AT&T Blue Room Returns with Little Big Town

MajorWho was visited by Little Big Town, a country music vocal group on EMI, yesterday for another killer AT&T Blue Room Session. The band was a lot of fun - catchy songs and great harmonies.

We've had our fair share of country and bluegrass musicians come through the doors for Blue Room shoots, and the one thing they all have in common is their outstanding musicianship.

Little Big Town was well rehearsed, sang 4 part harmonies that were beautifully in tune with each other.

Little Big Town being interviewed in the studio

Kathleen Supove and Morgan Packard at le Poisson Rouge

(Le) Poisson Rouge translates to “the red fish” in French, and if last Tuesday was any indication, this is one classy fish. The venue takes the place of the historic Village Gate on 158 Bleecker Street, towering over smaller restaurants and tiny clubs. It’s apparent from the imposing doorway that this is far from a local mom and pop. And when one descends to the subterranean stage, the feeling only intensifies.

Morgan Packard + Joshue Ott

Morgan Packard and visual artist Joshue Ott began the night. Beginning with microscopic clicks, the set initially had more silence than sound. Morphing into ice crackles, with accompanying visuals, the performance was as focused on aesthetics as it was sonics. It concluded in spontaneous fashion, as Packard, who had been hunched over a laptop, broke out a saxophone, while Ott took an accordion. It was a startling finale: human presence in a sea of technology.


Video: Morgan Packard - Tremble (Live at Mutek 2008)
Official Site: Morgan Packard

Kathleen Supove

Kathleen Supove was a more personable figure, chatting with the crowd between songs. The centerpiece of her set, “The Other Piano,” was equally loquacious. Described as a long story told at a bar, the piece meandered at times, colored by outbursts that resembled conversational outbursts. The 37-minute composition was assisted by composer Morton Subotnik’s laptop, but the subject title was the most prominent presence. Supove’s fingers flickered across the keys, eloquently telling a cryptic tale.


Video: Kathleen Supove at (Le) Poisson Rouge (7/1/08)
Official Site: Kathleen Supove


Roland Li is a new addition to the MajorWho team. His personal blog is ÜberDrivel.

Two of my favorite artists, both of whom we're working with very closely, are performing at 9PM tomorrow (Tuesday 7/22) at two different venues. I'll just put them both out there and you can decide which one you'd want to go to if you're around and inclined.

The first is pianist Kathleen Supove at (le) Poisson Rouge. Kathy will perform THE OTHER PIANO, a large, meditative new work by Morton Subotnick, with special guest Morton Subotnick, and music from emerging New York composers Missy Mazzoli and Anna Clyne. Also appearing: Laptop artist Morgan Packard and video artist Joshue Ott.



The other show is the lovely and brilliant Paula Valstein at the Canal Room. Beautiful voice, beautiful songs, amazing vibes. Honest and inspiring songwriting and performance - 'simply mesmerizing', says me.

That's it. Take your pick. Both different. Both great. Both at 9PM.

Infamous Stringdusters, AT&T Blue Room Session

I'm recording these guys right now for the AT&T Blue Room shoot. Amazing! We've been privileged to work with so many great artists.

New Radiohead House Of Cards video

This is beautiful. 3D plotting technology.

http://code.google.com/creative/radiohead/

Kathleen Supove and Jonathan Kane at le Poisson Rouge

Happy Fourth of July!!!

le Poisson Rouge is my new favorite venue. They've done an incredible job designing a beautiful space, with a great sound system, comfortable vibe, and friendly staff. I'll be attending many more shows there.

What an amazing show this was. Supove played a program of really cool compositions that included Randall Woolf, Frederick Rzewski, and Jacob TV. Shown here is a clip of 'Same Sky' by Carolyn Yarnell. The piece features a beautiful projected video shown here in the clip.



Downtown New York city legend Jonathan Kane and his band February followed. These guys were stunning. Riffing traditional blues grooves that grew steadily into a beautiful explosion of sound. Vintage guitars and amps, and about the most amazing drummer I've seen since Buddy Rich. Hints of Velvet Underground too. Here's a clip of them performing on WFMU, my favorite radio station.

Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ

Todd Alsup and Paula Valstein enjoying a brief moment between their sets at the very classy Mattison Park. Todd and Paula both performed last weekend at the Wave Gathering Music Festival in Asbury Park. Unfortunately we don't have any shots of Alec Gross, but he assures us the video is spectacular. Everyone had great gigs and enjoyed the company of many Asbury Park locals and good friends.

Todd also performed on Sunday night at Georgie's in AP to a very enthusiastic crowd and they booked him on the spot for another gig later this summer.

Another part of the Wave Gathering Festival was a series of panel discussions. Our good friend Steve Greenwell sat on a panel to discuss recording and producing, while MajorWho's James Walsh took part in a panel on artist development with Ron Haney (Near Records), Colie Brice (AERIA Records), and Mark Swersky (The Melody Club/Sony Music Publishing). Panels were great and very informative..

Asbury Park, for all of its musical history, is still in its development stages and is undergoing a number of changes. The town is seeing a great deal of investment that will hopefully spur growth. There is a small group of dedicated people who are working hard to develop new cultural opportunities for the town - restaurants, clubs, music venues. We'll be watching closely to see how things take shape. Special thank you's go out to Gordon Brown and Scott Stamper for all their effort making MajorWho artists feel welcome.

Todd Alsup @ Billboard

Here's Todd Alsup @ Billboard for an in-studio performance and interview. Todd performed an acoustic version of "The Good Fight" (which you can hear on our jukebox to the right and on his myspace) and then gave a short interview. The footage will be available shortly on Billboard's website and we will keep you posted when they post it.

Todd wasn't the only artist that day to play the Billboard Cafe - just before we arrived English soul singer/songwriter Adele performed. If you haven't heard her, check her out. She's one of the hottest artists on one of the hottest labels (XL) right now.

Asbury Park - Wave Gathering Music Festival

MajorWho is heading to the beach this weekend for the Wave Gathering Music Festival in Asbury Park. Like MajorWho, this two year old festival is focusing its energies on emerging artists. We will have our own showcase stage at Mattison Park featuring three MajorWho artists as well as performances from a few local acts.

Mattison Park
649 Mattison Ave
Asbury Park, NJ

The MAJORWHO stage sponsored by Dropcards
Saturday June 21st, 2008

1:15pm Keith McCarthy
1:50pm Alec Gross (MajorWho)
2:30pm tba
3:05pm Paula Valstein (MajorWho)
3:45pm Todd Alsup (MajorWho)
4:30pm Beth Arentsen

Go to Asbury Park Music to vote for MajorWho artists, Todd Alsup (181), Alec Gross (3), and Paula Valstein (148).

Additional Asbury Park gigs:

Todd Alsup
June 20, 10:15 PM Twisted Tree Cafe
June 22, 10:00 PM Georgie's

Alec Gross
June 22, 1 PM Carmine's w/Arlan Feiles

Elan Vytal aka Dj Scientific

DJ Scientific is at it again this time with his new 'Life Force' EP. Check out the new video 'Feelin Like'. It's getting a great response from local djs and is being pushed to radio/satellite and internet stations across the globe.

Bojangles

While no one here at MajorWho has ever eaten at Bojangles, we are nonetheless great fans of chicken - grilled, fried, buffalo style, and even in nugget format.

If the singer of this jingle sounds familiar to you, you're not crazy. It's none other than Alec Gross.

While you're here, check out "Can't Seem To Sleep," Alec's latest, on the MajorWho reverbnation jukebox.

Alec Gross Wins AGAIN on Sirius!

Alec is triumphant once again and to the victor belong the spoils!

As a featured performer on Jim Breur's (best known for playing a goat on SNL) show on Sirius, Alec was pitted against other local performers. Listeners (who are called "the hammers") call in with their votes and the judges add theirs. Yesterday was the second time Alec has done this show and the second time that Alec won.

Alec performed a full band version of his latest song "Can't Seem To Sleep." You can hear the completed version on Alec's Myspace page.

Sirius Satellite: The best radio on radio.

From Left: Jim Breuer, Alec Gross, Pete Correale

Goatboy.

How I miss thee...