Rome From Home

So we here at Barricade Buzz blogged about the big event in Rome, Italy this past Christmas called the Romans Do It Better Project.  For those of you who missed the memo, Daniele Brian Autore of Vanilla Sky brought together many of the bands from the Roman scene to cover John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)."  The song was performed all over the Eternal City and the bands participating volunteered their time at a local soup kitchen.

Well, the good deeds from RDIBP have expanded into something bigger, it's called Rome From Home.  It's a developing non-profit organization that is looking to network bands, labels, and producers from around the world to initiate more charitable activities.  The organization was founded by Daniele Cardinale with the creative support of Autore.  I have also joined the Rome From Home team as the US executive director.

The website is coming soon, but definitely add the MySpace page.

Let's get this goin!

www.romefromhome.org

myspace.com/romefromhome

Promotional tour gives high expectations for new release

By Angelyn Thornton

photos by Amy Willard

            On Friday the 16^th fans braved the bitter cold of January to wait in line outside of the 9:30 Club for the return of The Fray. Warming up the crowd for the evening was Vedera, a pop/alternative band out of Kansas City. 

Lead by the soft but piercing vocals of Kristen May, Vedera kicked off the evening with a collection of songs from both past albums and future releases. May’s voice, much like the songs themselves, continue to ring in your head even after the music stops. The Vedera repertoire, with its heartfelt lyrics and eclectic moods, could easily be the soundtrack to your life. 

The band currently has two EPs and one full length album in their discography with a second full length in the works. The band itself even handed out sampler CDs containing three new tracks for the upcoming release: “Loving Ghosts,” “Forgive You” and “Even I”. The first full length album, The Weight of an Empty Room, and the second EP, Stages, are available on iTunes and you can find the new songs (as well as band info) at www.myspace.com/vedera.

            Next to take the lamp and chandelier-adorned stage was the main act, The Fray. After the success of their debut album, How to Save a Life, The Fray embarked on a promotional tour for their self-titled sophomore album which is set to be released on February 3^rd. The band opened with two songs from the upcoming album before launching into a mix of old favorites and new tracks.

 One highlight of the set was a beautiful audience sing-along of “Look After You” which really reminded me how powerful and moving live music is. After an exceptional performance of “You Found Me”, the first single off the second record, the band left the stage and returned with a softer acoustic sound.
 Acoustic or not, the set had one constant: great music. The world must wait almost two more weeks until the release of the new album but, judging by Friday’s performance and audience feedback, it will be well worth it. 

You can purchase The Fray’s debut album and pre-order the upcoming album at iTunes and www.thefray.net.  

Coming to America

Up and coming Roman pop-punk band, The Electric Diorama, has been confirmed to perform at this year's SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas.  This Italian quintet will depart the Lone Star state after the festival and head out on a West Coast tour with The Anix. 

Fans of Metro Station, Cobra Starship, and Vanilla Sky will probably want to check out The Electric Diorama.

Official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/theelectricdiorama

No Doubt Reunites.

After a five year hiatus, No Doubt will be returning to the stag with a slew of US tour dates at their performance at this year's Bamboozle Festival in May.  Joining the reunited band will be female led, pop-punk sensation, Paramore.  Also schedules to appear for certain dates are the Sounds, Janelle Monae, and Bedouin Soundclash.

Where were we tonight?

Everyone is asking, were we at the We Are One concert at the Lincoln Memorial tonight with Beyonce... Bono... Bruce and Obama?  No. (too cold.)

Were we at the Youth Ball featuring Fall Out Boy at the 9:30 Club tonight? Nope. (Clearly our invite from Mayor Fenty to this exclusive event was lost in the mail...)

We had better things to do.  We were hanging out with the guys of Framing Hanley up in Townson, Md.  Not sure who they are?  Ever heard Lil Wayne's "Lollipop"??  Ever heard the rock remix?  Maybe?  Well, that's Framing Hanley.  Check it.

Who is coming to the DC/MD/VA area??

Here are some up coming shows for anyone in the MD/VA/DC area (yes... this is our primary location)

Friday Jan 16 - The Fray - 9:30 Club - Washington DC

Saturday Jan 17 - The Academy Is with The Cab - Jammin Java - Vienna, VA

Sunday Jan 18 - Framing Hanley - Recher Theatre - Towson, MD

Tuesday Jan 20 - Funeral For a Friend with The Sleeping - Recher Theatre  - Towson, MD

Take Action Tour is coming to DC

Reminder, Cute Is What We Aim For will be rolling into DC's 9:30 Club for the 2009 Take Action Tour on 2/22
Tickets are on sale now -- www.930.com

Nathanson cancels tour dates with Jewel

Posted today on MattNathanson.com

"Though we never like to cancel tour dates, due to circumstances outside of Matt's control, the shows in support of Jewel have been cancelled. Refunds will be available at the point of purchase. Any additional information, including more tour dates in 2009, will be announced here. Stay tuned!"

Steve's picks

Okay so a friend of mine asked me to give out a few names of some bands that people may, or may not know that are rocking the underground scene and the web. So here goes. 

Right now on my media player I have Self Against City playing and the song is called “Take It How You Want It” --I'll just compare it to a more popier version of The Starting Line (their older stuff). They are now mainstream but still have a huge shadow cast over them. Their last single was called "The Process.”

Moving on in the same genre I find myself listening to a lot of Mayday Parade, which I’m sure many know by now, and a band called Houston Calls.

There’s also 16th Avenue (check out “First Fall" The Acoustic version), which is from Canada and consists of three brothers. They played some of Warped Tour last year, but didn't come to where I was (UGH!).

Finally, there's My American Heart. They have toured a lot with big names, but have never head lined—though I have a feeling they’ll be running the scene along with some other up and comers in no time.

Check these names out on MySpace and PureVolume and let me know what you think.

+Steve Dewyea

random Jam...

So I got a hold of My Favorite Highway's How To Call a Bluff today, and I'm slightly addicted.  I've been loving their song, "You're Making It Come Alive" since I saw them open for Yellowcard at the 9:30 a few years ago, but I'm really diggin' this album.  You can stream it on their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/myfavoritehighway

Sounds Like: Jack's Mannequin (sans piano)