Mike Pinto

Mike Pinto is a native Pennsylvanian. These photos are from the show he played in March at Abilene's on South Street. His sound is in the same vein as Sublime, Jack Johnson, and other relaxed, but passionate rock-reggae artists. I'd actually gone to see my friend Chalk play, but was quite impressed by Mike's sound so I asked if I could photograph him as well. I highly suggest checking Mike out while it still costs only $10 to see him and not $50.
http://www.myspace.com/littledistrict


**These photos are actually done by yours truly, so if you have the undying wish to use them please let me know.**

Seabass

Seabass is a band I went to see at The Barbary, here in Philadelphia. The band consists of Patrick O'Brien on vocals and guitar, Dave Ianucci on guitar, Justin Riley on bass, Brett Bendistis on drums, and Ray Wildman on keyboards. They have a very tribal sound. Their cover of Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight" really hits the brutality and primal urgency of the song home. Their untitled song they call "Bucket Jam" is phenomenal live and a definite must-see. With all the energy and heart these guys play with, they will go very far.
http://www.myspace.com/seabassinc


**These photos are done by yours truly, so if you have the undying need to use them please let me know in advance.**

Brian Jonestown Massacre

Last evening I watched the documentary "Dig!" that I'd tivo-ed this week. Unfortunately it decided to cut out all except the first hour of program, but I got the general idea anyway. Here's the general idea: Brian Jonestown Massacre is/was an amazing band fronted by one severely not alright guy named Anton Newcombe. This could definitely have been the p.o.v. of the director/documentarian, but that's what it seemed like to me.
The band started in San Francisco in 1990. The band has seemed to change their members more than their socks, but the main players are Anton Newcombe, Matt Hollywood, Dean Taylor, Mara Regal, Dawn Thomas, Brian Glaze, and Joel Gion. Finally signed in 1997 to TVT Records, this partnership quickly ended due to the band's unconventionality.
They've apparently sustained within the group and most recently put out an EP in 2005. Being that their music is quite spectacular, even though their band's lifestyle is a bit on the eccentric side, I'd recommend picking up a copy of one of their releases.

Gnarls Barkley

Gnarls Barkley is, what one can only hope, the new sound of hip-hop. This band is a combination of Dangermouse aka Brian Burton and Cee-Lo, a member of Goodie Mob. Both known members claim they are not actually the main act, and a lot of the collaboration is hidden in rumours. They are said to have started in Atlanta, but don't visit the actual site www.gnarlsbarkley.com
of Gnarls Barkley or you'll end up in a tailspin. All one can really tell is that the album is similar to the style of blended hip-hop and rock that the band Gorillaz puts out it almost seems effortlessly.
The single most known from this album is "Crazy", which is particularly catchy. Also the covering of the Violent Femmes on "Gone Daddy Gone" is quite tasteful and most likely an homage. If you're wanting to experience the newest explosion in the hip-hop media, definitely check out the new Gnarls Barkley CD today.

Calexico

Calexico is a band that I must have apparently brushed over before I really listened to them, which is entirely my own fault and such a pity. The band, made up primarily of John Convertino and Joey Burns, hails from Tucson, Arizona. They started the band in the late 90's and have been crafting their sound, which has been called indie-mariachi, ever since. With backgrounds in classical and experimental-rock, the fusion of this band is fantastic.
Their sound is evidently southwestern, with trumpet, marimba, and other ecclectic instruments used throughout. Their previous releases were quite reminiscent of Los Lobos, but the new release sees them leaning more towards the alternative country sound of similar artists like Ryan Adams. The twangy sound of the steel guitar gives their sound a heartbreaking, longing feel and the drumming of Convertino drives the music home. Recently they've been working with artists like Neko Case and Iron & Wine, which gives their newest work a little more of a downhome type feel, but there's definitely still the use of instruments that gives them a completely different feel from so many other bands out there right now. They have an ability to paint a landscape with their songs that allows you to create a soundscape for your listening experience. The softly sung lyrics lend to the album's dreamy quality, but there are several songs such as "Letter to Bowie Knife" that give the album a definite kick start. If you like your alternative country with a little variety and spice, I'd definitely recommend both this album and this band.

http://www.casadecalexico.com/

Imogen Heap

As I'm always on the lookout for new and different artists that I haven't heard before, so when my teacher spoke of Imogen Heap I figured I'd check her out. While I had Heard of her, I'd never really actually sat and listened to her, and those two things are very different.
Listening to her 1998 release, "I Megaphone", I realized several things. I realized I like her, but also that she follows a long line of similar sounding female artists. She combines the Tori Amos-style piano and vocal techniques, seen especially on songs like "Candlelight", with the attitude and lyrical qualities of Ani Difranco, as heard on "Getting Scared". She's likewise been compared to Kate Bush and Patti Smith, but an evident British sound, such as that of PJ Harvey, is somewhat evident as well. However she brings her own blend to the mix with a bit more punk and dance influence, especially in "Getting Scared" and "Rake It In". She strikes me as an artist I would hear on the L Word and want to download. Thankfully though, she is one of the few women out there now claiming it in the name of rock and not in the name of "I'm-wearing-next-to-nothing-please-look-at-my-breasts" pop stars of recent. It is refreshing to see the torch passed to someone who could carry it very far. She has been involved in a collaboration project with Guy Sigsworth, called Frou Frou. She's also recently been featured on the television show "The OC", and has a new album coming out this May.
http://www.imogenheap.co.uk/