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All mp3s are posted here with permission from the artists/labels/PR folks, and for a very brief time. If you have any issues with content on this zine please email me; atartytart@gmail.com I'm addicted to my Iphone, darlins'... I'll get back to you.
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Wow, just wow…. see, sometimes I think I need one of those tumblr accounts…. This was an amazing evening, I wish I had filmed some of the lesser known parts with a real video camera because Marco is truly a legend. This encore is a crowd-pleaser and unlike much of his usual work. But just look what he does to it! Buy his new record, Between The Needles And Nightfall, it’s gorgeous!
Tour Dates
May 20 2010 8:00P the 8×10 Baltimore, MD Find Tickets
May 21 2010 9:00P North Star Bar Philadelphia, PA
May 22 2010 7:30P Bowery Ballroom Manhattan, NY
Jun 15 2010 7:30P Nightcat Easton, MD
Jun 16 2010 7:00P Sellersville Theater Sellersville, PA
Jun 17 2010 9:00P River Street Jazz Cafe Wilkes Barre, PA
Jun 18 2010 8:00P Bearsville Theater Woodstock, NY
Jun 24 2010 8:00P Tractor Tavern Seattle, WA
Jun 25 2010 9:00P Doug Fir Lounge Portland, OR
Jun 26 2010 7:00P Axe and Fiddle Cottage Grove, OR
Jun 27 2010 11:30P Rachel Browne Theater Winnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA
Jun 28 2010 7:00P Chapelle Historique du Bon-Pasteur Montreal, Quebec, CANADA
Jun 29 2010 7:00P The Church of Holy Trinity Toronto, ON, CANADA Find Tickets
Aug 12 2010 7:00P Dazzle Restaurant Denver, CO
Aug 13 2010 7:00P Dazzle Restaurant Denver, CO
Coast Is Clear mp3 Grand Atlantic, How We Survive …..buy it (that’s an itunes link, FYI)
She’s A Dreamer mp3
Tuesday rapidly approaches and I’m wildly excited about Grand Atlantic coming to play for us here in Chicago. Their 2009 release, How We Survive has enjoyed a lot of blogger love. It will soon explode onto the U.S. music scene and begin to enjoy a whole lot more. Grand Atlantic have found their groove; they’ve crafted the perfect combination of hooks, riffs and at times, wistful vocals to woo audiences across this country. Their current tour is proving just that. And toward the end of this month thousands will hear it confirmed at SXSW. You will be convinced of what this blogger already knows: Grand Atlantic is on an unstoppable ride in one direction and that direction is most certainly UP.
How We Survive is rife with memorable melodies that hearken back to some of the great tunes of the Monkees or some of the early work of REM (“Last Train to Clarksville” is a song that I can easily see this band coming up with.) But far from being a cover band, Grand Atlantic weaves keen lyrics into musically complex songs that somehow retain a real accessibility. At just the right time, horns emerge in the title track, “How We Survive” and then quickly disappear. Twelve tracks give a good view of the wide talent this quartet holds. Backing harmonies are melodic and thoughtfully placed in songs that range in style from gritty garage rock to pure pop. Morgan Hann and Phil Usher handle some mean guitars on “Holding Pattern,”and “These Are The Times,” especially, taking short moments to show some flair. Throughout this record, Usher’s vocals range from pure good rock-n-roll cockiness to a more sensitive, acoustic-style rasp; it’s just all good. And then, the last song, “Don’t Say Goodnight” brings it all down to a rather sweet, lullabye-like ending. As How We Survivefinds a home with indie audiences in the US Grand Atlantic is here to give it a face. Watch out for this up and coming band. You heard it here first. xoxo
This is a pretty catchy pop tune from Elizabeth & The Catapult, “Taller Children” and there’s a cool new video. At least I was given permission to give ya the track, eh? If you like Fiest, you’ll dig this, says Spin.com. This trio from NYC is hitting the road this summer to support their album, named… you guessed it, Taller Children! Together since 2004, the trio features Elizabeth, a classically trained pianist who writes these beautiful pop songs. Their first EP made a name for them locally along with their live shows and this album brings them to a wider audience. I might just have to go check them out in July! MySpace buy the album here
Tour Details
06.24.09 – Soundcheck on WNYC – New York, NY
06.25.09 – Café 939 – Boston, MA
06.26.09 – The Space – Hamden, CT
06.27.09 – Tin Angel – Philadelphia, PA
07.07.09 – Stubb’s (indoors) – Austin, TX **
07.08.09 – The Prophet Bar – Dallas, TX **
07.10.09 – Eddie’s Attic – Decatur, GA **
07.11.09 – The Evening Muse – Charlotte, NC **
07.18.09 – Bowery Ballroom – New York, NY **
07.21.09 – Rumba Café – Columbus, OH **
07.22.09 – The Winchester Tavern – Cleveland, OH **
07.23.09 – Blind Pig – Ann Arbor, MI **
07.24.09 – Martyr’s – Chicago, IL **
07.25.09 – Blueberry Hill – St. Louis, MO **
07.28.09 – The Walnut Room – Denver, CO **
07.29.09 – Sho – Murray, UT **
08.01.09 – The Cashbah – San Diego, CA **
08.04.09 – Cafe Du Nord – San Francisco, CA
08.06.09 – The Troubadour – Los Angeles, CA **
** Shows w/ Greg Laswell
I had the great opportunity to see The Locals in their first headlining spot at Martyrs on Friday night. This trio is a high-energy, indie rock, guitar-heavy band that I’ve been looking forward to meeting for weeks and weeks. And, my darling readers, I was not disappointed! Taking the stage after four other bands, The Locals completely wowed the crowd. And yes, they do have their local following here in Chicago. With two women as sexy as Yvonne Doll and Christy Nunes out in front, you know that I was entranced! I wasn’t the only one, a throng of women (and some men) in the audience cheered, heckled (SEXY!!! from one in particular) and sang along through their 40 minute set.
Doll’s vocals are a perfect combination of lady-like melody and gutsy, throaty rock-n-roll angst. She worked her guitar hard that night, taking a wide stance and giving us lots of reverb (you all know how much I love that!). Nunes on bass was a thrill to watch. It’s been a damn long time since I’ve seen a bass player really move and it wasn’t just the way her hair whipped across her face. This bass player knew how to work it, how to provide not just a foundation for a song but a counter melody when needed as well. The Local’s music is bad-girl gritty through and through.
Big Picture is a 10-track powerhouse of songs full of solid musicianship and some great hooks. Opening with “Bending in the Wind,” we’re lulled into a false security, expecting a record full of ballads. It’s a fine lead up to what I feel is the best song on the album, the title track Big Picture where Doll unveils her vocal range beautifully. “Ohio” is another song that was just stunning live; it’s one of those that you hear twice and feel like you’ve been listening to it for years. It’s their fourth album and I’ve had it on heavy rotation here at Chez Tart. Go to their MySpace to purchase it.
They’ve been recording a new album; I’ll let you know as soon as I get it. And seeing as my little wifey was way into this band, I promise you you’ll be hearing more about them here!
The Locals will play at Art Fair on the Square in Madison, WI on June 11. Go catch this band!
photo credit: Ryan Bakerink
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