Well here we go! Who’s ready for Food & Liquor II? Lupe Fiasco JUST dropped the first single off his new album which drops September 25, “Around My Way [Freedom Ain’t Free]” with a dope sampling of Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “They Reminisce Over You.”
Listen a few times, try to get the lyrics down, there is a lot to take in. I’m still dissecting it after a handful of spins already.
One, I was completely enamored the first time I listened to Caitlin Rose and two, I will be the first to tell you I don’t listen to country music often. And yet, I find myself excited to check out her performance on Friday afternoon at Bonnaroo. The Nashville artist has and very soothing voice and easy going sound that is contagious. Plus every time I listen “Shanghai Cigarettes” I swear I hear the female version of Ryan Bingham. Maybe it’s just me but now I’m just imagining what it might be like to hear these two artists collaborate together.
Friday June 08, The Great Taste Lounge Brewed by Miller Lite, 04:00 PM
“One, two, three, four…” yeah that’s how I like pretty much everyone first heard of Feist. And I think we can all thank Apple and that iPod commercial for delivering a gifted singer-songwriter to us. But before that, Leslie Feist already had one heck of a career spanning multiple bands (including Broken Social Scene) and albums. After disappearing from music for a couple of years, fast forward to present where she is back and out on a world tour supporting her most recent album, Metals, which was released towards the end of 2011. With a prime time slot on Friday at Bonnaroo, her set should be a stellar one and is also one of her last U.S. dates on the current tour.
Let me tell you about my fascination with Mac Miller. I’ll be completely candid and admit I’ve never listened to the hip-hop wiz kid and yet he is one of the acts I am most excited to see at Bonnaroo. Why? As an independent artist you don’t just move 144,000 copies and appear at #1 on the Billboard Chart when your debut album is released; especially in a day and age when CDs are not selling (you may want to check out the millions of YouTube hits his songs have gotten too). I want to see what he is all about and why Blue Slide Park became a chart topper. I would think that Bonnaroo is the going to be the biggest stage the 20-year old has played to date and I want to see him crush it. Heck I want to like him and know that this acclaim is warranted.
Do you ever hear a band and wonder how does it seem practically no one outside where they are from know who they are? I still can’t even remember how I came across The Dirty Guv’nahs but what I can tell you is I am damn glad I did and I want to know why the rest of the world doesn’t know about this incredibly talented band from Tennessee. Last year on the way to Bonnaroo I was listening to them nonstop even though they weren’t going to be there and well now a little wish has been granted to me. All you have to do is listen to “Baby We Were Young” and “We’ll Be The Light” to understand what you’ve been missing out on. And flat out, if you like southern rock and roll, The Guvs are for you!
Yesterday it was about one of the next great soul singers and today it’s about a seasoned vet just being discovered and unleashed to the world, “The Screaming Eagle of Soul,” Mr. Charles Bradley. Last year he dropped No Time For Dreaming, an album that drew national acclaim and it was well warranted. Having moonlighted as a James Brown impersonator, Bradley has soul in his veins and has made a name for himself after years of being, well, undiscovered. Performing under his name and the moniker, “Black Velvet,” Bradley should bring a little funk to the party in Tennessee this summer. Another artist festival goers should be excited to check out. Viva Bonnaroo!!
If you follow my blog, you know I’m a big supporter of Walk The Moon and seriously can’t wait to see them absolutely take off this year when their album on RCA drops (June 19). Well before that, here’s a fun remix of their hit, “Anna Sun” by Trouble Productions (Albert Hammond Jr. of the Strokes and producer Gus Oberg). Big thanks to RollingStone.com for the item.
Do you ever hear a voice that just captivates you and can stop you dead in the tracks from everything you are doing? To me, that’s Michael Kiwanuka. The British soul singer may only be 24 years old but man does he have some incredible pipes and sounds as if he’s been doing this for a lifetime. A relatively new name to the majority in the US, it won’t be long until his on everyone’s radar for being included as one of the next generations incredible soul singers. His delivery is so eloquent and I encourage you to download his EPs, go on Spotify, buy a couple tracks on iTunes and you’ll understand exactly what I mean. Bonnaroo scored a major achievement with Michael Kiwanuka set to perform at this year’s festival.
Just a shade over three weeks away and Bonnaroo is coming together more and more each day. Today even more artist additions were announced (they actually leaked on the site last week) including The Dirty Guv’nahs, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Penguin Prison, GZA anda handful more! You can view the whole artist lineup HERE.
Also the exciting news is that the schedule was released which means the agony of trying to figure out what bands you are going to see, miss, run from to another, etc. can begin as you plot and plan how to attack this incredible lineup. You can view the whole schedule HERE.
Personally I can’t wait to get the 2012 festival underway with Tennessee’s own, The Dirty Guv’nahs!
Getting a chance to see Young The Giant rise to stardom has been truly awesome. I’ve had the opportunity to see them in front of 30 people and 20,000 people. In little lounges/bars and on the grand stage at Lollapalooza along with a handful of other venues in between. And when I say these California kids can rock, see them live and you’ll witness the passion, energy and enthusiasm that has propelled them to attract a mainstream audience. Still riding the high off their self titled album which produced hits “My Body,” “Cough Syrup” and “Apartment,” Young The Giant is definitely a band you are going to want to see at Bonnaroo.