Unfortunately this event has to be cancelled today. Hoping to reschedule to Saturday, November 17th. I’ll let you know all the details as soon as I have them! Meanwhile, to all my New Jersey and New York friends and family without power stay safe!
Author: Annie Reuter
This month You Sing I Write turns 5-years-old! I’ve come a long way from writing about bands in my dorm room at Rutgers and couldn’t be happier. To celebrate, this year I have an amazing line-up with some of my favorite New York bands that I’ve covered in the past for YSIW including Mary Bragg and The Ramblers.
The venue itself is W.i.P., the place where Chris Brown and Drake had their infamous fight a few months back. While we won’t be throwing bottles, I can promise you a fun time with solid music. And who knows, maybe a celebrity spotting or two?
Come join me Saturday in New York at 7 p.m. All the details are below and feel free to RSVP on Facebook. Hope to see you there!
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CMJ: 5 Bands to Watch
Earlier this month, hundreds of bands visited New York for CMJ. Here’s a look at 5 to keep on your radar.
1. Savoir Adore
Last year I interviewed this act as a preview to CMJ. Unfortunately I never caught a show so I made it a point to witness them live this time around. Performing for WFUV’s showcase at the Living Room, Savoir Adore revealed their impressive harmonies alongside foot stomping rhythms and catchy lyrics.
Playing many tracks off their new record Our Nature, the band hushed the packed room as their soaring vocals echoed throughout the venue. Songs like “Sea of Gold” and title track “Our Nature” make the Brooklyn based band an act to watch.
2. Wax Poetic
That same night Wax Poetic took the stage at the Living Room. With sultry vocals from lead singer Sissy Clemens I couldn’t help but think of Amy Winehouse. Alongside gritty guitar and jazzy percussion features the band stood out. Not to mention their memorable lyrics. The introspective “Beautiful” struck a chord with lines like, “The darkest corners of my life can’t always shine a light.” Meanwhile, the sultry “No Escape” captivated before “On A Ride” (also the title track to their latest album) closed the set.
Perhaps my favorite part of CMJ was seeing TV darling Suzanna Choffel perform in the flesh. Having written about her as a contestant on The Voice singing cover songs it was refreshing to hear her original music. Her set at ZirZamin was a southern fused jam which showcased her bluesy and at times raspy vocals. While some tracks featured her rock style others had a slight island feel.
“This is what I hope I don’t do while walking in the streets of New York,” Suzanna said while introducing her song “Stumble.” “I have bad ankles and don’t do heels. Cowboy boots are good, sneakers are better.”
With a solid instrumental breakdown and her come-hither vocals the track impressed. Meanwhile, the poignant “Hello Goodbye” struck a chord. Written in memory of her favorite club Momo’s in Austin, Texas, the stripped down track showcased her vocals.
She couldn’t end the night without talking of her time spent on The Voice. “I’m on a little show maybe a couple people like it, it’s called The Voice,” she said. “Unfortunately I don’t do original music [on The Voice]. I think there should be a show called The Song,” she added before closing the set telling concertgoers to “Stay tuned to NBC for yours truly.”
4. Bess Rogers
I’ve caught Bess Rogers several times live over the past few years and her angelic vocals never cease to amaze me. Her intimate set at Rockwood Music Hall had the packed room mesmerized. If you weren’t there, you may recognize her voice from the Cherrios commercial as she recently wrote a new jingle for them as well as new single “The Perfect Day.”
Her set included a combination of older fan favorites and newer tracks from her album Out of the Ocean. Fun numbers like catchy “Math & Science” had the crowd tapping their feet along while the beautiful “In the Waves,” a track about a mermaid calling her love back to the water, showcased Bess alone on vocals and guitar before added piano parts.
5. Kimbra
I interviewed Kimbra the day of her first of two sold-out performances at New York’s Webster Hall. Having skyrocketed to popularity in the U.S. after her feature on Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know,” the 22-year-old finds herself on her first U.S. headlining tour.
Her set that Friday was nothing short of jaw-dropping. Dressed in a multi-colored tutu, Kimbra pranced around stage with a sense of ownership. Her lively performance captivated and whether it was her more upbeat numbers or slowed ballads that hushed the room like “Two Way Street,” her soulful vocals were memorable. Catch her live while you still can!
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You Sing I Write Celebrates 5 Years!
It’s hard to believe it’s been 5 years since I wrote my first blog post for You Sing I Write. Started simply as a creative outlet to keep up my writing after graduation, it’s helped lead to numerous freelance gigs at dream publications like Rolling Stone and Billboard as well as land a full-time gig at CBS writing about music every day. I couldn’t be happier, but it was no doubt a long and arduous journey.
This past week CMJ was back in town and hundreds of music fans and bands descended on the city to catch live music and attend music industry related panels giving advice of how to make it in the business. I attended one on music journalism and knew each of the panelists having worked with or met all at one point over the past 5 years. Each had insightful things to say about working in the industry but I couldn’t help but feel a little depressed afterward. The fact of the matter is the business has changed dramatically over the years.
When I first started it was the dream to live vicariously through Almost Famous and go on tour with bands. Unfortunately that rarely happens anymore Caryn Ganz, Editor In Chief of SPIN said. Another panelist, Jessica Robertson of MTV Hive, said she spends 90% of her time in business meetings and the other 10% in creative meetings.
If I was a college student hearing this I would have been discouraged, but at the same time my “prove ’em wrong” mentality would have kicked in. So, my advice: if you’re passionate about something you’ll find a way to succeed. It won’t be easy but I’m living proof that it’s possible.
Growing up a pop music junky I never would have dreamed I’d be interviewing boy bands and some of the biggest pop stars heard on the radio. Through my blog and freelance gigs I also discovered my love of country music and after suggestions from friends even started a country blog. Along the way I’ve met and interviewed some of my favorites including John Mayer (!!!), Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Darius Rucker and Switchfoot. Not to mention toured with a band and witnessed some amazing live shows.
I’m not quite sure what the next 5 years will bring but if it’s anything like the past 5 have been they will be nothing short of interesting. Thanks for supporting me over the past 5 years. Here’s to 5 more!
Come celebrate 5 years of You Sing I Write at W.i.P. in New York on November 3rd. The night will include performances from some of my favorite acts I’ve covered over the years including Mary Bragg and The Ramblers. Stay tuned for more details!
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On Friday Seattle-based band Ivan & Alyosha performed to a packed crowd at Mercury Lounge. Their energetic set featured the folk-rock band at their finest and included tracks off their previous two EPs as well as a preview of what’s to come from their debut full-length All The Times We Had due for release in February.
Each track featured sweeping harmonies from the band while showcasing frontman Tim Wilson’s captivating vocals. Alternating from a deeper register to a high falsetto, songs like “Easy To Love” impressed with wavering guitar features and Wilson’s John Lennon-esque vocals. Complete with foot-stomping rhythms, the track embodied a distinct country vibe.
“This one’s called ‘Don’t Wanna Die Anymore.’ It’s a very happy song,” Wilson joked. With steady percussion, hand claps and maracas throughout the folk based song grabbed the audience’s attention wholeheartedly.
While their plugged in set satisfied it was last track of the night “Glorify” that best showcased the band’s talent. Completely acoustic, Ivan & Alyosha wowed with spot-on harmonies, delicate strums of the guitar and eyebrow raising lyrics.
Catch Ivan & Alyosha currently on tour and be sure to pick up a copy of their album All The Times We Had February 26.
For 14-year-old Matthew Davidson, music has quickly become a lifelong passion. After he received his first toy guitar at the age of three there was no turning back. Selected to perform at the “Texas 10 under 20 Showcase” as well as playing a list of notable festivals and venues like The New Orleans Jazz Fest and B.B. King’s Blues Club in Memphis, Davidson shows no sign of slowing down.
His debut album Step Up features a blend of rock and blues on each of its four tracks. A mix of cover songs and originals, Davidson manages to make each track his own, often putting his own spin on the guitar parts.
Step Up begins with a solid cover of Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle.” The song embodies familiar licks of the guitar before Davidson’s softer vocals are heard. While it’s hard to replicate an easily recognizable song and put one’s own spin on it, Davidson manages to do just this and gives the more gritty song a softer feel. The urgency displayed in the original is heard on Davidson’s rendition however the female background singers on the chorus distracts and takes away from the energy and anthemic quality of the song.
Next track, “Gonna Be My Girl” showcases deeper vocals from Davidson with memorable electric guitar features. Despite an impressive guitar breakdown and his confident singing style, once again the backing vocalists are heard. Though the focus for the most part lies on Davidson, the additional singers continue to divert the listener’s attention.
Bluesier than the previous tracks, “Lie To Me” kicks things off with a memorable guitar introduction before Davidson’s assertive vocals are heard. Hard to believe the song is being performed by a 14-year-old, his talent is evident throughout. It’s on this track that the listener begins to hear his guitar abilities as he demonstrates his handiwork with his fast-paced and soaring rhythms. With backing vocalists that sound more like a gospel choir “Lie To Me” shows just what the previous tracks were missing.
The title of the album and a Davidson original, “Step Up” begins with gritty guitar and distinct percussion. His guitar skills continue to shine throughout the instrumental only track. An adequate glimpse into his future, the song allows him to truly stand out. Though the album would have left a greater mark if Davidson intertwined these impressive solo guitar features into each song allowing each track to be his own, Davidson’s talent is no secret. A remarkable introduction to the 14-year-old, Matthew Davidson proves he’s a force to be reckoned with on his debut release Step Up.
Last year I covered a Blackberry Smoke show and was blown away, eventually featuring them as my Band of the Week.
“The band exudes classic Southern rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd. It comes as no surprise then, that Blackberry Smoke have shared the stage with ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Shooter Jennings, Cross Canadian Ragweed, among others,” I wrote.
When performing onstage with them Billy Gibbons even confessed, “I love Blackberry Smoke!”
Next Friday Blackberry Smoke will be performing at Irving Plaza in New York and I have a pair of tickets to give away!
For your chance to see Blackberry Smoke live in New York e-mail me your name and the reason I should select you. I’ll pick a winner next week. Good luck!
I’ve been so into the pop and country world lately I haven’t been discovering as many indie bands as I’d like to. Always open to new music recommendations a co-worker sent me a list of bands I should check out asking, “Do you know Lucero? If you don’t you should!”
I must have enjoyed them because I wound up listening to a few of their albums throughout the entire day. With raspy vocals from frontman Ben Nichols that brings to mind Bruce Springsteen and Gaslight Anthem’s Brian Fallon I was pretty much sold. SXSW’s description of the band only makes sense to why I like them. “Lucero’s punk rock roots flavor their now “country-ish” music, while their Southern roots give them the twang that they have come to be known by,” they write.
This week I went to a cafe in Brooklyn to get some writing done and was taken by one of the band’s they were playing over the speakers. “I know this band!” I thought to myself but couldn’t place who it was. So, I wrote down the lyrics (naturally) to check when I got home. And guess who it was? Lucero. The female vocals provided by Amy Lavere on “I Want Your Love” threw me off a bit but the bluesy horn features and percussion reminded me just why I like Lucero so much.
I can’t stop listening to this band (when I’m not listening to Justin Bieber for work or country while freelancing). I think you’ll dig them too.
It’s often unexplainable. You never know when a song is going to hit you or a band is going to leave a lasting impression.
Back in 2010 I headed to Bowery Ballroom with friends to see Parachute. One of the first bands I interviewed for You Sing I Write back when they were known as Sparky’s Flaw, they’re a band I try to see whenever they’re in town. I still remember when I was interviewing frontman Will Anderson during my first job out of college. I was on my lunch break and he was headed to class and he told me about the crushes he wrote songs about and whether or not they found out.
Their concert that night was how I was first introduced to Nashville act SafetySuit. Their set was full of energy and I had a hard time wondering why they weren’t the headliners.
Currently on their own headlining tour it seems they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve. Though it’s been a few years I still have several of their songs on my iPod that they played that night and can’t seem to take them off. Songs like “Someone Like You,” “Stay” and the poignant “Annie” hit you in the heart and their followup album, These Times does just the same.
First track, “Believe” draws listeners in with soaring guitar parts and Douglas Brown’s ethereal vocals. “You gotta believe in what you got…If you gotta cry then let it out, if you gotta scream let it out.” Memorable guitar licks alongside Brown’s powerful vocals are just an introduction of what’s to come on the album. In fact, SafetySuit’s introspective and questioning lyrics at times brings to mind that of Switchfoot.
String features introduce “Get Around This.” Asking for forgiveness, it’s hard not to take Brown’s side. Meanwhile, title track “These Times” was written out of a social need. Discussing hard times everyone faces the band manages to uplift without sounding cheesy.
The band worked with several outside producers and writers for These Times including OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder and the guys from Espionage who helped write Train’s mega hit “Hey, Soul Sister,” giving the Nashville-based act a more pop friendly release.
On the heels of their new EP Hallelujah and in the middle of their U.S. headlining tour, SafetySuit show no signs of slowing down. Be sure to catch them in New York at Gramercy Theater Wednesday, September 12. To keep up-to-date, visit the band on Twitter.
Remy St. Claire has been making music for as long as he can remember. He’s been writing lyrics since he was six-years-old, making and mimicking sounds from his everyday life. His first release, the excellent seven-track Black & White, is an introduction to his passion for music and he likens it to being born. “Coming out into the world, they always say when you’re born you go from the darkness to the light,” he said. “It felt like that for me, so that’s why I wanted to call it Black and White.”
Throughout the EP St. Claire mixes memorable soundscapes alongside vivid imagery within his lyrics. Whether he’s talking about politics, relationships or putting things into a historical context, his music impresses.
Black & White begins with wavering electric guitar on “Here and Gone.” Alongside guitar distortion and heavy percussion his inner questioning is revealed. “I am here and gone/Am I weak or strong?” he asks. Later, singing of philosophy and having nowhere to roam, the music picks up with more of a jazzy component complete with organ and St. Claire’s echoed vocals.
Next song, “Tom Foolery” adds dark strings to mimic the wind which is heard at the track’s start. Soon after the strings disappear delicate strokes of the piano enter. Meanwhile, St. Claire’s soft vocals are noticed for the first time. Showcasing his more sensitive side, “Tom Foolery” also features his powerful vocals as he perfects the crescendos. The guitar still remains at the forefront with bass heavy features. As a result, the guitar intensifies his vocals further drawing the listener in before the song ends with what sounds like the shot of a rifle.
“Up the Sound” accomplishes exactly what the title implies. Belting the lyrics alongside memorable electric guitar, the percussion tells a memorable tale. St. Claire’s higher vocal range channels a Freddie Mercury-like singing style with impeccable guitar riffs, having the standout track leave its mark.
Next track, “Too Many Left Behind” further showcases his talents with ear-grabbing guitar features and whispered vocals. Easy to envision as a part of a dramatic stage show, St. Claire’s diversity from track to track is impressive. Whether he’s whispering or yelling the lyrics, each song varies with theatrical highs and heart shattering lows.
“Nero” once again switches gears, this time with strums of the acoustic guitar and Claire’s wavering, rustic vocals. Singing with great emotion, the poignant ballad slows things down. “Time’s not where I want to go,” he sings effortlessly before the music picks back up and St. Claire’s hesitations are heard. A short track clocking in at nearly three minutes long, he manages to get his point across.
While “Nero” is the shortest track on the EP, it only makes sense that it be followed by the longest song on the release. The ethereal 10-minute long “Death On the Bayou” is melancholy and suspenseful. Throughout the song minute long instrumentals include foot-stomping rhythms alongside gritty riffs and impressive slide guitar.
“Freedom Doesn’t Come” closes the album with brighter vocals. Though he’s singing of desperation, his warm vocals and upbeat music paints an entirely different picture. “Lonesome is all that I am,” he sings passionately. With a release this strong, Remy St. Claire won’t be lonesome for too long.