New Music : In Grenada – Break
Jesse Leyh Of In Grenada 02.13.09 @ Johnny Brenda
Way back around February, Philadelphia’s In Grenada sent me a few early demo songs from a new album they were working on. Since then it has been one of my most anxiously awaited releases this year. That album, now titled Break recently made it’s way to my inbox and it has been well worth the wait. Ten songs that fully deliver on the promise of those early demos. Music filled with powerful percussive rhythms, melodic reverb laden vocals and plenty of textural flourishes like acoustic guitar and xylophone. Much like the Arcade Fire’s Neon Bible or Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness On the Edge of Town, there’s an underlying sense of spirituality woven throughout the feel of the songs and the imagery of the lyrics that really ties the record together nicely. It’s one of my favorite releases so far this year. Here’s a couple songs to give you a taste, one of my personal highlights, the hypnotic rhythms of It Doesn’t Matter and the majestic sounding There’s a Change. Watch for an upcoming release date and be sure to head out and catch their equally amazing live show when they take the stage Wednesday, December 9th at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia.
In Grenada – It Doesn’t Matter
From Break
In Grenada – There’s A Change
From Break
[MYSPACE]
PHOTOS : Weathervane Music Fundraiser Concert 11.12.09
Breaking the long lull in posting with a few photos today from this past Thursday night’s first annual fundraiser show for the Weathervane Music Organization. If you havn’t heard of Weathervane it’s a non profit organization cofounded by Philadelphia’s own Brian McTear to work with and support independent artists in this challenging new era for working musicians. You can learn more and get involved by lending your support here http://weathervanemusic.org/. Thursday night started off in the amazing space at 2424 Studios with a special solo show by Scott McMicken of Dr Dog at a special VIP pre-show party. It then moved over to Johnny Brendas for a show by all of the artist’s Weathervane had worked with on their 2009 Project Series, {{{Sunset}}}, East Hundred, Danielson and BC Camplight. A perfect way to cap off 2009 and set the anticpation high for Weathervane’s 2010 projects.
Scott McMicken Of Dr Dog
Sunset
East Hundred
Danielson
Daniel Smith Of Danielson
BC Camplight
HOT HOT HOT : Bag Of Songs Third Anniversary Party Tonight
Tonight !!! at JD McGillicuddys in Philadelphia, come on out as Bag OF Songs celebrates it’s third year of bringing you great new music.
Last year we brought you Black Joe Lewis, The Figgs, and The Swimmers, and if you weren’t there you missed a hot one, so don’t kick yourself in the ass again this time as we present one hell of a party with Cailin Callahan, Eat Your Birthday Cake, NYC’s Tall Tall Trees and Acres Of Diamonds.
Here’s a taste of what you have coming. Be there , it’s the place to be tonight and best of all it’s FREE. And you get bragging rights to say you saw them all when…
Cailin Callahan – Fell First
Eat Your Birthday Cake – Lightweight Stars
Tall Tall Trees Myspace
Acres Of Diamonds – Homecoming
Bag OF Songs 3rd Anniversary Party
with
Acres Of Diamonds,Tall Tall Trees,Eat Your Birthday Cake, & Cailin Callahan
at
JD McGillicuddys
421 N. 7th Street
Philadelphia PA
9PM | No Cover | 21+Up
HOT : New Music From The Swimmers
It’s been a little over two years since I first heard The Swimmers- Fighting Trees album. An addictive set of well written, hook laden shimmery pop, it’s one of my favorites of the past couple years. Their new record People Are Soft really showcases how much they’ve grown as a band in the ensuing time, it’s a darker, more textural sound, powerful but no less addictive. Check out one of my personal favorites from the new disc, A Hundred Hearts, and be sure to pick up the album when it’s released on November 3rd. Clear your schedule now to be at Philly’s super cool Kung Fu Necktie for the offical CD release Party on November 6th. I’ll be there, it’s sure to be a blast.
The Swimmers – A Hundred Hearts
Buy People Are Soft
Upcoming Shows
Oct 15 Union Hall NYC
Nov 6 CD Release Party at Kung Fu Necktie w/ Capitol Years Philadelphia, PA
Nov 7 Pianos NYC
Nov 13 Progressive Galleries Lancaster, PA
Nov 14 he Bog Scranton, PA
BOS Presents High Hearts + Matt Kresge Saturday October 3rd
This Saturday October 3rd Bag Of Songs presents a night of roots flavored music with Lambertville New Jersey’s High Hearts along with Glenside PA’s own Matt Kresge at Jd McGillicuddys, Philadelphia.
Matt Pillischer & Shaun Ellis of High Hearts
I first caught High Hearts at their recent Beta Hifi Festival appearance at World Cafe Live and was duly impressed. Led by Shaun Ellis on Mandolin and Matt Pillischer on guitar plus the recent additions of Justin Pope on bass and John Coursey on fiddle, their music is a potent blend of solid songwriting, soaring high harmonies, and warm rootsy instrumentation steeped deep in the tradition of artists like Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Woodie Guthrie while still forging a path all their own.
Also on the bill is Matt Kresge an outstanding guitarist and multi instrumentalist who often uses a loop station to as his own accompaniement as well using band members Jay Rose -percussion, Bernie Gillespie -guitar and bass and Katie Rhodes – vocals. Matt won the ‘Best Guitarist’ award at the National Emergenza Festival in 2005, has written music for commercials and various television networks and also sometimes plays in area bands B Side Prophets and Shady Grove.
High Hearts – No Moon
High Hearts – Together
High Hearts – Crickets
Matt Kresge – Goodbye Baby (Live @ Soupcon Salon 9.21.09)
Shaun Of High Hearts will also be celebarting his birthday at midnight, so come on out to be a part of what’s sure to be a good time party and wish him a Happy Birthday.
Bag Of Songs Presents:
High Hearts + Matt Kresge
Saturday October 3rd
at
JD McGillicuddys
421 N. 7th Street
Philadelphia PA
9PM | No Cover | 21+Up
High Hearts [WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]
Matt Kresge [WEBSITE]
Photos : Shrinking Islands At Skylight 307
This past Friday was my first time at the cool new gallery performance space in Old City, Philadelphia, Skylight 307. Here’s a few photos from the excellent show with Shrinking Islands, Heirloom and Ray Morin. [Photos courtesy of SInABox Camera]
Skylight 307
Shrinking Islands
Shrinking Islands
Heirloom
Heirloom
New Music : Old Canes – Feral Harmonic
[Photo By Joe Montgomery]
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
The Shrinkinng Islands at The Zeitgeist Gallery
[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
Video : U2’s Birthday Salute To Springsteen, (S)He’s The One
While I was out last night at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia watching some of Philadelphia’s finest musicians pay tribute to Bruce Springsteen‘s 60th Birthday, (more here at WXPN) U2 was at Giant’s Stadium in New Jersey paying their own tribute. Here’s U2 doing a version of She’s The One.
Put Yourself In The Picture With A Sunny Day In Glasgow
A Sunny Day In Glasgow 09.14.07 @ Tritone Philadelphia PA
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
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