Starfucker (10/14/10)

(this'll be a short one...) I had some really high hopes for this show, but unfortunately I was still a bit under the weather - which only demonstrates my level of excitement.  Particularly since I was excited about ALL THREE acts.

Opening... our very own HotChaCha!  I had yet to see them at the Grog Shop and this was the perfect chance.  As usual, they delivered a spirited performance.

The Octopus Project was next.  With a primarily instrumental sound, these guys were really able to put on a great show with some awesome visuals.

Finally with Starfucker, I was unfortunately running out of steam.  I really enjoyed the part of the set I saw (and was able to grab this clip), but I'll have to wait until next time around to really get into their live performance...

I Will Not Be Afraid of Women

... and I'm back!  The house concert was an amazing experience.  I'm already ready for the next one.  I'll be posting some media from it- hopefully in the near future.  In the meantime - here's a video from someone who would be one of my Top 5 ideal house concert performers of all time (probably top 3).

Dar Williams Feat. Gary Louris of the Jayhawks, 'As Cool as I Am' -- Video of the Day - Spinner

Highlight:'I hope I don't look crazy for having Gary Louris in the studio playing guitar without singing!' Dar Williams tells Spinner. 'He was up in New York and we yanked him into the studio to play and sing on songs we'd done for 'Many Great Companions.' Then he looked so good, we just made him stay.' "

(Dar Williams Feat. Gary Louris of the Jayhawks, 'As Cool as I Am' -- Video of the Day - Spinner)

Video Tuesday

Another Video Tuesday!  A particularly special one if I do say so myself.  First off is the new The Hundred in the Hands video - and I'm all about these guys these days.  Second is a new video and song by Mark Ronson (feat. Boy George) that I just love - including all the vintage 80's footage.  Finally is a new Kid Cudi track - excited to see how he pulls off Man on the Moon Part II, this is a strong start.

House Concert!

If you haven't already heard, I'm going to be hosting my very first house concert this week!  So posting will be a little lighter than usual, as I setup and prepare for such a venture.  This is something I've been talking about doing for a long time.  I'm glad to see it finally happen.

This first event is primarily for just friends and family, but if you really want to go, let me know (I may be able to pull some strings).  I imagine I'll be reaching out to a broader audience for future shows.

If you're curious who's performing... It will be Tom Evanchuck.  And if you've read this blog for any length of time, you'll know that he's been one of my local favorites!

Here's a video:

Two Great Options Tonight!

How much fun would this be...  (Happy Dog, 8pm, FREE)

Classical musicians bring their sound to easygoing venue | cleveland.com

No disrespect to Severance Hall or anything, but the hottest place to catch the Cleveland Orchestra these days is a bar in the Gordon Square Arts District. OK, so the appearances by a group of players at the Happy Dog aren't about the music so much as they are about forging connections. No symphonies or concertos here. 466 Share

But the idea of first-rate classical music in an informal, neighborhood setting has both the performers and the public buzzing con brio. Why? Because it's just so different, at a time when many classical organizations are seeking out new models, and it's working."

(Continued... Classical musicians bring their sound to easygoing venue | cleveland.com)

For the more conventional music experience - check out OK Go at the Beachland Ballroom tonight!  (8:00pm, $15)

Video Tuesday

New La Roux! Not a fan of the product placements, but still think she's pretty great.  Luke Doucet (everyone's favorite Canadian) with his new single Thinking People.  And finally a new video from Blitzen Trapper!

Blitzen Trapper - "The Tree" from Daniel Elkayam on Vimeo.

The Thermals (10/8/10)

I'm not gonna lie, this night was all about The Hundred in the Hands for me.  After an excellent first time seeing them (opening for The Golden Filter), and a great new album, I was shocked these guys were even opening.  Made it there just in time for the first song, realizing how weird it is to hurry to the venue at published start time.

I think they sounded great - but this just wasn't their night.  I would blame probably 85% of it on this audience who didn't move a muscle.  I realize that they were there to see a whole different kind of band (it was kind of an odd pairing in my mind).  But I still hung towards the back and enjoyed my little concert-dance extravaganza, except for the times I was capturing video:

I wasn't much impressed with Cymbals Eat Guitars, though I wouldn't write off liking them in the future.

Once The Thermals took the stage, I thought the audience was going to light it up (literally - like last time).  But the crowd was still almost just as lame as with THITH.  Thermals still rocked the show, opening with a lot of tracks from my favorite, The Body, The Blood, The Machine.  We had other friends coming into town, so we didn't end up staying to see if the audience stepped up their game - I hope they did.

Try Hugging an MP3 - Article

Oh the good ol' days.

Try hugging an MP3 - Entertainment

"Consumers have watched as the canvas for album art has shrunk from LP size to the possible option of no art at all. Record stores, even chains, were closed or forced back into the subculture, changing the experiences of buying and finding out about new music to cold, calculated processes that involve zero social interaction. Music has now been unofficially relegated as 'background' to other activities. It is no longer the centerpiece of entertainment. It is merely a soundtrack to activities such as jogging and walking to one's car. Most likely, no one will ever fondly recall the night they downloaded a new album. The ritual of standing in line at midnight to obtain a physical copy of a piece of music is now over. Thanks to MP3 technology, ritual, nostalgia, traditional physical music spaces, physical forms and aesthetic value are all aspects of music culture that are dead or dying. "

(Continued... Try hugging an MP3 - Entertainment)

Biz Markie DJ Set (10/7/10)

Well, I bet it was a party if you stayed long enough.  The Biz didn't appear until around 12:15am... too late for me to hang around for something just starting.  I did catch this however, showcasing his love for old-school rap (theme of the night:

I do have to say, it was fun to be in such a mixed crowd last night.  An unfortunately rare occurrence in my live music circles.

Cloud Nothings on Pitchfork TV!

This one couldn't wait for my Video Tuesday series... A big fat congratulations to local boys, Cloud Nothings for having their (great) new video make Pitchfork TV!

Make sure you Pre-Order Turning On, out on Tuesday!  Or better yet, head on over to Music Saves to buy it.