Tales From The Road Vol. 1

So. It's Cold.

Really cold in the midwest that is.  We chose a poor time to schedule some dates in this frigid region once again.  Alas, we had some exceptionally trying experiences along with some kind hospitality from good folks and witnessed extraordinary portions of this country that we have never visited before.

So, our Northbound (old days tease) journey had us stopping quickly in Las Vegas (not for me), Salt Lake City (also not for me), and into Douglas, WY (where it gets. f***ing. cold.)

Of course we failed to winterize the RV properly.  Of course it is one of the worst winters on record in the region of the country we are traveling in.  Of course there happens to be record lows in nearly every town we visit.  Of course the alternator breaks.  Of course the freezing weather aided in the worst accident we have ever experienced on the road; our van in tow becoming unattached at full speed on the highway and slamming into the rear of the RV causing substantial damage and miraculously avoiding any other likely catastrophe.  Of course once the heat is finally functioning in the bus we proceed to attempt (and fail) driving through the winter storm Titan in the dark of night.  And of course, finally ole Harvey has decided to stop running in Northeast Missouri.

But...

We survived.  (First of all).

A round of whiskey in Deadwood, South Dakota

We saw Mt. Rushmore.

Standing in order of our respective, coordinating presidents

We saw beautiful landscapes across a vast piece of this amazing country.

Lake in South Dakota

We met wonderful people everywhere we went.


We had a SPECTACULAR time in Des Moines, Iowa.  Not enough can be said for the warm reception, hospitality, and support from Ron Sorenson, everyone at the wonderful KFMG 99.1, the folks at Hotel Fort Des Moines, the fantastic restaurant Django, and all the lovely citizens of Des Moines.  We were blessed to have the fortune of our path crossing with all of you.  Thank you!


We also had a SUPERB show in Kansas City, KS at the Red Eye bar.  The warmth and hospitality and downright enthusiasm we encountered was a treat.  Again, enough can't be said for taking us in and showing us a great time, we will be seeing you all again very soon!  So much thanks to Kim, Tophat, and the whole crew!


Oh yah, and we're on our way to open up for ZZ Top in Aspen and Denver, Colorado.  No big deal.  Much more soon...

Ty

Oh Yah So We're Going On A Tour!

We are hitting the road for a rigorous tour through the Midwest and Southwest in support of our latest single release "Call Me Up" which is currently getting radio play nationally!!

We are very excited to kick off our road trip on Friday February 28th playing the Birthday Bash for KFMG 99.1 in Des Moines, Iowa.  "Call Me Up" has really taken on across the country and we are thrilled to be playing some new towns.  Places like Milwaukee and Kansas City.  We are beyond excited to visit and share our music.  We will also frequently be visiting radio stations when possible for performances and interviews, so be sure to keep up as new dates and info are posted.

You can find all the tour dates/information at 28North.com and you can also follow us on Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter.

This first stretch will be culminating in Glendale, Arizona for the Liquid Sol Festival on Saturday March 15th!



This will be a killer show without a doubt!



On this tour there will be limited copies of our new record World On Fire available exclusively at our shows.  Of course t-shirts and all that will be available as well.

Get a sample of World On Fire at either 28North.com, Spotify, or Soundcloud.

And check the tour dates at 28North.com and mark your calendar!

More to come soon,

Ty

Spotify

Hey all.

Wanted to address a subject that pertains to both music consumers and creators.  That is Spotify.

For me the consumer, I love it.  It is an incredible service and tremendous resource for both my pleasure and edification.  Boom.

For me the artist, I remain skeptic of its fairness in compensating artists.  That is merely my uneducated, sensitive musician, knee jerk reaction and I'll shove that aside.  Has business anywhere ever been a fair game?  No.

PROS

-Tons of music to stream, seemingly endless.  And this implies a vast plethora of further pros: learn about new artists you might enjoy, listen at your own convenience and leisure on your phone anywhere, etc.

-It is $10 a month, great deal for anyone spending more than that monthly like myself

CONS

-It appears the payout may not be so beneficial to the artist, we've heard from a few: Thom Yorke, Grizzly Bear.  It's hard to tell on this one.  How much money is Spotify really pulling in?  Does anyone really know?

I've read a few things and it remains unclear to me if Spotify's payment methods are unfair.  It seems a bit complicated, not so cut and dry as with terrestrial radio royalties. 

Pertinent articles: Spotify Artists, Spotify Explained, Ars Technica article, Wall Street Journal article, Hypebot article, and I'm sure you can find a myriad of similar minded articles.  Please feel free to chime in with comments if you want to get a little convo going, we would love to here from you.

Nevertheless, I personally will continue to enjoy Spotify's service and you can too!  You can even listen to some fresh 28 North on Spotify! (Why I'm really writing this blog).

Check out our latest single "Call Me Up" on Spotify here.  Also get a sneak peak of our latest album World On Fire with the track "Monster" also available on Spotify.  Remember you can get World On  Fire exclusively at our upcoming shows on tour this spring.  Check out the dates here and call your local radio station to request "Call Me Up" nationwide!

Happy listening!

Ty

"Call Me Up" Officially Released & Viper Room Thursday 1/30/14

So folks, my apologies, it has been a while once again.

But here we are, back in Los Angeles, doing the thing we love most.

We are immensely proud and excited to announce that our first single "Call Me Up" is officially released today to radio stations all across the country!  You can download it on iTunes or listen on Spotify or call your local station to request the song.

You can also come celebrate with us this Thursday January 30th at The Viper Room in LA.  We are honored to be pumping the release of "Call Me Up" with The Memorials, the extraordinarily talented LA group featuring drumming wizard Thomas Pridgen, at the legendary Viper Room on The Sunset Strip in fabulous West Hollywood.  You can get tickets to the show HERE.  And you can pick up an exclusive copy of our latest album World On Fire with the single "Call Me Up" only at our shows.  This could be your last chance to grab one in LA before we set out to conquer the world on tour!  So do not miss out on this one!

White Denim - Corsicana Lemonade

I cannot get enough of this record.

It is endlessly dense and diverse; parts 70's jazz fusion and progressive rock mix with bluesy Tex-Mex rock and Latin inspired rhythm.  So many groups come to mind when experiencing the aural journey that Corsicana Lemonade supplies; The Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Beatles, Yes, ZZ Top, and Wilco (unsurprising as the record is co-produced by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy).  The double guitar attack of James Petralli and Austin Jenkins is truly formidable and the six string onslaught is propelled by the tireless efforts of bassist Steve Terebecki and drummer Josh Block.  Atop of this magic sits Petralli's soulful vocals ranging from tender whispers to all out funky growls.

Here is a quick rundown:

1) At Night In Dreams - An explosive opener boasting nasty guitar riffs, verses punctuated by big band-esque rhythmic figures, and a swinging middle section that modulates quite delightfully.
2) Corsicana Lemonade - This burning title track boasts an undeniable groove throughout, sensational transitions of complex rhythm, and a middle section that demands a highway cruise of terrific speed.
3) Limited By Stature - Conjures a Sgt. Pepper era Beatle's vibe, wonderfully psychedelic with wah-wah and sitar guitar effects abounding.  I particularly enjoy the concluding drum fill at the end, superb.
4) New Blue Feeling - Begins with a somber mood, seemingly deconstructs to nothing, and then erupts into a driving middle portion with blazing guitar solos.
5) Come Back - Perhaps it is just me but this one brings Lenny Kravitz to mind, specifically in the vocal quality.  I particularly enjoy the high pitched guitar and vocal exclamations that intersperse throughout and the intense drive of the middle section that invokes early 70's Yes.
6) Distant Relative Salute - This pleasant number has a delightful swing groove that highlights the jazzy feel of Josh Block's drumming and fantastic chorus that begs to be sang along to while disguising well its complicated odd measures.
7) Let It Feel Good (My Eagles) - Truly a feel good tune, as the title endorses.  The funk abounds in this song as it builds from the restrained beginning to the frenzied end culminating in burning guitar harmonies.
8) Pretty Green - Another funky number that switches gears to swinging propulsion in the verses.  Terebecki provides a deliciously subtle envelope effect to the bass and it seems like the ghost of Nels Cline (Wilco guitarist) creeps in at times with bird like chirping guitar swells, specifically during the interlude preceding the second verse.
9) Cheer Up / Blues Ending - Josh Block provides a shuffle groove so hard on this cut that it hurts. Petralli's vocal wails on the verses conjuring Hendrix while the guitars provide a bed of intricate patterns.  The outro portion is also a prime example of White Denim's improvising prowess.
10) A Place To Start - Don't be fooled by the shopping mall string sounds found in the intro, this is a beautiful, tender number that conjures soul legends Al Green and Bill Withers.  And the double drum tracks panned hard right/left are nothing short of brilliant.


So there is a brief glimpse of my take on Corsican Lemonade.  And I cannot say enough about the drumming on this record.  Josh Block is a current favorite of mine; exemplifying diversity, restraint, and a great feel and sound.  Of course it also takes the talented maturity of Terebecki on bass to assure that the genius of the drumming translates to record.

Anywho, hope you all are inspired to check out this wonderful album and that it continues to further inspire.

White Denim online
Corsicana Lemonade on iTunes
Corsicana Lemonade on Spotify

Happy listening,

Ty

Happy Thanksgiving and Music, Music, Music

Hey all.

Apologies for my lack of blogging recently, let's just say that November was emphatically "unblogtastic" on my part.

Anywho.

I'd like to quickly wish everyone a belated Merry Thanksgiving, I hope that it was wonderful for you all with much eating and enjoyment of family/friends. Most of 28 North is currently back east, Taylor will be joining us in a couple weeks to play some dates in the Eastern region.  We are very excited to be playing in our respective hometowns of Pittsburgh and Cleveland.  We will also be performing in Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Chicago, and St. Charles, IL.  It has been a while since we've returned to some of these cities, so if you are in any of the aforementioned areas, anticipate a hefty, long overdue dose of spirited rock 'n roll.  We are PUMPED!!  Get more info/details on the shows at 28North.com.

So.

You may have noticed that I have been using 28 North Speaks as a forum to share the music that currently inspires me these days.  As I've mentioned previously, J. Roddy Walston & The Business and Deer Tick both released excellent new albums which I continue to enjoy extensively.  However, they count for just two of many wonderful fall releases.  And now I would like to recommend two more records which deserve your immediate attention.  Those being White Denim's Corsicana Lemonade and Jonathan Wilson's Fanfare.  These albums contain a massive wealth of musical creativity.  I'll have extensive reviews for both in the coming weeks but for now just trust me and indulge in these fantastic aural achievements.

Happy listening,

Ty

Show Review/Album of The Month pt. 2 - Deer Tick at The Troubadour

First off, thanks to those that joined us last Friday at SoHo for our first appearance in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA.  It was a blast to play with great talents Drew Southern, Louder Space, and The Fire Department.

So.  You may have gathered that I enjoy music.  So much, in fact, that I will even attend a rock 'n roll concert from time to time.  I did exactly that on this past eve of October 26th.

Deer Tick; perhaps a juvenile, abrasive name to give one's band, perhaps that is the point.  The group is notorious for inviting rowdy behavior at their shows with recurring instances of beer being sprayed upon the crowd near shows conclusion.  Essentially Deer Tick is a glorified bar band.  And I love them for it.  Suffice to say I got a healthy dose of vicarious misfit behavior at the sold out Troubadour show in West Hollywood.  However, the level of crude, drunken behavior was slightly less than their storied past.  After seemingly endless touring/partying and an unusually rough year, lead singer John McCauley has mentioned that he is toning down his indulgent behavior.  Pussy.

Anyway, the band simultaneously boasts great talent in all its members despite the reputation that precedes them.  Proficient in numerous genres; various country and western styles are successfully infused with grunge and punk.  Deer Tick has in fact been known to play full sets of Nirvana songs under the moniker Deervana.  Yet on their latest record there are a couple songs with the distinct feel of show tunes.  Alas, no band's catalog is complete without a few tender numbers, no complaints from me.

The band showcased its ability to hold down the structure and also stretch out some tunes into the ether.  This was specifically apparent when opener Robert Ellis joined for an extended guitar duel with McCauley while guitarist Ian O'Neil joined Dennis Ryan on the drum set.  All the while bassist Chris Ryan unfailingly propels the groove and keyboardist Robbie Crowell augments his superb piano playing with brilliant sax solos.

The latest effort Negativity provided the bulk of the set list.  The record is a collection of songs which bemoan the travails of love and partying, surprise.  It seems that McCauley has slowed down and perhaps misses some of his untoward behavior as "Trash" depicts.  A somber character reminisces his playful past in a delightful, "show tunes"-infused, bluesy rock number.  This song on record contains some lovely vibraphone and horn arrangements interspersed with leads from McCauley.  "The Rock" opened the set beginning with its vocal harmony laden, hypnotic intro and exploding into the haunting swing groove reminiscent of "The House of The Rising Son".  This track also incorporates some fanciful horn arrangements which are implanted regularly throughout the album.  Particular highlights of the new material included the Springsteen-esque single "The Dreams In The Ditch" with guitarist Ian O'Neil taking lead vocal and drummer Dennis Ryan singing his psychedelic tune "Thyme".  Also played from Negativity was "The Curtain" and "Mr. Sticks" containing perhaps the strongest melody and dynamic.

The band continued to roll through a varied set list culled from their entire catalog and peppered with some well chosen covers including The Beatles' "One After 909" and Hank Williams' "I Can't Help It".  Highlights of older material included the mostly a capella version of "Dirty Dishes" and a rowdy take on "These Old Shoes".  Deer Tick classics "Ashamed", "Art Isn't Real (City of Sin)", and "Baltimore Blues No. 1" were also pulled from 2007's War Elephant.  The lone representation of 2009's Born On Flag Day was the rocker "Easy" while 2010's The Black Dirt Sessions provided "Twenty Miles" and a solo McCauley effort on piano for the very somber "Goodbye, Dear Friend".  "Main Street", "The Bump", "Let's All Go The Bar", "Clownin' Around", and "Miss K" from 2009's Divine Providence rounded out the set.

As a fan I was completely satisfied, perhaps not satiated.  Tick has never let me down in concert and every time I've seen them I leave saddened that the show is over.  They grace the stage with complete lack of pretension and delightfully confront the audience with uninhibited shenanigans paired with adept musicality.  For this, their fans are endeared to them.

Listen here:

iTunes
Spotify
Deer Tick online

More soon,

Ty