Friday, June 29, 2018

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Chaka Khan is back (!) and has a slick new video for a slick new track that’s Like Sugar.  A Tribe Called Quests’ newest (and last) video for The Space Program is finally unrestricted and available for the masses. Computer Magic has a synth-inspired video for their new single Perfect Game.

Bonus: "The theme of anti-elitism is represented in the video by the array of American people finding joy in each other, in simple acts and in the places they call home — a salute to the unsung, modern-day American.” (link)

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Maps & Atlases (6/24/18)

Maps & Atlases is one of those bands that drips out albums every few years or so.  I remembered that I had seen them before (their concert t-shirt I have is one of my favs!), but didn’t pay much attention (have much time) before going to the show.  Without much background digging, I knew I wanted to see them again, if only to get another kick-ass concert t-shirt.  They’re a solid indie rock band, but with some tight guitar work and an attention to detail that makes them a great live band.  I would put these guys up there with one of my all time favorites, Plants & Animals (and not just for the alliteration in their names).  And - these guys were just *ridiculously* earnest, nice, and the perfect amount of nerdy cool.

Maps  Atlases  6 24 18

Maps  Atlases  6 24 18

As I was writing this post, I did go back to see when I’ve seen them in the past and realized it was when they were opening for Frightened Rabbit in 2010 (RIP Scott Hutchison).  I then was able to see them again headlining Brite Winter in 2015, with Welshly Arms!  

Also, in case you were wondering, I did get another awesome concert t-shirt which I’m sure you’ll see me in soon.

Video Day #tzaupbeat

St. Vincent went really gay with her new video for Fast Slow Disco.  Mura Masa has a new single and a new video out for Move Me.  Sylvan Esso just released a fan / tour video for Signal, which is always a charming video concept.

Bonus: I’m still a bit smitten with Petit Biscuit, and enjoying his work with Bipolar Sunshine and Cautious Clay for the new Wake Up video.

Poolside (6/23/18)

This was a nice surprise, after having just come back from New Orleans, to run across this great “daytime disco” show at the Grog Shop.  They had such an appealing sound that I called up some friends and had a nice little crowd there.  Their music definitely reflected the name of the band, and I was particularly charmed by their cover of Neil Young’s Harvest Moon (watch the tape!).

Poolside  6 23 18

Opening was the difficultly-named DRAMA.  I had no expectations since I couldn’t reasonably find anything on them before the show - and the Ticketfly/Grog website was no help either.  Turns out they’re a great soulful pop duo from Chicago and they have an EP out called Lies After Love on Apple Music if you want to find out more about them.

DRAMA  6 23 18

Larchmere Porchfest 2018

I’m finding myself taking fewer photos at festivals like this, particularly because it’s better to just be in the moment.  There were plenty of moments to be "in" during this most recent Larchmere Porchfest. Discovering new bands and running into old friends is the best.  If you can do it all while hanging with your dog - bonus.

Larchmere Porchfest 2018

Larchmere Porchfest 2018

After Porchfest ended, there were several after parties scattered around the area. We ended up stopping into the Academy Tavern and were treated to the perfect table to watch an amazing show being put on by Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers.  Superb.

Larchmere Porchfest 2018

Larchmere Porchfest 2018

Article: How to Find New Music You'll Actually Like

Music Search 512

I’m always thinking about documenting my process for identifying and experiencing new (and new to me) music on this blog.  I’m fairly confident that it would be more detail & process than most would be willing to read (let alone replicate), so I present this article and it’s reasonable alternatives.  These are in addition to following this blog of course.  ðŸ™‚

"But if you need more ways to find music, here are 50 ideas, taken from Twitter users, my colleagues at Lifehacker’s publisher Gizmodo Media Group, and some of my own habits. Some are obvious, some bizarre, some embarrassing, but they’ve all helped people find their new favorite song, or even their favorite band."

(Via How to Find New Music You'll Actually Like.)

Typhoon (6/12/18)

The excitement around this last Typhoon album was pretty hard to ignore.  I was doing a pretty good job of it - but figured I should be seeing them live in concert, and being at the Beachland really helped.  This show may have been better had I not showed up unprepared and off-the cuff, but it didn’t blow me away.  It wasn’t bad by any means, but I guess my expectations were a bit elevated.

Typhoon  6 12 18

Joe Purdy (6/10/18)

Finally my first trip down to Peninsula, OH for a concert at the GAR Hall!  How ridiculously charming.  That feeling was only accentuated by seeing Joe Purdy and our own Roger Hoover in that space.  I’ve seen Joe Purdy before (2017 & 2011), and I can’t get enough of his excellent songwriting.  So much so, I too several videos of this show.

Joe Purdy  6 10 18

Joe Purdy  6 10 18

(Click on these song titles for more complete videos of Children of Privilege and My Country.) 

Roger Hoover opened the show, who’s a local artist who I’ve been following shortly after getting to town.  I couldn’t have asked for a better pairing, or a better location for this show.

Roger Hoover  6 10 18

Video Day #tzaupbeat

The more I hear this new Christine and the Queens’ Girlfriend, the more I like it - and this video only helps.  Troye gets intimate in his new video for Bloom. You’ve probably already seen the new video by The Carters (Beyonce & Jay Z) like a dozen times now, but watch it again.

Bonus:  The Scissor Sister’s Jake Shears is striking out on his own with this new video for Creep City.  

Thursday, June 21, 2018

Video Day #tzachill

The Internet as a colorful new video for Come Over.  River Whyless just released a pertinent new video for their single Born in the Right Country.  I’m still smitten with Yoke Lore after his Grog Shop show, and it continues with this video for Cut and Run.

Bonus: Brandi Carlile released a video filmed at March For Our Lives in Seattle for her song Hold Out Your Hand.

Friday, June 15, 2018

Nelsonville Music Festival 2018

Just like last year, I decided to follow up Movement with the Nelsonville Music Festival.  This year had a great lineup including Decemberists, Deer Tick, Dead Horses, Combo Chimbita, Kevin Morby, Tune-Yards, Tank & the Bangas, and Ani DiFranco!!  I also found a couple new favorites from the festival, including Charlie Parr, Bedouine, Caroline Rose,  and Colter Wall!  Check it out:

Nelsonville Music Festival 2018

Nelsonville Music Festival 2018

Nelsonville Music Festival 2018

Nelsonville Music Festival 2018

Nelsonville Music Festival 2018

Since Ani was closing out the weekend, this would be my first year staying over and camping on the last night of the festival.  It’s a little lonely, but I had another one from our group stay behind with me - and we found these musicians who hung out and jammed on some instruments around our fire. ❤️

Nelsonville Music Festival 2018

And a video of course:

 

Movement 2018

Another great year at Movement!  Such a fun festival of music and people - and dancing!  I was a little restricted from dancing this year which was a little tragic, but I was still able to have a fun time!  Here are some selected pics below, but you can find the full set here.

Movement 2018

Movement 2018
Movement 2018

Movement 2018

Movement 2018

Movement 2018

And video of course: 

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Video Day #tzachill

With SZA still shining bright on the scene, and Donald Glover recently blooming on a national stage, why not put them in the Garden (video) together? I already posted about this new Marcus Alan Ward video on my FaceBook page, but being a hometown favorite, it’s worth a second experience.  Next is an extended beautiful video for Hurray for the Riff Raff for Pa’lante.

Bonus:  One of my lifetime favorite artists has been Joan Armatrading and I was thrilled when a friend pointed out there’s actually a video for her new single!  I hate to phrase it like this, but this is surprisingly really good! (or I’m just a superfan)