Article: Boundless: Artists in the Archives has its first recorded songs!

Brilliant!  I’m thrilled when I can see an overlap of my profession (libraries, archives & technology), with my personal interest (music!).  I want to copy this program out of the University of Tennessee Knoxville for our work here at my Library!  

Also, if Count This Penny is cool enough to do this, I’ll have to check them out as well...

"Amanda and Allen Rigell (aka Count This Penny) composed two songs inspired by materials in the Wilma Dykeman and James R. Stokely Jr. Papers, which are preserved by and housed in the UT Libraries’ Special Collections department.

...

Watch the video below as we follow Amanda and Allen through the archives and into the recording studio throughout the production of these songs.

To continue the Boundless: Artists in the Archives series, the UT Libraries will periodically commission a work of art or music inspired by the unique items in our Special Collections and our Betsey B. Creekmore Archives."

(Via News & Events - Libraries: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.)

Born Ruffians (3/15/18)

Born Ruffians is one of those bands who’s name I recognize - but know nothing about their music.  As I dug into their stuff, I realized that they’re this awesome-fun Canadian indie pop/rock band!  The more I listened, the more I liked.  I’m totally sold on these guys and will be watching them closely!  Check out some of the performance below.

Opening the show was yet another incredibly fun band, Fleece.  I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a group of guys on stage having a better time than these guys.  Wanna know just how much fun - check out this video for their cover of Donna Summer’s I Feel Love (!!!).

Article: Burning River Record Riot

This looks fun.  The Burning River Record Riot will be at the Winchester Music Tavern this Sunday at Noon (FREE). 

"We are about quality. Punk, New Wave, Metal, Soul, Psych, 90’s alternative, college rock, Jazz, the rare stuff you don’t see on the shelves at the the other swaps or in the stores. Don’t get me wrong, there will be plenty of budget friendly old fashioned classic rock too, but the heavy hitters come out to our show. We have vendors coming from Chicago, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Detroit.’ says Burchaski."

(Via Burning River Record Riot – Swingo's Key party.)

Istvan Medgyesi (3/14/18)

When I saw Istvan Medgyesi was excited for this show at Mahall’s apartment venue, I knew this would be an interesting show.

Watching Istvan perform, I’m intrigued by the blending of the moog with an acoustic guitar.  Just watching him work that synth alone is interesting - something I’d be curious to see exactly what he’s doing there.  But on the other hand, it’s probably better left a mystery.

(Unfortunately I wasn’t able to stay to catch Konstantinos Revelas)

Radiate 2018

A last minute decision took us to the Radiate party at the Agora, sponsored by Cumulus.  It was a total neon dance fest.  As much as I like dancing, the music and crowd there isn’t really my scene, but I can’t deny having a great time - if only for the people watching.  I didn’t grab many photos, but you can catch some clips of the show below, including a cover song that I was not expecting to hear!

One of the few (usable) photos I did grab was for the Agora renovation!  I can’t wait to see how this p

Video Day #tzachill

I just can’t enough of this band, and I’m getting more than ever in this new video for The Road Ahead is Golden.  Damien Jurado continues to charm with this gorgeous video for Over Rainbows and Rainier. As always, I’m smitten with any new material (and visuals) from Xavier Rudd, releasing his new video for Walk Away.

Bonus: Having just seen Jessica Lea Mayfield, this video for Offa My Hands is even more vivid.

Joe Pug (3/6/18)

Joe Pug and I go all the way back to 2009.  His early albums were amazing, and he’s continued to be a successful traveling musician.  To be so, it really helps to be a great storyteller and we were reminded of this with a variety of stories of being on the road over the years.  While I haven’t seen him perform in the area much lately - or release much music for that matter, he’s still able to pull in a great crowd (of hot young people - surprisingly)!  Showing his experience, when the piano wasn’t being amplified, he just invited everyone to gather ‘round while he played his last couple songs acoustically. A consummate performer. 

Jessica Lea Mayfield (3/2/18)

Unfortunately we were running late for this show, so I missed Mal Blum.  We walked in while Jessica Lea Mayfield was on the main stage, instead of the Locker Room as expected.  The new neon / blacklight makeover of that space fits nicely with her new visual aesthetic, which feels like it’s in opposition to her sound.  Probably deliberate.  Her songs are slow and sad, which can work for me, but apparently resonating really well for her fans!  Her following is dedicated and I can appreciate that.  While this show didn’t really further elevate my excitement for her, I’m still rooting for her.

 

 

Article: Artists to Fans: Put Your Phones Away!

"The last thing Jack White wants to see, when he's standing onstage, is a sea of fans more involved with their phones than the music. So after pleading with fans not to use smartphones at earlier shows, he's going hardcore for his sold-out spring tour – hiring Yondr, a tech company, to force attendees to lock their phones in pouches. "The way they react tells me what to do next," White tells Rolling Stone. "And if they're not really there, I don't know what to do next." Adds his manager, Ian Montone, who also manages the like-minded LCD Soundsystem: "No one wants to be standing behind 1,000 phones filming the entire show."

It seems as if some artists are banding together to support this initiative, and are focusing on this Yondr company.  They’re the likes of Jack White and Guns & Roses (of course), but also Bonnie Raitt & Alicia Keys.  I’m of two minds on this, and it will be interesting to see how this plays out.  I see people carelessly (and frivolously) pull out their phones almost as reactionary as hollering, but then those recordings may never even be seen/used again.  Also, much of what I see people recording (because I’m forced to standing behind them), is terrible quality anyway.  It’s frustrating.

But then as someone who records shows for the purposes of this blog, it’s hard for me to be too critical.  I also think there needs to be an understanding that times are changing and sometimes you can’t stop the tide.  As someone who’s involved in archives, and looking forward to managing born-digital archives, this creates a whole new ocean of content for future researchers to experience and study our society engaged technology in this early, tumultuous time - as we figure out how to manage this new power.

I once heard someone describe our acclimation to this rapidly accessible technology as akin to just sprouting a 3rd leg.  We’re lumbering around, knocking into each other and trying to figure out how to properly use this new limb.  I believe that eventually things will smooth out and we’ll (hopefully) realize how to manage this new appendage.

"It feels weird at first, but once you immerse yourself, it becomes a unique kind of concert," adds Jon Lieberberg, manager of Haim, which has used Yondr. "It's almost like a social experiment."

Article: Artists to Fans: Put Your Phones Away!

Tomorrow: Jessica Lea Mayfield @ Mahalls

After having to cancel her previous appearance due to illness, Jessica Lea Mayfield is coming back home to Northeast Ohio (she’s a Kent native)!  It’s been a little while since we’ve heard from her, but her new album has slowly been growing on me.  But then again, none of her albums have been captivating on first listen - but usually are a slow burn.  This new song and video from Jessica falls into that camp.  I’m definitely looking forward to to Friday’s show!

On tour with Jessica is Mal Blum from New York.  A quick glance at her stuff has me intrigued in her stripped down, punk-influenced sound.  Check out her video for Reality TV below.  (Our own Punch Drunk Tagalongs will be opening the show!)