Post-Grammy's Reflections, New Music for Valentines Day and "Sons of the West"

Hey All! Hope your weekends went swimmingly and you were able to tune into the 53rd annual Grammy Awards.

If you haven't heard by now, Arcade Fire's Groundbreaking

album, The Suburbs, won Album of the Year, beating out Eminem, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Lady Antebellum. Is this perhaps a sign of the switch in overall musical trends to further incorporate indie rock into the mainstream? Will Arcade Fire's victory lead to further

indie music winners over pop artists? On this valentines day, Lady Gaga's Friday release, "Born This Way", remains at number one on the iTunes download charts, followed closely by pop/hip-hop/rap artists like Justin Beiber, Dr. Dre, Rihanna and the like. It's obviously impossible to compare genres and both do have their merits within the realm of music. However, it's very refreshing to see some of my favorite rock bands clean up so well commercially for a change. The Black Key's recent release "Tighten Up", won Best Rock Performance and the album, Brothers came away with Best Alternative Rock Album. Perhaps these were a little more predictable because the categories were not as broad. Nonetheless, I'm excited about the changing music landscape. (Frankly, I wasn't too thrilled with Lady Gaga's new single despite its decent message even though I do respect her as an artist and definitely loved The Fame Monster.)

In other news, Radiohead announced the upcoming release of their 8th studio album, The King of Limbs. Who's excited? It will be released digitally this coming Saturday in varying formats for download. The "Newspaper Album" as it is being called, will include two records, a CD, sheets of high quality album artwork, and digital versions (wav or mp3) and will be mailed out on May 9th to those who pre-order. This format is pretty different than the "pay what you want" format that In Rainbows took and aims to give fans a full, comprehensive package. What an awesome Valentine's Day gift!

Finally, onto something completely different and exciting! This past Saturday I had the awesome opportunity to meet Sons of the West, a three piece band originally from Ohio and now residing in Chicago.

I had the chance to engineer their live set at WNUR on Airplay as they jammed out, plugged their first full-length, self-titled studio album, and played in preparation for their journey to South By Southwest this year. With stunning vocals and guitar riffs by Anthony DeSanto, resembling those by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, embellishments on harmonica and keys by Nick Harris, and tight drum beats by Gregg Midon, it's hard to believe that these guys are only half way through college. Having been together since High School has given them the opportunity to really develop their sound and musical style, and I think they will be a band to watch out for this year in Austin.

Stay tuned for more!

Peace.Love.Music

Kara Ali

New Music Everywhere!

As a booking agent for Airplay on WNUR 89.3 at the Northwestern Campus, I read up on new music and peruse venue calendars like it's my job. The Kinetic Playground, The Empty Bottle, Uncommon Ground, Reggie's Rock Club, Evanston SPACE, the Metro--all places I've either played or want to play, and all places to find potential artists for Airplay.

I am especially excited when an artist I am familiar with is coming to town, and I just might get the chance to invite them into our studio for a session or an interview. This past week, I was in luck. Indie rock Singer/Songwriter Greg Laswell, who will be having a concert at Evanston SPACE on March 3rd will be walking to our studio for an interview!

I've been following this San Diego based artist since I first heard "Worthwhile" off his sophomore album, Through Toledo and went on to explore "Days Go On" and other songs off of Three Flights From Alto Nido. Just recently, I downloaded Take a Bow, his latest release from Spring 2010, which he toured with Sara Bareilles to promote. "Take Everything" was an instant favorite of mine this past summer, when I first heard it on the Adult Alternative Music Choice channel. I love the descending vocals and the showcase of Laswell's baritone gritty voice. The album is sincere and flowing from beginning to end and I plan to give it a few more listens before Laswell comes to town. I will be extremely excited to conduct an interview with him and hear him play at SPACE. Laswell is currently signed to Vanguard Records, the same label that supports the Indigo Girls, Jesca Hoop, and Matt Nathanson to name a few of my favorites.

Another awesome group that I've been following since their single, "Golden Days" off of Air Stereo, is coming to Evanston SPACE in April. The Damnwells based out of Brooklyn, will be coming to the midwest in promotion of their upcoming album, No One Listens to the Band Anymore. Front man and singer/songwriter, Alex Dezen, has been driving the group forward since its inception in 2001. The band has an interesting history, having been picked up by Epic Records, and then let go upon release of Air Stereo. Subsequently, their third album, One Last Century was released as a free download in 2009. With such an interesting history and a real passion for sharing music freely, The Damnwells are a group to keep watching. No One Listens to the Band will be their fourth studio album and perhaps the title sums up their angst and struggle as a group over the past years. The album will be released with Pledge Music to help raise money to fight AIDS, Malaria and TB. I should be back in NY on spring break around the time of their release party on March 24th at the Bowery Ballroom. I would love to make it out then and I will be lucky enough to hear an acoustic set when they come into our studio at WNUR.

Peace.Love.Music

Kara Ali

Music-Filled Tuesday Night Madness!

So two days ago, I played my first official midwest gig at Uncommon Ground downtown off the Sheridan stop on N. Clark Street. I had been asked to open for my friend, Kim Schaefer, who has a residency there for every Tuesday in February. Kim is an incredibly talented guitarist and banjo player, and her songs tell stories similar to those told by Johnny Cash and Elvis in song traditions of Nashville. Her newly released EP, Holy Roller is awesome and definitely worth a gander.

In light of last week's blizzard, Kim's friend Jake Davis also played with us, because the gig had been cancelled. Davis is a native of Nashville, where he had an awesome folk/acoustic/indie rock band called Blue Cadet Three. It was great to hear his tunes and make some awesome new musical connections. Overall, I had a wonderful time hearing other folk artists and staying cozy inside, away from the 3degree weather.

After the gig, guitar in tow, I headed over to the Kinetic Playground, where I saw Sex Fist, a four piece bluegrass band with mandolin, bass, drums, and guitar that has a Tuesday residency at the club. For a bluegrass band, they have a pretty interesting following: a combination of hippies, stoners, and jammers all out on a Tuesday night at a club that usually houses Dubstep artists and DJs. It was definitely a sight to see, and since my friend knew the mandolin player from a trip abroad, I got a chance to chat with him about the band's upcoming tour to the west coast and then to Europe. When they get back in the spring, I will likely have an opportunity to open for them, which I welcome with open arms!

A productive and fun Tuesday night.

Peace.Love.Music

-Kara Ali