New M.I.A. video – “Paper Planes”

Celebrate the New Year and put your guns in the air! M.I.A. hustling in “Paper Planes”

JEN KEARNEY & THE LOST ONIONS

STOLI ADDS SOME SPICE AS HE CHATS WITH JEN KEARNEY & THE LOST ONIONS
By: Stoli Razz

On January 31st, Skope Live! & Autism Speaks returns to Felt in Boston. Jen Kearney will be performing a solo live set. Skope Live! is so excited to have her perform we sent Stoli to see what was going on with her today!

Stoli: You are based in Lowell, how do you feel about the music scene in the Boston Metro area?

Jen: I was born in Boston so I have that hometown affinity for playing around here. Alot of people come from all over the world to attend the music colleges, so there’s no shortage of talented musicians in town. The scene is pretty diverse and vibrant.

Stoli: You play with alot of bands & musicians, do you feel that makes you better as a musician?

Jen: Absolutely. I’m always learning something from somebody!

Stoli: How did you come up with the name, Jen Kearney & The Lost Onion?

Jen: An onion has soul and alot of layers, so we felt having it in the name represented our style of music well. All cultures have their own version of soul food and most recipes begin with sautéing and onion in oil. That was the thought process behind the “Onion” part. As far as the “Lost” part.

The story is legend and only high ranking officials, certain archaeologists and possibly Harrison Ford know the secrets of the Lost Onion. We’ll give you a taste of it if you come to a show though!

Stoli: What is the most inspiring life experience that helps motivate you to create music?

Jen: I think inspiration and experience are ongoing. I just try to observe everything around me and write about things from my perspective.

Stoli: You have a unique sound mixing Latin & Soul. Was that natural or did you set out to create that sound?

Jen: Thank you. I think it was pretty natural. I listen to all kinds of music but was always into soul music even as a young kid and would spend alot of time listening to my mom’s soul records from the 60s and 70s. I just felt it.

Latin music is the same way. I just get mesmorized by the Afro-Cuban rhythms. I worked at this bakery a long time ago and had to be up at 3am to get to work. I found a radio station that played salsa and would blare it whenever I had to open the bakery and dance around making muffins and cakes and stuff. I listen to alot of different genres of music. I think whatever a person listens to is going to come out in their songwriting and style sooner or later, so the shorter answer is: yes, it was natural. HA!

Stoli: Have experiences with past lovers helped you to write music?

Jen: Oh yes!

Stoli: Are you excited about the January 10th show at Harpers in Allston, MA? How do you get psyched to play live?

Jen: I’m really excited for this show! Its pretty easy for me to get psyched. I’m just naturally psyched to perform. It’s what I love to do!

Stoli: What has been the most touching experience with a fan since you started making music?

Jen: Well, I’m thankful for all the kind words that come our way. I’d say the most touching experience just happened recently. I was told by a woman that listening to our album got her through caring for her father in the last few weeks of his life. That was very heavy and beyond flattering. Its kind of a speechless moment when someone tells you something like that.

Stoli: When you are not playing music what else do you enjoy doing?

Jen: I’m very into cooking and having friends over for dinner to spend time with them. I read. I’m a movie geek and if I really like a movie, I’ll watch it several times. I paint a little just for fun with oil pastels. I do sporty things. Regular human fun stuff!

Stoli: When you were starting out what was the toughest thing to overcome to get people to recognize you?

Jen: My own lack of patience.

Stoli: What can we look forward to from you in 2008?

Jen: I’m writing a bunch of new songs and we’re hoping to get back in the studio to record them and release a new CD this year. That’s the goal as well as playing alot of great festivals and gigs!

www.jenkearney.com
www.myspace.com/jenkearneythelostonion
www.sonicbids.com/JenKearneyTheLostOnion

Virginia Coalition – Home This Year

The three-piece (core member) band, Virginia Coalition, from Alexandria, Virginia is unique in the fact that all three members can play just about every instrument they collectively use. Not to be confused with the political movement bearing the same name, the material is real-life based and not confrontational. The group used collaborative players for the first time on this CD, which is their fifth release.

This is an easy to listen to offering. Throughout the disc, it’s easy to draw some comparison of the qualities that have worked for John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, Loggins & Messina, and Bruce Hornsby. The title song is a catchy song about major reasons to come back home from the road. Piano led songs like “Same Page” and “I Got This One” have a good combination of writing and overall presence. Songs like “Lately” and “Look My Way” are ideal TV show or movie intro or backdrop songs.

You may have already caught them at a venue. The band has toured extensively supporting a lot of the big names in the industry like The Dave Mathews Band. Different songs with different vibes make up this release. From song one through song 10, it’s laid back and easy to follow! 

By RME

Stoli Heads To Florida To Hang With Big Bang Radio

Big Bang Radio has just released their new album, To Mars From Babylon. These guys are from South Florida and after you give them one listen you know it’s special. With no major label support they are doing just fine without. We sent Stoli to see what the next move is for a true up & coming band!

BBR is Mike B, Ron, Mike S, & Alex, & Ian

Stoli: How did you come up with the name Big Bang Radio?

BBR: Big Bang Radio was a name that was created one day after a long discussion about band names. We knew we wanted to have a name that exemplified a big sound, riff rock, powerful vocals, etc. Ron was flipping through a National Geographic magazine and stumbled upon an article about the Big Bang Theory. The words Big Bang stood out and we tagged on Radio. We also liked the way BBR sounded. That was about it.

Stoli: How did you all 5 come together and set up the band?

BBR: Ron (keys) moved down from NY in 2004 to work with Alex (guitar). Mike (bass) moved down from NY in 2006 to join the band and Ian (drums) came into the picture shortly after. The final missing element was Mike S. (vocals) joining the band this year. Mike S. and Alex have also played together years prior, so the experience and chemistry between everyone was there before it began. It’s a great situation because 3 members are brothers and cousins, being Ron, Alex and Mike, and Ian and Mike S. might as well be considered blood as well as everyone in the band are great friends.

Stoli: What is one of the toughest parts of getting national recognition that you feel is well deserved?

BBR: The toughest part of getting national recognition is probably due to attaining mainstream airplay. Without a record deal or distribution deal, it seems like alot of Clear Channel based radio stations won’t play your music. WIth that said, this is a great time for the independent or unsigned artists. WIth the Internet and digital world taking over, (you tube, myspace etc.) you can attain national recognition through these means. We would love to have an opportunity to have label backing, but until that becomes a reality, we are going to conitnue to take advantage of these means.

Stoli: You have played with many national acts. Would you say that you watch & learn from them?

BBR: A lot of times you learn what to do and not to do. The toughest thing about opening up for a huge act is that the majority of people are there to see them and not you, so its a challenge to win them over. We absolutely LOVE getting the opportunity to spread our music to people that have not heard of us. When you can win a crowd over, its the best feeling in the world. on December 18th, we will be opening for Chris Daughtry and we are very excited to have the opportunity to show his fans who we are and what we are about. It is also hopefully great prep work for us, because of course we are aspiring to one day play to 20,000 of our fans.

Stoli: What was the best part of creating your new album ‘To Mars, From Babylon’?

BBR: Working with Bob Rosa hands down. He is such an AMAZING individual, let along a musical genius. He’s up there with George Martin in our book.

Stoli: Would you say that because you are not signed to a major you have more creative control over your sound?

BBR: We definitely have more creative control of our sound. We answer to ourselves right now. However, a good record deal is having the backing of a label that believes 100% in what we do, and the sound we create.

Stoli: What inspires you most to write songs?

BBR: Life experience for sure. We take our experiences in life and write about them.

Stoli: If you could choose 1 song that gives listeners a taste of what Big Bang Radio is all about what song would that be?

That’s a tough question because as a band we try to create colors. The bands and artists we look up to are bands like Led Zeppelin, U2, and many many others. These bands had longevity and their music will ALWAYS live on. They werent confined to one specific thing. They were albe to create colors with their music while keeping the integrity of who they are with each tune, which is what we try to do. I guess if we had to decide, a song like Sanity would probably be our pick because of its overall message.

Stoli: Have your friends & family been supportive of your musical endeavours?

BBR:Absolutely. Its always great to have a foundation of support from friends and family. It makes the overall experience that much better.

Stoli: Why do you think that Skope Magazine has caught on so well with music enthusiasts worldwide?

BBR: Because you guys are hip and ahead of the game. You know whats going on before it happens. Wisdom. The magazine is awesome and to even be considered a part of it is an honor for us. Thanks for the opportunity.

StolI: Have you ever got laid just becuase you are a musician in a band?

BBRL: Umm…..plead the 5th :)
Some people in the band would say yes, and some would say no.

Stoli: What can we look forward to from Big Bang Radio in the next 6 months?

BBR: We set high goals and try to attain them. We would love to have the opportunity to show the world who we are and what we are about. We believe 2008 is going to be a great year for us.

The Gourds – Noble Creatures

There’ve been times when one might play Austin-based quintet The Gourds’ 2001 hick-hop cover of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin & Juice” and hear: “Man, those Phish guys can play anything!”

But The Gourds are no jam band. Nor are they a one-joke wonder – these guys have been pumping out good, solid mixes of Southern rock, country, folk and superb songwriting for a good while.

At the center of their new LP, Noble Creatures, is one of the band’s best efforts, the Kevin Russell-penned ballad “Promenade”. The Gourds don’t usually go the ballad route, but this song shows they can handle it nicely, with Russell’s rough-hewn voice and regretful lyrics the focal point around which the band spins a quiet but grand sound – former Wilco member Max Johnston shines on fiddle here.

Though there are a higher-than-normal number of ballads on this Gourds album, longtime fans will find plenty to love from songwriters Russell and Jimmy Smith — from bouncy opener “How Will You Shine” to “The Gyroscopic” which seems equal parts Doug Sahm and Steve Miller.

By Jonathan Tully

It’s Adjustable – December 2007

Epitaph/Hellcat Lightening Round 
By Stacy Coronis 

As a way to procrastinate, I decided to go through my bin of music people send me to review and I found all sorts of Epitaph and Hellcat discs that I’ve never gotten around to. Some of them are older releases, but I wanted to go through the back log, so here’s the lightening round on these bands

Vanna, Curses
My iTunes puts Vanna in the “metal” genre, but iTunes gets this wrong a lot. I would put Vanna solidly in the hardcore group and they do a pretty good job of it, too. Things veer off the hardcore path every so often with some melodic and pop punky singing, but the songs are a lot better when lead singer Chris Preece sticks to straight up screaming the lyrics. They formed at Mass College of Art, so they’re local boys, an added bonus.

Static Thought, In The Trenches
I’m way behind on this one – the street date was January, 2006. Oops. Anyway, I really like the rhythm they’ve got going on with their songs. I feel like a lot of times hard core focuses so much on wailing, screeching guitars that it loses the bass and drums a bit. Static Thought pays a lot more attention to this detail and as a result the music feels more melodic, cohesive and polished, or at least as polished as hard core gets. That being said, the guitar work on the album is solid, though not a stand out. Overall, a complex and well thought out album.

The Heart Attacks, Hellbound and Heartless
This one is a little more poppy, with a heavy hint of glam metal a la Motley Crue. That’s never really been my cup of tea, but they don’t do a bad job. They’ve got Joan Jett on one of their songs, “Tear Stained Letters.” I love Joan Jett. Perhaps I should capitalize that. I LOVE Joan Jett. That may be an unpopular opinion, I have no idea, but I think she’s pretty bad ass. Too bad I hate this song. Not good. They also don’t fare so well when they cover “Travelin’ Band.” Leave it to the experts, boys. I wouldn’t recommend this one, far too pop.

Left Alone, Dead American Radio
This one definitely has the Tim Armstrong stamp on it. I can tell there’s a heavy Rancid influence here, and it works. There’s some punk, reggae, pop and even country elements here. The country tinged songs, such as “Waiting for You” and “Bastard Son” work the best for me, but they do a good job incorporating all the genres. Lots of fun and a solid piece of work.

Raised Fist, Sound of the Republic
Every song sounds the same. I know that a lot of hardcore has a similar sound, but this is a bit too much. Almost any song you start sounds just like any other. I like hardcore and I have no problem with the fact that there’s a great deal about it that sounds a like, but this is a bit ridiculous. Songs can’t be interchangeable and these are.

Westbound Train, Transitions
I had no idea this was reggae until I popped it in. The cover art is dark and I thought it would be some dark hard core or punk, but instead, its bouncy and fun reggae. I love the horns on this, especially. Westbound Train might not be on par with label mates The Aggrolites just yet, but they definitely have the potential.

Cymarshall Law – Hip Hop in the Flesh

 From superheroes to political issues to family strife, Cymarshall Law covers a range of topics and delivers a variety of sounds on his 2007 CD, Hip Hop in the Flesh. This album is not in the tradition of today’s bling-laden, champagne-swilling, over-produced rap albums. ‘Cymar’ puts thought into his lyrics and the diversity of background vocals and instrumentation adds interest throughout. Cymar sings about personal heroes like Pelé, Bruce Lee, and Bob Marley in ‘The Great Ones’; respect is given for dedication and mental strength rather than wealth or street smarts.

Articulate and clear, it’s great to have a hip-hop album that can be understood rather than trying to decipher mumbling and repetitive rounds of ‘uh-uh’. Creative lyrics and catchy background beats keep things interesting and fresh. ‘Super Girl’ tells a familiar story about a misfit with super powers — like a comic book set to a back beat, Cymar illustrates with his voice. Another highlight is ‘Addiction’, with this great line: “People drink to drown sorrow, but sorrow can swim.”

Without big name guest vocals this album has a pure feel and rewards fans of true hip-hop, definitely worth a listen.

By Lara Killian

Flobots – Fight With Tools

 “There is a war going on for your mind.” With nine small words Flobots introduces itself and its message to the masses on the group’s first full-length album Fight With Tools. “There’s a War Going On For Your Mind” is an extravagant piece and a great kick-off track for the album. Passionately delivered, the song sounds like spoken word poetry that paints poignant and vivid imagery. “We are the insurgents,” professes the group.

“Same Thing” is a no frills piece where the band blatantly states, “U.S. is not us and us is not we and we are not satisfied (…) we want money for healthcare and public welfare (…) human needs not corporate greed drop the debt and legalize weed.”

Flobots continues its message on tracks like “Stand Up” and “Handlebars” where they propel 9/11, the destructive flooding after Hurricane Katrina and injustice as a whole into the limelight. Fight With Tools is meant to be an intense album, and it is. With a finesse unlike many others, Flobots raises many valid points, but at times it can sound a bit preachy. Fight With Tools could easily be placed into a time capsule to be unearthed years from now and it would undeniably provide an insightful glimpse into American society.

Most rap/ hip-hop acts would never dream to focus on politics as their subject matter, nor do they have a viola, bass, guitar, drums or trumpet to accompany its emcees, but Flobots isn’t like other acts. The group has a sound all its own and even if you don’t agree with its message there’s no denying that Flobots is a collaborative venture for seven outstanding musicians with many common goals: to intrigue listeners into engaging in thought, conversation and action.

By Esperanza Juarez

American Angel – Vanity

American Angel may be a name that’s new to many, but this New Jersey-based band has a history that dates back to the 1980s. Frontman Rocco Fury is the only remaining member from the group’s original lineup, and it’s his voice that drives Vanity, American Angel’s first new studio album in 15 years.

From the very start, Fury & Co. make it clear that this ain’t no nostalgic ’80s love fest. “Fixed in a stare and you’re standing there / Never getting back to 1984,” he sings to the naysayers during “Pantomind,” a balls-out rocker that features electrifying stabs of bottleneck guitar and propulsive drumming. In fact, the only track that smacks of retro is “Don’t Wait Up,” with its Ratt-like swagger and lyrical machismo. The bulk of Vanity is thoughtful, melodic hard rock, and there are also acoustic-based rockers and ballads like “Warm Inside” and “Another Day” to showcase the band’s softer side. The disc’s momentum only derails during an extended retread of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “On the Hunt.”

The album’s second half opens a more experimental vein. “End of the Night” surprises listeners with a guerrilla Latin percussion breakdown, while the guitar work in “Permanent Pause” has a sense of musical whimsy that would make Queen’s Brian May proud.

By Theodore Thimou

KT Tunstall – The KT Tunstall Holiday Collection

This girl just has it. A mere six songs, it has ranked as my favorite Christmas CD this season. “2000 Miles” swims out of the CD player with just the right edge and just the right amount of Signature Christmas Time Bells in the background.

“Christmas [Baby Please Come Home]” has a central emphasized beat that just makes you move, her sweet/husky voice holding passion, strength, and just a tad of Christmas Magic. (Bwahaha, I’m getting mushy on y’all.) But the best out of this medley of cheery Christmas delights? “Mele Kalikimaka [Christmas in Hawaii].”

My Dad listened to it more than any other Christmas song this year. She sings it soft and daintily, like an old-time singer from a black and white movie, but the concept is so funny you cheer right up listening to it. What else can I say? “Sleigh Ride” was creative and “Fairytale of New York” was hilarious, and “Lonely This Christmas” is sweet and sad. iPod worthy? Definitely. I’ll still be playing this come spring.

By Alison Maney

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