Having remixed for the likes of Coldplay, Imogen Heap & Leigh Nash (to name a few), Morgan steps from behind the boards of producer and into the shoes of  an “artist”.  His Nettwerk debut “Elevate” is due in March & first single “Longest Road (Ft. Lissie)”  is already causing quiet a buzz.  With electronic music that is emotional in texture (think BT), Page is someone to watch.  Check out his remixing skills at their best with Regina Spektor’s “Fidelity” (in the download section).

Dub Heads, New Wavers and Hipsters alike - I present to you the new and improved M.I.A. - Santogold Continue Reading

I stumbled upon greatness this week. Grand, melancholy melodies sung by the love child of Bjork and James Taylor - an heir to the kingdom of folk - where the rules have been erased and rewritten. I can see it now - your curious - your fingers anxious to search the net for this collision. Cortney Tidwell may not be the love child of such a pairing but she is a find of epic proportion . Her debut full-length album, “Don’t Let the Stars Keep Us Tangled Up”, was released in February of 2007 via the UK label Ever Records. After the success of Ewan Pearson’s 2006 remix of the title track, “DLTSKUTU”, young Tidwell found an audience far from home. She began touring Europe before the stateside release of the record and more recently grabbed a spot on Pitchfork’s Top 100 songs of 2007.Cortney, a Nashville native, has been tagged with a multitude of genre-blending descriptions - most of which are completely without merit. Boxed and plainly described as “country” or “goth”, Tidwell is much more than any genre can confine. Her pixie-like voice glides from one arrangement to the next, weaving in and out of the organic and electronic landscapes. Washed in spacious reverb, each track engages the ear from start to finish. Strong opener, “Eyes Are at the Billions” is a brilliant depiction of what’s to come - combining the gentle and beautifully profane. By track three (Missing Link) Cortney is in full bloom. The mild rocker is quite possibly the popiest endeavor on the album. Pulsing from an electro-driven verse into the alt rock perfect chorus - this is as good as it gets. The record brims with everything from electronica to folk - and enough soundtrack worthy fodder for any shoe gazer out there. My point? DO NOT SLEEP ON THIS RECORD. Stop what you’re doing, pull up your itunes and become a fan. Remember those day - when we bought records - not just singles or our favorite cuts but we purchased an entire album because there was a belief in greatness. This is that record. I know I’m early and technically in breach of calendar terms but this record is destined for my end of year, top 10 - It truly is exquisite. Favorite cuts include “Don’t Let the Stars Keep Us Tangle Up”, “Our Time” & “The Tide”.

Nada Surf will be releasing their new record, “LUCKY,” on February 5th, 2008 on Barsuk Records, and will be offering fans the opportunity to hear and download “See These Bones” at www.myspace.com/nadasurf starting today. “LUCKY” is Nada Surf’s fifth record and third for Seattle indie Barsuk Records, following the successful and critically lauded “Let Go” (2003) and “The Weight is a Gift” (2005).

“LUCKY” was co-produced by the band and John Goodmanson (Death Cab For Cutie, Blonde Redhead, Sleater-Kinney). Many great artists make guest appearances on the record, including:
Death Cab’s Ben Gibbard, Ed Harcourt, John Roderick of the Long Winters, and guitarist Phil Wandscher of Jesse Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter. To help announce the coming of the new record, Nada Surf is about to embark on a national headlining tour. The dates begin October 13 in Philadelphia and end November 2 in Baltimore. Sea Wolf will be supporting.

The “LUCKY” tracklisting is:
Weightless
Whose Authority
Beautiful Beat
Here Goes Something
From Now On
I Like What You Say
Ice on the Wing
The Film Did Not Go ‘Round
The Fox
Are You Lightning?
See These Bones

The dates for the fall tour are below:

10/13 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
10/15 Columbus, OH Basement
10/16 Cincinnati, OH 20th Century
10/17 Louisville, KY Jim Porters
10/18 Indianapolis, IN Birdy’s
10/19 Chicago, IL Schubas
10/20 Chicago, IL Schubas
10/22 St. Louis, MO Gargoyle Club
10/23 Nashville, TN Exit Inn
10/24 Birmingham, AL Bottle Tree
10/26 Tampa, FL State Theatre
10/27 St. Augustine, FL Café Eleven
10/29 Athens, GA 40 Watt Club
10/30 Asheville, NC Orange Peel
10/31 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle
11/1 Charlottesville, VA Satellite Ballroom – UVA
11/2 Baltimore, MD 8 x 10

The week prior to the album release, Nada Surf will play a number of acoustic shows on the West Coast, and then head East for two hometown shows. All shows for this 2008 run go on sale October 19th. The dates are below:

1/30 Seattle, WA The Triple Door (acoustic)
1/31 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge (acoustic)
2/2 San Francisco, CA Swedish American Hall (acoustic)
2/7 Brooklyn, NY The Music Hall of Williamsburg

Listen or Download Below

With an upcoming performance on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Ferraby Lionheart is solidifying his spot as a modern day troubadour. This month Lionherat releases his first major label album (Digitally on August 7th, physically on September 4th) on Nettwerk and to give you a taste they’ve got a special FREE download Ferraby Lionhearts music draws easy comparisons to Richard Swift and Sondre Lerche and it’s worth checking out.

Grab the FREE Download of Ferraby Lionheart’s “Small Planet” here

Track listing for “Catch the Brass Ring”
1. Uno Ballo Della Luna
2. Small Planet
3. Vermont Avenue
4. Call Me The Sea
5. The Car Maker
6. A Bell And Tumble
7. Under The Texas Sky
8. Youngest Frankenstein
9. Before We’re Dead
10. The Octopus and the Ambulance
11. Put Me In Your Play

Grab the self Titled EP on iTunes here

The melding of two worlds has begun. New electronica infused outfit, fauxliage, will release their debut album August 14th. You might not know who this “super group” is yet - but you will. Comprised of Leigh Nash
(former lead singer of Sixpence None the Richer and now solo artist) and the dance/electronic duo Delerium, the paring is a natural marriage of synth-heavy landscapes and beautifully ethereal vocals. Destined for film and TV spots the world over, fauxliage is more than your typical down-tempo excursion. The emotional reach Nash lends to these decidedly “pop” arrangements is enough to win over even the harshest of critics. The production is spacious and offers an equal blend of the organic and electronic. Stand out track, “All the World”, is a perfect example. Guests include multi-instrumentalist Roy Salmond, bassist Leah Randi and Sarah McLachlan drummer Ash Sood. Be one of the first to discover fauxliage.

Backed by a Daft Punk sample (”Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”), Kanye West steps back into the spotlight with the hottest single of his career. The club friendly “Stronger” is a blazing testament to Kanye’s genius behind the boards. The frontrunner for the summer song of ‘07, this jam is the first official single from his upcoming release, Graduation (August 21, 2007). Check out the much talked about video featuring Daft Punk & singer/model Cassie (damn!).

A transparent musician is a rarity in this day and age. An age filled with slick production and contrived pop persona. When I stumble upon something untouched, someone different - I tend to linger a bit. I give more than just my typical, once over. I actually listen. When music beckons more than a casual run-through, you have found something special. This was the case when I heard Tyler Burkum.
A phenomenal guitarist and organic storyteller, Burkum effortlessly drifts from tune to tune with an “old friend” ease. His raw, bare bones voice delivers each melody as if he were singing directly to you. There is much to be said for the way in which a songwriter connects with his audience - Tyler is a natural at this art.
His debut release, “demo lp” is the picture of a man full of love, regret and the loneliness only a “road weary” musician could know. “Carry You With Me” is one such gem. Etched somewhere between Alt-Country, Americana and Rock-N-Roll, Burkum finds a way to nail every genre bending attempt while still carving out his own unique sound. Stand out tracks include “I Need You Love”, “Willow Tree” and my personal favorite “Blue As the Sky”.
Buy” demo lp” today on itunes.

sam & ruby

Two years ago I ventured out to a local club on the insistence of a friend. Sam & Ruby (a new local act) had been on the lips of much of my circle for some time. I remember not being in the mood to deal with a crowd or the smoke filled dinge that is the majority of the Nashville scene - curiosity got the best of me and I’m gad it did.
From the very first song the crowd was theirs. An intoxicating mix of folk and soul drove a forty-five minute set. Song after song the dynamic duo plowed through their bourgeoning catalogue with ease. Both were superior at their craft (Sam on keys/vocals/guitar - Ruby vocals) but the song writing was the clear star. These are two of the best songwriters in the business. I know that is a huge statement but it’s true. Their grasp of melody and flow is untouchable.
I have seen them on more than one occasion over the past year and have never been disappointed. Check out their self-released debut project on their myspace page. Personal favorites “More”, “Won’t Let You Go” & “What Do I Do Now” showcase these soon-to-be-stars at their best.

Canada, Oh Canada. A land of beautiful women, art, culture and my favorite city in the world - Montreal. It’s the intersection where the U.S. and Europe meet. There is an energy - an atmosphere that is fresh and vital. From my experience, Canadians have a sense of “the now” that has, in recent years escaped the better part of American music. There is something urgent about the art they are creating. One such maven is a man by the name of Daniel Victor. His band, Neverending White Lights burst onto the scene last year with the album “Act 1: Goodbye Friends of the Heavenly Bodies”. The response was a tale of grandeur, full of top ten singles, awards and nominations by the arm load - the most prestigious being the Juno nomination (the equivalent of our Grammy ceremony in Canada) for Best New Artist.

This Victor written, arranged and performed compilation quickly became one of my picks for “Best Rock Album of 2006″. Comprised of guest vocalists Nick Hexum (311), Scott Anderson (Finger Eleven), Jason Martin (Starflyer 59), Dallas Green (Alexisonfire), Matt Talbot (Hum), Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace), Todd Kerns (Age of Electric), Jimmy Gnecco (Ours) and several others - this album takes you on an amazing journey . With themes of love, loss, life & death - Victor brings this drama to life through well crafted arrangements and soaring melodies. The unique touch that each singer brings to the table makes this a fluid piece of pure brilliance. From the atmospheric to the acoustic - the rock opera to the electronic - this record has it all. A hefty seventeen tracks weave the listener through the underworld where fantasy becomes reality.

Now in the throes of recording “Act II.”, NWL has much to prove the second time around. You can check out selections from their current offering on the Neverending White Lights Myspace Page. Download NOW: “The Grace”, “Angels & Saints”, “Return Our Lives”, “This Longing” & “Our Final Hymn”. All available on itunes.