Article: Going to concerts helps you live longer, according to new research | The Independent

This has been making the rounds on social media this week.  Of course I’ve been tagged several times on it already.  :-)

"According to a new study by O2 - which owns some of the largest music venues in the UK - alongside Goldsmith University's Associate Lecturer Patrick Fagan, regularly attending live shows can help expand your lifespan.

The study says that 20 minutes at a show 'can lead to a 21 percent increase in that feeling of well-being.'

Even more research says that going to gigs 'directly links high levels of well-being with a lifespan increase of nine years.'"

(Via Going to concerts helps you live longer, according to new research | The Independent.)

Coast Modern (3/29/18)

I've actually been listening to this Coast Modern album for quite some time, unlike some other shows of late where I’m listening for the first time - the week before the show.  Their summery upbeat sound reminds me a bit of Milky Chance - a solid, fun album all the way around.  That’s exactly the experience they brought to the Beachland Ballroom last night.  Starting off early with their fun cover of MGMT’s Electric Feel, they ran through their (only?) album’s tracks, bringing the crowd along with them. Where they might have fell a little short on polish, they made up with energy. Great show.  DAKS: 8

Opening was Late Night Episode, and Coast Modern couldn’t have asked for a better opener to get the crowd going.  It wasn’t long before they jumped in the crowd for a couple songs.  Total success.

Tomorrow: JANE: A Tribute to Rob Sherwood @ Sachsenheim Hall

I’m a little embarrassed about my lack of knowledge of Rob Sherwood.  After his death, the public and personal testaments to his life and his parties were so moving.  I’m disappointed that I missed out, not only on what was happening in that era, but also the epic party he threw for the Gay Games.  I love hearing about the history of dance in Cleveland - which sounded epic.  I guess the best I can do now is to make sure I make this event.

Some details, with a link to the FB event:

"The Disco Mafia proudly presents JANE: A Tribute to Rob Sherwood, Saturday, March 31, 2018 at Sachsenheim Hall in Cleveland at 7pm.

Music by: Kenny Summit / Lady Miss Kier dj set / Mike Filly

Featuring creatures of the night both legendary and au courant in a sensual performance spectacle of drag and dance.

An extensive installation of ephemera from the golden age of Cleveland’s underground club culture."

(Via (1) JANE: A Tribute to Rob Sherwood.)

Cleveland.com had a piece on this as well.

"'My idea has always been to bring the gay bar concept and sell it to a straight audience,' Sherwood told The Plain Dealer in 2014.

Sherwood, who was gay and was called 'Jane' by close friends, loved outrageous party themes, a clever mix of music and a sensibility that could shoehorn Fellini, John Waters and Andy Warhol into a sweaty, glittery club full of glam and grit."

(Via Paying tribute to pioneering Cleveland DJ Rob Sherwood with an all-out disco party | cleveland.com.)

So did Scene.

 

"To pay tribute to the man, his friends and colleagues have organized JANE: A Tribute to Rob Sherwood, a memorial that will feature the 'final production of the Disco Mafia event squad.' The goal: to 'pay proper ass-shaking homage to Rob Sherwood.'

Acts scheduled to perform include: DJ Kenny Summit, founder of house music label Good for You Records; Lady Miss Kier, a DJ, singer, 'influential fashion heroine' and member of Deee-Lite; and Mike Filly, a terrific local DJ who worked with Rob Sherwood back in the day."

(Via Tribute to Local DJ Rob Sherwood to Take Place at Sachsenheim Hall | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog.)

Rostam (3/27/18)

When I saw Rostam was doing a relatively short tour, I was thrilled to see an Oberlin date!  Such a quaint little college town, a treat to visit.  I’m guessing Rostam felt the same way, with a very young-leaning, jubilant crowd there for him.  Being a college town, the show didn’t even start until 10pm (with an opener!).  By the time Rostam took the stage, I was only able to stay for a couple songs - but he’s every bit as enjoyable to listen and watch live.  Loved his having a bevy of strings on stage with him as well - as you should in Oberlin.

Tomorrow: Coast Modern @ Beachland Ballroom

Coast Modern’s sun drenched sound properly reflects their LA roots.  A great, upbeat pop/rock sound, with enough quirk to fun to be thoroughly engaging.  Looking forward to seeing these guys at the Beachland Ballroom tomorrow night!

Opening is Late Night Episode (below) and Reeve Powers.

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Django Django has an elevating new video for Beam Me Up.  HUMANS dig up some vintage video, of humans doing crazy shit, for their new single Sip It.  Ezra Furman just put out his new animated video for Suck The Blood From My Wound.

Bonus:  I wish I liked this new Years & Years song & video as much as their previous stuff, but I have to give them credit for the scale of production on this video.

Rogue Wave (3/24/18)

Rogue Wave rolled in to the Mahall’s to perform for their 10th Anniversary of their Asleep at Heaven’s Gate release.  I wish I had caught that album the first time around, because I really fell in love with it over this past week. Unfortunately my first real experience with these guys was with their recent covers project, but I’ve since realized the quality of their original stuff.  The album also has not lost anything in the passage of 10 years!  It was a full crowd crammed into the hyper neon space, and the band was just as electric.  The rolled through the songs with ease, bringing in charming stories about its creation as well. I may have missed the boat on that album the first time around, but I’m all on board with this band going forward!  Superb show.

Opening was Dear Boy.  I’ll say that I was a bigger fan of them live than their recorded stuff.

Motherfolk (3/22/18)

This was one of the most uncomfortable shows I have seen in a LONG time.  I haven’t had the chance to see a lot of shows (that I like) at thew new Winchester Music Tavern.  I was looking forward to catching this rescheduled Motherfolk show, and was curious how the Winchester would draw for it. - particularly because it’s such a large space.  I’ll also say that I love the new Winchester, with the reconfigured stage, keeping the cool retro bar in the front - it has so much potential!  But on this night, it just wasn’t a good draw, and Motherfolk made sure we were constantly aware of that.

The night started with them having a little affront with an audience member over some food issue earlier.  That weird and sometimes contentious banter lasted through the night.  They also kept commenting on the size and energy of the crowd, and what better way to make it worse that to keep bringing it up.  I’ll say that I really like these guys and their music, but they were kinda assholes on this night.  Sure it wasn’t a big crowd, but honestly - pick a better venue for your audience.  Blah.

Here’s to hoping the Winchester picks some better bands in the future.  I have high hopes for this place.

Article: Brittany's Record Shop to feature reggae, soul, hip-hop selections in Slavic Village

Well this is exciting!  Opening today at 2pm! I even updated my Record Stores page, which probably needs a little more work anyway.

"Brittany's Record Shop, located at 6410 Fleet Ave., Cleveland, is a revamped business reflecting Benton's own taste in music and goals as a store owner. When DJing, Benton tends to pull the freshest and funkiest soul, hip-hop and reggae album. You won't be able to find a huge selection of classic rock at Brittany's Record Shop.
It's music made for beat-makers, like Benton. On her online shop you can order albums by artists like Toots & The Maytals, DVSN and PRhyme. Benton has featured black musicians and art in the store, highlighting the history and culture that created the shop's music.
'The space is for everybody but I wanted it to be a showcase of black art and black music, not in an exclusionary sense,' said Benton. 'Some people think vinyl is just good old-boys classic rock, and there's a time and place for that, but I wanted to make something that's a testament to the scene that we have. Something a little bit fresher.'"
(Via Brittany's Record Shop to feature reggae, soul, hip-hop selections in Slavic Village | cleveland.com.)

A word from the owner!

Tomorrow: Motherfolk @ The Winchester Music Tavern

I wish I could remember where I first heard about Motherfolk.  I recognized the name when I saw they were coming the first time (this is a rescheduled show) and remembered I had an album of theirs - right before discovering they have a new one.  I jumped back into both and have come to the conclusion that tomorrow’s show at the Winchester should be pretty damn good.  Nothing really groundbreaking with their upbeat folk rock sound, but I’ll be curious to see how good their live show is.  Luckily they don’t seem to take themselves too seriously.  Check out their most recent video below.

And besides, this review is pretty inspirational:

“The music on the album is unequivocally indie rock with a tinge of folk but what separates the songs from the masses is the raw emotion that is conveyed. Motherfolk has a type of vibe that is immediate, visceral, and even cathartic. The music is excellent throughout but what really makes this album take off are the vocals. Throughout the band delivers catchy vocal melodies and harmonies that spew with emotion that feels all to real. It’s the exact opposite of the over produced, auto-tuned vocals that are much to prominent in todays musical landscape.”
— The Equal Ground