You would think that a band named Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros would be fronted by a guy named Edward Sharpe. Not so much the case, though. The ensemble is fronted by Alex Ebert, formerly of indie-pop group Ima Robot, and includes as many as 10 members in some cases. The band released their debut album, Up From Below, back in July and “Home” is just now getting attention.
Reaction to the song was ver split. Tanya called to tell me it was, “an excellent selection.” Kortni said, “This song kinda makes me want to punch things.” Jeff didn’t like it at all, and Tyler felt like swerving into on-coming traffic. There was a lot of love from texts, though. One from C read, “WOW!!! Great new music pick. Checking them out for sure.” One anonymous text read, “I love love the new song HOME! Keep it!” Another said, “i liked it. Wanna hear more.”
This Georgia band recently released their third album, Cycles, which includes today’s Spotlight: “The Perfect Mistake”. They have an emo-pop sound not dissimilar to We the Kings or All-American Rejects. This band had a very public sophomore slump after recording an album on MTV’s Band In a Bubble show. Their sophomore album sold less than half of their debut. The band is back with something to prove and judging by the feedback today, they’re on the verge of making their point.
Steven called in and said, “That was really cool.” While Darleigh waffled a little saying, “I didn’t hate it; it was alright. It might grow on me though.” Texts were similar with CJ saying, “What a great band. Would love to hear more on this station.” An anonymous text read, “Loved it!” But another read, “I’m not really sure if I like that or not. Need to hear it again.”
If you missed today’s Spotlight, you can listen to “The Perfect Mistake” on the band’s official website. The band can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.
Dave Grohl and his new band Them Crooked Vultures were the musical guest on Saturday Night Live this past weekend. But Grohl didn’t stop with just TCV, he also debuted another new band, or a band that was getting back together, anyway.
Crisis Of Conformity is a band that I would love to see live. Here’s the band’s reunion performance from SNL:
And here is his real band performing “New Fang”:
Them Crooked Vultures will be performing at Coachella in April.
Paramore is coming to town May 10th for a show at the E Center (they’re playing a half-house, so don’t freak out) and tickets go on sale tomorrow through Ticketmaster (details can be found on 1019theend.com). So I figured it would be apropos to play “Brick By Boring Brick,” the second single off their newest album, Brand New Eyes.
If you missed today’s Spotlight, you can give it a listen (and watch the video) on the band’s MySpace page. You can also cyber-stalk the band on Facebook, Twitter and their official website.
The last time I played Fanfarlo they had just come through Salt Lake. This time I’m paying them a couple weeks in advance of their show at Urban Lounge on February 27th. Tickets for the show are available through Smith’s Tix and 24 Tix. I’m told by people that know better than I that this band is even more amazing live than they are on their album.
Reaction this time wasn’t quite as stellar as 2 months ago. Daniel called in to say, “Love this album!” But Kerry texted, “that song was interesting but not a style I would like to hear again.” And Justin touched on a pet peeve of mine, “i like the music but i wish he wouldnt mumble.”
I don’t know whether to laugh because it’s funny, or cry because it’s so sad that this girl is so epically stupid.
Snooki, from MTV’s mind-rotting TV show Jersey Shore, ran into eventual Best Alternative Music Album winner Phoenix on the red carpet prior to the Grammys. Parts of the exchange are pretty funny (Snooki says one of the guys looks like Edward Cullen) and some just make me want to punch myself until I fall unconscious (Snooki says one of the guys looks like Edward Cullen).
Check out the car crash for yourself:
I wish MTV would just bury these Jersey Shore idiots in the desert and leave them to die.
MTV News reports Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie were able to bring an impressive amount of celebrities together for the 25th anniversary remake of “We Are the World.” The song has been renamed “We Are the World – 25 for Haiti,” with proceeds expected to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts. There are over 80 confirmed entertainers on the track including: JanetJackson, Pink, Usher, Jason Mraz, Akon, Robin Thicke, Celine Dion, Enrique Iglesias, Rob Thomas, Jeff Bridges, Vince Vaughn, Barbra Streisand, Jordin Sparks, Good Charlotte’s Madden brothers, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, Justin Bieber, Sean Garrett, Will.I.Am, Carlos Santana, Melanie Fiona, Toni Braxton, Miley Cyrus, Nicole Scherzinger, Nicole Richie, Julianne Hough, Raphael Saadiq, Zac Brown, India.Arie, Randy Jackson, Musiq Soulchild, Heart’s Ann and Nancy Wilson, Fonzworth Bentley, the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson and Al Jardine, Trey Songz, Faith Evans, Mya, Gladys Knight, Jennifer Hudson, Keri Hilson, Tyrese, Katharine McPhee, Brandy, Mary Mary, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, the Jonas Brothers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rashida Jones, Ethan Bortnick, Natalie Cole, BeBe Winans, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, T-Pain, Wyclef Jean, Kid Cudi, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Drake, Bizzy Bone, Nipsey Hussle, Busta Rhymes,Haitian-born Heroes actor Jimmy Jean-Louis, former Michael Jackson guitarist Orianthi, Patti Austin, RedOne, Slumdog Millionaire film score composer A.R. Rahman, Swizz Beatz, Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson.
That’s a pretty damn impressive group right there.
The song, along with a 3D video, will debut during NBC’s coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on February 12th.
When Vampire Weekend released their sophomore album, Contra, it debuted at number one both nationally and here in Salt Lake. I last played this song at the end of December, and since then the band has announced they’ll be playing Coachella with a full tour built around that date. They’ll be in Salt Lake on March 18th at In the Venue. Tickets are available now through Smith’s Tix and 24 Tix.
Reaction to the song was fairly positive, and very similar to the last time this song was featured. This text sums up the general feeling quite well: “like Vampire Weekend, but not sure if I am digging this song all that much. Seems like it’s got WAY too much stuff happening in it”.
General Larry Platt is this year’s William Hung. And I mean that in the best way possible. Sure, Gen. Platt isn’t going to be the breakout artist of 2010, but his 15 minutes of fame will be fun to watch. If you haven’t seen his Idol audition, I have it posted here.
Jimmy Fallon did a rendition of the song, as Neil Young, on his late night show.
Then Neil Young did his own version, as himself, while soundchecking on Fallon’s show. Apparently the clip was recorded by ?uestlove of the Roots, Fallon’s house band.
Keep extending Gen. Platt’s 15 minutes, because this is fun to watch.
You would think that a band named Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros would be fronted by a guy named Edward Sharpe. Not so much the case, though. The ensemble is fronted by Alex Ebert, formerly of indie-pop group Ima Robot, and includes as many as 10 members in some cases. The band released their debut album, Up From Below, back in July and “Home” is just now getting attention.
This Georgia band recently released their third album, Cycles, which includes today’s Spotlight: “The Perfect Mistake”. They have an emo-pop sound not dissimilar to We the Kings or All-American Rejects. This band had a very public sophomore slump after recording an album on MTV’s Band In a Bubble show. Their sophomore album sold less than half of their debut. The band is back with something to prove and judging by the feedback today, they’re on the verge of making their point.
Paramore is coming to town May 10th for a show at the E Center (they’re playing a half-house, so don’t freak out) and tickets go on sale tomorrow through Ticketmaster (details can be found on 
The last time I played Fanfarlo they had just come through Salt Lake. This time I’m paying them a couple weeks in advance of their show at Urban Lounge on February 27th. Tickets for the show are available through 
When Vampire Weekend released their sophomore album, Contra, it debuted at number one both nationally and here in Salt Lake. I last 
