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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Here we are – 2016!  And I am currently ON FIRE in keeping with my resolutions! (For what now, 5 days?!)

I went to a Yoga class this morning, and the theme was “Begin Again”.  Perfect!  So we have a new year, a new theme, a new look and hopefully a new podcast coming this year!

I’ve updated my concert calendar with some fun new shows, and hope to keep a diverse, eclectic show schedule as active as possible.  If you’re a musician or band and are playing in LA – please let me know! I’d love to cover it!

I also added the AlongTheRail photography portfolio.  Click on the link to the left to see some of my favorite photos.  Playing a show in LA and want me to shoot it? Drop me a line!

I also want to hear more from our readers.  What are some of your resolutions – Music related or otherwise?  What shows are you looking forward to in the coming months?  What albums can you not wait to hear? What EXCITES you about the new year?!

Music can be both an independent experience or a highly social and collaborative one. I like both and would be thrilled if a community could arise from these posts this year.  Follow the blog itself, via twitter, email.. Keep in touch and say hi!

And as always – I’m open to and eager to hear new music!  Send me stuff to alongtherailmusic@gmail.com!  Thanks so much to those who have submitted tracks.  We’ll be in touch!

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and musical new year! Thanks for reading!

ATR

 

 

 

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Pumarosa – “Priestess” (Chess Club Records)

Happy Halloween weekend!

I just found this awesome song from the London based band PUMAROSA.  Take a few minutes (7 and a half to be exact) to lose yourself in this awesome hypnotic, slow burn track that builds and evolves.

“You Dance You Dance You Dance You Dance”

I can’t wait for this band to come Stateside, but if you’re lucky enough to be in the UK, here are upcoming tour dates:

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FIVE FOR FRIDAY May 29, 2015

Here are 5 new songs making me happy these days:

1) WORK DRUGS “Hey Nineteen”

The more I listen to this song, the more I like it.  Super catchy beat from this Philadelphia based duo.  I’m excited to see them live at the Roxy in September!

Work Drugs: Website  Facebook  Twitter  Soundcloud

2) CLOSE TALKER “For The Sun”

Great stuff from this Canadian indie rock group.

Close Talker: Website  Facebook  Twitter  Soundcloud

3) SUNFLOWER BEAN “I Hear Voices”

This song makes me miss living in NYC.  It’s a fun, gritty song from this Brooklyn based trio.

Sunflower Bean: Website  Facebook  Twitter  Soundcloud

4) RIOTHORSE ROYALE “You’re Still Here”

Beautiful harmonies layered over a lush yet slightly sinister sound.  Love what this indie-pop duo is doing!  Shoutout to one of my fave music sites DAYTROTTER for turning me on to these guys.

Riothorse Royale:  Website  Facebook  Twitter  Soundcloud

5) ROOSEVELT “Night Moves”

Really fun song from this talented indie-electric artist from Germany.  I can hear this in a car commercial.. He’s live at the Echoplex in LA July 16th.

Roosevelt: Website  Facebook  Soundcloud

That’s it for this week – Have a wonderful weekend!

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SUMMER NIGHTS IN LOS ANGELES!

This summer there is SO much free music to see live in LA!

To get us started, here’s the JUNE schedule for KCRW’S brilliantly curated Summer Nights concerts:

JUNE:

6/5 First Fridays @ Natural History Museum – Hanni El Khatib & Avid Dancer (wow!)

6/6 Make Music Pasadena – How To Dress Well, Nick Waterhouse & More

6/6 One Colorado (Pasadena) – De Lux & KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox

6/20 One Colorado (Pasadena) – Cayucas & KCRW DJ Marion Hodges

6/27 Chinatown Summer Nights – KCRW DJs.  

I’ll be adding future shows for the rest of the summer as they near – stay tuned and have fun out there!

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FIVE FOR FRIDAY – 5 New Songs To Start Your Summer!

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Whether your plan is to hit the beach, have a BBQ, check out a music festival or just kick it by the pool, here are some great new, summery tunes!

1) NIGHTAIR “Clouds”

These SoCal rockers have bottled summer in this tune.  It just oozes joy – complete with a happy go lucky “I’m alright, I’m ok hey hey” rallying cry.

Nightair:  Instagram  Twitter  Facebook  Soundcloud

2) KID ASTRAY “Diver”

A fun, carefree sounding tune from this Norwegian group.

Kid Astray: Tumblr  Twitter  Facebook  Soundcloud

3) KINGDOMS “Capture The Moon”

Love the synthy pop vibe to this song from the LA based band.

Kingdoms: Website  Twitter  Facebook  Soundcloud

4) PATRICK JAMES “California Song”

A beautiful tune from the Australian crooner.

Patrick James: Website  Twitter  Facebook  Soundcloud

5) ALINA BARAZ & GALIMATIAS “Show Me”

This sexy soundscape is perfect for the end of a long day – This is just what you need when relaxing in the hot tub.

Alina Baraz: Facebook  Twitter  Soundcloud

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FIVE FOR FRIDAY – Belated Birthday edition

I missed last week because it was my birthday… Sorry about that.  But, back this week with 5 new songs for your listening pleasure!

First up – PALACE – a band from London that I’ve already been watching for some time.  I love everything I’ve heard so far, and they put this new song “Kilorean” out recently.  Another winner, in my opinion!  It’s dreamy and relaxed and bluesy yet happy sounding – put this on, pour a cocktail, go out to your yard or patio and say, “HELLLOOOO  WEEKEND!”

Their debut album is out in June and I can’t wait!  They’ve also got some tour dates in the UK this summer (jealous..) See their website for info.

PALACE SOUNDCLOUD, PALACE TWITTER

Next – another band from the UK. (No surprise there – I seem to love a lot that comes from across the pond!) This is ECHOTAPE.  “All My Days” is a ridiculously fun, song with major party anthem potential.. This is destined to be played on festival fields.. The catchy lyric “All my days are rolling into one, my head’s like a sieve and I’m sinking some” – pretty much describes everyone at a festival anyway. Check it out and just try not to bop along:

Check out their Facebook page for a video of a recent TV appearance.

ECHOTAPE TWITTER

Third up we have FROOGLE & ALEXA HARLEY – with “Falling Down”.  This is a gorgeous, powerful song, off the collaboration EP, “Tunnel Vision”  From his Facebook, “Froogle fuses elements of jazz and r&b with state of the art electronics.”  – that combination works wonderfully here:

FROOGLE SOUNDCLOUD , TWITTER

ALEXA HARLEY FACEBOOK, TWITTER

The next band brings me closer to home.  SMOKE SEASON – a LA based boy/girl duo known for their genre bending “electro soul”.  They’re sexy, sultry, and kick ass.. They’re playing “Brokechella” this weekend in LA – I hope to check em out.  Here’s their song “Bees”:

SMOKE SEASON SOUNDCLOUD, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, WEBSITE

And finally for this Friday – AQUILO.  Check out this gorgeous downtempo R & B tinged break up anthem  “Better Off Without You”:

If you live in the UK, you can see this English duo live this summer.  Hey Aquilo, please come play LA soon!!

AQUILO: SOUNDCLOUD, WEBSITE, TWITTER

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An Ode to GLASS ANIMALS

I am going to see Glass Animals tonight in LA and have been looking forward to this show for MONTHS!  So in honor of tonight, here are some songs from Glass Animals.  Beware – this music will cause grooving / head bobbing / swaying.  Enjoy!

Glass Animals have become one of my favorite bands of late – I love the groovy, smooth, electro sound. It’s both mellow and energetic.  I can’t listen to anything from them while sitting still, and can’t wait to be in a GA crowd to experience these songs live tonight!

They’re a four piece of childhood friends from Oxford England – their debut album, Zaba, came out last year.  Hope they don’t keep us waiting too long for more great sounds.

They’re on tour now, headed all over the US this summer.  Check em out if you can!  TOUR DATES

GLASS ANIMALS FACEBOOK, TWITTER, WEBSITE, SOUNDCLOUD

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Five For Friday – Holiday Weekend Edition!

Wishing everyone a happy holiday weekend, hope you’re already enjoying it!  Here are some catchy tunes to get you thru your travels, time with family, binge eating, or whatever makes you happiest.

1) GOLDEN COAST – Take You Away:

What a perfect song to start with!  A fun, catchy, long-weekend-sounding track from this LA based band.  It’s impossible to not feel transported and carefree when you hear this!  Also a great song for sync opportunities.  This band is playing on Tuesday night 4/7 in LA and I’m definitely going to check them out.

Golden Coast Facebook

Golden Coast Twitter

See Golden Coast in LA 4/7 at the Kick Kick Snare Event! 

2) OH WONDER – Midnight Moon:

This lovely UK duo has been quietly releasing one song at a time on Soundcloud on the 1st of every month.  Here’s the latest.  It’s catchy and sweet, and I love the turn it takes about 3/4 of the way thru.  Their debut album is out in September, and you catch them live in London, Paris, LA and Brooklyn this fall.  Tickets are for sale via their Website.  I think this band will be big in the next year!

Oh Wonder Facebook

Oh Wonder Twitter 

3) THE MAINE – Same Suit Different Tie

Here’s a new one from Arizona based “The Maine”.  This is off their upcoming 5th full length album out now.  It has a great, pop-y sound and it’s catchy as hell.  The band is touring the US now thru May.  Tour Dates HERE.

The Maine Website

The Maine Twitter

4) DIVE IN – Eighteen:

Synth-pop goodness from this Glastonbury based band.  The EP, “Eighteen” is out in late May.

Dive In Website

Dive in Twitter

Dive In Facebook 

5) ALLIE – Remedy:

The new single from this talented Canadian singer-songwriter, and it’s got some serious soul!  I like it more every time I hear it.

Allie Facebook

Allie Twitter

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Life Lessons from Robben Ford

Last night I went to see blues guitar master Robben Ford at the Grammy Museum.  I EXPECTED to hear a guitar legend speak about his amazing career and was excited to hear some songs off his new album, “Into The Sun” out today.  But, knowingly or not, he also dispensed some amazing, life-improving advice that I think can apply to everyone. Bonus!

In a Q & A format, Robben spoke candidly about his legendary career, which started when he was just a teenager.  When asked if he was insecure about playing with a legend like Jimmy Witherspoon at such a young age, Robben said no – and his quote brings me to the first life lesson:

“If you’re confident in yourself, you can fit in anywhere”..

He went into detail about playing on the road with Joni Mitchell, and called it the “best experience of his life” – even though he initially DIDN’T WANT TO!

LIFE LESSON: Say YES!  You never know what an opportunity may bring or how it may enrich your life.

Robin spoke about his guitar playing by referencing Malcolm Gladwell’s book OUTLIERS.  Robben said that as Malcolm suggests, it took him about 10 years to get good at songwriting.

LIFE LESSON:  PERSISTENCE!  Stick to it!  You can’t master a skill without putting in time and effort.

Robben’s single piece of advice to aspiring guitar players is, “Learn chords”.  Robben himself used Mickey Baker’s book Jazz Chords Volume 1.

After inspiring us with insights from his career and words of wisdom, Robben played 4 songs off the new album, “Into The Sun”, out today via Provogue Records / the Mascot Label Group.

This new album is a chance for Robben to do his own thing, which he said that he’s always wanted to do, despite playing on tour with legends such as Joni Mitchell, Miles Davis and Charlie Musselwhite, among many others.  The album highlights his skillful guitar playing, songwriting, and singing.   In speaking of the album, Robben says “The rule was to have no lid on things..I made sure there was room for new ideas and everything my collaborators brought to the music.”  His collaborators on the album are vocalist ZZ Ward, blues great Keb’ Mo’, and guitar masters Warren Hayes, Sonny Landreth, Robert Randolph and Tyler Bryant.

My favorite track on the album is So Long 4 U – with Sonny Landreth:

Robben is playing a live show TONIGHT, 3/31 at Guitar Center in Hollywood at 7 PM.  Register here: Music Mentor Sessions.

Check out the new album and follow Robben – (you never know when you’re gonna learn something!)

Website

Facebook

Twitter

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FIVE for FRIDAY – 5 new songs to kick off the weekend!

It’s the end of the week!  Here’s a diverse mix of 5 new songs to get you to and thru a great weekend!

1) JAALA – Double Dutch (Demo)

A brand new 3 piece girl band from Australia who describe themselves as “experimental bedroom punk”.  I love em already!  This song starts out sounding groovy, smooth, funky – and just when you start to think you know where it’s going..BAM!  It becomes something else entirely.  But it’s somehow both jarring AND seamless and it’s a fun sonic journey.  Per their Facebook page, they played their first ever gig just this past month, and they have a forthcoming debut album coming out. Can’t wait to hear more from these talented ladies!

JAALA Soundcloud

JAALA Facebook

2) ON AN ON – Drifting

I LOVE this song.  Simply put – it’s just so pretty, but also paints a dramatic cinematic picture.  This would be a great song to sync to a scene – it conveys so much angst and trepidation, lost love and uncertainty.  And it builds to such a fantastic climax!  In their own words, “Drifting is inspired by falling asleep behind the wheel and trying to forget unforgettable things. We’ve never had a song that sounded this naked.”  This band is on tour as I type thru 4/11 – playing Washington DC tonight, Chicago 3/30 – see their website for more dates.  They’ve also got a new album coming out this summer.

On An On Website

On An On Facebook

On An On Twitter

3) COVES – Shot To The Wall

The kick ass guitar riff in this song is reason enough to give it a listen!  There’s not too much happening lyrically but, it doesn’t matter.  It’s groovy and croony and reverby, and a great weekend tune!  They just wrapped up a headlining tour in the UK and their new album drops in April.

Coves Website

Coves Facebook

Coves Twitter

4) WHISPA – L^CE

When I hear this, I just want to be getting in my car, and saying “PEACE OUT” to a long work week.. This is another great song for sync placement.  Soooooooo groovy.  It’s got such a strong vibe, with a couple distinct sections that give this tune definite momentum.  I love what this self proclaimed UK based “anti genre music producer” is doing and if you’re not bopping along to this in some way, well, then you must not be hearing it at all! There’s a free download of this song on his soundcloud page, link below.

Whispa Facebook

Whispa Twitter

Whispa Soundcloud

5) GALIMATIAS – Ocean Floor Kisses

And now, something for when you get home, open that bottle of wine, or draw that bath, or light that joint, or whatever it is that settles you down..  This beautiful sonic-sphere from this talented Danish producer does have an almost liquid sound to it, some of the chords seem to come and go in bubbles.  Just sit back, relax, and enjoy….

Galimatias Facebook

Galimatias Twitter 

Galimatias Soundcloud