Author: News on Shuffle

Florence + the Machine – Ceremonials

When I first heard Lungs, Florence + the Machine’s debut album, I was blown away. Here was this powerful voice rushing at me on a wave of drums and technically outstanding rhythms. This, I said, was someone who would be going places. Or so I hoped…

Now we are getting the second album, Ceremonials. Same strong voice. More new, interesting rhythms. Songs so catchy you’ll want to hear them again and again. At times the music can even be a soulful experience, like with the track “Lover to Lover”. I myself have had some very pure moments listening to previous work while out for a walk, feet in time with the drums. Can’t wait for the first really nice day that I get to walk with “All This & Heaven Two” playing in my earbuds. It sounds like a good one to be listening to while surrounded by nature.

Lungs got its fair share of play when I finally took that first listen. I am certain Ceremonials will follow suit. The second track, “Shake It Out,” was also the second single, and became an earworm almost immediately after I first heard it. I posted the video when it was first released, as a preview for the pending album. I also posted the first single, “What the Water Gave Me,” back in August. Clearly the anticipation for this album has been high. In my opinion, it did not disappoint.

Lights Resolve – Feel You’re Different

I’ve been following Lights Resolve since they first started in 2006. I’ve always loved their live show and what few recordings I could find on the internet, but longed for something more. Five years later and I finally get a full length album from this exceptional band. I know there are a lot of alt rock bands out there nowadays, so it might seem odd to give them such high praise. I challenge you to take a close listen, however, because there is definitely an energy in this band that separates them from the rest of the fold. I’ve heard it in their live show, and the album just solidifies it into a form that can be shared more easily. My only complaint is that some of my favorite songs did not make the final cut. If there’s any problem a band wants, however, it’s that the fans can’t get enough of their music. Feel You’re Different officially drops today, and their cd release will be tomorrow night at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. You can find more about the band on their website, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

Kate Miller-Heidke – Liberty Bell

From the minute Kate Miller-Heidke’s new album, Liberty Bell, begins, you know you are ready for a dance party full of electronic beats and interesting lyrics. Some of these elements were true of her first album, Curiouser, but, as much as I loved her first attempts at this, they seem to work better here. Miller-Heidke has clearly grown as an artist since she first introduced herself to the world. Where the first album had a few moments that were just a bit too weird for even me to get into, this album has none. My excitement grew with each new song. Things slow down a bit at the halfway point with “Let Me Fade,” but in a completely natural way. It then picks up again slightly with “You Got The World,” but not with the “full speed ahead” vibe the first half of the album had. This is ok, however, because the songs are still strong, albeit slightly more laid-back than the first half of the album (with the exception of maybe “The Flasher”). I strongly recommend Liberty Bell for anyone looking for music with character. As a sample, here is the video for “The Tiger Inside Will Eat The Child”.

Liberty Bell was released in the US Oct 11th on Sony Music Australia. You can find more information on Kate’s website, as well as follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Celebrate NYCC w/ Ghost This!

Some of my faithful followers might know that I pull double-duty as a writer for Nerds in Babeland. I did an interview for them with this band, [Ghost This], which you can find here.

I also covered New York Comic Con for the site, and plan to do so again this year. It’s shaping up to be a great weekend, including a show/after-party for Day 1 of the festivities – brought to you by [Ghost This]. The fun happens at Connolly’s on West 45th St. For detals and to confirm the event, go to Facebook.

I really hope you go have fun times with this band, because they are some of the nicest people the internet has directed me to. Tell them News on Shuffle says “hi!”

Rachael Yamagata – Chesapeake

Rachael Yamagata has one of the smoothest, most soulful voices of just about anyone I’ve heard. From the first notes of “Saturday Morning” you know you are in for an experience that will both sooth and awaken you. “I Don’t Want To Be Your Mother” is a beautiful ballad that hits you in places you didn’t know you had, while “Even If I Don’t” has a more driving force behind it that will make you want to get up and face whatever life has in store for you. I have always been impressed with the voice quality Yamagata brings to the table, and this album did not disappoint my expectations in the least.

Chesapeake will be released Oct 11th on Yamagata’s own Frankenfish Records. Tour dates start Oct 24th at Port City Music Hall in Portland, ME and run through December, ending with two nights in NYC at City Winery Dec 21st & 22nd. She will also be at Maxwells in Hoboken on Dec 19th and 20th. Full list of tour dates is as follows:

OCTOBER
10/24 Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
10/25 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground
10/27 Ithaca, NY @ Delilah’s on Cayuga
10/28 North Hampton, MA @ Iron Horse
10/30 Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
10/31 Philadelphia, PA @ World Café Live

NOVEMBER
11/1 Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
11/2 Baltimore, MD @ Sound Stage
11/4 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
11/5 Pittsburgh, PA @ Club Café
11/6 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
11/7 Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s Hall
11/8 Chicago, IL @ Logan Square

11/10 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Ballroom
11/11 Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
11/12 Davenport, IA @ Redstone Room
11/14 Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar
11/16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
11/18 Salt Lake City, UT @ State Room
11/20 Spokane, WA @ A Club
11/21 Vancouver, Canada @ Media Club
11/22 Seattle, WA @ Crocodile
11/23 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
11/25 San Francisco, CA @ Slims
11/27 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
11/29 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubador
11/30 Tuscon, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom

DECEMBER
12/2 Austin, TX @ The Parish
12/3 Houston, TX @ Fitzgeralds (Upstairs)
12/4 Dallas, TX @ The Loft
12/5 Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom (2nd Stage)
12/7 St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill
12/8 Nashville, TN @ 12th and Porter
12/9 Birmingham, AL @ Work Play
12/10 Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
12/12 Charleston, SC @ New Brookland
12/13 Charlotte, NC @ Local 508
12/15 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506
12/16 Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern
12/17 Louisville, KY @Headliners
12/18 Columbus, OH @ The Basement
12/19 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwells
12/20 Hoboken, NJ @ Maxwells
12/21 New York, NY @ City Winery
12/22 New York, NY @ City Winery

You can find more information on her website, and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out

Florence + The Machine saw the debut of the video for “Shake It Out” yesterday. I swear, I get more and more excited with each new update from this rhythmically proficient artist. The new song is great, and the video features some wonderful costumes. I’m really looking forward to the album’s debut in November.

Interview w/ Bandana Splits

Recently I reviewed the Bandana Splits debut album here on the blog. I was lucky enough to get a chance to interview this lovely ladies as well. Here’s what they had to say…

1) What inspired you to focus on the old-school 50s sound your music primarily showcases?

A couple years ago, the band Balthrop, Alabama (occupied by an imaginary town and fronted by Lauren and her bro, Pascal) invited Dawn to sing a song for one of their fab Christmas shows. Annie was also a member of the band, and Dawn pinched Lauren and Annie to come sing oohs and ahhs along with her. She wrote this really cool song about falling in love with a Salvation Army guy, in the style of an old doo-wop tune. We had so much fun singing together in that style that we just didn’t stop! Every time we hung out afterward, a melody would erupt from out of nowhere and the next thing ya know we’re just riffin’ on a new idea. Kinda like Dustin Hoffman and Warren Beatty in Ishtar, only real and more critically acclaimed…

That said the 1950s style doesn’t necessarily define our sound. We all play with a lot of different musicians and listen to everything from Mary Ford to Missy Elliot.

2) What were some of your favorite artists growing up?

Picasso, Rothko, and Monet… but musically speaking, we all grew up with a love for the great girl groups. Some faves are The Caravelles,The Andrews Sisters and The Ronettes.

3) What was the process like making this first record?

Fun! We recorded at Dawn and Steve Salett’s studio, Saltlands, in DUMBO. The three of us sang around one mic to capture the classic girl group sound. With producer Sam Cohen of the band Yellowbirds at the helm, we experimented with lots of sounds and ideas were flowing pretty quickly.

It was great working with Sam. He acted as our one-man backing band, and even let us put lipstick on him one day when moods were low. He’s a pretty amazing musician and we’re psyched he was able to produce this record.

4) Now that the debut album is out, what do you think is your next step?

Next year Carnegie Hall!

5) What is one random/fun/interesting fact you would like your fans to know about yourselves?

Nous aimons à parler le français ensemble!*

*We like to speak French together

Craig Wedren – WAND

Craig Wedren’s new album, WAND, is a wide mix of musical styles. This mix includes at times indie rock, at times singer-songwriter, with a harder rock sound leaking through certain moments as well. There is definitely a wide enough range to please a large sample with varying musical preferences. From the energized first notes, to the soothing final piece, WAND has something for everyone. The album will be released Sept 27th on his own Nerveland Recordings. You can find more information on Craig Wedren’s website.

Mr Sam presents The Bandana Splits

The Bandana Splits album feels like the Andrews Sisters’ style music came back to wave at you while driving down your street. The music mimics the doo-wop and pop styles that were popular during the 50s and 60s. From the minute the first track “Sometimes” starts it transports you back in time and (hopefully) puts a smile on your face. There is something so innocent and adorably fun about these ladies from Brooklyn, NY. If you want to experience this blast from the past for yourself, go download their debut album “Mr. Sam presents The Bandana Splits,” which was released August 19th. You can also catch these lovely ladies live at Rockwood Music Hall tomorrow, August 20th at 7pm.

Tinderbox Interview w/ Alyson Greenfield

Last month I interviewed Alyson Greenfield for Nerds in Babeland. We couldn’t talk about her biggest project, Tinderbox Music Festival, because it was still hugely under wraps. Now that the line-up has been officially announced, I was able to talk with Alyson again and discuss the festival.

More information can be found on the Tinderbox website and Twitter feed.