Leopold And His Fiction’s Daniel James Joins Cowboy & Indian in First Music Video “Hurt My Pride”

Cowboy and Indian - Hurt My Pride from William Cabral on Vimeo.

Daniel James has enough cool for two amazing bands. James, front man of Leopold and His Fiction and member of the newly formed Cowboy & Indian appears in the latter’s playful first music video, “Hurt My Pride”. Cowboy & Indian, consisting of Jazz Mills (T-Bird and the Breaks) and actor Jesse Plemons and Daniel James (guitar and vocals), has only been around a year, but they’ve got a lot to show for it.

Their day show at SXSWcreated lots of buzz, they’re working on a full-length album which James produced, they toured the country from San Francisco to New York and along the way they filmed their first music video with Will Cabral. Says James, “While we were touring through Chicago, the director of the video, Will Cabral, was really in his element and got exactly what he needed for a perfect video to put our music out there for folks to sample”. The video was filmed over two days in Chicago and on the sand dunes of northwest Indiana on the coast of Lake Michigan. The “Hurt My Pride” is available now at: http://www.vimeo.com/14458242

The recording process for Cowboy and Indian has been interesting. Since James was in San Francisco and Jazz and Jesse were in Austin, they wrote “Hurt My Pride” over the phone. But as soon as the two arrived in San Francisco, says James, “We tracked the song from the ground up in living rooms, bedrooms and closets.” Talk about not wasting a moment. Look for the rest of the band’s songs on their upcoming full-length due out in Spring 2011.

When Daniel James is not working on Cowboy and Indian material, he is fronting Leopold and His Fiction, a freak folk band who’s live shows are raucous, high-energy affairs. Leopold and his Fiction’s latest EP, “Golden Friends” has been described as “...haunting and scratchy, and sounds as if it was conjured up in the backrooms of old Western saloons over whiskey and cigarettes,” by Tympanogram. They’ve been in John Baccigaluppi’s The Hangar with Thom Monahan (Devendra Banhart, Little Joy, Vetiver) and this recording ventures out appropriately from the blues structure of the first two records, while engaging start to finish the theatrics and entertainment of voyage fans have become accustomed to hearing. The band climbed to #30 on the CMJ charts with their second album, Ain’t No Surprise and made it into the top 20 with their self-titled debut, while earning praise from NPR, Relix and Big Takeover, among others.

Cowboy and Indian Tour Dates

12/11/10 Pick N Spur, West Athens, TX
12/12/10 Willie Nelson’s Bus, New Braunfels, TX
12/13/10 Thirsty Hippo, Hattiesburg, MS
12/14/10 Shreveport Bears, Shreveport, LA
12/15/10 Anderson Fair Houston, Houston, TX
12/16/10 Opening Bell, Dallas, TX
12/17/10 Trading House Bar and Grill, Waco, TX
12/18/10 Antone’s, Austin, TX Click Here to Read More..

Staff Infection: Top 5 Zed Songs

Photo by Theresa DiMenno

Originally, I was going to write about my top 10 music videos of 2010, but instead I decided to write about the inspiration I receive from my 15 year old son, Zed, and the music he listens too. I am a music publicist, but don’t always “dig as deep,” or have the time to listen to music in the leisurely way that I used to do. Zed is my own personal DJ. He turns me on to so many great bands. I have listed my top five “Zed songs.”


Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros-I love their dreamy 60’s sound. Zed bought me Up From Below for my birthday.





Rehearsal Space: Ratatat-I absolutely love Ratatat. These guys are brilliant!



Notorious B.I.G. - Party & Bullshit (RATATAT REMIX)-I love this remix by Ratatat. Sometimes when the day has just been too HEAVY, I’ll say “Hey, Zed put that song on, you know the party song.” We roll down the windows and blast it, and sing the chorus really loud and laugh.
 

The xx performing "Crystalize" - KCRW at SXSW 2010-I love this UK band, and their ethereal vocals. Zed saw them at the Mohawk during SXSW.
 

Jay-Z: Death to Auto-Tune-A true poet. He is at the top of my list of musicians that I would like to meet. Zed bought The Blueprint 3 for me on Mothers Day.
 
NPR Music: The Fresh Air Interview: Jay-Z with Terry Gross


“The Great Big Gig in The Sky” Pink Floyd-I have heard this song a million times, but I really heard it for the first time driving down the highway with Zed. I love those moments where I am knocked off my feet by a new realization, feeling, or moment in regards to a song. This one did it for me. Body rushes and tears galore. A “fall down on your knees song,” as my mom used to say.

Every week a different Green Light Go staff member will write about what bands have infected their ears for the week and give you an opportunity to hear it for yourself. 

This week: Jo Rae Di Menno, Publicist-Out-of-Residence. In addition to helping pitch all our great GLG bands, Jo Rae also owns her own publicity company, Hard Pressed Publicity. Click Here to Read More..

The Other Side with Producer Roger Greenawalt

Hailing from the mean streets of Washington D.C., Roger Greenawalt migrated up to New York City before launching his career as a record producer and audio engineer in 1983. Over the past two decades, in between producing records for The Pierces, John Moran, and Radish, to name a few, Roger also managed to discover and record albums for indie darling Ben Kweller and the fiery-haired pop singer Colleen Fitzpatrick, better known as Vitamin C. Although the musician at heart plays over twelve instruments, including guitar (acoustic, electric, and pedal steel), drums, bass, banjo, mandolin, and keyboard, he is best known for recording the on-going project Beatles Complete On Ukulele, in which Roger is tackling the feat of re-recording all 185 original Beatles songs with 185 different artists. Every Tuesday for 185 consecutive weeks from January 20, 2009 until July 24, 2012, Roger releases one new Beatles cover accompanied with a personal essay on his website: Beatlescompleteonukulele.com.

We managed to track down Roger Greenawalt (who you can see pictured here with The Pierces and friends) in between recording sessions to find out what it’s like to be on the other side:

1. How would you describe your role as a producer?

To set the standard [for a] masterpiece and lend my utter confidence so [the artist and I] can create that masterpiece. I also want to make something as formally innovative as possible, while still being of service to the people. I still believe in grooves and hooks.

2. How long have you been producing?

My first production was in 1983. I’ve been a full-time producer since 1987.

3. What are some of the most noteworthy albums you've produced in the past?

The Pierces' Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge, John Moran's The Manson Family - An Opera, and Radish's Restraining Bolt. I also discovered Ben Kweller and Colleen Fitzpatrick (Vitamin C).

4. What projects/bands are you currently working with?

In July 2010 alone, I’ve worked with The Pierces, Alison Clancy, Lovely Liar, Julie Kathryn, Thinking In Pictures, Jonah Smith, Leah Siegel, Craig Greenberg, Cowboy And Indian, and Todd Carter.

5. Do you typically work out of one studio or do you go where a band needs you?

I work mainly out of my own [studio], but I will travel.

6.How do you know if you, as a producer, are a good match for a band?

I just need one crucial element: there must be a star in the band. Without a star, I don’t care.

7. What’s the best piece of advice you’d give a band that thinks they’re ready to record?

Build a business team. Art floats in an ocean of fame and money, so [an artist] needs to know and understand culture.

8. How does being a musician help with producing?

It is not possible to be a producer if you are not a musician, because only a musician can produce records. Anything else is executive production. If you don’t know music, the orchestra, or the history of jazz/pop/audio recording, you are throwing darts in the wind.

9. What’s your favorite thing about producing?

Listening to a brand new masterpiece over and over again with the people you just made it with.

10. What’s your least favorite thing about producing?

Philistines, amateurs, and cowards.

11. What instruments do you play?

Expert Level: Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Lap Steel

Proficient: Drums, Percussion, Keys, Pedal Steel, Programming

Best In The World: The Recording Studio, The Internet

12. In addition to the music you are working on, what current albums have you been listening to lately?

I’m currently listening to Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti on vinyl, medieval chant, and female vocalists. I often listen to NPR and WFUV, especially The Trevor Wilkins’ “World’s Greatest Calypso Radio Show” on Friday and Saturday nights. I’m also into Woody Guthrie, because I just read the Joe Klein biography. I also like The National, I recently went to see them [live] and they were awesome.

The Other Side highlights the talented and very important folks behind the scenes of the music we listen to, featuring producers, engineers, booking agents, photographers, radio DJs, management teams, and label representatives.

This week’s The Other Side is brought to you by: Lauren Roberts

Click Here to Read More..

NPR's Frannie Kelley Gives GLG Insight to Women in Music, Including Gwyneth Moreland and Sara Radle

In March, NPR Music started a "project" called Hey Ladies – Being a Woman Musician Today, that began from a conversation surrounding booking a showcase at SXSW. This idea blossomed into a beautifully massive and uplifting online database of female musicians. NPR Music now has this incredible collection of information for journalists, and fans of all types of music, that we can all benefit from.

GLG's Gwyneth Moreland of Gwyneth & Monko and Sara Radle were just two one of about 700 women, including Grace Potter, Exene Cervenka (of X) and Patty Larkin who responded positively and honestly to Hey Ladies.

NPR's Frannie Kelley talked to GLG about how the idea for this substantial adventure came to their attention. "As we were booking for the events NPR Music produced at SX this past year, which we do as a group," said Kelley, "all of us kept questioning the diversity of our lineups and looking to book more bands that employ women."

Kelley initially sent out seven questions to hundreds of female musicians. "We honestly had no idea what we would get when we started," said Kelley. "We tried to write the questions to be as open as possible, to leave room for the musicians to tell stories about whatever their most pressing concerns and biggest triumphs were." NPR asked ladies (such as Gwyneth & Monko's Gwyneth Moreland) a variety of queries ranging from "Describe your gear," "What type of music do you play?" and the hefty, "Do you think being a woman and a musician is different from being a man and a musician? If so, how? Was there a moment that made a difference clear to you?" That was the question that really got to how these women felt, and even though they all play different kinds of music, many had the same difficult feelings to admit.

Moreland responded proudly to the questionnaire: "It is a tricky subject, because I am cautious not to sound as though I am complaining....Even though there are so many professional female musicians, it is still such a male dominated industry. I feel as though sometimes it is more of a challenge for me to gain respect for my craft, than some other male musicians I know. It also seems like some folks find it easier to approach me after a show, as opposed to male band mates, to give me 'advice' or 'constructive criticism.' I have even been told by a fan that he would have really enjoyed the show better if I had danced a little. I told him 'I am a musician, not a dancer.' My male band mates got a real kick out of this! I also feel that I get a lot of positive attention because I am a woman...some of which I enjoy, and some of which is a little overwhelming."

From one genre to another, from different cities, instruments and backgrounds, NPR found a few overall conclusions that a great deal of the participating women voiced, very similar to how Moreland feels, "...The musicians say they feel pressure to outperform men just to be accepted as equals...," said Kelley. "But one of the most interesting was the power that seeing a woman perform on stage for the first time has on influencing musicians to start playing... Again and again, women said they didn't think they couldn't be a musician before they saw a woman play – they just didn't consider the possibility until then. I think that moment is so simple but transformative."

Hey Ladies also asked the women "Do you see differences between generations of women musicians?" Radle, had an inspiring answer to the changing eras of music. "The main thing I think about is the fact that women starting out today won't have to deal with as many struggles to be taken as seriously as their male counterparts," she said. "That's an awesome thing to realize."

NPR Music now has an amazing catalog of information on female musicians that can work as a database or encyclopedia for any fan or journalist to find out more about a specific singer or drummer, and how it can be discouraging, yet more so, how empowering it can be as a woman in music. "I was most surprised," offers Kelley, "and touched by how much thought and time the musicians gave to the form." And we are all thankful for that. Click Here to Read More..

News Roundup From NPR, AOL Spinner, Sick of the Radio, Delusions of Adequacy and more

NPR's "Hey Ladies" questionnaire features Gwyneth Moreland of Gwyneth & Monko

Buzz Bands LA reviews Sara Radle's Four

"Her solo career, three releases strong before she moved to L.A. from her native Texas in 2005, displays an affection for folk-flavored power-pop and girl-group stylings with orchestral sweep, and, as a diarist/storyteller, Radle falls somewhere in between Jenny Lewis and Juliana Hatfield."

Beehive Candy give their take on Neil Nathan, Sara Radle, Alan Cohen Experience, Leopold and His Fiction, and The White Ravens

AOL Spinner features Gwyneth & Monko's EP, Good Old Horse

Sick of the Radio features Echo Orbiter's exclusive promo video for their cover of R. Stevie Moore's "I Hope That You Remember"

The Boston Phoenix includes Neutral Uke Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1" on their "On The Download" feature

Delusions of Adequacy reviews Gwyneth & Monko's Good Old Horse EP.
"Though each song displays an entirely unique and still, very traditional story at the helm, the sounds are easily identifiable with Moreland's peculiarly gifted vocals and Monko's bare-bones arrangements."

Icelandic blog Rjominn posts Neutral Uke Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1 mp3

The Philly Fun Guide recommends The White Ravens upcoming Raven Lounge Show

Yes! Indie puts Echo Orbiter on their Radioactive Playlist and profiles the band

Stomp and Stammer report on Neutral Uke Hotel's upcoming tour

Near Say previews Neil Nathan's Highline Ballroom show

Broadway World reports The White Ravens' nomination for a Toronto Independent Music Award

Ashbee's Fragments posts Echo Orbiter's "I Hope That You Remember" video

Click Here to Read More..

NPR and Blender Magazine Catch Ukulele Fever

We knew it was coming. I don’t know how. But we knew. Even at the very early stages of Neutral Uke Hotel, the tiny four-stringed instrument known as the ukulele, was gaining momentum as a “hip” instrument. Now that NUH has a rabid following online, we can only hope that this had added to the popularity of the ukulele that has increased dramatically over the past year.

Blender Magazine recently wrote an article titled “The Ukulele's Unlikely Renaissance.” Writer Conrad Doucette affirmed; “That's right: the humble ukulele has outgrown its nearly provincial roots to become a semi-ubiquitous and fully trendy lead instrument for a growing number of artists looking to distinguish themselves sonically or challenge themselves with an unfamiliar palette. Don't think that the ukulele is back (that is, if it was ever here)? Read on.”



Doucette mentions not only mentions NUH, but also the very unexpected release from Amanda Palmer, formerly of punk-cabaret band The Dresden Dolls. In July she will release an album featuring covers Radiohead songs on the uke. The album is aptly titled Amanda Palmer Performs the Popular Hits of Radiohead on Her Magical Ukulele. Much of this growth spurt of this now fashionable instrument began with Paul McCartney playing it some 10 years ago and then the ongoing The Beatles Complete on Ukulele project(an inspiration for the Neutral Milk Hotel via uke project Neutral Uke Hotel).

Once thought as a limited instrument primarily used in Hawaiian and Latin music, the majority of people’s knowledge of uke music comes from either Hawaiian musician Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s cover of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and the oddly charming 1968 hit Tiny Tim’s “Tip-Toe Through the Tulips” (which was kind of awesome). Dare we say this is a new hipster trend? Well, no because it’s being played by so many diverse kinds of people in so many various styles. Bonus of the stringed instrument: it’s small and easy to transport!

NPR recently ran a feature on the “comeback” of the referring the uke as a “musical underdog.” I don’t know if I’d say it’s a comeback, when it’s only recently that musicians have learned the versatility of playing the ukulele to any genre of music. Scan YouTube for “ukulele” and you’ll be amazed at the viral impact of this new movement. People of all ages are covering songs of all genres from soul, traditional and indie rock. For a new documentary “The Mighty Uke: The Amazing Comeback of a Musical Underdog,” NPR interviewed the filmmakers about the “return” of the ukulele. Documentary director Tony Coleman and producer Margaret Meagher traveled across the country documenting the varying kinds of musicians playing the ukulele. "Initially," Coleman said in the NPR interview, "When we decided to make the documentary, the thing I was interested in was the musical surprise. But I was blown away by the little instrument's power to bring people together." “Coleman also credits Paul McCartney who in 2002 performed a concert in tribute to the late George Harrison — a big ukulele fan. McCartney brought out a ukulele Harrison had given him and sang ‘Something,’” said NPR’s Susan Stamberg. Click Here to Read More..

Staff Infection: NPR Style

A few things occurred to me as I put together my staff infection this week. First off, I was most definitely in an NPR mood over the past week, with soulful songwriters ringing in a resounding theme. Coincidentally all four of the groups I chose are what I am officially coining "and bands". Those bands which are joined by an "and" to make their sound complete. Three that made my list were Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Ray LaMontagne so inspiration hit me right over the head when Paste Magazine posted the upcoming single off his album due out in August. And although Gwyneth & Monko are more country Americana than southern soul,  had to add them quite simply because they fulfill my theme of and bands and are most definitely an NPR band. 

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs, "Beg Steal and Borrow" from God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise  (Courtesy of Paste Magazine) Release Date 8/17/10

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, "First Flash of Freedom" from the album Mojo available now.(Courtesy of Tom Petty.com)

Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, "I Found Out the Hard Way" from the album, I Found Out the Hard Way Available Now (Courtesy of KEXP)

Gwyneth & Monko, "Lexington Ballad" from the album Good Old Horse  (Courtesy of Green Light Go Publicity) Release Date 7/20/10

Every week a different Green Light Go staff member will write about what bands have infected their ears for the week and give you an opportunity to hear it for yourself.

This week: Janelle Rogers, Green Light Go Owner/Music Publicist Extraordinaire Click Here to Read More..

Speck Mountain Takes the Stage with NPR's Second Stage

While the duo's debut release, Summer Above, has more of an innocent vibe, their newest album, Some Sweet Relief is more textured and mysterious than its predecessor and begs to be unpacked...The resulting album is dreamy, impressionistic, and ambient. Like sunlight shining through a gauzy curtain, Balabanian's rich vocals are simultaneously hazy, distant and piercing.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103215670 Click Here to Read More..