Albums are completely dead.  Trends show that users are barely downloading songs nowadays, let alone buying albums. Streaming is where it’s at.  And streaming services now have their own charts, too.  Ex-music industry exec ranter Bob Lefsetz had an interesting take on the fall of the album and the trends involving Spotify, MOG, YouTube, and other streaming services.  Really, it’s all about the playlist these days.  And I don’t mean NOW That’s Music‘s 42nd compilation of overplayed radio garbage.

With the advent of Spotify and Facebook’s embedded ability to share playlists at the click of a button (not to mention the whole host of other streaming sites available), new music and raw emotions are traveling at the speed of your iPhone.

Despite how music travels, the power of a nerve-hitting collection of songs that blanket your exacting emotions is the glue that binds us to the musicians.  Inspired by a fellow blogger’s post about music that attaches to you during a pivotal time, I decided to put this homage together for some of the most deserving artists.

Here’s my list of Top 10 Earth Shaking Albums (not in any particular order).  What would be on your list?

1.  Keane – Hopes and Fears (2004) – Believe it or not, I once dated a guy who really didn’t like music – especially my music. He would tell me to be quiet when I sang and would turn music off when I had it playing.  The raw emotion of this album and Tom Chaplin’s honey-dripped melancholic voice kept me in great company while I was in an oppressing situation.  Jerk.

2. Toad the Wet Sprocket – fear (1991) I could listen to “Walk on the Ocean” and “All I Want” until the CD’s broke and never got tired of it.  The masterful assembly of this collection of songs was absolute perfection.  From the controversially chilling lyrics of “Hold her Down” to it’s contemplatively epic closer “I Will Not Take These Things for Granted,” I still drive around listening and marvel at the brilliance of this magnum opus.

3.  Bjork – Debut (1993) Wild nights at Kean College (now Kean University, ahem!) had this album playing every night in 409 Rogers Hall dorm.  It was the quintessential quirky quotient to get our Doc Martens, fishnets, and black dresses on to troll boys in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  R.I.P. Last Call Tavern.  Fun, girly, upbeat, and so different, this Icelandic princess was my musical goddess.

4.  Pink Floyd – The Division Bell (1994) Pink Floyd’s older albums are obviously more widely accepted as landmark albums and not without merit (The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon only scratch the surface of their library of genius).  These troubadours’ experimental style and legendary feuding gave the world decades of innovation and interest.  In college, I used to lay in my bed and listen to this CD on repeat for hours.  I contemplated the famed division between Roger Waters and David Gilmour in an album famous for publicly addressing their venomous feud.  Division Bell is both deep and rich with layers as it lulls along the water of life.

5.  BT – Movement in Still Life (1999) – W-A-Y before Skrillex took over Electronic Dance Music and revolutionized Dubstep, I was introduced to BT with his debut album, Ima (1995) by a British friend and was blown away by something I never thought of before – dance music being highly emotional.  Known for heavier use of melodic female vocals sung over an electronic landscape of music, BT was one of the pioneers creating his own music (he developed the stutter edit effect) instead of sampling and mixing others popularized by rap and hip-hop.  Collaborating with Paul Van Dyk, Tori Amos, Britney Spears, etc. and scoring the soundtracks to Zoolander, Monster, and  Tommy Lee’s reality show “Tommy Lee Goes To College,” BT is ultra-cool, versatile, and still under-the-radar.  Check out BT’s Wiki page.

6.  Jim Croce – Photographs & Memories Greatest Hits (1974) – The late Jim Croce has always lived under the shadow of James Taylor and Cat Stevens as one of the greatest folk singer/songwriters of all time.  Always respected, but never given the credit he deserves, Jim Croce left the world too early in a plane crash in 1973.  The timeless “Time in a Bottle” was exquisitely written for his unborn son A.J. Croce (now a musician), the lonely simple pain of “Operator,” and the Billboard #1 hit sing-a-long vibe of “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” was undeniably brilliant in its stripped and simple delivery.  I loved being obsessed with this compilation.

7.  Dave Matthews – Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)  Before Dave Matthews smoked one blunt too many and started putting out incoherent mumblings and calling them albums, Dave Matthews Band’s “Under the Table and Dreaming” was absolutely revolutionary.  Considered one of the first rock acts to incorporate horns, strings, tons of band members, and classical instruments into a new kind of jam band, this album opened people’s ears to a broader type of music.  Removing themselves from Ace of Base, Boyz II Men, and Celine Dion dominating the charts, they paved the way for a new kind of sound that has never truly been duplicated.  Back in my college days, you couldn’t get this out of my CD player if you tried.  Well, maybe Nine Inch Nails would sneak in every now and again.

8.  Lenny Kravitz – Mama Said (1992) – Once again, nursing another heartbreak from a total dirtbag I dated that didn’t deserve an ounce of my energy, I couldn’t get my head around how talented and cool Lenny is.  At the time, VH1 was airing a “Behind the Music” on Lenny and his story having a Jewish father and a famous black mother, his unique upbringing, and multi-instrumentalist skills added layers of depth to his music.

9.  John Mayer – Room for Squares (2001) Before John Mayer’s douchebaggery hit epic proportions, his pure innocence in his song-writing really was ground-breaking.  Introducing “quarter-life crisis” into twenty-year old’s vernacular, this album had me mesmerized for a year straight.  There’s something irresistible about the innocence of youth captured in this album.  My musician boyfriend (at the time) would get so mad that I was obsessively listening to JM non-stop that he learned to play all of his songs.  Personally, I think John Mayer is completely fugly, but women are hypnotized by a “sensitive” man with a guitar.  See article for reference.

10.  Amos Lee – Mission Bell (2011)  I really didn’t understand the depths of this album into I got a chance to interview Amos himself.  Lee is typically very private in interviews, but I realized that his omission of personal information in general conversation is what begged more questions to be answered only by his music.  A prolific storyteller and a voice cracked with debilitating affliction, his song “Violin” is his best contribution to the public. The exquisite pain is palpable and cutting. Brilliantly written, masterfully arranged, and performed like a champ. Even after listening to it a million times and even learning it in my voice lessons, my heart bleeds every time. Bravo, Amos Lee. Bravo.

Related posts:

1. Does Anyone Buy Albums Anymore?

RadioPotato is about to run off into the sunset at the end of this month.  All this wedding planning has been fun, but I sure do miss my blogging.  And don’t worry, I’m not abandoning my blog.  Just my last name.  And in case you’ve been living under a rock, the music industry is now run by bloggers, Twitter, Facebook, and really, by YOU. The only way a band truly makes it is when friends tell their friends, and post YouTube videos on their Facebook walls, and send Tweets of videos shot on an iPhone.  It’s totally organic now and I’m so thankful to have a platform to share these incredible artists before the world finds out.  Every time you share an artist or a song, you are truly building the music industry back up.  In the meantime, I found these dramatically different songs and wove them into a cool vibe for the spring.   Please listen and  VOTE for your favorite song in the poll embedded below and SHARE with your friends!

Click HERE for Spotify Playlist or listen below:

1.  “HO HEY” – LUMINEERS Their bio describes the Denver, CO-based Lumineers as “heart-swelling stomp-and-clap acoustic rock, classic pop, and front-porch folk.”  iTunes was downloading the album before I had a chance to finish reading the sentence.  Seemingly exploding out of nowhere with the release of their first full-length album in March, the trio consists of the stripped down power of a new and raw heart-pounding folk.  Coming out of the roots-infused crop of origin-based instrumentation a la Mumford and Sons and the Avett Brothers, the Lumineers had me at “Ho.”   Seriously, the whole album gets a solid ovation all the way around.  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

2.  “IT’S TIME” – IMAGINE DRAGONS A sick beat makes all the difference.  There are songs that feel like you’ve got a freight train running through your chest and makes you want to get up, get motivated, go running, dance, high-five someone, slam a punching bag, kick someone, and immediately tell your friends about your new find.  This is one of those songs.  Sitting comfortably in the alt-pop vein, Imagine Dragons is a buzzy quartet hailing from Las Vegas that is suddenly in heavy demand among festivals, TV shows, stations, and The Queen of England herself.  (well, I lied about the Queen – but check their appearance schedule and you’ll see what I mean).  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

Anna Webber / Wire Image

3.  “BLUE EYES” – MIDDLE BROTHER An indie supergroup side project consisting of John McCauley of Deer Tick, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and Matt Vasquez of Delta Spirit were welcomed warmly when Rolling Stone voted this song one of the 50 Best Singles of 2011.  The jangly boozy woozy southern rock ditty drips with sloppy piano, twangy 3-part harmony, and the story of a hot pursuit of a “good girl who’ll wear a black bra.” It sounds like a song written in a drunken stupor but when you listen closely, you realize the sheer brilliance of the composition.  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify   

4.  ‘IT’S MY PART” – JONQUIL Born out of an Oxford, England bedroom, Jonquil’s multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Hugo Manuel expanded to a catchy alt-indie quartet that has been touring all over the globe.  With eclectic influences from Animal Collective, Joan Baez, Microphones, and Fleet Foxes, Jonquil layers folk sensibilities on top of an electronica-infused steady beat and nods to 80′s synth pop.  As I normally test my Top 5 song contenders as I go running around Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, this song wouldn’t leave my head long after I left the park. MySpace | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

Daniel Silbert Photography

5.  “THE BROKEN ONES” – DIA FRAMPTON Ah, we have ALL been there.  You ever just get into those patterns where you are so attracted to the broken vulnerable people (translation: F ‘d up mofo’s who keep sucking you back in)?  Obviously, this is a rhetorical question.  They were put into your life for a reason.  You need to fix them.  Dia Frampton (no relation to Peter) sings this simple sweet song that speaks volumes.  Baby let me straighten out your broken bones / All your faults to me make you more beautiful / Maybe we can burn this building / Holding you in.  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

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“Where does a white boy like you get so much soul?” Three seconds into watching Allen Stone perform, don’t tell me you wouldn’t ask the same thing. Recently featured on Live from Daryl’s House (yes, THE Daryl Hall) and recent appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live and Conan, Allen Stone’s eclectic fan base is catching on to a new kind of soul that stirs up the insides like a steaming bowl of porridge.

Blue-eyed rock and soul man Allen Stone grew up in the Washington country with no access or permission to listen to non-secular music until he discovered some at sixteen years old.  Growing up in church from a very religious family, Allen heard his first Stevie Wonder song in his mid-teens and was hooked.

I interviewed him right after his sound check at Atlanta’s unlikely venue, Masquerade‘s level affectionately named “Hell”.  I asked him if he felt like he had to try harder to be accepted by the black community as a milky white boy from the country singing such soulful songs.  Surprisingly, he said yes.  I thought for sure he was going to cop out and just say he sings from his heart and whoever likes it, likes it.  I so appreciated his candor as you’ll see in the interview below.

Curiously captivating as his blonde mess of unkempt hair shoved under a hat, Allen’s live performances are charged with otherworldly shots of electrical currents shooting through his body.  With a tongue dripping with honey and enough soul to illuminate the Apollo theatre, Stone’s vibe comes from the heart of the belly and has climbed to quite a following with no label.  And for the record, he wears gloriously hideous large-print color-blocked sweaters (he said it’s really just for warmth) and sports trademark orange-rimmed glasses (because his eyesight really is that bad).

Interview with Allen Stone (transcribed):

RP:  You were recently featured on Live at Daryl’s House.  My favorite part of watching it is your face when Daryl Hall started belting your song (video below). Tell me about that experience. 

AS: Daryl Hall was the great white soul singer that actually had a legitimate career in the industry.  Jerry Lee Lewis kind of fell off the map and obviously Buddy Holly passed away.  Getting the chance to sing with that guy?  And then not only sing with him, but having him sing my songs?  And then the endearing things things he said to me, it was amazing. 

And then on top of it, the two days before I played in Seattle, I lost my voice completely.  I had to regiment to get it back.  I literally didn’t have a falsetto at all until we got to his driveway when I was doing my vocal warm-ups and it just popped back into place.  So I was just ecstatic that I was going to be able to perform to the best of my ability. 

And a lot of it was adrenaline.  I got one of those adrenaline inhaler things from the pharmacy and was just ripping that thing before we went up but also, I was in the presence of members of the Average White Band, and Daryl Hall, and Paul Pesco and all these incredible musicians.  I was just like…FUCK IT, I’m just going to go hard!

RP: And you’ll be touring with Daryl Hall, too?

AS: Yes, him AND Sharon Jones.  It’s actually the Live at Daryl’s House tour.  It’s Daryl’s band and it’s me and Sharon singing with Daryl and his band kind of like the Live from Daryl’s House format.  I’m REALLY intimidated.   because it’s obviously Daryl Hall and Sharon Jones.  They’re both beasts!  And I’m this little 25 year old kid who wants to make his footprint in the soul music realm and they are the legends of it.  I’m a little scared.

RP: From your day with Daryl Hall, what did you learn from him?

AS:  Man, he’s a very very calculated man with the way he presents himself, the way that he has presented himself over the years.  I’m a pure believer that in order to have a long career in this industry, you have to be very methodical and calculated about the decisions you make, the people you work with, the people you sing with, write with, whoever you are involved with.  From Daryl, he’s calculated in the way that he as far as the music he plays, the songs he sings, and the way he presents himself.  That’s something I’m learning that to have a long career, you have to be methodical.  It can’t just be like “I’m going to go sing.” It’s really a game.  I didn’t get a chance to spend a ton of time; I didn’t get to pick his brain as much as I wanted to because of the cameras.  I’m excited to on the bus.  I’m hoping I can get some one-on-one time with him and I hope he can be that father-figure in the industry that tells me what I should and shouldn’t do and who I should work with and who I shouldn’t.

Allen Stone performing “Celebrate Tonight” with Daryl Hall and his band at Live from Daryl’s House:

RP: Who would you love to collaborate with?

AS: I’d really love to collaborate with Danger Mouse.  I’d really love to work with Charles Bradley and the Dap Kings, I think that would be sick.  My friend Nikka Costa, I’d really love to do some work with her.

RP: As an emerging musician, would you actively pursue that (these collaborations)?

AS: I wouldn’t partner up someone of that caliber unless I had some big financial backing.  Which would be a label and stuff because that guy (Danger Mouse) charges a lot of money for his work.  And he should, he’s got really successful records.  I’d also love to work with Rick Rubin.

RP: You are known for having so much feeling as you sing.  I recently took voice lessons and although I could hit each note, I had a tough time channeling that emotion into a song.  How do you get in the moment night after night, song after song?

AS:  I think it’s subconscious.  I really learned to feel music growing up in the church because I believed it.  I was a sold-out, hard-core Christian when I was in the church and I believed all the words I was singing.  Now, I realized how much bullshit it is but I really did learn how to FEEL what I was singing and express that through feeling.  But there are specific songs that I can’t sing with soul.  I could not sing “Toxic” by Britney Spears very soulfully. “Is This Love“ by Bob Marley is a song that I feel.  Because I’ve been in that position.  “Is this love, is this love, is this love, is this love that I’m feeling.”

RP:  Is that weeping (in the audience) what you want?  Is that when you know you’ve hit a mark?

AS:  Yeah.  I want to create emotion for people and I want to create an experience.  Whatever experience they get doesn’t really matter to me.  Whether it’s joy or sorrow or happiness or pain.  Or they’re offended or inspired.  I just want to create a feeling.  I think there’s so much party music out that just pisses me off.  It is what it is and it’s party music and it’s just there for background beat so people can grind on each other.  And I have songs that I definitely encourage people to do that with – but when that’s the totality of the artist, that bums me out a little bit.  There’s something scientifically that happens when you hear music that you enjoy.  I do my best to recreate those feelings and recreate that experience  night after night for people.  But it’s also very selfish because it’s therapy for me, I’m having the greatest time.

RP:  What are five little known facts about you?

AS:  I drink way too much milk.  I broke 10 bones between the ages of 6 and 9.  I have a tiny crush on Cher.  I was a total jock in high school.  I played 4 years of varsity basketball and 4 years of varsity baseball.  I am petrified of owls.

“SATISFACTION” – Allen Stone Live at Jimmy Kimmel Live:

 Allen Stone’s Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

Photography courtesy of Jason Tang

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  Financial planners must be full of sh*t.

2 Chainz Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | In-depth Interview

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March Madness in Austin, Texas might have a slightly different meaning.  Canvassing 2 weeks every March, South by Southwest (SXSW) is the promised land for musicians and techies waiting to be discovered.  As the artists, young and old descended on the city in hopes to move the masses, so did Roxana Shershin. Roxy is a super-fan of all festivals and makes regular pilgrimages to Bonnaroo, SXSW, and Hangout Music Festival like it’s her damn job.  I asked her to weigh in on her top experiences and new projects we need to check out.  Rox, you are a champ!

SXSW might well go by another acronym, FOMO – Fear of Missing Out. With over 90 venues and 2,000+ bands condensed into 6 days, SXSW’s sheer volume of music choices can be paralyzing. This was my 2nd year at what most refer to simply as “South By”. Despite my best efforts at pre-planning there were many occasions where I realized that the bands I wanted to see were playing simultaneously or worse, 30 minutes apart in venues that seemed to be within sprinting distance – leading me to believe that I could actually make the mad dash across the throngs of people to the next show (I was successful once). That said, the best parts of SXSW weren’t those that were planned but those events that were chanced upon. Where there was no expectation, no buzz, no hype. Just finding those great moments where the music, the performance, the venue and the audience come together. That’s when SXSW is at its best.

My Top 9 SXSW 2012 Moments (because everyone has a top 10)

1. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’S KEYNOTE SPEECH
I hadn’t planned on attending, figuring it would be packed and it would just be your average keynote speech. But Bruce came in prepared with a mission to inspire all the musicians in the audience. And what surprised me most was that he came to share, genuinely share his passion for music with a realness that left me dabbing the corners of my eyes. True to his name, The Boss owned every word and commanded everyone’s attention. [suggestion: start at 9:10]
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN’S KEYNOTE SPEECH VIDEO

2. GRIMES
She’s spunky, she’s talented, she’s what everyone was talking about by the end of SXSW and for good reason.

3. AMERICAN ROYALTY
We happened upon them as our first show and it wasn’t even an official showcase. In a non-air-conditioned bar on the famed Dirty 6th, they served free semi-cold beer and this band rocked it from start to finish.

4. ALPINE
Our best example of finding the unexpected, we had planned on seeing Alpine several times and kept missing them. Then finally by chance we found them in the Aussie BBQ lineup playing at 12:55p – yes before 1:00. I should note nothing gets going in Austin SXSW before noon… nothing. So seeing this band put on a great live performance in a small venue that ran out of bloody mary’s by 3:00 was a real treat.

5. 2 CHAINZ
Based on the rest of this list you may find this a bit of a surprise. But if you go to SXSW to see all the bands you would normally see then you are missing the entire point. Hands down one of the best performances at the Fader Fort unofficial 4-day party, 2 Chainz killed it. Don’t be surprised if this song gets stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

6. SANTIGOLD
She just had 40 minutes for her show but she didn’t care. She came with her tiara-wearing James Brown inspired entrance, her dancers and a couple of guys dressed as a horse.

7. LOWER DENS
I tweeted that it looked like a bunch of SXSW Interactive folks got together and formed a band – admittedly I too attended Interactive. But then Lower Dens started to play and by the end of the festival they were hitting most people’s band-to-watch list.

8. REGENERATION: MUSIC PROJECT [film]
In the middle of all the craziness we ran into an old friend who was at SXSW debuting his film – a documentary about the Grammy’s DJ Music Project where they paired a DJ with a music genre: Skrillex got Rock; Pretty Lights got Country; DJ Premier got Classical; Mark Ronson got Jazz and The Crystal Method got R&B. The film chronicles how each DJ infused their signature style to a genre to create a new and unique sound, in several cases out of their comfort zone. I have a whole new respect for this music form.

9. JAY-Z at the ACL Moody Theater
If you have a chance to either see Jay-Z or see any show at Austin’s ACL Moody Theater, take it. Both are incredible by themselves but combine the two and you concert performance perfection.

Related posts:

1. SXSW Edition: Top 5 Songs for March 2011
2. Definitive Decades and Defining Moments

It’s pretty obvious that RadioPotato’s music tastes generally gravitate towards infectious wrist-slitting ditties.  As my upcoming nuptials are fast-approaching, I’m on the hunt for a new crop of happier love songs that aren’t contrived, forced, or generally lame.  I found one in this bunch and was completely blown away by all the songs.  Please check out the music , VOTE for your favorite in the poll embedded below, and SHARE with your friends. Congrats to Seven Handle Circus for winning the top spot in January!

1. “SOMEBODY THAT I USED TO KNOW” – GOTYE FEAT. KIMBRA – Oops! The world got to this song faster than I could publish it. Compared to the soulful silky voice of Sting circa the Police, Australia’s break-out star Gotye has eclipsed the globe with this bona fide hit.  With its intriguingly sparse beginning, a tale of a relationship gone bad sung emotionally by Gotye, and the female side of the story through Kimbra, this song is woven into pure perfection.  You couldn’t beat this song out of your head if Bobby McFarrin had a hammer.  The downside is that it’s pure pop perfection. Which means that this indie favorite is no longer indie. For a taste of another Gotye- gripping song profiled in 2010, please check out “Heart’s a Mess” here.
Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

2. “OH MY MY” – JILL BARBER - NPR Music dubbed Jill Barber as a “21st-century original: a rootsy big-band swinger with hip-hop attitude.” Barber, a Canadian stunner who looks and sounds like a 50′s throwback, puts a modern spin on a bluesy mournful tune complete with handclaps and jazz beats.  The repeated bass chant of “Oh My My” gives this song the gospel spirit as our heroine has gone to to the doctor to fix her broken heart.   Digging deeper in her library of music, Jill Barber has got a Melody Gardot-type of sultry jazz appeal with more of a nod to yesteryear girl pop.  I love the swooning romance of “Chances.”  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

3. “WORKING TITLES” – DAMIEN JURADO – After seeing newly obsessed music aficionados’ FB posts after the Damien Jurado Album Release in Seattle, I got it after one play.  Boasting bold longing strokes across a Washington landscape, this rolling beauty sounds like a dream at dusk.  Damien is a storyteller with splintering pain in his voice and back-up singers suggesting soulful despair.  This song belongs as the showcase close-out song to any movie soundtrack, Grey’s Anatomy, TV show.  It’s cinematic, complex, and has a depth that translates to anyone who’s felt gripping heartbreak before. Which is everyone.  New album Maraqopa releases February 21.  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

4. “NERO” – LITTLE TYBEE – Atlanta mini-orchestra band is making headlines.  Recently featured as the #1 up and coming band from Atlanta by Paste magazine, their Twitter description reads: “Progressive Folk with a classical undertone sunk in a latin grooooove.”  The intricate musicianship of this 5-piece band fuses an array of unusually wide influences into a fresh blend that just sounds right.  Collaborating with 14 instrumentalists to produce their latest album Humorous to Bees, Little Tybee’s “Nero’s” rich sprawling melodies will wrap you like a blanket in a state of nirvana. Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

5. “THE SHAPE OF US” – IAN BRITT – Enjoying the recent success of a fortuitous placement on TV show “Parenthood,” the delicate sweet arpeggio of the song “The Shape of Us” is putting England-based Ian Britt on the musical map. As I am on the hunt for good non-sappy and non-lame songs for my upcoming wedding, the simple melody, the crystal-clear guitar, and comforting lyrics of  “The Shape of Us’” struck the right chord.  Ian’s recent publicity is beckoning him to cross the pond to tour the US. If you want him, demand it! It might just happen.   Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | Spotify

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Related posts:

1. RadioPotato’s Top 5 Songs of April 2012
2. RADIOPOTATO’S TOP 5 SONGS OF JANUARY 2012: First Post of the Year!
3. RadioPotato’s Top 5 Songs for February 2011

I’m pretty sure that ass-kickings were regular occurrences for kids toting around a violin back in school.  Nowadays, the surge of fiddle-driven rock blasting through mainstream with Mumford & Sons and the Zac Brown Band, et al., makes come-uppance pretty sweet.  To the former band geeks that are now revered for their intelligence, skill, and commitment to their classical foundations, I say, if it ain’t baroque…well, you know.

Casey Driessen is a renowned bluegrass fiddle player that is known all throughout the world for his versatile style of percussive and inventive playing.  A curious man with mad professor hair and a knack for the fiddle had me riddled with questions.

Listing “Fiddler at Myself” as his occupation on Facebook (heh heh heh Beavis), I got to interview him at Atlanta’s private venue Grocery on Home as he was performing with Ben Sollee.  I got to watch their sound check and it was like Ben, Casey, and Ben’s drummer Jordon were talking their very own MENSA-fueled musical language.  What came out was pure brilliance.  Berklee Graduate Driessen now resides in Asheville, North Carolina and shockingly admits he has a plant problem in our interview.  I know, I uncover some truly earthshaking details.  While I was too chicken to ask Casey if he DID get his ass kicked in school, he did have interesting things to say about ad libbing and playing with himself.  Yup, I said it.

As soon as you watch the one-take video below, you’ll understand why this Grammy-nominated artist has captivated the music world with his one-man show complete with his signature red shoes.  Having a uniquely strong fan base in Asia as well as well-known for collaborations with Bela Fleck, Abigail Washburn, and Sollee, he is embarking on his Singularity tour this Spring.  He’s a total madman on the fiddle.  Watching Driessen play is like watching Einstein coming up with the theory of relativity for the fiddle.

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify | Download

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1. BEN SOLLEE INTERVIEW: Strings Attached

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 problems, vacant eyes, and awkward attempts at dance moves.  Granted, a fresh case of nerves could be the culprit for upstaging the host, Daniel Radcliffe on last night’s performances but check out what happened here.

Could it have been calculated?  Profiled by RadioPotato last August, Lana Del Rey has experienced an organically meteoric rise thanks to her early release of her retro-tinged video for “Video Games.”  The young 25-year old from New York  has been lambasted and praised by critics for her “enhanced” image, her name change (she was born Lizzy Grant), and for her mysteriously disappearing music and videos as her image has been revamped and her music re-released.  An interesting cover story detailed the mystery surrounding Lana’s rise in Billboard Magazine.

Del Rey might be absolutely brilliant, though.  By nature, the polarizing reactions are going to make people more compelled to watch her even closer in the future. It’s not easy to go on SNL so early in her career and kill it with so little experience before her album is even released.  My bet is that Lana’s next move will galvanize the haters and make her into the femme fatale sensation that she is poised to be.  She’s got talent.  Her music is haunting and you can’t take your eyes off of her.  Thirteen hours after broadcasting on SNL, Lana Del Rey’s EP is #2 on the iTunes album charts behind Adele’s 21.  Just watch.  Lana Del Rey has since deleted her SNL video posts from her Facebook page and posted a teaser video for her upcoming interview.  Smart marketing.  Smarketing!  Her career will only gain momentum.  Just watch.

Lana Del Rey Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

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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 embedded below, and SHARE with your friends. VOILA! Your New Year has started off perfectly. May all your hopes come true this year and a big THANK YOU to everyone who so passionately followed RadioPotato and contributed in the previous years.

Click HERE for Spotify Playlist or listen below:

1. “I FOUND YOU” – ALABAMA SHAKES  Motown soul meets Jack White.  Gaining attention from the release of their eponymous EP from NPR, the New York Times, and even Bob Lefsetz spewing his critiques, Athens, AL’s Alabama Shakes is an unlikely band that has just what ears have been begging for.  Amy Winehouse and the Dap-Kings have flung the doors open for rockabilly, jazz, and retro music to resurge as the hottest style.  Lead singer Brittany Howard sounds like a thunderbolt of Motown’s ancestors’ soul with a southern twist.  Bring on the revival!  I am awake!  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download 

2. “MURDEROUS JOY” – CARTER TANTON Evoking expansive Western skies and a long drive, “Murderous Joy” has the warm fuzzy indie-folk vibe that showcases Carter Tanton’s blissfully longing voice.  The rolling guitars and wistful lyrics are transfixing as you step inside a dream.  After label drama disbanded his former group, Tulsa in 2009, Carter recorded this solo effort, Freeclouds entirely in his New York apartment.  “I need just a little time, to sing you a line / You won’t soon forget / About a wild-eyed boy and murderous joy”.  Website | Info|  Facebook | Twitter | Download

3. “BEAR” – GRACE WOODROOFE If you could mix Joss Stone with Grace Potter with a fresh young take, you’ve got “Bear.”  After sending in a demo tape four years ago to an Australian talent show, the attention of Grace Woodroofe’s appearance garnered the ear of her brother’s friend, the late actor Heath Ledger.  Heath connected her to Ben Harper and he was taken by her bewitching bluesy style and Grace moved to Los Angeles as a tender teenager.  Now 20 years old (whut!), she has a deeply intense delivery with a rawness of exposed hide.  This sultry siren is about to rip North America wide open with her seductive style.  There’s no video yet for “Bear” but please check out her latest video, “I’ve Handled Myself Wrong.” Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

4. “THORNS” – CHARLIE SIMPSON I swear, Charlie’s songs have drugs in ‘em.  With a slightly melancholy tambor to his voice, London’s Charlie Simpson’s  hypnotic hooks are irresistible to the human ear.  With a successful background in harmonic metal (Fightstar) and punk-pop (Busted), he has taken a decidedly different turn with his acclaimed acoustic folk-rock solo effort. Playing every single instrument (apart from the drums) on his album Young Pilgrim, it sounds somber with a shot of summer.  It’s a stunner. Thanks to JrzyGyrl.com for the intro.  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download – UK

5. “I’VE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD” – SEVEN HANDLE CIRCUS I can’t say enough about this rising band.  Releasing their new EP Whiskey Stills & Sleeping Pills on January 1st, 2012, this high energy Georgia bluegrass band has got THE spark.  Touting themselves as “bad-ass bluegrass,” their 6-piece band innovatively weaves their musical chops to create infectious harmonies but also put on a live show you’ll never forget.  Fortuitously discovered by Mumford & Sons last June, the band got to jam with Mumford and had the new gods of folk proudly endorse them to a sold out crowd at Atlanta’s legendary Fox Theatre. Video below has 3 songs – This song starts at 1:27.  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | RadioPotato Interviews

Take Our Poll

Related posts:

1. RadioPotato’s Top 5 Songs of February 2012
2. RadioPotato’s Top 5 Songs of January 2011
3. RadioPotato’s Top 5 Songs of April 2012

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 eclectic mix of people waiting to experience the lore of the Ben Sollee/Grocery show. There’s a little magic sparking from the flames of the burning candles as Ben takes his spot right by the front door. Matt Arnett, the founder of the Grocery, gave a touching story to introduce Ben and from his first stroke of his cello, the room was utterly captivated. Not only is he masterful in his percussive and unusual style of playing the cello, his carefully crafted songwriting had the room hanging on his every word. I happened to bring 9 of my closest friends and they were all looking at each other like they had discovered the eighth wonder of the world.  The way Sollee artfully and nimbly bends the strings of his cello is as captivating as Jack White re-inventing how a guitar is played.  As the icing on the cake, Ben sets up each song with an inviting story that allows you to comfortably sit in his world for a few minutes.

Ben Sollee at the Grocery on Home - Atlanta

Luckily, I was able to interview him and I was really surprised to hear about how thoughtfully he answered the questions.  Inspired by art, famously riding a bike from his hometown in Kentucky to Bonnaroo with his cello and his supplies strapped to his cycle, you’ll get a kick out of how Ben reveals little known facts.  Oh, and btw, my chair was much higher than his so he looks shorter than me.  But he’s not.

BEN SOLLEE INTERVIEW WITH RADIOPOTATO:

Ben Sollee on NPR Music’s Tiny Desk:

Thanks to Matt Arnett for inviting me to interview Ben and Casey Driessen, filming it, and hosting us in his home for such an important addition to the Atlanta music scene.  Oh, and here’s my favorite song by Ben: “Electrified.”  The strings are ridiculous-

Hook yourself up with some Sollee right here:

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

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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 an artist, I keep going to see the same artists in hopes to be blown away again.  Truth be told, reality doesn’t usually allow multiple showings to capture the magic of the first one.

So I thought I’d save you the trouble of seeing crappy bands live (Jack Johnson and Death Cab for Cutie made me want to briefly consider homicide) and go straight to a state of nirvana.  If you’re going to go through the trouble of going to a show, here’s the RadioPotato 100% guarantee that these will rock your faces off.  Tour dates/websites are linked onto each musical artists’ names.

1.  RUSH (Early prog metal/ Progressive rock) – It’s no secret that power trio Rush is my favorite band and was my very first concert.  Plus, I’m campaigning to interview them, too.  After over 30 years of being together, it’s the only concert where people don’t bombard the bathrooms when Geddy, Alex, and Neil plays songs off their new albums.

2.  THE CIVIL WARS (Americana duo) -The way John Paul White and Joy Williams look at each other as they closely sing their tales of strained love and heartbreak, you’d SWEAR they were together. The magnetic experience seeing The Civil Wars live has translated globally to organically grow into a juggernaut of adoration,  respect, and a rabidly loyal following.  I had the honor of interviewing them right after they formed. Learn more here.

3.  GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS (American rock) -  Grace Potter live is like rock and roll porn.  Guys want to bang her and girls want to be her.  Her raw sexual energy can knock you right out if you weren’t so fixated on her short peek-a-boo dress, flailing hair, and how ridiculously talented she is.  High-energy performances from Grace backed by her 70′s rock inspired band leave you transfixed and confident you will never see anything like that again in your life.  Unless you see her again. I reviewed a show from GPN here.

4.  RAY LaMONTAGNE (Folk singer/songwriter) – Even though Ray has been known to be a moody bitch onstage and totally socially awkward mess offstage, one thing is very clear….he can sing from the bellows of his very soul and before you know it, you’re crying.  Oh wait.  That’s me.  Reviews here (Red Rocks – 2010), here (walks off stage 2010) , and scandalous news here.

5. TONY LUCCA - (Singer/songwriter) Formerly of The Mickey Mouse Club (yep, back in the Britney/Justin days), Lucca is one of the world’s best kept secrets of live shows.  Lucca’s lyric-driven soulful music will knock anyone out including yo’ mama.   I’ve never seen anybody perform with that much passion with just a guitar and his voice.  Want to learn more? I got to interview him here.

6.  TONY BENNETT (Classic crooner) – In an era of fast-paced, overworked, and ADHD-riddled world, Tony is a tribute to the old-fashioned values of a simpler time. Not only that, but he’s managed to stay relevant after 60+ years of performing.  I’ve seen him twice and couldn’t stop smiling with pure enjoyment.  He only sings the classics. He frequently showcases his musicians and after (and during) every single song, he’s smiling and saluting the audience in gratitude.  There will never be another time in our lives where we will be able to see someone from Frank Sinatra’s era perform live.

7.  MUMFORD & SONS (Folk roots rock) – Subscribing to “the more, the merrier” theory, Mumford and Sons are famous for having all of their opening acts onstage with them for a grand finale of communion.  Banjos, accordions, upright bass, kickdrums – they’ve made old school modern again by packing a high-energy show with gripping performance of their literature-inspired music.  In fact, they’ve grown their wildly popular fan base 100% by word-of-mouth from their energizing live shows.  Reviews here (2010) and here (2011 – Front Row).

8.  RICKY MARTIN (Latin-flavored pop) – Yes, I’m totally serious!  It takes a lot of talent to wow an entire arena full of people who got free tickets and went for the hell of it (that would be me) but he did!  You can tell how genuinely thankful he was and he gave everything he had with PASSION! It was a high-energy show that was just fun, fun, fun!

9.  TEN OUT OF TENN (Concept tour) -  Trent Dabbs brainchild of a collective of ten unique and successfully published artists out of Tennessee (mostly Nashville) banding together to tour across the nation in one bus.  The “in-the-round” set-up allows each artist to collaboratively add to each other’s songs and introduce 10 new artists to each audience member.  The first time I saw them, I only knew one artist, Griffin House.  Every single song that was sung was better than the last and I was hooked.  Some of the line-up has included Joy Williams, Andrew Belle, Gabe Dixon, Trent Dabbs, ks Rhoads, Katie Herzig, Erin McCarley, Tyler James, and many more.

10.  LADY GAGA (Pop) – Black, white, gay, straight, fan, non-fan.  There’s NOTHING like a Gaga live show experience.  The level of performance and detail at every show was so meticulously planned out that you felt like your head was exploding from every angle.  Sensory overload!  But more than that, you realize that Gaga is truly genuine in her desire to connect with the disconnected.  She left everything in her entire being on the stage and left everyone feeling a little closer to the lady herself.  And like her or not, she’s an exceptionally talented woman and has so much more under that hood of hers that is waiting to be revved up.  Go see her!  It’s an experience that you couldn’t get anywhere else. Not even the best drag show.  Show me your paws!

Got some shows that blew you away that aren’t on this list?  Post them in the comments section!  And if you liked this post, connect with RadioPotato on Facebook here.

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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 different artists!  One thing I so appreciate is original holiday music.  Feel-good pop band Saints of Valory released original holiday song “Winter Lights” for the 2011 holiday season.  The Austin band’s first official video capture the anthemic spirit of the holidays by inviting a chorus of children to usher in the season.  Happy Holidays, everyone!

Saints of Valory Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

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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 Wolves for winning October’s Top Song with “Echo on the Night Train.”

1.  “BLACKOUT” – PICKWICK  Talk about being stopped dead in your tracks.  Motown, gospel, and a wailing voice from the bellows of your soul make up the unlikely Seattle outfit Pickwick.  Gaining steam thanks to some inventively creative videos and rabid fans, this is just another reason for me to pick up and go to the Pacific NW pronto.  In the meantime, lead singer Galen Disston’s voice has the force of a freight train dripping with honey.  Sing it, brotha! I bet he could belt some mean Darryl Hall covers, too.  Send me a video of it! In the meantime, enjoy this video recorded a capella in the Reading Room at The University of Washington. Official Website | Facebook | Twitter

2.  “OMAHA” – AUNT MARTHA Stumbling onto a live performance at the “private” Atlanta living-room venue “Grocery on Home,” 5-piece band of men from New England caused a seismic shift in the music world.  Deciding to unplug for the intimate collection of 40 people, the fiddle-picking combined with the kick-drum kicking and lead singer Tim Noyes’ polished infectious voice dropped every jaw.  Click here for a short video clip from that night.  Their newest EP Bloodshot is so hauntingly contagious and moving, the echoes rattle through your body long after the lyrically-rich EP’s last note. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.  Official Website | Facebook |  Twitter | Download

3.  “THE DAY” – MARSHALL RUFFIN  A curious 24-year old white boy that sings the blues with a cracked heart as big as B.B. King.  Hailing from Columbus, GA, Marshall Ruffin will bring an entire audience to his knees with his rootsy soulful wailings.  Not to mention, this boy can shred.  I can hear lots of Allman influence in his guitar-playing and come to find out, he teaches guitar.  Ruffin’s talent cuppeth is overflowing and I can’t wait to introduce him to you.  Official Website | Facebook 

 4.  “O BLACK RIVER” – HANNAH MILLER  I’m a sucker for gospel-infused modern music and I was so moved by this song.  This Nashville songstress interlaces a delicate and elegant twist to an otherwise gospel foot-stomper.  Miller’s genuine delivery of her lonesome surrender beckons the listener to experience the hopeful whisper of the river with her.  Oh and in case you didn’t notice, she bears a striking resemblance to Katie Holmes.  Dawson’s Creek never sounded this good.  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

5.  “GHOSTS THAT WE KNEW” – MUMFORD & SONS  Seems almost unfair to have a Mumford song on this list but damn it, they’ve done it again.  The world is anxiously awaiting their sophomore follow-up to their shatteringly popular debut album, Sigh No More.  The multi-talented folk-roots-rock quartet from England have made a name for themselves as genuine talents that put on a hell of a live show.  Not to mention that their music has struck a nerve in a way that has virtually the entire world on board (except for Jason Crowley, who must have a screw loose). Test-driving a few new songs in their live appearances, they can do no wrong.  The delicate and haunting desperation in  “Ghosts That We Knew” rages into their signature build which means there’s W-A-Y more gas in their tank than we knew.  Official Website | Facebook | YouTube | Download

Take Our Poll

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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 planning a wedding, I too am fearful that our wedding will be a lovely but forgetful affair for the guests by having the same ol’ same ol’ tired traditions.  Then, this happened:

WOW!  I was crying, laughing, and immediately sharing it with all of my friends.  Matt Odom, a professional photographer and cinematographer, had come up with the concept to shoot and edit weddings like he would a music video.  As soon as he posted his first willing couple, Lauren and JP’s uniquely groundbreaking video, it went viral and all of a sudden, wedding cinematography website RockandRollHearts.com filled a gaping hole in the wedding industry.   In fact, he was even featured on The Nate Berkus show and has extended his talents to doing wedding remixes of previously shot footage from other couples’ weddings.

I’m embarrassed to say that the magic of all of his non-traditional wedding videos have kept me up nights just excited.  High-energy, tight shots, touchingly joyful moments captured and expertly edited to enchanting music has become a cut above anything I’ve ever seen.  The bride, the groom, the wedding attendants, the guests - everyone is smiling, dancing, and having fun!  You feel like you are experiencing it first-hand and get completely drawn in to every couple’s individual story. For more info on Matt Odom and RockandRollHearts.com, please click HERE.

I’ve spent weeks going through so many wedding videos and most couples still opt for the traditional, boring-ass slow 30 minute video that makes their friends puke and puts their relatives to sleep (unless their 10 seconds of bad dancing are in it). Snoozeville.

Obviously, I’m a fan of Matt Odom’s work.  Unfortunately, he’s booked on our wedding date.  Which means I have been desperately looking for someone who has a similar vision and an exceptional eye for capturing the couple’s personality.   In the meantime, here are some fun wedding music videos I’ve found that you’ll love:

Oh and if you liked this post and are also psycho about wedding stories, maybe you’ll like our engagement story.

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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 still pretty rockin’) and Kaitlin Jones.  Thanks to TwinBear Management for making this all happen.  Stay tuned as the Spring 2012 season will come bigger and even more fun!

STONERIDER

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

“off the grid solar powered Rock N Roll – enough to shift the techtonic plates when you need your earth moved”

*Please note that there are 3 short interview videos once you hit play…including some unreleased music!

KAITLIN JONES

Facebook | Listen

“Sounds like the devil beatin’ his wife with a fryin’ pan”

*Please note that there are 2 short interview videos once you hit play

MUSIC SAMPLE FROM KAITLIN JONES AND THE COUNTY FAIR:

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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, we had an all-star line-up that had the packed house stomping their feet.  We had America’s Got Talent contestants THE FIDDLEHEADS, “bad-ass bluegrass” band SEVEN HANDLE CIRCUS, and eclectic duo SMALL PONDS (featuring Whiskeytown’s Caitlin Cary).  Get your tickets for the FINALE next Wednesday FREE at Xorbia using PROMO code: potatorocks. Thanks to Twin Bear Management for making this all happen!

SEVEN HANDLE CIRCUS: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

Mumford and Sons’ Atlanta discovery – “Bad-Ass Bluegrass”

 (editor’s note: check out their bios on their website. pretty funny!)

*Please note that there are 3 short interview videos once you hit play…including some new music live!

SEVEN HANDLE CIRCUS MUSIC SAMPLE:

THE FIDDLEHEADS: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Watch

“the bluegrassification of popular hits”

 (featured on America’s Got Talent)

*Please note that there are 2 short interview videos once you hit play

THE FIDDLEHEADS MUSIC SAMPLE:

SMALL PONDS (featuring Whiskeytown’s Caitlin Cary): Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Buy Music

“folk/country/pop/rock/awesome”

*Please note that there are 3 short interview videos once you hit play

SMALL PONDS MUSIC SAMPLE:

 Like what you discovered? Why don’t you click on over to RadioPotato’s Facebook page and feed your new music addiction. This is the one place where your addiction is not only welcome, but it’s encouraged.

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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 of my favorite acts, the talented “back-porch rockers” JAMESTOWN REVIVAL and eclectic rockers DAVE DANIELS & THE PTA. Get your tickets for next Wednesday FREE at Xorbia using PROMO code: potatorocks. Thanks to Twin Bear Management for making this all happen!

JAMESTOWN REVIVAL: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download | RadioPotato’s Top 5 (SXSW Edition)

“Back-Porch Rock” with infectious harmonies

*Please note that there are 2 short interview videos once you hit play

Music:

DAVE DANIELS & THE PTA: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

Eclectic rockers

*Please note that there are 2 short interview videos once you hit play

Music:

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Atlanta’s newest live music series, Americana in the Park had its eighth show of the series held on 10/19/11. 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 the talented bluegrass artists, Waller, the retrobilly outfit of The Serenaders, and 2nd appearance from bluesman Marshall Ruffin. Get your tickets for next Wednesday FREE at Xorbia using PROMO code: potatorocks. Thanks to Twin Bear Management for making this all happen!

WALLER:  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Listen

“Down-home country good time with an attitude”

*Please note that there are 2 short videos once you hit play

THE SERENADERS: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

Modern Retrobilly

 *Please note that there are 4 short videos once you hit play

MARSHALL RUFFIN: Official Website | Facebook | FREE Download

Roots, Rock, and BLUES!

*Please note that there are 4 short videos once you hit play

 Come on out to next Wednesday’s Americana in the Park and discover the best music you’ve never heard!

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Concert Photography by David Oppenheimer - Performance Impressions

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 Newman, David moved to Nashville and had been performing as a hired gun for several bluegrass and country artists as well as contributing to his critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter sister, Jessica Lea Mayfield’s albums and tours.  Achieving huge accolades in 2009 for being nominated for a Grammy for producing southern gospel album for Barry Scott and joined Cadillac Sky that same year (now on indefinite hiatus).

As the  ”side” musician consistently upstaged the front men with his onstage antics and undeniable talent, David Mayfield was forcefully being nudged into the spotlight at the Avett Brothers’ insistence.  Behold, the Zach Galifianakis of folk music and The David Mayfield Parade was born!   A warm soulful voice reminiscent of James Taylor is surrounded by an exceptionally talented band playing charmingly vintage instruments.  Known for writing heartfelt lyrics of heartbreak, love and hope while prancing his substantial body around the stage and delivering deadpan jokes throughout the entire set, I found a great live review that captures the experience perfectly from Creative Loafing.

Currently touring on the USA’s version of the wildly popular Communion Tour (Mumford & Sons’s Ben Lovett‘s collaborative concept) along with Matthew and the Atlas and Lauren Shera , I was able to catch up with David and ask him some borderline obnoxious and pressing questions.  What I found out is that he’s a seriously hard worker that’s not as serious onstage.  And some fun stories about touring with Mumford and Sons and driving the ladies crazy with his 1991 Volvo.

The Communion Tour is in Atlanta 11/5/11 at Smith’s Olde Bar.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL INTERVIEW -> iTUNES

Stream it under PODCASTS (8:30)

And check out short clips below:

LIVIN’ IN A VAN…DOWN BY THE RIVER (:36):

TOURING WITH MUMFORD (:36):

COMMUNION TOUR (:58):

5 LITTLE KNOWN FACTS (:51):

Folk music’s got an attitude these days.  With the troubadours of Mumford & Sons, the Avett Brothers, and David Mayfield Parade paving the way for “newgrass” music, men everywhere are growing their beards thick and glorious, fiddling vintage instruments with the fervor of  the Pony Express, and everyone wants to folk off with them.

Catch The David Mayfield Parade on the Communion Tour HERE.

David Mayfield Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

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2. Matthew Mayfield Interview – Part 2 (All Access, baby!)
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Atlanta’s newest live music series, Americana in the Park had its seventh show of the series held on 10/12/11. 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 the  talented bluegrass artists, Smokey’s Farmland Band and the vintage southern roots husband-and-wife team Little Country Giants. Get your tickets for next Wednesday FREE at Xorbia using PROMO code: potatorocks. Thanks to Twin Bear Management for making this all happen!

SMOKEY’S FARMLAND BAND  Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Download

 Newgrass Americana Jammers rocking Atlanta

*Please note that there are 3 short videos once you hit play – Interview videos a little wobbly but they were hilarious

LITTLE COUNTRY GIANTS -  Facebook | Twitter | ReverbNation

Vintage southern roots music from a husband-and-wife team

*Please note that there are 3 short videos once you hit play

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