Larchmere Porchfest 2013

Finally, after like 4 years.  The festival was totally worth it.  Bring a bike and ride around.  I'm so glad it's not the same weekend as Cleveland Pride anymore.  Hats off to Dan Miraldi performing a great set - I will check him out again.

Pittsburgh Pride 2013

I guess there were bands at Pittsburgh Pride this year.  I have the photos to prove it… Sharon Needles was fun (and she does have an album out!), there was another guy named Joe McElderry, who I guess was some UK? TV show winner or runner up or something.  He was sweet & talented enough.  By the time Adam was on stage, I caught a song and a couple pics and then bailed on the crowd (you can see my progress outward) and went to the other end of the festival.  I can honestly say it's more about the boys than the bands.

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs (6/4/13)

A trip for any reason (work, etc.) is always a chance to finding shows in the area (I love checking out new venues).  In this case, I was in Boston, and just like last time, I found my show in Cambridge.  TT The Bear's had Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, who's name I only recognized.  Loved the walk to the venue.  Love the neighborhood.  Love the venue, and loved the show.  Check out the video below.

Video Friday

Some new, old Robyn!  Better late than never.  Next is some new stuff by my new favorite band, CHVRCHES.  New Simian Mobile Disco, and Jon Hopkins, who I just stumbled upon this morning.

 

A mesmerizing video by Jon Hopkins, who just released Immunity last month.

Marina & the Diamonds (5/28/13)

Finally… after all these years, I finally got to see Marina & the Diamonds - and it only took going to Pittsburgh (Stage AE) on a week night to do it.  Opening was Charli XCX who really feels like Marina's tougher little sister - who was very entertaining.  Marina herself though, she is a total class act.

 

Here's a little number they did together… 

Tomorrow: John Fullbright @ Beachland Ballroom

I've been on such a pop / electronica bender lately, so I'm looking forward to changing gears tomorrow night with John Fullbright at the Beachland Tavern.  Here's a live video, with a pretty awesome quote below.

"John Fullbright, a singer-songwriter who actually comes from the exact same place where Woody Guthrie was born. You can't get much more rootsy and raw than that, not to mention imbued with authentic meaning. Even his label is called Blue Dirt. His album From the Ground Up has been praised by none other than Jimmy Webb, who on hearing it declared: 'I have no doubt that in a short time John Fullbright will be a household name in American music.' "  (Continued… New band of the day – John Fullbright (No 1,471) | Music | guardian.co.uk)

I'm even excited for the openers, Same Doores + Riley Downing & The Tumblweeds!

 

"The elusive Sam Doores & Riley Downing with the backing band The Tumbleweeds are a honky-tonk, old country-blues, early R&B, and gospel-influenced New Orleans band. The band has toured the U.S. and Canada, often performing alongside New Orleans' Hurray for the Riff Raff. In May 2012, Sam & Riley played New Orleans’ Jazz & Heritage Festival, while Riley was tapped to open for the Alabama Shakes’ 2012 fall tour. In October 2012, the band released Holy Cross Blues, which was recorded at Nashville’s Bomb Shelter with Andrija Tokic, who co-produced Alabama Shakes' Boys & Girls and Hurray for the Riff Raff’s Look Out Mama. " (Continued… ABOUT - samdoores)

Video Friday

Well that was an unplanned month off.  Seen these yet?

  

Bonus.  A new David Guetta, who's song isn't anything outstanding, but the video is certainly… something.

Telekinesis (5/14/13)

Having seen Telekinesis before, I knew what I was in for.  Their new Domarion release is excellent, so a headlining spot was welcomed.  But first, Deap Sea Diver took the stage.  Eh., not bad.

Telekinesis was excellent.

Lovelife (5/14/13)

This was the first of a double-header evening.  For a hot minute, I was debating whether to see Capital Cities at House of Blues on Telekinesis at the Grog Shop, but only briefly (Telekinesis was an easy win), but when I was contacted about covering Lovelife as an opener for Telekinesis, I started listening and like what I heard from them.  While I have a weakness for British boy bands, this isn't what you're thinking.  No synchronized dance moves - ut they did have an authentic pop/electronic sound to them.  Taking place in the Cambridge Room, to a crowd that's never seen them before, they kept up the beat

Laura Stevenson (5/20/13)

Opening was Cleveland's own Leah Lou and the 2 Left Shoes, who was extremely entertaining & charming - what a great voice.  I can't wait to catch these guys again (and can't believe I haven't already!).

Next up was Field Mouse, who I have to say I wasn't all that impressed with.  Kinda typical 90's alt-girl-rock sound.  Not bad at all - just not as distinctive as I would have liked.  

Laura Stevenson took the cake though (appropriately so - being the headliner).  Charming, funny, and a little wacky as this stop was towards the end of their tour.