Categories
Features

Mat Kearney Tells Tales Behind Songs, Performs on NYC Rooftop

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

Related Links:
• Mat Kearney Celebrates No. 1 Album with Intimate NYC Performance
• Q&A with Mat Kearney
• Song of the Week: “Hey Mama”
• Album Review: Mat Kearney’s “City of Black & White”

Categories
News

The Roots To Headline Free Concert On The Intrepid Thursday

On Thursday evening the Intrepid will transform to a concert venue on the water as 2,000 New Yorkers are expected to attend the inaugural “Party On the Intrepid.” Not your typical performance setting, a stage will be set up on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier surrounded by now-stationary fighter jets.

“Our team had the idea that it would be amazing to do a culturally relevant music event on the deck of the Intrepid,” said Jessica Resler, co-owner of The Participation Agency.

A never before seen opportunity to view music on the top of the Intrepid, Resler says concertgoers will be “flanked by 30 fighter jets on either side of you. It’s definitely going to be a show people are not going to forget for a long time.”

“Party On the Intrepid” is located at The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at Pier 86, W. 46th St. and 12th Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m., show is at 7 p.m.

For the complete story, visit CBS.com.

Categories
News

Stars Show Up For Metropolitan Opera House Season Opener

The entertainment world was represented in full force at Monday night’s Metropolitan Opera season opener at Lincoln Center.

Before Anna Netrebko took the stage for her performance in Anna Bolena, model Tyra Banks, musician Maxwell, and actresses Christine Baranski, Archie Panjabi and Leelee Sobieski walked the red carpet.

While the stars attended the event, opera fans without a celebrity name could watch the performance on multiple screens in Times Square, where 2,000 seats were available for the free screening.

Maxwell explained his appreciation for the art form.

“It’s the ultimate experience. For me, the opera is the very first idea of seeing a show. It takes so much technique and discipline to do what these people do. To really get to experience that and get my A-game together is what this is about for me,” he said.

For my complete article, visit CBS.

Categories
Song of the Week

Song of the Week: "Hallelujah"

This song never ceases to move me. Light guitar accompanied by Jeff Buckley’s soft, yet powerful vocals strike a chord. My roommate and I have had “Hallelujah” on repeat all week and I’m still not tired of this track yet. Enjoy!

Categories
Concert Reviews

Coldplay Perform New Material 'Live On Letterman'

Days after their Austin City Limits appearance, Coldplay headed to New York for a slightly scaled down, but no less energetic set at Ed Sullivan Theater on September 20th. Their hour-long performance included a slew of past hits and tracks off their upcoming October 24th release, Mylo Xyloto. While select New York fans had a coveted seat inside the theater, others could watch the set live streamed on CBS.com.

At 8 p.m. Coldplay took the stage as their instruments glowed in bright neon graffiti art. After a brief piano introduction, enigmatic frontman Chris Martin grabbed the mic for “Hurts Like Heaven,” off their upcoming LP. Laser strobe lights glistened onstage as he danced.

The band’s classic ballad “Yellow” followed to screams as Martin’s familiar high vocals resonated throughout the room. Those same shrieks were heard continuously during fan favorites “Viva la Vida,” “The Scientist,” “Clocks,” and “Fix You.”

“I can see you clearly, maybe a little too clearly,” Martin joked. “We’re going to play some new songs you’ll probably be a little confused on, but in six months time you won’t believe you heard [them here] first.”

For my complete review, visit Rolling Stone. Watch Coldplay’s performance below.

Categories
Features News

New York Bakery Honors Beyonce’s Pregnancy With Growing ‘Baby Bun’

While seasonal treats are a staple at bakeries and coffee shops throughout the city, Lower East Side’s Babycakes is taking things one step further.

The vegan bakery recently created a new addition to its list: the “baby-bump” bun, inspired by Beyonce’s pregnancy.

The owners of Babycakes came up with the idea after the hit singer announced her pregnancy at the MTV Video Music Awards last month.

“When we learned about Beyonce having a bun in her oven, we all got teary-eyed because we adore her and play her music at BabyCakes all the time,” Erin McKenna, the bakery’s owner, said. “We thought it would be fun to make a bun in her honor.”

For my complete writeup, visit CBS.com.

Categories
CD Reviews

The Shondes Release "Searchlights," Celebrate with National Tour

Brooklyn-based band The Shondes released their third album, Searchlights, today. The powerful LP was written after violinist Elijah Oberman was diagnosed with cancer, throughout his treatment and recovery. As a result, the songs embody a distinct urgency. Songs of questioning, heartache and an overall optimism are interwoven in each of the 10 tracks.

“The songs on this album are the kinds of rock songs that made us want to both dance and also cry the whole time we were working on them,” said drummer Temim Fruchter.  “Those are the exact kinds of songs that are my favorite to perform – the kinds that feel like they really, really connect us to the audience when we play them.”

Searchlights kicks off with the energetic “Close the Door” with powerful vocals and violin accompaniment. A relatable track, Louisa Solomon’s earnest singing transcends. “I want to set the record straight/I guess I just have too much faith that justice will prevail,” she sings.

“Are You Ready” follows suit with a heavy bass beat and steady percussion while The Shondes’ dynamic rock & roll flavor is further showcased on “Give Me What You’ve Got.” With angst-ridden vocals and soaring instrumental interludes, it’s easy to envision this track being performed live. This comes as no surprise though, as the band is known for their energetic live show.

Formed in 2006, the band’s moniker, “Shonde,” is the Yiddish word for disgrace, and they have always talked candidly about being unashamed of who they are and standing up for what they believe in. A standout release, Searchlights, impresses and aptly blends punk rock sensibilities with striking violin, bass, guitar and percussion accompaniment.

Whether Solomon’s voice crescendos at the perfect spot or Oberman’s violin is at the forefront, the band begs the listener to take notice, pouring their hears and souls into every note played. And that, for every music lover, is something to believe in.

Listen to The Shondes’ dynamic track, “Ocean To Ocean,” here and be sure to catch them currently on tour. Complete tour dates below.

The Shondes On Tour

9/20/2011 PHOENIX, AZ @ The Trunk Space
9/23/2011 LOS ANGELES, CA @ Bellyflop Gallery
9/24/2011 LONG BEACH, CA @ MADHaus
9/25/2011 SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ Café Du Nord
9/29/2011 PORTLAND, OR @ Reed College
9/30/2011 PORTLAND, OR @ The Doug Fir
10/1/2011 SEATTLE, WA @ The Vera Project
10/3/2011 SPOKANE, WA @ TBA
10/6/2011 MINNEAPOLIS, MN @ The 7th Street Entry
10/8/2011 MADISON, WI @ TBA
10/9/2011 CHICAGO, IL @ The Hideout
10/12/2011 OBERLIN, OH @ Oberlin College
10/14/2011 NASHVILLE, TN @ FooBar
10/15/2011 DURHAM, NC @ The Pinhook
10/16/2011 CHAPEL HILL, NC @ Ackland Art Museum
10/21/2011 BROOKLYN, NY @ CMJ
10/29/2011 PHILADELPHIA, PA @ Tritone
11/5/2011 PORTLAND, ME @ TBA
11/17/2011 BOSTON, MA @ O’Brien’s

Categories
Artist of the Week Band of the Week Concert Reviews

Band of the Week: The Barr Brothers

One of their first gigs together in quite some time, you’d never be able to tell as The Barr Brothers‘ performance last Wednesday at Mercury Lounge was impeccable. Layered guitar textures, glistening harp interludes and heart-pounding percussion encompassed their breathtaking 45-minute set.

The four-piece, made up of brothers Brad and Andrew Barr on vocals/guitar and percussion, classically trained harpist Sarah Page, and multi-instrumentalist Andres Vial, formed in Montreal. A rather serendipitous occurrence, while Brad was working on music at his first apartment in Montreal, Page’s melodies would seep into his adjoining wall, influencing the music he was writing. A friendship ensued and they began recording and performing together around Montreal.

Wednesday night showcased many of the tracks off their self-titled LP, as well as a few unreleased tracks. Compared to The Avett Brothers and Blitzen Trapper, the band impressed. Shortly after 7 p.m., The Barr Brothers took the stage as Page’s transcendent harp interlude filled the room. The band soon joined in, creating an atmospheric mood with delicate percussion and guitar features before Brad’s soothing vocals entered for “Beggar In the Morning.”

The beautiful “Old Mythologies” followed suit with intricate guitar finger picking, wavering harmonica and hand-clapped rhythms before stand-out number, “Lord, I Just Can’t Keep From Crying” was played. A heavier sound than previously heard, the faster paced track impressed with jaw-dropping electric guitar parts and a steady drum build up. An evident crowd favorite, the room erupted in applause once the song was finished.

After performing tracks off their upcoming release, which drops Sept. 27th, the band debuted a few new songs. “You’ll just have to wait about a year if you like the last two songs. They’re not on this record,” Brad joked.

The remainder of The Barr Brothers’ set included Brad and Page riffing off each other on guitar and harp as the packed room danced along before they ended the night in the middle of the stage on acoustic guitars.

For more on The Barr Brothers, visit their Web site. Watch their performance of “Beggar In the Morning” below. If you like what you hear, be sure to pick up a copy of their debut release September 27.

FROM THE VAULT – The Barr Brothers “Beggar In The Morning” Live at Rockwood Music Hall from bridge sessions on Vimeo.

Categories
Features News

‘Bluegrass In the Park’ Concert To Bring Taste Of Country, BBQ To Madison Square Park

Who says New York ain’t country?

The inaugural Bluegrass In the Park concert will hit New York’s Madison Square Park today. Hosted by Mad. Sq. Music: Studio Series, from 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. music fans can treat their ears and stomachs to five bluegrass acts and food offered by Fatty Crew.

“Madison Square Park has a long history of presenting folk, blues, Americana and country,” said Mike Rucker, director of communications for the park. ”We have found that despite all the many amazing musical offerings city residents have to choose from, these types of traditional American music genres are surprisingly unrepresented.”

Two-time Grammy Award winners Nashville Bluegrass Band are just one of the groups that will perform. Previously, the ensemble has played the White House and around the world in locations such as China, Iraq, Bangladesh and Bahrain. Disguised as the Soggy Bottom Boys, they also collaborated on the multi-platinum soundtrack for the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?

For the complete article and list of performers, visit CBS Local.

Categories
Song of the Week

Song of the Week: "My Bed"

Last night, I caught Daniel Wayne‘s EP release show at The Living Room and was thoroughly impressed. The Cincinnati native has been compared to Jeff Buckley and Roy Orbison, and it’s easy to see why.

Wayne’s emotional singing and personal songwriting grabs the listener effortlessly while the accompanying music brings to mind a mix of rock & roll, alt-country and, at times, hillbilly roots. With bold guitar licks and his wavering vocals, songs like standout “My Bed” left a lasting mark. Additional pedal steel guitar and upright bass only added to his set.

Listen to “My Bed” here. What do you think? Watch Wayne perform “Poseidon’s Drownin’ Son” live in NYC below.

Poseidon’s Drownin Son from jim feichtmann on Vimeo.