Jimmy Gnecco (of Ours) - Studio at Webster Hall, NYC, 7.17.2011

So I'm doing things a little out of order here, but that's what keeps life interesting, right? I originally wasn't planning on going to this show, since it was a Sunday night and weeknight shows can be hard for me with travel and work. But I was already going to be in NYC that weekend for the Culture Fix show the previous Friday so with a little bit of convincing, I decided to stay the full weekend and wrap my 4-show run at the Studio at Webster Hall. I'm so glad I did - it was one of the most awesome shows I've been to. But let me back up and start at the beginning.

Jimmy Gnecco - Northstar Bar, Philadelphia 6.24.11

Photo Courtesy of Lisa Gansky Photography

This was the show that we almost didn't make it to thanks to the traffic from hell. But we made it, just as Lukas Rossi was finishing his set, so we didn't miss any of Jimmy.  Northstar is a cool venue with a high stage, so even if you're standing in the back of the room, you can still see the performer. When we first walked in, Lukas Rossi was just finishing up and was sitting on a chair on the stage. Even though I was at the bar, I could still see him and the acoustic were great. In addition, there is an upstairs balcony that pretty much hangs right over the top of the stage. Its a nice alternative that gives you a different perspective. Its also nice when its super crowded. The show that night wasn't, but there was still a good crowd.

Jimmy Gnecco - Mystery Video + Summer Tour Dates

The video for Jimmy Gnecco's  Mystery, off of The Heart was released yesterday and its simply gorgeous. This song became a quick favorite from the minute I heard it - the video makes me love it more. I'd love to know who the song is about but I get the vibe that it's so insanely personal I know that I'd never ask Jimmy about it. He has mentioned that he wrote it in about 30 seconds though!



Also, Jimmy is touring this summer. Check out the dates!  More details on JimmyGnecco.com

June 24 - Northstar Bar, Philadelphia, PA
June 25 - Blind Tiger, Greensboro, NC
June 29 - Rodriguez Room @ The Goat Farm, Atlanta, GA
June 30 - Pale Eddies, Birmingham, AL
July 2 - Allways Lounge, New Orleans, LA
July 5 - The Plaza Live, Orlando, FL
July 7 - 12th and Porter, Nashville, TN
July 8 - Rumba Cafe, Columbus, OH
July 10 - TT the Bear's, Cambridge, MA
July 14 - Jammin' Java, Vienna, VA
July 15 - Culture Fix, New York, NY
July 17 - The Studio at Webster Hall, New York, NY
July 28 - The Walnut Room, Denver, CO
July 31 - Martini Ranch, Scottsdale, AZ
August 3 - Stubbs BBQ (Inside), Austin, TX
August 5 - The Prophet Bar, Dallas, TX

More dates TBA.

One Year Later + Music that Inspires Me

I realized the other day that I've had this blog for a full year. I can't believe it's been that long - and its been quite a year. Looking back - the amount of shows I've been to, the amount of things I've done - I just can't wrap my head around it. I feel like I've done a lot and shared so many experiences - and just the fact that I've kept up with it for so long. When I started, I was just doing this for me, and while I still am - I also love sharing it with all of you - thank you to everyone who's read this, supported it, and shared it. I am excited to see what the future brings!

That all being said, I've been thinking about doing a post about this the last few days, and I figured this was a good tie in with the sentimental post. I'm inspired by music daily and it sometimes hits like a ton of bricks and sometimes it worms its way into my head over a period of time. Here are a few songs that have inspired me over the last year.

Ours - Ran Away to Tell The World
This song was one of the sneaky ones. It wormed its way into my head over a period of time and just didn't leave. It's now one of my favorite songs and one that I listen to to feed my brain daily and to remind me that I can't wait around for things to happen - I need to make them happen.

Ryan Star - 11:59
The whole album actually ties in with the theme of live in the moment and don't let life pass you by because the best times are the ones right now, but I just love the simplicity of it. I first heard it the first time I heard him play live and went nuts trying to find it because I needed it in my life, and I'm glad to say, it was absolutely worth the wait.

30 Seconds to Mars - Closer to the Edge
This came about kind of randomly - I saw 30STM 2 weeks ago in Boston, as I'd won tickets. I've liked them for awhile and really really loved their latest album, but this song hit me like a ton of bricks when I ended up really listening to the lyrics. And now I've fallen down the rabbit hole. Which is really not a bad place to be!

I'm headed to NYC this weekend to catch Plain Jane Automobile's release show and also Mike Robins is playing an acoustic set, so look for posts on both of those next week. :)

Jimmy Gnecco - Railroad Playhouse, Newburgh NY 4.9.11

Last Saturday night, I had the innate pleasure of seeing Jimmy in an intimate setting, performing The Heart straight through, from start to finish. And to top it off, it was my birthday. It was one of the most amazing and incredible things, to sit and hear Jimmy give us a taste of the way this album was recorded. But I'll back up and start at the beginning.

Jimmy Gnecco - SXSW 2011 - Videos from Ginger Man Added

For the second year in a row, Jimmy Gnecco has played at Austin's week long music festival South by Southwest (better known as SXSW) - and wouldn't you know, some videos are turning up! The first video is of Devil, a brand new song first previewed at the Maxwell's show back in December - it was fantastic to hear it again!

I can't wait to get a clean recording of this, but the sound's pretty good on this one:


Jimmy Gnecco - Devil (live) from Momito! on Vimeo.

Jimmy Gnecco - Videos from Wembley 11.27.10

Jimmy Gnecco toured with A-Ha on their farewell tour late last year, and the last tour stop was Wembley Arena in London. What a trip it must have been for him to be playing in such an iconic venue. Regardless, I came across some videos from this show that I thought I'd share. Thanks to ahanews for posting these.










 Mystery

Jimmy Gnecco - Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ 12/19/10

This was my last show of 2010 and I almost didn't make it! The show had originally been announced back in October, and I had made tentative plans to go, provided the weather cooperated. The week before the show, the weather had been calling for a major snowstorm that Sunday into Monday. I'd been bumming out and praying the storm went out to sea so I could go - and that was what happened. Friday night before the show, it was confirmed the storm was going out to sea, and I made my plans to go. I arrived late afternoon on Sunday and hung out for awhile before I got ready to go and left, thinking I'd arrive in plenty of time. Boy was I wrong! The show was uncharacteristically early, and what should have taken about 15 minutes to get to Maxwells took almost 45, thanks to traffic from the Giants game. But I arrived about 5 minutes before doors opened and met up with some friends before heading into the venue.

Jimmy Gnecco w/Plain Jane Automobile - Don Hills, NYC 10.2.10

I was pretty stoked when this show was announced, as I try to get down to NYC/NJ for Jimmy's shows when I can swing it, and being on a Saturday night, there was really no excuse not to make plans to go. I talked Lisa into coming with me (it didn't take much convincing, honestly) and that Saturday once she got out of class, we headed to NYC. I called Bill when we arrived so he could come down and show us where to park as he let us park in his neighborhood- and let me tell you, trying to find a parking space in New York is an entertaining experience. After driving around for about a half hour, we finally found one and parked and hightailed it to the subway to get where we were staying.

Jimmy Gnecco w/Plain Jane Automobile - Hard Rock Cafe, Boston 9.28.10

I was excited about this show when it was first announced as it's been about 2 years since Jimmy's played in Boston and headlined. He was here opening for Greg Laswell in May, but the last time Jimmy was in Boston with his band was September 24, 2008. Fun fact about that date - it was the first time I'd ever seen Jimmy play live - and as you can see, it certainly hasn't been the last. The fact that this show was almost 2 years to the date of my first show made it a bit more special. Michelle came up from Philadelphia to go to the show with me, and it was fun to see her - I really can't believe she did the trek from Philly for a day - but I'm glad she did!

I met up with her around 5:30 and we went, had dinner and caught up before heading over to the Hard Rock. We arrived a bit early and doors weren't open just yet, so we poked around in the store and wandered outside to see if we'd run into anyone we knew. Instead, we found that we could see Plain Jane soundchecking and watched them for a few minutes before Duke turned around, saw us standing there and waved. We hung for a little while longer before heading back into the Hard Rock where doors had just opened, so we made our way into the venue and grabbed a couple of seats on the floor close to the stage. There were plenty of tables which started to fill up, but we wanted to be close enough to stand up close to the stage later.

Jimmy Gnecco - Videos from Amsterdam 10.10.10

For the next week, until October 17, Jimmy Gnecco and his band are in Europe touring with Ah-ha on their farewell tour. It must be a total trip for them to be playing arenas, and to just be a part of this tour at all. Anyway, I came across some videos from the show last night in Amsterdam, and if you follow me on twitter, you've already seen them because I tweeted them earlier today - but I thought it'd be nice to have them all in one place. Check out the videos, under the cut!

Happy Birthday, John Lennon

Today is John Lennon's 70th birthday - had he not been killed in NYC on December 8, 1980. Even though I'm not old enough to even remotely remember him when he was alive, his music and legacy has carried on through the years. I learned about it in my music classes in school, and my parents introduced me to it as well. Its no secret he had a profound effect on so many people - musicians and music lovers alike. I figured it appropriate, on this day, to share a video of my favorite artist at the moment - Jimmy Gnecco - singing Mother, in tribute to Lennon. I know that Lennon's music and legacy will live on through so many - and that's all that any musician can ask for.

Jimmy Gnecco - A Light on the Grave and John Lennon Tribute videos

Here are a couple of videos that I thought I'd share. The first is Jimmy singing a hauntingly beautiful version of Light on the Grave, from Brett Manning's Singing Success site.




The second is Jimmy talking about John Lennon's Mother - in tribute of John's 70th birthday.

Jimmy Gnecco & Lukas Rossi - I'm a Monster, Nashville 9.22.10

Last night in Nashville, Lukas Rossi, who won Rockstar Supernova in 2006 joined Jimmy on stage at Mercy Lounge to sing I'm a Monster. To be honest, that's not a song of Jimmy's that I loved immediately -  it took some time to grow on me. But hearing Lukas join him and for them to sing it together was fabulous. It gave it an entirely new dimension, which is one thing I love about Jimmy's music - the more I listen to it, the more layers are uncovered. I'll be seeing Jimmy next Tuesday the 28th in Boston at the Hard Rock and next Saturday, October 2 at Don Hill's in New York City, so expect recaps with pictures and more than likely video from both of those. In the meantime, here's the video of I'm a Monster!






Thanks to John, who was in Nashville last night, for this!

Songs of the Summer

With September starting tomorrow (where the HELL has summer gone, really?), I thought I'd share a quick list as to what I've been listening to this summer. It's been a good one, music wise, with new albums by Ryan Star and Jimmy Gnecco with releases upcoming this fall by SafetySuit, Josh Groban, and David Cook among others. Here's my quick list of drive with the music down songs to check out.

• Ryan Star - Start A Fire
As if there was any doubt I'd start with a Ryan Star song. Or at least include one on here. But this song is amazing. Its sexy, fun, catchy, and is going to be the next single releasing to radio on September 13. There's no way you can stay still while listening to it. And its incredible live.

• Ryan Star - 11:59
This song starts out slow but picks up in the middle with the band kicking in - and once it does, its rocking. "Don't let the moment pass us by, put the windows down and drive.." It's really for me, a mantra to live by, a reminder to live in the moment, always.

• B.O.B Featuring Hayley Williams - Airplanes
I hadn't really heard this song before mid-June. Then Ryan sang it mashed up with Back of Your Car, so I had to check out the original. However, it really is a great song. Its catchy and it quickly became a favorite to turn up and jam to. Plus I kind of love the video.

• Kris Allen - Alright With Me
This is a song that's grown on me. It was never a favorite of mine when I first heard it on the album, but the more I listened to it, the more I loved it. The 'yeah yeah yeah' intro and the crashing guitar chord make the song what it is. I hit repeat on this song more often then anything else on the album.

• Katy Perry - California Girls
As is typical with first listen on many of her songs, I hated this at first. Hated it. Changed the station every time it came on in the car. But it kind of worked its way into my head and won't leave me alone. Then I saw the video and I thought it was a great concept. Now this song really is just fun and catchy and everything a great pop song should be. Her new song, Teenage Dream is also immediately catchy, poppy, and fun. Surprisingly, I didn't want to stab my eyes out with a spork when I heard it.

• Jimmy Gnecco - Gravity
This is one of my favorite's off of Gnecco's album, The Heart if not for the fact that it's just so happy. It makes me grin like an idiot when I hear it, and I just want to sing along and forget about anything in my life that's not happy for those 4 minutes. 

• Seventh Room - Good or Bad
This song by a local Boston band isn't happy go lucky per say, but its intriguing. The droning guitar chords that open the song draw me in immediately and make me stop and listen. There's not many songs like this out there. It's a bit of a throw back to the early 90's grunge rock, but with some modern tweaks to it, which is what makes it so good. It's not out on an album yet, but I've heard it live a few times and its the one song I constantly want to listen to.

So there you have it. What are some of your songs that grabbed you this summer?

The Heart Album Release Party - NYC, 7/20/10

Last Tuesday, I got the opportunity to be a part of an incredible event – I was invited to Jimmy Gnecco’s album release party for The Heart at the Cooper Square Hotel in NYC, thrown by Bright Antenna. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect this – but it was an absolute privilege to have been invited. I found out about this about 2 weeks ago, and my first thought was what the hell do I wear?! I ended up wearing jeans and heels with a cute top and it was fine. I could have worn black pants or a dress because people were that dressed up, but I was comfortable and confident and that's all that mattered. The party was a blast. Erin and I arrived at the hotel a little after 7, and were cleared upstairs to the penthouse. As soon as the doors to the elevator opened, it was a little overwhelming – people everywhere and floor to ceiling glass windows providing stunning views of the New York skyline.

Jimmy Gnecco - The Heart -- First Reaction

Thanks to spinner.com, I was able to stream and listen to this album online yesterday, prior to my download starting at midnight. And in one word - its absolutely incredible. (Ok, that's two words). It's deeply personal, raw, emotional, and touches my soul in places that I never knew anyone could except for Jimmy. I have heard a number of these songs live before, but to hear studio versions is a totally different experience. And through my headphones is the best way to experience The Heart, hands down.

On first listen, my stand out favorite track is Patiently Waiting. The piano in the beginning is just raw. And haunting. The words are emotional and dark - and the transition at the end into Its Only Love is perfect and beautiful. For some reason, I tend to gravitate towards the more emo, angry, and darker songs on albums first, and this will be absolutely incredible live.

The Heart is the Murder track on this album for me. Its great on the album, but live its totally intense and seriously just kick ass. Full band with the instruments, just jamming and letting go - I can't wait. I think I will like These Are My Hands more when I hear it live - I like it a lot, its beautiful, but it's definitely going to grow on me. Days gives me chills from the first notes, and does not let up throughout. Its another raw, hauntingly emotional song, much like Mystery is. I'd kind of like to know who or what he wrote it about, but I feel like its so personal, I'll never ever ask. It's going to be the track that will sneak its way into my brain and not leave, much like Ran Away does on Mercy since it is lodged between two very upbeat songs - These Are My Hands and Gravity.

The first half of the album is very stripped down (the first two tracks especially), but I feel like as this album progresses, it takes you on a journey. The tracks get faster in tempo, the emotion builds, and at the end, you feel like you've run a race but you want to go back and do it all over again. It leaves you breathless, with all the hair on the back of your neck standing up on end. I'm sure I'll have more to say over time, but I wanted to get all my first thoughts and impressions out before I lost them.

The Heart is on itunes, Amazon, at local indie music stores, Best Buy, and also available through Bright Antenna. Definitely pick it up, listen to it, and be prepared to be taken on a musical journey like no other.

Jimmy Gnecco - Bring You Home Video

It's HERE! The video for Bring You Home, the debut single off of Jimmy Gnecco's solo album, The Heart is on AOL Music. I didn't think we'd see it until Monday, but I got it in my Google alert tonight. Check it out here! We're in the home stretch for the album - 9 days to go and counting!

ITS HERE - Jimmy Gnecco's The Heart Preorder!!!

The pre-orders for Jimmy Gnecco's The Heart, releasing July 20 went live yesterday! There are 5 different packages and you can check out all the details here.

Pre-Order The Heart HERE

I am going to be getting a banner to put up on my page for preorders, which should be going up soon.

But in the meantime, have an exclusive 30-second snippet video of Bring You Home, the first single from The Heart.

Beach Days and More

I'm not sure how I post an entry and then somehow, its become two weeks or so later. But maybe I just feel like I don't have anything exciting to talk about? I also really am not quite sure how it's the middle of June. Seriously - where has this time gone? I have to say, it is significantly nicer this summer then it was last summer. Today is a total beach day. And I'm working, which is a bummer. But tomorrow's going to be just as nice, which I'm pretty excited about. So, lets see if I can't sum up what's been going on.

I've been totally slacking on the 30 day shred and my eating is starting to get a bit out of control, but I've been maintaining my 10 pound weight loss. Since the weather's been nice and the bike path is open near my house, I've been going for bike rides a couple of nights a week after work. It doesn't totally do things for me that Jillian does for me - but it's still better then nothing. I've decided that my next goal is to lose 5 more pounds before July 20 - which is a month away and also the date of Jimmy Gnecco's album release. If I can lose more than that, that's great too! I actually bought a bikini the other day at Old Navy because a) I needed a new bathing suit and b) it was surprisingly a lot more flattering on me then the tankini that I tried on. I was pleasantly surprised that I looked as good in it as I do and I'm comfortable and confident in it. So, go me.

Last weekend was my cousin's high school graduation party. It rained (ugh) but I still had fun. I went up with my dad and we spent longer then either of us planned on. But it was fine, and it was a good thing I was not driving because I had enough wine that I definitely should not have. I got home late afternoon, watched the NCIS marathon on USA, had chicken fingers and french fries (which is my total, I'm drunk and want food, food) and went to bed early, only to be awoken the next morning around 7 by my roommate calling me. He had been in CA for the weekend, and took the red eye home, arriving Monday morning. He said he was going to to work Monday, so I assumed (stupid of me) that he was going straight from the airport to work, so I had locked the screen door (I do at night) - so he was locked out. Oops. At that point I wasn't going back to bed so I vegged on the couch before I had to get ready for work - and proceeded to get stuck in the WORST traffic jam, thanks to someone getting killed early that morning so the highway was pretty much shut down. It took me almost 2 hours to get to work - not the way I wanted to start my Monday morning. But I digress.