Feel Like Dancing?

Here are some free remixes from Danger Danger... Pretty good stuff. ;-)

GRUM - Woah (Clockwork Remix)

Kanye West - Love Lockdown (Clockwork Remix)

Cut Copy - Hearts On Fire (Clockwork Remix)

Still catching up on some things worth sharing...
From NPR. He's such a great songwriter, performer, and all around nice guy... as you may remember.

Matthew Ryan On Mountain Stage

Listen Now: Matthew Ryan On Mountain Stage

[25 min 45 sec] add to playlist

Brian Blauser

Matthew Ryan.

SET LIST

• "American Dirt"
• "Some Streets Lead Nowhere"
• "Jane, I Still Feel the Same"
• "Could've Been Worse"

NPR.org, November 13, 2008 - Making a long-awaited return to Mountain Stage (his first visit was 10 years ago, when his debut album May Day was released), Matthew Ryan performs his organic and sparse folk tunes alongside Molly Thomas on piano and vocals.

As occasionally happens, due to the nature of live performance, Ryan's voice wasn't heard by the audience until the middle of his opening song. Slightly deterred after realizing this, he didn't check his tuning and had to re-start his second song. Still, Ryan is a consummate performer, and as he jokes with the audience, he comes off all the more charming. Mountain Stage host and artistic director Larry Groce includes the set in its entirety here, capturing the spontaneity of the show's live setting. Echoing Ryan's final song, Groce concluded that "it could've been worse."

Three of the songs heard here also appear on Ryan's latest CD, Matthew Ryan vs. The Silver State. "Some Streets Lead Nowhere" has been featured on the TV show One Tree Hill, and was issued as a digital single.

Belated Christmas Video

I was sick over the Christmas holiday, so I'm just now catching up on some of these things. While Christmas is over (thankfully), this video is still worthwhile. The things that get recorded, let alone posted on YouTube, amaze me.

Earles on NPR

This morning I was listening to this piece with Steve Earle and his son Justin Townes Earle. The more time passes, the more disappointed I am for missing Justin at the Kent State Folk Festival. Hopefully he'll come back soon.

Check it out...

Steve And Justin Townes Earle: Life Lessons

Listen Now

[7 min 46 sec] add to playlist

Courtesy of the artists

Steve Earle (left) and his son, Justin Townes Earle, are both acclaimed singer-songwriters.

Morning Edition, December 29, 2008 - Justin Townes Earle went into the same business as his father. Steve Earle, the acclaimed singer and songwriter, passed on a lifetime's worth of advice about music and rebellion.

Justin says his father wasn't easy to rebel against.

"I could have become a Republican," he says. "That would've really pissed him off."

Instead, says his dad, Justin took up golf. Steve says Justin would hit golf balls in the front yard, just to irritate him.

But Justin says that no one in his family — on either his mother's or his father's side — discouraged him from playing music. He was in trouble a lot when he was young, but Steve Earle says he recognized his son's behavior.

"I knew what this looked like," he says. "I couldn't do anything else."

Steve says he raised his kid on food stamps because he wasn't prepared to do anything else with his life but make music. So he wasn't shocked when Justin began following the same path he did.

When Justin did begin writing songs, his dad gave him some advice. At around age 13, Justin says he hadn't been reading much, but his dad told him, "If nothing was put in, then nothing comes out."

Asked if he'll pass on music to his children, Justin says he has the feeling his offspring will not be as similar to him as he is to his father: "I got a feeling that when I have kids, I'm going to have a little girl, and she's going to be completely sensible," he says.

His father disagrees.

"I do believe in karma," he says, "and if you think for one minute that there would be anything karmically correct for you to have a well-behaved little girl, you're dreaming."

Brett Dennen is Coming

My wish is finally coming true after all this time. I couldn't be happier to see Brett Dennen perform again (Sat. Feb 21st), at the Beachland no less. Top that with my thoroughly enjoying his new album and you can probably imagine my excitement.

Brett Dennen maps long tour for 'Hopeless'
By Tjames Madison / LiveDaily Contributor

Singer/songwriter Brett Dennen will embark on a mammoth headlining tour early next year as he begins to support his latest studio effort, "Hope For the Hopeless," in the US. The California native will stay on the road for more than three months, traveling through more than 50 cities during the outing, which kicks off Jan. 16 in Orlando, FL. Dates are shown below. Support acts for the trek include Erin McCarley, Angel Taylor, The Little Ones and Angus & Julia Stone. Check Dennen's official website for more information. "Hope For the Hopeless,' Dennen's third studio album, emerged in October after the singer returned home from a tour of Australia. The set--which features an appearance on the first track, "Make You Crazy," from afro-beat star Femi Kuti--debuted at No. 41 on The Billboard 200, making it Dennen's hi [From Brett Dennen maps long tour for 'Hopeless' >> Tour dates and concert ticket info >> LiveDaily]

I know it's a little late, but check out these holiday songs he recoreded.

iTunes Tip: Remembering to Rate Your iTunes Music | TheAppleBlog

For me, iTunes plays a huge role in discovering and appreciating music. I have a system of acquiring albums, organizing them, rating them, and listening to them in different ways. I've thought about documenting the entire process (why not?)... maybe some day. But this is a good article to read if you've considered using some of the more advanced features of iTunes and just haven't yet.

iTunes Tip: Remembering to Rate Your iTunes Music
Written on December 22, 2008 by Nick Santilli

My life is busy (and yes, if you’re wondering, it is all about me), and frequently I tend to rip or download music without taking the time to apply ratings to it. Since ratings are one of the best methods for determining the usefulness of your playlists, neglecting to add that information to your tracks can really handicap the power iTunes offers.

Some pondering of the issue (and a putrid burning smell) led me to come up with a Do It Yourself kind of solution that everyone can institute without spending anything more than a little time. If this sounds like something useful to you, feel free to follow along at home.

Data Dips First, what kind of information do we want to leverage? ...

[From iTunes Tip: Remembering to Rate Your iTunes Music | TheAppleBlog]

Download Sufjan's New Christmas Album

Not a huge fan of Christmas Music, nor am I ga ga over Sufjan Stevens like so many others, but I thought this was a pretty nice score. Hope you enjoy... (I am, especially the opening "Angels We Have Heard on High".)

Download Sufjan Steven’s 2008 Christmas album! December 20th, 2008

It’s the first original Sufjan music we’ve heard in a while, so enjoy it all you can!

As you probably well know, Sufjan records a yearly Christmas album to give out to family and friends. And even though he released a compilation back in 2006, he hasn’t stopped recording them. The 2008 version is called Astral Inter Planet Space Captain Christmas Infinity Voyage, Volume VIII.

Head over to So This Is What The Volume Knob is For to download the full set.

[From You Ain't No Picasso]

Joan Armatrading Live in San Francisco

A "gift" from Joan...

All that remains is to wish you and your family the very best for the New Year and to give you this online concert by Joan from 2007 in San Francisco. Just click on the link to view this great concert. It will be available online for free until January the 7th 2009. The DVD is available to buy in the stores or online at HMV or Amazon but Joan wanted you to have this free online viewing as a Christmas present.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CONCERT

"Set You Free" (N-Trance cover) | Pitchfork

I'm always enjoy seeing an indie rock band doing a cover of a 90's dance song... I don't know why. I'm also still enjoying Frightened Rabbit and their new album The Midnight Organ Fight, so I was happy when these two areas of interest came together.

I don't remember the original. I thought about embedding it as a comparison, but once I saw it, I realized you wouldn't be missing anything if I didn't.

From Pitchfork

Video: Frightened Rabbit: "Set You Free" (N-Trance cover)

We can (and should) debate about the whole idea of what "guilty pleasure" means in the context of pop music, but Frightened Rabbit couldn't be ironic if they tried. Sincerity is wired into this band to a degree that probably turns a lot of people off, but that sincerity makes songs like this, their contribution to the second Guilt by Association comp, a lot more interesting than they would be otherwise. Here they are in a sorta perfunctory video for a cover of N-Trance's "Set You Free", a gushing dance-pop hit from 1995. In a sense they arrive at the same vulnerable place as the original while taking a very different route to get there.

Pre-Order the Animal Collective LP @ Music Saves

If you haven't already heard, Animal Collective will be releasing their new album on Vinyl several weeks before the CD. Music Saves is taking pre-orders for it now... Why not use your holiday gift cards to pay for it?

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE PREORDERS! Animal Collective’s new album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, is set for release on INDIE ORTHODOX NEW YEAR, January 20, 2009 

BUT we just found out that THE VINYL WILL BE OUT JANUARY 6! We’re destined to sell the bejesus out of this, so if you wanna preorder the CD, that’s great, but if you’re gonna want the vinyl, please please pretty pretty please just let us know you’re gonna want it so we make sure we get enough (but not toooo many). VINYL DETAILS! 180gram double vinyl gatefold jacket printed inner sleeves full album download card HOORAY! http://www.myanimalhome.net/

And if you're not on the Music Saves mailing list - you should be.

I Might Have Guessed

Birdmonster is offering an exclusive download at RCRD LBL... a "mean version" of I Might Have Guessed.

Listen to it. Download it. Free.

Okay... so it seems the embedded player doesn't work on this site, nor on the RCRD LBL site...  So just go download it here.

And to continue with the EFF news...

(which is a great organization btw):

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Fred von Lohmann is cautiously optimistic at the news that the record labels are considering offering a blanket license to college campuses that will legalize their students' file-swapping. Fred's glad to see the record-saurs finally declaring a truce in their war on the Internet. But, he warns, we have to make sure the universities and the artists are getting a fair deal for their money:

Universities would pay Choruss, a new nonprofit collecting society, in exchange for an end to the "John Doe" subpoenas seeking student identities, DMCA notices, lawsuits against students, and legislation mandating copyright surveillance of campus networks. Students who pay will be free to download whatever they like, using whatever software they like, in whatever format they like (and presumably keep it all when they graduate, since there would be no way to claw back DRM-free MP3s). The monies collected would be divided up among artists and rightsholders, based on relative popularity. The rest of the details are still to be determined, including whether it would be a mandatory fee for all students, or an opt-in fee (complete with continued lawsuits for those who fail to pay?). It's also not clear what the fee would be, although those familiar with the talks suggest less than $5 per student per month...

So we are cautiously optimistic. There are lots of hard issues that will need to be addressed. How will a collective licensing approach protect user privacy? What will universities do to stop "leakage" to ISPs whose users have not opted in? Will independent artists get a fair shake from Choruss? But it sounds like the labels are, for the first time, interested in having the right discussion.

Labels Open to Collective Licensing on Campus [From EFF (cautiously) optimistic at record labels' offering of a blanket license to universities]

EFF berates Apple over open-source iTunes project | Macworld

As you may know, I'm an ardent Mac supporter... Sure I was a little sad when iTunes came out of the gate with DRM, but I've been happy to see that battle is being won against corporate greed. I felt like they were just doing what they had to do to get the ball rolling. But now between their buidling HDCP into their new MacBooks, and things like this below, it makes me a little sour. C'mon Apple, I don't want to have to switch to Linux.

EFF berates Apple over open-source iTunes project   by Robert McMillan, IDG News Service

Apple's attempt to quash an effort to help the latest iPods and iPhones work with non-Apple software such as the Linux operating system is out of line, the Electronic Frontier Foundation said Tuesday.

RELATED IPOD ARTICLES Gear Guide, part one: Gear for your iPhone EFF berates Apple over open-source iTunes project Review: More iPhone dictionary apps Judge: Apple's new VP could cause 'irreparable harm' to IBM Apple teases Black Fr [From EFF berates Apple over open-source iTunes project | Macworld]

New eMusic Features

I love eMusic.  It's the little online music retailer that could...

I'm not a huge fan of the subscription model, but I'll deal.  It does force me to download more music than I probably would want to, but it also gives me some room to experiment with new music.  To facilitate this, eMusic just rolled out a new recommendation service, similar to iTunes Genius Playlists.  I was originally skeptical to these kinds of services, but I've thoroughly enjoyed Pandora, iTunes Genius service, and I think this is a welcomed addition to eMusic.

Unfortunately, it's currently down, but hopefully it'll be up soon so I can play with it.  In the meantime, here's a couple articles with some more indepth reporting.

eMusic Tries out a New Recommendation Engine; Redesigns Homepage

eMusic Retools With Nod To Indie Retail

If you haven't checked out eMusic yet, do it.  If you want something fun, edgy, and indie to download, try the BLK JKS (FREE!).  You can read about them over at I Rock Cleveland.

Dream of Life - Patti Smith

Saw Dream of Life this past Friday... Patti Smith is one of those artists I've heard a lot about but I never really had a chance to explore her work. When my friend Tom suggested we see this film, I was intrigued. Then after watching the trailer, I was sold.

After watching... I'd say the film was a bit too "artsy" for my taste. I do appreciate the effort and some of the scenes / segments were absolutely beautiful, but overall I was still hoping for a bit more structure. I think this film is more appealing to the existing Patti Smith fan, versus someone just discovering her. Regardless, there's no denying Patti is an artistic force. This movie motivates me to check out her music.

The first album Tom recommended was Horses. I'll let you know what I think.

Drew Gibson (12/6/08)

I was right, it was a beautiful night for Drew Gibson at the Barking Spider. The snow outside was perfect. Unfortunately, it was that snow that kept people away. However, that just allowed for a more intimate setting... You have to love it when an artist greets you by name after his first song.

So this is my first time at the Spider with my new camera. I've even got a video for you... (wish the sound could be better)

As you can see, Drew is a great guitarist.. and the atmosphere the Barking Spider provides couldn't have been a better backdrop for Drew's blend of folk, roots and blues.

I'm Such A Dork

A perfect mixing of music and sci-fi

(via Queerty)

And to top it off, making me even less cool...

Drew Gibson Tonight - Saturday Afternoon Updates

Sitting in a bustling coffee shop, looking out out the steamed-up windows.. A perfect environment for a couple folk music updates on this beautiful, chilly Saturday afternoon.

First off, it's shaping up to be a great night at the Barking Spider, listening to Drew Gibson perform by the fire. I've seen him twice before (1/2) and I will vouch for him. You should check him out. 8:00pm.

NPR.com just posted Folk Alley's top albums of 2008. Looks like an great list that I'm currently listening to.

Speaking of Folk Alley, you can now listen to it, and MANY other Public Radio stations through the new iPhone application Public Radio Tuner. Very cool. (still loving my iPhone)

Here's a great video of Ani at the Wall Street Journal Cafe (??), performing Present/Infant, which I'm liking more every time I hear it.

Music Saves the Holidays

GREAT Idea! If you haven't been there, you need to check them out.

INTRODUCING THE MUSIC SAVES GIFT CARD EXCHANGE PROGRAM! Yeah, we stole this idea from Shake It Records in Cincy, then messed it up a little, but hey, it should work out well for all of us in the end! How does it work? When grandpa or Aunt Flo gives you that gift card for Best Buy or Target that you really didn't want, bring it on in to MUSIC SAVES and we'll trade it for a MUSIC SAVES gift certificate in the same amount! Hey, and since we don't accept American Express gift cards in the store, we'll trade those, too! It's a win win win all around - grandpa and Aunt Flo's good intentions are made better because rather than stocking up on more deodorant (who needs that?), you get a bunch of music at your favorite local record store - something you REALLY want! (Only Best Buy, Target, and AmEx gift cards are valid for the exchange, through January 31, 2009. Yes, we will call and verify the balance on the card before we trade ya. It's only fair.) POSTERS = GIFT WRAP Yep, not many people think of this, but we have a ton of posters available for 50¢ and $1, and they make fantastic gift wrap! Posters were just restocked, so there’s lots to choose from!

MUSIC SAVES Holiday Sale, 15801 Waterloo, 216.481.1875, MUSICSAVES.com

Saturday, December 13, 11am-4pm

Rockin’ deals from your favorite indie record store!

Pollstar Redesigned (finally)

I've been complaining about Pollstar.com for a while.  Over a year ago they informed me they were killing their premium service (one of the few things I paid a subscription for on the web), which I found ridiculous.  I'm surprised they've been able to survive this long in this fast-changing web world we live in.  Well, they've finally taken a huge leap...  http://live.pollstar.com

(an email I received)

Pollstar is extremely excited about the upcoming launch of our entirely new pollstar.com website and we invite you to be the first to check out our working beta.

Customize your experience to fit your needs! As an existing AutoNotify user, we have already transferred your basic account details to the new site. Just log in using your same name and password.

There are a number of really exciting new features and plenty more are in the works as we transition from a site that has not changed substantially since 1994 to one suitable for the 21st century.

Check out our amazing new Photo Wall for the finest live concert photographs on the net. Look for the link to the Fullscreen Slideshow on the Photos index page. This new feature requires a free plug-in that can be downloaded in seconds the first time you access the wall.

As part of your MyPollstar customization, create your own screen name and upload an avatar. Make comments on news stories and post reviews of concerts and we will automatically award you StarCred points. More details on the benefits of building your StarCred is forthcoming.

The new site also offers the ability for you to rate photos and artists themselves and your opinions will help guide others on their quality. Please note that there is a bug in the awarding of StarCred points for ratings and we are working on it.

The beta of our new site can be found at http://live.pollstar.com

Pollstar continues to be the central data source for professionals working in the live entertainment industry and we are delighted to be able to offer music fans the ability to have free access to the world’s premier concert information database.

Thanks again for using Pollstar and we look forward to hearing your feedback.

Gary Bongiovanni
Pollstar Editor-In-Chief

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Darin - My New Crush

I have to admit that I'm a little embarrassed on this one. For one, I'd like to think that my musical interests aren't swayed by attractiveness. Secondly, I'm always a little embarrassed to talk about pop/dance music. I guess it's because I really don't know many people who enjoy it, but also, there's so much crap out there.

But whatever, I like Darin's look AND sound... it's well produced and catchy. Besides, he's from Sweden!

Enjoy...

I can't embed his new video, but if you want to see the beauty in motion, click here.

While you can stream his entire new album on MySpace (thanks Electroqueer), I can't get ahold of it otherwise... Hmm... Hopefully it will show up on the internets soon.

Neko's New Album Details (and Date)

Finally some news (and a date) for the new Neko Case!!

Neko Case Stirs Up Cyclone With M. Ward, Calexico Giant Sand, Garth Hudson, Los Lobos, few Pornographers also guest

New Pornographers crooner and solo star in her own right Neko Case is all set to release her new album, Middle Cyclone March 3 on Anti-. Crafted during a sort of whirlwind tour of North America's studios-- it was recorded in parts in Tucson, Brooklyn, Toronto, and Vermont-- Case's follow-up to 2006's excellent Fox Confessor Brings the Flood was produced by Case and Darryl Neudorf.

The album finds Case joined by both her core backing band-- guitarist Paul Rigby, bassist Tom V. Ray, vocalist Kelly Hogan, multi-instrumentalist Jon Rauhouse, and drummer Barry Mirochnick-- and a very impressive array of guest stars. The 15-song Cyclone is bolstered by appearances from M. Ward, Calexico, the Band's Garth Hudson, Los Lobos, Giant Sand, the Sadies, the Lilys, Visqueen, Sarah Harmer, and several of Case's New Pornographers bandmates. In addition to...

[From Neko Case Stirs Up Cyclone With M. Ward, Calexico | Pitchfork]

More Details on Andrew Bird's Noble Beast

Damn, a deluxe package. I'm such a sucker... Sad to see no Cleveland Shows.

Andrew Bird's 'Noble' Plans For New Album Dec 1, 2008 Story by: Christine Broomhead

Folk musician Andrew Bird has bumped up the release date for his new studio album, Noble Beast. The album will now be available January 20 on Fat Possum. Bird will also release a deluxe 2-CD edition that will include the bonus instrumental album, Useless Creatures. This limited edition features collaborations with Glenn Kotche and Todd Sickafoose, and will be available exclusively through physical retailers. It comes with custom packaging including additional photos, a poster and a 24-page illustrated lyric booklet.

Tickets for the first leg of Bird's North American tour are on sale now. He will kick off the trip by headlining Carnegie Hall on January 28.

Tracklist For Noble Beast: 01. Oh No 02. Masterswarm 03. Fitz and the Dizzyspells 04. Effigy 05. Tenuousness 06. Nomenclature 07. Ouo 08. Not A Robot, But A Ghost 09. Unfolding Fans 10. Anonanim [From CMJ News Story]

Catie Curtis (11/30/08)

I'll admit that I wasn't that excited about this show. I've seen her many times (we go way back) and I wasn't crazy about the new album, but I also had Monday off and the ticket was free (yay Street Team!)... so I went. I arrived early enough to see the opener and grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately, both were a little disappointing. The Beachland has changed their menu, offering a food with a little higher brow - and price. I really miss the $3 chili dog w/ chips and salsa... (got the French Bread Pizza - meh.) The same sentiment goes for the opener.

When Catie took the stage, her smile reminded me why I came. She has such a positive, flowing energy about her. She's also a confident, sophisticated, funny and talented artist. While her new album (Sweet Life) is a bit too happy for my taste right now, seeing her was a reminder of why I like her. I also really appreciated the looping of vocals and instruments to her one-woman show... The recordings of Sam the Pug were great too.

Overall, whil I can't recommend the new album (unless you're pre-disposed to like Catie), I would URGE you to see her next time she's in town. Hint - it will probably be next Thanksgiving.