Pick of the Day: 5/16/08

Every weekday at 1pm listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.

______________

Philly Local Pick of the Day 5/16/08

"30 Some Days"

XPN Local, Volume 2.
Matt Duke


Twenty-two year old South Jersey-bred singer/songwriter and contributer to Philly Local's newest compilation of local music, XPN Philly Local Volume II, Matt Duke began playing piano at the age of seven. Inspired by artists such as Van Morrison, The Band and Pearl Jam, he taught himself how to play his mother’s vintage guitar. By the winter of 2004, Duke recorded his first demo, which fell into the hands of Drexel University’s student run MAD Dragon Records. In late 2005, Duke entered the studio to record his debut LP, Winter Child, for MAD Dragon. Today's "Pick-of-the-Day," is a song from Duke's newest and unreleased album which is scheduled to release June of this year, but if you can't wait until June to hear some of this artists new material why not catch him live tomorrow May 17th, at the "Arts Alive! Festival" in Quakertown, PA?

However, if Quakertown is a hike for you, you're in luck because there are plenty of wonderful concerts all over the place to check out this weekend...

Tonight, May 16th, 2008...

Trolleyvox and Beretta 76 will be rocking out at the North Star Bar,
Americana and Roots artist Robert Hazard will be at the Tin Angel and,
acoustic singer-songwriter Jeffery Gaines will be at Puck in Doylestown.

Tomorrow, May 17th, 2008 check out...

Folk-rocker Ben Arnold at Puck
Scot Sax, Lauren Hart, and Up The Chain for Scot Sax's CD release will be at Milkboy Coffee
lovely acoustic rockers Liz Longley and Brittany Ann will be at Chaplin's Music Cafe in Spring City
Americana and Blues artists Beaucoup Blue will be at Sellersville Theater 1984
and
funky jam band Wabi Sabi will be at Connolly's in Hatboro, PA

And remember, the XPN Fund Drive is still going on through next Wednesday. We here at Philly Local love to bring you the latest and greatest in the Delaware Valley, and now, we need YOUR help to keep our local artists heard! We are taking pledges now and want to hear from you!

My Morning Download 5/16/08 - Dawn Landes

When she's not in the studio recording and engineering records for Ryan Adams, Hem, Phillip Glass and Joseph Arthur, singer-songwriter Dawn Landes is making her own music as a solo artist. Originally from Louisville & now based in Brooklyn, word of Landes's work spread when she and the "We Sorta Tried Bluegrass Band" recorded a blugrass version of Peter, Bjorn & John's "Young Folks" in Texas in a house/studio and put the performance of it up on youtube (see below).

Dawn's new album Fireproof is a captivating, honest, poignant and understated collection of songs that span the broad acoustic music continuum, often recalling the early work of Suzanne Vega. Landes, however has her own sweet way.

Bodyguard - Dawn Landes

Dawn Landes "Young Folks"


Be sure to check out Dawn on World Cafe on Tuesday May 20.

Dawn's myspace

Support for My Morning Download provided by Lourdes Health System

Pick of the Day: 5-15-08

Every weekday at 1pm listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.

______________

Philly Local Pick of the Day 5/15/08

"Remember This"

XPN Local, Volume 2.
Andrew Lipke



Local singer-songwriter and valued contributer to the XPN Local Volume II album, Andrew Lipke, has been playing music from a very early age. Lipke began playing the piano at age five while living in South Africa and after moving to America in 1987, he began writing songs on the guitar. Clearly he's taken some great strides in his musical career given that now he is signed to Drexel University's student-run MAD Dragon Records and working on a new record. Catch this artist live June 7th, 2008 at the Dawson Street Pub in Manayunk, Philadelphia!

And if you're interested in more singer-songwriters come on down next Thursday, May 22, 2008 for the New York Songwriter's Circle: All-Star Kick-off Showcase. Show starts at 8pm and will be hosted right here, upstairs at the World Cafe Live, so be sure to snag some tickets soon. This awesome show will feature some of our favorite local artists like Eric Bazilian (of the Hooters), Lizanne Knott, Jim Boggia, and many more!

Also, if you are a singer-songwriter and would like to submit a song for their 2008 Songwriting Contest check out their site at www.songwriters-circle.com. If your piece is selected you not only will be given the opportunity to gain exposure and recognition, but you may also be given the opportunity to perform live at their finale for top industry judges as well as possibly earn some great prizes. Some past winners include Kate Voegele of the show hit television show One Tree Hill and "Company of Thieves," who were recently featured is ASCAP magazine!

And one more thing...
Great thanks to all those who helped out,through volunteering or contribution, with the fund drive!

My Morning Download 5/15/08 - Jukebox The Ghost

Jukebox The Ghost are a three piece from Washington, DC, however are all now living together in Philly. Their debut album Live And Let Ghosts was recently released on This Side Up/Rebel Group. The band includes Ben Thornewill on piano & vocals, Tommy Siegel on guitar & Vocals and Jesse Kristin on drums & vocals. This music writer sums up Jukebox The Ghost perfectly: "When you are listening to Jukebox The Ghost, every thing just seems so dandy." While the band may remind you of Ben Folds Five, they'd really like you to think they remind you of Queen meets They Might Be Giants.

Good Day - Jukebox The Ghost

Support for My Morning Download provided by Lourdes Health System

Buy the album

Pick Of The Day 5/14/08

Every weekday at 1pm listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.

______________

Philly Local Pick of the Day 5/14/08

"A Song For Solstice"

XPN Local, Volume 2.

Hoots & Hellmouth

The lovely Hoots members were so gracious as to lend us "A Song for Solstice" on our most recent debut: XPN Local, Volume 2, officially released May 1st.  If you are a fan of Hoots & Hellmouth like us, and want to own a copy of XPN Local for yourself, all you have to do is become one of our amazing WXPN members.  At the $75 level, you have the option to choose a gift such as our Local CD!! As a member, you also have the opportunity to purchase advance tickets to the XPoNential Festival in July at Wiggins Park, NJ.  

Altogether, 20 Philly Local musicians were kind enough to lend us their lovely tunes in order to make our album possible. Two other favorites of ours, Nicole Reynolds and Jesse Ruben debut on the album. Last night, on the Philly Local Music Hour, Helen played back their set lists from our CD Release show on May 1st. 

Nicole Reynolds:

"Juliana" -XPN Local Album

"Wonderin'"

"The Fire"

Jesse Ruben:

"Standing Strong" -XPN Local Album

"Advice"

"A Lack of Armor"

You can see Nicole play live this weekend at Puck on Saturday, May 16th.

You can then see Jesse on Monday May 19th playing at The Tin Angel with Pat McGee Band.

Don't forget to check out the Philly Local MySpace page to check out more shows in the area coming up!!!

My Morning Download 5/14/08 - The Virgins

From New York City, The Virgins are releasing their debut album on Atlantic Records on June 3rd. Not since The Strokes busted out of NYC has there been as much internet hype around a band. With a couple of EP's behind them, a live performance debut in Paris opening for Patti Smith and lots and lots of music bloggers falling over themselves proclaiming the band as the next big thing, the promise of the band's future rests primarily right now on this incredible song, "Rich Girls."

Rich Girls - The Virgins

Read about The Virgins

Support for My Morning Download provided by Lourdes Health System

(Not) the New Beatles!

Stumbling thru a dusty old box of 45s, I came across one of my alltime faves by The Raspberries - which made me start thinking about all the bands that were blessed/cursed with the tag of becoming the New Beatles...

Imagine the record industry / rock scene / music fans, circa early 1970s... who would fill the void created by the breakup of The Beatles? Sure - now instead of one great band, we had four great solo artists (well, 3.5 perhaps - RINGO!) though none of them individually would ever equal the power and impact of the biggest band in history. Not unlike the "New Dylan" tag that was used to hype many young folk-ish male singer songwriters thru the '70s (Bruce Springsteen, John Prine, Steve Forbert, Willie Nile, Loudon Wainright, etc), imagine the honor / pressure that went with being labelled the New Beatles by your label / press / fans? While none of these artists could hope to replace the Beatles, all had at least a few weeks (or years) at the top of the charts. And all made some pretty good music - which we celebrate today on the Top 5@5.

Badfinger


The Raspberries


ELO


Klaatu


The Knack


and how could I nearly forget - Bay City Rollers


Some classic pop music... none of these bands would be the New Beatles - although Jeff Lynne didn't do too poorly for himself, and did become George Harrison's bandmate in the Travellin' Wilburys!

Pick-of-the-Day: 5/13/08

Every weekday at 1 PM listen up for the Philly Local Pick of the Day, an especially rockin' sample track from the plethora of hot new tunes Philadelphia has to offer.

____________

Philly Local Pick of the Day 5/13/08:
"Close to the Bone"
Cobblestone
Jeff Dernlan


Today's pick-of-the day was selected from the third album from Philly's own Jeff Dernlan. This former English Literature major at Penn State University, has had quite and interesting path leading him to this point in his musical career. Following college Dernlan moved to a small island in Alaska where he pursued work as a commercial fisherman and from there he found himself in Nashville Tennessee where he recored his successful album "Broadmoor." Eventually, Dernlan recorded his most recent album entitled, "Cobblestone" and is now experiencing great international success. For example, recently, Colin Fielding of the Australian radio station, 96.5 FM featured two tracks from Dernlan's "Cobblestone", "Close to the Bone" and "Out of State Plates" during his program "Folk and Roots," so congrats to Jeff Dernlan on his new found place on the international music scene.

And in other news...

Tonight is Tuesday, and yep you guessed it, another fantastic Philly Local Hour with Helen Leicht! Tonight from 9-10pm Helen will feature Nicole Reynolds and Jesse Ruben's playbacks from their delightful performances at the Philly Local CD release party. In addition, she plans to feature songs from many artists with concerts this weekend, and believe me there are many Some artists to listen for this evening are....

The Trolleyvox who will be at the North Star with Beretta 76, Robert Hazard who will be at the Tin Angel, Cheers Elephant who will be at the Fire, and Jeffery Gaines at Puck in Doylestown all happening this Friday May 16th, 2008

Then, Saturday May 17th 2008, Ben Arnold will be at Puck,
Scot Sax will release his newest CD at Milkboy Cafe in Ardmore with Lauren Hart and,
Liz Longley will be at Chaplin's Music Cafe in Spring City, PA along with Brittany Ann.


In addition, this weekend (Thursday 5/15/08-Sunday 5/18/08) is XPN's 4th Annual Camp Jam in the Pines, featuring Philly Local artist Nicole Reynolds among other fantastic musicians.


And remeber...this is by no means a comprehensive list of the Philly Local happenings this weekend, or what you'll hear this evening, so be sure to not only check out the concert calendar, but also tune in tonight from 9-10pm to hear some of the awesome tunes the Philadelphia music scene has to offer!

My Morning Download 5/13/08 - Ben Sollee

Born and raised in Kentucky, Ben Sollee is a singer/songwriter cellist whose debut album Learning To Bend is being released on June 10th on sonaBLAST! Records. The Louisville musician draws on a broad range of acoustic music on his debut and features a guest appearance from Bela Fleck. Sollee's voice is soulful and lilting and his songs are charming and unique - making for an excellent debut album.

Bury Me With My Car - Ben Sollee

Support for My Morning Download provided by Lourdes Health System

In Case You Missed My Morning Jacket on Saturday Night Live

My Morning Jacket were on Saturday Night Live this past weekend. In case you missed it...

MMJ - "I'm Amazed"



MMJ - "Evil Urges"

My Morning Download 5/12/08 - Rob Dickinson

Photo by Joe del Tufo

How much did we love Catherine Wheel back in the day? CW frontman Rob Dickinson is re-releasing Fresh Wine For The Horses Album on Fontana International on 6/10. The album includes 6 new versions of classic CW songs like "Crank," "Show Me Mary," and the now classic "Black Metallic" and also includes this new anthemic tune...

End Of The World - Rob Dickinson

Rob's myspace

Support for My Morning Download provided by Lourdes Health System