@ Milkboy Coffee 2/25/12


Marybeth D’Amico and Meghan Cary, regional songwriters presenting songs affirming the heavier issues of life, performed at Milkboy Coffee on Saturday 2/25 to a packed crowd braving the winter chill.  The great majority of attendees were there to see Meghan, who was released her new CD “Building This House”
Milkboy is a wide comfortable venue, with a good sized rectangle stage up front, soft lime-greenwall in back with watercolor paintings.  Lots of chairs and single-seat sofas plus a large sofa facing center stage, and cup holders for yer coffee (a supple, smooth chai in my case). I was positioned stage left with no view of the drumset for Meghan but otherwise a good comfy snigle seat.
Marybeth and I  chatted earlier in the musty basement that serves as the green room.  She’d want you to believe that she’s more of a pure journalist and writer or even ‘a dork’ (her words), than just a songwriter. Indeed, she works as a business journalist when she’s not focused on the craft of songwriting and performing.   Her music appears to touch upon the darkness within her life, along with parts of the dark sides in others. One outward subject she mentioned on stage was re  Kenny Richey, who was wrongfully convicted in 1986 for various felonies. The case was made an example of by Amnesty International.  Her songs are delivered with a minmum of anger, emotion and dash. preferring to let her stories deliver the messages.  She remarked feeling compelled to mention when she was to sing a ‘happy’ song.  She likened one song “Don’t Look Back” with an insistent three-chord groove all throughout, to “Don’t Fear The Reaper”, a classic rock staple by Blue Oyster Cult. Marybeth’s song style closely resembles that of another local indie songwriter, Sharon Goldman, differing in tone and mood for the most part.
   
The audience was very attentive hearing Marybeth; they’d become exuberant seeing Meghan Cary. It seems she brought a good deal of family and friends.  I found myself seated nearby her sister and a few young ones (who appeared to be hopped up on whatever was brewing). Meghan herself is also exuberant and rather down-to-earth, both on stage and off.  Her bandmates who perform with her in NYC, provided great chemistry, especially with her beau and multi-instrumentalist Peter Farrelll.  Pete was mainly on standard piano keyboard and a Hammond B3, and assisted with acoustic on one song.  Along with Meghan’s new CD “Building This House”, she brought some homemade red ‘house wine”, claiming that she doesn’t drink, but quickly sipping on one bottle (during the set she had a clear water bottle firmly attached to her mic stand). Like yours truly, she was based in NYC for a number of years, and now calls the Philly metro area home. The running joke of the night was her adhering to a set list, while her band seemed to have different songs in mind. Her band this evening included Jocko MacNelly on bass, and Quint Lange on drums. During the show she mentioned that 50% of sales of the new CD would go to Living Beyond Breast Cancer.  Her motivation in supporting this chartiy is the anniversary of the death of her former bassist’s wife Lori Meli. Lori’s story in part is told here 
    
More photos are in the latest Facebook gallery

Radio Crystal Blue 2/26/12 news


Radio Crystal Blue is sponsored in part by:
Ariel Publicity: http://www.arielpublicity.com
Miles High Productions http://www.mileshighproductions.com
Serge Entertainment Public Relations http://www.sergepr.com
Wampus Multimedia http://www.wampus.com

Radio Crystal Blue is free to share and listen, in accordance with Creative
Commons License 3.0, full attribution, non-derivative, non-commercial.
*************************************************************************
HOW TO LISTEN:
Feed Player at my home page of http://www.radiocrystalblue.net  It is active as apopup window. Within the page you can stream/share/download the audio. You can put the player up on your site or blog too.
If you cannot access the Feed Player or do not have Shockwave/Flash in your browser, try a different browser or go to http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu  This page contains a bona fide workable version of the Feed Player.
RSS: http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu/rss

This is the magic link to the popup player. It’s also at the home and archive tabs of my website  http://fp.bigcontact.com/fp/flash/fp/fp.swf?xmlurl=http%3A%2F%2Fbigcontact.com%2Fradiocrystalblu%2Frss&r=1&t=1001

CONTACT:
EMAIL: cblue456@comcast.net
personal FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/radiocblue
RCB FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=20805478312
RCB DISCUSSION FACEBOOK group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/273953255983866/
LINKEDIN: http://www.linkedin.com/danherman0
REVERBNATION: http://www.reverbnation.com/radiocrystalblue
VIDEO content: http://www.youtube.com/user/cblue456
TWITTER @radiocblue 854 followers
STAT BLOG: http://www.cblue456.tumblr.com
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NEXT SHOW will be published on or about February 29
You will hear music in several segments of top indie/DIY/underground songwriters and bands.
RCB Novus Ordo will also air separately. On this show I spin one song from as many as 8 songs in one sitting and give you background info  of each artist.
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Typing this week’s news while finalizing details of who will be aired on the next show. Should be a good deal of artists…as we come out of the Millenium Music Conference and Folk Alliance events, and head toward SXSW.  You might hear from artists playing SXSW, otherwise more in the next few weeks.  I am glad I had steered my airplay toward supporting artists whose music I have, spun right alongside those whom I target.
2 weeks ago I began to work as a reporting ‘station’ for Roots Music Report.  This organization has the definitive airplay chart featuring indie and mainstream artists in the Americana, Roots and other genres and subgenres. All the music that befits the airplay data is part of the master list.   Much more info at http://www.rootsmusicreport.com

Along the lines of roots and such, I have a question for you all (and those reading on facebook and via Twitter); what is your definition of folk? what is your definition of roots?  Here’s my two cents, one at a time:
FOLK is old-style journalism and editorializing.  Folk tells stories of what goes on down-home, across the hall or across picket fences to the neighbors. Folk comments on poliitics. Sometimes it even politicks.  Folks presents a sense of community, at once urban, rural, and metaphorical.  We can relate to the music. We can relate to the songwriter. It is our kin, our kinfolk, as it were.  Relatedness. Get it? Listen to storytellers in song like Danny Schmidt as a good example.
ROOTS music is about our yearning and search for one’s security, one’s roots, one’s place in one’s heart, one’s earth, one’s universe, as well as one’s community as with folk.  Roots takes us back in time; it doesn’t preach necessarily. There is a time warp, a reminder of days gone by, as you might have possibly remembered it, or even imagined it.  The first roots albums were in a comparative way, roots rock, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival’s take on rockabilly.  or Dylan’s ‘Blonde On Blonde’.  For an indie comparison, how about Kathleen Edwards, or Mark McKay?     And how do we explain Spuyten Duyvil, with those old-time instruments and a youthful spirit making songs fit for the urban landscape?  Or The Defibulators, who go steps further and brand something totally their own?
These 2 categories are highly subjective.   What are your definitions of these genres?

I’m typing this while preparing interview questions for Marybeth D’Amico. She is the opening act for Meghan Cary at Milkboy Coffee tomorrow night in Ardmore, PA.   Meghan is a client of RCB sponsor Ariel Publicity.   I think Marybeth and I met years ago in NYC and kept in sporadic touch over the years while she was in Germany.  Already you’ve heard music from her latest effort “The Light Inside”.  Now it’s my chance to see both Meghan and Marybeth. I’ll provide some photos and some video from both sets.

I’ve not yet received approval of my inteview of Lisa Biales. Once I do, itwill appear at my field recording FeedPlayer:  http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalbluefield

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TWITTER FIVE TO FOLLOW:  @great_unknowns @FinleyandPagdon @ulachi @AndyHermannLA @ThisWayBand

*****************************************************
COVERAGE:
I do audio interviews, photos, video, and audio of live events.  You can see and hear evidence across my Facebook and YouTube channels, plus the field recording FeedPlayer.Time, location and expense will be taken into account before taking on a job.
Currently I’m attending one show (see above) on 2/25 in Ardmore.   Then: 3/7 at The Tin Angel back here in Philly.
********************************************************************
RCB REVIEW:
On RCB Novus Ordo: One Alternative is a long-term, long-running musical project started by an oboeist and 2 guitarists. Essentially the project combines classical music, jazz, folk and other styles, and is purely instrumental.  Wampus Multimedia client Johnny J. Blair returns with a new album. I spun an updated and electrified version of the title track “I Like The Street”.  You’ve heard me cite Song Dogs & The Nightjar before; the local classic rock band gets their RCB debut here. Sarah Bowman (sister of Claire) returns to my airwaves with a new disc. I gave you a holiday tune from Gina Forsyth (re Mardi Gras Day);
RCB proper:  A few weeks ago I received a CD from Canada from the electronica group Forces Of Nature; the band is on a label by uber-DJ Clare Large. The music is deep house, some breakbeat and chill sounds alongsides.  The music is quite up my alley, and one track, “Statis” served as the opening music for my show.  Segment 1 went from organic songs (Aurical, The Symbols)  to depressing songs (Fellaheen, The K’s).  Dylan Connor’s new CD on Greta Gertler’s label (Goldfish Prize) is the fulcrum here. Dylan perorms ‘release’ shows in NYC, Philly and DC in the immediate future.  That electronic track before Dylan’s is also his; it sounds like an excerpt from a child’s first computer game.  Segment 2: includes another from the new album by My Pet Dragon, they share billing with NYC/Ireland’s Stand on 3/10 at The Saint in Asbury Park NJ. I spun both artists back-to-back.  Songs hinting and implying endings alongside beginnings colored Segment 3.  Shane Cooley & Rosa Wallace are both performing on 3/8 at The Rogue Bar in Scottsdale AZ.  2 Philly artists heard back-to-back, Carsie Blanton (listen for Rob Hyman on the organ on her song “Together Too Long”), and Ryan Tennis (who continues his Clubhouse (house) Concert series here in South Philly.    Segment 4 gave us female archetypes who’ve had it ‘up to here’ (Kellylee Evans, Shanna Underwood, Lara Ewen).

AIRPLAY SUBMISSION:
Send CDs to
Dan Herman
Radio Crystal Blue
1701 Snyder Avenue, #4
Philadelphia, PA 19145
CDs MUST have a 2012 release date or have been released no earlier than April 2011..

I also accept EPKs through these companies. For EPK submissions I select artists on their body of work and the completeness of the press kit
SONICBIDS: http://www.sonicbids.com/radiocrystalblue
MusicSUBMIT: http://www.musicsubmit.com.
(For those in Australia) GIG LAUNCH: http://www.giglaunch.com.au
All you have to do is a search on these sites for Radio Crystal Blue.

Any compelling compilation/concept CDs can also be sent here directly. I’m seeking material that can be featured, song-for-song, in my CD FOCUS segments.
*********
namaste

Dan Herman
Radio Crystal Blue
http://www.radiocrystalblue.net
http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
cblue456@comcast.net
@radiocblue on twitter
215 995 2234

Radio Crystal Blue 2/19/12 audio and links


Radio Crystal Blue: Novus Ordo  spotlights CDs that are debuting on my standard freeform radio program, Radio Crystal Blue. The show exists as a weekly podcast.Listen here:
(1) The FeedPlayer on my home page (visible with Flash-supported browsers) http://www.radiocrystalblue.net and available to stream/download/share.  Click the pop-up linlk at the ‘home’ tab.
(2) If you cannot view the FeedPlayer, try a different browser, or get Flash, or try my podcast provider at http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
(3) mp3:  https://radiocrystalblue.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/rcbnew021912.mp3

(4) RSS: http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu/rssThis show was distributed on 2/22

One Alternative “You’ve Had Enough Air” (live bonus track) – Air Sculpture CD www.onealternative.com
Johnny J. Blair “I Like The Street” – I Like The Street CD www.johnnyjblair.com
Song Dogs And The Nightjar “The Way” – s/t CD www.songdogsandthenightjar.com
Sarah Bowman “Out In The Weather” – Empty Houses CD www.sarahbowmanmusic.com
Gina Forsyth “What I Did On Mardi Gras Day” – Promised Land CD www.ginaforsyth.com
Adam Gilbert “Steady As We Go”- A Generation Of Forgotten Kings CD www.adamgilbertmusic.com
Fang-i Liu “Stupid Questions” – Confessions CD www.fangiliu.com

Running time: 1 hour, 4 minutes
—————————————————————–
All content of Radio Crystal Blue’s programming is free to listen and share to via a Creative Commons License, version 3.0, full attribution, non-derivative. For more info: http://www.creativecommons.org
Here’s Radio Crystal Blue proper:
Radio Crystal Blue is my long-running standard freeform radio program. The
show exists as a weekly podcast.
Listen here:
(1) The FeedPlayer on my home page (visible with Flash-supported browsers)
www.radiocrystalblue.net and available to stream/download/share.  Click the
pop-up linlk at the ‘home’ tab.
(2) If you cannot view the FeedPlayer, try a different browser, or get
Flash, or try my podcast provider at www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
(3) .mp3:
https://radiocrystalblue.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/rcblive021912.mp3
(4) RSS: www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu/rssThis show was distributed on 2/22/12
Artists with shared gigs in the near future are noted with * & **

Opening music: Forces Of Nature “Stasis” – Journeys In Time And Space CD www.intelligentaudio.net

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The Symbols “Ephemeral’ – s/t EP www.thesymbols.net
Aurical “Work Song” – Something to Say CD www.auricalmusic.com
Fellaheen “Burn the House Down” – Death & Frolic CD www.fellaheen.com
Dylan Connor “Pacific Coasts Ghosts” – Primitive Times CD www.dyanconnor.com
The K’s “The Great Depression” – Red Numbers Rising Faster CD www.theksband.blogspot.com
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Sirsy “Leftover Girl (live from Revolution Hall, Troy, NY) – BYOB CD www.sirsy.com
Emily Zuzik Band “Outside” – The Wild Joys Of Living CD www.emilyzuzik.com
*My Pet Dragon “Lover In Hiding” – Mountains and Cities CD www.mypetdragon.net
*Stand “Love Will Never Creep In” – 100,000 Ways To Harvest Hope CD www.standland.com
Bound By Substance “Wail” – Dead Wrong EP www.boundbysubstance.com
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Sarah Rabdau & Self-Employed Assassins “Queen Of The Castle” – s/t CD www.sarahrabdau.com
*Shane Cooley “The Alamo: – West Land CD www.shanecooleymusic.com
*Rosa Wallace “All Fall Down” – Space To Be Free EP www.rosawallacemusic.com
Carsie Blanton “Together Too Long” – Idiot Heart CD www.carsieblanton.com
Ryan Tennis “Wake Me Up” – Goodbye To The Ground CD www.ryantennismusic.com
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Kellylee Evans “Good Girl” – The Good Girl CD www.kellyleeevans.com
Shanna Underwood ‘Venus Burns” – Fieldnotes From A Caravan CD www.reverbnation.com/shannaunderwood
Lara Ewen & The Unstrung Orchestra “Turning Blue” – Ghosts & Gasoline Cd www.unstrungmusic.com
Danielle Miraglia “See The Light’ – Box of Troubles CD www.daniellem.com
Joe Iadanza “Sunshine Blues” – Traveling Salesman CD www.joeiadanza.com
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Closing music: Robert Sadin “Comment” – Art Of Love: Music Of Machaut CD
Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes
—————————————————————–
All content of Radio Crystal Blue’s programming is free to listen and share
to via a Creative Commons License, version 3.0, full attribution,
non-derivative. For more info: www.creativecommons.orgNext show will be recorded and distributed in the week of 2/26/12

namaste
———————————————————————

Dan Herman/Radio Crystal Blue:
cblue456@comcast.net
2159952234
www.radiocrystalblue.net
www.facebook.com/radiocblue
twitter:  @radiocblue

Radio Crystal Blue 2/19/12 news


Radio Crystal Blue is sponsored in part by:
Ariel Publicity: http://www.arielpublicity.com
Miles High Productions http://www.mileshighproductions.com
Serge Entertainment Public Relations http://www.sergepr.com
Wampus Multimedia http://www.wampus.com

Radio Crystal Blue is free to share and listen, in accordance with Creative
Commons License 3.0, full attribution, non-derivative, non-commercial.
*************************************************************************
HOW TO LISTEN:
Feed Player at my home page of http://www.radiocrystalblue.net  It is active as apopup window. Within the page you can stream/share/download the audio. You can put the player up on your site or blog too.
If you cannot access the Feed Player or do not have Shockwave/Flash in your browser, try a different browser or go to http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu  This page contains a bona fide workable version of the Feed Player.
RSS: http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu/rss

This is the magic link to the popup player. i haven’t tried it but it’s how it’s linked on my site. Let me know if it’s not working…
http://fp.bigcontact.com/fp/flash/fp/fp.swf?xmlurl=http%3A%2F%2Fbigcontact.com%2Fradiocrystalblu%2Frss&r=1&t=1001

CONTACT:
EMAIL: cblue456@comcast.net
personal FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/radiocblue
RCB FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=20805478312
RCB DISCUSSION FACEBOOK group
http://www.facebook.com/groups/273953255983866/
LINKEDIN: http://www.linkedin.com/danherman0
REVERBNATION: http://www.reverbnation.com/radiocrystalblue
VIDEO content: http://www.youtube.com/user/cblue456 (updated)
TWITTER @radiocblue 846 followers
STAT BLOG: http://www.cblue456.tumblr.com
************************************************
NEXT SHOW will be published on or about February 22.
You will hear music in several segments of top indie/DIY/underground songwriters and bands, and also::
RCB Novus Ordo returned this week. This show is one where I spin one song from as many as 8 songs in one sitting and give you background of each artist.
**********************************************************************************
Hi all! (You too, Bueller.)  What’s new?  For me, diet is better and I’m getting back to some old patterns and changing out what doesn’t work.  Radio work is just fine as I continue to field inquiries from many folks across North America and a bit from Europe.  The other day I received requested material in the form of chill/breakbeat/deep house from the UK. It will likely make for background/intro/outro music for the show. Yes, tho I don’t spin this genre in the rotation, I do like my share of electronica. Years ago, I used music from The Orb for such times.  Maybe it’s time to trot it out again .
Next week I’ll be at Milkboy Coffee in Ardmore for the first time. This will be my third attempt at attending, as my bod just didn’t have it in me to travel long distance. Now I’m a lot better and looking forward to seeing two songwriters: Meghan Cary, who’s releasing a new CD, and Marybeth D’Amico, who returns to her PA/NJ/NY roots after being in Germany for a number of years.  I plan to interview Marybeth prior to the event.
I did feel healthy enough to attend Sine Studios‘ first invite-only public event, featuring Lisa Biales, and Ronstadt Generations.  I also attended an acoustic showcase hosted by James Hearne at Lickety Split on South Street.

I have a full blog post on my website about both event, so point thy browser this way:

@ Sine Studios and Lickety Split, Philly, 2/15/12

PHOTOS of both events at my latest Facebook gallery:

VIDEO of Lisa Biales here:

The audio from my interview with Lisa will surface once it’s approved for publishing.  Any approved audio will appear at my field recording FeedPlayer:
http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalbluefield

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TWITTER FIVE TO FOLLOW: @bigbusdream @MakeItLouder @ofVerona @RootsForRobyn @TheGrapeRoom
*****************************************************
COVERAGE:
I do audio interviews, photos, video, and audio of live events.  You can see and hear evidence across my Facebook and YouTube channels, plus the field recording FeedPlayer.Time, location and expense will be taken into account before taking on a job.
Currently I’m attending one show (see above) on 2/25 in Ardmore.  Blank slate otherwise!
********************************************************************
RCB REVIEW:
On RCB Novus Ordo: Two bands that I saw the last time I visited the now-closed Tritone were North Lawrence Midnight Singers, and Shane Dodd. Both headed the airplay on this program.  Justin James returns to my airwaves. He splits time between various Caribbean points-of-call, and sunny places on the road in the US.  Meg Braun also returns with a new album, produced by Tom Prasada-Rao. The song is inspired by Joan Didion’s book ‘The Year Of Magical Thinking”.

RCB proper:  Relatively short show, this one was. Andrew McKnight & Mark McKay share a bill on 2/26 for a songwriters festival in Frederick, MD. I spun social commentary songs of theirs that kinda rocked.      The young sisters von Grey from Georgia get second airing of their music.    More recently released music from Fallen Riviera and instrumental band A Ghost Like Me are heard in segment 2.   Finished the run of songs from the Vermont compilation CD. Thanks publicly go to Glory Reinstein & Bluebird Promotions and Maletts Bay Records for the opportunity to spin all the music from the disc.   Honor Finnegan heard for a second oonsecutive show the uke diva shared billing with Carolann Solebello on 2/15.  Any segue involving Benyaro is a darn good one. They’re preparing a covers album, and a disc of original ones to follow that for 2013.  I almost forgot they’re based in WY now.  They were in NYC for a number of years.   Spuyten Duyvil and Kath Buckell were on a bill 2/16 in Piermont, NY. Spuyten Duyvil’s tune is a traditional one, while Kath’s is one about an Australian herder, or ‘drover’.    You’ll be hearing a lot more from Kath and Honor in weeks to come.     Looking ahead to Fat Tuesday, spun one from Tom PrincipatoMarybeth D’Amico makes a return to the Philadelphia area next week; I spun a wintry tune from her recently released CD.
AIRPLAY SUBMISSION:
Send CDs to
Dan Herman
Radio Crystal Blue
1701 Snyder Avenue, #4
Philadelphia, PA 19145
CDs MUST have a 2012 release date or have been released no earlier than April 2011..

I also accept EPKs through these companies. For EPK submissions I select artists on their body of work and the completeness of the press kit
SONICBIDS: http://www.sonicbids.com/radiocrystalblue
MusicSUBMIT: http://www.musicsubmit.com.
(For those in Australia) GIG LAUNCH: http://www.giglaunch.com.au
All you have to do is a search on these sites for Radio Crystal Blue.
*********
namaste

Dan Herman
Radio Crystal Blue
http://www.radiocrystalblue.net
http://www.bigcontact.com/radiocrystalblu
cblue456@comcast.net
@radiocblue on twitter
215 995 2234