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Ari Hest

Sarah Siskind

Cafe 939

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 8pm

$15

General Admission

Online via Ticketmaster

A prolific songwriter and captivating live performer, Ari Hest is returning to Cafe 939 on kick of his national spring tour.  After last year's 52 project, called "Unprecedented", by FOX-TV, Hest has prepared the 12 best songs to be released on his new album Twelve Mondays.  Also Performing is Sarah Siskind.  She is seen as one of today's most eclectic songwriters, with songs covered by Alison Drauss, Randy Travis, Bon Iver, the Infamous Stringdusters, April Verch, and more.

Ari is a one of a kind songwriter; someone that after being signed to a major label, decided to go his own way in order to retain creative control of his career and songwriting.  After completing a massive songwriting project, entitled '52 projects', in which he wrote, recorded, produced and released one song per week for an entire year, Hest will release 'Twelve Mondays".  This release is the culmination of '52 projects' including only the top twelve songs that his fans voted to be on the record all from the past year of work.  Hest is DIY in all its glory and is taking a completely unique approach to his art, putting a deadline on creativity.  The result will be a crafted, polished performance from a seasoned writer and performer that is completely comfortable in the spotlight and under the gun.  GO TO THIS SHOW.

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Hannah & The Bloodlines

MEM

The Red Room - Cafe 939 

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

8pm 

Hannah & The Bloodlines:
Still a budding band, Hannah & The Bloodlines have already proven themselves to be an asset to the New England music scene. A band that has excelled in the studio, and have taken it to a whole other level live can easily accomplish this toilsome task. Combining the catchiness and marketability of pop, the control and intricacy of a jazz group, and the edge and attitude of a rock band, The Bloodlines are in a class of their own. Each member is so remarkable and unique in his or her own right, Hannah Sumner, Stephen Gaspar, Jeremy Vovcsko, Ryan Broderick, and Cory Sterling set this band miles apart from their competition. If bets were being taken on bands that will define our generation, put your money on Hannah & The Bloodlines, because it is only a matter of time before The Bloodlines change music forever.

MEM:
Since 2008, MEM has been mesmerizing audiences and listeners alike with their innovative song writing, dazzling sonic experimentation, and multi-sensory live performances. MEM began with a serendipitous meeting of lead singer and songwriter Grayson Sanders and bassist Jay Goodman in an NYU jazz ensemble. Fellow NYU student and drummer Alex Beckmann sensed something special was brewing, and quickly got on board. In 2007, the trio performed as the Grayson Sanders Band. As the three bonded, their sound began to evolve into something denser, more textured than the three alone could create. The group enlisted the services of guitarist-warlocks Austin Mendenhall and Scott Seelig to bring increased knobs, faders, and sorcery. With their line-up finalized, and too much gear to comfortably bring around, the group of musicians started gigging as what we now call MEM.

MEM bursts open a wellspring of creative energy on the electro-organic template, employing an artful combination of swirling textures and colors, complementing their undeniable pop sensibility. MEM's live performance is that of a fitful dream state, setting the listener adrift on the high seas of emotional tension, where their only respite comes from carefully placed currents of melodic pleasure. MEM provides the best of both worlds - its an astonishing balancing act that sticks with you well after the music's over. They have managed the impervious task of squeezing ornate, complex tunes into tidy conceptual boxes that most of us call pop songs. In the end, MEM is just a bunch of pretty neat guys. who want you to come have a pretty neat time.

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Paper!

Official Passion Pit After-Party

with:

Joy Formidable

THE DIG

Harper's Ferry
Thursday, May 6th

8pm 18+

 
Listen here: http://www.myspace.com/thedigisup

The Dig is a great American rock band, on tour right now with Joy Formidable, and soon to be on tour with Thrice, and later Muse. These boys have been playing music together since high school, with roots of the band going back as far as sixth grade.  Always a DIY band at heart, The Dig leave an impression, literally, on every town the come through.  Take a walk around New York City's Lower East Side and you're sure to see remnants of The Dig and their posters from former tours, most of which were probably self-booked and promoted.  The Lower East Side will fittingly be the home of their debut album release, titled 'Electric Toys', on the 5th of June at Mercury Lounge.  Calling Westchester county their home, The Dig play wonderful rock music, in a completely DIY style that is finally starting to pay off.  They've been on tour this year with The Editors, The Walkmen, The White Rabbits, among others and continue to expand their fan base.  Get on the bus.  GO TO THIS SHOW.

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Mumford & Sons 

Australia

Fri 5/14

The Middle East

(downstairs)

18+ $15

The most sincere group of musicians from the U.K. crash down on Boston Friday night, May 14th and will begin to work their way through a nearly sold-out U.S. tour.  Mumford & Sons' debut release 'Sigh No More' has been released to critical acclaim, and they continue to pick up momentum, having just been added to the bill at this year's legendary Glastonbury Festival. "What we write about is real, and we sing and play our instruments more passionately because we feel like we need to. We love honest music," says Winston. GO TO THIS SHOW.  

Listen here: http://www.myspace.com/mumfordandsons

The members of Mumford & Sons came together in 2007, and since have shared a common purpose: to make music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously. The four young men from West London have fire in their bellies, romance in their hearts, and rapture in their masterful voices.  They've since gone on to work with The Arcade Fire's producer, Marcus Dravs, who helped them mold their debut album into the monumental success that it has become, drawing out each individual's own personality on their instruments.  They have been compared as a mix of Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Kings of Leon, melding the two styles together in a way that captures the power of one and the balance of the other. This band is on the quick train to stardom town.  Once they get there though, one can imagine that they'll be just as cool and down-to-earth as they are now, capturing the grace that so many superstars seem to forget.  Their honesty in songwriting and musicality is obvious, and it's apparent that it will serve them throughout their careers and hopefully will inspire other bands to choose the same path. Just after their Boston date Friday, Mumford & Sons will play two of the best venues in New York City, Webster Hall and The Music Hall of Williamsburg, back-to-back before rolling through the Midwest, out through Vancouver and down the west coast. The venues on their lineup all suggest that the next time they come around, they'll play venues that will make Middle East seem like your living room. Mumford & Sons’ live reputation precedes them, which fans stateside can witness Friday the 14th at Middle East, and now their incredible debut reveals the extent of their magic and majesty on record. Feel the fire in your belly and the romance in your heart as you listen, let your voice break into rapture – and you too sigh no more. Catch them now.  

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BROKEN BELLS
The Morning Benders

Friday, June 4, 2010
ROYALE NIGHTCLUB
Tickets $35
Doors 5:30pm


Broken Bells are not even one year old.  Mix one part early Shins and one part Danger Mouse and get this effortlessly retro super-group.  Organ mixed with guitar, bass, superb vocals and a slew of other instruments give these tracks a sound as full as the harbor.  James Mercer (Formerly of The Shins) and Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) play Boston's newest and hipest venue, The Royale (Formerly The Roxy) on Friday June 4th.  The night is turning into a night of former stars turned vital newcomers all around.  Thanks to Boston's ridiculously early curfew, doors will open at 5:30pm giving concert-goers the perfect excuse for the liquid dinner after escaping the office on a warm Friday afternoon.  This music makes whiskey on the rocks seem like a good choice; it's just that cool. 

After admiring each others work for years Mercer and Danger have finally started collaborating.  They released their debut, although professionally polished, album just last month with binary coded emails even the nerds in engineering could appreciate, offering free downloads preceding the release.  Respective fans of both groups, and new fans alike, have already cemented sure-fire success for these two.  They're combining everything that is great about The Shins and Danger Mouse.  Already slated for a very cool U.S. tour, Broken Bells are the it group of the moment, stopping at all of the best rooms around the country.  Catch them now. 

If you're lucky enough to be off work before 5:30pm, get down to the new Royale and check out the brilliant sight lines and set up.  After Broken Bells goes on, hear the best new sound system in Boston.  You'll most likely be back to see all of the bands that matter come through Boston. 

Listen here: http://www.myspace.com/brokenbells

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HEY New York!
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SEAN BONES
The Watson Twins

MERCURY LOUNGE
Late Show April 7th
8pm Doors
$10
http://www.mercuryloungenyc.com/event/4329



Pick up a new attitude with Sean Bones this Wednesday.

Sean Bones' music makes me feel good.  Reggae-esque groove-town with hipster flavor.  Hailing from Brooklyn, and signed to Frenchkiss Records, Sean Bones is just plain cool.  His music is groovy, well written, happy, and just fun.  He's off on a national tour, kicked off by a stop at the Mercury Lounge Wednesday.  "Some people wait on second chances//Some people countin' on some fucked-up lucky star".  Don't miss this show.  You'll leave happy.  Co-headlining the night is The Watson Twins.

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Midlake
with John Grant

The Paradise
Friday April 9, 2010
doors at 8 PM; 18+ show

Midlake is a rock band. Currently on tour in the U.S., and headed International next month, Midlake has an impressive run of venues lined up all across the country.  Formerly called "The Cornbread All-Stars", Midlake formed out of North Texas State jazz students that played more rock than jazz.  Their main comparisions are noted as Radiohead, Bjork and Jethro Tull, and their jazz influences are fully apparent in their songs.  However, Tim Smith, the songwriter in the band, notes that they do not want to be perceived as a 'Radiohead rip off',  He does, however, compare his songwriting to that of Thom Yorke and company, but the band more to a Jethro Tull.  Midlake invades the Paradise this Friday, after two shows at the famed Bowery Ballroom in New York City and on their way back down the east coast.  This new album, three-and-a-half years after their second release that took them from being a local band to playing the most important gigs of their career, will be their test of staying power.  With 'harmonies the size of Texas', their third release will seek to re-kindle the flame that their sophomore release started. Go to this show and see if you agree with Rolling Stone.

John Grant will also join Midlake on the bill.  John is a solo artist from Denver and the former vocalist of The Czars.  He has opened up for the Flaming Lips, and has supported Midlake in the past.

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THE XX

PARADISE

April 2

6pm & 9pm

Listen Here: VCR

Beg, barter, or steal your way into this show.  The XX write music about sex.  They had their song placed in iTunes UK 'Single of the Week' only one day after the release of their record.  Pitchfork rated their debut album as one of the best of the year.  They’ve received countless accolades for their initial stride into the recorded music world.  But does it translate live?  Even without a drummer?  You bet.  The XX is in the middle of a world tour that will take them to SXSW, Europe, Japan, and all over the United States.  What does all of this mean?  This means that you'll need to see them this time around, or suffer the large arena-fate of so many fans of other great bands that break before you see them at this level.  The XX will come through Boston, with only one day to spare between Webster Hall in New York City and Metropolis in Montreal, and play two sets at Paradise on April 2nd, fresh off their quick run at SXSW.  Catch this band NOW.  Get in however you can.

The XX have the sound of a band that has been around for years.  However, this quartet from the U.K. has only one record to their name.  Without a drummer, they effortlessly meld electronica, R&B, and other cool music to create a sound that falls somewhere on the spectrum between a Radiohead, and a much mellower band. Without too much comparison, The XX sound polished

in a way that most bands with members under the legal drinking age usually don't.  The sound is like a great rock band turned down to a level of elegance that will melt the space away between your ears, and leave you wondering how they got so damn good so quickly.   GO TO THIS SHOW.

The Bowery Presents Comes To Boston. It's about time.

The KING of New York City Live Music Makes a Royale Entrance in Boston.

The Bowery Presents is set to put on 100 shows a year at the re-vamped Roxy, now Royale, capitalizing on a void in the Live Nation evil empire and expanding Boston's developing music market. Bands that can't quite fill House of Blues, but are too big for Paradise, will fit perfectly and will see their new home at Royale as not only a suitable place to grow but also as an invitation into the club of bands that have had their careers launched by this thriving company.

The Bowery Presents is known for developing young acts through a range of appropriately sized venues in New York City, one for every step in a band's career, and with their first big step into the Boston market seek to take the ball out of the Live Nation's hands and put it back in the hands of the musicians.  The Bowery Presents creates a loyalty among bands that rewards bands for hard work and dedication to getting their fans out to see them.  From the 200 capacity Mercury Lounge, bands graduate to Bowery Ballroom at 600 capacity, and some make it all the way up to Terminal 5 or even Madison Square Garden.  The Bowery Presents thrives on developing talent in a way that Live Nation has turned their back on. They give emerging bands a loyal friend in the business and will become Boston's new backbone in independent live music.  According to Boston Music Spotlight, the first chance to see Bowery Presents in action at Royale will be with Public Image LTD., with Sex Pistols leading man Johnny Rotten driving the bus, on May 4th and 5th.  GO TO THIS SHOW.

The Bowery Presents Boston arm will include a new office, a strategic partnership, and will be filling a piece of the market missing in Boston.  According to an article in the Boston Globe, dated February 24th, 2010, "Boston is an unusual concert market, because it does not have many mid-size venues. Booking agents often face a question of whether an act can sell 500 tickets or 2,500, because there is not much in between." (http://tinyurl.com/ydp7nmq) With a capacity right around 1,000, Royale will fit perfectly.  While the similarities in stature among bands that now play HoB, and the bands that will play Royale, will be similar, The Bowery Presents will challenge Live Nation for diversity in programming.  In an article last week in The New York Times, Jim Glancy, a Bowery partner, was quoted “It’s a fantastic market,” Mr. Glancy said. “The type of music we book totally lends itself to Boston.” (http://tinyurl.com/yao66lf) Their success in the New York City market, an ever-competitive place, the new expansion to Boston will be a force to be reckoned with, one that Live Nation will struggle to keep up with.  There is a new competition brewing the live music market, with the fans benefiting most, and the answer to the question seems to be Bowery Presents.  In a later article, also in the Globe, the question is already answered. "Royale co-owner Dave Ralph says, "It’s really good for music in Boston", adding that Bowery tends to deal with up-and-coming acts that will work well at Royale, which has a concert capacity that falls between the Paradise Rock Club and the House of Blues. Artists that have been booked by the Bowery group at venues around New York have included the White Stripes, Bright Eyes, and more commercial acts such as John Mayer." (http://tinyurl.com/ygt7fey) (at left, John Mayer Secret Show at Bowery Presents' first born, Mercury Lounge, 200 cap., last year) The Bowery Presents will bring life back to the Boston music market, marking an immediate alternative to the Live Nation powerhouse that has neglected the emerging artists that are so important to the future of music.  

There's also the money. The Boston Globe, in the article referenced above quoted Pollstar in saying, "[...] the House of Blues sold 314,597 tickets in 2009, restoring luster to the city’s diminished nightlife scene since Avalon and Axis closed in 2007 and outdrawing well-established venues in New York (Hammerstein Ballroom), San Francisco (the Fillmore), and Washington, D.C. (9:30 Club)." (http://tinyurl.com/ydp7nmq)  Note that none of the venues listed are associated with Bowery Presents.  With this new addition, that falls directly into the wheelhouse of House of Blues - meaning Live Nation will be faced with a direct competitor to the club with the highest number of ticket sales in the country in it's class, and direct competition to their talent buyers.  Bowery Presents has the advantage here, as the developing talent will surely follow them out of New York City to Boston trusting the hold that Bowery has on that market and the community that they've developed.  The company has grown organically, filling the need at every level.  Looking back, the two original partners, both of whom invested personally in opening Mercury Lounge by maxing out credit cards, should be very proud of the movement they've created.

It's an exciting time for Boston, marking a competition that will not only benefit musicians, but also the fans, with more and more programming, and more options.  If you're going to SXSW, check out The Bowery Presents showcases.  It'll be a perfect taste of the genius booking this company regularly executes.

GO TO THIS SHOW: IFC Crossroads House @ SXSW (612 Brazos St.) Daily from 11am-7pm.
http://austinist.com/2010/03/04/sxsw_party_update_brooklynvegan_ifc_1.php

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HEY MARSEILLES @ Sonicbids! 

You can't actually go to this show.... but you can still be a part of it! Hey Marseilles will play at the SONICBIDS kitchen this evening, just coming off their Canadian stint at CMF!  You'll be able to watch their performance LIVE, from the Sonicbids office starting at 5:45! 

Here is the address for the LIVE stream of Hey Marseilles tonight at Sonicbids!

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sonicbids-office-gigs

Currently has a show scheduled for 5:45PM ET: Hey Marseilles Live