photo by Evol Graphics, Atlanta

Her debut album, I Sing, I Play, I Write… was released back in March of last year, and true to the DIY spirit, she recorded and edited her demo album using GarageBand, Logic and Pro Tools (and iMovie to create her promo videos). She’ll be conducting a workshop on using these important tools at the Apple Store on Boylston Street, Boston, Wednesday February 22, 2012 at 7pm. The presentation will also include a short acoustic set from her album, and she’ll discuss how she uses Apple software to run her music career. This sounds like a very interesting evening for musicians just starting out, and for music fans who’d like to check out a natural talent. Awesome indeed.

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The show premieres April 19, 2012 at the Boston Center for the Arts, with over 25 Boston artists and performers taking part in the extravaganza. They promise innovative theatre, musicians, actors, dancers, video artists, sound artists, graphic artists and more.

Here’s where you come in. They NEED HELP to put on this wildly ambitious project, so they have a Kickstarter campaign to raise the cash – and there’s just 13 days left for them to meet their goal! Some of the goodies available for your donations include a digital download of the soundtrack, poster, a wicked cool-looking comic book designed by Mr. Sickert himself, pins, VIP tickets, meet and greets with the band… and even those paupers among us who can only afford a $10 donation can get a limited edition signed ‘art card’ from Walter. Anyone not familiar with his bizarre and delightful artwork should have a look right now. So get crackin’!

Rebecca Taylor and Charles Watson of Slow Club

Slow Club 11:30pm, Air Waves 10:30pm, and Ryan Lee Crosby 9:30pm
Friday, February 17 @ T.T. the Bear’s Place (Central Square, Cambridge)
$9 adv / $10 @ door

What looks to be a nice evening of folksy pop, rock and country, and fine singer-songwriting tradition will be going down at T.T.’s tonight. From the UK there’s Slow Club, whose latest release back in September was Paradise (Moshi Moshi Records). Joining them are Air Waves, with a blend of folk, rock and country, and singer-songwriter Ryan Lee Crosby. Put on by CQ Presents.

Sarah Negahdari (photo by Zoe-Ruth Erwin), Robert Francis, The Henry Clay People

Continuing on with part II of my Eastside L.A. Bands 2012 Roundup. Again, I’m only including artists who either are doing significant touring this year, or who have a new album just out, very recently out, or are working on something. If I’ve missed anyone or something big, please let me know. I’m going to bed now. Goodnight and good luck.

Pisces (Sarah Negahdari of The Happy Hollows) | Princeton | Radar Brothers | Radars To The Sky | Radamacher | Robert Francis | Seasons | Sea Wolf | Shadow Shadow Shade | Silversun Pickups | Summer Darling | The Airborne Toxic Event | The Deadly Syndrome | The Happy Hollows | The Henry Clay People | The Monolators | The Parson Red Heads | The Union Line | Voxhaul Broadcast | Walking Sleep

Pisces

A new sweet and folky side-project from the lovely Sarah Negahdari (The Happy Hollows). According to Sarah, after they’re finished with that, she’ll be releasing all of her Pisces material, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime…

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Princeton

Their second album, Remembrance of Things to Come is due out February 21. They’ll be performing some shows on the West Coast, plus Utah and Colorado. Have a listen below, and if you like what you hear, you can preorder the limited edition vinyl at Hit City U.S.A. and get a bonus 7″ and free digital download. Oooh… pretty strings! Lovely stuff.

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Radar Brothers

There’s been a series of vague comments since last July, with the last one in November “I guess this thing isn’t gonna mix itself…,” strongly suggests a new album in the works.

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Radars To The Sky

They released their very nice sounding 3-track Detritus EP last month, and have a show coming up on Feb. 23 at The Satellite in Los Angeles. Last month, they also took part in an amazing night of music to celebrate the first public screening of the Pass the Music documentary, along with Manhattan Murder Mystery, Movies Tribute Band, Tenlons Fort and Joey Siara.

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Rademacher

Big doings for Rademacher. They’ll be releasing Baby Hawk III on March 6 (part III of their ‘concept EP trilogy’). You can preorder it now. And they’ve been invited to SXSW for an official showcase! They currently have a IndiGoGo campaign to raise the necessary funds to get there – and to press up vinyl copies of the new EP and for other promo stuff. I didn’t realize this, but back in 2009 they were also given a sxsw showcase, but didn’t have enough money to get there. So if you can, please help ‘em out! They also have shows in March in California, Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona. One of my favorite bands, I have yet to see them perform, but hopefully that will change in the near future. For now, let’s have a listen to Baby Hawk II.

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Robert Francis

His new album, Strangers In The First Place will be released on May 22nd. It’s his first recording for Vanguard Records. He’s currently touring with Mat Kearney, and after that, he’ll be at SXSW. Hopefully he’ll make it out to the East Coast this year; would love to see him again. For now, here’s an amazing acoustic version of a song from the new album, “Some Things Never Change.”

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Seasons

During a January residency at the Echo, they released their new EP Autumn (listen below). It looks like they have a March 12 show at The Satellite in L.A., but before that, there’s this odd festival called “Open Mic Night After The Apocalypse” at some place called Slab City near the Salton Sea. Ok, so I guess this is an actual place. If you know where this is and can get there, they’ll be performing with Manhattan Murder Mystery, Stab City, Judson McKinney and others on February 25th. There’s a IndieGoGo campaign to make this happen.

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Sea Wolf

New music! The “Songs of the Magpie”/”Where the Winds Blow” single is available digitally or on vinyl (listen below). They’re in the studio recording their third full length album for release in the spring.

Song of the Magpie/Where The Wind Blows by Sea Wolf

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Shadow Shadow Shade

They recently released a new song and video – “Maybe I Could Love.” Not sure what else is up. For the record, this is the band formerly known as Afternoons. New name, just as wonderful.

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Silversun Pickups

They’re currently recording album #3, and they’ll be at Sasquatch in May and Edgefest in Toronto in July.

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Summer Darling

They’re recording a new album, and released a demo of “Rowena.” Nice. You can follow their progress.

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The Airborne Toxic Event

After the mad touring of last year, it seems there’s no major tour scheduled for 2012. Instead, they’ve been working on new songs for their next album. There’s only five dates scheduled as of now for this year (Dresser WI on Fri; UCR Riverside CA on 3/3, Tempe AZ on 4/21, UCSB Santa Barbara CA mid/late May (students only?), and Berlin Germany on 7/27-29 – all festivals). Though I imagine we may see some shows added later on this year (i.e. late spring/summer), maybe with previews of some new music… here’s hoping!

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The Deadly Syndrome

Looks like production is complete on a new album in the works. This will be #3, after the truly marvelous Nolens Volens of 2010.

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The Happy Hollows

Currently overdubbing for their second album at Infrasonic Studios in Alhambra, CA. You can follow their progress and make sure they’re hard at work. The most recent little peek is below. LOVE these guys. Be sure to check out Sarah’s Pisces project also.

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The Henry Clay People

Ah, the Henry Clay Peeps. Another band that holds a very special place in my heart, having seen them careen crazily around on many stages and sound absolutely marvelous. They promise more new album info soon, but in the meantime, they’ve been posting some live videos of new songs. In fact, another one appeared just today (see below). The song is “Anymore or Anyless.” Sounds sweet, happy, noisy, and like classic HCP. Oh yeah, they’ll be at SXSW!

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The Monolators

They’ll be performing at The Satellite in L.A. on 3/2, and will be “performing new songs for a very special project that we’ve been working on for two years.” Not quite sure what this means. New album?

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The Parson Red Heads

Tracking for the next Parson Red Heads album starts Monday 2/20 – excellent! They promise regular updates on their facebook page. They’ll also be at SXSW. This is getting to be a common theme. I’m starting to get really sad that I can never afford to go to this.

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The Union Line

Nice guys, great band. They have a *free* show with Incan Abraham at the Bootleg Theater on Feb. 20 (right, that’s in Los Angeles), and they’ll be at, that’s right, SXSW.

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Voxhaul Broadcast

They’re currently recording a new album at the legendary Village Studios. Check out their facebook page for updates. They’ll be performing in Mexico on March 10 with Modest Mouse, Blonde Redhead and Public Enemy. Now there’s a show… Also Las Vegas on Feb. 27 and a March residency at The Satellite. Also, their song “Leaving on The 5th” is featured on the soundtrack for the new film The Vow, along with bands like The National, Lykke Li and The Cure. Very cool.

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Walking Sleep

(Flying Tourbillon Orchestra – years later, I’m still adjusting)
Nothing new from Walking Sleep since their Tarp Sessions of last year, but vocalist/guitarist and autoharp player Sara Radle has a solo album release party in Los Angeles this Saturday. Her fifth solo record “Same Sun Shines” is due out Feb. 21. You can listen to it (and order) on bandcamp. [Editor's note: just found out she'll be performing at PA's Lounge in Somerville on March 29th!]

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Eastside L.A. 2012 Roundup Part I

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Being as how it’s Valentine’s Day, I thought I should show some love for those Eastside L.A. bands I really like (the ones that live and/or play there – you know who you are). Let’s see what you guys have planned for this year. I’m so sorry I’ve neglected you… can you forgive me?

Note: I’ve narrowed it down to those bands who have recent or new releases planned or shows scheduled. Part two coming soon.

Autolux | Correatown | Death To Anders | Doom and Gloom | Downtown/Union | Eagle and Talon | Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros | Everest | George Glass | Just An Animal | Leslie Stevens and The Badgers | Local Natives | Marvelous Toy | Nightmare Air | Northern Youth | One Trick Pony

Autolux

From all the recording studio pics being posted on their facebook, it looks like they’re recording a new album. For now, check out their very trippy video, just released, for “The Science of Imaginary Solutions,” the final track from their last album, Transit Transit. Animation is by Thomas McMahan.

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Correatown

The musical project of Angela Correa, Correatown released their full length Pleiades in the U.S. back in November, and are set to tour in the UK and Europe starting in May to coincide with its overseas release.

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Death To Anders

They’re currently doing a weekly residency in Los Angeles, and they released a 5-track EP back in October. Not sure if they have more music planned, but at least it does seem like they really are “back” now. So we’ll let them slide in.

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Doom and Gloom

Featuring Liska and Nate, formerly of the now sadly defunct Castledoor. One of the first Eastside L.A. bands I discovered, I haven’t kept up so well with these guys. I guess they were in NYC for a little while, but they’re back in L.A. now, apparently looking for pedal steel players to start a band with. Check out this recent performance in New York. Sweet.

IT’S A FUNNY LIFE from Matt Jay on Vimeo.

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Downtown/Union

This is the band that features “moonlighters” Andy and Joey Siara of The Henry Clay People. They’ve been performing a bit around L.A. and released the Deal Gone Wrong EP back in November. Since there’s been mention of new HCP music, I assume Downtown/Union will have to be put on hold soon, or find a few temporary replacements.

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Eagle and Talon

Alice Talon took a trip to NYC early last year to work with her friend Michi on the album Strange Bloom, due out this spring. Meanwhile, the official video for E.A.T.’s latest In Manila EP was released last month.

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Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Their new album is set for release on May 29, and there are some shows scheduled for CA, AZ, CO and elsewhere in March. A film that was shot while they were on the road with Mumford & Sons and Old Crow Medicine Show, Big Easy Express, will be premiered at SXSW this year. Have a look at the trailer.

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Everest

“Recording is done… one song left to mix… and the completed album goes to mastering this week!” (Jan 24). It’s due out late spring. Plans are for residencies in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest, followed by a summer tour.

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George Glass

Apparently, they were to be heading into the studio to record new music this month.

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Just An Animal

Formerly Red Cortez and now joining the ranks of Eastside L.A. bands who abruptly changed their names just as people were starting to discover them. They released their debut album in their new incarnation back in November, titled Lonely Hunter.

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Leslie Stevens and The Badgers

Leslie has an album in the works (sans Badgers, I guess?) that was being mastered last month.

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Local Natives

After a lot of touring last year (ending up supporting The National), I assume Local Natives are working on new music.

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Marvelous Toy

They released their first full-length album, Not Moving, at the start of this year. Have a listen.

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Nightmare Air

They’re finishing up work on a new album, and are headed out to SXSW for an official showcase.

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Northern Youth

A newish band featuring Luke Messimer, formerly of the now sadly defunct Mississippi Man). They released what I think is their first single back in December. Check it out.

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One Trick Pony

They released their album Try Not To Worry So Much last year.

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Eastside L.A. 2012 Roundup Part II

Black Taxi at Tommy Doyle’s, 96 Winthrop Street, Cambridge (Harvard Square)
TONIGHT (Friday, January 20)
21+ / 8pm / $5 or FREE before 9:30pm

Late notice on this one, but infectiously poppy and danceable Black Taxi, hailing from Brooklyn, New York, are at Tommy Doyle’s tonight. They just released their second album, We Don’t Know Any Better. Check out their video below.

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On their debut EP Noisemaker (released Dec 13 of last year), Boston band The Dirty Hit give a very nice sampling of their eclectic and far-reaching sound. There’s the noisy garage fun of “Romero” and “Back To You” (though both have melodic elements), the folky social commentary of “All Seeing Eye,” and some really nice psychedelic ambiance of “Days End” and “Bring Light,” which have little experimental touches including a a slight aroma of reggae rhythm. “Renovator,” which closes the EP, is just a nice, tight pop song. There’s something about the writing (I’m a lyrics girl, remember), the tasteful guitar licks and the delightful harmonies that makes these guys stand out. It’ll be cool to see what they do next – there’s plans for a full-length this year.

For now, you can check them out in the flesh at the Church of Boston Friday, February 3. They’ll be playing along with The Dukes of Funk, Sidecar Radio, Among Criminals and Last Call.

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In these fledgling days of the newly spawned year, I can’t help but be philosophical (in my typically snarky way), and wonder what 2012 will bring. My god… 2012. New age refugees have been talking about the significance of this particular year, with its mysterious Mayan back story, since the 1980s. Now that we’re actually here, I have to admit, it’s a weird feeling. Will the end of the Mayan calendar cycle bring unspeakable catastrophe, as some have predicted, will we enter into an Aquarian Age with complete connection and world peace (yeah, right), or will it all be ‘business as usual’?

Let’s play devil’s advocate just for a moment. What if the world really does end on December 21, 2012? Would this change our behavior, if we know with all certainty that we only had another year (a little less than that, in fact) to make our final stand on this planet, in this lifetime?

Do I think December 21 is the last day of our existence? No. Mind you, this is not out of any deep understanding of the universe, nor awakening satori or devout faith. I say this based on experience. The year 1984 had ominous overtones due to that disturbing little book by Mr. Orwell, which instilled enough doom and gloom to give one the feeling of a finite existence. Yet 1984 came and went without incident. Then there was Y2K, when some computers had funny dates on them due to what I’ll say was the ultimate lack of faith in the future (and poor planning), but with IT people putting in a few extra hours, we managed to avoid catastrophe. Entering into the 21st century wasn’t such a big deal either, as it so happened. And Harold Camping’s May 21st rapture and subsequent end of the world last year proved to be a complete bust.

In 1981, I had my own personal experience with a harbinger of doom. My karate teacher in St. Petersburg, Florida was so absolutely convinced that the end of the world was coming, he gathered all his students together one evening to warn us. When the dreaded date came and went, he shrunk into embarrassed obscurity. It was soon after that I realized I had quite enough of nutty Florida.

It was at this point that I was going to espouse some new form of positive thinking, or at least the iChing’s ever-popular “inner-independence” and detachment, but who am I kidding? I’ve always been cynical, but at least I’ve been honest. Far worse to pretend to be a cheerful optimist. No, what makes far more sense to me is this little nugget that I was recently reminded of, from long ago when I read the mind-expanding books of Carlos Castaneda. He was told by his teacher, Don Juan, to “live life as a warrior, as if every day was your last.” [thanks to Boston ensemble Club d'Elf for sending this out in their latest email blast, and for passing along what the Mayans themselves are saying.]

That’s what I have to offer at the start of this ominous but exciting new year. Welcome to 2012. If you’re looking for predictions or advice, sorry, I can’t help you. Everything that I knew with unwavering certainty when I was 15 I’m not at all sure of now. What I will say is I’m about to take a first step: I’m going to get out of the fricking house and do stuff I haven’t done before. Hedging my bets, if it all does end on December 21st (or something equally bizarre happens), I want to at least be able to say I had one ridiculously crazy but damn fine year. But that’s just me.