The House List

Beach House – The Bowery Ballroom – May 15, 2012

ronniezizmor — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:38:41 +0000

Photos courtesy of Chris Reddish

Jonathan Wilson Plays the Early Show on Friday at Mercury Lounge

ronniezizmor — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:26:47 +0000

Growing up in North Carolina, Jonathan Wilson was often surrounded by music, especially since his father was a musician and bandleader. By his early 20s, Wilson had become a musician himself, playing guitar and keys, and he formed a band with a friend. The group broke up, as most do, and Wilson wandered, living in California, Georgia and New York City before returning to California, specifically the famed Laurel Canyon neighborhood. He opened a studio and produced and worked alongside the likes of Jackson Browne, Chris Robinson, Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Dawes, plus he was known for hosting jam sessions at his house. But he still had songs in his head so Wilson produced his own album, Frankie Ray, in 2007, but it was never officially released. Still, the singer-songwriter was undeterred and a second disc, Gentle Spirit, backed by a full band, came out last year. And now Wilson (above, performing “Can We Really Party Today?” at last year’s Crossing Border Festival in the Hague) has taken his act on the road. See him—and don’t miss Jenny O playing first—at the early show at Mercury Lounge on Friday.

Start Your Weekend with JJ Grey & Mofro at Webster Hall

ronniezizmor — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:10:40 +0000

JJ Grey (vocals, piano, guitar and harmonica) grew up outside Jacksonville, Fla., with twin interests in surfing and music. So he began making music, which eventually grew into a band—with Anthony Cole (drums), Art Edmaiston (sax), Anthony Farrell (organ), Dennis Marion (trumpet), Todd Smallie (bass) and Andrew Trube (guitar)—playing a stew of North Florida influences: country, blues, gospel, funk, R&B and Southern rock. Sure enough, JJ Grey & Mofro (above in the trailer for the group’s live DVD, Brighter Days) became known for their gritty soulful performances, one of those bands you’ve just got to see live. And you can, on Friday night at Webster Hall.

Two Nights of the Legendary Willie Nelson at The Wellmont Theatre

ronniezizmor — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:41:31 +0000

Let’s face it: With a career spanning more than 50 years of a ridiculous number of hits and albums, plus a healthy dose of acting, poetry and activism, music legend Willie Nelson needs no introduction. He could happily spend all his time in a solar-powered house on Maui, but Nelson, who’s got music in his soul, is a road warrior. His newest studio disc (the 66th!), Heroes—which covers the likes of Coldplay—is out today, and Willie Nelson & Family (above, doing “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die”) play The Wellmont Theatre tomorrow and Thursday. If you’ve seen him before, you already know you shouldn’t miss this. And if you never have, now’s your chance.

Gossip Will Stream Live from Terminal 5 on 5/22

ronniezizmor — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:39:57 +0000

Since That’s Not What I Heard came out in 2001, Gossip—singer Beth Ditto, guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hannah Blilie—has gotten bigger with each album. According to NME: “Everyone needs to hear this band and dance like there’s no tomorrow.” Which, as the dance-punk trio has toured extensively, people around the world have learned, from Coachella to Glastonbury. And you can, too. The group’s fifth album, A Joyful Noise, comes out next Tuesday, 5/22, and that night at Terminal 5 Gossip’s show will stream live on The Bowery Presents Live. Don’t miss it.

Grow a Pair: Win Free Tickets to See Ingrid Michaelson on 5/17

ronniezizmor — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:34:33 +0000

With a recently released new album, Hungry Again, Ingrid Michaelson is now out on tour, which brings her to Terminal 5 on Thursday. She’s popular and the show is sold out. But if you’d still like to go, The House List is giving away two tickets. So try to Grow a Pair. It’s easy. Just fill out the form below, making sure to include your full name, e-mail address and a brief message explaining which song you like the most off her new disc. Eddie Bruiser, who’s got a thing for musicians discovered on MySpace, will notify the winner by Thursday. Good luck.

[contact-form-7]

Justin Townes Earle Comes to Webster Hall

ronniezizmor — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:31:58 +0000

His last name comes from his father and his middle name pays homage to Townes Van Zandt, so it seems Justin Townes Earle was destined to become a musician. He grew up in Nashville, playing music at a young age, but not just country or bluegrass as you might expect. Instead, Earle played in a rock band and also toured with his dad before self-releasing the EP Yuma in 2007. His debut full-length, The Good Life, an interesting mix of bluegrass, country and folk, followed the next year. And then like so many before him, Earle headed to the big city, eventually becoming a denizen of the East Village. Two months ago, the talented Earle (above, playing “Look the Other Way” on Late Show with David Letterman) put out his fifth LP, the aptly titled Nothing’s Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now, and you can see him live on Thursday at Webster Hall.

Ty Segall Plays Webster Hall with White Fence Tomorrow

ronniezizmor — Tue, 15 May 2012 03:29:57 +0000

For such a young guy, Ty Segall is a busy dude. The singer-songwriter, who plays guitar and drums, was a part-time musician until 2008, when things exploded musically for him. Since then he’s put out several solo albums, including last year’s Goodbye Bread, and he’s worked on discs with Epsilons, Party Fowl, the Traditional Fools, the Perverts and Mikal Cronin. That would be enough for most people. But this year alone Segall has already put out Hair, an album with Tim Presley’s distortion-heavy, psychedelic-influenced White Fence, and he intends to release Slaughter, recorded with his touring band, in June, before putting out another disc later in the year. With all of that to keep him busy, it’s surprising Segall (above, doing “Scissor People” for Room 205) has time to tour. But fortunately he does, and you can see him playing with White Fence (separately and together) tomorrow night at Webster Hall.

An Upbeat Night of Old-Timey Music

ronniezizmor — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:43:09 +0000

The Dirt Daubers/Spirit Family Reunion – Mercury Lounge – May 12, 2012

If I’m using the word correctly, what went down Saturday night at Mercury Lounge was, in fact, a hootenanny complete with banjos, washboards, kazoos, group singing and more than enough fun to go around for everyone. First up, Brooklyn’s Spirit Family Reunion, a sextet with stripped-down instrumentation and plain white undershirts to match. They were a blast from a bygone era, putting the (good) time in old-timey music. Despite the songs’ austere nature, with a bountiful mix of bluegrass, gospel, jug band and the like, the infectious energy was high. It’s rare to witness a spontaneous, overwhelming response in the middle of a set that’s unassociated with any expectations but is instead just a swelling of love from the audience. But Spirit Family Reunion got such a roar and deservedly so.

The Dirt Daubers, from Kentucky, the birthplace of bluegrass, followed. Although their roots and style are similar to the opener’s—with banjo, mandolin, bass and harmonica—the trio’s look and sound are slightly more polished (plus there were some corny Cracker Barrel jokes). But where Spirit Family Reunion pushed the uplifting side of the music, the Daubers, like their name, were darker, not only playing a murder ballad but announcing it to warn you. When they threw in some harmonica, the sound firmed up, like on “Cindy.” An up-tempo version of Elvis Presley’s “Just Because” was another highlight. At one point the lead singer had one hand on a harmonica and the other on a washboard, impressively playing both at high speed to impressive results.

If the contrast between the two groups wasn’t obvious enough, while Spirit Family Reunion closed with an arena-sized version of the optimistic “I’ll Find a Way,” the Dirt Daubers finished with the more ominously titled “Devil Gets His Due.” Still the Daubers, due a gospel number, encored with a wonderful sing-along rendition of the classic “I’ll Fly Away,” but not before explaining that singing a gospel number gave you the liberty to have a night of bad behavior to balance out things. And on that note, the crowd helped close out the veritable hootenanny with the loudest singing of the night. —A. Stein

Neon Indian – Terminal 5 – May 12, 2012

ronniezizmor — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:41:50 +0000

Photos courtesy of Joe Papeo | www.irocktheshot.com