Native New Yorker Blake Morgan is a recording artist, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and the founder and owner of ECR Music Group. His music advocacy has taken him to Capitol Hill numerous times where, as the founder of the #IRespectMusic movement, he continues to fight for music makers’ rights in the digital age. As a musician, his album Diamonds In The Dark is a prime example of his soulful inspired songwriting.
Blake Morgan continued his ongoing residency at Rockwood Music Hall’s Stage 3 in NYC. I saw the show with his special guest Tracy Bonham. Morgan will embark on a major tour of The United Kingdom, this time running through Brighton, Manchester, London, Birmingham, and Bristol. Blake will be joined by acclaimed singer-songwriter Julia Haltigan, who will be opening up for him on this run. He is expected to return to Rockwood on Jan. 17, 2018 with special guest Michael Leonhart.
Check him out on these dates:
12/3/17 – BRIGHTON – The Hope and Ruin (RSVP: HERE) 12/4/17 – MANCHESTER – Gulliver’s (RSVP: HERE) 12/5/17 – LONDON – The Macbeth (RSVP: HERE) 12/6/17 – BIRMINGHAM – Sunflower Lounge (RSVP: HERE) 12/8/17 – BRISTOL – The Louisiana (RSVP: HERE)
The Tomboys are back with Session Two, another blast from the past. The Florida band has released more music from its ’80s vault. Best of all this is a FREE download, check out the video “You’re The One.”
Minneapolis, MN band J Eastman and The Drunk Uncles are heavily influenced by The Replacements, Wilco and REM. With a solid guitar lead and Eastman’s distinctive vocal, check out “On Your Dime” a pretty anachronistic expression. They have a full-length LP too called No Capo Required from 2016 that’s just awesome. “Drink To Myself” is the lost hit Southern Culture On the Skids never had. Oh yeah, it’s all FREE downloads.
Vancouver multi-instrumentalist and producer Adam Wazonek delivers an easy going gem here. Like America, The Eagles or other ’70s styled bands, it has clean melodies and simple arrangements that are just a delight. Check out “Christine” and the very Steely Dan-ish “Easy Love.” The wah-wah strings on “I’d Like To Know” is just pure Seals & Crofts. Actually, it’s tough to find a note of filler here. Highly Recommended and a FREE download.
Scott Brookman returns with a sequel to his successful LP Smellicopter. Another master of melody with subtle and sparse instrumentation, “Consideration” is influenced by Something/Anything era Todd Rundgren and the fun “Three Doors Down” has a very 10cc-like composition. This EP isn’t free, but for a mere $5.00 it’s worth getting.
FYI: INTERNATIONAL POP OVERTHROW NYC IS HERE!
Dave Bash welcomes an assortment of wonderful artists out to Bar Matchless in Brooklyn. It started Thursday and goes on all weekend. We will be reviewing the new IPO compilation next week!
Power Popaholic Fest is coming on June 16, 17 (next week) at Bar Matchless in Brooklyn, NY. Each year we have a soundtrack made with songs by some performers and like-minded artists. Your purchase helps fund the continuation of this long-running music festival dedicated to power pop artists. This year’s soundtrack features Somerdale, The Successful Failures, Lisa Mychols, Lannie Flowers, Cirrone, The Brittanicas, Jose Estragos and The Pop-Coop. Note: Limited time! Some tracks will only be available during the month of June.
Another compilation that we promote regularly is the Coop Communique, championed by artist/writer Dw Dunphy. This is the third and most impressive volume yet. With an array of favorites including Josh Fix (!!), The Ravines, Greek Theatre, Son of Skooshny, Brandon Schott, Andy Klingensmith, Vegas With Randolph and much more. Best of all its a FREE download! Between Dunphy and Ice Cream Man, you can fill up the old music player on my phone really fast!
Indie-rock band The Foals are set for a huge headline gig at Eden Sessions in Cornwall, UK, on 11thJuly. The event takes place at the Eden Project, and involves some of the most high profile gigs in the country. This will be The Foals only non-festival gig, and one of only two UK summer shows for the band this year.
For those who are not familiar with The Foals, they are an indie band who pack a powerful punch with emotionally charged melodies driven by highly energetic beats, and sweetened by poetic and philosophical lyrics. It has a broad appeal, from indie lovers and pop freaks, to poker professionals like Celina Lin whohave included it on their playlist.
The Foals is comprised of five members from Oxford, including lead singer and guitarist Yannis Philippakis, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Smith, drummer Jack Bevan, keyboard player Edwin Congreave, and bassist Walter Gervers.
They have produced a total of four studio albums, each epic in its own right, and all four reaching gold status and making it into the top 10 in the UK album charts. Along the way they have picked up prestigious awards that include Q Awards for Best Act in The World Today 2015, and Best Live Act 2015, as well as a Best Album 2016 NME Award for their masterpiece ‘What Went Down’.
If that isn’t reason enough to see them live then what is? Well, you could check out their music and see if you like it: Audio
Eden Sessionsis entering its 16thyear this year, and is set to be as massive as ever. Bands that will play gigs at the multi-week event include Royal Blood, Madness, Bryan Adams and Bastille.
Eden’s marketing director Rita Broe said, “It’s a real coup for the Sessions and for Cornwall that Foals have chosen to play Eden for their only non-festival show in England this year… This will be a huge gig at Eden, and an opportunity that no music fan should pass up.”
So, what can we expect from The Foals rare UK gigs? Well, the band has been talking about working on a new album, but may or may not have new material ready to perform by the time the Eden Sessions comes around.
In ainterview with NME, Yannis Philippakis spoke about his involvement writing music with Fela Kuh’s drummer Tony Allen. He said, “I started doing some tracks with him last year and then I was on tour. So I went back to finish them in Paris… I’ve been writing bits here and there, but I don’t know if it’s for The Foals yet. We’re not in a hurry.”
Specifically, the frontman said that he “Can’t tell if we’ll have written anything new by then.” Regardless of whether they perform any new material, fans can expect a riot, and a good old sing and dance from this band as they throw out high octane music that only the dead-inside can’t relate to.
The only other venue that UK fans will be able to catch The Foals this summer is at Citadel Festival in Victoria Park, London, the band’s exclusive festival appearance. There they will be joined by the WIld Beasts, Laura Marling and Bonobo among other big names.
Tickets to Eden Sessions are available on their website. For those who can’t make the live gigs there will be afree online streamavailable on YouTube.
BREAKING NEWS: The April 22 Paul Collins concert at Glen Cove has lowered ticket prices to allow more fans at attending to enjoy the sounds of great power pop, up close and personal. Tickets at the door are $10.00 – This is the last appearance of Paul Collins prior to his Worldwide European Tour starting in May.
Check him out on these dates: