Tall Tall Trees is an alternative country-folk band based in Harlem, NY. With a sound that’s heavily steeped in old-time and bluegrass music, yet riddled with fuzz pedals, iron maiden quote-ables, clanking percussion and surf harmonies, members Mike Savino (vocals, banjo, bass), Kyle Sanna (guitar, vocals), and Mathias Kunzli (drums, percussion, vocals) create music that is both traditional and innovative.

Tall Tall Trees is gearing up for the release of their self-titled debut album, due out in June. Recorded between January and December 2008, the TTT LP features 11 songs by songwriter Mike Savino, plus a song from the Muppets, whom the band identify as its primary influence.

Savino’s banjo is complemented by jangling guitars, toy box percussion and his own throaty vocals, serving up a range of tunes from indie-pop jems to full on bluegrass space-rock.

Tall Tall Trees’ CD Release Party is on Wednesday, June 24, 2009 from 9-11pm at Arlene’s Grocery (95 Stanton St.), NYC.

Other acts include The Veveritse Brass Band and very special guests!

For music and more information, go to:

Tall Tall Trees MySpace
Tall Tall Trees on ReverbNation

Mike Savino Official Website

Songwriter/Producer/Engineer and Mixer Sarah Shafey has created something unique in her hometown of Toronto that has her working with indie musicians from all walks of life.

She started out by studying classical piano at the Royal Conservatory for nine years and continued on to take up the guitar, harmonica, vocals, song-writing, engineering, and producing, “the second I downloaded my first demo of Fruity Loops my mind opened up into new dimensions.” She quickly became hungry to learn more about composition and how to infuse new technology with classic live instrumentation.

Shafey spent her life living across the globe and this is clearly evident in her song-writing and production. She flawlessly takes her love of all genres and fuses them together to create her own sound.

Her first self-titled demo was released on Feb 4th, 2007. It is an infusion of rich electronic and pop textures with conscious lyrics that stem from her love for politically savvy music and artists such as Ani Difranco, Ben Harper, Cat Stevens, Radiohead, and Zero 7. On Dec 15th, 2008 Sarah Shafey digitally released her first full-length album ‘Tiny Music Box’ through new technology DropCards.com.

Fully produced by Shafey, this album emphasizes her skillful piano playing but also shows off her knack for picking up any instrument and making it her own unique sound. All fourteen tracks explore various genres seamlessly and take her listeners around the globe with songs such as arabic “Be Shweesh” and “C’est Demain” a French track that can be compared to the likes of famed storyteller Edith Piaf.

This coming January 28th, 2009 you can catch Sarah Shafey performing songs from her album for her CD Release party.

Opening act: Mike Celia

Where: The Rivoli (334 Queen st. w)
Time: Doors @ 9pm/ Showtime @ 9:30pm
Cost: $8 in advance/$10 at the door
Tickets can be purchased at Soundscapes (572 College st.)

Sarah Shafey MySpace
Sarah Shafey Official Website

Ian McGlynn’s album title, ‘This Is The Sound’, is certainly a bold declaration, and one listen to the delicate swoon of the lullaby-like track that bears its name will convince listeners that it’s also an invitation.

Ian McGlynn on amazon.com

This latest collection is full of warmth, waltz, and his patented soaring chorus. Ian has fashioned an album of 11 distinct sounding songs that somehow seem like they were always destined to exist on the same slab of plastic together.

From the hyper-nostalgic pop hooks of “Memorial Day Parade” to the quiet hush of “Small Town, Big Hearts,” ‘This Is The Sound’ indeed sounds like little else out there. It also marks Ian’s first time producing. Alongside John Mosloskie of Holler, Wild Rose! fame (who not only co-produces but plays, sings and presumably dances on the record), Ian was determined to create something organic, cinematic and, well… catchy, which was the vision behind “This Is The Sound” when it was being written by Ian and his songwriting partner, Chris Newkirk.

Ian’s songs have appeared in the indie film Off The Black starring Nick Nolte, the Meg Ryan/Antonio Banderas feature My Mom’s New Boyfriend, a Posies tribute album, as well as on an internationally released compilation that included Duncan Sheik, among others.

CD Release Party at Angels & Kings, NYC on Friday, February 20th, 2009!

For music and more information, go to:

Ian McGlynn Official Website
Ian McGlynn MySpace

Fresh off of her fantastic tour with the Raveonettes, we’re excited to announce that Nicole Atkins will be touring North America with UK’s the Pipettes in support of her new album, ‘Neptune City’, out October 30th, 2007!

Also on October 30th, Nicole Atkins will be rocking your “picture radio” – catch her performance on The Late Show with David Letterman (11:35 EST).

The full tour schedule is listed below, including Nicole’s “Monster Ball” – a free record release show / Letterman after-party at Union Pool in Brooklyn! It’s a costume party, so dress up as your favorite “Hollywood monster”, be it Paris Hilton or Godzilla.

Nicole Atkins 2007 tour dates:

Dates could change! Go to Nicole Atkins’ Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

October 30 – Union Pool – Brooklyn, NY (Monster Ball / Record release show!)

w/the Pipettes:

November 1 – Crocodile Cafe – Seattle, WA
November 2 – John Henry’s – Eugene, OR
November 3 – Plaza Club – Vancouver, BC
November 5 – Walnut Room – Denver, CO
November 7 – Paris – Austin, TX
November 9 – Vinyl – Atlanta, GA
November 11 – Sonar Club – Baltimore, MD
November 12 – Blender Theater – New York, NY
November 14 – North Star – Philadelphia, PA
November 15 – Great Scott – Boston, MA
November 16 – Petit Campus – Montreal, BC
November 18 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
November 19 – Diesel – Pittsburgh, PA

Nicole Atkins on Myspace
Nicole Atkins Official Website

Aaron Schroeder is set to release his second album, ‘Black & Gold’, which features guest appearances by Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, Air, Ladytron), Ben Barnett from Kind Of Like Spitting (Barsuk Records, Hush Records), Jeremy Castillo from the Los Angeles based rock band Mighty Six Ninety, and Tyler Blake from the DJ-remix duo Young Americans. Instruments used on ‘Black & Gold’ include lap-steel guitars, cellos, accordions, violins, banjos, musical saws, clarinet, mandolins, tubas and bells.

Having spent time in Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon and Boston, the 20-something singer/songwriter is currently based in Kennewick, Washington. He seems to have settled into the music scene quite nicely, after living there for the last couple of years.

After listening to tracks on Aaron Schroeder’s Myspace page, we begged him – well not really, but we would have if it had come down to that – to let us play his single, “Call Out To Me” on the Band Weblogs Podcast Show. Luckily he said yes. The track is off of Aaron’s new album ‘Black & Gold’ and could easily become a classic for not only us and I’m sure his current fan base, but if put into the “right hands”, for many more people in the years to come.

Listen: “Call Out To Me” on the Band Weblogs Podcast Show

BandWeblogs.Com interview with Aaron Schroeder:

Band Weblogs: Who or what influenced you to want to become a musician?

Aaron Schroeder: Well, I was a young teenager in the midst of the grunge attack – so people like Kurt Cobain, I suppose. Truly, I really began writing music when I started getting involved in the punk rock scene. Bands like Bad Religion and Minor Threat were hugely influential on my ideology about music in general and how music should be played. Even though I don’t have the social-commentary-aspect to my music like those bands do, they always said SOMETHING. It was never just “page from your diary” type of sh*t. I still try to do that in my songs. I like telling stories, even if no one besides myself knows what the hell is going on to the characters within.

Is Washington a good place to be playing music?

Sh*t yes it is! I’ve been here only two years and I’ve released two full lengths and written about 5 albums worth of material. The scene itself is somewhat non existent, but I’ve hooked up with some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met here. Talented, creative and just good people. You don’t have to party here every night to stay connected to your friends which works out well with me. I can stay in and write more music and hang with my girlfriend. Besides that, there’s a local brewery a few minutes away that makes the best beer I’ve ever tasted. Seriously. Nothing else even comes close. I’ve asked around.

What inspires you to write a song?

Usually the music end will come from very different musical places. I’ll listen to someone like David Bowie or New Order or Bob Dylan or whatever and I’ll think, “I should’ve written a song like this!” So then I’ll turn the record off and basically rip off whatever I was just listening to. The lyrics usually come from the various books I’m reading. Sometimes they are inspired by poetry or old Yiddish folk tales. Whatever seems challenging to me – that is usually what I try to take on through my own music.

What is your favorite sport?

Mini golf, I suppose. Or pinball. I did get pretty excited about baseball a few years back when I was living in Boston. That was when the Red Sox “reversed the curse” though, so I suppose it was a pretty common thing. I also like trying to keep up with my dog when we go walking around the park. She’s fast.

Do you prefer recording in the studio or playing live shows?

Recording and writing music absolutely. Shows are fun and nice, but there’s always, always some kind of awkwardness before that I’ve just filled up my chain smoking and pacing around. Now I’m trying to quit smoking. Playing shows would only fu** that up for me.

What is your favorite cocktail or smoothie?

Not much a fan of either. I like diet coke and whiskey while sitting on my back-porch watching the sunset. Everyday should be like a vacation.

What brand of guitar do you favor?

The only guitar I own is a $60 Hohner. It’s been pretty good to me. I use it on all my demos, and I beat it up pretty good. You know what, I really should name my guitar something. If anyone who is reading this has an interesting idea for what I should name my guitar, email me.

Is the internet a good thing for musicians?

For an artist like me, living on the fringes of a small city, the internet is amazing. I am able to get my music into the hands of people all around the world. I mean, I’ve got people buying my music in Japan and Australia because of iTunes or whatever. And the unfortunate truth is that while the band (myself included) has to work 40 hours to make the car payment, the only way to establish relationships is through digital communication. I’d love to tour one day, but for now the internet is my strongest musical life support.

Who, out of all the dead musicians, would you want to jam with?

That’s an interesting one. Not really dead but his moniker is – Cat Stevens. I’m a fan of most of his music. I won’t try to say I could keep up, but I’d like to hang out with Mississippi John Hurt, I guess. We could get a cup of coffee and talk lyrical inspiration.

What was your most inspired moment?

Man, I get inspired all the time. Usually when I’m having a conversation with someone; when I’m able to verbalize a thought or an idea that I’ve had swimming around in my head – that, for me is very inspiring. When I can connect something inside my head by talking to someone else about it. That’s important to me. Reading great literature is always inspiring, particularly Bernard Malamud.

What is your idea of a vacation?

Sitting on my bed and reading will usually constitute a relaxing time. Not having to open bills on a daily basis might be nice too.

Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?

Nah, but coffee can be.

What do you think is the best festival to be seen at?

I’m not too sure about that. Festivals seem like a silly idea to me – not sure I’d care too much about being seen at any of them. Growing up going to small, rat infested, thrift store couch-ed small shows in people’s living rooms – I can’t imagine having a genuinely personal experience at a festival. There’s no “heart” in those things.

Is Elvis really the king of rock and roll?

Can’t think of anyone better, except maybe Dino?

Out of the songs that you’ve written, which is your favorite?

I’m really proud of “Fake Crimes”. It’s a story about a pair of lovers who fake a kidnapping so they can get rich, but you don’t have to know that in order to enjoy the song. That’s what I like about it.

Aaron Schroeder will be performing tracks off of ‘Black & Gold’ at his CD Release Party, taking place on Saturday, September 8th, 2007 at The Red Room in Kennewick, Washington. Other bands scheduled to perform include Lions and Eagles and Gregg Belisle-Chi.

For more information about Aaron Schroeder, listen to music and to purchase ‘Black & Gold’, go to Aaron Schroeder Official Website.

Aaron Schroeder on Myspace

By: Jenny May and Dave Tommo – BandWeblogs.Com

Mavis Drive recently won 3rd place in 97.7 HtzFM Rocksearch 2007. They are quickly growing in popularity and have developed a fan base in Toronto. Ready to hit the world with their new CD, the band recently traveled to Los Angeles, CA to record with Mike K (a studio-guitar player and producer who worked with Edwin, J. Englishman, Nelly Furtado, and others as well as composing for several Network TV shows) to produce their latest CD.

The current line-up of Mavis Drive is Mass Chiantia (Lead Vocals), Mike Perfetti(Drums/Background Vocals), and brothers – Peter Macukic (Guitar/Background Vocals), and Chris Macukic (Bass) has been together since the summer of 2002. In that same year they recorded their first EP consisting of 6 songs with John Pacheco. In the following year that same 6 song EP got them attention from singer/songwriter Raine Maida of the established Canadian act Our Lady Peace. They opened for Our Lady Peace in 2003. The band also performed with Big Collapse. By 2005, Mavis Drive have written many songs which is when they started working with Mike K which lead them recording their current album.

Mavis Drive is currently unsigned and is co-managed by Chris Free and Susie Hu of Freebird Management. Freebird Management is currently shopping them around to record labels and is currently booking gigs and for film/TV soundtracks. Mavis Drive can be found at http://www.myspace.com/mavisdrive ,http://www.mavisdrive.com/ or their EPK at http://www.sonicbids.com/mavisdriveband

Contact:

Freebird Management
Chris Free
615-866-1325
info@freebirdmanagement.com