Well this was some exciting news today. Basia Bulat announced a new album Tall Tall Shadow out on Secret City Records on Oct. 1st.
Her 2010 performance in the Beachland is still one of my favorites, and loved her again in 2012 (unfortunately I missed her last opening performance).
What a great way to start out the Summer in the City concert series by the Rock Hall. Sure it was like you were standing on a hot plate, but at least we were in the shadow of the "magical rock pyramid" as it was called. Strand of Oaks opened and he was fabulous. If you would have described a guy standing alone on stage with an electric guitar and singing sad songs - I'd probably pass. So glad I didn't. I'd missed him opening for Joe Pug back in 2011 - but was very glad to catch him here.
I was joking with a friend that Phosphorescent kinda reminded me of a mix between Deer Tick & Bruce Hornsby (that really is a compliment). I guess they didn't, but the full-sized band (6 members!), with piano, was even full of sound and better than I was expecting. Everyone loves Song for Zula, but the whole set was equally as entertaining. Good job guys. 1 down, 3 more Rock Hall Wednesdays to go!
(sorry for the blip - phone rang mid-record)
After attending a little work gathering, I made it to the Grog Shop to what felt like the end of Toro Y Moi's set. I really wasn't, but the buzz of the sold-out crowd made me feel like it. Read a clip of the Scene review below… The packed room didn't bode well for media capture, but it does represent the experience quite well. All in all, a night of chilled out funk.
Concert Review: Toro Y Moi at Grog Shop | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog
"While Toro may shy away from the chillwave label, there’s no denying that the artist puts on one of the most chill dance parties in the business. It helped, in some respects, that the Grog floor was already chilly to begin with, as the AC kept the venue cool as the band took the stage to massive applause. But the body temperatures of most attendees wouldn’t stay low for long — the relentless beat of opener ‘Rose Quartz,’ a cut from Toro’s latest album, Anything in Return, demanded movement from those on the floor in one form or another. The intricate bass parts found in most Toro tracks, like ‘New Beat’ and especially on ‘Elise,’ were devastating, note-for-note recreations of the band’s recordings and helped keep each song fresh with their complexity. The 16-song set kept the rowdy crowd on its feet for an hour and begging for another Cleveland stop from the singer and his band soon."
(Continued... Concert Review: Toro Y Moi at Grog Shop | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog)
Some great videos this week, with The xx, new Vampire Weekend (love the saxophone bong!), an amazing new Bloc Party video, and one incredible bonus.
Here's a fan made video for the Chromatic's Camera. The fashion is just mesmerizing
Another band on their way to Pitchfork this weekend is Toro Y Moi, performing at the Grog Shop tomorrow night. Tickets are $15, with Toxie and local electro-wonders, Freeze-Tag, opening.
This past Sunday night was a challenge, a dueling concert night between Oberhofer at the Beachland Tavern or Chairlift at the Grog Shop. I was tempted with Oberhofer because they're really just one of my favorite rock bands out there right now. However, I did just recently see them open up for Matt & Kim. Chairlift was also going to be at Pitchfork (which is where I will see them this weekend) - but I still opted for them. However, being preoccupied, I honestly didn't really pay much attention, and left kinda early. But for posterity sake, I'll still post a pic and admit I was at least there… I'll see them again on Sunday.
I was on a roll this week, with fun. and Tegan & Sara the night before, and then Xavier Rudd the next night! I also had a good friend in from out of town for this show, who I saw my first Xavier Rudd show with. After staring off with some grilling at friends place on the lake, we made it just in time for Xavier to take the stage. As hoped, he whipped the patchouli fueled crowd into a frenzy. OK, maybe that's just how I sold it to my friends… but Xavier really does have a great connection to his roots, his country, the music, and the audience. I'd put him up there with Bob Marley. I enjoyed it so much that I never really stopped dancing to take a video… (though now I kinda wish I would have). :-)
So I usually stick to the shows that draw less than hundreds of people, and cost generally less than $20. This show is one of those few times that I truly enjoy a bigger spectacle. This sold-out show had us up in the far corner of the bleachers, but that didn't put a damper on anything. Starting off were Tegan & Sara, my favorite Canadian twins! It's been quite some time seeing these ladies, but they filled this much bigger stage nicely, playing almost exclusively from their new album… a little surprising, but a great showing.
fun. was just that. Larger than life in sound & energy that had to be pouring out of the venue and into Downtown. Of course I caught the hits…
We're up to July! Yeasayer was one of those bands, like CSS, that I'd listened to a while ago and had to reacquaint myself with their new stuff. I just figured it'd be a good show, so I made sure to gather some people up for this one. When they took the stage, we were met with a wall of sound. That, coupled with some great lighting, made some chemically induced people in the crowd quite happy. I can't say it was one of the best shows I've seen… like their albums, I find them quite enjoyable and listenable, but it kinda ends there. Maybe some more chemicals would help… but either way - I would totally see them again. Their so so show is miles better than many that come through town - and you can dance to it.
Not a venue for much in the way of live music at this event. Well, I guess there is, but it's so poorly promoted and managed (no set times? really??) that's even hard to coordinate seeing them. And of course you can have a beer while you do it either. I did have to use some powers of deduction to figure out about the time I needed to leave the beer tent to catch Bitch, or BEACH as she's using these days, with Ferron. Of course, you should know Ferron as a women's music icon. I first heard of her through my record store days, finding myself strangely drawn to that quite small, but intriguing section of the rack. I then heard of Bitch's working with her to produce an album (or 2?) and a movie. Sounds cool enough… Wish I could say the experience was cool - but it kinda wasn't.
OK, it wasn't all that bad. I guess I'm still sour that I then missed the 4 song Deborah Cox set because I didn't deduce the time correctly to leave the beer tent in time. Here are some more pics from the day…
