The Satellite: May Residency

Robert Schwartzman is playing a free show every Monday in May at the Satellite…starting May 6th!

Info over at the SatelliteLA.com

The Jim Ivins Band @ Webster

I got to the Studio @ Webster Hall early on Friday to catch The Jim Ivins Band open for Rooney’s Robert Schwartzman.

The band started strong with “Run” — very catchy chorus. Most of their songs sound like late 90s/early 2000s power pop.

The sound was good and full, but 5 people made the stage too crowded. I think they would’ve been tighter with 3 or 4 band members, ditching the extraneous Korg keyboard.

I’d be interested in hearing some of these songs stripped down/acoustic.

“Rollercoaster” was a highlight, and they ended their set with “Everything We Wanted.”

The Jim Ivins Band: Facebook + Twitter

Robert Schwartzman @ Webster Hall Studio

Last night — November 10th, 2011 — Robert Schwartzman played at the Studio at NYC’s Webster Hall, opening for Ocean Grove and Voxhaul Broadcast.

He sailed through tracks from his solo album Double Capricorn. “Second Chances” was the catchiest song in the set. It was weird seeing him play with a non-Rooney backing band, but he played an acoustic version of Rooney’s “When Did Your Heart Go Missing” for the last song.

Here are 5 photos I took from the show:

Misc. Note:

A new artist named Zander Bleck played before Robert Schwartzman, and I was completely unimpressed with his set. But, he has the backing of a major label (Interscope), has worked with Lady Gaga’s producer RedOne, and toured in Europe with Lady Gaga, so he’ll definitely get major radio play and press when his album comes out in 2012. Just a name to keep in mind…

Robert Schwartzman: Double Capricorn

Robert Schwartzman’s debut solo album Double Capricorn came out yesterday.

Watch a video interview about the album at The Hollywood Reporter here, and read the interview that After The Show did with Robert before the release of Rooney’s last album, Eureka.

After The Show: What’s your favorite lyric from the new album Eureka?

RS: “It’s the same old story, the same old movie, but when you’re with me it’s a masterpiece.”  It’s from the song Only Friend.

After The Show: How did the band choose “I Don’t Wanna Lose You” as the first song to share with the world?

RS: It was the first song we recorded for the album and it’s the one we tried with a few different producers.  It has our sound and has something new…represents the album in a good way.

After The Show: What is the hardest part about transitioning from a 5 piece to a 4 piece band?

RS: Well, we tried the 4 piece setup for a few rehearsals, but it didn’t feel right.  I like playing guitar in Rooney and it’s been my thing for the last 8 years in the band.  We have a bass player with us…names Brandon Quinn…awesome guy and terrific musician.  It’s great to have a new energy in the mix.

After The Show: Matt [Rooney's former bassist] called Eureka the “best record we ever made” in his farewell note. Assuming you agree, what makes Eureka even better than your previous albums?

RS: It has the strongest songs and it sounds the best.  It’s a good representation of who we are and what we’re made of.  The playing is really good from everyone and it just feels the closest to home.  We made it on our own, produced and engineered, which wasn’t the easiest thing for us, so it feels like a big accomplishment.

After The Show: How have the songwriting duties been shared among the band on previous albums, and how were they shared while writing Eureka?

RS: I’ve written everything for the band so far.  Eureka has two songs that I didn’t write…Into The Blue, by Louie Stephens and The Hunch by Ned Brower and Taylor Locke.  We started Rooney with my songs and it’s just been our thing…shaped our sound. The other guys are working more on writing and wanting to contribute, so this was there first chance to put music on a Rooney album.

After The Show: What is your song “Suckceed” about?

RS: It’s about some of the characters at our old label.  Some of the things I witnessed or felt while working with them.  How people pass the blame and how people do whatever it takes to make it…keep your job.

After The Show: What do you see as the role of collaboration in Rooney’s future? What about collaborating with other artists (Ben Lee, Jonas Brothers) in your own SoloBob music?

RS: I like collaborating and I’m loving the more and more I do it.  Perhaps there will be some other artists featured on Solobob. As long as it makes sense for the music.

Rooney: Live at the El Rey

Last night – Friday, June 24, 2011 – Rooney headlined a concert at the El Rey, the last date of the touring cycle for their latest album, Eureka.

Opening with “Blue Side,” Rooney played a mix of old and new songs. Highlights included “Holding On,” “Shakin’,” and the final song “When Did Your Heart Go Missing.”

Rooney also invited two saxophone players to join them during “The Hunch,” and a member of Weezer played guitar on a cover of “Woman” by John Lennon.

Exclusive photos and video  from the concert taken by After The Show:

New Band: Jr.

Jr. (pronounced Junior) is a new band featuring Robert Schwartzman of Rooney and John Taylor, musical director and lead guitarist of the Jonas Brothers.

To watch the band’s first music video, click here.

Follow Jr. on Twitter here.

Rooney Tour Blogs

Rooney’s Robert Schwartzman is writing blogs for Paper Magazine and J-14, detailing life on tour.

Read the first two Paper Magazine blog entries here and here, and read the J-14 Bobby’s Sweet Tooth blog (about the best desserts across the country) here.

Song of the Day: Rooney

Song of the Day is “Holdin’ On” by Rooney:

Tuesday Round-Up: SoloBob, Kaki King, Jenny & Johnny

+ Here is a new SoloBob song called “Fantastic 15″ — SoloBob is Robert Schwartzman’s solo side project:

+ Click here to read a detailed interview with Kaki King about guitars, amps, tunings, and the recording process in Premier Guitar Magazine.

+ Click here to read an interview with Jenny & Johnny from Spin Magazine, and click here to watch a video interview with them at Daily Candy.

Jenny & Johnny

Song of the Day: Rooney

Song of the Day is a new song by Rooney called “Holding On.”

Here is a live video of “Holding On” from a few days ago: