ESPN, Rosario Dawson and CMJ are on the “California Run”

Starting today, you can have Neil Nathan’s “California Run” video in one of three flavors: Original recipe, featuring Rosario Dawson, co-star of the upcoming Unstoppable with Denzel Washington and Chris Pine; Light Acoustic version, filmed at Riley McMahon's New Warsaw Studio at Brooklyn Fireproof in East Williamsburg for a Playtime! Session during CMJ; or Sporty edition, where the song was featured on ESPN. All three videos can be viewed at http://neilnathan.com/videos.


The original “California Run” video was filmed in Topanga Canyon and features Nathan’s former roommate, and co-star of Unstoppable, Rosario Dawson. Hip Video Promo (She & Him, Black Mountain, Pearl Jam) spread the word for Nathan and loved the song so much, they recently had him play their 10th Anniversary CMJ Party at Maxwell’s. Nathan played two gigs during CMJ, the other at Knitting Factory, where he was joined by Riley McMahon, who also joins him in the Playtime! Session video on mandolin.

Neil Nathan is no stranger to making music videos. Next up is “Highways” featuring an animated version of himself driving a flying ‘67 Corvette convertible. It was directed by Postage, Inc.. His cover of ELO’s “Do Ya,” which was also featured on the Californication soundtrack, has been viewed 20,000 times on YouTube. “Highways,” along with “California Run” and “Do Ya” can be found on Nathan’s latest full-length, The Distance Calls which was released in August.

The Distance Calls was produced by The Go’s Bobby Harlow and combines the talents of Dean Fertita (The Dead Weather, QOTSA), Kenny Tudrick and Joey Mazzola (Detroit Cobras), John Krautner (The Go), and Ross Westerbur (Deadstring Brothers). The album effortlessly merges jangly pop rock with Nathan’s mellower singer/songwriter side. With a dash of NYC glitter and some good old Detroit fuzz and stomp, it showcases a musician clearly influenced by the ‘70s (without being cliché). Click Here to Read More..

Staff Infection: She & Him(s)

I'm notorious for downloading ten albums the week they come out (legally I might add) and then letting at least half of them slip through the cracks. I'm also notorious for listening to my iPod on shuffle and then realizing I had an album I didn't know I had. Such is the case with The Submarines who released their record, Honeysuckle Weeks in 2008. It became my album of choice this week as I rode around on my pink Townie cruiser (yes, I get a few stares). I swear every time I listen to "Swimming Pool" I picture Zooey Deschanel doing the same in one of her cute little cotton dresses. Chances are she probably has.

In an ode to all those boy-girl bands or she and hims if you will, this week's Staff Infection honors them. And anyone who's followed the GLG roster, knows we have a bit of a penchant for those boy-girl swapped vocals, so it seems apt we would kick off the new column with the very heart of bands that seem to infect our ears.


photo by Mare Costello

The Submarines, "Swimming Pool" (sample) from Honeysuckle Weeks
She & Him, "Thieves" from Volume 2 (MP3 posted by Pretty Much Amazing)
The Naked Hearts, "Call Me" from Mass Hysteria
The White Ravens, "Sparks" from Gargolyes and Weather Vanes (Release Date 7/6/10)
Gwyneth & Monko, "Lexington Ballad" from the Good Old Horse EP (Release Date 7/20/10)
The True Jacqueline, "Mondegreen" from Nice Bird (Release Date 6/22/10)

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..

The Motion Sick's Michael Epstein in new duo Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling

Boy/Girl duos seem to be all the rage these days: She and Him, GLG's own Naked Hearts, and now Michael Epstein, lead singer for The Motion Sick, is joining this growing trend. And we like this trend...if that's what it is.

For this new venture Epstein puts down the guitar and takes up the bass alongside his own darling, singer/drummer Sophia Cacciola, for the duo Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling.

This is no ordinary album or band; its references to a cult British television series will mostly likely be lost on Americans, but it's still marvelous music, even if you don't exactly know what spies they're singing about. Epstein and Cacciola have found an innovative way to put the classic sci-fi drama The Prisoner (which was only on TV from 19670 - 1968) into a musical form on their debut EP, The New Number 2. Two words. Awe-some.

The Boston Globe recently interviewed Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling about their new EP, and their admiration for the bizarre TV show they have based this project around. Read the entire interview, with both members, on The Boston Globe's website. On the duo's site you can check out the hard-rocking track "Episode 1: The Arrival."

I mean really, how can you go wrong with songs about a British secret agent? Click Here to Read More..

Einsten and Alan Cohen Experience Join Big Star Tribute in Spirit

Musicians and fans were saddened upon the news that Alex Chilton of Big Star passed away March 17. The shock hit hard, and especially made an impact at this year's SXSW. Rolling Stone reports Big Star's remaining members Jon Auer, Ken Stringfellow and Jody Stephens were joined by several musicians who wanted to help celebrate Chilton's memory and allow Big Star to still perform a show at Antone’s Night Club. Performances included Curt Kirkwood on "In the Street," M. Ward of She & Him on "Big Black Car," Mike Mills of R.E.M. on "Jesus Christ," and John Doe of X on "I'm In Love with a Girl."

An array of musicians continued to provide musical support in order to honor the legacy of Chilton. Other performers included Sondre Lerche, Chris Stamey, Chuck Prophet, Evan Dando, Amy Speace, Susan Cowsill, and the Watson Twins. Original Big Star member Andy Hummel even traveled all the way from Lithuania in order to show support for his fallen band mate.

Even bands and fans that were not in attendance at SXSW have the memory of Chilton in their minds and hearts. Although they didn't perform at SXSW, Alan Cohen Experience was there in spirit as the new song "Einstein" was even played at Antone’s during the set break before the Big Star tribute.

Although the news of Alex Chilton's passing created heartbreak all throughout Austin, and throughout the music world, his legacy and Big Star's music will certainly continue to live on.

Visit http://www.alancohenexperience.com to download Alan Cohen Exerience's song "Einstein."

Image courtesy of Jack Plunkett, AP Click Here to Read More..