Cate Le Bon

On February 9, 2012, Welsh singer Cate Le Bon performed at New York’s Mercury Lounge.  Telling the audience how much fun she was having seeing us “hot pieces of asses,” Cate Le Bon played an hour long set that featured songs from her records “Me Oh My” and 2012′s “Cyrk.” If you are unfamiliar with Cate Le Bon’s music, here’s a brief primer.  First off, she’s not related to Duran Duran lead singer Simon Le Bon (ha!)  Musically, she is a folk/pop singer who has a unique, haunting and powerful voice (think Florence Welch mixed with Bjork) and her subject matter is dark and is heavily influenced by her young experiences of pet death.  She’ll be playing in Hoboken, New Jersey tonight and invited everyone to come “on tour” with her, so check her out if you are in the area!

See the set list after the jump.

Cate Le Bon Set List. Now property of the G Archives.

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Nikka Costa

Hey funkateers!  The incomparable Nikka Costa has recorded a session for Daytrotter.  She performed “Head First,” “Nylons in a Rip,” and “Pebble to a Pearl.”  Download the session (and many other great ones) for the bargain price of $2/month at Daytrotter.

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Little Barrie

On February 6, 2012, Britain’s Little Barrie performed a very intimate VIP only gig at Rose Bar in New York City.  The hour long set was performed for the likes of music industry royalty such as Andy Roarke from The Smiths (and of course myself!)  Taking place at the swanky Rose Bar, the venue was a nice lounge with a great sound system and an upscale hipster vibe.  If you don’t know the music of Little Barrie, you’re in for a treat.  Their songs ROCK!  It’s so refreshing when you think of the bands of today and the limited musical vocabulary of the public to see a band that just gets up there and reminds you of the good old days of Rock and Roll where the band looks like rockers and delivers the goods when they are on stage.

Barrie Cadogan of Little Barrie

Lead singer Barrie Cadogan has a raspy rocker voice and plays the hell out of his guitar.  On drums is Virgil Howe (Steve Howe from the band Yes’ son) and on bass and vocals is Lewis Wharton.  Little Barrie played songs such as “Surf Hell” from their 2011 record “King of the Waves.”  They will be releasing new music very soon, so stay tuned to Little Barrie’s official website for more details.  Thanks for rockin’ guys!

See the setlist after the jump.

Little Barrie Setlist

Geoffrey Dicker and Little Barrie. Photo by Ray R.

Thanks again guys!  That’s rock and roll!

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Rod Thomas of Bright Light Bright Light

On January 23, 2012, UK Singer Rod Thomas, better known by his stage name Bright Light Bright Light performed at New York’s Cake Shop.  If you’re not familiar with Bright Lightx2′s music, Rod Thomas’ voice is extremely soulful over great electronic beats.  New York was in for many treats last night as Bright Light Bright Light changed things up in the best possible way.  Rather than perform electronically, the entire show was a solo piano performance, which Rod Thomas admitted was a fun challenge as he performed his upcoming new album in full.  Many of the songs, he said, were being played for the first time.  Also making the night extra special was a rare guest vocal appearance from his album collaborator, Del Marquis, from Scissor Sisters who sang on “Cry at Films.”  The video is below.  The venue is fairly dark for extra vibe, so please keep that in mind as you groove to Bright Lightx2 and Del Marquis! Bright Light Bright Light‘s album will be available in the Spring, but while you wait for that day, his singles “Love Part II” and “Disco Moment” are available now for legal download.

See the set list as well as a photo of my encounter with Rod Thomas after the jump.

Bright Light Bright Light Cake Shop Set List on January 23, 2012

Rod Thomas of Bright Light Bright Light and G

Thanks again for being so cool Rod and for a great night!  Speaking on behalf of the crowd, we are hoping to see a lot more of you in the very near future!

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Humpty Hump (aka Shock G aka Greg Jacobs) of Digital Underground

I’ve loved rap group Digital Underground for 20 years!  They played a concert at New York’s BB King’s on January 22, 2012 and I was there to catch all the action.  Original members Shock G (aka Humpty Hump) and Money B brought the funk!  Flowing as great today as they did back in the day, Digital Underground opened the show with “Packet Man” from their amazing debut “Sex Packets.”  Early on in the show, huge singles from DU including “The Humpty Dance,” “Kiss You Back” and “Same Song” were played.  For the late 2Pac’s verse on “Same Song,” an audience member rocked the mic.  Shock G started off the show dressed as Humpty Hump with fake nose and goofy voice.

Money B of Digital Underground

After a few songs, he introduced his alter ego – Shock G and continued rapping to songs such as “Freaks of The Industry,” “Sex Packets,” “Underwater Rhymes,” and even threw in the verse that Digital Underground raps in the 90s charity single “We’re All In The Same Gang.”  “I Get Around” by 2Pac was also played as a tribute to the late rapper who got his start as a member of Digital Underground.  “I Got 5 On It” by Luniz was also played as a tribute to the absent rapper and Shock G mentioned that he’s got 2 and a half more years of a jail term to serve before he’s released.  The song “Doowutchyalike” was not played, which was a big hit for the group, but it mattered not because after the show was over, Shock G bought a round of tequila shots for those of us that hung around after the concert to get our buzz on how we like!

Shock G of Digital Underground

Money B of Digital Underground and Geoffrey Dicker

Shock G (aka Greg Jacobs aka Humpty Hump) of Digital Underground and Geoffrey Dicker

From one G to another, thanks Shock G and Money B!  What a fun night!

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