UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

Hello world!  Red Banana Media is currently in the process of launching a brand new site.  One that will blow your mind and help redefine the indie music scene!  All the things that you have grown to love, and then some.  The full site will be viewable at http://www.redbananamedia.com. There will be lots of ways to connect with artists, each other, and charities world wide.  A revolution truly has begun!

In the meantime, please enjoy everything that has already been posted on "the RED BANANA".  Do not hesitate to email me at lindsay@redbananamedia.com with any questions, comments, or love!  :)

Namaste.

- Lindsay x

TODAY IN MUSIC HISTORY: 8/29

A Hard Day’s Night

Today in 1966 was the last live show the Beatles would ever play. San Francisco’s Candlestick Park (now 3Com Park) saw twenty four thousand fans screaming so loudly during the whole 33-minute set that the boys couldn’t hear themselves sing. Lukewarm ticket sales and other factors made the event a financial disaster for the promoters.

Your Weekly Helping of Random Musical Knowledge

by Joshua Schwartz

You’ve all envisioned the Super Freak that Rick James wouldn’t bring home to Mama. Who hasn’t made it a priority to Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World with Neil Young? But did you know that these two powerhouses on seemingly opposite ends of the music spectrum were once in an R&B band together?

That’s right. The Mynah Birds was a short-lived act based in Toronto in the mid-60’s. In addition to James (lead singer) and Young (guitar), the cast of characters included Bruce Palmer, who would later form Buffalo Springfield with Young, and Goldie McJohn and Nick St. Nicholas who, in addition to having hilarious names, later would play in rock band Steppenwolf.

In 1966 The Mynah Birds signed a seven-year recording contract with Motown Records. They were in the process of recording their first album when James got arrested for going AWOL from the Navy. Motown dumped the band from their contract and the band’s name slunk into obscurity, overshadowed by the immense success of many of its members in their later groups.

Who knows? If Rick James hadn’t gotten arrested, would we have gotten to enjoy ‘Super Freak’ and the endless impressions everyone did of Dave Chappelle’s impression of the punk-funk legend? Anyone who loves funk and is highly amused by stories of gratuitous drug use in the 80’s would surely cringe to think about a world in which Rick James hadn’t become the mythical entity we know him as today.

WILL KNOX: In-Knox-icating!

Writing and Photos by:

B.J. Barratt

B-Line Entertainment

I often go to Rebel Spirit nights at Rockwood Music Hall, which are held on the first Wednesday of each month. It’s usually a pretty good night of music. I’m not sure exactly what is involved in their selection process, but Deena Goodman, one of Rebel Spirit’s founders, was always great at finding talent for the New York Songwriter’s Circle when she worked with them, so I keep dropping in to see who is being showcased.

Last week featured a couple of artists recently transplanted to NY from Nashville and another visiting from LA, but the one to whom the night unquestionably belonged, was an ‘Englishman in New York’ by the name of Will Knox. It was obvious from the set up that there was something unique about to happen. It isn’t often that one sees both a banjo and a violin on stage at the same time.

To center stage steps a handsome young man with tussled curls and an impish smile. He speaks with a proper English accent – though he is said to be from London…and he does, in fact, support one of London’s top ranking football teams, Arsenal (I’ll try not to hold that against him), he has no sign of the common cockney dialect, but rather presents himself as a charming and refined gentleman with a quick wit and a gleam in his eye.

Before he struck the first note I was silently rooting for him, ‘oh man, if this kid can play…this is a hell of a package …”

Gently plucking the strings he begins. Then, he sings. His voice dances with a lovely lilt, telling stories in the classic folk tradition; of emigrants, of the quest for fame and fortune, of the fear of moving to NYC, and of lost love. Crafted words and beautiful old world melodies updated with 21st century pop sensibilities. Music that would be as comfortable in an old Irish pub as it would be at any current venue on the Lower East Side. He is a classic singer/songwriter, but with a clever Celtic twist that separates him from the rest of his contemporaries.

Some sweet and simple melodies are coupled with beautiful, intelligent lyrics which draw you in like an old friend telling you a story:

“She said learn some gratitude

And give the thanks I’m overdue

She said learn some self respect

Repair the other life you wrecked”

The band harmonizes as the violin adds a sympathetic sound, all beautifully arranged to envelop the audience in the tales he tells. Looking around the room, it’s easy to see, they gladly follow the dimpled troubadour into the lives of immigrant workers or down Hollywood Blvd, wherever this stories lead. And judging by the encore they demanded, they would have done so all night long.

Check out his myspace www.myspace.com/willknoxmusic to hear for yourself – and find a show near you…then…
have the inkeeper stoke the fire, pour the wine, and settle in for a fine night of music from a songwriter you’re very likely to hear making quite a name for himself rather quickly.

Other band members shown in photos: 

Clayton Mathews on Violin and Kyle Hauser on Banjo.