Tag Archives: singer songwriter

First Listen: “Bring Me Water” Debut Single From Nick Africano’s “The Butterfly Bull” + Spring Tour Dates Announced

25 Apr
Nick Africano

Nick Africano

Nick Africano has released the debut single “Bring Me Water” from The Butterfly Bull (due 5/1). Listen and share!

“…moments of somber beauty…” – The Onion, Minneapolis

“Africano’s tastefully adorned torch songs are worth keeping an eye on.” – Metromix Minneapolis

“Africano’s rustic singer-songwriter style is a place to start, but it doesn’t quite do justice to the layers he brings to the new songs. His gravely voice blends well with the multi-instrumental virtuosity, which isn’t often encountered in the ‘singer-songwriter’ category.” - The Star Tribune, Minneapolis

TOUR DATES:

Friday, May 4th 7pm @ The Living Room
154 Ludlow NYC
The Butterfly Bull CD Release Show w/ special guests! (Free)

Tuesday, May 8th 7pm@ The Kitty Cat Klub
313 14th Avenue SE Minneapolis MN 55414
The Butterfly Bull Minneapolis CD Release Show

Wednesday, May 9th 7pm @ The Blue Room at Fat Jacks
511 Main St. Bloomington IL 61701
The Butterfly Bull (and Nick Africano’s) Hometown CD Release Show

Friday, May 11th 8pm @ Uncommon Ground (Devon)
1401 West Devon Ave Chicago IL 60660
The Butterfly Bull Chicago CD Release Show! $10

Sunday, May 27th midnight @ Rockwood Music Hall Stage 1
196 Allen Street, NYC
Nick Africano Solo (Industry Show)

Friday, June 22nd 6pm @ American Folk Art Museum
45 West 53rd Street New York NY 10019 US

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The Butterfly Bull began over seven years ago; the direct result of ideas singer/songwriter Nick Africano developed while studying the poetry of Federico Garía Lorca, and later composing “The Poetics of Contradiction,” his college thesis paper. The ideas behind the album further materialized five years later, when, knowing Africano’s passion for all things Spanish, his friend Peter returned from a trip to Spain with the perfect gift: a journal with a drawing of “el toro mariposa” (the butterfly bull) by painter Francisco de Goya, on the cover. “That little gift resulted in my best work to date,” said Africano.

Led by Africano’s deep rustic voice, and featuring folk and blues sounds, The Butterfly Bull captures the intensity and ambition of an artist intent on making his mark – a drive and ambition first developed in his early days of baseball. Africano’s rough vocals are sometimes spoken as much as sung, in a Waits meets Dylan style, with lyrics inspired by some of the greats: Federico García Lorca, Faulkner, Joyce and Hemingway. And then there’s Sam Cooke. “I’m inspired by his seemingly effortless delivery in his singing and his annunciation. It’s perfect. I could listen to Sam Cooke all day every day.”

And so, two years ago, when Africano’s dear friend Peter gave him the butterfly bull journal, he saw the contradiction embodied in an image. The songs on The Butterfly Bull speak to this theme of mystery and contradiction and use the butterfly bull as its champion, as its’ lens through which to make sense of some of the ideas.

Read Nick’s Full Bio Here

Connect:
nickafricano.net
facebook.com/nickafricanomusic

Emily Zuzik on AOL Music Homepage

19 Jun
Emily Zuzik on Aol Music News Homepage

Emily Zuzik on Aol Music News Homepage

Emily Zuzik’s feature made it to the homepage of Aol Music, right below Sir Paul and right next to Lady Gaga. Congrats Emily!

Read the full story here

Emily Zuzik Featured in The Huffington Post

19 Jun
Emily Zuzik in The Huffington Post

Emily Zuzik in The Huffington Post

Congratulations to Emily Zuzik for the amazing feature by Laura Cococcia in The Huffington Post today!

Says the author: “Why I love her: she believes in the power of intuition to guide her, adoring her inspirations, but not a slave to the rules of what must define a songwriter. Emily and I had a chance to connect and talk more about the world behind her story. I’m thrilled to share it with you and hope that aspiring musicians — and writers — can visualize the vibrancy in the template she’s created for herself, a true lesson for me in what creativity can look like.”

Right on! Be sure to join us on June 25th at The Living Room to celebrate the release of Zuzik’s The Wild Joys of Living! 

New Music Tuesday: Matthew Santos

14 Jun

Matthew Santos is a Grammy-nominated Chicago based folk rock singer-songwriter, best known for his collaboration with hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco. Santos added vocals to multiple tracks on Fiasco’s record The Cool and is most widely recognized on the Grammy-nominated single “Superstar.”

However, that’s not all he’s recognized for. With two albums (2004′s Change is Better and 2010′s This Burning Ship of Fools) and an EP (2006′s As a Crow Flies) under his belt, 27-year-old Santos tells captivating and personal stories through his soulful ballads with soothing melodies and uptempo, guitar driven tunes. Santos proves he’s a versatile young artist with a striking voice showcasing his talents by simply following his heart.

Grab his single “Burning Up” for free, here.

Matthew Santos

Matthew Santos

About: Read his official bio here

Connect: Twitter // Facebook // Myspace 

Matthew will be performing in Chicago on June 17th at the Taste of Randolph Street Festival!

Full Disclosure: Matthew Santos is a great artist but we don’t work for him. We just dig his tunes.

{This post was written by our new Editorial Intern Christina Butan!}

New Music Tuesday: Swear and Shake

31 May

Swear and Shake is a New York City based folk quartet who released their first EP, Extended Play, in 2010 and are currently rocking out around the NYC region. While their image is simple, charming and warm, so is their music. Swear and Shake’s genre is not strictly folk – there are seamless hints of indie and pop freshly mixed into their tunes. Singer-songwriters Kari Spieler and Adam McHeffey create beautiful, melodious vocals and heart grabbing lyrics. Bassist Shaun Savage and drummer Tom Elefante bring every song to life with catchy, colorful beats and driving energy.

Swear and Shake

You can catch Swear and Shake at Hillstock in Brooklyn, New York on June 4th.

About: “Although their first EP, “Extended Play,” is still hot off the presses, critics and fans have been quick to applaud New York City-based quartet Swear and Shake for their old-school, smoky, soulful vocals, taught harmonies, poignant lyrics and fun folk-pop. Newsday praised the band, comparing them to indie darlings Mumford & Sons and Bon Iver. Brooklyn Belles described front lady Kari Spieler’s pipes as, “strong but sweet…a young June Carter Cash,” countered only by drummer Tom Elefante’s explosive percussion.” (Read more from their bio)

Connect: Twitter // Myspace // Facebook

Full Disclosure: Swear and Shake are a great band but we don’t work for them. We just dig their tunes.

{This post was written by our new Editorial Intern Christina Butan!}

Introducing: Two Cent Revival

22 Dec

Brooklyn’s Two Cent Revival, the new project from Brazilian-born, Texas-raised singer/songwriter Matt Jones, mixes folk-tinged Americana and classic country elements with dark lyrical themes and an acoustic-focused rock band. Driven by Jones’ baritone vocals, the songs hint at wooden barrooms and dusty churches, walking the line between failure and redemption.

On “The Devil’s in This Whiskey,” Two Cent Revival’s upcoming release (due early 2011), Jones and his band add a harder edge to the sound he began developing on his previous EP, “Butter and Rum” (2008).

Jezebelmusic.com says: “Matt and his tight knit band perform with an energy that is seldom witnessed with an acoustic guitar as the lead instrument. The primary catalyst is Jones himself, whose rich, deep voice projects every note, ensuring all within ear shot receive a proper introduction to his lovingly crafted songs. Don’t miss his live show!” -Dan D’Ippolito

“Matt Jones is a singer-songwriter with a lot going for him: his stage presence, his interesting, original songs, and especially his phrasing. He is a great storyteller.” -Jimmy Norman, co-writer of “Time is on My Side”

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And if you happen to be in Tucson, AZ this holiday season, check out Two Cent Revival at The Historic Hotel Congress on December 27th at 7:30pm.

Two Cent Revival in Tucson 12/27/10

New Client: Jennifer Hirsh

19 Oct

We’re proud to announce the addition of our newest client, Jennifer Hirsh!

About: Jennifer Hirsh, an American singer-songwriter, channels Ella Fitzgerald and Norah Jones to create her own unique voice: a raw, powerful, soulful breath of fresh air. Her performances “possess an undeniable and universal appeal that have captivated and mesmerized audiences around the world.”

Jennifer has had the privilege to consistently work with world-renowned vocal coach, Peisha McPhee, mother of American Idol Season 5 runner-up, Katharine McPhee. She has shared the stage with icons such as Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, Gloria Estefan and many more. A truly incomparable talent and beauty, Jennifer is currently based out of Los Angeles, CA recording her debut full length and performing all across North America.


New Music Tuesday: Jessica Long

21 Sep

We love it when people share their tunes with us– especially when they’re good. North Carolina native and folk rock musician Jessica Long recently followed us on Twitter so we checked her out, and we’re very happy we did. Watch and listen:

Here’s the scoop (from her bio): Jessica Long’s entrancing voice and unique style create a refreshing new alternative sound that finds its roots in vintage rock and acoustic folk music. She is currently recording her debut album in Nashville with Grammy-nominated producer Billy Smiley, due this fall.

Listen if you like: Feist, Ben Folds, Andrew Bird, Nick Drake, She & Him and M. Ward.

Full disclosure: Jessica is not a client. Although we’d like her to be! (Call us!)

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