News Roundup from Blogotheque, The Noise, KPSU and more

Blogotheque posts Neutral Uke Hotel's "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea" Video

The Noise - Boston reviews Alan Cohen Experiences's Space & Time

Seattle Post Intellengencer previews Neutral Uke Hotel's Sunset Tavern show

Lesley Atlansky reviews Neutral Uke Hotel's Mississippi Studios show

Seattlest previews Neutral Uke Hotel's Sunset Tavern show

1146 Miles posts Sara Radle's "Song for Adam"


Arbor Web reviews The White Ravens' B-Side show

"I can't resist their keyboard-driven pop with its geek chic Schoolhouse Rock vibe, Motown catchiness, and enough electro-rock elements to keep them from being written off as just another indie pop band."

Doc Pop posts two Neutral Uke Hotel videos





Hipster Jew reviews Neutral Uke Hotel's Sunset
show

KPSU's Cat's Cradle has Neutral Uke Hotel Live

Lito Music posts Sara Radle's "Song for Adam"

Maryagnes's Posterous reviews Neutral Uke Hotel's Sunset show

Medleyville features Neil Nathan

My Record Journal reviews Alan Cohen Experiences's Space & Time Click Here to Read More..

The White Ravens Begin New Era: Bar Gigs

Ann Arbor, MI (September 1, 2010) — Turning 18 is a rite of passage for anyone, but for a touring musician like The White Ravens’ Will Bennett, it’s a real door-opener. Literally. The Ann Arbor purveyors of quirky, intelligent pop can now bring their unique sound to a whole new audience: bar goers. One of their first stops is right in their own backyard, The Blind Pig on September 22nd with Ann Arbor jangle-folkie Nathan K and English, an indie prog-rock trio from West Bloomfield.

The core of The White Ravens is the brother-sister duo of Amy and Will Bennett. Amy writes and delivers the lyrics and plays bass, while Will writes the music and plays keyboards. This arrangement began when the siblings were 11 and 12 years old. Since then, they’ve been quite busy, recording two full-length albums, winning a 2010 Toronto Independent Music Award for Best USA band, appearing on Toronto’s Breakfast TV, composing short film scores and launching their first east coast tour. They are joined live by Vince Russo on drums and Andrew Brown on guitar.

The White Ravens’ latest release, Gargoyles and Weathervanes is filled with catchy indie pop gems like “Sparks,” which Magnet’s MP3 at 3PM called “a bright and happy number with a really sharp bass line that fills out the piano’s melody nicely”. The LP was recorded by Jim Diamond at Ghetto Recorders, and features Liberty DeVitto, Billy Joel’s drummer for thirty years.


The White Ravens
The Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI
September 22, 2010
18+
Cover: $8
Show Time: 9:30 PM
Also on the Bill: English and Nathan K


The White Ravens Tour Dates
9/1/10 Borders, Hyannis, MA
9/2/10 All Asia, Cambridge, MA
9/3/10 Campfire Festival, Cambridge, MA
9/4/10 Campfire Festival, Cambridge, MA
9/10/10 Plymouth Fall Festival, Plymouth, MI
9/14/10 The Savoy, Ypsilanti, MI
9/18/10 Backyard Bash for Community Records, Prospect Park, Ypsilanti, MI
9/22/10 The Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, MI
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News Roundup from Magnet, DOA, FensePost, Indie Rock Cafe and more

Everything But Urban reviews Echo Orbiter's Euphonicmontage

"Echo Orbiter manage to pay homage to earlier indie and experimental acts while still retaining a truly unique sound."

La Blogotheque posts Neutral Uke Hotel's Take Away Show, a video shot in Toronto

Musical Shapes previews Gwyneth and Monko's Molly Malone's show

Delusions of Adequacy reviews Neil Nathan's The Distance Calls

"From his Josh Ritter-like chug on “California Run” to the guitar-heavy sludge of “Better Be Goin’” he, more often than not, recalls the aforementioned songwriter’s ambitious tendencies. But, if you add Nathan’s obvious love for 70s classic rock and his myriad of other influences, you end up with an album as surprisingly strong as The Distance Calls."

FensePost posts Neil Nathan's "California Run" video

Indie Rock Cafe posts Neil Nathan's "California Run"

Hear! Hear! reviews Leopold and His Fiction's "Golden Friends"

Ann Arbor.com previews The White Ravens' Savoy show

Magnet looks forward to The Alan Cohen Experience's Space & Time

WFNX's "Boston Accents" plays Neutral Uke Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers Part 1" this week

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The White Ravens Join Multi-Genre Campfire Festival

The historic Club Passim, which boasts past appearances by Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Suzanne Vega, will welcome The White Ravens and their keyboard-driven pop as part its annual Campfire Festival over Labor Day weekend. The White Ravens will be playing Saturday, September 4th at 1:30 PM. The festival will feature 85 musical acts from a myriad of genres spread out over four days.

The Campfire Festival is just one stop on The White Ravens’ first east coast tour. They also have gigs lined up in Philadelphia, New York and Cambridge, MA. A White Ravens show is energetic, designed to get people to move, and the best way to do that is to set an example. With Amy’s spirited vocals and impressive bass runs, and Will’s fingers flying over the keys with maniacal speed and precision, it’s hard to resist the urge to bop along. And why should you?

Campfire Festival
Club Passim
47 Palmer Street, Cambridge, MA
617-492-7679
1:30 PM
Tickets: $10 day pass/$30 weekend pass
Buy Tickets Online

The White Ravens Tour Dates
8/28/10 Raven Lounge, Philadelphia, PA
8/29/10 Arlene’s Grocery, New York, NY
8/31/10 The Space, Hamden, CT
9/1/10 Borders, Hyannis, MA
9/2/10 All Asia, Cambridge, MA
9/3/10 Campfire Festival, Cambridge, MA
9/4/10 Campfire Festival, Cambridge, MA
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The Other Side - Producer Jim Diamond

Producer Jim Diamond's name has become synonymous with Detroit "garage rock." His Motor City-based studio Ghetto Recorders has recorded some of Detroit's most popular bands among handfuls of heavy hitters from all over the U.S. and beyond. The White Stripes, The Von Bondies, Andre Williams, GLG's own The White Ravens, Electric Six.....and so, so, so many more Detroit acts. People from all over flock to the his studio to get the "Jim Diamond" sound that can only be described as a bit gritty, like the state of downtown and just very, well, "Detroit." People just know his style. Growing up in Trenton, Michigan, Diamond began playing in bands in 1978. Not just a few bands, this man is well versed. He has played bass, guitar and occasionally organ and sax in about a dozen bands including The Dirtbombs, Doop and the Inside Outlaws, and Bantam Rooster. His studio career began at Harvest Music and Sound Design in Lansing, MI in 1989 as an engineer. He opened Ghetto Recorders in 1996 and has become an iconic producer to any fan of Detroit music. (p.s. That's Jim being cheeky in the middle with the check)

1. How would you describe your role as a producer?
I would say that varies from band to band depending on what they want to do. Some people want a lot of input on everything, other people just want to bang it out and have you tell them when it sucks or not. My job is always changing.

2. How long have been producing?
I guess since I started engineering professionally in 1989. One of the guys I worked for way back, he always told me that bands want your input, that was a good lesson to learn. I am much more involved now than when I was beginning. Back then I was still trying to figure out the board!


3. Who/what albums are the some of the most noteworthy artists you've produced in the past?
The White Stripes, Electric Six, Dirtbombs, The Romantics...in Argentina, Andrea Alvarez. In Australia, Rocket Science. Andre Williams, Kim Fowley, The Von Bondies. I have a record coming out with power-pop legend Paul Collins later this month. Lots of underground people over the years and in different countries.

4. What bands are you currently working with?
Just worked on a record over the weekend with local singer/songwriter Jeni Lee Richey and the Great Tribulation. Recording in progress with Jason Stollsteimer ... he has a new group called The Hounds Below. Have records coming up this fall with Left Lane Cruiser and Hacienda, both on Alive Records out of L.A. Then looking like I'll head to Australia in November to do a couple bands down there in Brisbane.

5. Do you mainly work out of one studio or do you go where a band needs you?
I work out of my studio mainly, Ghetto Recorders, but when I travel, I'll go anywhere, as long as they have a tape machine to record to.

6.How do you know if you, as a producer, are a good match for a band?
Well, I have to like the music,that is first and foremost. They'll send me demos and I'll see which songs I like, stuff like that,we'll take it from there. Generally, people who don't like my work won't want me and I wouldn't like them anyways! I usually get a good fit.

7. What's the best piece of advice you'd give a band that thinks they are ready to record?
Practice and get your stuff down tight. Nothing worse than the band trying to learn the songs in the studio, it's an expensive rehearsal space! Get it down before you come in, then we can get creative.

8. What kind of inside experience does being a musician yourself help with producing?
That is huge, my experience as a musician helps every facet of producing. I know what will work musically, how to approach songs. I can't imagine producing records and not being a musician.

9. What's your favorite thing about producing?
It's like putting together a puzzle, hearing something take form, creating something from nothing, I love that.

10. What's your least favorite thing about producing?
Waiting around for bands to learn the song. People not being prepared.

11. In addition to the music you are working on, what albums have you been listening to lately? Does it ever effect your producing?
Very much... I have been listening to Jefferson Airplane, ....'60s San Francisco stuff. It changes all the time, I love music and am a fan first and foremost.

The Other Side highlights those talented and very important folks behind the scenes of the music that we listen to. The Other Side will feature producers, engineers, booking agents, band photographers, online radio DJs, etc. It's pretty awesome.
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News Roundup from DOA, Magnet, Sick of the Radio and more.

JP's Music Blog reviews Neil Nathan's The Distance Calls

""Neil Nathan's voice and acoustic rock sound draws strong similarities to Matthew Sweet, especially on the album's lead off single "California Run." The chorus is so catchy that it's sure to catch the attention of radio."

Delusions of Adequacy reviews The White Ravens' Gargoyles and Weather Vanes

Magnet includes Neil Nathan's The Distance Calls in their "What Album Are You Most Looking Forward To Next Week?" poll

Sick of the Radio reviews Echo Orbiter's Euphonicmontage

"an innovative landmark in the world of indie rock"

Blogcritics posts Sara Radle's "Song For Adam" and The White Ravens' "Tick Tock"

Parasites and Sycophants review's Neil Nathan's The Distance Calls

"...The Distance Calls opens up with an interpretation of ELO's "Do Ya" setting firm ground for a nice outing that surfaces somewhere between classic rock and Matthew Sweet. Always refreshing to see people recalling the greats and not just mystifying with bells & whistles."

Campus Circle Newspaper reviews Leopold and His Fiction's Viper Room show

"This trio is a trip to watch, boiling and smashing a diverse range of musical genres that is both ethereal and bombastic."

The Daily Iowan previews Neutral Uke Hotel's show at Gabe's

Broadway World reports on Rosario Dawson's part in Neil Nathan's "California Run"

Boston.com previews Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola about their roles in the Second Annual "One Night Band"

Little Village previews Neutral Uke Hotel's show at Gabe's

The Star Tribune previews Neutral Uke Hotel's Kitty Cat Klub show

Twin Cities.com previews Neutral Uke Hotel's Kitty Cat Klub show

Isthmus previews Neutral Uke Hotel's Kitty Cat Klub show

Chicago Tunes reviews Neutral Uke Hotel's Empty Bottle show

Movies Music Mayhem previews Neutral Uke Hotel's Grog Shop show

Nuvo interviews Neutral Uke Hotel

The OCMD reviews Leopold and His Fiction's Rock Make show

The Portland Mercury asks its audience to "Name the next Neutral Uke Hotel"

 

Click Here to Read More..

News Roundup from Fensepost, FNX, Fabtastic! and more

FNX New England Product plays Neutral Uke Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers Part 1"

Fabtastic! Music reviews Sara Radle's Four

"Then comes my absolute favourite of the album, A Song For Adam. With a GORGEOUS lyric, beautiful vocal and a fantastic instrumental that I'm just loving, a magical middle-8/chorus before just exploding into a luscious guitar-pop hybrid that works just so well. I adore the track's tenderness..."

Mobtown Shank posts Neutral Uke Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers Part 1" video

Cleveland Jumping Flea previews Neutral Uke Hotel's Grog Shop show

Dead Journalist interviews Alan Cohen Experience

Snob's Music interviews Neil Nathan

Absolute Punk interviews Neil Nathan

Knox Road calls Sara Radle's Four "Notable"

Parasites and Sycophants posts two mp3s by The White Ravens

FensePost posts Neutral Uke Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers Part 1"

"Fogel’s insatiable display of happy go lucky indie rock is beyond comparison. Neutral Milk Hotel should be damn proud of the creativity they have spawned."

I Love Las Vegas Magazine previews Leopold and his Fiction's Gypsy Den show

Cover Me features Neutral Uke Hotel

Broadway World covers The White Ravens' Will Bennett's short film score

Ann Arbor.com features a photo of The White Ravens' Crazy Wisdom Tea Room performance

 

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The White Ravens' Will Bennett Scores Award Winning Short Film

Add “film score composer” to the list of amazing things The White Ravens’ Will Bennett has done in his young career. As part of the 48 Hour Film Project, Bennett wrote and recorded (at Jim Diamond’s Detroit studio) the score for No Tears for the Tin Man, a five minute android murder mystery shot in black and white by William Cole, director of the White Ravens’ latest music video “Sparks.”



Bennett received a rough cut of the film Sunday morning, which he took to Ghetto Recorders studio, working with Jim Diamond to record a piano track for the score, improvising along with the movie in a fashion similar to that used by silent movie pianists. According to Bennett, "I tried to create dark and minor music to go with the plot of the movie in which androids are being murdered and to create something original in movie music that I hadn't heard before. A human detective is working with an android assistant to solve the mystery and he turns out to be the murderer himself - or is he a murderer because the victim isn't human? The detective's android assistant, Halle, doesn't want to cooperate with the detective but has no choice. The detective and Halle receive an award in front of an applauding crowd with a newspaper headline praising the detective. At this point I added a happy major upbeat march for ironic contrast while the detective was receiving an award for murdering androids." Listen and you can hear Bennett's sister and band mate Amy, as Mitsy, a voice that carries through the piece.

Will Cole, the team's leader/director/producer was most gratified, "I really appreciated him being able to work so promptly and not only to make the music so quickly. Even before we even gave him the footage, he nailed the mood. Once Will made the music, it really breathed life into the film."

The short film, No Tears for the Tin Man, garnered two awards in the Detroit 48 Hour Film Project for Best Film Noir and est Costume. The Detroit 48 Hour Film Project, is part of an international film project that is being carried out this year in 76 cities around the world. Teams are assembled under a team leader, each team receiving a movie assignment consisting of a character, prop, line of dialogue and genre on a Friday night and having until Sunday evening to shoot, edit and complete a 3-7 minute film. The Detroit films premiered the week of July 25 at the Main Art Theater in Royal Oak, Michigan.
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The White Ravens Play Pop Montreal Festival

Pop Montreal is known as one of Canada's best music festivals, gathering some of the best indie pop and edgy music where the already established bands mingle with up-and-coming coming bands from Canada and the the U.S. This year, Pop Montreal International Music Festival runs from September 29 - October 3. The White Ravens will play Quebec with bands like Deerhoof, Scout Niblett, the Dears, Les Savy Fav, Liars, The Watson Twins and Xiu Xiu. It only makes the gig sweeter that it's in the beautiful and historical city of Montreal, Quebec.

Each year, the five-day POP Montreal International Music Festival presents more than 400 artists. Delivering a bold cross-section of art forms and events, the festival includes symposium discussions, artisan and visual art exhibitions, fashion shows, film screenings, and, of course, a few all-night parties. For musicians and artists, fans, curators, critics, record labels and industry, POP Montreal is the North American festival that provides a dynamic introduction to the next generation of musical talent and independent art forms.

We are hoping to hide in The White Ravens' suitcases and join them in Montreal.

Click Here to Read More..

The White Ravens Win Toronto Independent Music Award

You may not hear it, but our hands are all clapping and we did a little dance at GLG because our own brother/sister duo, The White Ravens won an award! Not just any award, but the Toronto Independent Music Award for Best International, Best USA and Best Out-Of-Province. That, Toronto, is a hat-trick of awards. Woo!

The prizes awarded include a year-long membership to The Big Schmooze, an invitation to perform at next year’s award ceremony, an online music player and the chance to perform on 89.5 CIUT. The Toronto Independent Music Awards are an indie awards ceremony, showcase series and seminar founded in 2004. The TIMAs serve as a platform to award up-and-coming independent artists from the province of Ontario and to expose them to international opportunities.



The Borders' in-store performances were just a warm up as The White Ravens will be kicking off a tour in early September, bringing their guaranteed-to-get-you-moving indie pop sound and intelligent sometimes biting lyrics to the east coast for the first time.

The White Ravens Tour Dates
8/28/10 Raven Lounge, Philadelphia, PA
8/29/10 Arlene’s Grocery, New York, NY
8/30/10 The Living Room, New York, NY
8/31/10 The Space, Hamden, CT
9/2/10 All Asia, Cambridge, MA
9/3/10 Campfire Festival, Cambridge, MA
9/4/10 Campfire Festival, Cambridge, MA
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

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The White Ravens Tour East Coast

Ann Arbor's The White Ravens keep getting hotter.....and we don't just mean this 90 degree weather. We couldn't be happier to announce that the duo is set for their first out-of-state tour in late August/early September. Joining siblings William and Amy Bennett, are drummer, Vince Russo, and guitarist, Andrew Brown.

The band does have plenty of shows under their belts, though. In May, the siblings played on Canada’s Breakfast Television, a morning show seen all over Canada. A White Ravens show is energetic, designed to get people to move, and the best way to do that is to set an example. With Amy’s spirited vocals and impressive bass runs, and Will’s fingers flying over the keys with maniacal speed and precision, it’s hard to resist the urge to bop along. And why should you?
The White Ravens’ latest release, Gargoyles and Weather Vanes is filled with catchy indie pop gems like “Sparks,” which happens to repeat on my iPod a lot these days, and it's video is just as interesting and vivacious as the song itself.

The White Ravens Tour Dates
8/28/10 Raven Lounge, Philadelphia, PA
8/29/10 Arlene’s Grocery, New York, NY
8/30/10 The Living Room, New York, NY
8/31/10 The Space, Hamden, CT
9/2/10 All Asia, Cambridge, MA
9/3/10 Campfire Festival, Cambridge, MA
9/4/10 Campfire Festival, Cambridge, MA Click Here to Read More..

News Roundup from Magnet, Medleyville, Largehearted Boy and More

KEPX Blog posts an mp3 of "Sparks" by The White Ravens.

Bill's Music Forum posted mp3s from Sara Radle, The White Ravens, Neutral Uke Hotel, Leopold and His Fiction, Alan Cohen Experience, Gwyneth & Monko, Echo Orbiter, and Neil Nathan.

Magnet's MP3 at 3PM features Alan Cohen Experience's "Arrows of Time."
"...Cohen was inspired to write blithe, sing-along pop music while reading about heavy scientific themes explored in the book such as gravity, magnetism and black holes. 'Arrows Of Time' is a breezy summer jam about Hawking’s concept of the same name."

Neil Nathan performs live, in the Heritage Radio Network studio for their show Main Course.



San Diego: Dialed In features mp3s by Sara Radle, Neutral Uke Hotel, Leopold and His Fiction, Alan Cohen Experience, Gwyneth & Monko, Echo Orbiter, and Neil Nathan.

Medleyville features Gwyneth & Monko's Good Old Horse EP as a Quick Spin.
"The folky pair's charming five-song EP (due July 20) is sensitive and sparse, with the youthful-sounding Gwyneth Moreland leading the way as both singer and songwriter."

Metro Times' Music Blahg features The White Ravens. "Their songs come on like Ben Folds and Billy Joel taking turns sitting in with They Might Be Giants, and that’s not irony! See, Billy Joel drummer Liberty DeVitto plays drums on the Diamond sessions and They Might Be Giants are whispering about taking the local pair for support on tour."

The Boston Phoenix posts Neutral Uke Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers, Part 1."

Tergiversations of a Traveling Mind posts the video for "Sparks" by The White Ravens.

Largehearted Boy posts an mp3 of Sara Radle's "Song For Adam."

Leopold and His Fiction's Beerland show is listed on Ultra 8201.

Indy Concerts previews The True Jacqueline's show at The Vollrath.
"Their sound reminds me a lot of the rock beat of fellow East Coasters Vampire Weekend."

Tympanogram reviews Leopold and His Fiction's "Golden Friends," calling it "...Haunting and scratchy, and sounds as if it was conjured up in the backrooms of old Western saloons over whiskey and cigarettes."

FYI Music News reports that The White Ravens are nominated for a Toronto Indie Award in the Best International, Best USA & Best Out-Of-Province category.

The AV Club, Austin previews Leopold and His Fiction's Beerland show, "...Recent track 'Golden Friends' muddies leftover '60s mysticism with the usual Motor City muck."

Mass Live.com called The True Jacqueline's Sierra Grille show "fantastic."

Animal Foodchain posts the video for Echo Orbiter's "This Worm in Rigor Mortis."

Compiled by Kelly Bennett
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News Roundups from Aiding & Abetting, FensePost, The Owl Mag and more...

Aiding & Abetting reviews The True Jacqueline's Nice Bird, saying that it's, "Understated indie pop that never gets too ambitious", and The White Raven's Gargoyles and Weather Vanes calling it's songs, "...quite engaging, but Amy Bennett's vocals are what kicks this over the top."

The Owl Mag posts video of Neutral Uke Hotel's North by Northeast festival performance. They said of the show, "The crowd at the tiny bar The Painted Lady sang, clapped and stomped along with glee as the band played the whole album."

FensePost reviews The Alan Cohen Experience's track, "Einstein". They call it "a quick and awesome little ditty...".

The White Ravens are nominated for a Toronto Independent Music Award in the Best International, Best USA & Best Out-Of-Province category.

Bill's Music Forum reviews The Alan Cohen Experience's Space and Time. "...dares to be different but strives to remain musically accessible."

Largehearted Boy posts Avi Wisnia and Neil Nathan mp3s.

The Jewish Week asks Avi Wisnia about his roots.

Today's Modern Pop shows the trailer for Neil Nathan's The Distance Calls.

Wildy's World reviews Gargoyles and Weather Vanes, saying, "It's been awhile since rock n roll sounded this fresh or this good....You won't be able to get The White Ravens out of your head."

Chromewaves previews Neutral Uke Hotel's set at NXNE.
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The White Ravens to Rock Borders Bookstores

The White Ravens celebrate the release of the Jim Diamond-produced Gargoyles and Weather Vanes with in-store performances at a bevy of Borders Bookstores.

Ann Arbor’s brother/sister indie-pop duo, The White Ravens, will play a series of in-store performances at Ann Arbor/Detroit Borders stores beginning with their CD release show on July 6th at the Downtown Ann Arbor Borders. The show will begin at 7:00 PM, and along with all of the other Borders performances, will be free for all ages.

Bookstores are a perfect place for The White Ravens to celebrate the release of their CD. Amy Bennett, who writes the lyrics, sings and plays bass, finds both books and bookstores inspirational. “When I read a story, whether it is by J.R.R. Tolkien or Ayn Rand, I use the ideas of the authors as springboards to dive into my own mind, and discover what stories are lurking in its depths. In turn, in my lyrics I try to create galaxies for my listeners to explore, which will hopefully ignite some of their own thinking. For this reason, bookstores hold a special significance to me. Bookstores can be magical places, gateways to a myriad of universes into which one need only dip their mind, and with a little thought, pull out something amazing.”



The White Ravens Borders Bookstores Tour Dates
Tuesday, July 6th
CD RELEASE SHOW Borders – Downtown Ann Arbor
612 E. Liberty Street, Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 668-7652
7:00 PM

Saturday, July 10th
Borders – Waters Place
3140 Lohr Rd., Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 997-8884
2:00 PM

Friday, July 16th
Borders – Canton
43435 Ford Rd., Canton, MI
(734) 844-2090
8:00 PM

photo by Nick Kopystynsky
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Favorite Friday with The White Ravens: Dissecting The Shins

Amy Bennett of sibling duo The White Ravens has a very unique way of thinking about the songs that she listens to and how they affect her. Bennett thinks and sometimes talks like a scientist-turned-indie rocker who still has a youthful wide-open view of the world. While we may not understand everything she is talking about; it's completely intriguing to see how music makes the wheels in her head spin. Gargoyles and Weather Vanes is set for release July 6!

The Top 5 Songs That Convince Me Mind Control is A-Okay

1. "Red Rabbits," The Shins
One moment I’m sitting in a comfortable swivel chair in front of my computer, my cursor descending upon a certain music track in iTunes. The next moment, my lungs are being crushed under layers of sedimentary rock, and something very strange is happening to red bunnies. No, I haven’t gone off the deep end, The Shins have just caused me to involuntarily hallucinate. I like this. In fact, I’d surrender control of my own mind to The Shins’ visually evocative lyrics anytime.




2. "Machine in the Ghost," The Faint
I am completing some unrelated, and generally menial task, such as sucking up liquid with laboratory equipment and squirting said liquid into something. This is a comforting task. All is well with the world. Suddenly, something shatters the nirvana of liquid relocation. A sound on the periphery of hearing. It sounds awfully like...buzzing. I look around the lab, to make sure that nothing is quietly exploding. I strain my ears. It hits me: the noise is inside of my head, and has lyrics, too. Witty lyrics. In a whir of synths, I realize that it is “Machine in the Ghost." In the hierarchy of deviously insidious songs, “Machine in the Ghost” has to be at least an emperor. An emperor to which one wants to surrender ones mental territories. Frankly, The Faint, go ahead. Your synthesizers can have my brain.

3."Die by the Drop," The Dead Weather
When I listen to “Die by the Drop” I find my feet tapping. Involuntarily. The Dead Weather’s bulldozer of distorted guitars and vocals pummels both not only my brain, but my body into a state of zombie-like entrancement.

4. "Parasites," Daniel Kahn
A parasitic liver fluke worm manipulates the minds of its ant hosts. By day, the ants perform their normal tasks in the ant colony, but during the night, the ants crawl to the tips of blades of grass and wait to be consumed along with a mouthful of grass, by a cow. By toying with the minds of ants, the liver fluke worm finds its way back to the cow, its final host. In “Parasites,” Kahn describes the life cycle of liver fluke worms and two other parasites in gory, excruciating detail, to the sounds of blaring Klezmer clarinet and accordion. If all mind control is accompanied by sizzling hot, gleefully sinister Klezmer music, I say bring on the parasites.

5."She’s Actual Size," They Might be Giants
If your lyrics are frightening enough to induce phobias in listeners, you know you are doing something right. They Might Be Giants manages to write lyrics that are so mind-manipulating, they instill me with a deep fear. It can only be described in TMBG’s own words: “Words fail, buildings tumble, the ground opens wide, light beams down from heaven. She stands before my eyes.” I don’t know exactly what “she” is. I generally imagine a bear/woman hybrid with sledgehammers for arms. Regardless, living in a world in which I feel empowered by the availability of information, and microwavable chocolate thingies, I have disturbing lack of helplessness and irrational fear. Thank you, TMBG, for providing my brain its daily required dose of pure, visceral terror.

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.
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News Roundups from Brooklyn Vegan, Prefix, Jewcy and more...

Brooklyn Vegan announces Neutral Uke Hotel dates.

Prefix Magazine deems the Naked Hearts an Artist to Watch, stating "they make bare-bones indie rock more in the mold of the Breeders than the Vivian Girls."  StereoActive NYC reviewed their recent album, Mass Hysteria, saying it "left us with a full heart and a happy glint in our eyes."


Jewcy profiles Shawn Fogel of Golden Bloom, Neutral Uke Hotel, The Leevees, Macaroons, and The Zambonis in The Big Jewcy. (I'm telling you, this guy has E.N.E.R.G.Y). 

FernTV asks Shawn Fogel a few questions about Neutral Uke Hotel in anticipation of the NXNE shows.


Jersey Beat's Jim Testa plays The White Ravens' "Tick Tock" and Alan Cohen Experience's "Einstein" on his weekly radio station "Rock & Roll Gas Station." Listen on BlowupRadio.com - Thursday nights at 10 pm, Sundays at 7 pm, Mondays at 6 pm and ThePenguinRocks.com - Mondays at 1 pm and 8 pm, Tuesdays at 7 pm

Snob's Music announces the release of Neil Nathan's This Distance Calls due out August 24th. They say of the singer-songwriter, "Nathan is one of the most promising songwriters I've heard in years.  His lyrics are clever and he manages to pens hooks that are so sharp you could go fishing with them."

Record Dept reviews Naked Hearts album saying, "the entire album is incredibly strong. Alternating turns on vocals, Cooper and Wheeler complement the evocative, grungy guitar lines that sound both familiar and fresh."

Faronheit posts Alan Cohen Experience, Neutral Uke Hotel, and Neil Nathan mp3s.

Wildy's World reviews Gwyneth & Monko's upcoming EP Good Old Horse, saying "Gwyneth Moreland & Michael Monko carry with them old-time charm that's steeped in the Appalachian tradition. The comparison of Moreland to Lisa Loeb is apt if Loeb lived 100 years ago in the mountains of West Virginia. Don't be surprised if Gwyneth & Monko become darlings of the folk circuit over the next few years." 

Harris Radio features Avi Wisnia's "New Year"  on Podcast #12.

Women of Substance plays Gwyneth & Monko's "Lexington Ballad" on their Americana show. Click Here to Read More..

Magnet Magazine - The White Ravens

There's a lot of buzz floating around The White Ravens and it's as sweet as honey to announce just some of their latest news. A CD release show for July 6 in Ann Arbor, a write up from Magnet Magazine, an interview with Absolute Punk and more.

Magnet just might be falling in love with Detroit's newest duo, The White Ravens. The indie-rock bible featured the band for their MP3 At 3PM feature. With a fabulous full photo of Will and Amy Bennett, Magnet chose their MP3 with "Sparks," and "Tick-Tock," from their upcoming July 6 release Gargoyles and Weather Vanes.

“Sparks,” the first single from the upcoming LP, is a bright and happy number with a really sharp bass line that fills out the piano’s melody nicely." Thanks Magnet. A peek at the website's comments and people agree!

Absolute Punk interviewed Amy and Will, in which the siblings offered some pretty whimsical answers. It's a fun read. A favorite might be Amy's answer to AP's usual question "What is your vacation spot of choice?" The singer's answer: "If I could choose any place to vacation, I'd choose Paul McCartney's chin. It would be really, really neat to get a glimpse into his daily life. Also, on his chin I could probably sustain myself on the crumbs that fall out of his mouth. I bet he eats wonderful food." The remaining interview is filled with great content.

And last but not least, actually, the most, come celebrate record release of Ggargoyles and Weather Vanes with the band's in-store performance at Borders Downtown Ann Arbor on July 6. At 7 p.m on Tuesday, July 6 fans will hear songs from the duo's Jim Diamond (The White Stripes, The Ponys) produced album. If you've only heard snippets from Gargoyles and Weather Vanes, be prepared to be blown away by the band's live show. With a full band rounding out the sound of the Bennett siblings, the live show really turns their rough and tumble piano-driven pop melodies into something even bigger and brighter to bop along to.

The White Ravens Tour Dates
Thursday, June 24- The Neutral Zone w/ The Astronomers

Saturday, June 26 - Ann Arbor Summer Festival - Top of the Park

Top of the Park: Grassrootz Stage at Ingalls Mall, 5:30 pm, Ann Arbor, MI

Tuesday, July 6 - CD Release, Borders Bookstore, Downtown Ann Arbor, MI, 7 pm

Saturday, July 10 - Borders, Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI

Friday, July 16 - Borders, Canton, MI, 8 pm

Friday, July 23, Ann Arbor Art Fair, Ann Arbor, MI, 7-8 pm

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..

Live on Canadian TV....The White Ravens!

You can applaud now.

While in Toronto for their Toronto Independent Music Awards showcase gig, The White Ravens had the very special opportunity to play live on TV. The band did a rollicking version of "Sparks" from their upcoming July release Gargoyles and Weather Vanes on Breakfast Television Toronto. That's pretty amazing. We are talking across the country on Citytv. Canada is a very wide and big country, but everyone gets Citytv.


The White Ravens Playing 'Sparks' on Breakfast TV in Toronto

The White Ravens | MySpace Music Videos

You can applaud again. Click Here to Read More..