Archive | April, 2013

Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 – TONIGHT!

12 Apr

eric-clapton-crossroads

 

One of my students recently celebrated a birthday. The day before her birthday was the “day of anticipation.” I thought that was an elegant way to describe her excitement, and, with all the credit to her, I will now sample the phrase and admit that this moment is of potent anticipation. In less than five hours, I will be among a full crowd of music lovers for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 at Madison Square Garden.

As I wrote back in November, my buddy Josh and I have envied those who attended past Crossroads festivals (watching videos of the ethereal artist combinations) since Clapton first started this charity concert. Now, finally, we will attend (the concert is in our backyard, so to speak). While I have seen Clapton three times, I am assured that tonight will be a different experience. The line-up is freakishly good. The concert, which will run for 4.5 hours, will be the best representation of musical firmament. As you can tell by my effusive excitement, I am ready for this show.

It is also wonderful to be supporting Clapton’s Crossroads Centre in Antigua. Clapton was once afflicted with addiction, and the Crossroads Centre was founded in 1998 to provide treatment to addicted individuals. The festival proceeds tonight support the centre.

You can follow the Crossroads Social Media feed on Facebook and Twitter. If you were lucky enough to score tickets to the show (it was a harrowing experience, trust me), ENJOY! I will be there rocking out from my seat.

Be sure to expect a review of the show in the coming days.

 

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Don’t Sleep on Sleeperstar

9 Apr

Sleeperstar

Let’s start with the basics; Sleeperstar will not put you to sleep. It’s more likely they will open your eyes. Hailing from Dallas, TX, the five-piece group plays a passionate blend of keys-heavy alternative rock that focuses on emotional vocal and instrumental crescendo. Like a good story, Sleeperstar is able to balance moments of inaction and quiet with well-placed melodic climaxes. Led by powerful vocals and Snow Patrol-like echoed harmony and percussion, the band is a must-listen for fans of Coldplay, Matchbox 20, and similar Alt/Rock bands.

Following the release of Sleeperstar’s first album, Just Another Ghost, in 2010, the band toured extensively with several dates throughout the United States before returning to the studio to record the most recent EP, Blue Eyes, which was released back in January of this year. Just Another Ghost will be a difficult album to follow. The incipient effort for the band featured songs that landed multiple major media placements, including the TV show “Vampire Diaries” and the movie “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.”

The band – which consists of Nick Box, Chris Pearson, Shaun Menary, Jake Lester, and Geoff Ashcraft – seems up for the challenge. The opening track on the new EP is sure to find its way onto a TV show or movie soon. Take a listen to “Replay.”

The rich vocals dance over wavy keys and sweeping percussion – giving off hints of OAR. The chorus hits hard with echo-driven, enthusiastic harmonies. The vocal precision of Sleeperstar is perhaps its greatest strength. The music itself is more than satisfying, catchy and potent, but the vocals are almost penetrating. Simply, the vocals stick with you.

Here is “Everything Must Find Its Place,” which was featured in “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.”

The song emits a 90s Brit/Alt pop feels with its focus on impassioned keys and heavy vocals. This permeates the song and helps it become more effective. Sleeperstar’s music goes down smoothly like a craft beer. It is satisfying, hearty, and well-made. I, for one, am looking forward to the next round.

Find out more about Sleeperstar: Facebook, Twitter, Website

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Lipstick Lumberjack’s Folksy Cure

4 Apr
Lipstick Lumberjack

Lipstick Lumberjack

What is a Lipstick Lumberjack? It’s an Indie Folk/Pop band based in Santa Ana, California. No, no, I know it’s a band (I see the picture above), but what is a Lipstick Lumberjack? Aside from being one of the best band names I have heard in some time, a Lipstick Lumberjack is a “whimsical character who lives with one foot in the city, the other in the forest.”

The creative name does an excellent job in not only describing the members of the two-piece folk act (Katherine Donovan and Sam Sobelman) – the picture above speaks for itself – but also the name reflects the duo’s music, a sweet concoction of pastoral folk with a daedal hint of Indie pop.

We have caught the Lipstick Lumberjack at a good time. This year is the “Year of Lumberjacky.” Throughout 2013, the band plans to release a single every month, slowly trickling songs to the public in advance of the release of a full-length album towards the end of the year. While we are a few days into April, I have the poisonous March single “Poisoner’s Rag” to share with you all.

The song is poisonous because, like the inevitable grip of poison, you cannot get this euphonious ditty out of your head unless you obtain an antidote, which, in my case, is more songs by this group of bucolic urban troubadours. Everything from the well-placed glockenspiel at the beginning of the song to the reposed harmonies in the chorus works well. The vocals are laid-back and nectarous. With the mention of “lurid poison” and “toxic foxglove,” the music is still delectable and the lyric is creative. The greatest strength of the song is the wonderful harmony, and I look forward to listening to more of it as Lipstick Lumberjack releases more tunes.

Check out more of Lipstick Lumberjack – Facebook, Bandcamp

A Riot in Soho

1 Apr

Soho Riots

Formed at Liverpool University in 2012, Soho Riots is an Indie foursome with a penchant for infectious rock and a flavor that mixes The Killers with Matchbox 20. For such a fledgling band, Soho Riots plays with almost effortless skill, focusing mainly on terrific vocals and catchy beats. The tunes move quickly with punk-like rhythms and moving guitar riffs. It’s always exciting coming across a band who, despite maintaining the fire of youthful vigor, construct songs fastidiously. It is this balance that makes Soho Riots a band you most certainly want to keep an eye out for on either side of the pond.
“Who’s Your Man” is a perfect example of what I write above. The song features a driving rhythm and a neat guitar riff that hug efficient vocals. It is a model of a well-developed piece. And, above all, the song is damn catchy, sticking with you after it ends. The toe-tapping is quick, memorable and has the makings of a great single.
“702” immediately yells alt/punk to me. A little Strokes, Weezer, and other alternative rock/punk fusion bands come to mind. The song, though, feels most like an early Killers song – a high compliment. It has the sheer potency to find a diverse audience, and I’m happy to share it with you all.
Find out more about Soho Riots: Facebook, Youtube

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