Live Video: "Sojourner Truth" - Deedle Deedle Dees / Dean Jones

I know, I already mentioned the Elizabeth Mitchell / Frances England release concert for the release of Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti. But the Boston-area show last weekend, featuring The Deedle Deedle Dees (and a bunch of other folks), featured another collaboration -- the aforementioned Dees along with Many Hands creator/producer Dean Jones on trombone for their unrecorded (though couple years-old) tune "Sojourner Truth." Good stuff. The Deedle Deedle Dees with Dean Jones - "Sojourner Truth" [YouTube] Following the jump, another tune from the show, a raved-up (relatively) version of a track from the Dees' latest album, plus their contribution to Many Hands

Please Release Me: August 2010 Edition

Updating last month's list of upcoming releases once more... Matt Clark: Funnier Little Fella (Aug. 28) Secret Agent 23 Skidoo: Underground Playground (Aug. 31) Meredith LeVande: What Are the Odds? (Aug. 31) Bill Harley: The Best Candy in the Whole World (Sept. 14) "Doc" Dauer and others: The Body Rocks! (Sept. 14) Oran Etkin: Wake Up Clarinet (Sept. 14) The Squeegees: Meet the Squeegees (Sept. 21, Target exclusive) The Boogers: Title TBA (fall) Jeremy Zmuda: Title TBA (fall) Laurie Berkner: Let’s Hear it for The Laurie Berkner Band! DVD (Sept. 28) Elizabeth Mitchell: Sunny Day (Oct. 5) Jim Cosgrove: Swimming in Noodles (Oct. 5) Maria Muldaur: Barnyard Dance: Jug Band Music for Kids (Oct. 12) Flannery Brothers: The New Explorers Club (Oct. 19) Keller Williams: Kids (Oct. 26) Caspar Babypants: This Is Fun! (Nov. 2) Buckwheat Zydeco: Buckwheat Zydeco's Bayou Boogie (Nov. 2) Frances England: Mind of My Own (Nov. 9) Jamie Broza: I Want a Dog (Nov. 23) David Weinstone: Title TBA (November) Didi Pop: Didi Pop Goes to Hawaii (Dec. 1) Meredith LeVande: Monkey Monkey Music: The Videos with Meredith LeVande (DVD, Dec. 1) Gustafer Yellowgold: Gustafer Yellowgold's Infinity Sock (Feb. 22, 2011) Others working on albums with potential 2010 releases? Lunch Money (Original Friend), Ella Jenkins, Big Don

Video: "Preposition" - The Bazillions

Their last video, for "Tommy Got in Trouble," had the advantage of being for a great song. It was a good video for Twin Cities band The Bazillions, but their new one (at least to YouTube) is even better. "Preposition" is a decent song, but this video is Schoolhouse Rock-worthy. The Bazillions - "Preposition" [YouTube]

Live Video: Elizabeth Mitchell / Frances England

I mentioned before the slew of release concerts being put on to celebrate the release of Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti. Three concerts down, three more to go. If they're at all like the one in Mill Valley, California, featuring Elizabeth Mitchell and Frances England, they're special affairs. At the show, they both played their tracks from the compilation, which are among my favorites on the record. For Frances' contribution, her original "That's What Friends Are For," Mitchell and husband Dan Littleton helped out. The song's called, "That's What Friends Are For" -- how could they not? Frances England w/ Elizabeth Mitchell and Daniel Littleton - "That's What Friends Are For" [YouTube] After the jump, Mitchell's contribution, featuring a nice violin solo from Mitchell/Littleton (and Jon Langford) compatriot Jean Cook...

Video: "Bookmobile Submarine" - John Hadfield

John Hadfield is turning to music videos to help him fund his new album -- he says on his Facebook page that proceeds from downloading this new video on iTunes or CDBaby will go toward funding his new album. Probably worth 99 cents just for the idea of writing a song called "Bookmobile Submarine" and then talking about microfiche, which is a joke that I think you have to be, like, at least 23 years old to get. Decent animation, it's a fun little 2:30 video. John Hadfield - "Bookmobile Submarine" [YouTube]

Is This Some Sort of Promo Kit: Pitching Kindie Albums

People really like bacon? By all means include me in your blog post. Thanks for the tip on the typo. A publick slap on the rist four knot dewing a god job proofreadnig seams in ordur. Which raises a good point about promo: whenever possible, print your promo materials in short runs so if your information changes, or if you get some great new quote to add to your press sheet, or if you find a typo you can quickly adjust and move on. In this case I only printed 5 copies of the press sheet in a mad dash to get a few discs out the door by my release date. (A slew of delays held this project up every step of the way, but that's another story.) One tip I'd have for would-be self promoters (not that you asked for a tip) is to find a good print/copy shop near your home base and let them print your materials. I use a great little shop up the street for all my promo printing: press sheets, posters, gig flyers, etc. I have a printer at home, but they have a much better one up the street. The quality is worth the extra expense, and it's tax deductible. Save your receipt!