Thursday , March 28 2024
A no tricks, all treats, pre-Halloween edition of the BC Music Goodie Bag.

BC Music Goodie Bag: Rockst*r, Matisyahu, Labelle, Hacienda, and Her Space Holiday

With Halloween just around the corner, the BC Music Goodie Bag is back again with a nice selection of audio and video musical treats for your ears and eyes. There are no tricks among this bunch, just great music from both brand new and iconic artists.

Rockst*r – Rockst*r for President
On November 4, election day, the hip-hop artist Rockst*r will be offering his new mixtape, Rockst*r for President for free download from several sites around the web. The announcement comes from Rockst*r's label, Dirty Drum Productions.

Aside from being an accomplished musician, and a successful businessman, Rockst*r is a direct descendant of best-selling author Alex Haley (Roots). His music has received airplay on traditional, satellite and college radio stations and he's currently touring in support of the upcoming mixtape and its lead single "1 AM."

Along with "1 AM," the mixtape also includes "It Was All a Dream" featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Mayhemm and the self-produced "Homecoming (Listen To My Drumline)."

So, after you've gone out and cast your vote for the next leader of the free world, come home and download this free little goodie from Rockst*r's official website or his MySpace profile. You can also find him at his YouTube home page.

Matisyahu – Shattered
On October 21, Grammy nominated Matisyahu released his latest work, Shattered, produced by David Kahne. The EP contains four songs from his forthcoming album including "Smash Lies" which you can download for free, no strings attached.

 

For only being a four song EP, Shattered is chuck full of incredible guest performers including: Sly & Robbie, Stephen McGregor (son of Freddie McGregor) Fish, Norwood Fisher (Fishbone), and experimental turntablist Ooah (Glitch Mob).

Below is a list of concert dates you will want to take a close look at. At upcoming shows, Matisyahu will be hosting listening parties for his upcoming album and will also be giving away a free bonus track and the chance to win a recording of a concert of the winner's choice.

Matisyahu November Tour Dates
11.01.08 – Ram’s Head Live – Baltimore, MD
11.02.08 – Wellmont Theatre – Montclair, NJ
11.03.08 – Sixth and I Historic Synagogue – Washington, D.C.
11.04.08 – Virginia Tech University—Burruss Hall – Blacksburg, VA
11.06.08 – Norva Theater – Norfolk, VA
11.08.08 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA
11.09.08 – House of Blues – New Orleans, LA
11.10.08 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
11.11.08 – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheatre – Austin, TX
11.13.08 – Palladium Ballroom – Dallas, TX
11.15.08 – Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
11.17.08 – House of Blues – San Diego, CA
11.18.08 – Club Nokia – Los Angeles, CA
11.19.08 – Bell Memorial Union Auditorium – Chico, CA
11.20.08 – Grove of Anaheim – Anaheim, CA
11.22.08 – House of Blues – Las Vegas, NV
11.23.08 – Warfield Theatre – San Francisco, CA
11.24.08 – The Catalyst – Santa Cruz, CA
11.26.08 – Harry O’s – Park City, UT
11.29.08 – Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
11.30.08 – Fox Theatre – Boulder, CO

Labelle – Back to Now
The three woman group known as Labelle (Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx, Sara Dash) is back with their first album in more than three decades. Back to Now, produced by Lenny Kravitz, Gamble and Huff, and Wyclef Jean, is full of the glam-soul sound one thinks of when remembering this trio.

According to Nona Hendryx it was a song dedicated to the memory of Rosa Parks that brought the threesome back under the Labelle umbrella. She says in a recent press release, "I asked Pat about us doing it as a group. Pat’s been talking about us getting back together for thirty years! I said, ‘we should either stop announcing it… or do it!’ Patti Labelle adds, “Every time it came up, I was working. I knew it was long overdue but each time, I was not ready to do it and I had so many things on my plate. My manager Damascene Pierre Paul kept asking me to do this; he was begging me and finally, I gave in. Then I said, ‘I don’t want to half-step… I will make time to do this'."

The songs are as poignant and message driven as those from thirty years ago, with current themes, of course. Highlights include "Without You." A team effort; it was co-written by Nona, Patti, and Kenny Gamble. We have a stream of the song for you to check out for yourself. The album was released October 21, and is available at all the usual outlets.

Hacienda – "She's Got a Hold on Me"
Though the name of this band has a Spanish ring, it's pure American rock 'n' roll coming out of this San Antonio quartet. Delightful pop harmonies and easy flowing melodies are this basis of their current release, Loud is the Night (Alive Records). Band Members are the Villanueva brothers Abraham (keys/vox), Rene (bass/vox), Jaime (drums/vox) and cousin Dante Schwebel (guitar/vox).

The band has just wrapped up a tour opening for Dr. Dog and are already laying the groundwork for a winter tour – dates announced shortly. The lead single from Loud is the Night is "She's Got a Hold on Me" and we have the video for you to check out. It was created with director Matt Muir and produced by Revelator Productions.

Her Space Holiday – Xoxo, Panda & the New Kid Revival
The newest album from Her Space Holdiay was released on October 7, and is already creating quite a stir. A full review of the album by Blogcritic Mat Brewster, is available, but we also have a special treat for you – a free download.

Led by Marc Bianchi, they took a little different approach to the new album, and with great results. The turned away from computer experimentation, and instead used traditional instruments like guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, shakers, glockenspiel, and drums to back the story-telling vocal arrangements.
Download the song "Sleepy Tigers" and hear for yourself just how great these guys are.

XOXO, Panda, And The New Kid Revival Tracklist:
01. The New Kid Revival
02. The Truth Hurts So This Should Be Painless
03. The Heartbreak Moment
04. The Year In Review
05. No More Good Ideas
06. The Boys And Girls
07. Sleepy Tigers
08. The World Will Deem Us Dangerous
09. My Crooked Crown
10. Four Tapping Shoes And A Kiss
11. The Telescope
12. Two Tin Cans And A Length Of String
13. The Day In Review
14. One For My Soul (Good Night)

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