Tag Archives: Song Dogs & The Nightjar

@ Legendary Dobbs 3/22/12


It was my first time to see acts play the 2nd floor of the Legendary Dobbs. It’s a modest room, new brick, a series of soft chairs lining one half of the room. A nice wide stage to hold maybe 7 comfortably. Opening act was Derrick, who performed solo acoustic. He has an insistent fingerpicking style, looking very much an artist of confidence and ease.  “I hadn’t picked up a guitar in a while, so I won’t be doing all the fancy stuff I normally do”.  Derrick fronts a local ‘suburban hip-hop’ act, akin to the Beastie Boys. Tonight there was no hip-hop; more like choice covers of standards along with a few originals, a handful of vocals.  He did a medley of songs with some easy guitar chords.  “All you need is the right chord progression…there’s the G, the D, the C…then you can take over the world” before he launched into some Beatles songs.    Derrick’s band I couldn’t find reference of on the Web…he wrote it on one of my business cards but I might have actually given that card out already. It happens.
 

I ordered a Stone IPA at the upstairs.  6.9% alcohol, quite woody, definitely not a lightweight.  I looked at the monitor displaying the main-stage action. It looked like a hard rock band, a 5-piece, including an electric violin. I stole away to check the band out in person.
The band is Just A Memory, from Syracuse.  They definitely have a symphonic-rock sort of sound, and truly alternative in sound and appearance. Lead singer is Joey DiMaggio, and the violinist is Leila Dean. She is the  wife of the frontman, Kevin Dean in Brand New Sin; the band was borrowing Brand New Sin‘s large van for the drive down from Syracuse.  This was their debut gig in the Illadelph. They’ll certainly be back, probably in 8-10 weeks, according to Leila. Also, timewise, they had about 20 minutes to load in, plug in and start their set. They play a two-night stand at one of the hotels in Atlantic City this weekend before heading back north.
   

Back up north I went to the 2nd floor, in time to see Song Dogs and The Nightjar .Tonight they were a 4-piece; Miriama O’Brien, their percussionist had given  birth to 8-lb. Uma Theresa O’Brien on Wednesday.  The band showed off great guitar chops and shared vocal duties in the 90-minute set. One song referenced lead singer Ryan McCloskey’s hometown school in “Buffalo Crossroads”. Another song told a rather dark story called “Holy Ghost And Run”.   This was one of the first gigs with a new drummer, Dan Cooper.  The band keeps their on-stage stance simple for the most part, leaving the majority of the flashy stuff to lead guitarist/harmonica Michael Southerton (he was on harmonica for one song as well).  One of their staples is the Neil Young/Crazy Horse cover “Cortez The Killer”.  They also covered “When The Levee Breaks” (Led Zep, of course). Their sound can be filed as being faithful to classic rock as well as a modern spin on roots rock. I’d love to see them on a bigger stage, with more room to rock and roll to. They had played such a place, North Star Bar, earlier in March.  Upcoming shows for them include NYC’s Trash Bar, along with local shows at The Grape Room and Kung Fu Necktie.
      
Among those in the audience were Janet Bressler, lead vocalist for ‘psycho-Celtic’ rock band Sylvia Platypus. They will be at The Grape Room on 4/19.

Lots more photos at the latest Facebook gallery:

VIDEO of Song Dogs & The Nightjar

Radio Crystal Blue 2/26/12 news


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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

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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.
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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
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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.
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namaste

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

@ The Grape Room 2/10/12


Midwinter’s chill didn’t hold back many folks from attending The Grape Room on Friday night.  There was a decent breeze in the night air with rain just changing over to snow. Lovely if you’re a driver. Me, I take the bus.  The bus I get goes from Center City down Ridge Avenue, about 30 minutes to beautiful downtown upper-class Manayunk.  Train is quicker but also more expensive.  I risked some time in getting to the first stop at the bus and missed it…and had to endure a 45 minute wait. Basically one bus totally blew off the schedule and didn’t arrive while the 2nd one did very shortly after.  I got in around 845pm and had just missed seeing local folk-rocker Matt Spitko.
Tonight included bands that I had seen earlier in 2011.  Andrew Jude, who opened for Song Dogs & The Nightjar in December, was second up.  Andrew has some solid guitar-oriented pop songs…think Del Amitri or the more accessible of Luna’s music. I had chatted with their drummer, Don Brown, who has a powerful technique and great fills. He mentioned that, on Thursday, the band played at his alma mater of Philadelphia University for a Relay for Life benefit. Andrew and band was a trio tonight; Alicia, their violinist was out of town. I recall Andrew saying that she’s with the band on some regional dates depending on the locale.  Andrew received debut airplay from me on Radio Crystal Blue earlier in the week.
 
The Tressels did their thing all over the Grape Room stage….a 5 piece band that I covered for you in a prior post when they played at Legendary Dobbs. Pretty much the same script as before, some of the same songs, and much of the same kinetic energy . One guy handles maracas and tambos, another stands tall and quiet on guitar, another handles flashy lead guitar, and a drummer tucked in the back who keeps an understated but steady hand with the backbeat.  Exciting band to see; that is, if you like to see bands that make like The Who with all their craftiness on stage. Possibly the best local band I’ve seen since beginning my coverage of local showcases last summer.  Before the last song, lead vox Butch Tressels asks a hardcore Sinatra trivia question “What was the last song that Sinatra sang in his final concert?” I did know the answer was “The Best Is Yet To Come” but waited for a response from the audience. No response came. Instead there was the constant chatter of hipsters and folks just standing around gawking or gabbing with each other. No matter. They did launch into that final song, climaxing with  Mickey Reds (percussion, 2nd vocalist) delivering a mighty roar that would do whatshisname in the Who proud.    Outside while I caught my breath from the slowly packing venue (where did all those young ladies come from), I had met most of the band in post-show smoke. A doe-eyed brunette was waxing eloquent about the band’s set and how they’ll make The Grape Room a place they’ll attend time and again. I love when that magic happens. The Tressels didn’t really have much of a challenge with the stage doing all their shtick.  One bandmember (I believe it was Bruce) was mentioning have to do “the Bruce thing” (Springsteen, perhaps?), crouching low on guitar and maintaining rhythm and control while the others cavorted. They were to play on 2/11 at The Alphabet Lounge in the East Village section of NYC, then another date with Dobbs in March.
   
The Tressels shared stages several times before with another local act, Johnny Action Figure, and did likewise on Friday. This regional 4-piece sing out loud and enjoy being in the moment on stage.  No stage antics beyond the norm for them; they have 2 keyboards to work plus guitar and drums, plus a great original pop aesthethic that will continue to attract fans in PA.
  
By midway through the set, yours truly was having the worst time getting good camera angles thanks to the teeming dozens that decide to populate every square inch of the room.  I hightailed out of there just as Johnny Action Figure wrapped up.  Apparently the headline band, Kalob Griffin Band by name (State College by place), brought in a huge amount there.
Waiting for the last bus out of Manayunk (again, forgoing the nearby train and extra expense), I glanced in admiration at the folks walking up and down Main Street, underdressed to the eights and nines. Same time every night, from what I’ve seen, seems to present this scene.   The cold rain was a bonus of sorts.
More pics at my latest Facebook gallery