Thursday, June 27, 2013

Upgrade coming soon

Hi, everybody. I hope you are doing well and listening to a lot of music.

EXCITING NEWS:
We are currently in the process of building a website for MusicDosage! That said, the blog will be lying low for the next few months. MusicDosage will be back, new and approved, shortly. We will announce the launch as soon as the site is ready.

See you soon.

Sincerely,

Lailaa

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Quadron

Quadron
Wow. That word perfectly describes Quadron's performance at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC on April 25th. The lead vocalist Coco O was dressed in an all-white dress that sparkled in the extravagant beams of light radiating the stage. Although her smile and body language communicated that she was modest, her vocals were bold and were confident in grabbing the audience's attention. Quadron performed some of their most popular songs that night, like "Slippin'" and "Hey Love," while the whole crowd sang the lyrics out loud in unison. One of my personal favorites of the night was the song "Jeans," which gives off that jazzy, soulful feel with the electric and bass guitar sounding so freakin' good together, while the saxophone displays its appreciation by presenting its string of pearly musical notes. Enough with me explaining with words the experience. Watch the video below of the performance for proof.


Quadron from Lailaa Salaam on Vimeo.
Upcoming Shows:
- May 18, 2013 @ 6p (Doors open): Getty Center (Los Angeles, CA)
- June 6, 2013 @ 8p (Doors open): La Bellevilloise (Manchester, UK)
- June 8 - 9, 2013 @ 12p (Doors Open): Heaton Park (Manchester, UK)
- June 12, 2013 @ 8p (Doors open): Brighton Music Hall (Allston, MA)
- June 13, 2013 @ 6p (Doors open): Highline Ballroom (New York, NY)

Albums:
- Average Fruit Remixes (2011)
- Pressure Remixes (2010)
- Quadron (2009)
- Avalanche (Coming Soon on June 4, 2013)

Website: QuadronMusic.com

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Seasick Mama

Seasick Mama
If Seasick Mama had her way, she would invite her whole audience on stage with her to dance and sing-along to every one of her songs. During her performance at the Cameo Gallery on April 20th, she danced as if she was in front of her bedroom mirror and sang as if she was in her shower with no care in the world. Watching her perform will give you the feeling of wanting to break free and have no worries. Her energy on stage is refreshing. Seasick Mama's music is soft and hard at the same time, as in "Quit Your Job," which starts out gentle and sweet, bursts into a raging storm, and then settles into a light breeze. I can't wait for her next album Tip Top Shape to come out. Check out the video interview below.

from Lailaa Salaam on Vimeo.


Albums:
- Dead Like Money (2013)
- Tip Top Shape (Coming Soon)

Website: SeasickMama.com

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

RAILBIRD  

RAILBIRD
RAILBIRD was crazy good at Rockwood Music Hall on Saturday March 30th. There sound is like nothing I've heard before. They experiment with different sounds and instruments, including cell phones and walkie-talkies (see the interview below for more details). Even though I have only seen RAILBIRD perform live once, I bet their live shows are always different, with surprises and unexpected sparkles here and there. With the combination of lead singer Sarah K. Pedinotti's lullaby-like lyrics and vocals and the bands guitar riffs, keyboard melodies, and drum beats, RAILBIRD is sure to be attracting new fans everyday in every direction.     


Railbird JumpShip from MUSICDosage on Vimeo.



Interview with RAILBIRD
(MD=MUSICDosage, SP=Lead singer from RAILBIRD Sarah K. Pedinotti)

MD: Is there a particular reason why you named your band RAILBIRD?
SP: Yes, but we are looking for a new name.  Let us know if you have any suggestions!

MD: I was reading on MTVHive.com that your song “Mirrors” was build off a cell phone glitch sound. How did that end up happening?
SP: We were making the demo and my cell phone made that weird sound when you put it too close to the keyboard, so we sampled it and looped it. 

MD: What are some instruments/devices/equipment that you experimented with when making your music?
SP: Cell phones and walkie-talkies.

MD: How was the experience of performing at the 4th Annual Roots Picnic with The Roots, Esperanza Spalding, and Nas in June 2011?
SP: Great!!!!!! The best :)

MD: Can you describe how you came up with your song “Ashes In”?
SP: I was reading South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami by a sunny window. Chris' grandmother, who we were both very close to, was dying. It was the dead of winter. He had a guitar. I found a pen. 

MD: What is one of the nicest/weirdest/most surprising things a fan has said to you?
SP: "Do you want a baby hamster?" 

MD: I love your video for “Jump Ship”! What is the meaning of it all?
SP: It's a hard one to put your finger on but we tried to capture the feeling of the lyrics. 

MD: What genre of music would you place your music?
SP: Alternative Pop.

MD: What is one of your all time favorite lyric from any musician/band?
SP: "This was a Pizza Hut, now it's all covered with daisies." - "Nothing But Flowers" from the Talking Heads' final album Naked.

MD: Do you have a particular routine before hitting the stage?
SP: A lot of jumping and squealing.

Upcoming Shows:
- April 22, 2013 @ 8:00p: The Knitting Factory (Brooklyn, NY)
- May 3, 2013 @ 8:00p: Cameo Gallery (Brooklyn, NY)

Albums:
- Railbird Remixes (2013)
- Lucky - EP (2012)
- No One (2011)

Website: RAILBIRDband.com

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Man Without Country

Man Without Country
Let's say you are walking down a normal-looking street going nowhere in particular with the sun directly above. Just one of those ordinary days. All of a sudden, the sun plummets beneath the horizon causing complete darkness while you are transfixed by flashing colorful lights making it feel like a seizure is ripping through your body. To top it off, your ears are pierced by an electronic sound made up of a melody and harmony that helps you to see that the moment is welcoming and something that you have been longing to feel without even knowing. This is what it felt like at Knitting Factory on Saturday March 9 when Man Without Country hit the stage. The band from South Wales absolutely blew me away, to say the least. Get to know the band from the video interview below.

Man Without Country Interview from Lailaa Salaam on Vimeo.

Upcoming Shows:
- April 26, 2013 @ TBD: Focus Wales 2013 (Wrexham, United Kingdom)

Albums:
- Foe (Coming June 2013)
- Closet Addicts Anonymous (2012)
- Puppets (2012)
- King Complex - EP (2011)
- Inflammable Heart (2011)

Website: ManWithoutCountry.com

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Kimberly Nichole


Kimberly Nichole
There are so many words to describe the musical artist Kimberly Nichole. She is a talented musician that has sweet passion behind her powerful vocals and has a fun, creative, and colorful style. On Saturday 3/2/13 at Mercury Lounge, Kimberly Nichole performed an array of songs, including the covers "Seven Nation Army" and "What's Up?" (see the videos of the songs that night below). She may wear a ballerina-inspired wardrobe that looks innocent, but she is a true rocker that will kick you in the face with her music. I guess that is why her nickname is The Rock Ballerina. I suggest you get the experience too at her upcoming performances listed below. Also, read the exclusive interview with Kimberly Nichole after the videos!






Interview with Kimberly Nichole
(MD=Music Dosage, KN=Kimberly Nichole)

MD: Can you give me a brief history of how you came to be a musician? 
KN: There are a lot of  musicians in my family, so I believe it really started with my mom who is a piano player and singer. She sang gospel and in an R&B band in Seattle when I was kid. She nurtured me and my sister at a very young age in musicianship and performing. I've been performing since I was a little girl in church. 

MD: Can you describe the meaning of your song "Little Girl New" (lyrics and how you came about writing the song)? 
KN: That song is special to me because I woke up one day with the melody and lyrics. It was like I dreamt the song and it became a reality. It's just a story about the journey, what you experience during it, the doubts and uncertainties and not letting any of that stand in your way. 

MD: Who are your top three favorite musicians of all time?
KN: That's a hard one! I love so many. I'll say the three that are really teaching and inspiring me at the moment are Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Nirvana and James Brown.

MD: What is that one song that you cannot but sing in the shower?
KN: One of the new songs I'm writing. There's no title yet, but it's paying homage to Seattle's grunge movement... in the musicianship and how I'm vocally delivering it. 

MD: Why do you call yourself The Rock Ballerina? 
KN: I actually pulled it from an interview Andre Leon Talley did with my mentor Valerie Simpson. She said I was a "rock ballerina...wild and wonderful". It really fits my style. I typically wear skirts onstage that are inspired by ballerinas and my show is very wild, so I just ran with that saying.  

MD: What is one major milestone thus far in your musical career?
KN: My goodness. There have been a few. Releasing my debut album and funding it myself, and writing it with my creative partner Q Kegler. Also, I received the ASCAP foundation's Reach Out and Touch Award in memory of Nick Ashford. There have been a few more, but I'm just so grateful for every opportunity and door that has been opened for me.

MD: You have great fashion sense. What inspires you to choose the clothing that you wear? 
KN: Thank you. I'm inspired by many things - classic style, rock style, modern style - hell, life and how I'm feeling inspires what I wear. One of my style idols Iris Apfel once said style is a reflection of who you are and it comes from your soul. I believe that. 

MD: Can you describe the feeling when you hit the stage live to perform? 
KN: It is such a natural high, like a spiritual high. I feel like I can conquer anything when on stage performing. I don't think words can fully describe the feeling. It has to be personally experienced.

MD: Do you have a particular routine before you perform live? 
KN: Not really. I try my best to not get too stressed before a performance. I almost treat the day like it's any other day, so I won't feel pressured or too self conscience about what may or may not happen during the performance. Cardio and vocal warm-ups are a routine before a performance as well. 

MD: What is one of your favorite lyrics from any song?
KN: "At first flash of Eden we race down to the sea, standing there on freedom's shore, waiting for the sun, waiting for the sun." from The Doors' "Waiting for the Sun". Also one of my favorite groups :)

Upcoming Shows:
- March 14, 2013 @ 11:30p (SONY City Showcase): Hanger Lounge (Austin, TX)
- March 15, 2013 @ 4:30p (Swing House/Hype Showcase): Rusty's (Austin, TX)

Albums:
- YBJ Reloaded - EP (2012)
- The Rock Ballerina (2011)
- The Yellow Brick Journey (2011)

Website: KimberlyNichole.com

Monday, February 18, 2013

Paper Lions

Paper Lions
Paper Lions performed at the Rockwood Music Hall in NYC this past weekend. Before they performed, I had the pleasure of interviewing them at a bar around the corner from the venue (see below for the video interview). They are nice gentlemen hailing from Canada who traveled a long way to entertain us with their soothing and fun music. They came onto the stage ready to jam until the very last note of their set. Their energy and sound resonated off the walls, making the venue a very special place to be on Saturday 2/16/13. For a piece of the action, see the video performances below of "My Friend" and "Travelling".






Upcoming Shows:
- March 7, 2013 @ (Time TBD): The Palace (Halifax, NS)
- March 9, 2013 @ (Time TBD): The Marquee (Halifax, NS)
- March 10, 2013 @ 8:00p: The Cunard Center (Halifax, NS)

Albums:
- At Long Creek - EP (2012)
- Trophies - EP (2010)
- Paper Lions (2007)

Website: PaperLions.com