As I’m about to embark on another jet-setting adventure, this time to Madrid, OneRepublic’s latest single, “Good Life” has been stuck in my head all week long. With Ryan Tedder’s beautiful vocals and fitting musical accompaniment, I’m sure it will have you whistling along in no time.
For many, (myself included) summer means outdoor music festivals and endless rooftop concerts. Earlier this month, Busted Halo, one of the Web sites I write for, asked it’s contributors what their song of the summer was.
While it was definitely a hard choice to narrow down, I ultimately went with Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee,” mostly because it’s one of those tracks that always manages to bring a smile to my face. Also, I can’t hear it without passionately singing along. Watch it below and for Busted Halo’s complete summer selections, click here. What’s your song of the summer?
I’m beyond excited to be covering Kenny Chesney’s “Goin’ Coastal” tour with Zac Brown Band this Saturday at the Meadowlands! During CMA Fest this past June, ZBB brought several of their musician friends onstage including Randy Travis and Amos Lee. I’m sure Saturday will be full of surprises so follow along on Twitter and stay tuned for my review!
New York Apple Store shoppers got a special treat last Thursday in SoHo when singer-songwriter Mat Kearney performed a 45-minute set. During the week of his album release, Young Love, and after three days of it being the No. 1 album on iTunes, Kearney was overjoyed to be sharing the moment with a room full of fans who deciphered his cryptic Twitter updates throughout the day to find out about the free performance.
At 7 pm, Kearney took the stage to claps and screams from fans excited to see him. “You’re happy? You should try being me this week. It’s been a fun week,” he told the packed second floor.
On acoustic guitar with accompaniment by keyboard player Fred Williams, Kearney began his set with fan favorite “Closer to Love.” In fact, the night included many of his older classics, much to the audience’s excitement. “Ships In the Night,” off his new release shortly followed.
“I’ve never played this song live, but it went higher than any song on iTunes so I should probably play it,” Kearney admitted. Segueing from higher vocals to a slowed spoken word feature, Kearney impressed.
While fans enjoyed some of the newer tracks, it was his older hits that garnered the most screams. Older classics “Nothing Left to Lose,” “City of Black and White,” and “Girl In America” were well received, but it was “Undeniable” that left the biggest mark. Changing up the lyrics mid-track for the city he was in, the room erupted as he rapped for the “Jersey and bridge and tunnel” crowd.
Constantly interacting with the crowd, Kearney referenced a mother playing peek-a-boo with her baby during “Undeniable” and then chatted with her once the song ended.
“You’re playing peek-a-boo with your baby and I think you’re doing it with me. It’s freaking me out! You’re looking right at me,” he said.
Soon after, Kearney asked fans what they wanted to hear and when they requested some of his new tracks he joked, “So the problem is we’ve never played these songs and I’m still learning them on guitar. This is like rehearsal with you guys.”
Despite his confession, he played new track, “Young Dumb and In Love” for one fan. Afterward, he admitted he had the wrong chords. “Sorry. You didn’t notice though because I’m a pro,” he joked.
Another new song, Kearney explained the story behind “Rochester,” a track he wrote for his father. A heartbreaking tale, Kearney said his father cries every time he hears it. Alone on acoustic guitar, his voice reverberated throughout the silent room.
“I promise the whole record won’t bum you out that much,” Kearney said as he finished the song. “He made it out alright,” he said talking of his father leaving Rochester.
Extremely appreciative, before he ended his set with energetic new single, “Hey Mama,” he profusely thanked the audience. “This has been an amazing week. I feel a little bit in shock. It’s amazing when you work so hard and people are so supportive. It’s for people like you why I do what I do.”
After teaching the audience their parts to sing along, Kearney informed them that “Hey Mama” is about meeting his wife in a clothing store and further convinced fans to sing with him.
“You’ve always wanted to sing in the Apple Store. This is what dreams are made of!”
Kearney will be taking the US by storm this fall with a headlining tour. For more info, visit his Web site. Be sure to watch his performance of “Hey Mama” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno below.
Related Links:
• Q&A with Mat Kearney
• Song of the Week: “Hey Mama”
• Album Review: Mat Kearney’s “City of Black & White”
• So Long, 2009. Bring on 2010.
I haven’t been able to stop listening to the latest single from Brooklyn-based band The Drums for the past few weeks. With a catchy beat it’s nearly impossible to not dance along. Stay tuned for their sophomore release, Portamento, due out September 13.
Last Saturday night, lucky fans got up close and personal with Jesse Malin and the St. Marks Social for a nearly two-hour performance at Bowery Electric. Telling many of the stories behind his songs, Malin entertained the packed room with humorous anecdotes and even joined fans on the floor during a portion of his set.
A fitting start to the set, Malin and St. Marks Social kicked off the night with “Burning the Bowery.” Their last performance with Malin, his band, St. Marks Social impressed with killer guitar riffs and heavy hitting percussion.
“You guys gotta come closer! Make room,” Malin told the crowd. Intensifying as the night progressed, the band had the entire room dancing along.
The high energy set included current single, “Disco Ghetto” as well as older fan favorites. Before segueing into “Riding On the Subway,” Malin told the crowd it was about a girl he saw on the 7 train to Flushing.
“This one goes out to people that still like to go to record stores,” he said. He went on to explain how he tried to get the nerve to talk to a girl on the train who had a Replacements record in her bag. Unfortunately, he never got the chance. “The doors opened and she got off. At least I got a good song out of it.”
While his high energy impressed, it was tracks like beautiful ballad “Brooklyn” that struck a chord. With heartfelt vocals and soaring guitar riffs, his emotion was well showcased throughout the song.
As his two-hour set came to a close and his 14 month tour with St. Marks Social ended, Malin thanked fans for their support over the years.
The Young Things and River James opened the night with solid sets. D.C.-based River James warmed up the crowd with powerful lyrics, heart-thumping percussion and wavering guitar parts. Playing many tracks off their debut EP, including the moving “Avenue A” and the beautiful “Dreams,” the band impressed.
The Young Things followed shortly after and invigorated the room with their classic rock & roll. Reminiscent to the Beach Boys and The Clash, the New York-based band had everyone on the floor dancing along. Bass heavy tracks like “All My Friends Are Junkies” had much to offer with soaring guitar riffs and a driving percussion beat while “Uptown” had the crowd hanging on every word.
Though The Young Things only played for 30 minutes, they easily won over the room one song in. New Yorkers won’t have to wait too long to see them perform again though, as they played the next night at Bowery Electric and continue booking gigs around the city. An act this good won’t be slotted as an opener for too long.
Have you been meaning to learn that new song by your favorite artist on guitar? Well, you’re in luck.
Earlier today, CBS Interactive Music Group teamed up with Street Date, Energizer and VH1’s Save The Music Foundation to showcase musicians and bands through a six week series of instructional videos, called Master Classes.
Fans can watch video features on Street Date to learn behind the scenes tips and tricks to playing their favorite songs from a variety of artists – taught by the musicians themselves. Master Classes videos premiered today on Street Date and kicked off with Colbie Caillat, whose Master Class video features her teaching fans how to play her new song “Make It Rain.”
Watch below as Colbie explains how her song, “Make It Rain” came together and learn how to play it with her. Stay tuned for Master Classes from Gavin DeGraw, Kina Grannis, Vanessa Carlton, Jesse Harris and Kicking Daisies.
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Mat Kearney’s latest album, Young Love, is 10 tracks of feel good, energetic music, so much so that it’s nearly impossible to not stomp your feet along. Kearney filled fans in on his new release on his Web site.
“Today marks a day I have only experienced a few times in my life; the release of a new record, the preparation for a new tour, and another shot to live my dream. I can’t help but feel freaked out and completely blessed all in the same breath. I have to hold still so that the DJ kid sitting next to me ripping vinyl onto his laptop doesn’t see my eyes fill with tears as I write this.
“Here we go again. We are in this together. If “Young Love” is worth anything it’s because you think it is. I started out making records for my friends. I’d track them down and make them listen to the new songs I had written. It was like I was trying to rip their heart out with a pocket knife and sing the grace of god back over the damage I had done. Not much has changed over these last years. I’ve kept on trying to do that same thing in different ways. And it seems I have made a few more friends than when I started. Thank you for all your support, I hope this finds you well,” he wrote.
Young Love kicks off with catchy first single, “Hey Mama.” With hand-clapped rhythms and a fast beat, its a new side to Kearney than witnessed on previous singles. “Ships In the Night” follows with a striking piano introduction before Kearney joins in on vocals. Blending his eased singing style with spoken word features, the song is refreshingly new.
The beautiful “Sooner or Later” soars with textured guitar and percussion accompaniment while Kearney’s songwriting continues to strike a chord. “We’re all waiting on a dream that’s hard to own, sooner or later/Trying to feel the high without the low, you know/You can feel fire in the night lying here/Baby it’s like we’re walking on a wire through the fear/Take my hand, we’ll get there,” he sings.
While fast paced songs like “She Got the Honey” impress, it is on his slowed ballads like “Learning to Love Again,” the heartbreaking “Rochester” and bonus track “Seventeen” that he leaves the greatest impact. His voice is at the forefront, with no distracting drum loops or electric guitars, allowing his tales to unravel. With remarkably descriptive stories the listener can envision himself inside of the tale. It is this moving storytelling that reveals Kearney’s talent.
A few years ago I interviewed Kearney and asked about his songwriting process.
“It’s always different. You never know what’s going to happen. Sometimes there are songs, sometimes it’s a movie, sometimes it’s your friends, sometimes it’s a book, sometimes you’re laying in the bed in the middle of the night and you hear this idea going through your head and so you have to get up and write it down. It’s very different. Sometimes I’m breaking into schools and writing on a piano because I really wanted to write on a piano. It’s very varied. It’s elusive the writing process,” he said.
For my complete interview with Mat Kearney, click here. Be sure to watch him perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno tonight and catch him live Thursday at SoHo’s Apple Store.
Related Links:
• Q&A with Mat Kearney
• Song of the Week: “Hey Mama”
• Album Review: Mat Kearney’s “City of Black & White”
• So Long, 2009. Bring on 2010.
In Jesse Malin’s latest video for “Disco Ghetto,” he and his band, The St. Marks Social, partner with one of his biggest fans, Mary Louise Parker, of the hit Showtime series “Weeds”.
“Mary Louise has been a fan and friend since my first record, The Fine Art of Self Destruction, and has even been quoted as saying that her favorite record of the year was Love It To Life, so we called her up and she was into it,” Malin said.
The energetic track was based off a worry-free night spent with friends at an old school, funk, disco party. New Yorkers may be familiar with some of the video locations as it was filmed at NYC vegan hot spot, Kates Joint and concert venue Bowery Electric. Watch the video below and be sure to catch Jesse Malin performing tomorrow night at Bowery Electric with The Young Things and River James.
I witnessed Matthew Mayfield live for the first time last October during CMJ when I stumbled into Rockwood Music Hall in between a few band interviews. Alone on acoustic guitar, his deep, rustic vocals and emotion-fueled lyrics echoed throughout the silent room and blew me away.
After the show, he said his debut solo album would be released in a few months and I scoured the Web to find out more about this artist who I was certain I heard before. His former band, Moses Mayfield, was signed to Epic Records in 2005, released an album and toured with major acts. A few years later, though, they broke up and Mayfield found himself questioning his next steps.
“When the band broke up there was a six month period where I debated whether or not I was going to keep doing it. You have to pick up the pieces and start all over, write all new songs, a new band, a new everything. It’s been a hell of a lot of work, but if I wasn’t doing it I’d be super unhappy,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield’s solo album, Now You’re Free, was released earlier this year and encompasses 11 tracks of impeccable songwriting, standout musical accompaniment, and impressive collaborations. Singing of love and heartache, the listener can relate to every track. Songs like the powerful “Fire Escape,” written with John Paul White of The Civil Wars, and the poignant “Element” showcase his remarkable talent. A track he originally wrote 10 years ago and has appeared on numerous records, at a recent concert at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, Mayfield said, “I put this song out a few times but the best version to date is on this new record.” A longtime fan favorite, the song was received with much excitement at the packed venue.
I chatted with Matthew earlier this month while in California right before his intimate performance at The Hotel Cafe. He filled me in on many of the stories behind his songs as well as the struggles he has faced as a musician and collaborating with friends The Civil Wars and NEEDTOBREATHE. Read the complete interview below and be sure to check him out on tour this August.
Now You’re Free is your first solo LP. Was the recording process any different than with your previous band, Moses Mayfield?
Yeah, it was different. This time around, I think the songs are stronger and the players I was playing with in Nashville were some good friends and also super pro guys. We tried to make it a band thing. We were in a room, in a circle, and we wanted it to feel alive and have that energy that a big, anthemic rock record would have. The process was similar in terms of going through the motions and making a record, but at the same time, we tried so many new things which was cool. I’m excited about people hearing us in a studio where there were bells on a song or there’s cello or weird toy piano. Whatever it is, that kind of stuff is fun for us.
Why did you decide to use Pledge Music to fund your album?
At the time, my manager suggested it to me. It was cool. I looked at it, but I was kind of hesitant because I really didn’t want to ask people for money but then I realized it was a win-win. They get things that they want, whether it was handwritten lyrics or a house party, or we’ll play at the wedding. There were all kinds of weird stuff; microphones and gear. Everybody gets something which is really cool. We raised $14 grand for the record.
“Element” is my favorite track of yours and you wrote it a decade ago. Why did you decide to add it to this album?
We had the album down to 10 songs and I just felt like there was something missing. I feel like it’s one of those songs that I keep wanting to put onto a record because every time you take a step forward, that’s one I want to bring with me. The guy that produced the record and my management said, ‘This song is so strong, I really feel like it should come with you.’ I thought about it for a long time and I thought it was a great idea.
What’s the story behind “Element?”
I wrote that song when I was 18 and I was in this long distance relationship with a girl. I was just a kid. I think it’s very honest. It doesn’t feel particularly young, but it was very honest, from a very honest place. I feel like a song like that, that just comes from the heart, there was nothing about it that was forced. I sat down with a guitar and wrote it. It wasn’t in pieces. It all came at once.
Do you get tired of playing it?
Sometimes. I feel like with anything, sometimes there are songs that are going to be a little bit of a chore to play. It depends. If the crowd is great and they love it and you can see it in their eyes that they’re enjoying you play it, then it’s great.
What is your typical songwriting process like?
It usually starts with a guitar and a melody and I bring the lyrics in when I feel like I got the vibe down. There are times where the lyric is the inspiration. It changes quite a bit. I’d say 90% of the time it’s me and my guitar singing, humming things. It’s a strange thing, chasing songs.
Do you feel a song comes out better when it actually happened to you? Do you always write from firsthand experience?
Pretty much. I think everything on the record is firsthand. There are a couple that are hypothetical I guess, but I certainly can relate to the things that I’m singing about. “Can’t Change My Mind” is hypothetical in a sense to me. I wrote it from the perspective of that person who’s sold. I know that feeling; to be sold. You write it from the perspective of somebody that’s found something that you want to find.
Are you ever nervous to reveal too much in a song, like “Fire Escape?”
Yeah. Honestly, that’s probably the hardest one. I’m never scared because it’s like therapy for me. I need to do it, to get it out. I don’t know. I feel like there’s a release that you get from putting it on paper and singing it in a song that’s healthy. It’s always been an outlet for me since I was a little kid.
Are there nights you don’t want to play a certain song because it’s too personal and brings back a specific relationship or memory?
It can be. It depends on the night and it depends where my head’s at and if I was thinking about it before a show or not. Sometimes it can sting a little more than others. Sometimes you just do it because it feels good to know that you’re helping somebody else out. I think that’s the reason why the sad songs resonate more with people. I’ve noticed that. People love the upbeat stuff, but when it’s real heartache people are like, ‘Yeah, I know what you mean.’ More so than, ‘I’m really happy, everything’s great.’ That’s pretty rare. It’s good to write a song about it when it happens.
Isn’t that depressing though? When everyone’s like, ‘Yeah! That’s real heartbreak. We love that you’re depressed.’
It’s a weird world. I just write it from wherever I can find it. So if it’s sad, it’s sad. If it’s happy, it’s happy. If it’s confusing, it’s confusing.
Is there a song that means more to you now then when you first wrote it?
Yeah, there are a couple. I really like a song called “Her Name Was December.” That song, we don’t play it a lot live, but when I hear it on the record I’m like, ‘Man, we’ve got to get that one back because I love that song.’ I feel like the lyric and the melody, everything about it is special to me and came from a really real place.
You collaborated with NEEDTOBREATHE and The Civil Wars on a few tracks. How did that come about?
I co-wrote “Fire Escape” with John Paul [White] of The Civil Wars. He’s fantastic. And Joy [Williams] sang on “Can’t Change My Mind.” They’re some of the sweetest people in the world and certainly in this business it’s so hard to come by people who are so kind and just easygoing. There are no egos. They’re just great people and I’m super happy for them that all the stuff’s happening. It’s good to see that happen with good friends. Same thing with NEEDTOBREATHE. Those guys are coming to the show tonight, they’re in town. I’m super happy for them. They’re so good. Their live show is killer. It’s good to see good things happen to good people that you’re friends with.
Is co-writing an entirely different process for you than writing by yourself?
Usually with me, if I co-write it’s like I have a chorus that I love or a verse that I love but I just can’t find a chorus or I can’t find another verse. Or I’ll have a melody that I really like. Usually it has to be someone I really trust like John Paul or Paul Moak, the guy that produced the record. There has to be that feeling of trust where you’re like, ‘I can let you in on this secret.’ “Fire Escape” was a touchy subject, but John Paul was so cool about talking to me and hearing me out; kind of getting inside my head. We wrote the song really quickly, in a couple of hours and it’s one of my favorites on the record.
Your music has been featured on “Teen Mom” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” Have you noticed more fans from different music placement?
I have. Those “Grey’s” placements were really big. I feel like I noticed a big spike in sales but also noticed it helped put me on the map which was funny because I made that record for under $1,000 in a basement for myself. I wasn’t doing it in hopes to get a sync or get on TV and it ended up being a huge thing for me. Those little things are special because you have so many slaps in the face as you’re coming up and it’s cool. When you get a win in a world full of losses it’s something to be celebrated.
What has kept you motivated all these years to keep pursuing music?
I don’t know. I think it’s just that underlying passion for writing songs and playing rock & roll. I’ve always just loved it since I was a little kid. When the band broke up there was a six month period where I debated whether or not I was going to keep doing it. You have to pick up the pieces and start all over, write all new songs. A new band, a new everything. It’s been a hell of a lot of work, but if I wasn’t doing it I’d be super unhappy. It isn’t easy. We push ourselves in every aspect so I feel like it’s hard work, but it’s really rewarding. When the rewards come around, which is not that often, they’re sweet when they do.
Do you think a band needs a record label today to survive?
I don’t. There are some labels that are doing some cool things, some indies that are really smart with their money. But no, I don’t think you need the big machine until you are at a certain level. If you can get to a certain level and you need that monster, mainstream push then you get it when the time’s right. Getting a record deal is definitely not what any band’s goal should be, especially with a major. You may be their favorite band one day and literally the next week they don’t remember who you are ’cause they had a change of regime, they fired everybody and brought on new people. I definitely don’t think you need a label in 2011. At the end of the day, you have to do it all yourself.
What’s the best and worst thing about being a musician?
The best thing is seeing people sing your songs at shows, for me. If I see two or three people, or 30 people or 100 people singing the lyrics to a song, that’s as good as it gets. The worst part I think is a lot of times not feeling like your hard work is being rewarded. You really have to keep on even if you’re not getting any affirmation that what you’re doing is working. But, it’s always like that in music. When you do get those placements or whatever it is, your song is on a TV show or commercial, you play a great show and have a big turn out; those little things add up.
Do you have any advice for other singer-songwriters trying to make it in the industry?
One thing I have to say is don’t expect anyone to do anything for you starting out. You have to hustle and do it yourself. I made that record in my basement just because I wanted to for me. I didn’t have a manager or an agent. I just put it up on iTunes and it got a couple lucky moments and placements. It was fresh enough too, where people knew about the band. You just have to be persistent. As lame of a word as it is, you have to persevere. I started doing this when I was 18 and now I’m 28. I’m not some big, famous rock star. You want to play arenas, but you have to start somewhere. Tonight, if I play for 200 people that’s a huge deal. You just can’t expect it to be fast. That would be my advice.
Related Links:
• Artist of the Week: Matthew Mayfield
• Matthew Mayfield Debuts New Video, Plus Free Track
• Song of the Week: “Element”
• CMJ 2010: Five Artists to Watch