SFM's Go To Tuesdays

If you’re in NYC, looking for some great live music, and want to say hi
–this is where you'll find us.

Thursday, April 29
Viva
Deconcini- Rock & Roll Burlesque / Slipper Room

Saturday, May 1
Kicking Daisies- Bamboozle 2010 Festival/ Meadowlands

Monday, May 3
Lay Low- Union Hall

Tuesday, May 4
Nikki Yanofsky- Dizzy's Club Coca Cola
Paul
Thorn- City Winery
Lay Low- Mercury Lounge

SFM’s Go To Tuesdays

We're starting a new blog series today to make sure that if you’re in NYC, looking for some great live music, and want to say hi - you'll know where to find us.

So come visit us at the following NYC shows this week!



Wednesday, April 21
Kings Go Forth - Mercury Lounge (NY, NY)

Thursday, April 22
Marcus Roberts- Jazz at Lincoln Center (NY, NY)

Friday, April 23
Elvis Costello w/ the Sugarcanes- United Palace (NY, NY)
Marcus Roberts - Jazz at Lincoln Center (NY, NY)

Saturday, April 24
Kings Go Forth- Southpaw (NY, NY)
Marcus Roberts- Jazz at Lincoln Center (NY, NY)

Monday, April 26
Myron Walden Countryfied - Coco66 (NY, NY)

You Tube Friday, The Hold Steady edition

In celebration of The Hold Steady's monster new album Heaven is Whenever on its way, and the rockers' NY gigs this weekend (can't wait!), here's a smile for youtube Friday fun:

Kirchen Rocks New Album at Rodeo Bar

Twang God Bill Kirchen capped a sweaty set at the Rodeo Bar last night....with a second line through the audience, playing trombone of all things. The many songs Bill played from his upcoming album Word To The Wise sounded road tested and rockin.' What fun and what a great album (featuring friends like Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks and others).


Regina Joskow and I got to say hello after Bill had cooled down a bit following the two hour set.

Costello's Show is a Spectacle here in NYC

My kids and I stumbled across a massive display of posters advertising Elvis Costello's Sundance show "Spectacle," right in the heart of the Times Square subway station a week or so ago. There's at least 15 large posters in a row, so massive that I came up the stairs and stopped short in my tracks it was so impressive...and as of yesterday, it was still there. Wow. Then today, I gasped as I was reading the New York Times, flipped a page on the A section, and came across a full color full back page ad for tonight's episode. Double Wow!


From

Three Dazzling Instrumentalists at The Blue Note, WNYC

I had the privilege of seeing the first performance by a dazzling new trio made up of Mark O'Connor, John Patitucci & Julian Lage last night at the Blue Note. It was stunning music, with each player pushing the next to new heights. As with all things O'Connor, this was a night of American music, blurring the boundaries between folk, jazz, classical, and other worlds. One minute one heard an Appalachian moan, the next a western theme, followed by something from the streets of New Orleans, gypsy music, and, of course, modernist New York music. I was blown away.

This afternoon the trio appeared on WNYC's Soundcheck. Here they are with host John Schaefer, who begged them to find a name. I nominate the one their parents gave them: O'Connor, Patitucci, & Loge has a ring to it, in my opinion.



They're at the Blue Note tonight and tomorrow as well. My advice? Do not miss them since these are the only dates currently planned with this incredible trio.

To Spain w/ Josh Rouse!

On these cold, dark December days, Josh Rouse's new album 'El Turista' (March 9 / Yep Roc Records) transports me to a warm afternoon on the Mediterranean shore. The music is incredible, immersed in Spanish, Brazilian, and Cuban influences but encompassing Josh's signature sense of melody.

Download the mp3 "I Will Live On Islands" for yourself here.



Check out these embeddable Takeaway Show clips from La Blogotheque:

Josh Rouse - Oh, look what the sun did / Duerde Mobila - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Josh Rouse - Cotton Eyed Joe / Valencia - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Josh Rouse - I Will live on Islands... - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Josh Rouse - Quiet Town / Mesie Julian - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Getting To Know: Butch Walker!

Butch Walker played three sold-out nights at Joe's Pub last weekend, and lucky for us, he's been in town all week. He came to our holiday party on Monday, and yesterday I was treated to a private show of some songs from his brilliant new album 'I Liked You Better When You Had No Heart' at the offices of Crush management. In the meantime, I've gotten to geek out w/ Butch on a variety of subjects ranging from music to music photography to George Jones to more music to kids to the Rolling Stones to even more music!

I'm looking forward to more quality hang time w/ Butch in the new year. Watch this space for more revelations.

TuneCore Loves Rock & Roll, Joan Jett, Shore Fire

We were immensely proud to get our copy of the TuneCore Sales Certification Award for Joan Jett selling over 100,000 songs via TuneCore. Click here to find out more about the awards. Here's our own Chris Taillie and Nancie Martin, who worked on the campaign for Joan, with the newly minted award. If you come to visit, look on your left as you come through the front door and you'll find it hanging prominently. Thank you, TuneCore!

For Him and the Girls (and the guys, too)

A few of has had the pleasure of seeing our client Hawksley Workman play last night as part of a brief tour around the US celebrating the imminent release here of 'For Him and the Girls.' That album was the Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter's debut 10 years ago, and it's well worth hearing, as are the rest of his dramatic, passionate songs, like "Maniacs," and his intense performances.

The capacity crowd of Hawksley adorers at City Winery knew every word, and made numerous requests, which he was happy to indulge. And we were happy to spend a little time with him backstage, as captured in the photo below. (We'll attribute the slight blurring to one too many glasses from the wine list.)

From left, that's me, Hawksley, his sole bandmate Todd Lumley, Andy Silva, Diana D'Angelo and Nora Lyons.

Tom Russell @ Joe's Pub, Oct 3

Fresh from his appearance on the now infamous Oct 2nd episode of The Late Show w/ David Letterman, Tom Russell delivered a bada$$ badlands performance of music from a catalog that spans over three decades and an incredible twenty records. The phenomenal sound at Joe's Pub allowed Tom's crisp vocals and Thad Beckman's mean finger-picking to resonate around his Russell's characteristically dark narratives. Check out the Letterman performance here.


The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly an impromptu duet with Rosalie Sorrels, who was in the audience, performing Townes Van Zandt's "Snowing On Raton." Here's a photo of Tom with Rosalie backstage:

Stop The Show

Built To Spill, Shore Fire client and one of my favorite bands, is in town for 4 nights of shows in NYC, playing music from their 7-record catalog including tracks from 'There Is No Enemy,' their newest album, out last week.

Andy and I caught their first NYC show at Webster Hall last night and it was excellent. We walked in while the band played "The Plan," - I can't think of a better way to start a show (and an album). Highlight of the one and a half hour set was an encore of the gloriously slow-burning, guitar-charged (albeit shortened version of) "Stop The Show," from 'Perfect From Now On.' The band sent us home with an 11-minute version of "Conventional Wisdom," full of gratuitous guitar soloing (I mean that in the best way possible).

Not the best pic I've ever taken, but it will have to do:

Bring on your wrecking ball

Take a good look, America. Giants Stadium will soon be demolished and really, no one but Bruce Springsteen could give it a proper farewell.

Check out what Jon Pareles had to say about Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's final performance of their 5 night run at Giants Stadium in his stellar New York Times review.

Here's our very own Elizabeth Lutz enjoying the show with her awesome mom.

It's never easy to say goodbye to an old friend (or a 1970s sports arena/stadium). As I contemplated "Wrecking Ball" lyrics, I started thinking about all my fond memories of Giants Stadium, where I saw my first Bruce Springsteen concert. It was a bittersweet moment. Perhaps, had I brought my binocs, I would have done a better job of looking at the bright side of things. (That's my buddy Nils sporting the Casio, not the binocs.)

Luckily, Bruce Springsteen will be back in November. And although Giants Stadium will no longer be open, this tramp will still have wonderful memories.

Everybody In The House, Sing Along

Quick update to Chris's post about the Hennessy Artistry Series: a video clip of Common, The Roots and Q-Tip blending Bonita.



I personally also loved hearing Caron Wheeler of Soul II Soul with The Roots. "Back To Life" has always been a song I associate with good times, and Wednesday night at Terminal 5 sure was one.

Like celebrity photos? See some here.

Myron Walden gets funky

Myron Walden blew the roof off of Fat Cat last Friday night (which is hard to do since Fat Cat's a basement club!) with his band Countryfied. They mixed funk, soul, blues, gospel, jazz, and rock and roll into an intoxicating, high energy show and Myron was working hard onstage. Jared Gold was incredible on organ and Kenneth Salters amazed on the drums. If you're into Booker T & The MGs or Jimmy Smith, you'll be into Myron Walden's Countryfied. As he reminded us, both musically and in his comments between the songs, he grew up in the south, and you can feel it listening to his playing.

Here I am with Myron and Shore Fire's own Miyako Hannan:



Here's Myron wailing:

Bonita Applebum

It was a pleasure attending Hennessy's Artistry Series last night in NYC at Terminal 5. The show, featuring The Roots, Common and many guests, was excellent. A highlight, and something I can now cross off of my "Must See" musical check list: Q-Tip performing "Bonita Applebum," with the Roots and Common, no less! Q-Tip's 'The Renaissance' and his "experimental" album 'Kamaal The Abstract' (a release delayed by over 9 years, finally released last month) have been some of my fave albums of the year. Seeing him live last night, performing ATCQ's first single, was the icing on the cake.

Diana's Texas tour

This weekend was filled with good food, good music and good weather. Friday I was in Austin to catch Todd Snider at Austin City Limits Festival and Bob Schneider at Antone's.
I also caught Them Crooked Vultures and Reckless Kelly!!

Crowd watching Todd.

Bob with the packed house at Antone's.
Don't miss Bob solo in NYC 10/7 @ The Living Room and 10/8 at City Winery.

On Saturday I headed to Houston for Hennessy Artistry 2009 Series featuring Elizabeth The Band, Makano, Common, and The Roots plus Icon Big Daddy Kane and closing out the night on a sexy note surprise guest Al B Sure. Here's Nancie S. Martin, Michael Lavigne and I on the black carpet.

This (part of The Roots band) is not a tuba!

Wine + Music= Good Evening

Nick Baily and I had an amazing time at Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founding member John McEuen's solo show at City Winery this week. He is just as funny as he is a talented musician and we left there even more excited for NGDB's show at BB Kings on Oct 6th.


This was my first time at City Winery and I fell in love with this new space with its wine and cheese pairings, flat breads, and wonderful acoustics. If you haven't checked it out yet be sure to do so on Oct 8th for Bob Schneider's show!

High Wide & Handsome at the Highline Ballroom: Loudon Wainwright III and co. put on a night to remember

Tuesday night was an incredible on, with the one-time-only 'High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project' concert in NYC, featuring a who's who of NYC's acoustic best and of Loudon Wainwright III's talented family. The cast (it felt like a narrative musical at times) included family members Rufus and Martha Wainwright, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Maggie Roche, Terre Roche, Dave Roche and Suzzy Roche, plus multi-instrumentalists Chaim Tannenbaum and Sufjan Stevens-collaborator Rob Moose, along with Greg Cohen (bass), Erik Friedlander (cello), Paul Asaro (piano) and producer Dick Connette (harmonium). A country pioneer and bootlegger, Poole would've been pleased about the night, though he likely would have stuck to the bar.

The Roches harmonies were gorgeous, Martha and Rufus each sang lead on a song, and Lucy proved to have an incredibly gorgeous voice. The atmosphere felt like a cross between a multimedia history lesson replete with slides, a family reunion, a musical theater narrative, storytelling session, and a hootenany. Here's Rufus leading the band at one point:



Spotted in the crowd were liner note writer Greil Marcus, New Lost City Rambler John Cohen, Holy Modal Rambler Peter Stampfel, and singer Jenni Muldaur.

Loudon and Lucy were kind enough to pose with me:



Oh and Loudon closed with a rollicking version of his own "Dead Skunk (In The Middle of The Road)." Utterly appropriate considering Charlie's fondness for humor and novelty songs.

O'Connor & Strings

Mark O'Connor, virtuoso musician, tireless educator and scholar, skilled composer and more, stopped by the office last week. We got to discuss and learn about O'Connor's chock-a-block schedule for the next six months. Here, he poses in front of a recent Strings Magazine cover story focused on his new, insurgent violin method (recently written about in the New Yorker) with some of the PR team, l-r: Andy Silva, Matt Amoroso, Nick Baily and Nancie Martin.