Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy: Cappadocia [Album Review]

Jeff Johnson & Phil Keaggy Cappadocia Ark Music [2019] Fire Note Says: Johnson’s keyboards and Keaggy’s guitars find inspiration in the dramatic terrain and musical palette of the Middle East, resulting in mysterious, lush instrumentals. Album Review: Last year, new age instrumental artist Jeff Johnson released another of his wonderful collaborations with Irish flutist Brian … Read more

Video Premiere: Jess McAvoy – “Do What You Want”

Happy Valentine’s Day Fire Note readers! Let us introduce you to the talented singer/songwriter Jess McAvoy. The video premiere today for her new song, “Do What You Want,” is the perfect play for a day where there is so much pressure to be a certain way, buy specific things and maybe even take things a bit too serious.

“Do What You Want” is about finding two people in a relationship, just for the enjoyment of each other’s company. It’s ok to live in the moment and feel good today no matter where it might eventually lead. These are great tips to remember on Valentine’s Day.

It also helps that the message comes in the form of McAvoy’s catchy bluesy vocals as “Do What You Want” sways with its guitar swagger structure. Jess really says it best when she sings “there’s only this moment, don’t you want to own it.”

Well, TFN hopes you enjoy your day and make sure you share this video with all your serious friends! If you live in the area, you can also check out Jess McAvoy live on March 1st in Los Angeles at The Study. More info on Jess McAvoy can be found at the links below.

Jess McAvoy Website
Jess McAvoy Facebook

Mike Krol: Power Chords [Album Review]

Mike Krol Power Chords Merge Records [2019] Who: LA-based Mike Krol is all about the power chords and hooks on his new LP. Sound: Power Chords is a delightful balancing act of garage rock, fuzz , power pop and earnest lyrics. TFN Final Take: Power Chords is the first Mike Krol album I have heard. … Read more

Weezer – “Take On Me” [Video]

Weezer have released a music video for their cover of “Take On Me” from their latest hit album, Weezer (The Teal Album), taking a trip back to the 1980s paying tribute to the original music video by a-ha. The video stars up-and-coming band Calpurnia — fronted by mega Weezer fan Finn Wolfhard of Stranger Things fame.

In two weeks, Weezer will be returning to the road with Pixies this spring for a run of highly anticipated North American arena dates, including a recently announced headlining stop at New York City’s prestigious Madison Square Garden with special guests TV On The Radio. They will then hit Coachella’s Main Stage before heading to Europe for a number of dates and festivals. Tour dates are below.

2019 U.S. TOUR DATES:
3/8/19 Louisville, KY @ KFC Yum! Center
3/10/19 Columbia, SC @ Colonial Life Arena
3/12/19 New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden
3/13/19 Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre
3/14/19 Albany, NY @ Times Union Center
3/16/19 Mashantucket, CT @ Foxwoods Resort Casino
3/17/19 Baltimore, MD @ Royal Farms Arena
3/19/19 Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center
3/20/19 Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
3/22/19 Memphis, TN @ FedEx Forum
3/24/19 St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center
3/26/19 Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center
3/27/19 Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
3/28/19 Des Moines, IA @ Wells Fargo Arena
3/30/19 St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center
3/31/19 Madison, WI @ Alliant Energy Center
4/5/19 Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Arena
4/6/19 Portland, OR @ Moda Center
4/7/19 Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena
4/9/19 Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center
4/10/19 Oakland, CA @ Oracle Arena
4/12/19 Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Event Center
4/13/19 Indio, CA @ Coachella
4/20/19 Indio, CA @ Coachella

INTERNATIONAL TOUR DATES (SUPPORT TBD):
29 June London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
2 July Hamburg, DE @ Stadtpark
4 July Utrecht, HL @ Tivoli Vredenburg
7 July Bologna, Italy @ Sonic Park
8 July Zurich, CH @ Xtra

The Dandy Warhols: Why You So Crazy [Album Review]

The Dandy Warhols Why You So Crazy Dine Alone Records [2019] Who: The release of their 10th studio album sees The Dandy Warhols also celebrating 25 years of being a band. Sound: Alternative power pop band at its core but later years have brought plenty of synth pop and art to their albums. TFN Final … Read more

Crane Like The Bird: Crane Like The Bird [Album Review]

Crane Like The Bird Crane Like The Bird Self-Released [2019] Album Review: Crane Like The Bird is the brain-child of drummer and songwriter Kyle Crane, who has collaborated with folk like Neko Case, M. Ward, and Kurt Vile, and worked as the drum double for the young jazz drummer in the movie “Whiplash.” On this … Read more

Helenor – “Artifact” [Video]

Helenor, the project of David DiAngelis, has just released a new video for “Artifact.” With its artful synchronized swimming and subjects that blend in with their surroundings, the video and bright indie rock juxtapose well with frigid winter temperatures. DiAngelis both stars and co-directed the video for “Artifact,” bringing his talents and passion for visual arts to his newfound musical project.

Yak – “Fried” [Video]

London trio Yak have shared the video for “Fried” from their their sophomore album Pursuit of Momentary Happiness, which is out tomorrow via Third Man Records / Virgin EMI. The video, which features frontman Oli Burslem as the co-host of a demented faux cooking show. In fact, we may not be able to eat fried chicken for awhile after this show!

The creation of Pursuit of Momentary Happiness saw frontman Oli Burslem stand on the precipice between obsession and self-destruction. He sacrificed everything for his artistic vision, including his own financial security and mental health. Who invests every last penny into recording, to the point where they become homeless?

Yak had blazed a trail through the indie rock scene with their debut album Alas Salvation and ended that era of their career with a landmark show at London’s Scala. Burslem and drummer Elliot Rawson were eager to make a second record, but bassist Andy Jones departed for a new life in Australia. A chance meeting with Jay Watson from Tame Impala’s touring band resulted in Burslem hatching a plan to rehearse together in Melbourne before quickly recording the album at Tame mainman Kevin Parker’s studio in Perth — with Burslem stopping in Tokyo to focus on writing.

It didn’t work out. Burslem returned to the UK with no home, no money and no album. 18 hazy months passed, during which Yak found their new bassist Vinny Davies and then a fresh focus. Yak were introduced to Spiritualized chief Jason Pierce through his bandmate John Coxon, and Pierce encouraged them that they still had something worth pursuing. That resulted in new deals with Third Man Records and Virgin EMI, and Burslem committed to sorting out his personal situation… just as soon as he’d finished the album.

The Neal Morse Band: The Great Adventure [Album Review]

The Neal Morse Band The Great Adventure Radiant Records [2019] Fire Note Says: American Prog warriors unleash sequel to 2016’s The Similitude Of A Dream in convincing fashion. Album Review: Prog is a tough sell and, especially in the US, the market for it is extremely limited. There are, however, a few brave artists who … Read more

Charly Bliss – “Capacity” [Video]

NYC’s Charly Bliss return with their sophomore album, Young Enough, out May 10 via Barsuk Records. This video for its lead single “Capacity” is the first taste of new material.

Charly Bliss’ Eva Hendricks says “‘Capacity’ is a song about wanting to kill your inner people-pleaser, and Michelle beautifully presented a parallel concept, which warns of the perils of getting swept up in other people’s bullshit.”

Video director Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast, says: “Charly Bliss has always made great narrative music videos, so I wanted to stay in line with that tradition and take advantage of working with a band that are all such great, funny actors individually. I was watching a lot of heist movies at the time, and I thought a sort of post-heist fall out between friends was the perfect setting for this song about reaching your limit with someone. Eva had an amazing mood board she brought to the table with references to Paris, Texas, Five Easy Pieces and Badlands so it was important for us to showcase a warm, 70’s colour palette.”

Additionally, Charly Bliss has announced some tour dates including an east coast run in March and a European run in May. All dates below.

TOUR DATES:
2/22 – Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse
2/23 – Portland, ME @ Port City Music Hall
2/24 – Burtlington, VT @Higher Ground
3/7 – Kingston, NY @ BSP Kingston
3/8 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Wonder Bar
3/9 – Norfolk, VA @ Toast
3/10 – Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
3/13-16 – Austin, TX @ SXSW
5/3 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Cinetol
5/4 – Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang
5/5 – Berlin, Germany @ Cassiopeia
5/7 – Paris, France @ La Boule Noire
5/9 – Manchester, UK @ Night People
5/10 – Leeds, UK @ Headrow House
5/13 – London, UK @ Oslo
7/26 – Montreal, QC @ Montreal 77

Flat Worms: Into The Iris [Album Review]

Flat Worms Into The Iris Drag City/GOD? Records [2019] Who: LA-based noise punk trio, Flat Worms are poised to take over the world, or at least what you are listening to. Sound: Into the Iris see the Flat Worms sharpen their hooks and keeping things lean with a very accessible and aggressive noise pop hybrid. … Read more

Video Premiere: A Delicate Motor – “Man On Fire”

A Delicate Motor is the sound composition project of Cincinnati Ohio native Adam Petersen. Originally a solo, loop-based songwriting effort from Petersen, A Delicate Motor now consists of drummer / producer Ben Sloan (WHY?, Lazy Heart, Naytronix), guitarist / bassist Stephen Patota (The Happy Maladies, Lazy Heart, Naytronix), vocalist Libby Landis, vocalist / guitarist Brianna Kelly (Soften) and vocalist / pianist Rachel Mousie. This ensemble released their latest full length, Fellover My Own, mid last year on SofaBurn Records.

In today’s TFN video premiere, you get to enjoy A Delicate Motor’s artistic vision in single “Man On Fire.” You can see how all of their talents join together to create their unified sound while still having a focus on individualized components. The track is a wave of note perfect intensity that has a multitude of sonic peaks. Before you check out the video make sure to read below what Petersen had to say about “Man On Fire.”

“Man On Fire derives from living experience, from inward turmoil. It is a sober acknowledgement of how raw emotional reaction can reveal the ugly shadow being within each of us. This piece reminds me to be patient and gentle with the shadow, the inner child, whom although he sometimes flares, needs to be held and loved. “I find it colder than a man on fire making stupid faces. Pardon my explicative guile, I’ll shut me down for a little while.” – Adam Petersen

If you like what hear make sure to head on over to SofaBurn and pick up a physical copy of Fellover My Own.

A Delicate Motor Website
A Delicate Motor Facebook
SofaBurn Records

Cherry Glazerr: Stuffed & Ready [Album Review]

Cherry Glazerr Stuffed & Ready Secretly Canadian [2019] Who: Stuffed & Ready follows Cherry Glazerr’s Secretly Canadian debut Apocalipstick (2017), an album that saw a young band grow with plenty of indie cred that included earlier releases on Burger and Suicide Squeeze Records. The band has seen some lineup changes but is still driven by … Read more

Keuning: Prismism [Album Review]

Keuning Prismism Pretty Faithful [2019] Fire Note Says: The debut solo record from The Killers’ lead guitarist Dave Keuning is an earnest and fun ‘80s-inspired pop-rock success. Album Review: While promoting Prismism, his surprisingly sweet solo debut, The Killers’ guitarist Dave Keuning lamented of his songs, “I had shown them to the Killers, but they … Read more

Guided By Voices: Zeppelin Over China [Album Review]

Guided By Voices Zeppelin Over China GBV, Inc.[2019] Fire Note Says: Guided By Voices’ latest effort is a 32 song, double album behemoth. But is it any good? Album Review: After dedicating all of last year to the release and support of one (just one) album, the late-career masterpiece Space Gun, Robert Pollard and his … Read more

Tallies: Tallies [Album Review]

Tallies Tallies Kanine Records [2019] Fire Note Says: Fun, promising debut from Toronto band. Album Review: Coming out of Toronto in the middle of the winter, Tallies is a welcome, surprising blast of summer guitar rock. With surf rock influences like the Beach Boys, as well as Johnny Marr-inspired New Wave smoothness, Tallies melds these … Read more

Martha – “Love Keeps Kicking” [Video]

Martha have announced details of their brand new album Love Keeps Kicking, out April 5th via Dirtnap Records in North America and Big Scary Monsters across the pond. The third full-length is considered by the band a celebration in the face of heartache, told through 11 career best anthems.

Along with the album announcement, Martha has a new tongue-in-cheek video for the title track which is
a homage to 50s alien invasion movies.

Of the video, directors Ben Epstein and David Combs said: “We wanted to do an old sci-fi alien invasion pastiche and create a threat that no one can outrun, because as the song implies, at some point or another, we all feel the harsh sting of heartbreak. And what better metaphor is there for the inevitability of a broken heart than the swift kick of a giant disembodied foot? It basically wrote itself.”

Martha will celebrate the release of Love Keeps Kicking with an extensive European tour, kicking of at Madrid’s Popfest on 22nd March. The tour will see the band play some of their biggest headline shows today, including a date at The Garage, London on 16th April. Full dates below. You can pre-order the Dirtnap release HERE.

Love Keeps Kicking tracklisting:
1. Heart Is Healing
2. Sight For Sore Eyes
3. Into This
4. Wrestlemania VIII
5. Mini Was A Preteen Arsonist
6. Love Keeps Kicking
7. Brutalism By The River (Arrythmia)
8. Orange Juice
9. The Void
10. Lucy Shone A Light On You
11. The Only Letter That You Kept

Tour dates:
22 – 23 March – ES – Madrid Popfest
07 April – BEL – Antwerp, Trix
08 April – DE – Bochum, Rotunde
09 April – DE – Wiesbaden, Schlachthof
10 April – DE -Köln, Sonic Ballroom
12 April – CZ – Prague – Klub 007 Strahow
13 April – DE- Alte Mälzerei, Heimspiel Festival
16 April – UK – London – The Garage
20 April – UK – Manchester – Manchester Punk Fest
26 April – UK – Bristol – Exchange
27 April – UK – Brighton – West Hill Hall
28 April – UK -Birmingham – Hare & Hounds
3 May – UK – Glasgow – Mono
5 May – UK – Leicester – Handmade Festival

Sharon Van Etten: Remind Me Tomorrow [Album Review]

Sharon Van Etten Remind Me Tomorrow Jagjaguwar [2019] Fire Note Says: Remind Me Tomorrow isn’t a total reinvention of the wheel, but it’s a welcome evolution that finds Sharon Van Etten at the top of her game. Album Review: Ever wondered what it would sound like if Arcade Fire and The National teamed up? No? … Read more

Evan’s Dilemma: Under The Sun [Album Review]

Evan’s Dilemma Under The Sun EDMojo [2018] Album Review: If you remember that the principals of Greenville, SC band, Evan’s Dilemma first played together in the early 1990’s, it’ll explain the band’s love for those great crunchy, processed guitar sounds first popularized by U2, Radiohead and the like. Of course, during one of the band’s … Read more

Hand Habits – “Can’t Calm Down” [Video]

Los Angeles-based artist, Hand Habits has shared “can’t calm down,” the latest single from their upcoming album, placeholder. Of the song, Meg Duffy says “this song took the longest lyrically for me to finish. i started it about 3 years ago and kept it in progress throughout different cycles of feeling. ‘ancestral damage’ and learned behaviors and conditioning to react/hold and place certain emotions are patterns i’m interested in taking part and understanding better. what can one do with rage? with pain? with sadness? and is it is possible to learn how to wipe away completely the knee jerk reactions to situations that are buried deep in one’s dna? and the role models that taught us how to behave, whether directly or residually…are they the ones who should be held responsible or is memory partially to blame?” The song features vocal contributions from Elizabeth Powell of Land of Talk.

Duffy, who you might recognize as a long-time member of Kevin Morby’s touring band, sounds more assured and confident than ever on their new album, placeholder, available for pre-order now HERE and due out March 1st, 2019 via Saddle Creek. Additionally, Hand Habits has announced a 2019 spring tour in support of placeholder that kicks off its US leg in March, and its European one in May. All dates below.

TOUR DATES:
3/22 – Bolinas, CA @ Bolinas Community Center >
3/23 – San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall < $ 3/25 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios % 3/26 - Seattle, WA @ Sunset Tavern % 3/29 - Salt Lake City @ Kilby Court 3/30 - Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge 4/1 - Omaha, NE @ Slowdown * 4/2 - Eau Claire, WI @ The Gallery at The Oxbow Hotel * 4/3 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry * 4/4 - Chicago, IL @ Hideout * + 4/8 - Troy, NY @ Post Contemporary Church # 4/9 - Hudson, NY @ The Half Moon Hudson # 4/10 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ^ 4/11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda's ^ 4/12 - Washington, DC @ Songbyrd DC Vinyl Lounge ^ 4/13 - Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight ^ 4/14 - Nashville, TN @ The End ^ 4/15 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl ^ 4/16 - New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa ^ 4/18 - Austin, TX @ Mohawk (Inside) ^ 4/20 - Albuquerque, NM @ Sanitary Tortilla Factory ^ 4/21 - Tucson, AZ @ Hotel Congress ^ 4/22 - Long Beach @ Living Room LBC ^ 4/26 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Bootleg ^ 5/3 - Vlieland, NL @ Here Comes The Summer Festival 5/7 - Bristol, UK @ Crofters Rights 5/8 - London, UK @ The Lexington 5/9 - Brighton, UK @ The Great Escape Festival 5/11 - Leeds, UK @ Gold Sounds Festival 5/12 - Manchester, UK @ YES 5/14 - Lille, FR @ La Bulle Cafe 5/15 - Paris, FR @ Supersonic 5/17 - Nyon, CH @ La Paranthese 5/18 - Zürich, CH @ Lauter Festival 5/20 - München, DE @ Hauskonzerte 5/21 - Jena, DE @ Trafo 5/22 - Berlin, DE @ Kantine am Berghain 5/24 - Brugge, BE Cactus Club 5/25 - Amsterdam, NL @ London Calling

> w/ Alex Bleeker
< w/ Wizard Apprentice $ w/ Stephen Steinbrink % w/ Mega Bog * w/ Tomberlin + w/ Gia Margaret # w/ Eleanor Friedberger (solo) ^ w/ Tasha

Steve Gunn: The Unseen In Between [Album Review]

Steve Gunn The Unseen In Between Matador Records [2019] Who: Guitarist/vocalist Steve Gunn is a name that probably is still unknown by many but over the last ten years he has released several highly praised solo records and collaborated with artists like Mike Cooper, Kurt Vile, and Michael Chapman (whose most recent studio album he … Read more

Durand Jones & The Indications – “Morning In America” [Video]

Durand Jones & The Indications will release their sophomore album, American Love Call, on March 1st via Dead Oceans/Colemine Records. After sharing lead single, “Don’t You Know”, the band returns with the follow-up cut: the poignant, politically charged album opener, “Morning In America”. “It’s a fraught moment in our history. ‘Morning in America’ is a song for this moment,” says the band. Penned by drummer Aaron Frazer, the band has this to say regarding the track:

The lyrics speak to how many of us feel every day in this time of political and environmental uncertainty— flitting between anger, despair, anxiety but ever returning to a sliver of hope that there’s still a path forward.

We so often divide ourselves by our differences. Acknowledging those differences is crucial; listening to those different from us is crucial. But viewed solely through that lens, we are fragmented and few. When we look at the country along economic lines, however, a different picture emerges. Suddenly people of all of colors, in every part of this country, can find themselves on the same side, united by a shared struggle to simply survive in the richest nation to ever exist.

This song was inspired by The Poor People’s Campaign, a movement started by Martin Luther King Jr. shortly before his assassination. It functions today as a nonpartisan organization that promotes intersectionality and inter-movement unity as a tool of addressing systemic injustices.

It’s accompanying video, directed by Ellie Foumbi, find’s immense inspiration in the song’s message. “It’s impossible to hear this song and not connect its message to the current political climate in America,” says Foumbi. “It makes you stop and question the ways in which our country has changed and whether we’re as far along as we should be. The themes of inequality, social and economic oppression, and the disparity between the haves and the have-nots jumped out at me. The juxtaposition between past and present, rich and poor, black and white are so prevalent in our society that it only felt right to highlight them in the video.”

You can pre-order the new album HERE. Catch the band live at the dates below!

Durand Jones & The Indications’ Tour Dates:
Wed. Jan. 23 – Paris, FR @ La Maroquinerie
Fri. Jan. 25 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso-Noord
Sun. Jan. 27 – Cologne, DE @ Artheater
Mon. Jan. 28 – Berlin, DE @ Lido
Mon. March 18 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
Tue. March 19 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
Thu. March 21 – Santa Fe, NM @ Tumbleroots
Fri. March 22 – Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom
Sat. March 23 – San Diego, CA @ Casbah — SOLD OUT
Mon. March 25 – Tustin, CA @ Marty’s On Newport — SOLD OUT
Tue. March 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom — SOLD OUT
Wed. March 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom — SOLD OUT
Thu. March 28 – Santa Barbara, CA @ SOhO Restaurant & Music Club
Fri. March 29 – Oakland, CA @ The New Parish — SOLD OUT
Sat. March 30 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent — SOLD OUT
Mon. April 1 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
Tue. April 2 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
Thu. April 4 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
Fri. April 5 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
Sat. April 6 – Kansas City, MO @ recordBar
Sun. April 7 – Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room
Tue. April 9 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Wed. April 10 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
Thu. April 11 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Fri. April 12 – Columbus, OH @ A&R Music Bar
Sat. April 13 – Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
Sun. April 14 – North Charleston, SC @ High Water Festival
Tue. April 16 – Washington, DC @ Rock & Roll Hotel
Wed. April 17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
Fri. April 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
Sat. April 20 – Uncasville, CT @ Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun Resort
Sun. April 21 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
Mon. April 22 – Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
Wed. April 24 – Cincinnati, OH @ The Woodward Theater
Fri. April 26 – Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
Sat. April 27 – Oxford, MS @ Double Decker Arts Festival
Sun. April 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
Sat. May 11 – Bloomington, IN @ Indiana University w/ Neko Case
Sun. Sep. 15 – Telluride, CO @ Blues & Brews Festival