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Feb
29thAlice Ripley Lets It Rip

It’s been two-plus years since Alice Ripley electrified Broadway with her staggeringly brilliant and brave performance as a mother suffering from bipolar disorder in the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal. Clearly, the show and playing that character have been hard to shake. At an A-Sides session in a Music Therapy Institute practice studio (within the Music Conservatory of Westchester) late last month, the stage star, who originated the role that earned her the 2009 Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Musical, discussed the groundbreaking show and performed a track from its soundtrack — one she actually didn’t sing in the show. “I like to switch it up,” she said off camera. Clearly, Ripley has switched things up her entire career. In addition to performing on Broadway (her credits also include Les Miserables and The Rocky Horror Show), the singer/songwriter has channeled her inner rock star with the band she fronts — Ripley. She and the band have released several albums since 2001, including Daily Practice, which featured her covering everyone from U2 to Carole King. Yesterday, Ripley did something different, releasing a song and music video for “Beautiful Eyes” on iTunes and all across the Interwebs. The song may or may not be featured on a future album. In any event, I’m boring — she’s not. Watch both powerhouse songs below: “I’ve Been” – Next to Normal Cover [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie_dHdP5uP0&w=460&h=315] “Beautiful Eyes” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0pvZkN9ORQ&w=460&h=315] About A-Sides with Jon Chattman Jon Chattman’s music series features artists (established or [...]
Feb
3rdTwin Atlantic Get “Free” and JB Baretsky Serves “Life”

Twin Atlantic have more in common with Lethal Weapon actor Danny Glover than you might think. The Scottish rockers told me in an A-Sides interview earlier this week that they’re getting — to paraphrase — too old for this “expletive” when it comes to rocking out all the time. Yep, sometimes all the Glasgow quartet of Sam McTrusty, Barry McKenna, Ross McNae, and Craig Kneale want to do is chill and play their rocking songs acoustically in, say, a classroom? I don’t believe that for a second, but earlier this week the band, who are currently touring in support of their acclaimed debut album Free, performed the title track stripped down in a studio at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY. Enjoy the show and watch the band who is definitely not old by any standards. How do I know this? They’re playing the Warped Tour this summer. As for me? I’ll be changing diapers. Free then Speech: [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bre9IVSkknw&w=460&h=315] Roughly around the time Twin Atlantic take the Warped Tour stage, Long Island, NY native JB Baretsky will release his debut album entitled Less is More. The singer/songwriter has performed throughout the Tri-State area with his jazzy throwback crooner sound, and has already been featured in a variety of publications including Pulse magazine. Last week, he performed his version of the famous Sinatra track “That’s Life” for A-Sides and spoke about its importance to him. Listen while you watch… “That’s Life” [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGJfW8oL3pw&w=460&h=315] About A-Sides with Jon [...]