Bern & the Brights stream new song "Irish Boys"

Bern & the Brights have shared their new song "Irish Boys" on their website. Take a listen here: http://www.bernandthebrights.com We have a few copies of their first 7'' Starchild available at our newly launched store www.starbeatmusic.storenvy.com


Upcoming Shows:

6/15 | 9PM | Tierney's Tavern w/Defending Champions/Kiwi/Old Wives | Montclair, NJ

6/19 | 8PM | Bowery Electric w/Plastiq Passion/Ruby on the Vine | NYC

6/22 | 11PM | Rockwood Music Hall | NYC

Paper Thick Walls bring their indie-folk songs to Brooklyn on Feb. 15

Chicago's Paper Thick Walls is making its way Williamsburg, Brooklyn's Spike Hill on Feb. 15 to charm you with their indie-folk songs. The dual vocals of Eric and Kate caress back and fourth with the orchestral tones of their music for a magical and pleasant sound. The band's use of piano, upright bass, fiddle, mandolin, and trumpet is beautiful. With Runaway Dorothy and Tin Ryans. More info here: http://www.spikehillmusic.com/event/91207/

Here's a video for their song “Orange Tree” directed by Kevin Pickman and Stefeni Tormanen

Orange Tree from Paper Thick Walls on http://vimeo.com">Vimeo.

Stephanie Carlin to bring folk-jazz sound to Cornelia Street Cafe 8/14

Amy Klein: folk/ rock musician, feminist, & writer releases new album

For Day 4 of our Women's History Month homage to artists and bands, I present you Amy Klein. A musician, writer, friend, feminist, and all around beautiful being, Amy is a true inspiration. I first meet  her in April 2010 outside of Maxwell's after seeing Los Campesinos and just before Titus Andronicus was loading into the venue to play a night show. She spent several minutes talking with me and was quite nice. Amy just self-released a digital solo album of folk tunes. 

There's the rock and punk side of Amy Klein that comes in the form of Titus Andronicus and Hilly Eye and then there's the folk side of Amy Klein that comes in the form of Solanin. Then there's the folk and psychedelic rock side of Amy Klein that comes in the form a new solo release called, I Know What You Want. Her songs simply put are pleasant, poised, and pretty. With this release Amy gets more musically involved, stretching her playing to include not just guitar, but piano, organ, and percussion, which I was told from her includes tambourine playing. Accompanying her on drums is Nick Shuminsky of Free Energy, a band she toured with in Titus Andronicus' last summer. The lovely sounds coupled with the natural imagery of the lyrics make it easy to get lost in the music.She cites influences like Joanna Newsom, Stevie Nicks, and Nick Drack, but I'm not familiar with these musicians. I can only compare her music to what I know and what I've heard. And though this may be odd to compare a self-described folk artist to a Celtic artist I will say that Amy's music reminds me of Loreena McKennitt. The comparison is mostly in the vocals and how calm and happy I feel after listening to the music. Amy Klein has a strong, delicate, and controlled voice that  is quite a surprise if you know her vocals from Titus Andronicus and Hilly Eye. I'm happy to say that I know this wonderful musician. A personal friend and fellow group member and founder of feminist group Permanent Wave, Amy is a true inspiration and I recommend checking out her awesome writings and posts here and familiarizing yourself with her musical work. On her blog she writes about her tour experiences with Titus Andronicus, thoughts on feminism, provides links to articles that touch on the human experience, and keeps you up-to-date on her music. One piece she wrote, which I found insightful and in-depth was on the Japanese punk band The Suzan, who play Santos Party House this coming Monday. Read it here. She writes about her own album here. I hope you enjoy.

Listen to Amy Klein here: http://amyklein.bandcamp.com/
Listen to Solanin here: http://solanin.bandcamp.com/
Listen to Hilly Eye here: http://hillyeye.bandcamp.com/
Listen to Titus Andronicus here: http://titusandronicus.net/videos

Chicago's Dastardly release Americana/folk goodness on 'May You Never...'

Dastardly- May You Never...

Folk/American/Indie

Chicago, IL

Unsigned 

Recommended for fans of Murder by Death, Roy Orbison, Andrew Jackson Jihad, River City Extention

There are bands that have boldly stepped to heights that surpass the simple "rock" label. Such is the case with Chicago's Dastardly who have a nice indie-folk/Americana sound. The band is composed of six key players who together craft 7 hardy and heartlfelt songs. The group features acoustic guitar, accordian, mandolin, banjo, and harmonica, making for a diverse musical listen. The album is spruced with upbeat, folky numbers, and slower crooning tunes. 

"When did I become such a cliche. I'm so ashamed. I've gone ashtray from where I began." - from "Traffic"

Amy Bezunartea released new album, played The Living Room (pics)

Amy Bezunartea @ The Living Room 11-3-10

Amy Bezunartea released her first solo album this past Tuesday on Kiam Records. The album Restaurants and Bars is an interesting themed album about being away from the ones you love, working too much, having trouble falling asleep, and also gives some astute observations. As a waitress, she found a common theme and source of inspiration for her songs, though not all songs are about restaurants and bars. She performed the entire album at The Living Room on Nov. 3. The album is personal, delicate, pretty. You can hear guitar, harmonica, banjo, and piano. It's folk at its loveliest. Some songs are sad, others upbeat, but overall, the album is laced together nicely.

The highlight of the night was hearing "Rope," the last song on the album. Amy performs acoustically with a harmonica and has a banjo player who also sings back-up harmonies. "People die young and younger it seems. Guys like you, girls like me/You are ok when I like you, I like you, and hold you tight, as a rope in the sky, and I never say sorry just think it to myself and laugh it off like it's funny." Afterwards, folks enjoyed a cake with the artwork for Restaurants and Bars. It was tasty. Thanks! And that was the end to a great record release!

Grab the album here.

River City Extension to play CMJ w/ Kevin Devine, Voodoo Music Festival

River City Extension is an indie-folk rock band from Toms River, NJ. Their brand of music is touching, honest, and heartfelt. They are a band with a sense of musical craft. Their sound is best described as orchestral with elements of punk, country, folk, and world music. Their songs are filled with piano, cello, trumpet, and djembe (a type of hand drum), plus vocals from 4 members. Their sound is charming, sensual, energetic. In this regard the band standout. Their music is so full and driving. It's not boring and this band is a sure keeper.

Their latest release The Unmistakable Man takes you on a musical journey that will carry you to another world. Fans of such acts like The Avett Brothers, Mumford and Son, Murder by Death, Man Man, and Spoon will find River City Extension similarly good. If someone outside New Jersey tells me what bands from the area they should check out, one of the first I'd list is River City Exntesion.

They performs at the CMJ Music Marathon with Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band, Miniature Tigers, Death on Two Wheels, and Oh Land at Music Hall of Williamsburg on Oct. 19th. More info here. They'll also play Voodoo Music Festival on Oct. 30 on the main stage with Ozzy Osbourne and Cage the Elephant.

The Acorn playing NJ, NYC shows

Photo Credit: Jeff Garneau 

There's so much good folk rock out there. Another band to add to the mix is Acorn, an Ottawa based band who have a charming sound that recalls Tallest Man on Earth, Bright Eyes, and The Swell Season. The vocals are crisp, near perfect, grabbing. A voice you want to hear. The music--pretty, soft, yet dynamic. They release a new album on Sept. 7 called No Ghost. The album is already available digitally. 

The band have been touring around the world for the past two years behind their concept album, Glory Hope Mountain, about front man Rolf Klausener's mother and her life story, and retreated to an isolated cottage in northern Quebec earlier this year to work on No Ghost.

Acorn Tour Dates:
Tues. July 13 @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ w/ Communipaw
(9pm, $10, All Ages) Advance Tickets.
Wed. July 14 @ Mercury Lounge, New York, NY w/The Loom
(7:30pm, $10, 21+ ) Advance Tickets.
Thurs. July 15 @ Littlefield, Brooklyn, NY w/ Ola Podrida, Takka Takka (8pm, $10, 21+) Advance Tickets.

Tall Tall Trees Upcoming May Shows (2 NYC)

Tall Tall Trees, a folk rock band from NYC, has a few shows scheduled for this month. The band's banjo driven sound comes together in lovely fashion.

The band is performing at Shambhala Center (118 West 22nd Street) on May 15th at 8pm  Tickets are $10 and available at 212-675-6544. Then on May 26th they play a free show at Bryant Park (Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street). 6pm.

Using a similar formula to fellow New Yorkers Vampire Weekend and Dirty Projectors, Tall Tall Trees mix American folk and rock with elements of Brazilian and African music, providing rhythmic support to Savino's melodically and lyrically twisted tunes.  Live, the band is energetic and masterful, reflecting years spent collaborating with a  diverse roster of artists including Moby, Yo Yo Ma, and Vieux Farka Toure. Their friendship and musical chemistry is evident on stage which allows them the opportunity to re-invent songs night after night.

Defiance, Ohio annouce new album details + free song

DOWNLOAD: Defiance, Ohio - Hairpool

Bloomington's folk-punk 6-piece Defiance, Ohio have announced a July 6 release date for their new album, Midwestern Minutes. It will feature 11 songs. It was recorded and mixed March and April 2010 by Mike Bridavsky at Russian Recordings in Bloomington, IN. The tracklisting is here. According to bassist and vocalist Ryan Woods, the release will feature more piano and Wurlitzer, plus upright bass on some songs.

River City Extension releasing new album May 11, announce 2 NJ record release shows

River City Extension, a 9-piece folk influenced band with punk and rock flavor from Toms River, NJ will release their new album The Unmistakable Man on May 11th on XOXO Records. In celebration, the band is performing two record release shows, one before and one after the release. The first is May 7th at Asbury Lanes in Asbury with Brick and Mortar, Foxes and Lions, and The Roadside Graves. The second is at Maxwell's in Hoboken with Erik Petersen and Yula and the Extended Family.

Hosannas (from Portland) playing NYC this week

Hosannas (formerly known as Church) is bringing their brand of weird, spacey folk rock from Portland to NYC this week. The band is in town for two area dates. This Wednesday they're at Cake Shop in Manhattan with Mixel Pixel, Hermit Thurshes and Unicornicopia. $7 at the door. 9pm. 21+. Then April 22 at Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn with Nude Beach, Supergoose, Hair Rocket, Bananas Symphony, and Hermit Thrushes, Doomstar!. $8. 7:30pm. 21+. 

They are set to release a new album called Then and Now and Then, which included the band's first two EP's plus some unreleased material on May 11th. 

Roadside Graves release EP, playing Piano's on Saturday + Tour Dates

Metuchen, NJ based indie/folk band The Roadside Graves is celebrating the release of their EP You Won't Be Happy With Me this Saturday. The band is performing a record release show at the intimate Piano's on the lovely Ludlow street strip. Also performing is The Laureates, Common Prayer, Blair, and Dusty and the Dreaming Spires (from the UK). The show is presented by Truck American Festival and Aquarium Drunkard. Tickets are $10 and the first band is on at 8pm.  21+. Details here. The band features violin, piano, and mellotron among other instruments.

Purchase EP. 

Album Review: Franz Nicolay - St. Sebastian of the Short Stage (10'')

Franz Nicolay, St. Sebastian of the Short Stage
New York, NY
Team Science 

For fans of: Folk, Rock, The Hold Steady, Tom Waits

Franz Nicolay is a man of the music. He's a multi-instrumentalist, whose involved himself in understanding the craft of the music and all aspects of production throughout his career with World/Inferno Friendship Society and the Hold Steady and currently  Guignol and his solo career plus music with Major General. He works to make music that's interesting with his brand of folk that encompasses stories of his life, heard through piano, accordion, and harmonica, just to name a few. On Mr. Nicolay's latest release, a 10-inch 4-song EP, he's exploring the emotional depths of his music, really taking it to lighter heights but kicking it off with a feel good cover song.

Mal Blum Interview, Tour Dates, and Music Video

Story By Star Beat 

Mal Blum is a quirky singer-songwriter who mixes the sweet with the serious. The guitar and ukulele songwriter from White Plains, New York also performs with Simon Littlejohn on harmonica, banjo, and keyboard. Her song “Ode to kulele” has gotten over 10, 000 views on YouTube and has received play on LOGO. Currently, she's writing her next full-length album and gearing up for a few east coast dates with Melissa Ferrick. We spoke with Mal about her new interest with piano, how to feel comfortable when writing about serious topics, opening for Kimya Dawson, and her upcoming tour.

Now 21, Mal has been playing music since she was a teenager and performing since 15. While her main instrument is acoustic guitar she recently started playing piano last summer. She plans on recording a song or two on piano for her upcoming album.

“It's really different for me,” she says. “I'm not as comfortable with piano at all, but it's definitely sort of a different direction. I also play the ukulele which is silly but I think it's really fun.”

Mal's songs are very heartfelt and sweet, but there's also serious songs about drugs and surgery infused in the music.

“For a long time I sort of hide or layered the serious content of whatever songs I was writing, with this funny, jokey edge, in order to make it easier to deliver to people,” she says. “Not because I thought it would be received better but because I felt less vulnerable. It was funny because I think half of the time people got it and half the time people didn't get it. Sometimes people would be like, 'you're really funny, you're hilarious' and some people would be like, 'that was such a sad song.' I think as I'm getting older it's getting a lot easier to sort of take away from the humor and just be like this is what I'm really talking about.”

There are common themes throughout her music like love, romantic interest, waiting, and food, she says. Some songs are witty and cute.

“If you're always singing about love, it gets a little old, so I think it's good to change it up but I also think you can't force whatever it is you're writing about.”

In the works is two videos for “My Name Is Earthworm” from her latest full-length Goodnight Sugarpop. One will be an animated video and the other is more of a film short directed by Ballard C. Boyd who also directed “Ode to kulele.” It's expected out by Spring.

Mal's had the chance to open for acts like Melissa Ferrick, Kimya Dawson, Amanda Palmer, and Hamell of Trial.

Here Mal tells us about two standout moments in her career.

She also speaks about getting compared to Kimya Dawson.

“I love Kimya Dawson. I think she's great, but I think it's inaccurate [to compare us]. I think people like to lump people into categories which don't necessarily reflect the music that they actually play.”

The two fit into the “anti-folk” genre but the comparisons might be easy to make. I think it's more appropriate to say that fans of Kimya Dawson, or even Paul Baribeau, Hop Along, or Emilyn Brodsky would enjoy Mal. That doesn't necessarily mean there's a huge comparison., maybe to you there might. Just listen for yourself.

In February, Mal has a few shows with Melissa Ferrick. Last year she played some dates with Ferrick and it went well so she got invited for some local dates this year.

“I'm excited to be touring with somebody who I completely respect and knows so much more than me, and is also really a nice person,” Mal says. “Her shows are really good and she's just a magical performer. I like everything about touring with her.”

The tour will hit up locally at Maxwell's in Hoboken on Feb. 12 and The Bell House in Brooklyn on Feb. 13. She also recently recorded some songs at Melissa Ferrick's studio in Massachusetts. You can join her mailing list here (see right side of screen). 

Mal Blum Tour Dates:

w/ Melissa Ferrick
Feb. 6 @ Driftwood Folk Cafe, Plymouth, MA
Feb. 11 @ Sellersville Theatre, Sellersville, PA
Feb. 12 @ Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ
Feb. 13 @ The Bell House, Brooklyn, NY

w/ Brittan Shoup
Feb. 24 @ Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, NY