DIGITAL JOURNALIST
Brett Dennen is a phenomenal singer-songwriter and he has the best red hair ever!
Coachella-goers are in for a treat when he plays on April 27.
He looks like he’s about 15, but he’s totally amazing. He’s one of those people, like Rick Astley, who surprises you when their voice comes out of that person.
Anyway, judge for yourself:
T-minus 29 days until Coachella.
That means I only have 29 days to tell you about all of the artists you need to keep an eye on and 36 days to do the same for Stagecoach.
So here’s my latest installment–Bonde Do Role.
They are from Brazil, ridiculously catchy, and I almost started pogo-ing in my cubicle when I watched their live performance of “Office Boy.” I didn’t, though.
Fans of CSS will dig Bonde Do Role. Want proof? Watch.
I also encourage you to catch the regular video clip for “Office Boy.” It seems to be full of shrieks and bright colors, if you’re into that sort of thing.
This one is for all of you Amy Winehouse fans who love all of the music and none of the drama.
Duffy is performing on Sunday, April 27 at Coachella. Watch her perform the ridiculously awesome song “Mercy.”
Fans of Dusty Springfield and Petula Clark, rejoice.
Not convinced of her cred? Bernard Butler of Suede produced her album.
In the spirit of springtime and warm weather, here’s another big concert for you–are you ready for it?
Hold on, I will be after I put in my earplugs because I have a feeling a few fans might squeal loudly enough that it could hurt my head.
Here’s the lineup: Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Flo-Rida, Danity Kane, Pitbull, The Dey, Cherish and a special performance from Snoop Dogg.
Only one concert could pair the good clean fun of Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers and and a man who spent part of the 1990s squinting through a haze of an illegal substance together. It’s also the concert with the most ridiculous name ever–yes, it’s time for the KIIS-FM Wango Tango.
Wait, it gets weirder. Ryan Seacrest is hosting (not so odd), with the help of (enter dramatic pause) Lindsay Lohan.
Is she really a good example to hold up for the kids who are totally going to be there to see the purity of the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana? And Snoop? I mean, I guess he had that parenting show, but still.
However, Inland fans are going to have to travel a little bit more to see these acts. Whereas some of the past Wango Tangos have been in Devore at Glen Helen, this year Ryan Seacrest is taking the show to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine on May 10.
Tickets go on sale Saturday, but you have a shot at getting them early by becoming a KIIS VIP member at the station’s Web site.
From the press release:
Now for the Coachella Valley connection to the lineup–Danity Kane, created on a reality show with Puff Daddy, is performing. One of the members, Aubrey O’Day, is a graduate of La Quinta High School.
I return to the office on Tuesday, but here is a special update for you, a tasty Coachella treat.
My favorite thing about covering Coachella is getting a chance to listen to and learn about new bands I didn’t know about too much before or at all.
One of the gems I’ve found this time is the Bees (or, if you go and try to find them in a record store, they’re also known in the U.S. as A Band of Bees, or so the nice fellow at Amoeba in Hollywood told me).
If you like the soul of Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and Motown, but also like slide guitars you will dig this band.
I only with I had found them earlier. So here they are, with a bonus video for you today since I’ve been out of town.
For the slide guitar fans, here’s the video for “Who Cares What the Question Is?”:
And for the soul-searchers in the crowd, try out “Listening Man”:
In case you missed the big announcement, Coachella added new acts.
One of them is Kate Nash. I was wondering why she wasn’t listed before because she is this year’s Lily Allen.
Anyway, check out her most excellent clip for “Foundations.”
I am headed to Las Vegas this evening for the weekend and I won’t be back in the office until Tuesday.
However, I am going to see The Beatles’ “Love” tonight. I am mega-excited and will give a full report when I return.
Last night an announcement came in about more Coachella bands
Serj Tankian
System of a Down is on hiatus, but Serj is coming back to Coachella solo. He stopped in last year to perform a song with Fair to Midland, a young band he took under his wing.
But what is more interesting is that Scars on Broadway, the much-anticipated project from System of a Down’s Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan.
Will either artist play any System songs? Will they sit in on each other’s sets? Only time will tell.
Aphex Twin
Is it okay that Aphex Twin kind of gives me the creeps? I really don’t think it’s the music so much as it was this guy in my college communications 101 class who did a speech about how much he loved Aphex Twin. He had crazy eyes. It was intense.
Anyway, despite my weird feelings about Aphex Twin, you can’t deny that Richard D. James is probably one of the most unique artists in music, period, and has really helped shaped the face of electronic music.
That being said, go listen to “Come to Daddy.” Or watch the creepy video. I don’t like when things tell me that they want my soul.
Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp has been around pushing the group’s electropop for a while. Fans of the Bird and the Bee will likely enjoy Goldfrapp.
Personally, I think the track “Happiness” is just delightful.
Kate Nash
Kate Nash = Lily Allen of 2008
Have you heard “Foundations”? It’s nothing short of brilliant–the best song about stupid fights in crumbling relationships, probably ever.
Here’s my favorite stanza:
You said I must eat so many lemons,
’cause I am so bitter.
I said “I’d rather be with your friends mate,
’cause they are much fitter”
She also does a fun cover of the White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.”
Redd Kross
I came to the Redd Kross party a bit late, but man they are so much fun. I am a sucker for power pop and I’ve never seen these guys before. I am so there.
Adele
British soul singer Adele is coming.
However, her MySpace page shows her in the United Kingdom around the time of Coachella. Either she is going to be ridiculously jet-lagged or there’s a change happening soon.
Anyway, keep checking in with the Audio File. We’ll be continuing our regular “Taste of Coachella” and “Taste of Stagecoach” snippets so you can get a feel for the artists before you go.
This just in:
There are more additions to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup.
Here they are:
Aphex Twin
Goldfrapp
Kate Nash
Serj Tankian
Redd Kross
Adele
The most interesting thing about the additions is that Serj Tankian is coming back. He was at the festival last year with his protege band Fair to Midland. Also interesting to note is that System of a Down is on hiatus and his bandmates from that, Daron and John, are playing as Scars on Broadway. Could there be a System of a Down onstage reunion? We’ll see.
Also, there are more camping options for people.
From the press release:
“In addition, based on the popularity of onsite camping, Coachella is now offering onsite lodging with premium tent accommodations. Two, four or six person tent packages include brand new tent accommodations ready for guest arrival. The comfort packages feature airbeds with sleeping bag and pillows for each camper. Beyond the sleeping accommodations, campers in this special area will enjoy larger camping plots with more privacy, as well as access to upgraded amenities including deluxe showers and restrooms, complimentary breakfast buffet and adjacent parking. Various premium camping configurations range from the “Tent Hotel” to the “Safari Tent”–a fully furnished air-conditioned bedroom with an outside seating area. Additional details and prices for these camping packages is available at www.coachella.com.”
I don’t know about you, but I want that Safari Tent. I really love air conditioning in the desert.
Welcome to another edition of A Taste of Coachella. In order to get prepped for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio in April.
Today is all about the Swell Season. Or, if you’re a film fan, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova from “Once.”
The pair just won an Oscar for their performance of the beautiful song “Falling Slowly.” The pair will be at Coachella (Hansard was there with the Frames last year).
For me it’s one of those songs that just gets to your core, like Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah.”
Sadly, you can’t really see Irglova in this one, but it’s still great. You can bet I’m going to be at this set at Coachella.
Rancho Mirage resident Shelby Lynne is coming to the Stagecoach Country Music Festivalon Friday, May 2.
I interviewed her last week and you can read a full story on her here.
But we also talked more about her Dusty Springfield-inspired album, “Just A Little Lovin’,” and I wasn’t able to get all of it in the story. Just for background, her friend Barry Manilow suggested the idea of recording Springfield’s songbook a few years back. She got around to it, the label loved the idea, recorded it and then the label went away. Now the album came out on Lost Highway (home to Willie Nelson and Lucinda Williams, among others), and it’s good. Really good.
Lynne’s road is a little rougher than Springfield’s and that’s a good thing–her versions bring totally different emotions to the songs.
Lynne said she picked the songs carefully, noting that if you’re going to do them, you better get them right and you better sing them well.
“I had to do the songs I felt that I could nail,” she said.
That’s why you won’t see “Son of a Preacher Man” on there.
“She’s too identified with that,” Lynne said.
She worked with veteran producer Phil Ramone (Dusty Springfield, Billy Joel), calling him a “wonderful gentleman” and that they became friends.
“He’s a great captain of the ship,” she said.
Read more after the cut
She and Ramone searched through Springfield’s catalog to select the right ones. Lynne said he also insisted that she record one of her own songs for the record.
With this album, Lynne had a chance to record in Studio A at the Capitol Records building in Hollywood, something she’s wanted to do for a while.
Lynne’s favorite off the album is “I Don’t Want to Hear It Anymore.” My favorite is “Anyone Who Had a Heart” followed by Lynne’s song “Pretend.”
For me, this is an album that you need on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and a contemplative mood.