Tag Archive for 'Jayhawks'

FROM THE CMJ RELAY ARCHIVES: OURSTAGE PICKS VOL. 14

Published by Sam C. on October 15, 2009 in Artist News. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

cmjdotcom_webWelcome to our fourteenth installment featuring CMJ’s OurStage Staff Picks from the CMJ Relay Blog. CMJ is well known for their industry leading New Music Report magazine, which contains music reviews, artist news and interviews with the best artists being played on college radio.

Or, the Whale

“Call and Response”
Alt Country Channel
Four-part harmonies and pulsing bass put the heart in this up-tempo tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, eliciting strong sympathy with its driving melody and lush vocals.
RIYL: Jayhawks, Old 97s, Fleetwood Mac

Lady Maverick

“Reminiscin’”
Alternative Hip-Hop Channel
Acoustic guitars paired with funky beats keep Lady Maverick’s solid rhymes about her African roots and old-school hip-hop fresh and emotional, while still allowing the girl some serious street cred.
RIYL: Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Bacci

Einar Lunga

“It is going to be your darkest day”
Folk Channel
Lunga has a talent for the subtle and offbeat whispers of somber darkness that feel introspective without toeing the “woe is me” line. This is tender, dark folk done right.
RIYL: Devendra Banhart, She And Him, Joni Mitchell

ON THE ROAD WITH SERENA RYDER

Published by Kate B on June 10, 2009 in Artist Feature, Editorial and Rock. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , , , , .

serena1

It’s quite the feather in your cap when the Boss asks you to cover one of his songs and then features your performance on his Website. But Serena Ryder is no stranger to accolades. Already a Juno-winning, Gold-certified sensation in Canada, the soulful singer-songwriter has made waves here in the U.S. with her major label debut, “is it o.k.” We caught up with her on tour, and threw her the same questions we recently asked Chad Wolf. Here’s how she responded:

Best show so far?
Washington D.C., 9:30 Club … perfect day, perfect food, perfect venue, amazing crew, magic audience—couldn’t think to change a thing.

One thing you have to have on the road?
I need to have Nag Champa … it helps me bring an element of home to my surroundings and it smells damn good.

If you’re playing DJ on the bus, what do you put on?
Midlake, Springsteen, Bat For Lashes, Metric, Great Lake Swimmers, Alexi Murdoch, Tegan and Sara, Tom Petty, XTC.

Moment you look forward to the most at each show?
Every show is different. When the show sucks, I can’t wait ’til it’s over and when it rocks, I want to stay forever. I don’t know that I’ve ever looked forward to how my belly feels before I get onstage. I still get butterflies … I prefer butterflies on the outside of me.

Current favorite song to play live?
Depending on whether I’m solo or not, right now I’m digging on “What I Wanna Know.” It helps me connect with sexuality and anger.

Favorite way to kill time on the road?
When we’re stationary I LOVE going to antique stores, second-hand shops. I love walking around and falling into the old stories that live inside the knick-knacks. I was in Northern Ontario a few months ago and I almost missed my sound check because I spent two hours in an antique shop daydreaming. I bought 3 umbrellas —yes, 3 umbrellas.

Any show you’re especially looking forward to?

I’m really looking forward to Basillaca in Minneapolis. The Jayhawks are reuniting for the first time! I’m playing right before them. I’m opening for the Jayhawks! Awesome!

Check out more about Serena Ryder here. Like what you hear? Then listen to these similar artists on OurStage: