Tomorrow: Dead Horses @ Beachland Tavern

If tonight’s jungle-pop show at the Grog Shop is not your thing, check out the Dead Horses show at the Beachland Tavern tomorrow night.  I’m really liking their sound and the songwriting, and who can resist this aesthetic in that space. 

"Blending elements of traditional roots with contemporary indie folk, the album is both familiar and unexpected, unflinchingly honest in its portrayal of modern American life, yet optimistic in its unshakable faith in brighter days to come. Earthy and organic,"

(Via Dead Horses – Tickets – Beachland Tavern – Cleveland, OH – May 1st, 2018 | Beachland Ballroom.)

Opening is our very own Wildcard Leader - "an Americana-ish duo out of Cleveland, OH. Some songs are raucous, some are a bit more mellow and introspective, but they'd like to think all of their shows and songs are an enjoyable experience.”

Tomorrow: Sofi Tukker @ Grog Shop

I caught on to Sofi Tukker from a co-worker, and then the next day a friend sent me as song as well.  Two days later I saw they were touring and coming to the Grog Shop. I can take a hint.  Sofi Tukker has a big, fun, danceable sound - which is mildly disappointing since this show is rolling in on a Monday night. Somewhat remedying is that all 3 acts are on tour with Sofi and all three look fun. Uou should have a great time if you still have to have an early night.  Check them all out below.

Opening is the infectious Kah-Lo from Nigeria, Check out her new video for Fasta, as well as her awesome collaboration with Riton for Fake I.D.

Even the first opener, LP Giobbi looks like it’ll be fun!

House Concert Announcement!

If you’ve been following my FaceBook page, you’ll already know I have a house concert coming up soon!  

I met Mike Edel when I went down to Akron to see him perform at Annabell’s back in 2016.  Unfortunately he didn’t end up performing that night, but we had a nice long chat at the bar anyway.  Fast forward 2 years and I get contacted by Mike who’s going a tour and remembered my talking about hosting house concerts.  I told him I would love to host him and his band!  

There will be some firsts for this show, including there being 3 performers “on stage” and a PA system!  They’ll actually be doing a stripped down show, differing from the rest of their stage tour. I believe this is the only house show on their tour - and might be one of the best shows I’ve hosted yet! 

If you haven’t already, please RSVP on the FaceBook Event, or just send me an email at thezenderagenda@gmail.com to hold a seat (of which I only have 30!)

Check out some of my favorite stuff by him below:

Wild Ones (4/24/18)

I’ve been following Portland’s Wild Ones for quite some time.  I remember they were supposed to be here back in 2014 but canceled the show. I was so disappointed.  So you can imagine I was thrilled to finally be able to catch them live - 4 years later.  They’ve since put out a new EP and album of all really good indie pop music.  The Beachland Tavern was a little slow on this Tuesday night, but fun was still had by all.

I actually was there for the opening band, but out of respect for what it takes to get up on stage, I’m not going to mention their performance.

Article: The Music Modernization Act is a Good Solution For Songwriters. Don’t Combine It With Bad Copyright Bills

Update:  A legislative hurdle passed.

 

"The Music Modernization Act was unanimously passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday (April 25), with 415 voting in favor and 16 representatives not voting. With this passing, it now goes to the Senate for a vote before it can become the law of the land."

(Via Music Modernization Act Unanimously Passes US House of Representatives | Billboard.)

Some dense, but important stuff.

"For the first time in six years, Congress is considering serious changes to copyright law. As you might imagine, those changes are a mixed bag for the public. One bill, the Music Modernization Act, would create a new system for compensating songwriters and music publishers when their songs are played on digital services. It solves a problem recognized by nearly everyone in the music space. And while the bill has some problematic text that needs fixing, it’s a good effort.

Unfortunately, the MMA has now been combined with a harmful bill, the ‘CLASSICS Act,’ which would create a new form of pseudo-copyright for recordings from before 1972, adding on new royalties and penalties without giving anything back to the public. And other dangerous bills could get added as amendments: the ‘CASE Act’ and the ‘Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act.’"

(Via The Music Modernization Act is a Good Solution For Songwriters. Don’t Combine It With Bad Copyright Bills. | Electronic Frontier Foundation.)

LAYNE (4/18/18)

Rounding out a trio of live pop shows, LAYNE performed at Mahalls.  Their sound translated much more rock than pop in a live setting - and the sound in Mahalls that night did the band no favors.  This was also the second show in a row that ended *before* 11pm.  Let’s keep that up!  ;-) 

 

Cub Sport (4/17/18)

Cub Sport is a chill pop band from Brisbane, Australia.  I had really been liking their recorded sound, which translated very well live - smooth and polished, like his moves on stage.  :-) 

 

 

 

U.S. Girls (4/16/18)

I hadn’t heard of U.S. Girls before their newest album was released, which had been getting quite the attention online.  Turns out they have a pretty respectable lo-fi background, which makes the throwback pop sounds of this new album all the more intriguing.  A great band, with great songs = great show overall.

Opening was Half An Animal, who describe themselves as "Synth pop, fort rock, cruise ship glam, prom pop with prizes.”  Whatever the description, their lead singer is a force of nature.

Fruition (4/14/18)

Day 4 in San Diego.  This would be the first of two shows on this night, first catching this Fruition show at their Music Box.  A nice venue, vertically spacious but not too large.  Headlining was Fruition, a folk rock band from Portland, Oregon.  I can’t say I was bowled over by all of their stuff, but they have a few songs that are superb (check out Northern Town, included in the video below).

Opening was Brothers Gow.  Apparently a band warranting a dedicated local following.  Not my cup of tea, but I did like this shot of the venue.

Alison Swing & MASHA (4/13/18)

Day 3 in San Diego.  This night was a tough choice between going back to the Kava Lounge for Alison Swing & Masha or a different club with some more traditional house music.  I stuck with Kava and was thrilled with the show.  Alison Swing and Masha brought the dance floor as part of this Bouquet dance party.

Opening was Rosa, who I loved the minute they played Sylvester’s Do You Wanna Funk!

Kate Nash (4/12/18)

Day 2 in San Diego.  I thought I’d try a larger venue and catch the Kate Nash show at the North Park Observatory.  A nice venue which I guess I’d put on the scale of our Agora.  I didn’t recognize Kate by name, but as soon as I heard Foundations, I recognized the song (I’m sure you will too).  I’d put her at a mix between Lily Allen and Jenny Lewis.  Despite a smaller crown this night, she was full energy on stage, even jumping off to sing with a super fan (catch it in the video below).  This may not have been the best show I attended this weekend - but her personality and performance made a fan out of me.

Lief Hall (4/11/18)

Getting to see concerts in other cities is one of the benefits of a work trip, especially when it sends you to San Diego in April - especially this April.  My first night there I found this awesome little place called the Kava Lounge.  

This night the headliner was Ahnnu, who I didn’t actually stay for (I’d been up over 18 hours).  Still, I really enjoyed seeing Leif Hall, who just had these crushing beats supporting this ethereal, light voice.

Opening was Eras from L.A.  I’ll let his music describe itself...

The poster bill.

Combo Chimbita (4/4/18)

If anyone calls their sound "tropical futurism” I’ll be instantly intrigued, as I was with Combo Chimbita.  Hailing from New York City by way of Columbia, these guys are high energy and their music matches their description quite well.

Opening were The Admirables, a funk/soul band out of Akron, OH.  Check out that saxophone work!

JANE: A Tribute to Rob Sherwood (3/31/18)

Finally getting my post up for the event: Disco Mafia presents JANE: A Tribute to Rob Sherwood at Sachsenheim Hall.  As I previously mentioned, I wasn’t privy to the prime days of Rob Sherwood and Cleveland dance, but this event was still precious.  Loved the space, the people, and getting to see all the vintage fliers for past shows.  Well, done.  When’s the next one?

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Young Thug does it again with this great new video for Anybody feat. Nicki Minaj.  Tyler, The Creator just dropped some split screen realness for his video for OKRA.  Jessica 6 shows us The Storm Inside with her new video.

Bonus:  Big Freedia kicking you out by paying no Rent in their new music video. 

VOWWS / Choir Boy (3/30/18)

While we were there for Soft Kill, we only ended up staying long enough for Choir Boy and VOWWS to perform.  Their industrial 80’s sound struck a nice balance between vintage and contemporary.  Love this venue.

Video Day #tzachill

Janelle Monae’s new video for PYNK is EVERYTHING. SZA has a new video for Broken Clocks that goes full camp.  Leon Bridges brings back the Bad Bad News with his new video.

BONUS: Our own Marcus Alan Ward just released this slick new video LoveOutLoud!

Article: Bob Dylan Sings About Gay Love on New Compilation

Check it out!

"Bob Dylan appears on a new compilation EP that features ‘reimagined’ versions of wedding songs for gay couples. He has recorded a new version of the 1929 song ‘She’s Funny That Way’ but switched the pronoun to ‘He’s Funny That Way.’ Universal Love also features St. Vincent, who takes on the Crystals’ ‘And Then He Kissed Me’ (as ‘And Then She Kissed Me’). Kesha sings a switched-pronoun version of Janis Joplin’s ‘I Need a Man to Love.’ Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard covers the Beatles with ‘And I Love Him,’ and Bloc Party’s Kele Okereke covers the Temptations on ‘My Guy.’ Listen to the full EP below.

Universal Love was funded by MGM Resorts International and its songs are ‘intended to function as wedding anthems for same-sex couples,’ The New York Times reports."

(Via Bob Dylan Sings About Gay Love on New Compilation: Listen | Pitchfork.)

Article: Does traditional radio have a future? Bankruptcies, digital disruption cast doubt

Wow.  

"Radio, more specifically terrestrial radio, has survived, but questions of its long-term viability were amplified this month when iHeartMedia, the largest radio conglomerate in the U.S. with more than 850 stations, filed for bankruptcy. IHeart joins one of its competitors, Cumulus, owners of nearly 450 stations, in Chapter 11.

IHeart alone owns 12 radio stations in the Cleveland and Akron markets including Majic 105.7-FM, 106.5-FM The Lake and 96.5 KISS FM. Do their stations survive the company's current financial situation?"

(Via Does traditional radio have a future? Bankruptcies, digital disruption cast doubt | cleveland.com.)

Fromt the same article:

"'The reality is those radio stations are not going away,' he said. 'iHeart's bankruptcy has nothing to do with WTAM, WGAR or WMMS and everything to do with the fact they paid 20 or 30 times what those stations were worth to get them. Now, they can't pay the interest on them. That has nothing to do with the radio stations themselves.'"

(Via Does traditional radio have a future? Bankruptcies, digital disruption cast doubt | cleveland.com.)