Tag Archives: Stagecoach Festival

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.

Serj Tankian is making a return trip to Coachella. (The Associated Press)

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.

Coachella Valley resident Shelby Lynne recently released an album of Dusty Springfield-inspired songs. (Special to The Press-Enterprise)

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.

Happy foggy Friday from downtown Riverside.

Since I’ve been getting some good response on the “A Taste of Stagecoach” snippets, I thought it might be time to roll out “A Taste of Coachella.”

Up first–Justice, “D.A.N.C.E.”

If you like Daft Punk, you’ll be a fan of Justice. What I want to know is why my T-shirt designs don’t move and dance.

With Stagecoach and Coachella coming up, it might be nice to get a feel for what the artists are all about.

So here’s the debut of “A Taste of Stagecoach.” Today we’re giving a look at desert resident Shelby Lynne, covering Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.” Her latest album, “Just A Little Lovin,'” is very Springfield-inspired, with nine of the ten tracks new arrangements on Springfield’s repertoire.

Watch Lynne’s take on “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me.”

To find out more about Lynne and other Stagecoach artists, visit our Stagecoach microsite. You can look at bios for the performers, get our picks on some recommended tunes and see last year’s coverage.

Willie Nelson is oblivious to the outside world and because of that he may just be the coolest man alive. He just chills up there on stage with every hair still in his head, a smile on his face and his beat up guitar around his neck. He is totally carefaree and I am envious. His set began slowly with the Coachella crowd, but once he broke into “Poncho and Lefty” things picked up. Hipsters and hippies alike danced to the classic country crooner. Next week he’ll be at Stagecoach playing to a more familiar group, but something tells me he won’t be having as much fun.