Archive for the ‘Concerts’ Category
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
One Eskimo, a four piece indie rock group from London, England consisting of Kristian Leontiou (vocals), Adam Falkner (drums), Pete Rinaldi (guitar), Jamie Sefton (bass and horns) is a freewheeling act with experimental roots and a desire to bring a soulful side to acoustic instrumentation. With songs like Kandi and Chocolate evincing a spirit born of boundless imagination and a long-standing collaborative relationship. One Eskimo is building a reputation for crafting classic, inward-looking Pop songs highlighted with psychedelic guitars, pastoral sound effects and intricate rhythms. On tunes from their debut, however, One Eskimo steps away from the norm with synthesizers that simultaneously sound brittle and blissful.
One Eskimo will be supporting Gomez at the Great American Music Hall on March 18th. You can win 2 tickets to the show if you comment here. Winner will be announced tomorrow.
This week (as we fly out to SXSW), drummer Adam Falkner answers the Kuestionnaire and shares some great tour locations.
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1. Could you state your name and what you do in the band?
Hello, I’m Adam from One eskimO. I play percussion.
2. How would you describe your sound?
Warm, woody, acoustic-based pop music wrapped in an ambient blanket.
3. What is your favorite local band?
‘Local’ is hard to ascertain as we’re London-based but have spent most of this and last year in America. The last album I bought was Them Crooked Vultures – looking forward to them at Coachella.
4. Any concerts that blew your mind recently?
It’s been a while but I thoroughly enjoyed Chris Cornell in London a couple of months ago – loads of old Soundgarden stuff and tracks from his first album, and a couple of Led Zep covers too.
5. Any non-musical influences you would like to mention?
As a lyricist, Kristian’s a big film and animation fan, as I think is evident. I think in general you tend to absorb and interpret so many non-musical experiences that go on around you. As jazz musicians used to say, you should ‘Play the day’.
6. What musician/artist would you like to collaborate with for a day?
I think we all have a range of varying people we’d like to collaborate with, but Joni Mitchell would be at the top of my list, along with Kelly Joe Phelps.
7. What is the album you listen to on a cold rainy day?
Donny Hathaway Live, or Largo by a pianist called Brad Mehldau are great rainy day albums for me.
8. List four songs you would listen to on a roadtrip?
In the last few weeks in the van, it’s been Regulate by Warren G, I Keep Forgetting by Michael Macdonald, Don’t Stop Believing by Journey, and an album by some friends of ours called Hempolics.
9. Where do you see yourselves in 7 years?
I couldn’t possibly answer that in a snappy sentence.
10. What is the last book you read?
Any Human Heart by William Boyd. I loved it to the point of that I’m missing it now. I finished it last week in a cafe in Chicago and was sobbing into my oatmeal.
11. Is image a factor in music or is it a waste of time?
It’s inescapable in such multimedia-driven times, so you might as well create something with integrity that you’re proud of, as we did with our animation, otherwise it’s a wasted opportunity to do something interesting.
12. Any embarrassing moments on stage you would like to share?
We played a show at the Fillmore Theatre in Miami supporting Tori Amos last year. I tend to play with my eyes closed but halfway through Kandi I heard several thousand people audibly gasp and opened my eyes to see my whole drumkit collapsing to the ground. Obviously there was no option other to stop, but to make things worse, as my sampler (that is attached to the kit) hit the ground, it randomly fired off a cheesy funk drum loop. It was awesome.
13. Any favorite tour locations?
We’ve seen so much of America recently and played in all sorts of fantastic venues. Some highlights that spring to mind are Humphrey’s in San Diego last year – it’s an outdoor gig on the edge of a harbour, so you see people rowing in on little boats to watch the gig then disappear as soon as it’s finished! Radio City in New York was great, just because of its long history, but I think I equally enjoyed The Living Room for different reasons.
Just last week we had a couple of great gigs in Madison, Wisconsin and in Minneapolis supporting Gomez that we really enjoyed. One of the great things about doing this is that you can never really plan when you’re going to have a great gig; they just happen, and it’s brilliant to be pleasantly surprised by that or to have your preconceptions of a place challenged. I’d barely heard of Spokane or Akron but we turned up and had fantastic gigs at both, so I guess always being open-minded is key.
14. Lastly, what is your present state of mind?
Yesterday we had a massive diversion and consequently a 15-hour drive to Aspen but we just had this morning off so we went skiing, which we’re still buzzing from. However, we are now in the middle of an 8-hour drive to Salt Lake City, so I have conflicting states-of-mind at present. I’ll settled with Contented.
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[mp3] One eskimO – Kandi from One eskimO (2009)
Tags: free tickets, Gomez, kuestionnaire, one eskimo
Posted in Concerts, Contests, Kuestionnaires, Music | No Comments »
Monday, March 15th, 2010
Manchester Orchestra
I have heard about the theatrics of a Manchester Orchestra show and was looking forward to what they had in store that night. After (purposely) skipping the first two acts, I made my way through a seemingly 16-21 aged crowd to get a few good shots of the band.
The Features
Opening act, The Features, shared their Americana folk rock with a mixed and very young crowd. It was well received and they seemed to be having fun and confident with their presence in the tour. Last year’s Some Kind of Salvation oozed Modest Mouse recklessness and the clumsy beauty of Tom Waits making The Features a band to know this year. Keep on the look-out.
Manchester Orchestra
Just as Manchester Orchestra do what they do best, they let the music talk and leave it to be admired throughout the 90 minute set. Kicking off with Pride and going into In My Teeth, the band quickly prove these songs can fit well into this type of venue. As the set comfortably takes some of the best bits of their last 2 albums, with previous singles I Can Barely Breathe and I’ve Got Friends, along with a cover of Neil Young’s Walk On as well as a declaration of love to 50 Cent, one of the night’s more humorless highlights.
Manchester Orchestra
They even dipped into a new track entitled, Schwing!, a very high energy and poppier sound similar to Shake It Out, which was also played. Given the might, majesty and bowel-quivering rock greatness of Manchester Orchestra’s recent album, Mean Everything to Nothing, it was a bit more enjoyable to hear the grandeur of I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child.
Manchester Orchestra
An overall faultless set, that despite the bands non-mainstream status, proved anything is possible and can be done, as Manchester Orchestra’s minimalist stage approach allowed the band and fans to appreciate this band and how far they have come. Their bold, progressive sound mixed with humor was a joy to see live.
For entire picture collection, click here.
Tags: Manchester Orchestra, Show Review, The Features, The Great American Music Hall
Posted in Concerts, Music, Show Review | No Comments »
Sunday, March 14th, 2010
by Mike Rohde
For those of you asking what SXSW is (yes, I have people asking me what SXSW is), according to it’s wiki, South by Southwest (SXSW) is a set of interactive, film, and music festivals and conferences that take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States of America. SXSW first began in 1987 and is centered on the downtown Austin Convention Center. Each of the three parts runs relatively independently, with different start and end dates.
I will going to cover the music portion the best I can with our newest member, Tanner. Neither of us have experienced this and are currently coordinating schedules so we can bring you the best of our insane journey to center of the future of music as we know it. This is going to fun.
Here are some of our favorites to give you an idea what we’re looking forward to.
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[mp3] Rainbow Arabia – kabuki (PICTUREPLANE NEGATIVE SLAVE RE-WORK) from Unreleased (2010)
SXSW – Alliance Talent Showcase at Submerged, March 18th, 10PM
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[mp3] Holy Fuck – They’re Going To Take My Thumbs from Holy Fuck EP (2007)
Baeble Takes On Texas – Thursday March 18th, 12 to 6PM
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[mp3] Neon Indian – Sleep Paralysist (Co-produced by Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor) from Green Label Sound (2010)
Force Field/Terrorbird Party @ Red 7, March 17th (3 pm)
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[mp3] Toro Y Moi – Blessa from Causers Of This (2010)
FORCE FIELD PR PARTY @ MS BEA’S aka CHEER UP CHARLIE’S, March 20th, 12PM
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[mp3] Wallpaper. – I Got Soul, I’m So Wasted from Doodoo Face (2009)
The Bay Area Takeover at Austin’s Beauty Bar, March 18th from 11:30am to 6pm (We’ll definitely be here, come say hi)
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[mp3] Oh No Ono – Eleanor Speaks (Caribou remix) from Eggs (Remix) (2010)
Billions day party @ The Mohawk, March 18th, 3:20pm
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[mp3] Letting Up Despite Great Faults – Photograph Shakes from Letting Up Despite Great Faults (2010)
Sneak Attack Media, Sneak Attack Austin & Playing in Traffic Records @ Clive Bar, Friday March 19th, 11 to 6pm
Tags: Holy Fuck, Neon Indian, Oh No Ono, Rainbow Arabia, sxsw 2010, Toro Y Moi, wallpaper.
Posted in Concerts, Mixes/Playlists, Music, sxsw 2010 | 1 Comment »
Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Midlake
I was looking forward to this show for quite sometime. Midlake’s The Trials of Van Occupanther is the perfect hazy day soundtrack for me and when this year’s The Courage Of Others came out, that album quickly became one of my favorites of the year. By pledging allegiance to old-time country music, 1960s The Band-like harmonies, and exuberant acoustic clatter, Midlake create hushed, dreamy and mysteriously beautiful music.
Matthew and the Arrogant Sea
Opening was the fello Denton, Texas crew, Matthew and the Arrogant Sea. The combination of the hushed, indie balladry with the spacious guitar rock made these guys a welcome addition to the short line-up. Mixing boogie-soaked country and the wail of Matthew’s echoing falsetto may have gained a few skeptical audience members.
Midlake
Ethereal beardy-music has a ready-made audience ready to declare it’s the best thing since My Morning Jacket, and as a result it’s suffering from oversubscription. Midlake are a cut above, but lack the psych-pop complexity of, say, Fleet Foxes.
Midlake
Despite darker notes like the eerie Rulers Ruling All Things, whose sweet melody couches strange, oblique images of snow and destruction, mainly they’re as unshowy, down-home and honest as their plaid shirts.
Midlake
Existing in a vague timeless space somewhere between the early-’70s and a folky, pre-industrial world of Crosby, Stills & Nash harmonies, streams and squirrels, they’re almost too gorgeous, neatly sidestepping the mess of modernity.
Midlake
Of course, you’d only have such doubts hours later. As you stand, rapt, bathed in the chiming acoustic guitar and flute of Van Occupanther or thrilling to Tim Smith’s haunting whisper on Acts of Man, your head will be full of nothing but the desire for it not to stop.
For entire picture collection, click here.
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[mp3] Midlake – Acts of Man from The Courage Of Others (2010)
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[mp3] Matthew and the Arrogant Sea – You Still Love Me Blondie from Family Family Family Meets The Magic Christian (2008)
Tags: great american music hall, Matthew and the Arrogant Sea, midlake, Show Review
Posted in Concerts, Music, Show Review | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Phantogram
Playing in San Francisco for the third time in five months, the Saratoga Springs, NY duo Phantogram once again graced us locals to a charged performance at The Rickshaw Stop Wednesday night, March 3rd. Opening for School Of Seven Bells last October and Zero 7 in December, this was the first headlining show in the Bay Area for these upstart soundsmiths.
Phantogram
Friends since junior high, the team of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel released their self titled EP in May of 2009 and quickly gained the attention of the national indie music scene. Since signing to Barsuk Records last fall, the pair has toured extensively in the US and parts of Europe. Now they are embarking on their own tour in support of their first full length album, Eyelid Movies, which dropped last month. Their eclectic style of music incorporates hip hop drum samples, buzzy synths, wet guitar hooks, and vocal stylings of both members into a unique package that has been dubbed by some as “Street Beat Psyche Pop.”
Phantogram
After local bands The Frail and City Light each played solid sets, Phantogram took the stage. Orchestrating a symphony of sound and light, these modern day wizards of oz dazzled the crowd with a barrage of visuals and soundwaves occupying all the cozy spots in the audible sonic range. Armed with samplers, synths, a guitar, a laptop, a dedicated mixer, and likely a handful of other things I was unable to identify, the pair transitioned between their respective tools seamlessly making their complex gear arrangement look easy to operate. I mean, I’ve been dazzled before by the likes of Hot Chip and Animal Collective with their substantial number of support personnel making things run smoothly, but the Oz metaphor rings true when you realize that this is just two people. Barthel was particularly impressive playing synth basslines and triggering light effects all while simultaneously serenading the crowd with some of the best live vocals I have heard in awhile, often looping them and layering on additional harmonies. There was very little banter between songs, as these two just stuck to doing what they have been perfecting since they formed; performing a charismatic live show for an engaged audience. And boy did they look at ease doing it.
- Tanner Pikop
Photos By Michael Townsend
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[mp3] Phantogram – When I’m Small from Eyelid Movies (2010)
Tags: Phantogram, Rickshaw Stop, Show Review
Posted in Concerts, Music, Show Review | 1 Comment »
Monday, March 8th, 2010
Every Thursday, our friends at the local show listings-based Epicsauce.com will be hosting some impressive line-ups in the Upper Haight’s new venue, The Milk Bar (ex-Club Boomerang). The show is directly across from Amoeba Records, so anyone done browsing the endless selection at Amoeba can stroll over and catch some of the best in Bay Area music.
And this week’s line-up is no exception. This Thursday’s showcase will feature French Miami, White Cloud and the wonderful Silian Rail, one of my favorite local instrumental bands. Plus it’s free and with $1 PBRs plus other select $3 pints. So being cheap isn’t an excuse this time around.
RSVP to the event here if you plan on attending.
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[mp3] French Miami – Multi Caliber Rifles from French Miami (2008)
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[mp3] White Cloud – GALAPAGOS from Unreleased
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[mp3] Silian Rail – Tituba from And I You, To Pieces (2008)
Tags: epicsause, French Miami, Silian Rail, The Milk Bar, White Cloud
Posted in Concerts, Music | No Comments »
