Photos: 91X Presents: The Unlikely Candidate @Soda Bar

91X presents:

The Unlikely Candidate.

Sunset Sessions Rock! Returns to San Diego

For 16 years, Michele Clark has been hosting Sunset Sessions. The idea was simple- bring new music and sounds to people who can do something with them...radio program directors, film supervisors, advertising agencies and more all have incredible power to break new music. These industry professionals are flown in to attend daytime panels, listening parties, mixers and keynote speakers, and by night are required to attend music showcases. They actually call roll to make sure that the people who have been brought to hear music are actually present to hear it.

Originally, Sunset Sessions targeted the "Triple A" format (radio speak for Adult Album Alternative). A bit of a vague category that countered the easy listening and yacht rock music of the 80's, not quite hard enough to be rock, but not quite fitting into labels like "alt-rock". Often, AAA bands gain a wider audience in Top 40 or Alternative Rock, but sometimes years after they've been nurtured on the AAA format. A few years ago, Sunset Sessions expanded to two events, the new one to focus on the demands of TV and film who wanted a little more edge without having to filter the vast interwebs to find the next big thing, and thus Sunset Session Rock was born.

After hosting the event in Palm Springs last year (and moving the 2013 AAA Sessions to San Francisco), the event is back in San Diego and for the first time ever, the music showcases will be held at the Belly Up with some tickets available to the public. After the industry professionals spend their days at panels, they'll be shuttled to three nights of showcases, two of them hosted by 91X and one hosted by FM 94/9.



I've been fortunate to attend several Sunset Sessions over the years, long before I started a music blog, and every year I've attended I've discovered great new music, met incredibly inspiring professionals and have learned so much about how the wheels of the industry really work.

This year's Sunset Sessions is taking place at The Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront Resort & Spa. And while that portion is still open only to select invited industry professionals, it would behoove you to check out some or all of the showcases at the Belly Up.

Thursday:
7PM - 10:30PM: MAIN STAGE * Belly Up Presented by 91X
Cameron Rafati * The Unlikely Candidates * Faulkner *
Semi Precious Weapons * Monster Truck * DJ Skratch N Sniff (between sets)

10:30PM - 11:30PM: LATE NIGHT LOUNGE * Belly Up
FERAL VINCA * Big B

Friday:
7PM - All Night! MAIN STAGE * Belly Up Presented by 94.9
Cheating Daylight * Leogun * Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. * 7Lions *
Redlight King * Heaven's Basement * Michelle Delamor *
Ed Hale & The Transcendence * DJ Skratch N Sniff (between sets)

Saturday:
7:30PM - 11PM: MAIN STAGE * Belly Up Presented by 91X
The Boxer Rebellion * Eve To Adam * ACIDIC * Dig The Kid *
Brand New Machine

11PM - 12AM: LATE NIGHT LOUNGE * Belly Up
Strange Native * D-Strutters

For information, go to www.sunsetsessions.org

Here's me talking it up on KPBS (which will air on Friday during the 6:30 broadcast.

Tuesday Night: Barcelona at The Griffin

credit: Kelly Stonelake

Last summer, Sunset Sessions added a second session that focused on the "Active Rock" format instead of the strong AAA (adult album alternative) format they've focused on at the spring sessions. There were a few bands out of place who certainly would've done better in the spring session, but in my opinion we were given a special treat. Early one morning, those of us who got up early enough were invited to a "Bed-In", where three acts performed in a hotel room completely unplugged, while literally sitting on the bed. One of those bands was Barcelona and as far as I can remember, the band hasn't had a proper show in San Diego in a long time (if ever?) so tonight's show at the Griffin should not be missed. Check out the playlist of the three songs Barcelona performed at the Bed-In.

Lucinda Williams at Sunset Sessions 2012

Another great performance at the 2012 Sunset Sessions was from Lucinda Williams. I hadn't seen Lucinda perform live since Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, and at the time, I wasn't aware of her history and amazing catalog of music. Recently, Lucinda has been the subject of criticism by Bob Lefsetz for using a lyric book when she performs, but seeing her in person, in a brightly lit banquet room, with a room full of industry professionals, it was actually shocking how someone so experienced could still seem so nervous and shy, and when you see how many songs are in that binder, dating back to the 1970's, it's no wonder she has it available for performances. I felt very lucky to be in that room.

Below is the full playlist from her show, which deviates slightly from her setlist.

1. Pineola
2. Side of the Road
3. World Without Tears
4. Born To Be Loved
5. Port Arthur
6. Stowaway
7. Lake Charles
8. Angel (Jimi Hendrix Cover)
9. Blessed

Jason Mraz at Sunset Sessions 2012

I have a bunch of videos and photos to share with you from the weekend, but thought I'd start off by sharing the videos of Jason Mraz's appearance at Sunset Sessions 2012. To be completely honest, I hadn't seen Jason perform since Java Joe's a bazillion years ago and I still think that "You And I Both" is the best song he's ever written, but there's a really sappy unicorns-and-rainbows girl inside of me that thinks that "I Won't Give Up" might just knock that to the second best and I imagine it will be the song for many weddings to come. He performed four songs- "I Won't Give Up", "I'm Yours", "The Woman I Love" and "You Fuckin' Did It", though there were a lot of kids around so he cleaned it up.

"I Won't Give Up"


See the other videos after the jump.

Sunset Sessions 2012

Sunset Sessions 2012 is underway at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. The mostly private event is the annual get together for music supervisors and radio program directors in the AAA format (also known as "Triple A" for Adult Album Alternative. Think KPRI, and about a third of the playlist of Radio Sophie...). I've been fortunate to come to the event for a few years now and it is an interesting education into the music business...how radio stations come to play the songs they do, how songs get placed on your favorite TV shows or movies or commercials...and seeing the inner workings of the relationships between bands, labels, artists, publicists, and supervisors. At times it is quite inspiring and makes me think that if I just keep working my ass off in the numerous ways I'm involved in music, one of these days something will stick. And to be completely honest, sometimes it is completely frustrating, with a distinct insider's club feeling and the impression that you have to have money to make money. I can easily name a dozen San Diego independent acts who deserve the eyeballs and earholes of this elite group of music gatekeepers if they only had the financial backing that is required to perform here.

All of that said, besides Everest, the first day of music left a whole lot to be desired so I didn't really shoot video or photos, though I have been representing SoundDiego around the panels and such. I did however take full advantage of the open bar (which is only open for a small window of time throughout the night.), and I also took the time to reconnect with familiar faces like Incan Abraham and The Makepeace Brothers. You can see some performances and photos from throughout this weekend over at SoundDiego or Radio Sophie.

Today has been really beautiful up at the Inn and there was a really cool keynote/interview with Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips, as well as a great afternoon panel with the dream team of today's most important music gatekeepers, like Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour) and Alex Patsavas (Chop Shop Records and holder of my dream job). Since The Heavy Guilt has a show tonight and Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels have their CD release show tomorrow (which is close to selling out so you should buy tickets in advance if you're planning on going), I'm gonna have to miss the night sessions with performances by the likes of Jimmy Cliff, fun., Gary Clark Jr., and The Parlotones, but I'm still hoping to close out the weekend with more informative panels and some of the daytime music sessions. Happy hour is about to start and Audra Mae is performing, so I better scoot. xoxo

Sunset Sessions Rock 2011: "Bed-In" with Barcelona, Jenny O, and Holcombe Waller

One of my favorite things that happened at Sunset Sessions Rock was called a "Bed-In", with the performances in a resort suite. It wasn't very "rock" which is probably why it was one of my favorite things, and I have a feeling they'll do these from now on at the AAA Sunset Sessions in February.


Just a quick rewind, last week I'd been going non-stop. I went to three shows on Wednesday and then came home after 2 and worked online until about 5 am, caught a few hours sleep and then went up to Sunset Sessions with Tim Pyles, then came back in time for Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. at the Casbah. After DEJJ, I went home to do the weekend listings until 7:30 am and slept until I was picked up at 10:30 for more Sunset Sessions, then returned by 8 for my showcase at Eleven. Naturally I enjoyed some cocktails and had planned on sleeping in on Saturday until Pyles asked if I wanted to go back to La Costa, so with just a few hours of sleep, it was back up to Sunset Sessions. There was a morning panel that Eric from SoundDiego was speaking on, "Maximizing Your Digital Space", so we caught most of that and then moved to a suite overlooking center court where they'd set up Mexican catering (carnitas tacos in the morning are the BEST!!) and mimosas until the musicians performed. It was relaxing and while I was exhausted, I certainly felt privileged to be there.



I was only familiar with Barcelona, but there's something about the intimacy of people singing in a hotel room completely unplugged that was just really remarkable. Holcombe Waller kicked it off, followed by Jenny O, then Barcelona. Here are the video of all three performers. You can right or left click through the playlist. I only kept track of song titles from Holcombe, so if you have any contribution, feel free to comment here or on YouTube.



For more info on the artists:

Holcombe Waller
Jenny O
Barcelona

GIVERS at Sunset Sessions Rock 2011

I have a lot to share about Sunset Sessions but I just don't know how much I'll actually be able to get to, but one of the standout performances was by the young band GIVERS from Lafayette, Louisiana. They played San Diego last year with Ra Ra Riot but unfortunately I'd arrived late to the show and missed them, but now that they're on Glassnote Records and their new album, In Light,drops today, I suspect we'll be seeing and hearing from them a lot in the next year or two as the label is notorious for having their bands tour heavily. We were jamming the advance of the record on our way to and from Indie Jam and if you want to add an incredible new record to your collection, I highly recommend checking these guys out. (Click the right and left arrows to see the other videos in the playlist)



For more artist info:
Glassnote Artist Page
Facebook
Website
Twitter
Myspace

Sunset Sessions: Daniel Glass of Glassnote Records

I just got out of a one one one interview between Matt Deal of Rolling Stone and Daniel Glass of Glassnote Records. What an incredibly inspiring interview and discussion. Daniel's got many mantras in running his businesses (they also started Four Song Night publishing), but one especially important one was, "You have to turn over the tables." With an extensive history in music through SAM Records, SBK, Rising Tide, Universal, and Artemis, Glass attributes his current life to learning what not to do in the past...how artists should be treated, how a company should be run, and being transparent with his "family" which not only includes the people working directly for Glassnote, but the artists themselves, publicists, managers, agents...everyone.

When someone asked how things happen...how do you get the introduction, how does a record hit, how does a career launch, he responded with a hockey analogy- "You never know how the puck gets in the goal," explaining that he never really got hockey because the puck moves so fast that you never really see the shot or misfire or deflection as the puck enters the net, but the entire team is working toward that end result. I think of the bands on Glassnote: Temper Trap, Givers, Mumford & Sons, Royal Bangs, Phoenix, Secondhand Serenade, Two Door Cinema Club, Justin Nozuka, and Kele and I think you can see how hard the label and the bands have worked to grow their fan base, to tour, to not shoot for instant success but rather the slow build, and it is absolutely inspiring. I would've never forgiven myself if I didn't ask a question, so I asked about what they provide tour support and he said it is the greatest initial expenditure along with the servicing of product to media, labels, etc, but if the artist is as great as Glassnote believes them to be, they are worth the investment of providing that initial tour support. I also would've never forgiven myself if I didn't take the opportunity to me Daniel and Adam and slip them a card and a CD, so hopefully they'll enjoy Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels on their way to the airport this evening.

For old time sake, I thought I'd repost my first Mumford and Sons show at the Troubadour.

Sunset Sessions Rock 2011: Thursday in Photos

Back in February, I wrote extensively about Sunset Sessions. In a nutshell, the annual gathering presents bands to the small (<500) attentive audience of radio program directors and music supervisors who come from all over the country. Michele Clark has been doing Sunset Sessions for 14 years in the AAA format (Adult Album Alternative. Think KPRI). This year, the organization decided to expand, and this week they're back at La Costa for Sunset Sessions Rock-"Where Alternative Meets Active Rock".

Today kicked off with registration and some evening and late night music showcases. I was only able to stick around for the first round of bands, but those happened to include Deep Dark Robot (as well as an acoustic 91X performance by Linda Perry), Redlight King, AWOLnation, and our own home grown favorites, Transfer, who announced that they have an upcoming European tour including some huge festivals as well as getting their record picked up by a European label as well as signing with a music publisher.











I shot a ton of video, but I will have to upload as I attempt to get some sleep and will try to post it in the morning. In the meantime, the rest of my photos are after the jump if you click 'keep on reading'. I'll continue with my tweets and stuff throughout the day on Friday, and again if I can make it up on Saturday.

Sunset Sessions: Samuel Beam (Iron & Wine), 2.19.2011

It's Sunday afternoon, but when you're up until 6 am, 2pm feels like morning. I'm listening to the Garden State soundtrack (since someone appears to have permanently borrowed my DVD), and Iron & Wine comes on. Then I realized I still have Sunset Sessions videos I haven't shared with you.

Samuel Beam, Sam Beam, Iron & Wine, (whatever) played on Friday night. The crowd was into it and I wish I'd gotten closer so my camera wouldn't have been quite so shaky. I don't know if I mentioned, but Sunset Sessions aren't regular shows. At times it's like a banquet hall with round 8 top tables, other times random seats, other times a couple dozen couches, so there's no "press" area...half the people there are press...so everyone just tries to be respectful with their cameras and some of the showcases were more crowded than others. It was also at the point during the night when some of the drama started happening with the Florida band that I don't really want to write about, so I was distracted and trying to track them down for an interview while Sam Beam played. I was outside when the set finished, and that's where I got my pic with Sam and then proceeded to my interview with the Floridians.


I honestly am not familiar enough with Iron & Wine's music to know if he was there playing new stuff or old stuff or just hoping for another pick-up like the Garden State soundtrack, but he sounded great and I suppose I should delve more into his catalog seeing as the whole bearded boy with guitar seems to be my thing. Or one of my things.

Anyway, here are a couple photos and a video. Click 'keep on reading' for two more videos.

Vanessa Carlton Signs To Razor + Tie, Rabbits On The Run out June 21

It was pretty amazing watching Vanessa Carlton a couple weeks ago at Sunset Sessions, and I was impressed by how quickly her fans found my uploaded videos before I even titled them on YouTube. Today, Razor + Tie announced that the boutique label has signed the artist and will release Rabbits On The Run on June 21st. For the full press release, click 'keep on reading' at the bottom of this post.



VANESSA CARLTON LINKS:

Website/Twitter/Facebook


VANESSA CARLTON SIGNS WITH RAZOR & TIE

New Album RABBITS ON THE RUN To Be Released On June 21st, 2011

(New York, NY) - Razor & Tie is excited to announce the signing of singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton. Her fourth studio album and first for Razor & Tie is set for release on June 21st, 2011. The album, titled Rabbits on the Run, was produced by Steve Osborne (U2, B-52's, KT Tunstall) and was recorded in the UK at Peter Gabriel's world-renowned Real World Studios.

"It's inspiring to be working with such a vibrant talent like Vanessa Carlton," said Beka Tischker, Razor & Tie's Vice President of A&R and Music Publishing. "Vanessa's latest album harkens back to the art of making records that take you on a journey, it's refreshing and something you don't hear a lot of today. The music showcases her depth as a composer, sensitivity as a lyricist, and her skills as a pianist. At Razor & Tie we pride ourselves with being a home that nurtures artists to grow and explore so that they can reach their full potential."

Vanessa Carlton's Rabbits on the Run is a 10-song set of gorgeous, haunting melodies and finely-crafted stories. The album was created in collaboration with Steve Osborne, Patrick Hallahan of My Morning Jacket, Ari Ingber of The Upwelling (all playing on the album), a two-inch tape machine, and a stone house in the English countryside. It was in part inspired by two books: Richard Adams' Watership Down and Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of Time. Songs include the 70's-sun-drenched "Dear California," the lush "Carousel" and the bold "I Don't Want to Be a Bride." Rabbits on the Run is by far the most honest and uncompromised album she has recorded to date, revealing a striking departure and an exciting snapshot in the evolution of Vanessa Carlton.

Carlton explains, "It took me thirteen years to return to the vibe of my first cassette demo and ten years to muster the courage to go it alone and create something that is pure Arts and Crafts. It was written and arranged over two years, and put to tape." Watch Vanessa discuss the album HERE or at www.vanessacarlton.com

Three Grammy nominations, three studio albums, platinum sales and a collection of hit songs are some notable results of a fruitful career thus far for Vanessa Carlton. She first exploded onto the scene in 2002 with her stunning debut Be Not Nobody, and world-wide hit single"A Thousand Miles." Vanessa Carlton first began playing the piano as a toddler, continuing on an artistic road with her attendance at the School of American Ballet in New York, a path she would eventually abandon in favor of songwriting. While studying at Columbia University in New York City, Carlton was signed to Interscope Records and has since released three albums featuring songs such as "A Thousand Miles," "White Houses," and "Nolita Fairytale." Carlton's music has resonated with audiences of all ages world-wide and she continues to inspire an increasingly loyal fan base. Vanessa Carlton is managed by Career Artist Management (CAM).

Vanessa Carlton joins the leading independent label Razor & Tie and the diverse and acclaimed roster that includes such artists as Richard Ashcroft, Nicole Atkins, Angelique Kidjo, Dave Barnes, All That Remains, Norma Jean, Dweezil Zappa, Dar Williams, Chelsea Grin and The Summer Set. The New York City based label is one of the fastest growing independent record companies in the United States, and has garnered both Platinum sales and Grammy awards in its 20 year history.

Sunset Sessions: The Makepeace Brothers February 18, 2011

Friday morning of Sunset Sessions kicked off with an interview and performance by Cas Haley, a rural Texas boy who came in second place on America's Got Talent. We followed that with a performance by Laura Jansen, but since she was playing a keyboard that was plugged directly into the mixer, I didn't bother filming. It wasn't until The Makepeace Brothers that I decided I'd capture all of the sessions on my own.

The Makepeace Brothers are Ciaran and Finian and seriously, everything about them is adorable. They are 2 of 4 brothers, their last name is really Makepeace (their parents legally changed their names in the 70s), and they finish each other's sentences. They are originally from Ithaca but now call Venice home, and you can tell the beach influences their free spirited music.

In their interview, they talked about their work with a charity to stop sex slavery in the US and internationally and how that has lead them to get involved with several other charities. Their next performance in San Diego, in fact, will be at the post-run celebration for the Chelsea's Light Foundation on March 5th, and then in Oceanside for a Feeding The Soul event on March 26. You can tell these guys come from good stock ("growing up, we sang because we didn't have TV") and some lucky girls are gonna snatch them up and make lots and lots of babies.




In the session, they performed two songs.The first was "Breaking Down These Walls" which I loved.


Then they played "Wake Up" which was sweet but I wasn't quite so in love with because for one, there are too many "oooh-ooh-oohs" for my taste, and two, that's the guitar lick from Sublime's "Santeria", isn't it? Still, these boys are a-ok in my book and I'm sure with the help of their friend Jason Mraz, you'll see and hear them everywhere one day.

Sunset Sessions: Vanessa Carlton & Stevie Nicks, 2.19.2011

The internet is amazing, isn't it? I uploaded about 40 videos from Sunset Sessions, and was planning on going back to title all the videos (or con Matt the potential intern into doing it, aka Matt PI), and I wake up to find that 41 people have already watched my video of Vanessa Carlton and Stevie Nicks. How did they even find it titles 8471 or whatever? I dunno. Regardless, I've added more titles and it's pretty obvious that Vanessa Carlton has some ravenous fans because they're eating them up.

The story: On Saturday, Stevie Nicks appeared at Sunset Sessions as she moderated an album preview, Q&A and listening party, and meet and greet. We were busy recording a session, but decided to head down at the end to try and get some photos. I wasn't particularly interested in meeting Stevie Nicks. There are some music idols, I suppose, that you don't wanna meet...I'd rather keep whatever notion I have of her in my brain, and especially since I hadn't been in for the session. Just didn't feel right. But I was watching my tweetdeck in real time and enjoying all the tweets about Stevie.

Hours later, after the evening session finished, everyone moved up to the dinner ballroom for some bands and a buffet. I kept my eyes on the live search and started seeing buzzings that Stevie Nicks was soundchecking with Vanessa Carlton. After dinner I had to make sure I unloaded my cameras to my laptop in the office, but told Peggy and made sure she did her best to get us seats up close. I walked in after one or two songs and found that Peggy had the very front and center sofa. There was some anticipation as people had pretty much figured out (or looked at the tweetwall) and knew the "surprise" was Stevie Nicks. Here are the videos I shot. Apologies that "I Don't Wanna Be A Bride" isn't the full song, I started recording late. These videos are in reverse order, except "Carousel" which ended the set.

"Carousel"


"I Don't Wanna Be A Bride"


"London"


"A Thousand Miles"

Sunset Sessions: KD Lang, 2.18.2011

I see that a lot of people are landing on my site through KD Lang's fan page, but I just have too many photos and they're making the rest of my site go haywire, so instead, I'll just post the two photos I snapped.

KD Performed on Friday, February 18 at Sunset Sessions during the evening music session. We arrived early Friday and unlike other seminars or conventions, the resort felt oddly empty. I'd estimate that attendance is somewhere in the range of 500 including all of the bands, but not everyone stays the full weekend and many just attend the live music sessions while skipping the panels that take place in a smallish room that could probably hold 100 or so people. So I didn't really know the lay of the land or where and what we could do, so after some of our interviews, I heard KD Lang's voice coming through the halls. I went to this side area and caught her soundchecking with her band, with a few people scattered. Nobody really told me I couldn't be there, but where in my former life if I didn't have a pass and was just sneaking around, I'd go anywhere, now that I have NBC on my badge, there are certain rules I don't wanna break, so I watched her sing from a side door, snapped a couple pics, and was on my way.

Leter that evening she performed, but we were doing more sessions and trying to get things uploaded and whatnot, so I missed it, but I could hear through the hall and from what I could tell, the crowd was in total awe. I heard her sing "Contant Craving" and "Hallelujah" but am not really sure what else she performed. I regret not seeing her performance, as I surely would've shot some video, too. My bad, for sure.

Sunset Sessions: Photo Gallery 2011

So apparently my Photobucket slideshow only allowed me to post 100 photos at a time so despite my album having 175 photos, you didn't see a bunch of them. I'm not very happy with changes to Photobucket and I hate Flickr (especially because even after going through a process to reclaim my account, I still couldn't get in), so I dunno what to do that would be the best way to display multiple photos, so I went through the 175 pictures, selected some from that album, and posted the thumbnails here. You can click them to get to the fullsize photos (I think).











More photos after the jump. (Click 'keep on reading' below')