Regina Spektor performs for President & guests
June 6, 2010
Regina Spektor Performs for President and GuestsSinger-songwriter Regina Spektor performed this past weekend at the White House for President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and a host of prominent guests as part of the first-ever White House reception in honor of Jewish-American heritage. Spektors performance was especially poignant for many of the attendees, as she is a Russian-born Jewish performer who moved to the U.S. from Soviet Russia over twenty years ago. Spektor also recently dropped her fifth record, Far, and is set to embark on a European tour next month to support that very album...
Fellow singer-songwriter Damien Jurado is set to hit the road, too, on a big-time U.S. tour with Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground along as both Jurados backing band and opening act. Jurados touring in support of his upcoming album, Saint Barlett, which was released last week on Secretly Canadian Records, and which consists of twelve tunes that all began as demo songs that Jurado was mailing to a friend who was going through a difficult transitional period. Jurados tour dates will include stops in Milwaukee WI (6/8), Indianapolis (6/12), Cleveland (6/15), Philly (6/19), Austin TX (6/26), and Birmingham AL (6/24)...
And as most American Idol fans already know, the final results for the latest round of the singing popularity contest were passed out in a blockbuster TV presentation, with Lee DeWyze winning the rilly big shew and Crystal Bowersox serving as runner-up. Both performers were signed to Idols associate record labels, and will reportedly be putting out debut albums before the end of the year. DeWyze said in a recent interview that his will be influenced by the likes of Kings of Leon, Ben Harper, and Dave Matthews; while Bowersox explained that she likes to perform simple songs that anyone can enjoy, although shes also an admitted fan of the, uh, slightly more complicated Alanis Morissette.
In related Idol news, departing judge Simon Cowell will be honored this week in London, England with a special BAFTA Award, which will honor his work as one of the most brilliant entertainment producers of our time. The jurys out on whether or not Idol will be anywhere near as entertaining without Cowells forthright judgements and industry-sharp comments...
MODERN ROCK LINK OF THE WEEK:
Death Cab for Cuties Chris Walla has started his own record label; dubbed Trans Records, the imprint will be part of Warner Musics Independent Label Group, and Wallas already signed his first band - Washingtons The Lonely Forest, who will go into the studio with Walla himself to record their third album this spring. Keep an eye on both Wallas work and future potential Trans Records release at www.myspace.com/chriswalla...
MINI BUZZ:
Killers frontman Brandon Flowers has been working hard on his first solo album with producers Stuart Price, Daniel Lanois, and Brendan OBrien; Flowers set, dubbed Flamingo, will hit stores this upcoming fall...
White Stripes fans can now snag the duos Under the Great White Northern Lights book without having to shell out the entire $229 for the box CD/DVD set - the book is now being sold separately for $45...
Silverstein will release their own live CD/DVD, Decade: Live at the El Mocambo, on June 8, in part to celebrate the bands ten-year anniversary...
This years famed Glastonbury fest is set for June 23 through the 27th this year in the UK, and will feature headliners Muse, and Stevie Wonder, although not prior headliners U2 (who cancelled in order to allow Bono to recover from back surgery); U2 will reportedly be replaced in that headliner spot by Gorillaz...
Orbital will be releasing their first tracks in six years with a double single, set to hit stores and radio on June 20...
Liam (Oasis) Gallaghers Pretty Green clothing label is set to welcome in fellow Brit singer Paul Weller, who is planning to design suits and jackets for the fashion line...
And these artists have designed their very own albums and are presenting them in-stores this week for your perusal... ON CD: Hansons Shout it Out... Crystal Castles Crystal Castles... Christina Aguileras Bionic... Ratatats LP4... and We Are The In Crowds Guaranteed to Disagree... and thats the buzz for this weeks Modern Rock.
Questions, comments, rants, raves, suggestions on this column or your favorite musicians? Send em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com