The Boss has announced a three CD/ three DVD boxet called The Promise: The Darkness on the Edge of Town Story to be released on November 16, 2010 via Columbia Records. The release documents the process he and the band went through to cut one of his best albums, 1978’s Darkness on the Edge of Town.
“’Darkness’ was my ’samurai’ record,” Springsteen writes, “stripped to the frame and ready to rumble…But the music that got left behind was substantial.”
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Last week, the Swell Season were mid-set, playing at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga, California, when a fan suddenly leapt from an adjacent building and fell to his death on the stage—a few yards from lead singer Glen Hansard, and in front of over a thousand witnesses and concertgoers. Medical personnel in attendance and paramedics called to the scene tried to revive the man, but to no avail.
The concert was ended and the incident obviously left all who witnessed it in varying degrees of shock and sadness. The band released a statement the next day that read:
The band, crew and all involved with them are shocked and saddened by the unfortunate events of last night. Their hearts go out to the victim and his friends and family.
Now, the band has released an additional statement, adding their condolences to the family of the man who committed suicide, as well as offering free grief counseling to those who were in the audience that night.
At some point over the weekend we met with grief counselors to help try and make sense of this situation. While we likely will never gain the answers we need, what we did get out of the conversations were of great service to our mind, body and soul. In regards to coping with what we witnessed it was a step in the right direction. We have come to realize that some of those in attendance may be in need of similar counseling and may not be receiving it. Our hearts go out to you and we want to encourage you to talk to someone who has experience in these types of matters.
We have reached out to Kara, a Bay Area organization that is available to assist with grief counseling for attendees. Kara offers one-to-one grief counseling and have also set up several drop in groups specifically for you over the next couple of weeks.
If you or your children were at The Swell Season concert at The Mountain Winery in Saratoga, CA Thursday, August 19, 2010, you witnessed something that is traumatic and has the potential to stay with you.
More information on how to get in touch with Kara is available on the Swell Season’s website.
To help with the move to London, I’m selling my signed Ryan Adams guitar. I won it at a charity silent auction this Spring. All of the proceeds went to the Children’s Music Fund, so I felt mighty good about the purchase, but sadly, I can’t take it with me to England so it’s time to let it go. Click here to check it out.
The Haircut
Seth Avett of the Avett Brothers and photographer/filmmaker Mike of Crackerfarm have chopped off their long, gorgeous locks and donated them to the non-profit org Wigs for Kids. It’s mighty nice to see folks supporting their community like this. Well done, boys! Also, if you missed it, click here to check out Crackerfarm’s “Intense Passionate ‘Love’ or at Least Obsessive Lustful Stalking Songs Mixtape” that he made for us back in May. Just like his heart, this mix is downright good.
Langhorne Slim – Be Set Free
We really can be set free…and last night was an amazing, magical example of that. In just a few short hours, I swing danced with a Smart Brother to Don Juan Y Los Blancos, auctioned off a Hi Ho Silver Oh to be kissed by one lucky lady, and danced my hat off on stage during Akron/Family. Seriously, thanks so much to everyone who came out to Free For All and made it such a fun, open and inspiring environment. Stay tuned for photos and more tidbits about the festival coming soon. But for now, here’s me with Langhorne Slim and Zach from the Dustbowl Revival (love ‘em). p.s. Regular blog postings to resume tomorrow. I’m taking the day off!
When You Awake’s Free For All Festival is today, Sunday, August 15th at the Echoplex, Echo and the outside areas. We believe that the true essence of a community/folk festival is that it should be accessible to everyone. In that spirit, the event is all ages and pay-what-you-can. There will be food trucks, local vendors and craft stations spread throughout the festival to encourage spontaneous creativity. Plus! The entire audience will participate in a recording of Akron/Family’s “Woody Guthrie’s America”! To further the hand’s on approach, we have invited three local non-profit orgs, including Reading To Kids, CoachART and the Harmony Project, to set up booths! Attendees are encouraged to chat with them and sign up for their mailing lists and/or to volunteer. If you do, you will be entered into a “thank you giveaway” where you can win dinner at MASA or a 4-pack of Dodger tix. This year’s Free For All Fest includes music by:
Akron/Family
Langhorne Slim
Active Child
Old Man Markley
Don Juan Y Los Blancos
Frank Fairfield
Roadside Graves
Sean Hayes
Bad Weather California
Dustbowl Revival
Hi Ho Silver Oh
Smart Brothers
Dreamcatcher
Mouse Heaven
PLUS! The Coachella Arts Studios will be hosting a number of different craft areas at the fest. You may recognize this group from the camping area at the Coachella Music Fest. A taste of the free craftiness that’s in store:
Two strangers sit down across from one another at a table and draw each other. While drawing, you are given a series of questions to ask your partner. In the end, you get a portrait of yourself and a new friend.
Create mushrooms from paper bags. You can take it with you or leave it in our “paper bag mushroom garden”.
Learn how to make God’s Eyes and Dream Catchers….and oh so much more.
Face painting by the art collective Paus, run by KXLU DJs Mapi and Liberty.
Mobile Food Trucks including:
Comfort Truck
Lake Street Creamery
Plus the following Vendors will be selling their wares (bring cash)!
Punk Masters
Dear Prudence Vintage
Eso Meliae
Sake of the Song
Rya Lee Vintage
Christopher Downes
When You Awake’s Free For All Festival will take place at the Echo and Echoplex today, Sunday, August 15th. Entrance is through the Echoplex, located at 1154 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026. Doors open at 3 pm and music starts promptly at 4 pm. The festival is all ages (kids are welcome and encouraged) and it pay what you can. For more information, including the schedule, please go to the Free For All Festival website.
In an effort to spread the word about When You Awake’s Free For All Festival, the fine folks at the Silver Lake Jubilee have given us FIVE pairs of Dodger tickets to give away to people that invite all of their friends to this Sunday’s event! All you have to do is go to the Facebook invite page (here), click to invite friends (or to share the invite), and take a snapshot of you “sharing the page with friends” (like the example below). Then, just post that picture to the invite’s wall and at the end of the day today, we will do a raffle and the five winners can pick up their tix at the Festival. It’s that easy. So please, help us spread the word and make the Free For All Festival legendary. p.s. Did you RSVP yet?
Neil Young’s record label, Reprise Records, has announced that the legendary recording artist has added a few shows to the third leg of this 2010 North American tour. In an effort to help out local residents who have taken an economic hit due to the BP oil spill, Young will perform at venues across the Gulf Coast. Check out the details of his efforts and the tour dates after the jump.
Neil Young- Peaceful Valley (from his upcoming record Twisted Road)
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The schedule for When You Awake’s Free For All Festival has been announced! Doors open at 3 pm, music starts at 4 pm and we HIGHLY recommend getting there early to avoid long lines and parking issues. Also, did you RSVP yet?
Outdoor Stage:
4:20- 5:00 Mouse Heaven
5:30-6:10 Smart Brothers
6:40- 7:20 Frank Fairfield
7:50- 8:30 Dustbowl Revival
Echo Stage:
4:30-5:10 Roadside Graves
5:30- 6:10 Bad Weather California
6:40-7:30 Don Juan Y Los Blancos
8:00- 8:50 Old Man Markley
Echoplex Stage:
4:00-4:40 Dreamcatcher
5:10- 5:50 Hi Ho Silver Oh
6:20- 7:10 Sean Hayes
7:40- 8:30 Active Child
9:00-10:00 Langhorne Slim
10:30- midnight Akron/Family
Plus surprise in-audience performances!
I made an exclusive mixtape for the LA Times’ music site Pop And Hiss of all of the bands performing at the Free For All Festival. You can download it here.
Also, the RSVP link for Free For All is live (just click the link above). If there are lines, you will get top priority….meaning you get to move to the front of the line! Spread the word and make sure that you and all of your friends get in.
