Season 2 Episode 2: Annie Dressner - Live @ LIC Bar

Hey All!! It's Eric from Merrick coming back at ya with another episode of Radio Free Astoria.

I recorded this at LIC Bar on March 9th...can't believe it only took me 12 days to put it up on iTunes. :-)

Annie Dressner is a great musician...wonderful, sweet voice - catchy hooks - very real lyrics - and she's such a nice person in general.

And an added special treat - the great John-Flor Sisante backed her up, adding his signature style.

Enough of this jibba-jabba. On with the show!

Here it is - Season 2, Episode 1 Featuring Debbie Miller!

After a ridiculously long interval between the time I recorded the show and interview and now, I have finally gotten the first episode of the second Season of Radio Free Astoria up on Screencast and iTunes.

I met Debbie in 2008 while attending the open mic night at Waltz-Astoria. I believe she was introduced to me by Brian Peterson of Liminal Space - whom I will hopefully also get the chance to record soon.

Debbie has done quite a few shows over the past couple of years in various awesome venues across the city - including a few gigs at Rockwood Music Hall, which is probably one of the best small venues in Manhattan.

Her music - although hard to classify into just one genre - is awesomely quirky, catchy, and tends to blend innocent-sounding melodies with sometimes not-so-innocent lyrics.

So, take a listen and decide for yourself. I think you'll find she's like potato chips...although the analogy I was about to complete doesn't really make sense in the music context. Just listen, she's really good. :-)

Here it is, Debbie Miller - Live at Rockwood Music Hall:

I Know, I Know...

I'm slacking already. I know. I get it.

But...I recently recorded Debbie Miller at Rockwood Music Hall and will hopefully get the show up soon.

I had some MAJOR sound issues, but Debbie was kind enough to give me the recording from the soundboard, so here's hoping.

Just wanted to post and let you all know Season 2 - Episode 1 is on its way!

2/3 Goat...What's the Other Third?

I guess "awesome musician"?

I had the privilege of catching this whacky and entertaining band at...you guessed it...Lucky Mojo's.

This very same night, Bobby Kane came back and played with his full band (maybe this was the August 1st show? haha). Bobby's set will probably be the next episode...but I might put one of my sets in because I'm a selfish prick.

But anyway, these cats are pretty cool. As I mention in my intro, I did not have the opportunity to interview them after the show, so this is just their full set in it's entirety (with some lulls edited out).

Enjoy:

The Man, Bobby Kane

So I'm on a roll with editing these shows!

I recorded Bobby Kane at Lucky Mojo's in LIC shortly after I caught Rorie Kelly's show at Gizzi's last summer. You'll hear a couple of references to his upcoming shows...one of which was happening in August...obviously it's too late...and - sniffle sniffle - Lucky Mojo's has since closed. :-/

But let this first season of Radio Free Astoria be an ever-lasting testament to the once great venue that we all loved to play at, listen at, and eat at...yes, I know, bad grammar. Pshh.

The next 2 episodes also took place at Mojo's as well...stay tuned for more BBQ Sushi...

Six Months is Better Than Nuthin'

Wow...so yeah, I recorded Rorie's show in July and I'm finally getting around to uploading it. I'm a doof, I know. But I have a new commitment to RFA and it starts today. Not only that, but I found an awesome new website to host on.

So here it is...Rorie Kelly & More of the Mess live at Gizzi's, in it's entirety...

Rorie Kelly and More of the Mess

Went to go see Rorie Kelly and More of the Mess last night at Gizzi's Coffee on 8th Street (yes, in Manhattan).

She was awesome as always, and I think the sound quality on my podcast might have actually been a little better since it was a smaller venue.

The folks at Gizzi's were very kind to let me commandeer that table with all of my gear. Not like the jerks at Googie's Lounge (went there on Friday night to record Emily Schiavi, but the bouncer got in my face about it).

Hopefully I will have the show edited soon so you can get yourself a little slice of Rorie for your listening pleasure.

Stay tuned for Episode 2!