Phish MSG Night Two Setlist

Review to come.

PHISH - 12.29.16 - MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

SET I (1 hour, 18 minutes) -
Sweet Adeline / Peaches en Regalia > Mike's Song > Secret Smile > Weekapaug Groove / Roses Are Free / Poor Heart / 46 Days / Brian & Robert / Beauty of a Broken Heart / Theme from the Bottom > Split Open & Melt

SET II (1 hour, 14 minutes) -
Down with Disease > What's the Use? > Fuego > Meatstick / Twenty Years Later > Kung > Twenty Years Later > Makisupa Policeman / Harry Hood

ENCORE (8 minutes) -
Julius

Phish MSG Night One Setlist

Review to come.

PHISH - 12.28.16 - MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

SET I (1 hour, 20 minutes) -

The Star-Spangled Banner / Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan / Lonesome Cowboy Bill > Free / Train Song / Prince Caspian / Roggae / Funky Bitch / Halfway to the Moon / Corinna / Stash / Cavern

SET II (1 hour, 19 minutes) -

Wolfman's Brother / Golden Age > Simple > Chalk Dust Torture / Martian Monster > Tweezer Reprise > Martian Monster / Wingsuit / Possum

ENCORE (7 minutes) -

Good Times Bad Times

The Majorleans Return to Mercury Lounge

Mercury Lounge's most iconic feature had to have been its wall sconces.  The dim incandescent bulbs entrenched in decorative wire cages looked like giant firefly abdomens, just barely illuminating the showroom's brick walls to give it a feel that was somehow simultaneously dingy and classy.  They were even used in the lounge's website design for years until the Bowery Presents overhauled the page to include their other venues.  So imagine my shock last night when I stepped into the room to find them replaced with new fixtures that appear as if someone sliced a scalloped pitcher in half, stuck it over a LED light, and glued it to an elongated octagon made of reflective material streaked with blue wisps.  They look like shit and I don't know what they were thinking.  Almost exactly a year ago, when the original sconces remained, the Majorleans played the Mercury Lounge, unveiling a selection of new tunes that Nicky Francis and Chris Buckle had been workshopping for their next album, Carouser's End.  Last night, the band played all seven songs from the upcoming record.

The set got off to a shaky start, as inconsistent monitor levels had the members struggling to hear each other, with Buckle having difficulty harmonizing during "Mr. Magic."  After some adjustments, the band rallied behind "Give It All to Me," having lived in the Carouser's tunes long enough now that they've become staples.  The older Black Belt numbers benefitted from being reworked as well.  "Imaginary Plane" has always been my least favorite Majorleans song, but for this go-round, they slowed it down, allowing me to hear just how deep the pocket of rhythm section Bongers & Brooks goes.  By the time they'd reached the end of "What I Mean" five songs in, the confidence was visible, Nicky shaking his narrow hips as the crowd clapped for more.  "Once the pendulum starts swinging, it doesn't stop," Francis acknowledged.  "Not in those jeans!" came a teasing rebuttal from a crowdmember.  Trading out his Rickenbacker electric for a Gibson acoustic, Nicky led the band on a duo of Carouser's ditties, "Under the Spell" and "Sunrise Mary," the latter of which was greeted with knowing cheers from the audience.

Almost as big of a surprise as the new lighting on the walls, but entirely more welcome, was the second live performance ever of "Lonesome Seaside Driving School."  Written while driving along the southern coast of France, the introspective and atmospheric ballad stood proudly amid the band's rockers.  Having pulled it off without a hitch, Nicky warned the people, "It's all biscuits in your mouth from here on out, so be ready."  He held onto the Gibson for a terrific "Under Ma Wheels" before returning to the Rick on "Tattoo."  Chris sustained the song's final note to give Francis enough leeway to slap on a capo for their frequent closer and time-tested crowd-pleaser "Never Had Enough."  While it definitely sucks about the sconces, fortunately the Mercury Lounge will always be about the music, first and foremost.

THE MAJORLEANS - 12.07.16 - MERCURY LOUNGE (53 minutes)

SET -

Mr. Magic / Give It All to Me / Imaginary Plane / Set to Receive / What I Mean / Under the Spell / Sunrise Mary / Lonesome Seaside Driving School / Under Ma Wheels / Tattoo > Never Had Enough

Monthly Mix #23: December 2016 (Secular)

December 2016 (Secular):
I'm not solely listening to Christmas carols right now, so neither should you.



1. Bruno Mars - "24K Magic"
While not the instantly likable "Uptown Funk," I think I was hooked after three listens.

2. Sing Street - "Drive It Like You Stole It"
I was charmed by John Carney's coming-of-age film when I saw it over Thanksgiving break.  I'd recommend the movie (currently streaming on Netflix) and this Hall & Oates-inspired ditty. 

3. The Game feat. Too $hort, Problem, AV, & Eric Bellinger - "Or Nah"
Sorry if it's a little crass, but it's got that beat.  Eric Bellinger's hook is smooth AF too.

4. John Legend feat. Brittany Howard - "Darkness & Light"
Legend enlists Alabama Shakes' frontwoman for the sultry title track of his fifth studio album (sixth if you count his collaboration with the Roots).

5. Neil Young - "Here for You"
Back in September, this was the father-daughter dance at my friend's wedding.  I really liked the choice, and Neil's catalog is finally available on Spotify.

6. Johnny Marr - "Easy Money"
Propulsion epitomized.

7. Jim James - "Same Old Lie"
While it may feel like our current political climate is drastically different than what we've come to expect, Jim reminds us that in fact, "it's the same old lie."

8. Syreeta - "I Love Every Little Thing About You"
Syreeta recorded this cover of Stevie Wonder's song in the midst of their divorce, one-upping the original and adding a whole new layer of depth.

9. Jack Garratt feat. Anderson Paak - "Worry"
I'm not a big Jack Garratt fan, but Paak throws down one of his top verses here.

10. Mike Doughty - "I Can't Believe I Found You in That Town"
This was on my Top 40 of 2015 list when it was merely a demo on Mike's Drip.fm feed.  While I still prefer the stripped-down original over the DJ Good Goose production that you'll hear here, the effective lyrics remain unchanged.

Monthly Mix #22 - December 2016 (Holiday)

December 2016 (Holiday):
The holidays are approaching.



1. The Staple Singers - "The Last Month of the Year"
It's the last month of the year.

2. Mariah Carey - "All I Want for Christmas is You"
Like it or not, this is now a bonafide Christmas classic.

3. David Bazan - "Happy Xmas (War is Over)"
Bazan puts his lo-fi spin on Lennon as part of his new Christmas record, Dark Sacred Night.

4. Kacey Musgraves feat. Leon Bridges - "Present Without a Bow"
Cute seasonal number featuring two of music's shiniest new stars.

5. Grace Potter - "Naughty, Naughty Children (Better Start Actin' Nice)"
Potter looks at the bright side of getting coal for Christmas.

6. Andy Williams - "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year"
The other day, I put this on and pretended I was living in a musical.  So fun.  I'm not ashamed to admit that, so try it for yourself.

7. Wham! - "Last Christmas"
No comment.

8. Jeremy Messersmith - "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Starts off like a bedroom demo until the strings sneak in and open the door.  Remember when Jeremy was on the podcast?

9. Stevie Wonder - "Merry Christmas/Happy Kwanzaa"
Taken from an UK promotional single, this interesting little piece mashes up "Jingle Bells" with Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely."

10. David Bowie & Bing Crosby - "Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy"
This has always been my Uncle Mike's favorite holiday song, and it's even more poignant with Bowie's passing this year.

Monthly Mix #21: November 2016

November 2016:
The end might be near.  At least we have music.



1. Leonard Cohen - "You Want It Darker"
Another legend gone.  Fortunately, he took Bowie's cue and released one dark-ass final record right before he passed.

2. Mayer Hawthorne - "Time for Love"
Mayer Hawthorne returns to form on this track off his Party of One EP.

3. The Panics - "Passenger Side"
This Australian band has been around since 2002, but this is my first time hearing them.  I've got some homework to do.

4. Honus Honus - "Heavy Jesus"
Man Man's frontman goes solo.

5. A Tribe Called Quest - "Movin Backwards"
A lot of people have been singing the praises of the new Tribe album.  I dig it, but I'm not blown away.  Three guesses who's featured on this track, hehe.

6. Busman's Holiday - "What We Need We Know"
For their sophomore album, the Rogers brothers did something very non-sophomoric: they added a 21-piece orchestra.  This is the powerful result.

7. D.D Dumbo - "Cortisol"
It was hard to narrow it down to one song from Utopia Defeated, Oliver Perry's first full-length, because I really love the instrumentation and production, but this frenetic track won out.

8. Hayley Kiyoko - "One Bad Night"
Yes, this is a pop song, and yes, I like it.

9. Dawes - "Roll with the Punches"
That organ though.

10. Harry Belafonte - "Jump in the Line"
It's been a shitty month, a shitty year even.  There's a reason this song is at the end of Beetlejuice.  It's too hard not to dance and sing along.  Stay positive.  Never lose hope.

Monthly Mix #20: October 2016

October 2016:

I made the playlist in October before the election.  Maybe this was a "calm before the storm"-type deal?  Keep in mind that you can get these lists the moment I finalize them if you follow me on Spotify.

1. Cris Jacobs - "Bone Digger"

Cris Jacobs' Dust to Gold is shaping up to be one of my favorite records of the year.  Here's one example as to why.  (Listen to podcast interview here.)

2. Rage Against the Machine - "Guerrilla Radio"

This country doesn't need Prophets of Rage, or a Zack de la Rocha solo LP drowned in El-P's murky production.  It needs Rage Against the Machine.

3. Bon Iver - "33 God"

There's a lot to unpack in Bon Iver's 22, A Million.  Some of its songs feel unfinished, but this is easily its most fully realized number.

4. Børns - "Electric Love"

I'll admit that I didn't give Børns a listen until now because of that ø.

5. Solange - "Junie"

Imagine trying to live up to your successful older sibling.  Now imagine that sibling is Beyoncé.  That's right.  You can't.  Solange knows that, so she enlisted heavyweights Raphael Saadiq and Andre 3000 to guide her on this slice of funk.

6. Nx Worries - "Fkku"

Despite my love of all things Anderson Paak, it pains me to say that Yes Lawd! is a bit of a letdown.  This final track cracks me up though.  Why does it end so early???

7. Eagles - "One of These Nights"

This is my favorite Eagles song and album.

8. Matthew Logan Vasquez - "Personal"

Delta Spirit's charismatic frontman "strikes out on his own."  I slept on this record until recently.  You shouldn't.

9. Skinny Lister - "Carry"

I like to play with words.

10. Gold Clubb - "Sweat It"

This tune by the side project of Nicky Francis from the Majorleans (Listen to podcast interview here.) made it onto my Top 40 Songs of 2015 list, but at the time, it was only available on Soundcloud.  Now that it's on Spotify, you can give it the listen it deserves.

The Next Round - Episode 49: Cris Jacobs

Two Maryland dudes hanging out.  This episode would've been longer, but the recorder stopped for some unknown reason.  I turned it back on in time to capture most of this conversation with Cris Jacobs.  While you may remember Cris from Baltimore jamband The Bridge, he's been solo since 2012, releasing his fantastic second record, Dust to Gold, a few weeks ago.  Already an accomplished guitarist, Jacobs explains how songwriting has become his main focus, taking inspiration from everything from Cormac McCarthy novels to becoming a father.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to unite America.


Click here for Cris Jacobs' tour dates/tickets.
Get tickets to the Bridge's reunion show.
Buy Dust to Gold on iTunes.
Hear "Jack the Whistle & the Hammer" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

The Next Round - Episode 48: Emily King

The Next Round returns with a new episode featuring Grammy-nominated R&B artist, Emily King.  Emily was double-booked, so the interview is on the short side, but it's still a good chat.  Find out how she celebrated her birthday on the road, why she chose to release a deluxe edition of last year's The Switch, and her recipe for the perfect PB&J.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to never miss an episode.


Buy The Switch (Deluxe Edition) on iTunes.
Visit Emily's website.
Listen to "Sleepwalker" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

Mike Doughty Rough Trade Setlist

Review soon.

MIKE DOUGHTY - 10.25.16 - ROUGH TRADE NYC (29 minutes)

SET -

Busting Up a Starbucks / Janine / Wait! You'll Find a Better Way / Lazybones / I Can't Believe I Found You in That Town / Light Will Keep Your Heart Beating in the Future / Making Me Lay Down

Cris Jacobs American Beauty Setlist

Recap to come.

CRIS JACOBS - 10.19.16 - AMERICAN BEAUTY (1 hour, 16 minutes)

SET -

Delivery Man / Jack the Whistle & the Hammer / Hallelujah Hustler / Kind Woman / Samson & Delilah / Bone Digger / The Devil or Jesse James / Be My Stars / Bad Locomotive / Cold Carolina / Good to You / Shine Your Weary Light

Matthew Logan Vasquez Bowery Ballroom Setlist

Review to come.

MATTHEW LOGAN VASQUEZ - 10.18.16 - BOWERY BALLROOM (40 minutes)

SET -

Stand Up / Fires Down in Mexico / Personal / Maria / Halfcolt / Crippler King > Land of 1000 Dances (tease) > Crippler King / Blue Eyes / Theater / Everything I Do is Out

Rx Bandits 10th Anniversary of And the Battle Begun Irving Plaza Setlist

Review to come.

RX BANDITS - 10.10.16 - IRVING PLAZA (1 hour, 33 minutes)

SET -

ntro / ...And the Battle Begun / In Her Drawer / Only for the Night / On a Lonely Screen > 1980 > One Million Miles an Hour, Fast Asleep / Apparition / A Mouth Full of Hollow Threats? / Mirror in the Bathroom > Epoxi-Lips > Tainted Wheat > To Our Unborn Daughters / Crushing Destroyer

ENCORE -

Overcome (the Recapitulation) / Ruby Cumulous / Unknown* > Stargazer / Taking Chase as the Serpent Slithers > Spottieottiedopaliscious (tease) > Taking Chase as the Serpent Slithers / Decrescendo

Kishi Bashi Webster Hall Setlist

Review to come.

KISHI BASHI - 10.02.16 - WEBSTER HALL (1 hour, 51 minutes)

SET -
Statues in a Gallery / Hey Big Star / M'Lover / Carry on Phenomenon / Atticus, In the Desert (feat. Philip Mayer) / Improvisation > Bright Whites / Who'd You Kill > Can't Let Go, Juno / Say Yeah / Ode to My Next Life / I Am the Antichrist to You / Bittersweet Genesis for Him & Her / The Ballad of Mr. Steak / Philosophize in It! Chemicalize with It! / It All Began with a Burst

ENCORE -

Honeybody / Q&A / Manchester

Monthly Mix #19: September 2016

September 2016:
It's been a weird, scattered month.  I think the playlist reflects that.



1. Kishi Bashi - "Honeybody"
The closing track from K's new album, Sonderlust.  It exemplifies each stage of his solo career from modified violin loops to string quartets to electro-pop.

2. Kush Mody feat. Anderson Paak - "Freight Train"
Your monthly dose of Paak.

3. Terra Lightfoot - "No Hurry"
Just a really solid rock song.

4. Booker T. feat. Mayer Hawthorne - "Sound the Alarm"
I was generally let down by Hawthorne's latest LP, so I turned to this one from Booker T.'s 2013 record of the same name.

5. Amos Lee - "Lightly"
Amos makes a pretty compelling case for being alone.

6. Miniature Tigers - "Crying in the Sunshine"
I like hearing acoustic guitar in my Miniature Tigers songs.

7. Dawes - "One of Us"
I appreciate that Dawes are always expanding their sound.  This makes a bold statement as the opener on We're All Gonna Die.

8. UB40 - "The Way You Do the Things You Do"
The Temptations version was stuck in my head, but with the sax part from this cover.

9. Roosevelt - "Night Moves"
This will tide you over until the next Daft Punk or Phoenix album.

10. Radiohead - "True Love Waits"
I almost cried the first time I heard the studio version back in May.  It almost made it onto each monthly mix since, but it was never the right time.  It had to wait.

Monthly Mix #18: August 2016

August 2016:
These songs are all about how we deal with time.  Getting reflective as the summer winds down.



1. Animal Liberation Orchestra - "The Ticket"
Finally got to see ALO again.  I bought my ticket back in April.

2. Catfish & the Bottlemen - "7"
Van McCann's lyrics give a uniquely honest perspective on relationships.

3. Anderson Paak feat. BJ the Chicago Kid - "The Waters"
More Paak.  Yes, lawd!

4. Eric Krasno - "Waiting on Your Love"
A hunk of burning funk from the Soulive/Lettuce axeman.

5. Kevin Morby - "I Have Been to the Mountain"
Dig that solo.

6. Son Little - "Nice Dreams"
Son Little's debut LP from last year is still finding new ways to affect me.

7. G. Love & Special Sauce - "Nothing Else Quite Like Home"
I went home to Ocean City, MD for a few days.  G. Love was in town, too.

8. Coin - "It's a Trap"
This is poppier than I usually like and also not about Admiral Ackbar, but it's good.

9. Radiation City - "Milky White"
This is what the new Lucius record should've sounded like.

10. Pinegrove - "New Friends"
"The end of summer and I'm still in love with her."

ALO Brooklyn Bowl Setlist

Review to come.

THE HIP ABDUCTION - 08.18.16 - BROOKLYN BOWL (56 minutes)

SET -
Before We Lose Our Mind / Light It Up / Live It Right / Sun King > The Lion Sleeps Tonight (tease) > Sun King / Children of the Sun / La Resaca / Waiting* / Come Alive / Holiday / Sexual Healing

ANIMAL LIBERATION ORCHESTRA - 08.18.16 - BROOKLYN BOWL

SET I (1 hour, 5 minutes) -
Walls of Jericho / Blew Out the Walls > The Gardener > Try > Maria / Summer Dream (We Got the Time) > Room for Bloomin'

SET II (55 minutes) -
The Ticket > Cowboys & Chorus Girls / Bizarre Love Triangle / Immigrant Song / Chilly Chile (feat. Jackie Greene) > Shakedown Street (feat. Jackie Greene & Leslie Mendelson) > Barbeque (feat. Jackie Greene) > Jessica (tease) > Barbeque

G. Love & Special Sauce Seacrets Setlist

Review to come.

G. LOVE & SPECIAL SAUCE - 08.14.16 - SEACRETS

SET I (1 hour, 17 minutes) -
The Things That I Used to Do / Blues Music / Garbage Man > Small Fish / I Wish You Would / Tomorrow Night / Fresh Lila / Stepping Stones > Freestyle* > I-76 / Guitar Solo* > Baby's Got Sauce > Drum Solo > Pick Up the Phone / Rainbow / Howlin' for My Darlin' / This Ain't Living

SET II (51 minutes) -
Guitar Solo* > Who's Got the Weed / Bass Solo > Nite Life / Let's Get It On > Holla! > Let's Get It On > Holla! / Give It to You > Right Place Wrong Time > Cold Beverage > 200 Years / Don't Drop It / Thanks & Praise / Roaches > Rodeo Clowns / Can't Go Back to Jersey > Freestyle* > Weekend Dance #2

Hey Anna Baby's All Right Setlist

Review to come.

HEY ANNA - 08.08.16 - BABY'S ALL RIGHT (41 minutes)

SET -
Anaphaze / By the Bay / Move Your Body / Yas Queen / Kinda Love / Rise to the Sun / Mt. Picchu / Island > Don't Talk Stop

Esmé Patterson Rough Trade NYC Setlist

Review to come.

ESMÉ PATTERSON - 07.27.16 - ROUGH TRADE NYC (58 minutes)

SET -

Find It / Come See Me / Wantin Ain't Gettin / My Young Man / No River / Bluebird / Tumbleweed / Moth Song / Francine / The Waves / Alone / Feel Right

ENCORE -

Yours & Mine

Monthly Mix #17: July 2016

July 2016:
Mixing in some old in with the new.  July's been a slow release month.


1. Cookies - "Go Back"
July 17 was Cookies Day.  Remember when I talked to Ben Sterling about it?

2. Emily King - "Focus"

This new single ensures your standard edition of The Switch is due for an upgrade to the deluxe.

3. Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings - "Midnight Rider"

Sharon & the Dap-Kings take this Allman Brothers classic for a spin. 

4. Son Lux feat. Hanna Benn - "You Don't Own Me"

A remake of his "You Don't Know Me," this time with marching band instrumentation. 

5. The Game feat. Anderson Paak & Sonyae - "Crenshaw/80s & Cocaine"

I've basically been listening to only Anderson Paak for the past month.  I put him on last month's mix though, so this is just an excuse to squeeze him back in on a technicality.  The Game has definitely had stronger verses (How many times can you rhyme the n-word with itself?), but I love that blaxploitation soundtrack funk.

6. Francis & the Lights feat. Bon Iver - "Friends"

Good to hear from Bon Iver again. 

7. Daryl Hall & John Oates - "She's Gone"

I saw Oates & Hall at PNC Bank Arts Center this month, so they've been on heavy rotation.  Did you know that John Oates hates that people call the band Hall & Oates?  In an interview with Esquire, he said, "There isn't one album that says Hall & Oates.  It's always Daryl Hall & John Oates.  From the very beginning.  People never note that.  The idea of 'Hall & Oates,' this two-headed monster, this thing, is not anything we've ever wanted or liked."

8. Esmé Patterson - "Feel Right"

An exceptional vocal performance.

9. Tokyo Police Club - "Not My Girl"

TPC are such a fun band to listen to in the summer. 

10. Floating Action - "Don't Stop Loving Me Now"

This has been on my list to include since the beginning of the year, but I didn't find the right spot for it until now. Lo-fi reggae vibes.

The Next Round - Episode 47: George Clinton

It's not every day that you get to meet one of your idols, but I got to do just that a month ago in Las Vegas.  The legendary George Clinton had a beer with me after his show at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas.  George just celebrated his 75th birthday last Friday, and there's one thing he'd still like to cross off his bucket list.  Find out what it is, as well as his thoughts on Prince, To Pimp a Butterfly, and more.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes. (iTunes subscribers received the episode as a special gift on George's birthday.)


Visit his website for tour dates, merch, and news.
To learn more about George's fight for copyright justice, go to Flashlight 2013.
Check out The Next Round Companion Playlist on Spotify.

Panorama Festival Sunday Setlists

Recap to come.

THE FRONT BOTTOMS - 07.24.16 - PANORAMA FESTIVAL, RANDALL'S ISLAND (50 minutes, 30 seconds)

SET -

West Virginia / Skeleton / Au Revoir (Adios) / Help / The Plan (Fuck Jobs) / The Beers / Cough It Out / 12 Feet Deep / Rhode Island / Maps / Laugh Till I Cry / Twin Size Mattress

KURT VILE - 07.24.16 - PANORAMA FESTIVAL, RANDALL'S ISLAND (59 minutes, 30 seconds)

SET -

Intro / Dust Bunnies / I'm an Outlaw / Puppet to the Man / Wakin on a Pretty Day / Jesus Fever / Interlude > Goldtone / Pretty Pimpin / KV Crimes / Freak Train / Stand Inside

GRACE POTTER - 07.24.16 - PANORAMA FESTIVAL, RANDALL'S ISLAND (48 minutes, 30 seconds)

SET -

Hot to the Touch / Turntable / Look What We've Become / Empty Heart / Your Girl / Delirious / Stars / Nothing But the Water (I) / The Lion the Beast the Beat / Paris (Ooh La La)

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM - 07.24.16 - PANORAMA FESTIVAL, RANDALL'S ISLAND (1 hour, 49 minutes)

SET -

Us v. Them / Daft Punk is Playing at My House / I Can Change / Get Innocuous! / You Wanted a Hit > Tribulations / Movement > Yeah > Someone Great > 45:33 (pt. 1) / Losing My Edge / New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down > Dance Yrself Clean / Bye Bye Bayou > All My Friends

Panorama Festival Saturday Setlists

Recap to come.

ANDERSON PAAK - 07.23.16 - PANORAMA FESTIVAL, RANDALL'S ISLAND (48 minutes, 30 seconds)

SET -
Look at Me* > Milk N Honey / Drugs > The Season > Carry Me / Put Me Thru > Heart Don't Stand a Chance / A Thousand Miles (tease) / Come Down / Glowed Up / Lite Weight / Luh You / The Bird / Am I Wrong > Let's Dance (tease)

THE NATIONAL - 07.23.16 - PANORAMA FESTIVAL, RANDALL'S ISLAND (58 minutes)

SET -

Don't Swallow the Cap / Bloodbuzz Ohio / The Day I Die / Afraid of Everyone / Squalor Victoria / I Need My Girl / Can't You Find a Way / Sea of Love / Pink Rabbits / England / Fake Empire / Mr. November / Terrible Love

Emily King Music Hall of Williamsburg Setlist

Review to come.

EMILY KING - 07.15.16 - MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG (1 hour, 10 minutes)

SET -

Sleepwalker / Good Friend > Focus / The Switch / Already There / Radio / The Animals / Down / Every Part / No More Room / Ordinary Heart / Off Center / BYIMM / Wishing Well / Distance / Believer

ENCORE -

Georgia / Ever After

The Next Round - Episode 46: Pop Etc

The Next Round returns with a two-drink chat with Chris Chu of Pop Etc.  Chris discusses the benefits of songwriting as a discipline, working on a song every day in his Brooklyn apartment.  That prolificacy resulted in literally hundreds of ideas that were then brought to his bandmates and unanimously whittled down to the ten tunes on their latest LP, Souvenir.  Listen to Chris talk about the time he snuck into a Twilight movie to try to hear his song, and find out which '90s alternative band he finds criminally underrated.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to get new episodes hours before they are posted here.


Buy yourself a Souvenir and go see Pop Etc at Baby's All Right on 8/12.

Monthly Mix #16: June 2016

June 2016:
There's only one song on this list older than 2015.  I've been rabidly searching for new music.


1. Joywave - "Destruction"
I love the intro.

2. Robert Ellis - "How I Love You"
Remember when Robert was on the podcast and talked about the new songs he was working on?  Well, his self-titled fourth album came out on the 3rd.

3. Anderson Paak - "Come Down"
Paak's record sounds like if Black Messiah had been mixed properly.  Really digging this. 

4. Beck - "Dreams"
Beck blew me away at Mountain Jam.  This was the song I had the most fun dancing to.

5. Nico Yaryan - "Witch Love"
It takes real talent to write a song like this.  The lyrics are fairly simple, but the way Yaryan sings them sounds so genuine.  What's most notable, however, is how you can hear the Beatles' influence, but unlike most artists' Beatles-inspired numbers, it doesn't just ape their style.

6. Will Joseph Cook - "Girls Like Me"
Discovered on Spotify.  David Byrne vibes.

7. The Invisible - "Save You"
It reminds me of my favorite type of TV on the Radio song.

8. Flo Rida - "My House"
I don't listen to the radio, so I didn't know this was from last year when it came on in my friend's car.  The keyboard that checks in at the one-minute mark is badass.  I have a framed photograph of Flo Rida on my bedside table as a joke, but the joke's getting less funny with every spin of this tune.

9. Frank Turner - "Substitute"
I've been reading Frank's memoir The Road Beneath My Feet, and this is one of my favorite songs.

10. Band of Horses - "Even Still"
The pensive closing track off their new LP, Why Are You OK.

The Next Round - Episode 45: Lissie

As a child, Lissie Maurus struggled to find her place in the Mississippi River town of Rock Island, IL.  Her aspirations of a career in music landed her in Hollywood, where she lived until she moved 90 minutes northwest on a whim to the small town of Ojai, California.  After 11 years in the Golden State, Lissie headed back east, buying a farm in Iowa just a few hours from her childhood home.  Lissie's journey informed her latest album, My Wild West, which marks a departure from her usual heartbreak-inspired pop/rock songs.  Delve into her past and get a sneak "peak" into her future on this episode of The Next Round.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes like a good person.


Lissie's website
Lissie's Twitter
The Next Round Companion Playlist

The Next Round - Episode 44: Cheerleader

Just prior to their first time playing the late show at Mercury Lounge, Philadelphia haze-poppers Cheerleader joined me in the venue's basement for a drink.  The guys picked their favorite comedy albums to listen to on the road, explained how certain dietary restrictions make it difficult for them to find food on tour, and contemplated the addition of a French horn to their sound.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to listen to new episodes hours before I post them here.


Get tickets for their current tour.
Buy The Sunshine of Your Youth on vinyl or iTunes.
Listen to their latest single "A Million Ways" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.

Mountain Jam Saturday Setlists

Recap to come.

SISTER SPARROW & THE DIRTY BIRDS - 06.04.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (56 minutes, 30 seconds)

SET -
Don't Be Jealous / Catch Me If You Can / We Need a Love / Stereo* / Mama Knows / Prison Cells > Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes > Prison Cells / Dr. Feelgood / Sugar > Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' (tease) / Bad Love

SON LITTLE - 06.04.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (53 minutes)

SET -
Intro > Toes / Joy / Go Blue Blood Red / Doctor's In / O Mother / Cross My Heart / Alice / Lay Down / Band Intros > Your Love Will Blow Me Away / The River / Carbon

WARREN HAYNES - 06.04.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (1 hour)

SET -
Is It Me or You / Spots of Time / Old Friend / It Hurts Me Too / Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth) / Endless Parade / Beautifully Broken / Wanderlust / Patchwork Quilt / To Lay Me Down / One / Railroad Boy

NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS - 06.04.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (1 hour)

SET -
I Need Never Get Old / Look It Here / We've Got the Whole Night to Lose / Howling at Nothing / Wasting Time / Rhodes Intro > I've Been Failing / Shake / Out on the Weekend / I Do It* / Trying So Hard Not to Know / Band Intros > S.O.B. > The Shape I'm In > S.O.B.

BECK - 06.04.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (1 hour, 37 minutes)

SET -
Devil's Haircut / Black Tambourine / Loser / Think I'm in Love / Soul of a Man / Ghettochip Malfunction (Hell Yes) > Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See (tease) > Ghettochip Malfunction (Hell Yes) / Go It Alone / Mixed Bizness / Sissyneck > Billie Jean > Sissyneck / Qué Onda Guero / Paper Tiger / Modern Guilt / Lost Cause / Blue Moon / Say Goodbye / Raspberry Beret / The New Pollution / Dreams / Girl / Sexx Laws / E-Pro

ENCORE -
Where It's At > Strawberry Fields Forever (tease) > Where It's At / Gratitude (tease) / China Girl (tease) / Computer World (tease) > 1999 / Where It's At

Mountain Jam Friday Setlists

Recap to come.

COURTNEY BARNETT - 06.03.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (56 minutes)

SET -
Dead Fox / Scotty Says / An Illustration of Loneliness (Sleepless in New York) / Out of the Woodwork > Small Poppies / Depreston > Three Packs a Day > Pedestrian at Best / Elevator Operator / New Speedway Boogie / Avant Gardener / Nobody Really Cares If You Don't Go to the Party

TURKUAZ - 06.03.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (1 hour, 2 minutes)

SET -
Chatte Lunatique / The Mountain / Percy Thrills, the Moondog / Nightswimming / Tiptoe Through the Crypto / Bubba Slide / Lookin' Tough, Feelin' Good / I Shall Be Released > Monkey Fingers

WILCO - 06.03.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (1 hour, 47 minutes)

SET -
More... / Random Name Generator / The Joke Explained / I Am Trying to Break Your Heart > Art of Almost / Pickled Ginger / Hummingbird / Handshake Drugs / Where Do I Begin / Cold Slope > King of You / Via Chicago / Spiders (Kidsmoke) / Unknown Song* / Jesus, Etc. / Box Full of Letters / Heavy Metal Drummer / I'm the Man Who Loves You / Dawned on Me / Impossible Germany / The Late Greats / California Stars (feat. Jason Isbell) / Red-Eyed & Blue / I Got You (at the End of the Century) > Outtasite (Outta Mind)

GOV'T MULE - 06.03.16 - MOUNTAIN JAM (2 hours, 42 minutes)

SET -
Sweet Leaf > Yer Blues / Thorazine Shuffle > Funny Little Tragedy / Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)/Rebel Rebel (feat. Nels Cline) > Larger Than Life > Kind of Bird / Captured / Stage Fright > Hunger Strike > Dear Mr. Fantasy > Hunger Strike / Painted Silver Light / Frozen Fear > D'yer Mak'er > Mule > What is Hip? (feat. the Marcus King Band) / Hope She'll Be Happier / Game Face > I'm a Ram

ENCORE -
Soulshine

Vinnie Caruana Saint Vitus Setlist

Review to come.

SPIRIT HOUSES - 06.08.16 - SAINT VITUS (25 minutes)

SET -

Comatose / Will You Wait for Me* / Currituck Sound / Kentucky Death / Hole in the Earth / That Ship Has Sailed / Holy Eraser

BRANDON REILLY - 06.08.16 - SAINT VITUS (36 minutes)

SET -

The Days Go by Oh So Slow / Dear Scene, I Wish I Were Deaf / Ode to Serotonin / Marry Me / Up the Junction / Heaven Runs on Oil / Thumbelina / Why Am I Always Right? / I Want to Be Buried in Your Backyard

VINNIE CARUANA - 06.08.16 - SAINT VITUS (49 minutes)

SET -

Burn It Down / We Don't Have to Die Alone / Angel of the North / Somehow the World Keeps Turning / Boy, You're in Heaven / Hey / Heavy Weighs the Summer / I Don't Believe You / To Be Dead & in Love / Brooklyn Dodgers / Your Religion is Killing Me / This One's on Me

The Marjorleans Knitting Factory Brooklyn Setlist

Review to come.

THE MAJORLEANS - 06.01.16 - KNITTING FACTORY BROOKLYN (41 minutes, 30 seconds)

SET -

Give It All to Me / Mr. Magic / Set to Receive / Never Had Enough / Under the Spell / Sunrise Mary / Real Bad / What I Mean / Tattoo

FRANCES CONE - 06.01.16 - KNITTING FACTORY BROOKLYN (38 minutes)

SET -

Over Now / Waterline / Keep It Moving / Shake You Out / Heartland > Arizona / Late Riser / Soon / Leave Without You

The Next Round - Episode 43: Brian Bonz

There's no such thing as June Fools Day, so this isn't a prank.  The Next Round returns after a lengthy hiatus with a brand new episode featuring Brian Bonz!  Listen as this native Brooklynite shares his stories of kebab-induced food poisoning, falling off the stage at Hoboken's legendary former venue Maxwell's, and recording his latest album Misophonia amongst the forklifts of Sunset Park.

Stream below, download directly, or subscribe on iTunes to never miss an episode.



Hear "Moonstruck (Murder What We Hate)" on The Next Round Companion Playlist.
Visit Brian's website and follow him on Twitter.
Buy Misophonia on iTunes or vinyl.
Check out the latest Bobo Touch video.

Oh, and here's the sunrise from this morning…

Cheerleader Graduate to the Late Show at Mercury Lounge

Philadelphia's hazy power pop band Cheerleader opened the late show last night at their most frequent NYC tour stop, Mercury Lounge.  "A Million Ways" is the single they're currently promoting, so what better way to do that than to open with its shimmery guitars and self-reflective lyrics?  They followed with a brand new song (the first of four) called "Draggin' Me Down," which marked a shift away from their nebulous patina and towards a crunchier pop/rock sound.  After a whistle-less "Do What You Want," bassist Paul Impellizeri addressed the crowd, "Thanks, guys.  We're gonna get a little weird."  Raising his plastic cup, he added, "Cheers to getting weird."  The weirdness manifested itself as a decaying spoken word intro to the second new tune of the night, "I Feel It Coming," which reassured fans that the band hadn't completely traded in their haziness for pop sheen.  Third newbie, "I'm Just Thinkin' It to Myself," was dedicated to headliner, Paperwhite, and Cheerleader made sure to leave the stage nice and toasty for them with a confident "Feel Like That," as guitarist Chris Duran jerked around in angular motions and drummer Carl Bahner bobbed his head and shoulders from side to side.

Don't miss the episode of The Next Round I recorded with them before the gig, and also, don't miss them when they come back through NYC, as I may open for them with some stand-up.

CHEERLEADER - 05.28.16 - MERCURY LOUNGE (39 minutes)

SET -

A Million Ways / Draggin' Me Down* / Perfect Vision / Do What You Want / I Feel It Coming* / The Sunshine of Your Youth / I'm Just Thinkin' It to Myself* / On Your Side / Feel Like That*

Monthly Mix #15: May 2016

May 2016:
This playlist is all about being excited, probably because summer is nearly here.



1. Mike Doughty - "I'm Still Drinking in My Dreams"
Stoked that one of my favorite Mike Doughty tunes is finally getting a proper release on the remastered Haughty Melodic, one of my favorite albums ever.

2. James Gang - "Walk Away"
Joe fucking Walsh.

3. Fickle Friends - "Swim"
A poppy little ditty with some sweet guitar licks.

4. Rogue Wave - "California Bride"
Rogue Wave just played the best concert I've seen so far this year.

5. Clarence Carter - "Slip Away"
I really only knew Clarence from his risqué groover, "Strokin'," but I heard this playing over the PA before a show.  Dig it.

6. Radiohead - "Burn the Witch"
I'm not sure if A Moon Shaped Pool will ever end up on Spotify, so while I would've preferred to include "Identikit" or "True Love Waits," the latter of which almost brought me to tears, I had to settle for the kinetic opening track.  Not a bad option.

7. Honne feat. Izzy Bizu - "Someone That Loves You"
I have a soft spot for male/female duets.

8. Aloha - "Faraway Eyes"
Aloha had always been a band that I thought was just okay, but their latest record, Little Windows Cut Right Through, is currently at the top of my 2016 list.

9. Wilco - "How to Fight Loneliness"
I get to see Wilco for the first time at Mountain Jam next week!

10. King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard - "Robot Stop"
Ol' Giz & the Liz Wiz dropped a seamlessly loopable psych-rock tour de force with Nonagon Infinity. This is how the maelstrom begins.

Kevin Barnes Le Poisson Rouge Setlist

Review to come.

KEVIN BARNES - 05.24.16 - LE POISSON ROUGE (1 hour, 14 minutes)

SET -

Empyrean Abattoir / Obsidian Currents / Chaos Arpeggiating / Raindrop in My Skull / She Courts Calamities / Thank You, Dylan Thomas (Poem)* / The Color of Terror (Poem)* / Ambassador Bridge / Won't You Always Be There* / Mother (tease) / Nothing Compares 2 U / Bunny Ain't No Kind of Rider / Suffer for Fashion > Sink the Seine > Cato as a Pun > Touched Something's Hollow 

ENCORE -

Hang on to Yourself / Gronlandic Edit

Rogue Wave Bowery Ballroom Setlist

Review to come.

ROGUE WAVE - 05.13.16 - BOWERY BALLROOM (1 hour, 22 minutes)

SET -
Take It Slow / Ocean / Kicking the Heart Out (tease) / Look at Me / Endless Supply / Bird on a Wire (tease) / College > Eyes / Salesman at the Day of the Parade / Solitary Gun (tease) / Nourishment Nation / Medicine Ball (tease) / California Bride / What is Left to Solve / Memento Mori / Lake Michigan / Harmonium

ENCORE -

Happy Birthday / Postage Stamp World / Publish My Love / Like I Needed / Chicago x 12 (tease) / 10:1 (tease) / Fame (tease) / California

Honne Standard Hotel Setlist

Review soon.

HONNE - 05.12.16 - STANDARD HOTEL (46 minutes)

SET -

Woman* / I Can Give You Heaven / Warm on a Cold Night / 3 AM / Gone Are the Days / Coastal Love / 'Til the Evening* / Someone That Loves You / The Night

The Revivalists Brooklyn Bowl Setlist

THE REVIVALISTS - 05.11.16 - BROOKLYN BOWL (1 hour, 43 minutes)

SET -

Catching Fireflies / All in the Family / Monster / Amber / It Was a Sin / Move On / Fade Away / Stand Up / Need You / Upright (feat. Lucas Ellman) / Keep Going / Wish I Knew You > Criminal

ENCORE -

King of What / Soulfight / Forgot About Dre (feat. Brandon Niederauer)

Bear Hands Marlin Room Setlist

Review on the way.

BEAR HANDS - 05.07.16 - THE MARLIN ROOM AT WEBSTER HALL (55 minutes)

SET -

Marathon Man / Bone Digger / What a Drag / Like Me Like That / Giants / Pt. II: Bullshit Saviour Complex / Winner's Circle / Boss / Party Hats / Peacekeeper / Chin Ups / Too Young / Agora / 2AM

Lissie Music Hall of Williamsburg Setlist

Review to come.

LISSIE - 04.19.16 - MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG (1 hour, 39 minutes)

SET -
Hero / Sleepwalking / Shameless / They All Want You / Stay / When I'm Alone / Oh Mississippi / Bully / Sun Keeps Risin' / Don't You Give Up on Me / Little Lovin' / Everywhere I Go / Daughters / Ojai / Further Away (Romance Police) / Shroud

ENCORE -

In Sleep / Pursuit of Happiness

Monthly Mix #14: April 2016

April 2016:
It's springtime, so I wanted to stack this with fresh tunes.  Most of these were released in the past two months.




1. Big Boi - "Feel Me (Intro)"
"Damn, and that wasn't nothing but the intro."

2. The Heavy - "Not the One"
The brass is where your ears will gravitate on first listen, but pay special attention to that choppy, John Frusciante-inspired guitar part.

3. The Hip Abduction - "Come Alive"
I bought my ticket to see ALO later this year, and these guys are opening.  This song is pretty fun.

4. Brett Dennen - "Only Want You"
I know Brett has a few new singles out, but this one from Smoke & Mirrors has been speaking to me.

5. The Front Bottoms - "Santa Monica"
"I wanna be stronger than your dad was for your mom" is such an audacious and scathing lyric.  Not sure I've ever heard anything like it.

6. White Denim - "Holda You (I'm Psycho)"
Good rock song.

7. Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals - "Shine"
Unfortunately, Harper's newest album is not essential, but this is the standout track.

8. Bear Hands - "Marathon Man"
I've been digging Bear Hands a lot recently.  Here's one from You'll Pay for This.

9. Sturgill Simpson - "Brace for Impact (Live a Little)"
I love the trip this song takes in its second half.

10. Charles Bradley - "Changes"
The Screaming Eagle of Soul puts his stamp on Sabbath.