Farewell Barking Spider Tavern

I know this is a little late, but this is still so sad.  One of my Cleveland institutions is gone.  SO MANY shows there, and many nights that didn’t even make the blog...

Cleveland 19 News Cleveland, OH

"Owner Bruce Madorsky and proprietor Jenna Juredine have decided that the 30th anniversary milestone provides an opportunity to celebrate the life of a music venue known for giving many musicians their debuts. Their father, the late Martin Juredine, opened club on September 19, 1986, in an old carriage house on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. He ditched the jukebox and began having local musicians play a couple of times a week. He booked a bit of everything: Poetry readings, potlucks, weddings and receptions."

(Via The Barking Spider Tavern to Close After 30th Anniversary Celebration | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog | Cleveland Scene.)

Video Day #tzaupbeat

CAZZETTE has a strikingly beautiful video (to match the song) for Blue Sky.  After coming off a great performance at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica last month, Years & Years release a … rabid … video for Worship.  Ladyhawke cleans it up with an infectious pop groove on Wild Things.

Bonus:  Peaches is her excessive self with her video for Vaginoplasty, which granted is excessive itself (in all the right ways).

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Once again M.I.A. pulls out a banger of song - and video - for Go Off.  Things only step up a notch with Simian Mobile Disco’s deep beat art with Staring at all this Handle.  Glass Animals serves up it’s newest video for off Life Itself, coming out in August.

Bonus:  Yeasayer has another odd stop motion video for I Am Chemistry.  It’s really hard to take your eyes off it!

Video Day #tzaubeat

Clams Casino is about to take over the album of the Summer, starting with this video for All Nite which shares the same sharp style as the song.  Changing gears, I can’t believe I’m putting Band of Horses on the upbeat Video Day, which I guess is almost as weird as their video for Casual Party.  One more left turn with the new Julie Ruin video - mostly because Kathleen Hanna is still a rock goddess.

Bonus:  The other (newer) Clams Casino with the magnanimous Samuel T. Herring from Future Islands.  Again - amazing production, but this time with a distinctly darker tone.

Video Day #tzachill

As I would expect, my Montreal favorites (Plants and Animals) released a visually stunning video for We Were One without me ever feeling like I even need to know what’s really going on.  Speaking of… I’m beyond thrilled to be getting a glimpse at the first new stuff coming from Sin Fang, with this new video for Candyland.  Blood Orange has been ruling my summer playlist so far… this video for Augustine shows you why.  

 

Bonus:  This isn’t what I would call a captivating video - but this epic trio collaboration deserves total exposure.

Pitchfork Music Festival 2016

Every year I wonder if I’ll still go to Pitchfork this year, and yet every time I get there - I can’t imagine not coming.  Another great year, and you’ll see who my favorites were based on the videos below.  Then a compilation video and some random shots.  Until next year...

Some of my other favorite shots from the festival… 

Woods (7/14/16)

Woods is in my top favorite bands, like Plants & Animals.  That’s why I delayed our arrival to Chicago for the Pitchfork Music Festival by a day.  I couldn’t pass up finally getting to see Woods in concert.  Granted I was going to get to see them in several days at the Festival - but it’s just not the same.  I was so glad I stayed - and so glad I was introduced to Big Thief!  I’ll definitely keep an eye on these guys… 

Brandi Carlile & Old Crow Medicine Show (7/12/16)

Jacobs Pavilion has been knocking it out of the park with the double-header shows this summer.  This one, with Brandi Carlile and Old Crow Medicine Show, was a real treat.  Old Crow Medicine Show was one first and brought their hard-drinkin’, foot-stompin’ good time as you’d expect.  As for Brandi Carlile, I’ve been sold on her live shows since that first House of Blues show.  Once again - she proves to be one of the best live acts touring right now.

"Many bands embark on what they call ‘co-headlining’ tours. Few execute the concept as well as roots rockers Old Crow Medicine Show and singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile did last night at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. While each played a hearty 90-minute set, the two acts also shared the stage on several occasions, making the show into a truly collaborative venture. "

(Via Brandi Carlile and Old Crow Medicine Show Successfully Share the Spotlight at Jacobs Pavilion | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog | Cleveland Scene.)

Some other shots from that night… 

Lily & Madeline (7/7/16)

Lily & Madeline have been making it a point to come through Cleveland every year lately, and i couldn’t be happier.  These ladies have such excellent harmonies, songs, and a great stage presence - I love seeing them.   Opening for them was a new local band called Poro, who would be worth seeing again.

 Lily & Madeline

Summer Solstice 2016

Another great year.  This year having Giorgio Moroder (think Donna Summer) was truly amazing.  Having seen him last year at Pitchfork Music Festival - I already knew this would be a good show.