EXCLUSIVE! Jenny Owen Youngs INTV!

Insanely spunky, very cleaver and the type of girl that will tell you to "piss off," with a smile on her face. Jenny Owen Youngs comes from the circle of musicians that are making a large impact on the music world. The circle that includes the likes of Ingrid Michelson, Regina Spektor, Dan Romer, Elliot Jacobson, Bess Rogers, Bill Reese, Adam Cristgau and the list goes on and on. The New Jersey native, now Brooklyn resident has been making beautiful music since she was a child, yet it has been the past five years where Jenny's name has been all over the place, from TV to radio and beyond, Jenny is not only a rising star in music's sky, she is a great voice to be herd. I had the opportunity to speak with Jenny as we discussed her career, working with Dan Romer and Jean-Pierre from Motion City Soundtrack and really what the eff she was thinking during all of this...Take a look at my interview with Jenny below.

Music has always been with your whole life, was this something that at a young age you knew you wanted to do?

I always loved singing, and was always really drawn to pop music from the time I could reach the arm of my mom's record player. I didn't really think it was an actual career option until I was already halfway through the Studio Composition program at SUNY Purchase.

Your sophomore disc came out last year, how do you feel it was different from your debut, “Batten the Hatches?”

Well, the writing is very different, at least to me. I wrote a lot of the songs with a band in mind. The records in heavy rotation in my stereo were very different between the Batten and TF. I wanted to make a record that would be more fun and lively to perform.

Are you working on a follow up now?

I am writing for a follow up.

You moved into the home of your producer and friend, Dan Romer to record “Transmitter Failure,” what was that experience like? Was it difficult working together while being around each other all the time, all day?

Dan has been one of my closest friends for a long time - he's a brother to me. Living with him was extremely convenient and fairly domestic. We spent a good amount of time cooking meals together and that sort of thing, in addition to all the writing and tracking. I could probably be around Dan constantly, like forever, and not have a hard time with it. The only flare-ups we had related directly to the work - mostly having to do with stressing out about deadlines.

You also worked with Justin Pierre from Motion City Soundtrack for “Transmitter Failure.” How did that come about? What was that experience like? Where you a fan of his work before?

Justin and I had the same publishing rep (the fabulous Sara Kapuchinski) at Chrysalis when I signed with them. She sort of planted the seed - gave us each the other's music, suggested we try writing together some time. I immediately fell in love with MCS and Justin has took a liking to me/my music as well. We hung out a few times when we toured through each other's cities, and when I hit a patch of writer's block, Sara suggested I send a song to Justin. He came up with a part I loved and I wrote some lyrics for it and that became the chorus of "Secrets." Ta da!!

You and Dan have a special bond of friendship that came out of SUNY Purchase. The time you spent there so many amazing musicians came out of that school, acts like Dan Deacon, Dan Romer and his band Fire Flies (RIP), Bess Rogers, Adam Christgau and many others. All of these artists and others all still work together and use each other in a professional manner. Let’s face it, when you get picked up by a label, they generally want you working with “their” people and not yours, yet you all have managed to do it your way. How is this still happening? How did it happen?

Hmmmmmm. I've never had any unreasonable requests about who to play with or with whom I should record from label, publisher, management or anyone else really. Everyone has an opinion of course, and I've happily heard them out in the past - part of building a good team is finding people whose opinions you actually WANT to hear, because no man is an island and all that. But I've been pretty lucky so far in being able to work with people who respect my vision, even if they don't necessarily agree with it.

I found this quote about you from NPR to be right on the money “A truly unconventional singer-songwriter, she put on an electrifying performance, which evoked everything from '80s pop to a few Ennio Morricone-style Spaghetti Western guitar licks. This woman is definitely going places.” How do you respond to this?

Hey now, that's what I call a compliment. I respond mostly "Thank you, NPR."

You are a serious songwriter that really doesn’t take yourself serious, which is fun. Hence why you covered Nelly’s “Hot in Here,” how did that cover cross your mind to do? What was it for?

Well back then, I was covering a lot of top 40 pop, mostly Britney Spears songs and the like. I was putting out a split 10" vinyl in the UK with Dave House, and I needed a second track. The band and I had just worked out the "Hot in Herre" cover as an addition to my pop songs repertoire so we figured why not just track it. I picked the song because I genuinely love Nelly's version - it's fun, sexy, grooves just right, and has that delicious nod to Chuck Brown.

Burning Question: What the fuck where you thinking?

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you.


Video for "Fuck was I" (Above) / Video for "Last Person" (Below)


Special thanks to Jenny for the interview!

Band of Horses on Ferguson

Since seeing this band last week, I have become obscessed. Their latest, Infinite Arms is one of the most beautiful albums I ever herd (full review coming soon). Take a look at Band of Horses performing last night on Craig Ferguson.

Quick News

Due to Bono's recent back surgery, U2 was forced to postpone the rest of their North American tour till 2011. The band also had to back out of their first ever Glastonbury appearance, replacing U2 are Gorillaz.

Sad news to report, Slipknot bassist Paul Gray passed away earlier this week in an Iowa Hotel room. The cause of death is unknown at the time and police are still waiting on toxicology reports which could take another month to deliver. Gray also known as #2 or The Pig was 38. Thoughts are with his family.

Arcade Fire have finally come out of hiding and released two singles, "Month of May," and "The Suburbs," from the band's highly anticipated forthcoming record, The Suburbs. Take a look at the cover below, The Suburbs is out August 2/3.

As Noel Gallagher preps Oasis lastest Greatest Hits package, Time Flies 1994-2009, which Officially A Yuppie Editor Salvatore Bono will be featured in. The remaining members of his old band, who were going to call themselves Oasis 2.0, have now opted for a more original name, Beady Eye. Indeed that is the name Liam, Gem Archer, Chris Sharrock and Andy Bell will be calling themselves. The band has been locked away in the studio with legendary producer Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band) and hope to have a single out by October. Take a look at the band at work, the photo comes from www.oasisinet.com.

ELLIOT IS #1!!

In a recent readers poll for Modern Drummer Magazine, Officially A Yuppie corresponding writer and Ingrid Michaelson drummer Elliot Jacobson was voted #1 in the "Up and Coming Drummer," category!

Congrats Elliot! They picked the best!

That issue of Modern Drummer hits newsstands next month!

Live Review - Pete Francis @ Joe's Pub

It was the first scorcher to hit New York City this year, a steaming 92 degree's in the city that never sleeps and the best way to unwind, relax and cool down was with an intimate show of a few hundred at Astor Place's Joe's Pub for Pete Francis. The former Dispatch member and solo artist is back on the road in support of his latest, The Movie We Are In. It is interesting for the crowd to see Francis play a venue as small as this, considering the band at one point in his career sold out two back to back nights at Madison Square Garden and played to over 100,000 people in Boston for the Final Dispatch. Yet, here he is, stripped down and with a great backing band that featured the likes of founding and former FireFlies member Adam Christgau on drums. Francis took the stage at a venue that would have been the perfect setting for a Friends episode, yet instead of coffee it was beer flowing and Francis, who looked like he just rolled out a bed, looked very relaxed and refreshed to be home. The New England native is now a New Yorker and as this tour unwinds, he looked very happy to be back home. Playing an array of solo tracks and Dispatch covers such as "Small Change," the folk meets alternative singer seems to be enjoying and embracing his solo career. After all, he has been doing the solo thing for a while, I saw Francis back in 2004 when he first started as a solo act, yet now he looks most comfortable and poised for whatever comes.

EXCLUSIVE! The Soft Pack INTV!

I said it earlier this year and as we are close to the mid-year mark, I will say it again - Surf rock is coming back in a big way this year! With bands such as Vampire Weekend, Male Bonding, Surfer Blood and California's The Soft Pack to name a few, it is going to be fun in the sun all year long. The Soft Pack are a band that have been gaining much buzz since their formation in 2007, however, back then they were known as The Muslims. After much controversy, the band switched their name to The Soft Pack (you will find out why in the interview). As they released their self titled debut earlier this year, The Soft Pack have been on the road non-stop and are catching attention of audiences worldwide. Take a look at my interview with Soft Pack guitarist Matty McLoughlin as we discussed the band's roots, acclaim, playing in the UK and being a California band. Take a look at my interview with Matty below.

You guys started off called The Muslims, when did you change the name and why? How did you come up with The Soft Pack?

We changed the name because it was COMPLETELY misinterpreted. It began to bum us out hard. Brian (our drummer) came up with the name The Soft Pack. Its a flaccid dildo that transvestites wear to pass as dudes.

You have released two EP’s and this is your first record, how does it feel to finally have a full album done?

Feels good. Excited to work on the next one and improve.

Do you feel any vindication now that the record is finished?

Glad it's over and don't have to think about it anymore. Moving on.

For those that have never herd of you before, how would you describe your sound and style?

Catchy, honest.

You hail from California and sound like a California surf-punk band, has your location inspired your music?

I guess it has by living there. We are not really conscious of it though.

The UK’s NME magazine seems to have nothing but love for you, which is awesome, they are the greatest music magazine on the planet. How does it feel to get such praise from such a respected source?

We don't really invest into that stuff. Out of our control. I'm sure they think we suck by now.

You are about to tour the UK, what are you feeling before you take off?

Trying not to get sick and have a good time. Have a lot of warm clothes packed. Anticipating dinners consisting of "crisps" and warm beer.

How are British fans different from American fans?

I can't really tell a difference.

You toured last year with White Lies as the support to their North American tour. Since you guys have such different sounds, how were those shows? What was it like to be on the road with them?

It was kind of a weird tour. We had fun but it was different. Their fans weren't really into us. They let us have some of their Jameson whiskey off of their rider. I thought that was very nice of them.

With the record out and tour’s beginning to emerge, where does The Soft Pack go from here?

Touring a whole lot and writing a new record. Trying to write better songs and have fun.

Video for "Answer to Yourself" (Above) / Video for "Extinction" (Below)


Thanks to Matty for the interview!

EXCLUSIVE! The Heavy INTV!

So many good acts have been coming out of the UK the past few years, that it is almost hard to keep track of all of them. However, leave it up to the big British sound to always find a way to make you notice each individual act. Take for instance The Heavy, a big sounding band from the small town of Noid, England. Now, the name of this band may not strike you with recognition right away, their songs, sound and style will be instantly recognized. Their song "How Do You Like Me Now?" was featured in the KIA car commercial during the Super Bowl and has not stopped airing on TV since. The sound of the band can be measured up by James Brown fronting The Specials with a dash of Parliament Funkadelic thrown in. Their style is rude boy and mod and a nice throwback to the British punk and ska scene of the late 70's and 80's. The Heavy are a fresh band that has audiences around the world going crazy, even David Letterman is a huge fan! When The Heavy performed on Late Night, Letterman sprung from his seat and demanded an encore, now we all know Letterman's dry humor, so if he shows major emotion in anything, you know its a big deal. Their latest release The House that Dirt Built, received critical praise in UK and Europe and has led to the band building a strong reputation here in America. I had the chance to speak with The Heavy's front man Kelvin Swaby as we discussed the bands roots, influences, that time on Letterman and their obsession with Jim Jarmush fims. Take a look at my interview with Swaby below.

The band’s style is so fresh and unique it is part funk, part soul, part ska, part rock. Who influences you from each of these genres?

The Parliaments, Willie Mitchell and his Hi Records clan, The Specials, Toots, Can, Sabbath, Chester Burnett........ I could go on.

By blending so many styles together do you feel you are creating something new or just hoping to see what sticks?

We get bored of playing one thing. The way the albums are set out is like the way we would make a mixtape for our girlfriends. A little bit of this, a sprinkling of that and then..... hopefully we get her into bed.

England has had a special love for bands with horns – The Specials, Madness, The Beat, even the Clash incorporated horns later on in their career. Do you believe by adding to this legacy if you will, we will see more bands using brass in their music?

Willie Mitchell's use of horns throughout his Hi Records catalogue is where I draw most inspiration from. The weight, the riffs, the boldness is all too much sometimes and incorporating some of these elements in what we do, just makes our melodies stronger I feel.

Being from a small British town, was a major factor when starting this band getting out of there and playing around the globe?

We've said before that our town has been nicknamed "The Graveyard of all Ambition" and sometimes it felt as if we were walking with the living dead. On the flip of that, it's been excellent for us to get our heads down and hone our craft. Burning venues down from town to town as we go now.

“The House That Dirt Built” was released last year and you have been gaining acclaim since its arrival around the globe. How do you respond to such praise?

We make what we make, with no compromise so it's a great feeling to know that what we do is now being well received.

“How Do You Like Me Now?” is a massive global success and is everywhere these days. Did you think it would be such a massive hit when recording it?

Dan and I knew it had fire in the belly when we demoed the track a couple of years ago. It was when we were recording it for the album as to when we started to stoke the thing and it came out of the stalls like a crazed bronco. In other words, as it should of done.

Because the song is so massive, are you afraid of being a one hit wonder? Or are you fine with that?

There's plenty more where that creature came from, so no worry at the moment. As I said before, we make what we make.

Lets discuss Letterman, what was it like performing on the stage that night and have old Dave ask for an encore? Mind you, you are the first band in the history of his late night career he has ever asked to do an encore on the spot!

We had rehearsed the song in the morning with the Dap Kings horns and it was sounding so ridiculous that you could only feel completely at ease. Just before the performance I said to Dan "We just play it like we always play it" and the rest is......... well, you know.

After the Letterman performance you became one of the most talked about bands in America. Do you feel that breaking big in America is a major goal for you?

We always thought that the U.S would be a great territory for us and am just glad that we're being as well received as everybody's saying. It's a huge goal for us but we can't rest on our laurels as there's plenty more dirt to be gathered and administered.

After tour wraps up this summer for The Heavy, what are you guys up to next?

Before work on the next record commences, I'd like to spend time with my children, partner, family and friends as the year will have been so busy. I'm sure it'll change but for now, it's a great thought.

BURNING QUESTION: It has been said that the band has bonded over Jim Jarmusch films, what is your favorite Jarmusch film and why?

Down by Law is my favorite Jim Jarmusch film. Cut in grainy black and white and with incredible, comic performances from Tom Waits, John Lurie and Roberto Benigni, this film gets watched a few times a year. If only to see the "I scream" scene. Hilarious and highly recommended!

The now infamous Letterman performance of "How Do You Like Me Now?" (Above) / Video for "Sixteen" (Below)

Special thanks to Swaby and Jonny Kaps for the interview!

Playlist

Take a look at May's playlist, maybe you can find a fresh jam or two to play at your Memorial Day BBQ next week..or just blair on your speakers for yourself.

- The Heavy - "How Do You Like Me Now?"

- The Specials - "Ghost Town"

- Wu Massacre - "Our Dreams"

- Jimi Hendrix - "Valley's of Neptune"

- Ryan Bingham - "The Weary Kind"

- Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - "Ramshackle Day Parade"

- Marina and the Diamond - "Hollywood"

- Queens of the Stone Age - "Feel Good Hit of the Summer"

- Fanfarlo - "Harold T Wilkins"

- The Dig - "Penitentiary"

- Chapel Club - "O Maybe I"

- Blood Red Shoes - "Say Something, Say Anything"

- Pavement - "Gold Soundz"

- Deftones - "Rocket Skates"

- Throats - "Something Low from this Way Comes"

- Public Enemy - "She Watch Channel Zero?!"

- Lou Reed - "Perfect Day"

- Iggy Pop - "Passenger"

- Portugal the Man - "Dead Dogs"

- Public Image Ltd. - "Low Life"

Hold Steady on Ferguson

The Hold Steady on late night TV has been a symbol of their roadshow commitment. They will be all over the place within a week, first with Letterman then with Colbert Report and now on Ferguson. Watch them play "Rock Problems."

Live Review - Pearl Jam @ MSG

To say that grunge is dead would be unknown if one stepped into Madison Square Garden last night as the heavyweights of the genre headlined the second of two sold out concerts at the worlds most famous arena. Pearl Jam who have been one of the greatest touring bands of the last 20 years have developed the cult like following that acts such as Grateful Dead, Phish, Rolling Stones, and U2 have developed over the years. With each die hard fan lining up hours before each show to grab the coveted Pearl Jam concert poster, T-shirt and other exclusive memorabilia, it makes the craze that Black Friday has developed over the years look like child's play. Still, the most important thing to any fan who will travel far and wide to see this band is the setlist and what songs Pearl Jam will take out of their massive catalogue and perform.

Opening with "Cordury," the band set the standard of what the rest of the night would be like. The track (a personal favorite) shot out like a cannon and the succeeding songs did the same; "Hail, Hail," "Do the Evolution," "World Wide Suicide," "Got Some," the militia of opening tracks firing off heartbeats, pulses and tore the roof off the venue. As Eddie Vedder would dabble in his wine, raise and lower the power of his mumbling voice and trot around on stage, the rest of his band mates are just as entertaining to watch and witness. Drummer Matt Cameron's pounding performance on his kit echoed through the arena, guitarist Mike McCready may very well be one of the most underrated guitarists of a generation, McCready play his axe with the combination of Johnny Ramone meets Joe Perry. While guitarist Stone Gassard and bassist Jeff Ahmet held their own, collectively this band is a powerhouse.

As the set grew and night lasted and lasted, Pearl Jam gave the audience their monies worth with a near three hour set! To do that five to six days a week is not only a triumph, it is something to be admired. Bringing out a special string quartet to revamp some ballads and play the traditional way, along with bringing out opening act Band of Horses singer Ben Bridwell to perform the Temple of the Dog classic "Hunger Strike." After a marathon set that seemed like a battle, it would only be fitting for the grunge heroes who's major inspiration came from punk rock, covering MC5's "Kick out the Jams," and leading into "Yellow Ledbetter," the night was ended on the highest of notes.

For a band that has lasted as long as they have and to continue to get bigger and better, what the next 20 years will show will be a surprise and pleasure. Pearl Jam maybe the only band to ever succeed Springsteen and the E Street band in longevity and power during a full set.

Opening the night was Georgia buzz band Band of Horses, who's latest Infinate Arms has earned the band much acclaim and praise, played a humbling set at MSG. As they looked nervous, and rightfully so, on stage, if you were just listening to the music you could not tell. They sounded beautiful and simply stunning and proved that the hype behind them can be measured in a great live set.

Pearl Jam 5/21/10 Madison Square Garden Setlist:
Main Set:
Corduroy, Hail Hail, Do the Evolution, Worldwide Suicide, Got Some, Breath, Nothingman, I'm Open (Dedicated to Howard Zinn), Unthought Known, Grievance, Amongst the Waves, Present Tense, Not For You/Modern Girl, Push Me Pull Me, Rats, Daughter/WMA, The Fixer, Why Go

Encore 1:
The End (w/ string quartet), Just Breathe (w/ string quartet), Slow Lukin (w/ strings), Black Red Yellow, Sweet Lew, Given to Fly, Spin the Black Circle, Rearviewmirror

Encore 2:
Wasted Reprise, Betterman, Black/We Belong Together, The Real Me, Hunger Strike, Alive, Kick Out the Jams, Yellow Ledbetter/Star Spangled Banner