» 2011 » December

Dec
20thBoard the Gary Clark, Jr. Train

Photo by Rich Tarantino Sometimes hype is just that… hype. Too many times, artists packaged as the “next big thing” fail to live up to the premature “it” factor when their albums drop. I could name dozens upon dozens, but would rather focus on an artist who not only lives up to the acclaim he’s received throughout the year, but may even exceed it. It’s not a matter of whether Gary Clark, Jr. is going to hit it big or not, it’s when he’s going to take over. As a matter of fact, he’ll probably be a star by the time you finish reading this post. With just an EP to his credit, the Texan has already received praise from everyone from Eric Clapton to Alicia Keys, and Rolling Stone recently singled him out as one of five shredders to watch under 40. That iconic magazine also ranked his Bright Lights EP as the 40th best album in their top 100. Not too shabby… One can only wonder what hell is going to break loose when the 27-year-old emerging rock and blues guitar god puts out a full record. I spoke with him about that and more during an “A-Sides” session in White Plains, NY last week. From a private studio of the Music Therapy Institute within the Music Conservatory of Westchester, Clark also performed two tracks off his EP and fittingly discussed music education. We were, after all, in a music school. Watch the too cool for school singer/songwriter [...]
Dec
13thUnder the Covers With Chris Carrabba & Up Close and Personal With Mike Doughty

One Man Gang was a popular bad guy in the wrestling world in the 1980s. Fortunately (or unfortunately if you’re a fan of men in tights from the Teddy Ruxpin era) he has nothing to do with today’s “A-Sides.” The grappler’s moniker, however, resonates in that both artists featured here are one-man shows. Chris Carrabba has spent the better part of this year touring to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his debut Dashboard Confessional album The Swiss Army Romance. He recently wrapped up a brief series of acoustic shows in the Midwest and on the East Coast in connection to his first-ever solo effort, Covered In The Flood, which finds the singer/songwriter covering a wide range of artists he respects from R.E.M. to The Replacements. Like Carraba, and I mean no offense to his Dashboard bandmates, Mike Doughty is a one man gang of musical talent (geez, did I really just say that?) The former Soul Coughing member is a celebrated singer, songwriter, author and poet. He’s currently touring in support of his fifth solo album Yes and Also Yes, and in early 2012 will release a memoir about his drug and music battles called The Book of Drugs. In New York City earlier this month, I caught up with Carrabba and Doughty for “A-Sides.” Both performed songs off their respective new albums, and discussed their meanings. Watch, listen, and enjoy. Chris Carrabba Plays and Discusses “Tall Green Grass” (Cory Branan cover) [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXaPqV9vEbI&w=460&h=315] [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwKwHh4J-vo&w=460&h=315] Chris Carrabba Plays “The [...]
Dec
8thThe Kooks’ Show Us Their “Junk”

My wife isn’t exactly a fan of a lot of new music. She gets a little sick of hearing me talk up the latest, greatest artist I’m listening to, and tends to play the same songs in her car over and over again. Yet, something broke through to her usual playlist of Bob Marley, Coldplay and the Dixie Chicks last summer. The Kooks’ “Junk of the Heart” is a catchy throwback song about – I think anyway – a guy who wants to show the world to the girl he loves – assuming she’s as in to him as he is to her. The song, which I obviously like too, is sort of a departure for the UK rock stars who have sold over 2 million records worldwide. Their third album, also called “Junk of the Heart,” features far more soul and even channels Bowie at times but those killer good hooks are still there. Last month, I caught up with one-half of the band (frontman Luke Pritchard and guitarist Hugh Harris) just prior to their sold-out show at Webster Hall in New York City and asked them about the new sound, and specifically the title track which my wife fittingly overplays in her car now. The fun pair also performed a cool, infectious acoustic version of it. Before you watch the video – know this: The Kooks will perform on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with far superior video equipment on Dec. 12. They’re also winding down their fall tour on [...]