mewithoutYou have announced dates for their upcoming tour, Our Cashew Princess of the Swirling Marble Tour. Joining the band will be Rubik, David Bazan and Rocky Votolato on select dates. There are currently 23 scheduled stops starting June 2nd in St. Louis, MO and culminating June 29th in Kalamazoo, MI. Tour dates can be seen after the jump. [Read more…]
Rocky Votolato House Tour
Rocky Votolato is doing a West Coast House Show Tour. Each show is at an undisclosed location and so you will only receive the house address after you buy tickets. Some shows are already sold out and tickets are limited. Click here for tickets.
Albums In Stores Tomorrow 6-19-07
Here are some albums hitting stores tomorrow.
The Junior Varsity – Cinemtographic
Straylight Run – The Needles The Space
August Burns Red – Messengers
Project 86 – Rival Factions
White Stripes – Icky Thump
Nora – Save Yourself
Ruiner – Prepare To Be Let Down
The Number Twelve Looks Like You – Mongrel
Rocky Votolato – Brag And Cuss
Staff Recommendations September 24th 2006
Julie Watanabe
Adie Camp – As the former frontwoman of rock ensemble The Benjamin Gate and songwriter Jeremy Camp’s wife, Adie has, for better or worse, no lack of ties to the music industry. This Tuesday, her first ever solo album Don’t Wait debuts through BEC Records. Her music is undeniably pop laced with acoustic rock, and despite being lumped into a competitive genre that’s already overpopulated, Adie manages to beat out much of her stake. For an idea of her style think catchy choruses like early Michelle Branch mixed with soft spoken vocal insight reminiscent of Anna Nalick. Check out “Your Way” on her myspace.
Myspace
Saosin – It’s been 3 years and waiting for early Saosin fans. 3 years since Translating The Name went public and the revolution was set in motion. The justifications are endless, but Saosin in your stereo is more important than money in your pocket. DON’T pirate this album! Saosin are the pioneers of this scene (no matter what you’d like to believe) and not buying this album would be of the highest disrespect. Look for the review soon.
Myspace
Michael Schneider
Matt Wertz – Matt has consistently been a favorite of mine since I was introduced to him. His infectious melodies and lyrics that connect with all listeners drive his entire catalogue and especially his new release “Everything In Between”
Cassidy Myers
mewithoutYou – Their new release “Brother, Sister” is absolutely amazing and will be one of the best releases to come out this year.
Rocky Votolato – Put out his amazing new album “Makers” this January. Rocky Votolato is the best solo artist to come out of Seattle.
Valida Prentice
I’m living in Barcelona right now and this past weekend was the big city festival, in honor of Barcelona’s patron Saint Mercedes. As part of the festivities, there was TONS of music, both traditional and contemporary. I think I’ll be drawing on the bands I first listened to at the free shows this weekend for the next few weeks’ recommendations. This week, I’ll recommend to you Canadians The Hidden Cameras who blend an array of string instruments with indie-pop keys & guitars and a poppin’ Spanish electronica quartet called Mendetz.
Reema Desai
The Format – Dog Problems was released in this year in the middle of the summer and I haven’t really stopped listening to it since. The lyrics and subject matter are as personal as songs can possibly be and the variety of instruments and techniques used on this album make it stick out from the crowd as well as add a certain flavor to the album. One can not listen to this album and not respect the evident hard work and sincerity that went into making it. The leap the band took from their previous record, Interventions and Lullabies to Dog Problems is truely phenomenal. This is easily one of if not the most witty and catchy pop albums of the year.
(On a side note, they also have the coolest website ever.)
Rocky Votolato – Makers
Artist: Rocky Votolato
Album: Makers
Label: Barsuk
Purchase: Barsuk
Release Date: January 24, 2006
Overall: 8.9
Lyrics: 8.8
Music: 9
Production: 9
As quoted from Rocky Votolatoâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s onesheet, â┚¬Ã…”Rocky Votolato is a soft-spoken, hard-working 28-year-old father of twoâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬Ã¢”ž¢My dad was in a motorcycle gang based out of Dallas, TX called the Scorpionsâ┚¬Ã‚¦I remember the family trip to the state fair and my dad being handcuffed and taken away because of the pistol he always carried in his beltâ┚¬Ã‚¦Ãƒ¢Ã¢”š¬?â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢
To say the least, Rocky Votolato has had his share of life experiences, most of which occur in his music. After my first time seeing him play in the now re-invented Paradox Theatre in Seattle, I have not stopped supporting and listening to his projects. Touring with bands like The Get Up Kids, Rocky has made his way around the country, â┚¬Ã‹Å“Makersâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ is his third album; The first two released on Second Nature Recordings, and â┚¬Ã‹Å“Makersâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ under license to Barsuk Records.
The first track, â┚¬Ã‹Å“White Daisy Passingâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ is a beautiful and mellow introduction to a very well crafted record. His falsetto background vocals sing â┚¬Ã‹Å“passing white daisies taking turns, all those evenings on the back deck on our first apartment, they mean everything but the wind just carried them off.â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ Rockyâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢s metaphors are so well put I wouldnâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t dare tried to reword them. His voice is soothing, and full; White Daisy Passing is a perfect introduction into his best release yet.
Next is the other single, â┚¬Ã‹Å“Portland Is Leaving.â┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ This track reminds me of why I could listen to Mr. Votolato sing for the rest of my life. Harmonica melody and minor chords blend with his insightful lyrics, and often leave me contemplating his messages.
Rocky has taken a good step forward in his song-writing. On Suicide Medicine, some of the songs grabbed you quickly, and pulled you in to listen to the rest of the album. It seems as though he has abandoned the plan of writing the radio single, and stuck to his best formula; Rocky writes songs that require a few plays to understand. His sometimes-depressing topics, speak so honestly that I would think his age would be far past his late twenties. The title track â┚¬Ã‹Å“makersâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ describes the loss of a loved one, or so said metaphorically, and if you remember his last release, the topic is identical to Suicide Medicine. â┚¬Ã‹Å“Wait Out the Daysâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢ talks about waiting for death to come. Apparently the human fate is a constant on his mind.
Rocky Votolato has created an album that in my mind should speak for itself. Well I donâ┚¬Ã¢”ž¢t doubt it make take you a few listens to come to the level of appreciation I have, he has again proven to me why he is one of the best solo artists in the music scene today. If you are a fan of angst-filled emo songs about losing your girlfriend, this album is not for you. If you are a fan of heart-felt, honest, and wise folk-rock, you have found your new favorite artist.
Track Listing
1. White Daisy Passing
2. Portland Is Leaving
3. The Night’s Disguise
4. She Was Only In It For The Rain
5. Uppers Aren’t Necessary
6. Wait Out The Days
7. Streetlights
8. Tennessee Train Tracks
9. Goldfield
10. Tin Foil Hats
11. Where We Left Off
12. Makers