“If I write a song and my first thought is of how personal it is, I have to sing it. I have to share it with others so they can relate as well and it just helps me get some of my demons and dark secrets out.” — Jessica Lea Mayfield
Pitchfork says Tell Me, Jessica Lea Mayfield‘s most recent release, “matches and at times even surpasses her debut in terms of rueful atmosphere and unflinching songwriting, and Mayfield works to break free of her country confines and showcase her vocals in new, unexpected settings.” Uncut calls her work “dark, dangerous and utterly compelling,” and BBC Music finds it to be “a treasure of tremendous emotional resonance and focus.” Needless to say, we can’t wait to hear her live!
We recently came across this great interview that the extraordinarily gifted songwriter did with the folks over at Blare magazine, and wanted to share it with you before her outdoor Madison performance with An Horse at the beautiful East Side Club on June 30 (tickets here).
Related Content: Watch Jessica perform “Grown Man” from her 2009 High Noon Saloon concert over at our YouTube Channel.
Early last year, this Aussie duo captured my heart with the beauty of the collection of intensely personal songs from their full-length debut, Rearrange Beds. (Read my 2009 interview with the band here.) Tonight, May 7, they’ll be performing with their equally talented friend, Kaki King, at the High Noon Saloon. I’m absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to see them play again, and I hope other Madison music lovers will turn out to welcome them.
Ahhh! This spring’s concert lineup is getting better and better! We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve just added Black Lips, Trampled By Turtles, Leslie & The LYs, Kaki King, That 1 Guy, and Quasi to our Music Calendar. Read on to get the details…
We first told you about this adorable, and incredibly talented Aussie duo earlier this year just before they played a powerful show at the High Noon Saloon in March. (Read our interview with the band here.) We are happy to see that their well-deserved success has only grown since then. Check out their recent Daytrotter session to catch up with the band, and grab some fresh downloads.
What’s been going on in the world of music lately? Read on to get the scoop on your favorite artists, and start some discussion about current music-related events!
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Ex-Clash drummer Topper Headon has generously offered his customized Mini Cooper to be raffled off to raise money for the Strummerville charity. The organisation was established after the death of the band’s frontman, Joe Strummer, and serves to give aid to young musicians.
What’s been going on in the world of music lately? Read on to get the scoop on your favorite artists, and start some discussion about current music-related events!
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After making a stop in Madison to play a fantastic show at the High Noon Saloon, An Horse made their way to NYC to play “Camp Out” for David Letterman. If you haven’t done so already, check out our interview with the band here.
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Paul and Ringo will lead an alarmingly amazing lineup of musicians who will perform at the upcoming “Change Begins Within” benefit for the David Lynch Foundation. The foundation “raises funds to teach one million at-risk children to meditate — giving them life-long tools to overcome stress and violence and promote peace and success in their lives.”
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The Roots are settling into their new role as house band for Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Check out a video interview complete with rehearsal footage of the band here.
The Roots
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Britpop legend Jarvis Cocker has a new album called Further Complications due out in May. Let’s hope he’ll make time for an American tour after he completes his European dates!
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If you read the endlessly entertaining memoir Petal Pusher from Madison-native, rocker and author Laurie Lindeen (which you definitely should have), then you’ll be interested to know that her former band, Zuzu’s Petals, has a new retrospective album available from Rhino.
Zuzu's Petals
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Thanks to NPR, Dan Deacon fans can stream his new album, Bromst, in its entirety. What do you think of the new tunes? If you didn’t already know, Deacon will be in Madison on May 4th with Future Islands and Teeth Mountain. Get your tickets here!
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Check out P.O.S.‘s new video for “Optimist.”
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It’s time to compare notes. NME recently compiled a list of the “20 Greatest Goth Tracks.” What do you think of their selection? What would you have included?
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Madison’s own Stu Levitan recently spoke with folk icon Joan Baez in an interview for 92.1 The Mic. Click here to listen! (Listed under March 8, 2009 Hour 2). If you still don’t have tickets to Joan’s show at the Barrymore, get ’em here!
Joan Baez
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If you’re thinking about picking up tickets to catch No Doubt on their upcoming tour, here’s a little extra motivation: fans who opt to purchase premium tickets online will be able to download the band’s entire catalogue, plus exclusive content.
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Lots of exciting news from the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club camp! A new album, DVD and tour are all in the band’s game plan for 2009.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
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While you’re waiting for the indie folk trio that is Good Old War to play Madison on April 6th, check out this interview with the band from Blare magazine. Need tickets to the show? Head over here.
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Hardly a week goes by without some news from Oasis. This week there are no brawls or international incidents to report on–just some free music on its way this spring!
Oasis
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This year’s festival season is starting to take shape. Pitchfork announced the first batch of confirmed acts for their July showcase, plus a brand new feature where ticket holders have the opportunity to pick the bands’ setlists.
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Jack White and The Kills‘ Alison Mosshart are so strangers to being members of fantastic musical duos, so it only seems natural that they would join forces to create a brand new band called The Dead Weather. Along with The Raconteurs‘ “other Jack” (Lawrence) and Queens of the Stone Age‘s Dean Fertita, White and Mosshart plan to release the band’s debut album in June. Get the full scoop here, and check out a video of their first single.
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Congratulations are in order for Ryan Adams and Mandy Moore, who recently wed in a private ceremony in Georgia.
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A new Jeff Buckley CD/DVD package to mark the 15th anniversary of his debut album’s release will be available on June 2. The set features live performances and rare TV clips. Find out more about what the package will include.
Jeff Buckley
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Dahni Harrisontalked to Billboard about the upcoming release of his band’s first album, as well as the new version of Rock Band featuring that one group his dad was in. You may have heard of them…
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Check out a preview of The Hold Steady‘s new DVD, A Positive Rage. When it’s realeased on April 7th, there’ll undoubtedly be more than a few Madison fans scanning the screen to catch a glimpse of themselves getting blown away by the band’s amazing show at The Majestic last year.
