Blog #1

Blog #1... Powerpoplarry's side of things... May 21, 2010

My introduction:

Hello, people call me Powerpoplarry, I am from Greenlawn, Long Island, NY, and as my friend John DiSimeone at E.Northport store, Long Island Vinyl Exchange calls me, I am a "face", aka a scenester...I go to lots of shows, I frequent different record stores, and people seem to know who I am. I have to tell you people though, these past few weeks have been pretty hectic, life-wise and gig-wise. I have been toying with ideas for years to break into this maze which is the music business, and it's been coming to a head lately...how's this for a conundrum?? I'm not saying I know everything, but my music knowledge is more than the average listener, record company intern, and even many executives, BUT my experience in the business is practically nil, so how could I break in, preferably at an executive level, without not having had a job at a record label or related work in the first place?? I did work for an advertising agency for 10 years as a "side door" to the labels, but that didn't work. I even knew employees at Sony and Virgin, but even THEY could not get me a job in either place because they did not have the power to hire or influence others to hire me. Nor did I have an internship because no one told me while I was in college that that was necessary, nor did I take this career path seriously as I did not think I could make a living at it, nor did my family think I had a future in it either. So what are my options?? I don't want to give up on this dream of being successful in the field I love the most, MUSIC, and take up career training in something like medical billing, and many have told me I shouldn't either. I would LOVE to work for myself, but have never owned my own business before, nor do I have start-up funds, but many have started up their own internet-based companies on little or no money. My choices would be either an independent artist manager/publicist and a writer/blogger, as I've written lots of reviews for magazines and Amazon, but made no money. I know many have become financially successful blogging, and I was asked by Rick Eberle here at PopCore to blog for him, and that could be a start, so here I am. Who knows?? I could end up with a following, we'll see.

Lately, there has been a lot of death going around. Not just great musicians like Ronnie James Dio, Lena Horne, Alex Chilton, and more. But one of my oldest friends just died too young in late April...my friend Jonathan Haley, whom I've known since I was 15 or 16, had an epileptic seizure while in the shower. It could have been fatal, the seizure itself, or he could have hit his head, I don't know, but he died too young, at age 43...he was a good man and I went to my first major paid concert with him, in 1986, Radio City Music Hall, the late Robert Palmer on his "Riptide" tour with opening act, head GoGo Belinda Carlisle on a solo tour with Duran Duran's Andy Taylor on lead guitar...it was a really great show. I've been to LOTS of great gigs, but that one stood out for a variety of reasons, one being it was my first REAL one and it was with my late friend, RIP.

Back to more positive things...recent shows were a-ha's farewell tour that hit NY for only the 3rd time in their 25 year career...killer, like seeing 3 Bryan Ferry's onstage...they are NOT one-hit wonders, but innovators who came up with the intricate and upbeat melancholy sound that lesser (but good) bands like Coldplay & Keane took to the bank...besides that, a-ha had at least FIVE hits in the States...two nights ago I saw the reunited Public Image Limited, Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten's post-Pistol, pioneering dance-punk-avant garde band, their first NY stand in 17 years...and it blew my mind...and my stomach...with their heavy heavy bass, killer set.

Recent CD acquisitions...oh gosh...there were many...Glee Vol. 3 (Deluxe) (yes I am an admitted Gleek, the show is brilliant and the songs are cleverly-arranged covers)...the reissued on CD first Jayhawks record from 1986 (GREAT, like classic Gram Parsons/Flying Burrito Brothers), Keane's EP "Night Train" (GREAT), the debut by femme-opera-metal band We Are The Fallen, "Tear The World Down" (former Evanescence members with Irish singer Carly Hennessy/Smithson who was on American Idol Season 7, I am a Carly fan from her New Radicals-produced debut from 2001 "Ultimate High", and this record is good, but not as good as Nightwish or other similar bands of that ilk...on a related note, with AI9, Crystal or Lee??? I'll go with Crystal cuz she reminds me of alt-country/southern soul artist Tift Merritt and Crystal's a great songwriter...see her "Holy Toledo"), UK female singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding, her debut called "Lights"...not out in the US yet (not sure if she has a US deal even), she has a single in the movie "Kick-Ass", her great song "Starry Eyed", and she's like Dido in that she combines acoustic singer/songwriter pop with electronic dancetracks, but vocally, she's closer to Bjork or Cerys Matthews, formerly of Welsh band Catatonia...HIGHLY recommended...and imports are cheap nowadays...just order on Amazon UK and find a seller that ships internationally...another thing about Ellie...she's into running BIGtime...she got to design her own trainers (aka sneakers in the States), and is running different cities around the world...firstly the UK (saw vidclips from Liverpool, Birmingham & Manchester), then continental Europe, then the US...I am keeping track of her running adventures and want to join her when she hits NYC...she's on www.ellieruns.com ...hey, it will be fun...plus this past February (or was it April??), she nabbed the Brit Critics award, which is selected by writers and critics, and previously went to Florence & The Machine in 2009 and Adele in 2008...Ellie got 2010's award...so yes, keep an eye on Ellie Goulding...another UK act I am on is Greek/Welsh band Marina & The Diamonds...really just lead singer Marina Diamandis and her rotating cast of players...her debut album "The Family Jewels" drops in the US on Atantic next week, on the 25th...and don't get me started on Lost either...the finale is Sunday and I am waiting in anticipation.

Now for last night's event...

It was the second in a series of events called "Every 3rd Thursday", at E. Northport's soon-to-be-famed record store Long Island Vinyl Exchange (emphasis on the VINYL, and lots of turntables too), and this event is once a month, as the name implies, every 3rd Thursday, and last night was such a night. There were 4 great new bands, playing acoustically, and more intimately, and filmed & aired live on Rick Eberle's radio show...Rick was the MC and soundguy too...a man of multiple talents that Rick...

First up were Queens/Long Island female duo Jac & Jill (yes really that is their name, and it's true & fun and an instant attention-grabber)...it wasn't only their name that grabbed my attention...it was their music, talent and good-looks. Songwise, they are pure female powerpop, with killer hooks and creamy harmonies, part Bangles, part Sheryl Crow, part Letters To Cleo. The 5 songs performed...just Jac on lead vocals and harmonies (in the full band, she plays keyboards), and Jill on lead vocals, guitar and harmonies...were really good songs, hooky, catchy as hell and memorable, with the songs' popcenteredness was just in and of itself, not for the sake of getting a hit. That's what I love about powerpop and not commerciality...J&J's tunes are just naturally catchy, just the way they are honestly written, not with the intent on getting a hit single...even though it could definitely happen. All 5 songs were great and grabbed my instant attention...two that stand out were "Can't Stop" and "Mm Mm Good", which was featured in a videogame. Their record release party is upcoming on June 29th at W. Babylon's Looney Tunes store...me, I WILL be in attendance...if I'm not, J&J will kill me as I promised them I would be there, haha.

Second up were Long Island band War & Blues...who were interesting, moody, intense, compelling and heartfelt, but not completely my thing. Interesting lineup with 2 acoustic guitars...rhythm and lead, electric bass, and electronic drums. The songs were like poetry, and seemed to be centered on the soldiers who served in Iraq. Me, I don't want to go anywhere near this subject as it's really sensitive and touchy, but the songs were honest and from their hearts, so I respected them. End of story.

Third up were New Haven, Connecticut powerpop band Talking To Walls, who proceeded to grab my attention and blow me away in the process. It was basically half the band, lead singer/guitarist Brian Kelly & lead guitarist/singer Nat Webb, who had killer powerpop tuneage, great harmonies, fun attitude/humour and energy to burn...they treated the small LIVE stage like the biggest arena in the country and played their 5 songs like a headlining set such as Cheap Trick at Budokan. They fit the mold of Butch Walker and are blowing over one new fan at a time...I am an instant friend of these two...as a small coincidence, Brian is the brother of DJ Fingers at LI's institution rock station WBAB...I will not hold that against him though...as I have more of an affinity for WRXP 101.9 and Rick's show "Unlabeled" on WMJC 94.3...anyhoo, check out TTW on their funnily-titled Talking To Malls tour...fun for all, oh yes...these guys WILL win you over, as resistance is futile.

And the headliner was singer/songwriter Jameson, who was recently covered in the Smithtown Press...I had zero expectations, but I was won over. He doesn't look the part of his music either, so it took a little time to piece it all together...he looks like a deathmetal rocker...bald and with gotee...but his music is like a better James Taylor or like Freedy Johnston...so there was a little bit of mental dischord going on, but he won me over. The songs were good...he has at least 3 records out...and was affable with the crowd...he put me on the spot with my a-ha shirt and of all things Nickelodeon...I DO love Spongebob Squarepants. Anyhoo, he felt like he had trouble following Talking To Walls' killer energetic set, so he toned things down and got depressing but ended things on a high note, switching between a beautiful tan acoustic guitar to keyboard and back...Jameson has serious talent indeed...one to watch...he has a new EP out called "South Shore Girls", which he was supporting, good stuff.

This is Powerpoplarry signing off...will I get a following??? We shall see... Anyhoo, contact me on Myspace or Facebook or Twitter under powerpoplarry...the pic is of me and actress Winona Ryder...I shall explain that next time. Cheers!!! ;)