Matt North on drums and percussion; David Ellis on guitars; Clint Davidson on bass; Rob Kendt on keys, guitar, and vocals; SPECIAL GUESTS: Ben Adamson on flugelhorn; Steven Baggish on vibes; Sean Caffey on pedal steel; Matt Fish on cello; Carey Fosse on guitar; Danny Frankel on percussion; Kristian Hoffman on piano; The Iguana on organ; J'Anna Jacoby on violin, viola; Viktor Krauss on acoustic bass; Harvey Lane on sax; Tommy Morgan on harmonica; John Pirruccello on mandolin; Jason Sklar on clarinet; Abby Travis on vocals; Jeff Turmes on bari sax
Influences
Kurt Weill, Elvis Costello, Maurice Ravel, Paul Simon, Leos Janacek, Beck, Percy Grainger, Randy Newman, Hoagy Carmichael, Tom Waits, Stephen Sondheim, Sam Phillips
Sounds Like
Elvis Costello, Rufus Wainwright, Randy Newman, Eels, Badly Drawn Boy
ROB KENDT writes songs that critics have called wonderfully constructed short stories in a style described as Tom Waits if he'd never smoked. Ranging freely from lounge pop to alt-country, Kendt has been compared to Ben Folds, Eels, and Rufus Wainwright, Elvis Costello, and Randy Newman. He makes each song seem like a tale hes telling just for you, wrote Rock City News.
Im Not Sentimental, his new release on Ruby Records, includes the exuberant piano stomp of the title track, featuring Tommy Morgan of Pet Sounds and Rockford Files fame on harmonica; the sleek bossa Quiet Girl, featuring Bebel Gilberto sideman Danny Frankel on percussion; the country shuffle Pick Me and a lounge mash-up of Britney and the Beatles, Oops I Did Bungalow Bill, both featuring Lyle Lovett and Bill Frisells bassist, Viktor Krauss; the sprawling Graded on a Curve, featuring L.A. guitar legend Carey Fosse; a French-café rendition of The Motels Only the Lonely, featuring JAnna Jacoby, the fiddler for Rod Stewart, and diva Abby Travis.
Produced by drummer extraordinaire Matt North (Hail the Size, Andy Prieboy, Mink Stole) and mastered by Mike Hagler (Wilco, The New Pornographers, Neko Case), Im Not Sentimental is eclectic in scope but consistent in its production sound and authorial voice. Like an anthology of short stories, Rob Kendts new record reads as well as it rocks.
Thats how it ends/The fork in the road bends/Unexpected truth reflected/Shames your eyes/Ask not for whom/The bell rang the wrong room/Dont mistake a lucky break/For blessing in disguise
Kendts first solo album, I Hope Its Me (Ruby, 2002), captured his work with the L.A. pub rock quartet Millhouse, which performed regularly at such venues as 14 Below and The Gig and opened for Dave Wakeling, Mike Watt, and Dread Zeppelin. As a solo artist hes played at The Mint (opening for Louise Goffin and Brother), Fais Do-Do, Les Freres Taix, Highland Grounds, Petes Candy Store, Night & Day, and Birdland. Hes also had a bit of a side career composing and performing music for theater, including at such venues as the Evidence Room, The Mark Taper Forum, Pacific Resident Theatre, The Globe Theatre, and the Metropolitan Playhouse.
What others have written:
Kendts songs are each lovely works of literature, wonderfully constructed short stories, the likes of which you would expect to find in The New Yorker... He makes each song seem like a tale he's telling just for you.
Rock City News
[Kendt] plays that good old singer/songwriter style music sort of Tom Waits meets a (lively) Damien Jurado in a country bar over a pint and a piano style that holds all the emotion without the sappy camp He also plays piano mash-ups which are awesome.
FreeNYC.net
Imagine a lively quartet... crowded on a stage at the end of a packed room, playing spirited but steady jazz behind a goateed guy in a suit speaking lyrics a step or two away from Beat poetry before sitting down at an upright to throw in his own melodious riffs. A vague approximation of the effect is Tom Waits if he'd never smokedrich but battered images over a slightly dissonant, swinging background.
Wolfesden.net
There wasnt so much a performance per se as there was a communication with the audience. Kendt displayed a country boy warmth that engaged the crowd... making it seem as if everyone were old friends sharing a good ole time.
Music Connection
A little Brecht and Weill, a touch of Cole Porter, a hint of Randy Newman... Kendt performs tunes that vividly express a wide range of emotions, driven by simple but profound lyrics... smoothly filtered through his potent but easygoing singing style.
Frontiers
But over it all washes onstage piano man Rob Kendts original score, describable, if you will, as music-noir. It is subtly programmatic, dark but humorous, theatrical but not generic, at times referencing recognizable melodies, at times pleasingly dissonant.
Back Stage West
I wanted to let you know that we're running a 15% off promotion this week on ALL services! :) This INCLUDES MySpace design, Twitter design, album design, and promotional services! Message us now!
One of Fairplay Collective's orginal members, Mark Dignam will be playing at This Sunday's Scratcher Session at 8.15 pm. This is one of the best listening gigs in New York and can be found at 209 E. 5th St. in Manhattan.
Jenna Nicholls is to play a last minute gig at The Living Room here in New York tonight Saturday at 9pm. Her good friend Kelly McRae is on at 8pm. We would both love to see you there. 154 Ludlow Street, New York City
It's essentially a music review aggregation service, providing a constantly updated chart of critical reaction to releases, with various ways for users to personalise the chart.
We're hoping the site will be another useful way for music lovers to find new music. So if you like it, please use it and also pass on the link.
Hi there, Rob Kendt! We'd love to design a custom MySpace profile for you! We also offer full website design, flyer/poster design, and more. Check out our portfolio on our MySpace page.
You can also visit a few of our most recent MySpace Designs:
Michael Brunnock, hot on the release of his NEW album "Live In New York", will be performing at New York's premier Irish festival Wee Craicfest. A one night festival of live music & the best of Irish short films.
Also on the bill this evening will be the one and only Mundy.
The 10th annual WEE CRAIC will take place at The Studio at Webster Hall 125 East 11th Street, New York, Thursday , September 17th.
Hello, it's me, Ruby Jane.To those who don't know me, I am a 14 year old fiddler, songwriter. I have some songs posted that are fresh out of the studio. Let me know if you like the new songs..be one of the first to hear, even before they are released!Thanks! new videos too! Ruby Jane
Hey, just wanted to inform you that we only have a little under 100 Tickets left for the Cinco De Mayo Open Bar Booze Cruise. If your interested or need more info. Please Mesaage me or give me a call. Hope to see you there!!
Hey, We are putting together a Cinco De Mayo Booze Cruise on May 5, 2009. It includes a Premuim Open Bar Event from 8pm-12am. It Leaves From Jersey City, NJ. Tickets start at $65. Get your Tickets Before the sell out
Ask for Details & Purchase Tickets Eric (908)380-2558
Hey Friends,
Let me take this moment to wish
you all a Happy Christmas and
here's to a better New Year.
So come on down to the lower eastside for
Brendan O' Shea's 2 last shows of 2008.
Brendan will have some special guests
and should make for a lovely evenings of
songs and music.
20th Dec. 8pm The Living Room (154 Ludlow ST)
21th Dec 7pm The Scratcher Sessions (209 E 5th ST)
Come and show your support for LIVE music.
Jessie Murphy In The Woods Would very much like you to come and see us play in NYC this Wednesday, November 19th at Fat Baby 8:00 PM Sharp Please do accept this invitation. It should be an exciting affair - dry ice may be involved. Love and Brambles, The Woods
Fat Baby is at 112 Rivington Street between Ludlow and Essex
Hey Friends, Mark Dignam will be playing
one of his rare New York shows at
The Scratcher (one of his favorite rooms).
We wish to see you there for songs and singing.
Sunday evening November 30th at 7.15pm
Please come and support LIVE music.
209 East 5th Street, Manhattan.
Online Now!
