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.

Plain Jane Automobile - Fontana's, NYC 6.25.11

Photo Credit: Lisa Gansky Photography

I was really glad I was able to catch this show since Plain Jane isn't coming to Boston on this tour, and I love seeing them live. When it turned out they were playing in NYC the same weekend that I was already in the area, I decided to stay an extra night for the show. Fontana's is an interesting venue - its tiny, first of all, and second of all, the music room is downstairs, so its almost like being in someone's basement. PJA wasn't playing until 11, so Lisa and I got there around 10:30, right in the middle of the opener's set. Liat was really interesting - very folksy and bluesy, and sang a great medley of the Cranberries' Zombie and Dreams, along with her own original music. From what I heard, I liked a lot. She finished and Plain Jane got ready to take the stage.

Plain Jane Automobile - Bowery Electric, NYC 5.14.11

Saturday night was Plain Jane Automobile's last CD release show at the Bowery Electric to celebrate the release of Your Tomorrow, and I was glad I got to be there. The turnout was really fantastic - I had arrived a bit early (doors were at 730) and there was really no one there by the time the first opening band, Two Lights, played to an almost empty room (too bad, they were quite good) and then the second opening band Sons of George continued to warm the crowd. By the time Plain Jane was ready to come on, it was pretty full. They never fail to put on a great show, and Saturday night was no exception. The set started off with the single, You Were Only a Song and it did the exact thing that it does on the album - really set the tone for the rest of the night. I loved hearing these songs live - they are so fabulous on the album, and live the songs just came to life.

Mike Robins - Rockwood Music Hall, NYC - 5.14.2011

While I was in NYC last weekend, I found out my good friend Mike Robins was playing a show at Rockwood after the Plain Jane show - so once that wrapped up, I headed over, as it was pretty close and he wasn't playing until 1am. I'd never been to Rockwood before. Its a fantastic intimate venue, with kickass acoustics and no cover. It's probably one of the best kept secrets in New York, and no matter who's playing, its a great time. When I arrived, I met up with Serena and we hung out with Mike for a little bit before it was time for his set. A couple of the other bands had run a little over, so by the time he took the stage, it was after 1, but it didn't matter. There was still a good crowd there and since it was so intimate, you could be anywhere in the room and still see, but like to be right up front because its all about the connection. And connect Mike did. Even though it was him and his acoustic guitar, he had me captured from the first note he sang to the last. His stage presence is just incredible. I'd actually love to see him fronting his band as well - because I think that'd be amazing.

Ryan Star - Sink or Swim/Losing My Religion - Webster Hall, NYC 1.18.11

Just when I don't think Ryan Star can surprise me any more, he goes and does it again. At his NYC concert at Webster Hall earlier this week, he pulled out an old favorite off his first album Songs From the Eye of an Elephant - Sink or Swim for the encore. But he threw in a cover of REM's Losing My Religion, which I believe he hasn't sung live since he was on Rockstar Supernova! I ended up missing this show as I couldn't make the logistics work for me this time around - needless to say that I am eternally grateful to stacyr311 for capturing this for us all to enjoy! Check out her other videos from that night on her channel as well!

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.

Ryan Star - Start a Fire VIDEO

The video for the new single Start a Fire, off of Ryan Star's album 11:59,  is here finally! This song is so incredible live and while there was conversation on twitter about what the video would be, sometimes less is more. The song is so kick ass, and the video gives a taste of what it is like performed live (amazing). So check it out! Also, Ryan is touring with Days Difference and Hope into November, so check out his web site for the tour dates. The tour wraps up November 26 at Webster Hall in NYC, and you know you want to be there. You can get tickets here.

Plain Jane Automobile - Bowery Electric, NYC 10.3.10

Plain Jane Automobile played a special 'secret' show in October 3 at the Bowery Electric in NYC - that I was lucky enough to be at. It wasn't really that secret - if you RSVP'd to the invite that they'd been circulating for weeks prior, you were in. The Bowery Electric is a tiny venue on the Lower East Side - and the room we were in holds maybe 100 people - and that's being generous. As Lisa and I were in NYC already that weekend to see Jimmy, we decided to stay for PJA's show and make the 3 hour drive home at midnight. We actually finished up dinner early and ended up heading over to the venue a bit early before doors opened, where the guys had just arrived and were loading in. Tiffanie was with them, and announced she wanted coffee or something, so we went with her to keep her company and it was great to just hang out with her and talk about everything and nothing.

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!