A-Sides' sessions typically feature artists performing their song and chatting about their work (and anything that drifts into my mind and theirs) in an informal way. Other times, the series is simply a video or print Q&A. For today, I'll focus solely on the music. Tim Noyes, an ultra-talented singer/songwriter, stopped by the Primary Wave Music Listening Room a few weeks back to film an A-Sides session. He performed a pair of beautiful tunes, and talked about them very candidly - heck, he even did a cover during the interview of Tupac and Dr. Dre's "California Love." No, I'm not kidding. Yes, it was amazeballs. I'll post the interview on asidesmusic.com later this week, but salivate until them while watching this indie folkster - who fronts the folk band Aunt Martha by the way - do what he does best: perform his poignant music. "Back to California" and "Fade With You" are off his new solo album In Hands, and you can see them, hear them, and feel them below.
"Back to California"
"Fade With You"
Not to make an easy "that's what she said" joke, but Singapore emcee Kevin Lester AKA "The LionCityBoy" has been going it pretty hard this year. He performed at CMJ's Music Marathon, and has played SXSW and Canadian Music Week --- all in support of his recently-dropped debut EP Everything You Love, You Hate." The popular Signaporean hip-hop star played two tracks for A-Sides, and knocked it out of the proverbial park. Watch first single "Here Me Go" below, and "Blue Ribbon" right below that. You're welcome.
"Blue Ribbon"
Rounding out today's A-Sides is an impromptu performance from Ryan Egan of the New Jersey rock band The Ugly Club. Two weeks ago, he performed "Under the Great Wave" from inside a restroom at Corx Wine and Liquors in White Plains. The performance occurred after I explained to Egan that just prior to A-Sides, I launched a music series that takes place in a public bathroom called "Live...in the can." I think Egan's going to help revive that under the A-Sides banner after the performance below. Enjoy.
A-Sides "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each Tuesday A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve"based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and listened to and liked (phew), posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls, and - most importantly - the songs my 15-month-old son gravitates toward. Yeah, you read that right. This weeks follows below (LW= last week's rank):
12. "Put Me To Work" (LW=12)- Papa
11. "Lazy Bones" - Green Day
10. "Bleeding Out" (LW-8) - Imagine Dragons
9."Get Free" - Major Lazer
8. "You Ha Ha Ha" - Charli XCX
7. "Now I'm All Messed Up" (LW 7)- Tegan and Sara
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSUw3El7UzI
6. "Waves" (LW-4) - Blondfire
5. "Stir It Up" - Bob Marley
4. "Heartbeat" (LW5)- The Kopecky Family Band (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
3. "Recover" (LW6) - CHVRCHES
2. "San Francisco"(LW-1) - The Mowgli's (Watch A-Sides Performance Here)
1. "Out of My League" (LW-2) - Fitz and the Tantrums
About asidesmusic.com
Jon Chattman's "A-Sides Music" series usually features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing. Support A-Sides' Kickstarter campaign here!