New Umphrey's This Fall!

Illinois face melters Umphrey's McGee have announced fall dates on the heels of a new album, Death By Stereo, to be released Sept. 13. It's their sixth studio album (or seventh, depending), and the first since 2009's Mantis, which was an ambitious new direction for the band, featuring explorative, prog songs (think Yes meets Pink Floyd).

The track listing for Death By Stereo hasn't been released yet, but I suspect recent live staples like "Conduit", "Booth Love", "Nipple Trix", "Puppet Strings," and lead singer/guitarist Brendan Bayliss' acoustic number, "Susanah", will make the cut. Though, they could surprise with a mess of new material that we don't even know about, and that's exciting.

After a four-night stint at the Brooklyn Bowl from Sept. 6 - 9, Umphreys will hit other perennial stops on the east coast such as the Higher Ground in Burlinton, Vt., and the Calvin Theater, in Northampton, Mass. Click here to see all their fall dates.

Umphrey's camp says:

"We are pretty jazzed about this one - we think you will be too."

Yes, sirrr.

- J

NEW Wilco!

Wilco is in the studio recording their first album under their independent label, dBpm, and they've released a brand-spankin new single "I Might" that you can hear on Stereogum and pre-order on their site, along with some cool new merch. It features a kicking base and vintage, Ray Manzarek-esque (Doors) organ. Yeah, it rocks. I was listening and thinking that there aren't many bands where you can crank your volume up before you hit play and know you'll be happy with the results EVERY, DAMN, TIME. God, I love Wilco.

I didn't make it to Solid Sound Fest for the second year, but I did spend the weekend in Wilco's native Chicago, where I attended the HOW Live design conference, and made sure I listened to only Wilco and fellow Illini, Umphreys McGee while there. I will share some photos/inspiration (free posters, yay!!) from the conference later today.

New Umphrey's McGee tunes

Jam prog-rockers Umphrey's McGee announced they will be offering downloads of new songs that fans can either purchase individually as they debut or in a bundle. UM, known for their web-savvy, non-traditional methods of releasing new material, has offered up the first new tune, "Wellwishers," for free. Download it from the widget below. They debuted the song live at the Knitting Factory in Reno, NV, on Oct. 2. It's a catchy tune that builds into a bright refrain. Parts remind me of U2/Peter Gabriel. I think its Jake's Edge-like guitar work, but that's just my opinion. Enjoy.

Review: Umphrey's @ Northern Lights

Rawk show.

There have been plenty of Umphrey's McGee references on my blog and if you know me personally, I'm not shy about pledging my allegiance to the jam/prog-rockers.

After seeing them at a couple festivals over the summer, I was able to see them twice recently in the forum where they really shine: the club setting. First, at Higher Ground, in Burlington, Vt. on Nov. 13, and then at Northern Lights, in Clifton Park, NY, on the 17th.

They definitely brought their A-game and even welcomed Mike Gordon, of Phish, to sit in at Higher Ground. The sit-in was a 'gift' for their full-time bassist Ryan "Pony Boy" Stasik on his birthday. Here is a link to a review I wrote of the show at Northern Lights: LINK . Here is a link to the soundboard you can purchase and download for $9.95. It has remained on the "Top 5 Downloads" since the show and that probably won't change until New Year's. I also have it if you want a copy. I highly recommend.

S2

One of my favorite rawk bands, Umphrey's McGee, has always been about improvisation. Their explorative jams are called "Jimmy Stewarts" and have given birth to many of what are now their most popular songs.

They were praised for their inventive marketing of their recent sutdio album, Mantis, which was released this year. Prior to its release date, fans could unlock Web-exclusive material by pre-ordering the album. In addition, the album itself acts as a key to unlock more Web-exclusive content still being released. It just makes being a fan fun.

Well, UM has taken it to another level again with its S2 series, or "Stew-art." S2s are like VIP pre-parties where a select group of fans get to meet the band and then literally partake in a sonic stew, whose recipe is decided by text messages that appear on a big screen like tweets that are visible to the band, who then alter the sound in reaction to the word or phrase presented.

For example, a fan texted "Under Attack," which appeared on the screen and yeilded an all-out metal assault; until another fan texted "cantina band," which lightened things up considerably, as you can imagine. The possiblities are endless ...

To have a chance to participate in an S2, it sounds like you have to play it by ear and grab a ticket quickly. I hope I have the opportunity -- at Northern Lights on Nov. 19th would be smashing.

Check out the video of the inaugural S2 on their blog, The Floor.

Hidden Hand, Hidden Track

I hope to have my computer running at full capacity soon so I can begin posting again.

In the meantime, a "highlights from moe.down 10" list I compiled and photos I shot dropped on Hidden Track earlier this week.

My first festival review was a learning experience to say the least.

I have done some freelance work for Hidden Track before as well. Check out my review of an Umphrey's McGee show at the Calvin Theater in Northampton, Mass.

Hug it out

My review appeared on Umphrey's McGee's Web site on their main page yesterday afternoon, thus cementing my victory. Thanks for the hug Umphrey's.

Oh, and some more Manel art:

Manel's illustration for French artist Sebastien Tellier's album cover.
Tellier seems like quite the, how you say ...
"hommes de dames" (ladies man).

Hidden Track Review

My review appeared on Hidden Track yesterday afternoon. Read it here.

Being the show that I reviewed was April 8, it was a little stale when it hit the site but the editor was in China for the week and couldn't post it any sooner.

Hidden Track (a subsidary of Glide music magazine) won the Weblog award for "Best Music Blog" in 2008. I got hooked to it months ago because of it's fresh look at the music scene. It is awesome for anyone who is more than just a casual fan of jam and rock music. Each day of the week has featured departments: like Stormy Monday's and Friday Mix Tape. They also have a guy that does movie reviews, one that does book reviews and everything else that keeps you caught up with music and beyond - I definately recommend.

I am very happy to be associated with HT and will surely be offering my time for another review soon (hopefully as correspondent at Mountain Jam in Hunter, N.Y. on May 31-June 2).

Not to get greedy, but my hope is that the Umphrey's family catches wind of my review and throws it on its Web site.

It would be like a big hug that a writer so desperatley needs every now and again.

-J

Calvin Theatre: Sean Culligan's photos

Here are some photos from Wednesday night's Umphrey's show by Glens Falls photographer Sean Culligan. Visit his Web site for more of his work (He has some really great shots from Asia and England).

Wow, nuff said. Great shot Sean. I'm sure you had to
ward off the Umphreaks to get this one.

Scott Hannay, far right, from Hudson Falls, sitting in with the band

Guitarist Jake Cinninger in a shred trance

Lead singer/guitarist Brendan Bayliss hitting the high note

Umphrey's McNES invades the stage

Scott Hannay, from Glens Falls, stage left, sitting in on the
instrumental "Triple Wide" with Umprhey's McGee April 8
at The Calvin Theatre in Northampton, Mass.

Set One
In The Kitchen > Cemetery Walk > #5 > The Haunt > Another Brick In The Wall jam > In The Kitchen, The Triple Wide^, 40's Theme

Set Two
Blue Echo^ > Robot World, Plunger > "Jimmy Stewart"* > Plunger, The Bottom Half > Spires > The Bottom Half, Equal Rights, Kimble > The Floor
Encore
The Fuzz > Glory
Notes
^ with Scott Hannay on keys with Joel
* with lyrics

Editors note: Scotty actually sat-in on "Robot World" also. And, he began the second set by himself with "Blue Echo." Props to him for getting up in front of a theater full of screaming college kids and holding his own with one of the most technical musicians in the business!

Stay tuned for video and professional photos from Sean Culligan as well as links to the Hidden Track review. I will also post a link to archive.org where you can listen to the show in its entirety. Of course you can buy the show (high-quality) at umlive.net for $9.95. People are calling it the best of 2009 so far. I agree and that will reflect in my review; I wish I could sound a little more objective, and I will - a wee little tiny bit.

Umphrey's McNES: The Day of Truth

If you've followed my blog for a while, you know of Glens Falls musician Scott Hannay. If not, check out previous "Umphrey's McNES" posts.

Here's the 4-1-1 on Scott for those new to the blog:

He is a multifaceted musician who plays guitar, bass and keyboards for a number of bands in the Glens Falls area.

As a hobby, he began arranging songs by artist Umphrey's McGee using the original Nintendo sound effects. So he can hit a key on his keyboard and you instantly recognize the sound: Like one is Zelda's sword swinging, another is Mario's fireball, another is Mega Man, ect. ect.

So he used these sounds to arrange UM's dynamic structure songs note for note and, after putting them on MySpace under the name "Umphrey's McNES," he created a mini-sensation among the band's fans.

Well, the band took notice, liked it and asked him to sit-in on a concert with them. I won't rant about this being a big deal, but I encourage you to read The New York Times review of their recent release if you've never heard of the band and couldn't care less.

After practicing and being generally psyched for a good month, that day is now upon Scott, in fact the show is tonight, April 8, at around 8 p.m. at The Calvin Theatre in Northampton, Mass.

So, what's new with Scott since my story first ran in the newspaper?

Well, he was "officially" embraced by UM when his version of their song "1348" (click here to hear Scott's version) was added to their online exclusive material. Scott was in pretty good company. The song was available along with a version of "Intentions Clear" featuring bluegrass legend, Bela Fleck, on banjo as well as a version of King Crimson's (60's era original prog-rock band) song "Thela Hun Ginjeet" featuring original Crimson lead singer Adrian Belew.

He has also been practicing on adapting his songs, which were done for the most part on computer, to keyboards. See, the computer allowed him to recreate the melodies, base and vocal lines and drum beat. To try and recreate that sound, Scott has been trying to play various parts using three keyboards. Truth is, he has no idea what to expect tonight. However, as a precautionary measure, he set up a rig with three keyboards, a computer and other gadgets that allow him to manipulate sounds.

I caught up with him while he was practicing recently, here's is a look:

I will be making the trip and writing a review of the show for Glide Magazine's Hidden Track blog so stay posted for exclusive photos and video from Northampton including pre-and-post-show festivities.

Scotty practicing on his rig.

Well, good luck tonight Scotty, see you after the show for a few clinks of the old glass!

(Stay tuned for more photos/vids from Northampton.)

Umphrey's McNES hits The Floor

Glens Falls musician Scott Hannay got some mention on Umphrey's McGee's blog 'The Floor' this morning about his version of 1348 being added to the exclusive Mantis content. This is pretty big time but April 8 is the real payoff, when he will sit-in with the band at The Calvin Theatre in Massachusetts.

http://blog.umphreys.com/cs/blogs/thefloor/archive/2009/03/17/more-mantis-bonus.aspx

Go out and buy Mantis people! And check in to cas:ev for more exclusive info following Scott as he rides the wave to mainstream success (I promise you, this will happen). Check out previous Umphrey's McNES posts to learn more about Scott's fateful meeting and date with destiny.

Editors' note: Saint Pattie's day for me turned into a sick all-night jam out with versions of "Whiskey-in-the-Jar," "Peggy-O" and "Long May You Run" abound. We recorded a bunch; 'll try and get a link soon.

My "Traditional Irish 18-pack" of Guiness, Harp and Schmiticks combined with three guitars (one electric), drums and keys has left me with a vicious headache but it was worth it.

Happy hangover all ; o

-J

Umphrey's McNES invades the radio

Scott Hannay's music will be featured on 102.7 WEQX tonight at 11 p.m. for "Local @ 11" series. Tune your ears and your dial.

EQX is the longest-running alternative music station in the state.

In related news, Scott was contacted by Umphrey's McGee's sound engineer Kevin Browning asking if the band could include Scott's version of "1348" for their online "PUSH" material. It's a new means of marketing where the CD acts as a key that unlocks exclusive online MP3s and other content that can be downloaded. Everyone who owns the album will now have access to Scott's song.

Hannay and two of his bands, Capital Zen and The Whatever Experiment will be playing at The Spotlight in downtown Glens Falls on Saint Pattie's Day. Music starts at 4 p.m.

Congrats Scott, looking forward to the April 8 show. Ride the wave!

Hidden Track

What a great week.

My story about Scott Hannay's date with destiny was a hit and I received a lot of good feedback. I also completed a logo for a private contractor friend of mine that I will post within the next few days.

But here's the best news:

On Thursday I reached out to Hidden Track music blog to see if they would be interested in a first-hand account of the April 8 Umphrey's McGee show with a little background about Scott (I got greedy, which you have to do as a freelancer).

First, a little bit about Hidden Track (from the Web site):

Hidden Track was started in October 2006 by Ace Cowboy and Scott Bernstein to offer live music fans an off-beat look at the scene. We cover a wide range of music from Prog-Rock to Classic Rock to Jazz to Blues to Jam to Indie to Klezmer. Okay, maybe we don’t cover Klezmer although The Maxwell Street Klezmer Band does kick some serious ass. Over the years we’ve developed a more serious tone, but we’re not afraid to drop a fart joke when necessary. In January of 2009, Hidden Track was awarded the 2008 Weblog Award for Best Music Blog, a fair indication of how far we’ve come in just 28 short months.

Yeah, it's the best in the blogosphere and I am hooked. They often feature exclusives with both up-and-coming names in music as well as established acts.

So I sent a snail-mail to scott@glidemagazine.com and a couple days passed with no reply. I followed up and got a reply almost immediately.

It read:

John,

Thank you so much for following up with me. I had started a response to you, but it got lost in the shuffle before I sent it out.

I'm VERY familiar with Scott Hannay's work and it's amazing. I'm so excited that he gets to mash up with the band. I'm extremely interested in running your account of the evening. Do you need anything from my end?

- Scott

So, yeah, I will tell the nation about April 8 at The Calvin. I will also have a professional photographer accompanying me (Glens Falls native Sean Culligan, seanculligan.com)!

I have a feeling it will be a memorable one.

P.S. Being associated with anyone named "Ace Cowboy" is pretty sweet. Check out his blog (hilarious)

-J