Monday, July 31, 2017

Mokoomba (7/26/17)

A last-minute tip off for this show came with mixed blessings.  Focusing on the positive side, discovering an seeing Mokoomba was a real treat!  This Zimbabwean band, performing their Afro-fusioni music outside as part of the Ohio City Stages via Transformer Station, could not have been any more perfect for an outside show on this summer’s eve.  Throw in some good beers and the ability to bring my dog… amazing.  I really need to keep a closer eye on the concerts the Cleveland Museum of Art are putting out!

Mokoomba (7/26/17)

Mokoomba (7/26/17)

Mokoomba (7/26/17)

 

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Everyone just woke up this morning in a tizzy (rightfully so) over Charlie XCX’s new video with and for Boys… LOTS of boys.  Kiesza is back with a fun new video for Give It To The Moment (feat. Djemba Djemba).  Cut Copy is finally putting out some new music with his video for Airborne.

Bonus:  Holy Fuck releases the first new video from their upcoming release on 10/21!

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Andrew Bird / Esperanza Spalding (7/25/17)

Last night was such a gorgeous night for a show at Cain Park!  Esperanza Spalding’s performance was fresh & effervescent, performing with a new band just for this tour with Andrew Bird.  You would have never known it.

Esperanza Spalding (7/25/17)

This was my 3rd or 4th (5th?) time seeing Andrew Bird.  In preparation, I was going back through his catalog and it reminded me how good his albums are!  The live show was decent, but I can’t say it was anything particularly spectacular.  Thankfully the weather was.

Andrew Bird (7/25/17)

Article: Cleveland internet radio station oWOW channels WMMS' past with a twist

"Gorman went online in 2014 with oWOW Cleveland, an internet station billing itself as the 'sweet spot between classic rock and indie rock.' Making the story more interesting is that oWOW is one of a handful of stations bucking conventional wisdom and aiming to make internet radio local."

(Via Cleveland internet radio station oWOW channels WMMS' past with a twist | cleveland.com.)

I’ve been a big fan of oWOW Radio (despite the name) since they started streaming.  Hard to believe it’s been going since 2014!  This is quite an extensive write-up, and I’m glad to hear they’re still doing well!

I also like seeing how they’re partnering up with local companies, like this series with Music Box!

Owowhappyhour

Friday, July 21, 2017

Pitchfork Music Festival 2017

Another year, another Pitchfork Music Festival.  This may have been one of the best, with headliners being LCD Soundsystem, A Tribe Called Quest, and Solange!  I’m not often swayed by the headliners, as they’re usually someone I’ve already seen before - but this year was different! 

Non-headlining favorites this year:  Dawn Richard, Kamaiyah, Arca, Mitski, Madlib, Kilo Kish, Colin Stetson, Hamilton Leithauser, Jamila Woods, and Nicolas Jaar!  Check them out.

Pitchfork Music Festival 2017

Pitchfork Music Festival 2017

Pitchfork Music Festival 2017

More of my photos here.  Pitchfork has a nice gallery of better photos available here.

Some Cleveland press on the event too!

"Pitchfork returned to Chicago's Union Park this past weekend for its annual summer music festival, and we were there to experience it all.

The music website's festival has evolved a lot since its early heavy indie-rock leaning origins, and the lineup reflected the change with an eclectic mix of up-and-coming artists spanning multiple genres. In the past, they have prided themselves on booking acts before they blow up, but this year might have been one of the most established lineups yet, with three-day passes selling out before the festival took place."

(Via Pitchfork Music Festival 2017 Brought Out the Masses to See LCD Soundsystem, A Tribe Called Quest and Solange | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog.)

Article: The Oral History of Lilith Fair, As Told By the Women Who Lived It

 One of my favorite music experiences of all time.  What a great trip down memory lane… 

Lilith entertainment

"The Oral History of Lilith Fair, As Told By the Women Who Lived It By Melissa Maerz July 5, 2017

Imagine many of the country’s most influential women all gathered together to stand up for gender equality on a national stage. There are stars performing before a massive crowd, Planned Parenthood booths (along with protesters), and reporters from news outlets analyzing what this event says about the state of women’s rights. Sounds like a scene from the Women’s March on Washington—but it actually occurred 20 years ago this summer with the debut of Lilith Fair, a music festival designed to give women the same lucrative touring gigs as men. Cofounded by singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, this multicity tour broke new ground, from the all-female talent lineup that promoters said would never work, to the controversies it ignited in the media about race and feminism. Here McLachlan and some of her fellow Lilith performers talk candidly about a cultural movement lauded by fans for its feminist ideals and lambasted by critics for its lack of diversity. And a new generation of performers reflect on the legacy of Lilith Fair and why their own fight for equality in the music industry continues."

(Via The Oral History of Lilith Fair, As Told By the Women Who Lived It | Glamour.)

 

 

 

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Article: Is Sofar Sounds The Uber Of House Concerts?

I’ve always been curious about these Sofar Sounds shows, but they have eluded me - so far. :-P  I’ve also been curious about their seemingly meteoric rise into so many cities - which now makes sense knowing they had millions in venture funding.  However, only compensating artists with just a video is unacceptable.  I was once optimistic about this organization, but that is waning.

SoFar

"This unpermitted, homespun gig probably sounds familiar to participants in independent music. Unusually, though, it was coordinated by a start-up underwritten by millions in venture capital, Sofar Sounds. And though each attendee paid $15-$30 to attend, the artists will be compensated with some footage of their performance."

(Via Is Sofar Sounds The Uber Of House Concerts? - hypebot.)

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Digisaurus (7/7/17)

I hadn’t heard of Digisaurus before, but that name caught my eye.  Once I realized they were a pop, dance, rock band - and that they’d be coming to CODA in Tremont, I was sold.  It’s not often I’m in that part of town for a show, so it was a particular treat (especially dinner at Ty Fun!).  While the Tremont area seemed to be bustling on this Friday night, it didn’t seem to make it's down into the venue.  This would have really helped the show.  

Digisaurus (7/7/14)


Digisaurus (7/7/14)

Digisaurus (7/7/14)

I especially want to give a shout out to Marcus Brathwaite for an excellent post-show DJ set!  Where you going to be next??

Digisaurus (7/7/14)

Ronnie Foster Organ Trio (7/1/17)

Ronnie Foster Organ Trio was a show highly recommended by Vanessa Rubin, which was all I needed to hear. So good, and so fun.

Ronnie Foster Organ Trio (7/1/17)

Ronnie Foster Organ Trio (7/1/17)

Church Girls (6/21/17)

Another night at Gabe’s in Iowa City.  I’m beginning to really love this place, especially since their shows this week were all free!  I was able to catch the Church Girls, a “female-led dreamy indie rock from Philadelphia.”  While headlining the bill, they performed second on the bill.

Finishing out the night were The Nomadic Youth, and exuberant young band from Iowa.

The Nomadic Youth (6/21/17)

 

Wood & Wire (6/20/17)

Recently I was able to travel to Iowa City, Iowa for a rare books & manuscripts conference for work.  As with any travel I look for local venues and concerts, but unfortunately Iowa City didn’t have a whole lot to offer during this mid-week venture.  Luckily, I was able to catch Wood & Wire (for free!) at Gabe’s - a place that turned into a regular haunt during my stay.  These guys truly sound like “homegrown bluegrass band from Austin, TX.”  Or as much as I could imagine one sounds like…  Either way - a great night away from Cleveland.

Wood & Wire (6/20/17)

Wood & Wire (6/20/17)

 

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Fischerspooner is back (!!) with a new album (SIR, out 9/22) and a new video for their first single Have Fun Tonight.  STRFKR just released a new video for Satellite.  Run the Jewels tell the truth in their new video for Don’t Get Captured!

Bonus:  Cleveland’s own Welshly Arms just released a bad-ass (and slick!) new video for Legendary

Friday, July 7, 2017

Video Day #tzaupbeat

The new SZA album is AWESOME, just as is her new video for Drew Barrymore (coming to Cleveland on 12/13!)!  BAIO is back with his sophomore album coming soon, from which this new video for PHILOSOPHY! is showing some promise for it.  An epic new sci-fi video from ODESZA for Line Of Sight (feat. WYNNE & Mansionair).

BONUS:  While I love RuPaul’s Drag Race, I’ll admit most of the music coming from the Queens is lackluster.  This video however is the cheeky fun that I’d hope for from these three as The AAA Girls