Video Tuesday

Some great videos - as usual, and of course.  Starting off is some new stuff from Diamond Rings (a TZA favorite), but also with PS I LOVE YOU, who I need to find more about.  Next up is a bizarre (as you'd expect) video for Gun-Shy from Grizzly Bear.  Finally is some new stuff from Frightened Rabbit.

This is quite some bonus… found this older gem when reading about some new stuff by Thee Oh Sees.  Don't know how I missed this one, but both the music and video are equally as arresting (and probably NSFW).

Tomorrow: Tift Merritt & David Wax Museum @ Beachland Ballroom

I'm giving David Wax Museum equal billing on this promo post because they're really the reason I even caught on to this show.  I've been enjoying their latest release Knock Knock Get Up.  Check out the video for the excellent Harder Before it Gets Easier.

They have lots of other great videos on their website, check them out.  

I've heard of Tift Merritt, but honestly hadn't spent any time with her music.  Looks like I've been missing out… She is totally in the same camp as Patty Griffin / Emmy Lou Harris for me… swoon.  Here she is live in Studio at WFUV.

Movie Review: Sound City @ Cedar-Lee Theater

I wanted to post about going to see Sound City at the Cedar Lee theater, because it really was a GREAT film.  Even better than I was expecting.  What I also was (pleasantly) surprised about was the album he's releasing as well (out March 12th).  While it's not an artist list that would draw me to it, the making of definitely does.

Movie Review - 'Sound City': Music And Memories In An L.A. Landmark : NPR

"The first hour-plus of the film sticks close to a standard rockumentary template: a chronological history combining talking-head interviews with archival photos and video, with the addition of some slightly geeky audiophile technical discussions. Both of those could easily slip into dull mediocrity, but Grohl recognizes that filmmaking isn't so different from writing a good pop song: Take a familiar structure, throw in some nice hooks to keep things interesting and add plenty of personality and attitude, and a touch of indefinable artistic magic.

Grohl's jovial presence is the hook; playing interviewer and emcee as well as director, he's the catchy bit you welcome every time it returns. The star-studded interview list provides much of the personality and attitude, as does a fantastically tense behind-the-scenes video of Petty and his band laboring long hours to craft their breakthrough record.

The magical aspect is the alchemy created by Sound City's studio and its custom Neve mixing board; it's difficult to quantify, but you can hear it on every musical clip in the movie. That magical mixing board practically becomes the star of the movie."

(Continued... Movie Review - 'Sound City': Music And Memories In An L.A. Landmark : NPR)

Big Freedia (1/30/13)

I think I would have traveled to see Big Freedia.  After discovering her through Diplo, I couldn't imagine a more interesting live show to see, particularly here in the Midwest.  Imagine my glee when I heard she'd be here at the Grog Shop, here in Cleveland Heights, here in Ohio.  A long way from New Orleans.  Could we handle "Sissy Bounce"?  Would there be anyone there?  What kind of people would be there??  So many questions.  I rounded up a couple peeps to tag along and bear witness.

I didn't even bother checking out the openers, which turned out OK because it was essentially a DJ and a couple Drag Queens (no advance music to listen to there).  I can't say I ever imagined seeing a drag show at the Grog Shop. 

It was quite good actually.  Better than the typical, profane drag that I've typically seen in the area.  But this was only a warm up to the Queen herself, Big Freedia.  She definitely commanded the stage, and her 3 dancers, who worked their asses off (practically) over the next couple hours.  I can't say that Bounce music is necessarily pleasing to the ears, but I can say it creates quite a fun, party vibe.  This was one of the more fun shows I've been to in a while (but then I didn't need to stay for the *whole* show either).  Let's roll the tape:

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I mean, these ladies were WORKIN'.  All night.

And what about the crowd you ask… just look for yourself.

Alt-J on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert

Been meaning to post this video for Alt-J's Tiny Desk Concert for a little while.  I'm STILL bummed I missed these guys in Michigan last September. Thess guys are now on another nearly entirely sold out tour of bigger US venues.  Of course with titles like: "ALT-J NOMINATED FOR 3 BRIT AWARDS, INCLUDING BRITISH BREAKTHROUGH ACT, BRITISH ALBUM OF THE YEAR, AND BRITISH GROUP OF THE YEAR" and "BAND MAKES NUMEROUS CRITICS' AND FANS' 'BEST OF 2012' LISTS" you can't be surprised.

Video Tuesday

Some great stuff this week.  I'm elated about the new Sin Fang album (Flowers out Feb. 19th), and here is the new single "Look at the Light" out now.  Next up is Crystal Castles new video for Sad Eyes, who are also coming to House of Blues on May 7th.  Finally a new video from Divine Fits for My Love Is Real, a band which features members from Wolf Parade / Handsome Furs and Spoon.

The bonus this week is a new video for Disclosure feat. my New Find: AlunaGeorge!  

Tomorrow: Big Freedia @ Grog Shop

I don't know how Cleveland is gonna handle "The Queen Diva" Big Freedia.  She's coming to the Grog Shop on Wednesday… will there be some ass shakin'?? I can't wait.  Tix purchased!

You can even listen to her on All Things on Considered (link below). 

Big Freedia Lays Out The Basics Of Bounce : NPR

"Born out of New Orleans club culture, bounce music isn't just best experienced in person — it's almost impossible to understand in the abstract. But Big Freedia (pronounced 'free-duh'), one of the style's biggest stars, says the music does have a few defining features.

Bounce is based in hip-hop. It favors punchy tempos, heavy bass and call-and-response vocals. Many of the songs are structured around a handful of samples, most notably a snippet from 'Drag Rap,' a 1986 track by the New York rap group The Showboys."

(Continued... Big Freedia Lays Out The Basics Of Bounce : NPR)

 "An in-depth look at Big Freedia, bounce music, New Orleans, and ass-shaking"

You may remember: I first posted about Big Freedia via Diplo / Sissy Bounce: Big Freedia (4/8/11)

Movie: Sound City movie by Dave Grohl

In this time of film awards, something like this definitely has my interest.  Original article below…

Dave Grohl Enlists Members of Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, More for Sound City Band

Dave Grohl's directorial debut, Sound City, a documentary about the storied recording studio, is headed to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah later this month. As Consequence of Sound reports, Grohl has formed a band in support of the film, comprising artists featured in the movie, which will make its live debut January 18 at Park City Live during Sundance. The band features the surviving members of Nirvana (Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear), plus members of Foo Fighters (Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett), as well as Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Rick Springfield, Alain Johannes of Queens of the Stone Age, producer Chris Goss, Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen, Fear singer Lee Ving, Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk, the Geraldine Fibbers' Jessy Greene, and the Wallflowers' Rami Jaffee. Many of the artists appear on the the film's soundtrack, out March 12 via Grohl's label Roswell Records. Also appearing on the soundtrack (and in the film) are Paul McCartney, Trent Reznor, and Josh Homme. As previously reported, the Nirvana/McCartney track 'Cut Me Some Slack' that was debuted at the 12/12/12 concert was created for the film."

(Continued... Dave Grohl Enlists Members of Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, More for Sound City Band | News | Pitchfork)

House Concert Announcement!

I have finally scheduled my next house concert!  With each one having been an amazing experience, I'm extremely excited about having Drew Gibson at my house.  I only have so much space though, so please RSVP for this performance at this FaceBook Event page (or email me at thezenderagenda@gmail.com if you don't do that sorta thing)

Tickets are $10 and all proceeds go to the artist.  I'll provide a keg of beer, some of my friends usually bring some food.  It'll be a great time.

More details to come.  Save the date!

Pot Shop: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Parody

I've been enjoying watching Macklemore's meteoric rise, which is bound to draw some parodies.  Pot shop (a parody on Thrift Shop - obviously) is one of the best… I thought about this as a bonus to a Video Tuesday post, but this was too good to bury.  Macklemore even makes an appearance!