It seems the music industry -- charts and award shows anyway -- are too focused these days on Adele, her majesty's clones, auto-tuned hip hoppers and tween artists that appeal to the Twilight generation. Frankly, it all kind of sucks. I mean Adele is unquestionably amazing, but what ever happened to good old fashioned rock and roll? That's the question Cincinnati rockers answer with their fourth album The Church of Rock and Roll. Rock is very much alive, and this band -- who have been opening for acclaimed artists for years -- from Hole to The Strokes to The Darkness -- are more than ready to have as many parishioners as humanly possible.
The band (Eric Sean Nally, Loren Daniel Turner,Daisy Caplan, Schuyler Vaughn White, Aaron McVeigh and Alex Nauth) stopped by to perform their new single "I Like It" followed by a brief chat at the Music Conservatory of Westchester for an A-Sides music session. Enjoy the music (and their hats) below:
Foxy Shazam "I Like It"
Foxy Shazam Interview:
Hey Rim Jeon
World-renowned pianist, composer and educator Hey Rim Jeon has little in common with Foxy Shazam. The pairing of the Korea native with that quirky band for this week's A-Sides is a wonderful non sequitur, but that's the point. My series showcases artists making their art -- no matter what kind of art or artist it is. Anyway, both Foxy and Jeon thrive in their respective genres so it's not completely off base. In any event, Jeon, who has performed classical piano publicly since nine years old, just released her fourth album Introducing Hey Rim Jeon, which exemplifies her percussive jazz style. The album features six original songs with four covers from artists she admires including Chick Corea, but sadly not me because I have little musical talent.
In New York City, Jeon performed "Mona Lisa Puzzle," the self-titled tune off her 2009 album which won Best Jazz Album at the 2009 New England Urban Music Awards, for "A-Sides." Enjoy.
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman
Jon Chattman's music series features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing.