CMJ Day One

                                          Blood Warrior at Piano’s, Edgy Twist to Folk

Blood Warrior's brand of Folk is weighty with thump-stomping percussion, great choral harmonies, and the vocal awesomeness of Greg Jamie. The music can soothe like a lullaby but don’t get too comfortable because these gentle warriors can bring up the volume. Their voices swell; electric guitar leads and acoustic strumming intertwine with shakers and emphasized bass drum, giving traditional Folk an edgy twist.

Flickr Set

                             Max Vernon @ Kenny's Castaways, Master of Design

Making a fashion statement at CMJ is an anomaly, but Max Vernon intends to please both visually and sonically. He walked onto the stage wearing an asymmetrical googly eye ensemble of his design.

He started the set by saying, "please excuse my unnecessary banter, I have to fill this forty-minute set," and fill he did. Max Vernon's verbal acuity does wonders for in-between songs, but that gift translates well to songwriting.

Standing confidently at 6’4 behind his keyboard and almost strutting, he played complex pop/jazz arrangements. His vocals dared go from low to falsetto, adding unexpected touches to his recorded material. What I found the most fascinating was his ability to seamlessly create the backup vocals. In between, he played three songs on the guitar.

A highlight was "Around Your Finger," with friend Emily singing the chorus / I hate to tell you / that I had more fun / When you were hooked on drugs /. "Psycho Bitch" a new one, is a song in the same vein. His second new offering had a haunting juxtaposition between an irregular chord repetition and a beautiful vocal. He ended with a Liz Phair cover, "Canary."

Flickr Set

Download a slew of songs here

Issue Project Courtyard Great Lineup to End Summer

The Issue Project courtyard on a beautiful afternoon was a perfect site to hear a selection of music by three different musicians. Greg Jamie's pure unadorned set was sandwiched between two experimental improvisational sets by Sacred Harp from Virginia and Honne Wells with Juan Comas.

Sacred Harp’s compositional arrangements with instruments, amplification, and accouterments created a trance, not for sleeping or contemplating but a welcome space from ear to head.

The instrumental set featured finger picking on a classical guitar, bowing of an electric, and anything but typical on a sitar. Utilizing a looping percussion of scrubbed strings was an effective background for a guitar instrumental.

Greg Jamie's solo set consisted of songs from his newly formed outfit Blood Warriors and one song off a 7” collaboration with Honne Wells. Going solo is a rare occasion for a man that fronts two bands. So his apparent shyness was charming to watch. Playing guitar, and harpsichord and hearing his straightforward vocals were delightful.

The sun was setting as Honne Wells and Juan Comas was on stage, and the quietness of the night took hold, guiding the sound to resonate off the concrete and bricks. Starting with a five-minute compositional movement that struck time like a broken clock tower. Guitar string pings applied in various measures broke up the composition and were contrasted by Honne Wells grunting low vocals.

This spectacular collaboration is something to witness. The guitar, slide guitar, banjo, mouth harp, stomping, and vocals are melded together to create unique sounds that are unfamiliar and offsetting. Familiarity is not their forte but creating dramatic and mesmerizing tension is.

Flicker Set Here

Blood Warrior from [dog]and[pony] on Vimeo.

Brief Excursion To After The Jump Fest

When I say briefly it was, but I was happy to catch Get Haunted, and I’m Turning Into and the tail end of The Octagon. Get Haunted is a bit of Buddy Holly, Rockabilly, speed strum bottleneck, and a pounding drum kit. Their shoes were waxed, and a tuxedo shirt and sharp glasses set the stage for fancy footwork and great showmanship. So refreshing to not hear we’re from Brooklyn. Although the group hasn’t had many shows, they are obviously not new to music or performing. The banjo and drum were the details, but the soaring outcomes of Kevin on the slide guitar shredded the joint. The drummer Sarah kept a rudimentary beat, finesse did not apply, but enthusiastic smiles and downright pounding did! Lead singer and banjo strummer Joey Macrino had awesome dance moves and an outstanding command of the stage vocally and personally. Although all the songs were full of life, one outstanding exception was that they were dedicated to Blood Warrior. The song had levels of intrigue and several time changes that built to a frenetic beat. This made the New York debut for this three-piece from New London, Connecticut, one to remember for them and me.

I'm Turning Into is a multi-instrumentalist threesome of rotating players adept at playing and singing. Fast-paced punky rock mixed with experimental vocal loop effects and fast rhythmic drumming. They played the ultimate upbeat song, “Would It Matter.” Other songs showed off how well they could play, whether it was a long and dynamic jam excursion, “Nonlocal,” or unusual vocal arrangements with perfectly intact harmonies interspersed with yodel-like howling and human beatbox. Some performance quirks are due to instrument changes, but they have a lot to offer. Edd Chittenden, Jhon Grewell, Steve Tarkington guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. Check this out on myspace you won't be disappointed.

Got to get me some balls and learn the subway system and try to brave the night. Now that I live part-time in the city, I thought this would be easier, but it presents other difficulties. Besides seeing some music, I wanted to show my support to the Bloggers from After The Jump Fest who worked so hard to put this event together. Although some of the groups on the fest roster have garnered some press, it usually starts with one curated blog post, download, live review, or pictures. 

Although I would have loved to stay later to especially see Blood Warrior. I got to hang out, talk, and take pictures of Greg Jamie and Kristen Kellas-Jamie, two members of BW, a few hours before their 10:00 o’clock set. I have seen Greg Jamie with o’death and was lucky to catch him for Tonic's official last night doing a special guest appearance with Honne Wells. Blood Warrior finished their first small tour making their last stop after the Jump Fest. Featuring the great vocal styling of Greg Jamie with the spirited chorus, some shakers, and drunken drum beats sound like a patchwork folk collage. My Flickr Set Here Photographer Maryanne Ventrice documented the whole Fest at Prefix Day #3

o'death "Home" Crackerfarm Video

o'death "Lowtide" MP3 Rules

WOW!!!! OK, I knew that o'deaths new recordings from their soon-to-be-released Broken Hymns, Limbs & Skin would be phenomenal, and they are!! With the help of producer Alex Newport, o'deaths amazing live feel is transported with precision and urgency. The authentic quality and robust muscular instrumentation are not lost here. The subtleties on this featured song, "Lowtide" only emphasize the level of intensity that ensues. Proof. Here Recently signed to Kemado Records (North America) City Slang (Europe)

o'death New Song "Home"

During the month of February o’death recorded with Alex Newport (Two Gallants, At The Drive-In, The Locust) behind the boards. They are sharing the song “Home” from Broken Hymns, Limb & Skin to be released sometime this year on their MySpace site.

“Home”, starts off slowly. The chorus of / home, home the air I breath / scaffolds and rises to break through, and breakthrough it does! Listen here.

Honne Wells with special guest Gregory Jamie At Tonic

Honne Wells with special guest Gregory Jamie from O’Death at Tonic.

Dolled up in suit and silk bowtie it is hard to look away, when Honne Wells steps on the stage. Then he speaks and takes the audience off guard, as they lean in to hear him speak. With an unusually deep range he intertwines tall tales that lead to song.

Joining Honne Wells on stage was Gregory Jamie lead singer and guitarist of the band O’Death. Honne Wells voice is a deep guttural baritone in contrast Gregory Jamie has a high intense nasal voice. While the disparity is startling and distinctive, their shared sensibilities about music is what makes the pairing so extraordinary.

They both embrace the roots of Americana and use that platform, as a vehicle to transform music. What evolves is inspiration, and collaboration meant to be fostered.

Donning two guitars, a banjo, some slides, tambourine and a metal sheet. The gentleman played, sang and two stepped in succession.” Holler At Da Holy” was very effective, because it capitalized on just the voices and the step. In-between Honne played a nice instrumental “Dram From A Dog”. The last song was a bonus “George P. Lennin Blvd.” about dirty water. Honne’s foot tapping, progressed into leg slammin, and the atmosphere became edgy and immediate as the pace thickened.

Witnessing this pairing was a highlight in my quest to find great music.

Set List
Oh-Literate Man Blues
The Seed That Ne're Got Sewn
Been Licken
Dram From a Dog Holler At Da Holy
George P. Lennin Blvd.

Web Album Link show pictures by Artifact