Lilith Announcement

In case you missed the Lilith Fair announcement... This lineup isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I've starred some intriguing and respectable choices. There are also some names here that I've never heard and I'll be excited to check them out. Right now, the closest stop is Chicago. Hmm... are there 2 festivals in Chicago for me this year?

We are thrilled to share with you the first round of artists confirmed for Lilith 2010.

A Fine Frenzy Ann Atomic Ash Koley Brandi Carlile Butterfly Boucher Chairlift** Chantal Kreviazuk Colbie Caillat Corinne Bailey Rae Donna De Lory Emmylou Harris** Erykah Badu Grace Potter And The Nocturnals Ima Indigo Girls Ingrid Michaelson Janelle Monae Jennifer Knapp Jill Hennessy Jill Scott

Katzenjammer Ke$ha Mary J. Blige Meaghan Smith Metric** Miranda Lambert Nneka Sara Bareilles Sarah McLachlan Serena Ryder Sheryl Crow The Submarines** Sugarland Tara MacLean Tegan And Sara Vedera The Weepies Vita Chambers Ximena Sarinana Zee Avi**

Here's also a little article with Tegan & Sara defending the relevance of Lilith Fair

Take a Minute at the Tiny Desk

If you haven't checked out NPR's Tiny Desk Series, they're pretty good. I just stumbled on NPR's own Music Channel on YouTube. Check it out. Here are a couple recent favorites:

Beaten Awake Video

Congrats to NEO's own Beaten Awake for being Spinner's Video of the Day

AA Bondy (12/1/09)

This was one of the best shows of the year for me - as is his new album When the Devil's Loose. You know, I can't even remember how I happened upon AA Bondy, but I'm glad i did. His album struck me right away with it's mellow, acoustic sound. When I saw he was performing at Akron's Musica, I knew I had to go - especially with the openers.

First up was Cleveland's own Lighthouse and the Whaler. They're a good band with a diverse sound. I like what they're working on, with the complex harmonies and all. They'll only get better with more experience.

Willy Mason was next. I'd heard his name several times before, but have never given him much time or effort. He was really pretty amazing. He took to the stage all alone, which was very appropro to his sound. Great, deep voice. Very much a loner, troubadour feel.

AA Bondy finished out the night. The subtle confidence, energy and proficiency of these guys on stage made them a joy to watch. I felt like I was watching some friends play (but really good friends). From the album I was expecting a mellower set, but these guys threw in some major rock-out sessions, playing with some intense feedback interludes. Not my favorite thing, but it worked *really* well. I swear, these guys did NO wrong on stage. I will see these guys again, any chance I can get.

When The Devil's Loose - A.A. ...

I also have to give a shout-out to Musica for being a great venue and keeping a respectable timetable for 3 bands on a week night... and to Akron for it's gracious hosts and free downtown parking.

A Net Neutrality Video Primer - Pay Attention!

Very important...

A Net Neutrality Video Primer

As fundamental as it is, net neutrality isn’t the easiest thing in the world to explain. That said, FMC has certainly its best to illustrate why the open internet is so important to artists and fans (check out our Rock the Net campaign and our body of articles, factsheets and blog posts). As the principle that protects the open internet, net neutrality is important to just about everyone. So it’s crucial that we work to ensure that the internet we know and love isn’t reshaped by a handful of powerful telecommunications and cable companies seeking to install toll booths on the information superhighway.

This video from Jesse Dylan (yes, he is the son of Bob) breaks down why net neutrality is key to expression, creativity, commerce and free speech. Through interview snippets with such luminaries as the “father of the internet” Vint Cerf, Damian Kulash of OK Go, Gigi Sohn of Public Knowledge, Professor Lawrence Lessig and FMC’s own Michael Bracy, the clip demonstrates why open internet structures are essential to our lives as artists, innovators and Average Joes (not to be confused with Mr. Sixpack.)

[From A Net Neutrality Video Primer | Future of Music Coalition]

Matisyahu - One Day (Acoustic) Video

I figured I posted the original, why not post the Acoustic version...

Brett Dennen (11/25/09)

This was the second of a 2 night concert marathon with the Australian. Also another repeat performer for me, having seen Brett Dennen twice before. Once back in 2007 at Akron's sorely-missed Lime Spider, and earlier this year at the sold out Beachland Ballroom show. Both shows were great and I had high expectations for this HOB show. Well, except for the HOB part.

This night was different than the previous two shows. Granted it was the night before Thanksgiving, but there weren't that many people at the show. The performance seemed a little off, like something was missing (the crowd's energy?). Considering that, I think my friends had it right - that his songs began to sound sorta the same. I was still glad we went, but was a little underwhelmed. But I did get to show the Aussie a little bit of downtown (had dinner at Bricco before the show) and I think he still enjoyed himself.

I do think I've exhausted my Brett Dennen concert days, unless a kick-ass new album comes out, or he goes back to playing someplace the Tavern.

Nellie McKay (11/24/09)

Before this night, I've been to two shows total at Nighttown, recently to see Brownout, and my first time to see Nellie McKay. The first showed me the way of Nellie, and the second reminded of how Nighttown is a great evening entertainment destination. Seeing Nellie again on this Tuesday night also included my friend visiting from Australia, so I was particularly excited to show off Cleveland (Heights). This was the second of two sold-out nights, so we got there early to grab a decent seat. Ordered a great meal and watched a highly entertaining Nellie McKay.

As usual, she charmed the pants on the crowd with a variety of songs from Doris Day, a cover of an Ella Fitzgerald song, and even a feminist rant on a Ukelele. One one person insult and make you laugh at the same time, all with a demure and unassuming smile.

Oh, and the Australian was impressed...

History of the Boombox

Very Cool...

The Rural Alberta Advantage Returns

If you missed The Rural Alberta Advantage the last time they were here, you have a second chance. They're coming back to the Beachland Tavern on Sunday, January 17th! I'd suggest you go.

As with all Concert Updates, check out the list of updated shows on the right, or go directly to my Google Calendar.

Flickr Photos

Saw they just released Cooliris Express for making your own photo wall... thought I'd try it with my Flickr Photo account.

Stephanie Nilles (11/22/09)

I love introducing new people to the Barking Spider Tavern, especially people that I think will really like it. Stephanie Nilles sounded like she would be great to see there, especially with descriptions like "Ella Fitzgerald on speed beating the shit out of Regina Spektor" and "Tom Waits on helium." I also talked to Martin (the owner) and he told me he changed his plans that night to see her play. So I knew it was the right night to bring someone new.

She's currently living in New Orleans, but came to Cleveland for school so she has some local connections. She's a master on the piano and has quite the swagger. In addition to performing some great originals, she also had fun with covers such as "What Side Are You", "Superfreak", and Prince's "Kiss." She's also incredibly independent, poking fun at the likes of indie music icons like Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver and Pitchfork. Overall, it was a thoroughly entertaining performance.

Apple Buys Lala

I wasn't expecting this... Could be cool. Maybe they'll approve the La La iPhone app now.Apple Strikes Deal to Buy the Music Start-Up Lala

By BRAD STONE
Published: December 4, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO — In the most recent sign that Apple is looking at alternative ways for people to store and play their digital music, the company has agreed to buy Lala, a four-year-old

start-up based in Palo Alto, Calif., a person with knowledge of the deal said Friday.

Lala, unlike Apple’s iTunes, lets users play the music they own from the Web — or in tech industry parlance, from the cloud. If Apple introduces its own cloud-based streaming music service, it would let people skip having to download music they buy or synchronize their music collection between their computers and mobile devices.

A person’s music library would always be available on the Web and accessible on a PC, smartphone or other Web-connected mobile device.

[From Apple to Buy the Music Start-Up Lala - NYTimes.com]

Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros (11/12/09)

Doing some catching up... Not going to have much to say about this show, but will have lots of photos. That may be because of the quantity (and quality) of beer I drank that night. This was my second night in Kent for the Kent State Folk Festival. I think I was trying to re-live my college years or something. It started off with a Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA (20% alcohol - illegal to sell in OH), then two TALL Christmas Ales at Ray's, then several rounds of something after that. Whoa. But man, it would have been hard to not love a show after all that. :-)

We unfortunately missed Unsparing Sea as the openers, but did catch Family of the Year. They were OK... kind of like an Edward Sharpe wanna be band. Okay, that was kinda mean. But again, I was enjoying everything that night. Then Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros took the stage, in all their 9+ band member glory. This was the second time I've seen them and I couldn't have asked for a better venue. Kent Stage wasn't as packed as it was for Old Crow Medicine Show, but it was still a free for all as far as seating, standing, dancing, etc. And dance I did.

They really are a great band. My only complaint is the continued refusal to play Home. I know they're probably sick of people asking for it, but for this show, they brought to audience members (who were probably as drunk as I was) to sing the parts. I was embarrassed for them... But I will see Edward Sharpe anytime they come back.

Alanis on Weed

Who knew... :-)

Alanis Morissette Credits Marijuana for Creativity
Posted on Dec 1st 2009 1:30PM by John D. LuerssenComment (1)

If her stint on 'Weeds' wasn't enough of a hint, Alanis Morissette openly pledged her love for marijuana in a new interview with High Times. According to the singer, pot helps her with her songwriting and unlocks her creativity.

"I'm all about moderation -- as best I can be," Morissette told the magazine in an interview for its January issue. "As an artist, there's a sweet jump-starting quality to [marijuana] for me. I've often felt telepathic and receptive to inexplicable messages my whole life. I can stave those off when I'm not high. When I'm high -- well, they come in and there's less of a veil, so to speak. So if ever I need some clarity ... or a quantum leap in terms of writing something, it's a quick way for me to get to it."

That said, Morissette acknowledges the drug isn't for everyone. "I have a lot of friends who have wanted to specifically quit smoking marijuana because they felt that it was having a negative effect on their lives, and I absolutely supported them doing so," she added. "Then I have other friends who I've coerced into smoking because I thought it would be great for them."

Morissette, who is photographed in a California marijuana garden for the article, thanked her boyfriend and medical marijuana advocate Tom Ballanco for showing her the drug's benefits.

"I've always resonated with people who are on the front lines," she said. "I've always felt that way about Tom and about the community around him -- Woody Harrelson, Alicia Silverstone. I have a lot of friends around me who are very courageous and willing to 'come out' -- and Tom is definitely beyond the front lines. Any fears that I had about cannabis were quickly assuaged. Now I feel like a professional!"

[From Alanis Morissette Credits Marijuana for Creativity - Spinner]