The Beatles were like gods when it came to melodies. Hell…. John Lennon even claimed The Beatles were bigger than Jesus! Ooooops….. Crowd reacted by buying more Beatles records and merchandise and burning it or so that’s how the story goes. I think this was the first proof for the theory of “no publicity is bad publicity.”
While I was grinding my teeth against the pavement in the Boston music scene I was lucky to discover some amazing talent through word of mouth of local promoters. My friend Lexi, a Boston music scene veteran, put me onto an artist by the name of Bleu. This guy out of Berklee made a lot of noise around town with his benefit shows which included some of Boston’s finest like the Bosstones, Guster, Letters To Cleo. This guy would just win people over with his pop sensibilities and hooky choruses. Bleu went on to release an album through a local indie label and would eventually get picked up by a major. But not all stories are fairytales as most of you know! Especially when it comes to dealing with major labels. Bleu got to release some awesome music and tour with some big acts. Bleu eventually parted ways with the label. Unfortunate scenario or a great decision for an artist who cares about maintaining his creative freedom? As it is slowly being proven by guys like Butch Walker, Amanda Palmer and many other now self sufficient artists. The music industry model has changed and is still in the process of morphing into something new and unique. Bleu was able to raise money through fan funding (kickstarter) for recording and marketing. Unfortunately I have really come off topic. I decided to write this blog entry in order to share a band that I think is a band to watch as they are growing quickly and word about them is spreading. A band out of Boston who’s lead singer was a air traffic controller in the Navy. Thus the band’s name is Air Traffic Controller. I have a strong feeling that this band is about to be heard on a lot of college and specialty radio in the upcoming weeks….
Also did I forget to mention that my entire rant on Bleu was because Bleu produced Air Traffic Controller new album and single? Oooooooops! Must of slipped my mind until now….
So here it is friends. A video from one of Bleu’s old albums:
and a video from Air Traffic Controller who you’ll be hearing a lot on the radio I’m sure…. soon enough.
When you are an unknown artist and your performing solo acoustic one of the toughest things to do is to silence a room. People will talk during your performance because you are not famous and they don’t know your songs. So how do you silence a crowd? Well by not caring what is happening around your surroundings and just doing your thing. Doing it well. It doesn’t matter if there is only a sound guy in the room or its a packed house. It does not matter if everyone is paying attention or no one is paying attention. You have to give your best. David Loves The Sky was one of the most professional singer songwriters I have seen perform in quite some time. He had 3 guitars so he wouldn’t have to waste time on tuning between songs. He performed on a wed night to a very small crowd. Despite some people chatting during his song he kept singing and pushing on. It helped that he had a great song and he sang every second of it with emotion. He also was smart enough to make the verses low and sing them quietly which made people stop talking in order to try and hear what it is David was singing. David would then come in full vocal and hit those strings as hard as he could during the choruses. This completely silenced the room as his emotion and energy was felt through out the room as he belted out “Freeeeeeedom!” which was the main line in his chorus. Well done David Loves The Sky. I look forward to seeing where you path takes you.
I don’t know how I’m functioning to be honest. I feel as if I’m going to too many shows lately. I think the key is I only have 1-2 beers per show. Wait…. per show or per band? Only kidding. I only have one or two drinks at a show. If you have any more than that all the bands start sounding good. Then the next time you get all excited and go to see that band you were so excited about seeing, well disappointed would be an understatement of the feeling that comes over you at that moment that you realize just how terrible that band is.
The night before New York was invaded by Boston bands. Last night it was a UK experience at Terminal 5. The British came and this time they conquered. It is so crazy how different British shows are. When my friends first went over there with their band Baby Strange back in 2004 they came back talking about how British bands have dj’s spinning songs between sets and after sets. And at the recent CBGB’s conference the booking agents at the touring panel talked about how British bands no matter how small and unknown have these crazy light shows and things they add to their stage performance. Well last night at the Bloc Party show it proved to be just that. The opener was a DJ. Then The Drums came on. They had what I thought was an impressive light show. In fact here is their song “Money” in its entirety from last night’s show. If you like The Strokes or The Cure you’ll love these guys. If your a hipster or someone that reads Spin, NME, or any other popular blog you already know who these guys are….
Here is a short clip from Bloc Party’s set too. I just wanted you to see their crazy light show. They did play a new song last night that was absolutely awesome. It was towards the end of their set but I was too lazy, sweaty and tired to record the song. That and I was absolutely in awwww with it and totally forgot to pull out my camera. The guitar player had such a great sound and unique rhythm on the song. I guess you’ll just have to wait to hear it when the song ends up all over the radio!
Last night was a Boston take over in New York Citaaaaay. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were in town and they brought 2 Boston bands as openers. I felt like I was 12 again. Wait “What’s my age again?” Hearing the Bosstones was like listening to that thing called the radio while I was in middle school and high school. You know when those stations like WBCN and WFNX were still around and pretty influential on what tapes and discs you were going to buy at Newbury Comics… Funny enough these songs also brought back memories of over sized pants. Those days where gigantic pants were in and skinny jeans were out… Need more proof than this?
Although the crowd was chanting Mighty Mighty Bosstones! instead of the correct chant which is Bosstones, Mighty Mighty! The energy was there. The band members looked like they aged but they sure didn’t act like it. The hype man danced his butt off only to stop a few times to take off his jacket and clip tie off. The band rocked and as the show went on and on the difference between an “old school” show and the “new bloods’ shows” was unmistakable. I was recently at a Sleeper Agent show and Walk The Moon. Both good bands that I enjoyed enough to A. actually go to their show and B. to buy their music. Sleep Agent was actually much better in a smaller capacity venue than a big stage the first time I saw them. What killed me was their crowd. All these kids in the crowd cared about was getting picture after picture of the band and posting it on their facebook or whatever social media they were posting on…. ENJOY THE SHOW for crying out loud. Brag to your friends later. At the Walk The Moon show it was pretty much the same thing. Only difference was the kids painted their faces and were rude. They all felt entitled to pushing their way to the front. They all felt the need to turn their backs on the band in order to snap a picture of themselves with the band behind in the photo… you know… the famous “myspace photo opp!”
Last night I did see people whip their phones out to take a photo off the band or a video of their favorite song. But for the most part I saw crowd interaction and pure excitement of wanting to be part of the show. Kids were crowd surfing, clapping along, some made it their goal to get around security and get on stage to hi five the members of the band. Unlike at the shows like Sleeper Agent and Walk The Moon I felt more of a comradery with the crowd. A guy taller than my g.f. and I asked if we wanted to stand in front of him since he could still see over us. People didn’t shove to get to the front… everyone was respectful of each other’s space. If someone did try to start a fight or was in the wrong THE PEOPLE stood up for one another and ganged up on those being disrespectful and not abiding by the unwritten concert etiquette. The Bosstones put on a high energy show but they also look after their fans. When a young marine fell on his head and started bleeding Dicky had security hoist the kid up onto the stage and make sure he was alright. He then told security to take the kid backstage and give him a wet towel to wipe off the blood and a cold beer to ease off the pain! (Well he didn’t say it like that BUT that’s what he meant….)
Here is a little montage including the bleeding marine:
Living in New York City you never know who you might see. I was about to write a blog entry about how video killed the radio star and the internet killed the rockstar all completely. All the smoke and mirrors in the business created such rockstar legends such as Slash, Tommy Lee, and Ozzy. We heard stories about them and saw only the coolest photos in magazines and posters. Then a long came videos and all of a sudden the world is paying more attention to music videos rather than the actual songs. Labels started forking over millions of dollars to make videos that make their artists look cool and interesting. Then came the internet and all of a sudden the cool factor and all the mystery disappeared. Now we see what bands actually sound like before we go to a show. Based on that video we decide if it is worth spending the ticket price to see that band.
Some guys are so trashed on stage that they forget lyrics to their own songs and forget how to play their own parts. Some can’t sing live. We are seeing videos and photos of guys that we imagined slept and bathed with their top hats and leather pants still on wearing things we ourselves wouldn’t be caught dead wearing. Clothes that are too preppy. Clothes you would never think they would be wearing. We are seeing videos and photos of these rockstars with their families pushing baby strollers, we see how old they really look with out the photoshop, we see them as regular people and POOF! Just like that the rockstar is dead. Now all there is on stage is a regular person who is a musician. We see this and we think… I play better than this guy and I sing better than that guy… I’m going to go home and use my garageband to record an album and release it. Then using the internet I’m going to book myself a tour because I don’t need an agent to go on tour.
All these rockstars know it too. That’s why they release books about their life stories. They are hoping that by telling the truth they will sell tons of these books and make up for the money they aren’t making in the music business anymore. I read Slash’s book twice. YES! TWICE! It was that good and that honest that I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t believe how unhealthy the poor guy is. His liver is a mess. He’s been to jail and rehab more than most in the business. He needs a machine to keep him a live. A machine that is permanently in his chest and shocks his heart to keep it from exploding. The most secretive things that made these guys mysterious and cool to us are no more.
Last night I bought tickets to see the singer from The Cribs. I was never a big fan of The Cribs but my g.f. listened to them on her iTunes so I decided to get us the tickets. To my surprise the place was not as packed as I expected. In fact even with the club sending out an email about the fact that this is Ryan Jarman, the singer of The Cribs, first ever solo performance there was still about 30 of us in the crowd who showed up. My mind was blown because Ryan had invited special friends to perform with him. There was the original keyboard player from Here We Go Magic (a popular indie band). There was an awesome comedian who is pretty known among the indie circles I guess… but I had no idea who he was but then again I had no idea the last guy on stage was a famous actor from Gossip Girl.
Ryan owned the night and the stage. He was out of key a few times due to him being extremely intoxicated but he really connected with the audience. Everyone except the comedian played electric guitars even though they were performing solo. You can tell the songs that were The Cribs singles and those Ryan wrote for his solo project. The ones that were written for The Cribs just sounded like singles and he sang them with so much confidence. For his last song he had the former keyboard player from Here We Go Magic come on stage and play lead guitar and sing back ups while a drummer sat behind the kit with no cymbals and held down a solid rhythm. The song they performed was absolutely well crafted and silenced the crowd. It was mesmerizing to see. What made it so beautiful and enjoyable was that Ryan made a really special connection with the crowd of 30 something. His performance was sincere and real. It was RAW! He wasn’t a rockstar… he was just a musician with something very personal to share that the crowd, including myself, related to. Ryan got off the stage and no one asked him for autographs or for opportunities to take photos with him. They told him he did a nice job. No one saw him as a rockstar even though he is one. In fact I think with out his full band some of the people who attended the show might not have even known who he was or who The Cribs were….
What blew my mind next was how excited my g.f. got when she realized who the final performer was. It was Penn Badgley who plays Dan Humphrey on Gossip Girl on WB. What made it really exciting for her was the fact that Penn was on a show with Blake Lively and dated her in real life for a few years. (My g.f. is a big Blake Lively fan apparently) He was also in a bunch of commercials and movies. I can’t say I have ever seen this guy anywhere other than sitting beside me on a bar stool eating his dinner while I was enjoying my draft beer. I’ve never even seen him on any shows and fortunately for me and him I don’t read PEOPLE or any of those magazines. What got me excited was when he started singing. His vocal reminded me so much of Jeff Buckley. His guitar playing was a little similar too. I was in awe with this guy’s vocal. It was something very unexpected. Penn was a little awkward on stage but it was due to the fact that this was his first time ever on stage performing songs. I think they were originals… I couldn’t really tell…. (I later found out he did a Jeff Buckley cover Lilac Wine) I was mesmerized with his vocal. Unfortunately to me the songs he said were original weren’t great. This was his first time though and I’m going to guess that no one has taught him on how to write a song properly. I’m sure he’s been taught to act cause he must be damn good if he’s the lead on a popular TV show. He got off the stage after doing three songs and no one bothered this young man for any photos or autographs. It seems the internet is also slowly killing our interest in movie stars as well…. Now is the time where you can make a career for yourself if you have real talent that so many lack, otherwise people just don’t care. The mirrors have been broken and all the smoke has slowly exited through all the cracks in the foundation that developed over the years…. Embrace the new music industry!
Penn Badgley on Gossip Girl:
Penn Badgley performing original material first time ever in a club:
Is it a surprise that young Jake Bugg has become a successful artist who is dominating the charts in the UK when he’s only 18 years of age? Why should it be a surprise? Talented artists always thrived in the industry. Justin Timberlake was still young when he went solo, Hanson, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, even the Beatles were pretty young when they hit it big. A lot of you might be in disgust right now saying Justin Bieber and Hanson weren’t talented. But on the contrary… for what they were doing at their young age and the catchy pop songs they were writing I’d have to disagree and say those kids were very talented. You might not hear about Hanson these days but they still have great careers. They are married with kids and still touring. They formed their own label and still sell out shows but now instead of playing MmmmmBop they play really well crafted blues pop.
Back to Jake Bugg though. The kid has a fantastic voice. He reminds me of taking a Beatles album and mixing it with Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. UK’s music market is very different from that of USA right now. U.S. puts out manufactured bands and pop singers. UK has fallen back to the basics and this is why Frank Turner does so well in the UK, Adele, Florence and The Machine, Ed Sheeran, Mumford & Sons. The people of UK don’t care if your fat, if your ugly, if you’re a red headed kid. They care about good melodies, interesting lyrics and a good vocal. This is why Jake Bugg is doing well right now. He doesn’t sound like the modern dance songs that are all over top 40 radio. Jake Bugg has a bluesy Johnny Cash vocal with a Bob Dylan delivery and Beatles-esque melodies… His vocal comes off as honest. He is a singer songwriter who’s back up band might have played with Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan at one point (highly unlikely but they sure sound like they have at one point). It’s that old school country / Americana sound reminding us of Johnny Cash’s “Walk The Line”.
Adele proved that she could take over in the U.S. just as well as she did in the UK. Her songs are honest, bluesy and beautiful. Ed Sheeran will probably make his way into US soon as well and have a big impact. Mumford & Sons came over and took over Alternative and AAA radio. Allen Stone a U.S. born and bred artist and Alabama Shakes are proving that soul / blues music sells out venues quicker than manufactured crap. So what should we expect next? Will labels like Saddle Creek and Park The Van see a rise in their sales?
