Tonight: Drina and The Deep Blue Sea at Banjo Jim’s

March 31, 2011

I first saw Drina Seay (pronounced Sea) at Banjo Jim’s a few years back, mostly singing wonderful harmonies with the likes of Li’l Mo and The Monicats.  Drina has been playing with her own band, The Deep Blue Sea for a while now.  Tonight Drina starts her last Thursday of the month residency at Banjo Jim’s.  You can expect American, country and roots music and some special guests: at 9pm, Nate Schwerber, another Avenue C regular and at 10pm, The Demolition String Band.

Drina and The Deep Blue Sea and The Demolition String Band, Banjo Jim’s, 700 9th Street- the entrance is on Avenue C (A, C, E, F, M, N or R Train to 14th Street or L Train to 1st Avenue, then transfer to M14D bus to 11th Street), 9-11pm, No Cover (but a contribution for the bands is highly encouraged)


Advance Planning: April Music Calendar Updates (Added 3/30)

March 30, 2011

Two more entries for the April calendar: another show for this Friday, April 1, and a panel discussion with a musical performance.

Apr. 1 – Mike ViolaJoe’s Pub – 9pm

Apr. 4 – Bob Dylan and The Law – McNally Amphitheater at Fordham Law School -

Discussion – 6pm; Performance of Dylan songs by The Kennedys – 7pm


Music Video: The Baseball Project – 1976

March 30, 2011

There’s been a lot of good music released in the last two months or so.  But out of all of it, this song, 1976 by The Baseball Project, keeps sticking in my head.  Ostensibly about Mark Fidrych, this song ponders memories, growing older and how “the camera lies and the mirror plays tricks.”  With an upbeat melody, nice lead guitar work (I think it’s a 12 string played by R. E. M.‘s Peter Buck) and bouncy harmonies and organ, it’s likely to stick in your head as well.


Advance Planning: April Music Calendar

March 29, 2011

April is almost here and it is time once again to take a look at the month ahead musically.  There’s no fooling about April 1st; this year it is one of the dates on which everyone seems to be in town and playing at the same time.

But as usual, things will change as the month progresses.  So look out of updates throughout the month.

Apr. 1 – Abbie Gardner (Record Release Show) – Rockwood Music Hall -  7pm

Apr. 1 – The Madison Square GardenersSouthpaw – doors 7:30 / show 8pm / Gardeners go on 11:30ish

Apr. 1 – Israel Nash GripkaThe Gutter – 8pm

Apr. 1 – Richard Julian- Rockwood Music Hall -  8-10pm

Apr. 1 – Waco BrothersThe Bell House – 8pm

Apr. 1 – Mike ViolaJoe’s Pub – 9pm

Apr. 1 -  Serena JeanSpike Hill – 10pm

Apr. 1 – My Pet DragonMercury Lounge – Midnight

Apr. 2 – Graham ParkerCity Winery – 8:30pm

Apr. 2 – The Mastersons and The Jim Keller BandBowery Poetry Club – 8:30pm

Apr. 4 – Bob Dylan and The Law – McNally Amphitheater at Fordham Law School -

Discussion – 6pm; Performance of Dylan songs by The Kennedys – 7pm

Apr. 5 – Melody KillsThe Living Room – 10pm

Apr. 5 – Julia Haltigan11th Street Bar – 10pm

Apr. 5 – Sasha DobsonRockwood Stage 2 – 10:30pm

Apr. 7 – Adam Levy & The Mint ImperialsRockwood Music Hall -  10pm

Apr. 8 – James MaddockThe Bowery Electric – 9pm

Apr. 8 – Lakeside Lounge 15th Anniversary Party - Lakeside Lounge – 9pm

Apr. 9  – Amy Correia and Matt Keating- The Bowery Electric – 7:30pm

Apr. 9 – Liam FinnThe Bell House – doors 7:30 / show 8:30pm

Apr. 9 – Deni BonetThe Living Room – 9pm

Apr. 9 – Demolition String BandPercy’s Tavern – 10pm

Apr. 10 -Fundraiser for Japan hosted by Emilie Cardinaux & Outer Child with performances by The Outer Child Kid’s Band, The Outer Child Choir, Emilie Cardinaux, Sasha Dobson, Richard Barone, Ari Hoenig, Bill Sims, Doug Wamble, Elaine Caswell and more – The Living Room – $10 suggested donation & bake sale goods – 3pm

Apr. 10 – The Lascivious BiddiesRockwood Music Hall -  6pm

Apr. 10 – Freddy StevensonRockwood Music Hall – Midnight

Apr. 11 – Leslie Mendelson (solo show) – Rockwood Stage 2 – 7pm

Apr. 11 -  Michael KaeshammerRockwood Stage 2 – 8pm

Apr. 12 – Emily ZuzikBanjo Jim’s – 8pm

Apr. 12 – Julia Haltigan11th Street Bar – 10pm

Apr. 14 – Sasha DobsonCaffe Vivaldi – 9:30pm

Apr. 14 – Ursa MinorThe Living Room – 10pm

Apr. 15 – Serena JeanBar Matchless – 8pm

Apr. 15 – Red Wire Black WireSpike Hill – 9pm

Apr. 15 – Hobson’s ChoiceBar Matchless – 10pm

Apr. 16 – My Pet DragonMaxwell’s – Time TBA

Apr. 16 - Brianna SageThe Underground Lounge – 7pm

Apr. 16 – Hotels and Highways (Record Release Show) – Rockwood Stage 2 -  7:40pm

Apr. 16- The FiggsThe Rock Shop – 8pm

Apr. 16 – Sarah JaroszRockwood Music Hall -  8pm

Apr. 16 – Spanking CharleneLakeside Lounge – 11pm

Apr. 17 – David RocheThe Turning Point – 4pm

Apr. 17 – Fangbanger – Rockwood Stage 2 – 10pm

Apr. 17 – Freddy StevensonRockwood Music Hall – Midnight

Apr. 18 – Lianne SmithThe Living Room – 8pm

Apr. 18 – Lelia BroussardRockwood Stage 2 – 9pm

Apr. 19 – Misty BoyceRockwood Stage 2 – 7pm

Apr. 19 – Julia Haltigan11th Street Bar – 10pm

Apr. 20 – The RaveonettesMusic Hall of Williamsburg – 8pm

Apr. 21 – The RaveonettesMusic Hall of Williamsburg – 8pm

Apr. 21 – Spottiswoode and His EnemiesJoe’s Pub – 9pm

Apr. 21 – Julia HaltiganRockwood Stage 2 -  10pm

Apr. 22 – My Pet DragonWebster Hall Studio – 7pm

Apr. 22 – Hayes Carll and Jason Isbel and The 400 Unit – Bowery Ballroom – doors 8pm / show 9pm

Apr. 22 – Sea of BeesSpike Hill – 10pm

Update: Apr. 22- Demolition String BandRodeo Bar -10pm

Apr. 23 – James MaddockRockwood Stage 2 -  7:30pm

Apr. 23 – The RamblersThe Living Room – 9pm

Apr. 23 – Allison WeissPete’s Candy Store – 10pm

Apr. 24 – Sea of BeesThe Rock Shop – 8pm

Apr. 24 – Freddy StevensonRockwood Music Hall – Midnight

Apr. 25 – Film: The Promise: The Making of Darkness on the Edge of Town – City Winery – 8pm

Apr. 25 – Sea of BeesRockwood Music Hall -  8pm

Update: Apr. 25 – Li’l Mo and The MonicatsBanjo Jim’s – 10pm

Apr. 26 – Julia Haltigan11th Street Bar – 10pm

Apr. 26 – Fangbanger – Rockwood Stage 2 – 11:15pm date and time change

Apr. 27 – Mojo ManciniRockwood Stage 2 -  7pm

Update: Apr. 28 – George UsherBanjo Jim’s – 8pm

Apr. 28 – Harper BlynnThe Living Room – 9pm

Apr. 28 – Drina and the Deep Blue SeaBanjo Jim’s – 9pm

Apr. 29 – The Baseball Project and Steve Wynn and The Miracle 3The Bell House 8pm

Apr. 29 – May 1 (three shows) -  Marshall Crenshaw & Band performing Marshall’s self-titled album from 1982 – City Winery – 8pm

Apr. 29 – Fangbanger – Rockwood Stage 2 – 11:00pm

Apr. 30 -  Garland JeffreysHighline Ballroom – doors 6pm / show 7:30pm

Apr. 30 – Alejandro Escovedo and Jesse MalinThe Bell House – 8pm


Music Video: Dion – Written on the Subway Walls

March 28, 2011

Back in 1989 Dion put out a wonderful album titled Yo Frankie.  My favorite track from it was the song Written on the Subway Walls.  I never knew that there was a video for the song until yesterday, when I found this.  Not only will you find Dion here, but look closely and you’ll see Lou Reed, Paul Simon, Dave Edmunds and Joan Jett.  The video was filmed in a 42nd Street subway station (it looks like Time Square).  Enjoy!


Tonight: Amy Speace at The Living Room

March 27, 2011

Amy Speace comes into The Living Room tonight with a new band touring behind a new album, Land Like A Bird (officially to be released this coming Tuesday, but there will be copies of it available at the show).  Last week at SXSW, I got to see Amy and here’s what I said then:

Amy Speace and her band started her part of the evening by playing two songs from her album, Land Like A Bird, which will be released in about 10 days.  Throughout the show, Amy just hit it out of the park.  Her band was stellar, she was in excellent voice and her new material is strong folk-rock.  This may have been Amy’s best show that I’ve seen.

I know that it’s Sunday, but if you can get yourself down to the Lower East Side tonight, you should do so.  This is going to be a good show.

Amy Speace (Jill Andrews opens), The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street between Stanton and Rivington Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 8-10pm, $15


SXSW 2011: Some More Photos

March 26, 2011

Here are seven more photos shot during SXSW at various shows.  The order of the shots is chronological.

Willie Nile

Sean, Lindsay and Alex of Or, The Whale

Great Lake Swimmers

The Hobart Brothers featuring Li’l Sis Hobart (Susan Cowsill and Freedy Johnston; John Dee Graham not shown)

More photos after the jump Read the rest of this entry »


Music Video: The Baseball Project – The Star Spangled Banner

March 25, 2011

If after the NYC area snow Wednesday night, you need something to keep hope alive that spring is actually coming, this should do the trick.  Here are Steve Wynn and Scott McCaughey of The Baseball Project singing The Star Spangled Banner at a spring training game.  The baseball season starts in less than two weeks.  Have faith!


Tonight: The Damnwells and Harper Blynn at The Bowery Ballroom

March 24, 2011

The Damnwells had one of my Ten Best Albums of 2009, One Last Century, which was only available as a free download on the Internet (and probably still is; the link for downloading that album still works). No One Listens to The Band Anymore, the followup, is now out, and the Damnwells are out on the road touring in support of it.  On this tour, the band will consist of  the Damnwells’ two permanent members, Alex Dezen (lead vocals and rhythm guitar) and Ted Hudson (bass) plus the members of Harper Blynn (Pete Harper, J Blynn, Sarab Singh and Whynot Jansveld).  What you’ll get is rock with intelligent lyrics and well crafted songs.

Harper Blynn will also play a set before joining  Alex and Ted.  They are a four piece band featuring high energy pop rock, lots of  hooks and good harmonies.  This past year they released a CD, Loneliest Generation, and a self titled EP.   The band is in the studio right now recording their next album.

This is one of the better shows you can see. It will be a highlight of this week.

The Damnwells and Harper Blynn, Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St between Chrystie Street and The Bowery (F Train to Delancey Street or J, M or Z Trains to Essex Street), doors 8:00pm / show 8:30 pm, $15


SXSW 2011: Some Photos

March 23, 2011

Here photos of seven of the band that played at The Swollen Circus, the show that has been held on the Tuesday before the music starts at SXSW.  Although it has long been held at The Hole in The Wall, this year the party moved to a new venue, ND, just east of I-35.

The Mastersons

Future Clouds and Radar

The Madison Square Gardeners

Andy Friedman

The photos continue after the jump Read the rest of this entry »


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