Justin Stens and The Get Real Gang are offering their debut EP as a free download via Park The Van Records for a limited time. It’ll be available for about a week and a half.
Justin was the drummer for Dr. Dog for six years and five albums and has decided to move on to explore his solo aspirations.
“After a long break, I needed to return to myself, my guitar, my piano, my pencil and paper, and my voice.”
Drop your email address into the widget below to receive the download link in your inbox.
What better way to follow up a post about The Black Keys? Two more of my favorite bands with “Black” in their names have released new tracks for all us PC users to right click and download. Both have albums scheduled for release on September 14th. These two bands would be a fantastic pairing on tour together.
Black Mountain’s upcoming release, Wilderness Heart, is scheduled for release on September 14th.
The last rays of sunlight were creeping up the sycamore trees as Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys loped onto Central Parks Summerstage Tuesday evening. As they kicked off their set I was instantly reminded as to why I hold the Black Keys in high esteem. Simply put, they rock.
With Auerbach on his amped up Gibson and Carney sitting high above the crowd, they commanded the crowds affection as they tore through a string of older songs, including “Thickfreakness,” “The Breaks,” and “Busted” (one of the first songs they ever wrote), before inviting a bass and keyboard player onstage for some of their new material off 2010′s Brothers. Highlights from their new material included “Everlasting Light” and their cut “Chop and Change” from the new Eclipse soundtrack. Say what you will about the Twilight series, but the song is damn good.
Auerbach and Carney formed the Black Keys in 2001 and recorded their first two albums, The Big Come Up (2002) and Thickfreakness (2003), on a Tascam 388 eight-track recorder in Carneys basement. Both albums were received with critical acclaim and the Black Keys pushed onwards, releasing their third album Rubber Factory in 2004. In 2006 they signed with Nonesuch Records and released Magic Potion. The bands fifth album, Attack and Release, was produced by Danger Mouse in 2008 and their sixth full-length album, Brothers, was released earlier this year.
With ten releases (six full-lengths, three EPs and one hip-hop collaboration) in the last nine years and a demanding touring schedule, The Black Keys are certainly one of the hardest working bands in America. Their 2010 tour stretches from April to just before Thanksgiving. All I can say is, keep up the good work boys.
Live Video: The Black Keys – Thickfreakness (Live in Central Park)
The Author:
Paul Hastings resides in NYC and blogs about music at The Docta’s Notes.
On the same weekend as Lollapalooza in Chicago, die hard folkies, alt-country, Americana and Roots enthusiasts visit Pendarvis Farm on the outskirts of Portland, OR, in the shadow of Mount Hood. Unlike the city landscape in Chicago for Lollapalooza, Pickathon is situated on 80 acres of lush meadows and forested campgrounds and hiking trails. This is not your typical festival.
You’ll find six stages, including one situated in the woods and another in a barn, and opportunities to mingle with the bands. In fact, they have musical workshops with artists in the lineup sharing their skills of the trade and joining impromptu jam sessions with the bands.
If you have no plans August 6-8, check out Pickathon. It’s an impulsive Southwest flight away for most. The organizers are class acts and every band we’ve spoken to that’s been there has nothing but great things to say about the unique experience and beautiful setting. The lineup speaks for itself and holds many of our favorite artists each year. So many, in fact, that it feels like we booked the lineup ourselves. It includes live session alumni Heartless Bastards, Langhorne Slim, The Deep Dark Woods, These United States, Elliott Brood, Jill Andrews, and Megafaun.
I’d be there if I didn’t have a newborn and toddler ruling the roost. If you’re not able to make it this year, I’ll see you there next year.
Our site is fixed! Back to the music. This debut from The Mynabirds is wonderful blend of country, soul, and R&B. Polished in some parts and gritty in others, the album centers around the beautiful and expressive voice of Laura Burhenn. Burhenn was part of the now-defunct indie-pop band, Georgie James. I’m not familiar enough [...]
We’ve shown Athens GA alt-country rockers Futurebirds lots of love over this year. If you’re still on the fence about this band, I’d urge you to see them perform in person. Their energy and passion is infectious. If they aren’t passing through your town, here’s a glimpse of their studio performance from our upcoming live [...]
J. Tillman is releasing his seventh full length album entitled Singing Ax on September 14th via Western Vinyl Records. Here’s a fresh track from the album. J. Tillman – Three Sisters Tweet
Frontier Ruckus’second full length album Deadmalls and Nightfalls (named after the now abandoned strip mall that lead singer Matt Milia’s mother worked at during his youth) is a blatant homage to the people and places that make lasting impressions throughout life. The band is successful in their illustration of memories past. Even I wanted to [...]
I’m back from vacation! Here are the tracks discussed leading up to our hiatus. From our live session with Horse Feathers: Horse Feathers Band Intro Exclusive: Horse Feathers – Thistled Spring (Video: Vimeo | YouTube) Exclusive: Horse Feathers – As A Ghost Exclusive: Horse Feathers – Cascades Exclusive: Horse Feathers – Starving Robins (Video: Vimeo [...]
