Fresh Bread

It Is You! Toots Back In NYC This Wednesday

I'll be venturing over to Times Square this Wednesday night...on purpose...to see one of my favorites, Toots & The Maytals.  The father of reggae performs now in his forty-second year as singer with the same youthful exuberance as he did when he first coined the word reggae (1968's "Do The Reggay").  They always deliver an amazing performance and I'm glad I glanced at BB's show listings for the first time in 2008 yesterday.  Tickets are still available.

Peep this great covers compilation of "Pressure Drop" by MOKB.

Steve Earle / Allison Moorer Do LA: The Prequel - Hotel Cafe 03.24.08

The night before I saw Steve Earle and Allison Moorer play Royce Hall, I attended a private showcase of Newline (Moorer) and Primary Wave (Earle) at the Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.  Earle played about 5 songs before Allison Moorer treated the select crowd to 20 minute set of songs from her new album. 

Steve Earle / Allison Moorer - Royce Hall (UCLA) 03.25.08

Steve Earle.  Singer/Songwriter.  Brilliant.  National treasure.  Believe it.   

I was fortunate enough to be working on the west coast this week so I could take in one of my Co's writers, Steve Earle, at UCLA's Royce Hall.  It was the last night of his tour in support of his most recent album, Washington Square Serenade; the album won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Folk Album this past February and is truly fantastic.  A lot of those new songs were played during his 2+ hour set - "City Of Immigrants", "Satellite Radio", "Steve's Hammer"... there were also many deeper tracks like "Billy Austin", "Copperhead Road", "Galway Girl", "Jerusalem". 

The highlight came during the encore though.  Two songs just blew me away; firstly "The Mountain" (requested by and dedicated to Tom Morello) and "Little Rock 'n' Roller".  Steve preceded LRnR by talking about his family's recent loss of their rock, Steve's dad.  While this song was written twenty-four years ago for his son Justin Townes Earle, it is now a song for his father.  Quite moving I must admit. 

Great review of the show by the LA Times here

Steve's wife Allison Moorer opened the show as well sang back up vocals on a number of tracks during Steve's set.

Blue Yodel and Tom Morrello (Rage Against The Machine)

Miracle Fortress - Mercury Lounge 03.21.08

Last week in Austin it was Graham Van Pelt's other band that made my SXSW.  Friday night at the Mercury Lounge, his Polaris Prize nominated Miracle Fortress made my...Friday.  But that's saying a lot as this particular Friday was fantastic (for no particular reason).  I have been waiting very patiently to see MF - ever since the old CMJ 07 border scandal.  The wait was worth it though as my expectations of greatness were met.  They were on the bill with opener Liam Finn (only caught the last song) and headliner The Most Serene Republic...who you already know I like.

The setlist was songs from the great Five Roses.  I think "Maybe Lately" would be a song in my desert island top 10...its that good.  They also played a new track though I didn't catch the title.

It's Phantastic News: Jammy's 2008

For some reason, I just knew this was going to happen.  After taking a year off, The Jammy Awards  return for its seventh time this May 7th (that's a lot of sevens) at The MSG Theater.  Up for the Lifetime Achievement Award is none other than a very near-and-dear to my heart band, Phish.  This one is for you:

"Brian & Robert".mp3

Grace Potter and Warren Haynes will share the hosting duties.  I'm definitely looking forward to hearing what musical matches Peter Shapiro, Relix, and Jambands.com put together to perform during the show.  Tix went on sale yesterday.

Buddy Guy's Lifetime Achievement Award performance w/ John Mayer (2006)

South By Southwest Music Fest (Saturday) - 03.15.08

Cathy Davey - SESAC Day Stage

For those looking for a Feist-like singer/songwriter, look no further than Cathy Davey.  The Irish lass is chock full of quirky, upbeat arrangements and fun lyrics.  She was the best Irish Breakfast possible to kick off my last day in Austin. 

A quick pop in to see D. Hall's keynote (inclusive of an acoustic performance of "Rich Girl") before heading back to the 'Gum Lounge to see duo No Age rock it up.  I spent the rest of the afternoon after No Age at Alex Patsavas' Chop Shop / Atlantic party near the Convention Center.  Tally Hall, The Republic Tigers, then current Apple girl Yael Naim took the stage to a mostly packed tent.  Its hard not to dig Yael; her sound is positive and she has this smile that keeps going all set long.  Big smile, big voice, cool sound.  Good stuff.  New wave rockers The Virgins finished out the party with a bang.  Bang!  went their sound and it was loud and good...good and loud. 

After some seriously good PF Chang's, the wifey and I went over to Beauty Bar to the Pop Montreal Showcase.  The crazy Socalled entertained with funky, experimental hip hop and a sweet paper tearing magic trick.  The next band I had been looking forward to seeing for about 2 years:  Montreal's Think About Life.  Their set was incredible, completely blew me away, probably best set I saw in Austin.  Peep the mp3 below of "Paul Cries" - they ended the night with this song.  It was greattastic.

My Southby was capped by a late party thrown by Perez Hilton.  BV was there (*cough, cough*....you're welcome...*cough, cough*) and has a good review. 

Daryl Hall Keynote @ the Austin Civic Center

No Age @ Volume (Stereogum, Paste, Dell Party)

Tally Hall @ West Tent (Chop Shop / Atlantic Party)

Yael Naim @ West Tent (Chop Shop / Atlantic Party)

The Virgins @ West Tent (Chop Shop / Atlantic Party)

Socalled @ Beauty Bar Backyard (Pop Montreal, Alien8 Showcase)

Think About Life @ Beauty Bar Backyard (Pop Montreal, Alien8 Showcase)

Think About Life - "Paul_Cries".mp3

Shwayze w/ Cisco Adler and Skeet Skeet (Perez Hilton Party) (via Flickr)

South By Southwest Music Fest (Friday) - 03.14.08

Firstly, let me just say the Beef Bar-B-Q sammy at Stubb's was magnificent. 

The day kicked off at the Stereogum / Paste party with one of my favorites right now, Lightspeed Champion.  A perfect way to start what would be a great day overall of quality music.  The Fader Fort provided me introduction to Denmark's The Fashion.  I'm not sure I was expecting the energy they brought; certainly my aching dogg's didn't mind grooving for them.  They have an infectious sound and great stage presence. 

Stubb's brought me another Vampire Weekend set.  All the classics except "Walcott"...dammit....because that's my jam.  Venerable L.A. band X was next....then that magical BBQ sammy to end my Stubb's stay.

UK band Your Vegas was a good way to kick off the night festivities.  unbelievably catchy rock songs (peep "In My Head" on their myspace), dynamic lead singer and band, small room, electric energy...those things usually make for a memorable set.  They are about to go out on tour with The Bravery for a few weeks.

I dipped over to Emo's to spread my wings a bit.  Saw the tail end of Does It Offend You, Yeah? - they caught me off guard (in a good way) but definitely didn't offend.   Two Chicago groups next, Flosstradamus (whose knob turning was very catchy) and the unbelievable The Cool Kids with probably a top 5 set for me from the festival.

I ended the night with Ireland's Fight Like Apes.  I'm not sure if I have ever heard anything like them before.  Futuristic Punk?  Maybe.  Amazingly sweet live?  Damn straight.  Did they have a song with 90210 in the title?  They sure did and it kicked ass.

Lightspeed Champion @ Volume (Stereogum, Dell, & Paste Present)

The Knux @ The Fader Fort

The Fashion @ The Fader Fort

??? - replacing a missing Lemonheads set @ The Fader Fort

Vampire Weekend @ Stubbs (Spin Magazine Party)

X @ Stubbs (Spin Magazine Party)

Your Vegas @ Gruv

Does It Offend You, Yeah? @ Emo's (via Village Voice)

The Cool Kids @ Emo's (via Flickr)

Fight Like Apes @ Soho Lounge (Music From Ireland Showcase)

FLA with two Von Bondies

South By Southwest Music Fest (Thursday) - 03.13.08

Paddy Casey @ B.D. Reilly's (Irish Breakfast Showcase)

Yeasayer @ The Parrish (NPR Showcase)

Bon Iver @ The Parrish (NPR Showcase)

Vampire Weekend @ The Parrish (NPR Showcase)

Noah And The Whale with Laura Marling @ Friends (Clash Magazine)

Florence and the Machine @ The Rio (BBC Showcase)

Wild Light @ The Rio (BBC Showcase)

MGMT @ The Playboy Party (Getty Images)

South By Southwest Music Fest (Wednesday) - 3.12.08

My first trip to Austin, TX was for last weeks' South By Southwest Music Festival.  I arrived Wednesday and my first stop was the Austinist/Gothamist showcase at The Mohawk.  First set of the showcase was by the Forms followed by Jukebox the Ghost (who you already know I like...a lot). 

A brief stop at  BV's day showcase at Red 7 to see Canopy then off to the SESAC daystage at the Austin Convention Center to catch another band I dig, Brooklyn's Akron/Family.  This set was short...about 20 minutes...VERY spacey and crazy.  Another NY band followed, the very good Ra Ra Riot, again a short but sweet 20 minute set.

I started the evening back at the ACC to catch my Co.'s partner, Daryl Hall, tape a performance for Direct TV.

The Forms @ the Mohawk

Jukebox The Ghost @ the Mohawk

Canopy @ Red 7

Akron/Family @ Austin Civic Center

Ra Ra Riot @ Austin Civic Center

Daryl Hall @ Austin Civic Center

I was a little worn down from having left NYC that morning at 6am so after seeing D-Hall, me, the wifey, and her artist's crew headed over the river for some good local BBQ at an austin legend, Green Mesquite. Besides, my dogs were already barkin' pretty loud and it was only one day in and I knew I would be up late the next evening at the Playboy Party.

Fresh Bread Alter Ego Quoted On Wallstreetjournal.com

Background Music

At South by Southwest, Acts With TV-Ready Tunes Are in Demand

By JOHN JURGENSEN
March 8, 2008; Page W1

WHAT TO WATCH

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We asked music-industry insiders whom they're eager to see at South by Southwest. Here are some of the acts on their radars.

Ryan Barkan, director of marketing and advertising for music publishing company Primary Wave 
Band: The Most Serene Republic 
Comment: This Canadian indie-rock septet has "a fun sound that goes with life. I could see it working well in campaigns," Mr. Barkan says.

The full article, including a quote from my homey Amy R., can be read here