Jul 6
2010

The Rookie Tour Guide

Touring with a band.  It’s a dream that many kids have, but are never able fulfill.  But Natalie Goik’s dream is coming true this week as she sets off across the US on her first big production tour with Barenaked Ladies.  Nat will be reporting in to me as often as she can about life on the road and all of her “firsts.”   I’m looking forward to going on tour with her and I hope you come back often to see what she’s been up to.

I asked Nat to give me a little info about herself and how she got this gig.

“I’ve been a techie for the past 6 or 7 years now. It all started back in high school when I found out that you could join the sound and lighting crew, and every time there was an event or an assembly, you were allowed get out of class early to go set up. Ever since then I’ve been working gigs around Ontario.

I’ve worked 4am load ins and 40 hour weekends (not including Friday), I’ve driven to cities hours away, only to work 4 hour calls, I’ve worked 13 hours and then had to drive home 2, 3 hours, and I’ve done more than my share of volunteering.   Hell, I’ve even toured with a Magician.  But I can’t say I’ve regretted anything so far. I’ve made friends, contacts, and injured myself many many times.

For years now I’ve been trying so hard to get on a big production tour. I’ve had interviews and sent out resumes, and never gotten any response – until a few months back.  I remember it very clearly. I was in my house, walking down the stairs when my phone made it’s “you’ve got mail” ding. I stopped, picked up my phone, and opened my mail box.

from: Deb H.
subject: Tour

Now, Deb has been my guardian angel for this past year. She always puts my name in and always calls me up when she needs an extra crewman. So, I open this email, and read:

Hey Nat,

Are you free from July 5th-Aug 15th to come out on tour with the Barenaked Ladies?

Let me know
Deb

I froze. Mouth dropped. Totally speechless. This was it, the big break I’ve been waiting for.  Holy-shit. I’m going on tour.”

First Stop: Starlight Theater, Kansas City, MO

May 18
2010

Keb’ Mo’ – Youtube Channel

I’m a big fan of Keb’ Mo’ but I was just made aware of his Youtube channel through a Facebook post and a tweet on Twitter.  Yes, I follow him both places.  Right now, the channel has 14 videos uploaded and I am hoping for more.  The current featured video is Better Man, which Keb’ performed last weekend on the Music City:  Keep On Playin’ flood relief telethon.

His latest CD is the independently released Live & Mo, which is a compilation of new and old songs, live and studio recorded.  It’s a must have for any Keb’ Mo’ fan.

May 17
2010

Music on TV – A Weekly Guide (5/17/10-5/20/10)

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Weekend via Hidden Track

Monday, May 17 [all times Eastern]

* Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Live 2002 [Palladia 3PM]
* Dave Letterman: Zac Brown Band [CBS 11:35PM]
* Jimmy Fallon: Public Image Ltd. [NBC 12:35AM]
* Carson Daly: 311 [NBC 1:35AM]

Tuesday, May 18

* Tavis Smiley: Trombone Shorty [PBS Check Local Listings]
* Dave Letterman: Janelle Monae [CBS 11:35PM]
* Jimmy Kimmel: Dirty Heads [ABC Midnight]
* Craig Ferguson: Jakob Dylan [CBS 12:35AM]

Wednesday, May 19

* Lou Reed: Live at Montreux [Ovation 4PM]
* Dave Letterman: Stone Temple Pilots [CBS 11:35PM]
* Jay Leno: Damian Marley w/ Nas [NBC 11:35PM]
* Jimmy Fallon: Mumford & Sons [NBC 12:35AM]

Thursday, May 20

* Dave Letterman: Band of Horses [CBS 11:35PM]
* Jimmy Kimmel: Slayer [ABC Midnight]
* Craig Ferguson: Vampire Weekend [CBS 12:35AM]
* Carson Daly: She & Him [NBC 1:35AM]

Jan 13
2010

Music on TV – A Weekly Guide (1/11/10-1/14/10)

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Weekend via Hidden Track

(All times ET)

Monday, January 11

  • Tina Turner: Live in  Holland [Palladia Noon]
  • Woodstock: Three Days of Peace and Music [Palladia 2PM]
  • Film: That Thing You Do [VH1 Classic 4PM]
  • Green Day: Storytellers [Palladia 10PM]
  • Kiss: Extreme Close Up [VH1 Classic 1:30AM]

Tuesday, January 12

  • John Lennon: Sweet Toronto [Noon VH1 Classic]
  • Classic Albums: Cream, Disraeli Gears [VH1 Classic 4PM]
  • Rush: Box Set [VH1 Classic 5PM]
  • AC/DC: Live from Circus Krone [Palladia 8PM]
  • Pink Floyd: The Wall [Palladia 11PM]

Wednesday, January 13

  • O.A.R.: From Madison Square Garden [Palladia 9AM]
  • Classic Albums: Nirvana, Nevermind [VH1 Classic Noon]
  • ZZ Top: Live from Texas [VH1 Classic 5:30PM]
  • Steve Vai: Where the Wild Things Are [Palladia 4PM]
  • Spectacle w/Elvis Costello: Lyle Lovett [Sundance 10PM]

Thursday,  January 14

  • Tavis Smiley: Rosanne Cash [PBS Check Local Listings]
  • David Letterman: The Low Anthem [CBS 11:35PM]
  • George Lopez: Snoop Dogg [TBS Midnight]
  • Craig Ferguson: Vampire Weekend [CBS 12:35AM]
  • Carson Daly: Pete Yorn [NBC 1:35AM]
Jan 8
2010

Music on TV – On The Tube This Weekend (1/8-1/10/10)

Televised Tune: On the Tube This Weekend via Hidden Track

(All times ET)

Friday, January 8:

  • Elvis Presley: Return to Tupelo [BIO 2PM]
  • Pink Floyd: Which Ones Pink? [VH1 Classic 4:30PM]
  • Dave Matthews Band: Live from Piedmont Park [Palladia 8PM]
  • Motley Crue: Carnival of Sins [VH1 Classic 9PM]
  • Tupac Shakur: Before I Wake [Fuse 10PM]

Saturday, January 9

  • The Roots: Soulstage [Palladia 6PM]
  • Film: The Rocky Horror Picture Show [Fuse 8PM]
  • Film: A Headbangers Journey [VH1 Classic 9PM]
  • Muse: A Seaside Rendezvous [Palladia 9PM]
  • Saturday Night Live: Alicia Keys [NBC 11:30 PM]

Sunday, January 10

  • Coldplay: Storytellers [Palladia 2PM]
  • David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars [Palladia 3PM]
  • Woodstock: Three Days of Peace and Music [Palladia 9PM]
  • The Beatles: Video Retrospective [VH1 Classic 11PM]
  • Elvis Costello: Live in Memphis [VH1 Classic 1:30AM]
Dec 29
2009

Music on TV – A Weekly Guide (12/28/09-12/31/09)

(All times ET)

Monday, December 28 (All times ET)

  • ZZ Top: Storytellers [Palladia 9AM]
  • Justin Timberlake: Biography [BIO 11AM]
  • Film: That Thing You Do! [VH1 Classic 3PM]
  • 50 Cent: Behind the Music [VH1 8PM]
  • Jeff Beck: Live at Ronnie Scott’s [Palladia 11PM]

Tuesday, December 29

  • Bret Michaels: Behind the Music [VH1 Classic 6PM]
  • Glastonbury 2009: Hour 1 [Palladia 6PM]
  • Paul McCartney: In St. Petersberg [VH1 Classic 7PM]
  • Film: The Rocky Horror Picture Show [Fuse 9PM]
  • The Mamas and The Papas: Biography [BIO 9PM]

Wednesday, December 30

  • Ray Charles: Biography [BIO 8AM]
  • Aretha Franklin: Biography [BIO 9AM]
  • Jack Johnson: En Concert [Noon Palladia]
  • AC/DC: Live from Circus Krone [VH1 Classic 4PM]
  • Spectacle w/Elvis Costello: Bono and the Edge [Sundance 10PM]

Thursday, December 31

  • David Gilmour: Live in Gdansk [ Palladia 7AM]
  • Rush: Rush in Rio [VH1 Classic Midnight]
  • David Letterman: Ray Davies [CBS 11:35PM]
Dec 24
2009

Music on TV – A Weekly Guide (12/21/09-12/24/09)

Monday, December 21 (All times ET)

* Film: Monterey Pop [Sundance 10:45AM]
* Tom Petty: The Last DJ [Palladia Noon]
* U2: Rattle & Hum [Palladia 3:30PM]
* INXS: Live Baby Live [VH1 Classic 4:30PM]
* Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same [Palladia 7:30PM]

Tuesday, December 22

* Coldplay: Storytellers [Palladia 9AM]
* Strat Pack: 50 Years of the Fender Stratocaster [Palladia 11AM]
* Jay-Z: Live from MSG [Fuse 3 PM]
* Nine Inch Nails: Beside You in Time [Palladia 4PM]
* Film: Woodstock [VH1 Classic 8PM]

Wednesday, December 23

* Film: Footloose [VH1 Noon]
* Live Aid: The Day the Music Changed the World [VH1 Classic 3PM]
* Classic Albums: Metallica, Metallica [VH1 Classic 6PM]
* Pink Floyd: The Wall [VH1 Classic 9PM]
* Spectacle w/Elvis Costello: Levon Helm [Sundance 10PM]

Thursday, December 24

* Classic Albums: Judas Priest, British Steel [VH1 Classic 11AM]
* Film: Wayne’s World [VH1 Noon]
* Kings of Leon: Live at Roskilde 2008 [Palladia 1:30PM]
* The Flaming Lips: Christmas on Mars [Sundance 1:15AM] ++
* Paul McCartney: Electric Proms [Palladia 2AM]

++ Christmas on Mars blogger note :
If you want to watch the strangest Christmas movie ever made, check out the Flaming Lips in Christmas on Mars late on Xmas Eve on IFC. It took Wayne Coyne and gang eight years to make the movie, which comes off as intentionally bizarre. But if you are looking for something different to watch while you wait for Santa, this would certainly qualify.

Apr 5
2009

Notes: Thought Thieves

Minneapolis-based electro/industrial/gothic band Thought Thieves have a distinct sound that wouldn’t be out of place on Top 40 radio, with lyrics that are worth a listen for grown-ups. Vocalist Mike Johnson’s declaratory style is reminiscent of the B-52s’ Fred Schneider; John Brekken (guitar and keyboards), Ariane Kokes (keyboards), Ryan Deacon (drums) and Jason Fleming (bass) lay out driving, danceable (or mosh-able) beats. Click the link above to listen to their forthcoming EP; iTunes link will be added when it’s available.

Mar 3
2009

New Music: “The End Is Not The End”, House of Heroes

House of Heroes is an Ohio-based alt/Christian rock band that’s been around since around 2003. Their album The End Is Not The End dropped today. For a limited time only, you can get an EP of the same name containing three of the album tracks for FREE from Amazon.com.

The EP includes “In The Valley Of The Dying Sun”, which has a delightful bass line. The middle is heavy in a way not often heard in modern music, then goes into church choir harmonies and a lighter melodic section, reminding me of the Beatles “She’s So Heavy/Golden Slumbers” for a moment.

“If”, another EP track, has a bouncy feel and prominent organ. It’s the first non-whiny love song I’ve heard in a long time, a catalog of all the things the protagonist would do or be or be capable of if she were his.


If – House of Heroes

If you like what you’ve heard here, download the EP or full album (free EP only available at Amazon).

House of Heroes - The End Is Not the End

Feb 24
2009

Notes: Chantal Kreviazuk

Twice recently, songs by Chantal Kreviazuk have come up on my Pandora pop station, and each time I was compelled to look at who was singing. (That’s only happened one other time recently, and it turned out to be Paris Hilton. Oh well.) The second time, I looked because I was certain it was Kelly Clarkson and I wondered why I didn’t know the song already.

Not to say that Chantal sounds like Kelly. “Time” does sound a lot like the sort of thing Kelly would sing, a piano-driven, edgy pop ballad… and in fact, she has written songs for Kelly, Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani and most recently David Cook. Pandora says similar artists are Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles and Michelle Branch. She’s a Canadian classical pianist-turned-pop star, and you can definitely hear those classical roots on her original songs. She has a pleasant, strong, diverse voice and as I listened to several different videos on her YouTube channel (all embedding is disabled, sadly) and her MySpace, it became apparent that she is an excellent interpreter. My opinion of her songwriting is that she has the skill of Carole King, which is about the best thing I will say about anyone’s songwriting.

You may have already heard her without realizing it. Her cover of “Leaving on a Jet Plane” was on the Armageddon soundtrack, “Time” played over the credits of the movie Uptown Girls, and plenty of other songs and covers have been on piles of TV shows and movie soundtracks. Chantal has been hitting the Canadian charts for 12 years, her debut album sold well in the US back in 1996, she’s been on Leno, and she has an excellent reputation as a songwriter for some of the most popular American acts. Looking at some of her co-write credits on Wikipedia, it’s apparent that she’s been all over everything I love in pop (and, okay, some I don’t love). And yet, I had never heard of her before this week. How do these things happen?

Anyway, I am now making up for it by spreading the love to you all. Here are links to iTunes and Amazon so you can pick up some of her stuff. I already have!

Chantal Kreviazuk

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