Wilco Live at Solid Sound Festival 2011 (Night 1)

Night 1 of Solid Sound was nearly a wash out.  Pouring rain had guitar techs and roadies giving each other worried looks on stage - and for a while I wasn't sure Wilco would be able to take the stage. 

They did take the stage, albeit a little late, and proceeded to put on one of the most intense shows I've seen from them.  The band mirrored the storm overhead, putting together a setlist that featured some of their noisiest, most experimental and visceral work.  Nels Cline was the star of the night, and as usual he was in top form - his solo on Hotel Arizona absolutely smoked.  Another highlight was Poor Places > Reservations, mirroring the perfect juxtaposition of the songs on Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. The set featured tracks from every studio album, a handful of brand new songs from the upcoming The Whole Love and closed with a cover of Split Enz "I Got You" with Neil Finn. 

Full recording is below for stream or download (right-click / save as).  Sound is generally excellent - though the pitter-patter of rain in the first few songs is audible, along with a bit of wind noise towards the end of the set.  Well worth the download if only for the full-band premier of 3 new songs.  Check back soon for my recording from night 2 which sounds even better!

Wilco
Solid Sound Festival - North Adams MA
June 24, 2011

I Might (new song)
Misunderstood
Bull Black Nova
Muzzle Of Bees
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
One Wing
Via Chicago
Whole Love (new song)
Hotel Arizona
Impossible Germany
Shouldn't Be Ashamed
Handshake Drugs
Radio Cure
Born Alone (new song)
Poor Places
Reservations
Spiders
Walken
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Red-Eyed and Blue
I Got You (At The End Of The Century)
I Got You (Split Enz cover, with Neil Finn)

Full set download:  mp3 zip

Wilco - The Whole Love release date, cover art + tour dates

September 13 - Murat Theatre - Indianapolis, IN

September 16 - Massey Hall - Toronto, ONT

September 17 - Massey Hall - Toronto, ONT

September 18 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC

September 20 - Wang Theatre - Boston, MA

September 22 - Central Park Summerstage - New York, NY

September 25 - Merriweather Post Pavilion - Columbia, MD

September 27 - Raleigh Amphitheater - Raleigh, NC

September 28 - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Ctr - Atlanta, GA

September 29 - Cobb Energy Performing Arts Ctr - Atlanta, GA

October 1 - The Ryman - Nashville, TN

October 2 - The Ryman - Nashville, TN

October 4 - Peabody Opera House - St. Louis, MO

October 5 - Overture Hall - Madison, WI

Solid Sound audio highlights - new Wilco songs, collaborations

A wet weekend couldn't dampen the spirits of the Wilco faithful that headed to North Adams MA for the second annual Solid Sound Festival.  Wilco's two headlining sets totaled about 5 hours of music with almost no overlap - including almost 50 different songs, a few world premiers and one-off collaborations.  After I fully dry out, both full sets will be posted in their entirety - check back soon.  Until then, here are some of the many highlights...

I Love My Label (Nick Lowe cover)
I Might (new)
Dawned On Me (new - live debut)
Unknown (new - live debut)
You Never Know (with Liam Finn)
Born Alone (new)
California Stars (with Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion)
Whole Love (new)
I Got You (Split Enz cover, with Neil Finn)

Complete 6.24 recording here

VV Heads to Wilco's Solid Sound Festival 2011

Last year's inaugural Solid Sound experiment was one of the most well-organized festivals I've ever been to.  It was obvious that the band took an active role not only in curating the performances and exhibits, but in the minor details that really make or break the festival experience.  It was clearly a success for the band and the town of North Adams, and lucky for us Wilco decided to do it again.  The band that will forever be linked to Chicago is starting to put down roots in Western Mass - and that's just fine with me.  Follow @visiblevoicebos on Twitter for live updates/photos and check back for a full post-festival wrap-up!

Magazine Called Sunset - LIVE at Solid Sound 2010

Pearl And The Beard Added to Newport Nightcap Lineup!

I'm ecstatic to announce that Brooklyn's Pearl And The Beard has joined the bill for the inaugural Newport Nightcap, joining Kingsley Flood and Swear and Shake for what is going to be an incredible night of music in downtown Newport.  If you know Pearl And The Beard, then you know exactly why I'm so excited.  If you don't know them...get ready to be blown away.  Gorgeous songs that featured layered three-part vocals, cello, glockenspiel, percussion and a folky acoustic guitar foundation, not to mention they put on the most fun live show you'll ever see.  Their recent LP Killing the Darlings is one of my favorite releases of 2011 so far.

Pearl And The Beard - Reverend

For those that are late to the party, Visible Voice and Kitchen Sessions are hosting an (unofficial) Newport Folk Afterparty on Saturday July 30 -- after Newport Folk ends, we're moving the party downtown.  From 7-9pm upstairs at the Gas Lamp Grille will feature food, ice cold drinks (cheap cold Narragansett on tap!) and intimate acoustic sets from Pearl & The Beard (and more to be announced).  Once the sun goes down we'll heat things back up downstairs with live sets from NYC's Swear and Shake and Boston's Kingsley Flood.  Admission is just $5 at the door, or reserve a guest list spot now for $10.  

"WHY SHOULD I SPEND AN EXTRA $5 FOR ADVANCE TICKETS?"

The Gas Lamp Grille holds 200 people max. 10,000 ravenous music fans will be at Newport Folk.  You do the math.  Grabbing a $10 ticket now guarantees your spot, you can show up whenever you want, plus we'll throw in some extra goodies.  Advance tickets are limited  RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW

For more updates, follow Newport Nightcap on Facebook

Paleo - "Holly Would"

Paleo's "Holly Would" has the carefree tossed-off feel you might expect from David Strackany, a songwriter that once wrote 356 songs in as many days.  A loose campfire strummer that winks and rhymes its way into your subconscious - I've had the playful "Holly would" hook ricocheting off the inside of my skull for days.

I've only spent enough time with Paleo's new LP Fruit of the Spirit to know that I dig it.  Songs range from sloppy, stomping rockers to island jams featuring steel drums to hushed piano ballads.  I have a feeling I'll be coming back to these songs over the coming months, but "Holly Would" will undoubtedly be a fixture of my summer listening.  Grab "Holly Would" below for free, then head to Amazon to get the rest for just $5.99.

Paleo - Holly Would

RIP Clarence Clemons

More than "The Big Man", Clarence Clemons was the heart and soul of the E Street Band.  His saxophone helped define the band's early, jazzier sound as well as the roaring anthems for which he is best known.  The Big Man stood side-by-side with Bruce Springsteen for nearly 40 years as a bandmate, friend and onstage foil.  The music world has lost an icon.

Paradise By The "C"
Jungleland

New music: Army Navy - Ode to Janice Melt

I'm not as much of an eMusic fanboy as I was in the days of 25 cent downloads and indie-focused roster, but I'm still a member and always look forward to new entries in the eMusic Selects program.  With alumni like Rural Alberta Advantage, Strand of Oaks and Best Coast, they've got a pretty good track record. 

The newest entry is Army Navy's The Last Place, breezy guitar-driven power-pop that follows the bloodline from The Hollies to The Raspberries to REM and beyond.  "Ode to Janice Melt" is a perfect slice of pure pop goodness that hits all the expected bases:  hook-filled melody, twinkling piano, and plenty of head-bob singalong "ohhs", "ahhs" and "la la las".

Check it out below, and i highly suggest you head to eMusic to grab the rest for the low price of $5...

Army Navy - Ode to Janice Melt

Get to know Swear and Shake

When I made the trip down to Connecticut for the B.O.M.B. Festival a few weeks ago, there were plenty of bands on my list to check out.  David Wax Museum, The Felice Brothers, Real Estate, Woods, Titus Andronicus...the list goes on.  One band that wasn't on my radar was NYC's Swear and Shake.  However, as I found myself traversing the corporate confines of the Comcast Center on my way to see Wavves on the main stage, my ears redirected me to a side stage where Swear and Shake were playing a set of gorgeous indie folk.  Lush vocals from Kari Spieler and Adam McHeffey, great songs and a sound that ranges from bouncy indie-pop to smokey soul-tinged folk.  There was a lot to like and I was hooked instantly.  As soon as I got home I grabbed their free EP and that's when I knew they were for real - highly recommend checking it out.  There's a reason this band is playing festivals all over New England, get on the bandwagon now.

We're ecstatic to announce that Swear and Shake will be playing Newport Nightcap, the (unofficial) Newport Folk afterparty we're throwing with Kitchen Sessions on July 30th in Newport RI.  Don't miss the chance to see these guys live, along with Kingsley Flood and more bands TBA.  If you're going to Newport Folk, reserve a guest list spot for just $10.

Swear and Shake - Bones