The Brakes - A biography

"What makes a great band--musicianship, songs, performance and amazing vocals--THE BRAKES are truly one of Philly's finest." – Helen Leicht, WXPN-FM

“The Brakes remind us of how good pop music can be.” – Popmatters.com

The Brakes are a Philadelphia-based band of twenty-somethings intent on staking a claim to the rich lineage of American rock music. They release their debut full-length album, Tale Of Two Cities, this spring on HYENA Records. The 12-track collection was recorded during a dual city residency in April and May 2007. The band would head up the New Jersey Turnpike every Tuesday to set up shop at The Knitting Factory in New York City, while getting cozy with hometown fans every Thursday at MilkBoy in Philadelphia. Each show was recorded and the best performances from both cities were assembled.

In its sum, Tale Of Two Cities presents The Brakes at an idyllic time in their evolution, transitioning between an intimate neighborhood listening room and a legendary big city rock club. But more importantly, a young rock band is captured growing into their shoes, clearly electrified by the music they’re creating. The Brakes seamlessly intertwine infectious indie-pop circa Ram-era Paul McCartney, crunchy California rock in the spirit of The James Gang and starry-eyed British psychedelia that harks back to Traffic. The breadth of this vision belies a band in their early ‘20s. On standout versions of songs like "Into The Ground," "Supermarket," "Boat Trip," and "Song Of Imponderables," The Brakes distinguish themselves with equal parts razor sharp songwriting and deft musicianship.



Carney - A biography

Reeve Carney & The Revolving Band "It's Monday again. I'm calling to invite you to the concert that I invited you to last Monday. The one I'll probably invite you to next Monday. The Reeve Carney band. Molly Malone's. 9:30. It will change your life." (Stephanie Lysaght, LA WEEKLY, 6/14/06)... Slender, handsome(!!!) and sensitive, Reeve Carney could almost be the hero of a Tim Burton fairytale. It's not surprising he counts the director as one of his many unusual inspirations, along with Screaming Jay Hawkins, Walt Disney, the Beatles, Texas swing, and, as he unassumingly admits, "a lot of obscure artists you probably wouldn't know." There's something in his youthful countenance, in the beautiful, moody, carnivalesque, hypnotic nuances of his music, and in the sincere way his delicate, commanding, and undeniably soulful voice carries the emotions of his songs. It almost reminds you of an innocent yet wise overgrown child caught in a world of adults who no longer remember how to follow their imagination and dreams.

Yet, Carney is far from being a child and his humble manners fail to conceal a long history of musicianship. As he explains, "I was raised in a family of musicians." His mother claims he learned to play the piano before he could walk and his father, a mainstay in the jingle business, often used his son's gift on the job, teaching him the art of writing a good hook along the way. His parents obviously had the knack for developing musical talent since his brother and sister are now both part of Carney's Revolving Band.

The child prodigy did not waste any time on the road to greatness. Carney recorded an album with Peter, Paul and Mary when he was only 8 years old and was contacted a few years later by Michael Jackson to sing BVs on one of the tracks of HIStory. In 1999, when his mother could no longer afford guitar lessons, she brought him to an old Los Angeles blues club where he started playing weekly with artists over twice hisage. A year later Carney put another notch in his belt by winning "Best Performance in a Feature Film" during the 2000 Young Artists Awards for his portrayal of a young Ethan Hawk in Snow Falling Over Cedars.

His numerous other magazine and TV appearances explain his comfort in front of the camera although his good looks certainly don't make it hard. Now 23, Carney has close to a decade of live shows behind him and the experience is obvious from his virtuoso handling of the guitar and piano to his undeniable and captivating stage presence...the crowds can't get enough! For most of 2006, he has been playing a weekly residency at LA's infamous Molly Malone's... The shows at Molly Malone's have become something of a phenomenon in LA, where an initial audience of friends and family was soon joined by a crowd of fans that range anywhere from hot college students to trend-setting hipsters and industry giants who try to court him into their labels.

The word-of-mouth is such that the room now systematically spills beyond its capacity and the doors have to be shut before Carney can go on. Inside, the concert is packed with throngs of admirers who listen to the boy wonder, mesmerized and cheer like crazy whenever they hear one of their favorite songs or the performance reaches a particularly feverish frenzy.

A double live CD/DVD called Live at Molly Malone's captures the magic of these sets that are already becoming legendary. The release serves to share with those who could never make it and as a legacy for those who were a part of it."Music is my passion, I would continue to do it whether or not I make a dime.”

Carney's music effortlessly combines a tasty mix of styles drawn from rock, folk, jazz, reggae and blues with Southern influences. "I try to make music that's timeless," he says, and that he does. His songs can evoke anything from Jeff Buckley to, John Lennon, Brian Wilson, Paul Simon , John Lee Hooker, Thom York, Pink Floyd and George Gershwin. With an ear for the unusual and the sublime, he creates melodies of powerful force and chaotic grace. They are transported by words that speak of love, loss, faith and the human aspiration to greatness.

Anyone who has had the chance to see Carney perform is immediately moved by the way his true love for the craft of songwriting always shuns manufactured entertainment. Reeve is accompanied by his incredibly talented Revolving Band. As he explains, "the cool thing about our band is that we all grew up together or met in school." His brother Zane Carney joins him with maestro on the guitar and his sister Paris Carney provides backup vocals that reveal a flawless training in jazz. They are, as a side note, probably the best looking family of siblings you will ever see. JD Lipscomb carries the bass with a cool and artful touch while Gavin Salmon brings gripping energy to the drums.

Finally, Charles Jones does wonders on the keyboards while sometimes gracing the audience with a superb gospel voice. The personality of each band member shines through at every moment and it's evident that the bonds of blood and friendship that tie them together are only made stronger by an immense respect for each other's artistic brilliance.

The Redwalls Music Video Screening Party feat.The Windy City Rollers
A reception and screening for the new Redwalls music video featuring music and roller skates.

Join the cast and crew in celebrating the completion of the music video for The Redwalls song, "Game of Love".
The video features Chicago's own Roller Derby darlings, The Windy City Rollers. Directed by Ruth Leitman of "Lipstick and Dynamite" fame, produced by Leigh Jones. A night of music, drinking, roller skating and large screen video action.

ack Straw was born in the winter of 2000 as the result of a meeting between guitarist Jon Gram and keyboardist Barry Brown, brought together by a music-loving mutual friend who saw some possibilities. Jon added to the mix bassist Ben Wilson. With Jon and Barry leading the way, Jack Straw brings forth a richly diverse array of music, mixing together songs by the likes of Phish, the Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, Jerry Garcia's bluegrass band Old and in the Way, and Jon's original music.

An evening where an eclectic mix of people share a blend of global electronic music and a variety of artistic experesions.