sunday: The xx, M83, Gossip, Best Coast, Joanna Newsom, Divine Fits, Youth Lagoon, Los Campesinos!, The War On Drugs, Ty Segall, Hospitality, Imperial Teen, The Neighbourhood.
In preparation here is a little playlist for you to enjoy this weekend!
Do You Hear The Music? 