Tomorrow: Yellow Ostrich @ Beachland Tavern

Yellow Ostrich's The Mistress hit my radar some time ago, though I only had one MP3 for the longest time.  I've finally picked up the full album (via eMusic) and I've been listening to a stream of the yet-to-be released album Strange Land over at PASTE.

Feel free to listen here:

I am *loving* it. "Strange Land retains Schaaf's sweet, boyish voice and bracingly open-hearted songwriting, but adds a hard- won urban edge: brawny bass and busy, prominent drums, triumphal horns, and plenty of raw, overdriven guitar. As the album transitions from wistful but supercharged pop to new musical realms, it's as if you're hearing the transition the band itself made, from self-contained solo unit to a collaborative trio of outstanding musicians. Schaaf has a degree in music, and there's plenty of his gorgeous stacked harmonies here, but this time Natchez's horns occasionally take on that role, and it's all animated by Tapper's hip-shaking syncopations."

Opening are the unfortunately named 1, 2, 3, and Cleveland's own How to Breathe Under Water.  Here's a pretty sweet video by the former (with even more here).

Pitchfork Festival Announces Dates, Initial Lineup!

It's that time of year! I can't wait until that other time of year… :-)

Pitchfork Festival Announces Dates, Initial Lineup | News | Pitchfork

It's the end of February-- time to get psyched for summer! The Pitchfork Music Festival will return to Chicago's Union Park July 13-15.

Vampire Weekend, Feist, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hot Chip, AraabMUZIK, A$AP Rocky, the Field, Liturgy, Kendrick Lamar, Grimes, Cloud Nothings, Tim Hecker, and Willis Earl Beal will all join us in Union Park! And that's only the beginning-- over 30 additional acts will be announced.

Tickets go on sale Friday, March 9 at 12 pm Central Time at the Pitchfork Music Festival website. We're pleased to note that ticket prices will not be raised this year. Individual day tickets will cost $45, with a limited number of three-day passes available for $110 each.

(Continued... Pitchfork Festival Announces Dates, Initial Lineup | News | Pitchfork)

Meshell Ndegeocello (3/2/12)

This is a treat I don't get very often - getting to see a great performance and then getting to see it again (in the same area) just two weeks later.  Meshell Ndegeocello proved that her new stuff is not fluke at the Rock Hall two weeks ago, so I couldn't imagine a better follow-up than seeing her perform at Finney Chapel in Oberlin, OH.  I've seen several shows there now and if there's one thing that stands out (even more than it being in a church) is how good the sound is.  Meshell had a rock solid performance.  Once again there was little banter with the audience, but with a sound like this, who cares.

Of course it was just a tame and dark crowd, I didn't get any good shots (just like last time).

Eilen Jewell (2/29/12)

It's easy to get my friends to go to pop shows, but I usually end up going to folk-type shows by myself.  I thought this was going to be another one of those nights, but I was actually able to get my 3 friends from the Tennis show the night before to join me at the Beachland Tavern!  Thankfully, a much earlier night.  It was also a reacquaintance with performers I hadn't seen in some time.

Opening was Brent Kirby - a local legend.  Well, maybe not a legend, but he's still really talented.  I saw him a LONG time ago and it was fun to touch base again.  I'd have to say much improved since 2005.  As prolific as his is in the area, I'm looking forward to catching him again.

Eilen Jewell was next - and I just now pinpointed when I saw her last, at a Black Swam Arts Festival in 2008.  I liked her before, but this time I fell in love.  She was so entertaining and Eilen was casual and engaging on stage.  Her sound was great, plenty of sad songs as the bluegrass / blues genre requires, but also some soul that kept it lively.  I can't wait to see her again.

Tennis (2/28/12)

This Tennis show was one of those unfortunately late mid-week shows.  With three openers, and not even starting until 10:00pm, we didn't end up staying for the whole thing.   It was still a good show and worth checking out.  A great pop sensibility, with their second release Young & Old being a much better album than their first.

Cumulus Entertainment DJ Night (2/24/12)

This is one of those moments of "serendipity."  :-)   Mord Fustang was supposed to be performing at the House of Blues, but canceled at the last moment (weather I believe).  Whatta disappointment.  The group of us planning to go (and to dance) still met up over at ABC Tavern for some drinks.  It was there that I saw a tweet from Cumulus Entertainment that they were still going be hosting a late, free DJ party at the Grog Shop.  We all thought - sure!  After a quick stop through the Great Lakes Brewery, we were off...

Free it was, and it drew quite a crowd.  Interesting as this wasn't even listed on the Grog Shop website.  Still, I wasn't sure which DJ's were who (and I didn't recognize any of their names anyway).  But it was a serious dance party.  So much so, that I didn't even stop dancing to grab some video:

Twin Sister (2/18/12)

We unfortunately had to leave the Brite Winter Festival a little early so we could head over to the Beachland Tavern to catch the Twin Sister show… and just let me just point out again the beauty of being able to do two awesome things in one night in this city.

Anyway, we caught some of Ava Luna as an opener.  A very eclectic band that had some real funk flavor… actually reminding me of my Sonia Dada days.  Fun.

Twin Sister came on stage, to a packed audience.  Their dreamy, indie pop sound resonated so well with that night. I'll admit I was originally on the fence until I really spent some time listening to their new release, then I was sold. The crowd was into in, me included.

More photos:

Brite Winter Festival 2012

Brite Winter Festival returned this year, with a vengeance (unlike winter itself).  While I had a blast at last year's location (Hart Crane Park), bringing it up to Ohio City was a brilliant move.  More urban, more choice, more fun.   This year felt like there were a bazillion things happening at dozens of locations.  Though like last year, there was a main outside stage / fire pit area.  Outside games, art installations and performance art.   Though as you know, I went right for the stage.

After a great performance at the Bears show a few weeks ago - I wanted to catch Lighthouse & the Whaler again.  They've improved tremendously, and with a new album coming out, I can't wait to see where they go (was having a flash back to Modern Electric from the year before).

Next we ran over to Bon Bon Cafe to meet a friend who was watching Jack & the Bear.  I couldn't imagine a cooler place to be at that moment.

Finally we ran back over to the main stage to catch some Bad Veins before our second stop of the evening.  Oh, and there were fire… twirlers?

Meshell Ndegeocello (2/17/12)

If you haven't already heard me raving about the new Meshell Ndegeocello album in person, let me do so here.  omg.  I guess I've been keeping loose tabs on her career, picking up an occasional album here and there, but this by far has been as the strongest and most appealing - which it could hurt being produced by Joe Henry.  Granted, I'm a little older and this sound is a little more mature - but the shit is tight!

Getting a chance to see her perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was a treat too - which I think this was actually my FIRST show *inside* the Rock Hall (guerrilla photography only). Meshell definitely presented a protective, exterior shell on stage, but from that came a sweet and smooth groove.  She played primarily from her new release "Weather" (which I was thrilled about).

Do yourself a favor and pick it up for yourself.

Bears (2/11/12)

Man, time is flying… where did this "winter" go?  This Bears show was really a "who's who" of local bands, starting with the quickly emerging Lighthouse & the Whaler.  Then followed by the ever-charming Afternoon Naps.  Finally headlong with the re-establishment of former (and future?) local wonders, the Bears.  All good stuff.