After two EP’s, a debut full-length, and a “Best New Band” nod from Houston’s leading alternative radio station (‘The Buzz’ – 94.5FM), The 71’s have shown no sign of slowing down. Instead, they are in the midst of an exciting yearlong project— the release of three volumes titled Rock and Roll Reaction within one year. RNRRV1 emerged in October of 2010 and the CD release party for RNRRVII will take place at Warehouse Live in Houston, Texas on Saturday, July 9th.

“Get Up and Dance” is the new single for RNRRVII. The video, story, and images are courtesy of Keeton Coffman, singer of The 71’s.

Official Music Video “Get Up And Dance” Is Here

 

Directed By Justin Kling | Edited by The 71’s own Keeton Coffman

Story Behind The Video – The Man In The Bear Suit

Justin Kling, who directed this fine little video has been my best friend for years… like 15 years.  Which is the only reason why, when he set me down to tell me the pitch for the Get Up And Dance Video, I didn’t get up and walk out.

Justin – “It’s The 71’s rocking out… for a bear.”

Me – “A What?”

J – “A bear.”

Me – “Talk me through this one.  I don’t get it.”

J – “The 71’s vs. a bear…that’s it.  Oh, and the bear is not impressed by your music.”

That was the pitch.  But, Justin’s amazing at videos so we went with it.  Rented a bear costume and went looking for a really tall guy to play the bear.

Enter Dr. Butch Martin…

Me – “Butch… can you be a bear in my music video.”

Dr. Butch – “Of course.”

Me – “Are you sure you don’t want to think about it…”

Dr. Martin is not only my guitar student, physician, and friend – he loves The 71’s music more than anyone.  It’s the only reason I can fathom that a grown man with his talent and intelligence would wear a bear suit for four hours in a hot, Houston allie way, while a rock band shoots a video around him, and strangers look on in confusion and disbelief.  Regardless, he is not only my hero, he is a star in the making… as you will see when you watch the video.

A very special thanks to Alec Tefertiller, Jack Potts & Crew, Dr. Butch Martin, and of course Justin Kling for helping us make this video.  We love you guys.

Enjoy everyone.  See you at the show!

– Keeton

Rock And Roll Reaction Vol. 2 – Get It Everywhere July 12th 

Katie Herzig is a singer-songwriter from Fort Collins, Colorado. In 2004, she released her first solo album, Watch Them Fall. In 2006, she released a second solo album, Weightless. Tracks from these albums have been featured on Smallville, One Tree Hill, Grey’s Anatomy, and Pretty Little Liars. Herzig has been a member of the Paste Songwriters Tour and has also toured with the Fray.

Her new release is titled The Waking Sleep and it will be available on September 20, 2011. View the promo video and get your free download of the single “Make A Noise” from Herzig’s official website.

Image courtesy of Katie Herzig Multimedia and mp3 courtesy of NoiseTrade.

[audio:Make A Noise.mp3|titles=Make A Noise|artists=Katie Herzig]
“Make A Noise” by Katie Herzig

Three lads—Alex Goot, Michael Henry, and Justin Robinett—have recorded a collaboration of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”, “Turning Tables”, and “Someone Like You”. If you like what you hear, please go check out Alex Goot’s new Album The Songs I Wish I Wrote Vol. 2 and his YouTube Channel. Be sure to also subscribe to Justin + Michael’s channel to watch the video for the medley!

[audio:Adele Medley.mp3|titles=Adele Medley|artists=Alex Goot + Michael Henry + Justin Robinett]
“Adele Medley” by Alex Goot, Michael Henry, and Justin Robinett

Image and mp3 courtesy of alex|goot.

Songs I Wish I Wrote, Vol. 2 by Alex Goot

The American Analog Set’s frontman Andrew Kenny has continued songwriting with the Wooden Birds. The group released their debut album Magnolia in 2009, and now they have returned with a sophomore effort.

The album is called Two Matchsticks and will be released by Barsuk Records on June 7. Label head and Death Cab for Cutie heartthrob Ben Gibbard makes an appearance on the record along with touring Wooden Birds members Matt Pond and Leslie Sisson. This EP is free from the band’s official site and it contains 2 unreleased non-album tracks.

[audio:Two Matchsticks.mp3, Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town.mp3, Maneater.mp3|titles=Two Matchsticks, Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town, Maneater|artists=The Wooden Birds]

Tracklisting:

“Two Matchsticks” by The Wooden Birds
“Ruby Don’t Take Your Love To Town” by The Wooden Birds
“Maneater” by The Wooden Birds

AUSTRA is Katie Stelmanis, Maya Postepski, and Dorian Wolf. They formed in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 2010. AUSTRA released the debut Feel It Break on May 17th on Domino Records. The album incorporates Katie’s influences, dark melodies, synthesizers, and astounding vocals. Download your free mp3 of “Lose It” from mySpoonful: a taste of new music.

Image courtesy of mySpoonful.

[audio:Lose It.mp3|titles=Lose It|artists=AUSTRA]
“Lose It” by AUSTRA

Please also have a listen to AUSTRA’s “Beat and the Pulse” from DominoRecordCo on soundcloud.

Seattle’s Minus the Bear will be touring with fellow Dangerbird bands Skysaw and The Constellations. To kick off the tour, Minus the Bear is offering the brand new six-song Hold Me Down EP as a free download through their website.

The EP contains live versions (from Dangerbird Studios) of “My Time”, “Hold Me Down”, and “Into the Mirror” from the latest full-length, OMNI. It also includes the original version of the bonus track “Broken China”. Furthermore, it contains a remix of “My Time”. The Minus the Bear “My Time” Remix Contest has ended and winners have been chosen! Congratulations to the following:

WINNER:
Thomas M from Hertfordshire, UK
Listen to remix

RUNNER UP:
Sam C. from West Sussex, UK
Listen to remix

RUNNER UP:
Haein L. from Orem, Utah
Listen to remix

Image courtesy of SoundForcast.

[audio:My Time (Live from Dangerbird Studios).mp3|titles=My Time (Live from Dangerbird Studios)|artists=Minus the Bear]
“My Time (Live from Dangerbird Studios)”

Ben Gibbard and the rest of the Seattle indie-rock outfit Death Cab for Cutie will release their seventh studio album next Tuesday, May 31, 2011.

Image courtesy of The Needle Drop. Have a listen to the single “You Are A Tourist” which was first released for streaming on March 28th.

[audio:You Are A Tourist.mp3|titles=You Are A Tourist|artists=Death Cab for Cutie]
“You Are A Tourist” by Death Cab for Cutie

Or, stream Codes and Keys in its entirity from NPR’s First Listen today!

Pre-order the album here.

A facebook add recently told me that I should listen to Chris Ayer because he sounds a lot like Amos Lee. I don’t hear much of a comparison myself, as I would need a little more soul and emotion from Ayer to associate the two. If anything I’d say he sounds more like Jason Mraz, which is funny because I just realized that he covered Mraz’s little ditty “I’m Your” with John Callaway.

Nevertheless, I like what I am hearing from the singer-songwriter and solo guitar artist who graduated from Stanford in phylosophy and music.

Ayer has released two EPs and two full-length albums since 2003. His latest album, Don’t Go Back to Sleep, includes the song “Roy G Biv.” Please have a listen below to the live version from Tainted Blue Studios in New York City.

Chris Ayer – ROYGBIV – Live at Tainted Blue Studios MP3 Download

This song talks about “looking to belong”. He starts by describing his experience stepping into the world of a musician. He talks about doing his own ProTools producing and mailing albums like old school to the labels and magazines. He also talks about appealing to the hipsters and engaging the blogosphere.

But really I think he’s talking about everyone, ROYGBIV—all the colors of the world. We’re all on our way to somewhere and there’s no need for bullies in the lunch line cramping our style.

David Bazan’s new album Strange Negotiations will be released on May 24th, 2011 on Barsuk Records. Please have a listen to the first track, “Wolves At The Door.” A North American tour in support of the record will begin June 1st in Salt Lake City, UT, and continue through mid-July. Some dates will include shows with Rocky Votolato.

Image courtesy of Barsuk Records.

[audio:Wolves At The Door.mp3|titles=Wolves At The Door|artists=David Bazan]
“Wolves At The Door” by David Bazan

Artist Link

Vandaveer is a folk duo based in Washington, DC made up of tunesmith Mark Charles Heidinger and harmonizing vocalist Rose Guerin. As the follow up to 2009’s Divide and Conquer, they have released their third full-length record, entitled Dig Down Deep (April 26th) on the Supply and Demand music label. Below please find the official video for the title track.