SoGoPro Music Podcast Guide

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Music Podacst 31 - January 26, 2011

The Texas based band Castle Lights is highlighted in the 31st edition of the SoGoPro Music Podcast. Host Denise Gideon talks with band members Jeremiah Wood, Aaron Eaves and Tyler Susuras. The trio talk about their first project as a band, their EP "Paint the Stars" and what brought them together musically.

Castle Lights

Bridging the gap between expansive, layered Brit-pop and the precision of modern radio pop are Houston, Texas’ new indie stalwarts, Castle Lights (formerly Light Parade). Jeremiah Wood began Castle Lights as a solo endeavor at the end of 2007, after leaving his previous band Leeland. His plans changed after a chance meeting with Tyler Susuras during a studio session. Wood quickly recognized Susuras’ talent, and the two began honing their sound. Aaron Eaves, a veteran bassist from the Texas band The Blinding, joined to add a calming, low-end force to the band. With the full line-up solidified, Castle Lights is quickly gaining recognition for their carefully crafted pop songs with a European flair. Upon meeting the band and hearing an early mix of the soon to be released single “Paint the Stars,”Anberlin’s Stephen Christian was quick to proclaim, “Everyone needs to follow them. They’re going to be huge!” Lyrically, Castle Lights enlivens the listener with images of space and the fantastic, deftly drawing parallels to the realm of everyday experience. As guitarists, Wood and Susuras each bring a distinctive energy to their songs, playing off of one another in a way that, when coupled with the hard-hitting percussion and bass, pushes each song into a new terrain of velocity and tone. Soaring choruses collide with multifaceted harmonies in songs that are both driving and iridescent, with melodies that are memorable in their pop spirit. This past October, Castle Lights showcased at the Central Region of NACA. The guys also finished their first EP entitled “Paint the Stars” which was released November 12th.

Read more about the band on: Myspace / Facebook / Twitter / Website

Music Featured: "Saint Era" and "Wait for You" off the EP "Paint the Stars."

Music Podacst 30 - January 13, 2011

The first new SoGoPro Music Podcast of 2011 introduces Swedish singer Marie Glad. In December, Glad introduced part one of her three-part EP Bedroom stories, a collection of electroacoustic pop stories about what it takes to win love, the naked heart wide open. She shares stories about creating this three-part EP and also talks about her recent trip to India.

Marie Glad

Marie Glad is the vocal corde lisse dancer releasing Bedroom Stories, a collection of electroacoustic pop stories about what it takes to win love. Part one is out now.

Bedroom Stories will be released in three parts, each containing three songs, each produced in collaboration with other songwriters/artists. Part one is about love towards him and released during December 2010. On Butterfly Marie Glad is featuring Duvestar together with Oisin Lunny. Bedroom Stories is her second album. 2009 she was recognised for her debut album Rescue Me.

Read more about Marie on: Myspace / Facebook / Twitter

Music Featured: "Loverboy" and "Butterfly" off the EP Bedroom Stories.

Music Podcast 29 - December 15, 2010

Bevin Hamilton and Lisa Donnelly, who make up the duo FoxxGlove, are the guests for the 29th edition of the SoGoPro Music Podcast. Hamilton and Donnelly talk about their new EP, a recent trip to Nashville for a performance and songwriting and their various solo projects.

FoxxGlove

Born out of a mutual love of music and songwriting, Foxxglove formed in the spring of 2009. Bevin Hamilton and Lisa Donnelly, both from Kansas and both solos artists in their own right, reconnected and started writing songs together. Bevin and Lisa met when they were fourteen years old in the trenches of theatre camp. They formed a special bond and a lasting friendship and they kept in touch throughout their high school years. Through a twist of fate, both girls ended up transferring to Kansas University their sophmore years, and both formed bands and began exploring songwriting. Lisa formed a blues/funk band with top-notch local musicians, and Bevin was the singer in a rock band. Soon thereafter, Lisa went to live and study in Spain where she continued singing and writing, and Bevin moved to Los Angeles to begin her career as an actress and musician. As fate would have it, they reconnected once again, this time in the city of angels, and they shared their stories of life, adventures, and heartbreak through their music. An organic collaboration was born, and Bevin and Lisa started writing songs together, workshopped songs at south by southwest, and collaborated with other songwriters. Foxxglove recently celebrated the release of their self titled EP at the Mint in Los Angeles.

Read more about the band here: Myspace / Facebook / Twitter

Music Featured: "Better Days" and "When it Rains."

Music Podcast 28 - December 1, 2010

In this edition of the SoGoPro Music Podcast, up and coming band Weekend is featured. Band member Keven Johnson is interviewed about their first album called "Sport." Weekend was formed in 2009 and Johsnon talks about the band's inception, the making of the album and the band's unique sound.

Weekend

(Abum Cover)

Within a grainy film-still between a summer sunset and the end of times lies the post-punk squall of Weekend. Weekend filter the aggression, tempo and sneer of punk through a wall of reverb, haunting melody, feedback and primitive garage guitar. Formed in San Francisco in late 2009, the band have quickly developed a totally distinctive take on the history of noise rock. Combining noisy guitars, pounding rhythms and dark post-punk vibes in fresh ways isn't easy, but Weekend somehow make it look like it is.

Read more about the band here: Music Label Site / Myspace / Facebook

Music Featured: "Coma Summer" and "End Times" off the album "Sport."

Music Podcast 27 - November 17, 2010

The Southern Gothic Productions Music Podcast highlights Songs of Water, a band hailing from the North Carolina area. Band member Stephen Roach is interviewed as he talks about the eclectic members of the band and the groups new album "The Sea Has Spoken."

Songs of Water

North Carolina-based group Songs of Water has emerged from the South East with a sound both ancient and modern in an inventive fusion. This six piece ensemble (sometimes 8 piece or more), composed primarily of instrumental music, harbors a wide variety of cultural and stylistic influences. The uncommon use of the Appalachian folk instrument, the hammered dulcimer, melodically leads many of the group’s pieces, followed by the resonance of various acoustic instruments and a brooding foundation of heavy percussion. Combining Band Leader, Stephen Roach’s world music influence with the classical background of violinist Marta Richardson, the Spanish infused guitar of co-founder Jason Windsor, and multi-instrumentation of Greg Willette, Luke Skaggs and Michael Pritchard, Songs of Water creates a unique sound that reaches beyond the common mileu.

Read more: Myspace

Songs Featured: "Magic," "Stay" and "Manhattan" all off the album "Belle Isle."

Music Podcast 20 - August 11, 2010

The SoGoPro Music Podcast posts it's 20th podcast with an interview with BigBang a band from Norway. The podcast talks with guitarist and lead voclaist Øystein Greni. In the podcast, Greni talks about the band's move to the United States, his short-lived skateboarding career and the band's album "Edendale."

BigBang

Bigbang have been dubbed Norway’s Greatest Live Band, and have been a major force in the Norwegian music scene for over a decade. During the past two years, the band has spent time focusing on the American market. Based in California, they have toured the country, playing intimate gigs and promoting their American debut From Acid to Zen, a compilation of songs from previously released albums. The album was very well received and resulted in great reviews among others from Rolling Stone Magazine’s Editor David Fricke:

It’s a shotgun buffet, like those early U.S. LPs by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones that combined album tracks and singles from unrelated sessions, and it succeeds the same way: like an instant greatest-hits record. Singer-guitarist-songwriter Øystein Greni has the right history in his genes — his dad sang in a Norwegian band that opened for Led Zeppelin in 1968 — and he grounds songs like “Early December,” “Hurricane Boy” and the brilliantly titled “From Acid to Zen” in the eternal power-chord charge and fish-hook riffs of the Stones and the Who. But Greni also has a knack for wringing fresh excitement from the familiar: the country-angel harmonies and ice-Byrds guitar in the new version of “Wild Bird,” the improbable dream of Badfinger and Hüsker Dü in “The One.” – ..David Fricke, Rolling Stone Magazine (Myspace)

Songs Featured: "Call Me" and "Something Special" from the album "Edendale."

Music Podcast 19 - July 28, 2010

The 19th edition of the SoGoPro Music Podcast introduces Todd Thibaud, a Boston, Ma. based Singer-Songwriter who’s songs are a slice of what life is really like...the pains and pleasures, love lost and life reborn. Thibuaud recently released his third album "Broken." He talks about the latest album, his song "Back Home in Omaha" that has become a College World Series staple and why he likes to play in his adopted hometown of Boston.

Todd Thibaud

Todd Thibaud is a Vermont born, Boston based Singer-Songwriter who’s songs are a slice of what life is really like...the pains and pleasures, love lost and life reborn. Using songwriters like Elvis Costello, Neil Finn, and John Hiatt for inspiration, Thibaud has built a sound that is entirely his own. His music is meshed with elements of Americana, Folk, Country and Roots Pop Rock, making it seem at once familiar and new.

After fronting his band, “Courage Brothers” and releasing two independent records in the early ‘90’s (Something Strong & Wood), Thibaud went solo and recorded two critically lauded albums for Doolittle Records, 1997's “Favorite Waste of Time”

(produced by Bostonian musician Kevin Salem) and 1999's “Little Mystery” (Co-produced with Jim Scott). In addition to various live recordings and DVD’s he’s since released three more studio recordings, 2002’s “Squash”, 2005’s “Northern Skies” (Both produced by Adam Steinberg- Patty Griffin, Dixie Chicks) and his most recent effort “Broken” released in 2009. He tours throughout Europe regularly in both full band and acoustic formats and performs regionally at home in the U.S. (Website)

Songs Featured: "Broken," "You and Me," and "Drifting" all off the album "Broken."

Music Podcast 18 - July 7, 2010

The 18th SoGoPro Music Podcast talks with Ben Trokan of the band Robbers on High Street. Trokan talks about their 7-inch vinyl single "Electric Eye" (backed with the very catchy "Face in the Fog"), which was also just released digitally on June 22. He talks about why the band released the two singles off their new upcoming album and recording the album on a tape machine.

Robbers on HighStreet

Robbers on High Street began performing publicly during the summer of 2002, but the band’s roots stretch back much farther. Ben Trokan and Steve “Sparky” Mercado have been friends since their preteen years growing up in the upstate New York town of Poughkeepsie. Both Mercado and Trokan shared a recent familial relocation from the Bronx and Manhattan, respectively, and a love of Led Zeppelin. Ten years later Trokan returned to New York City for college and through mutual friends met and began playing with drummer Tomer Danan. In Poughkeepsie, Mercado reconnected with Jeremy Phillips, an old school friend. Robbers on High Street—the name came from a lyric of one of the band’s early, discarded compositions—was officially born when the four began playing together.

Phillips left the band in 2005 and was replaced by Florida native Morgan King. In addition to playing bass, King can get around on most brass instruments, and occasionally plays them on stage. The band also added a keyboard player occasionally in early 2006. Those duties were fulfilled by Matt Trowbridge (Rana, The King of France, Sam Champion) then Jared Samuels (Sonny Oaks, James Hunter). Danan left the band in August 2006 and drum duties have been taken over by Mikey Post (Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens, the Jay Vons). Permanent keyboard duties were taken over by David Sherman (Goodbye Girl Friday, Grand Mal, The Silent League) in the summer of 2007.

Tree City, the band’s first full-length album, was co-produced by Peter Katis (The National, Interpol, Mercury Rev) and Britt Myers (Dressy Bessy, Chairlift) and released in February 2005. The band toured for most of 2005. The record label entrusted by Newline Records to distribute Robbers’ on High Street’s Tree City Vinyl, Doulbing Cube Records, was audited twice by the IRS in 2007.

Grand Animals is the band’s second full length album, released on July 24, 2007. Produced by Italian film composer Daniele Luppi, known mostly for his string and orchestra work with Danger Mouse (Gnarls Barkley) and pop artists like John Legend. The band recorded in New York and mixed with Jeff Peters (Beach Boys) in Los Angeles. The new collaboration brought out the band’s clear obsession with 1960s and 1970s AM radio, and allowed them to explore broader sonic landscapes.

Robbers on High Street recorded a few covers for compilations over the course of 2008 including a cover of New Edition’s “Cool It Now” for Engine Room Recordings’ compilation album Guilt by Association Vol. 2, which was released in November of 2008 [1], a cover of the Style Council’s “Shout to the Top!” for Buffet Libre’s Rewind 2 project. A cover of Emitt Rhodes’ “With My Face On The Floor” was recorded for release in 2010 on the Groover Recordings tribute record “Long Time, No See.” The men of Robbers on High Street entered the studio in October of 2009 to begin work on their third full-length album. (Website)

Music Featured: "Electric Eye" and "Face in the Fog."

Music Podcast 17 - June 30, 2010

The 17th SoGoPro Music Podcast introduces Luke Wesley, a self-taught pianist who recently put out his debut album "Because We Never Talk About It" through Engine Room Records. In the podcast interview Wesley talks about the process of putting together his first album with the help of fellow artists Peter Block and Casey Shea who helped produce the album. Wesley also talks about his musical background and teaching himself to play the piano.

Luke Wesley

Luke Wesley looks more like a linebacker than a piano rocker. With humorous song titles like "I Hope You Like This Song" and "Sorry I'm Not Hotter", he doesn't quite have the personality you'd expect from the genre, either. There aren't many other self-taught pianists in the field, and we're pretty sure he's the only one to have fallen off of a six story building and walked away with hardly a scratch. But in spite of this unconventional background, Luke Wesley brings to the table some of the catchiest, most polished piano rock the genre has seen in a long time with his debut LP, Because We Never Talk About It.

Wesley grew up in tiny Shelby, Ohio before moving to New York in his early 20s, and credits his family and small-town upbringing with shaping his musical stylings. "Between my parents and my 3 older brothers, I had a lot of differing musical tastes coming out of the home," he says. "A big family helps like that." He cites influences ranging from 1950s and 60s doowop to glam rock of the 1980s, and often draws comparisons to giants like Billy Joel, Elton John, and Marc Cohn.

Wesley's goals on Because We Never Talk About It are modest. "All we are trying to do with the album is make a really solid pop album that isn't super-overproduced and remains true to the live shows," he says. And through collaborations with producers Casey Shea and Peter Block, he manages to do just that. "At its heart, this album is simply a very well constructed pop album." The album, mastered by Mark Christensen (Langhorne Slim, 50 Cent, Raekwon), was released June 1, 2010. (Myspace)

Music Featured : "I Hope You Like This Song," "Pretty Boy" and "Battered Apartment," all off the album "Because We Never Talk About It."

Music Podcast 16 - June 23, 2010

The 16th SoGoPro Music Podcast is an on-location interview with James Smith, Heather Robb and James Cleare of the Spring Standards. The interview was conducted in Atlanta, Ga. on June 5 prior to the band's performance at The Vinyl. The trio talk about their history, putting together their new album "Would Things be Different," and the perils and fun of touring. Smith, Robb and Cleare also talk about their multi-tasking abilities on stage. Also, listen for a quick comment from Mike Grubbs of Wakey!Wakey!.

Spring Standards

James Cleare, Heather Robb and James Smith first sang together in the last summer of the 20th century. Having just turned 16, the three teens with a common affinity for "oldies" music and harmony spent the better part of the next 2 years playing shows around the Delaware/Pennsylvania area. Influenced as much by their parent's record collections as they were by what they heard on the radio, their style began to take shape into something a little bit both and a little bit neither. When high school graduation came along, their paths divided; years passed and things changed, but before they knew it they were all living within a few blocks of each other in New York City. The transition back into making music together was as natural as it was surprising - they happily picked up where they had left off years before, with a unique style that refuses to sit comfortably in any genre.

Cleare, Robb, and Smith are all songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. They use their strengths as a trio to create a sound that listeners might expect from a band twice their size. With an emphasis on 3-part harmony and a variety of instrumental switching, their range and energy onstage make each live show a unique event. (Wikipedia) (Myspace) (Webpage)

Songs featured: "Halcyon Days" and "Queen of the Lot" off the album "Would Things Be Different."

Music Podcast 15 - June 16, 2010

Michael Wittig of Stars Go Dim is the guest for the 15th edition of the SoGoPro Music Podcast. The band released their first album Love Gone Mad in late 2009 and Wittig talks about the creation of the album and the formation of the band. Wittig also shares details on the companion digital novel to the album, Love Gone Mad, called "Love Remembered." The novel, written by Tamara Brooks, can be bought here http://starsgodim.newmedio.com/site/starsgodim/product/81.

The digital novel, Love Remembered, incorporates lyrics from selected songs off the album to help tell the story of a young couple who finds a bundle of old letters in an antique wooden box. The couple is so entranced by the story, unfolding in the letters, they travel to Napa Valley to learn the fate of the couple in the letters, meanwhile searching for a way to save their own failing marriage.

Wittig also talks about the hopes and future of the band and shares insight into the band's music video "Get Over It."

Stars Go Dim

Although Stars Go Dim found a loyal and growing fan base and garnered a stack of awards for the songs on its introductory EP, the five cuts within barely scratched the surface of what the band has to offer.

Growing organically from the sessions that produced the band’s initial trio of songs, which also garnered the group a number of songwriting awards, Stars Go Dim now returns with its full length debut, Love Gone Mad, to be released August 4, 2009. In the course of ten tracks, the band explores the range of emotions when love does just that.

“Even before we had and album title, I knew I wanted to write a song called ‘Love Gone Mad’,” guitarist and principal songwriter Joey Avalos revealed, “because there’s so many things that could mean.”

In the end, it became the title cut for the album, as all the songs within explore love from different points of view: from the infatuation of a new love in “Incredible” and “Crazy” to the struggles of maintaining a relationship in “Where Has Our Love Gone” to realizing it’s over, breaking things off, moving on and starting over in “Letting Go,” “Walk On” and “Get Over it.”

Serendipitously, the band never set out to create an album with such a broad and over arching theme – it all came naturally. (Read More)

Songs Featured in this podcast: "Get Over It," "Love Gone Mad," and "Incredible."

Music Podcast 14 - June 9, 2010

The 14th SoGoPro Music Podcast would like to introduce artist Michelle Armstrong. A singer/songwriter who has put out two albums on her own label and has provided music for a web-series and wrote a score for an off-off-Broadway play. Armstrong talks about the life of an independent artists and reveals why she chose to sign with record label Playing in Traffic. She also reveals how she and her husband Matt Lauria, who plays the role of Luke Cafferty on Friday Night Lights, balances their busy careers.

Michelle Armstrong

If “up and coming” weren’t a way to capture your yearning for the latest independent artist then I would say Michelle Armstrong is anything but....with over 90 songs written and two released albums(“Lemons” 05’, “Apples” 08’) she is more of a shooting star than a rising one. However there is more than singing and song writing in her galactic realm, she owns the rights to her own publishing company (Three Penguin Publishing) and just finished completing a score she wrote for a remarkable Off -Broadway play(“The Things I Wish I My Mother Would Have Told Me”).

Above all she intrigues us with her riveting and soulful performances. Her voice coos you with rock, folk and pop overtones along with a magnetic guitar that fuses together the separation in music genre. Its no wonder the girl who left her small Southern California town to experience different cities across the country, has musical roots from different stems.

We always had a soft spot for the girl that could pick up her guitar out of her mini suburbia and move across the country to follow her first true love. All the while playing at some of the most legendary venues within the states…allow me to introduce you; meet Michelle Armstrong.

Michelle is currently living back and fourth between California and Austin, TX. She continues to perform around the cities and spread the word about her music. Michelle’s third album, “Blueberries,” is in the making, to be released sometime in 2010! (Website)

Michelle Armstrong music highlighted: "Tea For Two," "Mouth," and "My Baby Don't Know," all off a new compilation CD Michelle Armstrong is working on.

Music Podcast 13 - May 26, 2010

Jody Porter, guitarist and member of the band Fountain's of Wayne, joins the 13th SoGoPro Music Podcast. Porter talks about his new solo album "Close to the Sun." The album was originally released in Japan, and Porter talks about releasing the album in the United States with Engine Room Records and adding two new songs to the album. The song "A Beautiful Life" was in the Academy Award nominated "The Messenger."

Jody Porter

photo credit: Michael Meyer

Jody Porter, known for his impressive guitar playing abilities and Brit-pop style, first garnered attention in the early 1990's fronting and writing songs for the then London-based group The Belltower. The band created quite a buzz for itself abroad — including features in Melody Maker as well as scoring multiple NME singles of the week. After topping the English charts, the band moved back to the States, eventually breaking up in 1996.

Later that year, Porter was asked by friend, Adam Schlesinger (who briefly played bass guitar with The Belltower), to join his newly-formed band, Fountains of Wayne and support their eponymous self-titled Atlantic Records debut. In 2003, they received 2 GRAMMY nominations for their RIAA certified gold album, "Welcome Interstate Managers" released by Virgin Records.

During this time Jody began writing and recording what would eventually become "Close to the Sun", a refreshingly unconventional rock record that recalls early David Bowie, Revolver era Beatles and The Pretty Things, while moving guitar based music in a forward, innovative direction.

Jody's debut release, "Close to the Sun" bridges the gap between the atmospherics of The Belltower and the guitar driven power pop of Fountains of Wayne. His premiere solo effort was co-produced by Porter himself, Michael Tudor and Gordon Raphael (The Strokes, Regina Spector).

(Official Site / Myspace)

Music featured on the podcast: "A Beautiful Life" and "Aurora" off the album "Close to the Sun."

Music Podcast 12 - May 12, 2010

The 12th SoGoPro Music Podcast highlights new artist Sarah Jaffe, whose album, "Suburban Nature," comes out May 18 on CD. The album is already available digitally on iTunes and sarahjaffe.com. Jaffe talks about how personal the songs on the album are, how writing a song is a visual process for her and what it has been like to tour with one of her musical idols Norah Jones.

Sarah Jaffe

Who is Sarah Jaffe?

"...because Sarah is a truth singer …and no matter who or what we are, we all need, and want, our singers to be truth singers. Growing up in Red Oak, Texas might not be ideal circumstances for breeding the kind of talent that is encompassed in Sarah’s songs, but it does beg the question of nature verses nurture. What we have in us before we are even us, and what we interpret because of life circumstances"

Read more here

Music Podcast 11 - May 5, 2010

The 11th SoGoPro Music Podcast brings an interview with Jeff Wharen of the band No Second Troy. Jeff talks about the band's album "Colors," that was released on April 27, and why the band's name comes from a poem by William Butler Yeats.

No Second Troy

In an industry where subjectivity reigns, No Second Troy enlists an undeniable self-awareness of their musical space between indie and pop. Employing a realistic perspective on the band, the music and the industry, Washington DC's No Second Troy teeters on the edge of indie rock with introspective anthems rich in explosive vocal melodies, driven by railing guitars, and balanced by subtle layers of piano and organ.

The element of self-awareness could stem from the band's name itself. While many of the band's songs touch on relationships, past and present, related and romantic, No Second Troy originated as the title of a William Butler Yeats poem, in which he struggles with the unrequited love he has for Irish revolutionary Maud Gonne. The song "The Black and White Movie" references parts of the poem and reveals a thematic overlap in its lyrics. Like the poem, the band's lyrics at times seek a release from past relationships, even to the extent of apologizing on behalf of the person who caused the emotional injury. Mike Beach explains, "'The Black and White Movie' is an acknowledgment that we overanalyze our relation-ships and foolishly seek the perfection we see in Hollywood movies, thereby having our relationships fall into one of two categories - bliss or something inadequate, in other words, viewing the world as a black and white movie and failing to see all the colors and nuances.

The group acknowledges the challenges of defining a band bridging the gap between pop and indie. Our challenge has been navigating the middle ground between what is considered "pop these days and what is considered "indie rock," says Beach. "There is little room left, it seems, for bands like the Coldplay of 2002, before 'Clocks' became ubiquitous on the radio, which appeal to both critics and a broad audience. A Rush of Blood to the Head got tons of acclaim, including from critics who I imagine are less enamored with the band's subsequent, and arguably more commercial, records."

No Second Troy garnered praise from SPIN while charting on the CMJ Top 200 on their last record, Narcotic. On the upcoming release, Colors, the band was led to Inner Ear Studios where they worked with Chad Clark of Silver Sonya Studios (Fugazi, Q & Not U, Georgie James), TJ Lipple and Nick Anderson to produce and engineer the record. Lead singer Jeff Wharen notes, "We really liked Chad and TJ's vision of capturing the band's sound at its most authentic - moving away from digital editing and auto-tuning, while recording drums and bass on tape, and encouraging the band to just sound like itself, rather than trying to sound like something we think might be a critical success. We also liked Chad's commitment to mixing the songs based on what they were about, pairing the aesthetics of the musical and the lyrical."

Beach adds that Colors "captures so many different parts of the band's and each member's musical and personal character, and yet we believe it's truly a record as a whole, rather than a series of songs. There isn't a song I skip when listening, and we hope it is the same for everyone who listens to it." (Myspace)

Music Featured in the podcast: "This is the End of Me," Black and White Movie" and "Leap of Faith" all off the album "Colors."

Music Podcast 10 - April 28, 2010

Sarah Borges from Sarah Borges and The Broken Singles is the guest for the 10th episode of the Southern Gothic Productions Music Podcast. Sarah talks about why the band mixed five original songs and five covers for their latest album "The Stars Are Out" and the process of writing a song.

Sarah Borgess and the Broken Singles

As the great thespian Patrick Swayze once said, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." The same is true of Sarah Borges. On the basis of her critically-lauded early work, particularly Diamonds in the Dark (2007), some pundits decided they know exactly where the Boston-area rocker and her cohorts, the Broken Singles, belong in the musical spectrum. They were mistaken. Her new record, The Stars Are Out, is about to stun them with a more vibrant, far-reaching display of what Sarah Borges and the Broken Singles are all about. And yes, there will be dancing.

"We always want people to dance," enthuses Borges. "That's the best way to get a show going." After months of touring in support of Diamonds, she knew the character of her third album needed to be more upbeat than its contemplative predecessors. "I was trying to think of songs that would fit really well into our live show." The results include the slinky, '60s stroll of "Me and Your Ghost" ("That's about going out and dancing, all the things you used to do with your loved one"); the flirtatious, guitar-driven kickoff, "Do It For Free"; and "It Comes To Me Naturally," a hip-shaking tale of a girl-about-town, originally recorded by bar band supreme NRBQ.

Diamonds and Borges' 2005 debut, Silver City, often found her work filed under the Americana banner. But the time had come for Borges to explore different terrain, both as a writer and performer. The Stars Are Out is a soundtrack for Saturday nights, not Sunday mornings. "When I say I explored country music as much as possible, that doesn't mean I became perfect at it," she quickly qualifies. Borges just felt ready to take a break, until she had something new to say in that realm. And rock has always been her first love. "This is a style of music I've always listened to, and been really excited about."

The ten selections of The Stars Are Out-five new originals, and five covers-were winnowed down from a list of dozens of candidates. Possible songs were put forth not only by Borges, but also her band mates-guitarist Lyle Brewer, bassist Binky, and drummer Rob Dulaney-and producers Paul Q Kolderie (the Pixies, Lemonheads, Radiohead) and Adam Taylor. "Every day, we'd sit down at the table, drink coffee and listen to records," she explains. "In the end, we had way too many songs, and had to pick the best of the best. We held ourselves up to high standards, so I think we got the cream of the crop."(Myspace)

SBBS Music featured in the podcast: "Yesterday's Love" and "End of the Day" from the album "The Stars Are Out" and "Modern Trick" from the album "Diamonds in the Dark."

Music Podcast 9 - April 14, 2010

Alex Dezen of The Damnwells is the guest for the 9th edition of the SoGoPro Music Podcast. The podcast includes a clip from Hilarie Burton as she talks about her connection and friendship with the band and Alex. In return, Alex shares some memories of meeting Hilarie. He also talks about the bands’ recent about “One Last Century” and why they choose to offer it to fans for free. He also gives details on the band’s upcoming album, in which they are accepting pledges from fans to get it recorded and produced. He also talks about balancing music and his other passion, writing, as he is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Literature at The University of Iowa.

The Damnwells

Who are The Damnwells?

Check out their Myspace Page and Band website to find out all about The Damnwells. Still craving more information about the band? Then you might want to check out Chris Suchorsky’s excellent “Golden Days” documentary, which revolves around the trials and tribulations of the band.

The Damnwells Music featured in the podcast: “Dandelion,” “55 Pictures,” and “Bastard of Midnight” all from the Album “One Last Century.”

Music Podcast 8 - March 31, 2010

The full interview, that was previewed the week before, with the band Isreael Darling is the highlight of the eighth episode of the SoGoPro Music Podcast. Lead singer Jacob Darden and two of the members of Israel Darling, Georgiana Harris and Jeff Bechtel, talk about the band, how it began and their hopes for its future.

Israel Darling

We love music. We love being southern. The aftermath is what Israel Darling has become, an observation of the things we either love or hate.

Check out their Myspace Page

Israel Darling Music Featured: Woman, God and Pity for a Man," "Samson the Mason," "Locked in a Safe" from the album Dinosaur Bones and Mechanical Hands and an untitled new song off their upcoming album.

Music Podcast 7 - March 17, 2010

John Konesky, from the band Trainwreck, joins the podcast to talk about the band's new album "The Wreckoning." He gives insight into the making of the new album and heading out on tour with the band. Konesky is also a member of the band Tenacious D' which actor Jack Black is also a member of.

Trainwreck

Trainwreck has been described by founder Kyle Gass as a cornucopia of rock and a 5-headed hydra of pleasure. Truer words were never spoken. Over the years, the Wreck has dirt-farmed a sound the lies somewhere in the realm of Southern Rock, but with plenty of forays into Prog-Rock, Boogie, and straight-up Classic Rock and Roll, as well as absurdist comedy banter and lyrics derived from the characters they've developed within the band. Always an unforgettable time, their shows have earned them fans all over the globe, headlining venues in the US, Canada, UK and Australia. As a support act they've primed fans for sets by The Reverend Horton Heat, Vida Blue (Page from Phish), and Blues Traveler.The Wreck has also performed on The Jimmie Kimmel Show, and done guest spots for Current TV.

In late 2009 they released their long-awaited and much-hyped debut album, "The Wreckoning". 15 tracks of what they call "Wreck and Roll". It's a sound all their own, cultivated from their influences, steeped heavily in the classics, and modified with their own unique sets of talents.

Fronted by biker-hayseed Darryl Donald ("Lee" of Tenacious D, or JR), and Kyle Gass (aka Klip Calhoun), and containing most of Tenacious D's live/studio band (John Shredman, Boy Johnny, and Dallas St. Bernard), expect to see Trainwreck in your town in 2010 as they conquer the earth in support of The Wreckoning, and leave in their wake melted faces, busted ear-fannies, and the occasional bastard child. (Source)

Trainwreck Music Featured: "Brodeo" off the album "The Wreckoning"

Music Podcast 6 - March 3, 2010

The SoGoPro Music Podcast welcomes David Brenner from the band Theory of a Deadman. David shares stories of the band playing at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in his home country of Vancouver, Canada, their non-stop touring schedule and how the band deals with boredom on the road.

Theory of Deadman

Myspace

Theory of a Deadman had a simple but daunting goal for its third album: to make the greatest record possible.

"I always try to remind the guys and myself that there are 20 bands lined up behind us just waiting for a chance to take our place," says frontman Tyler Connolly. "So that means we had to go in there and make a great record." With Scars & Souvenirs, the Vancouver trio has hit its mark.

The balanced 13-track effort is the polished and passionate testament to seven years of hard work, heavy touring and diligent attention to its craft. From the swirling grind of "By the Way" to the nasty snarl of "Crutch" to the soaring melodicism of "Not Meant to Be" and "Wait For Me," Scars & Souvenirs is a broad-reaching endeavor that puts Connolly, guitarist Dave Brenner and bassist Dean Back high in the rock pantheon, achieving creative growth without sacrificing the hard-hitting power that got them here in the first place.

"We really dug hard on this one," Connolly notes. "The longer you're in a band, the more you write songs, the better you get. We've had such a great opportunity to figure out what to do better, how to write a better song and keep building and building. That's exciting for us." (Read more here)

Music Podcast 5 - February 24, 2010

Eef Barzelay of the band Clem Snide is the guest of the fifth episode of the SoGoPro Music Podcast. Barzelay talks about the band's album "The Meat of Life" that was released on February 23. He also talks about composing the score for the film "The Yellow Handkerchief," being released February 26, starring William Hurt, Maria Bello and Kristen Stewart. It was the second film composed by Barzelay, as he also did the score for "Rocket Science," starring Anna Kendrick. He also talks composing the score for the upcoming film "Janie Jones."

Clem Snide

Clem Snide began in Boston in the early 1990s. It was there Eef Barzelay and good friends Eric Paul and Jason Glasser first performed under that moniker. The band dissolved when Eef Barzelay moved to New York where he briefly dabbled in Art School and the Sidewalk café anti-folk scene before reconnecting with Glasser to reform the band and begin work on their first record “You Were A Diamond”. Their artistic partnership would become the backbone of Clem Snide, and would produce two of the bands seminal records, “Ghost of Fashion” and “Your Favorite Music”. Described by Robert Christagau as “true American deadpan” Clem Snide garnered critical acclaim for their unique brand of “art country” and enjoyed a brush with mainstream success when their song “Moment in the Sun” was chosen as the theme song for the NBC show “Ed”.

In 2002 Glasser relocated to France with his family and Eef carried on recruiting old Boston friend, multi-instrumentalist Pete Fitzpatrick and his cousin Brendan to complete work on the band’s third record, “Soft Spot”. In 2004 Eef moved to Nashville and recorded their fourth record “End of Love.” With the addition of Nashville bred drummer Ben Martin, the band did extensive touring for the next couple of years, which culminated in their return to the studio to begin work on “Hungry Bird.” Financial and interpersonal strife dogged the band throughout the recording process resulting in an “extended break” before they would release and tour behind the record. Barzelay, eager for a clean slate during that time, struck out on his own, releasing two solo records, “Bitter Honey” and “Lose Big” and created the score for the Sundance award-winning film “Rocket Science”.

In spring 2009, Barzelay reformed the band with Brendan Fitzpatrick and Ben Martin for the “Hungry Bird” tour. Heartened to find their fans still loyal and devoted as ever, Clem Snide began fleshing out Barzelay’s ripening batch of new songs, resulting in “The Meat of Life.” Recorded and mixed in the Fall of ’09 it came into existence with the deft engineering hand of Mark Nevers and help from local Nashville players Tony Crow (Piano, Organ), Roy Agee (Trombones), and And Carole Rabinowitz (Cello). Described Recently by Daytrotter.com as “one of the finest current songwriters in America, that get quietly ignored” Barzelay and Clem Snide have emerged true indie rock survivors with their best record to date.

“The Meat of Life” is released on February 23, 2010 via 429 Records. (Myspace)

Clem Snide Music Featured: The Meat of Life, Denise and Wal-Mart Parking Lot.

Music Podcast 4 - February 17, 2010

Jason Rabinowitz of The Bloodsugars joins the fourth edition of the SoGoPro Music Podcast to talk about the band's new album "I Can't Go On, I'll Go On." Jason talks about making the band's first full-length album, dealing with bordem on tour and at the South by Southwest convention in March.

The Bloodsugars

Although they may have faced their fair share of tragedy, The Bloodsugars are not in the business of writing sad songs. With the unique brand of exhilarating, polished synth-pop that they’ve become known for, The Bloodsugars’ newest full-length, I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On, is a collection of songs about finding the transformative potential in hardship—about taking frustration and sadness and turning it into something that is both beautiful and exciting.

The Bloodsugars are composed of frontman and primary songwriter Jason Rabinowitz, keyboardist Matt Katz, bassist Brendan O’Grady, and drummer Kenneth Salters, the same line-up responsible for 2008’s critically-acclaimed BQEP. Founding members Rabinowitz and Katz met in college, where they “bonded over music and emotion,” listening to records in their dorm rooms. They began making music together then and there, but it wasn’t until O’Grady and Salters joined the band that The Bloodsugars really arrived at their sound. According to Katz “each member brings something essential to the music,” whether it be knowledge of jazz, soul, Turkish garage, French house or straight-up pop, and it is this sharing of styles and sensibilities that really lends the band their unique sound.

I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On is, according to The Bloodsugars’ Jason Rabinowitz, “a modern prom playlist,” and, like everyone knows, prom is not without its awkward, painful moments. Written during a time of personal difficulty for members of the band, I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On is about remembering that there is always something to celebrate, even in the face of major adversity. With their combination of thoughtful lyricism and kinetic beats, the album's ten new tracks reflect a refreshing optimism and sweetness. Imagine a house designed by Paul Simon, built by Prince, decorated by The Flaming Lips and you’ll have some idea of where The Bloodsugars live. In the creeping bass intro to “The Light at the End of the Tunnel” the majestic chorus of “Pedestrian Boogie” and the bittersweet melody of “Happiness,” the band finds catharsis in the details of intelligent indie dance pop.

I Can’t Go On, I’ll Go On also features of host of indie luminaries, including trumpet player Kyle Resnick (touring member of The National), cellist Colette Alexander (Rilo Kiley, Jens Lekman, Rachel Yamagata) and indie darling Bell on “Falling Makes You Blue.” Philadelphia-based recording wiz Bill Moriarty—the man behind albums by Dr. Dog and Man Man— produced and engineered the record, with Andy Baldwin handling the final mix. (Myspace)

Music Featured by The Bloodsugars: "Pedestrian Boogie," Light at The End of the Tunnell" and "Form/Function."

Music Podcast 3 - February 10, 2010

Jarrod Gorbel, from The Honorary Title, is the guest in the third episode of the SoGoPro Music Podcast. Jarrod talks about the recent release of his solo EP "10 Years Older" and plans for the release of his first solo album "Devil's Made a New Friend."

Jarrod Gorbel

The Honorary Title began several years ago as a moniker for Brooklyn singer-songwriter Jarrod Gorbel’s solo folk musings, but later evolved into the full-fledged quartet responsible for 2007’s critically acclaimed Scream and Light Up the Sky (Doghouse/Warner Bros.) Gorbel has come full circle this year, stepping out from behind the Honorary Title name and recording two remarkable new discs. His recently-released tour EP, Ten Years Older and the upcoming Devil’s Made A New Friend – Gorbel’s debut solo LP – mine classic soul, traditional folk and Americana, incorporating strings, horns and female backing vocals for a sound more lush and organic than any of his previous work.

The Honorary Title released their debut album, Anything Else But the Truth on Doghouse Records in 2004. Produced by Roger Moutenot (Yo La Tengo, Guster), the album combined the unbridled passion of Gorbel’s vocals with pop hooks and keenly observed, poetic lyrics. The self-produced video for their song “Everything I Once Had” became a fixture on FUSE, and the disc earned accolades from Rolling Stone (“a soaring, heart-rending debut,”) Spin (which praised Gorbel’s “winning humor and killer pipes,”) and GQ, among others. Nominated in August 2004 for the prestigious Shortlist Music Prize (alongside Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, TV on The Radio and many more), the album’s popularity kept The Honorary Title on the road for three years.

To help bottle the lightning The Honorary Title was creating onstage, the band turned to producer Rob Schnapf, known for his work with Beck and the late Elliot Smith. Their major label debut, 2007’s Scream And Light Up The Sky, was met by rave reviews, with Rolling Stone declaring: "Gorbel still has his strikingly gorgeous voice, which will probably always be the secret to slaying the sound-alikes.” Or, as Paste put it: “Under-realized power-pop supergroup makes its best album."

Gorbel’s deceptively simple melodies, warm arrangements and soulful, soaring voice were always what drove The Honorary Title; his new, solo material brings those qualities into crisp focus in a way that makes the details even more beautiful. Tuesday November 24 marks the digital release of "Ten Years Older", the first single and title track of Jarrod Gorbel's forthcoming EP which was previously made available on the final Honorary Title tour. The collection was recorded this past August in New York and is a taste of what is to come with his first full length solo album Devil's Made A New Friend, which was recorded this summer in Los Angeles with producer Blake Sennett, formerly of Rilo Kiley and the Elected. (Myspace)

Jarrod Gorbel Music Featured: "10 Years Older" and "How Long" from the EP "10 Years Older."

Music Podcast 2 - February 3, 2010

The second edition of the SoGoPro Music Podcast welcomes Shane Smith of the Canadian band, The Perms. Shane talks about the band's recent album "Keeps You Up When You Are Down," how personal some of the songs on the album are and how the Candadian winters are good for making music.

The Perms

The Perms are a Winnipeg-based alternative rock group. Their combination of well-crafted, melody driven songs and upbeat, energetic live shows have become a staple of the band's repertoire.

"With every record we try to push our songwriting and musicianship to the next level," says bassist Shane Smith. "The same goes for our live shows - we're always trying to outdo our last performance."

The Perms have completed their fourth full-length release, Keeps You Up When You're Down. The album promises to be the band's best offering to date, relying heavily on the band's pop sensibilities and ability to write a stick-in-your-head songs.

"The new album will be a little more hard edged and in your face," says guitarist Chad Smith. "These songs are the best we've ever written."

Keeps You Up When You're Down will be a follow up to Better Days. Released in 2005, the album created a strong buzz within the music industry and was well received by music audiences. Better Days produced three single on campus and rock radio, and videos for two of the singles received rotation on Muchmusic. Other releases by The Perms include Clark Drive (2002) and Tight Perm (1998). (Source)

The Perms' music featured in this episode: "World to Me," "Give Me All Your Lovin'," (in its entirity) and "Running Away."

Music Podcast 1 - January 27, 2010

Southern Gothic Productions is excited to premiere its music edition of the SoGoPro Podcast/ The interview was recorded in Ashevill, N.C.

Featured Artist - Jill Andrews

Jill Andrews has been a musician all her life: from her first original tune in kindergarten – a ditty about the letter P – to the stage at Fillmore East.

Jill picked up a guitar for the first time when she was 19; armed with only three chords, she had all she needed to create deep and soulful songs with lonesome melodies and haunting lyrics.

In 2003, Jill teamed up with Sam Quinn to create the everybodyfields—it was an undeniable musical union. And the face of Tennessee’s roots music would never be the same. The everybodyfields played Bonnaroo and Floydfest, honkytonks, bars, and theaters from coast to coast. Paste Magazine listed them in their “Best of What’s Next” issue in September 2008, saying that they “straddle old and new, bitter and sweet, desperation and transcendence with an arresting command.”

Jill’s taking that arresting command into her new solo project, but the themes will be familiar, and fans who’ve fallen head over heels for her material can expect that signature alt-country, roots-rock sound to deliver and grow.

Her songs will warm you like a winter quilt – or chill you to the bone. Either way, when you hear Jill Andrews sing, you will remember it.

(Myspace)

Jill Andrews' music highlighted in this podcast: "Worth Keeping" and "City Noise" off Jill Andrews EP.

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