BEN SOLLEE INTERVIEW: Strings Attached
Ben Sollee could be the holy grail of musicians. An accomplished cellist, vocalist, and storyteller, Ben's folky style of music is peppered with soul, bluegrass, jazz, and the classics. It's borderline obnoxious that so much talent be bestowed on one person and to top it all off, he's incredibly articulate, gracious, and kind. I bet less-evolved musicians hate him. Anyway, let's get to the good stuff. Ben Sollee: The Experience. Picture it. Grocery on Home, the private venue living room series hosts a four-night run of Ben Sollee and it's the final night. The art-filled living room is packed with an ...
INTERVIEW: DAVID MAYFIELD FOLKS OFF
[caption id="attachment_4430" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Concert Photography by David Oppenheimer - Performance Impressions"][/caption] The David Mayfield Parade storms on the stage with a clumsy somersault by the lead singer and namesake, David Mayfield followed by a theatrical bow. The crowd erupts with a laughter at the unexpected amusement of antics normally not associated with live folk performances. Once the band starts performing, I look around and realize that everyone's jaw has dropped to the floor. Raised in a touring family band as a child, David Mayfield was taught by his parents that entertaining a crowd was a "service." Inspired by Simon & Garfunkel and Randy ...
Goin’ to the Chapel: RadioPotato is getting hitched!
I'm getting married! Going from the quintessential single gal about town to a betrothed woman has had more twists and turns than a roller coaster at Six Flags. As I knock on the door of 37 years, I feel like I'm in the exact right spot but conversely, feel the ticking of that internal time bomb that so many women feel - did I wait too long? I met Chris on December 4, 2008. Match.com Date. His first one ever. Me? Notevenclose. On our first date at Graveyard Tavern, Chris did a shot before I got there and I told him ...
ATTWATER INTERVIEW: Country’s Rising Duo
Edgy, innovative, risk taking, and fresh. These are some words that country music's new duo Attwater's fans use to describe their music. My journalistic instincts wanted more. Edgy because Sacramento isn't exactly known to crank out country artists but ATTWATER is forming a style that hasn't been heard before. Erika Attwater's powerfully soulful belt has equal parts righteous sass and crippling vulnerability. She's got no twang in her voice but the songwriting is undeniably relatable and the fiddles cloak their music into a fresh serving of southern-tinged music. Discovered last winter by mega-producer Charlie Peacock (The Civil Wars, Switchfoot, Ten out ...
Hostess with the Mostest: Americana in the Park
There are a few unexpected milestones that I've hit in my years on this earth. Unexpected, because I'm not necessarily asking for it, but it just fortuitously fell in my lap. Here are 3 I'm quite proud of, and all documented on RadioPotato.com. 1 - I won DJ of the Year in college 2x. and SENIOR DJ of the year my final year. Was I good? HELL no! We had a 10 watt station and zero listeners. But I was passionate. For a sample of my horrendously hilarious WKNJ-FM DJ stylings circa 1993. click HERE. 2 - A PR firm reached out ...
INTERVIEW: Getting to Know AMOS LEE
When i got an e-mail requesting me to interview critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Amos Lee, first I had to make sure I didn't swerve off the road. Secondly, I had to check the credentials to make sure said e-mailer was legit. She was. I have no idea how she found me but I wasn't asking any questions. Amos Lee has been one of my favorite musicians for a long time. A soulful and well-respected artist known for his stirring lyrics, a uniquely versatile voice, and is the de facto poster boy for the soul-searching. Releasing his fourth studio album Mission Bell (Blue Note Records) this ...
Real Musicians vs. RadioPotato: The Showdown
What qualifies someone as being an expert on music? Do they have to be a musician? Do they work in the music industry? Have they banged a lot of musicians? Well, being the owner and operator of RadioPotato, I don't quite fill any of these credentials. I mean, I'm a LADY after all (and my mom reads this blog). I was asked to be an "American Idol" type judge for America's longest-running talent search Texaco COUNTRY MUSIC Showdown hosted by Kicks 101.5 - WKHX and housed at Eddie's Attic. Yup, I know what you're thinking. I've publicly declared my dislike for ...
Does Anyone Buy Albums Anymore?
"Albums are for fans. Singles are for newbies," declares Bob Lefsetz. Does anyone buy albums anymore? Well, with the exception of the minor resurgence of vinyl (thanks to Amanda Brown, lover of wine AND vinyls), it's still a novelty that ultimately, is not very portable, user-friendly, or sustainable, so not really. The world's collective ADHD is in hyper-drive and we barely have the attention span to watch YouTube videos at work, let alone have patience to take a chance on an entire album. Such...a travesty. I got to thinking about my level of frustration in my car with the thousands of songs that I ...
Matthew Mayfield Releases Album “Now You’re Free”: A Review
When asked how the music industry has evolved and how this album came about, Matthew Mayfield stated "I feel like the business of music is changing--but people's hunger for great songs has stayed the same. It's a lot harder to get people to pay for your art these days--so you need to make it better than ever and more collectible than ever. True fans want to be an experience--not just a handful of mp3s." I'm happy to report that southern singer/songwriter Matthew Mayfield's first full-length album Now You're Free (Sweet Exchange Records) is a satisfyingly rare ...
DISCOVER: Handful of Luvin’, The Interview
Seattle is beckoning me to make a pilgrimage out west. One of the main reasons is the enchantment of Seattle-based band Handful of Luvin'. Described on their website as “A rock quartet featuring a rocking classically trained violinist, Handful refers to their music as “fiddle driven roots rock,” and their cheerful blend of folk-rock, reggae and world rhythms, plus secondhand baroque and Celtic influences with catchy pop hooks, strongly recalls the vintage sound of Actual Tigers, the madness of Flogging Molly, and the moodier, more experimental side of Wilco.” Handful of Luvin' are: David John: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar Andrew Joslyn: 5 String ...
Lana Del Rey Bombs on SNL…On Purpose?
Lana Del Rey, the internet sensation touted as one of iTunes Artists to Watch in 2012 made a disastrous spectacle from her first appearance on Saturday Night Live last night. Almost immediately, legions of people have colored the internet blasting Lana’s performance, including celebrities like Juliette Lewis. Lana’s performance was stiff as a nervous school girl with erratic pitch... [Read more]
RADIOPOTATO’S TOP 5 SONGS OF JANUARY 2012: First Post of the Year!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Today is January 1, 2012. Everyone gets to wipe their slate clean and create whatever it is they want for their lives. One of my resolutions is to spend more time using my musical um, talents. Since I have no musical talents, I figured I’d share other people’s to improve your life. I know, I’m a giver. Please check out the music , VOTE for your favorite in the poll... [Read more]
BEN SOLLEE INTERVIEW: Strings Attached
Ben Sollee could be the holy grail of musicians. An accomplished cellist, vocalist, and storyteller, Ben’s folky style of music is peppered with soul, bluegrass, jazz, and the classics. It’s borderline obnoxious that so much talent be bestowed on one person and to top it all off, he’s incredibly articulate, gracious, and kind. I bet less-evolved musicians hate him. Anyway,... [Read more]
Top 10 Concerts That Will Rattle Your Insides
I feel like a drug addict. Always chasing the first high. When you go to as many concerts as I do, it’s really easy for the excitement of the shows to dim after awhile. Encores are a vapid exercise in futility. Traffic and parking is a total pain. The Ticketmaster prices and inflated fees are almost overshadowing the draw of the band and leaving more people at home. After seeing... [Read more]
Saints of Valory releases “Winter Lights” for the Holidays
Releasing holiday music is the smartest thing for a band or musical artist can do. It gets played every single year and that type of content is especially in high-demand for the 24/7 channels that play 100% holiday music all season long. Take note that so many holiday classics have been recorded over and over. For example, “Winter Wonderland” has been recorded and published by 163... [Read more]
RadioPotato’s Top 5 Fall Songs for November, 2011
The holiday season is upon us and while you are hanging your stockings and lighting your Menorah’s, you’ll need some fresh music to fill the brisk air. This is probably one of my favorite Top 5 lists as I’ve been discovering all of these mind-blowing gems tucked away just waiting to be unearthed. Be sure to VOTE for your favorite in the embedded poll below. Congrats to Three Blind... [Read more]
New Wedding Music Videos: Saying “I Do” ROCKS!
Every bride wants their wedding to be “different.” Since you invite hundreds of friends/family/acquaintances/strangers to witness your undying love for your to-be spouse, you want EVERYONE’s endorphins to be pumping and feel like they are in love, too. Reality proves that tradition usually triumphs over the desire to be different. As I’m in the throws of being Bridezilla... [Read more]
MEET: StoneRider and Kaitlin Jones (Americana in the Park)
Atlanta’s newest live music series, Americana in the Park had its series finale on 11/9/11. Held at the Park Tavern overlooking Piedmont Park, this series highlights the best music you’ve never heard. RadioPotato.com is the official host of the series and gets to introduce tomorrow’s biggest acts to you today. This week, we had power trio StoneRider do an acoustic set (that was... [Read more]
MEET: The Fiddleheads, Seven Handle Circus, and Small Ponds (Americana in the Park)
Atlanta’s newest live music series, Americana in the Park had its biggest and most rocking show of the series held on 11/2/11. Held at the Park Tavern overlooking Piedmont Park, this series highlights the best music you’ve never heard. RadioPotato.com is the official host of the series and therefore, gets to interview everyone and stream it live on Ustream or view them here! This week,... [Read more]
MEET: Jamestown Revival and Dave Daniels and the PTA (Americana in the Park)
Atlanta’s newest live music series, Americana in the Park had its ninth show of the series held on 10/26/11. Held at the Park Tavern overlooking Piedmont Park, this series highlights the best music you’ve never heard. RadioPotato.com is the official host of the series and therefore, gets to interview everyone and stream it live on Ustream or view them here! This week, we got to see one... [Read more]
