CSU Faculty Jazz Quintet (3/27/17)

Trying out some new stuff with the Dr. John A Flower Faculty Concert Series at Drinko Recital Hall in Cleveland State University Music Department.

Joseph Miller, Trumpet
Jason Smith, Trombone
Rock Wehrmann, Piano
Chris Vance, Bass
Bill Ransom, Drums

Alaska Thunderfuck (3/25/17)

Normally I wouldn’t be posting drag performances on this blog, but Alaska Thunderfuck actually qualifies with several of her own albums out. She’s definitely one of the top queens coming from Ru Paul’s Drag Race!

In Training (3/24/17)

Just another In Training party at Now That’s Class!

Tomorrow: Sondre Lerche @ Grog Shop

I know I’ve seen Sondre Lerche before, but I believe it was pre-blog years (aka pre 2005).  So, it’s been a while… While I was in love with his early stuff, he’s never been known to stay in one place too long, and we kind of went our separate ways for a while.  Now, his music has evolved over the years and I feel like his new album has come back to the place that originally made me take note.  Check out some of the the new videos he’s release, and some articles below!

 

 

"Influenced by exotic Latin American music, singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche started writing songs in his early teens; growing up in Norway, his influences were much more varied than they might have been if he had been born in the U.S., where radio stations adhere more strictly to formats.

Living on what he has called the 'outskirts of popular culture,' he was introduced to a wild mix of music that has subsequently informed his pop sensibilities."

(Via Singer-Songwriter Sondre Lerche to Play the Grog Shop in April | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog.)

I also hope he covers this at the show!

 

"Norwegian musician Sondre Lerche has had a career that most artists would kill for. In his early thirties, he released eight studio albums, composed a film soundtrack and embarked upon numerous international tours. He got his start in the early 2000s, making the sort of smooth indie pop you would expect to hear in a coffeeshop or a bookstore, but after his marriage dissolved in 2013, he started to reinvent his music and style.

Lerche isn’t known for making dramatic changes from album to album, but his new album, Pleasure, features electronic sounds and unusual arrangements. The new release builds on Lerche’s jazz and pop background while drawing upon electronic influences from the '70s and '80s. "

(Via In Advance of his Grog Shop Show, Singer-Songwriter Sondre Lerche Discusses Finding Inspiration in Juxtaposition | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog.)

Tomorrow: Operators @ Grog Shop

Another tough night of choices.  If I weren’t so excited to be seeing Operators at the Grog Shop, I’d definitely be seeing the Great Lake Swimmers / Brooke Annibale show at the Beachland Tavern!  There are some other friends going to the Kent Stage to see the Psychedelic Furs.  But I figured I’ve seen both Great Lake Swimmers and Brooke Annibale before.  I’ve also  been a HUGE fan of Wolf Parade over the years, with Operators being one of the recent off chutes from that band.  I was able to catch Wolf Parade back in 2004 (pre blog), and finally again in 2008 and 2010, but it’s been nothing since.  At least the band members have been doing their own side projects, with much of the same vigor and intensity as Wolf Parade.  For the Operators, their ramped up dance sound should translate well at the Grog Shop!  (I only wish there were more to know about the openers…)

Check out some stuff from the Operators, including the only video I could find from their 2014 EP:

Tomorrow: Six Organs Of Admittance @ Beachland Tavern

There are several decent shows to choose from tomorrow night, including Bombadil at Musica in Akron, and Jukebox the Ghost at the Grog Shop.  But I thought I’d promote something a little newer to me, Six Organs of Admittance.  I liked the description of “spacious and acoustic” to describe the sound, which feels compelling and would make for a great live show. Check it out!  (just note for parking, that it’s a sold out show for the King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard show in the Ballroom tomorrow night too)

"With such a lofty expectation just behind him, Chasny resets the dial once more with Six Organs' latest record, Burning The Threshold. Envisioned, ostensibly, as a clearinghouse for his interpretations on a wide range of thoughts, musical and otherwise, as well as a space for collaborations with friends new and old, the new album is anchored by the seven-minute centerpiece 'Taken By Ascent.' A smoldering, momentous folk-blues burner, the track's sinister energy leads Chasny away from the Hexadic form and back to the strength of his own songwriting."

(Via Hear Six Organs Of Admittance's Fiery 'Taken By Ascent' : NPR.)

Video Day #tzaupbeat

WATERS just announced their new album Something More! (out 5/19) with the release of their cheerful new video for Hiccups! !!! (Chk Chk Chk) has a new album called Shake the Shudder (out 5/19 as well) and their new video for The One 2.  A Tribe Called Quest just put out this amazing new video for Dis Generation.

Bonus: A compelling blend of artists coming together for an album with a planetary theme, giving us this first video & single for Saturn. (Planetarium out on 6/9).

Article: Rock Hall 2.0: It's evolution, baby

"While much of the construction is ongoing, a quick stroll through the museum already feels noticeably different than it did a few years ago. Fading is the almost clinical feel of the museum's atrium in favor of more deep reds and blacks and striking photos of artists — pillars of the museum's new branding. At the same time, Harris said there's a delicate balance of respecting the internationally renowned architecture but remaining true to the artform it honors.

'We can't treat the building as being too precious. This is rock 'n' roll,' Harris said. 'We can't be a slick shrine. We need to inject some grit and some attitude into what we do. These modernist spaces are terrific, but blank white walls after 20 years is not in the DNA of rock 'n' roll. That's where the color comes in.'

Todd Mesek, the Rock Hall's vice president of marketing and communications, added, 'This is not a museum in a traditional sense. There's a vibrancy. It's a communal space where people can come together — not where we say be quiet, be respectful and behave. Let's rock out.'"

(Via Rock Hall 2.0: It's evolution, baby - Crain's Cleveland Business.)

Air Announce First U.S. Tour in 7 Years

French electronic duo play Governors Ball and more behind their anthology LP Twentyears

from http://buff.ly/2nYAU87 in The Zender Agenda

Mary J. Blige Enlists Kanye West, Missy Elliott, Kaytranada, More for New Album Strength of a Woman

Quavo and DJ Khaled are also featured on the new album, which arrives next month

from http://buff.ly/2oxtEhv in The Zender Agenda