Free "Today Show" and "Good Morning America" Summer Concerts Schedule

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Better late than never, below I present the schedules for the Summer 2012 free concerts that will be aired by "The Today Show" (NBC) and "Good Morning America" (ABC). The concerts in both series take place on Friday mornings; the "Today" shows are held outside the program's studios in Rockefeller Plaza, while the "GMA" gigs are at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, the same site as the SummerStage concerts.

The "Today" show and "GMA" free summer concert series are underway.

The "GMA" schedule, you'll notice, is filled with a lot of "TBA"'s, so check back with the "GMA" concert series home page for updates.

Here is the schedule for the remaining concerts in each free summer concert series:

"Today" Show:
JUNE
June 1: The Band Perry
June 8: Chris Brown
June 15: Justin Bieber
June 22: Kenny Chesney
June 29: Maroon 5

JULY
July 6: Flo Rida
July 13: Zac Brown Band
July 20: Hot Chelle Rae

AUGUST
August 24: Train
August 31: Jason Mraz with special guest Christina Perri

"Additional performances may be announced throughout the season," the "Today" concert series page says. The site also says: "Viewing is on a first-come, first-served basis outside TODAY's window-on-the-world studio, located at 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Fans should arrive by 6 a.m. for best viewing."


"Good Morning America":
JUNE
June 1: Brad Paisley
June 8: Counting Crows
June 15: Beach Boys
June 22: Mary J. Blige
June 29: LMFAO

JULY
July 6: Demi Lovato
July 13: TBA
July 20: TBA
July 27: No Doubt

AUGUST
August 3: TBA
August 10: TBA
August 17: Neon Trees
August 24: The Wanted

August 31: TBA

From the "GMA" website: "Viewers interested in joining 'GMA' in Central Park are encouraged to arrive at Rumsey Playfield via the 72nd street entrance on Fifth Avenue at 6 a.m. when the park opens to the public."

Concert Notes: Gaslight Anthem, The xx, The Walkmen, & More On Sale Fri.

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June 1st is not just the beginning of a new month, it's the day that a crop of great indie and alt-rock shows in New York City goes on sale. On the slate are groups including New Jersey's own Gaslight Anthem, The xx, The Walkmen, and Yeasayer. Peter Gabriel is coming to the area, too; his show goes on sale Saturday (see the list below). Happy ticket shopping!

New Brunswick, NJ's Gaslight Anthem plays Webster Hall on July 24th.

On sale Friday, June 1st at 12 Noon:
* The Walkmen at Bowery Ballroom, Wed., June 6th.
* The Gaslight Anthem at Webster Hall, Tues., July 24th.
* The xx at Terminal 5, Thurs., August 7th.
* The Vaccines at Bowery Ballroom, Mon., Sept. 10th, and Music Hall of Williamsburg, Tues., Sept. 11th.
* Yeasayer at Central Park Rumsey Playfield, Wed., Sept. 12th.
* Poliça at Webster Hall, Sat., Oct. 6th.

Also on sale soon:
* Peter Gabriel "Back to Front" at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, Sun., Sept. 23rd ("'So' live, performed by the original 1987 lineup"). On sale: Mon., June 4th, 10 a.m.

Now Streaming: New Albums from Japandroids, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Kelly Hogan, & More

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The new albums from Japandroids and Neil Young and Crazy Horse are two of the biggest attractions in this week's crop of albums streaming online, but there are some other much-anticipated releases as well. But first, a bit about the Neil Young album.

Japandroids at Maxwell's in Hoboken in late 2010.

Aptly called "Americana," it's Young's take on classical folk and traditional tunes such as "Oh! Susanna," "Gallows Pole," "Wayfarin' Stranger," and "This Land Is Your Land." And the album ends with a rousing version of "God Save the Queen" (the one that has the same melody as "My Country 'Tis of Thee," not the Sex Pistols' tune). This is the first album Young has put out with his old pals Crazy Horse in nine years, and all of his fans will want to check it out.

The wonderfully noisy Canadian duo Japandroids are back with "Celebration Rock," and they've got a lot to celebrate. They've gained a lot of buzz over the last year or so, and their New York shows next month sold out quickly. Which makes me all the more glad that I got to see them about a year and a half ago at the intimate room at Maxwell's.

I loved last year's self-titled album by Marissa Nadler, and will be looking forward to hearing her new release, "The Sister," which is available for preview over at Spinner. Another female singer I'm eager to listen to is Kelly Hogan, the longtime backup singer for Neko Case. Having always liked her voice, I've been interested to see what songs she would choose to tackle. On "I Like To Keep Myself In Pain," she sings songs written for her by some of her well-known collaborators besides case: such as Stephin Merritt, John Wesley Harding, M. Ward, and Vic Chestnutt. There's also one tune that Hogan wrote.

There's a lot more good stuff for preview this week, including the new releases by Liars, Gemma Ray, Julia Stone (without her brother Angus), and more. [Update, May 30: Rolling Stone has added the new album by Crocodiles; see link below.]

And you'll get a second chance at listening to new albums by artists including Sigur Rós, Regina Spektor, and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

It's a jam-packed week of album previews; dig in and enjoy.

Rolling Stone:
"Americana" by Neil Young and Crazy Horse
"Endless Flowers" by Crocodiles (if that link doesn't work, try here)

NPR First Listen:
"Celebration Rock" by Japandroids
"I Like To Keep Myself In Pain" by Kelly Hogan
"Valtari" by Sigur Rós
"WIXIW" by Liars

KCRW Album Preview: 
"Heaven" by The Walkmen

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"The Sister" by Marissa Nadler
"By the Horns" by Julia Stone
"Here" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
"What We Saw From The Cheap Seats" by Regina Spektor
"Anxiety" by Ladyhawke
"Island Fire" by Gemma Ray
"Oh Michael, Look What You've Done: Friends Play Michael Chapman" by various artists (featuring Thurston Moore, Meg Bairds, Maddy Prior, and Lucinda Williams)
(and many more albums at Spinner's website)

Jess Klein Introduces Her New Album at The Living Room

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Jess Klein is one of those singer-songwriters whose story is all too familiar: great voice and songs, lots of talent, a number of years and albums under her belt, critical acclaim, but still flying under the radar of popular awareness. I've enjoyed her music since hearing her album "Draw Them Near"back in 2000 or so, but had never seen her live until Friday at The Living Room in NYC.

Jess Klein flanked by Billy Masters and Professor Feathers (Mark Addison).

Although Klein, a Rochester, New York native, once lived in New York City, she relocated to Austin several years ago and I knew that Friday's show would be my best chance to see her in my neck of the woods. What's more, the Living Room gig featured her playing with a full band, including well-traveled guitarist Billy Masters (who I've seen in the past playing with Suzanne Vega and Dar Williams).

Jess Klein's current tour is to promote her latest album, "Behind A Veil,"which she released without a record label in April (you can preview the album below). As "No Depression" wrote, the album "shows why she ought to be Americana’s next big thing. Klein possesses one of those indelible voices that that can go from a sultry rumble to a plaintive wail even while grabbing attention on first encounter."  



Maybe it's due to her new location in Austin, but a number of songs on "Behind a Veil" have a satisfying country twang to them. The tunes range from ballads to out-and-out rockers, and if you're a fan of singers in a folk/pop/country vein, you'll want to check out Jess Klein.

To learn more about Jess Klein and her new album, listen to this interview she recently did with Austin Architects Podcast (which includes a few songs).


Jess Klein performing "Riverview" from her new album.

That Dog Plays 1st East Coast Show in 15 Years in NYC

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Anna Waronker and That Dog made its long-awaited return to New York Thursday night, and the quirky, catchy indie-pop tunes. Despite a few glitches (forgetting which musician is to start off a song, beginning a tune with a capo that isn't supposed to be on the guitar, etc.), the band sounded fresh and in sync.

The harmonies of Waronker and sisters Petra and Rachel Haden—always one of my favorites aspects of the band—were solid throughout, and kept up with the varied vocal pyrotechnics of the band's songs. (To get an idea of the things Petra Haden can do with her voice, check out her a cappella cover album, "Petra Haden Sings The Who Sell Out.")

That Dog: Rachel Haden, Anna Waronker, Tony Maxwell, and Petra Haden.

At the sold-out first show of its two-night stand at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, That Dog didn't reveal any new songs (as far as I know), but played a variety of tunes from its three albums, "That Dog," "Totally Crushed Out!," and "Retreat from the Sun." (In what will be great news for fans of the band, it seems that new That Dog songs may be in the works.)

The audience, which shouted out requests throughout the show, got to hear favorites such as "Old Timer," "Zodiac," "Lip Gloss," "He's Kissing Christian," "Gagged and Tied," and "Long Island." The encore included "Minneapolis," "Hawthorne," and "This Boy."


Above: That Dog performs "He's Kissing Christian" at Thursday's show. Video by Mark Martucci, via Fruitless Pursuits. 

As I mentioned before, That Dog's first NYC show in a decade and a half coincided with the birthday of Steven McDonald, Waronker's husband and member of Redd Kross, which is releasing its first new album in many years. Waronker often looked up to the balcony during Thursday's show, where McDonald and their son were watching.

Read a Village Voice interview with Anna Waronker.


Above: That Dog performs "Never Say Never" Thursday night. Video by MrNYC.

Happy Birthday, Steven McDonald! Download New Redd Kross Tune; See That Dog in NYC

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I'm guessing it's a very happy birthday today for Redd Kross founder (and current OFF! member) Steven McDonald. After a stint working as an A&R rep for Warner Brothers, McDonald is back with Redd Kross, which is set to release its first album in 15 years. "Researching the Blues"will be released August 7th on Merge (with whom the band signed earlier this month).

You can listen to and download the title track below or at SoundCloud, and see the tracklist at Consequence of Sound.

Cover of the first Redd Kross album in 15 years.

[Note: Off! plays at Bowery Ballroom on May 29th; tickets available here.]

Besides Steven McDonald, the current incarnation of Redd Kross features the "classic Neurotica" lineup including Steven's brother Jeff, Roy McDonald (also a member of The Muffs), and Robert Hecker. The band was scheduled to play two dates in the Midwest earlier this month; more Redd Kross tour dates will no doubt be added as the release date for "Researching the Blues"nears.

  Redd Kross - Researching the Blues by MergeRecords

Redd Kross isn't the only McDonald family band that's back in the public eye. That Dog, the '90s indie-pop band fronted by Steven's wife Anna Waronker, is playing out again and performs the first show of its two-night run at the Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight. The show is sold out, but there are tickets for sale on StubHub, some for around $4 each. Tickets for Friday's show are still available through the box office.

Fred Armisen of "SNL" opens tonight for That Dog; tomorrow Kurt Braunohler and Baron Vaughn do the honors.

I've been listening to That Dog recently in preparation for tonight's show and it's been a great reminder of how many great, catchy tunes the band recorded. I haven't heard anything about them recording new material, but am looking forward to seeing them nonetheless, especially since I never caught them live during their heyday.