I’ve been owing readers here a recap of the Regina Spektor concert I attended last Sunday for roughly a week now, so here goes. In my defense, I turned the big 3-0 last week and was slightly preoccupied with birthday shenanigans. So now I’m back and ready to give Regina Spektor, experimental folk-acoustic, seductive songstress du jour (du semaine) a proper ode.
Headlining the Regina show was Only Son, aka iPod Man. His act was decent enough, but he went on for way too long and his shtick involved an iPod, which he used in lieu of a band. It got a little irksome after a while and as he came onstage drunk and saying a little too many “F*cks,” I quickly realized that a) I’m too old to find this MySpace-generated Mick Jagger/Bono wannabe remotely appealing and b) My generation (X) is WAY cooler than the 18-year-olds bopping along to the Yeah, like, that’s so f*cked man. Shit, ya know. Yeah, f*ck. Then again, maybe I’m being way too hard on our nation’s youth and even more frightening, maybe my generation sounded like that 12 years ago.
But then again, why were all these youngsters who I couldn’t envision really “getting” Regina’s brand of music, the overriding demographic present at her show?
Regina came out onstage 1.5 hours after the 7:30 starting time. While one can argue that the wait augments the level of anticipation, being stuck in the auditorium seating in Boston’s Orpheum Theater- whose seating was constructed and hasn’t been renovated since the early 20th Century when my height of 5′3 was the average height of a male, you can imagine the physical comfort level by the time the illustrious Ms. SpeKtor finally came onto stage.
Don’t get me wrong. Regina is a force to be reckoned with and well worth any wait. Coming onto stage, bright curly red hair, bright royal blue babydoll dress, with intermittent sprinklings of softspoken “thank you(s)” between belting out “Mary Anne is a B*tch” (it’s a song) and songs about people f*cking to her music, she carefully positions herself as the naughty nice girl. Others have gone down this road before in more gimmicky fashion, but Regina successfully avoids the common pitfalls of her peers and predecessors, salvaged by her musical range (high-pitched, discordant elongated shrieks a la Laurie Anderson to heavy, bluesy spirituals) and well, her, incredibly diverse RAW talent. (Norah Jones may also sing to the tune of the sweet songstress, but doesn’t manage the same sub-alt following, perhaps limited by range and level of experimentation. ) The difference being Regina owns her music, even when it’s not her music. Take her cover of John Lennon’s “Real Love” or her recent gig covering “Little Boxes” for the show Weeds. You can’t imagine (no pun intended) either song wasn’t written by her for her.
But back to the concert’s finale, Regina gave us our encores (”Samson”/”Fidelity” et al) and didn’t hold out on her audience, instead generously playing to the crowd, amidst delayed starts and iPod men that read more like boys. Oh, yeah. And really young kids yelling, That’s the f*ckin sh*t iPod Man!
Where to begin, I guess with a recap of last week’s R&R Triple A Summit in Boulder, CO. It was great spending time with all of my fellow music loving radio folks, label reps and promotions guys and girls. Nothing like being around a bunch of people who share the same passion, drive and enthusiasm for music and spreading its gospel to eager ears around the globe.
I am such a big fan of this conference that I would attend even if I wasn’t in the business. It makes me believe in the power or music and shows me that real radio is alive and well. BIG THANKS to R&R Triple A Editor John Schoenberger, President/Publisher Erica Farber and everyone involved in putting on this wonderful event.
I must admit, I was a bit irked by some of the grumblings I heard about this year’s lineup. Yes, there were no “headline” names so to speak but the quality of the acts that performed spoke for itself and what the convention lacked in “big names” it more than made up for with credible acts putting on memorable performances. And after all, aren’t we the people who make the stars of tomorrow? Aren’t we the ones who give the up and comer a chance and let our listeners hear their music in its infancy? Aren’t we the ones who don’t forget the artists after the rest of the industry has thrown them on the scrap heap even if they are still making incredible music? If you were one of the ones bitching about the lineup, I think you oughta check yourself! Read More…
by Scott Register
I love Kim Richey. Freaking love her. Love her engaging personality, her witty demeanor, her talent as a songwriter and that voice, oh that voice. Few things sooth my ears and soul like the sound of Richey’s voice. It brings a peace to me like the sound of listening to my two little boys breath as they sleep. Her ability to capture a moment in time and tell an epic tale in three and a half minutes is second to none. For all those reasons, I am incredibly happy that she is back with her latest offering (the first in many years mind you), Chinese Boxes (Vanguard).
This past Sunday, Kim came down to the studio from Nashville armed with her guitar, wit and voice and I sat across the console from her with a shit-eating grin on my face that I believe still hasn’t been wiped off. If you would like to check out her performance, go here and click on her link. You will not be disappointed.
While you are there, be sure to give a listen to Adam Hood’s set from the same Reg’s Coffee House program. Adam is one of my favorite Alabama artists, hailing from Auburn/Opelika, and his music makes me want to pull out my shit-kickers, pack a fat cat in my lip and suck down ice cold Buds while I shoot pool with my runnin’ buddies. He is a honky tonker’s honkey tonker and a damn good cat to boot. His debut CD, Different Groove was recently released on Pete Anderson’s Little Dog Records and Anderson even produced it. If you want to hear the sound of the road, and the roadhouse for that matter, give it a listen.
Aaron Sorkin, who is still possibly reeling from his fallout of a shell of a show called “Studio 60″ has something to look forward to. Besides hookers and all-night coke binges, that is. He will be teaming up with DreamWorks Pictures and Steven Spielberg to write three films for the production company. All politically charged in nature (we wouldn’t have it any other way), the first one. “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” deals with the ’60s and a trial of protesters at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago. Spielberg is on board to direct.
Alright, so I just got back from a whirlwind 10-day tour – 24 hours with the family back in Bama, a couple of days at a little festival in Tennessee, 32 label meetings over the course of 5 days in NYC. And a chance meeting with Mickey Dolenz at a private party for Duran Duran.
What new stuff did we learn this time? Not a damn thing – everyone that still has a job is still kickin’ it, albeit with more challenges and smaller budgets. Sure, there was plenty of gossip, rumors, and speculation, but I’ll leave it up to Billboard to report the facts. However, talk of chain retailers behaving badly and trying to demand – not negotiate, but basically EXTORT fatter margins and better dating terms from the distributors – deserves some Woodward & Bernstein-style investigative reporting. Ugly stuff.
But while listening on the plane home to two of my top 10’s for 2007 from THE SHINS and WHITE STRIPES -– both incredible albums, signs of true artists at the top of their game — I suddenly realized that both of these bands started up exactly TEN YEARS AGO. Then I thought, “Hmm, that’s an odd coincidence. Is this true with other bands?” So I looked it up, and it holds true with a lot of modern musicians – Metallica by METALLICA? Ten years. OK Computer by RADIOHEAD? Ten years. Out of Time by R.E.M.? Ten years. Play by MOBY? Ten years. Blood Sugar Sex Magik by RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS? Ten years (alright, closer to nine). Hell, even All the Right Reasons by NICKELBACK – ten years! Read More…
When I first saw the preview for HBO’s new slew of shows in their post-”Sopranos” vortex era of shows that have no chance of living up to the hype of their predecessor, I immediately was drawn to this imported Brooklyn hipster duo/ Alt-folk band of New Zealand brothers (in the namaste sense of the word) Bret & Jemaine, who are trying to make a go of their musical aspirations in New York.
The 12-episode series is performed in the same deadpan, sardonic parody-style of a Ricky Gervais production (”The Office,” “Extras”) with moments of awkward tension and bone-dry humor that are comedically so subtlly timed and well-executed that they are probably lost on the general American public. Nonetheless, these moments are filled with silly musical tunes that play of the situational irony of a scene. As Bret and Jemaine are musicians (both on and off-screen) this set-up works. Read More…
How was Bonarroo? You went didn’t you? Oh, if I had a dime for every time I have been asked that question I would be adding on to my house next week. But alas, I did not go this year. As a matter of fact, I didn’t go last year. Don’t get me wrong, I love The Roo and I miss it dearly but since they moved their dates to the same weekend as my beloved hometown festival City Stages (www.citystages.org).
City Stages is no Bonarroo, it doesn’t pretend to be. At the same time, City Stages is something Bonarroo isn’t, it is a celebration of civic pride and a way for a town plagued by it’s ghosts and the sins of our fathers, to show the world that this isn’t the city some in our country think it is. While I missed seeing the incredible music at The Roo (Except for The Police. I have talked to a few dozen folks who attended and inevitably the first thing out of their mouth’s is “The Police sucked!” That’s a shame. I will just keep my memories of the Ghost In The Machine tour and avoid their latest incarnation.). I did get to see a city rally to show how much it cares about a festival that in its 19 year history has had its ups and downs but continues to prove its relevance to Birmingham. Read More…
As summer slowly takes over anywhere else but here in New England, and all the excitement of season finale is way behind us, it is now time of self reflection, inner observation and self-realization , or we can seat on the half crumpled couch and look for something interesting enough to watch so we won’t have to do something as unbelievably hard as reading a book or taking a walk. HBO might have a partial answer to our quest of decent TV in a new show called Flight Of The Conchords. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement are a two man folk band from New Zealand who are trying to make it in New York City. On their way to success, they manage to find a manager, one fan, and also one friend. The new comedy series premieres Sunday, June 17, 10:30/ 9:30c
Thanks to HBO for allowing us to offer you this preview of the new show.
“Once” Soundtrack (Canvasback Records) – Glen Hansard (front man for Irish rockers The Frames) and Marketa Irglova have put together what will easily be my Soundtrack of the year and as emotionally invigorating and inspiring a collection of songs as I have heard in some time. As good as the Soundtrack is, it is even more compelling after you view the film. I highly recommend checking out both. Standout tracks include “When Your Mind’s Made Up”, “Falling Slowly”, “Trying To Pull Myself Away”, “If You Want Me”, and “Once”. In a world of pre-packaged corporate bullshit and hype, this music and film cleanse the pallet and quince the purist’s thirst.
Rocky Votolato “The Brag and Cuss” (Barsuk) – Between this CD and Willy Mason’s “If The Ocean Gets Rough” (Astralwerks), modern folk music is alive and well. Votolato continues to impress me with his old soul, thought provoking lyrics, and ease on down the road melodies and this is by far his greatest collection of songs.
Amy Winehouse “Back To Black” (Universal Republic) – Yes, I am still enamored with this CD and if you haven’t noticed, Winehouse is creating a quiet storm by selling a whole lot of CDs every week under the radar. Sure, there is some hype, but I don’t think there is enough and I kind of like it that way. While everyone else is “STILL” worried about and obsessed with first week sales numbers, Winehouse steadily is selling 30K to 50K a week and the momentum doesn’t appear to be slowing. Gotta love an artist development story like this one. Isn’t that what music
is supposed to be about?
John Doe –“A Year In The Wilderness” (Yep Roc) – Like a fine Cabernet, Doe just gets better and better with age and this is his BEST solo record to date. Throw in duets with Kathleen Edwards ( “The Golden State” is a perfect song), Jill Sobule and Amie Mann, and X is alive an well and sounding as fresh as ever. I love cheering for this guy and nothing makes me happier than when a new CD from him shows up on my desk. Go John Doe Go!
I’m From Barcelona “Let Me Introduce My Friends” (Mute) – I might have mentioned before that I was late coming to the party on this one as it got lost in a sea of promos but better late than never in this case as it is going to be one of my favorite releases of the year. I’m a sucker for great pop music and this Swedish collective has made one of the smartest, infectious, rollicking pop records of the decade. If you can sit still while listening to this CD and not sing along and shake your ass then I feel for ya. Pure pop goodness as its finest. Don’t miss out on this one.
As part of our collaboration with Reg’s Coffeehouse, we’re bringing you DJ Scott Register’s fresh music pick of the week: Dress Blues by Jason Isbell off his “Sirens of the Ditch” CD.
Enjoy!
By Reg aka Scott Register:
The other night, I was driving around Birmingham listening to the new Jason Isbell CD “Sirens Of The Ditch” (New West Records) when suddenly, a song came on that made the hair on my neck stand up. It literally gave me goose bumps (and does every time I hear it). I was so touched by the song that I drove around for 30 minutes listening to it over and over again. Turns out, Jason wrote the song about a friend of his from Muscle Shoals, AL, who joined the Marines, was shipped off to Iraq and never returned . It is as touching a song about war as you will ever hear.
No political agenda, just a song about the side of war that most of us choose to ignore and forget. It is a song about loss and the reality of dealing with it.
Kim Richey – Jack And Jill
Paolo Nutini – Last Request
Ryan Bingham – Southside Of Heaven Patti Smith – Here I Dreamt I Was An Architect
Tori Amos – Beauty Of Speed
Josh Rouse – Sweetie
Kings Of Leon – Knocked Up
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – Falling Slowly
Sara Bareilles – Gravity
Joan As Police Woman – Eternal Flame
Ian Hunter – Words (Big Mouth)
Eleni Mandell – Girls
Jason Isbell – Dress Blues
John Doe with Kathleen Edwards – The Golden State
Wilco – Impossible Germany
Rodrigo Y Gabriela – Stairway To Heaven
Ben Harper – Fool For A Lonesome Train Feist – So Sorry
Amaldo.Com is very excited to announce our partnership with Reg’s Coffeehouse. For those of you who haven’t heard of Scott Register, he’s that little DJ in Alabama who discovered the likes of Dido and John Mayer (you might have heard of them) and Reg’s Coffeehouse is his site.
Anyways, every week I eagerly (like a giddy school girl, “eager”) head over to Reg’s Coffehouse.com to hear his weekly show which he broadcasts every Sunday and uploads every Wednesday. He also posts a playlist for this show in case you don’t have time to actually listen but still want to see what’s hip in the way of indie, alt-folk acoustic music out there.
So how does this translate to Amaldo.Com? Well, weekly I’ll be posting Reg’s playlists (on the blog and on our homepage) and his blog content on this site and from what I can see, you can’t access that content on his site anymore. So if you want to know what Reg is thinking in the way of his current music picks and crushes (musically speaking of course) then you’ll have to come here.
Did I mention we’re so totally musically geeked out to have Reg on board? Even if his logo does remind us a bit of the Starbucks logo… Be sure to keep checking back here throughout the day to see this week’s playlist. We promise it’s that good.
As I’ve written previously, I’m a music junkie: an office drone by day and a music PR machine by night and lunch hours. In other words, I’m always scouting out the freshest talent in the pool of indie folk acoustic singer/songwriters to be inspired by. I discovered Joshua Radin a few years back and even interviewed him, which was a blast. For the past six months or six, it’s been Ray LaMontagne and anything I find over at Reg’s Coffeehouse.
What you may not know about me is I’m not only interested in finding new music, but how music is transmitted via the internet. Back in September of last year, I attended a Pandora town hall meeting at MIT hosted by Pandora owner Tim Westergren. I later interviewed Tim and found his commitment to providing his subscribers with free quality music inspiring. As a former musician, Westergren had spent many years as an aspiring musician before founding his company.
Pandora is a free internet music provider and one of the best ways to find new musicians. You input your favorite musicians and it streams not only those musicians, but finds others that you might liked through something called the Music Genome Project. I’ve turned many people on to the site and they are always grateful.
So now comes the sad part. Pandora is in danger of shutting down due to Copyright Royalty Boards which would raise music royalties by 300 to 1200 percent. For most webcasters the new royalties exceed their revenue and they simply will go bankrupt and stop webcasting. Not only is this legislation bad for Pandora, but it’s bad for other companies/local music radio stations and translates to you not getting to sample or hear free music.
Did I mention it’s dumb for the music lobbies too because now people who might actually pay money for an album (whose sales are dropping dramatically) won’t be as inclined to since they aren’t sampling and those who download free music off the internet will continue to do so and cut into label profit. In short, they are punishing the people who might actually spend dollars on music. And these people will react by not wasting money on albums we feel bullied into buying.
As a rule, I’m against petitions and/or pleas for that matter, but I think this one warrants some serious attention on your part.
The New York Times has turned me onto a new folk indie singer/songstress. I dare even say she might get me out of my current crush mode which has me incapable of enjoying any female sound (even my own) that’s not Regina Spektor.
Leslie Feist is emerging from her indie darling days in Canada and France to become quite the hot ticket and I’m happy for this. There’s a lot of great talent out there in the way of indie folk acoustic songstresses, but Feist (she goes simply by her last name) is pure zeitgeist. (sorry for the pun) And for that I’m qualifying her as my current crush.
Sorry Regina. And Sorry Jenny.
A girl’s gotta keep trekking forward…
Song Starter Kit: “Let It Die,” (slow, moody sultry undertones); “1234” (lighter, poppier car music); “My Mood My Man” (just fun!)
I love my husband. I love his taste in music, some of the time. We both dig folk/acoustic music and this genre predominantly serves as the glue/bridge in our musical tastes and maybe even our marriage. Ok, so that’s an exaggeration, but really in those moments when you’re exhausted from the day’s work and the last thing you want to do is engage another human being vocally or verbally, music is the opiate of the household. It’s a way of bonding without having to say a thing. What could be better?
The first time I heard Regina Spektor was a few years back from a friend of mine, who mostly occupies himself with getting advanced degrees in Biology but is nonetheless always on the cutting edge for indie/alt music. I was immediately drawn to this tiny Russian Jewish girl with bright red curly hair who could not only play piano (and quite well I might add) but had a voice that was so unique it stopped me dead in my blogging tracks. All I wanted to do was listen to “Soviet Kitsch” 24/7 and tell everyone about this girl.
Skip ahead three years and Regina plays sold-out performances in major venues everywhere, most recently in Israel and her music, much to my chagrin, can be heard on shows like CSI New York and Grey’s Anatomy. While it’s only a matter of time before Cold Case gets wind of how fitting Spektor’s music would be for one of their episodes, I don’t begrudge Spektor her commercial success. I only worry that one of these days she’ll get too trendy for my own liking. I guess in the meantime there’s always that other Jewish girl whose music I’m crushing on. She’s just so very Frecha…
by DJ Scott Register
by Scott Register
Aaron Sorkin, who is still possibly reeling from his fallout of a shell of a show called “Studio 60″ has something to look forward to. Besides hookers and all-night coke binges, that is. He will be 
by 
When I first saw the preview for HBO’s new slew of shows in their post-”Sopranos” vortex era of shows that have no chance of living up to the hype of their predecessor, I immediately was drawn to this imported Brooklyn hipster duo/ Alt-folk band of
How was Bonarroo? You went didn’t you? Oh, if I had a dime for every time I have been asked that question I would be adding on to my house next week. But alas, I did not go this year. As a matter of fact, I didn’t go last year. Don’t get me wrong, I love The Roo and I miss it dearly but since they moved their dates to the same weekend as my beloved hometown festival City Stages (
By DJ Scott Register aka Reg of 
As part of our collaboration with 
Amaldo.Com is very excited to announce our partnership with 
As I’ve written previously, I’m a music junkie: an office drone by day and a music PR machine by night and lunch hours. In other words, I’m always scouting out the freshest talent in the pool of indie folk acoustic singer/songwriters to be inspired by. I discovered Joshua Radin a few years back and even interviewed him, which was a blast. For the past six months or six, it’s been Ray LaMontagne and anything I find over at 
The New York Times has turned me onto a 
I love my husband. I love his taste in music, 