Saturday, August 29, 2009

Thanks, Lefsetz, for nailing it today: "[W]hat has this got to do with artistry?"

Great stuff from Bob Lefsetz today. Here's an especially astute passage ...

"The hysteria in the wake of the MTV-era gives the impression that musical artists are akin to the Hollywood royalty of yore, prancing around the world in fabulous clothing, leading a life of luxury. You wonder why we've got shit music? Blame people like Mariah Carey, who are busy being stars as opposed to people. Even Michael Jackson ... once he needed to outsell Thriller, as opposed to making a great album, he was history.

"And then there's Jay-Z. However great a rapper he might be, his audience reveres his business accomplishments. They too want to grab a toehold in music and turn into a conglomerate.

"But what has this got to do with artistry?

"An artist creates because he has to. Is willing to starve if his efforts don't engender commercial success. Historically, recording artists have been in bed with their record company, and radio and concert promoters, those left out of the loop were the audience, the paying customers.

"A label's interests often diverge from those of the artist. The label wants something that sells, they don't care if it's goose farts, as long as people buy it.

"Radio will blow smoke up your ass.

"The concert promoter is one guy, who ultimately brings along thousands of faceless people.

"What if you could suddenly have contact with these people? Instead of thinking about the marketing opportunities, think about the emotional component. Artists may execute in a vacuum, but they do so to be connected, to feel at one with the audience. What if social networking fed the soul of the artist more than his bank account?

"You don't want to toil in oblivion. You want reassurance that you're on the correct path. It's not only sales numbers, but the reaction. You gauge the excitement, the intensity... Sometimes extreme negative reactions fuel the artist's fire, he knows he's challenging convention, but if no one reacts, he's missed his mark.

...

"Instead of tools of the corporation being forced to render what gatekeepers will flog, that will generate instant revenue, true artists are being inspired by their fans, to continue to create, to test limits, to wow and fulfill them.

"Every artist is concerned what the public thinks. You're almost never sure what you've done is any good. Only by bouncing it off listeners can an artist know whether he's on the right path. Rather than take three years off to record an album no one wants, better to interact with your fans, take their temperature, gauge their reaction. I'm not saying to bend your music to their desires, but only by hearing what someone has to say can you clearly define your path."


Read the gestalt work: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress
http://www.twitter.com/lefsetz

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

I can't WAIT for Kyle Galanaugh to be a household name so I can tell folks he was my neighbor, played FAB guitar in the courtyard and LOVES ferrets

Indie pop artist Kyle Galanaugh, who may or may not perform in Parker Library's Live Local Music Series, is expecting airplay for his single "Wait" on World Wide Waves, which has a syndicated radio show that is broadcast nationwide. More than 40 stations will be playing "Wait" starting Aug. 31. Below is the list of stations with dates and times. After "Wait" airs the first time, call and request it often!

Says Galanaugh: "Thank you all for your support!"

KEPL 1470 AM Estes Park, CO Fri 11am
KZYR 97.7 FM Avon-Vail, CO Sun 7pm
KZYR 97.7 FM Leadville, CO Sun 7pm
KSNO 103.9 FM Aspen, CO Sun 7pm
KSNO 93.5 FM Glenwood Spgs CO Sun 7pm
KSNO 94.9 FM Carbondale, CO Sun 7pm
KSNO 103.5 FM Basalt-El Jebel, CO Sun 7pm
KEJJ 98.3 FM Gunnison, CO Sun 8am
KEJJ 98.9 FM Crested Butte, CO Sun 8am
KPMX 105.7 FM Sterling, CO Sun 6pm
KHEN 106.9 FM Salida, CO Mon 2pm
KPTE 99.7 FM Durango, CO Sun 7pm
KPTE 99.7 FM Silverton-Ignacio, CO Sun 7pm
KSID 98.7 FM Sidney, NE Sun 8pm
KPTE 99.3 FM Farmington, NM Sun 7pm
KPTE 99.3 FM Flora Vista, NM Sun 7pm
KVSF 101.5 FM Santa Fe, NM Sun 7pm
WDYN 100.1 FM Rochester, NY Thur 9am
WDYN 100.1 FM Rochester, NY Sat 5pm
KEIF 104.7 FM Enid, OK Sun 5pm
KEIF 104.7 FM Enid, OK Tue 8pm
WRHR 95.3 FM Corbin,KY Sat 5pm
WRHR 95.3 FM Corbin,KY Sun 5pm
KOOL 97.9-89.2 FM East Coast, NZ Sun 12pm
KOOL 97.9-89.2 FM West Coast, NZ Tue 9pm
1.FM Indie Channel San Francisco, CA Mon 10am
1.FM Indie Channel San Francisco, CA Wed 12pm
1.FM Indie Channel San Francisco, CA Fri 3pm
Rocket Radio The World Tue 7pm
RadioUrbanJamz Jacksonville, FL Sat 6am
Radio M Conyers, GA Sun 5pm
Radio M Conyers, GA Mon 5am
XTSL Radio Oklahoma City, OK Wed 2pm
RCH 103 Hertford, NC Wed 4pm
RCH 103 Hertford, NC Fri 8am
KILA Los Angeles, CA Mon 10am
KILA Los Angeles, CA Wed 12pm
KILA Los Angeles, CA Fri 3pm
WRAJ Radio Long Island, NY Sat 6am
WRAJ Radio Long Island, NY Sun 6am
WRAJ Radio Long Island, NY Sun 4am
Power3201 Port St. Lucie, FL Sun 11am
NewArtistRadio Salt Lake City, UT 24/7/365
RCH 103 Hertford, NC 24/7/365
WhatsDoingTonight Denver, CO. 24/7/365
KYOU Radio podcast San Francisco, CA 24/7/365
KYCY 1550 AM San Francisco, CA Mon 12pm
KYCY 1550 AM San Francisco, CA Tues 8pm
KYCY 1550 AM San Francisco, CA Wed 12pm
KYCY 1550 AM San Francisco, CA Thurs 8pm
KYCY 1550 AM San Francisco, CA Fri 12pm
KYCY 1550 AM San Francisco, CA Sat 7am
KYCY 1550 AM San Francisco, CA Sun 7am
KFTM 1400 AM Ft. Morgan, CO Wed 6pm

www.kylegalanaugh.com
www.myspace.com/kylegalanaughmusic

FAB Lefsetz quote

This is typical Lefsetz:

The key is to be profitable, to sell enough records to cover your reduced costs. So you can keep the lights on, so you can still keep making records. Then again, what business is the major label in? Selling records or artist development? If the latter, according to Mike, shouldn't the album be FREE? At least the first couple? I think it's about getting attention first and foremost, Mike thinks you've got to make it easy, but the publishers won't. You can't give away tracks on iTunes because the publishers want to get PAID!

Visit the LefsetzLetter archive at http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
Follow him on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lefsetz
Click here to subscribe to the LefsetzLetter.


Above: Boulder Boys done good. 3OH!3 have started an "unprecedented campaign" for the Best New Artist VMA at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. Don't forget to vote for the Locals Done Good from now until VMAs on Sept. 13 at vote3oh3.com.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Mini review from DCL's No. 1 F.O.E. fan!

Here's Joelle Hein on King of the Mountain by F.O.E.:

"Addictive beats, tough expert flow. Charisma pulls you in. Voted Denver's best HIP-HOP MC. A live show not to be missed."

Joelle then said: "Let me know if it works."


THAT WORKS, JOELLE BABY!!

(And BTW look for mass, similarly fabulous reviews to be posted here in the next few days!)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

So, yeah, F.O.E. is actually ALL THAT -- and Happy Birthday, Father of Enemies!!

So, um, yeah. The F.O.E. bra-throwing story is true, too. Thanks to the fabulous Heather Hamill of Jewell Tyme Music for the fabulous photos, which are going up on our Local Music shelves if the higher ups are cool with bra-throwing incidents during Westword Music Showcase Award shows, and I'm guessing they will let me slide on this one. Hopefully. ;)

So ... yeah. Finally got to catch F.O.E. live and: That man is all they say he is and more. (And he is very, very funny.)

Westword for some time has been into F.O.E. Even before the Big Award that garnered F.O.E. all the tossed bras and panties, which was really only a number of weeks ago.

Says Westword: F.O.E. "kills every venue he's booked at. He's also been tapped by ... notables to appear on their projects, and he rips it every time."

Totally. He hit that Thursday night. Why isn't he bigger than he is already?

Quibian Salazar-Moreno
in July wrote in Backbeat Online -- that's Westword's music blog, if you're from Neptune -- that F.O.E. and Whygee have been "hanging out in the studio together quite a bit lately. Although the two best rappers on either side of Colorado Boulevard are keeping mum on what they're working on, we were able to get snag a collaboration track from them. Produced by Puerto Rican producer Yallzee, the track features CharleyBrand on the hook and scathing verses from Whygee and F.O.E. Could we get a mixtape, EP, or even an album from these two sharing the mike? Take a listen to the track after the jump."

(Do click on the link and give a listen.)

Nicole Cormier
-- yes, that fabulous hip-hop writer for Colorado Music Buzz -- had this to say way back in March:

"F.O.E.'s comedic appeal crosses over to his extremely entertaining stage show. His presence is captivating, not only because of his movie-star grin and humorous voice manipulations, but also because of the raw lyrical ability that he possesses. [During] my first introduction to his live performance ... his voice and charisma had the whole crowd hooked.

"Though he's beyond funny, don’t let that fool you. His name is F.O.E. for a reason; he is upfront and lets people know how he feels. This is apparent in his hard, aggressive and honest flow. Many would classify his music style as Gangsta Rap, but he is conscious of what he speaks on, and tells a valid story. His appealing voice and uninhibited cadence makes his tracks interesting and catchy. 'What’s Fear' from King of the Mountain displays his lyrical and vocal range, and is my favorite track so far."

IMHO The Fox is too small a venue for F.O.E. Plus I want him to "cross over" so I can say I purchased a drink for him there. And that I drove from Parker to Boulder to see him live and buy him said drink at said Fox Theater.

(Side note: My date said what F.O.E. ordered was a "gangster drink." What's a gangster drink? Crown and Coke. Yes, baby! You heard it here first. ;)

My date also noted that it was kewl how F.O.E. handles promoting himself. He has got the talent, but he doesn't forget the fans either. He sends out notes via Twitter thanking folks who came. That's just good marketing.

Another not-so-side side note is that The Diamond Boiz were on fire, too. (They opened. The whole lot of them were opening for someone else.) Check out Dyalekt's myspace page and play the song "Ven Aqui." Good stuff, huh?

Dyalekt -- such a nice young man!

Truly: You gotta catch these kats live to fully appreciate how young they are.

But that's not even the half of it. They are truly very talented. The dick-grabbing move that all rappers do, that's just lost on me. But otherwise, musically, let's just say well worth that long-ass drive. But then I LOVE hip-hop just as much as the next guy over.

If you don't love hip-hop, you might not be fully enamored of these dudes. But check them out anyway, because you never know what individual track, regardless of genre, is gonna do it for you, yes? Just give "Tic Toc" a try. And give "Ven Aqui" a try.

I also love that song "Tha Box," which I think could do it as far as a cross-over hit. All these beautiful young Boulder girls were out there dancing, doing the best to answer the call to "put your box up." Which is to say they were making a little box shaped like Colorado with the fingers of each hand. (I forgot the video / camera at work, so I could not film it. Sorry. Sue me.)

Only a true Denver-ite would come up with something like -- an homage to the box state Colorado that has young, cute CU-Boulder freshmen out on the dance floor holding up their hands to make a box the shape of Colorado, flyover state extraordinaire. (But home-to-me-and-a-ton of-other-kewl-kats flyover, to be sure. ;)

Regarding being kewl: F.O.E. said a very funny thing -- note that he is very, very funny on stage in between songs -- about nobody ever saying they want to be a rap star. Everybody says they want to be a rock star. No one says they want to be a rap star.

That is so true. Even the Notorious B.I.G. (aka Biggie Smalls) thought to himself: rock star.

So F.O.E. was kind of rocking out, true to form. He's got a mowhawk of sorts. And he smokes a lot of pot on stage, which is an interesting twist because, you know, I'm a 40-year-old librarian. In Douglas County, to boot.

(Not that librarians promote pot-smoking elsewhere, say in Denver. Just that, well, you know: Douglas County is ultra-conservative. I have to wear my ultra-conservative shoes to work just so they'll let me in the door. ;)

I'm not going to dwell on that here. Especially when the tix are free and the art is high ;)

I'm just going to end by saying that part of his deal is to promote the idea of legalized marijuana, I'm guessing. ;)

So ... check out F.O.E. and let me know your thoughts. (Quite a few Douglas County Libraries patrons were waiting for King of the Mountain last time I checked, so you might have to wait a touch if you don't buy the CD -- and if you do trust me, just go ahead and buy it. You can check out his music on his myspace page before you get the CD. Or watch the vids. On and on. So many good choices in life!!)

In general, we should be getting a bunch of Local Music reviews to post here and Twitter-up pretty soon -- what with half the staff at my home of Parker Library listening to Local Music these last few weeks!

Just wait until I post a review from Joelle Hein -- she's Douglas County's biggest F.O.E. fan, hands down. She's doing a short piece for us on his King of the Mountain: Street Mix. I heard her talk about what she was going to put on what is known in library circles as a "shelf talker" -- a little writeup that tells you about something on the shelf, and I was like, um, can you write that down for me please?

And then: Can I Twitter that?

(BTW I hate the verb tweet. I do not tweet, I'm sorry. I post stuff on Twitter or Twitter about stuff or whatnot. I waterboard folks who tweet. I myself would not be caught dead tweeting.)

Post-post notes: Check out F.O.E. on the Box State Music YouTube Channel, and find out where to catch him live via his website, fatherofenemies.com -- you can also check out the video for "Tic Toc" there. He did that with Karma. Or just good ole myspace is great for these moments, too!

(I was having trouble getting the URL for the video to scale down for the size of this blog. Sorry. Will attempt more F.O.E. homages in the near fut.)

Last note, promise: Dyalekt -- his shirt says, in Spanish: Where's my money? Just in case you thought to ask. ;)

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Ode to Alf ... with kewl picture of Bonnaroo

This is sort of cheating, because I wrote this as part of a post on another blog about folks I love -- Lady Gaga came before Alf -- but it seemed especially fitting for a Local Music blog, so I'm re-posting it. SUE ME.

(The only other cool thing going on is that I'm going to see F.O.E. tonight at The Fox in Boulder. You know how I feel about F.O.E.!)

So ... anyway. Onward. This is my Ode to Alf at KTCL. He's the guy who does Locals Only.

Here you go. ...

Alf from KTCL

Like I used to run home from the bus stop to watch MTV with the girl across the street, Stacey Barnett. (And if you ever Google yourself and hit on this blog entry, Stacey, please know that I found a pic of you on Google and, GIRL YOU LOOK FABULOUS. Really. You do. And I wouldn't just say that.)

Anyhoo. Tonight Alf said something about this Culture Club video and how it made him think of eating cereal in front of MTV.

I like other things about him, too. He's a local -- so we've got that, too. Except he is a "Creeker" who graduated in '88. And I graduated from Boulder High School in 1987. Same year as Ms. Stacey Barnett, who has a swimming pool in her backyard. (Sorry, Stacey. I'm a librarian. Who used to work in newspapers. That and I'm nosy.)

Alf is an educated person. And educated in mathematics and Asian religion, to boot. That's just cool.

And he is "out." If there is one thing to love, it is an out person.

So. Anyway. You're cool, Alf. I always, always want to call in a song for your Sunday night retro show but feel like you'll think whatever song I choose is a cliche. Like "Wishing" by FOS or "Windows" by Missing Persons.

But, Alf my brother, you sound pretty unassuming and cool, so that could just be me being my freaky self.

I also like your Locals Only. That's great. You turned it from a show that no one wanted to host to a show that can help break a local act.

So, um, Alfie: If you are ever Googling yourself for kicks and you happen to read every single result and hit on this blog entry, would you please play the two songs I mentioned -- just some random Sunday -- during your retro show?

Thanks, my brother.

Peace out.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Librarians get excited about funny things -- like their own displays!





What's not to get excited about? It's LOCAL MUSIC, people! And it's my shrine to Angie Stevens!!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Artist review: Elana Rogers

Here's Scott Brown (yes, of Music Therapy fame) on Elana Rogers. (Even though she is coming to do Parker Library's Live Local Music Series, I told him not to hold back ;)

Another CO artist from Jeanie: Elana Rogers.

(Many of Elana's shows have been put on hold since her cancer diagnosis in June of this year. You can find information on her blog Elana's Journey.)

The EP One of Those Days, released in 2005, is OK. Now, admittedly, I'm not the best person to ask about female folk artists. There's nothing wrong with the musicianship on this disc. Some passages are quite nice. I really like the song title, "Drugs Don't Work" -- could have been a good song there. The problem is, there's nothing really remarkable on this disc, either. The tracks kind of fade into a background of average modern folk music.

With Someone Like You, a full disc released in 2008, it seems like Elana has moved more into what she really sounds like. There's more, well, real feeling. The songs also just feel different -- more distinctive instrumentation, and she's actually doing more with what sounds like a pretty amazing voice. Songs like "Over" still make me cringe a little bit, with its '80s sax riffs, but songs like "What's It Gonna Be" more than make up for it. This set of songs just come in at a whole different and deeper level than the EP.

Skip the first one, and move right on to Someone Like You.

Then wait for her next one -- now, THAT one is gonna be something to listen to.

The Official Vaguely Naughty poster ...

Thanks to DCL designer Jake Hubbard for this perfect offering.

Be there, 6 p.m. Aug. 29, for the best alt-country performer this side of reality!

WOO ... something to do!




Thursday, August 6, 2009

Experience the vaguely naughty phenomenon of LIVE music in a library! Check out Angie Stevens & The Beautiful Wreck 08/29 @ Parker Library!

If you've never experienced live music in a library setting, you have no idea what you're missing. I will say that there is something vaguely naughty about the whole deal.

Find out firsthand what it is like to listen to a band in the library after hours. (And, yes, we went all high-end on you!)

Join us at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Parker Library branch of Douglas County Libraries as we kick off the 2009-2010 run of Parker Library's Live Local Music Series with a performance by local favorite Angie Stevens & The Beautiful Wreck!

Stevens is an amazing indie / Americana / folk-rock princess who grew up in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Westword did a great piece on her three years ago this month, around the time of the Stand Up Girl discs. that really gives you a picture of her life leading up to her early 20s.

Angie Stevens just recently released Queen of This Mess, and I was lucky enough to catch her live at her CD release party at the Soiled Dove back in May.

She was truly fabulous live -- everything they say and more -- and The Beautiful Wreck is a band you write home about seeing live.

When I found out we could kick off the year with a high-end band, I did my homework, talking to a range of music writers, including a guy who has recommended other great music to me over the years: Mark Brown, music editor of the former Rocky Mountain News, who highly recommended Angie.

Brown on Angie: "With a songwriting acumen that is stunning for a 25-year-old and a gorgeous, warm voice that seemingly can do anything, Stevens is an artist who earns fans on the first listen or show. ... [She] is one of the best voices and songwriters I've heard in a long time, local or otherwise. She is a superb talent."

Jay Ruybal of Red Rocks calls Angie "the best female singer/songwriter to ever come out of Denver."

Other quotes from Angie's myspace page ...

"Angie Stevens is a songwriter in the truest sense of the word. Some people write good music with no story, others have good ideas with weak music. She writes passionate songs and there is power in her story. She's got the songs and her performance of them is riveting." Isaac Slade, The Fray

"Angie's voice knocks audiences over like a sledge-hammer!" Matt Fecher, Monolith Festival executive director

"We were just blown away by her talent. She shows such passion for music. ... I would drag every friend I know to her future shows. It was truly a spiritual performance. [She] really changed my life tonight. I'm so inspired I can't sleep." Eric Fletcher, Colorado Music Buzz

"See for yourself why people are tripping over themselves to see this powerful young woman perform." Swallow Hill, Denver

"Jewel would kill to be this good." Shay Quillen, San Jose Mercury News

"Her music not only exposes but expresses the human condition." CORE magazine

"The toast of Denver has a bittersweet country-folk voice and a way with words." Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star-Tribune

"One of the most talented chicks in the world." Jess Taylor, Eclectic Cafe, Brainerd, Minnesota

"This Denver-based singer-songwriter's ballads are layered, carrying both the toe-tapping satisfaction and quiet melancholy with which life often socks us. ... Keep your ears open for some exceptionally tasty bass work and for Stevens' seasoned voice, which subtly captures the feeling that things are neither right nor wrong, but a wonderful mix of both." Jake Schroeder, 5280 Magazine

WOO! Find out for yourself: Join us for music in the library -- after hours -- on Aug. 29!

And until then, enjoy her video for "Give It on Back" from Queen of This Mess (Boss Koala Records 2009).



http://www.myspace.com/angiestevens
http://www.angiestevens.com