Sights and Sounds: NAMM PSA, Violent Femmes, KAABOO Festival

I love NAMM's new public service announcement (PSA) titled "The Original Social Network" that showcases the power of music to bring people of all backgrounds from all over the planet. It features 350 strangers playing music together and boasts a positive message about encouraging everybody to play music. View NAMM Foundation's entire Just PLAY PSA campaign here. 

The Violent Femmes (singer-guitarist Gordon Hano, bassist Brian Ritchie and drummer Brian Viglione) are bidding the world a belated Happy New Year with their new EP and tour. Indeed, the legendary trio is set to return with their first new collection in 15 years. Happy New Year is due out on Record Store Day, April 18, 2015. The four-song EP (recorded in 2014 in Hobart, Tasmania) is highlighted by the Jake Brebes-penned single "Love Love Love Love Love" currently streaming exclusively via rollingstone.com. The Violent Femmes stole the show at Jack's 9th Show staged at the Honda Center in Anaheim in September 2014. Read my review of the band's outstanding concert there via the link here.

Finally, check out George A. Paul's Music Minded site to read all about the first-ever KAABOO Festival coming to Del Mar in San Diego County this fall. The lineup is fairly eclectic (that's a good thing) and includes the likes of the Zac Brown Band, Counting Crows, Foster the People, Old 97's, No Doubt and Young the Giant. You can read Paul's great post here. For more information on the festival, visit www.kaaboodelmar.com.