Disclaimer: You May Find a Broken Link

So, there USED to be freenapster.com, and it USED to provide access to almost any artist's music. It was pretty awesome, and I linked ~90% of this blog's recommendations to that site. Now, apparently, Free Napster is no more. Booooooo.

It will be a long, on-going task of mine to redirect the links to somewhere you can hear the music, but in the meantime, if you click on a link that brings you to Napster where it asks you to sign in:
1) Be angry at them, for disrupting your chance to enjoy a good song
2) Google the song and still check it out, because it's awesome

If you have another source I should be using, please don't hesitate to send it my way. Email me for that, and any music recommendations, at tracy@groundwm.com. Thanks!
Showing posts with label ny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ny. Show all posts

Monday, May 3, 2010

New Francis and the Lights Album

New York

Francis and the Lights first caught my attention on a mixtape from a friend, and I posted his song "LIME" back in February '09. Just recently he started streaming his newest album, It'll Be Better, and it's fabulous. There's a strange, comfortable, uniqueness in his music that will stick with you. It's the smartest dance-pop music I've heard in a long time, and I'm happy to spread the word if you're unfamiliar. Enjoy a listen to the new album below. :)

Monday, April 26, 2010

Semi Precious Weapons, Verona Red, Nico Vega and The Flavor Savors ROCKED Chicago this Weekend

I had an amazing weekend.

Friday night I went to see my beloved Semi Precious Weapons at Subterranean. This was my fourth time seeing them in Chicago, and fifth overall. LOVE them. I don't think blogger allows a large and bold enough font to accurately express my positive feelings towards them. Their live show sucker punches everyone else's live show in the face and makes all the other live shows cry. It's full of the most beautiful rock and roll you'll ever see. They're currently on tour with Lady Gaga, which is great for them and ironic since Gaga used to open for them back in the day, so they're leaving the country again for a few months. BUT, next time they're in Chicago and playing a smaller venue (so NOT Chicago Theater w/Gaga), do yourself a favor and check out their show. You'll want to be up front and center for this one, so get there early and wear something fabulous. Below are some clips from their show.

Opening for SPW was LA's Nico Vega. Every once in a while I see a band I'm not familiar with and they blow me away. Ha Ha Tonka did it. Passion Pit did it. Nico Vega did it. They have a live show worthy of opening for SPW, which is a feat in itself that most can't conquer, and I can certainly call myself a fan. After rocking my socks off a few songs in a row, I decided to snap a clip for your viewing pleasure. Check it out below.


Saturday night was Chicago's Verona Red's turn to rock my socks off. They did, and they did it well. I am constantly impressed with their ability to play really great rock and roll with such vigor that people dance, instruments break, and good times are inevitable. Of all the Chicago bands I've seen, they have the best live rock show hands down. They're playing again in Chicago at Subterranean on May 14 with Hurricane Bells from NY and King Sparrow from Chicago, so if you have the desire to be rocked, check them out then. Below is a video of them starting the show with "In the Coat Check."

Model Stranger and The Flavor Savors also played Saturday. Mad props to Model Stranger for such an amazing album release show. "Dreams and Bones" sounded great live, and I'm looking forward to the next show. Also, The Flavor Savors were a blast. I captured a bit of their show below.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

New LCD Soundsystem Album Streaming

LCD Soundsystem has a new, and likely final, album called This is my Happening being released on May 17 (EU) and May 18 (US). Apparently, LCD threw a secret show in NY a few days ago where he gave out this new album and asked the crowd not to leak it before the official release. I think there were a few hours before it was found online, so LCD Soundsystem decided to pull an MGMT and stream it themselves (only MGMT's player allows you to select the song you want to hear, where LCD's player starts on song one and plays through, with only play and pause controls available).

As soon as I saw it available yesterday on twitter I did two things: I retweeted it, and I listened. I actually listened for several consecutive hours, and determined myself to be a fan of the new album. It seemed to me that the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. I definitely feel like the whole album as a single piece of artwork has an identifiable sound. Listen for yourself HERE, and then check out all of LCD Soundsystem's upcoming shows, including at Chicago's Metro and Pitchfork.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

NY's The Beat Hounds Make Good Rock 'n' Roll


I grew up engulfed in classic rock, and I think The Beat Hounds wrote some really great music that could easily slip into a classic rock station's playlist and no one would complain. The music was written by front-man Matt Lenny during a four-month recovery from a car crash suffered while on tour with Chicago's Oh My God. Props to you, Matt, for making some delicious rock and roll out of a shitty situation.

The Beat Hounds are playing Chicago on May 1 at Quenchers, and I highly suggest you visit their MySpace HERE and check them out.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Recommended Song of the Day

Brooklyn, NY

11/24/09: 100 Days, 100 Nights, by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Listen to it HERE


Love this!

Tracy
:)

Recommended Song of the Day

NY, NY

11/13/09: In My Heart, by Heavy Trash

Listen to it HERE

Enjoy!

Tracy :)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Recommended Song of the Day

NY, NY

10/10/09: Talk To The Bomb, by Brazilian Girls

Listen to it HERE

Tracy :)

Recommended Song of the Day

Manhattan, NY

10/6/09: Street Gang, by A.R.E. Weapons

Listen to it HERE

Enjoy!

Tracy :)

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Recommended Song of the Day

New York, NY

9/29/09: Mr and Mrs Fader, by Flight Crash Companion

Listen to it HERE


Tracy
:)

Recommended Song of the Day

New York, NY

9/20/09: Money Rock'n'Roll, by The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Listen to it HERE

Ok, I've always been a fan of Rock and Roll. It's the music of my childhood. It can provide SO MUCH that only Rock and Roll can. and MAN have I been on a kick lately! Check these guys out!

Tracy :)

Recommended Song of the Day

New York, NY

9/16/09: Shake That Bush Again, by The Mooney Suzuki

Listen to it HERE

ROCK AND ROLL! is fabulous

Tracy :)

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Recommended Song of the Day

Brooklyn, NY

9/13/09: Take My Hands, We're Free, by Oakley Hall

Listen to it HERE

Tracy
:)

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Recommended Song of the Day

Brooklyn, NY

9/10/09: Flying, by La Strada

Listen to it HERE

Tracy
:)

Recommended Song of the Day

NY, NY

9/7/09: Huggin', by Murder Mystery

Listen to it HERE

Tracy
:)

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Recommended Song of the Day

NY, NY

8/22/09: Stage Fright, by Patrick Cleandenim

Listen to it HERE

Tracy
:)

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Recommended Song AND Lollapalooza Day 1 Recap

Brooklyn,NY

8/7/09: Colors, by April Smith

Listen to it HERE

So, I was chosen to be an "official fan correspondent" this year at Lollapalooza for LP33.tv (I did it, it was fun, I wasn't great) and I got lost trying to find the media tend Friday morning. I ended up tagging alongside another person searching for the media tent, and they recommended I check out April Smith. I decided I'd look her up online later instead, as I was determined to see Hockey, but when I heard her music walking by I had to stop in. She was fabulous! She has a great voice, and randomly her song lyrics caught my attention ("When it comes to my man, I will fight like a boy.") BIG fan. Click her pic to hear more music.

She also introduced me to the website Kickstarter, which claims to be "a funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, inventors, explorers..." I LOVE this. Check it out. Some of the many cool projects featured on there include:
They have a really cool philosophy around payment, click HERE to check it out.

Enjoy!


Lollapalooza, Day 1 :)

Despite the fact that at one point in the day both of my thumbs were numb from being so cold, it was phenomenal. LOVED it, of course. Here's a recap of my day, and feel free to check out my twitter feed, as I also "tweeted my Lolla experience."

I stopped by April Smith (Brooklyn, NY) first, and they busted out an old Samsonite suitcase as an instrument. I really liked her show, hence today's recommendation.

Then I headded to Hockey (Portland, OR). I don't remember what put such a positive impression in my head about them, but I was really excited to see them. When I got there they were riled up with energy, but then suddenly all the music stopped. I'm assuming the rain messed something up, but it took awhile for sound to come back. The band passed the time by throwing cans of beer into the crowd. :) When the sound finally did come back, the band quickly line-checked and jumped right back into another song, only for the sound to go out again before the song was over. It really sucks for them, and for us. But mostly for them.

From Hockey I checked out Manchester Orchestra (Atlanta, GA). I just recommended them, so I was excited to see them live. They sounded really good, but I felt inspired to make the hike from the Budweiser stage on the north side to the 2016 stage on the south side to see Rockford's Hey Champ. Apparently Lupe thinks they're a big deal, and I thought they were pretty cool. Nothing FABulous in my book though. Check out some of Hey Champ on my YouTube channel HERE.

I stopped at Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears (Austin, TX) next. They were awesome. Check out this clip I took during their show:


I did pause as I passed The Knux (Hollywood/New Orleans), because they sounded pretty good, but I didn't get to really check them out. I had to run to my "fan correspondent" gig w/LP33.tv. I taped a segment in Q101's Hammock Haven. Let's just say, if I ever become famous or run for office, I'm sure - somehow - that tape will appear. That will be awesome...

I stopped by Amazing Baby (Brooklyn, NY) next, and while I liked what I heard, I didn't fall in love. We left after a few songs and got some food and prepared to make our way over to Bon Iver (Northwestern, WI). I would have certainly enjoyed Bon Iver more had I not been freezing. Really, the cold distracted me during Bon Iver, Ben Folds, (Nashville, TN) and Fleet Foxes (Seattle, WA). I was determined to enjoy Of Montreal (Sunlandia/Athens, GA), which is where I headed after Fleet Foxes, so I grabbed a bottle of wine to warm up with. It helped. :)

OF MONTREAL was, is and forever-shall-be, FABULOUS. I'm in love with Kevin Barnes, and their music. I was SOOOO excited for this moment since the day I saw the line-up. It. Was. Awesome. :)





After Of Montreal I could barely walk... stumbled over to watch a bit of Depeche Mode, but can't say I was able to soak any of it in. We headed out early to catch Lykke Li (Stockholm, Sweden) at Bottom Lounge. Here's a clip from that show:



Here are some random pictures I took throughout the day. It's not creepy, just capturing the environment...


It was a FABulous Day 1 :) I hope you all had an equally rewarding day, if not more! Day 2's recap is up next...

Tracy :)

To visit MY blog postings for the artists that played on Day 1, check out these links:

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Recommended Song of the Day

Brooklyn, NY

7/29/09: Sooner or Later, by ZAZA


Listen to it
HERE

Go
HERE to download it for FREE

Tracy :)

Recommended Song of the Day

Brooklyn, NY

7/28/09: Bonnie and Clyde, by Love as Laughter


Listen to it HERE


Love this song. Enjoy!


Tracy :)

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Recommended Song of the Day + P4K Day 2

Brooklyn, NY

7/18/09: Bear, by The Antlers


Listen to it HERE


Antlers is one of the many bands playing Pitchfork today that I'm excited to see! MOST pumped about Yeasayer, Final Fantasy, Matt and Kim, and Bowerbirds.


DAY 2

The National Beirut Doom Yeasayer Final Fantasy The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Fucked Up Plants and Animals Cymbals Eat Guitars The Black Lips Matt & Kim Lindstrom Wavves Ponytail Bowerbirds The Dutchess and The Duke Antlers Disappears


Tracy :)

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Recommended Song of the Day

New York

6/26/09: Commitments, Sam Champion
 

Listen to it HERE
 

This song slowly escalates from interesting to AWESOME in less than three minutes. Enjoy!

Tracy
 :)

Snapshots - Summer Festivals 2009

PITCHFORK