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Zac Brown Launches Southern Ground Music and Food Festival

Post author By admin
Post date October 16, 2011

Country singer Zac Brown thinks something major is missing from the concert experience.

“The normal fare at a concert is a pretzel, a hot dog or a dry pack of corn chips with some Cheese Whiz. Why not be eating something amazing while you’re watching something amazing?” the frontman of the Zac Brown Band says. “In the South you’re always gathering around the food. I really think we can extend that experience all over.”

That’s the former chef and restaurant owner’s goal for the three-day Southern Ground Music & Food Festival, which runs October 21st through 23rd at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina. Two hundred fans will sit onstage and eat a gourmet meal while the band performs a few feet away.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to enhance the concert experience and really give ’em the full sensory overload,” Brown says. “Our goal is to redefine and put all the elements of the South into this festival: the hospitality, the food, the music.”

For my complete article, visit Rolling Stone.

Tags Southern Ground Music and Food Festival, Zac Brown Band

News

Martina McBride Performs Atop the Empire State Building Tonight

Post author By admin
Post date October 14, 2011

The Empire State Building will mix an old tradition with a new happening Friday as the iconic New York City landmark will host a private concert for the first time in history. The building will be lit bright pink in an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer as Grammy-winning singer Martina McBride performs.

The singer wraps up her album release week for Eleven, her 11th studio album, with a pink carpet event at the legendary landmark. Her latest single, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” is a powerful tale about a woman undergoing breast cancer.

“The first time I heard ‘I’m Gonna Love You Through It’ I got chills from my head to my toes. I’ve heard from so many people that this song has touched their lives,” the country artist said.

For my complete writeup, visit CBS. I’ll be covering the show tonight, so be sure to follow me on Twitter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxIt70j_SPk

News

Stream The Black Keys Live NYC Performance Tonight

Post author By admin
Post date October 12, 2011

Earlier today, The Black Keys released details on their seventh album, El Camino. Due to drop on December 6, the band also added more dates to their European and UK tour.

If Europe is too far to travel, you’re in luck as tonight they’ll be streaming their show in New York on T-Mobile’s Facebook page. At 11 p.m./EST head on over to Facebook and watch the show. I’ll be there so for complete updates, follow me on Twitter.

Watch the video below for “Tighten Up,” the song that won them “Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal” at the 2011 Grammy Awards.

Artist of the Week Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Great Caesar

Post author By admin
Post date October 11, 2011

Photo Credit: Chris McLaughlin

Last night, Great Caesar captivated a packed crowd at Arlene’s Grocery with their energetic and eclectic set. The six-piece Brooklyn based band has an October residency at the venue where they perform each Monday night. Having shared the stage with Deerhoof, The Decemberists, Third Eye Blind and Does it Offend You, Yeah?, Great Caesar continue to showcase their staying power.

Throughout their performance, Great Caesar powered through a slew of songs with powerful choruses, distinct horn parts, ear-grabbing guitar riffs and a heart-pounding drum beat. As a result, they had many in the audience dancing along.

The band kicked off the night with a striking saxophone and trumpet introduction on “6:37E, The Tale of Buck Byron.” With a bass heavy interlude mid-track and a distinct carnival-esque vibe with piano features, the charismatic act impressed.

Nearly every track had an impeccable musical interlude or unique solo where the band member made the track his own, the Spanish infused “Tango” being no exception. Whether it’s frontman John-Michael Parker’s powerful vocals or the lively horn section, it’s nearly impossible to not tap one’s foot along.

The jazz infused “Mouth Erratic” demonstrated a more mature sound for the band. With a powerful piano introduction, loud horn features throughout, and introspective lyrics, the band struck a chord. “Honestly you must be the change you want to see,” Parker sang passionately.

Their 40-minute set embodied a smorgasbord of genres, no doubt offering something for every music lover to enjoy. For more on the band, visit their Website.

Tags Arlene's Grocery, Deerhoof, Does it Offend You, Great Caesar, The Decemberists, Third Eye Blind, Yeah?

News

Bedford Stuyvesant Hosts 5th Annual Restoration Rocks Concert Saturday

Post author By admin
Post date October 8, 2011

Thousands are expected to attend this weekend’s Restoration Rocks Concert in Brooklyn, an event which will boast performances by the Brooklyn Philharmonic featuring Mos Def, Idle Warship, Pharoahe Monch and additional local talent.

The annual event will take place on Fulton Street between Marcy and Brooklyn Avenues in Bedford Stuyvesant.

The concert is the kick-off celebration of Bed-Stuy Alive’s week-long festival which promotes the culture, commerce and community of Bed-Stuy, explained Tracey Capers, Executive Vice President of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation.

“We realized there is so much indigenous, amazing talent in the community and we wanted to promote local artists from the neighborhood,” Capers continued. “Every year, the concert has grown and evolved and what we always try to do is have a combination of main stage artists as well as emerging talent in the community to perform. The goal is that all the artists have a tie to Bed-Stuy or Brooklyn.”

Read the rest of this article on CBS.

Features

7 Spots From John Lennon’s New York

Post author By admin
Post date October 7, 2011

In 1971, John Lennon moved to New York to escape life in the limelight and the constant watchful eye of the press. He first retreated with Yoko Ono to St. Regis Hotel before they transitioned to Greenwich Village and eventually, the Dakota, where he was murdered. The last 10 years of the former Beatle’s life saw a surge in his solo work, which included collaborations with Elton John, as well as his family centered lifestyle. Below are some of the spots Lennon frequented while he lived in New York.

The Dakota

John Lennon’s final residence, it was here, in his seventh floor apartment, that Annie Leibovitz shot her iconic 1981 Rolling Stone cover photo (see above). “I promised John that this would be the cover. It was taken a few hours before he died,” Leibovitz wrote in Rolling Stone. “I shot some test Polaroids first, and when I showed them to John and Yoko, John said, ‘You’ve captured our relationship exactly.'”

One of the few times they allowed a photographer into their home; it would be the last as Lennon was shot later that night, December 8, 1980, in front of the Dakota.

For my complete write-up, visit CBS.

Tags Annie Leibovitz, john lennon, Rolling Stone, the dakota, yoko ono

News

The Gaslight Anthem Sign to Mercury Records

Post author By admin
Post date October 6, 2011

Earlier today, The Gaslight Anthem frontman Brian Fallon announced on Twitter that the band signed to Mercury Records and will be releasing a new album in 2012. The band confirmed the news on their Web site:

“We’re pleased to announce that we have just signed with Mercury Records (that’s Mercury/Island-Def Jam Records for North America and Mercury Records UK for the rest of the world). We have had a great run with the folks at Side One Dummy Records, they have been really terrific to work with, and they will always be our dear friends. We in the band felt that this was the best time to make a move to support our goals as a band, and we’ve met some really earnest and dedicated folks at Mercury US and UK. We’re hard at work writing songs now for what we feel is going to be the best record we’ve ever made! Thanks to everyone for your support and we look forward to seeing you in 2012!

Thanks!

The Gaslight Anthem”

Rolling Stone premiered The Gaslight Anthem’s cover of Pearl Jam’s “State of Love and Trust” this week. Listen to it here.

“We chose ‘State’ because it’s the song we felt that could’ve been a Gaslight song had we had the gift of that song come to us. It’s a great song about staying faithful,” Fallon explained to Rolling Stone.

Stay tuned for the band’s iTunes session, due out December 13th.

News

Renovated East Village Music Venue, Joe's Pub Reopens

Post author By admin
Post date October 4, 2011

After three months of renovations, a cozy East Village venue known for intimate musical performances will reopen Tuesday for a week of diverse shows.

A New York staple since 1998, the venue serves more than 100,000 audience members annually.

The recent reconstruction allows a more enjoyable experience with added seating and better sight lines to accommodate each patron, explained Shanta Thake and Kevin Abbott, Director and Managing Director of Joe’s Pub.

“We really listened [to the customers] and made sure that the sight lines were perfect for every single seat in the house. We moved the majority of the service outside of the room now so you don’t hear the noise from the drink making. It was difficult to see menus, so we addressed that,” Abbott said.

For my complete article, visit CBS.com.

Artist of the Week Band of the Week

Artist of the Week: Sonia Leigh

Post author By admin
Post date October 3, 2011

Last Monday, shortly after 8 p.m., Sonia Leigh took the stage to screams at The Studio at Webster Hall. Distinct vocals combined with a steady percussion beat on first song, “Ain’t Dead Yet,” kicked off her energetic hour-long set.

Also the lead track to her debut release, 1978 December, on Zac Brown’s label Southern Ground, “Ain’t Dead Yet” has a deep meaning. Inspired by the influence of blues artist Sean Costello and his unexpected death, Leigh frequently visits his grave.

“When he died I pretty much made a vow that I was gonna keep this going for both of us,” she said. “That’s basically that. I’m not dead yet, so let’s go out there and do it.”

And music is what Leigh has been doing ever since. At 17, she left home to pursue her dream. With $50, a garbage bag of clothes and her guitar she embarked on a journey that was far from easy. Lucky for music lovers, this adventure made it into her songs.

Throughout her set, Leigh combined classic country twang on tracks like “A Poem From the Ocean Floor,” among the bluesy “I Just Might.” Always full of surprises, the sexy rock beats heard on “I Won’t Tell,” had many concertgoers dancing along in front of the stage. Numerous times during her performance, Leigh transformed a track with a simple guitar riff or her dynamic vocals.

“I didn’t know so many people knew about me in New York. Were you guys paid to come here?” she joked.

Her lively stage presence blended well as she eased down the set. The slower “Virginia” followed with Leigh on acoustic guitar and light percussion before emotive ballad “Alabama” began. While her ballads and songwriting impress, it was high energy tracks like current single, “My Name is Money” that best showcase her talent.

Watch the video for “My Name Is Money” below and read just why Zac Brown calls Leigh “the real deal” and decided to work with her here.

Tags Sonia Leigh, Southern Ground, Zac Brown

Features

Mat Kearney Tells Tales Behind Songs, Performs on NYC Rooftop

Post author By admin
Post date September 30, 2011

Earlier today, Baeblemusic aired their interview and performance with Mat Kearney. Filmed in August on the day of his record release for, Young Love, Kearney explains his songwriting process for the album along with many of the stories behind the tracks on the LP.

“This record I went back to me and some buddies in a room and we would build beats and create these groves and then I would write songs to them,” Kearney said. “It wasn’t your typical singer/songwriter record. It was very visceral from the start. It had to hit you in the chest before we would even start with something.”

An incredibly personal release, Kearney said his focus on this album was telling real life stories.

“It had to be within an arms reach or I wasn’t going to write about it. It forced me to write about things that were very personal. I had to bleed every line to say it because it came from someone I knew or it came from my own life . . . it was very challenging to be that honest in songs.”

Before he performed each track, he told the tale behind each song. First single, “Hey Mama” is about meeting his wife at a clothing store while “Rochester” is about his father.

“Real life is so much more interesting than what you can fabricate,” he concluded.

Watch the complete interview below as well as Kearney perform a few tracks live.

Watch the full video at Baeblemusic.com

Tags Baeblemusic, Mat Kearney