Take Note! If you’re doing First Night, they’ll be bringing their “posse” once again to the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, starting at 7:30 and going until 11pm.

photo 2010 by Dan Tappan

Here’s something a little different from me, in amongst all the existential angst and bitter regrets. Well ok, it’s a song about a lost love, but it’s sung in such a sweetly reminiscent way, you almost don’t feel so bad for him.

Randall Kromm, lawyer by day, folk singer by night; it seems like a strange dichotomy, but his songs are about real life experiences and everyday challenges, and what can be more real and challenging than balancing the life of a musician with another life as a lawyer, husband and father of four? He’s performed at coffeehouses, open mikes, and clubs in the Boston area, including a sold-out show at the legendary Club Passim, and released his debut album, Water Wheel, earlier this year. He also has a collection of seasonal songs called Holidays and Homecomings. He counts among his fans seasoned performers Christine Lavin and Don White.

Randall has two shows coming up – a performance of holiday songs with other local musicians at Main Streets Market and Cafe in Concord on December 22 at 7pm, and at an open mic at Emerson Umbrella on January 9, 2012, along with songwriter Laura Gold.

official site | facebook | myspace | youtube

One of my favorite bands, Rademacher, have just released a little taste from their second in a series of BabyHawk EPs, which is due out October 4. It can be pre-ordered here. The track listing is as follows: Orchestra, Magic Words, Honestly, Up In The Air, Success, Orchestra (reprised). This EP trilogy is about the rise and fall of a fictional indie rock band named BabyHawk. The song below is “Magic Words,” and it’s classic Rademacher – smart, sentimental, sweet, and wistfully sad, with acoustic guitar, warm percussion, softly swelling organ lines and just a pinch of electronics. Oh, so good.

Rademacher – “Magic Words” by BabyHawk

“It was a pretty good gig, I guess
for dinner and drinks and tips
sometimes I wanna go back there
I just wish that I could find the address
and sometimes I wish time would move backwards
wish I knew which magic words worked best
I woke up from a dream…” – Magic Words

They’re playing a batch of terribly unhelpful California shows (see below). Well, it’s great if you happen to live there. For the rest of us… we wait.

Sep 23 w/Built Like Alaska @ Black Box Theater – Merced, CA
Sep 30 FUSE Festival – Fresno, CA
Oct 06 w/Light FM @ Fulton 55 – Fresno, CA
Oct 09 w/Matt + Kim @ Festival of Hope – Tulare, CA
Oct 11 w/Manhattan Murder Mystery @ The Satellite – Los Angeles, CA
Oct 14 Luigi’s Funhouse – Sacramento, CA
Oct 15 Sophia’s Thai Kitchen – Davis, CA
Oct 22 The Starry Plough – Berkeley, CA

Somerville Grooves proprietor David Plunkett was a WZBC DJ who also worked at In Your Ear Records in the 1990s, before leaving for a more lucrative writing and editing gig (from which he was recently laid off). After much scouring of flea markets and yard sales for product, he’s giving his love of music another go, and all vinyl lovers in the city welcome him with open arms.

Also new to Union Square will be the 200-person capacity Radio, a brand new restaurant and live music venue, replacing the recently closed Club Choices on Somerville Avenue. The new owners, Josh Banville and Aimee McGrath, were bartenders at Rosebud Bar & Grill, the chef is Jim Seery (formerly of The Plough & Stars), and it will be booked by Boston Band Crush’s Ashley Willard. Both the food and the music will have a “local flavor” (see schedule below). They plan for live music Thursday through Sunday, with most shows a $5 cover. Awesome.

Upcoming Shows

Friday, Oct. 7: The Rationales, The Organ Beats, John Powhida International Airport, “and one more beloved local act that we can’t announce quite yet.”
Saturday, Oct. 8: BrownBoot, AM Stereo, Watts and The Dirty Truckers.
Sunday, Oct. 9: Dinner With the Band: Erin Harpe — “an occasional free Sunday event during the dinner hour where Jim will prepare a menu that accompanies the act that’s playing. In this case, a Delta-inspired menu to accompany Erin Harpe’s Delta blues.”
Saturday, Oct. 15: Parlour Bells / Sarah RabDAU & Self-Employed Assassin / Garvy J / Eldridge Rodriguez
Sunday, Oct. 16: Nina Violet / Willy Mason / Tallahassee
Friday, Oct. 28: Halloween with local bands/musicians covering The B-52s, Pat Benatar, INXS, James Brown

Saturday, Nov. 5: Guillermo Sexo / Age Rings / Marconi / The Future Everybody
Sunday, Nov. 6: The Fagettes / Thick Shakes / more TBA
Friday, Nov. 11: Mitten / Lovewhip / Streight Angular / SPF 5000
Saturday, Nov. 19: Mellow Bravo / InAeona / Rule / Cask

Radio
379 Somerville Ave., Union Square
Somerville, MA

Somerville Grooves
26 Union Square
Somerville, MA
Phone: 617-666-1749
somervillegrooves@gmail.com

This hot and hazy summer marks The Airborne Toxic Event’s five-year anniversary of their existence, and this coming Saturday marks the third-year anniversary of my first time seeing them. Though I’ll actually be at the Newport Folk Festival this weekend, covering this legendary event for Ryan’s Smashing Life, my band has very thoughtfully put together a string of East Coast dates, so we can properly celebrate. What’s more, they’ve just announced a big autumn tour (Orpheum Theatre, Sat 11/19!) that will see them visiting many places, including – for their first time – Anchorage, Alaska. I mean, how could you not want to see them in a place called Bear Tooth Theatre?

Autumn Tour (selected dates)
09/01 Anchorage, AK ~ Bear Tooth Theatre
09/18 Austin, TX ~ Austin City Limits Festival
10/14 New Orleans, LA ~ Howlin Wolf
10/16 Pensacola, FL ~ DeLuna Fest
10/21 San Francisco, CA ~ The Fillmore
10/23 Los Angeles, CA ~ Gibson Amphitheatre ~ LA Weekly Presents LA 101

(10/26-11/7 Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, UK, Ireland, Scotland)
(11/09-12/07 U.S., Canada)

11/18 New York, NY ~ Terminal 5
11/19 Boston, MA ~ Orpheum Theatre
11/20 Philadelphia, PA ~ Electric Factory

See their full schedule, BUY TICKETS, and keep up with future news and gigs at their official site. They also have a facebook page, and you can follow them on twitter.

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A Cultural Experience: The Airborne Toxic Event in Boston
(Museum of Fine Arts, House of Blues – May 11, 2011)

High culture and rowdy rock ‘n’ roll: The Airborne Toxic Event’s last visit to Boston.

This was the inaugural “Acoustic Session” at the Museum of Fine Arts, co-sponsored by the MFA and WFNX, with 50 lucky contest winners being treated to a beautiful 6-song set performed amongst religious paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries in one of their elegant galleries. It was a dramatic backdrop with phenomenal acoustics. The band joked about playing in such close proximity to priceless works of art (and I warily eyed the end of Anna’s bow), but it was the perfect setting.

A serene and regal afternoon at the MFA gave way to a full-on extravaganza at a sold out House of Blues for 2400 adoring fans, happy to see Airborne back in their adopted home. It was a special evening that had the vibe of a family reunion, with an onstage marriage proposal and the return of a dearly departed spirit – a heartfelt tribute to Boston legend and Airborne superfan Billy Ruane.

Fellow L.A. Eastsiders Voxhaul Broadcast put out a strong set, with lead singer/guitarist David Dennis a kinetic, whirling dervish. The highlight was most definitely “Loose Change” a crazed space jam from their latest album, Timing Is Everything. They managed to win over an audience virtually unfamiliar with them, even with the restless anticipation of the headliners.

Airborne last played Boston back in September (along with the Calder Quartet at the Somerville Theatre), though by the crowd’s reaction, it seemed like it had been a decade. Their two-hour set was, pardon the pun, a work of art. Beginning with “Numb”, a song from the new album ‘All At Once’ about the rigors of the road, it led into a wonderful selection of their quieter, more emotional ballads, both old and new. The Magnetic Fields’ “Book Of Love” was dedicated to Mikel’s grandparents. “Days of Wine and Poses”, performed in memory of Mr. Ruane (it was his favorite Airborne song), was a special treat, as it’s rarely performed.

“Happiness is Overrated” ushered in the more rambunctious portion of the evening; “Gasoline” was Mikel’s first (and not last) foray into the audience thicket, creating happy chaos. “Something New” was better still, with him running up to the balcony with a cordless mic, attempting an up-close performance for everyone in the room. The band played so beautifully, interacting with that special symbiosis that comes from a multitude of live shows. It’s great to hear more prominent backing vocals from Anna Bulbrook (who has a beautiful voice that perfectly complements Mikel’s) and some serious jazz bass jams from Noah (especially at the start of “Gasoline”), who also brought his upright along for some classical interludes with Anna’s viola.

Their arrangements for the new songs are more layered and complex, nowhere more evident than with “The Kids Are Ready To Die” elegantly transitioning into “Welcome To Your Wedding Day”. Powerful. As an answer to Europeans thinking “Kids” was anti-American, Mikel responded with “We’re not anti-American; we’re just anti- government sending kids to die for somebody’s fucking lie.”

The set design this time out is simple and sophisticated, with a dash of whimsy – a dramatic back curtain and 6 upside-down umbrellas that are illuminated, holding colors like cosmic goblets. Their “literary keyboard stand” (made up of books) is a nice touch for a band that named themselves after a chapter in a DeLillo novel.

Slowly building from quietly romantic into heart-pounding, the concert reached an emotional crescendo with “Sometime Around Midnight” and “Innocence”, breathlessly offered back-to-back, with some eloquent words of appreciation from Mikel to a wildly cheering, enraptured audience – “You know, once you get past all the bullshit of rock ‘n’ roll…all you really want is for someone to hear your song. To know that the songs become part of people’s lives, it just means everything to us.”

A 30-minute encore that became a jumping, celebratory sea of madness closed with the majestic “All At Once,” a reflection of life’s journey encapsulated into a five-minute rock song. It was a perfect evening of fine music with old friends.

Other video: MFA Acoustic Session: All For A Woman | This Losing | The Book Of Love | Papillon/Does This Mean You’re Moving On? | Missy (part one) | Missy (part two)

photo by Stephen Gamboa

Here’s some seriously great news which I’m finally getting around to posting. For all you Rademacher fans out there (and if not, why not?), the long-awaited follow-up to the 2007 release Stunts is just a few weeks away. Baby Hawk (Park I of III) is available for pre-order on bandcamp and will be released Tuesday, July 5th. The album will be available via itunes and emusic on July 12th. Have a listen to the complete song below, or go to their soundcloud page to listen to each instrument separately. Cool. For those uninitiated: poignant and raw, deceptively simple lyrics that cut to the bone, set against slick, interesting pop music (with more sophistication and sonic magic of late). Dive in.

THEY ARE ALWAYS INTO THAT MIX 06 by BabyHawk

“All the best songs / are love songs / I don’t think that you can argue / no, I don’t think you can argue that… convenient explanations for the way things are… who really cares? / who really knows? / who’s responsibility is this?”

They’ll also be on the road starting July 1, though for the time being, just in Cali. However… somewhat reliable sources tell me there are plans to come East in the fall. Hopefully this time they’ll make it past Chicago.

Baby Hawk (Part I of III) Track Listing:
1. “Exes for Eyes”
2. “Baby Hawk”
3. “They Are Always Into That”
4. “Pessimist”
5. “Silverlake”
6. “Phantom Power”

Upcoming Tour Dates:
Jul 01 — Old Ironsides ~ Sacramento, CA
Jul 02 — The Partisan w/ The Donkeys ~ Merced, CA
Jul 13 — The Knockout w/ Built Like Alaska ~ San Francisco, CA
Jul 14 — Bootleg Theater w/ Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, CA
Jul 17 — Bar Pink ~ San Diego, CA
Jul 18 — DiPiazza’s ~ Long Beach, CA
Jul 22 — Sophia’s Thai Kitchen w/ Superhumanoids ~ Davis, CA
Jul 23 — Carbone’s w/ Strange Vine ~ Monterey, CA

official site | bandcamp | soundcloud | new interview

Walking Sleep (formerly known as The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra) just released Tarp Sessions, Vol. 1, the first of three FREE EPs they’ll be releasing, leading up to their month-long residency in April at The Satellite (formerly known as Spaceland). The EP is named for their “recording studio” – an old industrial tarp factory in downtown Los Angeles – that lends a lovely spacious ambiance to their expansive 60s sound (hints of The Zombies, Motown soul, Fleetwood Mac) and a bright, vibrant live feel.

They’ve been performing together since 2007, and their warm sound centers around the vocal harmonies of Sara Radle (The Rentals) and songwriter Hunter Curra. Last May, they released their debut album, Measures, to wide acclaim.

April Monday Night Residency at The Satellite (Los Angeles)

April 4th ( FREE ) ~ with Apex Manor, The Californian, Count Fleet, & Special guest DJ – Mara Schwartz
April 11th ( FREE ) ~ with RabbitsRabbitsRabbits, The Breakups, Heroes & Heroines, & Special guest DJ – Mr. Shovel (Mark Sovel)
April 18th ( FREE ) ~ with Marvelous Toy, Sara Radle, Michael’s House, & Special guest DJ – Travis Woods (of webinfront.net)
April 25th (SOLD OUT) ~ with The Airborne Toxic Event

official site | facebook | twitter | bandcamp

old Rademacher press photo. maybe it'll embarrass them into getting a new one. maybe not.

UPDATE: (from press release) “Rademacher, will be playing several dates in Southern and Central California during the month of April and will return to the studio to record the follow up to their full length debut, STUNTS…. The new record, titled BABY HAWK, will be engineered by Josiah Mazzachi (of Los Angeles band Light FM) at his Eagle Rock, CA studio, The Cave. The band will be releasing Baby Hawk on their own label, Hot Mess Magic, in three parts, with material being released digitally in June, August and a final and physical release slated for December of 2011.”

Two yummy treats from College Kids and Rademacher. Finally getting around to posting these. Enjoy.

College Kids – “Let’s Always Be Friends” (demo)

A solemn piano ballad with the loveliest of vocal harmonies and the most wistful of lyrics, courtesy of Malcolm Sosa and Kim Haden, that begins with the line “you said you’d never fuck me, so we just held hands, and I thought nothing could hurt me, so I said, let’s always be friends.” Ah man, classic. Sad-sweet sentiments from Mr. Sosa that I’ve come to know and love.

Rademacher – “Silver Lake” (demo)

Such a great sound. Some acoustic strumming, piano ballad, cool percussion, psychedelia… nice.

“When you’re hanging with the crowd that shouldn’t have been hung with
talking really loud, when you should have just been quiet…
some other time, some other place, a whole new dimension
it’s time for strange confessions.”

This just gets me more anxious for an actual album (according to their facebook page, it’s “on the horizon”). Hopefully an East Coast show as well. For now, though: 4/2 Big Sur, 4/4 San Diego, 4/5 Long Beach, 4/6 L.A. (Satellite aka Spaceland), 4/7 Fresno.

Tumblr | facebook | twitter

photo by Anand Jagannath

Northampton-based Darlingside has a sound seeped in tradition, yet with a spritely pop momentum. Cello, violin, acoustic and bass guitar blend together elegantly, with crisp front-and-center percussion driving it forward, and soulful, impassioned vocals that break out into glorious 5-part harmony. Featured at times are are violin and cello duets; mandolin and pennywhistle add to the traditional and timeless feel.

Darlingside has shared stages with Guster, Nada Surf, David Wax Museum and others, and have performed up and down the East Coast – over 100 shows last year. Their musical backgrounds include classical cello; an interest in the traditional music of Brazil, Turkey and Ireland; a drumming style influenced by jazz, funk, hip-hop, and rock; and time spent in an acappella group. They recently released their debut 6-track, self-produced EP, and will be recording their first full-length album in May.

Performances this month include Willimantic (CT), Toronto, Chicago, Kansas City, SXSW in Austin, and a few shows in the South. They’ll be in Philadelphia and NYC at the end of the month, Northampton Mass. in April, and in Boston at cafe 939 on May 5. See their concert listings for more info.

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