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May
22ndJamming with Assembly of Dust and the ‘Rhodes’ Scholars of Isle“And now for something completely different…” Look, I’m not about to – although I probably wish I could – debut a new video of someone dancing around while slapping someone in the face with a fish (if you don’t get that reference, I suggest you Google “John Cleese”), but there’s definitely a different vibe on today’s A-Sides . The two artists featured today are refreshingly refreshing in that they bring a unique sound – a blend of genres – and don’t sound like anyone else that’s currently in the music industry. Roots rockers Assembly of Dust, the brain child of Reid Genauer, just dropped their fourth full-length album Sun Shot after a two-year process that included a Kickstarter campaign. Not only did the campaign succeed on a financial level (they more than doubled their $25,000 goal ), it worked on a deep, personal level as well. As Genauer explained in an interview at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester last week – the campaign gave them/him an opportunity to engage with their fans socially – so much so he and the band are not charging fans or anyone for that matter for the album so long as they log onto an APP and share it on their respective social networks. Anyway, before he played a show at Garcia’s, a bar/music venue within The Capitol Theatre, Genauer took time out to perform with his band mates and chat for A-Sides. Watch two ditties and the interview below. It’s kick butt. “Weehawken [...]
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May
20thIgniting Blondfire; Joshua Radin’s “Wings” Take FlightBlondfire’s new alt-rock single “Waves” sounds like something Olivia Newton John would be singing in the 1980s, and a song I’d be pumping through my Walkman back in the day at Jones Beach. It’s that retro cool. Putting out dreamy, catchy alt-rock is something we’ve come to expect from the California band. Their previous single “Where the Kids Are” scored big in alt-rock, and propelled them to touring gigs opening for everyone from AWOLNation to Foals. Speaking of which, two weeks ago I caught up with the band’s Erica Driscoll and Steve Stout right after they performed at Terminal 5 in New York City (opening for aforementioned Foals and Surfer Blood) and asked them about their upcoming full-length album, the current involvement of “Blondfirer” Bruce Driscoll (yes, it’s Erica’s bro), and Olivia Newton John of course. Watch. Listen. Love.
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May
10th“Come Back Anytime” – Fitz of Fitz & The Tantrums Discusses New Single and AlbumBack in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I watched Dance Party U.S.A. with my older sister and pretended not to like it. The series was sort of an American Bandstand for the New Kids on the Block generation so street-cred wise, I’d lose everything with any admission. See, the show was a chick magnet in the ratings arguably because of a dancer named Bobby (Catalano) who rarely took his sunglasses off, and I couldn’t admit to deep down wanting to be able to break out some fresh dance moves. Now in my 30s, I can honestly say I still can’t dance, but can say with full confidence that I’ll shamelessly break out some of my own moves any time I hear the featured guest on “A-Sides” today. Fitz and the Tantrums evoke the era of Dance Party U.S.A. in that their sound throwsback to those cheesy decades as well as 1960s pop and 1970s Motown. The nature of this business is all about comparing artists to the past, but while they’re retro cool, FATT sound utterly original and contemporary. Perhaps it’s best to just say their music make me want to dance (even though I can’t) because it’s catchy, fun, and everything that’s good about music these days. With the release of their sophomore album More Than Just a Dream this Tuesday (May 7), the Los Angeles-based sextet (Fitz, Noelle Scaggs, James King, Jeremy Ruzumna, John Wicks and Joseph Karnes) have further established themselves as music masters. Like the [...]
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Apr
29thThree to Watch (Courrier, Daniela Brooker, and Mission South)They say good things come in three’s. Actually, maybe it’s celebrity deaths but I forget. In any event, today’s A-Sides presents three artists who are each bring something awesomely different to the table. Austin’s Courrier reminds me of Coldplay but with an indie sensibility. Daniela Brooker is being called a cross between Taylor Swift, Shakira and Sheryl Crow, but this British teenager sounds far more original than to be blended in with those three vastly different artists. Lastly, D.C.-based band Mission South have been compared to Dr. Dog and will no doubt get thrown into The Black Keys genre-bending game, but the roots-rock band sound more like Mission South to me. Hearing is relative so forgive all my convoluted thoughts. Watch and hear these artists for yourselves in a series of A-Sides sessions all filmed within the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY. I feel in all of my loins you’ll be hearing a lot about this triple threat no matter what you think. Courrier released their sophomore album Cathedrals of Color in March, and already had a top 50 radio single with their debut “Love is a Fire.” That song, by the way, has appeared on numerous TV shows include Gossip Girland The Vampire Diaries. At an A-Sides filming two weeks ago, the band performed that track as well as current single “Inch of Rope” and spoke about each. Watch below, nephews! Courrier Perform “Inch of Rope” Courrier Perform “Love is a Fire” Courrier Interview: Everyone from [...]
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Apr
22ndCan’t Stay {Away} From Villagers, Cheatahs, or Danielia CottonNothing kills the momentum of a good weekend more then the realization mid-afternoon Sunday that your workweek is right around the corner. Mondays suck. They always have, and always will. To help ease your “case of the Mondays” today, here’s an eclectic mix of highly-talented artists whose music will have you thinking and feeling something. Sorry Ke$ha. Their debut EP Hollow Kind and full-length album Becoming a Jackal made them legends in their homeland, and led to a highly-prestigious Mercury Prize nod. Their follow-up, {Awayland}, is bucking the buzzworthy trend abroad and here in the states. They’re Irish indie folk band Villagers, and if you don’t know them by now, you soon will find yourselves hearing them somewhere and wondering quietly – almost immediately – to yourself: “How did I only just hear this band now? Where have I been? Where am I going? What is wrong with me?” Anyway, you get it. Earlier this month front man Conor O’Brien performed “Earthly Pleasures” and discussed it at an A-Sides session filmed at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY. Watch the intimate performance and interview below, and scratch your heads no more! “Earthly Pleasures” Villagers’ Conor O’Brien Interview Cheatahsarrived at the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains for an A-Sides filming, and were immediately taken aback. The London-based band had expected to fully plug-in for their performance, and didn’t really know what to do with the classroom vibe I provided them. Initially they were going to just [...]
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Apr
15thAnother Story Saying Kitten’s Chloe Chaidez Is Wise Beyond Her Years?The thing that sucks about writing about a band whose lead singer is a teenager is that you have to point out just that: he or she is a teenager. That statement leads one to write about how the singer may be young but are wise well beyond their years with music that resonates so much more than it should. No one likes generalizing a generation or riding a cliche, but here we are. Chloe Chaidez of the Cali-band Kitten is so much wiser, talented and articulate than you were at 18. OK, now I’m done – let’s focus on the music and her band. Kitten are two EPs into their career, and have already opened up for No Doubt, Twin Shadow and Charli XCX and are currently touring with The Joy Formidable. They’re about to hit the road with Paramore, which should – no doubt – propel them even further into the alt-universe. Good. The band, who sound like a 1980s band fronted by a 1990s rocker chick, work their ass off to sound good and it really shows with the respective Sunday School and Cut It Out EPs. Read the interview below with Chaidez and you’ll see why they’re so buzz-worthy. In addition, check out an exclusive performance of “G#” at LA’s Bootleg Bar, which the band blessed specifically for A-Sides. Boom. I’d imagine opening up for so many great artists, it’s forced you guys to raise your game a bit, right? I’d assume you’d be a sponge [...]
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Apr
10thAwake to WintersleepIt’s hard to believe, but there’s more to Canada than Rick Moranis. Take the band Wintersleep for example, who have been churning out infectious indie rock for the better part of six years or so. The Nova Scotia natives’ latest Hello Hum has garnered them their usual critical acclaim from their homeland (they won a Juno Award) but also the states (they appeared on Late Show with David Letterman and opened for such acts as Pearl Jam and Sir Paul McCartney). Last week, the Nova Scotians (I’m making that a term if it isn’t already) stopped by the Music Conservatory of Westchester for a stripped-down performance of single “Nothing is Anything (Without You)” and informal interview on A-Sides. Watch. Listen. Love. Performance: Interview: About asidesmusic.com Jon Chattman’s “A-Sides Music” series usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles — just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I’m hoping this is refreshing.
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Apr
4thListen to Courtney Jaye and Bonzie Now; Thank Me LaterSeveral things in life are obvious. Dick Butkis will never grace the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover. The Ropers will never use Facebook, and Dido will never invite me over for breakfast. These are just facts – plain and simple, and with this post, I add another to my growing list of truths: you’re going to love these two singer/songwriters on the “show” today. First up is Courtney Jaye,a Nashville-based singer/songwriter who is touring this spring with comedian/singer/songwriter Stephen Lynch in support of her new album Love and Forgiveness. Ironically, the emerging pop star’s songs are the antithesis of the humorous and oft-dirty ditties that Lynch slays crowds with. They’re deeply felt tunes about love and life, and the journeys in-between. At an A-Sides session filmed at the Primary Wave Music’s Listening Room in NYC (by Alexander Stein), she performed a trio of songs. Watch. Listen. Love.
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Apr
2ndNo ‘Mistaking’ The Secret State or Milo GreeneWith over 54 million views on YouTube for their debut song “The Biggest Mistake,” The Secret State are anything but a secret these days. See what I did there? Yes, that success has propelled the band to stardom without even releasing a full-length album yet, and it’s not strictly on the interwebs. “The Biggest Mistake” is gaining significant play on radio stations, and was recently remixed by a tag team of hip pop greats Akon and B.o.B. But, this Baltimore-based band isn’t resting on the popularity of their first track. They’re currently putting the finishing touches on their full-length album, which will drop later this year. At an A-Sides session recorded in the percussion room of the Music Conservatory of Westchester, I chatted with Statesmen =Dan Martiniano, Josh Jones, Hunter Schafer, Danny Espinosa, and Mike Marx-Gibbons about their success thus far, their new album, and the follow-up single to “Mistake,” which could very well become a new national anthem of sorts. Since that single and its video are close to the band’s heart (Jones, Marx-Gibbons and Espinosa served the United States on active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq), I’ll let them explain it in the video interview below. But first, watch them totally annihilate an acoustic version of “The Biggest Mistake.” Watch. Listen. Love.
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Mar
15thZZ Ward is Clearly Catchy ‘Fire’A praised debut album. Sold-out shows. Sexy hats. Yep, 2012 was the year of ZZ Ward and clearly she’s making 2013 her bitch as well. The sultry bluesy singer/songwriter – not the love child between classic rockers ZZ Top and character actor Fred Ward (it’s not possible anyway) – got more mileage than a cheap pair of sneakers with her critically-lauded debut Til The Casket Drops last year, and is currently selling-out shows with with Delta Rae as part of their “Fire and Shine” co-headlining tour. She’s also hitting the festival circuit this spring and summer. Speaking of which, is it me or are there way too many music festivals these days? It just seems like even Sheboygan has a fest this year. Actually maybe they don’t. Get with the program, Sheboyganians! Anyway, earlier this month, Ward, a native of Oregon which I’m banking has a summer music festival of their own, filmed an A-Sides session at the Primary Wave Music’s “Listening Room” in NYC. There, she performed two tracks off her killer debut album, and discussed their meanings. Watch “365 Days” below and visit asidesmusic.com for an exclusive performance of “Put the Gun Down.” Watch (thanks to Alexander Stein for filming), listen, and love it! About A-Sides with Jon Chattman: Jon Chattman’s “A-Sides Music” series usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes [...]
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A-Sides Live! Events
10.26 Alice Ripley at White Plains Performing Arts Center (WPPAC) wppac.com
11.2 Pop Goes the Culture Awards and Variety Show at WPPAC
12.14 Acoustic Christmas Show (visit asideslive on Facebook for details)
1.25.13 Come as You Were - 90s Salute Show at The DAE (details on FB)
3.14.13 Comedy at the DAE (TBD)
3.29.13 Punk at the DAE (TBD)
4.26 Singer/Songwriter Night at the DAE (TBD)
5.16 Comedy at the DAE (TBD)
5.23 Chatt B-Day Show at the DAE (TBD)
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Recent Posts
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- Igniting Blondfire; Joshua Radin’s “Wings” Take Flight
- “Come Back Anytime” – Fitz of Fitz & The Tantrums Discusses New Single and Album
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- Exclusiveness: Tim Noyes Covers Tupac Shakur & Dr. Dre
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