Underground Bands and Indie Music Reviews

A love for keyboards, synthesizers and vintage drum machines was the beginning of the musical harmony that brought three female indie artists together. Au Revoir Simone, the hot new indie group is composed of Erika Forster (vocals/keyboard), Annie Hart (vocals/keyboard) and Heather D’Angelo (vocals/drum machine/keyboard).

The journey began when Erika and Annie met on a train while traveling from Vermont to New York. After getting to know each other they discovered that they both had a common interest in beginning an all-keyboard band.

On their return to New York they began playing together and Heather D’Angelo soon joined in on the hot new indie sound that they were producing. Another member, Sung Bin Park, joined the band but left soon after allowing the three remaining members to start again as a trio. They started playing concerts in New York and quickly picked up speed in popularity.

The music of Au Revoir Simone is primarily up-beat and fun in it’s tempo. In a NME (New Musical Express) article, the magazine went on to say that “Au Revoir Simone must have beamed in from a land where lace clouds breeze over crystal lakes and icicles grow from the warm earth. This New York three-piece’s glorious synth-lead alt-folk will leave you crying on the stairs in the middle of the night.”

Au Revoir Simone released their debut album “The Bird of Music” though Moshi Moshi Records in the UK in 2007. And their latest work is the new “Still Night, Still Light” album released on May 19, 2009. Au Revoir Simone is currently touring the world and is planning on making a local stop on their concert tour.

Local Au Revoir Simone Concert This Summer
Friday, June 19: Salt Lake City
Kilby Court

Happy Groundhog’s Day!  Looks like we have another 6 weeks of winter! Today groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, saw his shadow  and is ready to get back to some more of his hibernation.

In celebration of this famous groundhog, underground instrumental band, The Opposite of a Train, is holding a benefit concert tonight! They are hoping to raise money for the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in Charleston, South Carolina. The concert will be held tonight in the Memminger Auditorium at 8pm.

The Opposite of a Train, has a unique sound.  I just listened to them for the first time today and find them quite enticing.  Obviously their music has no lyrics,but it has a very interesting jazz, Cuban, rock sound to it. It seems that what makes this band worth while, is the fact that they are playing really unique and fascinating instruments. Their music takes you into a new way of thinking.

The band is composed of three members: Bill Carson on guitar and tenor banjo, Nathan Koci on accordion, brass and keyboards, and Ron Wiltrout on marimba, drums, and crash cymbols.

If you are interested, check them out on their myspace to hear their unique sound yourself and then let me know what you think. I am curious of the feedback.

And get a chance to watch Bill Murray in Groundhog’s Day, just to celebrate and to hibernate.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010 was an eventful night for the 52nd annual Grammy awards. Not only did we have Elton John and Lady Gaga team up for a duet song, Taylor win her first grammy for her album Fearless, which was given the title “album of the year,” but we also had Carrie  Underwood, Keri Hudson, Usher, Celine Dion, and Smokey Robinson joined in a Michael Jackson “Earth Song” tribute!

The song was in 3D and many celebrities, such as Beyonce were seen wearing glasses and you could have been too if you happened to have some glasses with you at home.

At the conclusion of the song, all the performers turned to look at the many pictures of Michael Jackson. It was a great tribute.

Lastly, Michael Jackson’s children, Prince Michael and Paris accepted their father’s lifetime achievement award.It was weird seeing the children so soon after their father’s passing, however they made a great speech, saying, “Our father was always concerned about the planet and humanity,” and continued with, “Throughout his songs, his message was simple: love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world. Thank you. We love you, Daddy.”

Seeing as tonight I also just saw, Michael Jackson’s documentary video, “This Is It” tonight, I thought this was a fabulous night! Michael Jackson has such great talent and I thought it was great to tribute him at the Grammys. Rest in peace MJ!

I hope you check out the new “This Is It” album on itunes. I LOVE the song, This is it.

Friday, January 22, 2010 many well -known celebrities and musicians helped out with Hope For Haiti Now, a global benefit concert for earthquake relief.  This telethon took place in in 3 cities: Los Angeles, New York, and London.

George Clooney organized this concert with MTV to help earn more relief for Haiti, which has already lost roughly 200, 000 people.

During the benefit concert, celebrities and musicians answered phones and performed music to get people to call in and donate money to the hope for Haiti Now earthquake relief.

Coldplay, Beyonce, as well as a joint efforts with Bono, Jay-Z, Rhianna, and the Edge, performed in London.  The latter four musicians performed together a new song, “Stranded– Haiti mon Amour.”   Their collaboration turned out to be successful, giving the world a catchy song and Haiti relief money.  Check out  their song below!

In New York, Haitian-born, Wycleaf Jean hosted and sang.  With him Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Shakira, and Sting performed.

And in LA, George Clooney took charge and was joined by musicians: Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, and Kid Rock.

I have to say Clooney actually did a great job getting great artists to join together in a great cause. I wish I could have personally been at the benefit concert, but then again I wouldn’t know which one I would have wanted to be at!!

Good news: you can purchase the songs from the concert on itunes and all the proceeds will go the earthquake relief in Haiti.

If you want to help Haiti out and missed the Hope For Haiti Now benefit concert, you still can.  Just visit Hope For Haiti Now to donate.

Don’t know what to do with your Monday nights? Muse Music Cafe in Provo has the perfect solution.

During 2010 January through April, every Monday night at 9 pm Muse Music Cafe will be showing free Rock documentaries. The first Rockumentary video started three weeks ago with a documentary on Arcade Fire’s 2007 album, “Neon Bible.”

If you want to start the night even earlier, Muse will be holding a free open-mic night at 7 pm before each Monday movie night. And don’t forget, Muse has a cafe!

Get the 2010 Rockumentary schedule below:

1/25: Hype! (Seattle Music Scene)
2/1: Heima (Sigur Ros)
2/8: Genghis Blues (throat singing in Mongolia)
2/15: Meeting People is Easy (Radiohead)
2/22: Directions (Death Cab For Cutie)
3/1: Anvil: The Story of Anvil
3/8: It Might Get Loud (Jack White/Jimmy Page/The Edge)
3/15: DiG! (The Dandy Warhols/Brian Jonestown Massacre)
3/22: Spend An Evening With Saddle Creek
3/29: You May Need A Murderer (Low)
4/5: New York Doll
4/12: The Carter (Lil Wayne)
4/19: Kurt Cobain: About a Son
4/26: Spinal Tap

Provo are you ready for another great concert?  Two of my favorite bands in the Provo area, The Vibrant Sound and Imagine Dragons are coming back from their Vegas tour to give  their Utah fans a treat.

When:    Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 8:00pm -12:00pm

Where:  Velour Live Music Gallery (of course):

315 N UniversityAve.  Provo, UT

How Much: $7.00 (but it is worth it for all the great dancing, music,

and crowd you will be enjoying)

Many of these bands have played together before and will continue   to.                                  The chemistry between the bands is great and the show is smooth.

Hope to see you guys there!

Velour, local Utah venue, is holding its fourth Cowboy and Indies music nights, tonight and tomorrow starting at 8pm and going to roughly 11pm both nights. Velour is located on 135 N University Avenue in Provo, UT.

• Tonight’s bands are: The Second Estate, Shark Speed, The Devil Whale, and headlining band Imagine Dragons.

• Saturday’s bands are: Code Hero, Elizabethan Report, and headlining band Seve vs Evan.

Get in the Thanksgiving spirit with great music at Velour’s Cowboy and Indies 4.  Velour collaborates great bands and brings great shows to the Utah valley time and time again.  Let us know how you like the show!

On December 18, Slug Magazine will be presenting their monthly music event, LOCALIZED,  at Urban Lounge in Salt Lake City.

Localized will feature three local bands. All have great talent, but be careful, they are not afraid to offend anyone. In fact, one band was quoted saying that they didn’t think they were doing their job, unless people were getting offended.  But if you enjoy pure punk music with experimental sounds, you will definitely enjoy this show.

Urban lounge is located at: 241 S 500 E Salt Lake City

This Wednesday, November 1th, ABC will be hosting the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards.  The  Co-hosts, for the second year in a row, will be Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.  This year should prove to be the best competition yet.  Here are some of the nominations:

Entertainer:

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban

Female Vocalist:

• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist:

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• Darius Rucker
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

Let us know who you want to win in the comments section.

Muse Music Cafe is hosting Battle of the Bands this upcoming weekend. The Battle of the Bands will be a 6 day event, starting Saturday Nov. 7, 2009. You will get to hear from some of the best local bands that Provo has to offer.

There will be a total of 20 bands playing in the first 5 days, followed by the finals which will consist of the winners of the Monday-Friday battles. These remaining bands will rock out in competition for cash and studio time at Muse. Each night the doors will open at 7:30pm and it is $5 to get in. Go see the full schedule so you won’t miss your favorite band.