“We’re going to bring a little Nashville to New York City,” Darius Rucker told a sold-out crowd at Housing Works Bookstore Café Tuesday night.
And that he did.
Darius took the stage, surrounded by bookshelves, shortly after 8:00 PM, sporting his signature baseball cap, t-shirt and blue jeans. The intimate benefit show with an audience of just around 200 raised $18,000, with all proceeds going to help end homelessness and AIDS in New York. For just over an hour, the singer/songwriter played a slew of his country hits, as well as Hootie & the Blowfish classics, to a thrilled crowd.
Darius took the stage to screams and quickly segued into ‘Love Will Do That,’ from his recent album, ‘Charleston, SC 1966.’ Complete with finger-picked guitar, wavering Dobro and fitting percussion, the music never overpowered the booming baritone. ‘Alright’ had fans clapping and singing along, especially during one specific line: “Don’t need no concert in the city.”
Walking into Ed Sullivan Theater Tuesday night I was quickly reminded of the Beatles. With their music blaring from the speakers and the Foo Fighters’ drum kit set up high on a platform stage, it was hard not to forget the Fab Four’s iconic first U.S. performance at Ed Sullivan Theater back in 1964.
So, when Foo Fighters came onstage in the Beatles famed get-ups — black suits, white shirts, skinny ties and black dress shoes — I knew it was going to be a good night. You can read my review of the show on MTV and be sure to watch the Beatles perform “I Want to Hold Your Hand” below. Did Foo Fighters pull it off? Let me know!
Yesterday, David Nail debuted the music video for his latest single, “Let It Rain” off his upcoming sophomore release. The song and dramatic video was inspired by the film, The Last Kiss.
“I had just seen the movie The Last Kiss, and it was a pretty powerful ending. I just tried to paint the picture of what that guy seemed to be feeling, when he realized the significance of what he had just done!
“With the video, I tried to recreate the rawness and reality of that moment,” he continued. “I wanted to grab people’s attention immediately, and I feel like Stephen [Shepherd] and I accomplished that. I can’t wait for the fans to see it because I think they will see this video is different than the past ones I’ve done.”
Co-written by Nail and Jonathan Singleton, watch “Let It Rain” below.
A few months ago I reviewed Tiffany Thompson’s beautiful self-titled release. While she’s been performing at numerous locations in the D.C. area, this Saturday marks her debut New York performance at Rockwood Music Hall’s Stage 1 at 6 p.m. With warm vocals and inspirational lyrics, she is without a doubt an artist to watch.
Late last year, Thompson filmed a music video for “Till That Day Comes,” a striking ballad that showcases her emotional vocals and lyrics. Reminiscent to that of Colbie Caillat and Priscilla Ahn, her voice is comforting as she tells a tale of a hopeless romantic. “So I close my eyes and pray one more time/That the day would come when I’d find someone/Who will hold me close oh and love me more than I’ve known before.”
A relatable track, Thomspon writes, “No matter how content I am with being single; there are still moments—however rare—when I long to be in a relationship. And, I’d love for that man to be sitting in the chair next to me. However, as I wrote this song and entered into the emotions of longing, dreaming, and a bit of loneliness, I kept remembering the truths that root and guide me.”
It’s her honest lyrics and openness that make her stand out. Taking the DIY approach, Thompson is taking this year to completely focus on her music and pursue her dream.
“Writing honest, personal lyrics that will be brought to life by the clarity and melodic charm of vocals and pop instrumentation is my dream. In my songs, I seek to engage life on a very personal level and sing stories about longing after lost love, comforting hurting friends, and being there when it matters most. Call it, my other self-education. My songs articulate the everyday struggles of loneliness, loss and love, but all the while looking with a hopeful eye toward the future,” she writes on her website.
And that she does. Watch her video for “Till That Day Comes” below and visit her website for more music. Be sure to catch her live this Saturday at Rockwood. For a free download of “Till That Day Comes” click here.
Lucky Foo Fighters fans enjoyed a nearly two hour performance from the powerhouse rock group last night at the Ed Sullivan Theater. Their album release party as frontman Dave Grohl came to call it was complete with his signature growl and jaw-dropping guitar and percussion interludes throughout their more than 20-song set.
Dressed like the Beatles first US performance on the “Ed Sullivan Show” back in 1964, the Foo Fighters came onstage clad in black suits, button down white shirts and a tie complete with black dress shoes. “Personally, I don’t know how the Beatles did it because these fuckin’ suits are so hot,” Grohl said midway through their show.
During the first 60 minutes, Foo Fighters powered through every track on their new album, Wasting Light, with little more than a “Thank you” and song title. First song, “Bridge Burning” kicked the night into high gear with fast-paced guitar licks and heavy hitting drum parts. The audience, extremely satisfied, rocked right along with the band. First single, “Rope” followed suit with a mean guitar introduction and dark bass beat throughout. Nearing the edge of the stage, Grohl showed off his guitar skills and penchant for head banging.
“Dear Rosemary” introduced their keyboardist for the first time and further demonstrated the band’s prowess onstage. With just the nod of his head during “White Limo,” Grohl motioned drummer Taylor Hawkins from twirling his drumsticks mid-song into a minute long instrumental jam.
Next track, “Arlandria” took off to a slow beginning with Grohl singing alone with light guitar. The almost ballad-like start was a welcomed change, but not for too long. After the first verse the music picked right back up. Segueing strongly from a soft whisper and little music accompaniment to his raspy yell and heart-pounding percussion, the song was an adequate indication of the band’s versatility.
The remainder of the new album tracks included ear-grabbing guitar riffs and memorable percussion interludes while the moving “These Days” and “I Should Have Known” showcased Foo Fighters’ more serious side. Although a more mature sound for the band, Grohl’s signature growl and impressive guitar riffs were not forgotten for too long.
As the first hour neared to a close and the last song on Wasting Light was played, fans were in for a special treat: another 60 minutes of Foo Fighters’ previous hits. And, together for the past 16 years, there were a slew of them.
“And that’s our new record,” Grohl said as he addressed the audience for the first time and the band took a bow. “Personally, I don’t know how the Beatles did it because these fuckin’ suits are so hot, especially when you’re playing something like this,” he said before the band segued into the fast paced “All My Life.”
Hit song, “Times Like These” followed as Grohl walked into the audience with guitar in hand. “Sing it if you know it,” he advised.
“Okay, this one goes out to David Letterman because he let us use his studio today,” Grohl said as he introduced “My Hero.” The energy in the room skyrocketed with an impressive musical interlude toward the end of the song.
“Thank you guys for coming tonight. This is kind of cool. This is like our record release party, you know the record came out today,” Grohl said before he introduced the band, saying that his keyboardist wasn’t sweating. “It’s so disgusting underneath this jacket right now. I feel like a wet snake,” he continued as one fan screamed, “Take it off!”
“No, that would ruin everything! It’s supposed to look perfect. This is my party,” he said. “We were trying to figure it out. Guys like us can’t really ever get dressed up. We either look like a stoner going to court or someone that’s too old going to prom.”
The remainder of their set included past hits and fan favorites including “Monkey Wrench,” “Best of You,” “Learn To Fly” and Hawkins’ taking over on vocals during “Cold Day In the Sun” as well as Grohl’s always entertaining onstage banter.
“Well tonight certainly was a lot of fun and it was a perfect way to start this whole new phase in our lives. It’s been a long time since we made a record. This is the biggest break we ever took between records,” Grohl said. “We’ve been around for a long time now, it’s been 16 years, and we have to thank all of you people here and there for sticking with us this whole time. We’ll be seeing you soon enough and we won’t be wearing these fucking monkey suits. I’ll actually be able to run around a little more.”
Foo Fighters ended their two-hour performance with the energetic “This Is a Call” before Grohl once again thanked the audience. “Thanks a lot for coming you guys that was a lot of fun. Thanks for letting us live out our little rock & roll fantasy.”
You can read my review on MTV’s Newsroom blog here. Be sure to watch the complete two hour performance posted above!
Tonight, Brooklyn Bowl is hosting Rock 4 Japan, a benefit concert where all proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross Fund for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami relief efforts. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. with performances by Cheap Trick Or Treat, Acey Slade & the Dark Party, The Orion Experience, High Teen Boogie, and The Young Things. For more information click here.
If you can’t make it tonight and still want to help, Songs For Japan is another worthwhile effort raising money for disaster relief. Over 30 of the biggest names in contemporary music have joined together for the worldwide release of “Songs for Japan,” a compilation of 38 chart-topping hits and classic tracks, available worldwide on the iTunes Store for $9.99. Proceeds from the album’s sale will benefit the disaster relief efforts of the Japanese Red Cross Society. Complete track listing below.
1. John Lennon “Imagine” (Remastered)
2. U2 “Walk On” (Radio Edit)
3. Bob Dylan “Shelter From The Storm”
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers “Around The World” (Live)
5. Lady Gaga “Born This Way” (Starsmith Remix)
6. Beyonce “Irreplaceable”
7. Bruno Mars “Talking To The Moon” (Acoustic Piano Version)
8. Katy Perry “Firework”
9. Rihanna “Only Girl (In The World)”
10. Justin Timberlake “Like I Love You”
11. Madonna “Miles Away” (Live)
12. David Guetta “When Love Takes Over” (feat. Kelly Rowland)
13. Eminem “Love The Way You Lie” (feat. Rihanna) [Clean Version}
14. Bruce Springsteen “Human Touch”
15. Josh Groban “Awake” (Live)
16. Keith Urban “Better Life”
17. Black Eyed Peas “One Tribe”
18. Pink “Sober”
19. Cee Lo Green “It’s Ok”
20. Lady Antebellum “I Run To You”
21. Bon Jovi “What Do You Got?”
22. Foo Fighters “My Hero”
23. R.E.M. “Man On The Moon”
24. Nicki Minaj “Save Me” (Clean Version)
25. Sade “By Your Side”
26. Michael Buble “Hold On” (Radio Mix)
27. Justin Bieber “Pray” (Acoustic)
28. Adele “Make You Feel My Love”
29. Enya “If I Could Be Where You Are”
30. Elton John “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”
31. John Mayer “Waiting On The World To Change”
32. Queen “Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)” [Remastered]
33. Kings Of Leon “Use Somebody”
34. Sting “Fragile” (Live In Berlin)
35. Leona Lewis “Better In Time”
36. Ne-Yo “One In A Million”
37. Shakira “Whenever, Wherever”
38. Norah Jones “Sunrise”
What I love most about country music is the story behind each song. Darius Rucker’s latest hit, “This” is just one example. Whether it’s breaking up with a significant other, losing a job or questioning your life, we all have the same fears but as the saying goes, “When one door closes, another opens.” Darius hits this point in his moving new music video, “This.” Watch it below.
I’ve seen New York-based band The Postelles perform quite a few times and have always been impressed by their live show. The energetic group met in high school and has been playing together ever since. After numerous festival showcases and a stint as opener for Kings of Leon, the band is readying their self-titled debut album, due out this June. Watch an interview and four song performance and interview for Baeble Music below.
A few weeks ago, I spent the day with Josh Kelley while he was in New York promoting his debut country release, Georgia Clay. Throughout the day, the Georgia native filled me in on his songwriting process, his early years writing and performing with his younger brother, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, and some defining moments in his career and personal life. You can watch the video below and for my complete writeup and interview, visit The Boot.
His first full-length album as a solo artist, Matthew Mayfield‘s newest release, Now You’re Free, encompasses 11 standout tracks of raw vocals combined with solid musical interludes and emotional lyrics. His deep, raspy singing style immediately draws the listener in while soaring guitar and percussion round out much of the LP.
No stranger to the music scene, Mayfield released an LP with his former band, Moses Mayfield, in 2007 and recorded eight solo EPs years later. He’s had much success as a solo artist so far, having songs featured on “Grey’s Anatomy” as well as some going to No. 1 on iTunes’ singer/songwriter chart.
“My journey started in 1992 when I fell in love with Guns N’ Roses after seeing Slash get up on the piano for the finale of “November Rain.” When I was 9, I decided I was either going to be a bank robber/surfer or play in a rock ‘n roll band,” he writes on his website. “I’m not brave enough to ride the big waves and not radical enough to rob banks, so here I am with a guitar in my hand. I think my mother is very happy with that call.”
With the help of fans, Mayfield raised $14,000 via Pledge Music by selling handwritten lyrics, living room demos, house parties, guitar tabs, and more. He took to Nashville to record Now You’re Free with producer Paul Moak and writes that the album is everything he wants it to be.
” Honest, anthemic and diverse. The songs are full of hope, which in some ways is very new to me. They are the sound of a fresh start. I’m excited about attempting to change something with this record. It could be someone’s mood for a few minutes, the temperature in their room, or the way they watch the sunset driving down the interstate. Music has changed everything for me. I want to be a part of that for other people.”
And that he is. Now You’re Free kicks things off with “Come Back Home,” an impressive start to the release. With guitar buildup before Mayfield’s wavering vocals enter, it is easy to picture him in an arena setting as each instrument crescendos at the perfect spot. The song fades to a close with Mayfield alone on vocals singing passionately, “Come back, come back, come back, come back please come back, come back home.”
Next track, “Missed Me” quickly picks up the pace with electric guitar and a faster paced singing style from Mayfield. While the more uptempo numbers showcase Mayfield’s rocker side, it is his heartbreaking ballads that leave the greatest impact. The beautifully haunting “Fire Escape” paints the picture of a man waiting around for a former flame. With deep vocals, the listener can feel the pain he feels as he sings each word.
Standout song, “Element” has quickly become my most listened to track. The song begins with Mayfield lightly strumming the acoustic guitar before his slowed, soft vocals enter. “I’ve been waiting/Wish I was watching you/In the daylight/A perfect view/This is always a favorite of mine/Said I don’t want to go/ ‘Cause it means I’d have to throw/This element of mine aside/What if I don’t want to be the lonely one/The truth I know is this/I don’t want to miss you more/Than I already do,” he sings passionately. Written when he was 19, Mayfield has said it’s the one song that’s stuck around so long that he still likes.
“Ghost” follows suit with guest vocals by Bo Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE. While the track picks up the pace, it continues to showcase Mayfield’s introspection with light strokes of the piano. Guest vocals continue, this time by The Civil Wars’ Joy Williams on “Can’t Change My Mind,” a moving ballad before the upbeat and hopeful “Grow Old With You” closes the LP on a strong note.
Though his first full-length solo release, it’s hard to tell. Now You’re Free is an adequate introduction to the singer-songwriter’s talent. One can only wonder what the future will bring for Matthew Mayfield. To listen to his newest release and find out when he’s coming on tour near you, visit his Website.
