Atomic Tom

New Music Tuesday 9/13 featuring Ben Rector, Matthew Perryman Jones, Atomic Tom, Melissa Ferrick, etc.

Posted on by Kristen

A TON of new music released today that I’m curious about. But I certainly can’t buy them all so here are my top picks:

 

Ben Rector- Something Like This http://www.benrectormusic.com/

I’ve been talking a lot about Ben Rector lately…and with good reason! This singer-songwriter from Nashville writes songs that will both warm your heart and make you dance…I just can’t get them out of my head! His last CD, Into The Morning, makes frequent appearances on my music player and based on the new tunes I heard last month at Ben’s Hotel Cafe show, Something Like This will follow in its footsteps.

Buy it on amazon or itunes.

 

Matthew Perryman Jones – Until The Dawn Appears http://mpjmusic.com/

Another Ten Out of Tenn artist releases a CD! Until The Dawn Appears is actually a collection of the songs Matthew has played over the years that he still feels passionate about (he calls it a “retelling”). Personally, I can’t stop listening to this CD…especially the new version of “Save You”.  Matthew Perryman Jones has a hypnotizing voice that is both soothing and uplifting. With the addition of the piano and the strings, the beauty of this song is almost overwhelming. The rest of the record follows suit. A must have for you collection!

Get Until the Dawn Appears on Amazon or Itunes 

 


Atomic Tom – In Parallel  http://www.atomictom.com/

Atomic Tom blew me away at The Bootleg when I saw them at the beginning of the year. They have a new EP coming out today with a couple of new songs so adding it to my shopping cart is a no brainer. Sample the EP then if you haven’t already, be sure to get their full length album, The Moment.

“Red Light Warning Sign” is the band’s most recent single off The Moment but can also be found on the In Parallel EP.

Download the tunes on Amazon or Itunes 

 

 

Melissa Ferrick- Still Right Here http://www.melissaferrick.com/

So many CDs out today, I listened briefly to a song or two from each and Melissa Ferrick’s Still Right Here stuck out above the rest for me. I’ve always loved Melissa for her passion. It’s easy to connect to her songs and her spirit and I’m looking forward to getting to know all of these new tunes.

Here’s where you can buy the new CD on Itunes

 

Other CDs I’m sampling today:

New music! New music! YAY!
~ Kristen

New Band Alert: Toy

Posted on by Kristen

Alana Grace + 3/4 of After Midnight Project = Toy. That’s enough to sell me. I still remember being impressed with Alana Grace back in 2008 when I first saw her at Bonnaroo. Her song “Domino” was stuck in my head for days. And, of course, After Midnight Project is one of my favorite LA bands of more recent years. Their CD, Let’s Build Something to Break, still gets play time in my car stereo. I can’t say I’d put this combo together, but I’m excited to see where it will go.

According to their bio, Alana wanted to go a little heavier with the rock and add an electronic edge. She called upon Spencer Bastian, Christian Meadows, and Ryan Folden, friends from Warped Tour, to work with her on creating this sound. They’ve already been booked on a major nation-wide tour opening for  Styx and Yes. They have a song up on facebook called “Get Out of My Head.” Like their page and have a listen.

If you like what you hear (as I did), go vote for Toy for the Summerfest emerging artist series. They are competing with some of my favorite up and coming artists like Makeshift Prodigy, The Republic of Letters, Atomic Tom, and Tailor Made Fable among others.

And, there you go! Another great band to discover and follow. You’re welcome!

 

~ Kristen

SXSW Day 4: The Last Recap

Posted on by Amanda

Even though this brief recap is coming to you a few days late, I thought it best you still know of our adventures for our final day of the craziness known as SXSW. It was probably one of the best (and most bittersweet) days of SXSW. Here are a few things that happened to us that day…

~ Went to Rachel Ray’s party for free food including sliders, chili, and carnitas. We also watched a bit of Bob Schneider before…

~ The British Music Embassy where we had breakfast (at noon) featuring toad in a hole, pasties, and toffee cake. Our time there wouldn’t have been complete without a little dance party from Viva City.

~ The Antiquiet show where we saw The Silent Comedy’s last show at SXSW.

 

~ Not only that, they played a completely different set including a Wine, Company Town, Carnival, and a nameless new song which they’ve only played acoustically.

 

~ If that weren’t enough, they dedicated their set to Trina, Steve, Kristen, and myself. I’m not sure it got much better than that….

~ We had a mini photo shoot with The Silent Comedy. How rockstar is that?

~ Free shirts that fit a girl!

~ Back to the Antiquiet show for Sabrosa Purr and the Greenhornes

~ Getting to see Atomic Tom and The Gallery at the Smoke and Sand Showcase at Rusty Spurs.

~ Also, discovering Ivan & Alyosha at said showcase

~ Seeing Queen Caveat twice that day!

~ Me getting some rest while Kristen experienced the Hotel Cafe Showcase. If you haven’t read about it, you should.

~ Closing our night with Little Red Radio’s last show at the ATN Showcase.

~ Also, there might have been some photos taken of our wrists that showcase the number of showcases we went to. I’ve since lost count…

 

And that was how our time at SXSW ended. Stay tuned for some more posts from us about SXSW.

Gearing up for SXSW: Kristen’s 10 “Must See” Artists

Posted on by Kristen

TOMORROW, we leave for Austin. I’m in the midst of frenzied preparations. I haven’t been posting much these last couple of weeks, in part, due to the fact that every spare second I have managed to accumulate has gone to listening to artists I may get the chance to see at SXSW and preparing my lists and schedules.

I thought I’d share some of the artists I’m most looking forward to (a combination of old favorites and new discoveries). So, here it is. My 10 “Must See” Artists at SXSW ’11:

1. The Silent Comedy

These San Diego boys have been on my must see list for awhile now. Their growing popularity means they’ve been spending more time away from Southern California so I relish even more every chance I get to see them.

When to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=208828575799105

2. Queen Caveat

I’ve gotta go support my favorite up-and-coming LA band. For those of you not in LA, don’t miss one of the first opportunities to see Queen Caveat play outside of their hometown. SO much love for this band!

When to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109420832465650&ref=ts

 

3. The Kin

These Australian brothers are favorites of mine from back east. One of the exciting things about SXSW is that it brings together favorite artists from all over the country/world. Also, be sure to follow The Kin on twitter so that you’ll know where they plan to do their next musical robbery on Saturday in Austin.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=184993854877046

 

4. Empires

One of my favorite bands out of Chicago. I’d been itching to see them again since they opened for Biffy Clyro at Bootleg Theater.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150171769950225&set=a.499768780224.291271.62617580224&theater

 

5. Dash & Will

Two girls from Australia whose tunes caught my ear immediately. I’m even more excited to see them and buy their music, because finding their tunes to download in the US= nearly impossible.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/dashandwillofficial?sk=events

6. Dead Sara

I’ve seen them three times in LA in the last month or so and I can’t remember the last time a band has blown my mind quite this much. Any chance I’ll get to see Dead Sara, I’m taking!

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Sara-Official/124013447614437?sk=app_2405167945

 

7. SINAI

I’ve been wanting to see this new band out of Philly since its inception at the end of last year. I’ve been very jealous of all my Philly friends who have gone to their shows. Now it’s my turn!

where to see them: Friday 8pm: Austin Music Hall (208 Nueces) at the Monster Energy Showcase

8. The Lonely Forest

I adore this band out of Washington. They were actually on my SXSW ’10 mix. I was terribly sad to miss them play The Echo last week. I only justified my absence with the thought of seeing them play multiple times at SXSW.

where to see them: http://www.facebook.com/thelonelyforest?sk=app_178091127385

 

9. Twin Atlantic

They’re from Scotland and they’ve opened for Biffy Clyro. What more do I need? Oh, I also am loving this tune…

where to see them: http://twinatlanticonline.com/2011/02/25/twin-atlantic-to-play-sxsw-scotland-stage-in-texas/

ALSO: Weds 4pm at The PureVolume House (504 Trinity St)

 

10.Mother Mother

A band from Canada that I fell in love with a couple years ago thanks to the song “Hayloft”. I keep missing them when they come through LA, so I’m not going to miss out in Austin!

where to see them: http://mothermothersite.com/live/

 

Honestly there are SO many excellent bands I’m looking forward to seeing at SXSW…can we say “scheduling conflicts”..Here are a few more (still not even half of what’s on my list)

We Barbarians
Fitz & The Tantrums
Hoots & Hellmouth
Joey Ryan
Atomic Tom
Jamestown Revival
Andy Clockwise
Hollerado
Hugo
Chelsea Automatic
Jukebox the Ghost
AWOLNATION
The Blue Pages
The Gallery
UME
Saint Motel
Brooke Fraser
The Stone Foxes
Augustana
Allen Stone
Semi Precious Weapons
Fierce Creatures
Lelia Broussard
Halos
Nicole Atkins
Taylor Locke and The Roughs
Dan Wilson
Meriwether
Taddy Porter
Forrest Day
Scars on 45
Little Red Radio
Toy Bombs
Andrew Belle
The Deaf
Brett Dennen
American Bang
Ram’s Pocket Radio
Admiral Fallow
Makeshift Prodigy

 

We shall see how many of these bands make my final SXSW ’11 mix!

to check out last year’s mix click here

See you in Austin!

 

~ Kristen

Watch This! New videos from Lovers Drugs, Empires, and Infantree

Posted on by Kristen

Three new videos from three great bands. Check them out!

I just saw Lovers Drugs Thursday night at The Bootleg opening for new band loves Maniac and Atomic Tom. They are doing something really cool with their EP by making a series of connecting videos for all of the songs. Their most recent video for the song, “Jackie Says” was just released last week!

Empires is one of my favorite bands out of Chicago. They just released a new video for their song, “Hello Lover”

Finally, local band Infantree puts out the COOLEST videos. Here’s their most recent for the song “Feet of Clay”

~ Kristen

New Band Loves: Maniac and Atomic Tom

Posted on by Kristen

I can’t believe I almost didn’t go out last night. I was tired and still recovering from the whole Foo Fighters shindig on Tuesday. I had been meaning to see the band Maniac while they were playing LA, so I forced myself out the door. I had heard good things from various sources about Maniac, a group fronted by Shawn Harris (The Matches) and Jake Grigg (Something with Numbers) and they certainly didn’t disappoint. Maniac is a band that needs to be seen live. Their energy combined with their unique stage presence and catchy tunes will draw you in. The love they have for one another and for the music emanates from the stage and before you know it you realize that you feel better just for standing in front of them for a little while. Plus, they are just so much fun!!

To listen to songs off their Extended Play EP: http://maniacmania.com/extendedplay/

After Maniac’s set, I was convinced it couldn’t get any better, but I decided to stick around anyway to check out Atomic Tom, a band I’d never heard of from New York City. They started playing and I was immediately captivated. By the end of their second song I was in love. They had me dancing, singing, swaying, and drifting closer and closer to the stage with each opportunity.  They remind me a bit of Franz Ferdinand…if FF also rocked the ballads.

By the time they did their encore of “This Is How We Like to End”, I was smiling uncontrollably from ear to ear. These guys recently signed to a label and are getting more attention (deservedly so) so go see them now while you have a change to get them in a more intimate venue. They are also really nice gentleman, eager to meet and talk to every one of their fans.

Tour dates: http://www.facebook.com/atomictomband?v=app_10442206389

I’m seriously considering dropping my current plans and heading down to San Diego Saturday to catch them and Maniac again at The House of Blues. This is how I know I am hooked.

Have a listen and be sure to go catch them live if they come to a town near you!

You know the night is good when even the opener is a solid act. Playing before Maniac and Atomic Tom were LA locals, LoversDrugs. I’ve seen these guys before and they always put on a good show and I’d be remiss not to mention the role they played in my fantastic evening. LoversDrugs released an EP and are making a series of music videos for each of the songs. Here’s my favorite:

~ Kristen

Watch This! New videos from Lovers Drugs, Empires, and Infantree

Posted on by Kristen

Three new videos from three great bands. Check them out!
I just saw Lovers Drugs Thursday night at The Bootleg opening for new band loves Maniac and Atomic Tom. They are doing something really cool with their EP by making a series of connecting videos for all of the songs. Their most recent video for the song, “Jackie Says” was just released last week!

Empires is one of my favorite bands out of Chicago. They just released a new video for their song, “Hello Lover”

Finally, local band Infantree puts out the COOLEST videos. Here’s their most recent for the song “Feet of Clay”

~ Kristen