Category: Artist of the Week

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Artist of the Week

April Smith and the Great Picture Show Bring Surprises to Mercury Lounge

With frontwoman April Smith‘s soulful vocals and quirky banter with the audience, April Smith and the Great Picture Show entertained all at Mercury Lounge for an early show last Wednesday. Playing songs off their most recent EP, Live From the Penthouse, the band’s versatility is spell bounding.

Whether Smith is singing jazzier track “Terrible Things,” a song she dedicated to hit television show, “Dexter,” or having a guest band member play the suitcase onstage as if it was a drum (no joke), April Smith and the Great Picture Show kept the audience enthralled for the entirety of their set.

The cabaret inspired show brought to mind many genres; rock, pop, jazz and even classic tunes from the late 50s and 60s. Infused with guitar, bass, keyboards, percussion and melodica, among other surprise instruments, the band kept a lively and easygoing vibe throughout the night.

The energy was fierce during tracks like “Colors” with fun melodica features (think kazoo with a keyboard attached) and tambourine accompaniment, not to mention that suitcase I mentioned earlier. Who knew a band could have the percussion section consist of a suitcase? Definitely a first seeing a suitcase being played onstage.

Stand out track was emotional ballad, “Beloved.” Before beginning, Smith told the crowd she wrote “Beloved” about her grandparents. “I hope one day two people in the movie Twilight will be kissing to it,” she joked. “Maybe Bella or Edward will make out to this song.” With lyrics like “You are the thrill that stilled my beating heart, baby/You are the one I dream the most/But if I cannot have the real thing/I’ll gladly settle for your ghost,” it’s hard not to picture hearing it on the big screen.

Ending their set with fun track “Wow and Flutter,” Wednesday night was only a glimpse into the bright future for April Smith and the Great Picture Show. Garnering a slot opening for for The Bangles as well as this year’s Lollapalooza is well deserved and I won’t be surprised if you’ll be hearing April Smith and the Great Picture Show everywhere soon.

For more on April Smith and the Great Picture Show, be sure to visit them on MySpace.

Recommended: For fans of Duffy and Tom Waits with the energy and emotion of PJ Harvey and Etta James.

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Natalie Gelman

While she’s been getting quite a buzz lately, both from her album release and frequent underground performances in NYC’s subways, Natalie Gelman is one musician to keep on your radar. Having been compared to Sheryl Crow, Tori Amos and Jewel with her emotion-filled rock, Gelman remains to set herself apart.

Not your typical everyday singer-songwriter, Gelman vowed to complete an entire 1500 mile tour from Miami, Florida to New York City on rollerblades while performing in venues along the way — all while selling her self-titled debut album and donating the proceeds to Children International. An impressive feat, Gelman survived many obstacles throughout this journey including being hit by cars twice on the tour.

From the saddened heartbreak displayed throughout “Leave” to the struggle of dealing with failure in “Run Away” the listener hears the deep and honest emotion throughout Gelman’s music, begging for more. The string feature encompassing “Forgive Me” is remarkably fitting and leaves a lasting impression to the fade out of the song. Each track is as if reading a diary entry, so listen and decipher for yourself.

Learn more about Natalie below in her YouTube video. You can watch as she discusses the start of her NYC subway performances and see her live in action!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i7eIiye4PQ]

For more on Natalie, be sure to visit MySpace and her Web site

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Will Dailey

Reminiscent to Gavin DeGraw with that slightly raspy yet longing voice, Will Dailey is perhaps most known for single, “Rise” having performed it on hit television show, “CSI: New York.” In fact, you may have heard of Dailey’s music before without realizing it as many of his songs have been featured on various television dramas.

There is something so classic about Dailey’s voice. Rooted in rock with hints of that acoustic singer-songwriter vibe, his music has a timeless quality to it. While “Peace of Mind” talks about troubled times, rock centric track “Never Be Your Baby” confronts a failing relationship. Stand out number, “Love On the Way” has that old 60s feel with a hint of jazz and soul making the listener wonder if this is in fact the same singer.

“Allston” has more of a folk and at times, country feel to it demonstrating Dailey’s versatility and ability to successfully switch things up. A darker song, he sings “In a dull smile and parted heart/Time won’t fix what yesterday starts.” The slow, eerie guitar accompaniment suits the song perfectly.

What makes Dailey stand out from the numerous up-and-coming bands today is the fact that he’ll be releasing EPs all year in three-month periods. Every three months he’ll give fans the latest material he’s been working on. Unlike a typical album, the process will allow fans to receive music with such immediacy that is unheard of in today’s recording industry. The final product, Torrent is expected to be released June 9th. With featured cameos from members of Letters to Cleo, The Cars, Dropkick Murphys and the Byrds, each EP is surely something to look forward to.

Be sure to watch Dailey perform on CBS’s “The Early Show” June 11th. For more on Will, visit his Web site and give his songs a listen on MySpace. I think you’ll like what you hear. You can watch the video below of Will performing “Rise.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wnfkx92yxA]

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Griffin House

I received an email recommendation a few weeks ago from fellow blogger Suze (you can read her blog, My Life is Like a Song here) suggesting singer-songwriter Griffin House. While the name sounded familiar, her and I both couldn’t remember if I blogged about him in the past. After doing a quick search I realized I hadn’t, and proceeded to listen to his music.

His voice sounded so familiar that I’m sure I’ve stumbled upon his music before, whether it be on another blog, in a movie or perhaps a television commercial. The first song on Griffin House’s MySpace page is “The Guy That Says Goodbye” (see video below) and right away pulls at your heartstrings. The light guitar strumming combined with gentle strokes of piano peaked my interest and the emotional lyrics only left me more intrigued. The sincerity he puts forth is inspiring.

“You don’t need to change a thing about you babe/I’m telling you from where I sit you’re one of a kind/Relationships I don’t know why they never work out and they make you cry/But the guy that says goodbye to you is out of his mind,” House sings throughout the chorus.

I thought “The Guy That Says Goodbye” would be my favorite, but each song gets better and better. The honesty and pure beauty of his lyrics move the listener and House’s talent is undeniable.

With lines like “You hold my hand and it’s better than love” in “Better Than Love” and the older, laid-back country vibe of “Live To Be Free,” each song is a new surprise. “Never Again” brings forth his brutal honesty when singing, “Never again am I gonna give my heart to a bullshit cause/I’ve had enough of lies and dark/Never again am I gonna waste my time on a bullshit road/It’s never been a friend of mine/Simple words from a simple man/Take me as I am ‘cause there’s no guarantee I’ll ever change.”

My recommendation: Listen to the lyrics closely or play the song while reading along word for word on MySpace.

Griffin House’s bio states that he wrote his first song for his high school sweetheart with whom he’d parted ways after graduation. When she came for a visit House played it for her and it brought her to tears. “Then I was hooked,” he said, “I thought, ‘Oh, man, if I can make people cry, I’m gonna keep doing this. I’m gonna make as many people cry as I can!'” After laughing at the memory, he put the experience in perspective: “What I was drawn to was the power of the song, how it could affect people emotionally.”

I believe it. Having continually refreshed his MySpace page after listening to the six-song selection, the emotion heard throughout each song never falters. Griffin House is well on his way. For the latest on Griffin, be sure to visit his Web site or listen to him on MySpace. You can watch the video for single, “The Guy That Says Goodbye” below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oG1IfQx9Oc]

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: David Berkeley

It’s hard to keep track of all the great music coming out these days. How does an artist truly stand out from the crowd? Sometimes it’s a quirky viral video or their mysterious Twitter ramblings. In David Berkeley‘s case, it was his song featured on CBS show, “Without A Trace.”

It’s remarkable how a song could be so fitting within the plot of a television drama. For Berkeley, his song “Fire Sign” was used at the climax of the show, when a young boy whose life was made a living hell at school decides to commit suicide. The cops rush to his rescue as Berkeley’s song is playing softly in the background. Watch a clip of the episode featuring “Fire Sign” here.

His delicate fingerpicking and gentle vocals throughout this track embodies most of his music. Each song has a telling tale, sometimes sung over light horn features (see “The Blood and the Wine” on MySpace) or simply accompanied by acoustic guitar. While comparisons allude to that of David Gray and Jack Johnson, it’s his emotional and honest lyrics that leave the biggest impression on the listener.

Currently on tour with UK sensation Katie Melua, Berkeley is bringing his music across the country in anticipation of his May 26th release of third studio album, Strange Light. Listen to “Willis Avenue Bridge,” one of the tracks off his upcoming album here.

For more on his tour and to listen to some tracks, be sure to visit Berkeley on MySpace.

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Lindsey Mae

Lindsey Mae is definitely an artist to watch. The 18-year-old singer-songwriter has been performing throughout Upstate New York since she was 15. Her breathtaking five song self-titled EP release was produced by Hal Cragin (A Fine Frenzy/Iggy Pop). Full of emotionally introspective songs with fitting musical accompaniment showcasing her soft, yet at times rugged vocals, Mae is one singer who is bound to make a splash soon.

A mix of acoustic pop, Mae’s airy voice brings comparison to that of fellow singer-songwriters Colbie Caillat, Serena Ryder and Meiko. A remarkable release for any teen, what makes Mae stand out is her seemingly ageless wisdom within each track. The lyrics behind her songs are deep and filled with tales of love, loss and the confusion of both.

First track, “Cable Car,” has a country vibe as Mae sings of heartbreak. “So call me back or call me crazy/’Cause only your love can save me now,” she says. A strong storyteller, Mae draws the listener in with every word sung.

“Vitals” is a rugged and edgier track with darker guitar accompaniment. Her wavering vocals only assist in getting her emotion across within each lyric. “Papier Mache” may be my favorite track on the EP. A light ballad with soft piano and guitar intro that begs comparison to the refreshingly relaxed style of Jack Johnson, Mae’s eased singing style asks for more than just one listen.

With a solid release at such a young age, I can only expect to hear much more of Lindsey Mae in the years to come. Be sure to visit her on MySpace to hear some tracks off the EP.

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Matt Wertz

Lately, I’ve gained an extreme fondness for acoustic singer-songwriters. So fond, in fact, that I’m trying (rather unsuccessfully) to teach myself guitar.

With that said, this brings me to this week’s artist of the week installment — Matt Wertz. His laid-back music and moving lyrics have left an impact on me so I wanted to share his music with you. I’m hoping to set up an interview with him soon, so be sure to stay tuned for more details!

You can listen to an acoustic version of “5:19” below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66MM65pJW6U]

Watch Matt perform one of my favorite songs, “Everything’s Right” for a local radio station below.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPg3AkiT8AY]

If you like what you’ve heard, be sure to visit Matt’s MySpace page and catch a show soon, as he’s currently on tour!

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Jem

Starting off sophomore release, Down to Earth with Brazilian percussion and soft, yet beautifully seductive vocals, Welsh singer-songwriter Jem catches the listener’s attention right off the bat. Track after track, Jem continues to leave her distinct mark, whether it is assisted by Detroit Gospel choirs, hip-shaking beats or introspective lyrics.

Truly an artist to watch, you probably have heard some of Jem’s music before. While her songs have been featured on hit television shows like, “The O.C.,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Desperate Housewives,” “CSI Miami,” and “Six Feet Under” perhaps it is her song, “It’s Amazing” that’s most familiar — having been included on the Sex and the City movie soundtrack.

“I Want You To…” begins with Spanish dialogue and quickly segues into a catchy song with Latin beats, urging the listener to break out some salsa moves. Next up is “It’s Amazing,” an inspiring song with uplifting lyrics, “Patience, now, frustration’s in the air/And people who don’t care/Well it’s gonna get you down/And you’ll fall, yes, you will hit a wall/But get back on your feet an’ you’ll be stronger and smarter.”

The versatility throughout Down to Earth is incredulous at times. While diversity on an album is a strong attribute to any musician, Jem manages to change things up while staying true to herself. A mix of ballads, danceable Latin tracks and a foreseeable club hit in “Aciiid!” where she sings in Japanese, Jem is truly an artist to pay attention to.

Watch Jem’s video for “It’s Amazing” below and if you like what you hear, be sure to check her out on MySpace for more music!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XDxhDbtDak]

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Cory Chisel

If you’ve been following this blog you know I have a special place in my heart for acoustic singer-songwriters. After seeing Joshua Radin this past Friday (review to come soon) I’ve been finding myself discovering similar musicians and genres of music. This week’s “Artist of the Week” is Cory Chisel. Watch his beautiful live performance from NYC’s Electric Lady Studios below.

http://www.baeblemusic.com/baebleVideoAndHeader.swf?flv=cory_chisel/Corey_Chisel_s1.flv&concertID=198&song=0
Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com

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Artist of the Week

Artist of the Week: Ryan Calhoun

I stumbled upon Ryan Calhoun after he requested me on MySpace and I gave his music a listen. The first song that played on his MySpace page was “Who We Are.” A moving song with fitting piano accompaniment, Calhoun sings, “Mom and Dad, don’t worry about your son/I’ll be okay, I’ll take these days one by one/Though the times are hard I still know where I belong/I keep looking up so I can hold on.” With such ease and gracefulness, Calhoun draws the listener in with his heartfelt lyrics. On the last line of the song he sings, “‘Cause at the end of the day all we have is who we are” and you believe him.

Hailing from California, the acoustic pop-rock singer-songwriter writes on his bio: “I’m not trying to save the world. I’m not trying to reinvent the wheel or be the next cool indie artist. I just want to write great songs. I draw from my experiences in life. My relationships, my fears, my struggles everything that surrounds me. My songs are honest and I think that’s why people can relate to them and have a connection.”

And it’s true. His songs are bursting with honesty and emotionally-filled lyrics. At times Calhoun’s music recalls that of fellow California rocker Matt Nathanson with his sing-along choruses. However, setting himself apart is his ability to cause the listener to relate to his music wholeheartedly. Take his song “Draining” (video below). Calhoun sings, “You’re afraid to let me go/’Cause you think I’m all you’ll ever know/I’m trying to make things right/But I just need a little time/You wanted more, I needed space/To find where I fit into place/Please let me know that you’re okay.” The video is even more realistic, tying his lyrics and music in beautifully to the story. Edgier than previous tracks, complete with electric and bass guitar features, “Draining” demonstrates Calhoun’s versatility and ability to switch things up and keep the listener intrigued.

Watch the moving video for “Draining” below and if you like what you hear, check Ryan Calhoun out on MySpace. I have a feeling he’ll be selling out shows in no time.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INEppiMpc7g]