Weekly Roundup May 19 – 25, 2013
How is everyone enjoying their Memorial Day weekend? Ready to add some new songs and videos to the mix? Here's the latest Weekly Roundup.
Escort – Barbarians
Who's ready for the long weekend? I know I am. If you need a song to get a party started, look no further than "Barbarians," the latest single from the modern day gigantic disco band Escort.
Lady Lamb the Beekeeper – Ripely Pine
I've been trying to "review" albums a little more frequently; there is just so much good music out there and I want to get as much on TWD as possible. Adding to the recent burst of posts is an absolutely stellar album Ripely Pine by Aly Spaltro, better known as Lady Lamb the Beekeeper. Seriously, this is not one to miss.
Episodes in Virtuosity: Fr
It's been a year since my last installment in the Episodes In Virtuosity series. Let's rectify this with the magnificent Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli performing Frédéric Chopin's Marche Funèbre from his Piano Sonata Op.35 No.2.
The word virtuoso is defined as, "a musician who is a consummate master of technique and artistry." or "… an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability at singing or playing a musical instrument."
When I decided that I was going to be a serious (classical) musician, I regarded this word with esteem and respect. I saw the aspiration for virtuosity as a means of achieving self-actualization, and decided to dedicate my life towards this realization. However, like so many things, after six years of conservatory training the shine wore off this word and I fear that I have lost my reverence for the beautiful. After all, art is the habit of the artist. Nevertheless, it is my intent to use this platform to (re)discover, admire, and share music/musicians of the highest caliber, in any and all genres, strictly for the purpose of listening to Music worth listening to.
Read on for my full thoughts on the command performance. You dig?
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10 Hip Hop Songs That Could Be Movies
A little while ago, I saw the film Gimme The Loot, the debut feature from director Adam Leon. It’s an impressive first work. You may recognize the title as a Notorious B.I.G. song, which was a conscious choice by Adam. This got me thinking about what other hip-hop songs could be good movie titles. Here are ten other songs with films I made up that I would go see.
Weekly Roundup May 12 – 18, 2013
We missed a Weekly Roundup last week due to travel, so this week is a double dose. Let's get to it.
Hey Anna – Pompette EP
It's no secret we are big fans of Hey Anna here at Those Who Dig. Simply put, they are great. If you haven't heard them yet, get acquainted via their awesome new EP Pompette. Also, you can go see them live tonight at Rockwood Music Hall.
Jacob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners: East Side Drag
Jacob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners is a five piece band that is as steeped in whiskey as they are old-timey Americana. They are: Jacob Miller on guitar,vocals, and kazoo. Ben Bailey on washboard, snare, and vocals Kyle Neumann on harmonica, tenor banjo, and dobro. Joy Pearson on vocals, tenor banjo and kazoo, and finally, Mike Team on the upright bass.
Their album, East Side Drag, was released in June of 2012 and boasts eight tracks of the finest pickin' and singin' that Portland Oregon has to offer. However, beyond a slick brand and a niche market, Jocob Miller and the Bridge City Crooners are bringing real musical talent and authenticity to bear. For my taste, Hesitation Blues and the Belmont Strut are the high points of the album. I love the combination of Jacob Miller's tenor warble alongside his enviable guitar impersonation of Mississippi John Hurt. Furthermore, the subtly Ben Bailey's washboard percussion amplifies the song's interesting texture.
Read on to give the full album a listen. You dig?
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Interview with Chaos Chaos
The second installment of Brooklyn Headsets features the exciting and fun music of Chaos Chaos. If you missed the first one, this is a series of live performances filmed on a deck with a view in Greenpoint, Brooklyn recorded using headphones.
First Blush: Supersynthetic EP
First Blush is a NYC based band that boasts Charles Sekel on vocals/keyboards, Zach Honoroff on drums & Zak Croxall on bass. I've enjoyed this band since they debuted their self-titled EP over a year ago, however, I've never been comfortable describing genre titles when things get this blurry, so I'll let them do it. "First Blush makes genre-bending synthpop, combining ethereal electronic elements with strong, catchy melodies and riffs." My thought is that it doesn't matter what you call it, so long as you call it good.
Regardless, in March of this year First Blush released their second EP entitled Supersynthetic. Supersynthetic is six tracks of engaging music that showcases sensitive and thoughtful consideration for musical shape, coupled with a unceasing understanding of groove. Charles Sekel and First Blush show real growth between the two EPs and I look forward to seeing where the band goes as they continue to progress.
Read on to check out the full EP for yourself and then stay in touch with the band via Facebook, Twitter, their Official Webpage, and even their Youtube channel. You dig?
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