Category: International

  • Arcade Fire Announce World Tour, Barclays Center Show in November

    On the day they released their sixth album WE, Arcade Fire has announced an extensive tour that features European and North American legs. Arcade Fire makes their way to New York on Friday, November 4th with a stop at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

    arcade fire tour

    The tour starts in late August at Dublin, Ireland’s 3Arena, and ends in Toronto, Ontario on December 1st at Scotiabank Arena.

    The WE world tour will bring the full production of Arcade Fire’s “must-see live act” (Variety) experience to global stages. For all European dates, Feist will be the special guest, while the North American leg will include Beck performing an acoustic set each night.

    Revisit Arcade Fire’s surprise performance at Bowery Ballroom in March

    Arcade Fire – Bowery Ballroom – photo by Michael David Reichmann

    Tickets for all dates will be on sale to the public beginning Friday, May 13th at 10 am. Arcade Fire has partnered with PLUS1 with $1/£1/€1 per ticket going to KANPE and their work bringing support to the most vulnerable communities in Haiti. Tickets are on sale here.

    Arcade Fire WE Tour 2022

    European Tour

    08/30/22 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena *

    09/02/22 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham *

    09/03/22 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena *

    09/05/22 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro *

    09/08/22 – London, UK – The O2 *

    09/11/22 – Lille, FR – Zenith *

    09/12/22 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis *

    09/14/22 – Cologne, DE – Lanxess Arena *

    09/15/22 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena *

    09/17/22 – Milan, IT – Mediolanum Forum *

    09/18/22 – Munich, DE – Olympiahalle *

    09/21/22 – Madrid, ES – WiZink Center *

    09/22/22 – Lisbon, PT – Campo Pequeno *

    09/23/22 – Lisbon, PT – Campo Pequeno *

    09/25/22 – Bordeaux, FR – Arkea Arena *

    09/26/22 – Nantes, FR – Zenith de Nantes *

    09/28/22 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome *

    09/29/22 – Berlin, DE – Mercedes Benz Arena *

    10/01/22 – Warsaw, PL – COS Torwar *

    North American Tour

    10/28/22 – Washington, DC – The Anthem ^

    11/01/22 – Camden, NJ – Waterfront Music Pavilion ^

    11/04/22 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center ^

    11/08/22 – Boston, MA – MGM Fenway Music Hall ^

    11/10/22 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena ^

    11/12/22 – Chicago, IL – United Center ^

    11/13/22 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory ^

    11/16/22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum ^

    11/19/22 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium ^

    11/22/22 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena ^

    11/25/22 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena ^

    11/27/22 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place ^

    12/01/22 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena ^

    * with special guest Feist

    ^ with special guest Beck (acoustic)

  • Grammy Winner Angélique Kidjo Release “Choose Love” Remix

    Grammy winner Angélique Kidjo released a remix and music video of her song “Choose Love”. The “Choose Love” remix comes on the back of her Grammy Award win for Best Global Music Album for her album Mother Nature in April.

    Kidjo at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 1, 2017 in New York City. Credit: Taylor Hill

    Mother Nature was released in June of 2021. The album, met with career-best raves, tackles major issues like the climate crisis and the struggle for freedom. The album continues to reinforce her status as a true icon of African music as she was joined by a host of young African stars which she influenced, including Burna Boy, Mr. Eazi, Yemi Alade and Sampa The Great.  

    Kidjo is a 12-time GRAMMY nominee and 5-time winner. In addition to her win for Best Global Music Album she was also nominated twice in the Best Global Music Performance category. Once as a lead artist on “Do Yourself” from Mother Nature, featuring Burna Boy, and again as a featured artist for the recording of “Blewu” by Yo-Yo Ma.

    In 2021 Kidjo was named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list, where Alicia Keys wrote her introduction. She also had several notable performances including at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony and a sold out Carnegie Hall in November. She was also cast in a film alongside Viola Davis. 

    The “Choose Love” remix was produced by Grammy nominee Synematik. The music video for the “Choose Love” remix was shot by famed British photographer Platon, who was recently the subject of a Netflix documentary.

    “Angélique shows us the true meaning of leadership today,” Platon said. “With this song, ‘Choose Love’ she inspires us with her extraordinary music talent, her compassion, optimism, and hope.

    This is Platon’s first collaboration with Kidjo.

    “I love Platon’s passion for Art and people,” Kidjo said. “He has photographed the leaders of these world but also people from all over the World, from all social classes and all origins. He has shown us through his art the common humanity we all share.”

    This summer Kidjo will embark on her first foray into musical theater with Yemandja. Named for Yoruban deity, the musical is a work of magical realism set against the backdrop of slavery in 19th-century West Africa. It is a parable about gods and humans that illuminates through song what can happen when people are robbed of their culture.

    Global Tour Dates

    Saturday, May 6, 2022: The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (Yemandja)

    Sunday, May 7, 2022: The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. (Yemandja)

    Tuesday, May 10, 2022: McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, NJ

    Thursday, May 12, 2022: Bass Concert Hall in Austin, TX

    Thursday, May 26, 2022: Africa Festival in Würzburg, Germany

    Wednesday, June 1, 2022: Bergen International Festival in Bergen, Germany

    Friday, June 3 – Saturday June 4, 2022: Holland Festival in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Thursday, June 9, 2022: Dresden Music Festival in Dresden, Germany

    Saturday, June 11, 2022: Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris France

    Sunday, June 12, 2022: Meltdown Festival at Southbank Centre in London, United Kingdom

    Thursday, June 16 – Saturday June 18, 2022: Holland Festival in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Yemandja)

    Wednesday, June 22, 2022: Klangvokal Festival in Dortmund, Germany

    Friday, June 24, 2022: Holland Festival in Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Symphonic)

    Wednesday, June 22 – Sunday June 26, 2022: Glastonbury Festival in Glastonbury, England

    Friday, July 1, 2022: Jazz a Vienne in Vienne, France

    Friday, July 8, 2022: Festival dei due mondi in Spoleto, Italy

    Friday, July 22, 2022: Molde Jazz Festival in Molde, Norway

    Friday, July 29, 2022: WOMAD UK festival in Malmesbury, United Kingdom

    Sunday July 31, 2022: Newport Jazz Festival in Newport, RI

    Wednesday August 3, 2022: Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA

    Saturday, August 6, 2022: Caramoor in Katonah, NY

    Friday, August 19, 2022: H2U Open Air in Uster, Switzerland

    Sunday, October 23, 2022: Palladium Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, IN

    Saturday, January 28, 2023: Chateau Rogue in Annemasse, France

    Thursday, March 30, 2023: Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • Priya Ragu, Dan Croll, Anaiis, Obii and Great Calling show the UK’s Talent at Pop-up Shows across Manhattan

    In an effort to expose up-and-coming UK artists to American audiences, GREAT Campaign partnered with SoFar Sounds for the week of March 21, 2022 to put on numerous performances across New York City featuring some of the biggest names on the rise.

    In an interesting way to gain access to the show, one had to pick up a ringing telephone within a classic English-looking telephone booth (many of which were spread across Manhattan). The phone would relay a message detailing the shows for the week and their locations.

    Priya Ragu Dan Croll
    Priya Ragu at Great Jones Distillery Co.

    The purpose for this campaign was due to the UK still considered underrated, in terms of being a cultural musical hotspot. Massive current artists, like Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, and Ed Sheeran all hail from the UK, showing its constant relevance in the global music scene. There are many artists in the UK that are starting to rise and are nearly about to break into the mainstream American industry.

    become incredibly popular in the past year, with the prestigious BBC Sound of Music giving her a nomination in 2021 and Vogue India listing her as one of the 6 artists that are going to blow up in 2021. On the other hand, Dan Croll (hailing from Liverpool) graduated from the Paul McCartney-founded Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and has been on the scene since 2011. Both of them put on an intimate show for an adoring crowd, wowing them with Dan Croll’s indie-pop crooning and Priya Ragu’s energetic pop performance.

    Priya Ragu Dan Croll
    Dan Croll at Great Jones Distilling Co.

    Many of performances occurred that week, ranging from Penelope Isles to Rose Betts. All of which showcased these rising stars and their immense talents.

    Riya Ragu at Great Jones Distilling Co.

    Some of the UK’s most talented singers Anaiis and Obii showed their skills in a Red Hook ice cream factory on Friday, March 25. As you walk in the door behind the ice cream shop counter, you go into a room with views of the factory through the window. The room was full of music enthusiasts and people there for a good time. The artists held a captivating show and kept the audience involved throughout the duration of it. This showcase exemplified the powerful voices that come from the UK and gave an idea of the future of UK artists and their abilities.

    Great Calling – The National Arts Club – March 29 (review and photos by Michael Dinger)

    The last of four shows performed at iconic spaces in Manhattan and Brooklyn over the past week, the Great Campaign’s final act took place at The National Arts Club at Gramercy Park this past Tuesday night. A collaboration with SoFar Sounds, these intimate gatherings have showcased homegrown artists from Great Britain that are all on the verge of stardom. The featured musicians of tonight’s festivities included Rose Betts (singer/songwriter), Geo Jordan (multi-instrumentalist/producer/writer) and Hamzaa (R&B singer/songwriter). If witnessing the talent of these young musicians was not enough, guests were also immersed in the expressive, wondrous paintings of the contemporary Cuban artist Carlos Quintana, which hung from the walls throughout the performance space. His exhibition, PHySIKA, is on view until April 8th.

    Rose Betts, originally from London, was the evening’s first performer. After being introduced by Adam (the night’s emcee) as having “a voice that melts like butter,” Betts sat down before a Steinway for the first of five songs, while accompanied by Emmanuel Ventura-Cruess on an upright bass. Featuring songs from her newly released debut album, White Orchids (RAB Records), Betts introduced “Foolish” as “one of the few songs [she’s] written about love.” The songstress concluded her opening set with “Think Of You” and “Recovery,” a tune that Betts exclaimed to the audience was “the first song where [she] allowed [herself] to be vulnerable.”

    After a brief intermission, Geo Jordan was the second British artist of the night to entertain the intimate crowd of approximately 100 souls in attendance. While on guitar, Jordan opened the set with “Let Go,” taken from the 5-song EP Technicolour (August 2021). This EP was self-produced by Jordan, a Trans artist who uses his music to explore topics such as identity and acceptance. Moving over to the piano for “The Colour Of You” (the title track from his 2017 EP), Jordan revealed, “I never know quite what to do with applause, thank you.” With a guitar back in his hands, Jordan went on to perform what can best be described as progressive soul pop tracks such as “Forever,” taken from the EP titled The Colour Of You (2017) and “Irreplaceable,” from the album Remember Me Pt. 1 [MD1] (2019).

    The final act of the night was Hamzaa, a soul artist from Hackney (East London) who has been writing her own songs before she was even a teenager. Accompanied by Jeffandy AllTogether (guitar) and Chad Selph (keys), the first of her 6-song set was “Unlucky,” taken from Phases EP (2019). After bringing back Emmanuel Ventura-Crues for a guest appearance on bass, the highlight of the night was still to come. Hamzaa’s blissful closing number titled “Sunday Morning,” also from Phases EP, captured the cheerful mood of the event, with the audience singing the chorus in unison – “You make me feel like it’s a Sunday morning” . . . even on a Tuesday night.

    You can learn more about GREAT Campaign and SoFar Sounds here.

  • The Town Pants Announce Final Tour, Buffalo Iron Works show on March 18

    The Canadian Celtic-Folk Rock Band, The Town Pants have announced their final tour as a band with their 25th Anniversary Tour. In March, the band will perform a pair of St. Patrick’s Day shows – on March 17 in Ottawa, Ontario at the Hard Rock Casino on March 17th, and in Buffalo at Buffalo Iron Works on March 18th.

    Town Pants

    The Town Pants were created in 1997 in Vancouver by brothers Duane and Dave Keogh. For the last 25 years the Celtic-Rock Band released eight full length albums, toured Europe five times, headlined major music festivals throughout North America, led three tours of Ireland and Scotland with fans along and now finishing with their 25th Anniversary Celebration Tour for 2022.

    Throughout 2022, the band will return to the regions that have shown tremendous support to the band over the years with their final shows. The band will finish their Anniversary Celebration with a bus tour of Scotland which fans are welcomed to join them on.

    The Town Pants are hosting their online event of the month on March 13th through the platform Side Door Access. Event tickets for all March shows are available by visiting thetownpants.com

    The Town Pants 25th Anniversary Tour Dates:

    3/12: Geneva NY – Smith Opera House

    3/17: Ottawa ON – Hard Rock Casino

    3/18: Buffalo NY – Buffalo Iron Works

  • Ukrainian Band BlazerJacket Release New Single “Get Out”

    Ukrainian band BlazerJacket is quite literally living with explosions and Russian armed forces nearby. Despite the hardships they are facing, they have released their new single and video for “Get Out.”

    BlazerJacket’s cover art for “Get Out.”

    According to the NYTimes, NYC is home to over 150,000 Ukrainian Americans, the largest community of its kind in the country. The situation in Ukraine might cause this number to rise, with an influx of refugees. NYC is a melting pot of different music and musical influences as cultures have come together over the past four centuries.

    As one would imagine, “Get Out” has taken on a new meaning as of late. Originally, the song was about being drawn into Stockholm Syndrome and its effects, about trying to get out of an abusive and parasitic society. Now, it could be interpreted of having Ukraine be peaceful again, and how the events are affecting the band.

    BlazerJacket was formed in Kyiv by Denis Cherryman (The Cherry Men / Dirty Bird 13) and Hybri Mod. Their aesthetic is based on their love for science fiction novels. They combine different elements of rock and electronics to transform their sound.

    The song and video are dark and loud with a lot of electronic beats happening as the singer screams “get out!” It is a song you can dance to and really absorb its message. The video is unique in that it was first performed at the Comic Con Ukraine music stage in 2021. They captured the moments of that performance and inserted them into the video. 

    BlazerJacket’s new song “Get Out” is out now, and is both important and influential considering current events in Ukraine right now.

    On Thursday, March 10 at 8pm, The City Winery in New York City will put on a benefit concert for Ukraine through the Come Back Alive foundation, the largest foundation providing support to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

    The benefit concert will be hosted by Ukrainian singer Eugene Hütz his band Gogol Bordello. There will also be performances by The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn & Franz Nicolay, Jesse Malin, Lady Lamb, Marc Roberge from O.A.R., Matisyahu, Patti Smith, The Magnetic Fields’ Stephin Merritt, Suzanne Vega, and more.

    Ukraine belongs to Ukrainians! We are an ancient independent nation distinctly and forever different from this criminally insane neighbor. The proof you all see now in the fierce mind-blowing battle that the world is witnessing, a battle of Ukrainian people’s choice of freedom and democracy against psychotic totalitarian regime next door. Please help us to win this battle, help us to end this catastrophe immediately and bring the intruder to justice. Please stand with Ukraine in the battle for its democracy and freedom. Please Donate and Fundraise with us. Ukraine needs all of you. All your support counts.

    Eugene Hütz

    Tickets are sold out but there is a waitlist. Additional donations may be made here. Additionally, City Winery will produce a limited edition, custom labeled wine which will be available at the benefit concert and online.

    h/t Jambands

  • Lady Gaga Presents The Chromatica Ball 2022 Summer Tour With A Stop at Met Life Stadium

    Academy Award, Golden Globe and 12-time Grammy-winner, Lady Gaga, is finally ready to provide fans with The Chromatica Ball tour of a lifetime this upcoming Summer. The tour will consist of stops at 14 cities worldwide including Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, of the Grammy winning album Chromatica, as well as fan favorites.

    Lady Gaga's The Chromatica Ball

    For this upcoming tour, Lady Gaga added 8 new shows in addition to her rescheduled shows in Paris (7/24), London (7/29), Toronto (8/06), East Rutherford (8/11), Chicago (8/15) and Boston (8/19). For these specific dates, tickets are on sale now and fortunately for fans who have already bought tickets, will still be set to use them for this Summer’s The Chromatica Ball. However, tickets for the newly added shows go on sale starting Friday, March 11 in Arnhem as well as London and on Monday, March 14 in all additional markets at Ticket Master.

    Although Lady Gaga cannot wait to perform for her fans once again, some of her proceeds, specifically $1.00 from each ticket sold shall be donated to the Born This Way Foundation, an organization started on behalf of the singer and her mother to aide in the fight for the wellness of the youth.

    For fans who would like a more access to amenities and add on to concert experience, VIP packages are available on Vip Nation. These packages may include premium tickets, VIP parking and exclusive access to a pre-show lounge, special entry and more.

    On Citi Entertainment, Citi card members will have access to presale tickets from Tuesday, March 8 at 10 AM until Friday, March 11 at 5 PM through the Citi Entertainment program. More information about The Chromatica Ball are on Live Nation’s and Lady Gaga’s website.

    Lady Gaga – The Chomatica Ball Tour Dates

    7/17                             Düsseldorf. DE                                   Merkur Spiel- Arena

    7/21                             Stockholm. SW                                   Friends Arena

    7/24                             Paris, FR                                             Stade de France

    7/26                             Arnhem, NL                                        GelreDome

    7/29                             London, UK                                         Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

    7/30                             London, UK                                         Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

    8/06                             Toronto, ON                                        Rogers Centre

    8/08                             Washington, DC                                 Nationals Park

    8/11                             East Rutherford, NJ                            MetLife Stadium

    8/15                             Chicago, IL                                         Wrigley Field 

    8/19                             Boston, MA                                         Fenway Park 

    8/23                             Dallas, TX                                           Globe Life Field

    8/26                             Atlanta, GA                                         Truist Park

    9/8                               San Francisco, CA                             Oracle Park

    9/10                             Los Angeles, CA                                 Dodger Stadium

  • Get Ready For The Weeknd “After Hours Till Dawn” Tour Featuring Doja Cat, Stopping at Met Life Stadium Concert In July

    World renowned R&B/Soul singer The Weeknd is set for an international tour of his albums After Hours and Dawn FM, beginning in his hometown of Toronto, Ontario this July. He will travel thereafter all across the U.S., including Met Life Stadium in Rutherford, NJ on Saturday July 16, 2022.

    After Hours Till Dawn

    His first half of the tour will conclude this September in Los Angeles, California at Sofi Stadium before continuing overseas. Additionally, Pop and R&B/Soul singer Doja Cat, will join the stage during this tour.

    Fans will be given the option of three different pre sales for The Weeknd’s Tour. On March 4, access to pre sale tickets will be granted to those who previously had After Hours arena tour tickets. Furthermore, fans who are Verizon Up loyalty program customers will have first access to purchase presale tickets for certain shows between March 7 at 10 AM, until Wednesday March 9 at 10 PM. Lastly, Spotify users who are also top streamers of The Weeknd, will be provided with the option of buying presale tickets starting March 8, as well as Live Nation presales in all markets.

    After Hours Till Dawn will mark the first time The Weeknd tours his remarkable albums. Blinding Lights, a single on After Hours, was named the new No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 song of all time. Fans are in for a revitalizing concert that will reflect the creative journey of After Hours and Dawn FM.

    The Weeknd did more than just sing, but developed an emotional story, not only musically, but visually through the use of his short films and music videos, which brought his words to life. In fact, Amazon Prime Video recently debuted The Weeknd x The Dawn FM Experience. This special is a theatrical performance of Dawn FM.

    The Weeknd will represent Goodwill as their ambassador and team up with the United Nations World Food Programme, which is the world’s largest humanitarian organization fighting against global hunger. Together they will launch the XO Humanitarian Fund, which is administered by World Food Program USA. Although The Weeknd is a multi-platinum and diamond certified global superstar, he still desires to give back to those in need, specifically communities on the brink of starvation in countries like Ethiopia, Madagascar and Yemen. His philanthropic efforts do not stop there since the two-time Grammy winning artist will not only contribute $1 from each ticket sold from his tour within North America, but make a donation of $500,000.

    Tickets for the North American dates go on sale beginning Thursday, March 10 at 10 am via TheWeeknd.com/tour.

    THE WEEKND AFTER HOURS TIL DAWN TOUR 2022 NORTH AMERICAN DATES:

    FRI       8-Jul     Toronto, ON                 Rogers Centre

    THU     14-Jul   Philadelphia, PA           Lincoln Financial Field

    SAT     16-Jul   East Rutherford, NJ             MetLife Stadium

    THU     21-Jul   Boston, MA                  Gillette Stadium

    SUN     24-Jul   Chicago, IL                   Soldier Field

    WED    27-Jul   Detroit, MI                     Ford Field

    SAT     30-Jul   Washington, DC           FedExField

    THU     4-Aug   Tampa, FL                    Raymond James Stadium

    SAT     6-Aug   Miami, FL                     Hard Rock Stadium

    THU     11-Aug Atlanta, GA                  Mercedes-Benz Stadium

    SUN     14-Aug Arlington, TX                AT&T Stadium

    THU     18-Aug Denver, CO                  Empower Field at Mile High

    SAT     20-Aug Las Vegas, NV             Allegiant Stadium

    TUE     23-Aug Vancouver, BC             BC Place

    THU     25-Aug Seattle, WA                  Lumen Field

    SAT     27-Aug San Francisco, CA        Levi’s Stadium

    TUE     30-Aug Phoenix, AZ                 State Farm Stadium

    FRI       2-Sep   Los Angeles, CA           SoFi Stadium

  • Silenced Jazz Bass Icon Eberhard Weber Pens An Autobiography

    The 1970s were heady times when it came to bass innovators.

    In America, Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke not only reinvented how the electric bass was played but pushed it front and center on stage and in recordings with their respective jazz fusion juggernauts, Weather Report and Return to Forever.

    Over in Europe, a German named Eberhard Weber was doing much the same, just sans Jaco’s rock star posturing.  The quietly intense, uber cool Weber’s instrument of revolution was a 5-string, electrified upright bass of his own design. His lush chordal-flavored accompaniments and fleet high-register soloing were the centerpiece of legions of albums with greats like Jan Garbarek, Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Ralph Towner and his own quartet Colours, all emanating from Manfred Eicher’s masterfully curated ECM Records. Like Jaco, Weber’s singular sound would find a home beyond the jazz world. It would be deployed by the edge-pushing Kate Bush of four acclaimed albums made during her 1980s heyday.

    Eberhard Weber

    But all that came to a halt in April 2007.  That was when the always furiously busy Weber suffered a stroke on the way to a gig that put an end to his 40-year playing career.

    But now the maestro is back with Eberhard Weber: A German Jazz Story (Equinox Publications UK).  At a little over 170 pages, it is a deceptively slim memoir containing more wisdom about creativity and the life of a working musician than many cinder block-thick music bios. There are probing discussions of what jazz really is and the arts of composition and collaboration, as well as a dressing down of the jazz conservatory complex, drummers who keep pling their cymbals after the last chord and his own “inadequate twisted finger technique.” He also addresses why there is no such thing as “the perfect instrument” and how one fiddles forever to try and work around it.

    Weber begins his story at the end: with the saga of the stroke that has robbed him of his ability to play.  It is a true clusterf*ck of a tale. There are the on- and off-again symptoms that he didn’t recognize as a cause for concern until it was too late. There’s a power outage that meant they couldn’t survey the full damage with an MRI until the morning after he checked into the hospital, when he awoke in a much more serious state with his left side now completely paralyzed.  And like in the U.S., there is insurance industry sleight of hand which means his rehab is delayed, perhaps posing a terminal blow to his recovery.

    Weber discusses his birth in Stuttgart during WW II, his childhood under the subsequent American occupation and hustling candy bars from friendly GIs. He was the son of a professional cellist, pianist and educator who played with orchestras but also banjo in dance bands to make ends meet.  An influential memory shared listening to his father and his friends rehearsing string quartets and playing piano while lying under the instrument, something he is sure helped to shape his own love of deep sounds. At eight, he began playing the cello himself.  By 15, he discovered Bill Haley, boogie-woogie and Dave Brubeck and switched to the upright bass. After his callouses hardened, he began working steadily at society gigs and playing that uniquely German brand of sentimental pop called Schlager.

    In his late teens, Weber joined together with pianist Wolfgang Dauner. It was a partnership that would last 10 years, through infatuations with the piano trio music of Bill Evans and bassist Scott LaFaro through to the “Free Jazz” experiments inspired by the political upheaval of the late 1960s. The latter featured some pretty outlandish “happenings.” In one, the band played with a completely naked drummer. In another, Dauner had the bright idea of slaughtering a chicken on stage, for the sound and spectacle, something that Weber nixed.  The bassist also recalls an incident where Joachim Ernst Berendt, the so-called “Pope of German Jazz,” stopped a recording session “just because someone was playing harmonies.”  With his reputation spreading,  Weber became a “telephone bass player” for the MPS, Germany’s first important jazz label.  He is summoned with last-minute calls to do sessions with world class artists like Joe Pass and Baden Powell.  Around this time, he also makes a big impact in the emerging world of jazz rock on numerous recordings with guitarist Volker Kreigel.

    Eberhard Weber
    ECM/Roberto Masotti.

    Throughout these years, Weber held down a day job as a photographer and commercial producer for various ad agencies and, ultimately, IBM.  It is not until he met and married his wife Maja in 1968 that he gave up his day job, learned piano, set up a small home studio and began to compose the harmonious chamber jazz that will cement his reputation.

    No discussion of Weber would be complete without a deep dive into the world of ECM Records.  The brainchild of Manfred Eicher, ECM began as a “counter movement to Free Jazz,” a label dedicated to producing records that are “the most beautiful sound next to silence” per its motto. Weber was one of the foundational artists in the ECM fold. It’s an illustrious roster of creators all practicing harmonious, classically-inspired, coolly minimalist jazz, names like pianist Keith Jarrett, saxman Jan Garbarek and Norwegian Avant guitar god Terje Rydal, who have remained with the label for five decades and counting.  One signature of ECM and Weber’s production is the crystalline sound quality conjured by engineer Jan Erik Konghaug at the label’s home base of its early years, Talent Studios in Oslo (Note: Sorry for stealing the mailbox label for my electric mandolin case during a visit/pilgrimage to Talent in 1981!).  Another is the minimalist and very beautiful cover art.  Many showcase the wonderful photography of masters like Joel Meyerwitz and paintings of artists like Maya Weber, whose work adorns many discs by her husband and other ECM stars.

    After guesting on tour and records with ECM artists like Gary Burton and Ralph Towner, Weber would make his debut as a bandleader and composer with Colours of Chloe.  The 1974 album helped to define the ECM sound — picturesque, romantic, at times rhythmically involved, at others minimalistic and harmonically abstruse. It was awarded the Great German Record Prize, record of the year for all genres of music. It inspired Weber to form his classic Colours quartet with veteran saxophonist Charlie Mariano, pianist Rainer Bruninghaus and British drummer John Marshall of Soft Machine fame.

    Weber’s quartet produced some remarkable work through its dissolution in 1981, including the albums Yellow Fields, Silent Feet (my personal favorite with the side-long epic “Seriously Deep) and Fluid Rustle, which helped introduce the world to guitarist Bill Frisell.  Due to ECM’s marketing success in America,  Weber and band would tour the U.S. twice a year in this time, on bills with other label stars like Keith Jarrett and Terje Rypdal.

    Feeling that his need to compose was somewhat satisfied, Weber disbands Colours and joins up with Jan Garbarek for a run of remarkable recordings and world touring that will last for 25 years, until Weber is felled by his stroke. Weber will still have time to tour and record on his own, in settings with small bands, orchestras and solo bass albums.  A person has not truly lived until they have been bathed in the sublime textures of Weber’s solo album, Pendulum, a masterpiece showcasing his subtle use of delays and intricate overdubbing.

    Weber’s book then detours into discussions of many things that impact the life of touring musicians, e.g., how drugs and jet lag can effect performance and literally kill you, the high and lows of hotels, concert catering, sound checks, amp malfunctions and the like.

    Weber concludes his story by updating fans on his present condition. He feels lucky to have retained his memory and speech post-stroke and tells how it can sometimes trigger bouts of uncontrollable laughter in victims.  He shares how he considered going on with limited ability but gave it up, especially after he inadvertently backed his wheelchair into and toppled over the 5-string upright bass he has played for decades, causing its next to snap (Note: It was ultimately repaired).

    In the end, he talks about learning how to enjoy silence now that the pressure to perform at a world class level is off. ”Music isn’t relaxation to me. It’s tension and concentration.”  Weber also talks about coming to terms with old age and a quandary common among musicians – focusing too much on playing and not thinking about the practicalities of securing a retirement when the music is over by perhaps teaching like his father.    

    “There is another reason, an entirely profane reason, why I never wanted to take on a professorship,” concludes Weber. “I have always been of the following opinion (in a mysterious way, it has taken on a new meaning today):  “I can’t play the bass. But I know how it’s done!”

  • Tom Morello and Beth Hart join The Miraculous Love Kids for New Song, “God Help Us All”

    On February 18th, 2022, Afghan girls’ music group, The Miraculous Love Kids, release their brand-new recording, “God Help Us All,” featuring artists Tom Morello, John Ondraski (Five for Fighting), Beth Hart, and more.  

    Afghan girls' music group, The Miraculous Love Kids
    Afghan girls’ music group

    When facing the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban on August 15th, 2021, many new challenges started to arise for the country’s people. The Miraculous Love Kids, being a non-profit organization, served as Afghanistan’s only school of music where guitar lessons were taught to war-torn, poverty-stricken girls who were greatly affected by this devastation.  

    The members issued the following statement: “Today, our lives are in great danger as the success we achieved in becoming part of an international cultural scene has now marked us for persecution.” 

    The group’s founder and director, Lanny Cordola, recorded multiple songs including “God Help Us All” weeks prior to this event, then all the group’s activities came to a halt. “It has been a hellish past six months trying to evacuate and relocate the girls and their families,” Cordola says. “Tom Morello’s soul hymn perfectly encapsulates this feeling.” 

    Lanny Cordola, The Miraculous Love Kids’s founder and director
    Lanny Cordola, the group’s founder and director

     
    He adds, “The convergence of all these talents truly shows how music can unify artists from different idioms and cultures to lend their voices to the vulnerable, marginalized suffering souls of the Earth. I also feel this song reaches out to the inner ache that so many are feeling these days. Tom has been a Godsend to the girls and I on so many levels. He allowed us to rearrange his composition to fit the girls’ style of singing and playing, which was very generous of him. He also enlisted Serj Tankian and Nandi Bushell.”  

    When informed about the situation, both Tankian and Bushell were immediately on board. 

    While he prepares for future music, Cordola’s primary focus is to find safety for the girls and their families. Today, Afghan’s face famine and food insecurity, and one million children are at risk of starving to death unless international aid intervenes. 

    “We appeal to the international community, to diplomats, politicians, news media and art institutions as well as NGOs to respond to this dire situation,” he stresses. 

    By recognizing the urgency of the situation, Tom Morello is hopeful this song will help create more awareness for The Miraculous Love Kids and their current situation. “God Help Us All” is a song both for and with some incredibly special girls in Afghanistan who are in grave danger.  

  • London’s Ithaca Unleashes Furious New Single, “They Fear Us”

    Ithaca is a town in New York State, and was originally a place in Greece. However, the Ithaca that we’re here to discuss is a music group from London, whose new album, They Fear Us, will be out July 29th.

    So now that we all know why we have gathered here today, let’s talk about the first single from that album, which is also the title track for They Fear Us.

    ithaca

    The genre tags for this album are a mix of metal and hardcore, with the sub-genres listed as melodic hardcore and emotional hardcore. If you fine readers are aware of hardcore, you’ll know that it is usually based off of slamming riffs, screamed vocals, attitude, and a no holds barred use of power. 

    As the track begins you’ll hear some intense vocal work, and they have a lot of the hardcore sound. The guitar riff is rooted in that genre as well, and has a cool, bouncy feel going on. 

    As things progress there is a heavy Killswitch Engage influence, and that holds through the chorus section too, while the vocals remind me more of the cleans from Miss May I; both of those bands are amazing, so hearing their influence here is a reminder of that, and of how much they really inspired other bands. 

    While the full They Fear Us album won’t be released for another 5 months, we feel that you should go check out the single on Bandcamp today. They may not be breaking much new ground in terms of the genre, but what Ithaca put together is quite good, and we eagerly anticipate their next release.