Saturday, December 30, 2017

Video Day #tzaupbeat

New music from TR/ST (!) and a new video for the single Destroyer.  Hundred Waters has a stunningly filmed video for Wave to Anchor. Disclosure has a new video out for Holding On ft. Gregory Porter.

Bonus: SSION just put out his new video for The Comeback… wait for it.

Thursday, December 14, 2017

SZA (12/13/17)

The incredible snow we had last night couldn’t have been a more charming backdrop for a great show by SZA at the House of Blues last night.  She was on fire, with full leg kicks and throwing her hair all over the place.  She and her band sounded top notch, and the audience was lit.  Such a great show by SZA!

SZA (12/13/17)

 

"SZA bounded off the momentum of her excellent openers — in an oversized pink bubble jacket, a black crop top, camo overalls, and flowing locks, her stage presence was natural and brightly energetic, swaggering and vulnerable. She’d arrived late on a flight and missed soundcheck, but hit her vocals strong, standing out as she riffed gorgeously to close out ‘Go Gina,’ or sang 2014’s ‘Sobriety’ a cappella."

(Via SZA Gives Powerful Performance at House of Blues | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog.)

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Hiss Golden Messenger (12/11/17)

A second night in DC, and another good concert! It’s particularly notable being here over a Sunday & Monday night. Hiss Golden Messenger presented “An Evening With…” which signaled it was all Hiss - no opener.  I’ve had a cursory familiarity with his work, but had been diving in deep these last couple days.  Very much along the lines of Blitzen Trapper, Springsteen, Langhorne Slim and Ryan Adams.  But as I learned, he’s had quite a long and venerable career himself, talking about touring in DC in the 90’s (to no one in the audience).  He’s come a long way, and his live performance is indicative of how that happened.

Hiss Golden Messenger (12/11/17)

Hiss Golden Messenger (12/11/17)

Hiss Golden Messenger (12/11/17)

Monday, December 11, 2017

Michl (12/10/17)

Traveling again, which means I’m looking for live shows in Washington DC area.  So happy I stumbled on the Michl show, particularly since this would be my first time at DC9.  I noticed he was characterized as elusive, which is easily validated by these photos.  The sound was this superb, dreamy grand pop music with stunning visuals timed to support the live show.  Turns out he’s a former songwriter who was sick of writing music for people he didn’t like - with different values than his.  Noble. I like it.

Michl (12/10/17)

Michl (12/10/17)

Opening the show was MACK.  Her EP on Apple Music had me interested, but her live show was excellent!  Light, vibrant, and totally enjoyable.  This was her first tour and you wouldn’t have known it.  Keeping my eye on her.

MACK (12/10/17)

MACK (12/10/17)

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Video Day #tzaupbeat

First up is MØ’s visually stunning video for When I Was Young.  Next, I’m embarrassed to say that A Tribe Called Red caught my attention because of the obvious reference, but I still ended up really enjoying their video for The Light II ft. Lido Pimienta.  SSION is finally back with a video for Comeback that only SSION could make, with a new album coming next year!

BONUS:  SOPHIE just dropped a banger of a new video.

Article: Your Data Is Shaping the Future of Music

Something to keep an eye on.  The industry is changing. 

"With the industry’s responsiveness to data at an all-time high, it’s becoming possible to use our voices to adjust its course. In theory, how we determine popular taste is democratic—which should be great for diversity and inclusion, in an idealistic, utopian sense. But the tyranny of the majority is real, and online buzz will grab the attention of record labels regardless of what the music sounds like or how the artist acts. Your listening habits have literally become a vote—maybe it's time we start using it."

(Via Your Data Is Shaping the Future of Music | PigeonsandPlanes.)

Shagg (11/30/17)

A last minute decision brought me to Maple Lanes - finally.  I’ve never seen a show here!  The music was fine.  Shagg did a good job.  Looking forward to the next show here. 

Shagg (11/30/17)

Shagg (11/30/17)
Shagg (11/30/17)

Shagg (11/30/17)

Shagg (11/30/17)

Sound of Ceres (11/9/17)

There are nights that I’m just looking for a concert in town.  Somewhere.  I ran across this band, Sound of Ceres performing at the Winchester Tavern.  Pop sound, liked I heard recorded - and it was a great chance to see a good show at the Winchester.  Their live show took on a whole additional perspective with the light, movement and position of their stage show.  Very exciting and what a great surprise.

Sound of Ceres (11/9/17)

Sound of Ceres (11/9/17)
Sound of Ceres (11/9/17)

Mourning A BLKstar (11/9/17)

Mourning A BLKstar performing at the Bop Stop in Cleveland, OH

Mourning A BLKstar (11/9/17)Mourning A BLKstar (11/9/17)

The Accidentals (11/8/17)

A last minute decision put this show on my agenda.  At first glance I was pretty excited about their sound, and I like what I’ve recorded.  But I’ll say that for the most part, I was not a fan of this show.  They just spread it on a little too heavy.  But an A for effort.

The Accidentals (11/8/17)
The Accidentals (11/8/17)

November Noise Lunch: Voice as Instrument (11/5/17)

November Noise Lunch: Voice as Instrument happening at Now That’s Class in Cleveland, OH.

November Noise Lunch: Voice as Instrument (11/5/17)

November Noise Lunch: Voice as Instrument (11/5/17)

November Noise Lunch: Voice as Instrument (11/5/17)

CONDITIONS OF LIVING (2012, Rev 2016) by Buck McDaniel with Kyle Kidd, vocals; Maria Viñas, violin; Buck McDaniel, electronics/keyboards.

November Noise Lunch: Voice as Instrument (11/5/17)

November Noise Lunch: Voice as Instrument (11/5/17)

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Sinkane (11/2/17)

After several albums, I was able to catch Sinkane in Cleveland!  He’s always had this great pop, funk, soul, rock sound that really translated well live.  What a fun show!

Sinkane (11/2/17)
Sinkane (11/2/17)

Opening was Red Rose Panic and Uptowne Buddah.  Both enjoyable in their own right.

Red Rose Panic (11/2/17)

Uptowne Buddha (11/2/17)

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Video Day #tzachill

Jon and Roy release another video, this one stunningly beautiful, for Nothing But Everything.  SZA has a sexy (and vengeful) new video for Supermodel.  Alex Ebert (from Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros) has a new solo single and (trippy!) new video for Broken Record.

Bonus:  Blitzen Trapper hasn’t been known for the best videos, but have redeemed themselves with their video for Joanna

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Hercules & Love Affair show you how to Rejoice in this new video feat. Rouge Mary.  The Go! Team has been a long time favorite of mine, and it’s easy to see why with their new video for Semicircle Song.  N.E.R.D. seemed to pop out of nowhere with this awesome new video for Lemon feat. Rhianna.

Bonus:  A Tribe Called Red just put out this great new video (the beginning!) for The Light II feat. Lido Pimienta.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Tomorrow: Sinkane @ Grog Shop

I’m thrilled to finally be seeing Sinkane!  I discovered him from being on DFA records, and he’s put out a great string of great pop / jazz / funk albums.  Get to the Grog Shop for this one (unless you’re to the Beachland for Shilpa, then I’d totally understand)

Sinkane Origins Ed Andrews Huck

Tomorrow: Shilpa Ray @ Beachland Tavern

I can’t say enough about seeing Shilpa Ray live.  I’ve seen her several times already.  If that weren’t the case, and if Sinkane wasn’t performing the tomorrow at the Grog Shop as well, I’d definitely be seeing this show at the Beachland! 

ShilpaRay And HerHappyHookers EbruYildiz 026

 

A Celebration Concert: Alfred Tennyson Carter Jr. (10/29/17)

This past weekend I attended a celebration concert dedicating the 1915 Sohmer & Co. Piano of Alfred Tennyson Carter Jr. at St. John’s Church in Ohio City.  This show featured Dianna White-Gould on piano with works by R. Nathaniel Dett & Dolores White; Buck McDaniel composer, Lavert Stuart piano in works by Duke Ellington.  What a great experience to be part of.

Celebration Concert: Alfred Tennyson Carter Jr.

Celebration Concert: Alfred Tennyson Carter Jr.

Celebration Concert: Alfred Tennyson Carter Jr.

Video Day #tzaubeat

Baths is going far out for their video for their new song called Out, off their new album due 11/17!  Deerhoof goes scathing commentary on our society with their new video for I Will Spite Survive.  Milky Chance has another catchy video for an equally catchy song, Bad Things (feat. Izzy Bizu)

Bonus: Another new release coming from The Golden Filter, The End of Times (out 11/10!).

Friday, October 27, 2017

Video Day #tzachill

Sondre Lerche once again puts out a compelling video for Siamese Twin. Shamir addresses "white washing and queer bating in media” with his intimate video for Straight Boy.  Emily Haines & the Soft Skeleton has an equally impactful video for Legend of the Wild Horse.

Bonus: ANOTHER Jon & Roy video.  I just can’t get enough of these guys. 

Article: Albums And Why They Still Matter

I (still) totally agree. 

"Albums still matter because they tell the unique story of who a band is at a specific moment of time that one or two singles just don’t have the ability to do. Imagine if the songs from Nick Drake’s Pink Moon or The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band were released one at a time over the course of a year. Yes, the songs would still be incredible, but the meaning of these hugely important albums would be far less impactful. Whether it’s a concept album or not, good albums feature some sort of story or larger narrative whether it’s in the lyrics or instrumentation. Singles can’t tell the stories albums can."

(Via Albums And Why They Still Matter - hypebot.)

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Fischerspooner is back (!) with a new video for Togetherness feat. Caroline Polachek from Chairlift!  MGMT is finally back with a new video for Little Dark Age, and hopefully some new album details soon.  Bomba Estéreo has a fun video about traveling the world with Internacionales.

Bonus:  People have been talking about this Disco Tits by Tove Lo, and I can see why (NSFW).

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Formwave (10/20/17)

After stopping by the Lou Harrison Centennial performance at the Cleveland Museum of Art, it was fun to pivot to a whole different experience at Negative Space.  We weren’t there long, but was able to catch Formwave.  Definitely some unique stuff.  Was glad to finally make it to Negative Space for a performance as well!

Formwave (10/20/17)

Formwave (10/20/17)

Formwave (10/20/17)

Lou Harrison Centennial (10/20/17)

So there was a last minute decision to stop by the Cleveland Museum of Art’s at Gartner Auditorium to see the Lou Harrison Centennial, and I’m glad we did!  Very much in the new music strain that I’ve been enjoying, and it was fascinating to learn the story about the composer and the instruments!  Gorgeous stuff.  Here’s a couple sneaky pics I grabbed (no video though).

Lou Harrison Centennial (10/20/17)Lou Harrison Centennial (10/20/17)

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Video Day #tzachill

After a charming first album, Wild Ones are back with a new album and video for Standing In the Back at Your Show.  Little Dragon teamed up with Faith Evans for this non-album track, Peace of Mind.  Estelle is coming back, and hopefully with an album soon - until then we’ll have to be satisfied for a Love Like Ours (feat. Tarrus Riley). 

Bonus:  No word on a new album yet, but this split-screen video for First Aid Kit shows us how It’s a Shame sometimes.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Wolf Parade (10/16/17)

I can’t believe it’s been nearly 10 years since last seeing Wolf Parade at the Beachland, and nearly 13 years since seeing them the first time with Modest Mouse.  I dove back into their limited catalog and was reminded of how much I love these guys - and also discovered how good their new album is!  I was a little surprised to see them at the House of Blues this time around, as I’m guessing was the audience (which was lacking at HOB).  Still, the energy of the band, the light show, and their sound being in top form made for an excellent night.  Keep the albums coming guys (and the side projects too!).

Wolf Parade (1016/17)
Wolf Parade (1016/17)
Wolf Parade (1016/17)

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Generationals have a new single and video out for Catahoula Man, with no apparent full album release on the horizon. I’m not sure what’s going on in this new Ezra Furman video for Driving Down to L.A., but I’ll take it.  St. Vincent releases a burner, with this new Los Ageless video.

Bonus:  I can resist Big Freedia and I'm glad to see she’s still Queen.

A R I Z O N A (10/14/17)

This past Saturday I was at the Cinematheque to watch this amazing documentary on the New York Public Library, called Ex Libris.  It was over 3 hours long, but very much worth it.  Rather than going straight home, the University Programming Board of Case Western Reserve University was hosting a band at the bar on campus - the Jolly Scholar.  I’ve been to some of these shows before and they’re never great.  Same thing this time.  The band, the space, the audience… none of which appealed to me, other than it being right next to my Library and on my way home.  Still, I post.

A R I Z O N A (10/14/17)

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Video Day #tzachill

Perfume Genius knocks it out of the park with another great video, this time for Wreath. Jon & Roy are back again (!) with an animated video for How The Story Goes, which is great because I just can’t get enough of these guys.  ibeyi has been everywhere lately, most recently putting out this video for Me Voy feat. Mala Rodriguez.

 

Bonus:  Sam Smith is Way Too Good at Goodbyes in this gorgeously shot video.

Disco Paradiso Presents: Gialloween Pt II (10/13/17)

It was Friday the 13th, so of course Disco Paradiso would bring out some of their best for Gialloween Pt. II.  The basement of Now That’s Class has it’s own kinda charm, but totally fit this aesthetic.  LOVE.

Disco Paradiso Presents: Gialloween Pt II (10/13/17)

Istvan Medgyesi (10/12/17)

So I’m embarrassed to say that I never put together than Istvan Medgyesi was someone I would recognize from working at the Beachland!  I knew they had some cool people working there, but this just confirms it again.  His set was atmospheric and weird, and a little outside my comfort zone.  I loved it. 

Istvan Medgyesi (10/12/17)

I would even say the same for Aerial Ruin, who I also enjoyed.
Aerial Ruin (10/12/17)

Oh, and credit to the guy who was running all the visuals!  Bravo.

Aerial Ruin (10/12/17)

Tristen (10/7/17)

This post should really be titled The Modern Electric (10/7/17) since they were the official headliners.  I was kinda surprised they were!  No shade, but I’d seen them enough and was thrilled to swing in and just catch Tristen.  I’ve really been enjoying her new album.  She was a delight as always.

Tristen (10/7/17)

In Training (10/6/17)

I wasn’t about to miss In Training’s 3 year anniversary.

In Training (10/6/17)

In Training (10/6/17)