The Next Sounds: Eddie Vedder Ukulele Songs

By: Sierra Drucker

In keeping with this month’s theme of fathers, I’ve decided to write about Pearl Jam frontman and solo artist Eddie Vedder, a father himself, and a true man’s man.

 

His latest album, Ukulele Songs, caught me by surprise.  He delivers sixteen tracks of solely ukulele and vocals.  The simplicity in the juxtaposition of his iconic agrestic voice against the purity and sweetness of a plucked uke lays his poetry bare with stunning results.

Vedder tackles themes of love, life, and loss with such modest sincerity, each song an ephemeral 2-3 minutes long.  It seems he made this album for himself and we are just the lucky audience who are privy.

Musing on the fleeting nature of life, he reimagines the Pearl Jam song “Can’t Keep.”

My favorite pieces on the album have to be the lullabies.  Perhaps singing to his daughter, he covers gems like “Dream A Little Dream,” “Tonight You Belong To Me,” and my favorite, “More Than You Know.”

 

Ukulele Songs makes a perfect Father’s Day gift.  And if you want to give that special Dad a little something extra, Vedder is currently touring the nation with a stop at the Wiltern on July 8^th.

If you like what you heard, find insider tips on Sierra’s blog, Inland Sounds.

 

The Next Sounds: Cults

By: Sierra Drucker

New York duo Cults are set to release their self-titled debut full length on June 7^th, but I’ve been hearing buzz about them for almost a year now, as their demos have been making waves floating around the web.

They are known for their lo-fi retro sugar pop, like the uber-catchy “Most Wanted”.

Early this year Cults signed with Lily Allen’s Columbia-backed imprint In The Name Of so you’ll be hearing plenty more from them soon.  Expect a cleaner sound from their debut as they recorded the LP with engineer Shane Stoneback, who has worked with biggies like Vampire Weekend, M.I.A., and Britney Spears.

While their demos offer sweet as a summer peach vocals and formulaic sunny melodies, I’ve heard the upcoming album deviates –taking unexpected and sometimes dark turns, even hinting to notes of artists as diverse as Jay Z and Phil Spector.

While you wait in anticipation of the album release, check out this groovy 2 Bears Remix of their current single, “Go Outside”.

“Go Outside (2 Bears Remix)” – Cults

If you’re out and about in L.A., make sure to catch them on their very first tour, July 22^nd at The Bootleg Theater.

Like what you hear?  Get more of the inside scoop on Sierra’s blog, Inland Sounds

Go Giants!

By: Shannon Ralph

 

Go Giants! Go Giants! I am admittedly not a huge baseball fan. As a matter of fact, I always thought the seventh inning stretch was a yoga position. Despite my pitiful knowledge of the game, however, I feel the need to cheer for the San Francisco Giants today. In a move that is both unprecedented and courageous in the world of professional sports, the San Francisco Giants announced this week that they will become the first professional sports team to produce a video for the “It Gets Better” campaign, designed to give hope to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered youth. To date, celebrities, politicians, and everyday people like you and me have posted more than 10,000 “It Gets Better” videos to YouTube to bring awareness to the tragedies of anti-gay bullying and suicide by gay youth.

Kids look up to professional ball players as role models and heroes. In the world of professional sports where all things macho are worshiped and egos grow unchecked to gigantic proportions, the Giants should be applauded for their decision. This video has the potential to make a huge difference in halting the spread of anti-gay rhetoric and anti-gay slurs in the world of sports—one of the last bastions for homophobia in this country. So let’s don our orange and black today and cheer for a trend-setting team.

Gooooooooo Giants!

 

The Next Sounds: k.d. lang & The Siss Boom Bang

By: Sierra Drucker

I confess. I wasn’t a huge k.d. lang fan until I stumbled across this new video for “I Confess.” Veering away from her pop leanings, she breathes new life into classic rockabilly sound like a female Chris Isaak. While we’ve seen hints of Americana in her work before, she’s really honed in the sound on this latest LP, Sing It Loud.

k.d.’s longtime love for Patsy Cline, which even lead her to create a tribute band back in the day, clearly shows on this album. Long past the days of imitation, she lets her own unique gifts shine. Her voice wants and wanes with sheer in-the-moment sincerity. This is a woman who sings straight from the heart, and that songwriting comes to life as she exudes a newfound wisdom and ease.
lang is backed by the Siss Boom Bang gang of talents including Joe Pisapia (formerly of Guster), who not only played on the album, but produced it as well. Sing It Loud feels immediately like the Nashville-born creation it is – leaving behind the bells and whistles it allows the heart of the music to ring out. That sincere quality is partly due to Pisapia and Lang’s choice to record in old-school fashion, with a full band in mostly one take.
Enjoy the deliciously dreamy soundscape on her cover of Talking Heads’ “Heaven.”

Sing It Loud is out now on Nonesuch Records. While I might be a little late to the game, for me, this album cements her as one of the great songwriters of our time.

Find more great music on Sierra’s blog, Inland Sounds .

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[Photo Credit: Flickr member jdlasica]

The Next Sounds: Paul Simon

By: Sierra Drucker

In keeping with this month’s theme of religion on The Next Family, I bring you the impressive new gospel-tinged album from Mr. Sound of Silence himself, Paul Simon.

So Beautiful or So What was released by Hear Music on April 12^th to rave reviews.  Elvis Costello proclaims “I believe that this remarkable, thoughtful, often joyful record deserves to be recognized as among Paul Simon’s very finest achievements.”

 

Have a listen to my favorite Afro-pop influenced track from the album, “The Afterlife.”

The songwriting on this album alone is astounding, comparable to Harry Nilsson. Simon is a storyteller and a poet. Add to that an incredibly fresh, clean production value, courtesy of Simon and legendary South African producer Phil Ramone (Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, and Carly Simon among many more). Simon allowed himself to be playful on this album, experimenting with instruments and lyrics, but always with a specific vision of sound.

The theme of God, however, came about by accident on this album. Simon only noticed this recurring motif after the songs were written. Not a religious man himself, this fixation on God took him by surprise, but he went with it to great result.

Here’s another gem, “Love Is Eternal Sacred Light.”

Like a fine wine, Simon’s writing and voice has become richer with age. At a brief 38 minutes, this album is an easy listen and an instant classic.

The Seattle Lesbian Exclusive Photos from The Dinah!

By: The Seattle Lesbian

 

The Seattle Lesbian attended The Dinah 2011 in Palm Springs, CA this past weekend and we have the photos to prove it! Check out our first set of uploads featuring Crystal Chappell, Chely Wright, Mariah Hanson, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Nicole Conn, Marina Rice Bader, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Charlene Strong, and others!

See them right here!

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Brought to by The Seattle Lesbian

The Next Sounds: Ages and Ages

By: Sierra Drucker

AgesandAges graciously found their way into my headphones last month. With each new listen I grow more enamored with this band. Check out their video for “Navy Parade (Escape from the Black River Bluffs).

Filmed from their hometown, indie hipster-rock hub Portland, Oregon, the video illustrates what founding member Tim Perry sought to do when he formed AgesandAges . That is, to revive the disaffected music scene in Portland. A formidable goal, but I can’t imagine a better way to approach it then to gather a sizable seven-member force to spread the word.
The album, Alright You Restless (Knitting Factory Records), plays out like a campfire gospel. These seven troubadours join together for huge clap and sing-along harmonies. It’s such a warm and inviting sound, we don’t even noticed we’ve been charmed by lyrics that beg us to break away from society to live in sort of communal hippyster bliss. Maybe it’s the fanfare of members or the idyllic themes, but this band feels a bit like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros sans the LSD.
They also have a bit of a Bishop Allen meets Dr. Dog thing going. You can hear it especially in the title track. Listen below. I’m a sucker for clapping…

 

I imagine they put on a fun live show with all sorts of audience participation. I hope to find out firsthand at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles on Saturday April 16th. I should probably bring my tambourine along…
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Find more great music on Sierra’s blog

The Next Sounds: The Belle Brigade

By: Sierra Drucker

Los Angeles locals The Belle Brigade are getting ready to release their stellar self-titled full-length on Reprise Records. There is a lot of buzz already circling this duo. Take a listen to the toe-tapping anthem “Where Not To Look For Freedom” to find out why.

The Belle Brigade consists of siblings Barbara and Ethan Gruska who happen to be the grandchildren of renowned composer John Williams. You might also recognize Barbara as the badass drummer behind indie pop rock sweetheart Jenny Lewis. With such talent running through their veins, these two forces combined with ease to create a solid and confident debut.

Their sound is wholesome and magnetic, centering around 70’s rock influences like Fleetwood Mac and Paul Simon. The album brings a fresh take to classic rock with clean inviting production, shining melodies and honest, spirited lyrics. There are hints of Fleet Foxes in the lush folk harmonies that fill out each track. It feels young and fresh, gracefully riding the line between pop and indie.

These two are the real deal. Just check out their acoustic bathtub performance of the single “Losers.” Love the lyrics on this one.

 

This is definitely a CD worthy of the car ride to school, sans a couple well-placed expletives. The album will be released April 19th. Pre-order your copy through iTunes or Amazon.

You can also catch them live (in a non-bath tub setting) at the Troubadour with the one and only K.D. Lang on April 11th. No doubt, will be an amazing show.

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You can read more on Sierra Drucker’s blog

Exclusive Interview: Kardashian Favorite The Beach Girl5

By: Sarah Toce

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The Beach Girl5 (BG5) – Brooke Adams, Dominique Domingo, Noreen Juliano, Mandy Jiroux, and Laura New – are splashing around light-heartedly in the world’s oyster of entertainment. With a strong managerial hand at the steering wheel (Kardashian mastermind Kris Jenner serves as one of their managers), these ladies are in the business for the long haul.

I had the rare opportunity to chat with Noreen about the band’s inception, upcoming performance at The Dinah in Palm Springs, the Kardashians, and the possibility of hosting Saturday Night Live…one day.

Read our exclusive interview here!

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Brought to you by The Seattle Lesbian

The Living Sisters

By: Sierra Drucker

When I came across Michel Gondry’s new video for The Living Sisters’ latest single, “How Are You Doing?” I knew it would be my first blog for The Next Family. Just a little nod to all of you superstar parents who manage to fight your way through any storm while keeping the most important things in perspective: family and friends.

The Living Sisters are Inara George (solo artist and one-half of quirky indie pop band Bird and the Bee), Eleni Mandell (acclaimed singer-songwriter), and Becky Stark (solo artist and singer for folk pop quartet Lavender Diamond ). These three lovely voices combined to create sparkling melodies and sentimental harmonies in this barbershop-inspired trio.

The Los Angeles-based group released their debut album, Love To Live, in 2010 on Vanguard. If you enjoyed the honeyed tones of “How Are You Doing?” it’s definitely worth your time to check out the rest of their album. I like listening to it when I’m at home baking. Put the old apron on and pretend I’m a 50s housewife who actually knows how to cook more than breakfast cereal.

Here’s another favorite, “Double Knots.”

If you live in Los Angeles, be sure to call the sitter so you can catch them at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on May 7th for an evening of music dedicated to the late, great Patsy Cline. Or, better yet, bring the kids along for a fun family outing.

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[Photo Credit: craigCloutier]

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