Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday greetings to Listen Up! conspirator Lee Stewart. When I DJ'd at my college radio station I always played a couple tunes for my birthday pals: "Unhappy Birthday" by The Smiths and another birthday-related tune by Concrete Blonde called "Happy Birthday." Oh, the nostalgic memories!

posted by sooz at 6:37 PM [ 3775 comments ] :: ^top^


Dinner and Rose Polenzani on May 14th in Cambridge, MA

Rose Polenzani is playing a solo show at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge on Mass Ave in a couple weeks. Tuesday, May 14th at 8:30PM to be precise. If you'd like to join a small group of people for dinner upstairs at the Cambridge Common at 7:00PM, head over to the evite and click "invite more people" so you can invite yourself. Or email me and I'll do it for you.

Rose is an amazing singer/songwriter -- one of the best on the planet. And I do not use words like that lightly. Truly!

Rose Polenzani : Listening Room : Fell

posted by sooz at 6:03 PM [ 1276 comments ] :: ^top^


Ohio + music + me = your newest conspirator

[Thanks, Sooz for inviting me!] I'm originally from Cleveland, Ohio (yes, home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), am the daughter of a blues musician, and now reside in Boston. I have bizarre taste in music: this is just the cassettes! You've been warned.

For my first post, I'd like to glorify the name of Ohio natives Over the Rhine. This band, hailing from (where else?) the Over-the-Rhine section of Cincinnati, has been churning out excellent performances for over a decade. At a Rhinelander Roundup fanclub meeting a few years back (after their annual Taft Theatre show, where Jane Siberry opened for them!), I scored a copy of OtR performing "Dancing Queen" with the Covington Symphony Orchestra. That's when I realized why they have such rabid fans. Not only is their folksy-pop carefully crafted and artfully performed, they have a sense of humor, too! And did I mention their singer Karin's voice makes me weak in the knees?

Karin Bergquist and her husband Linford Detweiler form the core of the group, with help from additional members here and there.

Recommended from the MP3 Attic: Thank You My Angel, Sleep Baby Jane and All I Need Is Everything.

Recommended albums: Good Dog Bad Dog (the independent issue, not the re-release), Besides (a b-sides compilation originally issued as a Rhinelander-only release) and The Darkest Night of the Year (a Christmas album you'd actually be willing to play year-round!).

Over The Rhine : discography : MP3 rarity of the month

posted by Shannon Okey at 4:26 PM [ 1331 comments ] :: ^top^


New Orleans funk, R&B and soul

Yesterday I attended Earth Fest at the Hatch Shell in Boston. I finally had a chance to see Bonnie Raitt live. What a performer! Jon Cleary, a singer/songwriter and piano player from New Orleans has been part of her touring band for the past year. He has a new album of his own: "Absolute Monster Gentlemen.". Alas, I can't find an MP3 on his website or his label's site. From what I heard yesterday, I'm sure the CD is fabulous. I've added it to my wishlist. He has a couple shows with his own band in New Orleans this week and then he's back on tour with Bonnie Raitt around the U.S.

Jon Cleary : Absolute Monster Gentlemen

posted by sooz at 1:46 PM [ 434 comments ] :: ^top^


Rockin' Hard

Finally got a chance to see one of my favorite bands. Peabody played the Hard Rock Cafe last night. Steven Dennis is an excellent guitarist and Karen's singing reminds me of Natalie Merchant on a good day. Loved it when she called the Sellouts a "boy band, er I mean Man band".

At one point she sort of lost control of the band and they played a series of covers, with her trying to keep up, karaoke style. Probably one of my favorite "live" moments of all time.

I hope they come to a town near me...

posted by Lee Stewart at 12:22 PM [ 2745 comments ] :: ^top^


New England recommendations : jazz, funkadelic, pop

Some good bands on the local New England scene that are worth going to see live: Thaddeus Hogarth was in the Heavy Metal Horns. He is on his own now and has a unique jazz sound. Gruvis Malt is a funkadelic band from Rhode Island. They do big things musically from the smallest state. Jim might have a big ego, but his music is big enough to keep you entertained.

posted by Michael Merline at 11:35 PM [ 226 comments ] :: ^top^


Out of Town

I?ll be out of town for a couple weeks. I?ll still be able to post here, though (they have music in New Orleans, right?). Shouldn?t stop you from helping out, though.

Speaking of out of town, Local Radio has a gig in some small town somewhere or other on June First. They?ve rented a bus to get their fans to the show, which is an excellent idea! For $10, you get transportation, beer to drink on the bus, a pre-release copy of ?A little Down? (a song from their upcoming CD) and memories to last a lifetime!

Local Radio : Frequency : Motorbike

posted by Lee Stewart at 4:36 PM [ 283 comments ] :: ^top^


Join Us?

Lee is embarking on world travels for a while (perhaps with a few music recommendations for us along the way!) and Carey's computer is sick. It looks like we could use a few more informants! If you would like to join us, let me know.

posted by sooz at 11:47 AM [ 429 comments ] :: ^top^


CD Baby Picks

CD Baby is my favorite music store on and offline. Here are a few gems I recently and not-so-recently stumbled into:

Prozac for Lovers : A mellow lounge duo doing classic hard rock cover songs. Any sensible music fan needs this in their collection.

Melissa Ferrick : Listen Hard : The latest CD of Boston acoustic folk rocker -- one of my favorite musicians, too.

Two Loons for Tea : Blue Suit : Hypnotic pop. Reminds me of Portishead and Fiona Apple.

Skarlet O'Hara : And I Quote : Funky-acoustic rock.

The SIBL Project : Songs Inspired By Literature : Proceeds from the sale of this CD benefit programs that promote and/or teach adults and families how to read.

posted by sooz at 6:06 PM [ 647 comments ] :: ^top^


It's about time!

Burt LaFountain, oft described as a warbling troubadour (although not by me), is having his CD release party this weekend. It?s on Saturday April 20th, to be exact at Great Scott (corner of Comm Ave and Harvard Ave in Allston).

posted by Lee Stewart at 6:48 PM [ 12 comments ] :: ^top^


Delta Blues!

Local Jack (who?s name really is Jack and he really is local to me) is playing the Kirkland Friday, April 18th. You can?t get better than this and the Kirkland Caf? has updated their PA system. Can?t wait to hear Mickey Bliss with the new sound system.

LocalJack : Death is a Sexless Thing : Tereplane Blues

posted by Lee Stewart at 11:53 AM [ got a comment? ] :: ^top^


Folk Rock Webcasts

While Rose Polenzani was on tour with Freedy Johnston the Fall of 2001, the Digital Club Network recorded five of Rose's performances as well as a headlining show at Schubas in Chicago. I just stumbled across the link to the webcasts on Rose's website. The video quality isn't great (an understatement); but the sound is quite good.

Rose Polenzani: Live @ Schubas (57 minutes; requires free DCN account)

Lyrics to one of my favorite Rose P. songs: Whatever Remains (and song #2 on the webcast).

posted by sooz at 10:24 PM [ 39 comments ] :: ^top^


Electro Pop

Splashdown was one of my favorite bands. Alas, they were dropped by Capitol Records last year right before their debut album on the label was going to be released. (Insert cranky comments about Glen Ballard here.) "You Are" was a song the band was working on but never got around to finishing. This is the demo version ... and it's still fab even in its "imcomplete" state.

Splashdown : You Are

posted by sooz at 11:32 PM [ 6 comments ] :: ^top^


Piano Pop

I was looking at the list of band's who have performed on Lee's "Cafe SCAT" show and stumbled across the Lincoln Conspiracy. They have a bunch of shows in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina in April and then they are back in New England for a show in Cambridge at the House of Blues on May 2nd. Here's a song from their page at MP3.com. The Lincoln Conspiracy: As It Stands : Basically

posted by sooz at 4:34 PM [ 3 comments ] :: ^top^


Jamaican Style Dance Music!
Man, three hours of excellent Reggae/Ska/Rock Steady music! It was 90 degrees in Johnny D?s and the dance floor was still packed. An excellent live show ? the brass section stopped playing half way through a song and joined the dancers - whoop!. Pressure Cooker : I Want to Tell You : Hillside (live)

posted by Lee Stewart at 10:37 AM [ 6 comments ] :: ^top^


Jill Sobule

I finally saw Jill Sobule last year when she opened for Lloyd Cole downstairs at the Middle East. But this song isn't by her. It's about her. The song was written and performed by Jane Wiedlin and Charlotte Caffey (of The Go-Go's) along with Lloyd Cole.

Jane Wiedlin + Charlotte Caffey + Lloyd Cole : So Jill

posted by sooz at 7:42 PM [ 7 comments ] :: ^top^


NEMO tdibits

Well, after all the anticipation of seeing Soltero live ... I only was able to hear the last 10 seconds of their show since we arrived late. A tragedy, indeed. Fortunately they'll be playing out again soon. Mick Kubiak from NYC performed after Soltero. I thought she sounded a little bit like Courtney Love. When I read her CD's blurb at CDBaby earlier, I noticed that they use that comparison, too. As well as a reference to having a lyric writing style similiar to Fiona Apple. I think I can see that, too. I especially like the lyrics to "Screen."

Mick Kubiak: Screen ("Here Comes Spring")

posted by sooz at 1:42 PM [ 4 comments ] :: ^top^



Hope she comes to her senses... When Sooz sets down her crackpipe, I hope she?ll realize that Soltero is the real gig to see this Friday. Forget Gonzalo and Mistle Thrush at the Middle East. Forget Sparkola ? they just happen to be playing after Soltero. Hell, I offered her a ride to the show, even. Soltero is one of my favorite songwriters ? I love his ironic lyrics and his clever wordplay. For the record, Communist Love Song was my favorite song before Flak Magazine voted it into their top 21 of 2001. Soltero : Bottomfeeder

posted by Lee Stewart at 2:34 PM [ 9 comments ] :: ^top^



Can it get any better? An entire month of the HandStand Command, a Somerville-based music collective. They have a month-long internship at my favorite dive, the Abbey Lounge. The Operators : Bottle

posted by Lee Stewart at 7:40 PM [ 4 comments ] :: ^top^



Chris Parsley is a funny guy. And you can't go wrong writing about squirrels.

Chris Parsley : "Bad Squirrel Made it Through My Window"

posted by sooz at 10:29 PM [ 805 comments ] :: ^top^



Hard, heavy, groove... Check out Torn's Mp3s

posted by Carey Townsend at 2:52 PM [ got a comment? ] :: ^top^



For all you fans of the Rock N Roll, here's a group I know personally that are working their asses off to bring back the rock. The Colorside : Colorside MP3.com site

posted by Carey Townsend at 11:09 PM [ 721 comments ] :: ^top^



Sparkola, a new rock/alternative band in Boston had a great show at 608 in Somerville, MA last night. The band consists of Adam Buhler on bass, Steve Powers on guitar & vocals and Jason Sokol on drums. Adam was nice enough to let us post an MP3 of "On and On" -- check it out here. I had a hard time picking a song to feature. Everything on the CD is good. You can buy it from Castle Von Buhler.

Sparkola's next show:
Friday, April 12, 2002 at Beckett's Pub, as part of the NEMO showcase. Sparkola go on at midnight. Beckett's Pub: (617-713-3914), 1098 Comm. Ave., Allston

posted by sooz at 8:16 PM [ got a comment? ] :: ^top^



If you are into the whole alt-country thing or just feel like hearing something new go check out The Trouble With Sweeney. The Trouble With Sweeney : mp3 page

posted by Carey Townsend at 6:13 PM [ 13 comments ] :: ^top^



Cleveland Rocks Enjoy Surf Music and horror movies? Go to Cleveland, Ohio this weekend and catch Gein and the Graverobbers playing at the FrightVision Expo. These guys totally rock, Dick Dale style. They also dress in 1950?s suits and wear ghoulish makeup. Fun music and great to see live. Gein and the Graverobbers : Spectre Stomp

posted by Lee Stewart at 3:50 PM [ 6 comments ] :: ^top^



hey, I'm back with some more pure pop delight!! check out Death Cab For Cutie

posted by Carey Townsend at 9:50 PM [ 6 comments ] :: ^top^



Hey, thanks for having me! I?m from the Boston area, so I?ll probably post things about local bands. For example, my favorite Boston area all female 80?s-style Heavy Metal band is Tootsie. Their new CD was voted best of March 2002 (right along with the new Cher and Lisa Loeb albums). They?re playing in New York on my birthday weekend, April 28th and 29th. Hopefully I?ll be able to make it? Tootsie : Tragic Note that I don't like this version of the song - they've mixed it with way too much vocal reverb. I'll look for a better MP3 file...

posted by Lee Stewart at 5:02 PM [ got a comment? ] :: ^top^



Welcome to two new informants: Lee Stewart and Karl Dotter. If you want to join us, just say the word. I think this weekend I'm going to wade through CDbaby.com and post new finds.

Railer is an alternative rock band out of Anchorage, AK. I found out about them when Randall, the singer for the band, emailed me about playing their tunes on soozradio. If Billy Corgan sang well, the Smashing Pumpkins might sound a bit like Railer.

Railer : Kiss Fix

posted by sooz at 11:57 AM [ got a comment? ] :: ^top^



Here's a gem-of-a-pop-band from San Francisco called Enda. (Thanks to Karl for introducing me to the band's tunes.)

Enda : Spacious EP

posted by sooz at 5:54 PM [ 5 comments ] :: ^top^



Currently Playing: Ghoti Hook - "Drop Dead" Suffering & The Hideous Thieves - "All My Friends are on Prozac" Soul Junk - "Slither Hither" LN - "Softly and Tenderly" for more info on these bands and to buy the music go to Velvet Blue Music.

posted by Carey Townsend at 4:45 PM [ 4 comments ] :: ^top^



Good Morning!!!!! Everybody should check out Matt Hopper and his band The Roman Candles!!!

posted by Carey Townsend at 12:26 PM [ 5 comments ] :: ^top^



Check out Modest Mouse. They really are good. You will like thier brand of quirky pop songs in the same genre as Built To Spill and Pavement. click here for the mp3's from the Mural Ampitheater in Seattle, WA on 6/26/98. thanks to Indie Pop Live for this one.

posted by Carey Townsend at 2:26 AM [ 7 comments ] :: ^top^



More Music: Cub Country | St. Louis | High Uinta High Pedro The Lion | Rapture | Penetration

posted by Carey Townsend at 1:15 AM [ 6 comments ] :: ^top^



OH! yeah, there is a great show in the New Orleans area on the 5th, here's the details: 4/5 New Orleans LA @ Shim Sham Bands: Norma Jean w/ Hatebreed, Converge for fans of metal and hardcore, or if you just wanna get your ass kicked!

posted by Carey Townsend at 12:51 AM [ 5 comments ] :: ^top^



I have a few obligatory recommendations to start off with. Click the musician's name for their website and click the name of the song for an MP3 to download. All MP3s are posted at the musician's website.

Rose Polenzani : Fell
Sparkola : Climbing Out Your Window
Mistle Thrush : Heavy-set John

Sparkola has a show this Friday night, April 5th at 608 in Somerville, MA. If you're in the area and want to meet up with a few of us, let me know. It should be a great show. Annette Farrington and Countess are also performing sets.

posted by sooz at 12:30 AM [ 6 comments ] :: ^top^



Welcome to Listen Up! I hope you enjoy the things we post here, and that you will be able to find out new and exciting music. So here are my first few mp3 reccomendations: Unwed Sailor: Ruby's Wishes
Ester Drang: Words That Cure, Part 1
The Trouble With Sweeney : Telegram Stanley
The Trouble With Sweeney: He Has No Idea
Jetenderpaul: Our Future's Passed
Denison Witmer: The '80s
Denison Witmer: Los Angeles
Scientific: Lightweight Contender
Scientific: You Wanted Blood there you go!

posted by Carey Townsend at 12:09 AM [ 8 comments ] :: ^top^