W♥M (Archive)

Ben Folds Five: Back In Business

Tour Dates 05/18/12 Columbus, OH - Lifestyle Communities 05/25/12 Pittsburgh, PA - Heinz Hall 06/02/12 Hunter, NY - Mountain Jam Fest 06/08/12 Atlanta, GA - Chastain Park Amphitheatre 06/10/12 Manchester, TN - Bonnaroo Festival Read More Ben Folds Five Kate and Lara LOLing through it all. The three Bens: Ben Folds, Ben & Jason, and Ben & Jerry

Here’s the big news, Ben Folds Five are officially back in the room! Many people thought this would probably never happen and that when they released their last album “The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messler” (unbelievably, that’s almost thirteen years ago now) that effectively the band had split for good.

In January this year rumblings were heard that they were going to be reforming. People didn’t take too much notice as it came off the back of a retrospective three disc album called “The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective” and, as is par for the course rumours like these always start and are swiftly quashed. However, this one refused to go away and fans and newcomers to the music loved the “old” new album as it featured all the band’s favourites and one new track called “House” which was what gave fans hope. You can hear that here:

Ben Folds Five - House

Finally in January 2012 it was formally announced that indeed they were reforming and now it sounds like they’ve never been away. Hearing “House” is like (in the best possible sense) putting on a favourite pair of comfortable shoes. You feel safe and assured. In musical terms you know what you’re getting. Super classy piano and charged, breathtaking vocals that sound and feel homely - just as though the songs are being sung for you and you alone.

Another New Song

“House” wasn’t the only new song. Just last week another new track was previewed, entitled “Do It Anyway” via SoundCloud and you can take a sneaky free listen here:



The song is, at the moment only a rough demo and therefore unmastered but you can get a real feel for how the new material is going to shape up. The start is surprising, it almost has a classical feel to it, before exploding into a fast paced, ebullient melding of brilliant pop and blues. Sometimes the song feels as though it’s spinning out of control it goes so fast, it just about manages to pull itself back from being lost completely, however it does not take the shine of its sheer brilliance. It’s just a joy to listen to and proves that even though they left the building all those years ago time hasn’t taken the shine off their song writing abilities, musical talent and completely raw energy. If this one track (and “House”) is anything to go by then the new album should be a real rollercoaster ride of musical emotion and spirit:

“If you’re paralysed by the voice in your head, it’s the standing still that should be scaring you instead” 

Sings the man himself, and there’s probably never a truer word uttered. It is literally impossible to stand or sit still while you listen to the Ben Folds Five so infectious are their sounds and anthemic songs. Hearing them now is a reminder of just how good they were and what a loss to the music world it was when they disbanded.

When is the Album Out? Are They Touring?

Fans are, at the moment being urged to follow that band’s twitter feed for the latest updates. A late spring/early summer release was mooted, though as with all these things the information and dates are subject to change. The basic gist is keep your eyes and ears peeled for news. Once dates are confirmed, it will be available for pre-order from Amazon, iTunes and all the other usual outlets and ready for delivery via courier straight to your door.

They’ve got some initial tour dates coming up through the rest of May and into June, starting on 18^th May in Ohio and carrying on with gigs in Pittsburgh, Hunter, Atlanta and Manchester at the Bonaroo Festival on 10^th June.

One final and rather endearing thing to note is this: pledge music project. You can download some of the new Ben Folds album here, you set how much you want to pay for it and then you get the music, exclusive updates, videos and blogs delivered to you. All the band asks in return is that via social network mediums like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace et al, you mention that you’ve pledged, share the link and help promote the band’s work. It’s a really nice way to share and well worth looking into if you simply can’t wait until the new album comes out in its entirety. Welcome back Ben Folds Five, you’ve been sorely missed…

imogen ♥ benfolds.com

Delicate Steve: Positive Force

Tour Dates 6/01 Terminal 5 . New York, NY % 6/10 Contemporary Arts Center . Cincinnati, OH * 6/11 Wexner Center for the Arts . Columbus, OH * 6/12 Mr Smalls Fun House . Pittsburgh, PA * 6/13 Town Ballroom . Buffalo, NY * 6/14 Pearl Street Ballroom . Northampton, MA * 6/19 The National . Richmond, VA # 6/20 Orange Peel . Asheville, NC # 6/21 Bijou Theatre . Knoxville, TN # 6/22 Cannery Ballroom . Nashville, TN # 6/23 Headliners Music Hall . Louisville, KY # 6/24 20th Century Theatre . Cincinnati, OH # 8/31 End of the Road Festival . North Dorset, UK 9/06 Hopscotch Music Fest . Raleigh, NC % with tUnE-yArDs, Micachu and the Shapes * with tUnE-yArDs # with Yeasayer Read More Delicate Steve Delicate Steve, who I couldn't wrap my head around an all-instrumental spacey surf band playing with this Africana-rock sound of Khaira Arby and Her Band. But as I watch Steve and his band play, I realized that Steve's music fits perfectly with Arby's band.

It’s taken a little while but Delicate Steve is back with a brand new album set for release on the 15^th May on the “Luaka Bop” record label which is run by Talking Head’s front man extraordinaire David Byrne. Byrne had, for some time, wanted to set up a label that summed up the best in world music as a whole and Steve’s sound seems to fit with his ethos perfectly. A few moments of your time given over to listening to him will show you why.

What Does He Sound Like?

Delicate Steve (his real name is Steve Marion) hails from New Jersey, and is only twenty three years old; incredible when you hear the talent he has.

According to the man himself he likes to channel bands like 10CC and Yes. Maybe throw in a little Stevie Wonder and you’re pretty close to finding what he sounds like. Comparisons have been made with acts like Pavement and really off on a tangent – the Allman Brothers! (Remember Jessica?).

His performances are largely instrumental, very little in the way of vocals but that should in no way put you off. The new album is more or less shrouded in secrecy with not much in the way of track releases given out for sampling. There is however, this one little gem available for preview in which you can certainly hear his awesome style: 

Delicate Steve - Afria Talks To You

It’s a really good, solid track that showcases his guitar style so well and gives you a really intense flavour of what he’s about. He has soul in bucketfuls and such a laid back way about him. In another age, in another time this might have sounded totally wrong or out of place – not here, it just sounds so fresh and cool. In a way maybe as if Carlos Santana was reborn as a fresh out of college kid with edge and attitude!

The track listing for “Positive Force” reads as follows:

1. Ramona Reborn
2. Wally Wilder
3. Two Lovers
4. Big Time Receiver
5. Touch
6. Positive Force
7. Love
8. Redeemer
9. Afria Talks To You
10. Tallest Heights
11. Luna

His Debut Album

His debut album came out in January 2011 and was called “Wondervisions”. According to press for the record it was written and recorded at his parent’s house in New Jersey. It caused what you might call a minor stir among musos who were very taken by his sound and what he was trying to achieve. Strictly speaking that album was a synthesiser and guitar driven festival of pop. Tracks like “Sugar Splash” have such a feel of acts like Paul Simon about them. Beats that you can’t help but want to tap your feet to. You can have a listen to that here at Steve’s Soundcloud page:



There are elements of all sorts of styles in his work; reggae, pop, Afrobeat, psychedelia, funk. Some say he sounds almost cosmic. The joy of what he’s doing is there’s no wrong way to hear it, to assess it, you can take from it what you want. It’s his music but you can put your own personal spin on it. In tracks like “Don’t Get Stuck” there’s a real Beatles-y edge to the guitar work, you suddenly feel like you could be in India with the Maharishi drifting away on a cloud of psychedelia:



Where Can I Buy His Stuff and More Importantly Can I See Him Live?

The new album will be available from all the usual online outlets like iTunes – it’s already up for pre-order on Amazon, therefore all you need to do is make sure you have secure broadband packages so you can browse and download his music safely. Another good place to check him out before you buy is his bandcamp site, which allows you to listen and decide before you commit your money! Always a worthwhile path to take.

You cal also go see him live. He’s got a few dates lined up for early May, but then has a big gig lined up for the 1^st June at Terminal Five, New York. He hops over to the UK for a date in the county of Dorset and then back to play the Hopscotch Music Fest on 9^th September in Raleigh.

If you really want an unusual new musician to try out and have a new listening experience with, if you’re prepared to be open to having lots of different styles almost thrown at you in an edgy and contemporary way, then Delicate Steve is the artist for you. At the relatively young age of twenty three he can only improve, which really bodes well for any future records he makes. Give him a go – you really won’t regret it.

imogen ♥ delicatesteve.com

Andrew Bird: Break It Yourself

Tour Dates May 03 Union Transfer Philadelphia, PA May 04 Beacon Theatre New York, NY May 05 Beacon Theatre New York, NY May 06 House of Blues Boston, MA May 08 9:30 Club Washington, DC May 09 Ramshead Live Baltimore, MD May 10 The Fillmore Detroit, MI May 12 Auditorium Theatre Chicago, IL May 19 Nelsonville Music Festival Nelsonville, OH Jun 02 Field Day 2012 London,UK Jun 04 Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Ireland Jun 06 Trinity Bristol,UK Jun 08 Fruit Market Glasgow,UK Jun 09 No Direction Home Festival UK Jun 10 Theatre Royal Brighton Brighton,UK Jun 12 Teatro Circo Price Madrid, Spain Jul 08 Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Geneva, IL Jul 10 Museum Park Theater Raleigh, NC Jul 11 Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden Richmond, VA Jul 14 Forecastle Festival at Waterfront Park, KY Jul 15 Frederik Meijer Gardens Grand Rapids, MI Jul 16 Artpark Lewiston, NY Jul 18 Theatre De Verdure Montreal, Canada Jul 19 Echo Beach Toronto, Canada Jul 20 The Green at Shelburne Museum Shelburne, VT Jul 21 Hope Artiste Village Courtyard Pawtucket, RI Jul 27 Sound Town Fest Somerset, WI Aug 10 Golden Gate Park Festival San Francisco, CA Aug 11 Spreckels Theatre San Diego, CA Aug 12 Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA Aug 14 Red Butte Garden Salt Lake City, UT Aug 15 Chautauqua Auditorium Boulder, CO Aug 17 Denver Performing Arts Complex Denver, CO Aug 18 Caldera Festival Jackson, WY Aug 20 Holland Performing Arts Center Omaha, NE Aug 21 Simon Estes Amph Des Moines, IA Nov 08 Roundhouse London, UK Read More Andrew Bird Here's a funny video called "I'm Sorry", featuring Andrew Bird and Margaret Cho. Note the distinctive whistling that Bird is known for in the song.

What can one say about the music of Chicago born Andrew Bird? With the recent release of his latest album “Break It Yourself” on 6^th March 2012 he has proved yet again what an adept performer he is and what a gift his multi-instrumentalism is as well. In terms of a comparison – think of him obliquely as America’s Mike Oldfield, someone who creates and nurtures delicate soundscapes and musical techniques that ooze sophistication and emotion in a way that other musicians can’t always emulate. Whereas Oldfield’s song writing isn’t always his strong point, Bird excels in both mediums of instrumentation and lyric writing with perfect results.

Break it Yourself

This is Bird’s sixth solo album proper, and is released on the “Mom+Pop” label. It has already been commercially successful and has brought him many plaudits. It’s quite easy to see why. To many of the songs there is a quiet delicacy, a definite folky feel – something that came about after his initial musical project “Bowl Of Fire” disbanded. "Bowl Of Fire" was formed with Kevin O'Donnell, Joshua Hirsch, Nora O’Connor, Andy Hopkins, Jimmy Sutton, Colin Bunn, and Ryan Hembrey who were all musicians from Bird’s hometown of Chicago and was heavily influenced by musical idioms like swing and post and pre-war lieder. Once this project disbanded there was a swing shift towards a more folky sound.

Bird is typically known for his verbose lyrics and “Break It Yourself” is no different in this respect. The song “Desperation Breeds” is a beautiful example of this, containing lines like:

“This peculiar incantation, sure you heard it before, instead of breeding desperation, make me a pallet on the floor”

When mixed with a delightful blend of pizzicato strings and floaty, ethereal guitars it just has this aura of otherworldliness. When Bird sings the word “Bees” it’s almost as if there are a gentle swarm of them in the air around you such are the harmonies created by his voice.

Songs like “Near Death Experience” are a lesson in softness and strength at once:

“You used to be like toffee in the kitten’s teeth, used to build air raid shelters out of sticks and leaves and spend the whole day underneath”

Again, the notion of pizzicato guitar strings coupled with the harmonics of the dual vocal performance add this edge of delicacy. Quiet, contemplative and quite, quite beautiful.

Where Bird really excels is in the telling of tales. Real folk tales. In his song “Lusitania” there is a true feel that this is where his heart lies, in getting to the meat and bones of a historical story, the horrors of war and in a way comparing it to real life and the present day. Hearing the music is in many ways liked being haphazardly tossed in the ocean – that maybe sounds a little trite, but the gentle sway of the percussion sounds like crashing waves, sounds like the wind that carried the liner on it’s fateful journey.

“If your loose and libel lips, keep sinking all my ships then you’re the one who sank my Lusitania”

There is a definite calmness to the music, something that you could definitely imagine lying back on your recliner sofas and immersing yourself fully in, rather than having to be sitting bolt upright and listening intently to every track. This is quiet, contemplative music with a sense of history and a sense of truth to it. The impression Bird gives is one of a serious musician entirely dedicated to producing truth in music and not just hopping on whatever bandwagon happens to be in his path. With whatever he does and whatever he produces you feel safe in his charge.

Can I see Andrew Bird Live?

Yes you can. Throughout May he will be playing a series of gigs which will showcase the new album. These start off with a date in Philadelphia on the 3^rd of the month, then taking in New York, Boston, Washington, Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago and Nelsonville before he brings his blend of perfect folk pop to the UK with a fairly major gig in London on June 2^nd. He’s back in the US for another series of dates in July, taking in Geneva, Raleigh, Richmond, Louisville, Grand Rapids and Louiston. The tour continues in Canada and back to the US throughout August. A full list of dates and where to buy tickets to see the master at his work can be obtained here Andrew Bird.net. Not only this album, but Bird’s back catalogue of work is a definite recommendation for perfect ethereal beauty and wonderful listening. A true musical treasure.

imogen ♥ andrewbird.net