Sawmill Joe Releases “Ain’t Nobody’s Problem” — Thanks, Joe!

A few months ago I had the pleasure to see The Lumineers in concert, and they covered a song called, “Ain’t Nobody’s Problem” by Sawmill Joe. I immediately reached out to Joe asking for more information, and quickly discovered he’s hilarious. He got his name because he works at a Sawmill where he “chopped [his] damn finger off on a log splitter.” When I asked for permission to disclose that aforementioned personal detail, Joe responded with, “Yeah, it’s cool cred! My bass player chopped his finger off at the same sawmill.” Here’s hoping I meet this guy one day. He sure has a sense of humor. And the boy can sing. Listen to him perform “Ain’t Nobody’s Problem” below.

Interview: Lukas Nelson & The Promise Of The Real

I discovered Lukas Nelson by accident. I stumbled across Willie Nelson’s cover of Pearl Jam’s “Just Breathe,” and I noticed the very unique voice of the man singing with him. I immediately wanted an interview and was shocked to discover that the man in question is actually Willie Nelson’s son. I then found out that Lukas fronts his own band called Lukas Nelson & The Promise of the Real. After listening to his latest record, “Wasted,” I reached out to his team and he kindly agreed to answer a few of my questions.

Can you tell me a little about how you connected with your current band?

I met Anthony at a Neil Young concert, and we became surfing buddies. He’s known our bass player for years, and I’ve known our percussion player from Hawaii. We’ve all known each other for a while.

Is it true you wrote Wasted while you were wasted?

Yes, I was pretty drunk [laughs].

I heard you’re not undergoing that songwriting formula anymore.

No. I quit drinking for a year. I’ve taken it way easier. I took a year hiatus from everything.

Has that helped your creative process?

I don’t think it made a difference. It’s not better or worse. There’s not a universal way [of writing].

I read that your dad gave you a guitar at 14.

I was eleven. And I started playing in his band at 14.

Do you think it was an innate interest being a son of a musician?

I think being around it kept my interest high. It was nature and nurture. I was immersed in that world, so it became second nature to me.

I know you grew up around so many legendary musicians. Did you know at the time that you were around such greats?

I always had a lot of respect for them. But it’s still just hanging around the house with dad’s friends. If I didn’t think of it that way it would get awkward. They’re just people, but they’re really inspiring people so they have good conversations that makes it really interesting to be around them.

I imagine you get really good advice with all those resources. I read that Neil Young told you to record this live to tape?

He told me about digital recording, actually. He said if you’re going to record digitally, do it to the highest resolution. But when we mixed the original tracks, we mixed it to analog tape. So we did both.

Do you often go to Neil Young for advice about your records?

I try not to bother him too much. I usually go to him for technical advice. I really try hard to figure it out on my own first, because I have a lot of respect for his kind, and he probably gets thousands of emails a day. I’m just another kid.

Are you partial to this album with that different recording process?

I like this one as much as all the others. But in terms of recording, it’s definitely a more mature recording.

I saw your performance on Jimmy Fallon with your dad. You looked so relaxed. Do you get nervous at all anymore?

Sometimes. I’m just better at not showing it. I try not to stress too much.

I know in a lot of interviews you get asked about living in your father’s shadow. I read something great that you said about how you don’t feel pressured to prove yourself. How do you get to that space in your head? Was it ever an issue?

No, it never was. I just don’t really think about it. If I spent my time wasting my energy on crap like that, [which] doesn’t really matter, I wouldn’t be the musician that I am trying to be. I’m still growing and learning, and I don’t really think about that stuff. I have to just keep writing and keep playing and getting better.

Do you get along with your father on the road?

We’re buddies. I’ve never had an argument with my dad. That’s not the relationship we have.

Listen below to Lukas’ record.

Tabloid Gossip — Week-End-Rundown

  • Amanda Bynes was charged with two separate hit-and-runs. Wet Paint
  • John Mayer and Katy Perry rekindled their romance. ICYDK
  • Kris Humphries still believes in love. She Knows
  • Chad Johnson really wants his ex to forgive him. Starcasm
  • Shia LaBeouf is happy for ex-girlfriend Carey Mulligan. Radar Online
  • Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are getting serious. Contact Music
  • Elisha Cuthbert is engaged. Yahoo UK
  • Lisa Loeb debuted her adorable baby boy. People
  • One of the Dixie Chicks had a chicklet. E! Online
  • Ryan Lochte has a crush on Blake Lively. Celebuzz
  • LeAnn Rimes left treatment for her concert. Zap2It
  • Jared Leto & Scarlett Johansson held hands. Us Magazine
  • Usher & his ex-wife still hate each other. TMZ
  • Kanye West has been leaving Kim Kardashian clues in his songs for years. Gawker

 

 

 

Oasis’ Noel Gallagher Demands Concertgoers Stand — High Maintenance?

Whenever I think my brother and I are dysfunctional I remind myself of the Oasis brothers, who make my brother and I look like members of The Partridge Family. All this time I blamed Liam for their issues, but ever since Oasis split up amidst their kin-infighting, I realized they both might be to blame. During a recent concert, Noel Gallagher demanded that his concertgoers stand, saying they looked as if they were “at the cinema,” and he then called out, “Do you have to sit down?!” I absolutely hate when people stand at a concert when it’s unnecessary. In fact, I’m always tempted to throw M&Ms at people who are swaying back-and-forth during lower tempo songs while getting drunker. Sure I’ll dance for Britney Spears, but Noel Gallagher?

Foster the People — NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert — EXCELLENT!

Hearing a song’s acoustic version is a great way to test its quality. Can the band survive without auto-tune and all the other bells and whistles that go along with producing a record (and yes — “bells and whistles” is a technical music term)? In the case of ‘Foster the People’, I actually prefer the acoustic version of their music. They appeared on NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ series, and sounded incredible. The band formed in 2009 and it has three members, including, Mark Foster (vocals, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, guitar, programming, percussion), Mark Pontius (drums and extra percussion), and Cubbie Fink (bass and backing vocals) Watch below.

Sheryl Crow at The Greek — Concert Review

I’m officially in love with Sheryl Crow.  I’ve been a fan since her debut album, Tuesday Night Music Club, but I have never seen her perform live.  She did not disappoint.  Early on in the show she admitted to having the flu, which made the concert more personal, and I found myself wondering if she’d be able to make it through the concert at full steam.  She did.  I was also surprised by the bluesy feel of the show, because I always placed Crow in the pop genre.  But the jazzy riffs blew me away.  At one point Crow said, “I have the greatest band in the world . . . all I have to do is stand up here and shake my ass.”  She’s right.  Had Crow been absent, I still might have enjoyed the show, by listening only to her band’s jam sessions.  Colbie Caillet opened Crow’s show, and she was also great.  Caillet may be another Crow in the making (and not because they both enjoy wearing extremely short shorts).  She’s currently still climbing her learning curve though, because she doesn’t quite look at home on stage yet.  Unlike Crow, she sang her songs exactly as they were on the album, without changing up the melody.  I have a feeling that Caillet is on track to headlining her own shows.  Overall, a fantastic show, and I imagine that Sheryl Crow will spend the rest of the weekend in bed with tea.

Jonathan Groff Makes a Surprise Appearance at the Glee Concert – Sings With Lea Michele

Jonathan Groff and Lea Michele reunited on stage at the ‘Glee’ concert over the weekend.  Groff starred alongside Michele in the original Broadway cast of ‘Spring Awakening,’ and Michele referred to him as her “best friend” on stage.  Though he plays her boyfriend on ‘Glee,’ he wasn’t listed as one of the performers set to appear at the concert.  Watch Michele and Groff sing together below.

Pictures from ‘The Black Eyed Peas’ Concert in Los Angeles

I think Lady Gaga has upped the ante on concert attire.  Since she started her over the top fashion presence, everyone seems to want to copy it.  Below you’ll see pictures of Fergie from the ‘Black Eyed Peas’ concert on May 29, 2010.  Before Gaga, Fergie never would have dressed like that.