new songs that come from old songs. vibe. providence, RI. typewriters. folk art. corn-dogs. mini-van. gospel influence. wood bats. old-time headwear. not jaded: music that is music. not an advertisement. word of mouth. drink of mouth. bourbon…
 
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O’ DeathNew York outfit O’Death’s third LP, Broken Hymns, Limbs and Skin, feels like a giddy junkyard hoedown, from the panicked fiddle screeches of opener “Lowtide” to the celebratory gallop of closer “Lean-To.” At times it sounds morose or contemplative, but underneath the melancholy is a gospel fervor—bashed from paint buckets, banjos, guitars and anything else in kicking distance—that defines their sound. Since 2007’s buzzed-about Head Home, the quintet, which contains vocalist/guitarist Greg Jamie, vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Gabe Darling, fiddle player Bob Pycior, bassist Newman and drummer David Rogers-Berry, has evolved the possessed americana-meets-gypsy-punk of recent years into a more urgent, unrelenting celebration of life, death and everything in between. Hoots and HellmouthPhiladelphia-based Hoots & Hellmouth (MAD Dragon Records) creates new music for old souls. Their second full-length effort, “The Holy Open Secret” (street date: June 2, 2009), continues to blaze a trail forward in the name of progressive revival. Rob Berliner, Andrew Gray and Sean Hoots return as the core trio of string slingers and harmonious vocalizers, co-producing in collaboration with Bill Moriarity (Dr. Dog, Man Man) at Philadelphia’s American Diamond studio. The results speak for themselves in tones ranging from the triumphant to the dulcet. The What Cheer? BrigadeThe What Cheer? Brigade is a 19-piece brass band from Providence, RI, USA. Our sound is an aggressive mix of Bollywood, The Balkans, New Orleans, Samba and Hip-Hop, played with the intensity of metal. Since it requires no amplification, some call our sound Luddite Hardcore—proof that loud music doesn’t need electricity. A raucous live experience, the Brigade defies categorization, appealing equally to punks and farmers, old and young. The Pimps of JoytimeIf you have yet to encounter the Brooklyn-based band, The Pimps of Joytime, prepare to take a funky ride! The PJT’s live events and recordings have captivated fans all across the country, as they have begun writing their own success story, show by show, and track by track. Bandleader Brian J is a charismatic and soulful visionary, whose well-crafted songs invite the listener to enter a world of infectious dance grooves and indelible melodies. Spending formative years in New York City, New Orleans and Los Angeles, Mista J honed his craft, becoming an accomplished live performer, multi-instrumentalist and producer. Holy Ghost Tent RevivalCharacterized as “explosively intoxicating,” Greensboro, NC’s Holy Ghost Tent Revival cannot be pigeonholed into any popular genre. Melding brass with banjo, guitar, bass, drums, and keys this six-piece ensemble boasts an eclectic mash of instruments and styles — a musical alchemy all their own. The overall air of their creation breathes a sense of celebration and salvation; of a raucous party where everyone’s welcome and where even the most stoic will find their toes tapping and a smile breaking free. It’s as if, in the same spirit as the blues greats that traveled the highways of the American psyche before them, theirs is not music to lament life’s hardships but rather to celebrate in life itself; with all its hodgepodge of pleasure and pain. The Two Man Gentlemen BandWhat better musical prescription for troubled times than an impeccably-dressed, throwback, neo-vaudevillian duo whose live performances are a festival of expert musicianship; clever, off-center original tunes; hilarious banter, rowdy audience interactions, and free kazoos for the crowd? Hailing from New York City, The Two Man Gentlemen Band combines hot jazz, vintage rhythm & blues, old-time country, and tin pan alley to create a joyous two-man sound that is all their own. Performing with plectrum banjo, guitar, string bass, dueling kazoos, novelty percussion, and a cornet, The Gentlemen whip themselves into a frenzy that is unlike any acoustic duo on the road today. And they belt out original songs that manage to be at once familiar, bizarre, fun, and entirely new. On stage, the songs come to life. Their intricate harmonies, instrumental prowess, and uncanny musical connection makes The Two Man Gentlemen Band a great band to watch. But it is their charismatic embrace of a forgotten brand of showmanship that makes them a must-see! During songs, they frequently coax the audience to shout, stomp, dance, whistle, and kazoo along with them. Between numbers, their well-honed - but, improvised - banter with each other and the audience is often the funniest part of the evening. Banjoist Andy Bean - equal parts vaudevillian comic, depression-era huckster, loveable rogue, and society gentleman - serves as master of ceremonies and manic front-man. Bassist Fuller Condon plays the silent straight-man, stoically accepting the antics of his partner with the mild disdain of an older sibling. The Steepwater BandThe Steepwater Band formed in Chicago in 1998 ignited by a passion for the city’s electric blues. The power trio who quickly progressed from covering Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker to writing compelling originals has crafted a rock n’ roll sound best described as heavy Americana. For a decade the band has gigged relentlessly, performing nearly 125 shows per year and bringing their songbook of gritty Delta blues, soulful boogie, and backwoods psychedelia to audiences across the States and abroad. The Packway Handle BandFormed in 2001 PACKWAY HANDLE BAND has emerged at the national forefront of bands that use the “gather-around-the-mic” style. The mission of this engaging quintet from Athens, Georgia, is not to preserve historical styles- it’s just how they do what they do the best! And they have earned their stripes the old fashioned way by keeping the road hot, winning over audiences wherever they play. The band now plays upward of 200 shows a year in the U.S. In 2008 Packway Handle embarked on an overseas tour and performed at the Celtic Connections Festival in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as dates throughout the UK, Belgium, Holland, and France. The band is preparing to release their most fully realized effort to date entitled What Are We Gonna Do Now? in February 2010. An energetic blend of Americana and bluegrass, Packway’s music appeals to a broad audience. One thing is for sure– it’s obvious their enthusiasm and sense of humor are honest, and that they love what they do! If you think you’ve got an idea of what Packway Handle Band is by listening to one song, you’ll probably change your mind several times before the end of the next. KufuiOne of Central Vermont’s most original and inventive acts, Kufui dissolved when bandleader Jessi Gile moved away from his Montpelier home - they will return to the N.E.K. for an exclusive reunion set of their unique bass-driven instrumental fusion. Brown BirdBrown Bird is an original 3 piece band which draws influence from Country, Blues and Eastern European musics. Brown Bird began over five years ago as the brain child of songwriter David Lamb and has developed into a miniature orchestra of harmonized voices and instruments carrying Lamb’s haunting lyrics on surging waves of Appalachian, gypsy, and shanty music. The group hails from Rhode Island and pulls from the talents of each member to create a diverse folk music that swells into high-spirited, foot-stomping madness. Boubacar Diabate and Samba LoLoThe oral tradition of Mali is mainly expressed by the Griots or “Jɛli” (in Bambara) who themselves are a combination of storytellers, praise singers and human history books, having studied the practice of singing and reciting for many generations. Many of their songs are very old and are said to date back to before the early kingdom of Mali. Griot singer, guitarist, drummer, storyteller and song master Boubacar Diabate is from Bamako, in Mali, West Africa. Diabate comes from the ancient Mandé lineage traced back in West African history to a time before the 8th century Malian Empire. Bouba has combined traditional rhythms with modern influences to create his own unique style of contemporary Malian Griot music, presenting his own compositions and arrangements while singing and playing guitar with his group, SambaLolo. The Vermont Joy ParadeThe Vermont Joy Parade is a collection of some of the most talented and respected musicians, songwriters, and performers from the vibrant Burlington, VT music scene. They have been praised from coast to coast for their exciting suspender-fusion music, drawing rave reviews from such publications as Spin magazine who praised their encore performance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival this past spring. They have conducted two critically celebrated national tours on their vegetable-oil powered school buses in the past year and are currently preparing a European Tour and a Northeast Tour for the winter and spring of 2010 to promote their forthcoming debut album, recorded entirely in analog and released in a special, handcrafted, vinyl and digital package.. Swift TechniqueAlthough the idea of Swift Technique has been in motion for over 10 years, it has just reached its breaking point in the summer of ‘07. While Swift Technique draws from all world influences, their genre is uniquely Philadelphia. The idea of combining traditional jazz and funk with hip-hop seems almost too obvious, but artists are not pushing the boundaries. The music scene needs sincere, soulful performers that audiences of all age, race and background can enjoy collectively. By combining old influences with young, raw energy, Swift Technique is the collaboration of seven souls on a mission to flip the music scene upside down. Although each member of the band comes from a completely different musical background, they have come together on common ground through their similar interest and love for music. While the band is a forum for all open musicians and lyricists in the Philly area, Sean McCann leads the group driven by its powerful rhythm section lead by bass player: Jake Leshinsky, guitarist: Andy Bree, drummer: Rich Agren, Trumpet: Greg Rosen, Matt Fischer: Trombone, Alto Sax: Max Swan ShakazobaSince 2005, Shokazoba has been a premier Afrobeat band based in Northampton Massachusetts. They are a collective of musicians who’ve come together to write and perform a unique blend of Jazz/Funk with a West African undertone and a conscious political message. The music’s funky qualities and poly-rhythms draw parallels to the works of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti, and Funk legend James Brown. Interlocking guitar patterns and syncopated percussion seamlessly blend with jazz infused horn lines that are guaranteed to have the entire audience dancing. Shokazoba plays a variety of stages from small clubrooms to large festival main stages. Because their sound is so diverse and accessible, it goes over well with all music lovers. Pseudo SlangPseudo Slang (Emcee Sick, Tone Atlas) signed with Fat Beats Records in 2005 after having independently released their Catalogue compilation with Baby Steps Hip Hop in 2004. The Slangers toured the US, Canada and Denmark in 2006, and 2007 looks to be even *hella more iller* making it more likely that PS will hit a city near you. Pseudo Slang has pretty much wrapped up the recording of their debut album, “We’ll Keep Looking” which features Vinia Mojica, Grap Luva, DJ Cutler, DJ Tommee, Third and more. Loveful HeightsAfter a temporal and geographic separation lasting some years that resulted in non-refundable certificates of education, the two have reconvened to explore their creative energy. Maggie and Kat are Loveful Heights. MayflyKatie Trautz and Julia Wayne started singing together as teenagers in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Their sweet harmony vocals and folk instrumentals express a deep connection to traditional New England and Southern Appalachian music. They add to the tradition with contemporary arrangements and compositions. Mayfly has performed across New England and Quebec. |
