Ryan's Smashing Life

Toxicity Completely Man-Handled by 3 Ladies

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:01:00 +0000

New Video Found this Week!
Someone You Should Know

rock drummer Meytal Cohen

About a week ago, I wanted to look into doing a piece on Israeli rock drummer Meytal Cohen. (She's crazy good.) In doing my research, I found Cohen's myspace page which then lead me to today's spotlight video - which is hosted from Cohen's own YouTube page.

In this shot - 3 very talented women: Meytal on drums with Jennifer Lynn and Christine Wu on Electric Violin. Together they perform one of the most remarkable covers we have heard in ages. Here are three very talented women covering Toxicity by System of a Down.

No guitar or bass were harmed in this video. They just weren't used! Sorry Israel, Meytal Cohen has located to Los Angeles to pursue her promising career in music.

The White Stripes in London

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:44:00 +0000

Another Modern Classic
Mister, You Need to Hear this.........

The White Stripes

Live in London at The Forum
December 6, 2001 - 12/6/01

Fell In Love with a Girl
When I Hear My Name
I Think I Smell A Rat
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
Expecting
Little Room
Union Forever
Jolene
I'm Finding It Hard to be a Gentleman
Hotel Yorba
Isis
You're Pretty Good Looking for a Girl
We are Going to be Friends
Apple Blossom
Astro -into- Jack the Ripper
Rated X
I'm Bored
Screwdriver

More White Stripes on the RSL:
Review: The White Stripes live in Boston
The White Stripes & Conan O'Brien (Video)

The White Stripes

Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:31:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

Musician and Producer Devendra Banhart
Coachella photography by Lauren Dukoff

In Stores Now - What Will We Be is the new album from talented multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart. Having listened, all I can say is this is one you might just like.

One They All Can Like - For long-time Devendra fans, you will hear a slightly less experimental but an overall fuller, more self-actualized sound. For folks new to Banhart; the songs from What Will We Be are chock full of loosely strung melodies. The whole affair is rather nice. This is the first album Banhart has done with Warner, but the sixth overall of his career. (He was previously with XL.)

Here's, "Baby," the new single from What Will Be. The HD-Video is from Banhart on Jools Holland, October 16th, 2009.

HD Video / Bonus (live video)

What Will We Be

devendra banhart / i-tunes

Eddie Japan - World Premiere!

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 01:01:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

Eddie Japan - The Power of Negative Thinking

It's just one song, we realize.... but it's so good! - Meet Eddie Japan, a yacht-rocky, 70s throwback of a rock band. This six-piece are working on a full-length album. They are the newest thing from Boston - and Boston's a scene on the way-up in 2009.

Eddie Japan - just plain dangerous
photo by JustBill

Led by David Santos (former Pax Romana), Eddie Japan is an amalgamation of different musical backgrounds and very separate sounds. It's been a big year for Chris Barrett (also in Boston's Logan 5 and the Runners and previously of Christians and Lions.) On this new project, Barrett plays keyboards and trumpet - both of which end up being key, identifying elements, of this new project. Jim Collins here. It's been an equally stunning season for Eddie Japan bassist Jim Collins (Gene Dante and the Future Starlets, and The Buckners) as we've been watching him play in one show or another pretty much all 2009. (It's helpful to mention, we were not once disappointed. George Hall (Dogzilla, Seks Bomba, The Weisstronauts) sets up on guitar 1, Bart LoPiccolo (Scatterfield, Din) rocks on guitar 2 and Jason Baldock is on the drums.The result of all this lineage is something well worth our time.

tell a friend about
Eddie Japan

Live Photos - Brett Dennen in Boston

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Photographic Evidence
by Johnny Arguedas
The House of Blues in Boston
Thursday, 11/19/09

Brett Dennens at the House of Blues Boston

"Closer to You"
w/Forro in the Dark
from the Live Session EP

IT'S LIKE YOU WERE THERE - On the road these days with Grace Potter and the Nocturnals [live photos], Brett Dennen arrived in Boston last week and played before a rapt audience at the House of Blues. We recommend that you get a taste of the live experience by checking out the Newport Folk alum's new Live Session EP available exclusively through i-tunes.

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Brett Dennen at the House of Blues 11-19-09

Brett Dennen upcoming tour dates
w/ Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Nov 23 - Toronto, ON
Guvernment
Nov 24 - Detroit, MI
St. Andrews Hall
Nov 25 - Cleveland, OH
The House Of Blues
Nov 27 - Minneapolis, MN
Pantages Theatre
Nov 28 - Chicago, IL
The House Of Blues
Nov 30 - Milwaukee, WI
Turner Hall Ballroom
Dec 1 - Des Moines, IA
Peoples Court
Dec 3 - Denver, CO
Ogden Theatre
Dec 5 - Portland, OR
Crystal Ballroom
Dec 6 - Seattle, WA
Moore Theater
Dec 7 - Vancouver, BC
Commodore Ballroom
Dec 10 - San Diego, CA
The House of Blues
Dec 11- Tempe, AZ
Marquee Theatre
Dec 12 - LA
Wiltern Theatre

Brett Dennen

Metric on Stage - the HOB Boston

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Photographic Evidence
by Sean Hafferty
The House of Blues Boston
Friday, 11/20/09

Emily Haines and Metric in Boston this week

Metric - Help I'm Alive (80kidz Remix)
download this new remix!

YOU ARE THERE - Supporting their Best of 2009 release "Fantasies," Metric are winning hearts and minds on their current tour with amazing UK rockers Band of Skulls. The two acts arrived in Boston this week and played before a full room over at the House of Blues Boston on Friday. Ryan's Smashing Life takes you there...

RSL Streaming Photo Album
METRIC at the House of Blues 11-20-09

RED HOT TOUR DATES:
Metric & Band of Skulls

Nov 23 - Baltimore, MD
Ram’s Head Live
Nov 24 - Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Smalls Theatre
Nov 25 - Philadelphia, PA
The Electric Factory
Nov 27 - Charlotte, NC
Neighborhood Theatre
Nov 28 - Atlanta, GA
Center Stage
Nov 29 - New Orleans, LA
Republic
Nov 30 - Denver, CO
The Walnut Room
Nov 30 - Houston, TX
Warehouse Live
Dec 1 - Austin, TX
La Zona Rosa
Dec 2 - Dallas, TX
The Palladium Ballroom

METRIC
Web | Myspace

Live Photos - Grace Potter at the HOB

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:01:00 +0000

Photographic Evidence
by Johnny Arguedas
The House of Blues Boston
Thursday, 11/19/09

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Boston this week

"Stop the Bus"
from This is Somewhere

YOUR TICKET - On the road with Brett Dennen [live photos], Grace Potter and the Nocturnals arrived in Boston this week and played an outstanding set. Check out these red hot photos!

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Grace Potter at the House of Blues 11-19-09

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Tour with Brett Dennon

Nov 21 - Philadelphia, PA
Trocadero
Nov 23 - Toronto, ON
Guvernment
Nov 24 - Detroit, MI
St. Andrews Hall
Nov 25 - Cleveland, OH
The House Of Blues
Nov 27 - Minneapolis, MN
Pantages Theatre
Nov 28 - Chicago, IL
The House Of Blues
Nov 30 - Milwaukee, WI
Turner Hall Ballroom
Dec 1 - Des Moines, IA
Peoples Court
Dec 3 - Denver, CO
Ogden Theatre
Dec 5 - Portland, OR
Crystal Ballroom
Dec 6 - Seattle, WA
Moore Theater
Dec 7 - Vancouver, BC
Commodore Ballroom
Dec 10 - San Diego, CA
The House of Blues
Dec 11- Tempe, AZ
Marquee Theatre
Dec 12 - LA
Wiltern Theatre

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Metric and Band of Skulls

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:01:00 +0000

RED HOT TOUR

2 Acts You Should Know

Metric and Band of Skulls - Two of the brightest emerges on the emerging music landscape are on tour together right now. They will play back-to-back tonight [ticketing] at the House of Blues Boston.

Metric by Broadbent

It's pretty much an inevitability that a number of music fans will have Metric's Fantasies on their 2009 Best of lists. Classified as Canadians, Metric have a full-rounded experience reflected in their travels. They were formed in Toronto but have resided in Montreal, London, Los Angeles and New York.

Metric - Help I'm Alive (80kidz Remix)

METRIC
Web | Myspace

Band of Skulls by Meg Clark

One of the Best Live Bands We Saw This Year - The UK's Band of Skulls return to Boston tonight. Expect some utterly raunchy guitar, bass and drums. [link. RSL Live Photos - Band of Skulls in Boston Aug. 15, 2009] Do not arrive late. Do not miss this band.

Band of Skulls by Sean Hafferty

BAND OF SKULLS
Web | Myspace

Metric and Band of Skulls
2009 TOUR DATES

Nov 20 - Boston, MA
The House of Blues / tix
Nov 21 - NY
Northern Lights Clifton Park
Nov 23 - Baltimore, MD
Ram’s Head Live
Nov 24 - Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Smalls Theatre
Nov 25 - Philadelphia, PA
The Electric Factory
Nov 27 - Charlotte, NC
Neighborhood Theatre
Nov 28 - Atlanta, GA
Center Stage
Nov 29 - New Orleans, LA
Republic
Nov 30 - Denver, CO
The Walnut Room
Nov 30 - Houston, TX
Warehouse Live
Dec 1 - Austin, TX
La Zona Rosa
Dec 2 - Dallas, TX
The Palladium Ballroom

WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO THIS SHOW!!!
~~EMAIL~~ us with "METRIC Tickets" as the subject.

Contest is Closed

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals with Brett Dennen

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0000

RED HOT TOUR
2 Acts You Should Know

When Grace Potter and Brett Dennen reach Boston to play the House of Blues Boston tonight they will likely find a throng of eager new fans. Both acts have made huge inroads with new audiences with their self-effacing, embracing live shows and solid material.

This fall has been a busy one for Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, who have been splitting their time between recording sessions for their third album for Ragged Company/Hollywood Records and introducing the band’s new five-piece configuration on a string of tour dates that included five incredible performances at this year’s Bonnaroo festival. Catherine Popper (Ryan Adams & the Cardinals, Norah Jones) is the band’s new bass player, while fellow Vermonter Benny Yurco, who plays in the GPN side project Blues & Lasers with lead guitarist Scott Tournet and Matt Burr, makes the Nocturnals a two-guitar band. We like what we've heard and look forward to what's new.

"Ah Mary"
from This is Somewhere

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

Brett Dennen has a voice beloved by thousands and he arrives this week for another big performance. He arrives in town this week with a new EP of songs available online. The Live Session EP includes reworked songs from Brett's current album, Hope For The Hopeless, including hit single, "Make You Crazy," a brand new song, "Joan of Arc," and fan favorite (and New York City's cab staple) "Blessed." Fans lucky enough to have seen Brett Dennen and Jason Mraz perform together in October will recognize their notable duet "Long Road to Forgiveness."

"San Francisco"
w/Forro in the Dark
from the Live Session EP

Brett Dennen

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
& Brett Dennon LIVE DATES

Nov 19 - Boston, MA
The House of Blues
Nov 20 - NYC
Terminal 5
Nov 21 - Philadelphia, PA
Trocadero
Nov 23 - Toronto, ON
Guvernment
Nov 24 - Detroit, MI
St. Andrews Hall
Nov 25 - Cleveland, OH
The House Of Blues
Nov 27 - Minneapolis, MN
Pantages Theatre
Nov 28 - Chicago, IL
The House Of Blues
Nov 30 - Milwaukee, WI
Turner Hall Ballroom
Dec 1 - Des Moines, IA
Peoples Court
Dec 3 - Denver, CO
Ogden Theatre
Dec 5 - Portland, OR
Crystal Ballroom
Dec 6 - Seattle, WA
Moore Theater
Dec 7 - Vancouver, BC
Commodore Ballroom
Dec 10 - San Diego, CA
The House of Blues
Dec 11- Tempe, AZ
Marquee Theatre
Dec 12 - LA
Wiltern Theatre

The Lords of Synth

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:01:00 +0000

A Kind Look at Synthesizers!
A Quality Media Product from the BBC

Celebrating Synth

For those new to the site, we pretty much like all genres of music so long as its done well. I can't really speak for the others, but I have always liked the music of pianos and synthesizers, as evidenced by the live program ("From Behind These Keys") I put together earlier this year featuring all acts in which piano plays a pivotal role. So I was delighted to be shown this really cool BBC special celebrating the biggest synthesizer moments in our Modern lives...

part one

part two

The Rest of the Story...

Middle Distance Runner - The Sun & Earth

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:01:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

Middle Distance Runner

Washington DC's indie rock band Middle Distance Runner are on a short East Coast jaunt this week and are in town this week. (Catch them at TT the Bears in Cambridge on Wednesday night in support of Elliott Brood.) The Sun & Earth is the new album, and a very solid sophomore effort out just this week on Engine Room Recordings. The album is an exploration of the band's influences and varied direction. One this is clear, rhythm, piano and guitar are key players. From guitar rock, to indie pop, to soul, the band works their roots on this one. Middle Distance Runner are Stephen Kilroy (lead vocal, guitar, keyboard), Allan Chappelear (lead guitar, keyboard), Erik Dean (drums), Jay Smith (guitar, keyboard, vocals) and Tony Acampora (bass, vocals.)

Middle Distance Runner by filmmaker Maxwell Sorenson

Remaining November Dates...
11/18/09 - Cambridge, MA
~~T.T. The Bear’s~~
11/19/09 - Winooski, VT
~~Monkey House~~
11/20/09 - Hartford, CT
~~Sully’s Pub~~
11/21/09 - Baltimore, MD
~~The Metro Gallery~~

UPDATE -
Less than 12 Hours after this piece ran,
Middle Distance Runner canceled its upcoming dates.
Two band member are fighting the flu.... Yikes.

Middle Distance Runner
Stream -or- Buy the Album / Myspace

Review - Manic Street Preachers

noreply@blogger.com (nickparkersound) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Manic Street Preachers
by Nick Parker
Growing Old Gracefully but it's a Mixed Bag that results...

In the 1990s British music scene there were hardly any bands faster and more furious than The Manic Street Preachers. Leading the charge of Welsh guitar bands in the period, the Manics were also among the most radical of them, both musically and politically. Then of course, there was James Dean Bradfield’s voice: searing; hugely powerful; completely idiosyncratic.

James Dean Bradfield BBC photo - album

Most of all their story – enduring the (presumed) death of guitarist Richey Edwards, and still managing to produce very successful, sweeping musical anthems in the aftermath – was a narrative as moving as that of New Order’s birth out of Joy Division. We wanted them to win, out of such adversity, and they did.

This year’s new release from the band though, “Journal for Plague Lovers,” really retains only one of these three elements, which had commanded our interest. The album is still marked by Bradfield’s almost operatic singing. The Manics are something I think they would have been horrified by a decade ago though: there is some fear they are becoming tame.

album art by Jenny Savill

I will start out immediately, saying that, “Journal for Plague Lovers” is not a terrible album – it’s in fact ‘solid,’ and even ‘dependable.’ But this a band that has produced such powerful work in the past though. We can hardly be satisfied with that.

"This Joke Sport Severed"
from Journal for Plague Lovers

ONE WRITER'S HUMBLE OPINION - There are a lot of similarities with this story of gentle decline and that of Supergrass’s, another 90s act whose first album, ‘I should coco,’ had an energy that even admittedly engaging later work could never match. Supergrass had a great voice to lead it too, and an incredible force that has now dissipated.

PRODUCTION ELEMENTS / THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM - At fault I think is over-production that evens out both bands’ music to the point where it is just too clear and digestible, and has had the jagged thrall of energy that I feel sure they could still muster hammered out of it. After all, it seems unfair to assume age is the issue alone. There are plenty of older bands that keep up the pace (even much older – I saw the Buzzcocks a little while ago storm through a set at the old Axis). This over-polished production is remarkable, because no less a studio master than Steve Albini was responsible for it.

I suppose The Manics shouldn’t be expected to produce endless, increasingly worn-out parodies of their initial work. What we have from The Manics this time around though is a pale version of their early stuff, and it doesn’t offer a new kind of sound to replace what’s missing of the old one.

NEW REMIX ALBUM - Helping to keep things fresh, the band have released a sister remix album, featuring the likes of British Sea Power, Underworld (their first remix in 10 years), Saint Etienne, The Horrors and Andrew Weatherall. The digital version of the remix product is available om iTunes.

MANIC STREET PREACHERS

The Colorful Dock Ellis gets Animated

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:13:00 +0000

VIRAL VIDEO!
In 1970, Dock Ellis threw a Major League No-Hitter on LSD

Dock Ellis threw a No-Hitter tripping on Acid.
artwork by James Blagen

In 1970, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dock Ellis threw a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres under the influence of a very different drug... Ellis was tripping balls when his lady tells him to get to go to work. He sure did - and went on to pitch a no hitter! (An 8-walk no hitter, but a no hitter none the less!) Ellis, who passed away last year from liver illness, provided the audio for this piece. This is Viral Video.

Spend a Few Minutes checking out all these
previous RSL Viral Video selections:

Hipsters and the Wild Rumpus
Totally Geeking Out
Learning from Burning Man
In the Future DJs will get More
Miles Fisher: American Pyscho & David Byrne
Ranger3's Sense of Direction
Who or what is Pogo Poppins?
Pezzettino and the Boston Firehouse
Go Kart Mania in France with The Kooks
RYAN ADAMS in Jamaica!
Weezer covers MGMT!

Don't Get the Swine Flu
Backstage with Dylan and Waits by Seth McFarlene
Bob Dylan sells you Pepsi
Tic Tac Micha!
The Ettes soooo Just Wanna Rock!
(We are Living in) Exponential Times
Super Slo-Mo & Daft Punk
The Power to Change
The Pish Dolls / Ace of Spades
Sunday Afternoon
Psycho Killer
Running in Boston
God is a DJ

Dock Ellis's wild life has become something of a legend.

Subscribe:
The RSL YouTube Page!

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band at LeLacheur

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Previously Unpublished Images from the RSL Music Archives...
Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band
LeLacheur Park in Lowell, MA - 7/11/09
photos by Sean Hafferty

NEW IMAGES FROM THE BALLPARK - On a beautiful Summer Day this July we caught an amazing live show at LeLacheur Park (home to Red Sox Minor League Class affiliate The Lowell Spinners.) The afternoon started out just perfect - Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band played an incredible set under a then-blue sky. (Later, near the end of evening, during the Wilco set, the rains came down in near biblical proportions...)

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
"Nikorette"
from the 2009 record: Outer South

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band
LeLacheur Ballpark in Lowell, MA
RSL Streaming Photo Album

images by Sean Hafferty

Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band

Heath Ledger's Music Video for Hip Hop's N'fa Forster-Jones

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:11:00 +0000

New Music Video!
See It For Yourself...

Heath Ledger directed the video sometime before his death.
It was only released just this week.

Actor and director Heath Ledger's body of work continues to grow following his accidental drug overdose in January. We are all aware of his chilling and celebrated theatrical work in the Dark Knight. Not many of us knew the man was as passionate about music as he evidently was... In August, Modest Mouse released a music video Ledger directed. And this week, Rapper N'fa Forster-Jones chose to unveil this Ledger-directed hip hop video this week. (Ledger and Forster-Jones were friends growing up in Perth, Australia.)

Ledger's final film "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" opens in theatres on Christmas Day.

Are New Collisions the best New Wave Act in America?

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:06:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

BEST START EVER? - It's hard to imagine things going better for any band in it's first year these days. This is the story of The New Collisions from Boston who release their second EP album, Invisible Embraces, tonight. (This one's almost sure to be a sold-out show tonight, thanks in no small part to the stacked deck of talented live bands on the bill this evening.) Many of those in attendance will be there to see The New Collisions' Sarah & Scott Guild, Alex Stern, and Zak Kahn put on a solid showing tonight. As I said - expectations will be high. This has been a truly remarkable first year...

the New Collisions - Parachutes on the Dance Floor

This Was Our 2009 - Formed early this year, and discovered by the Cars' Greg Hawkes. We wrote about them first back in May. By summer's end they had toured nationally with The B-52s and even opened a stage for their artistic mentors in Blondie. Just last week, New York Magazine and This Week in New York chose The New Collisions as one of the top ten bands at CMJ. Just this week, the New Collisions filmed for the nationally syndicated Fearless Music Television, a program broadcasting to millions. Yeah, it's been one hell of a year. It all raises the question if the New Collisions are America's Top New Wave Act?

TONIGHT - The new EP drops this evening at the Middle East in Cambridge. Lineup also features THE FUTURE EVERYBODY, GENE DANTE AND THE FUTURE STARLETS, THICK AS THIEVES, and THE LUXURY.

THE NEW COLLISIONS
bios, album information, touring

WIN an AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF THE NEW EP!!!
EMAIL US W/ THE WORDS "The New Collisions" AS THE SUBJECT.

Afraid of the Number 13

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:01:00 +0000

Today is Friday the 13th, and if you are one of the many thousands of superstitious people who fear this day and all that it brings... there's not much I can do to ease your mind. This is the third Friday the 13th of the year. Just to show you what a great sense of humor I have, here's Social Distortion's "Bad Luck."

Social Distortion - Bad Luck
one of the best live bands ever
Web / Myspace / Facebook

Cool 13 Facts:

There are 13 Moons in a year
There are 13 witches in a traditional coven
13 Notches on the horn carried by the Venus of Laussel
There are 13 Buddhas in some schools of thought in India
13 original colonies in America
The known universe is currently thought to be about 13.7 billion years
old, with an error of about one percent.
There are 13 zodiac constellations, which consist of the 12 signs in
the astrological zodiac and Ophiuchus.
In Judaism, 13 is considered a lucky number.
One explanation for this is that the word אחד echad, Hebrew for 'one' and thus a way of
describing the unique God, has the numerological value of 13 according
to the Gematria system.
The ancient Maya used the number 13 in the development of their
calendrical science which served as the basis of their cosmology as
well. The 13:20 ratio expresses the frequencies and cycles of
Creation, now scientifically verifiable through the latest discoveries
about the classical period Mayan Calendar.
In Sikhism, the number thirteen (13) is a number devoted to the
remembrance of God, therefore it is also considered lucky by people
who practice the Sikh faith.

An Evening with The Motion Sick

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0000

The Band's 150th Show with Static of the Gods!
Win a CD and 2 tickets to Friday's Show!

The Motion Sick - The Owls are Not What They Seem
find out about this song - click the interview link below!

FRI 11/13 at the Middle East
The Motion Sick (150th show!)
Static of the Gods (CD Preview)
The Living Sea
Where the Land Meets the Sea
Ghost Ocean

An Evening of 'Wit Rock' - The Smartest Band in America, Boston's The Motion Sick headline a fun-filled rock lineup of FIVE BANDS tomorrow at the Middle East. We have not focused on this worthy (and fun, did I say, fun?) act since March - since that time The Motion Sick have won the hearts of even more folks with their delightful material. (2008's "The Truth Will Catch You, Just Wait" was one of the 20 Best Albums of the Tear. No one who has heard the material has yet to disagree.)

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - Here's my interview with the Motion Sick. I think you will be surprised just how unpredictable and brilliant indie rock can be...

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN - Enter today to win a pair of passes to see these four bands at a show that's already dangerously close to selling out! Winner also gets a copy of the Motion Sick's album. That's a lot of fun and entertainment for no scratch at all!

WIN the album and 2 tickets
to The Motion Sick show on Friday!

EMAIL ENTRY W/ "THE MOTION SICK" AS THE SUBJECT.

THE MOTION SICK
Myspace / Web / Blog

Blind Pilot + The Low Anthem

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:01:00 +0000

Tour's End - Last Night Together...!
2 Bands You Should Know

Blind Pilot's new album

Blind Pilot and The Low Anthem arrive in Boston Thursday night to play The Paradise. Notably, this is the last night the two acts will play together on this tour. In one showcase tonight, local music fans have a snapshot of two of the most promising bands on tour - at the top of their game. Expect huge things from both acts as they part ways - Blind Pilot heads north on the first of a string of dates with Laura Veirs. The Low Anthem head to Europe for a number of high-profile shows; the first of which in England, is already sold out!

BLIND PILOT

Blind Pilot - The Story I Heard

For Portland's Blind Pilot, the ascension has been fast and undeniable. Having shared a stage with The Hold Steady, Counting Crows, Akron/Family and now The Low Anthem, the band has carved a large and loyal following the last year - playing festivals and small halls alike.

Touring as a six-piece, Blind Pilot is Israel Nebeker (vocals, guitar), Ryan Dobrowski (drums), Luke Ydstie (upright bass, backing vocals), Kati Claborn (banjo, dulcimer, backing vocals), Ian Krist (Vibraphones), and Dave Jorgensen (keyboards, trumpet)Unbelievably textured and tangible, the band is making some incredible music these days...

Web / Myspace

The Low Anthem in action
photograph by Johanna Neufeld

Having seen the Low Anthem up close and personal, backstage and performing at this year's Newport Folk Festival [RSL's outstanding photo album] - we would be not fulfilling our music-blog duties if we didn't point these guys out for you. (We're not alone - Oh My God Charlie Darwin, has been named one of the best albums of the year by Paste Magazine.) If you don't know this Rhode Island act now, this is your chance:

The Low Anthem - Charlie Darwin - Official Video
from End of the Road Films on Vimeo.

ABOUT THE VIDEO: The video for "Charlie Darwin" was produced by End of the Road Films. Glenn Z Taunton and Simon Taffe, a portion of the design team behind The End of the Road Festival, assembled a small team of painters, carpenters and handymen at a studio in Sussex, England to craft the stop-frame animated video.

Web / Myspace

WIN "3 Rounds and a Sound" ALBUM and 2 tickets
to the Blind Pilot / Low Anthem show!!

EMAIL ENTRY W/ "BLIND PILOT / LOW ANTHEM" AS THE SUBJECT.

Recurrent & Funky: Atlanta's Fishhawk

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0000

One of the best new sounds we have heard in many months, Atlanta's Fishhawk is a new kind of indie rock band using elements of several styles to create a new type of musical art. Fishhawk merges several music styles (rock, electronica, rap, slow beats, hip-hop and soul.) Tracks on Bells Underwater are punctuated by beats, stirred with strong vocals and peppered with plenty of pop hooks. The band ventured north in June of this year, playing a well-received set at Great Scott in Allston. Look for us to bring back the band in 2010.

Fishhawk - Night Owl

FISHHAWK
Myspace / Facebook

NEW - REM Live at the Olympia

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:01:00 +0000

NOW IN STORES - R.E.M. Live At The Olympia is a two-CD set featuring 39 songs from the band's acclaimed 2007 sessions in Dublin. These songs sound great and make me hopeful that this is REM's return to their glorious past. (I am thinking old school.) Live At The Olympia gives fans an opportunity to hear those songs at their earliest stages of development. In addition to the new material, the band also served up twenty-nine other songs, spanning their entire career, all of which can be found on this album.

Drive - Live at the Olympia in Dublin

R.E.M. | MySpace Video

Disc 1:
Living Well Is The Best Revenge / Second Guessing / Letter Never Sent / Staring Down The Barrel of the Middle Distance / Disturbance At The Heron House / Mr. Richards / New Test Leper / Cuyahoga / Electrolite / Man-Sized Wreath / So. Central Rain / On The Fly / Maps And Legends / Sitting Still / Driver 8 / Horse To Water / I’m Gonna DJ / Circus Envy / These Days

Disc 2:
Drive / Feeling Gravity’s Pull / Until The Day Is Done / Accelerate / Auctioneer / Little America / 1,000 / Disguised / Worst Joke Ever / Welcome To the Occupation / Carnival of Sorts / Harbor Coat / Wolves Lower / I’ve Been High / Kohoutek / West of the Fields / Pretty Persuasion / Romance / Gardening At Night

remdublin.com

WIN REM'S LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA ALBUM!!
EMAIL US WITH THE WORDS "R.E.M. - DUBLIN" AS THE SUBJECT.
WE SHIP THIS DOUBLE-CD SET TO ONE LUCKY WINNER

Photo Album - The Polyphonic Spree at the Paradise Boston

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Photographic Evidence
by Sean Hafferty
The Paradise Boston, MA - 9/17/09

Tim Delaughter and The Spree at the Paradise
images by RSL's Sean Hafferty

"Hold Me Now"
from Together We're Heavy

RSL Streaming Photo Album
The Polyphonic Spree at the Paradise, Boston (9-17-09)

The Polyphonic Spree
Web / Myspace

Stage Photos - Thao Nguyen with the Get Down, Stay Down

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:01:00 +0000

Photographic Evidence
by Emma Dessau
Live at the Middle East - 11/2/2009

Thao Nugyen at the Middle East
Emma Dessau images

Touring behind the might of their new album, "Know Better Learn Faster," Thao Nguyen arrived at the Middle East to play last week. Photographer Emma Dessau was there to capture Thao with the Get Down, Stay Down as they awoke some musical ghosts in Boston. Be sure to check out the band's new music video, if you dig these shots!

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Thao Nguyen at the Middle East(11-2-09)

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
Web / Myspace

Ramona Falls - I Say Fever

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:31:00 +0000

New Music Video and Album!
Someone You Should Know

It Doesn't Sound Like A Side Project... RAMONA FALLS

Responsible Party? - Menomena's Brent Knopf
photo by Melani Brown

PORTLAND, OR - Ramona Falls is the music side project of Brent Knopf (Menomena). We are loving Knopf... er... Ramona Falls' new music video for I Say Fever. Check it out and discover out why we picked this sound for today's artist spotlight:

Romana Falls - I Say Fever
from the new Intuit album

Ramona Falls

Cassavettes - Shakedown the Sun

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:31:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

NEW MUSIC FROM ONE OF BOSTON'S BEST - Local readers should head to the Middle East in Central Square, Cambridge, tonight for one of our favorite live acts. Boston perennial favorites Cassavettes are releasing, 'Shakedown the Sun,' their first new studio in almost three years. The album is a scalding attack on inertia - with the band proving once again that they are one of the best going. (The original band: Scott Yoder, Mike McCullagh, Matt Snow and Scott Jones - are friends and each is present and accounted for on the new record.)

The 12 tracks on Shakedown deftly navigate the waters of the band's last three years. Some are more obviously, but updated, versions of the band's Americana past. Others are more howling versions of the band's wrestle with the Pop Sound. And there are abundant examples of their new and glorious future: rock-fueled soul tracks that uses emotion as a primary motivater. This is the Cassavettes that Boston folks have come to know and love - but it's Cassavettes 3.0 - a time when the band is getting better almost daily. This is why RSL has tapped this material as Best of 2009 material.

"Seek Cover"
from Shakedown the Sun

Over the course of the last three years, Cassavettes have found themselves the standard support for a number of prestigious band. The Allman Brothers, Bob Weir & Ratdog, Superdrag, Jesse Malin and Kings of Leon all tapped them to open the stage on different dates. The offers kept coming and the Cassavettes have not let them down.

GLENN YODER of CASSAVETTES: "That Paradise gig (opening up for KOL) really seemed to jump-start our career, actually, more than any other I can think of. KOL showed up after losing all their equipment on a flight connection in Japan, were quite surly, and played sort of a half show after some fans got them all riled up. It was a free show, and as I recall, it was the evening the Kevin Garnett trade was announced. So people were in full-on party mode. We still get people coming up to us, telling us that it was a great time and a show they discovered us at."

RYAN SPAULDING for RSL: "Let's talk about 'Shakedown the Sun,' What was your approach to writing this songs and recording the album? How was it different this time around?"

YODER: "This time it was all about letting the songs really sound, well, BIG. I wanted to put that old 'Let It Bleed' tagline in the liner notes, "This Record Was Made to Be Played Loud," but we figured that idea had been played out. Either way, the record was indeed made to be played loud, because that's how these songs sound best. Over the years, we've evolved into a louder, more "rock" band, and this record reflects that change.

"It actually hits you over the head with it. We have a beast on the drums, who has once been described as trying to put his stick through the drumhead, and keep in mind, Mike and Scott grew up admiring Metallica. Our record certainly doesn't sound like Metallica, but we indulged those rockier aspirations that were lurking deep within us. It turns out that, deep down, we are a rock band. This record is a coming of age story, I suppose -- like "Harold & Maude" without fake suicides and sex with old ladies."

RSL: "Let's talk about the band. In what sense is the new material reflective of you and the band? Or, are these songs inhabited by original characters of fictitious origins?"

YODER: "Well, lyrically, it's a mix bag as it always will be when you have two writers writing separately. Mike likes to write about certain subjects, and I have my comfort spots. This is the first record we've made that doesn't have a song we've teamed up on lyrically (however, we often play with each other's progressions, melodies, etc). So, I think the contrast may be more stark than previous records, which is in some ways cool. Also, these songs are a long time coming, since we haven't put out a studio CD since December 2006, so it's really a document of a few years worth of growth, personally and with the band. Kind of a time capsule. Or, like I said earlier, a coming of age story? That circled back nicely.

RSL: "Would you be willing to take a song from Shakedown the Sun and try to do your best to describe how it came to be?"

YODER: "As I've grown as a lyricist (hopefully), I've started putting a lot more emphasis on writing the words separately. Growing up, I'd often just fit words into what sounded cool or worked in the meter, and if something cool came of that, great, if not, then it was just "playing music." Eh, not always the best way to get good results. Starting with the first Cassavettes record, I think we've really placed a premium on storytelling, and the words have taken center stage.

"I often will write things separately, like a melody and a couplet or a verse, and then pair them together if it feels right. A song like "Golden Fleece" is a great example of that, as it was a story I was trying to get at -- half-true, half-fiction -- about this old woman who is just trying to find peace of mind after a life of extreme misfortune. Heady stuff, I realize, but I had a very clear vision of this character and who I wanted her to be, and the melody was just something I'd been toying with for ages. Eventually, the two made perfect sense together, and from there, it was just a process of refinement until it sounded like it sounded in my head.

"Golden Fleece"
from Shakedown the Sun

"Not all songs work that way, though -- some click instantly. "Lights On" I wrote while we were on tour in Texas in about 10 minutes. I had just woken up at my old friend Jimmy's house, and was playing his guitar while he kept sleeping in the other room. I recorded the song into my cell phone, flew back to Boston, and hardly changed a thing about it when I turned it over to the band. So, it can really go either way."

Cassavettes

Gene McCullagh photo

TONIGHT - Cassavettes release their new CD tonight at the Middle East with Movers & Shakers [on RSL], post), You Can Be A Wesley, Quixote and Jookabox. Highly recommended! 8pm Doors / $12.

Cassavettes on Myspace