On May 30, Max Recordings celebrates its seventh birthday and the release of two new albums with a concert at White Water Tavern. New albums from Isaac Alexander (“See Thru Me,” his debut solo release) and the Good Fear (“Dirty Lowdown Adventure”) will be for sale at the show, which will feature those artists plus another Max staple, Grand Serenade. Jason Morphew’s “Vaporizer,” an experimental pop foray, will also be released around that time.
Way to click, Arkansas. The American Princes’ “Real Love” video didn’t make it past the MTVu battle of “The Freshmen,” a show where four hipsters debate the merits of five music videos and viewers at home vote, endlessly, for a favorite. Bummer, no go on a show you’ve never heard of on a network you probably didn’t know existed. But don’t be too disheartened, Princes fans: British music mag Uncut gave the band’s latest four stars. Catch them in Arkansas soon: On Saturday, May 3, at George’s Majestic in Fayetteville for a “Rock Tha Vote” event and on Saturday, May 10, at Rock ‘n’ Roar at the Little Rock Zoo.
There was a nice Arkansas connection last week when Little Rock native Mikael Wood interviewed Camden native Ne-Yo for Billboard. The soul singer said of his forthcoming album, to be released on June 24: “There’s some stuff on there that sounds like something the Beatles might’ve done. There’s some stuff on there that sounds like something Billy Joel might’ve done. I can’t do just straight urban music no more, because to be completely honest with you, I’m a little bored with it. I’m just moving with what music excites me now.”
Marvel Comics artist Mitch Breitweiser, who calls Little Rock home, recently launched a new blog, mbreitweiser.blogspot.com. So far, he’s uploaded warm-up sketches of Daredevil, Captain America and Spiderman. It’s essential viewing for any local comic nerd. Look for Breitweiser’s “Young Avengers Presents, #5” at your favorite local comics store on May 28.
Mark your calendar: Majestic Concerts has lined up a run of performers for the newly revived Arkansas Music Pavilion in Fayetteville. On Friday, July 11, Ween will perform, and on Thursday, Aug. 14, the Black Crowes perform. It’s such a big deal, the promoters are billing it as “An Evening with the Black Crowes.” Indeed.