Philly welcomes folkies for 53rd annual fest

2013 Philadelphia Folk Festival stage (Shaun Smith).
2013 Philadelphia Folk Festival stage (Shaun Smith).

More than 50 years of musical tradition will continue at the Old Pool Farm for the Philadelphia Folk Festival Aug. 15-17 in Upper Salford Township.

The lineup for the 53rd annual Folk Festival includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Steep Canyon Rangers, Janis Ian and Loudon Wainwright III. These performers are mixed in throughout an intoxicating three days of crafts, workshops and a variety of musical performances.

Brief update on my hiatus

Things have been busy at the High Note and WordSmith. I've been steadily picking up work and also keeping up with music.   The Firefly 2014 story is pretty epic so I'm going to break […]

Atley Moon acoustic May 31 at Maynard’s in Margate

Atley Moon will perform an acoustic set 6-10 p.m. Friday, May 31 at Maynard's Cafe in Margate.
Atley Moon will perform an acoustic set 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at Maynard’s Cafe in Margate.

The soulful summer sounds of Atley Moon and the Say Something Sound Machine will bring Motown to Margate with an acoustic set 6-10 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at Maynards’s Cafe, 9306 Amherst Ave.

The band has a strong following in both South Jersey and Philadelphia and are summertime mainstays at Yesterday’s in Marmora and The Whitebriar in Avalon. Philadelphians have shown the band a lot of love after years of great gigs and a stellar performance at World Cafe Live.

New Music Tuesday April 22, 2014

A new feature to The High Note will round up what music rises to the top each Tuesday when new albums are released. My highlights for Tuesday, April 22 include new music from old favorites […]

Real Estate hits home with “Atlas”

Real Estate from Ridgewood, N.J. (Courtsey of the band/ Shawn Brackbill)
Real Estate from Ridgewood, N.J. (Courtsey of the band/ Shawn Brackbill)

Why can’t it feel like summer? I’m not just longing for beautiful weather and endless days spent wandering the miles of New Jersey shoreline. “Atlas,” the latest release by Real Estate, has given me a new perspective on summer fun. As I waded into immersive sound that comprises the third album by the band that hails from Ridgewood N.J. I found myself seeing the entire world through the warmth of summer’s glow.

Real Estate has a modern rock ‘n’ roll sound. Leading off with a sultry and bluesy guitar intro, “The Bend” is among the best songs on the album and features some of the best guitar work including a very Zepplin-esk outro. One of my favorite aspects of this album is the jammy riffs that are prominent throughout the 10 tracks here and is a signature of band.

Fanfarlo shows evolution with ‘Let’s Go Extinct’

"Let's Go Extinct" by Fanfarlo was released Monday, Feb. 10 by the band's own New World Records in the United Kingdom.
“Let’s Go Extinct” by Fanfarlo.

Fanfarlo takes listeners on a musical and philosophical journey into the future with its third third full-length album, “Let’s Go Extinct.” The album is an adventurous leap in the time machine both back to 80s by incorporating synth melodies and into the future with progressive, futuristic themes by the London folk quartet.

Released Feb. 10 on the Fanfarlo’s own New World Records label in the United Kingdom and by The Orchard in the United States, the 10 tracks of “Let’s Go Extinct” were enjoyable and weird. I fell in love with the eclectic band after hearing the heavily trumpeted “The Walls Are Coming Down,” from its first album, “Reservoir” released in 2009. Although I didn’t find “Rooms Filled WIth Light” from 2012 until late last year, Fanfarlo has held a warm spot in my inner-ear.

“So Long, See You Tomorrow” is an enjoyable ride with Bombay Bicycle Club

The members of Bombay Bicycle Club with a poster announcing the release of "So Long, See You Tomorrow." (Courtesy of the artist.)
The members of Bombay Bicycle Club with a poster announcing the release of “So Long, See You Tomorrow.” (Courtesy of the artist.)

With the bitter chill of February rattling windows throughout the northeastern United States, there is a hopeful reprieve found in “So Long, See You Tomorrow,” the latest album by Bombay Bicycle Club.