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Studio Notes: YSIW's Top 5 Picks of 2011


Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

With so many artists releasing albums this year, how does one decide which to purchase? You Sing I Write’s got you covered. Below is a list of album releases by some of the artists I’ve interviewed over the years with song previews and behind-the-scenes studio footage. Take a listen and be sure to let me know which album you’re most looking forward to this year.

Lights Resolve

This New York-based trio has been touring non-stop over the past four years, perfecting their live show and acquiring countless fans along the way. Their debut album, Feel You’re Different, will be released this Spring.  Produced, engineered and mixed by Mike Sapone (Brand New, Taking Back Sunday) and mastered by Emily Lazar / Joe LaPorta (Foo Fighters, Vampire Weekend), Feel You’re Different is sure to show off a new, bold and vital direction for the New York alternative three-piece.

Watch their album teaser below and be sure to catch them in New York Tuesday at Bowery Electric. For more on the band, visit them on MySpace and to learn more, read my interview with Lights Resolve here.

 

Mat Kearney

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Mat Kearney is currently in the studio working on his next album, Young Love. He’s been filling in his fans via video blogs and mini journals like the one below:

“Right now, I’m sitting on the studio couch here in Nashville as rain is drizzling outside. We have been listening to 4 measures of the same song, over and over, trying to find the best transition possible. We seem to be pretty far along with my new record, “Young Love”. I’m going out of my mind bouncing between feelings of extreme gratitude, as well as being completely overwhelmed. Regardless, I cant wait to share this project with you. We put together a video from the studio so you can see what we have been up to. I wanted you to be apart of the process and the madness. I hope this finds you well.”

Read and listen to my interview with Mat Kearney here and watch his latest studio update below.

NEEDTOBREATHE

Last year, I interviewed and covered one of NEEDTOBREATHE’s New York performances, which became my favorite concert of 2010. The South Carolina natives are in the studio working on their forthcoming album. Watch their first studio blog below and for more on the band, read my interview with NEEDTOBREATHE here.

Parachute

I still remember my first interview with Will Anderson of Parachute, then known as Sparky’s Flaw. It was in 2007 and he was walking to class while telling me about a song he recently wrote about a girl he was crushing on in college. A year later their songs could be heard on the radio and they were performing in Times Square for New Year’s Eve. Not a bad lead-up to their debut album. Parachute just announced that in April, they will release their sophomore effort, The Way It Was.

“We are all so incredibly excited for YOU, our amazing fans to be the first to hear the name of our upcoming album! Drum Roll Please… “The Way It Was”. We’re finishing up production now, and the album will be available in April 12, 2011. We can’t wait to share it with all of you!

We’ve been busy rehearsing for our tour with Plain White T’s “Wonders of the Younger Tour”, and we want to make sure that all of you are able to hear your favorite songs from ‘Losing Sleep’ in addition to several tracks from the new album. To submit your top picks for our setlist, all you have to do is post 4-5 songs you would like to hear most on our Facebook wall, and we will be checking your comments! See you on the road.”

Read my interview with Parachute here and watch their video for “She Is Love” below.

Switchfoot

The San Diego band just announced an album update on their Web site.

“We wanted to give everyone an update on our new record Vice Verses. Some of you have heard samples of the songs during our fall tour and at our holiday shows. We are starting to record with producers Neil Avron, Mike Elizondo and engineer Adam Hawkins. Look out for a new Switchfoot album in the summer of 2011! Also, check our websites for studio updates, tour updates etc.”

Watch the music video for their single “The Sound (John Perkins’ Blues)” below and be sure to visit Switchfoot.com for studio updates. For my interview with Switchfoot’s Jon Foreman, click here.

Categories
Features

Backyard Brunch Sessions Presents Brunch After Dark 2

In August, I covered a concert in Williamsburg  hosted by David Chaitt called Backyard Brunch Sessions. Every few weekends in the summer he invited friends and music industry enthusiasts to his apartment in Brooklyn for homemade breakfast and an unplugged set of music. Since the weather is a little cold for an outdoor concert, he’s moved his show to Brooklyn Bowl next week.

Brunch After Dark 2 will feature two of the bands who performed over the summer, Pearl and the Beard and The Loom (videos below) as well as Team B. The show starts at 8PM at Brooklyn Bowl Wednesday, February 9. Full set is as follows:

Doors – 6PM

DJ Alex Mann – 7-8:15PM (and in between sets)

Team B — 8:15-9PM

Pearl and the Beard – 9:30-10:15PM

The Loom — 10:45-11:30PM

Watch The Loom perform “Helen” below.

Watch Pearl and the Beard perform “Hot Volcano” below.

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Song of the Week Videos

Song of the Week: "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not"

While researching country pickup lines for my recent article, “10 Best Come-On Lyrics in Country Music” for The Boot, a friend suggested Thompson Square’s single, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.” I instantly fell in love with the song and haven’t been able to stop listening since. I don’t think I’ve had a song on repeat this much in years.

Watch the video for it below and if you’re in dire need for some pickup lines for this weekend, check out my writeup on The Boot. I’m planning on trying the cheesy, “Are you from Tennessee?/’Cause baby, you’re the only 10 I see.” I’ll be sure to let you know how that goes…

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Artist of the Week Band of the Week

Band of the Week: The Vinyls

Photo Credit: Jose Podesta

New Jersey’s own The Vinyls impressed a packed crowd at Maxwell’s recently. Though the first band showcased on a Saturday night, the quintet’s high energy set kept concertgoers engaged.

With familiar vocals, a driving drum beat and powerful guitar riffs, the Jersey boys’ set ended too soon. Drew Duddy’s stage presence captivated as his animated facial expressions provided a story that accompanied each song. Though an apt frontman, the musical accompaniment propelled the band from simply an opener to a memorable act.

Catchy tracks like “My Good Name” combined a forceful drum beat with solid guitar rhythms and relentless vocals.

“Feel free to move around. I know it’s not the venue for a circle pit, but this would be the song,” Duddy said. “This song’s called ‘My Good Name’ and it’s about starting over.” Girls in the front of the room danced along to the fast-paced track while the guys in the crowd raised their beer cups in the air.

“Loner” demonstrated The Vinyls more serious side. Despite a sordid tale at the song’s start, the storyline picked up mid-track to reveal a distinct optimism.

Current single, “American Dream” embodied a tale many can relate to. With fitting musical accompaniment, Duddy sang, “Every mark we make is a sign of change/I’m not alone in this American dream…I don’t need another let down.”

Hopeful, yet realistic, The Vinyls down to earth roots and relatable lyrics combined with their memorable music and energetic stage presence prove they won’t be an opening act for long.

For more on The Vinyls, be sure to visit them on PureVolume.

Related Links:
• Band of the Week: Intimate Stranger
• Band of the Week: Steel Magnolia
• Artist of the Week: Brooke Fraser
• Band of the Week: NEEDTOBREATHE
Categories
Song of the Week Videos

Song of the Week: "Come Together"

I haven’t been able to stop playing this song ever since Fifteen Fleeting covered it last Saturday night. A timeless classic, watch as the Beatles perform it live below.

Categories
Concert Reviews

Fifteen Fleeting Celebrate Album Release


Photo Credit: Jose Podesta

Maxwell’s was packed to capacity Saturday night as fans anxiously waited for Fifteen Fleeting to take the stage. With many in attendance sporting 15 F t-shirts and glow stick sunglasses, the room lit up in a distinct green and yellow blaze.

“If you have glasses, put them on. It enhances your vision – Fifteen Fleeting vision,” said frontman Vinny Belcastro.

With a driving drum beat and soaring guitar and vocals, the band had the entire room clapping along to set opener “Streetlamp Limelight.” As the song ended, Belcastro waved his arms in the air, asking for more applause.

“Hoboken, let me know you’re alive out there,” he screamed. The animated frontman continued to grab concertgoers’ attention with his high energy and strong stage presence throughout their nearly 90-minute set.

“We basically gave birth to a child,” Belcastro continued. “This child is called Presents and we want you to all go home with a copy and play it in your car and for your friends,” he said of the band’s first full-length release.

For the complete review, visit Hoboken Patch.

Categories
Freebies

Fifteen Fleeting's New Album

Fifteen Fleeting’s new album

Download a copy of Fifteen Fleeting’s debut full-length, Presents.

How: Visit http://fifteenfleeting.bandcamp.com

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Artist of the Week Band of the Week

Band of the Week: Intimate Stranger

Photo Credit: Jeremy Gordon

Last year, I interviewed Intimate Stranger before their appearance at SXSW. Currently on tour and gearing up for a few showcases at this year’s SXSW I caught the band’s show Friday night at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory. Formed in Santiago, Chile, in 2005, Intimate Stranger has critics and music lovers alike raving about their live show.

Frontwoman Tessie S-Woodgate has been named one of the “Leading Ladies of Rock” by Rolling Stone Chile and last Friday she demonstrated just why. With powerful stage presence, her vocals immediately grab the listener. Her singing combined with atmospheric guitar effects, soaring synth melodies and solid drum rhythm had concertgoers energized and dancing along.

Last year, S-Woodgate said Intimate Stranger’s music “has elements of melancholy and a calm motivated energy.” Opening track “Moments” fully demonstrated this energy. With a pounding drum beat and S-Woodgate’s seductive vocals, the band impressed. Their energy never wavered throughout their set as the band segued from one high energy track right into the next.

Songs like “Undone” showcase a darker sound for the band while “In the Black” lightened up the mood and consequently, had the entire venue clapping along during a minute long instrumental breakdown. Complete with guitar distortion and deeper vocals, the song was a welcomed change.

Performing just under 45 minutes, the band closed their set with the fast-paced “Beastie Queen.” An adequate track to end their show, I’d be surprised to learn of any concertgoers who didn’t have the song stuck in their head long after the last note was played.

For more on Intimate Stranger, be sure to visit them on MySpace and catch a show when they’re in town.

Related Links:
• Band of the Week: Steel Magnolia
• Artist of the Week: Brooke Fraser
• Band of the Week: NEEDTOBREATHE
• Band of the Week: Vanaprasta
Categories
Song of the Week Videos

Song of the Week: "Walking In Memphis"


Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

When reviewing an album this weekend, a track reminded me of Marc Cohn’s moving song “Walking In Memphis.” A powerful ballad, I remember having the song stuck in my head my first visit to Memphis two years ago. After watching the video below, you just might be singing the song all day as well.

Related Links
• Song of the Week: “Enchanted”
• Song of the Week: “Until You”
• Song of the Week: “Hello World”
• Song of the Week: “Christmas All Over Again”

Categories
Articles

Photo of the Week: Imagine

I thought this photo was fitting for this week in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and those who have fought for equality and peace, John Lennon being just one example.

This photo was taken a few days after the 30th anniversary of Lennon’s death in Central Park’s Strawberry Fields on my Blackberry and I’ve had it as my phone’s wallpaper ever since. You can see the flowers and candles surrounding the Imagine mosaic left by fans in his memory.