Blog Archives

January 16, 2013 | 1:55 PM | By

See Sera Cahoone play an instore at Main Street Music before she plays Burlap and Bean on 2/1

Photo by Hillary Harris

Plainly stated and in my humble opinion, Sera Cahoone, formerly a member of Carissa’s Wierd and Band of Horses, released one of the most compelling albums of last year. The collection of songs that make up Deer Creek Canyon, her long-awaited third solo effort after 2008′s acclaimed Only as the Day is Long, are a perfect distillation of the Northwest Pacific in sound, feel, and aesthetic. The country-tinged Americana songs are influenced, tempered, and affected by the geography and atmosphere of her home state Washington.

Before her stop at Newtown Square, PA’s Burlap & Bean on Friday, February 1st, Cahoone will be appearing for an in-store performance on Monday, January 28th at 7 PM at Main Street Music, located in Manayunk. Below, you can download the title track to Deer Creek Canyon.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Burlap and Bean, Main Street Music, Sera Cahoone
January 16, 2013 | 1:07 PM | By

Gracie announces upcoming EP details, shares free download “Habits” (playing Johnny Brenda’s on 2/5)

Local electronic-pop band Gracie have announced more details for their Bleeder EP this week, and lead-single “Habits” is now available as a free download.  Originally the solo project of producer / musician Andrew Balasia, Gracie wowed the internet with his 2011 For Summer EP (Absent Fever) and follow-up Treehouse EP (Small Plates).  Balasia and his now-full band teamed up with Small Plates once again for the release of Bleeder, to be digitally distributed on March 12th.  The EP will also be accompanied by a free 7″, pairing “Habits” with Summer 2012 anthem “Creature Pleaser.”  Tickets and information for Gracie’s show at Johnny Brenda’s with Memory Tapes and TEEN can be found here.  Below, check out the track-listing for Bleeder and stream / download “Habits” via Small Plates Records’ Soundcloud.  You can also listen back to Gracie’s Key Studio Session and download a live take of “Habits” here.

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FILED UNDER: Artists, Downloads, News, Recordings, Scene, Gracie, Johnny Brenda's
January 16, 2013 | 12:02 PM | By

The Key Studio Sessions: Everyone Everywhere

Philly emo four-piece Everyone Everywhere might move at their own pace – touring Europe when their new record came out, then waiting nearly six months to play a hometown album release show – but that’s okay.  These dudes are strong enough players and stirring enough songwriters that I’m totally along for the ride. Whether you’re listening to their album, watching their creative music videos, or digging into their performance in this week’s Key Studio Session, you can tell they’re doing it because they love it, and don’t want to ruin that enjoyment with careerist distractions. “Let’s rip, guys!” Brendan McHugh cheerfully urged as their performance started off. You can hear that he means it – you can tell that the three guys playing with him aren’t just bandmates, but also friends. Stream and download their session below, and catch them in concert this weekend when they play an all-ages show at The Barbary with Band Name, Glocca Morra and Slingshot Dakota.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Downloads, Events, Recordings, Everyone Everywhere, The Barbary, The Key Studio Sessions
January 16, 2013 | 10:59 AM | By

Memphis Sense of Place: David Dye’s top five music venues

Wild Bill's

Here is a variety of clubs and theaters to check out on your Memphis trip.  The New Daisy is a large (1000+) showcase theater.  Wild Bill’s is a late night Juke Joint that is hard to find anywhere else. Minglewood Hall and Young Avenue Deli will give you an idea of what is happening with young bands. And The Mud Island Ampitheater is a seasonal venue in the middle of the Mississippi. Continue reading →

FILED UNDER: David Dye, Sense of Place, Sense of Place: Memphis, World Cafe
January 16, 2013 | 9:59 AM | By

Just Announced: Jim James releasing solo album, playing Johnny Brenda’s on 2/18

Photo by John Bartol

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James has a cool, eclectic solo album coming out next month called Regions of Light and Sound of God. With its haunting electronic tones and subdued arrangements, it most closely recalls the work he did with My Morning Jacket on 2006′s Z – and I’m thinking it will sound positively stunning in the cozy confines of Johnny Brenda‘s on February 18. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 18, at noon. Below, listen to “A New Life” from Regions of Light and Sound of God, which is out on ATO Records on February 5th.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, News, Recordings, Jim James, My Morning Jacket
January 16, 2013 | 9:17 AM | By

Tweet of the Moment: Dude who was in a little band called Nirvana is digging on Bleeding Rainbow

For some musicians, getting to meet one of your musical icons is more than enough. But having one of them say enjoy the the art you’re creating? Holy cow. Or, as Bleeding Rainbow put it when Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic tweeted about them last night, “!!!!!!!!&;$;&3′cidndncbbdn!!@.!:8/&:!;!!n?!?!!!!!!!!???!”

It was pretty straightforward; Novoselic simply said “I like this band – Bleeding Rainbow” and linked to their Waking Dream 7″ on Bandcamp. But as anybody who has listened to music in the last 20 years knows, that’s a badass endorsement to have. Bleeding Rainbow manager Dryw Scully Instagrammed the tweet, saying “I never repost. But holy shit @rainbowbleeding that dude played bass in a band called Nirvana..” True that.

Bleeding Rainbow’s full-length Yeah Right is out on January 29 on Kanine Records, by the way, and it rules hard. Check out the video for “Drift Away” below.

FILED UNDER: Artists, Events, News, Bleeding Rainbow, Nirvana
January 16, 2013 | 9:00 AM | By

Tonight’s Concert Picks: The Wailers at World Cafe Live, American Babies at Johnny Brenda’s

Photo by William Richards

Legendary reggae group The Wailers will perform Bob Marley’s 1979 album Survival in-full at World Cafe Live tonight.  The release of Survival followed criticism of Marley’s previous record Kaya for being too easy-going and non-influential in subject, which may have played a part in Survival‘s unmistakable call-to-action message for African unity.  Since Marley’s death in 1981, The Wailers have performed with Sting, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder and others, with bass player Aston “Family Man” Barrett leading the group alongside singer Koolant.  Tickets and information for tonight’s all-ages show with special guest and Wailers historian Roger Steffens can be found here.  Below, watch The Wailers perform “Zimbabwe” from Survival with Bob Marley.

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FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Scene, American Babies, Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social, Johnny Brenda's, The Wailers, World Cafe Live