Local musicians and media celebrities are organizing a benefit concert for the Myanmar relief effort on May 18 at the Rock and Roll Hotel in downtown Washington, D.C.
The “Music for Myanmar” concert will air nationwide on D.C.-based XM Satellite Radio and worldwide via D.C.-based Worldspace. The concert starts at 6 pm ET and can be heard on XM music channel U-Pop hosted by XM and WorldSpace's Ted Kelly, Dee Dee Watters & Rob Timm of WRNR Radio. U-Pop is channel 29 on XM and WorldSpace Satellite radio. U-Pop can also be heard on the Internet at XM Radio Online, DirecTV music channel 824 and WorldSpace Satellite Radio throughout Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Organizers say the concert will benefit the American Red Cross’ International emergency response to the Myanmar cyclone.
Local and national musicians will perform acoustic and full band sets, there will be a silent auction, authentic Burmese food and DJ Zoltar from XM and Worldspace will spin music between sets. Tickets are $15.00 and available in advance at
www.rockandrollhoteldc.com
Myanmar Relief Benefit Concert
Bloom
UNDIVIDED, the opening track from BLOOM the latest EP from the Niki Barr Band has been picked up by Clear Channel Radio. Click on the Band Picture to the right to access Clear Channel to listen.
Also the official release for BLOOM is May the 24th. For ticket information visit www.the8x10.com
Also the official release for BLOOM is May the 24th. For ticket information visit www.the8x10.com
BLOOM Review
Label: self-released
Released: May 24, 2008
I had the chance to catch the Niki Barr Band open for the Cult a few months back and they were an outstanding live band. They played with the confidence and intensity of a headliner, not the caution and tentativeness of a local band opening for an international act. However, when I heard their previous releases, Lush and Go, I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad, but it lacked so much of what made their live set so good.
A lot has changed since those releases though and their new EP, Bloom finds the emphasis move from Niki Barr to band. This is the first time that all four members have contributed in all stages of the process and it shows. They've taken a harder approach this time and while songs like "Undivided" and "Alone" can tread a little too heavily in alt metal territory, they also have more edge and texture and that brings this album a little bit closer to their live show. On these first two tracks, they've tried to solidify their sound within the boundaries of rock music, making execution their strength rather than pushing the boundaries.
Things get a little more interesting after that though. "So Cruel" deals more in dissonance and sees the band stretching out a bit. "Burn" has a vaudeville feel that builds in intensity (and weird, creepy energy) until it begins to break apart, but it never does and that's the mark of a band that's onto something good. In a vague way, it reminds me of the trial sequence for The Wall (which is one of the few things Roger Waters did right on that album). "Drowsy" splits the difference between the more straightforward tracks and the tangents of the experiments, ending on a strong note. The doors are now open to experimentation and, despite not stepping all the way through them, the band is clearly on the right path to the Niki Barr Band sound.
Bloom is a solid set of songs. The vocals are richer, the music sharper and the band is more cohesive and focused. They sound better as individual musicians and better as a unit and strong production gives them a bigger, crunchier sound. As good as they were live a few months ago, I have even higher hopes now.
Catch the Niki Barr Band performing the new material at their CD release show on May 24th at the 8X10 in Baltimore.
Ratings
Satriani: 7/10
Zappa: 5/10
Dylan: 6/10
Aretha: 6/10
Overall: 6/10
Released: May 24, 2008
I had the chance to catch the Niki Barr Band open for the Cult a few months back and they were an outstanding live band. They played with the confidence and intensity of a headliner, not the caution and tentativeness of a local band opening for an international act. However, when I heard their previous releases, Lush and Go, I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't bad, but it lacked so much of what made their live set so good.
A lot has changed since those releases though and their new EP, Bloom finds the emphasis move from Niki Barr to band. This is the first time that all four members have contributed in all stages of the process and it shows. They've taken a harder approach this time and while songs like "Undivided" and "Alone" can tread a little too heavily in alt metal territory, they also have more edge and texture and that brings this album a little bit closer to their live show. On these first two tracks, they've tried to solidify their sound within the boundaries of rock music, making execution their strength rather than pushing the boundaries.
Things get a little more interesting after that though. "So Cruel" deals more in dissonance and sees the band stretching out a bit. "Burn" has a vaudeville feel that builds in intensity (and weird, creepy energy) until it begins to break apart, but it never does and that's the mark of a band that's onto something good. In a vague way, it reminds me of the trial sequence for The Wall (which is one of the few things Roger Waters did right on that album). "Drowsy" splits the difference between the more straightforward tracks and the tangents of the experiments, ending on a strong note. The doors are now open to experimentation and, despite not stepping all the way through them, the band is clearly on the right path to the Niki Barr Band sound.
Bloom is a solid set of songs. The vocals are richer, the music sharper and the band is more cohesive and focused. They sound better as individual musicians and better as a unit and strong production gives them a bigger, crunchier sound. As good as they were live a few months ago, I have even higher hopes now.
Catch the Niki Barr Band performing the new material at their CD release show on May 24th at the 8X10 in Baltimore.
Ratings
Satriani: 7/10
Zappa: 5/10
Dylan: 6/10
Aretha: 6/10
Overall: 6/10
Niki Barr Band
The Niki Barr Band has announced the release of their latest CD "BLOOM"
Bloom was written and produced by the Niki Barr Band. In addition it was recorded at Obscura Studios which is owned and operated by the band as well.
The release date for the EP is May 24th in Baltimore at the 8 x 10.
Poll Star Magazine ranks this venue as 97th in excellence.
For additional information visit www.8x10.com
Visit our Music Library to preview some of the tracks from " BLOOM"
Bloom was written and produced by the Niki Barr Band. In addition it was recorded at Obscura Studios which is owned and operated by the band as well.
The release date for the EP is May 24th in Baltimore at the 8 x 10.
Poll Star Magazine ranks this venue as 97th in excellence.
For additional information visit www.8x10.com
Visit our Music Library to preview some of the tracks from " BLOOM"
Niki Barr Band
Marucci Artist Management Inc is pleased to announce that The Niki Barr Band has been selected to perform in Austin March 12th during the South By South West Music Conference. The bands showcase will take place at Nuno's Upstairs on East Sixth Street near Trinity.
Representatives from Sony, and Universal have registered to attend the performance.
Representatives from Sony, and Universal have registered to attend the performance.
Live: Niki Barr Band
Bob Lange Of Glide Magazine writes
"The opening act was the local Niki Barr Band. Most small bands would play this opportunity safe. It seems so seldom that a local band throws caution to the wind and goes all out in the shadow of a headliner with the Cult's stature. Surprise #1: Niki and company played their all too short set as though they were the main attraction. Their performance had that intangible strength that comes from confidence. It wasn't the songs themselves so much as how they dug deep to play them. Their infectious energy didn't go unnoticed: The next day, they were invited to join the tour for two more dates in Buffalo and Indianapolis."
"The opening act was the local Niki Barr Band. Most small bands would play this opportunity safe. It seems so seldom that a local band throws caution to the wind and goes all out in the shadow of a headliner with the Cult's stature. Surprise #1: Niki and company played their all too short set as though they were the main attraction. Their performance had that intangible strength that comes from confidence. It wasn't the songs themselves so much as how they dug deep to play them. Their infectious energy didn't go unnoticed: The next day, they were invited to join the tour for two more dates in Buffalo and Indianapolis."
Niki Barr Band with the Cult
Recently Marucci Artist Management Inc received the attached photograph of front woman Niki Barr from independent photographer Scott Legato. Scott was the tours official photographer during the band’s stop in Indiana while on tour with the Cult as part of the Jagermeister Music Tour. Scott's pic was taken in Indianapolis at the Murat Center
Niki Barr Band Joins The Cult
The Niki Barr Band will join the Jagermeister Tour package featuring Music Icons The Cult along with Action Action and Vietnam.
For additional information visit www.jagermeistermusictour.com
For additional information visit www.jagermeistermusictour.com
Niki Barr On Voice Of America's " Border Crossings"
Recently the Niki Barr Band ( www.nikibarr.com) was invited to talk with host Larry London on his award winning radio program Border Crossings (www.voanews.com/english/Entertainment/musicmix-bordercrossings) that is carried daily around the world on Voice Of America. This was the second appearance for Niki as she joined a select group of artists to come on BC and talk about touring, supporting our troops and other interest. Interviews with Aero Smith, Genesis, Drowning Pool and Grace Potter are scheduled to take place over the next few weeks.
We have attached a clip of the band talking about touring the Middle East in support of out troops and they perform one of the new tracks “ Alone “ from the forth coming cd. To listen click on the music libary icon on this page.
We have attached a clip of the band talking about touring the Middle East in support of out troops and they perform one of the new tracks “ Alone “ from the forth coming cd. To listen click on the music libary icon on this page.
Niki Barr speaks with Time Magazine
Earlier today, Time Magazine caught up with Niki Barr to talk about her recent tour of both South West and East Asia and her thoughts on how her music is being received throughout the Asian and European communities.
Niki and her band return to Europe later this year leaving in December.
Niki's interview will reach newsstands throughout the world in the next few weeks.
Congratulations Niki
Niki and her band return to Europe later this year leaving in December.
Niki's interview will reach newsstands throughout the world in the next few weeks.
Congratulations Niki