New Jersey’s indie rock band, Steel Train, has been around over a decade now and they’ve still got it even if they’re only releasing their third (self-titled) studio album this year. We were lucky enough to catch a set of theirs a while back and are highly anticipating the arrival of the fresh new album in our hands on June 29.

However, lead singer and songwriter of Steel Train, Jack Antonoff, has shared with us that he had always heard the new album with a female vocalist. Of course, the new album will feature the guys on vocals but they had another trick up their sleeve to make that idea happen. They’ve not only gotten one female singer to cover a track off the new album but they’ve successfully acquired more than ten very well-known ladies to make this become a reality!

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Tegan Quinn of Tegan and Sara will be in Los Angeles tonight to join the protest of the passing of Proposition 8 in California. Proposition 8 which proposed to ban gay marriage in California passed with 52% of the vote. Tegan will be a part of the protest of this result tonight at 647 North San Vicente Blvd. in West Hollywood. Roads will be closed to accomodate the event at 6 PM and the protest is scheduled to start at 7 PM.

In a message on MySpace, Tegan said “As deeply disappointed as we all are that California voters passed Proposition 8, we must not allow that disappointment to linger. This vote is a temporary defeat in the long march toward equal rights for all citizens in America.”

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BeatCrave had the great opportunity to witness a truly talented Canadian boy and his guitar play a live opening set for Tegan and Sara at The Fonda in Hollywood this Saturday.  Dallas Green is the creative genius behind City and Colour and so much more than a simple acoustic singer/songwriter.  City and Colour have been recording and playing live since 2004.  With years of experience and the amazing new release, “Bring Me Your Love,” (read the review) City and Colour were a much anticipated set for the audience even though most were there to see the gifted Tegan and Sara. While he was certainly anticipated, what was especially great about Dallas Green’s performance is that he delivered well beyond the expectation.

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Note: There is a Photo Gallery at the bottom of this post.

Last night (October 18, 2008) , Girl in a Coma, City and Colour, and Tegan and Sara completed the third of their four-day residency at the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood.

Girl in a Coma started promptly at 8pm, and the female trio showed their enthusiam throughout their set. Through riffs, vocals, and drums, the three ladies had audience members clamoring for more, even when they announced their last song. Continue Reading

Much of the new music today relies heavily on new technology and an electronic sound.  While such music is certainly enjoyable it’s quite refreshing to take a break from the digital and listen to a boy and his guitar.  Dallas Green’s project, City and Colour has been on the music scene since 2003 recording music that is simple and simply great.  His aesthetic is melancholy meets insightful.  With lyrics that ponder life and guitar chords that delve deeper into the questions, City and Colour creates the kind of music that reminds one just how powerful the combination of raw talent, sweet vocals and an acoustic guitar can be.

City and Colour’s most recent full-length album, “Bring Me Your Love” was released earlier this year and has, deservedly, garnered much praise.  The single, “Waiting” has over 1 million listens on MySpace proving that people want to hear more music that isn’t overwrought with digitally enhanced bass lines and synthesizers.  It is with deeply thought out lyrics like within “Waiting” like, “Say goodbye to love/and hold you head up high/there’s no need to rush/we’re all just waiting/waiting to die” that are an superb example of Green’s talent.

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Sunset on Treasure Island behind Dr. Dog

First off let me just say that I love Tegan and Sara. I have a Pandora radio station dedicated to them and I listen to it to keep me sane at work. They are just so charming and adorable! Just one example is the statement Sara made before starting, “Walking with a Ghost”….

“This is going to sound so vain but I’m glad the wind is blowing this way (hand gesture right to left) because my part goes this way (right to left).” After which she proceeded to say “I feel like I’m in the Lost Boys” which then somehow turned into a comical discussion about premature ejaculation. I guess maybe you had to be there.

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