Friday, October 28, 2016

Video Day #tzaupbeat

I’m still a little salty about AlunaGeorge canceling their Cleveland show at the Beachland, but I’ll still share this new video for Mean What I Mean. BORNS is still putting out videos for his great album, and for this great song - American Money.  Years & Years are with a video for Meteorite.

BONUS:  I know it’s not *brand* new, but Lady Gaga is back (and maybe kinda sexy?) in this frenetic video for Perfect Illusion.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Video Day #tzaupbeat

I already loved this song by Troye Sivan, but this rework with Alessia Cara is is pretty amazing - with a frolicking fun video for the Fall.  A new Starfucker video for Never Ever. Bomba Estéreo releases a fun new video for Soy Yo. 

Bonus:  Cleveland’s own Marcus Alan Ward (formerly Freeze-tag) has a new video out for Little Sunshine.  Some further details below.

"You may have heard of Cleveland’s self taught multi-instrumentalist Marcus Alan Ward under his other moniker, Freeze-Tag, but as of August 2014, he’s shed that name and started recording under his own. He says that it draws distinction to the fact that he’s a one man composer and it’s more honest, and we couldn’t agree more. His a music is a combination between psychedelic pop, rock, and funk, and we are so excited to be premiering his latest music video."

(Via Marcus Alan Ward, "Little Sunshine" | Video | Impose Magazine.)

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Kishi Bashi (10/8/16)

I downloaded the new Kishi Bashi album kind of on a whim, knowing about his work with of Montreal.  I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I did, and as I listened to it more, the more I fell in love with it.  My expectations for seeing him live skyrocketed.  I have to say I was let down by this show however.  I guess I’ll just describe it as cheesy - too much baubles and flash.  I wish he could have really just focused on the music and making that sound really good.

Kishi Bashi (10/8/16)

Kishi Bashi (10/8/16)

Josh Ritter (10/4/16)

It’s hard to believe it’s been 6 years since I saw Josh Ritter.  Basically nothing has changed with him, he still puts on a really good, very lively show.  But when you’re as talented and comfortable as Josh Ritter - it looks effortless.   Settle in to watch the videos, I recorded quite a bit. 

Josh Ritter (10/4/16)

Josh Ritter (10/4/16)

Josh Ritter (10/4/16)

Friday, October 14, 2016

Leon Bridges (10/1/16)

Following that Chance the Rapper show, I was supposed to be seeing Kanye West here in Cleveland (more for a friend than anything).  Since that fell through, another friend had some extra tickets to see Leon Bridges at the Masonic Auditorium!  Perfect.

I was thrilled to find out that Lianne La Havas was opening.  Her Greek & Caribbean roots, and her British upbringing makes for a unique and captivating sound.  Such a treat. 

Lianne La Havas (10/1/16)

Leon Bridges is the face of new soul music.  With his suit on stage, he covered the floor with his dance moves and energy.  I don’t see how anyone wouldn’t have loved this show.  Both classic and new at the same time.

Leon Bridges (10/1/16)

 

Leon Bridges (10/1/16)

Leon Bridges (10/1/16)

Chance the Rapper (9/25/16)

Chance the Rapper has one of the biggest albums of the year, and has to be one of the most talked about rap artists as well.  I’ve spent quite a bit of time with his Coloring Book album, and I was thrilled to take a road trip up to Detroit to see him.  I’m bummed I missed seeing Francis and the Lights, but Chance made up for it.  Just check out the energy of the performance and the crowd in the video below! 

Chance the Rapper (9/25/16)

Chance the Rapper (9/25/16)

Chance the Rapper (9/25/16)

Chance the Rapper (9/25/16)

In Training / September 2016

I am so thrilled that I finally found this party here in Cleveland.  I’ve been enjoying the Hot Mass / Honcho parties in Pittsburgh, and this party is a sort of sister event to those… This was my first time going, and I can’t wait to go back.  

I also love how the pictures represent the clarity of most of the people in attendance.

In Training / September 2016

In Training / September 2016

 Here’s some more detail on the monthly party.

Intraining2

"In two years, In Training has become one of the most innovative dance parties in Cleveland, both for its spotlight on underground electronic artists and its founders’ mission—to host an alternative LGBT event for those who feel like outsiders at the city’s popular gay bars. Brian Bohan, Aerin Ercolea and Shane Christian hosted the first In Training in a 15-foot by 15-foot basement to an audience of 25 friends. Today, their monthly shows attract almost 200 people a night. "

(Via Monthly Local DJ Event Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog.)

Aloha (9/22/16)

Aloha is one of those bands that really take their time between albums.  So while they have been around for quite some time, they don’t have a ton of material out.  Still, what they produce is pretty good stuff.  However, the focus of this night was more on the return of our own Herzog!  But first, we got to hear New Planet Trampoline, who put on a rather intense live show.  Check it out. 

New Planet Trampoline (9/22/16)

I guess I liked the Herzog show so much that I didn’t even capture video of them!  So great to see them out live again.

Herzog (9/22/16)

 I was glad to see that most of the crowd was able to stick around for Aloha.  I can’t say it was an incredible show, but these guys definitely have some talent.

Aloha (9/22/16)

Aloha (9/22/16)

Langhorne Slim & The Law (9/21/16)

Langhorne Slim has already had a lengthy music career, but he holds nothing back when it comes to his live performances (probably what continues to fuel his career).  Such a great voice, great songwriting, and a great passion for his craft.  Go see him. 

Langhorne Slim & the Law (9/21/16)

Langhorne Slim & the Law (9/21/16)

of Montreal (9/15/16)

Once again, of Montreal put on a spectacle of a show.  The consistency of their creativity is astounding, and worth going to their show every time. 

of Montreal (9/15/16)

of Montreal (9/15/16)

of Montreal (9/15/16)

‘On the Bitter Rivals tour, we were a four piece and it felt more like a rock band,’ he says. ‘This is back to something that’s less identifiable as rock music. It’s still going to be sensory overload. I like volume and I like strobes. I want to do it the way I see fit. There will be lots of energy and sensory overload.’"

(Via Celebrated Indie Rockers Sleigh Bells Bring Fall Tour to Beachland | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog | Cleveland Scene.)

Ernie Krivda’s Jazz Workshop (9/13/16)

In what would be my last visit to the Barking Spider Tavern before they closed, we stopped to catch some of Ernie Krivda’s Jazz Workshop.  It was such a gorgeous night, fill with some amazing music.  This place will be sorely missed.

Ernie Krivda Jazz Workshop (9/13/16)

Ernie Krivda Jazz Workshop (9/13/16)

Ernie Krivda Jazz Workshop (9/13/16)

Barking Spider Tavern / Studio-A-Rama 2016

I wanted to split the day up between the Hingetown Hoedown and WRUW’s Studio-A-Rama.  The rain had already set in, but we headed over to University Circle to an unfortunately thin crowd at Studio-A-Rama.  We took some refuge at the Barking Spider for a bit and caught some songwriters in the round.  We then headed back to Studio-A-Rama for a bit longer before calling it a day (and a long one it was).

Barking Spider Tavern / Studio-A-Rama 2016

Barking Spider Tavern / Studio-A-Rama 2016

 

Hingetown Hoedown 2016

The Hingetown Hoedown was so much fun last year that I knew I wanted to go back.  This year the weather was much warmer, though we did have to contest with some rain later.  I was still able to bring Bergen, and you can see he enjoyed himself too.

Hingetown Hoedown 2016

Hingetown Hoedown 2016

Hingetown Hoedown 2016

Hingetown Hoedown 2016

Hot Mass - The Weekend Send's End (9/4/16)

Not satisfied with only Honcho’s Campout weekend, I decided to trek to Pittsburgh to catch on of the Memorial Day parties hosted by Hot Mass.  I wasn’t necessarily planning on covering this show for the blog, hence not having many photos or videos, but it was so great that I wanted to include it anyway. 

Hot Mass’s The Weekend Send's End (9/4/16)

The roof...

Hot Mass’s The Weekend Send's End (9/4/16)

Archie & the Bunkers (9/3/16)

I’ve been hearing so much about Cleveland’s own Archie & the Bunkers, that I was glad to finally catch them at the Grog Shop.  Some quirky pop punk sounds, and pretty impressive for their young age.  Will keep an eye on these guys...

Archie & the Bunkers (9/3/16)

 

Archie & the Bunkers (9/3/16)

 

Honcho's Campout 2016

This had to be the weekend I was looking forward to the most this Summer.  Honcho is the dance party out of Pittsburgh that I’ve been raving about - and this year I was able to go to their Campout party they host at the Roseland campground in WV.  Camping, music and dancing… I was sold.  Such a great experience.  There’s a clip from a DJ Times article reviewing the weekend below.

Honcho Campout 2016

Honcho Campout 2016

Honcho Campout 2016

"The brainchild of Pittsburgh, PA-based promoter and queer party series Honcho, the multi-day celebration of all things gay, techno, and outdoors has grown into an entity all its own for its sophomore installment. Taking its cues from other alt-queer party series like London’s Horse Meat Disco, San Francisco’s Honey Soundsystem, and New York City’s wreckedNYC, the Honcho boys offer the diverse crowd of the city’s Hot Mass bar a queer, inhibition-releasing playground with DJs soundtracking the proceedings with selections outside the Top 40 spectrum."

(Via The Honcho Summer Campout 2016 in Five Texts.)

Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato (9/2/16)

Another family concert night!  This time with the sister, niece & nephew - though I can’t say I minded catching some Nick Jonas on stage (Demi who?).  Walking in, I was totally caught off guard to see Mike Posner opening the show!  If you listen to pop radio at all, you should recognize his songs immediately. 

Mike Posner (9/2/16)

The energy and fanfare for both Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato was palpable.  They obviously know how to whip these kids into a frenzy…   It was a mega pop show with all the lights and screens, though a simpler stage setup that many this size.  Still - the kids had a great time, which is all that mattered.

Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato (9/2/16)

Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato (9/2/16)
Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato (9/2/16)
Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato (9/2/16)
Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato (9/2/16)

Nick Jonas & Demi Lovato (9/2/16)

Sleigh Bells (8/31/16)

After a little folk music, we took a 180 and went down to the Ballroom to catch Sleigh Bells, who’s finally back with a new album.  Their “wall of noise” sound couldn’t have been any more different, but there’s an infectious energy with their live shows.

Sleigh Bells (8/31/16)

Sleigh Bells (8/31/16)

Sleigh Bells (8/31/16)