Of all the names forever synonymous with rock and roll and its place in music history, Jimi Hendrix stands alone.
His music, his image, his impossible cool, all made the world stand up and take note. In honor of the greatest electric guitarist in musical history, The EXPERIENCE Hendrix 2012 Tribute Tour happens Tuesday, March 6th at The Music Center at Strathmore, and we have a pair of tickets for you to win.
Come celebrate the music and legacy of the immortal Jimi Hendrix and relive how the phenom remade rock and roll. Jimi’s greatest songs will be performed live by a lineup featuring Billy Cox of The Band of Gypsys and The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Dweezil Zappa, Brad Whitford of Aerosmith, Chris Layton of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, and Mato Nanji of Indigenous—together on one stage.
Most people spend Valentine’s Day with loved ones, but this past February 14th, I spent it at DC9 with indie pop duo Slow Club as I sat down for an interview with the male counterpart of the group, Charles Watson.
At only twenty-three, Charles (and lead singer Rebecca) have accomplished quite a bit. With 2009’s breakout album Yeah So the band got on the map and followed it up with 2011’s Paradise. Already, the group has toured across the U.S. and Europe and has had songs in commercials for Ritz crackers and Lay’s potato chips, as well as TV shows like Gossip Girl and Chuck.
Although these natives of Sheffield, England may have only first released an album in 2009, they first started playing music together over seven years ago as school mates. Like many indie rock audiophiles my age, they were influenced early-on by Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes.
“I really like Digital Ash actually; I’ve heard him talk about it saying it was kind of a joke,” Watson explained. “But the songs are actually amazing. And the lyrics, of course. He is such an amazing songwriter.”
Thunderous rain and swirling wind threatened to derail the 2012 Mardi Gras celebration. Parades were rescheduled and the streets were sodden, but by the time dawn broke on Fat Tuesday morning, the skies were clearing and temperatures were forecasted to reach into the lower 70s. Here’s a look back at the day.
The first sight we saw upon entering the streets of the Faubourg Marigny and heading a few blocks to our early morning ground zero was the massive horse pictured above. The thing, which was manned by a group of scantily clad revelers painted gold, looked like it was straight out of a steam punk version of a Brazilian Carnival float.
There were speakers blaring some sort of orchestral Scandinavian heavy metal and as we stood and gawked at this monstrosity filling the block and towering to the second floor balcony of Mimi’s, a confetti cannon blasted from its right flank and showered the crowd with multi-colored bits of paper. Moments later, two smoke cannons fired as well, filling the upper atmosphere with purple and green smoke. The photo above is the contraption in motion.
There are two weekends in my life where I have been so excited I could barely contain myself. The first was last November, the weekend of my wedding, and the second starts tomorrow when I fly down to Ft. Lauderdale to board the maiden voyage of the Monsters of Rock Cruise.
Here’s the brief itinerary: The cruise kicks off with a black-out group photo at 6pm where everyone is encouraged to board the ship wearing all black; awesome. Then we jump right into the metal. What better way to sleaze up the evening as the ship pulls away than to witness the Sunset Strip greatness that is Faster Pussycat taking the stage at 6:15.
A good record is a melting pot of a lot of things. You’ve got your bread and butter in the musicians and composers. Then, you’ve got the salt and pepper with recording and mixing engineers. But there’s always that extra spice that so many have trouble putting their finger which can make the dish magical. In the case of recorded music, that secret ingredient is mastering.
This past week, I had the chance to sit down with Kevin Nix—one of Memphis’ most prolific mastering engineers about his work, history, and the magic he puts into every song.
Mastering Engineer Kevin Nix is half of L. Nix Mastering. The company name is derived from Kevin’s father, Larry Nix, who started out as the house mastering engineer at STAX Records. When Stax closed its doors in 1975, Larry opened shop in Ardent Studios. He’s mastered countless records over the last 40 years. In 1994, Larry brought his son Kevin on board. Together, they are one of the most sought-after engineering teams in the world. A recent client list includes Three Six Mafia, Lucero, North Mississippi All Stars, Huey Lewis and the News, Big Star, and The Bo-Keys (to just name a few).
In terms of popularity, America never produced an equivalent to David Bowie. But there was Jobriath, an unfortunate victim of record label hype and consumer indifference who produced what’s easily the USA’s purest expression of glam sensibilities.
Jobriath Boone, né Bruce Wayne Campbell is one of the more fascinating casualties in rock’s colorful history. Starting out in the ultra-obscure pop-folk-psyche group Pigeon (who recorded an LP and a single for Decca in ’69) after defecting from a Los Angeles production of Hair, his demo tape was stumbled upon by ‘70s mover-and-shaker Jerry Brandt, who managed to get him signed to Elektra Records for the reported sum of $500,000.
A barrage of publicity followed, including a billboard in Times Square and an appearance on the late night TV variety program The Midnight Special. Problem was, his ’73 debut tanked commercially, setting off a media backlash that left his follow-up Creatures of the Street to wither without promotion. His relationship with Brandt severed, Jobriath was held in the clutches of a ten year contract that kept him from recording any further material. Instead, he worked as a cabaret singer under the name Cole Berlin and lived in the Chelsea Hotel, where he died of AIDS in 1983.
Jobriath’s status as an openly gay musician sets him apart from his glam contemporaries. Where Bowie and others flirted with the perception of bi-sexuality, Jobriath made no bones about his sexual orientation. He described himself to the press as a “true fairy,” displaying frankness and flamboyance that surely damaged his chances with many observers hiding a closed mind in the closet, and in fact this defiant boldness situates Jobriath as an exponent of the camp theatricality that’s long been an aspect of gay culture.
Nashville songstress Katie Herzig will bring her beautiful voice to the Hi-Tone stage Friday night, the 24th. Herzig has been going nowhere but up since her debut back in 2004, and with her latest record, The Waking Sleep, released in September of last year and a few high profile song placements, it looks like that rise will only continue.
I was first introduced to Katie when I was living in Nashville, playing for another female songwriter. We played Katie’s release show for her 2008 album Apple Tree. I remember being really blown away at the talent on stage that evening. And her voice was unbelievable. It didn’t hurt that close to the end of the show, she had a slice of freshly-baked apple pie brought to each person in the packed venue.
Don’t miss Katie’s great songs and beautiful voice Friday night. It’s an early show…7pm, all ages, $10/$12. Robby Hecht and Sandra McCracken will open. Robby is in Memphis playing the Folk Alliance International Showcase downtown this week. If you have a conference badge you can get into the show for free.
Monument Music and Arts Festival is a forward-thinking charitable organization that empowers musicians and their fans to impact positive social change through philanthropy and activism. Over the past two years, Monument has raised awareness and financial support for a wide variety of DC-based non-profit organizations.
All of the proceeds from tomorrow’s show will go to DC Vote, a local organization dedicated to securing full democracy and full voting representation for the residents of the District of Columbia. As the recognized leader of the DC voting rights movement, DC Vote advocates for enactment of critical voting rights legislation, educates Americans across the nation about DC’s status, works to prevent congressional interference in DC’s local democracy, and serves as a resource to elected officials, the media, and the public.
The two tracks included feature powerful kit work over subtle vocals and a lovely chord progression fleshed out through acoustic guitar, some piano and theremin-like swelling tones. Sandwiched between two records, this single is a fantastic snapshot of where the Texans have been and where they are going.
With purchase of the 7″, music enthusiasts will also receive a download card with the material on the release, as well as an additional four songs.
Live From Memphis has just announced the largest Music Video Showcase ever! 57 music videos in 4 screenings, 4 art openings, 3 panels, 3 mini-music showcases, 3 parties all in ONE awesome weekend!
The 7th Annual Music Video Showcase will be presenting music videos from local, national, and international musicians and filmmakers. Bands include Don Trip, Snowglobe, The National, The Lost Sounds, North Mississippi Allstars, Eleanor Friedberger (of The Fiery Furnaces), Goyte, Memphis Dawls, Youth Lagoon, and so many more!
Music Videos will screen Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at The Warehouse (36 E. GE Patterson). For a complete list of the videos and screening times visit MusicVideoShowcase.com.
Supporting his tenth solo studio album, I Will Set You Free, England’s legendary Barry Adamson will be playing in-store at Reckless Records, tomorrow.
Adamson has been involved in the music industry for the last 34 years, and along with his impressive list of solo efforts, has spent time as a member of The Bad Seeds and Magazine. He has also written for David Lynch and Danny Boyle, and has contributed songs to films like Natural Born Killers, Lost Highway, and Gas Food Lodging.
I Will Set You Free is an album of memories and experiences. Utilizing everything that’s led him to this point, Adamson’s journey comes to life in this record.
Vinyl Vision is an original weekly series at TVD produced by AmusicChannel.tv.
What started out as a small collection of Bob Dylan albums eventually became the 3rd largest record store in the United States. Forever Young Records, located in Grand Prairie, Texas, is family owned and operated by David Eckstrom, his wife Mary, and son Taylor.
David became a big fan of Bob Dylan at a young age and slowly began collecting his albums. Over the years he’s acquired thousands of Dylan records from all over the world. So much so that he has his own published book of Bob Dylan albums.
Forever Young Records not only has a large selection of records, but their cassette wall spans halfway around the store and their CD collection is unreal. But in the end, vinyl is always the original form of music.
Here’s a show not to miss, New Yorkers! Well, at least if your taste is anything like mine. And you DO taste delightful.
Last.fm presents Amen Dunes, Quilt, Friend Roulette…all performing live sets. And to kick things off, a listening party for Mike Wexler‘s debut album, Disposession, out on Mexican Summer Records.
If you know these bands, well then, you know you’re in for a treat. If you don’t, then go out on a limb Friday and get a killer surprise treat. From the Last.fm site invite:
On February 24th, experience the hypnotic psychedelica of Amen Dunes, the golden brown melodies of Quilt, and Friend Roulette’s labyrinthine arrangements at Dominion NY (an intimate new space on Lafayette St). Get there early for a special listening party of Mike Wexler’s debut album, ‘Dispossession’ – a harrowing epic that channels late 60s British folk through a dystopian kaleidoscope of daydreams and deep emotions.
The show starts at 8pm with $8 tickets available at the door; buy advance tickets for $5 here.
Richard Colado, aka Rickolus, was originally going to call his new album Penelopeia, the mythical wife of Odysseus in Homer’s The Odyssey. Quite why the album ended up with the title Coyote And Mule is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure: Colado has crafted a bright, direct collection of songs, uplifting and deceptively catchy, whilst retaining a lo-fi sensibility.
Check out “Candy Blood,” from the album, which was released last week.
