YSIW Three Year Anniversary Show 2 Weeks Away!

Flier design by Wendy Hu

Just wanted to post a friendly reminder of my three year blog anniversary/site relaunch concert on November 12th at Southpaw in Brooklyn! Wendy sent me an amazing flier that I plan to start posting around Brooklyn, so feel free to grab it and do the same.


Since it's just two weeks away, I'm taking a hiatus updating the blog in order to make sure all the content is ready. Be sure to follow me on Twitter for my up-to-the-minute adventures.

With a solid mix of hip-hop, folk, rock and pop artists, November 12th proves to be a fun night of music. Feel free to RSVP on Facebook. Complete details are below.

Friday, November 12th at Southpaw, Brooklyn (125 5th Ave)

The N Result / Alexa Wilkinson / Tor Miller Band / Whale Belly

18+ w/ ID

admission: $10

door time: 8PM

A portion of the ticket sales will go to the American Cancer Society in memory of Silvia DeAngelis.

Hope to see you there!

Related Links:
• I'm Not A Groupie: A Music Lover's Tale of Getting That Interview
• YSIW Celebrates Two Years!
• I'm With the Band
• Top 10 Interviews

Lady Antebellum Talk Dating, Drunk Dialing and Dylan

To say 2010 is Lady Antebellum's year would be an understatement. The trio kicked things off in January with the release of their sophomore album, Need You Now, and a Grammy win for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group under their belt. The nominations continued, as the band has five nods at both the CMA Awards and American Music Awards next month -- tying them with the number of nods Eminem received for the latter awards show.

I chatted with Lady A's Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley at their recent benefit performance in New York about success, songwriting (they've already begun penning a follow up to Need You Now) and why you should put that phone down at "a quarter after one."

What is your songwriting process like?

Dave: If anything, it's really musical. We start a lot with melodies and instrumentation and trying to figure out good melodies for verses and choruses. We get to lyrics sometimes second, so we'll start humming a melody, finding something, and see where the music takes you as far as lyrics are and what you want to say and go from there. We love great melodies and great songs that have great hooks and melodies, so we start a little bit more on that side as opposed to other people that start more lyric-based. Sometimes we'll do it the other way.

For my complete interview with Lady Antebellum, visit The Boot.

Related Links:
• Sara Evans, 'A Little Bit Stronger' -- Story Behind the Lyrics
• Lady Antebellum, Amos Lee Dazzle for Musicians On Call
• Q&A with Lady Antebellum
• Lady Antebellum Bring Nashville to New York at Sold-Out Show

YSIW Celebrates Three Years --Thank You!

Interview with Martina McBride, CMA Festival 2009

Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

It's hard to believe that three years ago today I wrote my very first blog post! Fresh out of college in a non-writing related job, I yearned for a creative outlet and my former MTV colleagues suggested I start a music blog. I'm so glad I did.

Interview with Vince Scheuerman of Army of Me, Union Hall 2007

Hundreds of shows and interviews later, I can't imagine a day without posting a review, feature, or Q&A. Along the way I've interviewed some of my favorite musicians, had my share of exclusive content and a few starstruck moments. Whether it was chatting with Pat Benatar on the phone, stumping Lady Antebellum on a few questions or struggling with a lost voice and fever while interviewing Better Than Ezra, I'm still in disbelief that this is my life.


Interview with Fergie, Zootopia 2009

Thank you so much for keeping up with You Sing I Write over the past three years! There's nothing I love more than reading your comments, questions for artists, and show recommendations. You're the reason I continually update the site. I have many exciting things lined up in the next few weeks with my site redesign and video interviews — can't wait for you to see! I'd love to meet you all at my big bash at Southpaw November 12. Make sure you come and say hi!

Related Links:
• I'm Not A Groupie: A Music Lover's Tale of Getting That Interview
• YSIW Celebrates Two Years!
• I'm With the Band
• Top 10 Interviews

Life Analysis: Through Music

Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

It has happened to all of us. You hear a song that takes you back to a specific time and place. Whether it be your childhood, college or an experience that has drastically changed your life, for the good or the bad, you’re transformed back into that moment in time.

Last weekend Monica and I worked from home and she played music from her Gaslight Anthem Pandora station (we’re obsessed with this Jersey band so much so that I think we’ve convinced Farrah to come out to their next show). While some obscure bands came up that we never heard of, I was ecstatic when Jimmy Eat World’s “A Praise Chorus” came on.

“Are you gonna live your life wonderin’ standing in the back lookin’ around?
Are you gonna waste your time thinkin’ how you’ve grown up or how you missed out?
Things are never gonna be the way you want.
Where’s it gonna get you acting serious?
Things are never gonna be quite what you want.
Even at 25, you gotta start sometime.
…
Someone’s gonna ask you what it’s all about
Stick around nostalgia won’t let you down
Someone’s gonna ask you what it’s all about
Whatcha gonna have to say for yourself?”


For my complete article, visit Busted Halo.

The Ataris Bring Music, Nostalgia to Hoboken

"Come up close," frontman Kris Roe said before he kicked off his set at Maxwell's Sunday night. "We're a band from Indiana called The Ataris."

Not that concertgoers weren't aware. For most, The Ataris were a part of their childhood. Song requests were screamed out all night spanning their album catalogue. While Roe often joked with the crowd, most requests were played.

While the band has seen numerous lineup changes over the years, die-hard fans found comfort in that Roe continues to sing the songs they grew up on with the same passion he did over a decade ago.

For the complete review, visit Hoboken Patch.

Related Links:
• Q&A with Kris Roe of the Ataris: Part 1
• Q&A with Kris Roe of the Ataris: Part 2
• The Ataris' "Blue Skies, Broken Hearts" Acoustic Tour Hits New Jersey
• Song of the Week: "Boys of Summer"

Sara Evans, 'A Little Bit Stronger' -- Story Behind the Lyrics

Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

Last week, I interviewed Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum before their benefit concert for Musicians On Call at City Winery. Hillary filled me in on the story behind one of the songs she wrote, Sara Evans' latest single, "A Little Bit Stronger." A very personal song, she said it's a track that means more to her now then when first written.

For the complete article, visit The Boot. Stay tuned for my exclusive interview with Lady Antebellum in the upcoming weeks!

Join YSIW for CMJ Thursday Night in Williamsburg!

I'm psyched to be hosting my first CMJ party next Thursday night in Williamsburg! The show will feature performances by two of my favorite New York bands including The Ramblers, The Canon Logic and Los Angeles based Nightmare and The Cat.

Free shirts from CPHARRIK, and all kinds of delicious food from YIEatN will also be provided. The show starts at 10pm and all are welcome, but space is limited so make sure you RSVP. Come say hi if you do stop by!

Complete details below:

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Food: 7:30pm, Show: 10pm

132 N 5th St, Brooklyn, NY

RSVP: mission2cmj@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!

Lady Antebellum, Amos Lee Dazzle for Musicians On Call

Lady Antebellum Fan Club Party
2009 CMA Music Festival
Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

Lady Antebellum filled fans in on the meaning behind their hits Wednesday night during the sixth annual benefit concert for Musicians On Call at New York's City Winery. Having volunteered at St. Jude's in Nashville, Lady A's Hillary Scott explained how much the non-profit, which brings live music to the bedsides of patients at hospitals, means to the band.

"We're very excited about helping the cause and raising money," Hillary tells The Boot. "Music is so healing. Whether you're in a hospital bed or you're driving down the road just broken up with your boyfriend, it has such a healing power. What better way than to go into hospitals and equip musicians to sing for these patients who are just looking for a smile?"

Though Lady A have yet to perform at hospitals for Musicians On Call, with a chapter in Nashville, band members Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood say it's a cause they plan to get involved with. "We're not curing diseases or anything, but to be able to put a smile on somebody's face during a tough time can always be a cure as well," Dave says.

For my complete review of last night's show, visit The Boot. Stay tuned for my exclusive interviews with Lady Antebellum and Amos Lee in the coming weeks!

Save the Date: YSIW's 3-Year Anniversary Bash November 12

I am beyond excited to announce that my site redesign will be complete next month! Wendy Hu (photographer and designer extraordinaire), Joel Brower (programmer guru) and I are working hard to migrate all the content and have the site fully functioning for my 3-year celebration November 12th at Southpaw in Brooklyn.

Since it's just under a month away, I'll be posting less frequently in order to make sure all the content is ready so follow me on Twitter for my up-to-the-minute adventures. With that said, feel free to read through past interviews (on the right sidebar) and I'll be back from time to time because I can't stop writing altogether!

I can't wait for my big bash November 12th. I've been putting together shows for the past two years, but this year is by far the most diverse lineup and showcases bands you NEED to know! We have a solid mix of hip-hop, folk, rock and pop artists that I really think you'll dig. Stay tuned for the official flier and for more info, check out the bands who will be playing below!

Friday, November 12th at Southpaw, Brooklyn (125 5th Ave)

The N Result / Alexa Wilkinson / Tor Miller Band / Whale Belly

18+ w/ ID

admission: $10

door time: 8PM

A portion of the ticket sales will go to the American Cancer Society

Watch Tor Miller Band perform a cover of Ray LaMontagne's "You Are the Best Thing" at last year's bash below. Maybe I can make another request for it this year. What do you think? Hope to see you November 12th!

Song of the Week: "Our Kind of Love"

Their third No. 1 single off sophomore release, Need You Now, Lady Antebellum have been making waves in the music scene. Being that I'll be interviewing them next week and spent the past few days researching and watching old videos, I thought it'd be fitting to make "Our Kind of Love" my song of the week.

If you have any questions you've been dying to ask Lady A, let me know in the comments!

Watch "Our Kind of Love" below.

Music As Religion?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve turned to music when questioning life and making major decisions. While some find solace in prayer, going to church or synagogue, I simply go to my iTunes playlist.

Blasphemy?

To some.

For me, not so much. My criteria is simple.

Major life questioning: Switchfoot

Simply unwinding: John Mayer

Nostalgic for my childhood: Backstreet Boys

And my most recent addition:

Sheer disbelief and being thankful: Pat Benatar

For my complete article, visit Busted Halo.

Gaslight Anthem at Radio City: A Review

Photo Credit: Tony Cano

New Jersey favorites the Gaslight Anthem packed Radio City Music Hall Thursday night for a marathon set of nearly two hours. While the band showcased songs from their entire catalogue, their gratitude to fans was apparent as frontman Brian Fallon continually thanked fans when he could find the words.

Shortly after 9 p.m. Radio City went dark while “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” played through the speakers. The band took the stage to screaming fans and powered through “High Lonesome,” “Boxer,” “We Came to Dance” and “The Diamond Church Street Choir,” an impressive variety of songs from their three full length albums before Fallon addressed the crowd for the first time.

“Radio City. We started playing in basements. Elvis might even show up. I know we’re in New York, but I imagine New Jersey is represented in the crowd tonight.”

For the complete review, visit BumperShine.

Related Links:
• You Sing, I Write's Top 5 Concerts of 2009
• Band of the Week: Gaslight Anthem
• Five Albums to Prolong Your Summer
• All Points West: Music, Mud Wrestling, and Beer Gardens

Band of the Week: MayOrWest

Together since 2005, MayOrWest got their start practicing at guitarist Pete Cataldo's apartment on Hoboken's Jackson Street. The four-piece alternative punk rock band has since performed throughout Mile Square City at venues including Maxwell's and The Dubliner, the location of their first show.

"Our friend bartended there and said he could get us a gig. We only had three original songs, [so I told him] we could play a bunch of covers," Cataldo said.

The band played nearly 30 songs for three-and-a-half hours. An enjoyable experience, they've been performing and recording ever since.

I sat down with the quartet outside Hotel Victor Bar and Grill over beers as they filled me in on their lives as musicians, the inspiration behind their songs and near death van experiences traveling to gigs. Easy-going personalities coupled with a hard work ethic, MayOrWest is one Hoboken act to pay attention to.

For my complete interview, visit Hoboken Patch.

Related Links:
• Band of the Week: The Boxer Rebellion
• Artist of the Week: Joy Ike
• Artist of the Week: Amy Regan
• Band of the Week: Titus Andronicus

Video Premiere: Benjamin Wagner's "Forever Young"

Last week, I told you how you could be featured in Benjamin Wagner's latest music video, "Forever Young," the title track off his new album. Today, he was kind enough to allow me to premiere the video for the song. Watch the video below and if you missed the benefit and CD release concert this past Saturday, be sure to download a copy here.

Tracks on Forever Young include "Rainbow Connection" (with Amber Rubarth), "Golden Slumbers" (with Casey Shea), and "You've Got A Friend" (with Mai Bloomfield). Proceeds benefit children's media research and advocacy.



For more information on the project and the inspiration behind each song, visit BenjaminWagner.com.

Related Links:
• "Forever Young" For the Young and Young at Heart
• Artist to Watch: Amber Rubarth
• Jamie Leonhart Keeps Standing Room Only Crowd Singing
• A Family Holiday Album to Benefit Young Writers