Ryan's Smashing Life

Michael Jackson - Thriller (Remix)

2012-01-28T18:32:00.003-05:00

From this Week's Mailbag

The Saturday Night Remix

So, here's the deal. I can't begin to listen to, digest or publish everything we receive. About once a week in 2012, I will be randomly opening new mail and so long as the stuff isn't horrid (we do believe in fairness, but we do have our limits) we will publish something new. This week, the submission is a Remix that arrived earlier today.

About the track: This one's a bit of a departure for us. But sticking with the mailbag theme and the fact it's a Saturday night (no fighting, ok?) we are sharing a re-edit of DJ Aylen's remix of Thriller by Michael Jackson. Credits here, of course, to MJ, Aylen and this creation (free download) is love from DivKid. Voila, have a listen...

FREE DOWNLOAD
until next time, peace.

JEFF the Brotherhood - Bummer

2012-01-28T13:08:00.005-05:00

The Music Video from

Someone You Should Know

ON TOUR WITH THE KILLS - Hailing from here Massachusetts and now taking time off between tours these days in Nashville, brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall are JEFF the Brotherhood. The duo, who just recorded a new full-length album (details soon) just released the new video, "Bummer" this week. You will find themon tour with The Kills. They return back to town next week appearing at Royale here in Boston. If you like rock, you're going to want to arrive early at all of these shows to catch this set..

JEFF the Brotherhood On Tour!
Jan. 26 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues*
Jan. 27 - Tallahassee, FL - the Warehouse
Jan. 28 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution Live*
Jan. 29 - Orlando, FL - House of Blues*
Jan. 30 - Tampa, FL - The Ritz YBOR*
Jan. 31 - Gainesville, FL - Double Down Live
Feb. 01 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade*
Feb. 02 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club*
Feb. 03 - Boston, MA - Royale Boston*
Feb. 05 - Montreal, QU - L'Olympia*
Feb. 06 - Ottawa, ON - Babylon
Feb. 07 - Toronto, ON - Kool Haus*
Feb. 08 - Brooklyn, NY - Death By Audio (w/ Uncle Bad Touch)
Feb. 09 - Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's (w/ Uncle Bad Touch)
Feb. 11 - New York, NY - Terminal 5*
Feb. 12 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
* w/ Hunters and The Kills

Ian Witlen photo

JEFF the Brotherhood
Web / My / Fb / Tw

Gentlemen Hall - All Our Love

2012-01-28T11:11:00.009-05:00

The Music Video from

Someone You Should Know

LYRICS:

I’ve been away too long
and I keep my head in the clouds
I’m just waiting for a way
now to get back down
Twenty some years
put a lot of overlapping thoughts in my head
don’t matter wanna wash ‘em away
and just space out

And I’m naked
underwater I’m changing
my scenery
And I’m breaking
through the water
I’m saving
what’s left of me

All our love is
All we have it’s
Everything
Everything

Show me how we loved
back when we were young
Did you feel the way you did
when you stare down a gun
is it over
or has it begun

I’m laughing in the face
of the keeper of time
how did we get off changing
all that we left behind
let’s sleep while waiting
fall asleep while waiting

And I’m naked
underwater I’m breaking
so easily

Paint this picture on the wall
tells the story of it all
slipping away

Video directed by Rodigo J Lopez and Vassili Shields

GENTLEMEN HALL
Web / My / Fb / Tw

New VIVIAN DARKBLOOM

2012-01-27T07:09:00.010-05:00

Music News: Album out 2/7

Up for a SxSW Interactive Award!

Experimentation has always been the order of the day for geeky-sheik indie rock band Vivian Darkbloom. On the cusp of their first full-length release; "Know Your Exit" (self release) will emerge on February 25th, the band have learned they are up for a SxSW Interactive Award for their new project.

OUR FIRST 'BEST OF 2012' - Through this new project, Vivian Darkbloom (Rob Morris, Brian Skerratt and Mike Forrester) have released what could be one of the best music releases I have heard the last month - certainly the best I have heard this year in New England. The songs are all deeper and more full - filling out the VD universe with more complete, textural sounds. That's a big move for a band that's responsible for some of the more addictive indie pop hooks of the last two years. But this band has been working on this record that entire time - the songs here are a celebration of the band's last three years of creativity.

Music Geeks of the World Unite! - Of course this wouldn't be Vivian Darkbloom if I wasn't talking about music geekery of the unprecedented kind. Morris, a decorated MIT graduate student, has already been recognized internationally for his use of a custom MIT-built guitar with a Wii game remote built in for altering notes. Seems he has been up to his old tricks and now SxSW is paying attention.. The band's first ever music video is web-based and interactive.

For this project, Morris invented a software interface on their website that allows fans, readers, anyone - to submit sound for inclusion in music and the video. The custom-built software arranges the sounds into waves that can be used in music. After nearly 1,200 initial entries - the audio wave sounds like this... and that was incorporated directly into the song at the top of the page. The finished product also takes advantage of fan participation through twitter and the band's website. There's a whole lot going on here and innovation is the order of the day. SxSW 2012 may result in Vivian Darkbloom winning an Interactive Award - past winners include The Arcade Fire (for "Wilderness Downtown") and Groupon.

To be clear, even without all the technological wizardry and innovation, Vivian Darkbloom stand to have a phenomenal 2012. The songs from this new effort are dark and romantic affairs and they should keep them in the spotlight for a very long time. Definitely One to Watch - a true one-of-a-kind.

Vivian Darkbloom

Free Download / Album Pre-Order

Web / Fb /Tw

One to Watch: SAN CISCO

2012-01-26T07:03:00.007-05:00

We Want You To Meet...

A New Music Series in 2012

AUSTRALIAN BAND - San Cisco are: Jordi Davieson (lead vocals & guitar), Josh Biondillo (guitar, keyboard, & vocals), Nick Gardner (bass guitar) and Scarlett Stevens (drums & vocals). Schoolmates Josh and Jordi bonded over their love for skateboarding and the water, but what brought them together was their passion for music. While Josh is the music man coming to the table with the arrangement and melody, Jordi will talk over the top delivering a slew of words that grows into his in-depth lyrics fantasizing about the world. Add fellow schoolmates, bassist Nick Gardner and Scarlett Stevens on drums and San Cisco came to fruition.

"San Cisco's Awkward is a varied clutch of songs ranging from Sunny Pop to Emotional Haze. Singer Jordi Davieson brings a completely refreshing presentation. If you were looking for something new in 2012, this could be it." - Ryan Spaulding

Following on from their success of their debut EP, Golden Revolver, San Cisco returned to the recording studio with Steven Schram (Little Red, Little Birdy and Cat Empire) in Melbourne to delve further into the songs they had perfected on stage and in the backyard shed. The finished product is their sophomore EP, Awkward (ISLAND CITY, Feb. 7) featuring five tracks of indie pop goodness, showcasing Jordi’s turn of phrase and Josh Biondillo’s varied influences in his music writing.

In its entirety, Awkward an eclectic mix of indie pop with dashes of rock and slashes of synth. Each member of the band brings a different influence to the table from their diverse and eclectic palate of indie, rap, hip-hop and jazz.

Available Feb 7th in the US

San Cisco
Fb / My / Tw

World Premiere: Baby Baby "Haters"

2012-01-25T07:30:00.003-05:00

Red Hot Music Debut

Artist-approved mp3 Download!

Atlanta Crimefighters: BABY BABY

RED HOT RIGHT NOW - After the last cycle of touring it was pretty clear that the frenetic rock kings from last year's SxSW Music Festival was this four-piece out of Atlanta. 2011 saw the release of their debut album, Money, a launch pad for their future. We took an instant liking to their brand of southern "fun rock" and their contagious, die-hard party spirit - so much so we invited the band back to Boston where they were raised the roof at a free show we helped host.

NEW SONG - Well some time has passed and the band (Fontez, Grant, Kyle and Colin) have some new stuff on the way - the new song, Haters - formal release (Gospel of Rhythm - Feb 14) is meant to address the people who went out of their way to shit on Baby Baby's parade. We all know the type and I can totally stand behind this. We thank the band for the early leak.

Baby Baby - Haters (clean)
WORLD PREMIERE

FREE DOWNLOAD!

It's easy to get behind a working band that wants nothing more than to be the best at what they do. Here's the DEBUT of the new track. Please listen/download and share with a friend. Tell them you heard it first + you got it here. Mark my words, this band is going places.

Baby Baby
Fb / Rn / My / Tw

New LUCERO "Women & Work" 3/13

2012-01-24T07:00:00.001-05:00

New Music Dead Ahead

Tour Dates below!

Lucero - Sometimes NEW!

NEW ALBUM & TOUR - On March 13, Memphis' own Lucero will release 'Women & Work,' their debut for ATO Records. 'Women and Work' once again finds the core six-members of Lucero joined by Memphis horn legends Jim Spake (Solomon Burke, Ray Charles) and Scott Thompson (Al Green, Cat Power) on eleven new, original songs that range from barroom brawlers to lonesome laments, and - according to the first press release, these new songs cut deeper than anything else in the band's extensive catalog.

The album was recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis, and produced by Ted Hutt (The Gaslight Anthem). Lucero is Ben Nichols (vocals, guitar), John C. Stubblefield (bass), Brian Venable (guitar), Rick Steff (piano, organ, accordion), Todd Beene (pedal steel), and Roy Berry (drums).

Women & Work

track listing:
1. Downtown (Intro)
2. On My Way Downtown
3. Women & Work
4. It May Be Too Late
5. Juniper
6. Who You Waiting On?
7. I Can't Stand To Leave You
8. When I Was Young
9. Sometimes
10. Like Lightning
11. Go Easy

2012 Tour Dates
2/23 - Hot Springs, AR @ Maxine's Pub
2/24 - Fayetteville, AR @ George's Majestic Lounge*
2/25 - Fayetteville, AR @ George's Majestic Lounge
3/01 - Girdwood, AK @ The Sitzmark Bar & Grill / Aleyska
3/02 - Girdwood, AK @ The Sitzmark Bar & Grill / Aleyska
3/03 - Girdwood, AK @ The Sitzmark Bar & Grill / Aleyska
3/09 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners Music Hall^
3/10 - Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco^
3/11 - New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina's Uptown^
3/12 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's Upstairs #
3/14 - Dallas, TX @ Trees^
3/19 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom
3/20 - Solana Beach, CA @ The Belly Up Tavern
3/21 - Los Angeles, CA @ Music Box
3/23 - San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
3/24 - Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
3/25 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
3/28 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge**
3/29 - Fort Collins, CO @ Aggie Theater**
3/30 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater**
3/31 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater**
4/01 - Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep**
4/03 - Rock Island, IL @ Rock Island Brewing Company^
4/04 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue^
4/05 - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theater^
4/06 - Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall^
4/07 - Chicago, IL @ Metro^
4/09 - Columbus, OH @ The Bluestone^
4/11 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's^
4/12 - Cleveland Heights, OH @ Grog Shop^
4/13 - Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick^
4/14 - Toronto, ONT @ Lee's Palace^^
4/15 - Montreal, QUE @ Les Foufounes Electriques^^
4/18 - Northampton, MA @ Pearl Street Nightclub^^
4/19 - Boston, MA @ Paradise^^
4/20 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall^^
4/21 - Pawtucket, RI @ The Met Cafe^^
4/22 - Philadelphia, PA @ Abbey Bar Appalachian Brewing Company^^
4/24 - Harrisburg, PA @ Abbey Bar at Appalachian Brewing
4/25 - Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
4/26 - Richmond, VA @ The Hat Factory^^
4/27 - Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel^^
4/28 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade - Heaven Stage^^

* w/ Adam Faucett and The Tall Grass
# w/ Built To Spill and Dinosaur Feathers
^ w/ William Elliott Whitmore
** w/ Larry and His Flask
^^ w/ J. Roddy Walston & The Business

Lucero
Web / Fb / Tw

Parlour Steps Break Up The Band

2012-01-23T22:01:00.001-05:00

THIS JUST IN - MUSIC NEWS

Vancouver's Parlour Steps Disband

Always a mixed bag when we hear that one of our favorite bands is breaking up - obviously not great, but there's a measure of relief if a band makes the announcement at the right time (read - before the artistic fall). Parlour Steps (Nine Mile) were on a short list of favorite bands from Canada. So much so, we honored them by putting them on our super-exclusive Best of 2008 List and even hosted the band here in Boston when they were passing through. We'll miss you guys. Below you will find a pair of songs, one from each of their last two records.

Parlour Steps - Bleeding Hearts

Parlour Steps - Thieves of Memory

Parlour Steps
Web / Fb / My / Tw

Movies: HAYWIRE

2012-01-23T06:55:00.005-05:00

Thoughts on Film

Movie Review

by Max Bowen

I have a serious bone to pick with the folks behind Haywire. First, let’s start with flagrant false advertising. At what point, exactly, does anything in this film go haywire? Amiss might be more appropriate, or maybe Unsettled. Things never come close to the "haywire" worthy level of craziness.

In this formulaic action film, Gina Carano takes on the role of Mallory Kane, a member of an unnamed company that the government hires for covert operations. Carano’s a retired mixed martial arts fighter of no small repute, switching roles from a career of kicking the crap out of people to a movie where she......well, kicks the crap out of people. Play to your strengths, I guess.

Following the rescue of a kidnapped journalist, Carano’s sent on an assignment that her boss Kenneth (Ewan McGregor) promises will be simple and carefree - like a vacation. She’s partnered with Paul (Michael Fassbender), a British special agent, posing as his wife on a mission we’re never really let in on. Mallory later finds the corpse of the journalist she rescued, and realizes the jig is up. Paul jumps her, and the two brawl it out before she finally shoots him in the head. Are all vacations like this? Mallory learns that she was set up by her very own employer, and sets out on a mission of vengeance against her boss and the agents he worked with. Why she isn’t immediately arrested for all this at the movie’s conclusion, I will never know. Guess you get a jail out of free card if they’re vengeance killings.

Remember the part about this being formulaic? That’s because I’ve seen this story a hundred times. I know, I know, "there are no more new stories," but there seems to be no real attempt to make this even a little unique. I suppose the writers and director went with the “less is more” mentality–less plot, less dialogue and less music, hoping the throw-downs would carry the day. Not so, I’m afraid. There are entire scenes that pass in utter silence, and when the music does play, it’s the same recycled James Bond tracks again and again. The dialogue is a joke, but the punch line comes from the cast. They read it like it’s an early-morning dress rehearsal, with barely any emotion or desire that they want to be there.

Big Names Add Little Heft - The film features an all-star cast, including Michael Douglas, Bill Paxton and Antonio Banderas, but it seems they’re just there to sell the movie to audiences - balancing out actress Carono’s relative inexperience on the big screen. Unfortunately, they bring little to the table in the film. I will give the leading lady some credit, though not much–though her acting was far from memorable, she does show some chops, and I’d be curious to see what she can do with some more credits under her belt.

Cinematography - The film was directed by Steven Soderbergh, who has a pretty unique cinematic style. The shots are incredibly clean, with very little background noise, colors or extras to distract us from the cast. Which would be fine if they were enjoyable to watch. Sorry to say, I’d rather hear what the Asian couple in Dublin (in one particular scene) were talking about as Kane evades her pursuers -- than follow the protagonist plotline.

The sole saving grace of this letdown? The fight scenes. Soderbergh’s style comes in very handy here, as we get to see each brutal kick and punch in perfect clarity as Kane racks up a hefty body count. They’re well choreographed, creative, and give her the chance to show us all why she’s known as the “Face of Woman’s MMA.” Each one stand apart in different ways, and in the world of ass-kickery, Haywire gets a thumbs-up. But fight scenes simply aren't enough to save the overall cinematic experience here.

Haywire
Web / imdb / rotten tomatoes