An extra treat on this night out with my Sister, I found out last minute that Generations would be performing on the campus here at Case Western Reserve University! They’ve been one of my *favorite* pop bands lately, so we were lucky enough to catch a good portion of their show after Martina McBride. The juxtaposition from a Rocksino to the basement of a private University was also entertaining. The crowd was disappointingly light, to where the Generationals asked if they normally had shows in this space. But I was delighted none the less.
A couple years ago, The Spot at Case Western Reserve University was getting some AMAZING shows… but some things have changed and most of the bands have been snoozers. I checked out this show and instantly fell in love with Jacco Gardner's take on the 60's pop sound. Live it was just as good…
(2 more songs over on my YouTube Channel)
There's a lot going on this week and I thought I should get it all down at once...
Tuesday:Los Campesinos! @ Beachland Ballroom ($15)
A fun, Welsh party band, these guys sound like they'll be a lot of fun. (DJ'ing in the Tavern afterward)
Tuesday: Indie Orthodox New Year @ Music Saves & Beachland Tavern
Great deals from Music Saves during the day / DJ Barbergoth (Cloud Nothings) DJ'ing early.
Wednesday:Chiddy Bang @ The Spot (CWRU) (FREE / Student Only?)
Glad to see this show, as I thought we (CLE) were getting passed up. New album out Feb. 28th. Download some Free Stuff.
Wednesday: Ryan Adams @ Ohio Theater / SOLD OUT
Thursday: He's My Brother, She's My Sister @ Beachland Tavern ($8/$10)
This brother-sister combo sounds amazing (more details here). Also excited about Shivering Timbers & Lowly, the Tree Ghost opening!
and while it's not technically "This Week" - you should also plan on...
Sunday: Erin McKeown / Carrie Rodriguez / Kelly Joe Phelps @ Nighttown ($20)
SO EXCITING to see these guys at this venue. I. Am. So. There. You should be too… Full Details Here.
acafe.com "In its third year, the "An Acoustic Cafe Evening Tour" features the diverse talents of four critically acclaimed singer-songwriters: Austin-based multi-instrumentalist Carrie Rodriguez, Northampton lit/pop darling Erin McKeown (1/24-29 only), Northwest finger-picking master Kelly Joe Phelps."
My first show at The Spot for the 2011 Fall Semester @ Case Western Reserve University. It was a last-minute realization that A Lull was coming to campus, and I'd been enjoying their new album Confetti (buy it from inSound). Also performing was Preston Pugmire, whom I've never heard of until the day before the show.
I got there in time to catch the beginning of A Lull. They were as I expected, a good dense, indie-rock jam band.
After this, Preston Pugmire too the stage solo, with a guitar, laptop and 50's television set displaying a single vertical line that fluctuated based on his sound. If A Lull met expecations, Preston exceeded them, though they did start off at different points. Preston's live show was more captivating than his album, and his great personality really showed, despite a waning crowd. Check out this fun little ditty.
As usual, one of the benefits of The Spot is their cheap menu (and wings, if you're into that kind of thing). $2.50 Lake Erie Monster - STILL on tap!
Immediately after Stephanie Nilles, we walked over to The Spot (CWRU) to catch Liam Finn. I'd seen him before, where he had an electric performance at the Grog Shop. Unfortunately, I was distracted and wasn't quite paying as much attention at this show. Maybe because it was my second of the night, or maybe because Liam didn't have a new album out to have connected with. I do think the pics came out pretty decent though.
So the Wednesday night concert series at The Spot (UBP/CWRU) had their own little SXSW night last week. After doing a little research, it seemed like an extremely varied evening of music with a LOT of potential. On the bill was Khaira Arby, Wise Blood, and Pictureplane. Luckily I was there to make the first show, and was a little surprised it was Khaira Arby and her group from Mali.
Ever since seeing Babatune Olantuji back in my BGSU days, I've had a soft spot for the African Rythm (how cheesy does that sound). Anyway, another one of my favorites has been Ali Farka Touré (who I unfortunately missed at the Spot last year). I later found out Khaira is a cousin of Ali...
I can't say I have any legitmacy in saying anything about the music itself, but Khaira sounded as good as any other in that genre of music for me. Great to hear recorded, even more amazing live.
Here's what I'm talking about:
As for the rest of the night, the other acts... it's best I just keep this positive and leave them out.
After that fun little jaunt at the Barking Spider, we headed over to the Spot (a bar below a dorm at CWRU). They've been known for bringing in good shows in the past, but this was my first time here in a while. A nice renovation had occured, but the cheap beer, wings, and drunk college students remained.
Opening was the charming Max Stern, who I'm presuming with his connection to the crowd, that he was a student there.
Now for Drink Up Buttercup, I'd been having a crash course in their new album, Born and Thrown on a Hook. Initially I was enthralled with their track Doggy Head, but quickly fell in love with the rest of the album, which I guess I could best describe as having a modern indie rock sensibility with some of the maturing and depth of the Beatles.
The show was alright. They didn't really connect with the audience, they didn't want recorded by kingofthecastle7 (who I finally met!) - and I guess they were trying out some new stuff. What we heard sounded great, though I'm not sure I could really connect much of it with the album. But no problem though, I was able to pick the vinyl version up at this show.
You should check some of these songs for yourself.
