Groovebug Blog

We welcome LA band Haim as our Groovebug Pick this week. The...

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:04:28 -0400

We welcome LA band Haim as our Groovebug Pick this week. The female trio exploded into 2013, picking up all kinds of press and cool gigs. Their latest single, Falling, has been around for a little while now, but we’re putting back into rotation as summer is arriving here in the US. Think; Fleetwood Mac folk-funk, with a fair amount of En Vogue 90s R&B flavor in there too. Enjoy!

Check out Groovebug for iPad for more Haim music and videos, along with regular artist features and contests. Also, follow us on twitter @groovebug to receive the most recent music, artist, and Groovebug updates.

Artist Feature: DJ Koze

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:36:02 -0400

Hamburg-based DJ, musician, and remixer DJ Koze has been a force on the electronic music scene for some time, and has built a legion of fans with his skills at live shows. His latest album is Amygdala, which you can stream the album in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Caribou, Matthew Dear and Ricardo Villalobos should all check out the album.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words:

A: Warm, organic, detailed , colourfull, genius.

Q: What can fans expect from DJ Koze in 2013?

A: I just released my album Amygdala and will play a lot DJ gigs around the world in 2013. This is all i can offer in the moment.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the Amygdala album?

A: Most of the Album was composed in a small village in the north of Spain. Isolated from urban influences, walking with the drafts of my songs over the mountains was inspiring me more than anything else from the modern world.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: I can’t remember, my brain gets old. Fun writing a song? I’d actually say that is always both pain & pleasure for me.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: Well… the music career chose me I’d say.

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: Try to be unique and keep on doing your own thing: the muse never visits an empty studio.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: A big one, because I was able to travel through different countries all over the world, meeting nice people and see so many other cultures. These kinds of experiences are always enriching me, which as a result directly influences my music. The borders really are disappearing.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: I like both, but suffer from both in the moment. I’m stuck in one and wish i could do the other.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: To let go. That’s a difficult one though.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Gorillaz performing the song ” Hong Kong” live in Manchester. Or, a Beatles concert.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for DJ Koze music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

Artist Feature: Josh Krajcik

Thu, 09 May 2013 15:38:49 -0400

Singer-songwriter Josh Krajcik has performed solo, in groups, and formed his own band - all showcasing his unique gravelly voice and musical talent over the last 14 years. Then in 2011, he reached a new audience by being the runner up in The X Factor USA, and never looked back. His latest album, Blind, Lonely, Lovely has just hit the stores, and showcases a mix of rock n roll, R&B, and soul music. You can stream the album in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Sam Cooke, Bob Dylan and Bill Withers should all check out the album.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words:

A: Honest, bluesy dark soul music.

Q: What can fans expect from you in the coming months?

A: Well I’m extremely excited to get out on the road. Playing in front of people is my favorite thing. I’m also gonna keep trying to film little videos and keep as much on the road content as possible.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the new album?

A: I think just being on my own inspired me a lot. Being a stranger in a strange city can do a lot for the creative process.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: I had so much fun writing “Don’t Make Me Hopeful” ,”Nothing”, and “When You Go” with Eg White. His process was chaotic and I like that. We really clicked.

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: It’s not an easy job. Be prepared for that. Always remember why you do it. For me I love people seeing me perform for the first time.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: I had the opportunity to tour in my mid 20s Really taught me a lot about hard work and perseverance. Life on the road is good, but its tiring.

Q: Some fans may know you for your extraordinary performances on The X Factor USA. Talk us through what goes through your mind before performing on a TV show?

A: For me I didn’t think of it that way. I had an audience in that studio. I played to them. That was a comfort zone for me, made it easy.

Q: Would you like to do any other kind of TV work?

A: Sure. I’d enjoy that maybe.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: I love them both, but performing is why any artist does it. In the studio you’re like the prep cook. Playing live you are the chef.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: If you can’t afford six of them you can’t afford it.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Beethoven’s premiere of his 9th symphony in Vienna.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Josh Krajcik music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

Groovebug Throwback Pick: Pink Floyd - Fillmore West (San...

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:55:37 -0400

Groovebug Throwback Pick:

Pink Floyd - Fillmore West (San Fransisco, CA) Nov 24, 1981

Recorded on Pink Floyd’s third American tour, this show introduced San Francisco to some of the newer material from the Ummagumma LPs, and a taste of things soon to come on the Atom Heart Mother LP, to be released later that year. This San Francisco audience is particularly quiet and attentive, a fact that seems to have facilitated a more intimate, unique and focused performance than other dates on this tour.

This show begins in a quiet, pastoral manner and continues to build in intensity as the sets progress. Of particular note in the first set are “Cymbaline” and the unreleased “Embryo,” as well as the entire suite of “Atom Heart Mother.”

After the acoustic opener to the second set, “Green Is the Colour,” the band takes off into the outer realms of musical exploration for the rest of the evening. The last three compositions, in particular, show the band in an adventurous mood with standout performances of tracks from their first two albums. Following the marathon, 22-plus minute encore of “Saucerful of Secrets,” the audience brings them back for a rare second encore of “Interstellar Overdrive.”

Earlier this same day, the band had taped a memorable live performance for KQED TV in San Francisco. This tour met with disaster a few weeks later when the band’s equipment was stolen during a multi-night engagement at the Warehouse in New Orleans. The rest of the tour was cancelled.

Fortunately for fans of Pink Floyd, however, this recording remains - an earnest, unique perspective of the band in a formative time of their career.

The Groovebug Throwback Pick is chosen from the Concert Vault iPad App - hundreds of thousands of exclusive live audio and video performances from the ’50s to the present day - available for you to play whenever, wherever.

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This week’s pick is from a special Record Store Day...

Sat, 04 May 2013 14:54:07 -0400

This week’s pick is from a special Record Store Day release. Dan Deacon, US experimental-electronic-festival-adventurer, put out a 7inch record titled Konono Ripoff No1. It is surprisingly catchy, and the video really made our day. Enjoy!

Check out Groovebug for iPad for more Dan Deacon music and videos, along with regular artist features and contests. Also, follow us on twitter @groovebug to receive the most recent music, artist, and Groovebug updates.

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Artist Feature: My Tiger My Timing

Thu, 02 May 2013 15:08:17 -0400

UK new-wave pop outfit My Tiger My Timing have acheived a lot in their few short years; playing at festivals and nightclubs across the UK and Europe including the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury, picking up airplay on the BBC and Xfm, and fans in the press from NME to Clash. 2012 also saw the release of their debut album Celeste in 2012, which you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Vampire Weekend, Talking Heads and Blur should all check out the album.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Guitar. Rhythm. Melody. Heart. Soul.

Q: What can fans expect from you in 2013?

A: We had an amazing 2012 with the release of our debut album Celeste and a load of touring so now we’re back in the studio writing and recording a new album. It’s really exciting to be writing new stuff again and we can’t wait for people to hear it later in the year.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the album?

A: I guess it’s inspired by London because that’s where I grew up and where the band was born. But we’ve travelled around so much and met so many incredible people along the way, so it’s really inspired by all of them.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: Most of the songs have a bit of a melancholy heart, so sometimes the writing process can be a bit painful, but it’s always fun once that bit’s over when we get into a room as a band and inject some passion and energy. I think Endless Summer was a bit of a moment when it all came together, it’s like you become more than the sum of your parts when that happens, as a band.

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: Write! I know how impatient you can feel wanting to get out there and get heard, but you’ll be in such a better position in every way if you’re sitting on an album’s worth of material. Don’t get distracted by trends and other people’s successes - your wave is coming, be patient and work hard in the meantime!

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: It’s made it much more fun and much more exhausting. But really it has made us exist for real - it’s so easy to overestimate (or underestimate) your real world following online, but when you’re out there on the road you see the true size of it… and often you can be pleasantly surprised. There’s nothing better than rocking up in some small town in Germany and everyone somehow magically knowing all the words.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Both - for us they are two sides of the same coin. Being on the road is great because the emphasis is on fun and energy, but it’s also a lot of work. Studio is intense and sometimes you hit a dead-end, but the results I guess can be more long-lasting and rewarding.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Don’t go for a curry before the show (unofficial band motto).

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Nirvana… their whole career.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for My Tiger My Timing music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

Groovebug Throwback Pick: The Rolling Stones - Rosemont Horizon...

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:04:00 -0400

Groovebug Throwback Pick:

The Rolling Stones - Rosemont Horizon (Chicago, IL) Nov 24, 1981

One of the biggest concert draws in America every time they tour, The Rolling Stones continue to pack the biggest arenas with legions of fans, despite having been at it for well over half a century now. There is little question that in terms of the states, experiences in New York and California had great cultural impact on the band, but it’s Illinois - namely Chicago, Illinois, that remains the spiritual epicenter of America as far as The Stones are concerned. The amplified blues that flourished in Chicago, as created by the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Chuck Berry, were indeed the initial inspiration for the group and remain core elements of their music.

Following the 1981 release of Tattoo You, The Stones embarked on an ambitious American tour, performing at stadiums and large arenas, often for multiple nights in the largest cities. Promoted by Bill Graham, over three million tickets would be sold and this tour would become the most profitable in the history of rock and roll up to that time. One of the most memorable nights of the ‘81 tour took place on the evening of November 22nd, an off night in Chicago, while the band was in town preparing for their three-night engagement at the Rosemont Horizon. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood and Ian Stewart would turn up at Chicago’s Checkerboard Lounge to catch Muddy Waters, joining him on stage and treating the club’s patrons to a remarkable night of spontaneous jamming. Officially released on DVD and CD in July of 2012, this jam with Waters would be his last professionally recorded performance before his death in April of 1983.

Presented here in its entirety is The Stones second gig of their three-night run at Chicago’s Rosemont Horizon - two days later. This is certainly a solid Stones performance, featuring an abundance of their best material and most importantly, an engaged Keith Richards, both vocally and instrumentally. From Under My Thumb, which starts up on a slinky groove before transforming into a hard rocking opener, to Jagger’s exhausted voice at the end of the Satisfaction encore, The Stones rock out and cover all the bases. A surprisingly passionate Time Is On My Side, a highly energized Shattered and a Start Me Up that greatly improves upon the new single version at the time, are all fine examples of the diverse range of material, both old and new, explored on this tour. However, the standout performance may indeed be their cover of Just My Imagination, which rarely came across stronger than it did on this tour.

In retrospect, many now perceive this American tour as one of the better post-1970s Stones tours and it is notable for being the last to feature the core group unadorned by a large supporting cast of musicians and backup singers. Here only ex-Faces keyboardist Ian McLagen and occasional contributions by saxophone virtuoso Ernie Watts augment the core band, allowing The Stones’ to be heard loud, clear and in all their ragged glory.

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This week’s pick is from UK downtempo / trip-hop...

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:17:07 -0400

This week’s pick is from UK downtempo / trip-hop maestro Bonobo. As well as being a lush soundtrack to our working day, Cirrus, taken from his brand new album, The North Borders, also has a pretty groovy video, and had us hooked from first listen.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for more Bonobo music and videos, along with regular artist features and contests. Also, follow us on twitter @groovebug to receive the most recent music, artist, and Groovebug updates.

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Artist Feature: IO Echo

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:02:00 -0400

The LA-based IO Echo have made some huge waves this year in the run up to their debut full-length album Ministry of Love (which you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app). The band is the project of Ioanna Gika and English producer Leopold Ross, and beautifully morphs dreamy synth pop with Asian instruments with unique and stunning results. Fans of Garbage, The Cure and Velvet Underground should all check out the album.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words:

A: Heavy Petal Pastel Doom.

Q: What can fans expect from IO Echo in 2013?

A: We will be touring, playing Coachella, Lollapalooza, and will release visuals, singles and remixes in support of our debut album Ministry of Love.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the new album?

A: There is a theme of escapism that runs through our music. Ioanna and her mother lived in Southeast Asia for a time, and that had an impact on the music as well.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: My parents had a very open and supportive nature when I was growing up, which I am very grateful for. It wasn’t that music was particularly encouraged over anything else, we were just encouraged to pursue what we were passionate about.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: Touring has definitely helped us to become a better band, in terms of musicianship and performance. And it has also helped to shape some of the songs. It has also informed my knowledge of 2 star motels across the nation.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: There is a unique feeling of collective togetherness when you are playing a show and connected with the audience. It’s something that’s quite rare. When you are writing and recording, the rewards are more internal. For example, when you make a breakthrough while working on a song, and you write something that you feel is new ground for yourself as an artist, it can be euphoric. I love both recording and playing live, but usually after a long spell of doing one of them, I wish I was doing the other.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: When The Lillies Die is fun to look back on because it formed over a period of time when we were travelling a lot, so I have specific memories of different stages of the writing and recording process that relate to different places and people. The whistle for example was something that we recorded pressing our face up to the laptop microphone while we were staying on someone’s floor, and the vocals were recorded in a hotel in Brooklyn.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: It’s better to regret something you have done than something you haven’t.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Nirvana headlining Reading Festival in 1992. I used to have the bootleg cassette.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for IO Echo music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

Groovebug Throwback Pick: U2 - Madison Square Garden (New York,...

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 12:26:00 -0400

Groovebug Throwback Pick:

U2 - Madison Square Garden (New York, NY) Sept 28, 1987

Recorded on the Joshua Tree Tour, when U2 was arguably near the peak of their powers, this remarkable soundboard recording captures the first night of U2’s two-night stand at Madison Square Garden in New York City. A better U2 setlist one would be hard-pressed to find, as they emphasize material from Unforgettable Fire and Joshua Tree, with a few choice oldies and b-sides rounding out the performance.

Passionate performances like this one cemented the bond between U2 and many American listeners, and indeed this night was among those filmed for the Rattle & Hum movie, which celebrates this era. This particular night is also notable for including not one, but two performances of “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” - initially surfacing in a powerful rendition early in the set that includes Bono quoting Bob Marley’s “Exodus.” It again turns up during the encore, where the great Harlem gospel choir New Voices Of Freedom join the band onstage.

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This week’s pick comes from Chvrches, here performing a...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 12:00:26 -0400

This week’s pick comes from Chvrches, here performing a live rendition of Recover, from their new Recover EP. The Scottish electro-pop band have been gaining ground ever since their appearance at #5 in the BBC’s Sound of 2013, and we can’t wait to hear more of their synthpop as they warm up to their first full-length album release.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for more Chvrches music and videos, along with regular artist features and contests. Also, follow us on twitter @groovebug to receive the most recent music, artist, and Groovebug updates.

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Artist Feature: Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 13:59:08 -0400

Austin, TX musicians Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears employ a classic blues / rock / funk sound that is both instantly addictive and somewhat timeless. The band recently finished a huge tour of the US, including a stop at Metro in Chicago where the Groovebug team were in attendance. The tour was a secondary run supporting his last album, Scandalous, which you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of The Black Keys, Jimi Hendrix and Charles Bradley would all be interested in checking out the sounds on the album.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Black Joe Lewis music, news, videos and more.

Q: Tell us about the tour you just wrapped up… how did it feel to sell out iconic venues such as Metro in Chicago?

A: The tour was a good one for us. We don’t have a brand new record out now [Scandalous was last year] and all the shows were still packed so that’s bad ass. Selling out Metro blew my mind. I didn’t expect that. It was a giant stoic Chicago crowd.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: We do this for the live shows. We love it and it is what we are best at so touring is my favorite thing. I saw the mountains and the ocean for the first time on tour. I hadn’t been to many places prior, so it’s bad ass.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Like I said, the live sh*t is the best.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: I guess Ballad of Jimmy Tanks. I just read the story in the paper about an old man that had a gun battle with the repo men and took one out but they got him too. The song just wrote its self.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the Scandalous album?

A: She’s So Scandalous was about this scandalous b*tch that always cheated on me but I kept going back for more

Q: What can fans expect next from Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears? Time off to relax? Back in the studio?

A: We just finished recording the next album and it’s our best work yet. So… expect us to be in your town again soon.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: My dad said I need to learn to be patient. My rush attitude has bit my ass a lot of times. In a lot if different ways.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: To see Jimi Hendrix at Monterey Pop.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Black Joe Lewis music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

Artist Feature: Ssssnake

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:34:43 -0400

One of the many musical outputs of Noah Tabakin, Ssssnake is a hip hop-, funk- and soul-fueled project with a wild, joyous vibe and one heck of a live show. Twenty-plus years of singing and making music has helped the multi-instrumentalist perfect his latest persona, who is probably most at home on stage than anywhere else in the world. The first album from Ssssnake is Hostile Snakeover, a 10-track rollercoaster tinged with sexual edge, humor, and pure grit, and you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of Cee lo Green, Jamie Lidell and Justin Timberlake should check it out.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Hip-hop soul, big beats.

Q: What can the fans expect from Ssssnake in 2013?

A: A national tour with the New Belgium Brewing Company’s Music festival the “Tour De Fat”. Album number two, tentatively titled “ssssnake tracks”. As many videos as possible to accompany the album release. Treefort Music Festival in Boise, ID. Lots of West Coast shows.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on your last album?

A: The last record had a few tunes I used as a place to process the darkness around my divorce, Blood and Cut Till My Blade is Dull were inspired by my ex-wife for sure. A few celebrated the upside of my new relationships in the tunes Slow and When I Lay you Down. Under the Snow is about how things turning out in the aftermath of problems and def had images from Chicago winters with the green grass waiting to spring out. Deep Down was inspired by watching the documentary “American Hardcore”, It reminded me of my early musical days and the power of aggression in songs, so that one is a little rough and tumble.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: Recently I had been working on a number of new tracks and feeling like none of them were jelling. I decided to stop working and working them to death and try to make a new tune from scratch. I was in Austin in my girlfriend’s living room and a few hours later the song Poseidon from my forthcoming record was done! It felt way better than the tracks I had been working for months. I love it when tunes just fall out of you. I usually work and re-work the hell out of track so it’s refreshing for a tune to pop out quickly.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: My family have all been super encouraging. My step father managed my first band for 10 years which would probably make him the most supportive, but mom, non step dad and even my grandparents always fully backed me. I’ll never forget my grandfather when he was in his 70’s being at a show with a bunch of young folks, he came up to me after and referenced a song specifically and said how he liked the lyrical content. I was amazed that he was paying that much attention, that he wasn’t just there to show face, that he was interested in what I was doing.

Q: What advice could you give a new musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: You can do it! Go hard after it and fail a bunch. If you still want to pick up the mic after some pretty tough/embarrassing experiences, then don’t ever stop. It’s super challenging but life is lived in the challenging moments.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: I love the road. I have build my life around touring. I went in on a building with a friend and rented it to tenants before ever living there. I used the advance money I got from the Tour De Fat to buy a big Sprinter touring van and hit the road and I’ve been living in man van touring hard for over a year now. I say I’m home free not homeless…

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: I like all aspects of music a lot, but performance is by far my favorite. The pure focus that comes from executing the music as perfectly as possible and nailing engaging performance is where I feel truly in the moment. The most present I get in life is during performance.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: I had a great piece of advice handed to me when I was in college from Ben Harper, who was just starting his career at the time. He told me if you want to make it your job treat it like a job, put in your 40 or more a week. Music is a lot of fun but to make it work you got to work!

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: I would have loved to have seen Ray Charles in his prime.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Ssssnake music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

Throwback time this week welcomes neo soul crooner...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 11:25:18 -0400

Throwback time this week welcomes neo soul crooner D’Angelo. The multi instrumentalist exploded into the music world in 1995 with his debut album, Brown Sugar. The falsetto ad-libs and subtle organ riffs make the title single classic D’Angelo, and classic R&B which still sounds fresh today. Back in ‘95, it peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100, and blazed the path for another three singles from the album.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for more D’Angelo music and videos, along with regular artist features and contests. Also, follow us on twitter @groovebug to receive the most recent music, artist, and Groovebug updates.

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Groovebug's Concert Vault for iPad Launch Party

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 19:33:00 -0400

Groovebug invites you to the launch party for our latest app, Concert Vault for iPad, that brings the world’s greatest collection of live concert audio and video recordings to the iPad. You and your guests are invited to join us for an after work party at Crimson Lounge in Chicago on Thursday, Marchl 21st,to celebrate the release of Concert Vault for iPad.

We will be hosting a gathering of musicians, entrepreneurs, coders, mobile enthusiasts, marketers, music lovers, and all kinds of groovy people from 6pm until 9pm with Corazon Tequila sponsoring a two hour-long bar with complimentary cocktails, along with DJ Andrew Emil aka Change Request(Classic Music/Seasons/Great Lakes Audio), and DJ Form (Fat Beats/Pseudo Slang) spinning a blend of classic and modern grooves.

We’ll be giving away a couple annual memberships to Concert Vault, and some cool swag courtesy of Wolfgang’s Vault. We’ll also have iPads on hand to demo the app.

Concert Vault for iPad is available now in the App Store

We would love for you to join us, talk music, explore the Concert Vault for iPad app, and connect in person. You can RSVP at http://concertvaultforipad.eventbrite.com and there is also a Facebook Event Page. Please Register, and feel free to invite guests.

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments: jeremiah@groovebug.com

~ The Groovebug Team

Concer Vault for iPad Launch Party
Crimson Lounge (inside Hotel Sax)
333 North Dearborn Street
Chicago, IL 60654

Artist Feature: Finish Ticket

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:42:06 -0400

Finish Tcket are an indie pop-rock outfit from San Francisco. We fell for the fun uptempo rhythms, retro-tinged synth sounds and beautiful vocals of their latest album, Tears You Apart, which you can now stream in full via the Groovebug iPad app. Fans of The Killers and Alt-J should definitely give the album a listen.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Finish Ticket music.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Angsty, Upbeat, Indie, Alternative, Rock

Q: What can the fans expect from Tears You Apart LP?

A: When we were recording Tears You Apart, we were all going through a lot of changes and had many uncertainties, and I believe it shows in the music. Fans can expect an easily relatable album, no matter what mood they are in.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the album?

A: We were inspired by our home town, Alameda, Los Angeles and the different colleges we attended.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: It has given us a lot of exposure and allowed us to see a lot of beautiful places all across the country.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Definitely performing live, there is no feeling quite like playing to a good crowd.

Q: What’s the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song?

A: Catch You On My Way Out was a really fun one to write. At the time we did not have a drummer so Brendan wrote the drum part with one hand and the chord progression with other. It worked out well!

Q: What can fans expect next from Finish Ticket?

A: We will be continuously touring over the next year and working on a new EP. The writing has already begun!

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Work hard. It is easily the best advice we have ever gotten as a band.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: Summer of Love in San Francisco. Being from the Bay Area we have heard so many stories about how amazing it was. Wish we could have been there!

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Groovebug and Wolfgang's Vault bring the world's greatest concert recordings to the iPad

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:32:43 -0400

We’re proud to announce the latest product built on the Groovebug Platform, Concert Vault for iPad by Wolfgang’s Vault. The app brings the Groovebug user experience to the world’s greatest collection of live audio and video concert recordings. The app also links to the amazing Wolfgang’s Vault memorabilia store.

Any music junkie knows the name Bill Graham; he was one of the greatest concert promoters who ever lived, with a storied career spanning from the 1960s until his death in 1991. His childhood nickname was Wolfgang, which is where Wolfgang’s Vault gets it’s name. The company was started with the Bill Graham Presents archives and now includes many more collections including the Newport Jazz Festival, Newport Folk Festival, Daytrotter, Paste Magazine, and Ash Grove Blues collections to name a few.

There is only one place where you can hear Bill Graham introduce the Allman Brothers at the Fillmore East, watch the Grateful Dead bring in the new year at Winterland in 1978, and listen to Bon Iver’s Daytrotter set just before they rocketed to stardom - Concert Vault. These recordings aren’t available through any other streaming service or download store.

The audio and video collections are all available for high quality streaming to your iPad. Download the app for free and sign up for a free trial, or purchase a subscription with an in-app purchase. Subscription options are $3.99 per month or $39.99 per year, and allow you access to Concert Vault on iPad, iPhone, Android, Sonos, and the web, as well as featured content including suggested playlists, photo slideshows, related memorabilia and a music discovery engine. The app is also AirPlay integrated for Apple TV users, taking to concert videos from you tablet to you HD TV. Members also get two free weekly full-concert downloads, and for a limited time, annual memberships will get a free exclusive vinyl edition of a previously unreleased Van Morrison concert from New York’s Bottom Line club in 1978.

Download the app for free and register for a free trial today.

American electronica musician Moby’s first big hit is...

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:22:56 -0400

American electronica musician Moby’s first big hit is from 1990, the now-classic single, Go. Sampling the infamous Laura Palmer’s Theme from TV show Twin Peaks, Go introduced Moby’s techno and breakbeat style to the world, and paved the way for a total of 10 albums, combined selling over 20 million copies, in his twenty-something year career since.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for more Moby music and videos, along with regular artist features and contests. Also, follow us on twitter @groovebug to receive the most recent music, artist, and Groovebug updates.

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Artist Feature: Mystery Jets

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:22:38 -0500

English indie rockers Mystery Jets have been building their success since their 2006 debut LP, Making Dens. Last year saw their fourth studio album, Radlands, even hit number 40 on the UK Albums Chart. Soon to release their first live LP to coincide with Record Store Day 2013, we asked guitarist William Rees a few quick questions. Fans of The Libertines and Pink Floyd should definitely take notice.

Q: Introduce your sound in five words…

A: Thats a hard question to answer…ok, i’d say our sound is a ‘roaming, restless rendez-vous of any/everything we’ve ever been through’… (thats 9 words, sorry)

Q: What can the fans expect from Mystery Jets in 2013?

A: Different Disguises.

Q: Which places or people inspired the songs on the Radlands album?

A: Austin, Texas was a huge influence on the songs of Radlands. It’s a liberal dot in the republican ocean of Texas and for about two months it became our home and writing spot. We knew we were looking for something before we headed out there, a certain unnameable that we could hear in early Neil Young records and the Mick Taylor Stones’ albums, but whether or not we ‘d find it we couldn’t be sure. Really, Austin and it’s colourful characters are the fabric that Radlands is printed upon, it offered itself as a context for our songs and when we finally realised that we were off and running with it.

Q: What is the most fun you’ve ever had writing a song? Either actually writing it or the situation that inspired it?

A: There’s so many occasions, it’s hard to pick one. Someone in our band thought it’d be a great idea to get bag pipes on our song Lorna Doone (off the Serotonin LP), so we googled bag pipe players in the London area and what walked through the door was a very lost looking young man who’d just clocked off from his stock-broking job in the city. He had his suit jacket tucked under one arm and an electric bag pipe in the other. After he’d showed us all his skills with a rendition of the Star Wars theme tune, we sent him to the recording booth and quickly realised that he was completely tone deaf. Not a single note he played was in tune. To add to this he kept popping into the loo’s and coming back with the sweats ( a mid-song snort we all presumed) until the last time when he emerged wearing a penguin mask. It was then that he played his part perfectly and disappeared into the night….£500 richer.

Q: Who has encouraged you the most to pursue a career in music?

A: Henry has been a huge part in that. From teaching us our first Buddy Holly renditions on spanish guitars to bank rolling early tours and releases before we got signed. Our management company Urok have been fantastic too, giving us great advice on our songs, remix/writing work and of course endless tours with some of our favourite bands.

Q: What advice could you give a young musician wanting to pursue a music career?

A: Work hard, regularly, play your ideas to friends, find the things that excite you the most and emulate them.

Q: What impact has touring had on your career?

A: I love touring, it’s like stepping onto a roller coaster, only it lasts for 3 weeks instead of 3 minutes.

Q: Which do you enjoy most - performing live or recording in the studio?

A: Both, when you’ve done enough of one it’s time to be doing the other and vice versa. Touring and recording are two sides of the same coin and they need each other.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A: Turn your guitar down please.

Q: Which historical musical moment do you wish you were present for?

A: The Rolling Stones at Hyde park, with King Crimson in support.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for Mystery Jets music, news, videos and more. Also, Like Groovebug on Facebook to receive music and news artist, and Groovebug updates and recommendations.

This week we throwback to this classic from The 5th Dimension....

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 12:14:56 -0500

This week we throwback to this classic from The 5th Dimension. Originally written for the 1967 musical Hair as a medley with Let The Sunshine In, The Age of Aquarius was released as a single in 1969 where it stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks.

Check out Groovebug for iPad for more The 5th Dimension music and videos, along with regular artist features and contests. Also, follow us on twitter @groovebug to receive the most recent music, artist, and Groovebug updates.

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