Ashley, the Intern

So, last week, I interviewed at Atlantic Records and today, I heard back from them and it looks like I will be interning there this summer in the A&R department!!!!

For anyone who knows me personally, you know that this has been a dream of mine since...well, since pretty much forever and I am ecstatic!! (Too bad I have 3 papers to write for tomorrow). Anywho, so how amazing is this! That's all for now- more to come probably later, when I can think straight.

For those of you who can't share my excitement because you don't know what an A&R is, a little Wiki Knowledge for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A&R

Follow my experience at: twitter.com/ashleytheintern

Gabe Dixon Band

I think my mother secretly birthed me in the south. I mean, that's the only explanation that I have for my new love of singer/songwriters from Tennessee. Last night, I went to see Dave Barnes (again). And for you loyal followers, no, I am not talking about DB again. Rather, I this blog is about his opener, the Gabe Dixon Band. So, needless to say the Gabe Dixon Band is also from Tennessee.

Gabe didn't really strike me, or other people in the crowd as the musician-type. In fact, when he came on stage, everyone kept asking "is that him?" while others insisted, "No, he's just in the band." But when Gabe opened his mouth and started playing the piano, I was pleasantly surprised.

Not only was Gabe quite good, but the rest of his three-person band was pretty good as well. If you like DB, you should listen to Gabe- since apparently, Dave is a HUGE (almost stalker-ish) fan of Gabe. The story is interesting- it involves Dave creepily moving in on Gabe at the YMCA...I think the story is best told by Dave..and the only way to hear it is to go to a show! ha!

Anyway, the show as a whole was great. Gabe Dixon Band opened, Dave Barnes performed, and then the Gabe Dixon Band joined the Dave Barnes Band for a little double band encore which was great. (As a side note, Gabe co-wrote some of Dave's songs on his new album).

So, without further ado, check out the Gabe Dixon Band: "Till You're Gone"



Also, as a related note. I posted this before in my Dave Barnes interview, but you all should really check out the Mocha Club. Dave is heavily involved in it and Gabe is also a member. It's a really great organization.

Fools for April

It took me forever to find this song, so you better listen to it.

I was watching The Real World: Brooklyn, on MTV (yup) and I heard this song and I thought it was so beautiful. But given MTV's disinterest in music, I didn't know who the artist was. But in an attempt to become more connected with music, they created a website where you can find the name of songs that they play during the show. So, that's how I found Fools For April's "Child Inside".

Fools for April have also been featued on MTV's The City and Oxygen's Bad Girls Club (two other shows that I adore). Their debut album, "The Voice is Inside" was released on iTunes and Amazon earlier this year. I suggest checking them out. They're simple, yet quite good.

The song that I fell in love with is called "Child Inside" but I couldn't find a music video- so check out "Lie With Me" instead. The quality of this video isn't so great- so you should really just buy the CD.

Melody Gardot

For those of you who have not read my previous blog on Melody Gardot yet, read it.

For those of you who have not listened to Melody Gardot yet, listen to her!

Now that we're all caught up, Melody is releasing her new album, My One and Only Thrill, on April 28th, in the US (it has already been released in the UK). For Jazz/blues lovers, this is a must have (as is her previous album, Worrisome Heart). I don't want to give it all away but I've heard her perform some of the songs live, and it's a great album. So I wanted to give you all a heads up so you can go out a buy it.

If you're too impatient to wait, as I am, you can buy her first single, "Who Will Comfort Me," on iTunes now.

Track Listing:

1. Baby I'm A Fool

2. If The Stars Were Mine

3. Who Will Comfort Me

4. Your Heart Is As Black As Night

5. Lover Undercover

6. Our Love Is Easy

7. Les Etoiles

8. The Rain

9. My One And Only Thrill

10. Deep Within The Corners Of My Mind

11. Somewhere Over The Rainbow

More Free Music

So, this guy I've been listening to named Jonathan Clay is giving his album away for free! I'm tempted not to write anymore. I mean, what's better than free music.

But a little on Jonathan.
Southern. Acoustic. Blues. Singer-Songwriter. Rock. Dirty Blond. Occasional five-o'clock shadow. Need I say more? Go get this album, thank me later.

Download, "Acoustic Sessions" here- for FREE!

"This One's For Me"

City of Angels

This is one of my favorite bands, of all time. I am surprised I have not written about them before. I first heard of Ozomatli back in 1996 at Music Business Camp (yes, it exists and yes I went). It's really hard to describe the greatness that is Ozomatli.

Genre-wise, I guess I would call them hip-hop/latin/world music...whatever that means.
Otherwise- I would describe them as a West Coast version of The Roots, but bigger (not better, just a larger band).

Imagine the diversity of LA, on one stage and then you have Ozomatli. I really suggest you read up on the band on their website. They have a very interesting story.

If Ozomatli comes to your city, I HIGHLY suggest going to see them. Before the show that I went to, I had never heard of them but I had the time of my life (so much so that my group from Music Business Camp left me at the show). I've seen them since at Bonnaroo and they were equally as amazing. Check their tour schedule here.

In honor of my trip to LA tomorrow, enjoy, "City of Angels"