Enjoy Your Pumas Release Video for “He Was A Fly”

Enjoy Your Pumas show off their personalities in their new music video for “He Was a Fly”. The playful video is filled with dreamy images, beautiful lighting and a cool retro feel. It shows the band on a journey toward a house where they find an idyllic place to play. The track can be found on Enjoy Your Pumas’ debut LP Commonality.

The video was directed by Steven Schwartz, who recently made headlines with his heart-warming and award-winning Christmas short “Santa Stops By”. Josh Benoit, Enjoy Your Pumas’ guitar player, who will graduate from film school this semester, produced “He Was a Fly”, which was filmed on two days about a month apart.

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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..

Staff Infection: Operation Don't Complain Edition

Those who know me know I’ve taking on a personal endeavor entitled “Operation: Don’t Complain”. This isn’t the first time I’ve taken on this endeavor, but it’s the first time I’ve had the accountability of Facebook to keep it going. Every day (ok, almost every day) I give a status update on the process. And believe me it is a process. Today is day 37, and don’t get me wrong, a few complaints have leaked in there. In fact, there have been entire days devoted to a break in my no complaint status. There are a few songs that help get me back on track though. So if you find yourself on that iceberg of negativity, I encourage you to take a few listens to the songs that are a near direct route to positivity junction. And yes, this is a motherload of songs, but what can I say? There are days I need all the help I can get.

Elvis Costello, “Sneaky Feelings” from My Aim is True
David Gray, “Babylon” from White Ladder
Lily Allen, “Everything’s Just Wonderful” from Alright, Still
Golden Bloom, “If You Believe”, from Fan the Flames
Bill Withers, “Let it Be” from Just As I Am
Broken Bells, “The High Road” from Broken Bells (courtesy of Stereogum)
The Doves, “There Goes the Fear” from The Last Broadcast
Fanfarlo, “The Walls are Coming Down” from from
Paul Westerberg, “Whatever Makes You Happy” from Suicide Gratification
Heartless Bastards, “Could Be So Happy” from The Mountain
Jem, “Just a Ride” from Finally Woken
Liam Finn, “Second Chance” from I’ll Be Lightning
Ray LaMontagne, “Lesson Learned”, from Till the Sun Turns Black
Sara Radle, “Song for Adam", from Four
Sloan, “Rest of My Life” from Action Pact
Travis, "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?" from The Man Who

Each Monday a different Green Light Go staff member will let you in on what songs have infected their ears for the week, while giving you the opportunity to share in the experience yourself.

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

Neil Nathan's Old Roomie Rosario Dawson Guest Stars in His New Video

Being friends with a movie star certainly has its benefits. Neil Nathan, New York folk-tinged rocker and former roommate of Rosario Dawson (Harmony Korine’s Kids, Men in Black II, Sin City, Grindhouse, etc.) is lucky enough to have his friend appear in his latest music video, “California Run”, which was directed by Ric Serena and Vaj Potenza. The video can now be seen on Dawson’s official site, http://rosario-dawson.net.

Nathan says, “It was such a treat to catch up in between takes. Rosario always inspires. She made me look good when she visited my classroom (Nathan’s a former NYC high school history teacher) and now she’s doing the same on screen.”

Dawson was also excited to work with her old friend on “California Run,” “I'm so happy to support him and it was a blast to hang, sing and ride together in Topanga Canyon.” Clearly a fan of the man and the music, she says, “I wake up with ‘When The Rain Falls’ and ‘California Run’ playing through my head constantly so I'm glad to have the excuse of being in one of the videos.” The video, which features Nathan hitchhiking his way to his lost love, has Dawson picking him up and bringing him one step closer to the girl of his dreams.




“California Run” is on Neil Nathan’s latest LP, The Distance Calls which is due out August 24th. The album was produced by The Go’s Bobby Harlow at Tempermill Studios and features some of Detroit’s finest musicians: Dean Fertita (The Dead Weather, QOTSA), Kenny Tudrick and Joey Mazzola (Detroit Cobras), John Krautner (The Go), and Ross Westerbur (Deadstring Brothers).


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Spotlight - YACHT

Just a few years ago, a young Jonah Bechtolt (formerly of The Blow) began performing under the moniker YACHT. When I saw him some four years ago, Jonah played on stage solo, with a few machines, things that made noise, and some smiley and quirky behavior. Now as a two piece, with Claire Evans, YACHT is almost completely unrecognizable to what I knew. When I was first introduced to YACHT, before I saw him live, I heard his quirky and cute electro-one-man band song "See a Penny (Pick it Up)," and the video, which was just as precious as Jonah himself.

YACHT's most recent album, See Mystery Lights, is the first official album as a duo and their debut on DFA Records. On the album, and the following track "The After Life," the boops and bleeps have settled down into a more "serious," shall we say, kind of avante-electro pop. Claire takes on a large part of the vocals on See Mystery Lights, which makes me feel like I never knew Yacht in the first place. Things may be different, but YACHT still has that danceable, energetic feel that Jonah always had; but now his music and his style have matured into an intriguing fashion.




Like YACHT on Facebook
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Rosario Dawson co-stars in Neil Nathan's Video "California Run"

After NYC's Neil Nathan recorded his album, The Distance Calls, in Detroit, it hit him that the entire process had a road-trip style feel to it, which lent to his music and more importantly hit home in the single "California Run."



"I left town to make this record," says Nathan, "and I hope that the record somehow embodies that emotional journey as well." "California Run" is a love song for both a fantasy girl, the state itself and its possibilities. The memorable chorus for such a song that teeters on power-pop, folk rock and stomp, created for a video that lent itself to the pure optimistic charm of the song. Hip Video (a company that has created videos for Goldfrapp, Liars, Born Ruffians and so many more) directors Ric Serena and Vaj Potenza teamed up with Nathan for the "California Run" video, starring Neil's former roommate, actress Rosario Dawson (Harmony Korine's Kids, Men in Black II, Sin City, Grindhouse, etc.). In the video, Neil plays a hitchhiker traveling the dusty roads of California with guitar in hand, in search of his long lost dream girl. Wish we were all so lucky. The video couldn't be more perfect for the story behind the song.

"California Run" instantly make you want to get in your your car, roll the windows down, feel the fresh air and crank up the tunes while you go for an afternoon drive. That's exactly what Nathan wants you to feel when you hear the song and listen to The Distance Calls as a whole.

The Distance Calls is set for release on August 24th. Click Here to Read More..

Avi Wisnia Debuts "Rabbit Hole" Music Video at Indie Film Jam

Today is your lucky day because we have not one, but two Seth Kroll produced videos for you. Earlier today we offered you a glimpse of his video produced for Neutral Uke Hotel--who is coincidentally covering Neutral Milk Hotel's "Communist's Daughter." Now we are offering you the debut music video for Avi Wisnia's "Rabbit Hole" which was also co-produced by Alan Cohen of the Alan Cohen Experience.  The video has been chosen as an official selection for the Indie Film Jam 2010, part of the Florida Music Festival in Orlando. The Film Jam features the winning selections with screenings of the videos and acoustic performances from the artists.



The singer/songwriter and piano man will play tracks off his new record. Recorded by Grammy-winning producer Glen Barratt (Amos Lee), Something New’s unpredictable cover songs only highlight the main attraction of his new collection of songs: his incomparable mish-mash of piano-pop meets bossa nova pop gems. Having played major festival such as SXSW and CMJ, Wisnia says of his live performances, “There have been shows where the band and I improvise songs on the spot, or ask audience members to come up and sing on kazoo. In one instance, the bartender who was shaking a martini at the bar ended up being an add-on percussionist. Another time, I had lost my egg shaker and asked the audience to pass me a pack of Tic Tacs. Instead, someone threw on stage a bottle of menstrual relief pills (it sounded fantastic). You have to be spontaneous and cater to the crowd and the moment. There's no reason for a live performance to sound exactly like the recording - you owe your audience a unique live experience as a reward for getting their ass off the couch instead of watching America's Next Top Model and coming out to see you perform.”

If you find yourself in the sunshine state this weekend be sure to catch Wisnia's performances at
Friday, April 23
at Club 57 West
(Indie Film Jam official selection - acoustic set)
7-7:30pm
FREE
21+
57 West Pine Street
Orlando, FL 32801

Friday, April 23
at Pine Street Live
(Florida Music Festival featured showcase performance - full band, with special guest Orlando drummer Mason Fox)
9-9:30pm
FREE
21+
66 East Pine Street
Orlando, FL 32801
www.floridamusicfestival.com Click Here to Read More..

Naked Hearts lo-fi Video for "Call Me"

Though Brooklyn duo Naked Hearts' album Mass Hysteria doesn't hit shelves until May 11, you can get a sneak peek at what the band sounds and looks like thanks to Vimeo.

In this video for the lo-fi fuzzy rock tale "Call me," Amy Cooper and Noah Wheeler reveal how their stripped-down sound fits snugly with their simple visual aesthetics. The tie between sight and sound can make you feel just as lonely as it may make you feel loved. And with this video, less can often mean more.


Comp 1 from Naked Hearts on Vimeo. Click Here to Read More..

Happy Passover from The Macaroons

For those of you who are still eating leftovers from your seder and vacuuming up matzah crumbs from under your kitchen table, Golden Bloom's side-project The Macaroons would like to wish you a Happy Passover with this fun animated music video for our song "Matzoh Ball (Don't Kick It):



We're just about to hit the 10,000 views mark, so please pass the YouTube link along to anyone you think might enjoy it. Click Here to Read More..

We can't help ourselves; watch a live performance of "September Gurls" by Grand Atlantic.

During their week at SXSW in Austin, our favorite Aussies Grand Atlantic played a live version of Alex Chilton's "September Gurls" during their set at Sonny's Vintage on March 18 (the day after Chilton passed away) and we've got it on video! Yeah! The video consists of the band performing the song live mixed in with random video footage of the group, turning it into a short film-style video. Enjoy!

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Addicted to technology? Yeah we are too.

Can you walk out the door without your iphone or blackberry? Do you need to check your email a hundred times a day? Now we have the ipad to the fuel the addiction. Yeah, it is a bit out of control but we still do it, don't we? San Francisco quartet Midnight Strangers couldn't have made the point more clear than they did with their short film/video  for their contemporary new-wave influenced track "The Future of Humanity."


The Future Of Humanity from Midnight Strangers on Vimeo.

If you live in the Bay Area, celebrate the release of their new album Days of Decadence with the CD release party, Saturday, April 17th at the Hemlock Tavern in their hometown.

Neo-new wave guitar rock with hints of electronics and synths, Midnight Strangers are building a fanbase of ears akin to the Killers, but with a more streamlined pop sensibility. Lead singer Chris Swimley has built a name for himself for previous albums, even earning "Best Male Alternative Vocalist of the Year" at the 2007 L.A. Music Awards. For his third solo album, he decided to bring in a band to make it a group effort. With Anthony Petrocchi on drums and Rob Pera on guitar, Midnight Strangers' live shows are full of a visceral vibe you'll bop to. Click Here to Read More..

SXSW can't get enough of Leopold and His Fiction

Still can't get enough GLGP action from SXSW? Either can we.

A gracious fan captured Leopold and His Fiction on video performing "Reprise" live at the SXSW Art Disaster party at the Beauty Bar. Disco ball and guitar solos included on this gritty gem from their forthcoming new album.

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The Motion Sick really love mustaches

The Motion Sick's goofy song "I Grew a Mustache" has been set to a video that is too hilarious not to watch. A montage of the famous and non who choose the risky facial hair of the mustache flow along to the quirky song, which comes from their EP Novelty Songs: Volume One. Who doesn't want to how simply having a mustache makes Tom Selleck, Hulk Hogan and Sigmund Freud earn extra cool points?

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Create a Video with Leopold and his Fiction and win $1000!

What’s the deal?
SPIN and Animoto want you to get creative and spread the word about Leopold and His Fiction. Just create an Animoto video and share it with the world. Friends, family, neighbors, lovers, and haters. The video project will be pre-loaded with an artist track so all you need are some pictures and video clips.

How do I win and what can I get?
Views are counted for each unique viewer of your video on animoto.com. Send the link to as many people as possible for a chance to win!
They're giving away 5 pairs of tickets to the Spin Party at Stubb’s BBQ on March 19th to the 5 most-viewed videos by 11:59 pm EST March 17th. On March 31st at 11:59 pm the contest period ends and we’ll choose 10 Silver Prize winners and one Grand Prize winner from the top 25 most-viewed videos. Silver Prize winners get a one-year subscription to Spin magazine and a year of Animoto All-Access. The Grand Prize winner gets $1,000 cash and a year of Animoto! All the winners will be featured on spin.com.

Go to animoto to find out how! Click Here to Read More..

Naked Hearts Joins The Voice Project

Naked Hearts join in a recent who's who of artists on board with The Voice Project. Who's the who's who? For starters, Mike Mills of REM covering Billy Bragg, Joseph Arthur covering Peter Gabriel, Andrew Bird covering Mass McCombs and Joe Purdy covering REM. And that's just to name a few.

What's the Voice Project?

 From The Voice Project site:"The Voice Project is an attempt to support these incredible women and the peace movement in Uganda, and an effort to see how far a voice can carry.  We have two main goals, to AMPLIFY the message in their songs in order to support the peace movement, and to assist them in their efforts to EMPOWER themselves economically in order to better their lives, create real social change, and to sustain peace.Music and word of mouth, it can end wars, it can change the world. These incredible women have shown us that. Pass it on."

But most importantly, who is the Naked Hearts? Simply the super-cutest boy-girl duo, smartest pop stuck-in-your-head hook writers we've heard in a long time. Any band that's going to tell me to "Turn the f*cking stereo up," well, I'm on board. Check out the songs for yourself and tell us if you agree. 

Head on over to The Voice Project to see how you can help! Click Here to Read More..