The Royal Concept released their new summer-friendly single “On Our Way” on iTunes last month, and now the band has shared the music video for “On Our Way,” which you can check out below. Following up the incendiary “World On Fire,” “On Our Way” builds from a kinetic groove into another anthemic refrain punctuated by sunny whistling, hand claps, and evocative synths. Keep an eye out for their debut album announcement, coming soon.
I came really super close to not being able to make it to this sold out show here in Pittsburgh this past Monday. And oh, let me just say, I would have thrown some MAJOR fits and tantrums if I had missed this!
But, my friends over at BB Gun Press totally saved the day and helped this girl out. And I couldn’t have been any happier. If you keep up with my ramblings, you’d know that I couldn’t WAIT to see Fitz and the Tantrums perform “The Walker” live. At one point, I really thought they weren’t going to play it, either! They waited until the very end, and performed it for one of their encores! Which, surprised me because I thought I’d hear “The Walker” earlier and they would save “Out Of My League” for an encore. BUT, they played it earlier, and “Moneygrabber” was the second song in their set. Oh, and they did a pretty awesome cover of Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams,” too.
I really wanted to upload the video of “The Walker”…BUT:
So, here’s a few pics instead.
Also, I don’t wanna forget to shout out to the opening bands of the evening, too. Ivy Levan was beautiful and wonderful!
Here’s a pic from her Twitter:
And here’s a video incase you need introduced:
And also a shout to Saints of Valory, who were also quite awesome…and nice guys. I’m not finding any official videos to post, but if you want to check out their new EP Possibilities that just came out yesterday, you can check it out here. I like “Long Time Coming.”
Listen: Saints of Valory – Possibilities EP
Check out this pic from their Facebook page where they’re representin’ the Burgh and our beautiful bridges!
Filed under Awesome, Holy Freaking Crap!, Reviews, Shows, Whoa!
“‘All The Days,’ produced by St. Lucia, roars and surges and twinkles, with lead singer Nini Fabi’s haunting vocal floating in and out under waves of ’80s instrumentation. You just have to hear it.” – Idolator
“[‘All The Days’ is] another soaring, thoroughly rousing anthem from HAERTS. As good as their other song [‘Wings’], which officially makes them 2 for 2.” – Gorilla Vs. Bear
“‘Wings’ is about as flawless as pop tunes come.” – KEXP
At the end of May, I posted about Haerts’ new song, “All the Days”. Now, we’ve got a video to go along. Aritzia Magazine (the editorial offshoot of fashion retailer Aritzia) has released their self-produced vignette featuring HAERTS’ latest song “All The Days.” Shot in Los Angeles, the clip recreates a typical southern California salsa dancehall and explores the partnerships and shared histories of the dancing couples. The choreography by Khalia Frazier and cinematography by Todd Banhazl enrich the lush, deliberate movements and seamlessly interconnect the music to create emotional visuals. The clip was directed byBridget Palardy and features clothing and styling by Aritzia. See the video below.
HAERTS live:
Sat 7/6: Edgartown, MA @ Stars + Stripes Festival
Sat 9/14: Rochester, MI @ Laneway Festival Detroit
Filed under Awesome, Newest Love, Shows, video
YAY YAAAAAYYYYYYY for new Franz!!! Here are not one, but TWO new songs from the band’s upcoming album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action which will be released on August 27.
Filed under Awesome, Highly Anticipated, Holy Freaking Crap!, listen, new albums, Whoa!
“Imagine sashaying into a night club, looking to get down to some thumping electro, only to hear swing music from the 1930s. That’s just what you’d hear if you happen into a club where the band Caravan Palace is playing. And if you hang for just a moment … you’ll be dancing.” – NPR
“[Panic] is terribly cool and fun to listen to. The musical magic is evident on every one of the 14 cuts… one of the best shows of the summer, no doubt.” – KCRW
The sprawling musical collective known as Caravan Palace are celebrated worldwide for pioneering the sound of electro swing. From their 2009 eponymous debut album, which sold over 150,000 copies (and made them a surprise breakout band from France that year) to their latest album Panic, they have always combined their trademark studio technology with incredible musicianship and infectious onstage energy. This seamless and thrilling fusion of Django Reinhardt / Stephane Grapelli-inspired gypsy jazz with Daft Punk-inspired dance beats and crisp production has justly won them a legion of loyal fans.
This summer Caravan Palace will once again ignite dance floors across the country when they return to North America for a 29-date tour that is not to be missed. To celebrate the tour, the band is also re-releasing their last album, Panic, along with a FREE MP3 of “Clash” (Jupiter Remix).
Download: Caravan Palace – “Clash” (Jupiter Remix)
Caravan Palace on Tour this Summer
6/21: Stratton Mountain, VT @ Wanderlust
6/22: Stratton Mountain, VT @ Wanderlust
6/23: Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
6/25: Philadelphia, PA @ TLA
6/26: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
6/27: New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
6/28: Montreal, PQ @ Montreal Jazz / Club Soda
6/29: Toronto, ONT @ Mod Club
6/30: Detroit, MI @ Crofoot
7/1: Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
7/2: Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar’s
7/4: Denver, CO @ Bluebird
7/5: Copper Mountain, CO @ Wanderlust
7/6: Copper Mountain, CO @ Wanderlust
7/15: Santa Ana, CA @ Observatory
7/16: San Diego, CA @ Belly UP
7/17: Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda
7/18: Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theater
7/19: Lake Tahoe, CA @ Wanderlust
7/20: Lake Tahoe, CA @ Wanderlust
7/22: San Francisco, CA @ Bimbo’s
7/24: Portland, OR @ Star Theater
7/25: Seattle, WA @ Neumos
7/26: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw
7/28: Calgary, ALB @ Calgary Folk Festival
7/31: Edmonton, ALB @ Pawn Shop
8/2: Whistler, BC @ Wanderlust
8/3: Whistler, BC @ Wanderlust
Deemed by critics as “the crown jewel of Estonian music,” Ewert and The Two Dragons are excited to announce they will be returning to the U.S. for a nationwide headline tour this Fall. Kicking off September 4 in Portland, OR, the 6-week stint includes stops in New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Boston, San Francisco and more. The 4-piece indie folk rockers are touring in support of the long-awaited U.S. release of their acclaimed second album Good Man Down, which is set for a digital release on June 25 and a physical release on August 13, via Sire/ADA.
Led by Ewert Sundja, Ewert and The Two Dragons is rounded out by Erki Pärnoja, Pärnoja (guitar) and Kristjan Kallas (drums), and Ivo Etti (bass, guitar). Good Man Down has received overwhelming praise since its 2011 European release, quickly becoming one of Estonia’s best-selling albums and earning them five Estonian Music Awards, including “Album of the Year,” “Song of the Year” and “Band of the Year.” Their biggest accolade, however, came this past January when the band won the European Border Breakers Awards honoring the best new acts in Europe for achieving success outside their home country with their first international release.
The band discusses their music and life on the road in:
“A Portrait of Ewert and The Two Dragons“
Ewert and The Two Dragons have been steadily on the rise since the release of their 2009 debut The Hills Behind The Hills. The 4-piece has toured all over the world and are fixtures throughout the European festival circuit, performing at Iceland Airwaves, Eurosonic, The Great Escape, Germany’s Popkomm, Waves Vienna, and more. Finnish music magazine Rumba caught them during the early stages of their career at the renowned Baltic music festival Positivus, declaring them “the best band at the entire festival” where they were on the line-up alongside Muse, The Scissor Sisters, and others. The buzz garnered by the band at these festivals got the attention of legendary A&R man Seymour Stein, who immediately signed them to Sire Records after seeing them perform live in the U.S.
EWERT AND THE TWO DRAGONS TOUR DATES
Sept 4 – Portland, OR @ MusicFestNW
Sept 6 – Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club
Sept 7 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
Sept 9 – San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill
Sept 10- Los Angeles, CA @ The Satellite
Sept 11- San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
Sept 12- Scottsdale, CA @ The Rhythm Room
Sept 13 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
Sept 14- Denver, CO @ Moon Room
Sept 17 – Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
Sept 19- Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Downstairs
Sept 20 – Austin, TX @ Stubb’s BBQ
Sept 21- Dallas, TX @ The Prophet Bar
Sept 23 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
Sept 24- St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird
Sept 25- Madison, WI @ The Frequency
Sept 27- Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Sept 28 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
Sept 30- Columbus, OH @ The Basement
Oct 1 – Ann Arbor, MI @ Blind Pig
Oct 2 – Toronto, ONT @ The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern
Oct 3 – Rochester, NY @ The Bug Jar
Oct 4 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Smiling Moose
Oct 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s
Oct 7 – Washington, DC @ DC9
Oct 9 – Cambridge, MA @ TT the Bear’s Place
Oct 10 – New York, NY @ The Mercury Lounge
Oct 12 – Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
Filed under Awesome, Check 'em Out!, listen, new albums, Newest Love, Shows, video
Kyle Andrews has released several deliriously catchy albums built to make you smile. Best known for his 2010 hit “You Always Make Me Smile,” which was featured in a worldwide ad campaign and had a video that was shot during an attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest water balloon fight, he returns with a new full-length Brighter Than The Sun, out July 23 via Elephant Lady Records!
Album track “Crystal Ball” glistens with shimmering synth and an infectious, dance-worthy beat that’s sure to lift your spirits.
Listen/download: Kyle Andrews – “Crystal Ball”
Brighter Than The Sun is a pulsating, fun-inducing pop album. “Looking Up” is so funky you can’t help but bounce to the feel-good bass line. “The Way To Wonder” begins with light acoustic-guitar strumming and handclaps, quickly building up to an epic climax. Drawing inspiration from society’s inclination towards the technological, Kyle is no stranger to the innovative – he uses everything from built-in laptop mics to top-of-the line studio set ups to compose and record his tunes.
Filed under Awesome, downloads, listen, new albums
“They’re my favourite band right now” – Fedde Le Grande
“I couldn’t get their album off my stereo by the pool this Summer” – Pete Tong
In the new Goldfish video for “One Million Views”, the fish take a tongue in cheek look at DJ culture and it’s button pushing phenomenon.
“Some people got it right from the start, some didn’t, but it’s cool to know that Joel [Deadmau5] knew what we were expressing. Much respect to him for commenting, a cool surprise for us!” -Goldfish
“One Million Views” is an amazing animated piece of art which was created by longtime Goldfish animator extraordinaire, Mike Scott.
Check out the video:
Okay, so “The Walker” is by FAR my favorite song off of Fitz and The Tantrums new album, More Than Just a Dream. It’s been playing on repeat in my car and earlier today I was JUST thinking, “Man, I NEED to see this song live!”
So, what happens? I go through my emails and lo and behold, here’s a video of them performing it LIVE!!!! AND, they are playing here in Pittsburgh on July 8th, so hopefully I will get to go and see it live and IN PERSON!!! Yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!
Anyways, the band is performing tonight at 9:00pm on DIRECTV’s Audience Network (channel 239) Guitar Center Sessions.
Entertainment Weekly says:
“DirecTV’s original series Guitar Center Sessions has featured intimate live performances from some of the best names in rock, including Weezer, Jimmy Cliff, Joe Walsh, Smashing Pumpkins, Peter Frampton, Switchfoot, Megadeth, Ben Folds Five and Jane’s Addiction. The latest band to step into the arena (or more accurately, onto the small indoor stage) is Fitz and The Tantrums. The LA neo-New wavers just dropped their new album More Than Just a Dream, but the highlight of their Guitar Center Sessions performance is the skronking “MoneyGrabber,” from their 2010 debut Pickin’ Up the Pieces.”
I do — however — have just one question. WTF is ‘skronking’?
Filed under Awesome, Highly Anticipated, Holy Freaking Crap!, Shows, video, Whoa!
“…Leftover Cuties have added a breath of fresh air to L.A.’s music scene.”
– Paste Magazine“The Olympics’ most surprise breakout band was California jazz-pop outfit the Leftover Cuties.”
– Billboard
Los Angeles-based noir-pop quartet Leftover Cuties are primed to release their sophomore full-length album, The Spark & The Fire, on July 23rd! Returning with their irresistible knack for modern classics, Leftover Cuties seamlessly blend timeless songwriting with a nouveau eclectic edge that is both sophisticated and accessible.
Fans and music lovers will be rewarded with a 12-track journey that swings easily from smoke-filled Bourbon St. speakeasies to quiet island getaways. Shirli McAllen’s silky voice provides the hook as the band’s sound pulls you in with upright bass, accordion, piano, brass, brushed drums, and yes, the ukulele.
“One Heart” is a powerhouse track, with handclaps and stomping percussion marching alongside seductive vocals & smoky melodies.
Listen/download: Leftover Cuties – “One Heart”
Starting this summer Leftover Cuties will embark on a full US Tour, giving new fans their first chance to see the Cuties captivating live show. The tour will start in California, with stops in New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, Montreal and more.
Leftover Cuties first came to global recognition when their tune “Game Called Life,”was chosen as the opening theme of Showtime’s hit series, The Big C. Their music has also been heard in worldwide ad campaigns for the likes of Samsung & Hyundai.
Leftover Cuties has performed alongside Shelby Lynne, Alabama Shakes, Honeyhoney, Kinna Grannis, Kitty Daisy & Lewis, Saint Motel, the Be Good Tanyas and many more.
Leftover Cuties Tour Dates
6/14: Santa Monica, CA @ Casa Del Mar
6/20-6/22: Las Vegas, NV @ The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
6/28: Santa Monica, CA @ Casa Del Mar
7/12: San Francisco, CA @ Hotel Utah
7/13: Grass Valley, CA @ California WorldFest
7/14: Grass Valley, CA @ California WorldFest
7/17: Minneapolis, MN @ Dakota Jazz Club
7/18: Rochester, MN @ Thursdays on First & 3rd
7/20: Louisville, KY @ Lebowski Fest
7/21: St. Louis, MO @ Old Rock House
7/22: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
7/23: Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark
7/25: Toronto, ON @ Rivoli
7/26: Montreal, QC @ Quai Des Brumes
7/28: Winooski, VT @ The Monkey House
7/31: Boston, MA @ Regattabar
8/3: New York, NY @ Rockwood Music Hall
8/4: Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest
8/6: Arlington, VA @ Iota Club
8/7: Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
8/9: Tampa, FL @ Straz Center at Jaeb Theater
8/10: Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly
8/12: Mandeville, LA @ Ruby’s Roadhouse
8/13: Fort Worth, TX @ Live Oak Music Hall
8/14: Austin, TX @ Stubbs Jr.
8/17: Phoenix, AZ @ MIM Music Theater
8/21: Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Bar
9/4: Seattle, WA @ Triple Door
9/5: Portland, OR @ White Eagle Saloon
9/7: Fresno, CA @ The Painted Table
9/8: Larkspur, CA @ Marin Country Mart
9/13: San Diego, CA @ The Griffin
Filed under Awesome, downloads, new albums, Shows
Musically Amusing 