BEST OF '09: Bad Rabbits make their live debut at The Red Room @ Cafe 939

January 23 was the date and Bad Rabbits were opening the show at 8pm opening for Fly Upright Kite and Ellis Ashbrook. Although it was their first official show, people obviously knew about these guys. (many members were previously in the popular local band Eclectic Collective) The room was nearly at capacity as soon as we opened doors, and the short set that followed left the audience wanting more. Bad Rabbits brought the house down and made for a very tough act to follow.

The band was recently nominated for the 2009 Boston Music Awards 'Best New Act of the Year' and put on one of the best performances that I witnessed that night. The Boston Globe said of the performance "The boisterous, genre-bending Bad Rabbits seamlessly blended Prince-style, falsetto-fueled funk and old-school R&B, and made some of the best party music of the night."

If you don't know these guys definitely check them out! Let's hope we can get them back at The Red Room @ Cafe 939 in 2010.

BEST OF '09: Owl City, from The Red Room @ Cafe 939 to the House of Blues

Back on May 5, 2009 The Red Room @ Cafe 939 was proud to host an up and coming artist by the name of Owl City. We knew word was growing when the show sold out days in advance and the phone calls didn't stop. The show was a wild success and it was no surprise that on Owl City's next stop through Boston they moved to the Paradise Rock Club. This show also sold out and now, less than a year after the show at The Red Room, Owl City will be playing the House of Blues in April of next year. Today Owl City sits at Number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number 4 on iTunes singles with "Fireflies". It's one of those great moments where we can say, "remember when Owl City played at our 200-person room"

Here's an audience clip of "Hello Seattle" from his stop at The Red Room, I don't think this person could have been any closer without being on stage:

JUST ANNOUNCED: 2/12 and 2/13 Barefoot Truth

With their new album Threads coming out February 16, 2010 Barefoot Truth is ready to bring the jams back to The Red Room @ Cafe 939. Straight from their website "The concept behind Barefoot Truth's new album Threads is nothing less than universal consciousness. How is that for a reality grabber? As we emerge from the wreckage of unbridled greed in America, this album gives some very intriguing methods by which to re-set our value meters. In addition to some intelligent views on the state of humankind, Barefoot Truth has produced another rocking, reggae infused album titled Threads. This seamless creation fuses together and expands upon the ideals of these multi-talented musicians... Will Evans on drums and lead vocals, Andy Wrba on upright bass, Jay Driscoll on weissenborn slide guitar, Garrett Duffy on harmonica, and John Waynelovich on piano. Building on the themes and success of their previous album, Walk Softly, this cohesive effort takes a strong environmental stand and offers warnings along with celebrations."

Barefoot has previously played the room with Pete Francis of Dispatch and Jer Coons. Tickets for these shows are $15/GA and $12/Students. On-sale information will follow soon.

Check out Barefoot's "Roll If You Fall" Live from Higher Ground in VT

On Sale Now: 2/9 and 2/23 Greg Laswell Returns for TWO shows

Greg Laswell’s music has been described as densely lyrical, deeply melodic indie pop that refuses to settle into predictability. Laswell's songs have been featured in a number of television shows including: Grey's Anatomy (he had four placements last season alone-- including an original song called "Off I Go" recorded specifically for the season finale), True Blood, The Hills 90210 and Smallville. He's also had some success in the film arena with placements in Confessions of a Shopaholic, My Sister’s Keeper and the HBO Original Film, Taking Chance. Greg has previously played The Red Room @ Cafe 939 with Jay Nash, Anya Marina, Rosi Golan, and Elizabeth & The Catapult.

Check out Greg's "How The Day Sounds"

How The Day Sounds

Greg Laswell | MySpace Music Videos

Tickets for these shows will be $12 and are on sale now February 9 and February 23

4/16/10 Matthew Perryman Jones On-Sale Now!!

Tickets for the Matthew Perryman Jones show in April went on-sale this morning at 10am. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster by clicking HERE or at the Berklee Performance Center Box Office Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm. Tickets are $10. Get them early this will sell out!!

1/28/10 Matt Hires/Jason Castro/Caitlin Crosby

On January 28th, Matt Hires brings his State Lines tour to The Red Room @ Cafe 939 supported by Jason Castro and Caitlin Crosby. Hires previously played the room this past fall with Tyrone Wells. "When you listen to Matt Hires, what comes across is the sound of an artist self-assured, authentic, and at ease with being completely and utterly himself. On his debut F-Stop/ Atlantic release, Take Us To The Start, the 23-year-old Florida native fuses the intimacy of the great singer/songwriters with indelible pop/rock hooks and propulsive rhythms. The result is a mesmerizing collection of songs that are immediately enchanting, while becoming more deeply rewarding with each listen."



Jason Castro first broke into the homes of America after coming in fourth place on the 2008 season of American Idol. Castro became the first contestant on the show to play an instrument on during the competition. His rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" resulted in the sale of Jeff Buckley's version reaching No 1 on iTunes digital downloads the following week. Jason is preparing to release his debut album and you are sure to hear some of the new tunes.




Also appearing is Caitlin Crosby. Caitlin last stopped in Boston as part of the Crosby, Loggins, and Nash tour featuring Red Room Alum Jay Nash. Caitlin is a featured songwriter for the worldwide Levi Jeans ad campaign and has written and recorded with Babyface, Robin Thicke, Brian Wilson, Josh Hoge and many more.



Tickets for this show are $10/GA and $8/Student. Tickets are on-sale now by clicking HERE or by visiting the Berklee Performance Center Box Office Mon-Sat 10am - 6pm

SETLIST/PHOTOS: 12/11/09 Wakey!Wakey!/Sarah RabDAU and Self Employed Assassins (Corrected)

Wakey! Wakey! and Sarah RabDAU played a great night of music for an intimate crowd on Friday night. This is the handwritten setlist from Sarah Rabdau and Self Employed Assassins and a couple pictures from the show. For all the pictures visit our Facebook Page

VIDEO RECAP: 12/9/09 Julian Velard/Tim Blane/Bess Rogers

Here's a sample of what you missed out on last night:
Julian's Set List


















Julian Velard "Joni"


Tim Blane "In The Meantime"


Bess Rogers "I Don't Worry"

12/11/09 Wakey!Wakey!/Sarah RabDAU and Self Employed Assassins

This Friday Night, The Red Room welcomes the return of Wakey!Wakey! Wakey!Wakey! is Michael Grubbs (songwriting/vocals/keys), a NYC songwriter who blends gorgeous songcraft with a potent sense of humor to create original, heartfelt songs that cause listeners to stop what they are doing and turn themselves over completely and totally to his storytelling. Recently Grubbs has joined the cast of One Tree Hill and his characters musical talent was just discovered on this past week's episode. Beyond Race Magazine said this about Grubbs "If you have ever been broken by love, the lyrics will tear at your heartstrings, yet leave you wanting more."



Joining Wakey!Wakey! is local act Sarah Rabdau. Sarah RabDAU and
Self-Employed Assassins are a pitch perfect team. Drummer Matt Graber
backs up Rabdau's sometimes gorgeous, sometimes disturbing vocals and piano work with somehow-melodic rhythms. The duo have been charming audiences up and down the northeast with their charismatic, near telepathic live shows.

Tickets are $10/GA and $8/Student avaible in advance through Ticketmaster or at the door. Doors open at 7:30 and show starts at 8PM

JUST ANNOUNCED: 4/16/10 Matthew Perryman Jones

Berklee's The Red Room @ Cafe 939 is pleased to announce the return of Matthew Perryman Jones. Matthew has previously played the room with the Ten Out of Tenn tour. This time through he gets to play a headlining set. Matthew's latest album Swallow The Sea was released in August and several singles have been featured on Private Practice, Kyle XY, One Tree Hill and other shows.
Check out the video for "Save You" here


Tickets for the show will be $10/GA and $8/Student ID. On-Sale information to follow soon

12/10/09 The Twilight Hours/Stephen Konrads

The Twilight Hours is comprised of John Munson and Matt Wilson. Two gentleman from Minneapolis who 30 years ago set out to make music. Throughout their travels they both reached different levels of success, Munson as a member of Semisonic and Wilson as a member of Tripping Shakespeare. It was all that experience and exploration that brought the two to where they are today. With The Twilight Hours' debut album "Stereo Night", they ask you to "Let it in! Let the music pour over you. If there was ever a time to burn up some of your limited remaining hearing capability on a nice loud headphone listen, this is probably it. Let The Twilight Hours inside!" They command the same during their live performances.

Local artist Stephen Konrads opens the night. Tickets are $10/Advance and $12/Door and can be purchased through Ticketmaster

Julian Velard performs at Cafe 939 - The Boston Globe

Julian Velard performs at Cafe 939 - The Boston Globe

We had to read the bio on the Julian Velard website twice. The New York-born popster is the son of a “Queen-sized legs model/4-time ‘Jeopardy’ champion mother and a French ex-patriot/ATM designer father. . . . His first job was delivering videos to the likes of Cyndi Lauper and the Coen Brothers.’’ The 30-year-old pianist, vocalist, London resident, former Brooklyn kindergarten gym teacher, and Parisian street sweeper is touring to promote his new record, “The Planeteer.’’ 8 p.m. $15. Cafe 939, 939 Boylston St., Boston. 617-747-6038. www.berklee.edu/events

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12/9/09 Julian Velard/Tim Blane/Bess Rogers 8PM $12/Adv $15/Doors

Tomorrow night three great musicians return to The Red Room @ Cafe 939. Bess Rogers will open the show at 8PM and has previously played with Jenny Owen Youngs and Lelia Broussard at The Red Room and done some touring in Ingrid Michaelson's band. Her own music however will keep kick of the show in style, hopefully we get "Everything to Lose" my favorite track off her latest album which she so kindly left behind last time through! Get familiar with her here





If you don't recognize Tim Blane from his extensive touring in and around the Boston area, you may recognize him as the face of Apple's Garageband music software. After tomorrow night you'll probably remember him best for his infectious music. Get a preview Tim Blane


And the headliner of the night is Mr Julian Velard. Described as a Native New Yorker, London resident, former kindergarten gym teacher, and one-time Parisian street sweeper, Julian Velard is a true original, serving up old-school pop perfection with a raised eyebrow. If his past shows are any example, we'll be served with piano-driven tunes, hilarious stage banter, and perhaps a hip-hop cover or two. Check out a performance from his last visit

Tickets for Wednesday nights show are available at the Berklee Performance Center Box Office at 150 Massachusetts Ave 10am-6pm, at The Red Room @ Cafe 939 Night of the Show 1 hour before show time or at Ticketmaster