Be. Hear. Now.
MWL Interviews - Ballyhoo
Ballyhoo - Last Night
Coral Thief - Words I Say
Trevor C Jones - Never Want To Leave
Episode 15 - Feat. Yann Tiersen + Datsik + MORE!
Episode 14 - Feat. Rachael Yamagata
Episode 13 - Feat. Portugal. The Man
MWL Live episode 12 - Feat. These Days
MWL Live Episode 11 - Feat. Eliot Lipp
MWL Live - Episode 10 - Feat. The Green
MWL Live Episode 9 - Feat. Chamberlin
MWL Live Episode 8 - Feat. Minnesota
MWL Live Episode 7 - Feat. Digitalism
MWL Live Episode 6 - The Halloween Episode
MWL Live Episode 5 - Feat. Stephen Marley
MWL Live - Episode 4 - Feat. Alabama Shakes
MWL Live - Episode 3 - Feat. Minus The Bear
MWL Live - Episode 2 - Feat. The Lonely Forest
MWL Live Episode 1 - Feat. DMX
MWL Live catches up with Marco Benevento!
MWL Live Interviews Y La Bamba!Absinthe Junk Video Release at 12th & Porter, Nashville, TN
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Check out Absinthe Junk’s new album, Death in the Afternoon, available on vinyl!
Photography By: Jenny Jem George | Ambassador of Nashville, TN | @JennyJemGeorge | Shutterbuzz Photos | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
Cabinet Live at Old Farmers Ball, Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain, Scranton PA
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Photography By: Regina Nicolardi | Ambassador of Photography | Pennsylvania | Beat-Play and Music Without Labels, LLC
Zooey Deschanel is quite the over-achieving artist. Her big break came in the early 2000s, when she began landing support roles in films such as Almost Famous, The Good Girl, Elf, and more. Today, Zooey is widely known as the star in the Fox series, New Girl, but it was over six years ago that her singing career began it’s launch. Fans heard Zooey sing before, most memorably in Elf with “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Three years later, Zooey teamed up with singer-songwriter/producer M. Ward, who encouraged her in the songs she was writing. In 2008, the duo, artily named She & Him, released their debut album, Volume 1. In an interview with Venus Zine, Deschanel described her feelings about starting a career in music.
“I always thought I would be able to sing and act, but at a certain point, it became difficult for me to share the music part. So I was writing a ton of music, but not really doing anything with it. I didn’t really know exactly who to collaborate with … until I met Matt, and everything seemed to fall into place.”
She & Him released a new album, Volume 3, this week with eleven original songs by Deschanel and three covers. Zooey’s voice retains a transparent tone throughout the record, often giving playful melody to lyrics about love and relationships. Have a listen to the first single, “Never Wanted Your Love.”
As you can hear, the record has a totally natural vibe. Crisp drums, tight bass lines, appropriate string and horn additions, and M. Ward’s phenomenal guitar playing give the album somewhat of a throwback feel. There’s a sense of Motown throughout, and the mastering process still left a rawness in the tones and grooves on the record. Sometimes it sounds like you’re right there in the room. Most of the album is a bit of a romantic walk back to a California beach in the 1970s. It even has background vocals tracked by indie pop group, Tilly and the Wall. Have a listen to the first song from the record released on She & Him’s Soundcloud, “I Could’ve Been Your Girl.”
Volume 3 is fun, but classy at the same time. It’s perfect for your summer trip to the beach mix or your playlist for the drive to this weekend’s drive-in movie. Mostly impressive is Zooey Deschanel’s songwriting and composing ability. She truly has a cool sense of melody and a knack for hearing instrumentation. With help from M. Ward, She & Him has become a quaint act for a classy show date. They kick off their summer tour in Nashville at the infamous Ryman Auditorium on June 13th. Get your copy of Volume 3 and check out She & Him’s summer tour stops by clicking on the album art below!
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
Rebelution Live at the Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg PA
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Photography By: Regina Nicolardi | Ambassador of Photography | Pennsylvania | Beat-Play and Music Without Labels, LLC
Cris Cab Live at the TLA, Philadelphia PA
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Photography By: Regina Nicolardi | Ambassador of Photography | Pennsylvania | Beat-Play and Music Without Labels, LLC
Absinthe Junk at The Rutledge, Nashville, TN
CLICK ON THE PIC FOR MORE PICTURES OF ABSINTHE JUNK!
Check out Absinthe Junk’s new album, Death in the Afternoon, available on vinyl!
Photography By: Jenny Jem George | Ambassador of Nashville, TN | @JennyJemGeorge | Shutterbuzz Photos | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC
At 25 years old, James Blake has built a reputation as one of the most brilliant producer/singer-songwriters in the UK today. He began releasing music on an imprint level during his years at Goldsmiths, University of London. His third EP, CMYK, gained traction through BBC Radio 1, but it was his new single and cover of “Limit to Your Love” by Feist that started to churn the waters. 2010 became a significant year for Blake, as recognition spread from music awards and in the UK to media attention from US outlets like Pitchfork. At the same time, he was finishing up work on his self-titled debut album, which dropped in February 2011. The album boosted Blake’s career with collaborations, performances, and more recognition for his art. Fans and listeners all over the world have been anticipating his sophomore album, Overgrown. Check out the first single, “Retrograde.”
Overgrown released this month on April 8, 2013. The album is dynamic and confident. The production is on a whole other level than what we’re used to hearing in contemporary music. Similar to contemporaries like the XX, Blake seems to take his time through each sound and effect that goes into a record. From sounds used in the groove, to the unique synths incorporated throughout the album, his songs take on a level of dynamics and creativity that many of today’s artists have not yet ventured into. Overgrown also features guests Brian Eno and RZA. There’s no doubt that his relationship with Jamie Lidell has affected the writing on the album, as James admitted in an interview with Hot Press. Blake has also described his music as “melodic bass music,” pointing out that his dub influences extend both to the traditional dub music and garage music. Well, we can certainly hear that! Have a listen to the title track, “Overgrown.”
It’s received rave reviews on nearly all music outlets, as well as Music Without Labels. I’d expect to hear even more of James Blake this year in the US, as his writing and production skills will for sure be in high demand by a number of todays top artists. Thanks, James, for making music your own and not being afraid to be yourself in your art. As we’ve seen countless times before, it’s been one of the most effective characteristics of artists who break quickly. Get Overgrown today by clicking on the album art below!
By Steve Harpine | Nashville Ambassador | @Steve_MWL | Beat-Play & Music Without Labels, LLC