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Video: Dr. Dog (Scott McMicken) - "Happy Birthday Part Two"
Adam King
August 24, 2010
So after reviewing last week's ridiculous Dr. Dog show on Governors Island off Manhattan‚ I realized how much I couldn't stop thinking about the two brand new Scotty McMicken songs they played. I've tried to find them online‚ but they're still way too brand new‚ until today somebody just posted an awesome cut of Scotty playing one live solo in Brooklyn the other night.

The first one was a rocker with a chorus of "I must have lost a lot of blood." The second was this mellow acoustic number called "Happy Birthday Part Two." It speaks for itself. The man knows how to write a goddamn good song.

Antibalas re-releases Who Is This America? | Features Bonus Track "Money Talks"
Mike McKinley
August 17, 2010
I'm excited to share the news that Antibalas' 2004 record Who Is This America? has been re-released today on Ropeadope with the Scott Harding produced bonus track "Money Talks." See the full press release below.

The political statement on Who Is This America? is just as bad ass and righteous as the grooves. It was an empowering record in the post-9/11 Bush/Cheney mess. And, unfortunately, we're still in the thick of the aftermath -- it makes this record just as important and urgent as it felt in 2004.

Who Is This America? also sounds as fresh today as it did six years ago, wearing the longevity stamp that all great records have. It's one of favorites of the 2000s, and certainly one of the most relevant to the times. If you missed it the first time around‚ get on it now.

Oh‚ I also wore the shit out of the t-shirt too -- it was (is) a beauty. Ropeadope is also re-releasing the "Running Man" T-shirt. Bravo. Mine's still holding up a bit.

Listen to "Big Man" from Who Is This America?





Brooklyn‚ NY -- Antibalas is set to have their modern day afrobeat classic‚ Who Is This America?‚ reissued by Ropeadope on August 17. While it's common for influential recordings to receive reissue treatment decades later or around specific anniversaries‚ Ropeadope has made the decision to bring back the Brooklyn-based collective's 2004 album just six years from its initial release for one primary reason: "The questions and powerful social statements on the record are as relevant today as they were in 2004. 'Big Man' is a powerful musical essay on consumerism and the system of continued oppression that it supports‚ while the title track is even more poignant as our nation continues the struggle for its collective identity in the face of a changing world."

The third album to be recorded and released by Antibalas through that point in time‚ Who Is This America? was conceived in post-September 11th New York City. As George Bush tried (and later succeeded) in holding on to his presidency‚ Antibalas was fueling the fires of protest with its powerful musical rhetoric. The 17-piece band simultaneously indicted politicians‚ ignited a musical tsunami and turned a new generation of listeners on to afrobeat for the first time. In a May 2004 review of the seven-track effort‚ Pitchfork declared: "Who Is This America?‚ which in the midst of the current trickle-up afrobeat revival‚ has Antibalas bringing a more galvanized and urgent righteous noise than ever before‚ and proving they lead the pack when it comes to the re-imagining and recreating of Fela's archetypal art-form."

Who Is This America? will be reissued on CD with a previously unreleased track produced by Scott Harding entitled "Money Talks." The iTunes version of the reissue will include the exclusive cut‚ "Paz." Additionally‚ a special limited edition package featuring the CD‚ the album download and a reprint of the original Ropeadope "Running Man" t-shirt will be sold at both Antibalas' and Ropeadope's websites. Jerry Garcia - 15 Years Later
Mike McKinley
August 9, 2010


Today marks the 15th year since Jerry Garcia passed away. There hasn't been one August 9th that's gone by where I didn't stop to reflect on the music he made.

I'll never forget that morning waking up and getting the news. Despite all the sadness, I believe that day brought to light what we already knew: this music was only going to get stronger and get passed on with the same significance as we felt for it.

I was a few weeks shy of nineteen when Garcia died. I only had four Grateful Dead shows under my belt with tickets to see them that fall at MSG (see photo above). That was an amazing time of wonderment and discovery in my life. I was young and the Dead were a significant part of the music that filled the air while I went through immense spiritual and educational growth. For the first time I was completely comfortable with myself, and in large part it was brought on by discovering the power of music -- I had an incredible thirst for it. As young as I was, I knew I was tapping into something that would be part of my core forever.

I'm pretty sure most people who are really into Garcia's music feel this way. It's a powerful statement on the depth and longevity of his music to see how it has evolved over the past fifteen years. Five years ago, State of Mind did a series of interviews with musicians and music industry people about their experiences with Garcia and the legacy of his music. It was amazing then to hear all the passionate stories. And it's amazing that five years later, and fifteen years after his death, the music is resonating louder than ever. It's getting passed down and discovered by a new generation. It's still evolving through what the members of the band are doing (Furthur, Phil & Friends, Ratdog, Rhythm Devils, etc.) and through all the different avenues that so many musicians are taking in interpreting and putting their own spin on the music. For me, the most significant part of Garcia's music is rediscovery. It's exhilarating as all hell to still be learning and finding new meaning in this music. Each passing year, it feels like I understand a new layer of its depth.

Cheers -- here's to all the great music that Jerry Garcia left us.

Robbie Fulks is in Town
Gary Miller
August 4, 2010
Must-see show alert: alt country genius Robbie Fulks solo at the Big Picture Theater in Waitsfield, VT. He's touring in support of his new CD "Happy," a countrified Michael jackson tribute. In addition to MJ covers, you can expect hardcore, whiskey-drinkin' country, scorching satire,and flatpicking at a SERIOUS major-league level. Robbie also plays with a full band saturday at Valley Stage in Huntington VT.

Read our interview from last year with Robbie here. Free Pretty Lights EP - Spilling Over Every Side
Mike McKinley
July 30, 2010
Download Pretty Lights new EP Spilling Over Every Side for free at www.PrettyLightsMusic.com. This is the second (of three) free EP's Pretty Lights will release this year. Bravo!

I just caught PL at Camp Bisco -- super impressive set. Here are upcoming dates‚ including a sold-out headlining show at Red Rocks:

08/07 MORRISON‚ COLORADO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
08/14 SAN FRANCISCO‚ CA Outside Lands
08/14 SAN FRANCISCO‚ CA The Independent (night show)
08/25 KNOXVILLE‚ TN The Valarium
08/26 MEMPHIS‚ TN Minglewood Hall
08/28 NEW ORLEANS‚ LA CAC Warehouse
09/03 CHICAGO‚ IL North Coast Music Festival
09/04 NEW YORK‚ NY Electric Zoo Festival
09/05 AUSTIN‚ TX Nocturnal Festival
09/25 SANTA BARBARA‚ CA West Beach Festival

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