When Mike Doughty released his second official solo album, 2008’s Golden Delicious, the reaction from fans was intense. “Some hated it, some loved it better than Soul Coughing,” Doughty says. “I tend to take sharp left turns. Every time I put out a record, the audience seems to like what I did two years ago better. You’d think I could shrug it off because that’s what always happens, but it always gets to me.”

Doughty admits that his upcoming album, Sad Man Happy Man – released October 6th on ATO Records – is a reaction to his fans’ reaction and that he’s giving the people what they want. “I really went for the ‘na-na-na’s’ and the simple choruses and stuff on Golden,” he says. “The songs on Sad Man are more arcane and convoluted songwriting-wise, though they’re sparer in terms of instrumentation. Although my choruses are still simple — I love taking phrases and repeating them ad infinitum.”

The largely acoustic Sad Man Happy Man is a deliberate return to everything people love about Mike Doughty, he makes albums that simmer with verbal wit, and Sad Man Happy Man is no exception with its songs about everything from relationship bust-ups (Doughty was going through one while he was recording it) to his astute observations about the American economy.

“Pleasure on Credit” is a celebratory tale of the American spender in the face of the U.S.’s credit addiction crushing the world’s markets; “Lord Lord” is all sly drug references, like “Tango and Cash” and “Dr. Nova,” which are both brand-names for bags of heroin. “That song is kind of like my ‘Walk on the Wild Side,’” Doughty says. “I like how Reed’s tune is all about tranny whores and yet is all over classic rock radio.” Doughty wrote “Rising Up” after his girlfriend sent him a terse email and, with his heart thumping, wrote five pages trying to exorcise his anxiety. “It’s my Gloria Gaynor moment,” he says with a laugh. “The message of the tune is: ‘You’re fucked, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll keep on with my spiritual journey.’ Yes, I really am that much of a hippie.”

Musically, Sad Man Happy Man finds Doughty returning to his acoustic roots thanks to its stripped-down arrangements that feature Doughty backing himself on guitar. He also did all the drum programming, as well as played keyboards and what he calls the “weird noise stuff,” while his long-time touring partner Andrew “Scrap” Livingston handles bass duties. Recorded at New York’s Kampo Studios, the album was co-produced by Doughty and engineer Pat Dillett (They Might Be Giants, David Byrne, Arto Lindsay), with the exception of album’s first single “Doubly Gratified,” which was produced by David Kahne, who helmed Soul Coughing’s 1996 album Irresistible Bliss, as well as albums by Paul McCartney, Sugar Ray, and Tony Bennett.

Doughty maintains a widely read blog that chronicles his unique shows, international travels, and creative endeavors. He’s currently writing a memoir, recording an electronic album entitled Dubious Luxury, and working on a photo book about Eritrea’s capital city of Asmara, for Yeti Books. He also recently published a play, Ray Slape is Dead, in 24 by 24: The 24 Hour Plays Anthology, alongside Terrence McNally and Theresa Rebeck.

But for now, Doughty is looking forward to a fall ‘09 “Question Jar” tour with his friend Scrap and releasing Sad Man Happy Man. “Basically I’m trying to make stuff I want to listen to,” he says of the album. “And I mean that in a literal sense, not like, “Were I a listener, I would like this,” but rather something I can listen to on the subway on headphones and really dig. This is my life, this is what I do. That sounds matter-of-fact, but I really do look at it as a sort of calling — and being an artist at its best is selfless. I’m working for the language, I’m working for the music, I’m working for the songs. I’m a happier guy when I’m conscious of that.”

Join us on September 18th at 4:00 pm est, we looking forward to see you.

If We Were Sharks is a five piece band from Ridgefield, Connecticut. It’s members are Trey Schibli (Vocals, Guitar), Dave Johnson (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard), Daniel Vayness (Guitar), Connor Walsh (Bass), and Eric Peterson (Drums). They have been playing music together for over 2 years now, playing many local shows around Connecticut. Playing in a rock genre, songs feature layers of guitars and catchy melodies.

Join us on August 7th at 4:00 pm est, we looking forward to see you.

BLACK TAXI is one of NYC’s most prominent live acts, smashing an anything-goes punk ethos together with pop sensibilities, unparalleled energy, and brilliant songwriting.  The result is a raucous stage show, heavy on harmonies, spitfire guitar licks, body paint, and all manner of instrumentation.  Their style has been described varyingly as “grit-pop” or “dance punk”, and though their songs hint at the Talking Heads, Cake, and Daft Punk, they are driven by something entirely new and infectious.  BLACK TAXI songs can be heard on radio stations from Maine to California, accompany hit TV shows, provide the soundtrack for film, and hit the airwaves on commercial airlines.  Their most recent music video “Shoeshine” has found a success of it’s own as an Official Nominee for the Webby Awards.

Join us on August 7th at 4:00 pm est, we looking forward to see you.

Hailey and Samantha Knox are 12 and 10 year old local acoustic musicians who play throughout the Hudson Valley. They have been playing music for the past two years and together they make up the ‘Knox Sisters’ who sing and play guitar, piano, ukulele and percussion. Musical influences include Motown to Top 40 and they cover songs from artists such as Alicia Keys, The Allman Brothers, Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga and The White Stripes. Additionally, The Knox Sisters have recently started writing and recording their own music with the goal of releasing an EP in the future. They have played numerous coffee houses and local venues such as the Towne Crier in Pawling NY and the Falcon in Marlboro NY. The Knox Sisters also are committed to helping charitable organizations and have helped raise money by playing benefit shows for Cancer, Autism and Multiple Sclerosis to name a few. The Knox Sisters music can be found on Facebook (under the Knox Sisters) page and You Tube (under HaileyKnox11).

“I’ve come a long way. I started out just being a girl who played a little classical piano. Then I started to write simple songs and sing to myself. Then I started to perform for close family. Then I started to share with friends who loved it. Then I was pushed on stage and then I knew it was what I was meant to do!”

Music has always taken the wheel for Kiriaki Bozas, singer-songwriter born June 12, 1982. Since the age of 8 she has been writing emotionally-moving songs imbued with romance and epic drama on the piano.

Born into a Greek American family of diner restaurant owners, her expectations of being a recognized music artist were low.

“I never took myself too seriously. I never thought I’d get even this far. I thought I’d be working a 9-5 and be married with a couple kids by now.”

Her first EP entitled, Teacher, was produced in 2009 with multi-Grammy award winning producer, Memo Gil in Mexico City.  Working diligently to share her music with as many people as possible, Kiriaki contacted promotional companies, concert venues and radio stations to support her debut release.  Two songs were broadcasted on multiple national radio stations. The title song, Teacher was listed in the Top Songs of 2010 by Cold Spring Radio station. In addition, the International Singer Songwriter Association’s awarded Bozas with an honorable mention in their annual singer-songwriting contest.  By April 11th 2010, Bozas was the featured artist in the Poughkeepsie Journal, the oldest newspaper in New York state. With shows booked almost every week, Kiriaki performed in legendary venues such as, The Bitter End and Googie’s Lounge in NY , Towne Crier Cafe in Pawling and Kibitz Room in Los Angeles.  In January 2011, Poughkeepsie Journal listed the top 10 performances of 2010, placing Bozas at number 7.

Her live performances have been marked by their down-to-earth and “human” quality.  Listeners can easily identify with her music because it is inspired by personal experience and daily observations of every-day life.

Fiona Apple, Tori Amos and Imogen Heap became musical influences in her teen years but they were not the first to shape her musical style.

“I grew up listening to Beethoven, Pavorati, Carole King, The Beatles, George Michael and Greek film scores. I loved music that moved people.”

Currently, she is recording her next song with Earl Cohen, a well known music engineer and producer in NJ. Cohen has worked with some of the most known artists in the industry such as Lady Gaga, Usher, Pink and Nelly. Bozas plans to complete her next EP by the end of this year with hopes of receiving radio airplay and attention from major music labels.

“I’m headed in a really great direction because I have so many avenues to take and I’m growing confident in every one.”