Shawn Fogel Live At The M Room 5-25-08
Shawn Fogel's excellent One Day In The Desert EP has been in the constant rotation here at Bag Of Songs since I got a hold of it last fall. Shawn was also one of the artists who played for us at a recent Bag Of Songs Presents night which happen monthly at The M Room in Philadelphia. So needless to say, we love us some Shawn Fogel here.

So I'm proud to bring you an exclusive track today from Shawn's upcoming as-yet-unnamed new album which was mixed by Peter Katis, who has also worked with artists such as Spoon, The National and Interpol.

Shawn Fogel - The Fight At The End Of The Tunnel
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

Shawn Fogel
Pico Vs Island Trees
Hymns

A few photos from last night's Bag Of Songs Night at The M Room with Hymns, Pico Vs Island Trees and Shawn Fogel.
Shawn Fogel kicked the evening off with a solo set alternating on electric and acoustic guitar and comprised of songs from his latest EP,One Day In The Desert as well as a bunch of excellent new songs and a few choice covers including Matthew Sweet's Holy War and the obscure John Strohm/Velo Deluxe gem Angel. Pico Vs Island Trees were up next, lead singer Bryan Carter reminding somewhat of a young David Johannsen with the stage presence to go along with it. They delivered a rocking high energy set, personal highlights for me were their new single Open Doors and a blistering version of McCartney's Jet joined by Jason of Hymns on backing vocals and tambourine. Hymns were up next and continued the McCartney theme by opening their set with a killer version of Band On The Run. Big, big thanks to all of the bands for a fantastic night of music all around.

If you missed it, Hymns will be back in Philly on June 2Oth with The Annuals at The Mill Creek Tavern. Pico Vs Island Trees will be delivering the goods next to their hometown crowd at Nashville's Mercy Lounge on June 7th. Shawn Fogel plays next with his full band May 28 at Piano’s in New York City.

Be sure to check out Jessica's excellent review of Shawn Fogel's set over at pop wreck(oning)

Hymns [WEBSITE] [ MYSPACE]
Pico Vs Island Trees [MYSPACE]
Shawn Fogel [WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

Alright, this Sunday May 25th three excellent bands coming up at The M Room in Philadelphia, Hymns, Pico Vs Island Trees and Shawn Fogel. And remember, you can party like it's a Saturday night because the next day is a holiday, so there's no real excuse to stay home.

Kicking off the night will be Shawn Fogel whose music has been featured here on BOS before. Shawn's been described as a combination of Elvis Costello and Neil Young, his excellent songwriting wrapped in an original Americana Power Pop sound is an addicting blend. Check out one of my favorite songs off his latest EP One Day In The Desert.

Shawn Fogel - Leaves, Corners, Stones
Buy One Day In The Desert
[WEBSITE] [MYSPACE]

Pico Vs Island Trees is up next, and, if you were wondering just like I did, the band's name comes from a supreme court case where Stephen Pico led a group of high school students against the Island Trees School Board protesting the banning of books. Sporting an impressive 25,000 plus friends on their myspace page, their music is an obviously well liked blend of sounds ranging from jazz to indie rock.

Pico Vs Island Trees - Open Doors
[MYSPACE]

Capping off the evening will be New York's Hymns, their press kit blurb sums up it well : "Hymns is a New York band; one that marries Pavement to Neil Young with the twang of Gram, the inebriation of Guided by Voices and the drive of Spoon. Hymns plays vintage rock tunes with a slight country feel and earnest, memorable melodies." Give a listen to the rolling horn infused I Can't Be What U Want from their just released Travel In Herds

Hymns - I Can't Be What U Want
Buy Travel In Herds
[MYSPACE]

Hymns, Pico Vs Island Trees, Shawn Fogel
Sunday May 25th
The M Room
15 W Girard Ave. Philadelphia PA
Click Here To Buy Tickets

Who needs their own band ? Shawn Fogel is more proof that it's easier than ever to go it alone in the studio. Drawn to music at an early age under the spell of his mother's Beatles records, Shawn is a talented multi-instrumentalist that attributes his inspiration for going solo to Stevie Wonder. You can't really go wrong with influences like that. One Day in the Desert, his new EP, is five super catchy gems that I can best describe as alt-power-country-pop. There's plenty of folky twang in the mix, offset and complemented perfectly by enough power pop melodies to keep the songs ringing in your head for days after only one listen. I've been listening it this on repeat quite a bit over the past couple weeks and it's only shortcoming is that at just five songs it leaves you wanting even more.

MP3: Shawn Fogel - The Season I Love Best
Buy One Day in the Desert














See Shawn live with playing as part of The LeeVees or going it solo:
Dec 5 2007 8:00P The LeeVees @ The Whole Music Club (U of Minnesota) Minneapolis, Minnesota
Dec 6 2007 9:00P The LeeVees @ University of Wisconsin Hillel Madison, Wisconsin
Dec 7 2007 7:00P The LeeVees @ Temple Emanuel Grand Rapids, Michigan
Dec 8 2007 8:00P The LeeVees @ Sixth & I WASHINGTON, Washington DC
Dec 23 2007 8:00P The LeeVees @ Highline Ballroom New York, New York
Feb 8 2008 8:00P Alfred University Alfred, New York
Feb 19 2008 8:00P Uncommon Ground Chicago, Illinois
Feb 21 2008 10:00P Northside Tavern Cincinnati, Ohio
Feb 23 2008 8:00P Howler’s Coyote Cafe Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

[MYSPACE] [WEBSITE]