We throw more content up on this here rag than two asshats with demanding day jobs probably should, so we’re guessing you’ve missed some goodies here and there. So as
As we noted in this morning’s Hors d’Oeuvres, members of Arcade Fire joined The Boss on stage in Ottawa last night. The fortified E Street Band ran though its first
Assembly of Dust returned home from its most recent tour and found itself answering questions virtually no folk-infused rock band has had to answer. The buzz surrounding the eight-show run with JJ Grey & MOFRO wasn’t necessarily about the quality of the music or the sad frequency of collaborations, but rather the bizarre backstage skirmish that followed the band’s gig at The Roxy in Boston.
Photo by Adam Kaufman
If you’re picturing frontman Reid Genauer standing over the Roxy’s manager like Muhammed Ali triumphantly towering over Sonny Liston, repeating “That’s folkin’ rock, motherfucker, that’s the taste of singer-songwriter fists of fury” over and over, then, well, you’re probably alone. So for the real story, and for much more from the tour and beyond, Genauer and I both took some time from our day jobs to discuss Assembly of Dust’s mini-tour with JJ Grey & MOFRO.
The reported ‘fight’ was only a small part of the story, and in the course of a half-hour we discussed some more pertinent topics, including but not limited to Radiohead’s label-less album, the reunion of the original members of Strangefolk at their tour manager’s recent wedding, the experience of an asskicking in business school, the joy of fatherhood, the awesomeness of chick books and much more. It’s unabridged, so make yourself comfortable, but it’s a great read…
Over the past 10 years there’s been a steady migration of New York-based musicians and venues from Manhattan to Brooklyn. Subsequent to that trend, recording studios and rehearsal spaces are headed southbound as well. Enter Rough Magic Studios, a five-room studio and rehearsal space in Greenpoint.
Rough Magic is catching the attention of many acts with its musician-friendly vibe, laid-back atmosphere and professional staff. Albert Cohen, a partner in the studio, explains why bands appreciate it: “We’re not just trying to bring in people to make money; we really want people to feel comfortable in our space.”
Their client list reads like a who’s who of some top bands from the area. So far members of Soulive, American Babies, Beirut, and many others have recorded at the studio. Cohen explains how Soulive became a regular client: “We brought them in for a session, and they said it’s a really comfortable place and the vibe is good. So much so that now they rent from us.”
Recently Brad Barr and Sonya Kitchell stopped by Rough Magic to record a track. Barr is a founding member of The Slip, and Kitchell is an 18-year-old singer/songwriter who is currently on tour with Herbie Hancock. Brad Barr was kind enough to share some thoughts with us about recording with Kitchell at Rough Magic, other projects he’s currently working on and more. Read on…
Recently we told you about the mindblowing new album from Bill Frisell’s Floratone project. Wanna make it better from your momma’s basement? Aspiring musicians can now put together their own take on the tracks by participating in Acidplanet and Blue Note’s Floratone remix contest. Blue Note has provided the tracks, you supply the magic. The winner will receive a prize package that includes a Playstation portable and tons of audio software. Go play.
And congratulations to RowJimmy for winning our giveway, because I’d kill a man to see Frisell play with ?uestlove, Christian McBride and McCoy Tyner.
And as always on Mondays, read on after the jump for a full slate of setlists and downloadable torrents from this weekend’s shows from around the world…
Photos by Christian James Kawalek of Dave Matthews Band performing at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on August 20th, 2007.
