All Over Albany

"My name is Sean Rowe, and I know I got a really low voice, but if you're stuck with me you're going to eat a tree, you won't have much of a choice..."

Check it out: Sean Rowe has a new Youtube series in which he talks about foraging for wild edibles and then heads back to the kitchen to cook them up. It is called, appropriately: Can I Eat This.

The first ep is embedded above. And the second posted today.

Of course, Rowe is famous as a musician. But he's also an avid naturalist, and he's taught foraging classes around here. So this series isn't a surprise. And his endearing, nerdy enthusiasm for the topic comes through in the videos. About the series, from his Facebook page:

You're gonna get an earfull and an eyefull of my passion for wild food and living off of the land. I'll be taking you through some of my favorite foraging spots througout the Northeast, showing you what I harvest directly from the wild and exactly what i do with it when i get back to the kitchen! I'll also be encorporating guest spots on the show with touring musicians, local chefs and hmmmm...who knows where this could go?!?!

The episodes look great thanks to Troy-based Chromoscope Pictures, which is producing the series. Over at The Alt, Katie Cusack Cusick recently talked with Rowe and Chromoscope's Nick Spadaro about what's cooking.

Sean Rowe has a show in Troy coming up

PSA: Sean Rowe is set to play another show at The Hangar on the Hudson in Troy March 23. Tickets are on sale now -- they're $20.

As you know, this is a hometown show for the singer/songwriter. And his shows in Troy pretty much always end up selling out. So if you'd like to go, don't wait to snag tickets.

Also: Rowe is playing a show at The Masonic Hall in Bennington March 17. Tickets are $18 ahead / $22 at the door / $10 students.

photo via ANTI-

Music break: Sean Rowe

Something to listen to this afternoon (or whenever): "Newtown's Cradle" by Sean Rowe.

In the video, Rowe is haunted by figures wearing masks of his face. And then at the very end (spoiler redacted).

The song is off New Lore, the Troy native's upcoming album which will be released on his own label. It's out April 7.

Rowe also has a few local shows coming up later this spring: at Helsinki Hudson May 18 (with Girl Blue), and at The Hangar in Troy May 19.

Midday music break: Sean Rowe

Something to listen to this afternoon: "The Great Pretender" by Sean Rowe.

The song is off All We Can Do, an EP he released earlier this fall. It's available from the various download and streaming services -- including Youtube, where you can listen to the whole thing.

Rowe's been working on new album, funded via Kickstarter, that's scheduled for an April 2017 release. And he has a show at The Hangar in Troy lined up for January 13 -- tickets are $20 and available now.

Also: His song "To Leave Something Behind" pops up in the new Ben Affleck movie The Accountant.

Sean Rowe: "I've decided to go it on my own for this next record...with just you guys to back me"

Check it out: Sean Rowe is looking to record his next album without his record label -- and he's raising the money to do so by pre-selling the album via Kickstarter. Blurbage:

I started out singing Otis Redding covers in bars while football games were on the big screen above me. When I got signed to a record label in 2009, I thought all my dreams had come true--and they did. Being with Anti- and having them to support the creation of my last 3 records has put me in places that I had long wished to be, and I am beyond grateful for that. But the business is ever-changing, and with that, I've been feeling the need to steer the horse in a different direction. So this time around, I've decided to go it on my own for this next record...with just you guys to back me. More than ever, I see the importance of building a community, and trusting that if you work your damn hardest and truly believe in what you're doing, people will rally behind you.

The video embedded above has a bit more about his motivation.

Rowe is planning to record the new album with producer Matt Ross-Spang in Memphis this summer, according to the Kickstarter page.

The first level to back the project is $25 -- that includes a download of the new album when it's ready, along an immediate download of a new 5-track EP.

The project goal is $43,500 (as of this morning $13,806 had been raised).

Sean Rowe at Takk House

Sean Rowe is set for a hometown show at Takk House this Saturday, December 19. The opener for the show is The Sea The Sea.

Tickets are $27.24 and available online (second link above). Show starts at 8 pm.

The show is a benefit for Joseph's House & Shelter.

Rowe's shows around here often sell out, so if you're interested in going, it's not a bad idea to get tickets sooner rather than later.

photo: Anthony Saint James

Wild edibles foraging and wilderness skills classes with Sean Rowe

As you know, Sean Rowe is a singer/songwriter from Troy who's risen to fame over the last few years, touring around the world and performing on TV. He's also an accomplished naturalist -- and he's teaching a handful of foraging and outdoor skills classes over the few months. Blurbage:

Ok so forget Naked and Afraid. How about Naked and Comfortable? Sort of. How about just for fun, we go out on a day hike and leave our matches and lighter at home? How would you like to go out into the landscape, pull off a dead branch from a Cottonwood tree, take your knife or sharp rocks and carve out a bow and drill fire set with nothing but your bare hands? Then, make some rope from the wild Dogbane plants that live there to use in your fire kit. Sound cool? Let's do it!

The dates include:
+ A foraging and skills class at Kawing Crow Awareness Center in Greenfield Center on September 27.
+ A journalist naturalist class for kids at Kawing Crow on October 12.
+ A foraging and skills class at East Greenbush Town Park on October 18.
+ A natural history walk at Peebles Island on October 25.

photo via Sean Rowe FB

Hold on, hold on, Sean Rowe

Something to listen to today: Sean Rowe performing a cover of Neko Case's "Hold On, Hold On." It's from a new EP he released this week -- Her Songs -- that's all covers of songs by women. You can listen to the whole thing on YouTube.

The Troy singer/songwriter is set for a show at Helsinki Hudson this Friday. Tickets are $20.

Holiday gifts: Sean Rowe

Gifts and giving are on most everyone's mind this month. So we thought we'd ask a few people to share some thoughts on presents, past and present.

Next up: Capital Region-based musician and naturalist Sean Rowe.

(there's more)

Desiree

Something to listen to this afternoon: "Desiree" by Sean Rowe. It's off his new album, Madman, which was released this week. About the video, from his FB page: "I put aside my hatred for heights and and weariness of clowns to find my inner child. enjoy!" (People, the man is working through his clown issues for you.)

From a GQ bit this week pegged to the album:

Sean Rowe's new album Madman, which drops tomorrow, is gritty yet somehow catchier than a Taylor Swift song. More soulful too. His extra-deep voice pairs with folksy guitar riffs to make this the kind of album that's at once recognizable and nothing like you've ever heard before. The kind you can leave on repeat all day long: Seriously, try listening to "Desiree"--we have the premiere on the video below--just once. He describes Madman has his most buoyant, most personal album so far.

Oh, and also, he made a squirrel burger this week.

As mentioned, Rowe is playing a hometown show at CAC Woodside in Troy October 3 to celebrate the new album.

Sean Rowe Madman preview now, album release show coming up in Troy

Sean Rowe's new album, Madman, is set to be released September 9. But NPR is currently offering a stream of the whole album.

Writes Will Hermes over at NPR Music:

If there's a spiritual forebear to Madman, it's Van Morrison, whose best records have woven the [soul, blues, gospel, R&B] (and more) into seamless cloth. Exhibit A: Madman's title track, with its handclaps, brass, bright melody, and burly "whoa-whoas." But there's cryptic humor here that's all Rowe's own ("You can call me a madman / but I'm spoken for.") The manic mix of "Shine My Diamond Ring," with its barrelhouse blues swagger and screaming gutbucket sax, shows a man who likes rough textures and exposed seams. But maybe the most striking number is "Desiree," a Motown-styled reverie with scats and screams; if only Amy Winehouse were around to make it a duet.

Rowe is playing a special local show October 3 at the CAC Woodside in Troy to celebrate the new album. From the show description:

For this album, I recorded in Stillwater, had all local musicians play on the songs, and produced it with my good friend (who not only lives here but whose name is Troy for god's sake). It's only fitting that we do the release and do it right -- at the CAC Woodside, right around the corner from where I waited for the schoolbus as a kid. This year we're doing a special sort of reception before the show, where we'll feature the artwork of my good friend Scott Ackerman (who did the artwork for Madman as well as the artwork on the Magic Tshirts), have some local beers and wines, and eat a dinner catered by my favorite pizza place in Troy--Defazio's.

Tickets for the October 3 show are $15 for the concert, $60 for the concert and reception.

photo: Anthony Saint James

Sean Rowe: "Shine My Diamond Ring"

Hey, look, it's a new Sean Rowe song: "Shine My Diamond Ring." The song debuted on Esquire's site today -- the mag calls Rowe an "intense man."

His next album, Madman, is out on September 9.

Rowe recently said on Facebook that he has a "big show coming up in Troy soon to be announced."

Drawing: Sean Rowe at Troy Music Hall + The Confectionery

Drawing's closed! Winner's been emailed!

Sean Rowe is set to play a show at the Troy Music Hall April 12. The opener is MaryLeigh Roohan. It should be a very good show.

We have a pair of tickets for the show -- and we're giving them away. But, wait -- there's more. The winner will also get two tickets to the pre-show reception/meet and greet with Rowe at the Rensselaer County Historical Society. But, wait -- there's more more. The winner will also also get a $25 gift certificate for The Confectionery, which is just down the street from the music hall. So, this is pretty much a whole night out.

To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:

Because Sean Rowe is from Troy, and is back playing a show there, what's your favorite thing about Troy?

It could be anything. We'll draw one winner at random.

The show at the Troy Music Hall is on Saturday, April 12 at 8 pm. Tickets are $20 and up. It's a benefit for the Rensselaer Land Trust. Tickets for the show + meet and greet are $100.

Important: All comments must be submitted by 10 am on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 5 pm on Wednesday, April 2 and must respond by 5 pm on Thursday, April 3.

Earlier on AOA:
+ A bunch of items about Sean Rowe
+ Hey there, MaryLeigh Roohan

The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall advertises on AOA, and AOA is a media sponsor of this show.

photo: Marius Bugge

A string of concerts, house by house

Sean Rowe has been playing a string of house shows over the last few months. And along the way the Troy-based musician been writing about them on a blog. A clip from one of the entries about two recent shows in Pennsylvania:

I think one of the big things that makes these house shows really stand out is just how oddly cool it is to show up at a near stranger's house and set up musical camp right there in the living room. It's like I'm some kind of a bearded salesman, going door to door but instead of vacuums I'm selling all these little feelings that come attached to songs. Friends...you're keeping me in business!

It's interesting to read about the people who've been booking these small shows, inviting him into their homes. (And sometimes they greet him with beer.)

In April Rowe is playing a venue just a bit bigger than a living room: The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. The April 12 show's a benefit for the Rensselaer Land Trust. Opener is MaryLeigh Roohan.

Yep, AOA is a media sponsor of the April 12 show.

Earlier on AOA:
+ A whole bunch of items about Sean Rowe
+ Hey there, MaryLeigh Roohan

photo from Sean Rowe House Concerts

Sean Rowe at Helsinki Hudson / Phantogram on Jimmy Fallon again

Announced today: Sean Rowe is playing Helsinki Hudson November 16. Tickets are on sale now -- they're $15 ahead / $18 at the door. It's a 21 and over show.

Rowe is also set to play a show at the Troy Musical Hall next April 12 (as mentioned). Tickets for that show are also currently on sale.

Because Rowe is 1) really good and 2) from the area, his recent shows in the Capital Region have had a big and/or full crowds. If you're thinking about going to either show, getting tickets sooner rather than later is a good idea.

Phantogram

With a new album coming out soon (?), it looks like Phantogram is scheduled to appear on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon October 3. The show has a "band bench" drawing for the appearance -- winners get "the exclusive chance to come down to the studio floor and surround the musical guest during their performance." The entry details are at that link. Phantogram also played on Jimmy Fallon back in 2011. [via @SaratogaIdiots]

Oh, and they played the Hollywood Bowl last night with M83.

photo: Marius Bugge

Sean Rowe at Troy Music Hall

The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall announced today that Sean Rowe is set to play the hall April 12, 2014. Tickets are $20, $25, $30 -- they go on sale to the general public September 3 (and are currently on sale to music hall members).

It's fitting that Rowe is playing the Troy Music Hall. He's probably played almost every other venue and bar in the city. (We remember seeing him play to just a handful of people in Riverfront Park one time.) Now he's touring the world, appearing on TV, and getting promoted by NPR. It's all well earned.

The show is a benefit for the Rensselaer Land Trust. That also makes sense -- Rowe has a pretty clear appreciation for nature, and he's an expert on wild edibles. (See his recent excitement about finding black walnuts and mushrooms.)

We gotta think this show has a chance of selling out. So if you want to go, it's probably a good idea to get tickets sooner than later.

photo: Marius Bugge

"The Coat"

Something to listen to this gray Friday afternoon: new song from Sean Rowe called "The Coat," written and recorded in three hours at SXSW.

And there's more...

The Solid Sound Festival at MASS MoCA announced today that Sean Rowe has been added to the lineup.

Daytrotter posted a new session with him this week.

And he's playing at the Bayou Albany the night of April 27 as part of the Move Music Festival.

Sean Rowe on Jimmy Kimmel (video)

Updated Check it out: Sean Rowe performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live Monday night (as mentioned), with Railbird backing him. They played "Downwind," of The Salesman and the Shark. A second song -- "Old Shoes" -- is embedded post jump.

Bonus: While in LA Monday, Sean also appeared on KCRW's famous music show, Morning Becomes Eclectic.

It's great to see him continue to get attention. He's on a national tour this month, starting out in California and working his way back toward the East Coast.

(there's more)

Sean Rowe is going to be on Jimmy Kimmel

Anti- announced today that Sean Rowe will be on Jimmy Kimmel Live March 4 (next Monday -- Kimmel's on ABC at 11:35 pm.). It will be his first national TV appearance. He says on Facebook that Railbird will be backing him up.

It's kind of amazing how much Sean Rowe's profile has risen over the last few years. From a local fave to a record deal, touring Europe, being gushed over on All Songs Considered, a profile in the Wall Street Journal, a spot on Weekend Edition, having his music in TV shows, a well-received second album, sharing a recipe in a national magazine (?!). And now on a spot on national TV. Good for him.

Sean just played a sold out show at Caffe Lena this past weekend. He's headed out a national tour next week.

photo: Marius Bugge

Sean Rowe at Putnam Den

Updated

Check it out: Sean Rowe's playing a show at Putnam Den November 23 (yep, the day after Thanksgiving). Tickets are $10 at the door. Show's at 9 pm.

Rowe's been on tour in the US recently -- to good reviews. From the Philadephia Inquirer this week:

Equally thrilling was the show-opening set of spectral Americana by hand-picked tourmate Sean Rowe. Bearded, burly, and wrapped in well-worn flannel, Rowe resembles a distant relative of Bigfoot. With a dulcet baritone perched between the subwoofer-shaking pipes of Mark Lanegan and Leonard Cohen, he commands the the kind of gravitas associated with fiery-eyed Old Testament prophets or mud-caked Delta bluesmen. When he opened his mouth to sing, the din of clinking glasses and idle chatter and, for that matter, time itself, stopped dead.

And, of course, his new album came out a few months back.

The Putnam Den show might the last chance to catch him locally for awhile -- it it sounds like he's headed back to Europe to tour after the new year.

[via the Idiots]

But, wait, there's more... The opener for the show at Putnam Den is Matthew Carefully.

And speaking of Mr. Carefully, he and Hunter Sagehorn -- as Rosary Beard -- are playing with Katie Haverly at the Foundry in Cohoes the next day (November 24). Show's at 7:30 pm. It's $5.

Oh, hey, look... It's a new Phantogram video.

photo via Sean Rowe Facebook

Old Shoes. In a hotel room.

Something to listen to: Sean Rowe with Railbird's Sarah Pedinotti and Chris Kyle. In a hotel room in Falls Church, Virginia one recent early morning. (That song -- "Old Shoes" -- was on the NBC show Parenthood last month.)

Hey, speaking of Railbird... They debuted a song on MTV's Hive site today. They'll be back in Saratoga this Thursday for a show at Putnam Den. Also on the slate: Cuddle Magic, and The Daredevil Christopher Wright (a trio, none of them named Christopher). It should be a good show. It all starts at 9 pm.

The Salesman and the Shark

Sean Rowe's new album -- The Salesman and the Shark -- is out today. The video for one of the songs off the album -- "Downwind" -- is embedded above.

This album is getting a lot of attention, some of it mainstream. Sean was profiled in the Wall Street Journal earlier this year. He was interviewed for a segment on NPR's Weekend Edition this past Saturday. And that video debuted on an AOL music site. The attention's a long time coming -- and it's well deserved.

As you know, Sean Rowe is playing a show to celebrate the new album at Valentine's September 8. Railbird opens.

NPR streaming Sean Rowe's new album

NPR is streaming a first listen this week of Sean Rowe's upcoming album The Salesman and the Shark. Gushes the mothership's Bob Boilen:

There are moments when I want someone to sit down nearby and sing only to me. And in those moments, I want a voice to pierce my heart. There are recordings in my collection I reach for when I need that intimacy. Nick Drake made some; Richard Thompson, Lisa Hannigan and M. Ward are all my hi-fi friends. Most recently it's been Sean Rowe, whose bass-baritone rattles the soul. This man can sing, and his new album The Salesman and the Shark is a masterwork of song, production and voice.

NPR's been a fan for a while. It invited Rowe to play a Tiny Desk Concert last fall.

The Salesman and the Shark is out August 28. And, yep, he's playing at Valentine's September 8. Railbird opens.

photo via Sean Rowe Facebook

Sean Rowe and Markéta Irglová

Check it out: it's Sean Rowe. In Paris. Playing with Markéta Irglová (you know, from The Swell Season and Once.)

Sean's been touring with Irglová this month around Europe. They're over there through the beginning of November -- then back to the US for a handful of dates at places such as The Troubadour (LA), Doug Fir (Portland), 9:30 Club (DC), and the Bowery Ballroom.

Sean's been keeping a tour blog. It's great to see all the success he's having.

Earlier: Sean Rowe on NPR's Tiny Desk

Sean Rowe on NPR's Tiny Desk

How about this: Sean Rowe is featured on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series today.

From the text accompanying the video:

On paper, Sean Rowe's music should be the stuff of ineffectual self-parody: He is, after all, a bearded guy who sings acoustic folk-rock songs, complete with themes revolving around humanity's relationship to nature. But this is big, bold, muscular stuff -- a closer relative of Man vs. Wild than the nearest coffeehouse. When Colin Meloy's beard is cornered in a dark alley, it summons the assistance of Sean Rowe's beard.

Heh.

Sean has a few tour dates in the US this September before heading to Europe in October and November.

(Thanks, Melissa!)

Earlier on AOA: Sean Rowe takes LA