Showing posts with label Mike Viola. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Viola. Show all posts

Thursday, April 03, 2025

Dawes Share “Time Spent In Los Angeles (For Altadena)”; Special New Version of Classic Song

Check out the affecting version of Dawes' "Time Spent In Los Angeles (For Altadena)" featuring Dawes along with Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton...Robert Kinsler


DAWES SHARE INSPIRING NEW VERSION OF 

“TIME SPENT IN LOS ANGELES (FOR ALTADENA)” – LISTEN 


VERY SPECIAL RENDITION OF LONGTIME FAN FAVORITE FEATURES 

FRIENDS ANDREW BIRD AND ALAN HAMPTON


PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT MUSICARES RELIEF EFFORTS 

IN THE WAKE OF DEVASTATING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES


OH BROTHER TOUR RESUMES APRIL 9 IN WOODSTOCK, NY


(Read Robert Kinsler's review of "Oh Brother" published in October 2024 HERE)





Acclaimed California rock band Dawes have shared “Time Spent In Los Angeles (For Altadena),” a very special version of their classic track newly produced by Mike Viola with the help of friends Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton, available everywhere now on their own Dead Ringers via Secretly Canadian Distribution. Proceeds from the track will benefit MusiCares relief efforts in the wake of January’s devastating Southern California wildfires. To contribute to MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, or if you or someone you know needs help, please visit musicares.org/firerelief. 


Dawes co-founders Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith are among the many Los Angeles area residents whose lives were shattered by the wildfires’ unprecedented destruction – Taylor lost his studio and most of the band’s musical gear and equipment while Griffin and their parents all lost their homes. Dawes immediately went to work supporting MusiCares efforts to assist fellow musicians affected by the fires by visiting ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! to perform “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” originally found on their 2011 sophomore album, Nothing Is Wrong.


“We were asked to perform on Jimmy Kimmel within a week of both of our properties burning in Altadena,” says Taylor Goldsmith. “Griffin lost his house and I lost our studio. We decided to play a ballad version of ‘Time Spent in Los Angeles.’ The song means all sorts of different things to us now. After that live performance it became clear we would want a proper studio recording of the version for posterity (and to maybe even raise a little more money for MusiCares). So we hit up our fellow Angelenos Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton and recorded this live in one take at our old friend Mike Viola’s house studio in Echo Park. I feel like this is the version of this song that we’re gonna be playing for a long time to come.”


LISTEN TO “TIME SPENT IN LOS ANGELES (FOR ALTADENA)”

WATCH “TIME SPENT IN LOS ANGELES” (LIVE ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!)


Dawes have spent much of their time since the fires supporting and raising awareness for MusiCares, including a surprise opening appearance at the 67th Annual GRAMMY® Awards that saw them leading an all-star lineup – including Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard, John Legend, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent – for an unforgettable performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” Dawes’ own exclusive version – featuring lyrical changes to reflect the City of Angels’ inspiring resilience following the disaster – is available now, with proceeds benefitting The Recording Academy and MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals.


WATCH “I LOVE. L.A. (2025 GRAMMY® AWARDS PERFORMANCE)

LISTEN TO “I LOVE L.A.”


Dawes –– were also among the stars performing at February’s star-studded FireAid benefit concert at Los Angeles’ Kia Forum. After opening their set with “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” Dawes were joined onstage by Stephen Stills and Mike Campbell for a performance of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” The supergroup then welcomed Stills’ longtime friend and musical partner Graham Nash for an unforgettable rendition of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s “Teach Your Children” that saw everyone in attendance at the arena singing along in unison.


Last year saw the acclaimed release of Dawes’ ninth studio album, Oh Brother, available everywhere now. Exclusive split color vinyl, as well as an array of deluxe Oh Brother bundles, are available via the Dawes online store. Hailed by No Depression as “a staggering soundscape where guitar-talking, folk-rock, bleary-eyed grooves, and a kind of misfit pop all blur into one succinct soundtrack for these unprecedented times,” the album steers Dawes decidedly forward, honoring 15 years of Taylor and Griffin’s musical relationship, as well as the next era and natural evolution of their beloved band. 


STREAM/DOWNLOAD OH BROTHER

ORDER OH BROTHER EXCLUSIVE SPLIT COLOR VINYL + MORE


Dawes spent much of last fall celebrating their new era traveling the US on their epic Oh Brother Tour, resuming April 9 at Woodstock, NY’s Bearsville Theatre. Special guests on most dates will be Michigander. Dawes’ busy schedule will also see additional summer headline dates along with a series of eagerly awaited shows supporting The Avett Brothers and top-billed appearances at an array of festivals including Goose’s Viva El Gonzo (set for May 8-10 in San José del Cabo, Mexico), Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend in Miramar Beach, FL (May 11), and Louisville, KY’s Bourbon & Beyond (September 11-14). For complete details and ticket availability, please visit dawestheband.com/tour. 


DAWES - OH BROTHER TOUR 2025


APRIL

9 – Woodstock, NY – Bearsville Theatre *

10 – Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse * (SOLD OUT)

11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia *

12 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre *

13 – Princeton, NJ – Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center

16 – Davenport, IA – Capitol Theatre *

17 – Madison, WI – The Majestic Theatre * (SOLD OUT)

18 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue *

19 – Columbia, MO – The Blue Note *

21 – Des Moines, IA – Hoyt Sherman Place *

23 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre *

25 – Kalispell, MT – Wachholz College Center *

26 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre *

27 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall *


MAY

8-10 – San José del Cabo, Mexico – Viva El Gonzo †

11 – Miramar Beach, FL – Brandi Carlile’s Mothership Weekend †


JULY

11 – Red Bank, NJ – Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at the Count Basie Center

13 – Amagansett, NY – The Stephen Talkhouse

17 – La Vista, NE – The Astro Amphitheater ^

18 – Camdenton, MO – Ozarks Amphitheater ^

19 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center ^


AUGUST

2 – Lancaster, OH – Lancaster Festival

31 – Fairlee, VT – Lake Morey Summer Concert Series


SEPTEMBER

11-14 – Louisville, KY – Bourbon & Beyond †


* w/ Special Guests Michigander 

† Festival Appearance

^ w/ The Avett Brothers


# # #


DAWES

OH BROTHER

(Dead Ringers)


Tracklist:

Mr. Los Angeles

Front Row Seat

Still Strangers Sometimes

Surprise!

House Parties

King of the Never-Wills

The Game

Enough Already

Hilarity Ensues

 

CONNECT WITH DAWES:

DAWESTHEBAND.COM | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK |TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

# # #

Monday, December 14, 2020

Music Gift Guide: Tears For Fears, Cat Stevens, 'Ready Steady Go!', Mike Viola

With Hanukkah already here and Christmas fast approaching, here is a roundup of a number of special titles that will make great gifts for discerning music lovers.




Artist: 
Tears For Fears
Title: The Seeds Of Love - Super Deluxe Edition (UMe/Virgin)
You might like if you enjoy: Tears For Fears, The Beatles' "Abbey Road" and "White Album" 
Tell me more: Tears For Fears' brilliant third album The Seeds Of Love was released more than 30 years ago but sounds better and more relevant than ever. A recent reissue of the classic is available in several different configurations ranging from a two-disc audio CD set to a Super Deluxe Edition box set that consists of four CDs and one Blu-Ray which collectively tells the story of how this four-years-in-the-making album from Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith came to be. The recently-issued expanded Super Deluxe Edition reissue of the 1989 masterwork is truly a joy. Indeed, the box set includes 22 previously-unissued tracks from demo sessions, live jams and studio sessions. The material here spans the sonic landscape; the jazz-meets-rock "Bad Man's Song," soul-styled "Advice for the Young at Heart," genre-blending "Standing on the Corner of the Third World," gorgeous "Famous Last Words" and mind-blowing Beatlesque title track sound better than ever. Additional gems include a slew of 45's and B-sides; the adventuresome world music-minded "Tears Roll Down," experimental "My Life in the Suicide Ranks" and jazzy rocker "Always in the Past" are among this writer's favorites. Information: TearsForFears.com.


"Tea For The Tillerman" 50th Anniversary Super
Deluxe Edition
Artist:
Yusuf / Cat Stevens
Titles: Mona Bone Jakon: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition; Tea For The Tillerman: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (A&M/UMe)
You might like if you enjoy: Cat Stevens, Yusuf, Don McLean, Elliott Smith 
Tell me more: Back in 1970, rising artist Cat Stevens released not one, but two impressive albums. Fast forward 50 years to 2020 and both of those now-legendary LPs — Mona Bone Jakon and Tea For The Tillerman (released just months apart in 1970) — have been released at expanded 50th anniversary editions. While this year has certainly been a complete downer in terms of live music (let's face it, live-streaming can't replace the concert going experience), the parade of noteworthy expanded and special reissues has been spectacular as personified by these terrific and in-depth dives into the artistry of Cat Stevens (who changed his name to Yusuf following his conversion to Islam in December 1977); they are truly must-haves for fans of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter. 

Mona Bone Jakon: 50th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition

The 2020 remasters of the original albums are incredible; there are also wonderful new 2020 mixes of each album as well. Listening to even well-known tracks such as "Wild World," "Father and Son" and "Where Do The Children Play" (from Tea for the Tillerman), and "Lady Darbanville," "Maybe Your Right" and "I Think I See The Light" (on Mona Bone Jakon) is to seemingly rediscover the beloved songs for the first time. Mona Bone Jakon includes 24 previously unreleased songs, and Tea for the Tillerman features 21 unreleased tracks alongside a number of other rarities. The multi-format releases were released Dec. 4, 2020. For more information on the Super Deluxe Edition box set versions of each of these albums, visit the artist's website. Information: CatStevens.com.



Title: 
Ready Steady Go!: The Weekend Starts Here (BMG)
Author: Andy Neill
Publisher: BMG Books
You might like if you enjoy: 1960s music, art and fashion, the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, British rock 'n' roll
Tell me more: "Ready Steady Go!: The Weekend Starts Here" is a comprehensive and definitive must-have book by author Andy Neill that provides an in-depth look at the pioneering 1960s British music TV show that hosted the era's greatest names beginning in August 1963. Weighing in at 6 pounds, the 268-page hardcover edition is beautifully  illustrated with a wealth of amazing images (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks, The Zombies, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and countless more!) — most never previously seen — and exclusive essays that provide more appreciation of the 173 episodes aired over the show's three-and-a-half-year run. Insights from the illustrious likes of Manfred Mann, Mick Jagger, Bill Wyman, Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent and Ray Davies bolster the fast-moving read. A guide also provides details on each of the episodes. Information: bmg.com.



Artist: 
Mike Viola
Title: Godmuffin (Good Morning Monkey / Grand Phony Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Damon Albarn, Alex Chilton, Pete Yorn, Candy Butchers 
Tell me more: Anchored by one of the most bewitching singles in memory — the melodic "Ordinary Girl" — Mike Viola's new album Godmuffin quickly reveals its greatness beyond that undeniable cut. With its indie rock spirit, real life warmth and incredible song craft, the parade of great songs includes the lush Americana-tinged opener "Creeper," probing "We May Never Be This Young Again," biting "Drug Rug," tuneful "All You Can Eat" and gentle closer "That Seems Impossible Now." If Bruce Springsteen came of age a generation later he may well have penned "Superkid II, Trying To Do The Thing That I Thought I Was Born To Do," a brilliant original. Never heard of Viola? You have heard him; it was his top-tier lead vocals on the Oscar-nominated "That Thing You Do" title track from Tom Hanks' 1996 hit film and other cuts featuring the fictional band the Wonders heard in the movie. Information: MikeViola.com.



Robert Kinsler