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I will soon be off to visit the Big Apple and cannot wait. A few days in the city is just what I need to relax (okay, maybe not relax but still...)

Anybody know of any good shows to see while I'm there? I already plan on seeing Harlem Shakes at the Bowery Ballroom, which I'm really looking forward to.

I love this city. Just wish I could afford to be there more often.

Frank Sinatra - New York, New York

Pete Yorn's "Back and Fourth" out now

As an avid Pete Yorn fan, I have to say that I am kicking myself for not realizing his new album was coming out.

His latest release Back And Fourth was released on iTunes yesterday and the album has already shot to No. 1 on the Alternative album chart and No. 5 on the overall sales count. Way to go, Mr. Yorn.

Recorded in Omaha, NE, with producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley), Yorn says the album was inspired by an escape from his everyday routine, and the change of pace between hometown Los Angeles and more rural Nebraska.

The physical album will be available everywhere June 23. I seriously am looking forward to the new songs.

Don't Wanna Cry from Spinner.com

Listening to Trevor Giuliani

I'm really liking Trevor Giuliani right now. His relaxing and soothing music that's reminiscient of Andrew Bird, Sufjan Stevens and Jens Lenkman fills the airwaves and lifts my mood. It mixes folky undertones with interesting musical arrangements.

His debut album, Subcontrario (In Stereo) comes out July 21.
Wasting Your Town

Alex Mejias and Tim Be Told play for children in Uganda

Tomorrow night at Gallery 5, The Freedom In Creation Tour is a concert and art exhibition to benefit the work of Freedom In Creation, an arts-based education program aimed to help war affected children in Northern Uganda.

The group's goal is to raise awareness retgarding the plight of the people caught in the midst of a civil war between the government and Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army, a rebel group that makes extensive use of kidnapping children and making child soldiers. The staple program of the organization is a once-a-week art program for these displaced children, combatants and non-combatants alike.

The event will showcase the work of child artists and will feature performances by singer songwriter Alex Mejias and pop-rock band Tim Be Told.

Freedom In Creation Founder and President Andrew Briggs will also be presenting a short film and speaking on the organization's work in Koro Abili.

This is a good cause. If you're free, go support it.

Jay-Z + Radiohead = Jaydiohead

I came across this today and really enjoyed it. Minty Fresh Beats mashed up Radiohead with Jay-z to get Jaydiohead, a very well put together album of hip hop meets Brit pop.

You can download the whole album for free at jaydiohead.com

Jay Brannan to release covers album featuring Bob Dylan, The Cranberries, Joni Mitchell and more

Singer/songwriter JAY BRANNAN announces the release of IN LIVING COVER, a 9-track album composed of 7 cover songs and 2 originals on July 7.

Some of these tracks on In Living Cover include Joni Mitchell’s “All I Want,” Ani DiFranco’s “Both Hands,” The Cranberries “Zombie,” Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ In The Wind” and The Verve Pipe’s “The Freshmen.” The album isn’t only covers; it opens with a brand new original track, “Beautifully,” and closes with “Drowning,” the first song he ever wrote at the age of 19.

Brannan has always enjoyed singing other people’s songs, but never expected to release a covers album.

“Expressing myself through my songs is one of the main reasons I write music, so singing other people’s words felt a little fraudulent or ‘uncool,’” he explains. “Over time, I learned to appreciate songs that speak to me, whether I like the melody or think the lyrics are funny or ironic…or if it’s a song that meant something to me at a certain point in my life or has a personal story behind it.”

Brannan explains that the covers on this album were chosen for that reason.

“I started performing them on YouTube and at my live shows. People continued to ask for them in properly recorded form, so I decided it was time to put this album together…not just of covers, but of covers that have become a part of what my audience might consider my repertoire.”

Brannan released his debut full-length album, goddamned, last summer and followed it with sold-out dates from the US to Europe to Australia. He is most well-known for his appearance in the indie hit “Shortbus.”

"IN LIVING COVER" TRACK LISTING
1. Beautifully (Jay Brannan original)
2. Say It’s Possible (Terra Naomi)
3. All I Want (Joni Mitchell)
4. Blowin’ In The Wind (Bob Dylan)
5. The Freshmen (The Verve Pipe)
6. Good Mother (Jann Arden)
7. Both Hands (Ani DiFranco)
8. Zombie (The Cranberries)
9. Drowning (Jay Brannan original)

Pre-oder the album here.

The Beatles invade Rock Band this fall

At long last, fans of Rock Band can experience the joy of playing Beatles songs with the new Beatles Rock Band game coming out in September. The game offers all the fun that Rock Band has to offer along with a huge catalog of Beatles songs and scenes progressing from the early days at the Cavern Club to the famous Ed Sullivan show to the trippy dream sequences.

This is also huge because it is apparently incredibly difficult to get the rights to Beatles songs. I don't know who even owns them. Is it Michael Jackson still? Or Apple?

Here what's they say about the game:

Join John, Paul, George and Ringo onstage at legendary shows, behind closed doors in the recording studio, and in dreamscapes that bring their psychedelic imagery to life. The acclaimed Rock Band elements of interactive play and full-band capacity are here, but with brand-new additions. This will be the first music game to offer harmonies, challenging you to recreate The Beatles’ vocal blend. There are custom-built models of the instruments the band itself played; audio straight from the masters; and graphics that take you on a magical tour through the key moments in Beatle history.

Watch the trailer below. I nearly peed myself.

Assembly of Dust offers free tracks from new album

Groove rockers Assembly of Dust are releasing their new album "Some Assembly Required" on July 21 and have a few friends helping them out. The new album features a star studded list of guest performers including Al Schnier of moe, Mike Gordon of Phish, Keller Williams, Bela Fleck Richie Havens and more.

In the next few weeks leading up to the albums release, the band will be giving away a free track on their website each week.

Today's track is: "High Brow" featuring Al Schnier of moe.
Download it here.

Also, listen to "Second Song" featuring Keller Williams (wma)

TRACK LIST:
1. All That I Am Now - featuring Richie Havens
2. Pedal Down - featuring Zach and Andrew Gabbard (Buffalo Killers)
3. Cold Coffee - featuring David Grisman
4. Arc of the Sun - featuring Mike Gordon
5. The Second Song - featuring Keller Williams
6. Light Blue Lover - featuring Grace Potter and Tony Rice
7. Edges - featuring Bela Fleck
8. Leadbelly - featuring Jerry Douglas
9. Borrowed Feet - featuring John Scofield
10.Revelry - featuring Martin Sexton and Tony Rice
11.Straight - featuring Theresa Andersson
12.High Brow - featuring Al Schnier
13.You Lay The Dust - featuring Jeff Pevar