Thursday, March 31, 2016

Video Day #tzachill

Starting off with my newest favorite Ezra Furman song - listen to the lyrics.  Lily & Madeline are simply luminescent with their video For The Weak.  Chairlift’s video for Crying in Public is crisp and refreshing, like the song.

Bonus:  Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros are back with No Live Like Yours, well, after a few minutes of setup first…  The song is the grand romantic folk you’d expect (and welcome).

Article: Does Cleveland Still Rock?

A nice write up on the history and state of Cleveland as a concert destination.

"'It's a mixed bag,' says Zitterbart when asked about Cleveland's status as a desirable tour stop. 'I think there are a lot of tours out there. A lot of good ones come to Cleveland, and a lot of good ones miss Cleveland. It comes down to simple economics. I can assure you that if every show was sold out, bands would not skip Cleveland. A big part of it is that if fans want the shows to come, they have to go out and support the shows that are booked."

(Via Does Cleveland Still Rock? Why Major Rock Bands Have Been Bypassing Northeast Ohio | News Lead | Cleveland Scene.)

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Friday, March 25, 2016

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Troye Sivan finally comes out with his light-soaked video for Youth.  Rostam has separated from Vampire Weekend and has this great new video out for Gravity Don’t Pull Me - I can’t wait to hear the rest of the album.  The new video for Oberhofer’s Hey Man makes me want to be hanging out with him in NYC - or anywhere for that matter.

 

Bonus:  Calvin Love really earned his keep on this new video for Creepin.  (What about the trees?!)

Tomorrow: Chad Valley & Blackbird Blackbird @ Grog Shop

Tomorrow night at the Grog Shop will be a GREAT show.  Chad Valley is coming back as a headliner this time.  His dreamy pop/electronica should be great in the Grog Shop space.  

131001 chad valley

"The last thing we heard from the Oxford, UK singer and spell-caster Chad Valley was the 2012 synth-streaked ’80s-pop pastiche Young Hunger, an album that featured collaborations with people like Twin Shadow. He’s still playing around with those sounds on the new album Entirely New Blue, but he’s doing it to more personal ends. The album has glittering production from Joel Ford, of Ford & Lopatin and Yung Ejecta, but it’s a breakup album, not a genre exercise. First single ‘Seventeen,’ which stretches luxuriously over nearly six minutes, gives plenty of room to Valley’s wounded falsetto. The FADER posted the song, and you can hear it below."

(Via Chad Valley – “Seventeen” - Stereogum.)

However, I think I’m more excited about the opener Blackbird Blackbird.  I’ve been loving everything of his lately...

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"When it comes to putting out organic and uplifting electronic, Blackbird Blackbird is one of the few artists that can consistently impress, and his latest instrumental, 'Strawberry Girl', greatly portrays our claim. While the San Franciscan synth maestro continues to be quite frequent with new releases, this particular piece of his is reminiscent of his earlier work, as wavering chord progressions accompany well what climbing tempos he uses. From his arpeggiated saw waves, to his mesmerizing guitar hook, there isn't the slightest sonic crevasse throughout the track."

(Via Blackbird Blackbird - "Strawberry Light" - Hillydilly.)

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Video Day #tzachill

Plants & Animals are back (!!!) and are dancing it out (among random other things) for this video for Stay.  RATATAT has a beautiful video for the melancholy Supreme.  And speaking of beautiful, Mount Moriah brings us a heaping load of beautiful scenes in Baby Blue.  

 Bonus:  That beauty and strangeness continues to blend with Youth Lagoon’s (RIP) video for Rotten Human.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Beachland's 16th Birthday (3/5/16)

Happy Birthday Beachland!  They were hosting some of the best local bands for their Sweet 16 - in both rooms for $15!  I’d been wanting to see Jivvden since catching them briefly in the basement of Mahalls a year ago or so.  Throw in Cities & Coasts (who I booked for the Gay Games) and our local legends, The Modern Electric - I knew this was going to be a great night. 

Jivvden (3/5/16)

Cities & Coasts (3/5/16)

The Modern Electric (3/5/16)

In the Tavern we caught some of Shit-Box Jimmy, who was quite compelling on stage.  Unfortunately we left before catching the Shivering Timbers in the Tavern.  But having access to the full building that night was a fun treat (especially being able to choose between the different beer selections!)

Shit-Box Jimmy (3/5/16)

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Pillar Point gets me with another “dancing in the streets of a foreign city” video.  Love those… POLIÇA gets political with Wedding.  Computer Magic is a new find with a fresh take on the 80’s synth.

Bonus:  This beautiful video for PWR BTTM’s West Text (one of my recent favorite albums!)

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Another winter, another Brite Winter Music Festival.  Though this wasn’t much of a winter, which made for an even better festival!  I think the temperatures were up in the 50’s that day - though it was still best to dress warm to spend long amounts of time outside.  Though the number of people in t-shirts until late in the night was astounding.  I think people were just thrilled to be outside.  And for what better reason… 

There was a little consternation about it’s transition back to the Flats.  The festival had been getting more and more successful in Ohio City - but it was getting way too busy. The lines were awful.  While I had my reservations about how it’d turn out going back to it’s roots - the festival couldn’t have asked for a better weather day to really kick off it’s new location right.  What a great night.

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Radiate 2016

As I’ve been really enjoying the Hot Mass dance parties in Pittsburgh, and looking forward to another year at Movement (Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival), I thought it might be fun to check out one of our local dance party / raves.  I’ve been seeing Cumulus put these things together and this was a perfect night to try it out.  I thought it would be all black lights and glow sticks - and I was right.  I wasn’t surprised to see just how young the crowd was either.  Still, it wasn’t terrible!  Not my favorite kind of dance music, but it was a still a fun experience.  Besides, it was great to get back inside the The Agora again.

Radiate 2016

Radiate 2016

Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band (2/19/16)

Seeing Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band was not originally on my radar for the night.  This was a G2H2 night, and was my first chance to see the Crop Rocks On Air Stage in the newly renovated Flats!  Well, the night transitioned from G2H2 to this performance as the kick-off night for the space.  As you should already know, Carlos Jones is a Cleveland reggae legend, and I love that he always brings together a dancing crowd.  Great space, great sound and great music.

Carlos Jones & the PLUS Band (2/19/16)

Carlos Jones & the PLUS Band (2/19/16)

Spoon to Spoon (2/18/16)

Another date night with Bergen!  :-) 

Spoon to Spoon (2/18/16)

Ezra Furman (2/8/16)

It’d been a slow start to 2016 for shows, but this was the one I’d been waiting for.  After a somewhat disappointing venue experience at Lava Lounge, I couldn’t be happier to have him be playing at The Happy Dog.  Well, I could have been happier if it weren’t on a Monday night - but whatever.  I’ll take some Ezra Furman any chance I get.  He was his usual self, balancing this sense of confidence and discomfort.  It’s like he’s almost uncomfortable being on stage, which goes away the moment the music starts.  He’s one of the most intelligent and authentic artists I’m following these days… These guys are just amazing.

Ezra Furman (2/8/16)

Ezra Furman (2/8/16)
Ezra Furman (2/8/16)

(more photos here)

Elliphant (2/5/16)

This was a show I wasn’t expecting.  Elliphant has been breaking out lately, working with Major Lazer (Diplo), Skrillex, MO, Twin Shadow, etc… So when I heard she was playing at The Spot on CWRU’s campus - I was extremely curious.  Turns out, she didn’t realize she was going to be playing in a basement dorm cafeteria either.  After coming out and playing her first song, she began an long and uncomfortable rant.  Telling us how she shouldn’t be playing there, that she dropped out of school and swore she would never step into a cafeteria again - and that we should be thankful that we’re getting to see her here.
Elliphant (2/5/16)
I would tend to agree. I would have even considered seeing her at House of Blues - so to be seeing her in this space, with a bunch of young kids who weren’t even drinking - was quite unique and intimate.  Intimate especially as we got to know Elliphant’s bitchy side.  But still - it was fun.  I may have lost a little respect for her this night, but I’m not sure it even matters.  It was an enjoyable experience, which is all that matters.
Elliphant (2/5/16)

The still shot on this Step Down video captures her sentiment on the night - PERFECTLY.

Michelle Malone (1/29/16)

It’s been a while (10 years!) since I’ve seen Michelle Malone.  My original statement still stands, that I’m not a big fan of her recorded stuff, but this show proved that she still has what it takes to put on a great live show. (Thanks for the free tickets Tim!)  This was my first time at EJ Thomas Hall - and it was set up backwards!  We got to sit on tables backstage, and they played on the stage - backward.  Loved it.  A great night in Akron, with great friends.

Michelle Malone (1/29/16)

Michelle Malone (1/29/16)

Vicki Chew (1/28/16)

I’m a pretty busy guy, and so I love to include him any chance I get.  Every once in a while we’ll go on a Thursday night date at the Barking Spider Tavern.  It’s great because I can grab some take-out and head over there for dinner & show with Bergen.  Surprise be the music.  This night was fun to have the veteran local performer, Vicki Chew.  

Vicki Chew (1/28/16)

(Well, I’m not actually sure if she’s local - but I’ve seen her name around enough that it feels that way.)

Oh, and opening is Rob Bliss, who also went to High School with Larry!

Rob Bliss (1/28/16)

The Suitcase Junket (1/23/16)

The Suitcase Junket came highly recommended from some friends, who were also in town that weekend for the show!  It was icing on the cake for a great weekend with these guys.  I would definitely like to catch him again in concert, but without as many distractions.  ;-) 

The Suitcase Junket (1/23/16)

The Suitcase Junket (1/23/16)

Gill Landry (1/14/16)

Get ready to get caught up through 2016!  It was a slow time for concerts as we've transitioned from 2015 to 2016.  That’s why I was excited to finally get out and see this Gill Landry show at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as part of their Sonic Sessions series.  Throw in the fact that he’s a former member from Old Crow Medicine Show - I was sold.  He was really pretty good, but I just wish the space was a little better acoustically.

Gill Landry (1/14/16)

Gill Landry (1/14/16)

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Grimes goes future grunge punk in her new video for Kill V. Maim.  Miike Snow gets a little bit Bond (with a twist) with the video for Genghis Kahn.   Holy Ghost says it with colors on Crime Cutz.

 

Bonus:  The Joy Formidable gets their boy voyeur on with The Last Thing on My Mind.