Billboard cover star and US indie sensation Ingrid Michaelson will release her UK debut album ‘Everybody’ on 19 October, 2009, and the single “Maybe” on 16 November. She has also announced her biggest UK headline show to date at London’s Scala on 23 November.

Michaelson previously made her live debut on these shores with a Royal Albert Hall performance as support to Jason Mraz, and two subsequent sold-out headline shows at Water Rats and Bush Hall.

Ingrid Michaelson achieved major mainstream success on her own terms when her 2007 album ‘Girls and Boys’ sold over 400,000 copies on her label Cabin 24 Records.

Buy Music:

Ingrid Michaelson on amazon.com

Ingrid Michaelson on amazon.co.uk

The album’s success was prompted by the hit single “The Way I Am” which was featured in a major Old Navy commercial campaign and the song “Keep Breathing” which was used during the 2007 season finale of Grey’s Anatomy. The public reaction was phenomenal; Michaelson and her lyrics became Google’s two most popular searches and “The Way I Am” went on to sell 1.5 million copies.

Since breaking into mainstream consciousness, Michaelson’s ascent has continued unabated as she became history’s most successful unsigned artist.

‘Girls and Boys’ topped the Billboard Heatseeker and Alternative New Artist Album charts, while “The Way I Am” peaked at #3 on iTunes as her MySpace page received 90,000 hits per day.

Her story became a media sensation as she appeared on numerous major TV shows including Good Morning America, Conan O’Brien and Jay Leno and was featured in every magazine from Billboard and Rolling Stone to the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Ingrid Michaelson Widget:

Her popularity in the live arena grew relentlessly too, with a tour as support to Dave Matthews saw her play to 20,000 capacity arenas. She has also played several major festivals with the size of her headline shows also growing rapidly.

The early success of ‘Maybe’ suggests that ‘Everybody’ will prove to be another smash hit album.

The single became the most added track at Billboard’s Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks, tying with Madonna and Kelly Clarkson.

Ingrid Michaelson Official Website
Ingrid Michaelson on Twitter

Other Lives‘ self-titled debut EP will be released by tbd Records on October 21st, 2008 with a full-length album to follow early next year.

“Black Tables,” the album’s first single, can be heard on the season premiere of the hit ABC series “Grey’s Anatomy” and is available at iTunes.

The band, which was recently the featured artist on MySpace Music, will hit the road for a series of dates that will culminate with two showcases at the 2008 CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival. (See below for itinerary.)

Based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, the band – comprised of Jesse Tabish (piano, guitar, lead vocals), Josh Onstott (bass, organ, backing vocals), Jenny Hsu (cello, piano, backing vocals), Colby Owens (drums) and Jonathon Mooney (piano, violin, guitar) – has been playing music together for over five years, but only recently adopted the name Other Lives.

With an organic, orchestrated sound that incorporates elements of progressive rock, folk and classical music, Other Lives draws its inspiration from a similarly wide array of sources – from historical events to the landscape in which the members grew up. The band recorded the EP and upcoming full-length album in Los Angeles with producer Joey Waronker (the Eels, Lisa Germano) and engineer Darrell Thorp (Radiohead, Outkast, Beck).

Other Lives, which will be distributed physically via independent retailers and digitally at iTunes, IODA and EMusic, marks the second release from ATO Records’ tbd records imprint. tbd launched earlier this year with the physical release of Radiohead’s In Rainbows, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

The track listing for Other Lives is as follows:

1. End Of The Year
2. Paper Cities
3. Precious Air (Demo)
4. It Was The Night (Demo)
5. Flight of the Flynns (Demo)

Other Lives Fall 2008 Tour Dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

9/26 The Conservatory Oklahoma City, OK
10/2 The Vic Theatre w/Gomez Chicago, IL
10/4 The Opolis Norman, OK
10/15 Eskimo Joes Stillwater, OK
10/17 VZD’s Oklahoma City, OK
10/21 Schuba’s w/The Little Ones Chicago, IL
10/22 CMJ – The Canal Room (ASCAP Showcase) New York, NY
10/24 CMJ – The Mercury Lounge (Paradigm Showcase) New York, NY

You can check out songs from the EP at Other Lives’ MySpace page:

Other Lives MySpace

The times in which we live are confusing, chaotic and complex, but the things that have always been important in life are still important, and those are the subjects Joshua Radin addresses on his second album, ‘Simple Times’.

These songs, he says, are about “falling in and out of love. Making friendships, having friendships fall apart. Experiencing different parts of the world, seeing other cultures and getting a better perspective on how we live in our country. Everything that people generally go through.”

The means he employs to deliver those ideas to the world is also pretty simple: He picks up a guitar and sings his heart out.

“It’s a personal account of my life through music,” says Cleveland-born Radin. “They’re all true and honest songs. When I meet people after shows, sometimes they think they know me because of a certain song—and in a sense they do, because I write about what’s going on in my life. It is scary making yourself vulnerable like that to a bunch of people you don’t know, but it’s also very therapeutic.”

“I was always trying to find some medium to express myself,” says Radin, who had previously studied art and spent six years writing screenplays. “When I started writing songs, I thought, ‘This is as honest as I can be: getting onstage with my guitar and my voice and singing for people.’”

Download “I’d Rather Be With You” MP3

Radin proved an extraordinarily quick study. A friend gave a demo featuring his very first composition, “Winter,” to a TV producer—who promptly used it to score a scene of the sitcom Scrubs in early 2004. Other Hollywood types found his music just as evocative, and soon various Radin songs were being heard in other TV shows (Grey’s Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, American Idol, One Tree Hill, So You Think You Can Dance, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, Eli Stone), as well as movies (The Nanny Diaries, The Last Kiss, Catch and Release) and ads.

Having captured the public’s attention, Radin set about keeping it with the release of his debut album in 2006. ‘We Were Here’ drew critical acclaim and passionate listener response, establishing him as an artist in the tradition of greats like Nick Drake and Elliott Smith—confessional folk-pop craftsmen who could say more with a whisper than most can with a scream.

Still, ‘We Were Here’ presented the first batch of songs Radin ever wrote. ‘Simple Times’ is drawn from a much deeper well. “These last two years I spent writing and writing and writing,” he says. “I did feel this pressure on myself to top the first record.”

To help him do that, Radin enlisted highly regarded producer Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck). “I still wanted to keep an intimate sound, but I also knew I had to grow as an artist,” Radin says. “So I opened myself up to Rob’s production, and he had a lot of great ideas. We both had a really clear vision of what we wanted.”

Radin spent seven weeks at L.A.’s legendary Sunset Sound studio working with a cast of musicians including Patty Griffin, who dropped in to sing the exquisite harmony on “You Got Growin’ Up to Do.”

The completed ‘Simple Times’ offers the next step in the evolution of an artist whose talent is flourishing, whose skills have grown and whose vision is broader than ever before.

“I feel like right about now I’m starting to hit my stride, which is cool,” he says. “With this record I feel like I can come out and say, ‘OK, I’m a fully formed artist now.” I just hope that other people like it as much as I like it.”

Track Listing – Digital Release 9.9.08; In Stores 9.30.08

1) One of Those Days
2) I’d Rather Be With You
3) Sky
4) Friend Like You
5) Brand New Day
6) They Bring Me To You
7) Vegetable Car
(8) Free Of Me
9) You Got Growin Up To Do
10) We Are Okay
11) No Envy No Fear

MySpace

Joshua Radin Official Website

Bryn Christopher is a wonderful new English singer with a voice like a runaway freight train. His talent got him the sought-after support slot on Amy Winehouse’s tour at the end of last year while he was still totally unknown, but the secret is out now.

Bryn’s debut album, ‘My World’, was produced by Midi Mafia, who recently secured the exclusive rights to use samples from the infamous Stax Records catalogue and have used some of these for the first time ever on Bryn’s album, making it a rare gem indeed.

‘The Quest’ EP (digital) will be released by Interscope on September 16, 2008, followed by his full-length, ‘My World’, on January 13, 2009 (dates subject to change).

Bryn wrote his first single, “The Quest” on his mobile phone, and draws on his brother’s personal experience as a soldier stationed in Basra.

“The Quest” is also being used in promo spots running this month for the upcoming season of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Listen to Bryn Christopher (streams):

“My World”

“The Quest”

Bryn Christopher US tour dates:

Monday, September 22, 2008 – Los Angeles – Viper Room – 8:00pm Show
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 – New York – Joes Pub – 7:30pm Show

UK Press:

“The Quest is quite brilliant and that is all there is to it” Popjustice – Song of the day

“The Quest offers a remodelled vision of smoke-filled Harlem joints, of sweat dripping from a performer’s brow and with it a reminder that being a soul singer is not simply about having a cracking voice.” Times Online – Track of the Day

“Modishly retro and a voice that will no doubt make him a legend” – Sunday Times Culture

Bryn Christopher Official Website

“Classic country songs with unusually fresh harmonies and wonderfully spare, stately arrangements” – LA Weekly

The Watson Twins announced themselves as a major emerging talent when they backed Rilo Kiley’s Jenny Lewis on her 2006 ‘Rabbit Fur Coat’ solo album and subsequent tour.

Now identical twins Chandra and Leigh Watson follow their self-released EP ‘Southern Manners’ with the June 30th, 2008 release of their debut album ‘Fire Songs’ on Vanguard Records.

Produced by Russell Pollard and J. Soda (Sebadoh, Folk Implosion), ‘Fire Songs’ features ten original compositions alongside a slow-burning take on The Cure’s classic “Just Like Heaven”.

The Watson Twins’ own songwriting is consistently strong with highlights such as “How Am I To Be” and “Bar Woman Blues” emphasizing their understated hybrid of country and soul with intricately woven vocal harmonies.

“Our influences as singers and songwriters are the historic sounds of Vanguard Records, a label steeped in folk, country, jazz and blues,” commented The Watson Twins. “It seemed like the perfect fit and we are so honored to be working with them.”

Since the ‘Rabbit Fur Coat’ album, the Kentucky-born duo have strived to make a name in their own right. ‘Southern Manners’ earned a succession of plaudits in the North American music press and their headline show included a special sold-out show at the Getty Center in Los Angeles as well as memorable appearances at SXSW.

Their track “Time of My Life” also featured prominently in the TV hit Grey’s Anatomy.

UK tour dates to be announced shortly.

Myspace
The Watson Twins Official

Though he’s just over 30, Jon Foreman’s lyrics sound like words of wisdom from a man who has learned several lifetimes’ worth of lessons. Although he has sold millions of albums and performed for countless sold out crowds with his band Switchfoot, Jon is a man still journeying towards self-discovery, unafraid of questioning anything in his path.

Through a series of seasonally themed solo EP’s, Jon shows a whole new side to his artistry that falls outside the Switchfoot’s aesthetic. “Because of the autobiographical nature of these songs, they became a self portrait that was far too personal for a band to release,” Jon explains.

The latest installment, ‘Summer’, opens with “A Mirror is Harder to Hold,” a track that wholly reflects this sentiment. This final installment might be his most personal yet musically varied of the 4 EP’s. Jon wistfully sings about the struggles of examining one’s self over sunny acoustic guitar strumming and the warm mariachi-esque horns that color several tracks on the album. “Again” is a slow-burning, contemplative ballad and one of Jon’s most direct affirmations of his existential beliefs. ‘Summer’ also includes “Resurrect Me,” the most up-tempo tune of the series. The track has an east-meets-west flavor with its driving rock beat and sitar-like guitar lines.

Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer each serve as a chapter of Jon’s stripped down, intimate, and direct vision. It is one that begins with a foray into death and decay, but eventually transform into reflections on growth and rebirth. All four discs were produced by Jon Foreman with Grammy-nominated Charlie Peacock serving as the executive producer.

In other exciting news “The Cure For Pain”, from ‘Fall’, was used in the season finale of Grey’s Anatomy. Additionally, “This Is Home” was written and recorded by Switchfoot for the highly anticipated Walt Disney Studios and Walden Media theatrical release, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. The song will be heard in the body of the film, over the end title credits, and appears on the Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack CD.

Jon Foreman’s ‘Summer’ EP to be released digitally on June 10th, 2008; Spring + Summer 2-CD Set to be Released June 24th on Credential/EMI.

Credential Recordings
Jon Foreman Official Website

the bird and the bee announces digital-only release of their new Valentine’s Day EP ‘One Too Many Hearts’.

The past year has been an eventful one for the bird and the bee, the Los Angeles band made up of singer Inara George and multi-instrumentalist/producer Greg Kurstin. The Los Angeles Times named them one of “10 Bands on the Horizon for 2007″ and their self-titled debut, a deliciously subversive indie-pop album, was released in January to rave reviews. The New Yorker called it “a sure delight” and Rolling Stone described their distinct sound as “audible sunshine.” Their music could be heard on shows like Grey’s Anatomy, and they toured throughout the United States, Europe and Japan, both as a headliner and opening band for such artists as Lily Allen, Sia and Rilo Kiley.

Always enchanting, the bird and the bee are now releasing the ‘One Too Many Hearts’ EP just in time for Valentine’s Day! The four-song EP includes three new songs by the duo: “Birthday”, “The Last Day Of Our Lives”, which Inara George describes as “kind of a flower child-funk/Serge Gainsbourg-thing”, and “Come As You Were”.

The EP’s closer, “Tonight You Belong to Me” is a duet sung by George and Gus Seyffert (a multi-instrumentalist who has toured with the band playing guitar and autoharp). The song was originally written in 1926 and was most famously made a Country hit by Dottie West in 1977 and later performed as a duet by Bernadette Peters and Steve Martin in the 1979 film The Jerk.

the bird and the bee – ‘One Too Many Hearts’ EP
(Released February 12, 2008; Metro Blue/Blue Note Records)

Have a listen to the first track on the ‘One Too Many Hearts’ EP, “Birthday” via the streams below:

QuickTime

Windows Media

Real Player

Also, if you haven’t already seen the video for “Polite Dance Song,” a single off of the bird and the bee’s EP ‘Please Clap Your Hands’, you can take a look at the link below. In this cute video, the duo’s quirky, sweet and old-fashioned charm is stylistically portrayed through outrageous costumes and extreme dance moves by director Eric Wareheim, creator and director for Adult Swim’s Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!.

Watch “Polite Dance Song” video:

For more information about the ‘Please Clap Your Hands’ EP, check out the e-card

the bird and the bee on Myspace
the bird and the bee Official Website

A self-taught guitarist who combines blues & soul with a nod to Bonnie Raitt, the 26 year-old stateside hit plays 5 nationwide shows, including Camden’s Roundhouse, March 5th, 2008.

Having toured America as special guest to Ray LaMontagne, The Fray, Chris Isaak and Tori Amos, Brandi is a talented artist in her own right.

Produced by legendary Grammy Award winner - T Bone Burnett (Counting Crows, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss), Brandi’s forthcoming LP, released in the UK April 21st on Sony BMG, is already making waves in the US and looks set to be one of the ultimate discoveries of 2008.

A sonic soundscape of honest vocals, organic sounds and arresting delivery, it’s a back-to-basics album that majestically blends raw music with real talent. Highlights include the forthcoming single “Turpentine” set for release on April 14th – which featured in the smash-hit US show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – plus “Cannonball”, which was recorded in Atlanta with The Indigo Girls.

Brandi Carlile tour dates w/Newton Faulkner:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Brandi Carlile’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

February 2008

28th GLASGOW, Barrowlands – Tel: 0141 552 4601 (sold out)
29th LEEDS, University – Tel: 0113 3801 400 (sold out)

March 2008

2nd MANCHESTER, Apollo – Tel: 08444 777 677 (sold out)
3rd LIVERPOOL, University – Tel: 0151 256 5555
5th LONDON, Roundhouse – Tel: 0870 389 1846 (sold out)

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM INDIVIDUAL BOX OFFICES

“She silences the chatter and leaves the room spellbound in awe of her great asset – that voice” – Independent

Watch Brandi Carlile: “Turpentine” video

Brandi Carlile Official Website
Brandi Carlile on Myspace

A good New Year’s resolution for 2008 could be to support more live music! If any of these acts happen to be playing in a town near you, go and check them out – you’ll be glad you did!

Cage The Elephant

I really can’t wait for 2008, as it will be the year that the world discovers Cage The Elephant. A five piece from Kentucky, the young quintet are residing in London for the next year or so. This year saw them tour with The Wombats, Foals, Queens Of The Stoneage and The Ravonettes. The band also released their first ever limited edition 7″ of double A side single “Free Love / Tiny Little Robots”. With amazing early support from Gigwise, Click Music, Clash Magazine, NME and everyone else that happens to see them live, CTE are surely the one to put your money on for 2008. Not since Kings of Leon / Foo Fighters / Rolling Stones have we seen a band like this. Lock up your daughters, for Cage The Elephant are loose! They return in 2008 with second single “In One Ear” which has already been getting a lot of Zane Lowe love.

Cage The Elephant on Myspace
Cage The Elephant Official Website

Dawn Kinnard

A weird yet wonderful Pennsylvanian, Dawn Kinnard will be one of those surely to get into the Mercury Shortlist in 2008. With songwriting that breaks all current trends, Dawn is as original as she is incredible. With excellent live shows in London, Dawn picked up features from the Guardian Music online and Q4 Music along with that vital word of mouth ’secret for 2008′ vibe. Always surprising the audience with her guest performer for sublime track “Clear The Way”, Dawn recently was joined on stage by Cerys Mathews in London’s Soho Revue Bar. Dawn Kinnard’s debut single “Fortune Teller / Devils Flame” has already had Radio 1, 2 and 6Music spins and is due for release in January 2008 with the album ‘The Courtesy Fall’ set for an April 2008 release.

Dawn Kinnard on Myspace

Harrys Gym

A Norwegian quartet with a front woman oozing enough cool kid charisma to match that of Karen O, Anna Lise can easily hold a room full of male music critics, and aspiring musicians in the palm of her hand – and in awe! Creating music that slips perfectly into the indie pop rock dance category, Harrys Gym music could be filled in between Bowie and Blonde.

Harrys Gym on Myspace
Harrys Gym Official Website

KT Tunstall

Not much introduction needed for the Scottish lady with the shiny silver guitar. KT released her second album proper ‘Drastic Fantastic’ in September 2007, along with the two singles “Hold On” and “Saving My Face”. A total album chart resident, “Eye To The Telescope” set the bar for KT’s recent offering, and unsurprisingly, ‘Drastic Fantastic’ has also kept the standards high. KT will be back in 2008 with another single and a massive April UK tour.

KT Tunstall on Myspace
KT Tunstall Official Website

Ben’s Brother

A five piece London band with the songs that will have you getting back in touch with your emotional side – Ben’s Brother’s music is powerful with emotive lyrical content. Having recently been forced to rush release their album in the US, the band are set to take the States by storm in 2008. Having had syncs in Greys Anatomy, the band’s new single “Stuttering, Kiss Me Again” was also used in a chewing Gum Commercial that sent the Myspace and YouTube hits through the roof! Their debut album ‘Beta Male Fairytales’ was released in July 2007 and the band will enter the new year in March 2008, with this new single.

Ben’s Brother on Myspace
Ben’s Brother Official Website

Justin Nozuka

A Canadian singer songwriter that has all the young girls cutting off their arms for a piece of him, Justin Nozuka has surprisingly taken on this audience by default. Writing mature and complex old school R&B mixed with modern pop, Nozuka strums a guitar like an old time pro. At just nineteen, he has a long career ahead of him and this year will be the one to take notice of such a talent. Ready to properly release his album and concentrate on his music, Justin has just finally finished College.

Justin Nozuka on Myspace
Justin Nozuka Official Website

Joss Stone

Joss will be releasing her third single of the new album ‘Baby Baby Baby’ in February 2008. She performed at Fashion Rocks, Live Earth, Glastonbury and many others this year, along with her version of “Love” being used in the new Coco Chanel perfume commercial.

Joss Stone on Myspace
Joss Stone Official Website

Union Of Knives

This Scottish indie dance band will return in 2008 for the first time since 2006.

Union Of Knives on Myspace
Union Of Knives Official Website

Armed with thriving stateside success, her acoustic guitar and an arsenal of songs, emerging singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile plays her first ever London show, which has now sold out, at the Borderline, November 30th, 2007. Joined by her impressive band, she’ll preview tracks from her forthcoming digital live EP (Released November 26th, 2007) and debut LP ‘The Story’, out in 2008 in the UK.

Having toured America as special guest to Ray Lamontagne, The Fray, Chris Isaak and Tori Amos, Brandi Carlile is a talented artist in her own right. Produced by legendary Grammy Award winner T Bone Burnett (Counting Crows, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss), Brandi’s forthcoming LP ‘The Story’ is already making waves in the US and looks set to be one of the ultimate discoveries of 2008.

Her headline band includes: Philip Hanseroth (Bass/vocals), Timothy Hanseroth (Guitar/vocals), Matt Chamberlain (Drums) and Joshua Neumann (Cello).

Captured mainly on tape, ‘The Story’ smoulders with a stark and soulful authenticity, rarely heard today. This is most notable on the rousing title track, which Brandi herself describes as “A pure moment. Technically wrong, but emotionally right”.

Other highlights include “Turpentine”, “Tragedy”, “What Can I Say?” and “Throw It All Away” – which all featured in the smash-hit US show ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – plus, “Cannonball”, which was recorded in Atlanta with The Indigo Girls.

For more information, go to:

Brandi Carlile Official Website
Brandi Carlile on Myspace

It’s great to see that Emerson Hart, who co-founded Tonic in the mid-’90s, is now set to release his debut solo album, Cigarettes and Gasoline on July 17th 2007 on EMI/Manhattan Records.

The first single off of Cigarettes and Gasoline, “If You’re Gonna Leave”, recently debuted at #37 on the Hot AC Charts. “Friend To A Stranger” also off of the debut album has already been featured in national promos for ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and in the opening sequence of an episode of CW’s One Tree Hill.

I watched Emerson Hart’s video promo for Cigarettes and Gasoline and learned quite a few things about him that I hadn’t known. He talks about his songwriting process and how certain events in his life have inspired his songs for his debut solo album. There are also a couple clips of him playing live.

Watch Emerson Hart – Cigarettes and Gasoline video promo EPK

Emerson Hart will be stopping by various radio stations and playing live shows possibly in a town near you!

Following are Emerson Hart’s 2007 tour dates:

*Dates could be added or changed! Go to Emerson Hart’s Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June 2007

25 New York, NY – AT&T Blue Room taping
26 Hartford, CT – WTIC Radio station visit
27 Worcester, MA – WXLO Radio station visit/perf
28 Boston, MA – WBMX Radio Show
28 South Garden at Prudential Center Boston, Massachusetts
30 Modesto, CA – KOSO Radio Show

July 2007

17 RELEASE DATE (Canada to release simultaneously)

August 2007

2 Norfolk, VA – WPTE Radio Show
11 Wisconsin State Fair – opening for Switchfoot
24 Kentucky State Fair – opening for Switchfoot

Emerson Hart Official Website
Emerson Hart on Myspace

By: Jenny May