of Montreal (5/4/11)

I'll admit that this show didn't excite me when I first heard they were coming to town.  But after listening to some Painted Palms (the opener) and seeing some photos from their live show, I knew I at least wanted to go for the photos.

Painted Palms were excellent.  With a mild(er) stage presence, these boys laid down the kind of electro-pop/disco sound that I've just been loving lately.  Their new Canopy EP is out now.  I highly recommend you check it out (below).

Then of course, the circus began when of Montreal took the stage...

Here are some clips... including the raucous ending.

I was entertained for about the first 4-5 songs, but then I almost became a little over-stimulated with all the antics and found myself just pulling away from the show.  I think being under an influence would have really helped - as it seemed like many were.  But there's no doubt that of Montreal really puts on a spectacle.

(Lots) More Photos:

BRAIDS & Pepper Rabbit (10/8/11)

What a fun night this turned out to be (as I hoped it would be, being the first October Featured Event).  As I've mentioned, I've never seen BRAIDS or Pepper Rabbit before, and was looking forward to it - but I have seen Painted Palms before and was really looking forward to seeing them again (and I don't use italics often).

I arrived way-early, eager to get a good spot and just camp out at the bar and settle in for the night.  While I arrived alone, I like that it's getting the point where I can reasonably assure I'll run into at least one person I know.  Or at least be identified - as I was by a new NEO music blogger for NastyFancy.com (that's always fun!) Check them out!

Painted Palms kicked the night of right, with these soaring pop songs that just sort of drift among the clouds, with great electronic beats to keep them movin' along.  I could have listened to these guys all night, by which to say, I can't wait to see these guys in a headlining gig.  I was also able to pick up a vinyl copy of their Canopy EP (in addition to the digital version I already purchased).

(I have more videos here, and kingofthecastle7 recorded the whole show)

Pepper Rabbit and their dueling keyboards were up next.  These guys stick a bit more to the ground than Painted Palms.  Still, there was some electro-pop goodness happening.  Their album is one that the more you listen, the more you like.  Here's on of my favorites: Allison

Finally, the headliners.  BRAIDS...  back to the clouds, but this time with a feminine touch. I'd been checking out their Native Speaker LP for some time now, and almost made a trip to Columbus to see them.  I know now it would have been worth it. Really incredible layering & texturing.  They were a joy to see live, and I'll be really excite to hear more from these guys.

Plenty more photos too:

Tonight: Braids & Pepper Rabbit @ Beachland

This is the first of two Featured Events in my October Highlights.  Check it out. There I shared a live video of Braids and an official Pepper Rabbit video and thought I'd swap it here. Here's the official video for Plath Heart...  The more you listen to this song, the more you'll love it.

I've also really been enjoying Pepper Rabbit with their rather accessible sound.  They have this kind of Noah & the Whale sound about them, which is a total compliment...  Here they are performing Red Wine on KEXP.

And of course, Painted Palms deserves their own video posted too, but I'll be putting that up directly on my FaceBook page.  https://www.facebook.com/thezenderagenda

More on Painted Palms

I knew I liked these guys for a reason.

Video Day

A beautifully shot video for Future Islands’ Seasons.  Next up, Painted Palms has a new (somewhat mediocre) video for Forever, but I am liking the new album, and that 5 o’clock stash. Finally we have Peter Morén (Peter, Bjorn & John) with Say My Name. 

The bonus today is Mary J. Blige showing she’s still got it, with Disclosure for F for You .

October Highlights

So with the demise of Spangle Magazine, so was the end of my monthly review of shows.  While I took September off to recover, the monthly listing is back!  Take a look at what great shows October is giving us.

Featured Events

8th :: Braids (Pop / Electronic) / braidsmusic.com
Beachland Tavern / $12
Oh boy, there were a lot of shows this month vying for this spot. Braids is refreshing Canadian pop band who's not afraid to go a bit off into the atmosphere. But the clincher for this show are the amazing openers,the incredible Pepper Rabbit & Painted Palms who I've already seen and love (with of Montreal).

10th :: Wild Flag (Indie Rock) / myspace.com/wildflag
Grog Shop / $12 ~ $14
This new incarnation featuring the likes of Carrie Browerstein and Janet Weiss from Sleater-Kinnney (and more...), this show is definitely one of the biggest acts this month. I mean, Sleater-Kinney, c'mon! These gals are hot right now, and it's not just me. A solid opener with Austin's Yellow Fever. Give them a listen too.

Best of the Rest

3rd :: The Drums (Pop/Rock) / thedrums.com
Grog Shop / $12 ~ $14
This 80's inspired bittersweet NYC pop band is touring on their second release, Portamento on Frenchkiss records.

5th :: Trans Am (Electronic / Alternative) / transband.com
Grog Shop / $12
Had fun watching these guys at the Summer in the City series at the Rock Hall... would totally see them again.

5th :: Battles (Rock / Electronic) / bttls.com
Grog Shop / $16 ~ $18
These Pitchfork Festival alums are hitting Cleveland with the likes of a delicious electro-inspiried Walls. The first Featured Event contender.

6th :: Besnard Lakes (Pop/Rock) /thebesnardlakes.com
Beachland Tavern / $10 ~ $12
Soaring indie crooners are sure to be an intimate performance, in the best possible place, the Tavern.

8th:: ARBORETUM (Rock & Roll) / arbouretum.blogspot.com
Now That's Class / $7
It's a Thrill Jockey Records night at my favorite West Side venue.

10th :: Bitch (Alternative) / bitchmusic.com
Beachland Tavern / $12 ~ $14
If the indie-rock sound of Wild Flag doesn't do satisfy your need for feminine power, Bitch's folk/punk aesthetic is.

12th :: Those Darlins (Punk / Country) / thosedarlins.com
Grog Shop / $8 ~ $10
I hear these ladies put on a raucous live show. Sweet.

15th :: Neon Indian (Pop / Electronic) / neonindian.com
Grog Shop / $12 ~ $14
I have to admit I like the buzzwords for these guys "chillwave" or "glo-fi". How fun. Probably as much fun as Com Truise will be opening.

17th :: Dam-Funk (Disco / Funk) / stonesthrow.com/damfunk
Grog Shop / $15 ~ $17
Seriously. Disco / Funk. How fun will that be? If they sound familiar, it's because they rocked it at this year's Summer Solstice party at CMA.

19th :: Duran Duran (Pop) / duranduran.com
Playhouse Square/ $45 ~ $150 (ouch)
The indelible Duran Duran continue their resurgence, touring on a new Mark Ronson produced album.

23rd :: Brett Dennen (Pop / Rock) / brettdennen.net
House of Blues / $20 ~ $25
An HOB favorite. It's hard not to walk out of a Brett Dennen show with a big smile. The *superb* Ben Sollee is opening.

23rd :: Cymbals Eat Guitars (Rock & Roll) / cymbalseatguitars.com
Beachland Tavern / $10 ~ $12
With a new album out, I think I'll like these guys better in the Tavern. Check out a TVD review from their show at the Black Cat (9/24).

24th :: The Sounds (Pop/Rock) / the-sounds.com
Beachland Ballroom / $16 ~ $18
This show was the next Featured Event competitor. The pop licks of this Swedish band are just delicious. Two great openers with Natalia Kills & The Limousines.

26th :: Jess Klein (Folk / Pop/Rock) / jessklein.com
Beachland Tavern $8 ~ $10
OK. So Jess is only opening this show, but she and I go way back. For fans of Lucinda Williams or Patty Griffin. I'm sure Tom Freund will be great too.

27th :: Future Islands (Pop/Rock) / future-islands.com
Beachland Tavern / $12 ~ $14
Having seen (and loved) Future Islands & Javelin separately. I can't believe them together didn't make the cut for a featured event this month.

29th :: Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (R&B / Soul) / sharonjonesandthedapkings.com
Beachland Ballroom / $30
This "queen of funk" is a Cleveland favorite and will probably sell out the Beachland. There's a reason for that.

30th :: Shelby Lynne (Alt-Country) / shelbylynne.com
Beachland Ballroom / $30
If Sharon is the Queen of Funk, then Shelby is the Queen of Alt-Country. Well, maybe not, but she is married to the King (Steve Earle). She and I go way back as well.

Notable Road Trips

13th :: Junior Boys (Dance / Electronic) / juniorboys.net
Columbus, OH / The Basement / $12 ~ $14
Junior Boys are probably one of best electro-pop bands of the last couple years.

19th :: Little Dragon (Pop / Electronic) / little-dragon.net
Pittsburgh, PA / Shadow Lounge / tbd
I called their performance "Slick, Spirited and Energetic" the last time I saw this Swedish band. With an excellent new album, this show is worth the trip!

27th :: Dar Williams (Folk) / darwilliams.com
Kent, OH / Kent Stage / $25.50
Dar is one of the most charming and talented Singer / Songwriters that I've ever seen perform. Sucks this is the same night as the Future Islands / Javelin show.

P.S. // A big thanks to Brian for helping me hammer out this format, one that I will be continuing!

Video Day #tzaupbeat

MO’s new song Kamikaze is great, the video… well, judge for yourself.  Not too dissimilarly, Chairlift has a new song & video for Ch-Ching.  Painted Palms has dark video for Refractor.

Bonus:  Big Freedia has a new video for Crazy.

TONIGHT: of Montreal @ House of Blues

If you haven't yet seen my list of shows to see in May... well, get on it.  The first featured performance this month is of Montreal, TONIGHT at the House of Blues ($18).

Opening is Painted Palms who I think will be awesome, so get there early!