October, 2009

As the month comes to an end I want everyone to remember to be aware of the dangers of Breast Cancer, remember it affects women as well as men. I played the entire month with my pink Susan Coleman Capo trying to do my part in raising any awareness.

In 2005 (the most recent year numbers are available)—

186,467 women and 1,764 men were diagnosed with breast cancer.*†
41,116 women and 375 men died from breast cancer.*†
†Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2005 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs.

Click Here To Listen To Kevin’s Current Playlist.

Just as in the previous week this week is all women (don’t worry guys I got a stock pile of male-singer songs to choose from) in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it has come to a close however we must always stay vigilant both men and women. So here we are with this weeks music picks.

21. Jaclyn Marie – “Second Glances” (Indie) Jaclyn is a girl that makes you happy to love music. She is honest with her music and mesmerizing, in the vein of American roots and pure female musical honesty. She writes songs about love and heartbreak with the intimacy of close friendship or your inner monolog. Jaclyn has a voice that has the dirt in it, it is gritty and soulful and has the texture of oil paint, bright, vibrant and thick. Her live performances are honest and if there is any recording trickery she carries that into her shows. The recordings are nice but the presence she carries with her completes the package for the listener. Be on the look out friends for her new album that is currently in the works.

20. Little Jackie – “The World Should Revolve Around Me” (S-Curve Records)Girl power, it makes powerful music! All girls should hold the power in their lives, you are the one who says yes and you are the one who says no. I chose this song because the instant I heard it I thought, that girl has control and that girl has the power. I am glad to see “girl power” coming back; what started in my generation with the Spice Girls is being continued with the Lady Gaga, Megan Fox, and Carrie Underwoodes of this world. A lot of the “Little Jackie” songs I have heard are about not being a victim of relationships or status quo, this is a message all girls and people should hear. Today is the final day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I think we all need to know we all have the power.

19. Roxie Randle – “I Know What You’re Thinking” (Indie)A sweet song, a song that makes me reminiscent and feel exactly how she feels. Roxie Randle is a great artist that is perfect for girl power “men are like a pair of shoes” and hearing this song makes my heart melt and makes one fall in love with her writing and melody. It might be me being sentimental but with the end of the tour I am heading back to Nashville and it is nice to hear the golden gems coming from Nashville and Roxie is that.

Previous Picks:

18. JoAnna Lynne – “Bad Habits”(Independent) An ambient Hispanic march tune (in my opinion) this is a good choice to hear the movement in Ms. Lynne’s voice, and her soft and powerful vocal chops. She is creating a somber and dreamy landscape about how we chase after things we want but sometimes give into the pressures that surround us. We all want our dreams but at what cost do we achieve those? What must we give up or what potion must we drink to get there? In this we hear Ms. Lynne demanding no short cuts, no easy answer to what we want to achieve. “That’s when I took a sip / and I began to slip” one small step can lead you to the infinite rabbit hole of giving yourself up to the bastardized version of our dreams. This could be all wrong but this is what I hear in JoAnna Lynne’s song Bad Habits. This song is a coy rendition of the meaning behind “Alice in Wonderland”, a song worthy of the book and worthy of a listen.

17. Laura Marling – “Alas I Cannot Swim”(Major) Rod and I got to see Laura Marling in concert at World Café Live, the same stage we played. My wife demanded that I go on account that she’s a big fan and was unable to make it out to the show in Philly, so I went in her steed. I kept her informed with pictures, texts, and videos and Rod helped me brave the throngs of young girls mobbing towards Ms. Marling as she exited her Greenroom. We were able to talk for a second with Ms. Marling and were able to grab her autograph on my ticket. The show was very good, the recordings she has are a lot like her live shows, and if you want to know what it was like to be in the intimate space of the World Café Drexel Stage on Ms. Marling’s myspace page she has a video from MTVU. I chose this song not because of what it is (it is a great fun meaningful song) but because Laura Marling ended her set with an encore of this song. The show was really wonderful because she played a LOT of new songs from her upcoming album.

16. Taylor Swift – “Love Song”(Major) I am well aware of the age the song has. I just wanted to keep up the trend I have of Major picks, and Indie Picks, so Ms. “Keeps Coming Back in My Musical Life” Swift is my Major label pick. I am related to a couple kids that sing Ms. Swift’s music whenever it comes on the radio or call for repeat in the car. Little kids know Taylor Swift by heart, which has to say something. I will be the first to admit that I am and have not up until this point been a fan however the antics of Kanye West on the MTV Music Awards and her nagging ability to come into my life like a boomerang has finally won me over. Ms. Taylor Swift, I support you and wish you as the Weepies put it, “all good things.” Previous Picks:

15. Joshua James – “Magazine” Being in love and always on the road causes you grief but leave it to another musician to be able to put into words and song what you are feeling. Joshua James is a great singer songwriter with soft vocal notes that bring to my mind the vocal styling of Donovan (To Catch The Wind). If you want to get a step into my book take a listen to this tune.

14. Shane Cooley – “My Asbury Park” Shane Cooley spends most of his days not in Jersey’s Asbury Park but as a student at William and Mary in Williamsburg Virginia. In his Senior year he has a great start on his career, touring all over the countryside, accolades, and a great sounding album to boot. Mr. Cooley has been at this songwriting thing for a while (since he was 14 I believe) and he boasted to this blogger that he had roughly 40 songs for his next project and another 50 unrecorded for his last. He is a treasure trove of songs and while I dig “My Asbury Park” there are a whole lot of other songs that are on par if not above this. ”My Asbury Park”, is a really great song not so much about Asbury Park but about the place he considers HIS Asbury park. We all have that place we love and that is our place we call home, listen to “My Asbury Park” and think of your own Asbury Park.

13. Mika – “We Are Golden” This is a dangerous and unexpected choice for me, however it is a choice I have to make. Not everyone will agree with me on this choice for “HOT NEW MUSIC” but it’s a fun and rebellious song. You have a grown man running around singing about being golden and not caring about what family you come from, you can be whatever you want, I think that’s fun and fighting against what everyone thinks. How many people feel, if you came from the right family or if you knew the right people that you can become whatever it is that you want? Mika is saying forget that, you are young and you are the one in control. This song has the obvious Queen influence (see Mika’s song Grace Kelly) but I think it also has a “Who” style, Youth Rebellion, (teenage wasteland vs teenage dreams in a teenage circus). There are those out there that who won’t see it but you have to be open. Then there are those who will see the whole reason behind this fun song but not see the revolutionary aspect of it. This is a great pop song with a great message to the youth of the world.

12. Mumford&Sons “Hold on to what you believe” – This band from London has been blasting through my ear buds these past weeks. I really dig their style and you have to check out their videos. They were just signed to Island and their album will drop here in America very soon, so be on the look out.

11. Brett Dennen “Heaven” – A very nice folk pop song from an artist who I believe shares the same roots as myself. I saw him in concert in Nashville and he played late into the night. That was a rough morning but worth it due to his/his band performance.

10.Find Vienna “Chemistry” – A wonderful group that just rocks your socks off when it comes to their live performance. Find Vienna has a tight album and they can pull it off live. When you can find a group that can do that, I suggest hanging on for dear life.

9. Cliff Hillis “Ought to Know” – This guy knows how to get you whistling his tunes well after he has unplugged his guitar, I find myself randomly singing the chorus hook from this song and if you’re not careful you will too. Cliff I’m the guy in the back of the room singing along!

8. Cocoon ”On My Way” – I know, what the 80’s movie about the old people and Alien Robots…no a French group. A nice group from wine country that proves Folk music isn’t always American made.

7. Julie Lee “Hope’s The Thing With Feathers” – a good friend from Nashville that captivates me with her songwriting. If she wanted to name drop she could but admirably she lets her music speak for itself. This song always makes me gasp in wonder at her amazing talent.

6. The Champion and His Burning Flame “The Expert” – This is an older track from their French EP but it is always a classic when it comes to show time. The Champion has been working on film scores lately but I believe we should be expecting something new from these guys. Their drummer lays down a tight beat and odd time is his favorite to play in.

5. David Bazan “Bless This Mess” – Former Pedro The Lion front man David Bazan has taken to the homes of America with hellfire and he has presented a good if not great touring ideology. Bazan will play for small groups or big groups play for anyone and broadcasting it live to the world abroad.

4. Bob Dylan “Beyond Here Lies Nothing” – Something new from Dylan from his most recent studio project, this song has a very interesting video on youtube, don’t know if this is Dylan sanctioned but it has a very graphic quality to it. I’d say the video is R rated but the song itself is typical Dylan.

3. Bobby Long “Two Years Old” – This is an English singer-songwriter doing something similar to myself, sometimes it’s just good to hear someone that is clearly another branch on the same tree.

2. Tori Sparks “Penny On A Rail” – Tori is an great storyteller from Nashville, this song is a great song but my favorites aren’t even out yet. Please check out Tori and her music she will move you.

1. Switchfoot “Mess of Me” – A great way to end the playlist or begin it however you are looking at it. Switchfoot is hope for people like us, they were a major label band at one point but figured out they could go alone. They hit the road, they make their albums, they are a good “band model” to follow. Great guys and a great way to end or begin a track listing.

Hello dear friends,

This tour is coming to the end, time for recaps and oil changes. I have traveled from Nashville TN and with my Road Amigo Rod Kim have traveled from as far north as Brooklyn, NY to as far south as Williamsburg, VA, as far west as Gettysburg PA and now we find ourselves in Delaware. Back to the everyday grind soon, working “real jobs” either slaving behind espresso machines or sorting CDs I can speak for the both of us when I say that being on the road and meeting you all is a “juicer”. No matter how bad the day got, no matter how bad the traffic was to get any place, no matter how we performed you were there for us. Thank you so much and we want to see you again soon, can we make that happen? As far as the commuter tour we are going to take a few months to recharge, work on some projects, and try to steady ourselves for an adventurous year next year.

The Commuter Tour Needs YOU!

The way we break up the driving out on the road is between Rod’s car and my car. This past tour has been an east coast venture so we’ve been using Rod’s car, his check engine light has been on for the past few thousand miles, oil change time! Does anyone reading this have a recommendation for any places? Please contact us! The plans for next year are a series of tours in the New England area, East Coast, Carolina’s, and the broad range of the Midwest. We are venturing into the south and are going to try for the west coast, what we both need from y’all is HELP! We need advice on places where you see music, what venues do you go to? Who do you think would be a good match for Rod and/or myself? What are a few places to promote? What news printings do you read, online or paper, where do you find out what is playing, what radio stations do you listen to? We need you all out there, we want to see you and your friends and your friend’s friends but we need a little help. So who wants to join the team? Do you want to be part of the tour; do you want to be part of the Folks?

We want to thank Vision4Music for helping us out and friends plan on seeing more from them as you see more of us. I want to thank all the nice people we’ve met and all the new friends I have made. Thank you for being cool and thank you for being so supportive; let’s make some music soon, all of us! We will see you all real soon so keep listening to the songs and be prepared for some new stuff on the horizon.

So Masch and I have been in the studio over the last few days recording and putting the finishing touches on our acoustic Christmas EP. We’re really excited to finally get this completed, both of us are Christmas nuts. Both of us have been writing and recording songs since July and today we finished tracking our joint songs. It’s a little goofy and a lot about the hardships of being on the road during the holidays, but we hope it brings are warm fuzzy feeling and a smile to your face by the end. It’s six tracks long and has both standard Christmas songs and a couple original songs Masch and I wrote just for this release! It’s set to release on Nov. 1, 2009…so check back and stay tuned for a BIG surprise!

G’night friends,

-Rod

Last weekend, Masch and I took a break from playing shows to go catch a show from a great friend, Marc Broussard. Not only is he one of the most talented artists in the music industry, but one of the nicest you’ll meet. It was great to see him again, and as usual, the show was amazing. If you haven’t already, make sure and check out Marc’s tunes.

The past few days Masch and I hit up Gettysburg, PA at the always fantastic Ragged Edge Coffee House. If you’re ever visiting, stop in and get some food and coffee, you won’t be disappointed! We played a show the first day, then hosted an open mic the second night. The turn out was incredible, we always love meeting new friends and the talent in Gettysburg was awesome!

Masch and I were loading our gear into my car after the first day and in a rush to get out of the rain, Masch kicked the sidewalk curb and bloodied up his little toe! It’s still black and blue! Poor folkie is limping around from gig to gig…rock and roll!

It was pouring rain violently on our last day in Gettysburg. When we finished packing up, I went to get the car and saw the windows rolled down! Neither of us remembers leaving them down, but somehow, they were left down for almost 10 hours in sideways rain! I sat in my seat and…*squish!* Luckily most of our gear was spared…and somehow, the passenger side was dry! But days later, there is still water pouring out of handles and switches!

Our drive to Fleetwood, PA was adventurous in the hurricane-like rain. We played a show with our good friend Amy and the wonderful Max Cremas…our pick for great coffee and art in the Reading, PA area. After a great show and some Chinese buffet, Masch and I headed to Philly to catch my good friend, Chris Trapper, play the Tin Angel. What should have been a 1.5 hour drive became more like 3 when I-76 was flooded and stopped. We missed the opening act, but rushed in from the rain and made it into the venue just in time for Chris’s set to start. He has really evolved over the years. His shows are entertaining, but he is truly the songwriter’s songwriter…songs about everything, and it’s amazing. It was great to catch up after almost a year since last seeing him. Chris has many great accomplishments, but most recently, he penned the main song for the film, “August Rush” called “This Time” and performed by Jonathon Rhys Meyers. Chris recorded his own version and it is just as, if not more, captivating.

Now, we are winding down for the night with a heist movie on the TV while catching you folks up on our blog. This week, we go into the studio!

-Rod

Click Here To Listen To Rod’s Current Playlist.

It’s late, but these three are worth staying up for:

Joss Stone – Free Me: Listening to Joss bear her soul to a great beat is unmatchable. We’ve waited a long time for this “new” project that’s been done for a while now, but it was well worth the wait.

Chris Trapper – This Time: If you’ve seen the film “August Rush” you’ll recognize this song. Chris wrote this main theme for the film and Jonathon Rhys Meyers does an excellent job, but there’s something Chris puts into his take that is classic.

Jaclyn Marie – Girl By The Sea: Recorded material is tough to find right now for this hidden gem, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t show mad love to this incredible talent.

Previous Picks:

1. Find Vienna – Both Need Saving: These guys are simply brilliant. Their live shows are epic and every performance is just an action packed ride through skilled songwriting and fresh rock and roll. This is one of my favorite songs and just speaks a message so true.

2. Ian Walsh – Golden Days: Ian and I share a common producer, but he has his own brand of melodic rock. Seriously, I had this hook stuck in my head for days.

3. The Fray – Never Say Never: This song won me over in the middle of Transformers 2. The movie may have been ridiculous, but this song wasn’t!

4. IKE – We Like Sugar: Philly music lovers are no stranger to John Faye & Company’s melodilicious rock songs. This song will ring in your head for days.

5. Cliff Hillis – Elevator: I’ve purchased this song 3 times I liked it so much. Great story and ridiculously catchy hook.

6. City & Colour – Sleeping Sickness: This guy can do no wrong. Every song is a work of art. This tune is an innovative tune for the alternative rock masses.

7. Tori Sparks – Tall Towers: Tori’s warning to all unfaithful men is clear in the jangly folk tune…don’t let your scorned lover know where your gun is kept!

8. Annie Lennox – Walking On Broken Glass (Acoustic): This was a great song before by one of the best female voices of all time, but this acoustic rendition adds a new level of relevance to current times. [DEAD LINK]

9. Take That – Rule The World: The hopeless romantic in me sings this to the soulmate I haven’t found yet…lovely little tune.

10. Marc Broussard – Home: Seriously, who doesn’t like this song? If you like some down home bayou soul, listen to this now!

11. Ben Folds – The Luckiest: I didn’t really listen to Ben Folds until I started getting compared to him at my live shows. This tune makes me tear up a little inside every time.

12. JoAnna Lynne – Bad Habits: My favorite tunes from Ms. Lynne aren’t even released yet, but her talent is undeniable. Keep an eye out on this one.

13. Steven Cooley – Lost My Faith: Steven is possibly my favorite voice in indie music now. His honest songwriting is heart-tugging. I love this song so much, I cover it during my shows while I’m tour…I NEVER do covers, this song is just awesome.

Click Here To Listen To Kevin’s Current Playlist.

Just as in the previous week this week is all women (don’t worry guys I got a stock pile of male-singer songs to choose from) in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it has come to a close however we must always stay vigilant both men and women. So here we are with this weeks music picks.

21. Jaclyn Marie – “Second Glances” (Indie) Jaclyn is a girl that makes you happy to love music. She is honest with her music and mesmerizing, in the vein of American roots and pure female musical honesty. She writes songs about love and heartbreak with the intimacy of close friendship or your inner monolog. Jaclyn has a voice that has the dirt in it, it is gritty and soulful and has the texture of oil paint, bright, vibrant and thick. Her live performances are honest and if there is any recording trickery she carries that into her shows. The recordings are nice but the presence she carries with her completes the package for the listener. Be on the look out friends for her new album that is currently in the works.

20. Little Jackie – “The World Should Revolve Around Me” (S-Curve Records)Girl power, it makes powerful music! All girls should hold the power in their lives, you are the one who says yes and you are the one who says no. I chose this song because the instant I heard it I thought, that girl has control and that girl has the power. I am glad to see “girl power” coming back; what started in my generation with the Spice Girls is being continued with the Lady Gaga, Megan Fox, and Carrie Underwoodes of this world. A lot of the “Little Jackie” songs I have heard are about not being a victim of relationships or status quo, this is a message all girls and people should hear. Today is the final day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I think we all need to know we all have the power.

19. Roxie Randle – “I Know What You’re Thinking” (Indie)A sweet song, a song that makes me reminiscent and feel exactly how she feels. Roxie Randle is a great artist that is perfect for girl power “men are like a pair of shoes” and hearing this song makes my heart melt and makes one fall in love with her writing and melody. It might be me being sentimental but with the end of the tour I am heading back to Nashville and it is nice to hear the golden gems coming from Nashville and Roxie is that.

Previous Picks:

18. JoAnna Lynne – “Bad Habits”(Independent) An ambient Hispanic march tune (in my opinion) this is a good choice to hear the movement in Ms. Lynne’s voice, and her soft and powerful vocal chops. She is creating a somber and dreamy landscape about how we chase after things we want but sometimes give into the pressures that surround us. We all want our dreams but at what cost do we achieve those? What must we give up or what potion must we drink to get there? In this we hear Ms. Lynne demanding no short cuts, no easy answer to what we want to achieve. “That’s when I took a sip / and I began to slip” one small step can lead you to the infinite rabbit hole of giving yourself up to the bastardized version of our dreams. This could be all wrong but this is what I hear in JoAnna Lynne’s song Bad Habits. This song is a coy rendition of the meaning behind “Alice in Wonderland”, a song worthy of the book and worthy of a listen.

17. Laura Marling – “Alas I Cannot Swim”(Major) Rod and I got to see Laura Marling in concert at World Café Live, the same stage we played. My wife demanded that I go on account that she’s a big fan and was unable to make it out to the show in Philly, so I went in her steed. I kept her informed with pictures, texts, and videos and Rod helped me brave the throngs of young girls mobbing towards Ms. Marling as she exited her Greenroom. We were able to talk for a second with Ms. Marling and were able to grab her autograph on my ticket. The show was very good, the recordings she has are a lot like her live shows, and if you want to know what it was like to be in the intimate space of the World Café Drexel Stage on Ms. Marling’s myspace page she has a video from MTVU. I chose this song not because of what it is (it is a great fun meaningful song) but because Laura Marling ended her set with an encore of this song. The show was really wonderful because she played a LOT of new songs from her upcoming album.

16. Taylor Swift – “Love Song”(Major) I am well aware of the age the song has. I just wanted to keep up the trend I have of Major picks, and Indie Picks, so Ms. “Keeps Coming Back in My Musical Life” Swift is my Major label pick. I am related to a couple kids that sing Ms. Swift’s music whenever it comes on the radio or call for repeat in the car. Little kids know Taylor Swift by heart, which has to say something. I will be the first to admit that I am and have not up until this point been a fan however the antics of Kanye West on the MTV Music Awards and her nagging ability to come into my life like a boomerang has finally won me over. Ms. Taylor Swift, I support you and wish you as the Weepies put it, “all good things.” Previous Picks:

15. Joshua James – “Magazine” Being in love and always on the road causes you grief but leave it to another musician to be able to put into words and song what you are feeling. Joshua James is a great singer songwriter with soft vocal notes that bring to my mind the vocal styling of Donovan (To Catch The Wind). If you want to get a step into my book take a listen to this tune.

14. Shane Cooley – “My Asbury Park” Shane Cooley spends most of his days not in Jersey’s Asbury Park but as a student at William and Mary in Williamsburg Virginia. In his Senior year he has a great start on his career, touring all over the countryside, accolades, and a great sounding album to boot. Mr. Cooley has been at this songwriting thing for a while (since he was 14 I believe) and he boasted to this blogger that he had roughly 40 songs for his next project and another 50 unrecorded for his last. He is a treasure trove of songs and while I dig “My Asbury Park” there are a whole lot of other songs that are on par if not above this. ”My Asbury Park”, is a really great song not so much about Asbury Park but about the place he considers HIS Asbury park. We all have that place we love and that is our place we call home, listen to “My Asbury Park” and think of your own Asbury Park.

13. Mika – “We Are Golden” This is a dangerous and unexpected choice for me, however it is a choice I have to make. Not everyone will agree with me on this choice for “HOT NEW MUSIC” but it’s a fun and rebellious song. You have a grown man running around singing about being golden and not caring about what family you come from, you can be whatever you want, I think that’s fun and fighting against what everyone thinks. How many people feel, if you came from the right family or if you knew the right people that you can become whatever it is that you want? Mika is saying forget that, you are young and you are the one in control. This song has the obvious Queen influence (see Mika’s song Grace Kelly) but I think it also has a “Who” style, Youth Rebellion, (teenage wasteland vs teenage dreams in a teenage circus). There are those out there that who won’t see it but you have to be open. Then there are those who will see the whole reason behind this fun song but not see the revolutionary aspect of it. This is a great pop song with a great message to the youth of the world.

12. Mumford&Sons “Hold on to what you believe” – This band from London has been blasting through my ear buds these past weeks. I really dig their style and you have to check out their videos. They were just signed to Island and their album will drop here in America very soon, so be on the look out.

11. Brett Dennen “Heaven” – A very nice folk pop song from an artist who I believe shares the same roots as myself. I saw him in concert in Nashville and he played late into the night. That was a rough morning but worth it due to his/his band performance.

10.Find Vienna “Chemistry” – A wonderful group that just rocks your socks off when it comes to their live performance. Find Vienna has a tight album and they can pull it off live. When you can find a group that can do that, I suggest hanging on for dear life.

9. Cliff Hillis “Ought to Know” – This guy knows how to get you whistling his tunes well after he has unplugged his guitar, I find myself randomly singing the chorus hook from this song and if you’re not careful you will too. Cliff I’m the guy in the back of the room singing along!

8. Cocoon ”On My Way” – I know, what the 80’s movie about the old people and Alien Robots…no a French group. A nice group from wine country that proves Folk music isn’t always American made.

7. Julie Lee “Hope’s The Thing With Feathers” – a good friend from Nashville that captivates me with her songwriting. If she wanted to name drop she could but admirably she lets her music speak for itself. This song always makes me gasp in wonder at her amazing talent.

6. The Champion and His Burning Flame “The Expert” – This is an older track from their French EP but it is always a classic when it comes to show time. The Champion has been working on film scores lately but I believe we should be expecting something new from these guys. Their drummer lays down a tight beat and odd time is his favorite to play in.

5. David Bazan “Bless This Mess” – Former Pedro The Lion front man David Bazan has taken to the homes of America with hellfire and he has presented a good if not great touring ideology. Bazan will play for small groups or big groups play for anyone and broadcasting it live to the world abroad.

4. Bob Dylan “Beyond Here Lies Nothing” – Something new from Dylan from his most recent studio project, this song has a very interesting video on youtube, don’t know if this is Dylan sanctioned but it has a very graphic quality to it. I’d say the video is R rated but the song itself is typical Dylan.

3. Bobby Long “Two Years Old” – This is an English singer-songwriter doing something similar to myself, sometimes it’s just good to hear someone that is clearly another branch on the same tree.

2. Tori Sparks “Penny On A Rail” – Tori is an great storyteller from Nashville, this song is a great song but my favorites aren’t even out yet. Please check out Tori and her music she will move you.

1. Switchfoot “Mess of Me” – A great way to end the playlist or begin it however you are looking at it. Switchfoot is hope for people like us, they were a major label band at one point but figured out they could go alone. They hit the road, they make their albums, they are a good “band model” to follow. Great guys and a great way to end or begin a track listing.

Kagero, Kagero, Kagero…I can’t say how amazed I was with Kagero’s show! Wednesday night Masch and I hit up Bar4 to play a gig with our friends Kagero and the kind folks of Brooklyn. Kevin rocked out and I pushed through my set with the help of a cup of pure honey to ease the hoarseness. Kagero came in and just took over. They were original, talented, kind and their show was electrifying. Look these guys up, their live show is amazing from the first beat to the last. Japanese gypsy rock!!!

After Brooklyn, we headed to South Jersey to rehearse and play for the wedding of our friend, Bonnie and her significant other, Joe. We were glad to be there and to make music for this event…I provided intro music and Masch and I accompanied Bonnie’s friend, Sarah, in special music for the ceremony (Billy Joel’s “She’s Got A Way”). I performed John Lennon’s “Grow Old With Me” for the couple’s first dance at the reception and Masch performed a couple original tunes (”I’ll Be” and “Beauty”) for the guests. It’s times like these I’m grateful to be able to do music and help make special occasions memorable.

Today was a nice break from the gigs and some time to catch take things a little slower (as opposed to the constant rush of getting to gigs and playing) and just enjoy the luxury of some free time. The best part? I found vanilla Moonpies! hahaha…

All the best,

-Rod

Click Here To Listen To Kevin’s Current Playlist.

Joshua James – “Magazine” Being in love and always on the road causes you grief but leave it to another musician to be able to put into words and song what you are feeling. Joshua James is a great singer songwriter with soft vocal notes that bring to my mind the vocal styling of Donovan (To Catch The Wind). If you want to get a step into my book take a listen to this tune.

Shane Cooley – “My Asbury Park” Shane Cooley spends most of his days not in Jersey’s Asbury Park but as a student at William and Mary in Williamsburg Virginia. In his Senior year he has a great start on his career, touring all over the countryside, accolades, and a great sounding album to boot. Mr. Cooley has been at this songwriting thing for a while (since he was 14 I believe) and he boasted to this blogger that he had roughly 40 songs for his next project and another 50 unrecorded for his last. He is a treasure trove of songs and while I dig “My Asbury Park” there are a whole lot of other songs that are on par if not above this. ”My Asbury Park”, is a really great song not so much about Asbury Park but about the place he considers HIS Asbury park. We all have that place we love and that is our place we call home, listen to “My Asbury Park” and think of your own Asbury Park.

Mika – “We Are Golden” This is a dangerous and unexpected choice for me, however it is a choice I have to make. Not everyone will agree with me on this choice for “HOT NEW MUSIC” but it’s a fun and rebellious song. You have a grown man running around singing about being golden and not caring about what family you come from, you can be whatever you want, I think that’s fun and fighting against what everyone thinks. How many people feel, if you came from the right family or if you knew the right people that you can become whatever it is that you want? Mika is saying forget that, you are young and you are the one in control. This song has the obvious Queen influence (see Mika’s song Grace Kelly) but I think it also has a “Who” style, Youth Rebellion, (teenage wasteland vs teenage dreams in a teenage circus). There are those out there that who won’t see it but you have to be open. Then there are those who will see the whole reason behind this fun song but not see the revolutionary aspect of it. This is a great pop song with a great message to the youth of the world.

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12. Mumford&Sons “Hold on to what you believe” – This band from London has been blasting through my ear buds these past weeks. I really dig their style and you have to check out their videos. They were just signed to Island and their album will drop here in America very soon, so be on the look out.

11. Brett Dennen “Heaven” – A very nice folk pop song from an artist who I believe shares the same roots as myself. I saw him in concert in Nashville and he played late into the night. That was a rough morning but worth it due to his/his band performance.

10.Find Vienna “Chemistry” – A wonderful group that just rocks your socks off when it comes to their live performance. Find Vienna has a tight album and they can pull it off live. When you can find a group that can do that, I suggest hanging on for dear life.

9. Cliff Hillis “Ought to Know” – This guy knows how to get you whistling his tunes well after he has unplugged his guitar, I find myself randomly singing the chorus hook from this song and if you’re not careful you will too. Cliff I’m the guy in the back of the room singing along!

8. Cocoon ”On My Way” – I know, what the 80’s movie about the old people and Alien Robots…no a French group. A nice group from wine country that proves Folk music isn’t always American made.

7. Julie Lee “Hope’s The Thing With Feathers” – a good friend from Nashville that captivates me with her songwriting. If she wanted to name drop she could but admirably she lets her music speak for itself. This song always makes me gasp in wonder at her amazing talent.

6. The Champion and His Burning Flame “The Expert” – This is an older track from their French EP but it is always a classic when it comes to show time. The Champion has been working on film scores lately but I believe we should be expecting something new from these guys. Their drummer lays down a tight beat and odd time is his favorite to play in.

5. David Bazan “Bless This Mess” – Former Pedro The Lion front man David Bazan has taken to the homes of America with hellfire and he has presented a good if not great touring ideology. Bazan will play for small groups or big groups play for anyone and broadcasting it live to the world abroad.

4. Bob Dylan “Beyond Here Lies Nothing” – Something new from Dylan from his most recent studio project, this song has a very interesting video on youtube, don’t know if this is Dylan sanctioned but it has a very graphic quality to it. I’d say the video is R rated but the song itself is typical Dylan.

3. Bobby Long “Two Years Old” – This is an English singer-songwriter doing something similar to myself, sometimes it’s just good to hear someone that is clearly another branch on the same tree.

2. Tori Sparks “Penny On A Rail” – Tori is an great storyteller from Nashville, this song is a great song but my favorites aren’t even out yet. Please check out Tori and her music she will move you.

1. Switchfoot “Mess of Me” – A great way to end the playlist or begin it however you are looking at it. Switchfoot is hope for people like us, they were a major label band at one point but figured out they could go alone. They hit the road, they make their albums, they are a good “band model” to follow. Great guys and a great way to end or begin a track listing.

Currently, Masch and I are stopped in Delaware, we drove from Williamsburg, VA last night and are heading to Brooklyn, NY for a show today. Sleep is good. It’s amazing how much colder it got the farther north we drove…brrrrr! Anyway, last night’s show was good, I really struggled through the tail end of this cold, but Masch and our friend, Shane Cooley were awesome. Now, time for some warm soup and praying my voice comes back by the time we pull into Brooklyn!

-Rod