Ryan's Smashing Life

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

Pearl and the Beard

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

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

Pearl and the Beard
photo by Tea and Brie

DATELINE: BROOKLYN NYC - Talented three-piece have an album of fresh, top-notch material and an exciting new music video. Jocelyn Mackenzie, Emily Hope Price and Jeremy Styles are known as Pearl and the Beard. The band's new album is titled, 'God Bless Your Weary Soul.' The band just released a new music video for the "Will Smith Medley" - the band's unique take on 8 of the Fresh Prince's hits. We love their fresh approach and you had better believe we will be keeping on an eye on this band in the year to come!

Pearl and the Beard - Will Smith Medley
from Goddamn Cobras Collective on Vimeo.

Pearl and the Beard - Oh Death
from the new album, God Bless Your Weary Soul

PEARL and the BEARD
Buy the Record / Blog / Myspace

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - WOXY 2005 radio session

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:31:00 +0000

Live And Of Note
CYHSY radio session - 9/21/05

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH

One of the most influential bands of the last decade, self-made startups Clap Your Hands Say Yeah told a generation of bands that they could self-produce and release a very successful album campaign. Their eponymous was a huge, soaring exploration of sound. And it took the indie world by storm. By mid-2005, their name was all over the place and the band had an invitation to play the WOXY studios in front of a small, live audience. The songs were broadcast out into the universe for many thousands to enjoy. Here is that show....

Details of the War
Gimme Some Salt
In This Home of Ice
Cigarettes

SINCE THAT TIME - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah went on a pair of hugely successful tours in support of their debut. They made fans all over the world. We saw them play twice. As most of you are likely aware, Clap Your Hands got a record deal (predictably) and responded with a middling effort with "Some Loud Thunder" a record that wasn't at all bad - but it just didn't capture the magic of this band's phenomenal debut. Singer Alec Ounsworth has released a pair of solo efforts. His latest is called Flashy Python. Bandmates went on to form an on-again, off-again Guns N Roses cover band of note called, Mr. Brownstone, and then Robbie and Tyler have recently gone on to form a new act called Uninhabitable Mansions. We want to check this group out but missed them during their visit to Boston in October.

Action Verbs - 'Meeting People on the Internet'

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:31:00 +0000

Going Out Boston - Tonight!
Someone to Know:

THE LATEST BAND TO EMERGE IN BOSTON - The long-awaited EP from Action Verbs emerges tonight in a great lineup over at Church of Boston. We have been staunch supports of this band for a couple of years now after hearing them somewhat by chance. And, we were happy to add them to the RSL's family of live acts when they played our June 2008 lineup at the Middle East. It ended up being one of the best shows we saw the entire year last year. After the show, while the creative winds were stirring, Action Verbs - obviously enthusiastic of how well they were received by an eager audience - began plotting the recording and release of their EP right there on the spot.

Action Verbs - ... to never again
from the 2008 demos

MEETING PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET - The title for the EP is appropriate as this was one of the first ever organically grown internet band. (The members met online - through Craigslist.) We are ecstatic for these guys. If you can make the show - get there early. The band, who sound great live, are giving away 50 copies of the record to early attendees. That's one sweet deal!

Web / Myspace

Thao and The Get Down, Stay Down

noreply@blogger.com (Emma Dessau) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:01:00 +0000

Visiting Artist Profile
by Emma Dessau
Someone You Should Know...

Thao with the Get Down, Stay Down
Shervin Lainez photograph

Thao Nguyen of Thao and the Get Down, Stay Down, the Portland Cello Project is my heroine of all bubble-gum wonderful pop music! She will visit the Middle East Downstairs tonight. Thao's stellar second album, "Know Better Learn Faster," came out early this October. It impressively rivals her 2008's "We Brave Bee Stings and All" primarily because "Know Better Learn Faster" plays like a sequel, or as Pitchfork writer Stephen M. Deusner put it, "a post-party comedown." While "We Brave" was all about the playfulness of life, "Know Better" crosses into disappointment, "sad sex" and relationships gone wrong. Fortunately, Thao hasn't lost her touch for putting the catchiest beats behind the story line.

brand new this week...

The Tuesday show will also feature the Portland Cello Project, a group Thao collaborated with this past summer to produce "The Thao and Justin Power Sessions." The Project hails from Portland, Oregon and claims to make you shout "WE LOVE PCP!" without an afterthought during their performances.

This show isn't something to miss. I hope to see you there. I'll be the one in the front, staring up in awe at Thao with a big stupid grin.

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down
Web / Myspace

Televandals - What You Need To Know

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:31:00 +0000

RED HOT RIGHT NOW!
A Brand New Music Video and an Unreleased Song
Boston's Televandals

NEW VIDEO & NEW MUSIC - One of the best performances from the last month came for me just last Friday night. It was a Halloween covers party put on by The Pill at Great Scott in Allston. I came in with some pretty high expectations. And those lofty sights got set a bit higher with a really great cover of The Smiths by locals The Honors. Immediately following was Boston red-hot hopefuls Televandals who took on the mantle of The Clash. Thus began the band's week in the spotlight here in Boston.

Televandals

TELEVANDALS were a Halloween Treat... Song after well-known song, Televandals hammered the tracks home. (Note to the band: you gotta do Guns of Brixton.) Thoroughly impressive, the Televandals are: J Restless on Guitar and lead vocals, Nico on Synth, Guitar and Backing vocals, Ride-Out on drums, beats and Backing vocals, and Nick on Bass and Backing vocals.

One Thing To Know About Televandals -They're in it to win it. Things are happening for them. They are preparing their full-length debut. (RSL media player with unreleased track, "Endor" is offered up below.) TT the Bears plays host to the Televandals new music video release tonight. (The video is below, but I am sure your ADHD-ass is already watching it.)

"Endor"
from unreleased album

On Wednesday, Televandals will fire up the van and haul the keys to Great Scott. They have an early set (that's a good chance to catch 'em for the first time folks), opening up for Toronto electro act Dragonette.

brand new video.

Televandals

VIRAL VIDEO - Hipsters & the Wild Rumpus

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:00:00 +0000

Artwork (detail) by Saud Boksmati

VIRAL VIDEO: We're a music and entertainment website that regularly risks the murky, perilous waters of hipsterdom at every turn. (Do you remember this piece we posted? Just checking.) Continuing right where we left off, Viral Video storms the website - offering cross-over thrills with socially relevant material. Today we look at mega-hit movie trailer for imaginative blockbuster, Where the Wild Things Are. Then we get to bring one our favorite topics, again... hipsters, to the fore. You see, this is what happens in life when you make good choices and stir your drinks clockwise...

up first, the original trailer...

and... Where the Hipsters Are - the spoof!

Jen Sorensen's funny-as-hell Slowpoke.

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

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

original artwork by Clay Sisk

Subscribe:
The RSL YouTube Page!

Lou Barlow's 'Goodnight Unknown' upstages latest Dinosaur Jr effort

noreply@blogger.com (nickparkersound) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:30:00 +0000

On Further Review!
Barlow gathers himself for solo effort
by Nick Parker

Dinosaur Jr's Lou Barlow : Better on his own

THE SUN COMES OUT - Lo-Fi pioneer and a founding member of both Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh, Lou Barlow has released his new solo album, “Goodnight Unknown,” only a matter of weeks after “Farm,” Dinosaur Jr’s latest effort, on which he played bass. You have to wonder, given this proximity, how the two projects fit together, and I’m happy to report the answer is ‘not well at all.’ While I have already written about the incredibly complacency of those involved in phoning it in on “Farm,” it appears Lou has used the funds from that debacle to produce, in 'Goodnight,' his most interesting work in some years.

GOODNIGHT UNKNOWN - There is a short film about the making of the album available here. I’ve tried not to let this documentary color my perspectives on the project. I think I’ve failed. Listening to Lou narrate images of his life working on “Goodnight” – setting-up and then re-configuring his home ‘studio;’ recording the sounds of child’s toys to make ambient sounds; working 9-5 on the album and then returning emoh to play with his 4yr-old daughter – I am left feeling jealous of the resources being a member of Dinosaur Jr has offered him to work, and intimidated by the snatches of music that have been born of it. When I turn back to the album itself, the final product is not quite so overwhelming an experience as his hard work on the film might suggest, but it’s not far off.

Our writer much prefers Barlow's new album to Dinosaur Jr's 'Farm'

"One Note Tone"
from Goodnight Unknown

Why am I not as head-over-heels in love as I was about “The Freed Man” or “Bakesale?” Lou seems to move frustratingly on and off at points on this album. (It's as if he forgets that he is one of world's best songwriters from time to time!) Above all for me, those other albums set the standard for intimacy in music in two ways: they are musically more slight and simple than almost anything else ever recorded, and lyrically they are as open and candid as you might hope to confess on your deathbed.

Not to all tastes, this kind of songwriting (and not even to Lou’s at times it seems), but when it’s done well it’s a consummate enactment of connection between songwriter and listener. And there are moments of this king of bond on “Goodnight,” which is quite an achievement for someone writing their 20th or perhaps 30th album. “One Note Tone” is a song that could stand pretty well with ‘classics’ of his own genre like “Mystery Man,” “Two Years Two Days” or “Poledo.” “Too Much Freedom” is also poignant like tunes of old.

All in all, how much can we ask of Lou? – That he matches or betters his best at every turn? Hardly likely, and hardly fair. He has written an album in which he digs once more into his own deep life, and we can enjoy hearing the sometimes stumbling results.

Lou Barlow

TONIGHT - Duran Duran in Boston!

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:22:00 +0000

'TIS THE SEASON OF SCARES & ZOMBIES - Continuing a long tradition here in Boston, bands celebrate their Halloween spirit by playing make-believe and covering other bands. We saw this first hand last night at Great Scott where four bands did their best to cover some of Britain's best acts from the last thirty years. (Sorry, no Stone Roses - but we really, really liked The Honors as The Smiths and Televandals as The Clash!) The fun continues tonight throughout the city. (Our friends at Boston Band Crush have already done great work at inventing the wheel, so to speak; here is their LIST of local Halloween events.)

Of particular interest to us, anyway, is Boston's The Luxury stepping out as Duran Duran. This band of rock perfectionists (it helps to have the driven frontman Jason Dunn steering things) have been practicing like mad. What we have below are some of their rehearsal demos. Check 'em out live tonight as they rock Church of Boston with three outstanding cover acts.

ON THE BILL TONIGHT: The Lights Out rock out as Phil Collins, Gene Dante & the Future Starlets star as The Runaways and we suspect that Sidewalk Driver will sound just about perfect covering David Bowie aka Ziggy Stardust!) All we can say is that Halloween really is the sweetest of holidays. If you are outside the region, find a local music venue near you and scare up some fun!

The Luxury - Ordinary World
The Luxury - View To A Kill
Duran Duran covers!
from rehearsals this week

Tonight at Church of Boston

12pm The Lights Out (As Phil Collins)
11pm The Luxury (As Duran Duran)
10pm Sidewalk Driver (As David Bowie)
9pm Gene Dante & The Future Starlets (As The Runaways)

Taxpayer - Don't Steal My Night Vision

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:01:00 +0000

Going out / New Material!
Friday Night, 10/30/09
The Scene: TT the Bears in Cambridge

Boston's Taxpayer

Having won the hearts of fans and critics alike with their addictive breakout single,'When They Were Young,' Taxpayer (Jared Marsh, Maclaine Diemer, Michael Jones, Rob Adams and Tim Peters) find themselves ready to take the center stage again with an album of rich, diverse and energetic songs.

The new record is “Don’t Steal My Night Vision.” The tracks were laid down and mixed at Camp Street Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts, by Paul Q. Kolderie (Radiohead, Hole, Morphine) and Adam Taylor with assistance from Alex Hartman between March and November 2008. It was mastered by Ian Kennedy at New Alliance East.

Taxpayer - We Have Arrived
new song.

Friday 10/30/09 @ TT the Bears
Central Square - Cambridge, MA

Taxpayer
Midnight
Hot Protestants EP Release
11:00pm
Vivian Darkbloom
10:00pm
Emeen Z
9:00pm

TAXPAYER
Website / Myspace / Lunch Records

Halloween Holiday Classic

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:01:00 +0000

Halloween is about allowing our inner child, or mischievous spirit, to come out and play. But perhaps more important than this release, Halloween is most importantly a community holiday - a social event, as witnessed by the exchange that occurs at neighbors doors or the relatively childlike joy we have in seeing a creative and colorful costume. One of those great traditions for Halloween is the Charles M. Schulz classic, 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.'

Never pinpointed despite all their efforts, The Great Pumpkin casts a long shadow over the cast of Shultz's Halloween Holiday Classic. Produced in 1966, this animated short film acts as holiday escapist fun - and as a reflection of the audiences' hopes and fears in times of change. Interesting that 40-some years later the Peanuts are still capturing hearts and minds of folks in much the same way. Behold:

Peanuts: Specials: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
by Peanuts

Maps - Turning The Mind

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:01:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

2007 Mercury Prize nominee: Maps

Phil Bourne photo

The end of October sees the return of James Chapman and his creative wellspring, Maps. The multi-talented mind behind some of our favorite sounds of 2007, Chapman formed the name, 'Maps' at first as his solo nom de music. Living in a small flat in London, Chapman began his musical life in solitude - secretly began to craft tracks on a 16-track recorder in his small flat in London. Each instrument and part of the songs were recorded by Chapman himself. The results were impressive. The raw, but beautiful and swirling epics were undeniably good. Chapman soon found the right audience to audition his songs.

The songs from these early recording would be given a polished finish by accomplished Icelandic producer Valgeir Sigurdsson (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Bjork) and the result was Maps' stellar 2007 debut; 'We Can Create' - an RSL Best of 2007 selection. Chapman would receive a massive amount of attention when his debut would receive a prestigious Mercury Prize nomination later that same year.

Maps returns this week with their followup album called, 'Turning The Mind.' The tracks were recorded with Tim Holmes (Death in Vegas) at the Contino Rooms in London. Music critics on both sides of the Atlantic buzzing are buzzing about this one...

"On his second album, “Turning the Mind” (Mute), every bit of loneliness, jealousy, spite or deception sends him into the studio. There Maps devises melodies and layers his resentful whisper of a voice amid swelling major chords and mechanized arpeggios, blipping behind his harmonies." – the NEW YORK TIMES

New from Turning The Mind

Maps

Live Photos: Lucero at the Middle East

noreply@blogger.com (Emma Dessau) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:01:00 +0000

Photographic Evidence
by Emma Dessau
The Middle East in Cambridge, MA - 10/18/09

Ben Nichols at the Middle East.
photos by Emma Dessau

I first heard of Lucero after reading Craig Finn, frontman for The Hold Steady, rave about their live shows: I take what Craig Finn says very seriously, so I was excited to check them out. After one song and the soakage of my shirt in about three cups of beer, which had been catapulted into the air by a group of especially excited fans, I understood Finn's love.

Lucero has resurrected a kind of Southern rock not found since the days when Creedence Clearwater Revival ruled the airwaves. Their sound, though primarily rooted in a classic country-alt sound, also touches on punk and indie, which sets them apart from the scores of Southern rockers littering bars across America.“I think the fact that we don't claim a genre is very important to what Lucero is,” says Nichols. “There are too many rules in punk rock. Too many rules in country music. We’re hard headed and…god damn if we don’t do things the way we want to do them.”

Lucero - "Sound of the City"
from 1372 Overton Park

Like their friends The Hold Steady, Lucero has capitalized on the void left by Bruce Springsteen after his career changed it's path (and he started making songs like "Radio Nowhere.") Lucero have brought back the winning combination of poignant lyrics with a hard rocking sound. While foot stomping to the massive guitar riffs and solos, Ben Nichols's lyrics suddenly penetrate the madness of a live show. The band clearly has a great time on stage. Nichols bantered with the beer tossing hooligans, took song requests, and basked in the energy of the crowd.

Lucero's latest album, 1372 Overton Park, was just released this month on Universal Republic Records. This sixth release is their first record on a major label. Judging from what I heard on this Sunday, it should be epic.

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Lucero at the Middle East(10-18-09)

LUCERO
Web | Myspace

Alan Cohen Experience - Eat the Peace

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:01:00 +0000

New Music!
Someone You Should Know

the ALAN COHEN EXPERIENCE

Seth Kroll photo

Fresh off an appearance at this year's CMJ Music Festival, Boston's Alan Cohen Experience have a new six-track EP called Eat the Peace. Cohen, who is a former member of the critically acclaimed band Family Junction, crafts stories and sets these witticisms to pop music with catchy hooks. The band's shows can vary a great deal depending on band configuration - sometimes centering on Cohen on acoustic guitar while at other times, the talented Cohen ends up being surrounded by an orchestra of musically talented friends. No matter how many folks end up occupying the stage, Cohen always entertains - and in doing so, he provides a refreshing foil to snobby musicians and an often sterile, uncaring record industry. This guy's the real deal.

Alan Cohen Experience - Rock Biter
Brand New Song from Eat The Peace

GOING DOWN THE ROAD - On Eat the Peace (November 3rd release), Cohen finds himself collaborating with Brooklyn producer Roger Greenawalt once again. Greenawalt, who worked on Cohen's self-titled debut last year, who has worked with notables; The Pierces, Ben Kweller, and Nils Lofgren. The new record features The Pierces’ Catherine Pierce on “Ranger Stranger”, “Truck Driver,” and "Peace."

GETTING TO KNOW ALAN COHEN - Cohen's recent singles, "Elephant" has been by many thousands of people on YouTube view and the witty singer was recently featured on CNN's "This Week in Politics" and The Guardian for his tongue-in-cheek viral video, "The Obama Groove." Yeah, no joke:

What's up next? Cohen vows to complete work on a concept album inspired by Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time." (You can't make this stuff up!)

East Coast Dates

10/28 - Philadelphia, PA
Millcreek Tavern

10/29 - New York, NY
National Underground

11/1 Cambridge, MA
All Asia

11/3 - EAT THE PEACE on sale!

11/4 -Washington, DC
Wonderland Ballroom

The ALAN COHEN EXPERIENCE
Web / Myspace / Facebook

VIRAL VIDEO: Totally Geeking Out

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:01:00 +0000

VIRAL VIDEO: It's totally acceptable in 2009 to be pro-geek, so we will jump in with both feet! Never has sci-fi movie stardom been so readily attainable. Fans of the Star Wars movie series can take part in the Star Wars Uncut fan project. The basics: fans accept assignment to reproduce (film/annimate/draw/etc,...) scenes from Star Wars. These 15-second scenes are then strung together to remake the original story. Since the techniques, quality and style of this ongoing project are so different; the results can be really interesting. (This is a Viral Video "Win-Win.") Here's the trailer with a couple of our favorite scenes to date:

Star Wars: Uncut Trailer from Casey Pugh on Vimeo.

Star Wars Uncut - Scene 352 from Juhani Paaso on Vimeo.

Star Wars Uncut - Scene 236 from alex may on Vimeo.

Star Wars Uncut - Scene 071 from Chris Hogan on Vimeo.

STAR WARS UNCUT
Twitter (Live Updates on the Project)

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

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!

Subscribe:
The RSL YouTube Page!

Ryan Costello - After the Fire

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 22:01:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

New Music from RYAN COSTELLO

CO-FOUNDER of THE OAKS emerges with something on his own

SONGS WILL MOVE YOU - Standing on his own for the first time in his career, The Oaks' Ryan Costello has released his debut; After The Fire. For those familiar with the earthy, honest songs of The Oaks (a Best of 2008 selection) you will find much of Costello's new record is an outgrowth of the Oaks' already inspired modern folk. Take a listen and see if this might be something you are interested in. For a limited time, you can buy the entire album via digital download for just $4. That's one sweet deal!

Ryan Costello - After the Fire
Brand New Music!

RYAN COSTELLO / ALBUM DEAL $4 / THE OAKS

RSL live music event - 4 Bands on Saturday

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:03:00 +0000

LIVE at TT the Bears

layout & design by Tom Gallo

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - A Ryan's Smashing Life live show delivers remarkable music talent, straight from our digital pages to the finest stages in New England. This tradition of music exploration continues on Saturday, October 24th at TT the Bears with four outstanding acts that promise to thoroughly entertain, reigniting your passion for exciting new music! What's better, this show - our eighth of 2009, celebrates the accomplishments of our first three years writing about music, arts, and culture. We love you guys, so come on out and party with us in front of some great bands:

The Grownup Noise

Despite having been exposed to outstanding acts for the last three years, we can't help but get excited when we hear someone great for the first time. I can still remember the strong, winning impression I was left with after seeing Boston's The Grownup Noise. The band's strong dedication to their craft; multi-instrumental beauty underscored by strong fits of rhythm and melody shines up on the stage. I couldn't be happier to expose this band to our growing audience of intelligent music listeners. We think you'll find these guys a perfect fit.

Bonus *: The Grownup Noise promise one new, original song will be unleashed on Saturday night as well as a new cover song. I love it when Bands go out for a live show!

The Grownup Noise - Artist Type
Recorded Live on WERS 88.9fm

the Grownup Noise
Website / Myspace

The Blizzard of 78

Expect the Unexpected. Named for an under-appreciated storm for which everyone (it seems) has a story about, the Boston band plays this RSL Anniversary event. What to Expect? 78 have a reputation for charged music performances, and stunning, spiritual moments up on stage. Fall Harvest special: For a very limited time you can buy Book of Lies, the latest album from The Blizzard of 78 for just one dollar. Go ahead, treat yourself - while proving your great sense of taste to friends, the low pricetag will demonstrate your strong sense of fiscal responsibility. This band is a winner.

The Blizzard of 78 - Pray

The Blizzard of '78
Web / Myspace / Buy Book of Lies for $1

Bridges and Powerlines

Quite possibly the Best Pop Band in The Country today, and certainly one of the best on the East Coast, I am delighted that we are able to bring the amazing Bridges and Powerlines to a Boston stage. The NY band has been on our live wish list for the last three years. Fresh off tonight's CMJ Music Festival in NY, Bridges and Powerlines will pile into a van and head north for tomorrow's show in Cambridge. Expect a mighty performance from this exciting live act. (Seriously, I still can't believe I really finally got them! I couldn't be happier.) The video below is from the band's tour last year which took them across the country. They ended up in Austin at SxSW where they were accepted by crowds with open arms. Do Not Miss!

The Thieves, They Are Everywhere

Bridges and Powerlines - Interesting Drug
(New! Morrissey cover!)

Bridges and Powerlines
Myspace / Web / Band Blog

Tik Tok

Continuing an RSL tradition to providing exposure to visiting bands and those just starting out, we have tapped Quincy's Tik Tok to open up our Anniversary program. There's not a whole lot of press material available for Tik Tok, hailing from Quincy, MA - but I will tell you what I can about their music. Powered by a seasoned quartet of local musicians, Tik Tok are a relatively new band with a strong sense of stage theatrics. (Think rock cabaret, mixed with soul... It's a beautiful thing!) We know they will absolutely shine on Saturday night. New exposure to new music is what these events and the blog are all about!

TIK TOK
streaming audio on Myspace

RSL 3rd Anniversary Party
10/24/09 @ TT the Bears
Set Times

NOTE: At This Show:
RSL Tee Shirts
Just $6 at this Show!

[TICKETWEB: on Sale now!]
9pm ~ 18+ ~ $10

Tim Williams - Careful Love

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:50:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

TIM WILLIAMS

Tim Williams with Misty Boyce & Matt Welsh
Davey Wilson photo

NEW MUSIC - Tim Williams is one of those voices that quickly takes up residence in both your heart and your head. It was the songs from Tim's Merchant Heart EP that first drew my attention. His textured songs (just listen!) and his memorable voice took me on a journey that ended up with me contacting the singer and his label back in 2007. I was able to sit in one a pair of intense Tim Williams live sessions here. During one such session, I was able to grab the singer and we sat down to talk about life. (I wanted to know about his songwriting and Tim wanted to know about what it was like to be a music blogger.) That conversation and the ones that followed resulted in one of the first interviews we ever ran on the website.

Tim Williams - I Hit Another Wall
download this track

In May of last year, just a few short months after I visited with Williams, he underwent intensive open-heart surgery that ended up threatening his very existence - leaving Williams bedridden in recovery throughout much of last year. Once freed from the confines of the hospital, Williams immediately began writing/rehearsing new material. What resulted from those sessions were the songs of Careful Love.

This is the best work we have heard from Williams to date, and certainly his most varied... Much of this success has come through Williams' successful work with bandmates Misty Boyce and Matt Welsh who help give the new recordings of a rounder sound. Things stay small, experimental and intimate, at the same time though - which keeps the album really tangible for me. It's a great balance that makes this one of the better albums released in 2009. Take the up-tempo track “I Hit Another Wall” is a perfect example, as Williams explains, “I wrote the song as a reminder of how lucky I was to make it through. It was physically the most painful experience of my life.” Everything - includes the names of things have taken on new and more profound meaning. Careful Love, the title of the new album, turns out to be an apt one; as Williams has learned to respect life just a little more than he did. During the recording of the songs, Tim met someone and fell in love.

"Oceans"
from Careful Love

Tim Williams, who was already damn good, sounds pretty much unbelievable on three or four of the songs on Careful Love, showing a level of professional growth unparalleled by many others in 2009. Just listen to Oceans, one of our favorites from the new album. Here, Williams completely fills the Ryan Adams-sized hole in my music-fueled heart left when the Cardinals frontman retired. Tim Williams should be in everyone's music collection this year.

TIM WILLIAMS
Web / Myspace / Dovecote Records

Parlour Steps - The Hidden Names

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:01:00 +0000

New Music this Week!
Someone You Should Know

Vancouver's PARLOUR STEPS

RECOMMENDED - Parlour Step's third full-length, The Hidden Names, went on sale today. I couldn't be happier to hear these new sounds, just a year after the band released, Ambiguoso, one of the best overall albums of 2008. [RSL's 20 New Albums to Own 2008]. The band went on a very well received tour and won a number of hearts on the open road. When they arrived in Boston, the band ended up putting on one hell of a show.

WHAT'S TO LIKE ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM: A full, big sound is characteristic of the Parlour Steps. We have come to love the jangly indie sensibilities of Parlour Steps. Their DIY spirit goes unhindered, serves as fuel for their often strong fits of rhythm and soul. On The Hidden Names, things get even more cinematic on us. Listening as I type these words, I can almost see the sonic scenes being painted by frontman Caleb Stull on the new album.

Take the dynamo bit on this track: 'Bleeding Hearts'. Give this one just a few minutes of your time and see what kind of stage gets built with this track. Engaging, smart and thoroughly reflective of the band that made it, this new album should take the Canadian band into some exciting new directions - presenting new opportunities in the year to come. A winner,The Hidden Names is available now from Nine Mile Records. (Link to Purchase is Below.)

Parlour Steps - Bleeding Hearts
DOWNLOAD: Brand New Today!

Parlour Steps Web / Myspace
Buy the Album: Nine Mile Records

Echo & The Bunnymen in Boston

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:55:00 +0000

Photographic Evidence
by Sean Hafferty
Great Scott 10/18/2009

Ian McCullough last night in Boston.
Sean Hafferty photos

LAST NIGHT IN BOSTON - It was years ago I last saw Echo & The Bunnymen live - it was at the Club Baby Head in Providence. (It was a tiny place and I suspect now, as I did then, that the band was only playing there since Ian McCullogh had recently left the band to stake out on his own.) Probably the most memorable thing about the show is that people were moshing....to Echo & The Bunnymen. Its funny to remember that before every club had "No Moshing" signs posted that the music didn't have to be fast or heavy to be mosh-able.

"Villiers Terrace"

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Echo & the Bunnymen at Great Scott (10-18-09)

LIVING LEGENDS - The show at Great Scott last night was a real treat. We might have liked a little more volume on the guitar and drums, but Ian McCullough's voice hasn't lost anything over the years. Its interesting to see these guys now after bands like The Editors and The National have made so much noise in the last few years. The inspiration in the music is hard to miss, although the performance style is radically different.

Echo & The Bunnymen return to Boston (at the House of Blues) on November 23rd. Full calendar listing is below.

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

Oct 20 - Toronto, Ontario
Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Oct 22 - Oakland, CA
The Fox Theater

Oct 24 - LA
Nokia Theatre

Nov 15 - Atlanta, GA
Masquerade

Nov 17 - Washington DC
The Black Cat

Nov 18 - State College, PA
The State Theatre

Nov 20 - Glenside, PA
Kewsick Theatre

Nov 21 - Fairfield, CT
Stage One

Nov 22 - NYC
Hammerstien Ballroom

Nov 23 - BOSTON,
House Of Blues

Nov 25 - Chicago, IL
Metro

Dec 12 - Oxford, South
Oxford O2 Academy - SOLD OUT

Dec 14 - Newcastle, Northeast
Newcastle O2 Academy

Dec 15 - Leeds, Northeast
Leeds O2 Academy

Dec 17 - Liverpool, Northwest
O2 Academy - SOLD OUT

Dec 18 - Liverpool, Northwest
O2 Academy - SOLD OUT

Dec 19 - Liverpool, Northwest
O2 Academy - SOLD OUT

Echo & the Bunnymen
Web / Myspace

Fans Storm the Stage! Photos of Langhorne Slim in Boston

therslweblog@gmail.com (Ryan Spaulding) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Photographic Evidence
by Sean Hafferty
TT the Bears in Cambridge (10/17/09)

Fighting a fever, Langhorne Slim lit up Boston last night!
The mob joined the band on stage twice - in a night to remember.
Sean Hafferty photos

Langhorne Slim and The War Eagles - Hello Sunshine

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Langhorne Slim at TT the Bears (10-17-09)

UPCOMING TOUR DATES
Highly Recommended!!

10/21 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH
10/22 - Blind Pig - Ann Arbor, MI
10/24 - High Noon Saloon - Madison, WI
10/25 - 400 Bar - Minneapolis, MN
10/26 - Waiting Room - Omaha, NE
10/28 - Jackpot - Lawrence, KS
10/29 - Hi Dive - Denver, CO
10/30 - Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
11/02 - Tractor Tavern - Seattle, WA
11/03 - Media Club - Vancouver, BC
11/06 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA
11/08 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA
11/09 - Rhythm Room - Tempe, AZ
11/11 - Mohawk Outside - Austin, TX
11/13 - The Basement - Nashville, TN
11/15 - Cats Cradle - Carrboro, NC
11/16 - The Southern - Charlottesville, VA
11/17 - Rock N Roll Hotel - Washington, DC
11/19 - Johnny Brenda’s - Philadelphia, PA

One of the Best Live Acts in America!

Langhorne Slim
Myspace / Web / Kemado Records

bonus Langhorne Slim links
[Photos and Video from Newport Folk 50]
[Videodrome: Selection of fine Slim videos]
[RSL 20 Best Albums of 2008]

The Activist Street Bands of HONK!

noreply@blogger.com (Emma Dessau) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:45:00 +0000

COVERAGE OF HONK!
by Emma Dessau
Davis Square Somerville, MA
October 9-11, 2009

ARMED WITH BRASS - The Honk! Festival is a gathering of rowdy anarchist DIY street bands galavanting around with horns, drums and cymbals. These bands seek to "enliven and embolden their audience," "protest a world of violence and oppression" and "celebrate the causes and institutions they support," according to the fest's program. On a clear Sunday afternoon in Somerville, they entertained and entranced us. Here are some photos of one of the many street bands present for Honk! Fest, which took over Davis Square in Somerville from October 9 to 11: Providence's What Cheer? Brigade.

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Honk! in Somerville (10-10-09)

If you missed out on this free, 3 day extravaganza, which culminated in a Sunday night blowout at the Somerville Theater, keep an eye out next year. For now, Honk! will venture to Providence, New York City and Western Mass.

HONK!