"Insider" came on my iPod. Then I stumbled upon this picture.
My two favorite artists together. Does it get any better?
1.03.2012
Perfection
"Insider" came on my iPod. Then I stumbled upon this picture.
My two favorite artists together. Does it get any better?
10.11.2009
Spreading the Word: Elsinore
Elsinore: a band that I have mentioned in the past, is finally talking about releasing an album entitled "YES YES YES".
I was able to see Elsinore on September 25th of last year, and it was truly an eye opening experience. These guys were touring to get the word out for their music, and were selling EP's called "The General."
The future looks promising... According to the bands website, "YES YES YES is a work that has taken 27 months to finish and as soon as someone decides to release we will be able to give a solid release date."
Care to give a listen? You can see the band performing a sweeping performance of "Wooden Houses" on the streets of Boulder, CO, last July -
http://www.tucsonscene.com/?q=node/926.
Or you can check out their website (elsinore.bandcamp.com) and listen to "Chemicals" a track that will be on the new album.
I am very excited and hope the best for this truly charming band from Champaign, Illinois.
I was able to see Elsinore on September 25th of last year, and it was truly an eye opening experience. These guys were touring to get the word out for their music, and were selling EP's called "The General."
The future looks promising... According to the bands website, "YES YES YES is a work that has taken 27 months to finish and as soon as someone decides to release we will be able to give a solid release date."
Care to give a listen? You can see the band performing a sweeping performance of "Wooden Houses" on the streets of Boulder, CO, last July -
http://www.tucsonscene.com/?q=node/926.
Or you can check out their website (elsinore.bandcamp.com) and listen to "Chemicals" a track that will be on the new album.
I am very excited and hope the best for this truly charming band from Champaign, Illinois.
6.22.2009
Baby, I Can't Wait...
Upcoming albums I'm absolutely stoked for -
Humbug (8.25.09)- Arctic Monkeys
Collective Soul [Rabbit] (8.25.09) - Collective Soul
Shaka Rock (8.25.09)- JET
Everybody (8.25.09) - Ingrid Michaelson
Backspacer (9.22.09)- Pearl Jam
Phrazes for the Young (10.20.09) - Julian Casablancas
Strict Joy (10.27.09) - The Swell Season
and an exciting look at the future:
http://www.metacritic.com/music/upcomingreleases.shtml
Humbug (8.25.09)- Arctic Monkeys
Collective Soul [Rabbit] (8.25.09) - Collective Soul
Shaka Rock (8.25.09)- JET
Everybody (8.25.09) - Ingrid Michaelson
Backspacer (9.22.09)- Pearl Jam
Phrazes for the Young (10.20.09) - Julian Casablancas
Strict Joy (10.27.09) - The Swell Season
and an exciting look at the future:
http://www.metacritic.com/music/upcomingreleases.shtml
2.01.2009
It's Just The Way You See The World
Last night, I attended one of the most exciting concerts ever.
When their van rolled up, I was anxious to unload the guitars, amps, and drums from the back doors, but what I was dying to see was the five members themselves.
Who am I speaking of? A pack of rolled up skinny-jeaned, New Yorkers that call themselves, The Virgins, although from the extremely indie looks of them, I doubt the truth of that.
Actually, when their van rolled up, I had no idea they could possibly be packed inside amoungst all of their instruments. I grabbed two guitars only to hear a "thanks," from the pouty lips of a man I instantly recognized as the lead vocalist, Donald Cumming, as the band got out of the van one-by-one. They walked by checking out their surroundings, hopefully they weren't looking a my facial expressions as I completely checked them out.
Also arriving around the same time was one of the opening acts, Anya Marina, who rolled down her window making certain she arrived at the right place. So she pulled over, and I took her acoustic in its case along with a personal bag. She was incredibly sweet, wearing a risque tight red and black dress, and some basic black boots. Her voice was sort of a high airy, yet somehow smokey.
The second opener was Lissy Trullie her red hair in a short bob underneath a black hat, and wearing a short black skirt that could barely be seen under her long, red, flannel shirt, tights that resembled fish nets, and some black boots.
---
The lights went down, and my heart rate went up - straight up.
Anya walked up to the stage and played using her iPod as her backup band (drums and everything), something I'd never seen before. Although I had listened to her on MySpace, and loved her catchy, feel-good songs, I was a little leery during her sound check that she might be a joke live, but I found out I was wrong.
Anya was an absolute charmer. She started by mentioning how lonely it got on the road, and made the audience "come closer" to her. The crowd did exactly what she said, and later on, we became her "backup vocalists" also.
She cracked jokes saying "I think I'm going lesbian for my GPS, and yesterday she actually responded to me - Exit 39B."
She also mentioned how she was finally becoming acclimated to the weather, saying she was actually sweating in the 50 degree weather.
Her performance was great fun, and after she finished performing, I went straight to the merch table to get my poster signed. She recognized me from earlier at the bar and wrote Thanks for being my roadie, XO Anya.
---
Lissy Trullie was next to hit the stage, mentioning that she and her friends were from California. Her friends being Eben the guitarist wearing overalls and a hat on his seemingly bald head, Ian, apparently a new bassist, wearing a striped boating shirt and black-rimmed glasses, and Josh, the sexiest of them all, drummer.
They joked with us about how much of a quiet, polite audience we were, making us feel like the virgins. I had never heard from Lissy before but I really enjoyed her songs, especially "Forget About It" and "Boy Boy."
Then, they came down the stairway (to heaven), each one gorgeous in their own way, and I could have died right there.
They started with Private Affair, which stated, "She's always avoiding falling in love, yes, it's due to a life of a private affair." It's sort of sweet, because in the past I could relate to feeling like this.
From then, they rolled through songs, effortlessly and kept on taking my breath away with their movements, instrumentals, and of course Donald's vocals.
The show went so quickly, and so did Donald's clothes, well at least his shirts. A few songs in his sweatshirt came off, and five or so later, another layer, which left us with his sexy self in a grey beater.
The band performed pretty much all of their album "The Virgins". Some of my favorites included Murder (the wah pedal was crazy fun), and Fernando Pando. Then the teases left the stage, and it wasn't just me pleading for them to come back. When they did, they played a favorite of mine "Devil Inside" which of course is originally by INXS, and they nailed it!
They ended the night (or should I say morning) with the beautiful Love is Colder than Death and the lyrics made for a truly perfect closer.
"it's easy when it hurts so say goodbye
we'll fall in love again just give it time."
---
After the f-, I'm going to say it, fucking incredible performance, of which I wanted no end, they ran back up the stairs, and the lights came on.
Myself and several others waited at the bottom of the stair for them to come back.
Finally they did, and I went straight for the signature of the man I couldn't take my eyes (or camera lens) off of the entire night. The incredibly sexy guitarist, Wade Oates.
Yeah, you're totally agreeing with me right now, aren't you?
Coincidentally, he was the one whose guitar I carried in first, noticing it was labled with a NY address and phone number (of which I quickly snapped a photo of on my camera phone, before anyone could see).
As he was signing in his pointy green pen, I gazed at his arm noticing a tattoo of a bald eagle, but below it there was another tattoo which I couldn't easily read, so I asked him what his tattoo was. Wade adorably responded with a jaw dropping smile, "it's a flying bald eagle." I already knew that, sexy, but I'm too afraid to ask you the question again.
I then met the drummer, Erik Ratensperger, who wore a tight tee with, the all-popular, rolled up skinny jean, with dress shoes. He mentioned how much he enjoyed playing at the venue.
Then, I met Nick Ackerman, the plaid-shirted bassist, wearing skinnys and big boots, and asked him just how long he'd been playing. "Not very long." Not very long? He was incredible! He said when he'd joined he settled for bass, as was needed for the band, even though he had been playing guitar for years. "I have a Paul McCartney sticker on my bass, because he happily settled for bass." he said.
Nick played closely alongside Paul Vassallo, who I would call the lead guitarist, although he is the newest member of the band.
Lastly I went over to Donald Cumming, who took my hand and introduced himself, and I did in return. What a beauty he was, as you can clearly see. He manages to look different in every photo.
I asked him if he chose to play "Devil Inside," and told him how much I loved it. He did choose to play it and was really excited that I liked it so much.
When I left, I couldn't remove the smile from my face, and yet I was so sad to see them go.
When their van rolled up, I was anxious to unload the guitars, amps, and drums from the back doors, but what I was dying to see was the five members themselves.
Who am I speaking of? A pack of rolled up skinny-jeaned, New Yorkers that call themselves, The Virgins, although from the extremely indie looks of them, I doubt the truth of that.
Actually, when their van rolled up, I had no idea they could possibly be packed inside amoungst all of their instruments. I grabbed two guitars only to hear a "thanks," from the pouty lips of a man I instantly recognized as the lead vocalist, Donald Cumming, as the band got out of the van one-by-one. They walked by checking out their surroundings, hopefully they weren't looking a my facial expressions as I completely checked them out.
Also arriving around the same time was one of the opening acts, Anya Marina, who rolled down her window making certain she arrived at the right place. So she pulled over, and I took her acoustic in its case along with a personal bag. She was incredibly sweet, wearing a risque tight red and black dress, and some basic black boots. Her voice was sort of a high airy, yet somehow smokey.
The second opener was Lissy Trullie her red hair in a short bob underneath a black hat, and wearing a short black skirt that could barely be seen under her long, red, flannel shirt, tights that resembled fish nets, and some black boots.
---
The lights went down, and my heart rate went up - straight up.
Anya walked up to the stage and played using her iPod as her backup band (drums and everything), something I'd never seen before. Although I had listened to her on MySpace, and loved her catchy, feel-good songs, I was a little leery during her sound check that she might be a joke live, but I found out I was wrong.
Anya was an absolute charmer. She started by mentioning how lonely it got on the road, and made the audience "come closer" to her. The crowd did exactly what she said, and later on, we became her "backup vocalists" also.
She cracked jokes saying "I think I'm going lesbian for my GPS, and yesterday she actually responded to me - Exit 39B."
She also mentioned how she was finally becoming acclimated to the weather, saying she was actually sweating in the 50 degree weather.
Her performance was great fun, and after she finished performing, I went straight to the merch table to get my poster signed. She recognized me from earlier at the bar and wrote Thanks for being my roadie, XO Anya.
---
Lissy Trullie was next to hit the stage, mentioning that she and her friends were from California. Her friends being Eben the guitarist wearing overalls and a hat on his seemingly bald head, Ian, apparently a new bassist, wearing a striped boating shirt and black-rimmed glasses, and Josh, the sexiest of them all, drummer.
They joked with us about how much of a quiet, polite audience we were, making us feel like the virgins. I had never heard from Lissy before but I really enjoyed her songs, especially "Forget About It" and "Boy Boy."
Then, they came down the stairway (to heaven), each one gorgeous in their own way, and I could have died right there.
They started with Private Affair, which stated, "She's always avoiding falling in love, yes, it's due to a life of a private affair." It's sort of sweet, because in the past I could relate to feeling like this.
From then, they rolled through songs, effortlessly and kept on taking my breath away with their movements, instrumentals, and of course Donald's vocals.
The show went so quickly, and so did Donald's clothes, well at least his shirts. A few songs in his sweatshirt came off, and five or so later, another layer, which left us with his sexy self in a grey beater.
The band performed pretty much all of their album "The Virgins". Some of my favorites included Murder (the wah pedal was crazy fun), and Fernando Pando. Then the teases left the stage, and it wasn't just me pleading for them to come back. When they did, they played a favorite of mine "Devil Inside" which of course is originally by INXS, and they nailed it!
They ended the night (or should I say morning) with the beautiful Love is Colder than Death and the lyrics made for a truly perfect closer.
"it's easy when it hurts so say goodbye
we'll fall in love again just give it time."
---
After the f-, I'm going to say it, fucking incredible performance, of which I wanted no end, they ran back up the stairs, and the lights came on.
Myself and several others waited at the bottom of the stair for them to come back.
Finally they did, and I went straight for the signature of the man I couldn't take my eyes (or camera lens) off of the entire night. The incredibly sexy guitarist, Wade Oates.
Yeah, you're totally agreeing with me right now, aren't you?
Coincidentally, he was the one whose guitar I carried in first, noticing it was labled with a NY address and phone number (of which I quickly snapped a photo of on my camera phone, before anyone could see).
As he was signing in his pointy green pen, I gazed at his arm noticing a tattoo of a bald eagle, but below it there was another tattoo which I couldn't easily read, so I asked him what his tattoo was. Wade adorably responded with a jaw dropping smile, "it's a flying bald eagle." I already knew that, sexy, but I'm too afraid to ask you the question again.
I then met the drummer, Erik Ratensperger, who wore a tight tee with, the all-popular, rolled up skinny jean, with dress shoes. He mentioned how much he enjoyed playing at the venue.
Then, I met Nick Ackerman, the plaid-shirted bassist, wearing skinnys and big boots, and asked him just how long he'd been playing. "Not very long." Not very long? He was incredible! He said when he'd joined he settled for bass, as was needed for the band, even though he had been playing guitar for years. "I have a Paul McCartney sticker on my bass, because he happily settled for bass." he said.
Nick played closely alongside Paul Vassallo, who I would call the lead guitarist, although he is the newest member of the band.
Lastly I went over to Donald Cumming, who took my hand and introduced himself, and I did in return. What a beauty he was, as you can clearly see. He manages to look different in every photo.
I asked him if he chose to play "Devil Inside," and told him how much I loved it. He did choose to play it and was really excited that I liked it so much.
When I left, I couldn't remove the smile from my face, and yet I was so sad to see them go.
11.20.2008
Knock me senseless, just a scar of all the things I have done wrong.
When I first landed the volunteering job, I had the pleasure of starting the night the band Elsinore was set to perform.
When I entered and walked down the ramp, I noticed that this band was a pretty average bunch of guys, actually extremely average. The lead singer, Ryan Groff, stood out the most to me. It was his extremely long and dark brown curly hair.
Their music could be classified as many things. A wonderful combo of rock, folk, americana, and indie. A song called "Landlocked" was all about living in the Midwest. The band is from Champaign/Urbana Illinois, so they definitely know all about it.
They gazed at the signed photographs on the wall and whistled to the tunes being played by Pandora. They smiled and patiently waited for their chinese food. I remember Ryan's cheery face when he found out that Andrew Bird, an obvious influence, had played here in the past.
In fact, one of the first songs they played was Bird's Spare-Oh. It was absolutely beautiful as Groff whistled the solo. They also played many tracks - sadly they had only recorded an EP with three tracks, all of which were played. They played many others including Lines, my favorite, "I don't wanna fight around you anymore, I want to be loved." When Ryan sang that line -- a full set of chills shot through me. I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.
They mentioned that they were going to get a full album out soon, and God, I really hope so! I am anxiously awaiting it.
---
After the gig, they were extremely happy and awesome. They wanted us to go and bowl with them, and so I took that chance and had a great time. In fact Ryan got me a strike through encouragement.
When it was my bed time and I needed to say goodbye, Dave Pride, the drummer took my hand in both of his hands, looked me in the eye, and gave me the most heartfelt "Thank You" I have ever gotten. They all shook my hand and made me want to play another game.
Needless to say, these guys were completely appreciate sweethearts. I cannot wait for their album and to see them again!
When I entered and walked down the ramp, I noticed that this band was a pretty average bunch of guys, actually extremely average. The lead singer, Ryan Groff, stood out the most to me. It was his extremely long and dark brown curly hair.
Their music could be classified as many things. A wonderful combo of rock, folk, americana, and indie. A song called "Landlocked" was all about living in the Midwest. The band is from Champaign/Urbana Illinois, so they definitely know all about it.
They gazed at the signed photographs on the wall and whistled to the tunes being played by Pandora. They smiled and patiently waited for their chinese food. I remember Ryan's cheery face when he found out that Andrew Bird, an obvious influence, had played here in the past.
In fact, one of the first songs they played was Bird's Spare-Oh. It was absolutely beautiful as Groff whistled the solo. They also played many tracks - sadly they had only recorded an EP with three tracks, all of which were played. They played many others including Lines, my favorite, "I don't wanna fight around you anymore, I want to be loved." When Ryan sang that line -- a full set of chills shot through me. I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff.
They mentioned that they were going to get a full album out soon, and God, I really hope so! I am anxiously awaiting it.
---
After the gig, they were extremely happy and awesome. They wanted us to go and bowl with them, and so I took that chance and had a great time. In fact Ryan got me a strike through encouragement.
When it was my bed time and I needed to say goodbye, Dave Pride, the drummer took my hand in both of his hands, looked me in the eye, and gave me the most heartfelt "Thank You" I have ever gotten. They all shook my hand and made me want to play another game.
Needless to say, these guys were completely appreciate sweethearts. I cannot wait for their album and to see them again!
11.02.2008
Testing the timber of my heart...
[November 1st, 2008]
Walking into the doors to where I volunteer, I saw Pieta Brown, (pronounced Pee-etta) a beautiful woman, a dark grey patterned bandana around her brown ponytail, dressed in a cute pair of jeans and bohemian top.
{Pieta Brown w/Joe Pug}
---
PIETA BROWN {Folk / Roots Music / Rock}
Walking into the doors to where I volunteer, I saw Pieta Brown, (pronounced Pee-etta) a beautiful woman, a dark grey patterned bandana around her brown ponytail, dressed in a cute pair of jeans and bohemian top.I also saw who I found out was Bo Ramsey, Pieta's "best friend in the whole world," dressed in mostly black, but I noticed around his neck a peace sign attached to leather. He also sported a straw cowboy hat. Pieta had met him through her dad, and he is from Iowa City, where the two of them are currently living. Bo They also played with bass guitarist, Jon, her "good friend".
Pieta sang with such a warm, smokey tone, and you could tell she spent a while in the south. Alabama to be exact. She grew up in Iowa, then moved to Alabama, and now she's back. "Are You Free?" and "Remember the Sun" were two of my favorites but she also did an outstanding cover of a Muddy Waters tune Rollin' Tumblin'.
---
JOE PUG {Rock / Roots Music / Americana}
Then a while later, in walked Joe Pug in a pair of taupe working boots, and jeans with a blue bandana hanging out his back pocket, which later he used to clean off the fretboard of his acoustic guitar. He immediately reminded me of Benicio del Toro. He mentioned how his directions got him lost, explaining the time he arrived.
He says that he's from Chicago, but that is just where all of his music started. You really don't get that feel in his vocals or lyrics for that matter. Later, I found out he was from Maryland. He has such a sense of surroundings, he takes it all in, and sings it for everyone to hear.
Funny thing happened. It turned out that we both ordered the same dinner, Low Mein, from the local Chinese place, but his was ordered incorrectly, when it came time to decide, he left it completely up to me and let me have the one I wanted. Later he told me "my mom would be ashamed... I didn't eat my vegetables," - he took the vegetable lo mein. I asked him if he was a big fan of chinese food, and he replied something like "I never used to care for it, until I started dating this girl from Bejiing, and she really liked to cook it."
Joe stumbled down the stairs a few minutes to 8:00, the scheduled showtime, wearing a blue flannel shirt, and brown cowboy boots. He introduced himself, and joked about being in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the night before, and how he was treated. He clicked on a harmonica to a headpiece he wore around his neck, and started strumming his guitar and completely unleashed the tune of Nation of Heat, an instant favorite of mine, sure to be a classic. When he was singing, his lyrics just poured out his soul like a poet. I was instantly struck by the lonesome tune of his beautiful harmonica and the way he played it so powerfully - like it was sending a message.
---
---
At the end of the gig, when I asked him to sign my cd, he asked "you didn't buy this did you?" I told him 'yes', and he responded "no, no, no, this is on the house." He signed it - To Michelle, Joe Pug, and with the happiest expression I gave him my thanks.
Then Pieta noticed also, and realizing that I bought her LP Remember the Sun, (because of songs like West Monroe, Are You Free?, and Remember the Sun), she also gave me her new EP Flight Time. I was so pleased. Their performances were so moving and heartfelt, and I'm the one who's getting thanked?
I will always remember this night, and not only how sweet and soft their acoustic performances were, but how sweetly appreciative and how lovely they were.
10.26.2008
Arizona
I thought I would kick off my first post with ARIZONA, a new psychedelic rock band I saw perform just last night.
[Lead singer, Ben Wigler]
The band Arizona is actually from NYC and Ashville, NC., and they are some of the truest people I have encountered.
Arizona was just supposed to be the opener for Amy Ray, but as it turns out her van completely shit out on her in MN and she wasn't able to make it, and as a result a member of Arizona, Alex (the bassist), had to leave to go retrieve her trailer so they could be on schedule for the next night. As a result they got to play nearly every song and their new album, Glowing Bird, and then some. 
So myself and a few dozen others were able to see Arizona: Acoustic for the first time ever. Although they joked that the only difference from their rock sound and their "acoustic" was that they were sitting down in chairs. But really, the whole night had a great chill atmosphere to it. We set up couches in the front of the stage and they performed a sort of Storytellers version.
The band was very excited to be playing a concert of their very own, and they weren't afraid to experiment around. There were quite a few laughs on stage and off. During one song, the drummer left them to do a duo and came back on stage doing some funny hand shows to the music, then lightly hammering the cymbals to give a chilling effect.
---
THE MEMBERS
The lead singer and also a guitarist, Ben, was one of the sweetest guys I've ever encountered, dressed in a very unique outfit of dress shorts, a t-shirt supporting the Cement Workers of America, black running tights, and a non-matching pair of toe socks - one red, the other rainbow.
The main guitarist and also vocalist, Nick Campbell, sported a Metallica shirt and jeans. The song "Balloon" from their newest album, is based on an old man Nick became aquainted with while working at a Balloon factory in Brooklyn.
The drummer who also chimed in some background vocals, James, was simply dressed in a white tee and jeans. After the concert, I was just sitting around and he came over to talk to me about my favorite bands, as I was wearing a Kooks tee. I showed him some of my favorites and he really enjoyed them. It was such a cool experience.
---
After the gig, I was able to get a little closer to the band, and purchased a CD and had them sign - they were so grateful, one of my favorite attributes of a new band. They are so sweet and take the time to get to know you. In fact, the lead, Ben, took some photos of our group of workers with him and the band. It was a really special evening.
I really suggest you check them out at their Myspace, my favorite tracks from their new album include Glowing Bird, You Were Right, and Heath, and their older albums are available on iTunes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
