Remembering the “Queen of Disco” Donna Summer
Donna Summer, the “Queen of Disco”, has succumbed to cancer. I am stunned and saddened by this news. Since I heard the news this morning, I’ve been grappling with this loss and reflecting on her career. Born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, Donna Summer came to prominence in the 1970’s, as discos were gaining more prominence...
New Video and Tour Dates for Father John Misty
Well, I no longer harbor ill feelings toward Josh Tillman for leaving Fleet Foxes last year. Not with him giving us such great music as Father John Misty. His first album under this new monicker is Fear Fun and the title alone would pique the interest of any would be listener. Yet, we’re also given...
New Release Tuesday – May 15, 2012
Happy Tuesday to you, my fellow musicheads. We’re halfway through the month of May and the new releases keep coming. This week, we have have new music from country and rock legends, a critically-acclaimed former reality show contestant, and a hip-hop starlet on the rise. There has been a huge buzz around rapper Rye Rye...
Jay-Z Announces the “Made in America” Music Festival
Today has been ripe with news about upcoming music festivals. Music mogul Jay-Z is taking his Empire State of Mind and showering a little brotherly love on Philadelphia by announcing plans for a new music festival. The “Budweiser Made in America” Festival will take place during Labor Day weekend (September 1st and 2nd) and will...
It’s Time For…Coachella 2013?
Less than a month after the close of this year’s two-weekend, hologram-filled revelry, Coachella Music Festival organizers have announced plans for 2013. Apparently, extending Coachella to two consecutive weekends has proven so successful that there will be a repeat next year. The festival will take place April 12-14 and then again April 19-21. One significant...
NEW VIDEO: “Country Girl” – Carolina Chocolate Drops
Carolina Chocolate Drops continue to gain momentum after the February release of the most recent album Leaving Eden. Last week, the group released a video for the single “Country Girl” which has quickly become a fan favorite on CMT. Rhiannon Giddens sings about her wonderful memories of country living in the south (Red clay, biscuits...
REWIND: ‘Internationalists’ – The Style Council
When I think about the music artists that have influenced me the most through the years, British pop band The Style Council is firmly entrenched in my Top 5. Formed by Paul Weller (The Jam) and Mick Talbot (Dexy’s Midnight Runners), The Style Council embodied what I felt were the key elements of a great...
New Release Tuesday – May 8, 2012
Happy New Release Tuesday to you. Ready for some new tunes? Well, let’s get started. Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz, The Good, the Bad and the Queen, etc.) has released his latest project entitled Dr Dee, which is the soundtrack for an opera based on the life of scientist John Dee. The album is an interesting...
Remembering Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch
My heart has been heavy since hearing about the death of Beastie Boys co-founder Adam “MCA” Yauch. I remember being excited several months back when it was announced that Beastie Boys were to be inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I felt that it was much deserved and it would be an...
New Release Tuesday – May 1, 2012
What better way to ring in a new month than with a new crop of album releases. This week’s list includes some old favorites, as well as new artists worth exploring. New music out this week from Apollo Brown, Ane Brun, Geoff Barrow, B.O.B., Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Father John Misty, Nate Hall, Norah Jones,...
Get To Know Cole Williams
Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter/composer Cole Williams is a musical force. She’s been honing her craft for years, making a name for herself domestically and in Europe. As she readies for the release of her limited-edition, double EP Out of the Basement, Out of the Box (out on May 8th), Williams spoke with Aural Notes about pursuing...
New Release Tuesday – April 24, 2012
We’re winding down the month of April and there’s music, music everywhere. If you didn’t break your piggy bank purchasing all of those goodies during Record Store Day this past Saturday, you may want to check out this week’s list of new releases. More musical treats for you to consider This week, we have...