The Rinjo Cloudcast

By: Rinjo Njori

On the 23rd Edition of the I Blog Econo Podcast we get a good idea what the Raunch Hands think of "Your Fat Friend," revisit 2009 flash in the pan's Tinted Windows and see what happens when Kevin Shields guests on Paul Weller's new album. By the way, Weller "hates" shoegaze-- My Bloody Hell!

A (Power) Pop To The Face by Rinjonjori on Mixcloud

WNET Friday Night Music

WNET 13, NYC PBS has another great music block tonight. Live from the Artist's Den at 9:30pm features the UK's Corinne Bailey Rae, who as been nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize for her album The Sea.

Sun Studio Sessions follows right after at 10:30pm and will feature Catherine Feeny a Philadelphia-born, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter whose music has been featured in the motion picture "Running With Scissors" and the television series "The OC." Her single "Mr. Blue" reached #1 on the US iTunes Charts. A staple at the famed Hotel Cafe, Catherine is an amazing song-writer and definitely an artist to watch.

Kierstin Gray Kickstarts New Album

Kierstin Gray has been a favorite of mine for just over 5 years now since I first saw her play in NYC back in May 2005. She is an extraordinarily talented singer-songwriter and somehow still remains one of New York's best kept secrets. However, she's far from a complete unknown.

Kierstin has cultivated a loyal following and played from coast to coast. Now fans are helping Kierstin record her fist full length record Harambe by donating to the production costs via Kickstarter.com.

At post time Kierstin is just $100 shy of her goal - head over now and put her over the top - you can listen to some preview tracks and donate to help this deserving voice be heard - you won't regret it!

Schultz' Earful

By: David Schultz

UNLIKE THE TSUNAMI OF HYPE that accompanied any of The Hold Steady’s prior releases, the clamor and commotion over their latest, Heaven Is Whenever, has settled down with disconcerting efficiency, failing to leave much of a mark. With its quick dissolve, it appears that, for the first time, our Midwestern bar band heroes have failed to meet the lofty expectations foisted upon them by the legions that revel in Craig Finn’s chronicles of the misguided choices made by the wayward and the inebriated. Rather than scribble out another chapter of the novel he’s spun over their first four albums, for Heaven Is Whenever, Finn seems to heed his own tacit warning from “Barfruit Blues” where he mockingly praises an old cohort for remaining loyal to the local bar scene. Instead of reveling in the drunken antics of his fictional teens, Finn now seems concerned with what happens next; instead of barking out his tales with the fervor of the possessed, Finn, shudder the thought, makes an attempt to sing; instead of repeating themselves, The Hold Steady tried something new.

Bruce Springsteen’s early catalog has always been a convenient touchstone for describing The Hold Steady’s charm and appeal; the literary minded can have a field day comparing and contrasting character studies of Hallelujah, Wild Billy, Charlemagne and Rosalita. However, The Boss grew up and the dirty little secret of The Hold Steady is that they were already grown up at the time of Almost Killed Me. On Heaven Is Whenever, Finn and The Hold Steady act their age and its somehow caught people by surprise. “The Sweet Part Of The City” hearkens back to the good-old days. It’s just a shame it sounds a lot like a Little River Band song.

IN ORDER TO ENTICE ROGER WATERS to sing “To Know Him Is To Love Him” as a duet for 200 people at a benefit in Oxfordshire, former Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour promised his erstwhile bandmate that he would return the favor and sing “Comfortably Numb” before 20,000 people at one stop on Waters’ upcoming tour where he will be performing The Wall in its entirety. While there are nearly nine months of dates to choose from, let’s engage in the same sort of hubris that led New York City to delude themselves into thinking LeBron James was coming to play for the Knicks and declare that Gilmour will show up at Madison Square Garden on October 5 or 6. In this case, it does seem appropriate.

ROBERT RANDOLPH & THE FAMILY BAND celebrated the release of the T-Bone Burnett produced We Walk This Road with a sold-out show at The Bowery Ballroom. If the legends are correct, this is the venue where Randolph played his first show after being plucked out of the New Jersey gospel circles by Luther Dickinson and the North Mississippi AllStars. Though focused on the new album, the 90 minute set included “Deliver Me,” a loose cover of “Poker Face” and a romp through “The March,” one of Randolph’s longtime live staples. Unlike Randolph’s sets from his younger days, which consisted of one freewheeling, gospel-influenced jam after another, the Bowery Ballroom set had the maturity and focus of a musician approaching his craft with a newfound serious and appreciation. It had finesse but it also came nowhere near generating the frenzy of a 10 minute “Squeeze.”

Well, the brush with which T-Bone Burnett paints apparently leaves deep strokes. In a subtle declaration of a new dawn, Randolph appeared in a loose fitting suit, the first solo show I can recall him performing in anything other than a throwback jersey About 5 years, I openly worried about whether Randolph’s live show relied too much on stage gimmickry like switching instruments, bringing the crowd onto the stage, passing the microphone amongst the front row and covering Jimi Hendrix and Michael Jackson. It seems that those days may truly be gone: with the exception of Randolph demonstrating the funky strut that accompanies “The March,” there was little in common with his old shows. It may be unfair but I think I’m going to miss that Robert Randolph more than I thought I would.

JOHN CARAMANICA WROTE A GREAT PIECE for the Sunday New York Times on the Lady Gaga effect on female singer-songwriters, contrasting Gaga's mass-media stadium spectacle with the struggling Lillith Fair tour. It's a well-thought out article that looks at what Madonna hath wrought.

DAVID LOTT has just finished up The Gates Of Brooklyn, his first solo EP, and a release date will be forthcoming. In the meantime, Lott has an absolutely fantastic music blog, The Perfect Playlist, in which he compiles a fascinating array of music videos that spans decades. You can lose quite a few hours on the site, so plan your time accordingly.

Arcade Fire To Headline MSG Live On YouTube

Arcade Fire, one of the first bands to ride to Pitchfork seal of approval to widespread acclaim, will release The Suburbs, their third studio album on August 3. The BBC has already kicked the hype machine in high gear by proclaiming it better than OK Computer. In contrast to their intimate 2007 kickoff for Neon Bible, which included 5 shows at the Judson Memorial Church in New York City, the Montreal-based menagerie will headline two nights at Madison Square Garden, Manhattan's largest venue, on August 4 and August 5. For those who can't make it to the Mecca, the entire August 5 show will be broadcast live on YouTube. Spoon will open the night but seems unlikely to get the YouTube treatment.

SPIN Turns 25

When alternative rock started to merge into mainstream rock in the late 80s/early 90s, SPIN Magazine, which had been covering that bands like R.E.M., The Replacements and Nirvana long before the other major publications, flirted with a credibility that rivaled Rolling Stone. Once the hair metal era pushed alternative rock back to the fringes, SPIN went with it, nearing bankruptcy and irrelevancy. To celebrate 25 years, SPIN will be sponsoring a week long series of shows at New York City's Terminal 5 featuring The Smashing Pumpkins (7/26), The Flaming Lips (7/27), The Black Keys (7/28) and The National (7/29). The run will finish with Spiritualized playing Radio Music Hall (7/30).

In an era where music journalism has migrated from printed to published, not many print magazines are going to reach this milestone in the future.

Watson Twins Tour Dates

The Watson Twins will be heating up the road in August with a slew of tour dates in support of their latest record Talking to You, Talking to Me (Vanguard Records). The Twins gained recognition as the backing duo for Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins but have since broken out on their own. Filter Magazine is previewing a new video for "Saving You" here. August tour dates below:

Aug 03 - San Francisco, CA - Café Du Nord
Aug 05 - Portland, OR - Lola's
Aug 07 - Seattle, WA - The Triple Door
Aug 08 - Spokane, WA -The Seaside
Aug 10 - Salt Lake City, UT - State Room
Aug 12 - Denver, CO - The Walnut Room
Aug 13 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Loft
Aug 14 - Fort Collins, CO - Everyday Joe's Coffee House
Aug 16 - Omaha, NE - The Waiting Room
Aug 17 - Kansas City, MO - Crosstown Station
Aug 19 - Evanston, IL - Space
Aug 21 - Bayfield, WI - Big Top Chautauqua
Aug 22 - Fish Creek, WI - Door Community Auditorium
Aug 24 - Interlochen, MI - Interlochen Center For The Arts
Aug 25 - Grand Rapids, MI - Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Aug 27 - Ames, IA - Ames City Auditorium
Aug 28 - Fargo, ND - Fargo Theater
Aug 29 - St. Paul, MN - Minnesota State Fair

Catch them on the road if you can. You can listen to more music here and check out a video from their Sun Studio Sessions taping here.

The Rinjo Cloudcast

By: Rinjo Njori

On the 22nd edition of the I Blog Econo Podcast we have Blur's ode to British Petroleum, Pussy Galore nailing how Mel Gibson feels about his baby mama, a cover or two and Wayne Kramer and Marc Bolan lending their guitar talents to some great songs. Sit back under a tree, crank the iPod to 11, and crack open your favorite beverage-- It's time to rock!

93 In The Shade by Rinjonjori on Mixcloud

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WNET Friday Night Music: David Gray and David Ford

NYC area music lovers are in for a fun double bill of music on WNET 13, NYC PBS with David Gray on Live from the Artists' Den beginning at 9:30pm, followed by Sun Studio Sessions featuring the amazing David Ford.

Ford continues to amaze audiences with his intimate, yet energy filled live shows both in the U.S. and back home in the UK. You can check out a preview of David's Sun Studio Sessions performance here!

Backyard Tire Fire Tour Dates

Road warriors Backyard Tire are in Chicago tonight for a big bash at the Double Door which is being recorded for radio station WXRT's live "Sunday Night Concert" series, and then swings east to New York City at the Bowery Ballroom on August 3rd, opening Los Lobos' CD release show.

A longtime Earvolution favorite, BTF is building some deserved momentum for their new record Good to Be, which was produced by Grammy-winning Producer and member of Los Lobos, Steve Berlin. For the new record, BTF "have spread the stylistic court with a rich, ever-expanding palette of aural rock ’n’ roll colors and textures that tap into bouncy, Kinks-meet-Squeeze Brit pop-rock, Tom Petty-styled Southern rock, and Beatles-esque majesty." Tour dates:

July 23rd - Chicago, IL @ Double Door - WXRT Presents
August 3rd - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom w/Los Lobos
August 7th - Kinsman, IL @ Farm Fest
August 12th - Driggs, ID @ Music on Main
August 13th - Missoula, MA @ The Badlander - KDTR Presents
August 14th - Bozeman, MT @ Filling Station
August 20th - Davenport, IA @ River Roots Live Festival
September 15th - Madison, WI @ Majestic Theatre *
September 16th - Milwaukee, WI @ Club Girabaldi +
September 19th - Sheboygan, WI @ Green Pub Room
September 24th - Pittsburgh, PA @ Schenley Plaza - WYEP concert
October 8th - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews
October 9th - Clear Lake, IA @ Surf Ballroom w/Los Lobos
October 15th - Springfield, IL @ Marly's
October 16th - Carbondale, IL @ Tres Hombres
October 29th - Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
October 30th - Peoria, IL @ Whammy Bar
^opening for Los Lobos
*co-bill with Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band
+Muzzle of Bees Presents, co-bill with Mark Olson

Their recent single “Good to Be” charted high on the AAA Radio Charts spinning regularly on 56 stations around the country including Sirius-XM's Loft & Outlaw Country. Known for their heavy touring Midwestern work ethic and raucous live shows, 2010 has seen the band tour coast-to-coast including shows with roots-rock legends like ZZ Top, Buddy Guy and Los Lobos. Check them out, you'll come away a fan!

Meanwhile, you can see their new video for "Good To Be" here, a preview of their Sun Studio Sessions taping with "Brady" here and hit their website for more info.

Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp Tour Dates

Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp are both on the road and will join forces for select dates making for a dynamic double bill. Of course, this is not the first time the two have teamed up. And, like scores of musicians who've come after Dylan, Mellancamp has covered the legendary troubadour on more than one occasion. It'll be interesting to see if Mellencamp coves Dylan in front of him and what songs they'll team up on. The dates below are joint bills unless otherwise indicated:

August 4 - Austin, TX - The Backyard (Dylan only)
August 6 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre (Dylan only)
August 7 - Kansas City, MO - Starlight Theatre (Dylan only)
August 8 - Lincoln, NE - Haymarket Park
August 10 - Sturgis, SD - Buffalo Chip Campground (Dylan only)
August 11 - Billings, MT - Dehler Park
August 12 - Casper, WY - Mike Lansing Field
August 14 - Jackson, WY - Snow King Resort (Dylan only)
August 15 - Boise, ID - Idaho Botanical Gardens (Dylan only)
August 17 - Park City, UT - Deer Valley Resort (Dylan only)
August 18 - Las Vegas, NV - Colosseum at Caesars Palace
August 19 - Ontario, CA - Citizens Business Bank Arena
August 21 - Monterey, CA - Monterey Fairgrounds (Dylan only)
August 22 - Lake Tahoe, NV - Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena (Dylan only)
August 28 - Troutdale OR - Edgefield
August 29 - Troutdale OR - Edgefield
August 31 - Missoula MT - Ogren Park
September 1 - Post Falls ID - Greyhound Park
September 3 - Yakima WA - Yakima County Stadium
September 4 - Seattle, WA - Bumbershoot Festival (Dylan only)

Dylan just completed some European dates and Mellencamp has posted the new single and title track to his new record, No Better Than This (August 17 release date), which was recorded at Sun Studio in Memphis. You can get more info on Mellancamp and Dylan tour dates and tickets here.

Grace Potter on WNET NYC PBS July 16

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, praised by Rolling Stone as one of the "Best New Bands of 2010," delivers an intimate performance that includes never-before-released material – a song actually written and recorded during the taping. This half hour episode of Sun Studio Sessions provides a unusual behind-the-scenes opportunity to see the talented Grace Potter and her band work through new ideas on camera, turning them from concept to performance before the viewers' eyes.

Sun Studio Sessions is taped in the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, TN and features intimate performances and interviews with top new world touring artists. Heralded as the "birthplace of rock and roll," Sun Studio is a nationally historic landmark for its role in launching the careers of Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins and many more. Sun Studio also serves as the backdrop for the Tony Award winning "Million Dollar Quartet," currently wowing audiences on Broadway.

Fueled by lead single "Tiny Light," their incendiary live shows and rave reviews from critics nationwide, their self-titled album Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (Hollywood Records/Ragged Company) recently entered Billboard's Top 200 at #20, Billboard's Rock Album Chart at #3 and Billboard's Digital Album Chart at #9.

The Boston Herald has compared the group to the "Rolling Stones (circa Exile on Main Street), fronted by a young Etta James/Tina Turner/Bonnie Raitt-type singer" while The New York Post lauded their eponymous album with a 4-star review, declaring the "Vermont group hits peak... Potter and company deserve the hype" Oprah's O Magazine has compared Potter to the likes of Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams; Rolling Stone declares the record "bursts with promise," and the Dallas Morning News gives the disc an "A" - calling it "an auspicious effort that definitely needs to be heard."

WNET will premiere new Sun Studio Sessions every Friday night at 10:30pm in July and August.

BuzzUniverse Boat Cruise: Friday July 16

The 3rd Annual BuzzUniverse Rocks Off Concert Cruise will take place this Friday, July 16. This is always a fun night and no one should have to work the next day. The Half Moon departs from the dock at 23rd Street and the East River at 7:30 p.m. Come beat the heat with a cool New York City cruise.

Paul McCartney Joins Ringo Starr Onstage

The two remaining Beatles shared the stage ever so briefly this week when Paul McCartney joined Ringo Starr on stage at Ringo's 70th birthday bash at Radio City. As the show was closing, Sir Paul surprised the crowd and joined the band for the Beatles' classic "Birthday."



Paul and Ringo also reunited last year at Radio City when they joined forces for A Little Help from My Friends.

Meanwhile, tomorrow night on WNET, NYC PBS affiliate, Ringo gets more help from friends in the Artists' Den where he's joined by Ben Harper and Joan Osborne.

WNET Friday Night Arists Den and Sun Studio Sessions

NYC PBS affiliate WNET presents another great music lineup Friday night with Live from the Artists' Den with Ringo Starr and Ben Harper at 9:30pm. The music keeps rolling at 10:30 with Sun Studio Sessions, with Amber Rubarth joined by special guests Adam Levy (Norah Jones Band) and Alex Wong (Vienna Teng).

The Sun Studio Sessions pairing with Artists' Den continues with upcoming sets from David Gray and David Ford as well as the Black Crowes and Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers.

Full WNET schedule here.

Tom Petty Tour Dates and Tickets

Tom Petty and Heartbreakers are back with a great new record, MOJO, and are getting rave reviews on the road for putting one heck of an old school rock and roll show. Set lists have included Petty classics like Refugee, Runnin' Down A Dream and American Girl. After a brief break the band hits the road again July 10th:

Jul 10 2010 Verizon Wireless Music Center Indianapolis, Indiana
Jul 13 2010 Sprint Center Kansas City, Missouri
Jul 15 2010 Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati, Ohio
Jul 17 2010 United Center Chicago, Illinois
Jul 18 2010 Verizon Wireless Music Center St. Louis, MO
Jul 20 2010 Blossom Music Center Cleveland, Ohio
Jul 22 2010 Palace of Auburn Hills Detroit, Michigan
Jul 24 2010 First Niagara Pavilion Pittsburgh, PA
Jul 28 2010 Madison Square Garden New York, New York
Jul 31 2010 Wachovia Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvan
Aug 1 2010 Wachovia Center Philadelphia, Pennsylvan
Aug 11 2010 Philips Arena Atlanta, Georgia
Aug 12 2010 Sommet Center Nashville, Tennessee
Aug 14 2010 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center Darien Lake, NY
Aug 15 2010 Jiffy Lube Live Washington DC, Washington
Aug 17 2010 Comcast Theatre Hartford, Connecticu
Aug 19 2010 Comcast Center Boston, Massachuse
Aug 21 2010 Comcast Center Boston, Massachuse
Aug 24 2010 Izod Center East Rutherford, New Jersey
Aug 25 2010 Air Canada Center Toronto, Ontario
Aug 27 2010 Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center Saratoga Springs, NY
Aug 28 2010 Darien Lake Performing Arts Center Darien Center

The Heartbreakers alone would be enough for a great show, but the band is pairing up with some great acts for these shows. July 10 - 22 are with the Drive By Truckers, Buddy Guy joins the band July 28 - Aug. 1; legends Crosby, Stills and Nash Aug. 11- 17; 25 -28; and Jim James and My Morning Jacket join Petty and crew for Aug 10 - 24.

The Rinjo Cloudcast

By: Rinjo Njori

This is the 21st edition of the I Blog Econo podcast featuring the 70s rock stylings of Buster Brown, the 90s garage pump of The Green Hornets, and Mother Love Bone rocking out like a gentle bull in a china shop.

Hopelessly Devoted by Rinjonjori on Mixcloud

Grace Potter & The Nocturnals @ Webster Hall

A week or so back, I wrote a piece for Hidden Track on Grace Potter & The Nocturnals' return to New York City for a Saturday night show at Webster Hall. There are phenomenal things ahead for GPN and they are all quite well-deserved. They won't be hard to miss this summer. Make sure to catch them when they come to town. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.