Bela Fleck at Coolidge Corner Theatre
Seeing Bela Fleck in person is a requirement for any music fan. Seeing Bela Fleck as he traverses the continent of Africa researching the little known source of the Banjo and getting to see him perform some of the music he recorded on this trip live is one hell of a treat. Guess what Boston, you can have your cake and eat it too come next Thursday when Bela comes rolling in with film in hand. The film, “Throw Down Your Heart“, has one several awards including the Audience Award at South by Southwest and at the Vancouver Film Festival. The film helps shine a bright spot on what is commonly seen as a demilitarized zone in the media – Africa. With all the stories about HIV/AIDS, civil wars and genocide, it’s no wonder most people see this continent in a dark Continue Reading
New music alert: Discovery Ft. members of Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot
A new collaboration between one heavy weight indie band member, Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and one semi-heavy weight, Wes Miles (Ra Ra Riot) are causing some waves. As my one friend put it, “this discovery album is effen serious”. The album is called “LP” (clever boys), and is due out on July 7th off of XL. Not only is the album the work of these two indie kids, but some guest vocals are provided by Ezra Koenig, the lead singer of Vampire Weekend and Angel Deradooria from the recently transcended Brooklyn based group, Dirty Projectors. This is some really fantastic electronic pop melodies. If you were lacking in tunes to jam late night this summer time, don’t fret. Below you can give the songs a test drive on YouTube. “Orange Continue Reading
Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
What a freaky day in icon world. Not only does every boys fantasy girl pass away after a long stand fighting cancer but the freaking KING OF POP dies! I don’t want to over shadow Farrah Fawcett because once again, she was and probably will remain to be every young male’s fantasy girl, but when you go on the same day as someone like Michael Jackson who not only defined one generation but multiple and brought together soul and pop music to create what has been hailed as the greatest cross over album in the histroy of recorded music, Thriller. Well, there’ s not much more I have to say. There’s no question that my obsession with music was partly due to the “man in the mirror”. I’m not ashamed to say that I stood in front of the TV when Continue Reading
Review of Andrew Bird @ BoA Pavilion 6/19/08
On this gloomy Friday, that turned into a partial sunny afternoon, we dragged our work week bodies to the Seaport Bar & Grill for some pregame beverages before walking over to the Andrew Bird / Calexico show at the BoA Pavilion with a clear understanding to catch all of the opener. Those unfamiliar with Calexico, get familiar. Originating from Tuscon, Arizona, they’ve been around the block. If you listen to WERS you’ve probably heard their latest single, “Two Silver Trees “, off of Carried to Dust. Over the years they’ve received sporadic recognition and exposure such as their collaboration with Iron & Wine for an EP, In the Reins, but are definitely due for more. One of their more famous tracks is a cover of the Love song, “Alone Continue Reading
Passion Pit @ Paradise Rock Club 6/18/09
When I first heard “Sleepyhead” early last year I didn’t know what quite to think. Minus the vocals, the sound was familiar. Electropop is nothing new and is considered by some to be almost mainstream thanks to Matt Murphy and his LCD Soundsystem project and our friends across the pond, Hot Chip. But if I had to choose one of the two that Passion Pit reminds me the most of it’s LCD. Not necessarily because of their sound but because of how the music is produced and written. In essence, a one man show. In no way am I discounting the talent that now supports Michael Angelakos. As clearly stated at this show, Passion Pit is more a band then it is a moniker like LCD Soundsystem is for Matt Murphy. Keeping the beat behind the drums with his big studio Continue Reading
Passion Pit tonight at Paradise in Boston (Sold Out)
Going to the Passion Pit show tonight at the Paradise Rock Club. Should be a good time as it’s a home coming show for these Emerson students. Not even sure you can call them students anymore based on the media reaction to their latest album, Manners. Buy Manners: (Amazon) (iTunes) (Insound) (eMusic) Looking forward to seeing how the crystal clear production on the album translates in a live show. Wonder if they’ll keep the chorus of kids in the music some how for songs like “The Reeling” and “Little Secrets”. I bet, in fact I’d be willing to put a PBR on this one, they encourage the crowd to sing the parts. I can see it now, “higher and higher, higher and higher”. See you kiddies there. Stream “The Reeling” (Mike Continue Reading
Remembering middle school with Better Than Ezra
If you grew up going to grade school in the 90’s, then you know you jammed out to “Good” by Better Than Ezra at one point in your life. Well, get ready, cause you have another chance to grab that girl across the dance floor you woosed out on asking to dance in middle school to that song when they swing in to Boston to play the Paradise Rock Club on June 20th. Believe it or not, Better Than Ezra has a loyal fan base and they call themselves, get ready, the “Ezralites”. Another little tid-bit I learned about the trio from New Orleans, no one really knows the origin of their band name. The band purposely kept it a secret as a promotional tool. They aren’t on tour to relive the old days, they are alive and kicking and recently came out with some new Continue Reading
Andrew Bird @ BoA Pavilion this Friday in Boston
That crazy melody making whistler is gracing us with his presence this Friday at the BoA Pavilion. I’m excited cause it’s my first show at the pavilion (also known as Harbor Lights) this summer and it never officially feels like summer until I get down there. I’m hoping our weather will feel the same way and open up its heart to summer time weather once the birdman passes through our corner of the world. Seriously, this weather is getting to be a bit depressing. If you’re new to Andrew Bird, I highly recommend starting with the album, Mysterious Production of Eggs. This is the album that first grabbed a hold of me and it was the song, “A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left”, off of this album that first drew me to investigate the Continue Reading
Tour Annoucement: The Big Surprise Tour w/ Old Crow Medicine Show and Felice Brothers
This just in, great line up coming together in August to tour most of the northeast, down to North Carolina and then over to Tennessee. The line up includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Dave Rawlings Machine (Featuring Gilian Welch), The Felice Brothers and Justin Townes Earle. The tour starts in New Hampshire at the Hampton Beach Casino on August 4th and the following night they hit up the House of Blues here in Boston. I’ve been meaning to get over to the newly built House of Blues, which took place of Avalon and Axis on Lansdowne Street behind the Green Monster. However, I think I may have preferred this show to be at the BoA Pavillion down in the harbor. One of the better outside venues around and nothing says summer then a big old ho-down like this one. If you’re not Continue Reading
Grizzly Bear @ Berklee College of Music – 6/3/09
The brightest and the hippest were all out in pure force last night at the Berklee Performance Art Center on Mass Ave. in Boston. I was upset I missed the opener, Here We Go Magic, but we can blame Boston’s lack of free parking spots for that one. Who wants to pay $17 to park for three hours? Not me. I was on top of this show early so I snagged my favorite seats in the house which are located right along the first section of the balcony. Great view, great sound. Just like their new album, Veckatimest, they opened up with “Southern Point”. This version seemed longer then the album version. I know that the ‘Bear likes to explore during their shows so perhaps this is their exploratory nature coming out on stage. The sound was kicking as usual but the Continue Reading
