Written on a Bathroom Wall

Mexican acoustic rock duo Rodrigo y Gabriela will release a new live album – ‘Live In Japan’ - with a bonus live DVD on October 28, 2008.

The album captures Rod & Gab making their live Japanese debut, at Tokyo’s Duo club on March 30^th this year. The show had been sold out for weeks; such was the level of anticipation from their Far East fanbase. ‘Live In Japan’ mixes tracks from Rodrigo y Gabriela’s acclaimed, self-titled debut album with older live favorites, and also includes a new track – ‘OK Tokyo’ as well as Rod & Gab’s legendary solo jams recorded for the first time. The album is being released as limited edition by ATO Records.

The album package also includes a five track bonus DVD of highlights from the concert, mixed in 5:1 surround sound; which is sure to be in demand with Rodrigo y Gabriela’s fret-fanatic following.

Since its original release in Europe in February 2006, ‘Rodrigo y Gabriela’ has been one of the great word-of-mouth success stories in recent music history. With over 500,000 albums sold worldwide (300,000 in the U.S.), it has helped to establish Rod & Gab as one of the most exciting live bands on the planet. The duo are currently writing songs for their next studio album at their base in Ixtapa, Mexico.

Tracklisting - CD - OK TOKYO, JUAN LOCO, ORION, FOC, SATORI, IXTAPA, VIKINGMAN, TAKE FIVE, ONE, GABRIELA SOLO, RODRIGO SOLO, STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, TAMACUN, DIABLO ROJO. DVD – SATORI, IXTAPA, VIKINGMAN, TAMACUN, DIABLO ROJO

Rodrigo y Gabriela – ‘Live In Japan’ will be released on ATO Records on October 28^th on CD+DVD and download.

Frontmen don’t get much better.

The Dear Hunter will be coming to town this Saturday at the School of Rock in South Hackensack, NJ with Lydia and You, Me and Everyone We Know. They’re a lot better than De Niro could ever be… except for maybe in Taxi Driver… And doesn’t the singer Casey look strikingly similar to Bon Jovi with his denim jacket?

Amy Winehouse \”F&%$ Me Pumps\”

This song and video is hilarious!!

So I know it’s July and I’m a little late but I figured I’d give the obligatory half-year list of my favorite music. Reading this, you should all get an idea of the diversity of my musical taste.

1. My Morning Jacket - Evil Urges

2. The Raconteurs - Consolers of the Lonely

3. Coldplay - Viva La Vida

4. John Mayer - Where the Light Is

5. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

6. Gavin DeGraw - Gavin DeGraw

Honorable mentions: Elvis Costello, Mudcrutch, The Ting Tings, The Black Crowes, Albert Hammond Jr.

Best show: Bon Jovi at Central Park on the Great Lawn, Bon Jovi in Philly on March 2nd (Jon’s birthday!) in the front row - I’m a huge Bon Jovi fan, could ya tell?

Most anticipated: Ray Lamontagne, NKOTB, Joshua Radin, My Morning Jacket show on NYE at MSG!

Most disappointing (not bad cds, but just not captivating): Madonna, Weezer

Ok, so I guess it’s not that diverse - I like ROCK, pure and simple.  I also like pop and some singer-songwriter kinda stuff, and party music, but I see my list is leaning very rock heavy.  Oh well. I’m sure there’s more stuff I’ve been digging, but I can’t think of anything else off the top of my head.  I love these cds but I think it’s kinda weak that I couldn’t complete the list of 10.  Maybe I should listen to that Fleet Foxes disc everyone is raving about…or Adele…or Estelle…

Hugs!

I’ve decided to write a post each week about a different local Jersey band.  The bands that I will talk about, I want you to know, that I actually am friends with most members.  The ones I do not know much about personally, you’ll be able to tell. 

I shall try to describe each band to the best of my ability so hopefully one or more of them may strike your interest and lead you to their music.  Here we go…

This first band I’m going to talk about is Delft.  Delft is a five piece with members from all over Jersey that just so happened to find each other and create this kind of music that I absolutely fell in love with the first time I saw them live.  I’m going to tell you what bands the members love first, so hopefully that’ll explain their sound instead of telling you what/who they sound like.  The bassist (Fish) is into: Karate, American Football, Cap’n Jazz, Joan of Arc, Circa Surive.  Guitarist one (Jeff): Oceansize, Meshuggah, Dredg, Codeseven, Isis.  Guitar two (Will): Thrice, Murder By Death, The Ocean.  Drummer (Matt): He is Legend, Glassjaw, Coheed and Cambria, Minus the Bear, Circa Survive.  Singer/keys/guitar three (Jay): Sigur Ros, Radiohead, Muse, Regina Spektor, Deftones.

The band has been together for just a little over 2 years now.  Sadly though, they recently lost their original guitarist.  Their producer, who is now their new guitarist, decided to take his place and has been a great new addition to the band.  They very recently just put out a 3 song EP which is their 2^nd EP and their 3^rd release - called moose.indian, produced by their guitarist Will Putney, and it includes three of their newest songs which can be downloaded for free on their Myspace, or simply played off of Myspace.

The only way I can really describe their music, is with the word “flowing”.  I know it may not make sense, but if you give them a listen, you may get where I’m coming from.  One of their new songs, Design (which I happen to be obsessed with), puts this image in my head whenever I hear it live: the beginning few seconds reminds me of a flowing stream in the middle of the forest, nothing around except for nature.  Or maybe I’m just finally losing my mind – who knows. 

A few months ago, the band appeared on FOX 5’s Fearless Music and almost, I repeat was so VERY close to winning another appearance on the show.  You can check out that video HERE.

You can also add Delft to your facebook page to get updates about the bands whereabouts, downloads, releases, etc.

Upcoming shows for Delft:

July 25- Safe to Swim Weekend in Danbury, CT

July 26- at Olive’s in Nyack, NY with Fake Gimms

July 29- at Brenda and Jerry’s in Bath, PA

July 31- at the Mill Hill Basement in Trenton, NJ with Gifts from Enola and Moving Mountains

Aug 23- at the School of Rock in South Hackensack, NJ with Dear Hunter

+ tons more TBA’s

Feel free to comment, ask questions, etc!
I’d be glad to help

Overheard In An Elevator:

“The last thing they would want us to do is start a blog…”

So the UK’s upcoming new band, Black Kids, is going over pretty well in the US. If you like happy, silly lyrics, dancy beats - check out this band.

http://columbiarecords.com/blackkids/download/

That link above is a widget…meaning that you can watch their new video of their single, help promote the band via myspace, facebook, your journal, google, etc., get a free download and check out some links.

Enjoy

Holy SHIT, Apocalyptica is picking a singer to go on tour with them! THAT’S INSANE!  All the details are below, you don’t have much time, make your video so you can be the next singer for Apokooleepteeka.

But… before you make your own video, i think you will enjoy some of the entries that have come in so far…turn up your speakers and enjoy…..

APOCALYPTICA “LIVE THE DREAM” CONTEST
Summer 2008
Contest runs 6/30-7/25/08
Winner joins the band on tour 8/4-8/10/08

Enter the Apocalyptica “Live The Dream” contest for your chance to join the band on tour as their special guest vocalist.

The Grand Prize Winner will perform the hit “I’m Not Jesus” live on the stage with the band - 5 shows in early August, including a main stage appearance at OZZFEST, August 9 in Dallas, TX. The winner will travel all expenses paid from their home into the first show, then back home after the tour. During this mini-tour, the winner will live on the bus as a member of the band and have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to LIVE THE DREAM!

To enter, upload video of yourself singing Apocalyptica’s hit, “I’m Not Jesus” (from the breakthrough album Worlds Collide) to the official YouTube group (www.youtube.com/group/livethedream), then submit your entry on-line at ImNotJesus.com.

Full instructions, instrumental version of the song, lyrics, etc. are at ImNotJesus.com

Apocalyptica will pick the winning vocalist from amongst 25 semi-finalists, which will be the entries with the most overall views.

Apocalyptica “Live The Dream” tour dates
Aug 5 2008 The Black Sheep Colorado Springs, Colorado
Aug 6 2008 Cain’s Ballroom Tulsa, Oklahoma
Aug 7 2008 Village Theatre Little Rock, Arkansas
Aug 8 2008 Antone’s Beaumont, Texas
Aug 9 2008 Ozzfest Dallas, Texas

Contest sponsored by Jive Records/Zomba Label Group, Hot Topic, & Revolver Magazine