Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers (9/9/11)

Finally!  I can say that I have finally saw a show at the Happy Days Lodge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  I also couldn't have asked for a better performer / performance to see there.  Let me first say, with an entrance through the woods, and under a tunnel like this (below), how could that not set the stage for something amazing?

With no opening act we missed the first couple songs, but luckily this was a two-part set with an intermission.  The sound was amazing and the space felt like an old barn.  Then fill it with some top-tier folk / bluegrass and you just can't go wrong.  Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers sounded amazing.  Boasting a guitar, bass, mandolin, electric guitar, pedal steel and drums, the performance swung between the more traditional folk sounds to something a little more youthful and rock like.

Luckily as soon as I got up to grab some photos, one of my favorite songs came on:

I mean seriously, how much more true can you get?  Throw in some amazing solos and great songwriting, and this was a show to not be missed.

I also want to give a shout out to the CVNP for hosting these concerts.  I spoke with the lady running them and it just seems like such a sweet job.  I can't wait to go back.

Article: Online Tools for Finding New Music

This blog has two main purposes (see the header).  Live Music & New Releases.  And preference usually lands with new music that will also be played live in NEO in the near future.  Anyway, while I'd like to think this blog is all you'd need for both purposes, I concede that you might also want to look elsewhere as well (though it's totally cool if you don't).  Here's an article from Wired's Underwire that gives you some ideas and tools for other ways to find new music:

5 Essential Online Tools for Finding New Music (or Music That’s New to You) | Underwire | Wired.com

"The problem with all this instant gratification is how quickly you hit the wall of what you want to explore. If you’d like to go deeper than the latest Glee soundtrack or who made Pitchfork’s Best New Music list, you’re going to need some help navigating the 75,000 records released in 2010 — and that’s down 22 percent from the 96,000 released in 2009.

Oh hell, you’ve got huge chunks of music history that you haven’t gotten around to listening to yet. So use the great new digital tools at your disposal to start tackling it and figure out what actually belongs in your record collection."

(Continued... 5 Essential Online Tools for Finding New Music (or Music That’s New to You) | Underwire | Wired.com)

 

Video Tuesday

A lot to choose from this week!  Let's start with yet another cool video from Diamond Rings.  He's been around a lotlately, and hopefully he comes back again.  Next up is a sweet new video from Battles for My Machine (feat. Gary Numan).  They'll be coming to the Grog Shop on Wednesday, Oct. 5th.  Finally, video from the amazing new Beirut album for Santa Fe.  Not what I was expecting...

Tomorrow: Two Door Cinema Club @ Beachland Ballroom

Very exciting show, even more so with Bombay Bicycle Club opening for Two Door Cinema Club! This will probably sell out (if not already) - so hurry.

Tomorrow: Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers @ CVNP

I am SO excited.  I've been getting emails for events at CVNP for a couple years, and I'm always looking at their concert listings - because HOW COOL would it be to see a great show in the park.  Well, they've had plenty of great shows, but none have struck me as much as my first time hearing Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers.  Upon first listening, I was hooked.  She reminded me of a mix between Lucinda Wiliams & Mary Chapin Carpenter... both an edge and a polish.  I am excited for this show tomorrow night.

This song is amazing.

"With a haunting voice that treads soul and country and can only be described as a cosmic americana, Zoe Muth delivers songs that sound like vintage country classics."- Twangville

“If your own favorite country singers came from the vinyl era, don't let this one pass you by.”‐ Country Music Television

Ashley Brooke Toussant (9/2/11)

Last week I was able to catch the tail end of the album release show for Ashley Brooke Toussant in Akron.  In true Musica fashion, the show was already half over by the time we got there, and incredibly the doors were locked.  wtf?  Someone eventually left and let us in.  Apparently "the door guy left."

That's just crazy.

Anyway, Ashley sounded great with the full band, a nice addition from the last time I saw her.  A full band suits her well.  Here are some photos:

Video Tuesday

Going for diversity this week... Very excited to start off with Blitzen Trapper's new video for Love the Way You Walk Away.  I've been listening to their new American Goldwing album A LOT lately (pre-order at Insound), and I'm thrilled about their upcoming performance at the Beachland on Nov. 1st (they were great last time!).  Next up is another band on their way to Cleveland (Grog Shop / Oct. 10).  Wild Flag is causing mischief on their break for their Romance video.  Ending with some electronica, I've been carrying some high personal expectations for Justice's AUDIO VIDEO DISCO video.  Not sure it's striking me at first watch, but maybe I just need some time with it.

Peter Bjorn & John Concert Online

So I ended up missing out on the Peter, Bjorn & John show at the sold out Grog Shop, but luckily my concert-going buddy kingofthecastle7 was there.  As with all shows that he goes to, he posts the entire concert (when permitted) on YouTube.  Man, I thought I went to a lot of shows, but he's got me totally beat... thankfully.

Here's what makes me sad I missed it (unfortunately you'll have to click over to YouTube to actually watch):

So just keep him in mind if you ever miss a show in the Cleveland/Akron area, chances are he's been there.

A Savage Morning in Paris

So I was just watching the new Destroyer video for Savage Night at the Opera, when as soon as it started, it looked eerily familiar...

A friend once showed me this cult French short film for which the director was eventually arrested...  Clearly the inspiration, though not quite as dangerous.  More details on the original film below.

C'était un rendez-vous: A Cult Film by Claude Lelouch

"Filmed in 1976, it has become a classic staple of cinéma verité, literally “truth cinema”, a style of film making that is closer to the unpredictable and unscripted nature of documentaries. Although the film is over 30 years old, it remains very controversial. When you realize that this movie was filmed while speeding through the streets of Paris and with absolutely no blocked roads or movie permits, you quickly understand why people always have such a strong reaction to it. Claude Lelouch eventually admitted that it was a foolish act of manly bravado, but he said that at the time he loved film more than he loved the law and that the movie would never be as exciting without that constant feeling of danger. "

(Continued... smidgy • C'était un rendez-vous: A Cult Film by Claude Lelouch)

MyTunes at Cleveland Public Library

As a Library professional as my day job, I was quite happy to see the recent merging of music & library service through CPL's MyTunes service.  Here's More:

In the city that rocks, Cleveland Public Library (CPL) is teaming up with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to offer CPL patrons a completely unique musical experience.  With free weekly music downloads from the Freegal Music Service, spotlights on key artists, special materials on music history, free programs, and more, CPL and the Rock Hall will celebrate Cleveland's special place in the music world. MyTunes will give CPL cardholders and participating CLEVNET members the ability to connect to the Freegal Music Service and download MP3s of their favorite music from Sony's entire catalogue on an ongoing basis-up to three songs a week and over 150 per year. Your CPL card is the key to beginning your MyTunes experience. To begin yours today, click here.

Check it out.