Chris And Tommy’s Good Time Folk Rock Show
Starting the new year off with some gratuitous self promotion and trying to kick start this blog back into gear. Here are the early 2011 tour dates for Chris And Tommys’s Good Time Folk Rock Show, an acoustic duo featuring Chris Nickey on guitar and vocals, and myself on bass. Come on out and join in the fun as we start off 2011 by providing the soundtrack to the First Friday Arts on The Avenue celebration at Langhorne Coffee House. To give you a taste of what it’s all about, give a listen to this set we performed this past summer at the R.A.T. Gallery in Gardenville, PA.
Chris And Tommys’s Good Time Folk Rock Show
Upcoming Shows:
Fri Jan 7 7pm Langhorne Coffee House Langhorne, PA
Thu Jan 13 8pm Small World Coffee Princeton, NJ
Sat Jan 29 7pm Fuel House Coffee Co. Concert Series Vineland, NJ
Wed Feb 2 10pm The Grape Room, Manayunk PA
Sat Feb 5 8pm Small World Coffee Princeton, NJ w/Superfive
Thu Feb 10 8pm MOJO 13 Wilmington, DE w/ Joanna Lynne, Transitshop, Nate Farrar
Sat Mar 12 8pm Green Planet Coffee Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Fri Mar 18 7pm Bogart’s Bookstore Millville, NJ
Sat Apr 9 8pm Green Planet Coffee Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
with more dates TBA soon…
Chris & Tommy’s Good Time Folk Rock Show
6.19.10 R.A.T Gallery, Gardenville PA
Splash 1
The Healer
Sister Something
Misunderstanding
Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman
Budgie Wudgie
Jockeyful Of Bourbon
Our new website is coming soon but for now you can stay up to date here :
myspace – http://www.myspace.com/christophernickey
or
ourstage http://www.ourstage.com/profile/chrisnickey
New Music : Old Canes – Feral Harmonic
Old Canes is the side project of Appleseed Cast singer/guitarist Chris Crisci. Breaking away from soaring shoegazey sound of Appleseed Cast, Old Canes sophomore release Feral Harmonic is an organic mix of driving, rhythmic, drums and percussion layered with an assortment of frantic acoustic guitars, banjo and even some toy piano and trumpet amongst other sounds. Not surprising that the rhythm is a focal point as the album was recorded over a three and half year period starting with the drum tracks and using a wide cast of musical friends gradually building the textures of other instrumentation over top. It all coalesces into a folky roots based sound that is simultaneously soft and acoustic and percussive and loud at the same time. Check out Little Bird Courage, a great starting point from which the rest of the album takes off and expands on, the shuffling The Last Collapse, the percussive Sweet, one of my personal faves which breaks into a hypnotic coda that’s an indie rock equivalent to the outro of I Am The Walrus , the lilting Under, to the strummy, melodic, Flower Faces ,every song is an addictive listen.
Old Canes – Little Bird Courage
Buy Feral Harmonic [Release Date 10.20.09]
Old Canes Supporting Cast for Feral Harmonic
John Anderson (White Whale, Boys Life), drums
Kelly Hangauer (4th Of July), trumpet
Jeff Stoltz (Drakkar Sauna), harmophone
Joey Henry (Calamity Cubes), backing vocals
Jordan Geiger (Minus Story, Hospital Ships)backing vocals
Lucas Oswald (Minus Story, Hospital Ships) backing vocals, cello, hammer dulcimer
John Momberg (The Dactyls, Appleseed Cast), drums
Tyler French (original Old Canes drummer turned union organizer) drums
Upcoming Shows
Oct 13 2009 Jackpot Lawrence, KS
Oct 15 2009 Vaudville Mews Des Moines IA
Oct 16 2009 Bottom Lounge Chicago, IL
Oct 17 2009 TBA Davenport, IA
Oct 18 2009 TBA Bloomington, IN
Oct 19 2009 Beachland Ballroom Cleveland, OH
Oct 22 2009 Saddle Creek Showcase @ CMJ NYC
Oct 23 2009 Garfield Artworks Pittsburgh, PA
Oct 24 2009 Southgate House Cincinnati, Ohio
Oct 25 2009 TBA Columbia, Missouri
Nov 12 2009 Slowdown Omaha, Nebraska
Nov 13 2009 Hi-Dive Denver, Colorado
Nov 15 2009 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, Utah
[MYSPACE]
Be There This Friday 9/25 For The Shrinking Islands Philadelphia Debut
[Photo By Janice Lee]
The jangly, intelligent sound of Cambridge, Massachusett’s The Shrinking Islands has been a favorite here at Bag Of Songs ever since their excellent first album In The Black Carpet was released way back in 2006. This Friday marks their long awaited Philadelphia debut performance so be sure to get up off the sofa and out to see them. They’ll be playing at Skylight 307 which is the cool new 2nd floor gallery space of Artist and Craftman Supplies, at 307 Market Street in Old City. If you’re not familiar with them yet, here’s a couple tunes to get you started. Fans of bands like REM, The Feelies,or The Velvet Underground you’ll love this.
The Shrinking Islands – Swallowed In Grace
Buy In The Black Carpet
The Shrinking Islands – Blood Rays
Buy Sort Of Records Fall 2006 Compilation
The Shrinking Islands with Raymond Morin and Heirloom
Friday, September 25, 2009
Skylight 307
307 Market Street Philadelphia PA
7PM
Put Yourself In The Picture With A Sunny Day In Glasgow
Want to be in the picture above ?, next time you could be, A Sunny Day in Glasgow has announced an open call for a new female touring vocalist.
From the band:
“Hi Everyone,
As you may know we have a new album coming out this month. We are planning to go on tour for a short while later this Autumn and then for a LONG while next year, all over the world. But before we do, we need another singer to fill things out and make us sound awesome. Specifically, we are looking for a female soprano who is up for an adventure (if you are not sure what a soprano is, just listen to our songs– these are predominantly within a soprano range).
There are no geographic limits to this search– you could live anywhere in the world (seriously)– but special preference may be given to folks living in or around Philadelphia, USA or Sydney, Australia, cuz these are the cities where members of this band currently live. But really, don’t let geography stop you or your friends from getting in touch if interested.
And if you are interested, please write us asap at hello@asunnydayinglasgow.com and we can fill you in on more specifics and answer questions and whatnot.
xoxo!
asdig”
Here’s some tunes to get you in the mood, including a couple from the brand new Ashes Grammar released this past Tuesday, plus a few announced Fall tour dates. Good luck to anyone who tries out. Let us know if you make it.
A Sunny Day in Glasgow – Ashes Grammar / Ashes Maths
Buy Ashes Grammar
A Sunny Day in Glasgow – Best Summer Ever
Buy Scribble Mural Comic Journal
Announced Fall Tour Dates
11/14 – New Haven, CT ArtSpace
12/3 – Atlanta, GA 529
12/4 – Athens, GA Secret Squirrel
12/10 – Washtingon, DC The Red & The Black
12/11 – Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery
12/15 – Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE] [Mis Ojos Discos Records]
From Langhorne, With Love
Well, he’s more like New York City Slim these days, but here’s a brand new one from the man that shares a hometown with Bag Of Songs, the one and only Langhorne Slim. I Love You, But Goodbye is the first taste from his new album Be Set Free and sports a soulful, jazz inflected, folk vibe that kind of reminds me of Van Morrison or early Springsteen.
The album is out September 29th on Kemado Records and Langhorne Slim‘s embarking on what looks like a pretty extensive coast to coast fall tour in support of it that wraps up right here in Philadelphia at one of my favorite venues anywhere, Johnny Brenda’s.
Langhorne Slim – I Love You, But Goodbye
Buy Be Set Free (Available Sept 29th)
Upcoming Shows
10/15 – Bell House – Brooklyn, NY
10/17 – TT The Bears – Cambridge, MA
10/21 – Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH
10/22 – Blind Pig – Ann Arbor, MI
10/24 – High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI
10/25 – 400 Bar – Minneapolis, MN
10/26 – Waiting Room – Omaha, NE
10/28 – Jackpot – Lawrence, KS
10/29 – Hi Dive – Denver, CO
10/30 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT
11/02 – Tractor Tavern – Seattle, WA
11/03 – Media Club – Vancouver, BC
11/06 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
11/08 – Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA
11/09 – Rhythm Room – Tempe, AZ
11/11 – Mohawk Outside – Austin, TX
11/13 – The Basement – Nashville, TN
11/15 – Cats Cradle – Carrboro, NC
11/16 – The Southern – Charlottesville, VA
11/17 – Rock N Roll Hotel – DC
11/19 – Johnny Brenda’s – Philadelphia, PA
[MYSPACE]
New Music From Coltrane Motion and Spring Tour
Some brand new music and spring tour dates from our Chicago friends Coltrane Motion. For those not in the know Coltrane Motion is the sound of Matt Dennewitz’s 60’s garage fuzz guitar storm and Michael Bond’s powerhouse drum loops, synthesizer, and soaring organ riffs blended into a frenzied dance groove. Their new The Year Without A Summer single continues their string of excellent releases. The A-Side is a driving rocker punctuated by a dark, somewhat sinister sounding synth hook, while The B-Side, Maya Blue, slows it down a bit for a more rhythmic psychedelic feel. Get it now on super cool colored vinyl 7″ and break in those new dancing shoes for when they hit your town. See you all next Tuesday night in Philly.
Coltrane Motion – Maya Blue
Buy The Year Without A Summer (colored vinyl 7″)
Coltrane Motion – I’m On Fire (Springsteen)
Coltrane Motion – They Can’t Mic The Deep End
Buy Songs About Music
Spring Tour Dates
Thu 03/05 @ The Whistler – Chicago, IL
Fri 03/06 @ The Pour Haus – Louisville, KY
Sat 03/07 @ The Crystal Castle – Athens, OH
Sun 03/08 @ B-Side Liquor Lounge – Cleveland, OH
Mon 03/09 @ Galaxy Hut – Arlington, VA
Tue 03/10 @ The Fire – Philadelphia, PA
Wed 03/11 @ Public Assembly – Brooklyn, NY
Thu 03/12 @ Club Cafe – Pittsburgh, PA
Fri 03/13 @ The Trolley Stop – Dayton, OH
Sat 03/14 @ Northside Tavern – Cincinnati, OH
Sun 03/15 @ Mike ‘N Molly’s – Champaign, IL
Sat 03/21 @ Hexagon Bar – Minneapolis, MN
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE] [FACEBOOK]
HOT New Music : The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Here at BOS we’ve been big fans of The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart ever since we first heard them back in 2007 when their Cloudberry Records EP for This Love Is Fucking Right was released. Their first couple singles were excellent slabs of noisy melodic pop, and their self titled debut full length on Slumberland Records fully delivers and expands upon the promise they showed. It even garnered them an 8.6 and Best New Music rating from the notoriously finicky Pitchfork. Check out a couple tracks from the new album below and be sure to catch them when their tour heads your way, they’ll be at Philly’s newest musical hotspot tonight, Kung Fu Necktie, with the equally excellent locals Brown Recluse Sings , and NY’s The Depreciation Guild opening. See you there.
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Come Saturday
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart – Everything With You
Buy The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
Upcoming Shows
2/8 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie*
2/9 – Washington, DC – Black Cat Backstage*
2/10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Garfield Artworks*
2/11 – Chicago, IL – Schubas*
2/12 – Toronto – Lee’s Palace*
2/13 – Montreal – Il Motore*
2/14 – Winooski, VT – The Monkey House*
2/15 – Boston, MA – Middle East*
2/27 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg%
3/13 – Brooklyn, NY – Bell House#
3/14 – Baltimore, MD – Talking Head Club#
3/15 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506#
3/16 – Atlanta, GA – Earl#
3/18 – Austin, TX – SXSW – Red 7 (Terrorbird/Force Field Day Party)
3/19 – Austin, TX – SXSW – TBD
3/20 – Austin, TX – SXSW – Emo’s Jr. (Slumberland Records/Cake Shop Showcase)
4/24 – Wallingford, CT – Wallingford American Legion (All Ages)
6/18 = New York, NY – Cake Shop w/ Crystal Stilts
*Depreciation Guild
#Let’s Wrestle
%…And You Shall Know Us By the Trail of Dead
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE] [FACEBOOK]
Artist To Watch : Swift Technique
Funk and soul music is not something you can throw together off the cuff, it has to have a groove, a feel that makes it more than just the music itself. James Brown, Otis Redding, George Clinton & P-Funk, Prince, etc. all channel that power into their music. To categorize Phildelphia’s Swift Technique as just another band playing a blend of funk, soul and hip hop sells what they’re doing far too short. They know how to channel that groove, with some of the best musicianship I’ve seen in recent memory and a stage show overflowing with unbridled energy. The times I saw Swift Technique were easily two of the best shows I saw all this past year.
They have quite a few shows coming up including their Boston debut tomorrow night. I highly recommend you get out and see them if you can. Go, they’ll make you a believer too.
Swift Technique :
Sean McCann – Vocals, Lyricist, Rhymes
Jake Leschinsky – Bass
Andy Bree – Guitars
Rich Agren – Drums
Alex Roysdon – Alto Sax
Greg Rosen – Trumpet
Matt Fischer – Trombone
Swift Technique – Swift Technique
Swift Technique – Lifted
Saturday December 27th
Swift Technique
All Asia Club
334 Mass Ave.
Cambridge, MA
8:00pm
More Upcoming Shows
Jan 2 2009 10:00P The Bitter End New York, New York
Jan 10 2009 7:00P Lansing School Ithaca, New York
Jan 14 2009 10:00P University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jan 23 2009 10:00P Maxi’s (Temple University) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Feb 10 2009 8:00P The North Star Bar Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Feb 13 2009 10:00P Uncle Mike’s New York, New York
Feb 18 2009 9:00P Bootlegger’s Woodlyn, Pennsylvania
[MYSPACE]
New Music : Illinois in The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe
My fellow Bucks County musical residents, Illinois have a new album coming next Tuesday, November 4th, a six volume extravaganza called The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe. For the next six months they’ll be digitally releasing a chapter a month with a batch of songs and an ccompanying short film put together by Arch from the band and People-Food. Check out the video trailer and this first musical taste.
I’m really liking the cool groove of Hang On, it’s a bit electronic, a bit funky, and don’t miss the vocal solo, good stuff.
Illinois – Hang On
Buy The Adventures of Kid Catastrophe (iTunes)
Release Dates
Chapter 1 November 4, 2008
Chapter 2 December 2, 2008
Chapter 3 Jan. 13, 2009
Chapter 4 Feb. 3, 2009
Chapter 5 Mar. 3, 2009
Chapter 6 Apr. 7, 2009
Upcoming Tour Dates
November 3 Rock & Roll Hotel (Chapter 1 Release Party) Washington, DC
November 5 Mercury Lounge (Chapter 1 Release Party) New York, NY
November 6 Great Scott (Chapter 1 Release Party) Boston, MA
November 7 The Fire (Chapter 1 Release Party) Philadelphia, PA
December 2 Rock & Roll Hotel (Chapter 2 Release Party) Washington, DC
December 3 Rehab (Chapter 2 Release Party) New York, NY
December 4 Great Scott (Chapter 2 Release Party) Boston, MA
December 5 The Fire (Chapter 2 Release Party) Philadelphia, PA
January 13 Rock & Roll Hotel (Chapter 3 Release Party) Washington, DC
January 14 Rehab (Chapter 3 Release Party) New York, NY
January 15 Great Scott (Chapter 3 Release Party) Boston, MA
January 16 The Fire (Chapter 3 Release Party) Philadelphia, PA
Hot New Music : Los Campesinos! We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Los Campesinos! have taken the frenetic danceable sounds that made Hold On Now, Youngster… one the better records of the year, focused and refined them just a little bit, and the end result is their fine second release of the year, the “mini album” We are Beautiful,We Are Doomed. It’s available digitally today with an extremely limited cd edition to be released next week. I’d advise picking up a copy of this quick they won’t last long.
Here’s some info about the Limted Edition via their website :
– 27th October sees the release of what the majority of you have decided to call our ‘second’ ‘album’. Not that we ever have mind you.
– There will be no singles released from this RECORD.
– This RELEASE is going to be limited. There will be one, worldwide run of CDs, and then it will be out of print. Done with.
-The package comes in a 14cm by 19cm by 2.5cm two-piece card box. That makes it rectangular in shape.
– The CD will be accompanied by a self-made DVD documentary of our weekend at Oya festival and SummerSonic in August of this year.
– It also includes a 30+ page ‘zine, including the record’s lyrics and contributions by artists including Xiu Xiu, Grandaddy, Tender Forever, Menomena, Parenthetical Girls and Paul Heaton, based around the title ‘We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed’.
– Also each box comes with an exclusive poster drawn for us by Jeffrey Brown.
Los Campesinos! – We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed
Buy We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed (i Tunes)
Order The LTD Edition CD Version
They also put on an extremely fun live show which I was lucky to catch earlier this year. Sadly no upcoming US dates but they’ll be traversing across the UK,Europe and beyond well into December. I Highly recommend checking them out if they’re coming near you.
Upcoming tour dates
14 October – Brighton, Komedia with No Age and Times New Viking. tickets
15 October – Liverpool, Carling Academy 2 with No Age and Times New Viking. tickets
16 October – Leeds, Irish Centre with No Age and Times New Viking. tickets
17 October – Dublin, Whelans with No Age and Times New Viking. tickets
18 October – Glasgow, School of Arts with No Age and Times New Viking tickets
20 October – London, Electric Ballroom with No Age and Times New Viking.
21 October – Bristol, Fleece with No Age and Times New Viking.
22 October – Manchester, Academy 3 with No Age and Times New Viking.
23 October – Dundee, Fat Sam’s With Malcolm Middleton and Eagleowl
24 October – Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire with Copy Haho
5 November – Madrid, Joy Eslava
6 November – Valencia, Mirror
7 November – Barcelona, Razz 2
8 November – Bilbao, Rockstar Barakaldo
9 November – Brussels, Botanique
10 November – Cologne, Luxor
11 November – Amsterdam, Melkweg
12 November – Munich, Atomic Café
13 November – Bologna, Estragon
14 November – Rome, Piper
15 November – Milan, Rolling Stone
18 December – France, Paris Maroquinerie