My Morning Jacket Hit The Road With The Preservation Hall Jazz Band

My Morning Jacket are heading back on the road. And as we all know they are playing the first Saturday of Jazz Fest. This may have helped them to be inspired to take New Orleans legends Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the road with them this time around.

The connection with the Pres Hall apparently began in the Spring of 2009 when Jim James of My Morning Jacket was invited to sing with Preservation Hall. James recorded two songs with the band, “St. James Infirmary” and “Louisiana Fairytale.” The tracks will appear on the bands forthcoming album, PRESERVATION: An Album To Benefit Preservation Hall & The Preservation Hall Music Outreach Program, out February 16th. Jim said that “getting to sing while the guys played with such glorious bursts of sound – all live in that holy room with the ghosts and garbage trucks crankin’ along – was an experience I’ll never forget.” Seems like New Orleans has another fan of it! Ben Jaffe of Pres Hall said that "creating music is not a science. There is no tried and true formula. There is an unspoken bond amongst musicians. One that exists in the notes we choose. Jim’s like our long lost cousin coming home for the first time.”

This makes me even more excited to see them on the first Saturday off Jazz Fest.

Tour dates with Preservation Hall Jazz Band:
04/20: Birmingham, AL @ Alabama Theater
04/21: Nashville, TN @ Municipal Auditorium
04/23: Atlanta, GA @ Chastain Park
04/24: New Orleans, LA @ Jazzfest
04/27: St. Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheater
04/28: Charleston, SC @ Family Circle
04/30: Raleigh, NC @ Koka Booth
05/01: Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
05/02: Columbus, OH @ LC Outdoor Pavilion

REVIEW: Gil Scott-Heron - I'm New Here

It has taken me a while to get around to writing this but I have to tell you about this album.

This project began when producer Richard Russell (founder of XL Recordings) visited Gil Scott-Heron at Ryker's Island penitentiary while Gil was serving 2-5 years for drug possession. Gil called Richard when he got out; they started talking about music. And then they started to exchange music. Then they did a few sessions. And two years later, we have I'm New Here and it was worth the wait.

It's been 15 years since the man who has been called "the black Bob Dylan" has released new material and I am glad he is back. This project exemplifies futuristic soul. Gil reaches into his heart to bring us a breathtaking, refreshing take on the blues. I'm New Here is only a 25 minutes, but you will be engaged from beginning to end. This is not a record to listen to while at work or multitasking. This is something you need to get a good cocktail to and really take it in and listen to.

His lyrics aren't the only thing that are exceptional on I'm New Here. His aged, raspy voice speaks to you over some amazing beats and simple rhythms. My only issue with the album is the beginning and end he talks over a Kanye West beat. There is so much quality production throughout that I don't understand why they needed that. Reguardless, this album is absolutely worth picking up.

MP3: Gil Scott-Heron - Me and the Devil

Chris Rehm releases new solo album

You gotta love BandCamp! Chris Rehm from Caddywhompus fame has released another solo album this week titled Salivary Stones. His solo work is more on the ambient side of things compared to his work with Caddywhompus and the Riff Tiffs. Head to his BandCamp page to download the album for however much you want or stream it while you work. The two songs here off the album are a great examples of what Chris does by himself. The first single, Don't Leave Me Blue, is a wonderful ambient track that lets you look deep into his musical soul. The second song, Soggy, is a lot more traditional song structure with Chris singing over it, but this song is far from traditional.

MP3: Chris Rehm - Don't Leave Me Blue
MP3: Chris Rehm - Soggy

A note on the Saints

If you know me then you know the kind of fan I am. Quiet and contemplative and will always hand it to a winner when they are doing well. I am not a shit talker, and I love to watch a nice competitive match (probably using match because I am watching the Australian Open as I write this). This all stems from growing up watching the Saints my entire life.

After Sunday nights win I was in pure shock. I couldn't believe what had happened. This is a team I remember being excited to do the Who Dat chant when they got first downs because we couldn't expect them to score much more. I also remember laying in the office of my old family home in Lakeview listening to games on WWL because every home game was blacked out on TV.

Those days are over, and now we have a team that went from not being able to win a playoff game in 30 years to a team that has won 4 in the last decade and is going to the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. I went from thinking that there is no way the Saints will ever be more then a push over team to now I believe anything is possible. But, we as New Orleanians need to remember the times we went through and not let this get to our heads. Be humble and grateful at the same time. We need to realize we could easily go back to the Morra/Ditka days very easily. So lets not turn into the Dallas Cowboy fans we hate so much. I have always raved about New Orleans fans because they were the nicest on earth. Going to the Dome for the game used to be a nice experience, unlike being a visitor to see the Oakland Raiders.

As I plan my trip to New Orleans, we should all be excited about the moment but realize that both in sports and in our city that we are not finished. There is much to do between electing a competent Mayor who will actually help the city, to looking past our differences and working together to make New Orleans a better place.

Caribou announces new album

Today, one of my favorite acts, Caribou, announced the release of his latest album, Swim. The album is expected to be out on Merge records on April 20th 2010. The first single off the album, Odessa, is different then I am used to hearing from this project by Dan Snaith, but it gets me very excited to hear the new album.

MP3: Caribou - Odessa

Tracklisting:
1. Odessa
2. Sun
3. Kaili
4. Found Out
5. Bowls
6. Leave House
7. Hannibal
8. Lalibela
9. Jamelia

PHOTOS: Hosey at Public Assembly 1/22/10

Our boys in Hosey performed out for one of their first shows in a long time out of a house party. Here are some of the photos from that show.

MP3: Hosey - Cowgirl Blues
MP3: Hosey 0 Crescent Run I

Gambit presents Ear to the Ground: New Orleans

Gambit has made some back door deals with Limewire and some prominent underground New Orleans bands to come out with a compilation consisting of some new songs and some songs that are a few years old. Some of the artists they got to do the compilation, titled Ear to the Ground: New Orleans, are up and comers Givers, Giant Cloud, and the Pharmacy to current established names like Caddywhompus, Generationals and MyNameIsJohnMichael to legends like Rotary Downs, White Bitch and Theresa Anderson. This is a pretty cool idea, though as an avid fan and listener of the New Orleans music scene I wish they had gone out and gotten some more unreleased stuff (the Brass Bed song is off the upcoming album) This compilation is free, and it allows me to finally give away a Givers song! Head HERE to get the album which is FREE. This Givers song is off their self titled EP which was one of my favorite EPs of last year and one of my favorite tracks off the compilation, which is tough to say since on the compilation IS the best of the best of underground music in New Orleans.

MP3: Givers - Ceiling of Plankton

Brian Jonestown Massacre to Release 10th album

The legends Brian Jonestown Massacre will be releasing their 10th studio album on February 23rd titled, Who Killed Sgt. Pepper? The 13-track album was recorded throughout 2009 in Iceland and Berlin and features Spaceman 3 legend Will Carruthers on bass, vocalist Unnur Andrea Einarsdottir and a variety of international musicians contributing textures not previously heard on a BJM album. It is to be released on bandleader Anton Newcombe’s own label, “a recordings LTD.” This album also marks the return of guitarist/vocalist Matt Hollywood, an original member and co-founder of the band who helped write some of the BJM’s material on their early albums.

The single I am allowed to post is actually one of my least favorite tracks on the album. I guess it is the one with the most mass appeal, but I am really drawn to the more airy tracks on the album with great drum beats that remind me of why they have been such a huge influence on the like of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

MP3: The Brian Jonestown Massacre - Lets Go Fucking Mental

TRACKLIST:
1. Tempo 116.7 (Reaching For Dangerous Levels Of Sobriety)
2. The Heavy Knife
3. Lets Go Fucking Mental (Melodica Mix)
4. White Music
5. This Is The First Of Your Last Warnings (Icelandic Version)
6. This Is The One Thing We Did Not Want To Have Happen
7. The One
8. Someplace Else Unknown
9. Detka! Detka! Detka!
10. Super Fucked
11. Our Time
12. Feel It (Of Course We Fucking Do)
13. Felt Tipped-Pen Pictures Of UFOs

Brass Bed announce new album details

Our friends, Brass Bed, out of Lafayette sent me some details about their latest record that is currently under the working title Melt White. It includes 11 tracks and will drop in late spring. They were kind enough to send us 3 song from from that upcoming album, so enjoy.

MP3: Brass Bed - Summertime
MP3: Brass Bed - Miniature Day Parade
MP3: Brass Bed - God Save The Theives

Tour dates:
Feb 19 - Blue Moon Saloon - Lafayette, LA
Feb 20 - Circle Bar - New Orleans, LA
Mar 13 - Spanish Moon - Baton Rouge, LA
Mar 24 - Chelsea’s - Baton Rouge, LA

Giant Cloud releases Debut EP

photo by wesley swinnen

Today, Park The Van Records launched it's new PTV Delicacies series with the release of Giant Cloud’s debut EP. PTV Delicacies is a new way for the New Orleans based label to introduce a "new engine for releasing music from developing artists". Old Books is the debut EP from the New Orleans based, via Ruston band Giant Cloud, and is available everywhere music is sold digitally. They are recording their debut LP in February at Dr. Dog’s studio in Philadelphia. The forthcoming LP will be produced by Rick Flom of National Eye and engineered by Bill Moriarty, who engineered the first 3 Dr. Dog albums. It is scheduled to be released in Fall 2010.

MP3: Giant Cloud - Fingernails
MP3: Giant Cloud - Old Soul

Tour Dates:
Jan 20 51st Street Speakeasy in Oklahoma City, OK
Jan 21 Soundpony in Tulsa, OK
Jan 22 Smoke and Barrel in Fayetteville, AR
Jan 23 Sundown in Ruston, LA
Jan 26 Maxines in Hot Springs, AR
Jan 27 White Water Tavern in Little Rock, AR
Jan 28 P&H Café in Memphis, TN
Jan 29 Frankies Burgers w/Bird City! in Lafayette, LA
Jan 30 The Maison (Krewe du Vieux) in New Orleans, LA
Feb 19 Vintage Theater in Scranton, PA
Feb 20 Pianos in New York, NY

Blair gets love on Paste Magazine

I don't think I give her enough love here either, but Blair from New Orleans that went to Loyola at the same time as me got some love yesterday on Paste Magazine's website as "Nine First-Name-Only Female Artists Not Called Ke$ha." Congrats to her! Here is the video they posted along with it. I also have heard she has album called Die Young that comes out this month that is totally different then her old stuff. I am excited to hear that!

Blair - Hello Halo

blair | MySpace Music Videos

Rotary Downs announces new album CD release party details

Rotary Downs will be releasing its follow up to the wildly acclaimed 2006 album Chained to the Chariot this year. The title of the new album will be revealed early February. But, the date of the CD release party info has been announced. The show will be at One Eyed Jacks on March 5th and the Givers are opening the show! The first 100 paid get a free CD. Click HERE to check out the facebook event page.

And in Caddywhompus news...

Our boys in Caddywhompus sent me their new single and it got me so excited that I wanted to spread the word on some of their exciting news.

First, they are releasing their follow up to EPs in April on New Orleans based record label Community Records. They are also releasing a split 7" in march with some of their Texas brothers, Sings. We are going to have our showcase at Foburg (there is still space for bands to apply on the website) in March, which may be their release party for that single. More on that to come.

And here are their upcoming tour dates:
1/15 Hayride Diner - Shreveport
1/17 Mohawk - Austin

Tour dates with Smiley With a Knife
1/22 - Spanish Moon - BR
1/23 - One Eyed Jacks - NOLA

Tour dates with the Givers:
2/25 Mangos - Houston
2/26 Emos (Inside) - Austin
2/27 TBA - Dallas
2/28 516 Soundstage - Shreveport

Republic announces Winter music schedule

Can you feel SXSW around the corner? I can! The Republic, 828 S. Peters, today announced a majority of their Winter line-up leading up to the very busy time in New Orleans between Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and the SXSW over flow. The last one on this list is the one that jumps out. Tickets for that show went on sale today actually, so get them now, because I am sure that one will sell out. As usually I am sure more will come.

G-Eazy | Fri 1.22.10 | 10pm door | 11pm show | $5
DJ Quickie Mart | Thu 1.28.10 | 10pm door | 11:30 show | $7
MyNameIsJohnMichael | Fri 2.5.10 | 10pm door | 11pm show | $5
DJ Jubilee | Sat 2.13.10 | 10pm door | 11pm show | $10 | 21+
Nouvelle Vague | Sun 2.14.10 | 8pm door | 9pm show | $15 advance | $18 door
DJ Quickie Mart | Thu 2.25.10 | 10pm door | 11:30 show | $7
Ethical Fashion Show with The Revivalists + Gamma Ringo | Fri 2.26.10 | 9pm | $10
Dee-1 | Fri 3.5.10 | 10pm door | 11pm show | $5
Spoon + Deerhunter | Thu 3.18.10 | 7pm door | 8pm show | $18 advance | $20 door

Get to know Dark Dark Dark

As you may know by my last post, I am a fan of “hoots and hollers”. You’ll find those in spades with the new band Dark Dark Dark on their debut album The Snow Magic, but not in the way you might imagine. As their name suggests, Dark Dark Dark’s sound is that of old-time funerals and out of the way hole-in-the-walls where people might gather and drink away their pain. Mournful cries come from both singers, Nona Marie Invie and Marshall LaCount, accompanied by accordion, banjo, strings and other members they picked up along their journey to this album, Jonathan Kaiser (cello/voice) and Todd Chandler (upright bass).

The Snow Magic has created a lush, heartfelt, sometimes painful and wandering world that forces you to keep listening. We’ve all felt this way at some point, and it feels nice to sometimes revel in the past, pray for the future, and live with everything in between.

The Snow Magic is out on Supply and Demand Music/Blood Onion Records, and Dark Dark Dark is playing shows in January in Minneapolis, Minn., and will be touring with Why?this coming September starting at Public Assembly 9/17 in Brooklyn, NY.

MP3: Dark Dark Dark - Trouble No More

PHOTOS: Giant Cloud @ Jacks | 1/9/10

This past weekend I was able to head down to New Orleans for a few cold nights filled with great food and friendship. I was also able catch Giant Cloud for the first time this Saturday at One Eyed jacks at an awesome show that Jason from Live New Orleans put on. I want to make a proper post for them in the coming weeks because I really enjoyed them. Until then, enjoy these pictures I took!

GIANT CLOUD

This guy was awesome! I wish more people at shows would actually dance and enjoy themselves. Instead most people just post up on the wall. I mean it is a rock show. Granted, I am to blame just as much for this. Just saying!

And then Michael from Big Rock Candy Mountain totally popped up out the floor boards!

SPICKLE
I was able to brave the cold for a little bit longer, and saw the New Orleans rock legends Spickle for a minute. Really brought me back hearing these guys.

Head to our Flickr account if you want to see more pictures from that night.

Haiti needs our help

So, I am not sure if you are aware, but Haiti was just struck with a horrible earthquake. I am posting this because most of the people that read my blog come from New Orleans and New York, and both of my homes have gone through some sort of hell in the last 10 years that has required us to reach out to our neighbor for help so now it is our time to give back. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere and desperately will need all the help they can get. Wyclef Jean has a foundation that is collecting money for Haitian Earthquake Relief -- http://www.yele.org/ People can also donate $5 quickly by texting "yele" to 501501.

Big Rock Heads West

The boys in Big Rock Candy Mountain, out of my home town New Orleans, are planing on driving 5,000 miles and heading west starting this Friday at One Eyed Jacks with MyNameIsJohnMichael. They are going all the way to the Bay Area before realizing that its kinda cold up there and turning back to New Orleans. They are also going into the studio in San Francisco to cut a track for a Reapandsow Compilation. They have some new t-shirts, a slightly larger vehicle, and some new songs for the tour. So, if you are in any of these towns on these days, check them out!

Jan 15 | One Eyed Jacks | New Orleans, LA
Jan 16 | Super Awesome House Party • Austin, TX
Jan 17 | Equinox • Las Cruces, NM
Jan 19 | The Mint • Los Angeles, CA
Jan 20 | Party • Los Angeles, CA
Jan 22 | Gypsy Lounge • Lake Forest, CA
Jan 24 | The Knockout • San Francisco, CA
Jan 26 | Biko Co-Op • Santa Barbara, CA
Jan 29 | Hailey’s w/Oso Closo and Backside Pick | Denton, TX
Jan 30 | Mango's w/Smiley With A Knife and Female Demand | Houston, TX
Jan 31 | Artmosphere w/Oso Closo • Tour Wrap Up Show | Lafayette, LA

MP3: Big Rock Candy Mountain - Rocketship

Filthy Dukes Winter Sun Mix

Trying to get into a rhythm back here in Brooklyn. Going through some press releases and fell apoun this nice mix here. Enjoy!

Winter Sun Mix - Jan 10 by Filthy Dukes on Mixcloud

Thanks for the email Daddy Lion

This is what happens when you get up and email me. I usually will blog about it. Of course you have to be good or at least above average. Daddy Lion sent me their band camp website and I listened to the song below, Divine, and right away said I have to get this out there. They have a Kings of Leon vibe going on, which is a totally good thing. They don't sound like what I usually expect out of Washington DC, but then again the bands that pop in my head out of DC are Fugazi, Bad Brains and Thievery Corporation. They don't have the political backbone that the before mentioned acts have, but their stripped down rock are a sound that I traditionally like. I would love to hear them after a good producer gets a hold of them.

MP3: Daddy Lion - Divine

Head to their Band Camp to get their debut EP for free.

Get to know Emanuel And The Fear

Either I am totally dedicated to this blog or I have no life. I can't decide, but today is the first day I can actually see a mountain range around Seattle and here I am going through press releases trying to find music for us to enjoy together.
Emanuel And The Fear is a 11-piece orchestra-rock band that mixes traditional pop sounds with complex composition. Based out of Brooklyn, Emanuel & the Fear are currently recording their full-length self titled album with Producer Jamin Gilbert at Ishlab Music Studios (Jet and Dead Prez) and are comprised of members who have played and/or toured with the likes of Sufjan Stevens, The National, and Akron/Family. They were recently in L Magazine as one of 8 bands out of Brooklyn to look out for, and we agree.
The single here is a great example of what they do making an epic feeling out of a pop song. I could see some nice things from these guys in the near future.

MP3: Emanuel and the Fear - Jimme's Song

Get to know Dead Leaf Echo

Trying to continue to blog while out here in Seattle enjoying the rain and the sights. This was the very first press release I got in 2010, so I decided that they deserve a post out of sheer work ethic.

Dead Leaf Echo is out of my new adopted city, Brooklyn, and they have a new album coming out called Truth this year. They just recently released a 7 inch through Custom Made Music with the song Half Truth on the A side that is a teaser for the before mentioned album. And, if you don't know, now you know; but a good way to stir up press for an album is to get someone to remix a single before it comes out, so that is where this post comes in. Dead Leaf Echo have gotten John Fryer from 4AD to give their single Half Truth a sexy new ambient vibe.

MP3: Dead Leaf Echo - Half Truth (Fryer Remix)
MP3: Dead Leaf Echo - Half Truth

Circle Bar's January Calender

I am Seattle for the week then I will be in New Orleans this weekend, but I will try and post a few things for you. Here is the Circle Bar's calender for January.

1/4--White Widow with Thunderhole
1/5--Nighty Night with The Opposable Thumbs plus James Hayes
1/6--The Spooks plus The Bellys plus The Way
1/7--We're Into Survival plus Kelly Carlyle plus John Wilkes Boothe and The Black Toothe
1/8--Gal Holiday and The Honky Tonk Revue
1/9--Won Ton Lust plus Sons of Payne
1/10--Toy Soldiers plus The Right Now
1/11--Schatzy
1/12--The Craft Brothers plus Ruby and Suki
1/13--Synthetic Elements
1/14--Easy Company with City Zoo plus Addi Samekh
1/15--Alynda Lee Segarra(from Hurray for The Riff Raff) with Samuel Doores plus Below The Salt
1/16--Glorybee plus The Lucks
1/17--Bones
1/18--The Bottoms Up Blues Gang
1/19--Wazozo
1/20--The Nightmare River Band
1/21--Natalie Mae Palms plus Kerry Hayes
1/22--Jock Se Bloque
1/23--The Lovie Dovies
1/24--Morella and The Wheels of If
1/25--Thomas Johnson
1/26--Kelcy Mae
1/27--No Mas Bodas with Kentucky Knife Fight
1/28--The Geraniums
1/29--Vel Vuk, White Colla Crimes Acappella, and Real Street Klezmer
1/31--Laura Meyer
2/1--Buffie Roseanne