Extra Credit Post : YouTube legal battle
Stemming from disagreements in revenue sharing contracts with Warner Music, YouTube started muting many music videos on its site earlier this year. At first only videos featuring music by Warner's artists were muted, but recently in the UK and Germany all music videos containing copy written songs have been taken down or muted.
This has come about because of further disagreements between Google, Youtube's parent company, and the performing rights associations in those countries. Google has claimed that the high fees that these performing rights organizations want them to pay are exorbitant and would mean YouTube would turn into a money-loosing business rather quickly. In the case of the German market, the GEMA, the German performing rights organization, wants to charge Google 12 cents every time a music video containing copy written music is played.
The basic underlying point of disagreement is how record labels and artists should be paid for their content being featured on YouTube. YouTube makes money from advertising, and many in the industry feel that too much of the advertising revenue is going in their own pockets, rather than being spread out to the creators of the content which YouTube is making money off of.
Many YouTube users have had strong negative reactions to the muted content. However, Google have moved quickly to establish new agreements with players in the music industry to solve the problems. The most significant sign of success so far is a venture between Google and Universal Music Group to create a new site called Vevo. The site will feature music videos from the whole Universal catalog and will use the YouTube framework to do so. The venture will make money by selling advertising space and then splitting the revenues between Google and Universal. The head of Universal, Dick Morris, hopes to convince other labels to follow suit and join Vevo, with the goal of creating a one stop site for music videos, much like imeem is for music.
It is important to note that these deals are actually key to YouTube's success. Currently the operating costs to run YouTube far outweigh the revenue being brought in through advertising. However, if Google can partner YouTube with more distributors and feature 'legitimate' content, their ad revenue could increase greatly. Google aren't only actively pursuing music deals but also are partnering with movie studios to start putting tv and movie content online.
Overall it is very difficult to weigh in on these legal battles because the particulars of each case are very difficult to find and in many cases are not allowed to be disclosed. It is clear that labels and performing rights organizations need to be compensated as long as Google is making a profit off of advertising revenue though YouTube. However, both sides seem to be struggling on how much of that revenue should be distributed. The new agreement between Universal and Google seems to be a very promising start and hopefully other labels will join in, creating a much better experience for the user compared to the current YouTube debacle.
Tom Davidson
Thursday, April 30, 2009
T-Pain: an act of God
This past Monday, T-Pain canceled his show that was supposed to be held in Bender Arena. For all of you like me, who thought T-Pain was a robot because of his love for auto tune and his most recent robot-esque dance moves in "I'm On a Boat", were proved wrong. Apparently he came down with some laryngitis, which would make it impossible to sing, so his agent contacted the head of SUB Sunday morning and told him the bad news. SUB recently sent out emails to everyone who was going to the show, both students and general admission, that there will be full refunds given this week and next week. T-Pain was on his "College Tour", which is what is sounds like, most recently visiting Georgetown on April 18th.
Now this is just a bit of bad luck for everyone who wanted to hear T-Pain, or maybe just "I'm on a Boat", and there is nothing anyone could have done about this. This is something that would come up in a Force Majeure Clause in a contract. This was something that was beyond the control of T-Pain, so according to this clause, the contract is considered void and prevents everyone involved from fulfilling the contract. I do not know the details of the contract, but knowing that T-Pain is a big artist and that this clause is an industry standard, I would assume it is in the contract.
So unfortunately there was no T-Pain, but it ended up working out for everyone: SUB did not have to pay T-Pain and T-Pain did not have to perform during is illness. Thank God for Force Majeure!
John Geraghty
Now this is just a bit of bad luck for everyone who wanted to hear T-Pain, or maybe just "I'm on a Boat", and there is nothing anyone could have done about this. This is something that would come up in a Force Majeure Clause in a contract. This was something that was beyond the control of T-Pain, so according to this clause, the contract is considered void and prevents everyone involved from fulfilling the contract. I do not know the details of the contract, but knowing that T-Pain is a big artist and that this clause is an industry standard, I would assume it is in the contract.
So unfortunately there was no T-Pain, but it ended up working out for everyone: SUB did not have to pay T-Pain and T-Pain did not have to perform during is illness. Thank God for Force Majeure!
John Geraghty
Keep of Kalessin
I once attended a Black Metal show featuring the fearsome Behemoth, the sacrilegious headliners Dimmu Borgir, and a relatively unknown band: Keep of Kalessin. Before the show, we had watched a music video of KoK’s because we had no idea who they were, and we all agreed that they sucked in comparison to the other two. And thus we went to this concert being only fans of Dimmu Borgir (probably because their music is most accessible), and Behemoth, because of their highly questionable morals and awesome technique, but for me that would soon change forever.
We arrived a little late into KoK’s set, and we were completely surprised by what we saw. Normally, the first band up was highly nervous, their music/technique still undeveloped, and thus no one watched and instead sat back and beveraged or stood awkwardly listening away from the stage. Instead, big mosh pits, the room was packed, and the band on stage was completely comfortable wearing black leathers and serious spikes. Being a band with a dedicated singer is growing less common in Black Metal, as several of the hugely popular black metal bands out there, including Behemoth and the infamous corpse paint wearing Immortal, have their singers playing tremolo picking solos simultaneously. And thus, I immediately was going to be critical of the singer’s technique until I heard the vocals. Complicated with wide range and the ability to switch effortlessly impressed me tremendously, the guitar riffs overlapping at weird intervals, and constant blast beats, by the time they were done, I was duly impressed. Needless to say, Behemoth and Dimmu were awesome, but they already have tremendous followings for their expertise, but for me KoK stuck in my head.
Many months later, actually a year later, I decided to go out and purchase an album by Keep of Kalessin because I needed something new, and I haven’t stopped to listening to that album since. The audiotech mastery is perfectly audible, and thinking about that live performance, I realize that its really impressive they were able to play as well as they did given the hugely complex layers, acoustic switches and different vocal gain parts. The album theme is very well written, Kollosus is sung from the viewpoint of a Sauron (from Lord of the Rings obviously) like character, and I had never thought that Spanish guitar would have worked in Metal until I heard this album. If you are interested in Black metal, I’d suggest starting with some traditional bands, like Immortal and Gorgoroth, but I that’s too simple/brutal for your tastes (too much tremolo picking, blast beats, black metal vocals that sound like a man is getting raped in the ass), the new wave of black metal bands like Behemoth and Keep of Kalessin are changing the face of metal. They have developed the genre from the one mic in a closet sound of ages past to something that uses classical music and opposes its theories with every chord and note.
Alex Hura
We arrived a little late into KoK’s set, and we were completely surprised by what we saw. Normally, the first band up was highly nervous, their music/technique still undeveloped, and thus no one watched and instead sat back and beveraged or stood awkwardly listening away from the stage. Instead, big mosh pits, the room was packed, and the band on stage was completely comfortable wearing black leathers and serious spikes. Being a band with a dedicated singer is growing less common in Black Metal, as several of the hugely popular black metal bands out there, including Behemoth and the infamous corpse paint wearing Immortal, have their singers playing tremolo picking solos simultaneously. And thus, I immediately was going to be critical of the singer’s technique until I heard the vocals. Complicated with wide range and the ability to switch effortlessly impressed me tremendously, the guitar riffs overlapping at weird intervals, and constant blast beats, by the time they were done, I was duly impressed. Needless to say, Behemoth and Dimmu were awesome, but they already have tremendous followings for their expertise, but for me KoK stuck in my head.
Many months later, actually a year later, I decided to go out and purchase an album by Keep of Kalessin because I needed something new, and I haven’t stopped to listening to that album since. The audiotech mastery is perfectly audible, and thinking about that live performance, I realize that its really impressive they were able to play as well as they did given the hugely complex layers, acoustic switches and different vocal gain parts. The album theme is very well written, Kollosus is sung from the viewpoint of a Sauron (from Lord of the Rings obviously) like character, and I had never thought that Spanish guitar would have worked in Metal until I heard this album. If you are interested in Black metal, I’d suggest starting with some traditional bands, like Immortal and Gorgoroth, but I that’s too simple/brutal for your tastes (too much tremolo picking, blast beats, black metal vocals that sound like a man is getting raped in the ass), the new wave of black metal bands like Behemoth and Keep of Kalessin are changing the face of metal. They have developed the genre from the one mic in a closet sound of ages past to something that uses classical music and opposes its theories with every chord and note.
Alex Hura
EC Posting - Live Performance: EMERFEST!
In an age where the internet and electronics separate people from actually interacting with one another, there will be a developing need for live performance. That's why I am saying that all you people need to get away from your TV and computer screens on Saturday night and you need to come down to the blackbox theater in Katzen and hear three awesome bands for FREE! Doors at 8pm, three bands, May 2nd! This is my senior show and features yours truly on the drums for all three sets. So come down and have a good time!
Emerson
Emerson
Extra Credit Blog Post: a review of Holland by Realpeople
To the contrary of many music journalists and fans, I generally try to steer away from making ‘best of’ lists at the end of the year. This is mostly because its rare that ten records really ever end up good enough that I would feel the need to tell all my friends to listen to it. However, if I were to list my favorite records so far this year, Holland by Realpeople would certainly be the first.
Zach Condon has been making music under the moniker Beirut since 2006 and has definitely established his ability to make compelling multi-instrumental arrangements in an eastern-European style. However, very few of his songs have incorporated synthesizers so it would make sense that he would choose a new moniker to release an EP full of synth-pop songs. Holland was released as a split alongside Beirut’s March of the Zapotec EP, which actually pales in comparison when it comes to quality. If anything the Beirut tracks on this split sound like B sides and the Realpeople tracks sound like a new inspiration.
One wouldn’t think that an artist who makes music in such a dramatic and old fashioned style as Condon’s would adapt well to making an album almost exclusively using synthesizers, however it works remarkably well. The sound quality and mixing jobs make the EP sound very much like a demo, although the synth textures used are truly unique and very dynamic nonetheless. Even Condon’s intense vibrato makes the transition seamlessly on aching brooders such as “Venice” and the dancey “My Night With the Prostitute from Marseille.” The record sounds just as European as anything in Beirut’s discography, but approaches it from a completely different angle.
What’s also remarkable is how dynamic these songs are considering most of them aren’t anything more than two synth voices, a drum machine and layered vocal tracks. Many of Condon’s previous efforts with Beirut have excelled because of his ability to arrange using a whole host of unconventional instruments; however, the fact that Condon can create a record that’s comparatively sparse and equally compelling is only a testament to his talent as a musician.
While this is only a five song EP, it excels in both style and content. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Realpeople full length released in the near future. I only hope that Beirut fans are as receptive to I am to this new style.
Cameron
Zach Condon has been making music under the moniker Beirut since 2006 and has definitely established his ability to make compelling multi-instrumental arrangements in an eastern-European style. However, very few of his songs have incorporated synthesizers so it would make sense that he would choose a new moniker to release an EP full of synth-pop songs. Holland was released as a split alongside Beirut’s March of the Zapotec EP, which actually pales in comparison when it comes to quality. If anything the Beirut tracks on this split sound like B sides and the Realpeople tracks sound like a new inspiration.
One wouldn’t think that an artist who makes music in such a dramatic and old fashioned style as Condon’s would adapt well to making an album almost exclusively using synthesizers, however it works remarkably well. The sound quality and mixing jobs make the EP sound very much like a demo, although the synth textures used are truly unique and very dynamic nonetheless. Even Condon’s intense vibrato makes the transition seamlessly on aching brooders such as “Venice” and the dancey “My Night With the Prostitute from Marseille.” The record sounds just as European as anything in Beirut’s discography, but approaches it from a completely different angle.
What’s also remarkable is how dynamic these songs are considering most of them aren’t anything more than two synth voices, a drum machine and layered vocal tracks. Many of Condon’s previous efforts with Beirut have excelled because of his ability to arrange using a whole host of unconventional instruments; however, the fact that Condon can create a record that’s comparatively sparse and equally compelling is only a testament to his talent as a musician.
While this is only a five song EP, it excels in both style and content. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Realpeople full length released in the near future. I only hope that Beirut fans are as receptive to I am to this new style.
Cameron
Extra Credit Blog: Let's Make Noise
Music has always been a major part of my life. Home videos reveal me as a three-year-old, plunking the keys of my Playskool piano as I sang along to songs of Billy Joel, and doing the same with a plastic guitar and Raffi. I feel I have come a long way since "Baby Beluga"; nevertheless, this is where it all began.
My days of Playskool piano plunking and plastic guitar strumming led to my formal training on these two instruments, which has now spanned over a decade. I also introduced myself to the violin in early elementary school, after music class teachers graced my ears with symphonic orchestral recordings of such genius composers as Beethoven and Mozart. Although for a lesser time period, I have also been found banging on the drums. I make a somewhat humorous attempt at writing lyrics to original pieces, and an even more comical one at accompanying said pieces with vocal melodies. For these reasons, I have found myself playing in bands and performing in live venues, which is something I hope to continue doing.
In more recent years, I have discovered that there is an entire world of musical art that exists beyond the performance aspect. This was set in motion when I had the desire to record some of my original music. I started with an inexpensive computer program and one microphone, and in a few years built that up into a small home studio in my basement, where I could be found in my free time. I have recorded tracks of my own original music, as well as demos for friends and others who wish to capture their work. After being at AU for a year in the Audio Production program, I have learned even more than I could imagine. I am on the verge of becoming a certified Pro Tools operator, and realizing that there are many roads I can choose that would make me happy working in this industry. I find I am always learning something new, but I know I have only dipped a toe in the ocean of this musical world.
Jon Casalaina
My days of Playskool piano plunking and plastic guitar strumming led to my formal training on these two instruments, which has now spanned over a decade. I also introduced myself to the violin in early elementary school, after music class teachers graced my ears with symphonic orchestral recordings of such genius composers as Beethoven and Mozart. Although for a lesser time period, I have also been found banging on the drums. I make a somewhat humorous attempt at writing lyrics to original pieces, and an even more comical one at accompanying said pieces with vocal melodies. For these reasons, I have found myself playing in bands and performing in live venues, which is something I hope to continue doing.
In more recent years, I have discovered that there is an entire world of musical art that exists beyond the performance aspect. This was set in motion when I had the desire to record some of my original music. I started with an inexpensive computer program and one microphone, and in a few years built that up into a small home studio in my basement, where I could be found in my free time. I have recorded tracks of my own original music, as well as demos for friends and others who wish to capture their work. After being at AU for a year in the Audio Production program, I have learned even more than I could imagine. I am on the verge of becoming a certified Pro Tools operator, and realizing that there are many roads I can choose that would make me happy working in this industry. I find I am always learning something new, but I know I have only dipped a toe in the ocean of this musical world.
Jon Casalaina
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Streetlight Manifesto - 4/19
This past Sunday, the 19th, Streetlight Manifesto came to AU. The intimate concert was held in the amphitheatre which unfortunately probably hurt the turnout a little because of weather concerns. However, there were about 60-70 people in attendance and the majority were obviously hyped to see one of their favorite bands. Personally, it was an interesting experience having never heard the band before. It is always different hearing a band for the first time live without ever having heard prerecorded songs.
Judging from their live performance they are a very energetic and musical band who have a great stage presence and know how to work a crowd, no matter how small. Although they are classified as ska I would almost put them in a genre all to themselves because of their unique blend of different styles which meld together to create a very danceable, fun sound. The bands heavy use of brass instruments was a unique touch and added to the experience. There was a lot of interaction between the band and the audience, and judging from the crowd’s reaction most were dedicated fans of the band.
One of the funniest moments of the concert was when one of the band members called a member of the crowd out for yawning. To get her moving they played one of their many up-tempo songs that just happened to be her favorite song. This excited her to no end and really got the crowd even more amped. The bands banter between each other was amusing as well and was appreciated by the crowd.
Overall the concert was an enjoyable experience and I would definitely see them again. After listening to their music on their MySpace page after the concert they seem like the type of band who are more interesting to see live than listen to on an iPod, just because of the energy and intensity of their music which lends itself more to a concert setting.
Tom Davidson
Judging from their live performance they are a very energetic and musical band who have a great stage presence and know how to work a crowd, no matter how small. Although they are classified as ska I would almost put them in a genre all to themselves because of their unique blend of different styles which meld together to create a very danceable, fun sound. The bands heavy use of brass instruments was a unique touch and added to the experience. There was a lot of interaction between the band and the audience, and judging from the crowd’s reaction most were dedicated fans of the band.
One of the funniest moments of the concert was when one of the band members called a member of the crowd out for yawning. To get her moving they played one of their many up-tempo songs that just happened to be her favorite song. This excited her to no end and really got the crowd even more amped. The bands banter between each other was amusing as well and was appreciated by the crowd.
Overall the concert was an enjoyable experience and I would definitely see them again. After listening to their music on their MySpace page after the concert they seem like the type of band who are more interesting to see live than listen to on an iPod, just because of the energy and intensity of their music which lends itself more to a concert setting.
Tom Davidson
Disco Biscuits 4/20
I realize this blog is a little late, but better late than never. Plus I had to wait until Monday so I could write about my experience at the Disco Biscuits concert. That Monday was a very special Monday out of the year, being on a very perfect day in the middle of April, and the Disco Biscuits had come to celebrate what many call a holiday. After filling myself on beer and roast beef at a bar called Duffy's across the street, my two companions and I strolled over to the end of a massive line, which led to the doors of the 930 cluib. I was lucky enough to have two fine females on either arm, which was a smart move on my part since I anticipated the extensive night of dancing ahead of us. Once inside the doors the band was already playing its first set and a pulse was felt through the crowd as fans moved to the heavy beat. A sweet smell lingered in the air as lights swirled around the venue. The new $250.000 sound system blasted with a low end that gripped your heart but with a clear high end that articulated every beat. After doing several shots, the three of us were ready to dive into the bumping throng.
The Disco Biscuits are a simple four piece (keys, guitar, bass, and drums) but know how to keep the crowd moving with their as they slowly accelerate and build tension. The amazing thing about their grooves is that they never stop. One song blends into the other without missing a beat, so the crowd never gets a chance to take a break. Grinding and bumping for over an hour the first set finally ended. Drenched in sweat we ran to the bar to re-fuel before the next set. We were all feeling fatigued from the unending music but once the band was back on stage, the feeling melted away. The second set seemed longer than the first and my limbs became numb as they bounced weightlessly to the pulse of the band. Finally after a 20 minute encore, the show was over, after approximately four hours of solid music.
Although the band can get repetitive and tiring to listen to off a cd at home, the Disco Biscuits live shows are something you cannot miss. With the thumping jam-band-dance music style you will get more than you payed for. What a great way to celebrate 4/20.
Emerson
The Disco Biscuits are a simple four piece (keys, guitar, bass, and drums) but know how to keep the crowd moving with their as they slowly accelerate and build tension. The amazing thing about their grooves is that they never stop. One song blends into the other without missing a beat, so the crowd never gets a chance to take a break. Grinding and bumping for over an hour the first set finally ended. Drenched in sweat we ran to the bar to re-fuel before the next set. We were all feeling fatigued from the unending music but once the band was back on stage, the feeling melted away. The second set seemed longer than the first and my limbs became numb as they bounced weightlessly to the pulse of the band. Finally after a 20 minute encore, the show was over, after approximately four hours of solid music.
Although the band can get repetitive and tiring to listen to off a cd at home, the Disco Biscuits live shows are something you cannot miss. With the thumping jam-band-dance music style you will get more than you payed for. What a great way to celebrate 4/20.
Emerson
Rattler- Sleaze/Hair Metal at its Finest
Magic Bullet Records
Band Members:
Rick Rattler
Scott Rattler
Mickey "Hollywood" Fangs
Rattlesnake
Frank "The Duece" Williams
"Rick and Scott Rattler were hatched from a snake egg that was the love child of a redneck snake slut chick and a drunk jock. 16 years after the egg hatched the two found their musical soul mates and have been playing shows and fucking chicks ever since."
What better introduction to "The Worlds Most Awesome Band" than the words from the band Rattler themsleves. Hailing from D.C., Maryland and Virgina, Rattler are tongue-in-cheek, ostentatious, and of course: Awesome. Their music? well its okay; with songs like "Panty Incinerator", "She's Too Young", and "Getting Awesome" exaggeration and self indulgence is Rattlers M.O, not technical mastery or even artistic expression. What does rattler sound like? Well according to their very own Myspace page, Rattler is influenced by none the than.. "ahem", well Rattler and their "Sounds Like" section reveals that they are most reminiscent of "The voice of God after 10 jager bombs". Touring mostly alongside the east coast, Rattler has developed a quite loyal following especially in the D.C area playing the majority of their shows in clubs in D.C. and Baltimore. Their live shows are entertaining and raucous to say the least, having been banned at one point from D.C's very own Black Cat. Rattlers discorgaphy currently consists of a limited edition album of 500 copies that was released in conjunction with fellow label mates Nitro Tokyo and are currently working on their Second studio album "Incoming". If you would like to take part in the mayhem and have the opportunity to possibly get punched in the face or be urinated upon by any or all of the members of Rattler, they will be playing their next show April 30th at the Talking Head in Baltimore.
UPDATE:
April 30th Baltimore show cancelled
Mickey "Hollywood" Fangs was badly injured in a guitar solo accident in Burma this past weekend. He's going to be on the disabled list for a few weeks, So our Baltimore show is canceled. We'll keep you posted of further shows. Attached below is the news article from the Burma Times. Sorry guys, and don't worry girls we can slam you at the next show.
For more information on cancellation details please visit Rattlers Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=111160737488&ref=mf
Band Members:
Rick Rattler
Scott Rattler
Mickey "Hollywood" Fangs
Rattlesnake
Frank "The Duece" Williams
"Rick and Scott Rattler were hatched from a snake egg that was the love child of a redneck snake slut chick and a drunk jock. 16 years after the egg hatched the two found their musical soul mates and have been playing shows and fucking chicks ever since."
What better introduction to "The Worlds Most Awesome Band" than the words from the band Rattler themsleves. Hailing from D.C., Maryland and Virgina, Rattler are tongue-in-cheek, ostentatious, and of course: Awesome. Their music? well its okay; with songs like "Panty Incinerator", "She's Too Young", and "Getting Awesome" exaggeration and self indulgence is Rattlers M.O, not technical mastery or even artistic expression. What does rattler sound like? Well according to their very own Myspace page, Rattler is influenced by none the than.. "ahem", well Rattler and their "Sounds Like" section reveals that they are most reminiscent of "The voice of God after 10 jager bombs". Touring mostly alongside the east coast, Rattler has developed a quite loyal following especially in the D.C area playing the majority of their shows in clubs in D.C. and Baltimore. Their live shows are entertaining and raucous to say the least, having been banned at one point from D.C's very own Black Cat. Rattlers discorgaphy currently consists of a limited edition album of 500 copies that was released in conjunction with fellow label mates Nitro Tokyo and are currently working on their Second studio album "Incoming". If you would like to take part in the mayhem and have the opportunity to possibly get punched in the face or be urinated upon by any or all of the members of Rattler, they will be playing their next show April 30th at the Talking Head in Baltimore.
UPDATE:
April 30th Baltimore show cancelled
Mickey "Hollywood" Fangs was badly injured in a guitar solo accident in Burma this past weekend. He's going to be on the disabled list for a few weeks, So our Baltimore show is canceled. We'll keep you posted of further shows. Attached below is the news article from the Burma Times. Sorry guys, and don't worry girls we can slam you at the next show.
For more information on cancellation details please visit Rattlers Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=111160737488&ref=mf
Beirut: Live
April 10th brought me to Philadelphia's Electric Factory to see an American band by the name of Beirut, led by Santa Fe native Zach Condon. A band not known for its wide but specific fan-base, but not its extensive touring, sold out Philly's largest club-venue in the wake of its third full-length release, "March of the Zapotec". Beirut's style is in large part influenced by Condon's travels to Paris, where he developed a love for a type of Balkan folk music. Led by Condon's trumpet and deep vocals, the Philadelphia crowd was told a story by each song the band played, which included new music as well as music from their roots. Their distinct sound is what makes Beirut who they are, and their live show only helps a fan to realize that more.
Jon Casalaina
Jon Casalaina
A Love Like Pi
Central Jersey's three-piece electronic rock band, A Love Like Pi, recently signed with independent label Thriving Records of Florida. I am honored to call the members of the band good friends of mine, and I have watched them progress greatly over the past seven years they have been together. Their creativity is something that greatly exceeds their age, and their experience has allowed them to hone their skills and produce a compelling sound that is difficult to put back-to-back with any other band. This is realized through their feature full-length album, "Atlas and the Oyster", released under Thriving. Over the past few years, the band has definitely created a local buzz in the tri-state area, and has extended its fan-base further through touring and networking. Prior to their signing with Thriving Records earlier in the year, ALLP was set up with interviews from several labels. It is understood that they signed with Thriving because the label realized that the sound and creativity was the most important aspect of the band, and they did not want to change that. A Love Like Pi has made an important and exciting decision that will undoubtedly change their lives, and I am excited to see where they go from here. Check 'em out! www.myspace.com/alovelikepi
Jon Casalaina
Jon Casalaina
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Perfect Circle
Usually I don't have time to go to a lot of shows, but I make the time when a friend asks me to tag along and has seats right behind the sound engineer. I went to see APC at the Tweeter Center in Camden NJ probably 5 years ago. The show started with an opening act of mini kiss which was basically midgets playing kiss covers which with illegal substances in the air, and near death of heat stroke I found amusing and hilarious. By the time the show started the lights went out and it was very similar to watching a movie. Manyard (the lead singer of APC along with Tool) was behind a white screen banging on two slanted timpani's with the lights behind him flashing on and off giving the effect of him disappearing and coming back in different places and positions within the box. This was ironic due to the opening song being called "vanishing" after a minute or two of vocals with drums the guitars and bass kicked in (with James from Smashing Pumpkins on guitar, and Twiggy (I think that's his name) from Marilyn Manson on Bass. It was a truly amazing scene. The background were these old trees similar to what one might see in the wizard of oz but were much darker and had lights in the branches shining light down on the band members.
The Tweeter center usually hosts big acts such as Incubus,Tool, The Philharmonic, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Pixies,Dave Matthews Band, The Mars Volta etc...so it is notorious for having an amazing sound system and was designed with orchestra in mind so the acoustics are some of the best in the area, compared to clubs and smaller venues in Philly or at a stadium. APC played about an hr and a half set keeping pretty close to songs from the new CD in a dramatic cinematic matter, as if acting out their songs. While I don't believe APC is musically the best in the world when compared to people such as Bach or numerous Jazz musicians such as Jaco Pastorious, their creativity with image, and providing the right amount of sound to back it up made for a very entertaining show. Also, their backgrounds in other bands, as guitar technicians (the main guitarist), and studio drummers (Josh Reese) made for a sonically pleasing and professional sound.
Overall I would definitely see them again, I was very entertained and was not distracted from watching the stage for even a second.
Josh Jardine
The Tweeter center usually hosts big acts such as Incubus,Tool, The Philharmonic, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Pixies,Dave Matthews Band, The Mars Volta etc...so it is notorious for having an amazing sound system and was designed with orchestra in mind so the acoustics are some of the best in the area, compared to clubs and smaller venues in Philly or at a stadium. APC played about an hr and a half set keeping pretty close to songs from the new CD in a dramatic cinematic matter, as if acting out their songs. While I don't believe APC is musically the best in the world when compared to people such as Bach or numerous Jazz musicians such as Jaco Pastorious, their creativity with image, and providing the right amount of sound to back it up made for a very entertaining show. Also, their backgrounds in other bands, as guitar technicians (the main guitarist), and studio drummers (Josh Reese) made for a sonically pleasing and professional sound.
Overall I would definitely see them again, I was very entertained and was not distracted from watching the stage for even a second.
Josh Jardine
GWAR - Election Deathmatch - Alex Hura
My first concert ever I went to a GWAR show, and that was two years ago. It set my standards really high, and nothing was ever the same again. Sadly, during the show I had food poisoning and had to go vomit in the nasty 9:30 bathroom. People thought I was on drugs.
But last winter I was able to go to another show and stand in the front row of this infamous concert. The two bands preceding the GWAR performance weren’t to my tastes (although my favorite band Ensiferum was supposed to play but ended their tour a week earlier), though I supported them nonetheless because the rest of the concertgoers didn’t know what Heavy Metal was about. But right before GWAR came onstage, the club filled to the brim, as everyone wanted to come to the forefront with their white t-shirts. You could easily spot the noobs who didn’t bring white shirts, and though they were excited, they did not know what was going to hit them in the space of a few minutes.
The show began with a video explaining the nights events in an utterly obnoxious way followed by a countdown. People were starting to get pumped, and all the big assholes were pushing towards the front. The countdown ended and a minute of silence followed and everyone started to chant and some got pissed, but just as people started getting obnoxious the band members in their giant costumes mounted the stage and started blasting their tunes. The lead singer, Oderous Urungus in his spiked armor and the giant Cuttlefish of Cthullu dangling between his legs sang his rude lyrics while the bassist, wearing his armor and the bear trap around his head banged his head to the tremolo picking. The music itself is awful, with too much volume and few complexities; the lyrics to one speak about committing another Hiroshima. Suffice to say, it’s all about the show. All the characters wear costumes of some plastic material with tubes of food coloring in their vital areas that were promptly hacked apart, torn off, and generally mutilated. For example, first thing that happened after the singer started singing, a doll of baby Jesus was hacked in half and blood from the corpse sprayed the first row down in a shade of red.
The theme of the show was the election as it was an election period, and during the course of the show I was sprayed with fake blood from Hillary Clinton’s breasts, blue fluid from Barack Obama’s privates, and green fluids from a disemboweled John McCain stumbling around the stage.
GWAR insults every establishment, both religious and otherwise, the year before I remember a Mohammed with a lit bomb on his head was on stage yelling Jihad, and fans really get beaten up at the show on account of the packed venue and the violent songs. Bruised faces, bloodied nails, and people covered in all manner of colors of water based paint were all that emerged from the 9:30 clubs show. This time I hadn’t needed to vomit, but I was looking like a scary person the entire metro ride home. If you want to get really ridiculous, the GWAR show is a great place for it.
But last winter I was able to go to another show and stand in the front row of this infamous concert. The two bands preceding the GWAR performance weren’t to my tastes (although my favorite band Ensiferum was supposed to play but ended their tour a week earlier), though I supported them nonetheless because the rest of the concertgoers didn’t know what Heavy Metal was about. But right before GWAR came onstage, the club filled to the brim, as everyone wanted to come to the forefront with their white t-shirts. You could easily spot the noobs who didn’t bring white shirts, and though they were excited, they did not know what was going to hit them in the space of a few minutes.
The show began with a video explaining the nights events in an utterly obnoxious way followed by a countdown. People were starting to get pumped, and all the big assholes were pushing towards the front. The countdown ended and a minute of silence followed and everyone started to chant and some got pissed, but just as people started getting obnoxious the band members in their giant costumes mounted the stage and started blasting their tunes. The lead singer, Oderous Urungus in his spiked armor and the giant Cuttlefish of Cthullu dangling between his legs sang his rude lyrics while the bassist, wearing his armor and the bear trap around his head banged his head to the tremolo picking. The music itself is awful, with too much volume and few complexities; the lyrics to one speak about committing another Hiroshima. Suffice to say, it’s all about the show. All the characters wear costumes of some plastic material with tubes of food coloring in their vital areas that were promptly hacked apart, torn off, and generally mutilated. For example, first thing that happened after the singer started singing, a doll of baby Jesus was hacked in half and blood from the corpse sprayed the first row down in a shade of red.
The theme of the show was the election as it was an election period, and during the course of the show I was sprayed with fake blood from Hillary Clinton’s breasts, blue fluid from Barack Obama’s privates, and green fluids from a disemboweled John McCain stumbling around the stage.
GWAR insults every establishment, both religious and otherwise, the year before I remember a Mohammed with a lit bomb on his head was on stage yelling Jihad, and fans really get beaten up at the show on account of the packed venue and the violent songs. Bruised faces, bloodied nails, and people covered in all manner of colors of water based paint were all that emerged from the 9:30 clubs show. This time I hadn’t needed to vomit, but I was looking like a scary person the entire metro ride home. If you want to get really ridiculous, the GWAR show is a great place for it.
Rodrigo and Gabriela Concert Review
Two years ago I heard about these two classical guitarist, Rodrigo and Gabriela, who combined classical guitar, flamenco style playing, and a metal undertone to all their songs. They come from a metal background in Mexico and decided to take their talents to the classical style. Rodrigo is the lead man and generally plays all of the melodies and solos, but it is Gabriela who generally steals the show. She plays the rhythm, but she uses her whole hand not just to play the chords, but also for hitting the guitar to create this unique rhythm and sound unlike anything I have heard before. Last year, I was looking at shows playing at the 930 Club and I saw that they were playing, so I had to go.
The set up for the show was incredible, there were four different cameras placed on them and they were being projected behind them. There were two on the necks of both guitars, looking from the head down to the sound hole. The other two were placed right around the sound hole, following the strumming hands of Rodrigo and Gabriela. There was also a crazy light show that they had, which was being cued by their playing. When there was a downbeat or hit on the guitar, there would be a flash of light and generally there was a different color for each hit. So if you didn't like their music, there was one heck of a visual performance.
The actual show was great and they played a whole variety of their songs. They tried to get a lot of audience participation, like when they played "Wish You Were Here" they got everyone in the audience to sing the lyrics while they played. They also did the same with "Stairway to Heaven", which includes an unbelievable solo by Rodrigo (honestly one of the best covers of that song I have ever heard). Also, during one of their signature songs "Diablo Rojo", they got different sections of the audience to clap out different rhythms, so when we put them all together it gave a nice beat behind their song. The best part of the whole concert was when both Rodrigo and Gabriela had their time to shine and basically ripped for about ten minutes each. The other would just walk off stage while the one playing tore their guitar to shreds.
Rodrigo and Gabriela are also really funny because they both cannot speak English that well, seeing as it is their second language, and they swear like no ones business. So try and picture someone struggling with english, dropping f bombs through an entire 2 hour performance: funny as hell!
John Geraghty
The set up for the show was incredible, there were four different cameras placed on them and they were being projected behind them. There were two on the necks of both guitars, looking from the head down to the sound hole. The other two were placed right around the sound hole, following the strumming hands of Rodrigo and Gabriela. There was also a crazy light show that they had, which was being cued by their playing. When there was a downbeat or hit on the guitar, there would be a flash of light and generally there was a different color for each hit. So if you didn't like their music, there was one heck of a visual performance.
The actual show was great and they played a whole variety of their songs. They tried to get a lot of audience participation, like when they played "Wish You Were Here" they got everyone in the audience to sing the lyrics while they played. They also did the same with "Stairway to Heaven", which includes an unbelievable solo by Rodrigo (honestly one of the best covers of that song I have ever heard). Also, during one of their signature songs "Diablo Rojo", they got different sections of the audience to clap out different rhythms, so when we put them all together it gave a nice beat behind their song. The best part of the whole concert was when both Rodrigo and Gabriela had their time to shine and basically ripped for about ten minutes each. The other would just walk off stage while the one playing tore their guitar to shreds.
Rodrigo and Gabriela are also really funny because they both cannot speak English that well, seeing as it is their second language, and they swear like no ones business. So try and picture someone struggling with english, dropping f bombs through an entire 2 hour performance: funny as hell!
John Geraghty
Alice Russell Live! at Bohemian Caverns Washington DC 3.5.09
Daniel Ssebowa Musisi
Alice Russell Live at Bohemian Caverns – Washington, DC March 5, 2009
Alice Russell performed live with musician/producer TM Juke, born Alex Cowan. Both are artists on the UK’s Tru Thoughts record label. They had been travelling around the West Coast and picked up two members in San Francisco before landing in DC; their new guitarist and drummer, who happened to be brothers. TM Juke has produced two of Alice Russell's albums, including the most recent album Pot of Gold. TM Juke played guitar and was clearly acting band leader for the tour, which makes sense because he was likely responsible for most of the music.
Though tired from much travelling, Alice was chipper, upbeat, and clearly happy to be back in DC and performing once again at Bohemian Caverns. The band was tight and sounded amazing, even though jet-lagged from the constant travelling for three or four days prior to their arrival in DC. Mid-way through the show Alice introduced the band’s most recent additions, adding that they had only one rehearsal with the San Francisco based folks.
Alice pleased the crowd, especially major fans by performing songs from all of her albums. She silenced the crowd by doing some of her more mellow soul jams that showcased her vocal range and her ability to sustain notes and sing out with every ounce of her being. She also got the crowd amped up by doing upbeat Alice Russell favorites, including a few covers that really got people up (Seven Nation Army- White Stripes, Crazy-Gnarls Barkley).
Not only was Alice Russell upbeat and chipper, she also was a great performer with a humbly sweet, yet powerful stage presence. The crowd felt for her when she said she was tired, was blown away by her voice and her words when she belted out tunes, and hung on her every word in between songs; even laughing at her jokes whether we fully understood them or not. She had the crowd in the palm of her hand and could do no wrong.
Doing wrong was the least of her problems. It was mind-blowing that such an amazingly powerful, soulful voice could come from this petite British blonde. Seeing her in 2009 at Bohemian Caverns was a treat and may very well be the last time that DC can catch Alice Russell in such an intimate venue.
Luckily I was able to convince my friend Moncef to shoot this footage.
See below:
Alice Russell Live at Bohemian Caverns - Crazy
Alice Russell sings Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" from Moncef Belyamani on Vimeo.
Alice Russell Live at Bohemian Caverns – Tired Little One
Alice Russell - Tired Little One from Moncef Belyamani on Vimeo.
Alice Russell Live at Bohemian – Hold It Down
Alice Russell - Hold It Down from Moncef Belyamani on Vimeo.
Alice Russell Live at Bohemian Caverns – Washington, DC March 5, 2009
Alice Russell performed live with musician/producer TM Juke, born Alex Cowan. Both are artists on the UK’s Tru Thoughts record label. They had been travelling around the West Coast and picked up two members in San Francisco before landing in DC; their new guitarist and drummer, who happened to be brothers. TM Juke has produced two of Alice Russell's albums, including the most recent album Pot of Gold. TM Juke played guitar and was clearly acting band leader for the tour, which makes sense because he was likely responsible for most of the music.
Though tired from much travelling, Alice was chipper, upbeat, and clearly happy to be back in DC and performing once again at Bohemian Caverns. The band was tight and sounded amazing, even though jet-lagged from the constant travelling for three or four days prior to their arrival in DC. Mid-way through the show Alice introduced the band’s most recent additions, adding that they had only one rehearsal with the San Francisco based folks.
Alice pleased the crowd, especially major fans by performing songs from all of her albums. She silenced the crowd by doing some of her more mellow soul jams that showcased her vocal range and her ability to sustain notes and sing out with every ounce of her being. She also got the crowd amped up by doing upbeat Alice Russell favorites, including a few covers that really got people up (Seven Nation Army- White Stripes, Crazy-Gnarls Barkley).
Not only was Alice Russell upbeat and chipper, she also was a great performer with a humbly sweet, yet powerful stage presence. The crowd felt for her when she said she was tired, was blown away by her voice and her words when she belted out tunes, and hung on her every word in between songs; even laughing at her jokes whether we fully understood them or not. She had the crowd in the palm of her hand and could do no wrong.
Doing wrong was the least of her problems. It was mind-blowing that such an amazingly powerful, soulful voice could come from this petite British blonde. Seeing her in 2009 at Bohemian Caverns was a treat and may very well be the last time that DC can catch Alice Russell in such an intimate venue.
Luckily I was able to convince my friend Moncef to shoot this footage.
See below:
Alice Russell Live at Bohemian Caverns - Crazy
Alice Russell sings Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" from Moncef Belyamani on Vimeo.
Alice Russell Live at Bohemian Caverns – Tired Little One
Alice Russell - Tired Little One from Moncef Belyamani on Vimeo.
Alice Russell Live at Bohemian – Hold It Down
Alice Russell - Hold It Down from Moncef Belyamani on Vimeo.
Lykke Li at 6th & I
When I found out Lykke Li was playing at 6th & I Synagogue I automatically knew I was going, but I didn’t know how much better her songs would sound live. Her energy kept me on my feet for the whole performance. I didn’t know what to expect from the venue, but the lighting and ambience made it a concert atmosphere. At times I wished I sat in the balcony or stood closer to the front because the audience was livelier in those areas, but it didn’t distract me from the performance.
Wildbirds & Peacedrums, also from Sweden, was her opening act and was just what the audience needed to get pumped up for Lykke Li. Their use of instruments kept me alert and their sound was something like I’ve never heard. This was one of the few times I wanted to know more about the opening act.
When Lykke Li came out to perform she was silhouetted. Her first song was “Dance Dance Dance” and everyone immediately stood up. The arrangement made it feel more rock inspired then like a pop song, which is what it sounds like on the album. The same can be said for her performance of “Let It Fall”. During the performance, Lykke Li interacted with the audience, which made it feel more intimate. It became more like a sing a long toward the end of the song and she promptly stopped us and said it “sounds like the Lion King”. I’m guessing she meant we were taking the edge out of the song, but either way it was funny. Overall I think she’s a great performer and would recommend going to a concert of hers.
Jamye
Wildbirds & Peacedrums, also from Sweden, was her opening act and was just what the audience needed to get pumped up for Lykke Li. Their use of instruments kept me alert and their sound was something like I’ve never heard. This was one of the few times I wanted to know more about the opening act.
When Lykke Li came out to perform she was silhouetted. Her first song was “Dance Dance Dance” and everyone immediately stood up. The arrangement made it feel more rock inspired then like a pop song, which is what it sounds like on the album. The same can be said for her performance of “Let It Fall”. During the performance, Lykke Li interacted with the audience, which made it feel more intimate. It became more like a sing a long toward the end of the song and she promptly stopped us and said it “sounds like the Lion King”. I’m guessing she meant we were taking the edge out of the song, but either way it was funny. Overall I think she’s a great performer and would recommend going to a concert of hers.
Jamye
Epik High Live session review
You wouldn’t call this a typical concert, but technology being advanced as it is… I’ve reviewed a “Live From…” type of deal by the hip hop group Epik High. This is a studio session called “Live from Maplab” going straight to YouTube, so there are no audiences present… it is just Epik High with their collaborators and their instruments. You can check this out at www.mapthesoul.com and they have this subtitled in English for international accessibility.
First, you need to know a little about Epik High. Epik High is a really popular indie hip hop group, from S. Korea, that has been around since 2003; members include Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz. They are a part of Korean hip hop crew called the Movement; this crew includes Korea’s legendary hip hop group Drunken Tiger, they are essentially the most famous hip hop group and were one to popularize hip hop music in Korea.
So on with the session. This is a really interesting way for Epik High to go about promoting their new album and their upcoming world tour. This group has always amazed me with their creativity and their technique. They are always challenging new styles in their music and they’ve done that once again in their new album, which clearly shows in this live session. Their collaboration with artists like MYK and Asher adds a new color to their tunes. This session features about 6-7 different songs, so you will definitely see what they are about.
In the future, I think we will see more and more of performances like this as technology become more accessible for artists and people alike, but if you’re interested in the real thing, Epik High will be performing in SF, LA, NYC and Seattle in May for their world tour.
So check out the webpage and click the videos on the bottom.
John Park
First, you need to know a little about Epik High. Epik High is a really popular indie hip hop group, from S. Korea, that has been around since 2003; members include Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz. They are a part of Korean hip hop crew called the Movement; this crew includes Korea’s legendary hip hop group Drunken Tiger, they are essentially the most famous hip hop group and were one to popularize hip hop music in Korea.
So on with the session. This is a really interesting way for Epik High to go about promoting their new album and their upcoming world tour. This group has always amazed me with their creativity and their technique. They are always challenging new styles in their music and they’ve done that once again in their new album, which clearly shows in this live session. Their collaboration with artists like MYK and Asher adds a new color to their tunes. This session features about 6-7 different songs, so you will definitely see what they are about.
In the future, I think we will see more and more of performances like this as technology become more accessible for artists and people alike, but if you’re interested in the real thing, Epik High will be performing in SF, LA, NYC and Seattle in May for their world tour.
So check out the webpage and click the videos on the bottom.
John Park
Do Make Say Think live review
Genres tend to exist only as a method of grouping similar musicians, which can end up limiting them as a result. However, there is a point in the musical spectrum where genres simply don’t function. What does one call a group of musicians that, while normally associated with indie rock, play music that is as calculated as any classical compositions but bears the same liveliness and syncopation of improvisational jazz? You could identify Do Make Say Think with any of those previous genres, but it doesn’t stop the band from lying at the stylistic Four Corners of music.
Do Make Say Think isn’t the first band to take contemporary indie rock and switch around so many elements as to make it nearly incomparable to it’s original form. Bands such as The Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine have been experimenting with dynamic balance far outside rock’s normal boundaries for years and contemporary bands such as Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky have taken the concept even further. Do Make Say Think, however, mark their significance with a sense of poise and restraint unseen in most of their stylistic neighbors.
Call it minimalism or call it precision, Do Make Say Think aren’t in any competition to cram the most notes possible into their songs. Rather, they refine their songs down to only the essential elements. Combined with some jazzy rhythmic tendencies and some interesting jams, their songs end up as elaborate masterpieces. With a tendency to vary from loud to soft, Do Make Say Think tend to tease; although, during their vivacious crescendos, they hold nothing back.
Like their recordings, their live show is alternately hushed and blisteringly loud, but never lacking control. As musicians they blend very well together and are on the same wavelength at all times. At this particular show, Do Make Say Think was comprised of a saxophonist, trumpet player, violist, bassist, two drummers and two guitarists. The violinist and brass tended to provide mostly nuance and emphasis and the guitars added a substantial level of dynamic control; However, the bassist and drummers stole the show with their rhythmic interweaving, which in turn resulted in most of the show’s best moments. The arguably best moment during Do Make Say Think’s arguably best song, ‘Frederecia,’ occurs during the song’s climax when a the band comes unexpectedly to a halt only to start up again with toms and bass drums full force, blowing away the audience.
The band impressed on more levels than just drastic shifts in volume. Partially acoustic pieces such as ‘A Tender History in Rust’ are subtly virtuosic, which brings up another one of the band’s strengths. Especially with their live shows, Do Make Say Think completely lack pretentiousness. No particular instrument takes the spotlight for too long, even though it’s obvious every member is capable of half hour solos.
All in all, the band overwhelmed with its ability to underwhelm at some points, only to come crashing down with a brilliant climax at others. The band uses nuance and dynamics like no other, and are without a doubt some of the most skilled musicians within their league of music.
Cameron
Do Make Say Think isn’t the first band to take contemporary indie rock and switch around so many elements as to make it nearly incomparable to it’s original form. Bands such as The Cocteau Twins and My Bloody Valentine have been experimenting with dynamic balance far outside rock’s normal boundaries for years and contemporary bands such as Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky have taken the concept even further. Do Make Say Think, however, mark their significance with a sense of poise and restraint unseen in most of their stylistic neighbors.
Call it minimalism or call it precision, Do Make Say Think aren’t in any competition to cram the most notes possible into their songs. Rather, they refine their songs down to only the essential elements. Combined with some jazzy rhythmic tendencies and some interesting jams, their songs end up as elaborate masterpieces. With a tendency to vary from loud to soft, Do Make Say Think tend to tease; although, during their vivacious crescendos, they hold nothing back.
Like their recordings, their live show is alternately hushed and blisteringly loud, but never lacking control. As musicians they blend very well together and are on the same wavelength at all times. At this particular show, Do Make Say Think was comprised of a saxophonist, trumpet player, violist, bassist, two drummers and two guitarists. The violinist and brass tended to provide mostly nuance and emphasis and the guitars added a substantial level of dynamic control; However, the bassist and drummers stole the show with their rhythmic interweaving, which in turn resulted in most of the show’s best moments. The arguably best moment during Do Make Say Think’s arguably best song, ‘Frederecia,’ occurs during the song’s climax when a the band comes unexpectedly to a halt only to start up again with toms and bass drums full force, blowing away the audience.
The band impressed on more levels than just drastic shifts in volume. Partially acoustic pieces such as ‘A Tender History in Rust’ are subtly virtuosic, which brings up another one of the band’s strengths. Especially with their live shows, Do Make Say Think completely lack pretentiousness. No particular instrument takes the spotlight for too long, even though it’s obvious every member is capable of half hour solos.
All in all, the band overwhelmed with its ability to underwhelm at some points, only to come crashing down with a brilliant climax at others. The band uses nuance and dynamics like no other, and are without a doubt some of the most skilled musicians within their league of music.
Cameron
Godisheus @ Almaz & Asylum
I have had the pleasure of working sound for the band, Godisheus, for their last 2 shows. The first was Sat. 4/11 at an Ethiopian restaurant on U st. called Almaz where local bands perform on Saturday nights. The most recent show was last night 4/15 at Asylum on 18th St. in Adams Morgan. Both shows were fairly similar, with similar set lists and technical set up.
The band is a Funk/Metal/Hip Hop hybrid, and they wail. Drums, guitar, bass and vocals, and all the players are great and the band is tight. The stage-presence is very engaging; they keep it really funky and live through out the set.
Godisheus's sound is something like The Meters meets Bad Brains-meets-some crazy metal that I don't even know about meets any of those premier bands that back up hip hop artists on tour.
They play shows around town, and they are determined to bring the DC music scene back to life. So they say. They are good, and they're playing at DC9 on Monday for the 1-year anniversary party for Capitol Hemp. Hopefully I'll be mixing.
Joe Burge
The band is a Funk/Metal/Hip Hop hybrid, and they wail. Drums, guitar, bass and vocals, and all the players are great and the band is tight. The stage-presence is very engaging; they keep it really funky and live through out the set.
Godisheus's sound is something like The Meters meets Bad Brains-meets-some crazy metal that I don't even know about meets any of those premier bands that back up hip hop artists on tour.
They play shows around town, and they are determined to bring the DC music scene back to life. So they say. They are good, and they're playing at DC9 on Monday for the 1-year anniversary party for Capitol Hemp. Hopefully I'll be mixing.
Joe Burge
Solar Powered Sun Destroyer Review
Tonight’s Appleseed Cast performance at DC9 was prefaced with an fabulous surprise. Local openers “Solar Powered Sun Destroyer” put on a truly epic live show. A five piece, they play a brand of melodic hardcore that draws equal amounts from Brian Eno and Isis. They don’t sound a whole lot like most DC hardcore bands that have existed thus far, which certainly isn’t a bad thing. Their sound veers into emo territory but is vicious and crushing quite often and never whiny. Overall they would fit well on a bill alongside other “post-metal” bands such as Pelican and Cult of Luna, but they certainly also fit well alongside The Appleseed Cast.
They opened their set with “The Unity of Those Unseen” which makes good use of momentary dissonance mixed with harmony. The highlight by far was “Intromission,” a haunting instrumental that is very intricate yet powerful. All throughout their set SPSD used sound clips from the movie “Sunshine” which actually is about a team of astronauts sent to save the sun. The movie’s soundtrack and the band’s general aesthetic are oddly compatible and the clips added a really cool level of continuity between songs. Also adding to the mood were the drummer’s translucent drum kit as well as the yellow and red lights the band had placed on the ground around the stage, making them look sun-lit themselves.
Another positive aspect of the band is their use of three guitarists. Many bands such as Hawthorne Heights have started using three guitarists recently which many see as unnecessary because two of the three guitars are usually playing the same notes. However, SPSD’s intricate melodies are given added depth and harmonic complexity with the inclusion of the third guitar, which is only used when appropriate. Overall, all the band’s instruments fit together impeccably and all play a unique part in creating the music’s atmosphere.
Solar Powered Sun Destroyer has kept up the DC tradition of hardcore bands that don’t sound anything like their DC hardcore forefathers. They maneuver epic soundscapes that demand fist-pumping of their audience in a whole new way. Hopefully this band will stick around because their sound is fresh and very enjoyable.
Cameron
They opened their set with “The Unity of Those Unseen” which makes good use of momentary dissonance mixed with harmony. The highlight by far was “Intromission,” a haunting instrumental that is very intricate yet powerful. All throughout their set SPSD used sound clips from the movie “Sunshine” which actually is about a team of astronauts sent to save the sun. The movie’s soundtrack and the band’s general aesthetic are oddly compatible and the clips added a really cool level of continuity between songs. Also adding to the mood were the drummer’s translucent drum kit as well as the yellow and red lights the band had placed on the ground around the stage, making them look sun-lit themselves.
Another positive aspect of the band is their use of three guitarists. Many bands such as Hawthorne Heights have started using three guitarists recently which many see as unnecessary because two of the three guitars are usually playing the same notes. However, SPSD’s intricate melodies are given added depth and harmonic complexity with the inclusion of the third guitar, which is only used when appropriate. Overall, all the band’s instruments fit together impeccably and all play a unique part in creating the music’s atmosphere.
Solar Powered Sun Destroyer has kept up the DC tradition of hardcore bands that don’t sound anything like their DC hardcore forefathers. They maneuver epic soundscapes that demand fist-pumping of their audience in a whole new way. Hopefully this band will stick around because their sound is fresh and very enjoyable.
Cameron
The Forms- Icarus
I really wish emo was better. 90’s emo(-ish) bands such as American Football, Cap’n Jazz and At the Drive-In proved that music with that certain emotive drive could be groundbreaking and interesting. In recent years, however, the well of innovation seems to have run dry in the emo scene. All the same, if there is one up and coming band that lives up to the emo of yore, it’s the Forms
The Forms aren’t really an emo band, and they aren’t really in the emo scene. Most often, they end up getting labeled ‘indie’ or something similarly general, possibly as a result of their residence in Brooklyn, arguably the indie rock capital of the US. Truthfully, they aren’t markedly more unusual than any of the other wildly different bands that get lumped under the indie moniker. However, the song craft that the Forms exhibit on their debut LP, Icarus, blows away most everything in any scene today.
Icarus is a bit of an odd album. With 10 tracks, it clocks in with a running time of just 18 minutes and still leaves the listener feeling as though they just listened to a full course LP. That said, Icarus is also a mind-bogglingly fabulous album. The Forms master the art not of short songs, but of excellent songs that happen to be concise. Verses are choruses are bridges and vice versa, tempos smack you in the face when you think you can follow them, shrieking highs melt down to nuanced lows and build back up again, and it’s all done with impeccable precision. The whole album fits together seamlessly as one ridiculously complex yet completely listenable song. To attempt to describe it is to not give it justice, as it is one of the most profound pieces of art I have ever experienced.
While the Forms are completely their own beast, melodic traits reminiscent of 90’s emo are certainly noticeable. However, instead of becoming yet another commercial, obnoxiously whine-laden emo monstrosity, the Forms take the aesthetic and renew it completely. Fresh, interesting, and full of passion, the Forms are very much one of the most promising up and coming artists.
Cameron
The Forms aren’t really an emo band, and they aren’t really in the emo scene. Most often, they end up getting labeled ‘indie’ or something similarly general, possibly as a result of their residence in Brooklyn, arguably the indie rock capital of the US. Truthfully, they aren’t markedly more unusual than any of the other wildly different bands that get lumped under the indie moniker. However, the song craft that the Forms exhibit on their debut LP, Icarus, blows away most everything in any scene today.
Icarus is a bit of an odd album. With 10 tracks, it clocks in with a running time of just 18 minutes and still leaves the listener feeling as though they just listened to a full course LP. That said, Icarus is also a mind-bogglingly fabulous album. The Forms master the art not of short songs, but of excellent songs that happen to be concise. Verses are choruses are bridges and vice versa, tempos smack you in the face when you think you can follow them, shrieking highs melt down to nuanced lows and build back up again, and it’s all done with impeccable precision. The whole album fits together seamlessly as one ridiculously complex yet completely listenable song. To attempt to describe it is to not give it justice, as it is one of the most profound pieces of art I have ever experienced.
While the Forms are completely their own beast, melodic traits reminiscent of 90’s emo are certainly noticeable. However, instead of becoming yet another commercial, obnoxiously whine-laden emo monstrosity, the Forms take the aesthetic and renew it completely. Fresh, interesting, and full of passion, the Forms are very much one of the most promising up and coming artists.
Cameron
Sunday, April 12, 2009
New Artists - Kid Cudi and Little Boots
Artist 1: Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi, born Scott Ramon Seguro Mecsudi, is a 25 year old Midwest rapper/actor from Shaker Heights, Ohio. His debut album Man on the Moon: The Guardian will be released in summer 2009 on Universal Motown Records. Cudi describes himself and his music as “awesomely dope, different, deep, passionate, fun, and abstract.” (myspace) Though his music is primarily categorized as hip hop, it has traces of alternative rock, R&B, electro, and dance music. His lyrics reference his life and daily struggles in a very realistic, non-gangsta fashion and he prides himself on writing songs that everyone can relate to; and if they can relate, they can at the very least see and understand his perspective. This rings most true with his break out single, Day n Nite. This song has catapulted him into the mainstream even before his debut album has hit the shelves. He attempts to create next-level music and Day n Nite is just that. It deals with very basic daily struggles that many can relate to but the lyrics and beats come across so right that no one can deny them. The video takes it even further, creating a undeniable piece of art.
Kid Cudi released his first piece as a mixtape that was given away free in collaboration with an NYC clothing company called 10.Deep. This lead to Kanye West discovering him and signing him to the GOOD Music record label. Through this he got many opportunities such as an appearance on Snoop Dogg’s new show Dogg After Dark, a couple featured slots on Kanye West’s new album, 808’s and Heartbreak, and a VMA (MTV Video Music Award) performance in 2008 with Travis Barker and DJ AM.
He most recently worked on a project with Common, Kanye West, A-Trak, and Lady Gaga. It’s a remix of the Lady Gaga song, Poker Face entitled, I Poke Her Face.
Day n Nite – Kid Cudi
Day 'n' Nite - Kid Cudi from DP on Vimeo.
Artist 2: Little Boots
Little Boots, born Victoria Hesketh is a 25 year old vocalist/musician from Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Little Boots went to the University of Leeds and earned her honors degree in Cultural Studies. She wrote her dissertation on “The concept of originality in the music of Jamie Cullum”. She was first recognized at age 16 when she made it through several rounds of the ITV talent show called Pop Idol before getting eliminated. She later formed a Jazz Trio, toured Europe with a big bangd, and then formed a band called Dead Disco.
Little Boots got her nickname after taking a liking to a movie called Caligula, which is Latin for “little boot”.
She is just now getting noticed by the masses, partially due to Carson Daly dedicating an entire Last Call show to her in early March 2009. She also made it out to South by Southwest, where she performed alongside Kid Cudi doing a rendition of Day n Nite.
Day n Nite – Kid Cudi feat Little Boots
See more awesome videos below:
Meddle - Little Boots
Little Boots - Meddle from Sheena Beaston on Vimeo.
Stuck on Repeat - Little Boots - Spaceland, LA – Feb 4, 2009
Little Boots "Stuck on Repeat" Spaceland LA Feb 4 2009 from iamarobot3000 on Vimeo.
Daniel Ssebowa Musisi
Kid Cudi, born Scott Ramon Seguro Mecsudi, is a 25 year old Midwest rapper/actor from Shaker Heights, Ohio. His debut album Man on the Moon: The Guardian will be released in summer 2009 on Universal Motown Records. Cudi describes himself and his music as “awesomely dope, different, deep, passionate, fun, and abstract.” (myspace) Though his music is primarily categorized as hip hop, it has traces of alternative rock, R&B, electro, and dance music. His lyrics reference his life and daily struggles in a very realistic, non-gangsta fashion and he prides himself on writing songs that everyone can relate to; and if they can relate, they can at the very least see and understand his perspective. This rings most true with his break out single, Day n Nite. This song has catapulted him into the mainstream even before his debut album has hit the shelves. He attempts to create next-level music and Day n Nite is just that. It deals with very basic daily struggles that many can relate to but the lyrics and beats come across so right that no one can deny them. The video takes it even further, creating a undeniable piece of art.
Kid Cudi released his first piece as a mixtape that was given away free in collaboration with an NYC clothing company called 10.Deep. This lead to Kanye West discovering him and signing him to the GOOD Music record label. Through this he got many opportunities such as an appearance on Snoop Dogg’s new show Dogg After Dark, a couple featured slots on Kanye West’s new album, 808’s and Heartbreak, and a VMA (MTV Video Music Award) performance in 2008 with Travis Barker and DJ AM.
He most recently worked on a project with Common, Kanye West, A-Trak, and Lady Gaga. It’s a remix of the Lady Gaga song, Poker Face entitled, I Poke Her Face.
Day n Nite – Kid Cudi
Day 'n' Nite - Kid Cudi from DP on Vimeo.
Artist 2: Little Boots
Little Boots, born Victoria Hesketh is a 25 year old vocalist/musician from Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Little Boots went to the University of Leeds and earned her honors degree in Cultural Studies. She wrote her dissertation on “The concept of originality in the music of Jamie Cullum”. She was first recognized at age 16 when she made it through several rounds of the ITV talent show called Pop Idol before getting eliminated. She later formed a Jazz Trio, toured Europe with a big bangd, and then formed a band called Dead Disco.
Little Boots got her nickname after taking a liking to a movie called Caligula, which is Latin for “little boot”.
She is just now getting noticed by the masses, partially due to Carson Daly dedicating an entire Last Call show to her in early March 2009. She also made it out to South by Southwest, where she performed alongside Kid Cudi doing a rendition of Day n Nite.
Day n Nite – Kid Cudi feat Little Boots
See more awesome videos below:
Meddle - Little Boots
Little Boots - Meddle from Sheena Beaston on Vimeo.
Stuck on Repeat - Little Boots - Spaceland, LA – Feb 4, 2009
Little Boots "Stuck on Repeat" Spaceland LA Feb 4 2009 from iamarobot3000 on Vimeo.
Daniel Ssebowa Musisi
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Frankmusik
Frankmusik
Frankmusik, whose real name is Vincent Frank, is a relative newcomer to the music scene who has seen success in the British charts with his single 3 little words. Although his music defies any one genre, a fact Frank is very proud of, he has a poppy electric sound. The music relies on retro synth sounds and drum machines to create an upbeat melodic frenzy. It is truly a one-of a kind sound but yet still has mainstream appeal. Frank has all aspects of the music business covered, being a producer, a DJ, and an artist. At one point he was even a well-known beatboxer who went by the name of Mr. Mouth.
Since 2007 he has released four EPs, remixed numerous songs, and has an album release planned for June of this year. The album is being produced by Stuart Price, of Jacques Lu Cont fame, who produced Madonna's last studio album. Over the past two years, Frank has been a supporting act for Sam Sparro, Alphabeat, and Keane. He has remixed songs from the likes of Bloc Party, Keane, and Lady Gaga among others, adding his unique electro spin.
Recently he received some media attention because of his "live and lost" tour where he performed 12 shows in 12 days and relied on fans to get him between the gigs. This intimate interaction with his fans is something Frank prides himself on. He started the tour with just his blackberry and 20 pounds in his pocket and ended up getting to all 12 gigs. He filmed the entire experience, which has become popular on youtube and his myspace page. Frankmusik is definitely an act to watch for in the coming year, and with his album release approaching, he will be more and more in the spotlight, especially within the British music scene.
Tom Davidson
Frankmusik, whose real name is Vincent Frank, is a relative newcomer to the music scene who has seen success in the British charts with his single 3 little words. Although his music defies any one genre, a fact Frank is very proud of, he has a poppy electric sound. The music relies on retro synth sounds and drum machines to create an upbeat melodic frenzy. It is truly a one-of a kind sound but yet still has mainstream appeal. Frank has all aspects of the music business covered, being a producer, a DJ, and an artist. At one point he was even a well-known beatboxer who went by the name of Mr. Mouth.
Since 2007 he has released four EPs, remixed numerous songs, and has an album release planned for June of this year. The album is being produced by Stuart Price, of Jacques Lu Cont fame, who produced Madonna's last studio album. Over the past two years, Frank has been a supporting act for Sam Sparro, Alphabeat, and Keane. He has remixed songs from the likes of Bloc Party, Keane, and Lady Gaga among others, adding his unique electro spin.
Recently he received some media attention because of his "live and lost" tour where he performed 12 shows in 12 days and relied on fans to get him between the gigs. This intimate interaction with his fans is something Frank prides himself on. He started the tour with just his blackberry and 20 pounds in his pocket and ended up getting to all 12 gigs. He filmed the entire experience, which has become popular on youtube and his myspace page. Frankmusik is definitely an act to watch for in the coming year, and with his album release approaching, he will be more and more in the spotlight, especially within the British music scene.
Tom Davidson
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Carl Vine
The concept of an undiscovered artist in the world of “academic music” is problematic. (I’m only speaking about composers here, not performers). Because of the collaborative nature of academic music, especially for large-scale works, where bureaucratic institutions like orchestral management become involved, a new artist either falls into the category of truly undiscovered, in that there music is at best only realized through modest means afforded through use of samplers and synthesizers, or they have been discovered by some musical authority and have had some works played, but that their works have not been heard by their worldwide potential audience (which is still small compared to other genres).
Carl Vine falls into the latter category; having been born in Australia in 1954, and having had some of his most important works premiered as early as the 1970s. Yet most of the world (meaning a few scattered modern-classical/jazz enthusiasts) has not heard of him, due mostly to the lack of recordings available. I subscribed to emusic.com recently, which does a very good job at stocking an organized classical and jazz catalog comprising many smaller independent labels (and it is often the independent classical labels that will actually have the new artists since they often can’t afford the marquee performers necessary to produce competitive recordings of the standard “warhorses”). Yet Mr. Vine was very underrepresented even on emusic. Due, once again, to the lack of available recordings, I have only heard a few of Vine’s works. What I have heard, though, showed a capable, dynamic composer who managed to marry depth of composition with a self-confident irreverence towards the musical boundaries dictated by “good taste,” the result being a viscerally exciting, original work that seems to be accessible by incident, rather than by any tired concept of “pandering to the audience.” I won’t make any predictions of stardom for Vine, mostly because he has been around long enough where one would have expected him to reach that point if he was going to at all. I do think his is a name that deserves recognition, and I can only hope that the ease of making recordings available these days will be reason enough for us to finally get some first-rate recordings from the majority of his catalog (beyond what the somewhat isolated Australian musical community already has).
- Alex T.
Carl Vine falls into the latter category; having been born in Australia in 1954, and having had some of his most important works premiered as early as the 1970s. Yet most of the world (meaning a few scattered modern-classical/jazz enthusiasts) has not heard of him, due mostly to the lack of recordings available. I subscribed to emusic.com recently, which does a very good job at stocking an organized classical and jazz catalog comprising many smaller independent labels (and it is often the independent classical labels that will actually have the new artists since they often can’t afford the marquee performers necessary to produce competitive recordings of the standard “warhorses”). Yet Mr. Vine was very underrepresented even on emusic. Due, once again, to the lack of available recordings, I have only heard a few of Vine’s works. What I have heard, though, showed a capable, dynamic composer who managed to marry depth of composition with a self-confident irreverence towards the musical boundaries dictated by “good taste,” the result being a viscerally exciting, original work that seems to be accessible by incident, rather than by any tired concept of “pandering to the audience.” I won’t make any predictions of stardom for Vine, mostly because he has been around long enough where one would have expected him to reach that point if he was going to at all. I do think his is a name that deserves recognition, and I can only hope that the ease of making recordings available these days will be reason enough for us to finally get some first-rate recordings from the majority of his catalog (beyond what the somewhat isolated Australian musical community already has).
- Alex T.
Tekno
Lately there's been much chatter about Tekno (http://www.myspace.com/tekno711) in the NJ area. I wanted to clear up who he is exactly. By listening to his music one can see he is clearly a musician, who puts his own twist into his writing; pulling from various influences including backgrounds in Gospel, R&B, Rock, Jazz and Hip-Hop. First and foremost Tekno is a drummer from the NJ area and I'm proud to say he is a close friend of mine.
Tekno or Brandon Little, got his start playing drums for drum teams and gospel groups in church. When attending high school, I was lucky enough to find him one day performing in a empty auditorium; unknowingly a few years later, I'd be performing at various shows as a bassist with him as my drummer and best friend in the local band Those Left Standing (www.myspace.com/thoseleftstanding). After a good year and a half of many shows and a CD and a half recorded, Brandon and I were "kicked out" of the band and ended up going our own separate ways musically.It was then a year later that I stumbled onto his solo music project "Tekno."
Having a strong following in the local area due to his perfection and love of the instrument, mouth dropping drum solos, and enthusiastic stage presence, Brandon has had a good start with the launch of his myspace page, already getting over 5,000 plays in just a few months. (this is pretty impressive for someone who is only known of in a small town) As with any professional musician, Brandon dedicates his life to the music he writes and to him this is his job and source of income.
Within the next couple of months, Brandon plans to launch the sale of his tracks onto, CD Baby.com, Itunes, and Snocap to name a few. Along with writing and selling instrumental tracks for various undisclosed artists. Brandon has also wrote most of the earlier music for a popular Rap group called New Jack City, which due to Brandon's reputation, sky rocketed in plays and commotion and then plummeted once he went his separate ways from the group.
I believe that if Brandon plays his cards right, and focuses on polishing his product, with the right promotions and legal assistance he has a shot of getting very big in the club scenes and underground music movements going on in the NJ/NYC/Philly areas. I also believe and stand behind that he has the potential for growth outside of these venues if he continues to head in the same direction, by word of mouth alone.
-Josh Jardine
Tekno or Brandon Little, got his start playing drums for drum teams and gospel groups in church. When attending high school, I was lucky enough to find him one day performing in a empty auditorium; unknowingly a few years later, I'd be performing at various shows as a bassist with him as my drummer and best friend in the local band Those Left Standing (www.myspace.com/thoseleftstanding). After a good year and a half of many shows and a CD and a half recorded, Brandon and I were "kicked out" of the band and ended up going our own separate ways musically.It was then a year later that I stumbled onto his solo music project "Tekno."
Having a strong following in the local area due to his perfection and love of the instrument, mouth dropping drum solos, and enthusiastic stage presence, Brandon has had a good start with the launch of his myspace page, already getting over 5,000 plays in just a few months. (this is pretty impressive for someone who is only known of in a small town) As with any professional musician, Brandon dedicates his life to the music he writes and to him this is his job and source of income.
Within the next couple of months, Brandon plans to launch the sale of his tracks onto, CD Baby.com, Itunes, and Snocap to name a few. Along with writing and selling instrumental tracks for various undisclosed artists. Brandon has also wrote most of the earlier music for a popular Rap group called New Jack City, which due to Brandon's reputation, sky rocketed in plays and commotion and then plummeted once he went his separate ways from the group.
I believe that if Brandon plays his cards right, and focuses on polishing his product, with the right promotions and legal assistance he has a shot of getting very big in the club scenes and underground music movements going on in the NJ/NYC/Philly areas. I also believe and stand behind that he has the potential for growth outside of these venues if he continues to head in the same direction, by word of mouth alone.
-Josh Jardine
Up and Coming on the world stage - Wintersun
Wintersun – Jari Maenpaa
Many talented musicians seeking glory, honor, and babes populate the heavy metal world, but few will ever achieve multimillion record sales. The bands that do achieve this are often viewed as sellouts and big sacks of poop, and often, that is a correct assessment. So to say up and coming to me implies that a band simply doesn’t have a recognizable following yet.
Wintersun is the side project of the respected musician, Jari Maenpaa who made his name and voice and awesome riffage known through the Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum (another favorite of mine). The Viking theme of Ensiferum incorporated folk melodies and medieval musical concepts into a double bass, gallop rythmn, dirty vocal metal style that quickly gained attention (in Finland). All the while Jari was shredding away, he was also singing, and the live concerts were a sight to behold. Ultimately however, after 3 successful albums, Jari departed the band and decided to record his solo projects that were not related to Vikings, but still cool. So cool in fact, that the band Wintersun, while only having one album, was able to win over all the fans of Ensiferum, plus everyone who couldn’t associate with Vikings as well as the Finnish. Wintersun’s style has been described as folk metal (thanks to critics extensive knowledge of Ensiferum) and black metal (a genre that doesn’t sound like folk metal at all), but ultimately the correct term would probably be Melodic Black Metal. Recording the entire album by himself, with the help of a guest drummer, Jari was able to create a tremendously depressing album that expressed everything that Ensiferum didn’t allow him to expand on. With rhythm guitar, lead guitar, dozen keyboard layers, and multiple vocals tracks all recorded and mixed by himself, Jari Maenpaa has indicated to the metal world that he wished to make himself a legend.
But due to financial constraints and the lack of actual band members, Wintersun didn’t take off like it deserved. Since the release of Winter Madness (the first album) the band has picked up a bass player and rhythm guitar player, and the guest drummer liked the project so much that he gave up his membership in his previous successful band. The approaching album Time expands on themes that poets and fucked up depressed fiction writers have trouble expounding on, but it also has been in development for more than 4 years.
The amount of time that it is taking implies that perfection will be shown, both musically and lyrically, and with new members, this legend with one album will become a legend with multiple albums and thus destroy the world. I expect Wintersun will become very popular internationally and encourage musicians to learn some Audio Tech. A link to a ridiculous live performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nE91FtR0OQ&feature=related
Many talented musicians seeking glory, honor, and babes populate the heavy metal world, but few will ever achieve multimillion record sales. The bands that do achieve this are often viewed as sellouts and big sacks of poop, and often, that is a correct assessment. So to say up and coming to me implies that a band simply doesn’t have a recognizable following yet.
Wintersun is the side project of the respected musician, Jari Maenpaa who made his name and voice and awesome riffage known through the Finnish folk metal band Ensiferum (another favorite of mine). The Viking theme of Ensiferum incorporated folk melodies and medieval musical concepts into a double bass, gallop rythmn, dirty vocal metal style that quickly gained attention (in Finland). All the while Jari was shredding away, he was also singing, and the live concerts were a sight to behold. Ultimately however, after 3 successful albums, Jari departed the band and decided to record his solo projects that were not related to Vikings, but still cool. So cool in fact, that the band Wintersun, while only having one album, was able to win over all the fans of Ensiferum, plus everyone who couldn’t associate with Vikings as well as the Finnish. Wintersun’s style has been described as folk metal (thanks to critics extensive knowledge of Ensiferum) and black metal (a genre that doesn’t sound like folk metal at all), but ultimately the correct term would probably be Melodic Black Metal. Recording the entire album by himself, with the help of a guest drummer, Jari was able to create a tremendously depressing album that expressed everything that Ensiferum didn’t allow him to expand on. With rhythm guitar, lead guitar, dozen keyboard layers, and multiple vocals tracks all recorded and mixed by himself, Jari Maenpaa has indicated to the metal world that he wished to make himself a legend.
But due to financial constraints and the lack of actual band members, Wintersun didn’t take off like it deserved. Since the release of Winter Madness (the first album) the band has picked up a bass player and rhythm guitar player, and the guest drummer liked the project so much that he gave up his membership in his previous successful band. The approaching album Time expands on themes that poets and fucked up depressed fiction writers have trouble expounding on, but it also has been in development for more than 4 years.
The amount of time that it is taking implies that perfection will be shown, both musically and lyrically, and with new members, this legend with one album will become a legend with multiple albums and thus destroy the world. I expect Wintersun will become very popular internationally and encourage musicians to learn some Audio Tech. A link to a ridiculous live performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nE91FtR0OQ&feature=related
Chase Allen
Chase Allen was one of my first MySpace friends, so needless to say that is where I discovered his music. His page was much more established than mine: it had a cool background image, and he had like at least 1,000 friends. Now Chase has upwards of 6,500. Obviously he is doing something right. Chase Allen categorizes his music as "R&B/ Soul/ Experimental," which seems to fit pretty well, but still not perfectly. All the usual ingredients are present: singer/songwriter playing keyboards, thick vocal harmonies, tight drummer, supportive guitarist, bass (though you can't really make it out that well through the MySpace music player). Chase is an awesome singer, and his harmonies (especially on "Echoes") have an unexpectedly rich cadence. Being white and sounding black while not seeming to try to sound black always helps too. His songs aren't exactly straight-away R&B, Soul, and they are not really poppy enough to be heard on mainstream radio, but they are solid with definite elements from those categories, sounding unique with interesting chord changes and transitions between sections. Chase Allen seems to fit in with an emerging group of artists who lack a definitive categorization, as well as a centralized outlet. That new type of R&B-Soul-ish-a-little-different type of stuff that can't be called neo-soul or hip hop, because it is neither. It will all becaome more clear in the months and years to come.
From the info gleaned from his page, Chase plays around L.A. with his band as his main form of promotion. The tracks that aren't live could use some sprucing up, but they definitely serve their purpose as demos. Nice job, Chase. Your music is tight.
Joe Burge
From the info gleaned from his page, Chase plays around L.A. with his band as his main form of promotion. The tracks that aren't live could use some sprucing up, but they definitely serve their purpose as demos. Nice job, Chase. Your music is tight.
Joe Burge
Bellflur
Bellflur is an up and coming band that just finished tracking their third record at Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, VA. The band has been a part of the DC indie rock scene for the past five years but is now starting to break through to a larger audience. Although music is the primary element of their performances, it is not the only component. Their live shows include large citiy-scape props, costumes, and projections that create an experience beyond the music. Not only do they have an impressive presentation, each musician is outfitted with an arsenal of gear including pedals, synthesizers, triggers, samplers, and effects processors. Their first album, self-titled "bellflur"). is much more spacey and atmospheric; music that is reminiscent of Pink Floyd, Radiohead, and Sigur Ros. Since then their music has grown into something more unique, with heavier riffs, and moving textures.
The band has gone through several personnel changes on the drum set but will soon be welcoming Emerson Williams as their new full time drummer. No matter what your musical tastes, Bellflur presents a live show that is not worth missing. Look for their performance at the Black Cat on April 24th, 2009.
Emerson
The band has gone through several personnel changes on the drum set but will soon be welcoming Emerson Williams as their new full time drummer. No matter what your musical tastes, Bellflur presents a live show that is not worth missing. Look for their performance at the Black Cat on April 24th, 2009.
Emerson
Remington
Remington is an indi/dance rock/power pop trio from the New York City area. The band was created in 2003 by three music students from the Juilliard School and the Manhattan School of Music. The band is comprised of Mike Thurber on vocals and bass, Greg Evans on drums and Ross Mintzer on guitar and vocals. Their various upbringings in music bring a lot of different color and sound to the band, which interconnects into some great music.
Even though being a relatively new band, they have their experiences in many different style of music, including classical, jazz, rock, pop, and etc. Every summer, they provide a summer camp for students on all the basics of music to composing music, encompassing many different genre of music.
For the summer of 2009, they are planning a "Family Tour", which is a very interesting way of promoting and performing. This tour will be free of charge. The catch is that you have to provide a venue, place to stay, and food. So these concerts could potentially be at somebody's house, all you have to do is feed them and have them sleep in your living room.
All their music is available for download on their website for free. They are a great band and doing many things right. Check them out if you have a chance, and maybe you want to invite them for the "Family Tour".
Website / MySpace
John Park
Even though being a relatively new band, they have their experiences in many different style of music, including classical, jazz, rock, pop, and etc. Every summer, they provide a summer camp for students on all the basics of music to composing music, encompassing many different genre of music.
For the summer of 2009, they are planning a "Family Tour", which is a very interesting way of promoting and performing. This tour will be free of charge. The catch is that you have to provide a venue, place to stay, and food. So these concerts could potentially be at somebody's house, all you have to do is feed them and have them sleep in your living room.
All their music is available for download on their website for free. They are a great band and doing many things right. Check them out if you have a chance, and maybe you want to invite them for the "Family Tour".
Website / MySpace
John Park
Cage The Elephant
Cage the Elephant is one of the newest additions to the UK record label Relentless, and have proven themselves to be an up and coming force in the dirty punk rock genre. The band got its start around 2000 when brothers Matt and Brad Shultz decided to break free from their Evangelical parents and their strict music standards. Their parents did not let them listen to anything containing drugs or sex, so basically leaving out all classic rock. There is even a story of how for Matt's birthday his Dad shattered the new Green Day album his girlfriend had bought him. Despite their late start into rock n' roll, they began to develop into their known classic rock/punk rock groove. They added on drummer Jared Champion, bassist Daniel Tichenor, and lead guitarist Lincoln Parish around 2005 to Matt's vocals and Brad's guitar to complete Cage The Elephant. This dirty rock side can be seen best in their single "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked". With drumming almost similar to a John Bonham beat, a steel acoustic guitar played with a slide, and a Jack White singing style, this song really looks at rock with many different angles. "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" ended up reaching number thirty-two on the UK-Singles Chart in 2008. Soon after, Cage the Elephant released their first self titled album with Relentless Records.
Cage the Elephant has been on several tours through out the UK, despite from getting their start in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and has most recently come off a tour with The Pigeon Detectives, a well versed English alt rock band. Cage the Elephant is known for their fiery and raucous performances, they even had to cancel some of the shows on their tour because Matt had hurt his knee so badly on stage, that he couldn't perform. I would recommend Cage the Elephant to anyone who is into classic rock, some nice steel guitar, and anyone who is into punk rock.
John Geraghty
Cage the Elephant has been on several tours through out the UK, despite from getting their start in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and has most recently come off a tour with The Pigeon Detectives, a well versed English alt rock band. Cage the Elephant is known for their fiery and raucous performances, they even had to cancel some of the shows on their tour because Matt had hurt his knee so badly on stage, that he couldn't perform. I would recommend Cage the Elephant to anyone who is into classic rock, some nice steel guitar, and anyone who is into punk rock.
John Geraghty
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Janelle Monae
Janelle Monae is one of the newest members of Bad Boy via her label, Wondaland Arts Society. Looking to create variety within the genres of music being produced under his label, Diddy signed a soulful singing, funk/pop/rock/r&b artist whose sound is like no other. Sporting a Little Richard do (minus the perm), a bowtie and penny loafers, Janelle Monae stands out in an industry where the importance of creating an image is slowly fading away, at least in the Pop world.
Her song topics range from oppression and issues within the black community (“Sincerely Jane”, “Many Moons”) to a mythical android that falls in love with a human (“Violet Stars Happy Hunting”). She’s created a world called Metropolis, which is set in the future and involves hundreds of androids that look just like her that are used for everyday tasks. Monae brings this world with her on tours, where her high energy performances captivate the audience and leave them wanting more. I haven’t had the opportunity to see her live, but YouTube is the next best thing.
Janelle Monae’s creativity and talent shouldn’t be something that is ignored. She’s refreshing and proves that you don’t have to act, look, or do a certain genre of music according to society’s ideals. She breaks all boundaries.
Jamye Young
Her song topics range from oppression and issues within the black community (“Sincerely Jane”, “Many Moons”) to a mythical android that falls in love with a human (“Violet Stars Happy Hunting”). She’s created a world called Metropolis, which is set in the future and involves hundreds of androids that look just like her that are used for everyday tasks. Monae brings this world with her on tours, where her high energy performances captivate the audience and leave them wanting more. I haven’t had the opportunity to see her live, but YouTube is the next best thing.
Janelle Monae’s creativity and talent shouldn’t be something that is ignored. She’s refreshing and proves that you don’t have to act, look, or do a certain genre of music according to society’s ideals. She breaks all boundaries.
Jamye Young
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