NYC

Do you EAR what I EAR? – A benefit CD packed with local music

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After a slight delay, EAR FARM and Let ‘Em In Studios announced the release of Do you EAR what I EAR?, a holiday album for the Association to Benefit Children, available as a digital download exclusively on EAR FARM’s Store Page for a suggested minimum donation of $5.00. Do you EAR what I EAR? features original and classic holiday songs from many local artists, including Sean Bones (in the picture), Asobi Seksu, Sharon Van Etten, and many more. The proceeds of the record go directly to the Association to Benefit Children, a New York-based service dedicated to permanently break the cycles of abuse, neglect, sickness and homelessness among disadvantaged children and their families.

NYC

NYC Artists on the rise: Kevin Barker – Live at The Stone on 12.20

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For the last few years, Brooklyn resident Kevin Barker has been recording, touring and collaborating with Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom, Vashti Bunyan, Antony and the Johnsons, and Espers, to name just a few, playing on the last few Vetiver records and touring with them. His debut album, You And Me, was produced by Thom Monahan (Vetiver, Gary Louris) and features Pat Sansone (Wilco), Joanna Newsom, Jonathan Wilson (Elvis Costello, Jenny Lewis), Eric Johnson (Shins, Fruit Bats), and Otto Hauser (Vetiver, Espers). Don’t miss Kevin’s live performance at The Stone on December 20.

L.A.

New To Us: Ambient artists theendisthebeginning show promise, have grounds to prove in live set

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There’s a lot to say about ambient rock outfit theendisthebeginning: They’re large.  Aside from being a 6-piece outfit, their music is all about soaring vocals and big prog-rock landscapes to the likes of As Tall As Lions and Circa Survive.  Tracks from their debut LP master machine [sic] offer layers upon layers of well produced space sonics and tight performances, making their first impression a truly memorable one. But it is in the live avenue where we’ll see how far theendisthebeginning can take their tracks. We’ll be keeping tabs with them.

L.A.

Local natives Local Natives host holiday bonanza at Echo Saturday night

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*Date Corrected* Just when you thought we couldn’t possibly shove enough Christmas joy down your throat, think again. The good people at L.A. Record host local natives Local Natives for a night of music, holiday gift giving and general all-ages awesomeness at The Echo on Tuesday, December 22.  Bring non-perishable cans of food for charity and Local Natives will give you a Christmas present (present TBD).  Advanced tickets are $5, at-door for $10.  Fans would probably like to know that the group are touring Europe until March just after this set, so this’ll be your last chance to see them until they come back all Europe’d out.

L.A.

LA newbie and songstress Meredith Meyer previews new LP tracks at Garden Party Thursday night

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Downtempo singer/songwriter Meredith Meyer pens music for the lost with the execution of a silent rock star. Under her signature whisper is a confidence that puts her in the company of Lex Land and Miranda Lee Richards, all while never scaring any of us away with truly haunting (and very Kate Bush-inspired) pop tunes.  Recent weeks saw the release of Meyer’s second full-length It’s Spooky To Be Young, whose tracks she’ll be previewing Thursday night at the Garden Party. (IsGoodMusic / EVFA / Sweet Heat PR present Meredith Meyer at the Garden Party, 542 S. Alameda, LA — 9 p.m.)

 

L.A.

Zooey Deschanel, Ben Gibbard and others join Aimee Mann’s Christmas show

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For the last three years, Aimee Mann‘s annual Christmas Show has provided variety holiday entertainment with the help of A-list indie buddies from all walks of life (thespian, musical and comedic) and this year’s no different.  This Sunday at Largo, the three-night event kicks off with two nights of music with Zooey Deschanel, Ben Gibbard, Mann’s husband Michael Penn and an expected number of surprise guests.  The first two nights are completely sold out, so your only chance of getting in will be for Tuesday night’s show.  With a past guest list including Paul F. Thompkins, John C. Reilly, Patton Oswalt, Amos Lee and Jackson Browne (just to name a very few), we’d suspect just about any night is a pretty fucking good night if Aimee Mann is your host.

Chicago

Optimus Maximus

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I’ve been meaning to write about Gatekeeper for a while now, and I just found out that No Coast has a few copies available so I thought now was a good time. Back in October Fright Records released the latest EP from the frighteningly talented producer Gatekeeper. Optimus Maximus is a dark and electronic album that delves into the depths of the macabre. The album is available digitally at I-tunes, but I recommend the limited edition granite colored vinyl edition. Fright is a strange German label “dedicated to exploring the realm of serial killer symphonies for back alley discos of the macabre.” Gatekeeper was their first signing and clearly a perfect fit.

NYC

Weekly Special #182a: Savoir Adore – Live at Cameo on 12.18

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CMJ Music Marathon is a time to discover the brightest young stars in the music industry. We at The Deli had our hands full with 2009’s festivities and had a hard time picking our favorite bands. Savoir Adore not only was one of my personal favorite artists of this year’s festival, but they also played The Deli’s 20th issue launch party, opening for showegaze Zaza, who graced that issue’s cover. They put on a great live show. I recently sat down with Paul Hammer – we discussed CMJ Music Marathon and future touring plans. – Read Nicholas Palumbo interview with the band here.

Chicago

All I Want For Christmas is Moneypenny

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If you weren’t already thrown into the Christmas spirit by the massive amounts of wet snow on the sidewalks this morning then let Moneypenny finish the job with another great mixtape. Spandexxxmas Mixtape (mp3) features some classics, lots of samples, and dance tracks from Felix Da Housecat, Green Velvet ft. Kid Sis, Fatboy Slim, and more. Moneypenny has also produced a Christmas single of their own which consists of two covers. The “A” side is “Christmas Time is Here” (from Peanuts) (mp3) and the “B” side is surprisingly a cover of Joy Division “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (mp3). Nothing says Christmas like Joy Division.

Moneypenny will be performing a DJ set at sponsored by Puma and DJ Hero at Belmont Army Surplus on December 9th. They will also be hosting “After Dark” at The Art Institute on December 11th, and playing a live set at Darkroom’s Ghosts of Christmas on December 12th.

NYC

Weekly Special #182b: Rachael Sage – Live at Joe’s Pub on 12.23

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Someday, Rachael Sage will make her punk album, a stripped-down collection honoring Joan Jett, one of her heroes. At the moment, though, she’s compelled to make what she calls “cinematic” and “textured” music—expertly crafted piano pop that, however intricate, seems destined for the Top 40. If Sage’s admiration for Jett comes as something of a surprise—her latest album, “Chandelier,” is more along the lines of Vanessa Carlton or Tori Amos—it’s characteristic of her wide-ranging talent and ambition. Another of her idols is Meryl Streep, and in 7th grade, Sage adapted “Sophie’s Choice” for a school theater project. Later, she earned a degree in drama from Stanford University. – read Ken Partridge interview with Rachel here.