Songwriter Spotlight: Nick Piell of Fields

Free Download: "If You Fail We All Fail"

The lush and inviting sounds of British band Fields reminds me of summer days spent drinking in the sun at Central Park. It reminds me of the elated feeling I used to get when I found a song I treasured on a mixtape from a friend. Fields' music exudes the delicate romance of bands like Luna with the subtle emotions of  great shoegazer heroes like My Bloody  Valentine. The band's new album, Everything Last Winter, comes out May 8 on Black Lab Recordings, and their tour kicks off this weekend with a performance at Coachellla.

I recently caught up with lead singer Nick Peill to figure out how exactly he dreams up such lovely, nostalgic music. Here's what he had to share...

Favorite place to write music: In a cabin, by a lake, in the woods, on a mountain.

Latest inspiration: A Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier, a brilliant book based on the idea that there exists a place between heaven and hell, where people go when they die but only for as long as they are remembered by the living.

What's the most personal song on your new album and why?
Probably "If You Fail We All Fail," which was written for my now ex-girlfriend.  She is now my best friend though, so it still rings true. (Ed. Note: You can download this song for free up at the top of this post.)

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why?
Linda Perhacs (check out her classic and only album, Parallelogram) as she hasn't to my knowledge performed for many years and has a voice that breaks, soothes and chills your heart simultaneously.

If you could wake up to any song, what would it be and why?
At the moment I am enjoying "Sunny Road" by Emiliana Torrini. Either that or "Hello Bastards" by Part Chimp.

Fields Spring 2007 Tour Dates:
4/28 Indio, CA - Coachella*
4/30 San Francisco, CA - Cafe Du Nord
5/2 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan
5/6 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club*
5/8 New York, NY - Webster Hall*
5/9 Boston, MA - Paradise*
5/11 Toronto, ONT - Opera House*
5/12 Montreal, QUE - Club Soda*
5/14 Toronto, ONT - Amp'd Mobile Studio
5/15 Detroit, MI - Lager House
5/16 Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
5/18 Brooklyn, NY - Union Hall
5/19 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge

* with Blonde Redhead

** Visit the official Fields website.

** Preview the new record, Everything Last Winter.

** Listen to songs on MySpace.

** Watch the video for "If You Fail We All Fail" on YouTube below...

Pela Releases Their Debut Full-Length, Anytown Graffiti, on Great Society This Week!

I remember the first time I heard Pela. Even though their demo looked like a rinky-dink demo, I had been hearing many good things about the band so I checked them out. At the time I was promoting shows, and I knew after hearing their demo in 2003 for one of my favorite Pela songs, "All In Time," I wanted them to play one of my shows.

Fast foward to 2007, specifically this week, and I am proud of what these dudes have accomplished. They have released their debut full-length, Anytown Graffiti, on Great Society -- and the songs are just fantastic (as they've been revealing songs every week for fans). I actually just happened to run into the boys at a bar right after they signed their contract -- and I felt it was a fateful coincidence to be one of the first to hear they had finally signed a record deal. I know they deserve it, and that they will continue to bring the good music on for all of us to enjoy.

And yes, I have a new favorite Pela song -- "Lost to the Lonesome." It makes me want to dance and smile and chew gum at the same time. Totally brilliant. Congratulations, boys!!

Purchase their CD at a 15% discount at Insound! Use the code "pela15" for the discount. (Offer good till May 8.)

And don't forget to come out and see these boys rock your town! Here are the tour dates below....

04/24/07 New York, NY - SOLD OUT
04/25/07 Philadelphia, PA
04/26/07 Washington, DC
04/27/07 Allston, MA
05/11/07 Hartford, CT
05/30/07 Los Angeles, CA
05/31/07 San Francisco, CA
06/02/07 Portland, OR
06/03/07 Vancouver, B.C.
06/04/07 Seattle, WA
06/06/07 Salt Lake City, UT
06/07/07 Denver, CO
06/08/07 Omaha, NE
06/09/07 Minneapolis, MN
06/10/07 Chicago, IL
06/12/07 Toronto, ON
06/13/07 Montreal, QC
06/14/07 Cambridge, MA
06/15/07 Hoboken, NJ
06/16/07 New York, NY
06/17/07 New York, NY

** Visit Pela's official website.

** Listen to Pela songs on their MySpace.

Songwriter Spotlight: Eddie Argos of Art Brut

Sometimes bands are best experienced in a live setting. You can feel the perspiration catapult off the mic and into your adoring eyes. You can scream with delight every time the band chimes in with witty remarks. You can close your eyes and completely lose yourself in the moment.

I had heard about this band Art Brut for a while -- they started to gain rave reviews and quickly became the hot new British import after their debut album, Bang Bang Rock and Roll, started to take off after its release on Fierce Panda in 2005. But I didn't quite get what they were about until I went to see them live at the Village Voice's Siren Music Festival in Coney Island last year. I was completely charmed by the affable frontman, Eddie Argos, whose mischievious 'stache adds to his outrageous performances. His candor with the audience and the way he connected with the crowd was amazing to me. I mean, New York is a tough crowd, but if you can get people dancing on a hot summer day, then you must be top of the pops.

After the show, I couldn't stop listening to "Good Weekend," about a guy who has seemingly just hooked up with a girl for the first time and is unabashedly declaring his jubilee to the world in song. Sure, Argos isn't the typical singer. Art Brut's songs sometimes feel like performance art or spoken word, but it is this kind of originality that attracted me. Strangely it didn't fully connect with my earbuds until I saw them live.

The band recently released some unmastered demos of their forthcoming album, It's a Bit Complicated, on Downtown Records on June 26, 2007. Some might say it's a bold move to actually give out your music before the release date, but these guys seem to be going with it and sharing their music with their fans and possible new fans. But that's just the kind of ballsy move you'd expect from a guy who formed a band and then encouraged music lovers around the world to do the same in his song, "We Formed a Band." Here's a group from Chicago called "Team Band" that was born after an Art Brut show, according to my sources at Extrawack. It's a testament to how they have sort of become an inspiration to many who may not have thought they could achieve any level of success in music.

That kind of event makes you believe they're adding their own twist to the definition of "art brut," which refers to  the term French painter Jean Debuffet used to describe outsider art -- "art by prisoners, loners, the mentally ill, and other marginalized people," according to All Music Guide.

This has all gotten me curious about what goes bump in the night in Eddie Argos' head. Read on for a tiny peek inside...

Favorite place to write music: I'm not very musical, but I write the words lying in bed. I used to write them walking around and putting them into my phone, but I've become lazy.

Latest inspiration: I don't really have an inspiration. The words just seem to pop in my head. I've been listening to lots of pop music recently so I have ended up writing things called "I Will Survive" or "Pump Up the Volume." Thinking about it now, I've written lots about relationships on this album - relationships and pop music.

What's the most outrageous song on your new album and why? It was probally quite outrageous to call a song, "Jealous Guy."

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why? Jad Fair from Half Japenese. I just really like his voice and the music of Half Japenese - boring answer I know. Sorry. [Ed. Note: Sure, but not quite as boring in a British accent.]

What song is your personal anthem right now? I don't really have one personal anthem. I can't stop listening to the Mountain Goats album, Sunset Tree, though. I'm playing it at least once a day. It's perfect.

** Visit Art Brut's official website.

** Check out the music video for "Good Weekend" below.

Leave it to the Professionals

Every year we sit on our couches watching Formula One or NASCAR thinking to ourselves, 'Ya know, I could be competitive had I wanted to become a professional race car driver, I just chose not to'.  Suuure buddy - keep telling yourself that.

The annual Toyota Celebrity/Pro race is evidence that we are likely very wrong.  Pro BMX rider Dave Mirra won the event this past Saturday, holding off Martina Navratilova and Mike Skinner (IMDB Link: I didn't know who he was either) by a few seconds. What most spectators hope for is no different than a professional race - crashes! 

Apparently it takes far more than the build of a famous scientologist and deep pockets to become a professional race car driver.  George Lucas, the genius behind Star Wars, found this out the hard way when he forgot to brake and started playing bumper cars.   I admit it does look fun though!

Discovering New (and Old) Music on Haystack.com

I am probably one of those people who have way too many online profiles - so many that I don't think I can keep track of all of them. With so many different kinds of social networks popping up here and there on the Internet, it's often difficult to be compelled to join yet another seemingly MySpace rip-off. However, I came across this new-ish social music network a couple years ago called Haystack.com, and it inspired me to join. Here's why...

1) Haystack's motto and tagline is "music powered by people." Basically, on the site there are three different sets of people -- listeners/fans, artists and tastemakers. All of these people add to the public discourse and contribute their opinions on artists and the songs that are posted on Haystack. In the end, you inevitably end up discovering new music either through your friends or other random people you happen to come across, tastemakers who truly believe in good, quality music or through personal surfing around and deciding for yourself what you like and what you don't like.

2. You can build playlists and email them to your friends. I've always wanted to make playlists that I could actually send to my friends or readers so they could take a peek at what's playing in my head. I believe we absorb the music we love, kind of like food, and thus, we are what we eat. We as consumers are affected by our favorite artists, and it is often hard to separate our identity with what songs have made it to the current iPod playlist.

3. You can comment on songs and write about why you love or hate or however you feel about them. These comments pop up at random on various pages within Haystack, including the home page, which makes it kind of fun and interesting to follow strings of other people's comments and check out why they love the bands they do. In the process, you may happen upon your new favorite artist or song.

** Visit Haystack.com and sign up for a free account today.

** Add me as a friend on Haystack.com.

Arab Run: Cannonball in Dubai

A few weeks ago we reported on a number of cannonball-style automotive rallies held around the world, and now a new one worth mentioning has entered the fray.  The Arab Run appears to be the real deal, starting in the most talked about city in the World, Dubai. 

Assuming my calculations are correct, the entry fee is around 2700 dollars, making this rally inexpensive by both rally and Middle Eastern standards.  Being the first year, Arab Run is lacking many of the characteristics of more establish rallies, such as Celebrities or legendary brushes with the law - but give it time! 

The rally starts on April 27th so be sure to check out their web site for updates: http://www.arabrun.com

Concert Review: Cheeseburger - 4/13/07 @ Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)

My first impression of Cheeseburger back in 2003 was that they were a pretty low brow band. I remember seeing the cover for their first vinyl -- it was this sickly, bright pink background with a gigantic, juicy cheeseburger shoved up a naked girl's butt. They actually paid that girl $50 to do that.

The band's aesthetic is reflected in the DIY drunkeness of their loyal fans, creating the perfect setting for partying and howling between each sip of PBR. Over the years, I've seen them grow into a more organized outfit who knows that there is a place for music that is raw and entertaining, even if they are singing about cocaine, mischief and other naughty deeds.

So it was nothing short of "awesomeness" to see them sell out Mercury Lounge last Friday. The band's growth was fantastically self-evident. They added another player to the stage, nicely rounding out their easy sleazy sound. Even as beer and underwear (which incidentally landed right on his shoulder) were being hurled onto the stage, nothing seemed to phase frontman Joe Bradley. But that is precisely why he is so easy to adore -- the interaction between fans and the band has never been more visceral than at a Cheeseburger show, and that's what makes them so-so-good at being oh-so-bad.

Cheeseburger's self-titled album can be found in stores now through Kemado Records. Purchase music from Insound.

** Visit Cheeseburger's official website.

** Listen to Cheeseburger on MySpace.

** Watch the music video for their new song, "Tiger," below. Tony the Tiger would be proud.

Songwriter Spotlight: Jaymay

I remember going to see this petite brunette singer-songwriter named Jaymay at the now defunct Northsix in Brooklyn, NY (yes, yet another New York club that recently bid adieu!). It was my first time seeing her perform live, and I instantly developed a girl crush. I had been listening to her song, "Gray or Blue," over and over again -- I can't even begin to estimate how many times, but it easily clears a few thousand spins on my iTunes.

The song is about a girl who is desperately trying to read the noncommittal, vague (and let's face it, ladies, probably nonexistent) signs from her crush. The lines, "Your eyes are either gray or blue, I'm never close enough to say," make me quiver -- why? It's a symbolic line that resonates with anyone who's ever experienced unrequited love.  Damn, does it hurt. But even more than the sympathetic lyrics, Jaymay can actually sing. Her vocals are so committed and beautifully pure, perfectly expressing the thoughts and emotion behind the words.

However, Jaymay, to my amazement has somehow existed in Brooklyn for so long and has been successful this entire time simply by word of mouth. Now after years of captivating her avid fans here, she's moving to London, where she just signed a deal with Heavenly/EMI, who will be releasing her debut album and EPs later this year. She's basically been releasing her music independently thus far so this is a huge step into big time territory. I feel like she could be bigger than Norah Jones because she's got a certain twist that's hard to describe. She's also more inventive and/or raw, like when she starts playing trumpet with her voice.

I recently asked Jaymay my five spotlight questions. Here's what she had to share:

Favorite place to write music: my hands.

Latest inspiration: frank sinatra's live version of "moonlight in vermont."

What's the most personal song you've written and what was it written about? ill-willed person.  it's about why some things can not be reconciled.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why? dead: chet baker.  living: a country song with beck.

What's your personal anthem?  right now?  werewolves of london . . .

** Purchase Jaymay's acclaimed self-released 2006 EP, Sea Green, Sea Blue on iTunes or Insound.

** Listen to Jaymay music on MySpace.

** Visit her official website.

** Watch video of Jaymay talking about how she writes songs and hear her sing below:

The Statue of Jeep

Like most readers I grew up around Wranglers and Cherokees, so when the latter went the way of the dodo I was eager to see Jeep's replacement.  The Liberty was disappointing for a variety of reasons, with cheap styling being the biggest offender.  Cherokees were synonymous with rugged yet classic lines, while the Liberty looked like something Barbie would drive to Ken's house.

This new Liberty promises to be more fitting of the Jeep name, with an aggressive exterior and more impressive performance than the previous model.  It recently debuted at the New York Auto Show under rainy skies.  The abysmal weather did not dampen the spirits of journalists as it appears Jeep is finally getting back on track despite parent company Chrysler's eminent divorce from Daimler.

Tonic: Another New York Club Closing Down

Despite the fact that I think New York has too many rock clubs, there have been an awful lot of rock clubs lately closing down, and I'm a little bummed. Clubs like CBGB's, Sin-é, The Fez, The Continental, Rothko and others have fallen victim to high rent prices after the indie rock boom in the Lower East Side. Add to the list: Tonic, a venue that catered to the underground/avant garde/experimental music. When Tonic first announced last year that they were closing because they couldn't afford to pay their rent anymore, the music community came together and put on some benefit shows for the club, which did help to raise funds -- but apparently not enough.

Here's are a couple letters from Tonic via their e-newsletter and website:

An Open Letter to the Musicians, Staff, and Fans of Tonic

When Tonic closes this friday, we will have a lost a great club, and the last avant jazz/indie/new music club in manhattan with a capacity of over 90 presenting music on a nightly basis.

Tonic’s closing is not an isolated event: Coming on the heals of the closing of CBGB's, Siné, The Fez, the Continental, this wave of club closings, downsizings, and displacements to Brooklyn constitutes a market failure.But we don’t have to accept the diminishment of our musical culture.

We’re organizing a response, and we intend to fight for the viability of new music/ indie/experimental jazz traditionally based in the LES. We don’t intend to let Tonic’s eviction pass without making some serious noise.

We hope you’ll join us. If you’d like to help out or be kept informed of upcoming events, please sign up for the mailing list by sending an email to: indy_music_action-subscribe@lists.riseup.net

and if you just want to keep up to date with what we're planning, you should go to: http://www.takeittothebridge.com

We are an ad hoc coalition of musicians and supporters of new/experimental jazz/indie music. We represent a racially and culturally diverse community united in our desire to preserve the cultural legacy and future viability of the progressive jazz, experimental rock, and new music historically based in the LES.

Thank you,
Marc Ribot

Dear Musicians, Fans and Friends:

After more than 9 years as a home for avant-garde, creative, and experimental music, Tonic will reluctantly close its doors on Friday, April 13th, 2007. We simply can no longer afford the rent and all of the other costs associated with doing business on the Lower East Side.

The neighborhood around us has been increasingly consumed by "luxury condominiums", boutique hotels and glass towers, all making the value of our salvaged space worth more then our business could ever realistically support. We have also been repeatedly harassed by the city's Quality of Life Task Force which resulted in the debilitating closing of the ))sub((tonic lounge in January. Coincidentally, this campaign began as our immediate neighbor, the Blue Condominium building - a symbol of the new Lower East Side - prepared to open its doors.

As a business, we take responsibility for mistakes made along the way. If profit had been our chief motivation we could have changed our programming to something more mainstream and financially lucrative. Instead we were more committed to a certain type of music and loyal to the community that supported us. As a result, we've always just survived but never really prospered. It is, however, unfortunate that it is so difficult for small businesses to operate in this city and that a chain store that can afford a high rent is more desirable than a place like Tonic that has a different kind of value.

While this is certainly the end of Tonic at 107 Norfolk Street, we remain committed to what Tonic represents and plan to try again in some form as soon as possible. In the interim, Tonic will make efforts to present new music in existing venues such as the Abron's Arts Center located just a few blocks away.

We invite you to join us as often as you can over our remaining days to help us celebrate Tonic and more importantly the amazing artists, our unwavering staff, and the nurturing community that made Tonic possible. It’s because of you that we’ve stayed open as long as we have. Thank you!

Sincerely, Melissa and John

Here are the list of their final shows:

--Thu, Apr 12--
* Suphala at 8pm, $10. Tabla artist, composer, and producer, Suphala, is a protégé of the great tabla master and Ustad Zakir Hussain.

* Miho Hatori at 9:30pm, $12. With Shoko Nagai , Miho Hatori (vocals), Mauro Refosco (percussion), Shelley Burgon (harp), Masa Shimizu (bass / guitar) & Ganda Suthivarakom (vocals). Tonight's concert is a benefit for Tonic.

* Alex Delivery plus Other Passengers (Record Release show) at 11pm, $8

--Fri, Apr 13--
* John Zorn Improv Night PARTY - Last TONIC show!! at 7:30pm & 9pm, Suggested Donation $20 - A portion of tonight's proceeds will benefit The Stone. Come celebrate Tonic's final night at 107 Norfolk Street with this John Zorn. Improv featuring dozens of special guests.

* The Bunker at 11pm, $5
With DJ Spinoza & Derek Plaslaiko.

--Sat, Apr 14--
* Tonic presents at Abrons Arts Center: Jandek at 8pm, $20 (SOLD OUT)

--Fri, May 4th & Sat, May 5th
* Tonic presents John Zorn's Book of Angels Mini Festival at The Abrons Arts Center, $20 in advance. With Masada String Trio and Shanir Blumenkranz Group, Erik friedlander Solo and Jamie Saft Trio

For more information, please visit www.tonicnyc.com.

Concert Review: Youth Group & Aqueduct - 4/10/07 @ Mercury Lounge (New York, NY)

What is it about the land down under that it produces some of my favorite musical acts today? Aussie bands have endeared themselves to my ears -- everyone from Architecture in Helsinki to Josh Pyke to the band I went to see last night, Youth Group.

In support of their latest album, Casino Twilight Dogs, on Anti Records, Youth Group has been touring with Barsuk's ever-so-charming Aqueduct from Seattle, WA,. The two bands played a sold-out show at one of my favorite New York venues -- Mercury Lounge.

I had never seen Aqueduct before, but I enjoyed their set, even without previously knowing any of their songs. Singer/keyboardist Dave Terry is an enthusiastic frontman who keeps the energy level on stage up with amusing between-song banter. Their songs reminded me at times of the cutesy and super-happy Magic Numbers to music that is a little more irreverent in sentiment like Tenacious D, especially when Terry threw in the occasional cuss word. I particularly loved the song, "As You Wish," inspired by one of my favorite love stories -- The Princess Bride.

Youth Group were in top form, playing a mix of new and old songs. When I listen to them, I feel like the world is slowly disappearing around me and all I want to do is close my eyes and let the music just sink into me. Others around me, clearly felt different. There was a gang of girls up front with big smiles on their faces, dancing like it was their high school prom. Either way, it is a great experience.

Their current single, "Sorry," off the new album sounds like one of those classic songs you would have put on a mixtape for someone after you've done something terribly wrong. Singer and frontman Toby Martin has the ability to bring you in with his brilliant vocals. The crowd favorite was clearly, "Shadowland," off their old album, Skeleton Jar. The dynamic ending on that song never disappoints.

** For more information and tour dates, visit the official Aqueduct website and the official Youth Group website.

** Watch the music video for their song, "Daisychains," below:

Dinner with the Band: Behind the Scenes with Pigeon John & Tokyo Police Club

So not many things wake me up on a Sunday morning, especially at like 10:30am. However, I kicked myself out of bed super early so that I could attend a taping of "Dinner with the Band," an upcoming online TV show created by Darin Bresnitz, who also happens to be an associate producer at the Food Network. I wanted to meet the man behind the show that combines two of my favorite vices: food and music. It was also cool to hear that he works with his twin brother, Greg, who books the talent on the show and helps with various other aspects of production. He also has an entire crew of friends and Food Network colleagues onset doing make-up, camera work, editing and everything else in-between. It is truly a community project.

The show features host and restauranteur Sam Mason along with contemporary musicians on tour, including El-P, Matt & Kim, Pela, Pigeon John, F*cked Up, Tokyo Police Club and more. I was there for the taping of Pigeon John, who is an LA-based experimental hip-hop artist currently on tour with Peeping Tom and Miho Hatori. They play Irving Plaza tonight in New York City, and have an album out on record label and Bay Area collective, Quannum Projects, which includes Blackalicious and DJ Shadow. Pigeon John also just recently toured with Of Montreal -- both of these tours seem out of the ordinary for a hip-hopper like John, but once you see him perform live, you realize his quirkiness. The best part? When he ended a song by singing "Hot Dog in Your Mouth." I almost died of laughter and amusement. Anyhoo, Sam and the band made top quality steak burgers, fries and spiked chocolate milkshakes.

The banter between Sam and Pigeon John was fun to watch, and I also caught a little bit of Tokyo Police Club's taping -- but my stomach got the best of me. After smelling them cook burgers four a few hours, I just had to go and get a burger myself at Burgers & Cupcakes in Chelsea. I have to say the best part of the whole show experience is that you walk away learning a little bit about cooking food and listening to some of today's emerging musicians. And that, my peeps, is a recipe for yummy awesomeness.

** Check out this article New York magazine did on Sam Mason.

** Watch the trailer of the pilot episode with The Cloud Room.

** Read about the show on NewTeeVee.com.

** See the Buzz Feed on "Dinner With the Band."

I got to cook up a few questions with Darin Bresnitz (pictured right on the left onset with his twin brother and co-conspirator, Greg) to shed light on how he came up with the show in the first place and what he hopes to accomplish by intertwining food and music...

How did you come up with the idea for the show?
I have been involved one way or another with food TV for over five years. When I was in college, I would think about cooking shows that I could relate to. "Dinner With The Band" was born out of one of those ideas.

What do you think is so interesting about the relationship between music and food?
Music and food have always been the two largest passions in my life. For me, they are both universal art forms that can be shared with anyone.

What has been the most fun episode you have shot thus far?
Every episode has been great and we are about to shoot four more this weekend. Each one has been special.

How do you decide what to cook?
I interview the band and figure out what they like to eat and talk about their food experiences on the road and at home. Based on that conversation, Sam develops a tailored menu that's designed uniquely for the band.

Has anyone come in and cooked a recipe of their own?
Not yet, but we are certainly open to something like that.

What has been some of the reactions of bands on the show?
All of the bands have had a great time and it's been a pleasure to work with all of them. We try to create an intimate environment that allows them to feel relaxed and really open up.

Your show will only be available online at the On Network. Online TV seems to be a new trend... What is the On Network anyways?
ON is a new media company that has established a network of on-topic professional, short form and informative Web video channels

Are you hoping to take it to real television at any point? You work for Food Network -- I could totally see it on there.
Although I think this show, and shows like it, have a place on TV, we have designed and produced this show for the Internet.

What do you hope audiences take away from watching the show?
I hope the audience takes away a unique experience. I want them to feel that they shared in an intimate moment with one of their favorite bands and that they learned something about the band that they couldn't have anywhere else. I also want people to realize that cooking gourmet food isn't as daunting as it appears to be and that anyone can become a master of their own kitchen.

** Check out clips from the "Dinner with the Band" episode with Pela and paella on the On Network.

** Watch the promo for the show.

Songwriter Spotlight: Nicole Atkins

Free Download: "The Way It Is" from her upcoming full-length, Neptune City

If you're like me, then you often find yourself playing music, looking up the lyrics on Google and singing along to your favorite new song. These days, I don't always like a lot of female singer-songwriters that have come out with records. Most of them sound too contrived or too earthy -- it's difficult to achieve an effortless, natural vibe and still write good music.

However, Brooklyn, NY-based singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins seems to have achieved this, all while gaining international attention and signing to a major. Impressive. I remember seeing her for the first time at the now-defunct New York club, Sin-e. With her band, The Sea, Nicole was playing a packed CMJ showcase, and had everyone in the room completely fixated on her. Her music evokes beauty, brain and emotion -- with lyrics that are thoughtful and poetic and vocals that grow from hushed quiet deliberation to soaring defiance.

She has released her Bleeding Diamonds EP on Columbia Records, and her full length, Neptune City, will be in stores June 26. I recently got to ask her five questions to try to take a peek inside her pretty little head.

Favorite place to write music: In the shower or my car and I like to finish them in the corner of my room at my parents' house.

Latest inspiration: The South and lucid dreams.

What's the most personal song on your new album and why?
Probably "War Torn." It's about someone I was with for four years, and they got deported and I havent seen him since. Sucked.

If you could duet with anyone, who would it be and why?
Probably Mark Lanegan because he's got the best voice ever.

What's your personal anthem?
Right now, um... "If It's the Beaches" from the Avett Brothers off of their The Gleam record.

** Check out her upcoming tour dates on her official site.

** Watch her mystical music video for "Neptune City" below.

Concert Review: Les Savy Fav & The Big Sleep - 4/1/07 @ Bowery Ballroom (NY, NY)

Two of my favorite Frenchkiss Records bands got together on April Fool's, surprisingly not in the interest of pulling a prank on a friend, as one might suspect. Instead, Les Savy Fav and the Big Sleep performed at Bowery Ballroom in New York to raise money for an ailing friend of the label. Back in the day, I used to say that the Big Sleep were like another psychedelic rock band, Secret Machines, except bigger and better. I still think this is true, but what I find even more exciting is how much the Big Sleep have grown as performers over the years. Their vocals, though few and far between, have grown more confident. Their instrumentation is booming. Their minimal yet noir-ish lighting has become more hypnotic. The Big Sleep's music is the kind of music that makes your body sway back and forth as if in a relaxing state of trance.

Les Savy Fav delighted the sold-out crowd, who were fist pumping and moshing like crazy for these hometown punk rock heroes. Personally, I think Tim Harrington from LSF is one of the most entertaining frontmen around today. Both he and the band, whose bassist Syd Butler also founded and runs the Frenchkiss label, did not disappoint. They came out and punched out one song, thanked the crowd for coming to support the benefit, then promptly left the stage. The venue then turned on the house lights and put on "Seaside" by the Kooks. Of course, everyone in the crowd knew it was an April Fool's joke and patiently waited for the band to return to the stage.

And they did. And it was awesome. Tim came out in a yellow and green Native American get-up with a red plastic loin cloth and some wacky headdress. The audience cheered and went bananas. LSF played a slew of new songs from their upcoming album that were both catchy and bold -- bold enough to inspire Tim to jump off stage and run all the way out to the JMZ subway station. I have never seen someone do that at Bowery before, but that's exactly why I think this band is the best live band ever. They aren't afraid to do things on a whim. Crawling back into the venue on his back, Tim looked like a psychotic worm wrigging under a magnifying glass on the hottest day of the year. Later on in the set, he asked the audience for Sharpies and a bunch of fans proceeded to throw those permanent markers on stage. A couple songs later, he crouched shirtless as fans up front wrote all over his sweat-drenched torso. Overall, it was a spectacular rock show that all of us floored. Not bad for a Sunday night.

Concert Review: Bill Callahan (smog) - 3/30/07 @ National Arts Club (New York, NY)

The posh venue of the National Arts Club in New York City is an elegant setting for an equally elegant set from The Fader magazine's latest cover subject, Bill Callahan (smog), who was accompanied live by Jim White on drums and folk fairy and Drag City labelmate Joanna Newsom on piano. While half the room was finishing up the free Budweiser Select in the party area, the other half of the crowd was put into an intense trance as Bill Callahan sang his dark, solitary tunes in a separate performance area.

This kind of music can either take you far away into the caverns of your mind where you drift into a self-imposed Never Never Land, OR you could simply be bored and nod off. Halfway through his 45 minute set, I had to duck out and take a breather. Though I really enjoy his live show, the songs from the set started to blur together like one 90 minute song. I know Callahan has a very particular delivery, an identifying stamp like Johnny Cash had on his music, but I felt like if his drummer White or his pianist Newsom had stepped it up a little bit and tried different dynamics out, the music could have been richer live.

Callahan just released the two-song EP, Diamond Dancer, on Drag City on March 20th. He will be releasing his full-length album, Woke on a Whale Heart, also on Drag City next week on April 9th.

P.S. Not to be a celeb stalker or whatever, but it was exciting to see legends Lou Reed (Velvet Underground) and his girlfriend Laurie Anderson (Talking Heads/Tom Tom Club) were in attendance. Human Giant comedians Aziz Ansari and Rob Huebel were also mingling with the crowd. Human Giant, a new sketch comedy show on MTV, premieres on Thursday, April 5th, at 10:30pm EST. Check out sneak peaks at Human Giant's official site.