Think winter is hibernation time for good concerts? Think again. Some of the grooviest shows around are coming your way this February.
1.) Ms. Lauryn Hill at the Bowery Ballroom, NYC. 8pm. Tuesday Feb 1st.
Lauryn Hill is hands down our generation’s princess of soul. Hill’s urban r&b stylings and powerful vocals are moving and personal. Hill established herself on the American music scene as a member of hip-hop group, The Fugees. Later she moved into a solo career that has been met with undeniable success, talented collaborations and an international fan base. Besides being immensely talented, Hill also has some connections in the hip hop world that have kept her in the public eye. Most notably, a long and ‘complicated’ relationship with Wyclef Jean, although she is now with Rohan Marley (Bob Marley’s fourth son) and the pair have five children together. After a spotty record and controversial retreat from the public eye between 2000 and 2009, Hill is back on tour in the States and this is a can’t-miss show. Not to mention, the Bowery’s intimate feel and superb acoustics will be extremely complementary to Hill’s passionate vocals and emotion-filled performances.
2.) Ozomatli at Irving Plaza, NYC. 7pm. Thursday Feb 3rd. AND at Royale Boston, Boston, MA. 5:30pm. Friday Feb 4th.
Ozomatli, a ten-piece Latin-rock fusion group, puts on quite a show. The recipe is spicy, hip-shaking beats laced with Caribbean rhythm and intertwined with a dash of hip-hop, a sprinkling of rock n’ roll and of course, a pinch of funk and soul. Put all the ingredients together and add some reggae and socially inspired lyrics, and
you’ve got the LA based band, Ozomatli. It’s fun, exciting and you never really know what you’re going to get. The group is also known for its socially inspired lyrics and messages along with the wide array of musical genres they blend in every show. Constantly evolving and growing, the band has numerous claims to fame including a guest performance with Carlos Santana, playing at the Bonnaroo Music Festival in 2008 and touring exotic countries around the world like Tunisia and Egypt. Bring your friends and enjoy – just remember to expect the unexpected!
* Writer’s Choice
3.) Railroad Earth at Northern Lights, Clifton Park, NY. 7pm. Thursday Feb 3rd.
Besides their being one of my top picks for winter concerts, Railroad Earth is one of those bands that is on the verge of getting BIG. Well, at least biggER than venues like Northern Lights (which is incredible don’t get me wrong) but relatively small in the grand scheme of venues. They came together in 2001 in a small town in New
Jersey and have been evolving ever since. Their sound is a little bit folk and bluegrass and a little bit rock with a Celtic-inspired edge. If you’re into bluegrass, folk or jam-band festivals, you’ve probably heard their name. Railroad Earth climbed to fame through headlining or performing at renowned festivals like the Telluride Bluegrass Festival – where their performance sealed them a record deal. The six-member group just released their fifth self-titled album in October of 2010 and this show will undoubtedly combine some old favorites with a sampling of new material. The best thing about this show? It’s less than a 30 minutes drive from Skidmore and only $25. Why not? Getting out of the Skidmore bubble to see a concert is a great way to mix it up and do something new.
4.) Neko Case at The Bell House, Brooklyn, NY. 8pm. Sunday Feb 6th.
Forget the Superbowl, Neko Case is in town. She is one of the most talented female indie artists around. This singer-songwriter was once a member of the alt-rock group, The New Pornographers. Her solo career however, has been equally successful. She has released eight solo albums, the most recent of which was 2009’s ‘Middle
Cyclone.’ Case covers a range of genres, from folk to rock and indie to country. She is also known for her immaculate covers of songs by artists like Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Queen. An indie-lovers choice!
* Writer’s Choice
5.) Dr. Dog at Higher Ground, Burlington, VT. 8pm. Tuesday Feb 15th. $18.
Another one of my favorites – this is a show worth the 2.5 hour drive to Burlington. If you have friends at UVM, call them and book your spot on the futon now. Dr. Dog is classified as a ‘psychedelic rock’ band, but as a big personal fan, I like to describe their sound a little differently. The ‘psych-rock’ term certainly applies, but Dr.
Dog is also soft, catchy, acoustic-heavy and lyrical. The group has managed to create a hybrid of pop-rock, indie-rock and psychedelic rock that appeals to a wide range of audiences and musical tastes. Download these tracks to get inspired – “Heart it Races,” “Ain’t it Strange,” and “Stranger.” This is sure to be a great show for old fans and new listeners. Higher Ground is one of my favorite venues in the area and always draws a vibrant, dancing crowd of friendly faces and happy fans.
Take a road trip this winter and enjoy some of the best live music around. Sure, it’s no summer tour line-up at SPAC, but that just makes it all the more interesting and exciting. Next month, if things start feeling a little bit “stuck-in-a-rut,” changing up your usual top 25 iTunes songs and listening to some new bands is a great, and effective, way to feel a little better and discover some new favorite artists. Some other bands and songs to download now are listed below.
Washington– A young, upcoming Australian pop/indie-rocker who won Album of the Year at the Australian ARIA Awards for her record, I Believe You Liar” – Download the whole thing. It’s amazing.
Miami Horror – Really catchy and really dancey. Miami Horror is an electro-pop group that samples from disco, funk, rock and techno backgrounds. Download this single – “Holidays”
Angus & Julia Stone – A genetically blessed brother-sister indie-rock duo from Sydney, Australia (sorry, I’m a little bias from living there for the past eight months!). Their soft melodies, soothing vocals and sweet lullabies are perfect to wind down with. They also swept the ARIA Awards and are quickly gaining international recognition. Download their album, Down The Way, the song, “Big Jet Plane,” won Song of the Year. You won’t regret it.