It's about the time... Only Music Left has been fun, but it's time for a change. Cutting over to a new blog is not an easy choice, let alone picking a new name, but this feels like the right time and the right move. This new blog will have "Pages" that allow me to make this more of a full-featured website than just a blog. As usual, it's not yet where i'd like it to be, but it's a start. Check it out:
How fun is this... Let this one play a bit. (and don't be fooled by the pop-up saying the outside one is better)
...at the Beachland Tavern. Tix are $10. Very excited to see the Cloud Nothings (for the 3rd time) opening! Horse Feathers MySpace
Had a blast up on Waterloo Rd for Record Store Day (4/17/10)...
There has become a group that I like to think of as my Barking Spider All-Stars, which are performers who have come back to the Spider more than once, and who are a perfect fit for that venue. This includes the likes of Brianna Lane, Liz Stahler, Tom Evanchuck, Drew Gibson and Chris O'Brien...
Stephanie Nilles has just been added to this group. She's an amazing performer who can work those keys like few I've seen, and who has a wit and humor about her that makes her shows a pleasure to see. But with a little bit of pain - as it should be.
Hmm... Was really tempted to see the Bassnectar / Major Lazer show at the HOB this night, but opted for the free show at the Spot. I was walking into this show pretty blind to who Xiu Xiu was, and what they (he) sounded like. I'd been seeing his name around the blogosphere (this term still cracks me up), and figured what the hell.
Not quite what I was expecting. He was much darker... sort of clangy and chaotic. But some of the people there were *really* into it, singing every word. Not my thing, but that's what it's all about.
Could be interesting... though I have little faith that Apple could pull of something monumental with regards to pricing and accessibility - despite being an "empire." But from a Tech standpoint - kick-ass.
Apple patent reveals concert ticketing plans
The latest Apple patent to hint at its future music plans is for a service called Concert Ticket, which would take the form of an iPhone and desktop application.
It’s described as an “iTunes based web service for tickets that will naturally enhance the iTunes music empire”. It includes e-tickets distributed to the handset, maps to the event, song lyrics, the ability to buy a live recording of the gig, virtual coupons for free drinks, and social features to find other fans at the concert.
[From Music Ally | Blog Archive » Apple patent reveals concert ticketing plans]
Cleveland's own Kickdrums have been a favorite of mine for some time... Though I haven't had the pleasure of seeing them yet. I've been meaning to post this video for a couple weeks now, but today is the day. Particularly because I also just found out that they are offering up a 3 volume mix-tape called the Indio Sessions (Coachella). Dont' really have much of a story behind it - but it's got some amazing artists. And if they mixed this as well as they mix their own stuff - watch out: http://thekickdrums.bandcamp.com/
Kickdrums Make a Three-Part Mixtape
Cleveland's supercool DJ team the Kickdrums have just released a three-part mixtape called The Indio Sessions.
The mixes, which you can downlaod here, are based on the Coachella music fest, so there's plenty of music-snob-approved tunes and artists.
MGMT, Passion Pit, Spoon and Yeasayer all make appearances.
Seriously — you should go download them now. You'll be cooler than Hipster Kitty.—Michael Gallucci (follow me on Twitter @mgallucci)
[From Kickdrums Make a Three-Part Mixtape | C-Notes: Scene's Music Blog | Cleveland Scene]
Now for the video...
The one thing I've been waiting on forever, is for MySpace to take advantage of their Event listings for all their bands. Even though I rarely use MySpace personally, it's still my go-to source for listening to music for some new band I want to check out. The number of bands on there is staggering, and so is their concert data. Finally, I'm now able to see every MySpace event listing in the area... Not that I needed the ability to discover and attend more shows... http://events.myspace.com/
MySpace Launches Events & Ticketing Platform
How does MySpace plan to stop the outward flow of traffic to Facebook and Twitter. Apparently, by connecting with them and an ongoing series of launches rather than a single splashy makeover. And today's announcement might have actually given artists and music marketers a reason to keep their MySpace profiles more up to date.
Late on Wednesday, the social networker unveiled MySpace Events, a calendar and ticketing platform that allows artists and fans to create and share events. Each event appears inside the user's MySpace calendar, including any from Facebook thanks to a growing implementation of Facebook Connect; and they can be shared on their MySpace Stream, Facebook pages, on Twitter, and via tiny url.
[Continued... MySpace Launches Events & Ticketing Platform - hypebot]
Now if only they could start leveraging the power of RSS feeds...
Proof that you don't always need the words to enjoy a good song. Just added Familjen's new album "Mänskligheten" to my new release list (out May 5th)
Familjen - När planeterna stannat from Adrian Recordings on Vimeo.
[from Discobelle]
It's funny how I've tried talking myself out of seeing these Swedish bands, but just couldn't resist. The same thing happened with this Love Is All performance Easter Sunday. After gorging at dinner, I wasn't really excited about a late Sunday night performance. Then again, there was another local opener that I was interested in seeing. Earlier in the day, before hiding eggs, I checked out the openers and saw that Cloud Nothings were catching some nice national press. Hmm... tempting.
The show was extremely impressive.
I then listened to Love Is All for the whole care ride home to Cleveland and enjoyed each song more, every time I heard it. These guys have a little grittier sound than their Swedish counterparts, Little Dragon. But both have empassioned female lead singers... Not many people were at this show, but that didn't stop the band from giving their all. This also allowed me to get closer to the stage than I normally would. Not so good for the ability to hear the next day, but totally worth it. One of these days I'll remember my ear plugs.
Third concert night in a row, and it's been a good run. Seabear is from Iceland, and I'm beginning to realize just how much I like these foreign / northern bands. The music has been phenomenal, and the accents are just a treat.
I first got connected to Seabear through a side project of frontman, Sindri Mar Sigfusson, called Sin Fan Bous. That album is probably one of my favorite albums in the last year. Seabear just released their second album (We Built a Fire) and I'd highly recommend them, especially if you're a fan of bands like The Shins.
See what I'm talking about...
Here's a regular video of theirs...
And a Sin Fang Bous video... because you need it.
After having just seen Passion Pit the previous night, and planning on seeing Seabear the next night, I really considered skipping out on Little Dragon. But the more I listened to their album, the more I liked it.
Helping to tip the scale was Cleveland's own The Sleeps opening. I had an older CD of theirs that that had slowly grown on me, and I was curious to see what they sounded like live. I'd be very excited to have a good, local electronica-type band. Their blacklight stage presence was trippy and a bit distracting, but that wasn't a bad thing. These guys have good thing started, just need a little more polish. They're on a good track.
But talking about polished.... Little Dragon did not disappoint! They performance was slick, spirited and energetic. I'm also a kind of sucker for the Swedes.
Check out a couple of my favorite songs. I'd see these guys again in a heartbeat.
A little over a year ago, I was watching Passion Pit perform at The Spot, with only a couple dozen people in attendance. Now they're playing a sold out performance at the House of Blues. Good for them. I think they're a fun band, definitely worth keeping an eye on. I can't say I'm as excited about Manners as I was about their first EP (Chunk of Change). But they're good enough for me to plan on getting whatever they put out next (the reissue of Manners doesn't count).
Hanging back for this show wasn't the way to go. To really have enjoyed this show, you needed to be in "the pit," and probably intoxicated. Next time.
The Big Pink was kind of a gamble for me... I really enjoyed the sound and imagery of their Dominos and Velvet videos. They have a rather dense, electronic sound, but still with some pop sensibility. As the show approached, more friends were talking about A Place to Bury Strangers - even questioning why they weren't the headliners. I should have spent some more time with them before the show.
A Place to Bury Strangers took the dark stage, barely allowing you the ability to see them. Unfortunately the sound made it difficult to hear them as well - at least the vocals. Everything else was turned UP. Those who know more than me about them agreed, and said they didn't sound quite right. All in all, I enjoyed the performance.
The Big Pink was also good. A little better on the vocals. They sounded as I expected. Maybe a little heavier on the jam, but that was welcomed. Some people in the party didn't like them as much as the openers, but they landed pretty evenly in my book.
Here's a pic I grabbed before they turned the lights down...
Xiu Xiu tonight at the Spot (on the Case campus). Can't say I know much about them, but I see their name all over the place. Should be interesting.
I can't say enough nice things about Ben Sollee. He's so adorable and talented. This time, he brought some of his adorable and talented friends with him, touring on his new collaboration album called Dear Companion. But first, opening was Family of the Year, an LA band that I first saw open for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros at the Kent State Folk Festival. This time, they were a little more casual, and quite enjoyable. A nice opener for Ben & company.
Ben & Daniel took the stage with a woman on violin, guitar and vocals, and a guy on drums. The four of these guys were pitch perfect in their performance. Their voices and instruments just blended seamlessly, but also provided an exciting dynamic to solid songwriting. The show was impeccable. Ben just owns that cello.
My favorite song on the album... (you can find the rest of the videos from this performance here)
I feel lucky to have caught this performance. Titus Andronicus did a promotional, free, record store tour for the release of their new album, The Monitor. I hadn't even had a chance to hear the album yet, but had a feeling this would be a good show. And it was.
This album is already being talked about as one of the best of the year.
Check out their newest video:
(whoops... getting a little out of order)
Saw Cleveland's own Hot Cha Cha a the Nickel, a Cleveland lesbian bar. Whatta show! Hot Cha Cha was all over the place... quite a spectacle. These women know how to rock.
You should know by now that Tom Evanchuck is one of my favorite local performers... This was another night at the Barking Spider. This time was actually able to bring a group of people with me. Unfortunately, this performance wasn't as smooth as usual - but thoroughly enjoyable as always.
It's actually been a not quite a year since I've seen Ani - who is probably the person who I've seen in concert the most. I wasn't expecting to see her two nights in a row, as she originally only booked the Kent Stage show. Tickets were purchased. Then a couple weeks later, she booked Oberlin's Finney Chapel, which was a must-see location. Two nights in a row it would be.
Kent Stage was nice. Had decent seats. I got in the door just as Erin McKeown was finishing up with a cover of Beyonce's "Single Ladies." Wha? Unfortunately the security was militant about no photos, but was able to sneak the one below.
Ani's performance was good. Lots of new stuff as usual, and her new songs are sounding really good.
The next next night in Oberlin, we were able to catch all of Erin's set, which I'm really glad we did. Her new album (out on Righteous Babe) is really growing on me, more so than any albums prior.
Ani mixed up the set a little bit for the next night, thought I would have really liked to hear "Swan Dive" in the Chapel.
Overall, great stuff. Ani is a consummate performer. I do have to say that she didn't seem to be her glowing self these nights, almost like this touring thing was becoming a job for her. Or maybe it was just a bad couple days. But keep in mind, Ani on her bad days will probably blow away most performers on their best.
I don't know about that claim... but Songkick has impressed me lately. It particularly made my day with this update this morning:
Songkick Says It’s Now The Biggest Live Concerts Database
Songkick said last year that they wanted to become the largest global database of concerts in the world. It looks like they may have got there already.Their latest figures say the site now carries information on 100,000 upcoming music events, with over 2,500 added daily added from about 80 sources. These include Ticketmaster down to small local listings papers, as well as by the Songkick user community. It’s particularly that aspect which has supercharged the site: user uploads are now up 900% year on year.
The live music industry’s benchmark for coverage until now has been Pollstar’s data – and their homepage currently says they know of “11,978 Artists and 78,818 Events”. Songkick’s numbers quoted are from internal data.
[From Songkick Says It’s Now The Biggest Live Concerts Database ]
I was just reminded that Chris Pureka has a new album and tour, and while I'm a little disappointed she's not coming to Cleveland (it's been forever), I'm still excited for her new full-length album "How I Learned to See in the Dark" which will be out April 13th. More details below...
Some more details:
ADVANCE COPIES AVAILABLE! There are a limited number of signed advance copies of the new record available at cdbaby.com. These copies will ship today and will get to you well before the April 13th release date! You can buy them here: www.cdbaby.com/cpureka5
“MAKING OF” VIDEOS:
My go-to film extraordinaire, Marion Cunningham, came into the studio with us last March and filmed footage for several behind the scenes, studio video segments. They include footage of me and Merrill Garbus producing and recording “How I Learned to See in the Dark”, interviews, and studio footage of members of band. The first one focuses on the song “Wrecking Ball” and is up now on Logo’s New Now Next website. Go check it out here: www.tinyurl.com/newnownext
The second video is focuses on “Broken Clock” and can be viewed here:
You can see her in The Ark (Ann Arbor, MI) on Monday, April 26th.
