Pete Francis
When Dispatch broke up after ten successful years Pete Francis decided to embark on a solo career. Pete’s most recent album, Iron Sea and the Calvary, shows off his talents as a singer/songwriter capable of writing mellow rootsy songs that will have you tapping your toes along with the music. The album kinda reminds me of the best of The Wallflowers mixed with the energy of Cracker, a heady mix to this writer. Perhaps the best part of the album is the instrumentation, which features layers of B-3 organ, lap-steel guitar, mandolin, and a driving rhythm section backing Francis’ soulful delivery. You can catch Pete this summer at Mountain Jam, Wakarusa, Milwaukee’s Summerfest or at any of the numerous tour dates he’s planned. You won’t be sorry. – Scott Bernstein
The Idan Reichel Project
The Idan Reichel Project is a fascinating musical undertaking. To be clear, he is a Blip on our radar screen, but has a huge following in Israel, as well has a devout worldwide fan base amidst Israeli ex-pats and new discoverers. Idan Reichel is a 30-year born in Kfar Saba, Israel. Reichel produces and writes the Idan Reichel Project’s music as well as plays keyboards and accordion, while typically lending lead vocal duties to collaborators for all over the world. The shifting vocalist is most appealing, because it translates to each song soundly vastly different from the next. While the initial impression of a lot of the tunes is that they are perhaps excessively chipper and feel a bit too much like the end of a game show, but I’d ask you to let it settle in.
The various Middle Eastern string instruments add nice color and the positive vibe he creates for areas of the world where not everything is so positive, is inspiring. Ultimately, Reichel is succeeding in uniting people musically with a positive message across Israel, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. As much as Michael Franti is going to hate us for saying this, Reichel really seems to have a musical revolution underway and we very well may be looking at the modern generation Bob Marley. – Rupert
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The Weather Underground
I’m going to come clean here: the only reason I stumbled upon the music of The Weather Underground was just because I loved their name. How could you not want to check out a group named in honor of the ’60s radical group? Don’t expect this L.A. based band to sound anything the like the agro-political rock of the MC5 or Rage Against The Machine though. Their latest EP, Bird In The Hand (their third in less then a year), reminded me of the bombastic organ-drenched sound of The Walkman right off the bat. Lead singer Harley Prechtel-Cortez’s voice has a bit of Eddie Vedder’s warble in it – especially on the EP’s title track. The Weather Underground are playing bills with everyone from Dead Confederate to Matt Costa to the French Kicks, with stops at Bonnaroo and High Sierra mixed in. – Some Dude
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25 Responses
I gotta admit, I was interested to see Pete Francis open for Greyboy last month, but it was pretty awful.
Weather Underground is super sick. Highly recommend folks checking them out.
Nice work, “SD”.
Thanks! Really digging that EP, going to have to pick up the other ones.
I got to admit I am a little more than obssessed with the Weather Underground. I love them. Thye’ve got the most amazing music and vibe.
Glad you guys got a glimpse of what The Brew do! Those guys are amazing, and on fire right now! Tons of tour dates…I can’t get enough!
The Brew is easily the best band you’ve never heard of. Chances are they are playing a show in your area soon, so do yourself a favor and check them out! You wont regret it!
If I were stranded on a desert Island and could only listen to one band the rest of my life, it would be The Brew, hands down. Every time I go to a show I am blown away and have the time of my life, and every time I listen to their music at home, I’m instantly in a better mood. If you’ve never seen The Brew, you don’t know what you’re missing!!!!
If you want a audio experience you have to see/hear The Brew! Talent abound!
So glad to see this. The Brew improves my over-all quality of life.
I was so glad to see the Brew on this list. I have been seeing their shows all around New England for 2 years. I have never traveled so far and so frequently to see concerts as I have for the Brew (mainly because there is nothing else like them).
Truely unique and inspired music!
The BREW blows my mind everytime i see them. they turn each song into a new experience everytime i see them. i’ve been all over new england for these guys!
The Brew always leaves wanting more and more and more and more and more and more and more. im actually leaving in an hour or so to see them tonight at the muddy river smokehouse.
Love that The Brew made your list. These guys are the real deal. I’ve been seeing live music very regularly for over a decade now and I can tell when a band has IT. The Brew has it.
The Brew’s music will take your breath away:) Then. after the show when you get to meet them, you’ll fall in love even more. Because not only are they incredible performers, they are GREAT people. They do the best they can to make their fans happy, becase there fans mean as much to them as they do to us:)
and their music kicks ass of course:)
the brew are truly something special… a band whose potential appears limitless. great song writing skills and outstanding live delivery bring the brew to the top of my list for recommendations
these guys are amazing. i love seeing the recognition their getting! i even have my 4yr old daughter hooked on their musuc 🙂
I think the Brew is what everyone has been waiting for. I’ve been into their music for the past two years and have attended several shows. Bottom line, every time I see them I am blown away. Go see them!!
The Brew has made going to shows a great time for me again. I have been traveling for years seeing live music and to find good friends and great musicians in my area have made going to shows a blast again!!
The Brew is the best sound you’ll hear on the scene this summer.
(Nothing more to be said; Prove me wrong)
The Brew is the new sound that everyone hasnt heard and needs to.
The lyrics, the composition, the live show! Everything about the Brew delivers. I first saw them in 2003 I think in Norridgewock, Maine and since then have been a loyal fan to these amazing musicians! From their very start you could hear the energy and force driving these guys and I can only hope more ears can be opened to the message they carry with them. If you’ve just got out of work, and you haven’t heard the Brew, do sit down and have a pint!!