NYC 2012 Food Film Fest - Totally Delicious

The New York City Food Film Festival Food Porn Party celebrated its sixth anniversary Saturday night in New York’s East Village. The event kicked off with a pre-party at the AMC Lowes Village 7 and was complete with yet another impressive assortment of hand-crafted recipes, wines, and a rather stellar beer cocktail bar. Warsteiner supplied three award-winning brews, while Frei Brothers (who also had a film screened) showcased some of their best wines. Jarlsberg cheese laid out a smattering of delicious samples, and Fresh Ginger Ginger Ale brought new flavors to the table.

Festival director George Motz opened the night’s festivities (after a few brief technical difficulties) with Cat Greenleaf, who offered witty banter as they divvied out the year’s film awards to kick the night off. From there, the films opened with Larry Cauldwell (the Food Porn star) and his cocktail creation, The Zimlet (the name of both his drink, which was served, and an accompanying film). Larry emerged from the crowd donning his “SnugWow” (a Snuggie made from ShamWows) and swearing by the erotic powers of Zima. As his handcrafted cocktail made its way through the theater, the remaining films captured various forms of cuisine with music and flare.

There were 12 films in all, including an artistic and interpretive look at hunger (Bon Appétit), the joys of doughnuts (The Benevolent Baker), and the angst of a dog longing for food (Dog East Dream). Jason Lam, director of last year’s popular Turtle Burger, returned with lessons in frying Tofurky while wearing Transformers masks (Deep-Fried Tofurky), and Dirt Candy asserted that tomatoes are our enemy but mushrooms are our friend in Vegetables: Friend or Foe? The screening wrapped up with live performance by The Sundelles and burlesque show.

As moviegoers sat in the theater they sampled Lam’s Tofurky, homemade Vietnamese coffee, bacon-wrapped steak, and Frei’s wine. They were the perfect appetizers to all who waited for the after-party. Saxon and Parole, Dirt Candy, The Brooklyn Star, and Top Pot Doughnut were among the featured restaurants, and their offerings supplied a well-rounded and mouth-watering menu. Everything from grilled cheese and tomato cakes, to doughnuts and fried pig tails could be found, and attendees didn’t waste any time digging in.

The night was a food lover’s (and Snuggie enthusiast’s) dream. Despite a change in venue (last year, Tribeca Cinemas hosted the entire festival), the production and passion for food and film was not lacking. Saturday night marked fourth day of a festival brimming with innovative recipes and immensely talented chefs and filmmakers.

Once again the Food Film Fest crew created something that was mouthwatering, but also edgy, fun, and more than a little bad ass.

Originally published in Verbicide Magazine.

Soundgarden Returns!

Get ready, because the seminal genre of grunge may be clawing its way back into the music scene.

After more than a decade Soundgarden, the Seattle based grunge icons are reuniting.  The quartet has just released their newest album in fifteen years and its a project of growth, change, reunion, and new terrain. The album draws on much of the groups original sound but marks a clear departure from those early years. If you loved the gritty vocals of Chris Cornell and heavy bass of Ben Shepherd, then you'll want to pick up King Animal and get reunited.

Check out Chris Cornell's interview on All Things Considered.

Kelli Scarr: "Dangling Teeth" Review

Kelli Scarr channels the wispy, melancholy ballads that seem to ooze the country persona on her new album Dangling Teeth. Twangy guitar notes, lovelorn anthems, and images of rolling hills and days gone by create an album that is a departure from the artist’s earlier works. Here she embarks on something new, full of purpose and conviction.

Tracks like “You Could Be So Great” and “Trouble” are reminiscent of  the likes of Patti Smith and Rickie Lee Jones, but in a way that still maintains a surprising level of individuality. Scarr’s voice is the powerhouse behind the album, the addictively driving factor that hooks listeners with an utterly satisfying grip. Smooth and sultry, she croons each lyric with an undeniable grace, and pairs it with simple, ambling guitar chords and minimalist snare drums. The album’s title track, “Dangling Teeth,” evokes images of starry nights and youthful hope, and is the perfect companion to the coming summer months.

Dangling Teeth marks significant growth and evolution in Scarr’s music. The California native has always had a winning charm and an irrefuitable knack for brilliant musical composition. The new territory she is charting is utterly enjoyable and addictive.

*Originally published in Verbicide Magazine

Craig Finn: "Clear Heart Full Eyes" Review

Craig Finn has spent years mesmerizing listeners with his scratchy and imperfectly wonderful vocals as the lead singer of The Hold Steady. But now, the seasoned musician is breaking out on his own with a solo album, Clear Heart Full Eyes, and it is brimming with the deep emotions that seem to run through his veins. The project seems to be the culmination of a change in sound, purpose, and a softening of what were once gritty and jagged indie rock edges.

Clear Heart Full Eyes takes a subdued approach to weaving tales of life experiences. The intensity has been dialed down, and there is a deeper introspection to each composition. The typically fast guitar riffs and pulsating percussion with which Finn has often been associated has taken a back seat here to something very different. “Terrified Eyes” and “New Friend Jesus” boast more laid back and roots Americana vibes, ambling on toward their respective conclusions. “Western Pier” has a moody tone, while “When No One’s Watching” exists with consciously constrained guitar progressions and low-key melodies. Brooding emotion, dark sentiment, and moments of intense religious introspection blend together to create interconnected stories of imaginative characters and truthful plotlines.

Finn’s debut solo release is not The Hold Steady. It has nothing to do with the bar scene indie rock band he is known for. It is an evolution of his artistry, and a determined decision not to sound like his projects from the past. Clear Heart Full Eyes is a storyteller’s journey, a world that is evocative yet specific, and a demonstration of the vast expanse of Finn’s talent.

Originally published in Verbicide Magazine

Edwared Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros: "Man On Fire"

Come dance with me
Over murder and pain
Come and set you free
Over heartache and shame

Edward Sharpe and his gang have done it again. Get up, dance, sing, enjoy.

John Paul Keith: "The Man That Time Forgot" Review

John Paul Keith is a singer/songwriter who often times seems to blend into the background. Many of his works have a generic tone to them and do little to dazzle. At first listen, his latest album, The Man That Time Forgot sounds as if it might fit this mold. It seems a bit hokey and a bit overdone. However as it progresses and you settle into his style of play it becomes evident hat it is is anything but generic. Seeming to burst out of obscurity are catchy hooks, well crafted melodies, intricate compositions, and passion.

Keith has a unique knack for weaving together a variety of styles and incorporating a revivalist tone that is updated and intoxicating. “You Devil You” blends old timey piano notes with sharp snare drum beats and smooth vocals creating a western tune with 21^st century flare. “I Think I Fell In Love Today” is a1950s beach pop track. The organ notes make you want to shimmy your shoulders as Keith sweetly sings “then she stopped to say hello/ why couldn’t she just go”.

He ups the anti with “Dry County” it is an incessantly fast and driving track fueled by emotion and wonderful guitar hooks. This is a track that will grab you and never let go. The album’s title track is beautifully haunting. Slow moving and soulful with hints of Memphis, it is a contemplative tune. Smart lyrics and a desperate melancholia settle into a sense of longing that is truly poignant. The album ends on “The Last Last Call” a twang-y southern drinking song that against all odds manages to pique interest and bring the album to an utterly enjoyable end.

The Man That Time Forgot is an album full of surprises. In the initial stages as you prepare to write it off completely it suddenly comes alive with originality, creativity, and charm. There is a little bit of something for everyone – blues, gospel, country, rock, and Americana. It isn’t always easy to combine so many genres, but Keith makes it work, in a really great way. Give the album a shot, you won’t be disappointed.

Spirit Family Reunion - Lizard Lounge, Cambridge M.A. 8/3/2012 Preview

Brooklyn's exuberant, feisty, and incredibly talented folk group Spirit Family Reunion is hitting the stage at Lizard Lounge in Cambridge THURSDAY 8/2 and you'd better be there. These musicians, aren't just playing fiddles, banjos and the washboard, they're playing the hell out of em.

These six individuals have mastered the art of folk music, drawing on its twangy, emotional and devilishly quick roots. They've also found a way to bring this music out of Appalachia and into the heart of a metropolis while still preserving everything that makes the genre so wonderful. They demonstrate an ability to play intricate adn rapidly progressing chords, weave beautifully detailed stories and master any instrument put in front of them.

In short, these guys are good damn good. They recently gave a whirlwind and intoxcating performance at this year's Newport Folk Festival, becoming the talk of the weekend and are now making their way further north to grace the great city of Boston/Cambridge with their presence. So, if you're looking for a Thursday night hangout, for something exciting and enlightening to do, get over to Lizard Lounge and check these guys out. You won't be disappointed.

Doors open at 8PM and the show kicks off at 9PM.

Concert Details:
Where: Lizard Lounge - Cambridge, M.A.
When: Thursday 8/3 9PM
Cost: $12

Photos from Newport Folk Festival 2012!

Newport Folk Festival Starts TODAY!

Well ladies and gentlemen, the day you've been waiting for has arrived, Newport Folk Festival is finally here. The weekend of music kicks off today at 4PM when  the gates to Fort Adams State Park will open and usher in Wilco, Blitzen Trapper and Megafaun for an evening of excellent music!

Something important to keep in mind, if you've bought weekend festival tickets, they will NOT get you into tonight's festivities. Not to worry though, there are still tickets on sale! The box office opens at 3PM and $45 gets you into the show!

All the details you need to know about tonight are HERE

To help you get ready for tonight here are a few tracks from the bands that will be supplying your ears with a medley of excellence.

Wilco - Summer Teeth
Megafaun - State/Meant
Blitzen Trapper - Furr

The rest of the weekend's line up can be found HERE.

Newport Folk Festival 2012 Preview

The Newport Folk Festival is almost upon us! The festival is in its 53^rd year and will once again be a can't miss event. NFF began in 1959, founded by George Wein and since its inception has attracted concert-goers from across the world and showcased an exceptional array of artists.

This year will be no different. The festival is once again providing an expansive line up of talented musicians. This year’s docket boasts  names like My Morning Jacket, Rodriguez, Graverobbers, The Head and the Heart, tUnE-yArDs, Iron & Wine, Punch Brothers, Color and City and Jackson Browne, to name a few.  

The festival kicks off THIS Friday night with an exclusive performance by Wilco, Blitzen Trapper, and Megafaun. Gates open at 10AM on Saturday and this year the NFF gang has four stages they'll be packing with music. The addition of the Museum stage will give patrons a more intimate concert experience and a chance to see some lesser know acts display their talents.

Saturday night will be headlined by My Morning Jacket and Sunday by Jackson Browne, respectively.

In typical NFF fashion, the show has sold out! But not to worry, if you didn’t manage to get yourself a ticket, NPR Music will be providing, live streaming coverage of the festivities and Performer Magazine will have a full re-cap in the September issue.

If you feel the need to satiate your cravings for fine folk music, head on over to NPR Music now to check out their NFF Music Preview. If you’re not already raring to go, you will be!

Photos from Best Coast - The Royale Boston, M.A. 7/18/12

 Best Coast took the stage at The Royale in Boston Thursday night and gave a packed out house 90 minutes of hazey, summery indie pop music dripping in emotional revelation and introspection. Lead singer Bethany Cosentino crooned sentiments of broken hearts, toxic relationships and longing in a way that hypnotized audience members and left them begging for more. It was an impressive and energy packed performance. Check out Verbicide Magazine for a full length feature.

Sea Wolf: "Old World Romance" Review

 
SeaWolf has returned! Fans have been craving Alex Brown Church’s re-emergence since the release of White Water White Bloom and they can now rest easy. With haunting melodies and seductive vocals comes the band’s third full-length release, Old World Romance and it is as brooding and poignant as ever. Complete with elegant full-band arrangements, his latest album retains the darker imagery of previous works while honing in on the idea of reconnecting with the past.

The album opens with an airy melody on “Old Friend”, a minimalist and melancholy ballad for the past. Here, Church’s vocals are given the opportunity to shine and once again, the fragility of his voice remains the heart of his work. The fast paced and buoyant track, “In Nothing”, driven by rapidly plucked guitar chords keeps things moving along in an atmosphere of bittersweet romance and promise.

There is a strong blend of gently flowing and decidedly driving tracks. “Miracle Cure” and “Saint Catherine St.” pack a burst of energy and weave well dictated tales of rediscovery while “Blue Stockings” dials down the tempo with a softer melody and more dreamlike sound. “Priscilla” and “Whirlpool” are introspective moments reminiscent of his previous works that seem to embody a desire to reach out to an old friend and ask for forgiveness.

Old World Romance is a beautiful album, dark and thoughtful but with bright moments of hope and acceptance. While it remains in the same vein of Church’s past works, it marks a clear progression, a return to the Sea Wolf he always intended to be. He once again draws on his own personal experiences and relationships, but with the introduction of more complex compositions and a full-band creates additional layers of sound and texture that serve only to highlight his vocals and exceptional lyricism.

While you're waiting for the album to release (9/11/2012) check out "Old Friend" HERE.

Craft Spells: "Idle Labor" Review

Craft Spell’s 2011 debut release, Idle Labor is an airy, dreamy, synth-pop adventure into hazy summer days and carefree nights of youthful, if not naive romance. Justin Vallesteros is Craft Spells and his brooding longing for love is shared through a wash of 1980’s esque broken heart ballads. The album functions as a diary of sorts. It seems to track Vallesteros’ romantic escapades and failings, his rock bottom moments and ascents back into love’s warm embrace in a boiled down, condensed project.

 Despite the seemingly cookie cutter themes, Idle Labor is enjoyable. The pop-y harmonies create enticing hooks that are driven more with dancing in mind than lyricism. His softening of sound and use of various instrumental techniques is paramount on tracks such as “After the Moment” and “From the Morning Heat” both of which evoke images of daydreaming and twilight. From start of finish it is an easy listen, even during Vallesteros’ moments of darker introspection. The percussion steadily pulses throughout the album with rudimentary drum machines and manipulated sounds. “Scandinavian Crush” is a pleading request to see each other again while “You Should Close the Door” serves as a scratchy b-side moment of desire.  

Vallesteros hasn’t produced anything new here. He’s playing with themes and subjects every artist has delved into and yet, he’s managed to create something that, if nothing else fits perfectly into these long and sprawling summer days. His combination of pop, indie and synth establishes a sound that seems to imply hasting processing of emotions but it is both beautiful and promising. Idle Labor is an album about love; about its pitfalls, its dramatic highs and lows, and Vallesteros’ attempt at precociously overcoming it all. 

Larry and His Flask Interview

Larry and His Flask are a group of fun guys who simply love music and performing. Since the band’s inception in 2003, they’ve been on quite the journey to become the talented and engaging musicians they are today.

Hailing from the mountain town of Bend, Oregon, Larry and His Flask have created a sound that, according to them, can be described as folk rock…or maybe it’s hardcore Americana — or possibly “Americore”…? Regardless of what you call it, one thing is clear: they have an intense passion for creating music and have no intention of giving that up anytime soon. Larry and His Flask started as a punk band, became a roadside busking acoustic act with more than 10 members, and slowly morphed into their current incarnation. Here's what they have to say on their evolution, their sound, their style, and what they want to do next.

First, how did Larry and His Flask come to be?
Jeshua: In 2003 I was working as a janitor, and I decided I wanted to retire from that career and just do music. I was 21 at the time, and that’s pretty much how it started. It was my ridiculous idea that no 20-year-old should be a janitor, which made sense to me. I wanted to be in a rock band so we started Larry and His Flask and a lot of people actually thought it was a good idea so we just went with it. In all honesty though, we also wanted to get into shows for free, and we thought, Why not make our own band so we can?

How has the band evolved since its start?
Ian: It has been a weird road. We started as a three-piece punk rock band, and it evolved from there. We spent four or five years as a punk band and did a few tours, but in the summer of 2011 did Canadian tour. When we came back, our drummer quit and we didn’t know what to do. We had to get a new one and so we started to think about breaking things down.

Jesse: We started playing on the streets, at open mic nights, in bars — really anywhere that would have us. The band changed a lot. At one point we had 11 or 13 members. We had an accordion, a cello, a fiddle, two lead guitarists — it was crazy. We played in our hometown of Bend and did a few short preliminary tours wherever we could.

What prompted you to start returning to your punk roots?
Ian: I think it was inevitable that we would go back to punk. It was a big part of what we did and what we will always do. Its part of who we are and it crept back in unknowingly.

Jamin: There was also a need for volume and a wanting to be as loud as possible. I mean, enough crowds talk over your sets and you realize something needs to change. For a long time I had hard time keeping a beat. I’d have this image of a crazy girl in my head with a tambourine keeping the beat. We wanted (and sort of needed) to be louder than everyone.

There’s ferocity to your style of play, and I’d venture to say you can’t be pigeonholed into one genre. So how would you describe your sound?
Ian: I guess that folk punk would be the most accurate and bland description.

Jamin: Maybe hardcore Americana? Oh, or “Americore.”

Your new album, All That We Know, came out in July and has been a hit. What is the album about, and where did its inspiration come from?
Ian: It’s a big jumble of old and new songs that spans five years. I had started writing when we were still electric, and then when we became acoustic. The title sums up the fact that those songs are all that we know: music, playing shows, and traveling is what we know and what we prefer to do.

Ian: Inspiration-wise it is from across the board. The songs draw on everything from current affairs to politics, to what you had for dinner the other night. It could be stories from a house party or concert; anything that crops up, really.

Can you break down your creative process for me? A lot of time there seems to be a ringleader, but how do you guys approach making an album?
Ian: I would say we are mostly collaborative. Basically, whoever writes the song brings it to the table and then we’ll work it out together. [A song] doesn’t come into its whole life until we all put our artistic and signature styles on it. The song really changes when we all start practicing it, that’s when it takes on a new life. Basically, it sort of starts with one person and then goes through a filter — the band — and comes out the other side as something new.

How has Oregon influenced your style of play? Do you have many mandolin and banjo counterparts out there?
Ian: Not really. I wouldn’t say our instrumentation or choice of instrument was influenced by the area — not at all actually. There was a punk rock scene when we were growing up, but not really a bluegrass one. [Our instrumentation] was influenced by past musicians, the genres of bluegrass, old folk, and historic music. I mean scenery helps; we’re at the base of a mountain range in a really beautiful and remote place. It’s got that whole bonfire rustic feel going on. That definitely fuels the music.

Originally published in Verbicide Magazine

Summer 2012 Playlist

Sunshine, check. Hot weather, check. Warm nights, check. Good friends and adventure, check.

The only thing missing from the wonderful summer of 2012 is a good playlist. So, here you go!

SUMMER 2012 PLAYLIST:

The Go Team: "Ready to Go Steady"
LCD Soundsystem: "I Can Change"
MGMT: "Electric Feel (Justice Remix)"
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: "Dead Right (Wilmington Demo)"
The Generationals: "Ten-Twenty-Ten"
The Lumineers: "Ho Hey"
The Naked and Famous: "Young Blood"
Childish Gambino: "Heartbeat"
Devendra Banhart: "Lover"
The Avett Brothers: "Traveling Song"
The Temper Trap: "Fader"
The Walkmen: "Heartbreaker"
Say Hi To  Your Mom: "These Fangs"
Tallest Man On Earth: "The Dreamer"
Feist: "Feel It All"
Lupe Fiasco: "Around My Way (Freedom Ain't Free)"
Electric Guest: "This Head I Hold"
Youth Lagoon: "Cannons"
Craft Spells: "After the Moment"
La Sera: "Please Be My Third Eye"
Mark Ronson & The Business International: "Bang Bang Bang"
The Head and the Heart: "Rivers and Roads"
Vampire Weekend: "Run"
Sleigh Bells: "Infinity Guitars"
Two Door Cinema Club: "Something Good Can Work"
Grouplove: "Party Hard"
The Avett Brothers: "And It Spread"
Band of Horses: "Dilly"
The Arcade Fire: "Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)"
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin: "Back In The Saddle" 
Birthmark: "Shake Hands"
Sydney Wayser: "Potions"
Kings of Leon: "Manhattan"
Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah: "Same Mistake"