Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Deer Tick (2/27/18)

I was a still a little under the weather for this show, but I couldn’t miss it!  A nice sized crowd of mostly hipster-esque white guys with facial hair wearing dark clothing (as expected).  With a crowd such as this, I wasn’t sure how Solomon Georgio was going to go over, particularly with his sharp, no filter comedy discussing lots of gay sex and racism.  The crowd reacted well!  As they did with Deer Tick, who performed their acoustic and electric set.  I didn’t stay much for the second half, but everything I heard sounded great!  Hopefully they won’t wait another 8 years to come back again.

Deer Tick  2 27 18

Deer Tick  2 27 18

Deer Tick  2 27 18

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Starting off with a luxe new video from Kendrick Lamar and SZA for All The Stars.  Kitten is finally reemerging with a bright, fun new video for I Did It!, with a new album on the way!  Going a bit darker is Simian Mobile Disco with Caught In A Wave.

Bonus:  This week I’m serving up 2 bonus videos, both from New Zealand’s BOYBOY.

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Brite Winter Festival 2018

This may have been one of the best Brite Winter Festivals yet!  For me, realizing that this is much of a dance music festival, as it is for seeing live bands.  I’ve already seen many of these bands before.  By just focusing on the DJ’s and the art, it really becomes a whole new experience for me.  The dance music and the dancing was *amazing*.  I already can’t wait until next year.  Here are a few key photos, but see my Flickr badge below for more!

Brite Winter Festival 2018

Brite Winter Festival 2018

Brite Winter Festival 2018Brite Winter Festival 2018

 


create with flickr badge.

 

"Brite, now in its ninth year, has become one of the city's most popular wintertime events, drawing thousands of fans for a daylong celebration of music, art, food and fun. The weather was unseasonably warm in both 2016 and 2017, with attendees roaming Brite Winter's grounds wearing t-shirts and flip flops. ADVERTISING

On Saturday, temperature stayed around 40 degrees all day. Fire pits became a popular place to watch music. Visitors wore coats, scarves and rain jackets. Even some dogs in attendance wore sweaters.

(An important note: Brite Winter has become a popular dog-friendly festival. Dogs and puppies of all sizes joined the crowd on Saturday night.)

The cold weather made the heated indoor art tents a more popular destination than they've been in past years. Three tents featured different themes inside -- a trippy cavernous jungle, a Mars-like lounge and an outer space discotheque."

(Via Brite Winter 2018 embraces chilly, rainy weather in its ninth year | cleveland.com.)

Tonight! Deer Tick @ Beachland Ballroom

I haven’t been able to catch Deer Tick in Cleveland since seeing them twice back in 2010 (1/2)!  I did catch them back in 2014 in Chicago, but otherwise it’s been way too long.  The band now has a 2 volume set out, one album being chill / acoustic, the other a more traditional upbeat / rock sound (more below).  Their set tonight is going to be similar, where they’re the only band on the bill, playing 2 distinct sets.  Also on the bill is “gay as hell” comedian, Solomon Georgio.  I cannot wait to see how this goes down!

Deer Tick

"In 2017, the band settled the score. McCauley led them out of their winter and released a double album that massaged their acoustic needs (Vol. 1) and their electric needs (Vol. 2). After a decade-long balancing act, followed by a few years’ worth of seclusion, the guys in Deer Tick decided to let it all hang out at Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee (which is where The Replacements recorded Pleased to Meet Me).

There are no electric instruments on Vol. 1, and there are no acoustic instruments on Vol. 2. It was like a game, almost, as McCauley began writing the new material and realizing that he shouldn't have to relent and consolidate the stuff onto just one album.

And why not?

They took the idea to the road, and they'll do so in Cleveland later this month: one acoustic set and one electric set, which they'll stretch out as long as they see fit and as long as the crowd is eating it up."

(Via Twice Is Nice: Deer Tick Returns with an Instant-Classic Double Album and a Two-Set Tour | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog.)

Paperwhite (2/22/18)

I’m always up for a pop show at the Beachland Tavern, and this show fit the bill.  Live however, the most enjoyable parts were they synths and music.  The vocals for both bands seemed to be a bit strained, unfortunately.  Also, while Paperwhite was billed as a brother / sister band, I’m assuming the brother had other obligations this night.

Paperwhite  2 22 18

Paperwhite  2 22 18

Paperwhite  2 22 18

The former Cleveland, now Columbus band, Captain Kidd opened the show.  I caught some video (below) but completely missed getting some photos.  😏

Friday, February 23, 2018

Tomorrow: Brite Winter Festival @ The Flats

Another year, another Brite Winter Festival!  This is a such a great festival, regardless of the concert lineup (or weather)!  Check out some of the write-ups below, including Scene’s 13 Bands to see (below).  Also check out the full lineup, stage times, and festival layout on their festival guide here.

Brite2017 kenblaze 6

 

 

"This year's Brite Winter Festival promises to be bigger and better than past fests as more than 40 bands will perform on six indoor and outdoor stages, and assorted vendors will be on hand as well. There will also be ice carving demonstrations and 'fire & light' dancing. The event takes place from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, on the West Bank of the Flats."

(Via 13 Bands to See At This Year's Brite Winter Festival | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog.)

 

"Brite Winter started in the summer of 2009, when a couple of friends decided that Clevelanders deserve to celebrate their city all year round. The days of winter hibernation were numbered as these Cleveland enthusiasts hit Facebook to promote the first-ever Brite Winter event. Beer, bands, and blizzards faced the 500 people who showed up in a complete whiteout that year, encouraging the founders to believe that this would be a tradition for many winters to come.

And they were right: this year marks the festival’s ninth installment, as well as what Horsburgh calls its ‘biggest headliner’ yet, Atlas Genius. Since that first event with 500 people, Brite Winter has grown exponentially—necessitating its move from its original Flats East Bank location to Ohio City and now to the West Bank of the Flats. ‘Being right by the river, that location really speaks to Cleveland,’ says Horsburgh."

(Via Future so Brite: Brite Winter anticipates its biggest year yet.)

Some of my photos from previous years:

Brite Winter Festival 2017

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Brite Winter Festival 2016

Brite Winter Festival 2017

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Video Day #tzachill

First Aid Kit has yet another video, this time for Fireworks, off their recent release Ruins.  Destroyer just released a video for Stay Lost, which should resonate with anyone with an fix-it prone, emotionally unavailable male family member.  :-P  MGMT is back with an epic acid-trip of a video for Me & Michael off their brand new release.

Bonus: Brandi Carlile’s new album is finally out (!!) and so is this new video for The Joke.

Tomorrow: Paperwhite @ Beachland Tavern

Just found this indie pop band called Paperwhite, who’s description I grabbed from their FB page - which also makes me wonder why I’m just now hearing about them!  Check out the video below (note it’s nearly 3 years old - the only one I could find).

Paperwhite, brother sister Katie and Ben Marshall are a Dream-Pop duo from Brooklyn, NY. Katie is the singer and songwriter of the band. Her sophisticated melodies bounce from star to star in a lush galaxy of synthesized textures. Ben, also the drummer for Brooklyn band Savoir Adore, is the producer and co-writer. They’re nostalgic synth riffs shimmer above heart felt chord changes and hypnotic pounding drums.

Paperwhite

I’m also intrigued by this Columbus based pop/rock band, Captain Kidd (and their quite lavish video for STAY below).

Captainkidd

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

OSHUN (2/14/18)

OSHUN took over the Beachland Tavern on this Valentine’s Day night.  These ladies haven’t released a proper album yet, but their series of singles have been catchy, insightful and occasional political commentary.  I love their natural take on life, love, and living on this planet.

OSHUN  2 14 18

OSHUN  2 14 18

Opening was The Dorian Walker Experience.  The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t find much about this band. But based on this performance, I hope that changes!

The Dorian Walker Experience  2 14 18

The Dorian Walker Experience  2 14 18

Cory Grinder Band (2/8/18)

This was a random arrival night at the Happy Dog, on a Thursday after visiting with a friend who had to work on Friday, but I didn’t.  I was pleasantly surprised with Cleveland’s own Cory Grinder band rocking out some honkey tonk - and how could you not with that beaming smile of his.  These guys just looked to be loving what they’re doing, and how can you fault that.  Keep it going guys!

Cory Grinder Band  2 8 18

Cory Grinder Band  2 8 18

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Kiesza just dropped a new single for Mother, hopefully with a new album not far behind.  I just discovered Petit Biscuit through someone’s Instagram, leading me to this sweet video for Problems Ft. Lido.  YACHT is slowly coming back and taking on a Hard World in their new video.

 

Digitalism is in a retro future world with their new video for Holograms.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Article: Best Buy to Stop Selling CDs

Best Buy still sells CD’s?  This is a trip down memory lane when, the only reason I went to Best Buy was for their music selection.  I guess Target is next.

AR 140409824

"Electronics retailer Best Buy will pull CDs from its shelves come July 1, Billboard reports. Although Best Buy used to be a major music merchandiser in the U.S., CD sales have gradually declined as streaming becomes the preferred method of listening. Best Buy will continue to carry vinyl for the next two years to honor a commitment it made to vendors,"

(Via Best Buy to Stop Selling CDs | Pitchfork.)

BoomBox (2/1/18)

BoomBox really delivered on their promise of dance.  These guys funked up the night with their dance, house jams, which were only complimented by the Beachland Ballroom’s disco ball.  Check it out below!

BoomBox  2 1 18

BoomBox  2 1 18BoomBox  2 1 18

Opening the night was Cleveland’s own Uncle Gnarly, who was a great compliment to BoomBox, with his mostly electronic sound, but occasionally bringing in a saxophone or what looked like a digital clarinet!  Would totally see him again.

Uncle Gnarly  2 1 18

Uncle Gnarly  2 1 18

Uncle Gnarly  2 1 18

 

Friday, February 2, 2018

Article: Annie Mac on clubbing's mobile phone problem

No phones in clubs?  I’m divided on this, obviously since I document shows for this blog. No cell phone zone sign k 0410

"'There was this constant kind of need for documentation of the night and it just killed my fucking vibe. I feel like that's a really big problem in terms of clubbing now, because the ultimate idea and goal of clubbing is to connect. It's the same experience you get when you go to a football game - you're all experiencing the same amazing emotional charge together. But if you can't do that because you've got a fucking screen in front of you that you have to record everything on, it really takes away that initial base level of connection.’

Mac pointed to superclubs, like Output in New York and Berghein in Berlin, for coming up with potential solutions.

'You're either not allowed to bring your phone in, which I think is a bit extreme, or they put a sticker over your screen so that you can't take photos,' she said. 'I think what will happen moving forwards is that it will become the thing to not have a phone in a club. I hope it will become the norm - I think that would be really good for clubbing in general.’"

(Via Annie Mac on clubbing's mobile phone problem | Live | Music Week.)

 It’s just a matter of respect and restraint, characteristics not always followed at parties.

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Happy Friday! There are some alternate universes in this week’s Video Day.  Sylvan Esso goes post apocalyptic in their video for PARAD(w/m)E, and STRFKR goes otherworldly with their Tape Machine.  A little more down to earth, Rostam has a delightful new video for the his delightful song Bike Dream.

Bonus: HUMANS are back with an official (lyric) video for Sip It.