Another year, another Ani DiFranco concert. These never get old.
Opening was Elizabeth Moen, but we only caught a few moments of her performance (and no video). However, I do remember we talked after the show about a possible TZA house concert appearance. 😏
Oh to be back in the Beachland Tavern… especially to see friends performing. It was an all local night with Istvan Medgyesi, Orefice Roth, and Jaite performing!
Beachland started getting into the pandemic concert game, with seats with big clear plastic dividers. It didn’t help the sound, but again - anything it takes. This was a wonderful night of live, and mostly local (or formerly local) artists. Both Joe Wunderle and Austin Stambaugh were really enjoyable - and of course both were backed up by the venerable Cory Grinder and the Playboy Scouts!
Another show from the Grog Shop’s pandemic series of seated and masked concerts was So Long, Albatross, with Tom Evanchuck opening. Any reader of this blog knows I’m a big fan of Tom, with him performing at my very first house concert! So tonight was really about him, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more healing in this time than his familiar sound and song.
So Long, Albatross took the stage, and was surprisingly my first time seeing them. Maybe not surprisingly actually, since they’re a little more rock than I roll usually - but always love supporting the local acts.
Creaking this door back open a bit. From the date on this post, you’ll see I’m a bit behind on posting shows… Seeing shows during the pandemic in these early days felt like we were breaking some rules, but at the same time, but I’m always happy to answer the call to support the local live music scene. Grog Shop had a series of seated, masked concerts this past Spring and Summer that were a lifeline for us avid concert-goers. It was great seeing Jenna Fournier at the Grog this night.
Two of my favorite indie pop artists (Jax Anderson / Yoke Lore) got together for Jax’s Tender. Matthew Fowler is a new discovery with a cheerful and delightful montage video of tour footage. My crush on Oberhover only continues with his new video for Let It Go.
Bonus: I’m a little late to the party on this Max Cooper video for repetition, but it’s mesmerizing.
I’ve been listening to Arlo Parks long enough enough that i’s hard to believe that Too Good is still new and now has a video! Syd just released this new video for Fast Car, and did "for the gay Black girls." Declan McKenna gets a visitor in his new video for My House.
Bonus: While this isn’t a stand-out video, I’m always happy to give some love to Basia Bulat, where here she’s asking Are You In Love?
BROCKHAMPTON has some good advice to give with their new frenetic new video for Don’t Shoot Up The Party. Duke Dumont hooked up with Channel Tres for this new video for Alter Ego. This song and video for 24 Hours by Agnes popped up on OMG BLOG and I'm appreciating their sense of style.
Bonus: I’m still a little smitten with Twenty One Pilots, and this video just keeps me riding that wave.
This Video Day is a who’s who of TZA favorites! WOODS announced a new expanded version of their latest album Strange to Explain with this video for Waiting Around For A New Me. Heartless Bastards just released this blistering new social commentary video for How Low. Xavier Rudd announced a new album with this soothing video for Stoney Creek.
Bonus: So nice to see Martha Wainwright is coming out with some new music, along with this new video for Love Will Be Reborn, off her new release on 8/20.