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.

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"

Free Music- Yay

So, my friend Tiffany L. Scalia has been telling me to check out this band, Super Mash Bros for a few months now. Of course my response was, "Tiffany, it's Super Smash Bros." But it turns out, she was actually right, for once. They describe themselves as Girl Talk's Hot Cousin. Anyway, on their website, they're giving their album, "Fuck Bitches. Get Euros," away for free. So check it out- Now!


My favorite song: Kisses and Thugs (it has all of my favorite songs ever!)

Million Faces

I know that I bashed Paolo Nutini a little bit previously. But when you pay for a concert and the performer is noticeably drunk, it tends to leave a bad taste in your mouth and a cacophonous sound in your ear. But I have been listening to Paolo Nutini's debut album, These Streets, and I am starting to have a different opinion about the young Scot.

Here's an acoustic and sober (?) version of my favorite song on These Streets, "Million Faces"




Interesting fact: Paolo is only 22, which makes him 2 years older than me. Which means, we could have a future together. More to come.

Leave Me In New York

At first, I wasn't sure if I loved this song or if I just loved New York City. I mean, when I'm on the Greyhound bus from Philly to NYC, I do listen to my playlist of New York Songs, which led me to think it was probably the latter. But after going to Hope's website, I found that it was a little bit of the two.

(Sorry- there's no official video and the audio is a little weird- check out her myspace for a better version)

Leave Me In New York- Hope


If you like what you heard, check out her myspace because she's offering free downloads of her music!

Trouble- Ray LaMontagne

Love love love Ray LaMontagne and after you listen to this, you will too!

In The City- Kevin Rudolf

I first heard this song on The Hills (yes, I watch The Hills). MTV has this great site where they list the soundtracks for their shows. So maybe they don't have TRL anymore, but this feature is pretty cool.

You've probably heard Kevin Rudolf's music before. "Let it Rock" featuring Lil' Wayne is a pretty catchy song of his that I've seen on some commercials.

Anyway, I freaking love this song so check it out and check out some other Kevin Rudolf's other stuff because I think he's pretty near.

Happy New Year!

I didn't really want to write a new post because I was at 111 posts so far and didn't want to make it 112 but what the heck- it's a new year! In honor of new beginnings, I have chosen the second most overplayed graduation song (the first being Vitamin C's "Graduation (Friends Forever)."

You guessed it- today's song of the day, in honor of 2009 is Green Day's "Good Riddance."

Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go
So make the best of this test, and don't ask why
It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs, and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth all the while

It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right.
I hope you had the time of your life. (3x)

Cipes and The People

I first heard Cipes on the MTV reality show, Twnetyfourseven. The show was terrible... absolutely terrible but at least I found Cipes right?

I would describe Cipes and The People as california pseudo reggae/surf. Lots of positive messages and just really good listening music.

Check out Free Me


I know this song has a lot of cliche plagarized phrases but it's still good listening right?

Lauryn Hill- Mystery of Inequity

Whatever happened to music with good lyrics? I mean, not all music needs to have amazing lyrics. A lot of pop music relies on good production. But look at the success of commercial pop groups and compare it to the success of underground rock and hip-hop groups. Isn't it odd that "commercial" music is usually associated with non-artistic qualities?

I own so much music, although I really favor certain albums. When scrolling through my ipod, I always seem to discover entire albums that I've never really listened to before. This weekend, while scrolling, I came back in touch with an old favorite. I really love Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." Her voice sounds so vulnerable, yet it resonates with such powerful and moving lyrics.

A few years ago, my mother bought me Lauryn Hill's MTV Unplugged...and it's really a great album. I highly suggest buying it. Anyway, this is one of my favorite songs from the album and I found the actual live recording so- enjoy. This song may sound a little familiar (Kanye West- All Falls Down)

Mystery of Inequity

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The Bad Plus

It's been a long time. Blame Penn. But I have not forgotten muse sickly challenged. I've found tons of new artists BUT- forgetful me left my list at school. There are some bands that I've been meaning to write about for a while though. One is The Bad Plus.

The Bad Plus is not a new band. They've been around since 2000. But I had not heard of them until 2006. The Bad Plus is a jazz band that plays a ton of rock and pop covers (including Neil Young, Nirvana, Black Sabbath, and Blondie). Crazy, right?

Their latest album, "For All I Care" is set to release in America in February 2009, although it has already been released in Europe. The new album includes covers of songs by Nirvana, Wilco, The Flaming Lips, Pink Floyd, and The Bee Gees, just to name a few. Before listening, you should note that The Bad Plus is still for Jazz fans- but young jazz fans. You can't listen to their version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and expect to hear Nirvana. Anyway, Here's a clip from The Bad Plus film...check it out

The Bad Plus (Aphex Twin Cover)



Want to see The Bad Plus? Check out their remaining tour dates in MN, NY, and MO on their website.

Like A Star- Corinne Bailey Rae

The recently widowed, Corinne Bailey Rae is a very touching musician. Like many of my favorite female artists, Rae benefits from using the fragility of her voice to command the utmost power. It's almost as if the soft nature of their voice, makes you listen that much harder and in doing so, you realize the gravity of their message.

A part of the new feminized "British Invasion," which includes songstresses Duffy and Amy Winehouse, Bailey is putting her mark on the world.

Marc Broussard

There is an insane amount of talent coming out of the south in the singer/songwriter genre. More specifically, the TN, GA area has really been impressing me over the past few years. From Dave Barnes to James David Carter and Matt Wertz...it's truly an impressive scene. Well, another southern beau, Marc Broussard, has decided to take his act on the road.

Marc is actually from Louisiana. Fusing funk, blues, and rock, his music is pretty spectacular. So why is Marc today's artist of the day? Well, I have a treat for you locals. Tomorrow Marc will be performing in Philadelphia not once but twice! Check him out at the Broad Street FYE at 5:30 AND at the TLA at 7:00. I highly recommend getting out to see one, if not both, performances.

In honor of the chilly weather we have here in Philly, today's song of the day is "Come in from the Cold"

Tangled

This song goes out to my friend and hallmate, Katie Carlson.
We get down in C UNIT biotch

A Change is Gonna Come

Gavin Degraw's "Chariot Stripped" album is quite amazing. If you haven't heard of the Stripped series, please check it out. Basically, they take CD's which have already been produced, and bring the artist in to do a live, acoustic, in-studio recording. Now, I have Gavin DeGraw Chariot, and Gavin DeGraw Chariot Stripped and oh the difference!

Chariot has some good songwriting but it's a little too poppy for me. But Chariot Stripped is fantastic- I really suggest checking it out. So not only are the songs better but there's a bonus track. Gavin DeGraw covers Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come and it's beautiful. I've gone back and fourth with my mother, who is my elder about who has a better version.

My mother, of course, likes Cooke's version the best because it is undoubtedly more personal and it's the original. However, I tend to favor DeGraw's simply because it seems to have more emotion and passion. The fragility of his voice is so incredibly moving. I know everyone is going to abandon me on the following point but- I think Cooke's version is more music for music sake, whereas DeGraw's is music as an emotional release, which for me is always more moving. Of course I am biased, but who isnt? Here, is a comparison of the two:

Sam Cooke


Gavin DeGraw

The Blue Method

I have a hatred for genres because simple genres like "indie" don't tell you anything about the artist. But more complex genres like "techno-bluegrass-hip-hop fusion" just seem to be a marketing ploy that winds up confusing you as well.

Now, for today's Song of the Day, a hybrid genre is necessary. The Blue Method are a self-proclaimed "jersadelphia" jam band. They fuse rock, blues, funk and soul to make a sound that's pretty spectacular. They're one of those bands that you just can't dislike.

God Make Me Funky



I suggest checking out their myspace to hear their variety

He Can Only Hold Her If They Slow Dance

I've owned Amy Winehouse's Back to Black since it came out but I never really got the chance to listen to the album. But, in honor of Halloween, I decided to give it a listen. Immediately, "He Can Only Hold Her" became my favorite track but when I gave it a closer listen, I found something pretty interesting.

I think the reason I like "He Can Only Hold Her" so much is because it is strikingly similar to John Legend's "Slow Dance"

Have a listen for yourself.

John Legend- Slow Dance (listen from the beginning to :27 seconds)


Amy Winehouse- He Can Only Hold Her (listen from :42 seconds- 1:03)

Don't Look Down

For the long time supporters of Muse Sickly Challenged, you know that I love singer-songwriters. David Ryan Harris has been popping up all over the singer-songwriter world for the past couple of years, but it seems like it's still relatively unknown. I first heard of Harris through the ill-famed myspace "music networking" site. Two of my favorite singer-songwriters, Dave Barnes and John Mayer, both had David Ryan Harris on their top friends so I figured he must be pretty legit and low and behold- that he is!

As far as sound- many singer-songwriters sound alike, but there are acute details that make them appeal to different people. I guess DRH is like a fusion between John Mayer and Marvin Gaye (more of Mayer, for this song). Harris, in fact, performed with Mayer and Barnes, abroad the 2008 Mayercraft Carier.

Don't Look Down- David Ryan Harris

Dying is Fine- Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot is a six-piece band from Syracuse New York. "Green" at heart, they have taken to attaching bikes to their tour bus, and wheeling around cities to avoid pollution and high gas prices. This video, for Dying is Fine, is a little trippy but I think it's quite cool.

Dying is Fine- Ra Ra Riot