My My My Celebrate the Release of New Single “War Party” on Friday, October 15th

A “symphony of synths” is how Russell Baylin, founder, singer and songwriter of Chicago’s beat-driven pop band My My My describes their new single “War Party,” and for good reason. The band overdubbed 123 tracks of keys upon keys to create a wall of danceable sound that is the next evolution of a power pop group that has been a North by Northeast Selected Artist for two years running. But “War Party” isn’t all synth. Baylin and Sarah Snow’s powerful vocal interplay bring the song’s themes of social alienation and belonging poignantly across. The single release show is set for Friday, October 15th at Subterranean in Chicago. Secondary Modern and The Hudson Landing will also play.

My My My, who have been favorably compared to The New Pornographers, released their latest full-length in May. Leather Silk poetically explores Sex, Love, The Apocalypse, Designer Clothes, and PMS. And along with shout-along choruses, listening to the album is like being at a self-help retreat in a sweaty hotel banquet hall, where you forget about your life while you jump up, sit down and sing out. Deli Magazine says their third album is “filled with finely tuned electronics, sweeping guitar riffs, and dueling vocals.”

Through the grace of Craigslist and sheer timing, My My My formed on the heels of a Chicago winter in 2007 when Baylin set out looking for artists to share his musical vision. He found singer Sarah Snow, and together, their shared vocals capture life’s playful frustrations and satisfactions. Johnny Szymanski adds sonic subtleties that highlight the sarcastic, yet good-natured undertones in the music. Guitarist Ante S. Gelo brings multifaceted rhythm, riffs, licks and nuances that accentuate the dynamics as drummer Bill Skafish and bassist Jake Bartolone drive the mood with forceful, yet vibrant beats that sound like flirtatious revenge. Together My My My creates a vivacious depth to refreshing songs that seduce with a sly, witty intensity.

Since their serendipitous inception, My My My has captivated audiences with their magnetic boy/girl vocal dichotomy, sonorous and buoyant melodies, and dynamic, resonating beats at the Sundance Film Festival, Milwaukee Summerfest, North By Northeast (NxNE), and clubs throughout the Midwest and as far as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Friday, October 15th
Subterranean
2011 W. North Ave, Chicago, IL
(773) 278-6600
Single Release Party for “War Party”
With Secondary Modern and The Hudson Landing
Doors: 8:30 PM
Show: 9:00 PM
17+; $10
Purchase tickets: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3205515&REFID=subtcal
Click Here to Read More..

Music Monday-La Blogotheque Loves Bon Iver

Recently we got to see how La Blogotheque operated first hand. In fact, I almost got ran over by a bicyclist (believe me they are aggressive) in Toronto while they filmed Neutral Uke Hotel at NXNE for one of their Take Away Shows. Based in Montreal and Paris, La Blogotheque is almost entirely in French, but that doesn't stop a solid English speaking base from following the blog. Because as La Blogotheque demonstrates by featuring bands like Land of Talk, Josh Ritter and Beach House, good music is good music no matter what side of the pond or border you are on.

I know this, je t'aime La Blogotheque. And I'm fairly certain I'll be listening to Bon Iver today.

La Blogotheque's own, Nora Bouazzouni, took some time out to answer a few questions for us.

GLG: How long has La Blogotheque been operating?

LB: It’s existed as an MP3 blog since 2002, and the Take Away Shows started in 2006.

GLG: What makes La Blogotheque different from other websites?

LB: We're not obsessed with talking about the latest hip bands, posting tracklists and gossips, reviewing every new record possible; we don't care much about that. We're not a news website. There are more or less a dozen people writing on La Blogothèque, and though we're all different and we don't necessarily like the same music, we all agree on one thing: we want to talk about music in a completely different way than other music blogs, we want it to be more personal, more about our feelings, about what it brings up. It's not about grading an album, track by track, it will never be. If one of us writes about a musician, or a song, whether it's something old or something new, it's because it means something to him or her.

GLG: Do you think la blogotheque has a specific musical niche?

LB: People would say we're more into folk and bearded guys playing guitar while singing sad songs, but it's only because of the Take Away Shows that we aquired this reputation! If you read the blog -it's in French- you'll see that we're quite eclectic. Right now, on La Blogo's home you can read about The Libertines, Haïtian music, listen to a Ninja Tune mixtape... I guess that tells it!

GLG:. What albums are you looking forward to coming out?

LB: Bon Iver's second album. He just announced it'll be released next year, I can't wait! Also, I'm a big Dodos' fan, and they just started recording the follow-up to Time To Die (which I didn't like ), and I really, really hope it's gonna be something as awesomely mind-blowing as Visiter. I hope there'll be a new Department of Eagles record soon.
And I was excited about Spoon's new album. It leaked so I listened to it, but I'm disappointed.

GLG: How does la blogotheque support independent music and what’s important about doing so?

LB: We support indie music with our Take Away Shows and Pocket Parties, and sometimes we even provide bands a place to stay when they're playing in Paris, but don't have enough money to book a hotel ;)

GLG: Do you think online publications are taking precedence over print magazine? What kind of effect do you think that has on bands?

LB: I don't think online publications are killing print magazines, I think they complete each other. Speaking for me, I never ever read music magazines. I don't know why, but it never attracted me. Maybe it has to do with my age. I'm 24, and I got my first computer with the Internet in 1999. That's when I started looking for new stuff to listen to. I don't like the way magazines talk about music, it's too distant, too « professional ». And now, if you read a magazine and want to listen to that new band they talk about, you have to drop the magazine, go to your computer, type the Myspace URL, and click on a song. With a music blog, you just click on Play and you're done. Digital natives are much more into the « instantaneous ». I think people will go to blogs to discover stuff, and then buy a magazine to read about that stuff they just listened to.

GLG: What blogs/magazines do you read other than your own?

LB: The only music blog I read is Said The Gramophone. All the others I just skim through and download the MP3s (and I don't like revealing my sources, sorry!). For acoustic sessions, KEXP and Daytrotter. For news, Pitchfork and Stereogum (how original).

GLG: What has been your most definitive moment since you started la blogotheque?

LB: Bon Iver's Pocket Party. Just watch it, you'll understand.

GLG: If you could interview any musician/band (dead or alive) who would it be?

LB: I don't do interviews, it's not my thing. And I don't have idols. But I would love to spend some time with Kurt Cobain, or Thom Yorke. Or Bertrand Cantat (singer of French rock band Noir Désir).

GLG: If you could be in any band (of all time), who would you rock with?

LB: Girls bands: Le Tigre, Hole, The Runaways. Other: The Beatles, Queen, Nirvana.

Follow La Blogotheque on Twitter
Like La Blogotheque on Facebook

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Hannah Georgas and Jeremy Fisher Team Up for Animated Video - Go Canada!

In June, at Toronto's annual NXNE festival, the GLG ladies were overjoyed to catch Hannah Georgas' set at a busy afternoon BBQ. It was way too short for us...we wanted more! We were all charmed by her confident stage presence, unique voice... as well as her clothes and style. :)



Georgas teamed up with fellow B.C. singer Jeremy Fisher (an amazing singer/songwriter pop musician that is so......man, just sweet with hand claps and everything I love about pop music) and Ian Langhor to create this really fun and kick-ass animated video for Georgas' song "Bang Bang You're Dead," taken from her album This is Good.

p.s. In case you don't know me, Shannon McCarthy, I am sort of obsessed with Canadian music. Always have been. So watch out for more.
Click Here to Read More..

Favorite Friday with Neutral Uke Hotel: Seth Rogen Plays the Uke?

Neutral Uke Hotel are almost done with their spring tour.... but don't get your indie rock tear ducts ready... we are hoping for some more dates this summer. Made up of members of Golden Bloom and The Motion Sick, GLG had the ultimate (and sometimes way too much fun) experience of attending Toronto's NXNE where Shawn Fogel, Mike Epstein, Matt Girard, Josh Cohen, Andrew Laubacher played to a few crowds including Friday evening's fans who literally sang every word to every Neutral Milk Hotel song. There was no way to be at this show and not smile. As a side note, while this Favorite Friday might not make sense to everybody, if team GLG (and our host Kristin) ever needs to smile, we can all look back at this list. The order is of no importance. Everything is equally as amusing. All in all, this list just shows you how much fun these guys are having playing Neutral Milk Hotel songs for enthusiastic fans. It's all about the fun.


Favorite Inside Jokes from Neutral Uke Hotel's June Tour

1. "Seth Rogen - No one knew he played ukulele."

2. "Out of the way, Mark Messier! - Real Americans coming through."

3. "Let me licorice..." (In the Aeroplane Over the Sunn O))))

4. "Ohh Doh Dee Doh Dee Doh Der" - Andrew's awesome Canadian accent.

5. "We gon' sip Bacardi, like it's your birfday" - A combination of Bacardi and fluorescent colours.

6. "I love little baby ducks ... and onions."

7. Surfer Blood. That's it, just Surfer Blood.

8. 11/05/1955 - "The only problem with that t-shirt is it has the day, month, and year on it."

9. "Is this song on YouTube? Because I'm not going to buy it."

10. Pudding Ball - Just when you thought the World Cup couldn't get any better.

11. Naan-Sequitur- Indian breads and random comments made fresh daily.

12. Xxtra Kredit -Boston's premeire polite-core band featuring International hit-single "Do Your Homework Before You Watch TV") (editors note: "Do your homework!")

13. "As long as I don't see Shawn in his underwear..." (So much for that golden rule)

Want more of NUH from NXNE? Yeah, you do. Here is some 'behind the scenes' footage of La Blogotheque "Take Away Show" taping. (Sorry about the giggle) and a live video we shot of NUH's performing "Holland, 1945" at their Friday night gig at The Painted Lady.

Follow Neutral Uke Hotel on Twitter

Like them on Facebook

Each Friday, hence the name Favorite Friday - one GLG band/artist will send us a list and comments about their "favorites" of the week. It could be a list of albums they are listening to in the van, books they are reading, guilty pleasure TV, and so on. We hope these various "favorites" will give you unique glimpse into the lives of our bands. Click Here to Read More..

Green Light Go Fresh MP3 Friday: NXNE Style

In honor of NXNE this week we are giving you a few mp3s of showcasing bands on the GLG roster.  Feel free to post any of the approved songs below on your blog or tweet to your friends. Not on our email list to receive these directly and want to be? Send an email over to info(at)greenlightgopublicity.com

Neutral Uke Hotel
“King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1” (Neutral Milk Hotel Cover)
Genre: Indie rock, Cover song
For fans of: Neutral Milk Hotel


Golden Bloom
"Doomsday Devices"
"Doomsday Devices" The Motion Sick style, in honor of Mike Epstein and Matt Girard who play with Neutral Uke Hotel"
Genre: Indie rock, power pop
For fans of: Wilco, Ben Kweller, Click Here to Read More..

Golden Bloom's Golden Rules

OMG! Another new weekly feature on the GLG blog? Yep, and we love it. Each Wednesday (well, you know how musicians are, so hopefully every Wednesday....) we will treat you to a Guest Blogger from our lovely group of artists. Each Guest Blogger will have a different name for their column. We start off with Shawn Fogel of Golden Bloom/Neutral Uke Hotel and his "Golden Bloom's Golden Rules." He likes to write, a lot. I mean a lot. But he's pretty excited about playing in Toronto this weekend, so we let him go crazy.

This week’s Golden Rule: Always have something to look forward to!

Whether it’s the Monday morning of another work week from hell, the beginning of a 10-hour drive through a torrential downpour, or the first 10 minutes of Green Day’s horrendous Broadway show, you can get through anything as long as you have something to look forward to. I know that the faithful readers of this here blog are far too sharp to miss the fact that I just said I saw Green Day’s American Idiot on Broadway. It’s true, I did. I won’t go into detail about how I ended up seeing the show, but I will tell you that I would give it the same two word review famously attributed to Spinal Tap’s 1980 release Shark Sandwich.

The reason I share what would normally be a secret too dark even during the most epic slumber party “Truth or Dare" sessions is that it’s a perfect example of this week’s Golden Rule. I made it through all 90 minutes of dreadful plotless-ness because I had something to look forward to, and that something is this year’s North By Northeast (NXNE) music festival in Toronto.

The Great White North’s equivalent of SXSW is five days, 650 bands with simultaneous film and interactive festivals to boot. Golden Bloom had the privilege of playing NXNE last year and when I got the invite to return I couldn’t have been happier. I’ve never had a bad experience in Toronto (unlike my friend Tom who got food poisoning from a Korean BBQ and got really sick the following day at a gig in North Bay, ON). The city is cleaner than New York (sorry New York), the people are friendly (sorry New York), and well, I just plain like it better than New York (sorry New York, I think you and I should start seeing other cities).

This year we’ll be in Toronto for three nights, playing three shows (one Golden Bloom show and two Neutral Uke Hotel shows). Two of the bands I’m most excited about seeing are both bands that I’ve enjoyed sharing the stage with over the past year. Coincidentally, BOTH of these bands are from Cincinnati, OH (also coincidentally, both bands feature those boy/girl vocals that we all know Green Light Go goes gaga for)!

First is The Seedy Seeds, who play at Rancho Relaxo at 10 pm on Thursday, June 17th. I love the fact that they are playing a venue named after the spa Marge Simpson visits in “Homer Alone” (15th episode of the 3rd season)! Margaret (vocals, guitar, accordion, keyboard), Mike (vocals, banjo) and Brian (drums) combined the oft far removed organic elements of country/folk and the electronic elements of dance music like a Reese’s Cup of pure musical joy (You got banjo in my electronica! You got electronica in my banjo!). The Seedy Seeds are a ton of fun and I can’t wait for NXNE fun-seekers to see and hear them on stage for the first time.

The other band I’m really looking forward to seeing is Wussy, who play The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern at 11pm on Friday, June 18th. Chuck (vocals, guitar) and Lisa (vocals, guitar) write amazing songs that are equal parts pretty and noisy. Matter of fact, I love Wussy’s songs so much I recently recorded a Golden Bloom cover of “Magic Words” (my favorite song off their most recent self-titled full length album). It’s still in the super top-secret song vault right now, but hopefully we’ll share Golden Bloom’s Wussy cover with the world pretty soon.

If you are attending this year’s NXNE festival, you’ve got a lot to look forward to. Those of you who aren’t Toronto bound shouldn’t feel blue, and shouldn’t forget this week’s Golden Rule. If you can’t think of anything to look forward to at the moment (other than the next edition of Golden Bloom’s Golden Rules), I hope you find solace in the fact that the not-so-distant future where robots play improvisational jazz is finally here! Click Here to Read More..

NXNE Adds Second Neutral Uke Hotel Show to Outdoor Stage

I hesitate to use the word buzz, but for lack of a better word to describe the rabid fan base that's developing around Shawn Fogel's side project, Neutral Uke Hotel, I feel I must. And why wouldn't there be a rabid fan base when a musician announces they will perform Neutral Milk Hotel's pinnacle album, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea live in it's entirety? On ukulele. Only forming a few months ago, in late April, Neutral Uke Hotel already has 2,716 fans who have determined they do indeed "like" the band. One has even posted on Craig's List, trying to find someone to go to the Mercury Lounge show on June 15th where NUH appears with The Handsome Family. So it came of no surprise to us that NXNE would add a second Neutral Uke Hotel show to their lineup. If you are in Toronto on Friday, June 18th head on over to Yonge Dundas Square at 2pm to catch NUH on the Bacardi Dock stage.

And if you haven't heard of Shawn's original band, Golden Bloom, don't hesitate to check out the insanely catchy melodies on Saturday night at 9pm at Czehoski.

For full tour dates

Neutral Uke Hotel Tour Dates:
Tuesday, 6/15 - Mercury Lounge - New York, NY (with The Handsome Family)
Wednesday, 6/16 - Rongovian Embassy - Trumansburg, NY
Friday, 6/18-NXNE - Bacarda Dock in Yonge Dundas Square,-Toronto ON
Friday, 6/18 - NXNE -The Painted Lady- Toronto, ON
Sunday, 6/20 - Mohawk Place - Buffalo, NY
Tuesday, 6/22 - The Khyber - Philadelphia, PA
Wednesday, 6/23 - Acoustic Cafe - Bridgeport, CT
Friday, 6/25 - The Basement - Northampton, MA

Golden Bloom, "Doomsday Devices"
The Motion Sick, "Doomsday Devices" cover (streamed audio) (hint: members Mike Epstein and Matt Girard play with Neutral Uke Hotel)
Neutral Uke Hotel, "King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1" Click Here to Read More..

Golden Bloom / Neutral Uke Hotel Crosses Borders for NXNE

Golden Bloom's mega man Shawn Fogel had the chance to answer some questions for Canadian website FERNTV, "the only website on the planet that combines the beautiful world of entertainment with that of the environment." Wow, that's a pretty neat concept.

In anticipation of the Golden Bloom and Neutral Uke Hotel (a Mr. Michael Epstein of The Motion Sick will be in tow) showcases at Toronto's NXNE 2010 festival on June 18 and 19, Fogel talked to FERNTV about Fan the Flames, its producers and the album's message. To which Fogel replied, "If you're not frustrated to the point of action by the injustices that take place in this world then you're just not paying attention. On the other hand, if you're really paying attention you can't help but be filled with optimism by amazing things we do for each other every day. That's what the album boils down to - being frustrated and optimistic at the same time." Sounds like something we can all relate to.

Read more of the interview here.

It's almost summer in Toronto, which means it's time for NXNE. NXNE has always been a whirl of a week (or weekend) of running from show to show, trying, but usually failing to catch a cab, and stumbling into a showcase that when you end up finally leaving at 3 a.m. you are completely enamored with a new band. Plus it's Toronto; it's clean, safe, the people are nice, and well, I'm excited as heck to see Golden Bloom and Neutral Uke Hotel in my former hometown (ahem, of six months).

Friday, June 18

Golden Bloom Presents: Neutral Uke Hotel at NXNE
The Painted Lady - 218 Ossington Ave, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
Show: 9:00 PM

Saturday, June 19

Golden Bloom at NXNE
Chezoski - 678 Queen Street West, Toronto
Show: 11:00 PM Click Here to Read More..

Neutral Uke Hotel & Golden Bloom Showcase at NXNE in Toronto

We all know Shawn Fogel is a hard-working guy. But he's definitely been outdoing himself lately. Taking on the amazing Neutral Uke Hotel side project and self-reviewing his concert experiences in our new feature Thank You, Good Night. Now he's really taking the cake by playing two shows at this year's NXNE (North by Northeast) festival in Toronto.
On Friday, June 18th, Shawn (and some "friends") will play Neutral Milk Hotel's acclaimed album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea on ukulele. Shawn's first sold-out show as Neutral Uke Hotel was an amazing experience, so look out, Toronto, here comes Neutral Uke Hotel! After wowing folks on Friday, Shawn and his bandmates will play as Golden Bloom on Saturday the 19th. Audiences are sure to love the power pop they'll be serving up.
Tickets to NXNE available here!
Neutral Uke Hotel will perform Friday night, June 18th at the Painted Lady at 9:00 PM and Golden Bloom will perform Saturday night, June 19th at Czehoski at 11:00 PM.
Now in its 16th year, North by Northeast Music Festival and Conference (NXNE) has become the Canadian festival destination for new and emerging talent—unsigned bands, indie favourites, and major-label headlining artists alike. Seen as the most anticipated summer music event in Canada, NXNE has cemented itself as an essential showcase opportunity for the best in new music.Five-day wristbands for music events are $50 CND. One-day wristbands are $25 CND. photo by Kenneth Parry

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Thank You, Good Night: Part 1: Neutral Uke Hotel

"Thank You, Good Night" takes a birds eye view of what it's like for a band to play a show that can only described as a pinnacle experience for the band themselves. It only seemed appropriate Shawn Fogel of Golden Bloom and now his side project, Neutral Uke Hotel, would kick off the inaugural post. Some may call it blasphemous (hint: read tomorrow's post to find out who) to recreate Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea in it's entirety. Even if it is in a live setting, in a space which only holds 60 people. Ourselves, we call it sheer poetry. This is what Fogel said of the experience: 

Neutral Uke Hotel at the Center for Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA (Friday, May 7th, 2010)

"I've been playing music for almost 20 years (if you can count blowing into a recorder in third grade as music), and I've been playing my own songs in bands for about 10 years now. In that time I've played well over 200 shows, and I've never felt a stronger connection to both the music and the audience than I did during my first performance of "Neutral Uke Hotel" at The Armory in Somerville, MA.

The room only holds about 60 people. Every single person there had some kind of deep attachment with Neutral Milk Hotel's music, that album in particular. During Daniel Harris' opening set the audience was mesmerized and silent, so I made a point of inviting people to sing and clap along during our set. The whole point of this project for me is to get people who are in love with In the Aeroplane Over the Sea together in one room to share that love."



"After inviting the crowd to not hold back we dove into the album, and I consciously didn't say a word in between songs, to preserve the flow of the album. During that whole set I felt something I'd never felt before. I felt just as connected to the music as the audience did. Rather than the normal distinction between performer and fans, we were all fans that night. The experiment worked! That same spark I've felt every time I meet someone who shares my love of NMH was multiplied exponentially, the room was virtually glowing. I'm not embarrassed to say that I actually got choked up for a moment during the set. It was while we were playing the album's title track. As the words 'what a beautiful face I have found in this place' came out of my mouth, I realized that statement had never rang so true."



NXNE just confirmed both Golden Bloom and Neutral Uke Hotel showcases during the festival. Neutral Uke Hotel will perform Friday night, June 18th at the Painted Lady and Golden Bloom will perform Saturday night, June 19th at Czehoski.

Neutral Uke Hotel Facebook
Golden Bloom Facebook Click Here to Read More..