Happy Birthday Billy Idol

William Michael Albert Broad a.k.a. Billy Idol was born November 30th, 1955. He is an English rock musician who first achieved fame in the punk rock era as a member of the band Generation X. He then embarked on a successful solo career, aided by music videos. This made him one of the very first MTV stars. Idol continues to tour with guitarist Steve Stevens and has a worldwide fan base. The name Billy Idol was inspired by a school teacher's description of him as "idle." Idol was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident which nearly cost him his leg in February 1990. He was hit by a car after running a stop sign on his way home from the studio. He was in the movie The Doors and even performed at Roger Waters' The Wall Live in Berlin in 1990. This video is a tribute to Idol's "Dancing with Myself."

http://www.billyidol.net/

Smelly Dog

Freelance Whales

Freelance Whales are an indie rock band hailing from Queens, NY. To call the memebers multi-instrumentalists might be a little overdone. The kids in Whales are really just collectors at heart. The group consists of frontman Judah Dadone (lead vocals, bango, acoustic/electric guitar, synthesizer, bass), Nicole Mourelatos a.k.a. Doris Cellar (bass, harmonium, glockenspiel, synthesizer, vocals), Chuck Criss (banjo, bass, synthesizer, glockenspiel, harmonium, acoustic/electric guitar, vocals), Jacob Hyman (drums, percussion, vocals), and Kevin Read (acoustic/electric guitar, glockenspiel, mandolin, synthesizer, vocals). This video is "1st Floor Generator" from their debut album Weathervanes.

Freelance Whales came together in 2008 after connecting through Craigslist and friends-of-friends. The band's debut album, was largely composed by Judah Dadone. The lyrics are based on a combination of childhood memories and dream journaling. The band's name derives from Dadone's childhood in Jerusalem, and a near-drowning incident in the Sea of Galilee. The band began to gain traction in October of 2009 as they honed their sound on subway platforms around New York City.

http://www.freelancewhales.com/

Smelly Dog

*Technical Difficulties are Responsible for the Late Post*

Carolina Chocolate Drops

The Carolina Chocolate Drops are an old time string band from Durham, NC. The trio includes Rhiannon Giddens, Don Flemons, and Justin Robinson. All of the musicians sing and trade instruments including banjo, fiddle, guitar, harmonica, snare drum, bones, jug, and kazoo. Their name is a tribute to the Tennessee Chocolate Drops. The video is a traditional song called "Georgia Buck," performed on the UNC campus.

The Drops learned most of their repitoire and style of playing from the eminent African American old time fiddler Joe Thompson. In 2005, these three individuals made a commitment to travel to Joe's house every Thursday night for a jam session. When they decided to form a band they didn't have any big plans. It was mostly a tribute to Joe, and to get his music back into dance halls and public places. The band started playing wherever people would listen. From town squares to farmer's markets, they perfected their playing and started to win an avid foot-tapping, sing-along style audience.

http://www.carolinachocolatedrops.com/

Smelly Dog

Happy Thanksgivin!

I Just Want to Wish Everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Gobble Gobble!

First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit are a Swedish folk duo composed of sisters Johanna and Klara Soderberg, both under 21 years of age. Their close vocal harmonies and woodsy, folk-influenced songwriting take influences from the likes of Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom. Hailing from Enskede, a southern suburb of Stockholm, the teenaged siblings began composing songs in 2007. This video is "Tangerine" from their EP Drunken Trees.

Until now they have been rightfully praised for their infamous cover of "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song," by Fleet Foxes, which made them a hit on YouTube. They are now unleashing some remarkable songs of their own. Their debut album The Big Black and The Blue, is built around the sweeping majesty and almost telekinetic, intricate weaving of their voices. The Soderberg's distil all of their collective influences and make them their own on this beautiful album.

http://thisisfirstaidkit.com/

Smelly Dog

Martin Sexton

Martin Sexton was born on March 2nd, 1966. He is an American folk singer/songwriter who grew up in the Syracuse, NY area. Martin is the tenth of twelve children from a working class Irish-American family. I really don't like displaying cover songs of the artists that I am writing about, but hey, this is a great version of "Hey Joe."

Martin aquired his first guitar (a Sears & Roebuck acoustic) at the age of fourteen. Looking to find his own voice, he left home at age 22. He began busking as a street performer in Harvard Square. Sexton's music blends many genres of American music, including soul, gospel, country, rock, blues, and R&B. He is known for his wide vocal range and ability to improvise. He is also known for beatboxing and scat singing guitar solos.

I have seen Martin Sexton a handful of times and I am a big fan. His studio albums are a bit produced and doesn't showcase his onstage ability. Some songs to search for online would be Hallelujah, Diner, Who I Am, Young and Beautiful, Animal, and many more.

http://www.martinsexton.com/

Smelly Dog

*I did a little research on the song "Hey Joe," and found it to be a song first made popular by a band called The Leaves. Hey Joe has been considered a traditional song or often attributed to Jimi Hendrix. The song was actually registered for copyright in the U.S. in 1962 by Billy Roberts.*

Battles

Battles is an American experimental rock supergroup founded in 2002, in New York City. The band's current lineup is Ian Williams (guitar/keys), Dave Konopka (bass/guitar/effects), and John Stanier (drums). Their vocalist Tyondai Braxton very recently left the band to persue his solo career. The band still intends to continue to tour and produce a second album. The band had great success following the release of their first album that was released in 2007. The video is the song "Atlas" from the album Mirrored.

I saw this band back in 2007 at the Larimer Lounge in Denver, CO. I had never heard the band going into the show. I was quite impressed with the talent and the dramatics. This music is not for everyone however. Some would say that this is just noise, but there is also something very unique about their sound. The vocalist was a key element to the band and I am not sure what will become of Battles now that they are a trio. I can say that I hope for the continued success of Battles and can't wait to see what their 2nd album has to offer. It can't be any worse than MGMT's sophomore album.

http://www.bttls.com/

Smelly Dog

Still Flyin'

The San Francisco-based supergroup Still Flyin' was assembled in late 2004 by singer/songwriter Sean Rawls. By the time he arrived on the West Coast he was already a veteran of various Athens, GA bands, including Masters of the Hemisphere and Je Suis France. The video is "Rope Burn" off their 2006 EP Time Wrinkle EJ.

After relocating to San Francisco Rawls decided to put together a band of his own. He asked virtually everyone he knew in the city to join the reggae-inspired project. To everyone's surprise the first practice yielded 15 people. This number has seemed to remain true to the group as the current incarnation includes 15 members. The band's hybrid of rocksteady, roots reggae and U-Roy style dub, plays out in energetic and joyfully chaotic live shows that have even got the most skeptical and frumpy indie-rock hipsters shakin' their groove thing!

http://www.takeyourshoesoffyoudontneedtheminthesky.com/

Smelly Dog

Chris Dorman

Chris Dorman is a multi-instrumentalist from Lansing, MI. He can play the piano, trumpet, and the guitar. He has also been known to wail at karaoke on occasion. It wasn't until he was 15 that he became serious about being a musician. He received a late 1960's Yamaha guitar and the rest is history. This video is "Family Farm" from his debut album To Begin Again.

Chris writes his songs about friends, family, and feelings that reflect upon the intrinsic value within a local culture that cannot be quantified or commoditized. He hopes his sounds will nuture and inspire all who hear them to appreciate that which is unique to them. He recently moved to Vermont and purchased a 143 acre farm with his wife Corie and their son Henry. He recently released his second album in October entitled Sita.

http://www.chrisdormanmusic.com/

Smelly Dog

Je Suis France

Je Suis France is one of the many bands hanging on the fringe of the Athens indie rock scene. They balance a healthy penchant for garage rock and craggy instrumental epics harkening back to the eraly days of Built to Spill with an adventurous Camper Van Beethoven anything-goes-aesthetic. Forming in Marietta, GA while still in high school, around principal members DJ Hammond (aka OJ) and Ryan Martin (aka the Darkness), the band has solidified its lineup with many members having roots with bands Master's of the Hemisphere and Still Flyin. This video is "Program Me In" from Death Wish, relaeased in 2008.

The 2 founding members solidified their band once they were in Athens, GA. The early incarnation of the band was comprised of friends at the UGA radio station. They are known for their entertaining and unpredictable live shows.

http://www.myspace.com/jesuisfrancejams

Smelly Dog

Social Studies

Social Studies is a San Francisco based band led by Natalia Rogovin (keys/vocals) and Michael Jirkovsky (drums). Natalia has roots as a trained classical pianist, while Jirkovsky cut his teeth on the Chicago punk scene. The two met in college in Santa Cruz and formed Social Studies upon graduating and moving to the Bay area. Jeese Hudson (bass) and Tom Smith (guitar) round out the rest of the band. This video is for the song "Holler Boys" off their 2010 release Wind Up Wooden Heart.

What distinguishes this group is their eclectic, complex songwriting (unusual structure and mathy beats) and tempered soft edged danceable casio hooks. The lyrics celebrate duality though themes of discontent, violence, innocence, renewal, nostalgia, regret, and joy. All of these elements take shape in unpredictable catchy songs that burrow into your consciousness and demand repeat listening.

I saw this band at the Hi-Dive in Denver, CO a few weeks ago and I was hooked. Natalia's voice has hints of Janis Joplin and Feist. The band's show was very high energy and they seemed to be having a blast..although it was the last night of their month long tour. Jirkovsky's drumming was action packed with exaggerated dramatics. I would recommend listening to this band's new album and seeing them live as soon as you get the chance.

http://www.socialstudiesband.com/

Smelly Dog

Black Lips

The Black Lips are a flower punk band from Atlanta, GA. While still teenagers, the band formed in 1999 in Dunwoody, GA after Cole Alexander (guitar) and Jared Swilley (bass) left the band The Renegades, and Ben Eberbaugh (guitar) left the Reruns. Joe Bradley (drums) joined a few months later. Just days before a tour was set to begin in December 2002, Ben Eberbaugh was struck by drunk driver going the wrong way while parked at a toll booth. He was replaced by Jack Hines, who quit two years later to be closer to his family. A friend, Ian Saint Pe, who used to buy the other members beer when they were too young, joined the band and is part of the current incarnation. The video is of their song "O Katrina" off the band's 2007 studio album entitled Good Bad Not Evil.

Staying true to their punk attitude and way of life Alexander and Swilley are known for their crude antics on stage and even when they were in high school. They were kicked out of high school their senior year after the Columbine Massacre in 1999, being dubbed a subculture danger. They also fled India in 2009 in fear of being arrested for some of these onstage antics.

http://black-lips.com/

Smelly Dog

Keith Jarrett

Keith Jarrett was born on May 8th, 1945, in Allentown, PA. He is an American composer/pianist who has performed in both jazz and classical music. Since the early 1970's he has enjoyed great success as a group leader and solo performer. His improvisations draw not only from the traditions of jazz, but from other genres as well, especially Western classical music, gospel, blues, and ethnic folk music. He has played with Art Blakey, Charles Lloyd, and Miles Davis. This video is from his concert in Tokyo in 1984.

One of Jarrett's trademarks is his frequent, loud vocalizations (grunting, squealing, tuneless singing). He is also physically active while playing, almost dancing on the piano bench. Jarrett has noted that these vocalizations are based on involvement, not content, ultimately enhancing the quality of the music. However, he is notoriously intolerant of audience noise, including coughing and other involuntary noises. Along with this, he is very protective of his concert recordings. He has been known to stop during a few of his shows because he mistakingly viewed objects as recording devices in the audience. A final note, Jarrett is strongly opposed to electric instruments and equipment. With that said, don't let all of these odd attributes shy you away from this great musician.

http://www.keithjarrett.org/

Smelly Dog

Mimicking Birds

Mimicking Birds is an indie rock group from Portland, Oregon centered around Nate Lacy (guitar/vocals). The other two members of the band are Aaron Hanson (drums), and Ian Luxton (supplementary guitar). Ian is the newest member of the band, replacing Tim Skellenger.

Mimicking Birds was originally a vehicle for Nate Lacy's home recordings, but expanded to a trio after he signed to Modest Mouse member Isaac Brock's Glacial Pace Recordings label in 2008. Their debut album was largely recorded at Brock's home in Portland, and released in 2010.

I saw these guys at the Hi-Dive in Denver, CO a few weeks ago. I can honestly say I thought they weren't too shabby. Nick Lacy's ambient guitar playing soothed the soul, but the vocals were a bit muffled. I would classify their sound as melancholy surfer pop. Overall, I would say their music would be great with a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning.

www.myspace.com/mimickingbirds

Smelly Dog

Alberta Cross

Alberta Cross is a Brooklyn based band that has roots in London. The band was formed by Petter Ericson Stakee (guitar/vocals), and Terry Wolfers (bass). Despite their different upbringings - Stakee travelled from an early age between Sweden and England with his singer-songwriter father, while Wolfers was brought up in London's East End. After relocating to New York, they solidified the lineup with the addition of Sam Kearney (lead guitar), Alec Higgins (keys), and Austin Beede (drums). This song is entitled "Hard Breaks."

The band's sound has been to compared to The Band, Neil Young, Blind Melon, The Raconteurs, and many other blues influenced rock bands. Alberta Cross has toured extensively in the U.K. and was the opener for the Dave Matthews Band on their European tour. The band embarked on its first headlining tour in the United States in early 2010, selling out shows in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco. The Santa Barbara venue oversold the show, so when police arrived and forced 50 patrons to leave, the band offered to play two sets so everyone that came to see them could. Their first full length album, "Broken Side of Time" was released in September 2009.

Possibly an unknown fact..The name "Alberta Cross" is an anagram. The band has yet to divulge what the anagram is exactly.

http://www.albertacross.net/

Smelly Dog

Xavier Rudd

Xavier Rudd is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Australia. Many of Rudd's songs incorporate socially conscious themes, such as environmentalism and the rights of Aboriginal peoples. He is very popular in his native land and Canada. He has also become a staple at U.S. festivals such as Bonnaroo and High Sierra. This video is from Jimmy Kimmel Live, the song is "Stargaze."

Xavier Rudd has two sons, Joaquin and Finojet. He says he carries Joaquin's sock with him while he is on tour. Rudd is also a vegetarian and was awarded PETA's annual "World's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity" award in 2007. He has released six studio albums and a few live albums. His newest project is with bassist Tio Moloantoa and percussionist Andile Nqubezelo, under the unified banner Xavier Rudd and Izintaba. Be sure to check out more videos to get a sense of his solo material and skills on the didgeridoo.

http://www.xavierrudd.com/

Smelly Dog

Real Estate

The band Real Estate is a new and upcoming band with roots in the Garden State. They are lead by singer/guitarist Martin Courtney and feature guitarist Matthew Mondanile. Alex Bleeker is on bass and Etienne Duguay on drums. They are still on the club scene circuit, but recently played at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. This song is entitled "Fake Blues."

Some of the influences of Real Estate include Paul Mccartney, The Doobie Brothers, and the Boss Man. Be sure to check this band out when they are in your neighborhood, you won't be disappointed!

http://www.myspace.com/realestate

Smelly Dog

P.S. Happy Birthday Blake Ann!

Happy Birthday Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams was born in 1974 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was initially a part of the band Whiskeytown, but left to pursue a solo career. Adams is probably best known for his song "New York, New York" in the pop culture world. It is from his sophmore album entitled "Gold." He has since released six solo albums, and three with backing band The Cardinals. This video is from the Black Cab Sessions. The song's title is "Sink Ships."

Possibly a lesser known fact..He is married to Mandy Moore. They were married on March 10th, 2009, in Savannah, GA.

http://www.losthighwayrecords.com/

Smelly Dog

Breathe Owl Breathe

The second day of Smelly Dog Music, and taking a moment to breathe it all in. Posts for the following day will start to be posted at midnight. This will ensure that you get the day's video at your convenience.
This band played in Denver on November 2nd and it was the 2nd time I have seen them live. They have gained a ton of exposure in the past two years and I am really excited about them. The video is from The Pickathon Festival in Oregon.
Breathe Owl Breathe hails from East Jordan, MI. The three members are Andrea (cello), Micah (guitar), and Trevor (drums/piano). They have the sound of what I like to call New Folk. There music is both beautiful and playful. They have recently released their 5th studio album entitled "Magic Central." Enjoy!

http://breatheowlbreathe.com/

Smelly Dog

Safety Meeting

Well, this is my first post on Smelly Dog Music. My Father started this blog awhile back and I am taking it over. This is more of a getting started kind of post. Working out all the kinks can be fun..especially when listening to this tune. The site will eventually have all sorts of links to keep you in tune. The video is of four kids over four days of filming..and having a great time.

Men Without Hats has consisted of many members throughout the years. The most notable members being the Doroschuk brothers Ivan, Stefan, and Colin. Two other members worth noting would have to be Jeremie Arrobas (electronics), and Allan McCarthy who is deceased.

Many people think that Men Without Hats is a German band. This is untrue, but they have one hell of a fan base there. Although Ivan and Stefan were born in the United States, they grew up in Montreal, Canada. Colin is the youngest brother who started on the piano.

The band has recently released a new album after a ten year hiatus.

SS AA FF EE TT YY!

http://menwithouthats.com/

Smelly Dog