Root Down in the Shadow

Less than a week away, the XPoNential Festival looms large on the summer music horizon.  The schedule has been released and it's time to start plotting out your must see bands, meeting with friends, and where to put your chairs each day! Luckily for us, some of the festival performers have put in their two cents on which bands are worthy of your attention.  Israel Nash Sunday 1:40pm - JerseyArts.com Marina Stage Band Most Excited to Share the Festival Stage with : Courtney Barnett: ( Sunday 3:55pm - River Stage) "Courtney's done so much lately. I’ve been a fan for a little bit, as we keep crossing paths on the circuit, SXSW etc. To keep seeing Courtney, on the lineup, at all these festivals is awesome! Somehow I haven’t been able to catch her set yet, so this will be the first time to see her live. Her new album ( Sometimes I Sit And Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit ) is great. Courtney Barnett is such a great poet, while doi...

Before I started blogging, I spent a good bit of time surfing the web, checking out band sites for tour or new album news.  It was either that or checking out tidbits on the woeful Pittsburgh Pirates, my other main obsession.  Earlier this year, I landed on the creativity jackpot.  Not only did I find excellent music, but I found it done in quite a new way. Looking at Beck.com, I found RECORD CLUB Now Bec k, as insanely creative as he is, likes different music than I do, but I was intrigued by the INXS album. First off, these hits are the same songs I have in my iTunes from INXS' "Greatest Hits". Who needs a greatest hits, when you have an album this full of hits. Second, I had come across St. Vincent (via a Rolling Stone video podcast) last year, and her song 'Actor Out of Work' is compelling, so I wanted to hear more.  Here is the best of what I found.  Enjoy! 'Need You Tonight' by INXS recreated by "record club" Featuring St. Vin...