This is NOT real gospel music if that’s what you are thinking. Owen Holmes of Black Kids put out an EP at the end of last year titled Duettes. The five track compilation of duets features Holmes with Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell, Vivian Girls’ Cassie Ramone, the Magnetic Fields’ Shirley Simms, Hefner’s Darren Hayman, and French singer-songwriter SoKo.
Check out the track Automobile featuring Holmes with Camera Obscura’s Tracyanne Campbell.
Props to Las Vegas CityLife A&E Editor Mike Prevatt and his blog item yesterday on Aloe Blacc found here. Earlier this year Mr. Blacc spent four nights performing at Book & Stage over at the brand new Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and during his time in the desert he reshot the video for “I Need A Dollar.” Love seeing his Book & Stage performances made it into the video and if you haven’t had a chance to see Mr. Blacc perform live please make sure it’s on your list of artists to see, he’s that good.
(apologies but Sony Music blocks the video from playing on the site so just click the link in the screen below)
Another band I would have loved to see had I gone to SXSW is mylittlepony. Hailing from Oslo, Norway the quintuplet was playing their first American shows in Austin and their indie pop sound is quickly likeable. Recently the band released their new album Making Marks and I have to say I’m really digging it and now find myself listening to the disc on repeat. Lead singer Ola Innset has an incredible voice and it just plays so well on each track; particularly give a listen to his voice and the horns on “Hard To Be Good” and hear for yourself.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to check out Moondog Matinee during Neon Reverb in Las Vegas and below is my review which appeared in the March 17-23 issue of Vegas SEVEN. While this may be short and sweet, let me preface by saying this was stepping into uncharted waters for me and now I can officially cross another item off the bucket list. Music is one of my favorite things in the world (obviously) and by starting to keep a blog about it I never actually thought it would lend itself to something like this coming from it. Check it out and let me know what you think.
March 17, 2011 • Book & Stage • Las Vegas
What a way to kick off March Madness and do a little St Patrick’s Day celebrating!
Craig A. Nyman
(702) 882-8083
This is by far one of the coolest music performances ever; last night on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Kenny Rogers performed “The Gambler” with The Roots! Click HERE to watch this amazing performance.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Jimmy Fallon is the best evening talk show around. With The Roots as his house band, the most magical music performances occur.
I love new music Tuesday and today is an extra special one as Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears drop their sophomore effort, Scandalous. I need to grab the disc and will report back with some thoughts but this should be another winner from the Austin group. Check out “So Scandalous” below. And if you’re at SXSW be sure to swing on through and see the guys live.
Last Saturday night was music mania. Besides being at music festivals I have never experienced so much live music in one night. The night started across the street from Luxor where The Ting Tings and Cee Lo went back and forth rocking out as part of the Red Bull Sound Clash event. Very cool concept and both acts ran the gamut on their hit songs as well as performing a handful of covers including The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock The Casbah.” What was definitely the highlight of the night was watching the entire crowd go ballistic when Cee Lo ended the show with “Fuck You.”
From Sound Clash the race was on to make it over to the Cosmopolitan for The Strokes concert. Thankfully they were 30 minutes late hitting the stage so I only missed the opener. Playing their first show to support the new album, Angles, they sounded solid and definitely had all rocking the entire show (you could seriously feel the floor shaking throughout). Being my first time seeing The Strokes live, they exceeded my expectations and put on one of those shows you’ll never forget.
Next up was racing downstairs to catch the last set of Foster the People over at Book & Stage. Seriously those who were able to catch at least one of the eight sets they played over their four day stint, consider yourself lucky. It was great to see how much fun the guys were having and exuding an energy that had the packed house appreciating what the next big thing were rocking out with. While their EP featuring only three songs “Pumped Up Kicks,” “Houdini,” and “Helena Beat” sounded absolutely magical and have netted them sold out shows on their current tour, I can’t wait for the debut album TORCHES to drop in May. Look up the song “Kids” and you’ll know what to look forward to from the band that’s about to become the darlings of SXSW and Coachella.
After Foster The People it was time to take a hard left and hit up Marquee and the end of Kaskade’s set to keep the night of music going.
Great crowd tonight over at Book & Stage for the guys and they definitely didn’t disappoint. Get out and see them, it will make your weekend.
Craig A. Nyman
CAN Media
(702) 882-8083
Do You Hear The Music? 