Category Archives: Artists Blogs

The Killers Perform All-Star Set in Tucson

Posted: May 9, 2013

Photos by Torey Mundkowsky

Guitarist/keyboardist Ted Sablay has known the guys in Las Vegas arena rockers the Killers for a few years, having joined them as a touring musician in support of 2006’s Sam’s Town.

Now, as the Killers embark on their North American tour on behalf of their supremely powerful Battle Born, Sablay can still be seen on stage with the Killers playing keys and his (left-handed) guitars.

The Killers’ tour recently ran through Tucson, Ariz., where they appeared at KMFA Day at Kino Stadium with Cake and Bad Religion.

With frontman Brandon Flowers holding the rabid crowd in the palm of his hand, Sablay added depth to the lush anthems the Killers have created over their accomplished career. (more…)

Tags: Battle Born, KMFA Day, Live Performance, Ted Sablay, The Killers
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Two Door Cinema Club Rock Coachella

Posted: May 8, 2013

During the recent two-weekend Coachella music festival, Irish rockers Two Door Cinema Club performed an evening set at the Outdoor Stage that had a huge crowd jamming along with them.

Perhaps that was because of their excellent opener of ”Sleep Alone,” which was the first single off their 2012 album Beacon.

Check out Two Door Cinema Club playing “Sleep Alone” in the clip after the jump and visit their official website for more information. (more…)

Tags: Coachella, Live Performance, Sleep Alone, Two Door Cinema Club
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Watch Willy Mason Perform Two Tracks Off Carry On

Posted: May 6, 2013

New York-born, Massachusetts-bred singer/songwriter Willy Mason has a busy summer planned, as he will be joining Mumford and Sons on their Gentlemen of the Road festival tour.

Mason came into 2013 on a roll, too, with the December 2012 release of his third album Carry On.

Mason recently stopped by the Gretsch Showroom in London to perform a few songs from that record, and his distinctive voice lends itself well to accompaniment from his Gretsch Electromatic guitar.

Watch Mason perform ”Into Tomorrow” and “I Got Gold” in the videos below and visit his official website for more information.

Tags: Carry On, Electromatic, I Got Gold, Into Tomorrow, Live Performance, Willy Mason
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Risa Binder Featured on CBS This Morning: Saturday

Posted: May 3, 2013

Singer/songwriter Risa Binder was featured on CBS This Morning: Saturday to perform a few songs off her critically-acclaimed debut album Paper Heart, which was recorded in Nashville.

Binder, who was recently nominated for a 2013 Daytime Emmy Award for Best Original Song for a Drama Series with her co-writing credit for “Just Like That” on General Hospital, pulled out the hopeful tune “Nashville” for her CBS appearance.

Check out her performance here and don’t miss the accompanying resonator from the Gretsch Roots Collection.

For more information, visit Binder’s official website.

Tags: Gretsch Roots Collection, Resonator, Risa Binder
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New CD from Skinny Jim & The Number 9 Blacktops

Posted: May 2, 2013

Earlier this year, Skinny Jim & the Number 9 Blacktops released their latest effort, Cool on My Right. Supersuckers frontman Eddie Spaghetti produced the album, which was recorded at Proletarian Studios in Indianapolis over an eight-day period.

“I wanted the album to have a raunchy rock feel,” said Skinny Jim frontman Jim Rotramel. “I wrote songs about monster trucks, strip clubs and the state of Kentucky. I also wanted rougher guitar tones than most of my older stuff. The album is definitely more rock ‘n’ roll than any of our previous material.”

In sticking with tradition, the album is named after one of the song’s lyrics. “Cool on my Right” is referenced in the album’s track, “Frankfort Avenue.”

“It’s about Sean Hopkins from the band Dallas Alice,” said Rotramel. “Sean has ‘Cool Hand’ tattooed on his knuckles, and the song’s lyrics go ‘Driving straight on through the night, hand on my left, cool on my right.’”

Rotramel revealed that most of the songs came together over those eight, surprisingly stress-free days at the Ken Avery-owned studio.

“Whoever wasn’t tracking at the time was upstairs writing, grilling out, or just hanging out on the couch,” said Rotramel. “The recording process is never really smooth but this one went pretty quick, with not too many stressful moments. I’m horrible about not finishing any songs before I go into the studio. Some songs we didn’t even know, and I think I only had one or two solos written when I went in. I left a lot of the songs open, in hopes that Eddie would help with what direction he thought they should go. He nailed it 110 percent!”

Spaghetti also sang backup vocals on a few of the tracks, which can be previewed or ordered on iTunes.

Tags: Cool Hand, Skinny Jim & The Number 9 Blacktops
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